Tiger's Beard, Ryo's "Makiroi" & Golf Guy Grooming

Tiger Woods, photo:Getty Images / / / / / / / / / Ryo Ishikawa, Photo: スポニチ

The Tiger Woods facial hair story is a couple of days old now, and while it's never officially trended on Twitter,  it has generated... and continues to generate... a steady stream of commentary/discussion.

Tiger Woods' Beard even has its own facebook page... and has been described by sports writers in a variety of creative ways, including "some kinda beard thing", "somewhere between a full beard and some chinstraps", and a sexy scruff. 

Golf fans and media types alike have clearly been intrigued and entertained by the recent Tiger transfiguration.  

Affable Andres Gonzales has a prodigious Foo Manchu and hair that flows past his ample shoulders. 
One of the most popular rookies on the PGA tour,  he's known as much for his unconventional grooming as for his unrequited public friendship with the aforementioned Tiger. 

2009 Open Championship winner Stuart Cink spoke about his decision to embrace baldness in a recent video for Dove® Men + Care, a line of grooming products developed specifically for men. It seems his wife Lisa was the one who suggested he take a razor to his remaining locks a few years ago... and he's never looked back.

Then there's  Ryo Ishikawa, the Japanese golf superstar frequently featured in the pages of this blog.  The so called Bashful Prince is anything but bashful when it comes to hairstyle experimentation. He's probably best known for the spiky, Poulter-inspired style that inspired his famous club cover.  I also remember an unusual asymmetrical look.   Then a couple of weeks ago, at the US Open,  Ryo was looking a lot like Rickie Fowler... so much so that fans were doing double takes.

This week the versatile Mr. Ishikawa is in South Korea for the Million Yard Cup, and seems to be stylistically inspired by another R: The teen is currently wearing a playful mop of curls that some in Japan are calling a "Makiroi".  

"Makiroi"... as you may have surmised... actually stands for McIlroy, and who better to be inspired by than the record breaking young US Open winner?  Ryo's spokesman suggested the style was simply created to go with both a visor and a flat biller cap, and indicated that he'd be wearing this style at Royal St. Georges next week for the 2011 Open Championship.

In any case, one thing is clear about Ryo and the other players mentioned here: many fans... and quite a number of sports writers... enjoy their unique looks and stylistic experimentation.

Black Sheep 2011 Recap - Episode 158 - The Knitmore Girls

Listen here:



This week's episode has been sponsored by:

We're seeing the occasional ray of sun at the Abstract Fiber studio in Portland  The weather is finally warming and lace knitting season has arrived!  We love using MightySock for lace. 50% Tencel makes it drape beautifully, and gives it sheen.  MightySock comes in any of our solids or colorways to suit your project. Give MightySock a try in your next lace project.  You're gonna love it!  Check AbstractFiber.com for a list of retailers or shop online anytime

At Purlescence Yarns we're head over heels for weaving. From rigid heddle looms like Jasmin's favorite Schacht Cricket to table and floor looms for weaving beautiful textures, Purlescence Yarns is your resource for the best in weaving equipment and supplies. Call today to order your loom!

Discover jacket mastery: see how easy it is to get the fit, confirm it as you knit, and know that every jacket will fit on Opening Day with Jean Frost. Take classes from the most talented designers in the Knitting Universe. Shop-till-you-drop in the largest fiber market in the Midwest. See the hottest new knit designs at the Fashion Show or take to the runway yourself -- showing off your knits during the Student Banquet. If you love knitting, YOU CAN'T MISS THIS! Go to KnittingUniverse.com/Events for all the details. If it has to do with knitting, you will find it here. STITCHES Midwest is open to the general public August 25th-28th. For more information please join us online at http://KnittingUniverse.com/Events/ or call 1-800-237-7099.

Black Sheep Gathering recap:



We announced the winners of the Three Bites Contest.

Part 2 of our recommended list of podcasts:


Fluffy Fiber Podcast
Happy Crafter 207
Knitting Psychos
Manic Purl
Miss Elle Knits
Outlier
Sassy Pants Knitter
Savvy Girls Podcast
Spin Control
Spindoctor
Spinning Jenny
Stash and Burn
Sticks and String
Stitch It
Stringchronicity
Subway Knits
Weave Cast
Well Knitted Life
Yarngasm
Yarnings
Yarnspinners Tales

Wednesday: (00:29) 
Drive to Oregon with Laura, The Joy of Cooking Fairy.
Dinner at Marche.

Thursday:  (12:35) 

Breakfast at Off the Waffle, who offer regular, vegan, and gluten free waffle options.  Browsing at Tsunami Books.   Home away from home at the Courtesy Inn.  We played "How many podcasters can you stuff into a little hotel room?". Dinner at Poppi's Anatolia, who had an amazing, allergen coded menu.

 Friday: (18:51)

Breakfast at Off the Waffle.  We attended the annual fleece judging, sadly not done by Judith MacKenzie McCuin  this year.  The judge was very charming, but he was more concerned with not hurting anyone's feeling than with an objective verdict.  So he said everything was nice, even tender fleeces, that were not nice, and really not suitable for handspinning.  And not worth $20/lb.  Jasmin talked about what a good judging should look like.

Meet and Greet at the Abstract Fiber Booth was a lot of fun, and we got to meet a lot of old and new listeners.  Lunch at the fairgrounds.  We ran into Sasha and Mr. Spin Doctor.
Second Meet and Greet at the Barmaids Booth.  Afterwards, Jasmin sat and spun, I was misbehaving while Jasmin was not keeping a close eye on me.

Dinner at the Pizza Research Institute was lovely, interesting and had unexpected ingredients.  The fancy jalapeno poppers were very tasty.  And the two piece band was totally unexpected, and surprisingly good. 

Saturday: (37:24)

Breakfast at Off the Waffle. Hanging out with sheep and goats at the fairgrounds.  Visiting with George from Skaska Designs, and Klaus from Crown Mountain Farms, who had a ton of new, delicious colors. We stood in line to secure our spot for the fleece viewing and buying, which gets rather competitive.  Jasmin and company scored a number of outstanding fleeces.  While in line we met the awesome Sultana, who spins sweater quantities of yarn on her drop spindle. 

Lunch at the fairgrounds.  The ravelry meet up was very short, they gave away prizes for the bingo, but there was not a whole lot of meeting. Dinner at Marche.  Food was outstanding, as was the company.

Sunday  

Breakfast at Studio One Cafe.  Lots of interesting movie memorabilia and satisfying food.  Last minute yarn purchases from Huckleberry's. Laura and I picked sparkly yarn, Jasmin bought yarn because of the cool, Battle Star Galactica name.  And she the bought the uncented Plain Jane LoLo Bar, so she won't smell delicious in yoga class.

We picked up some frozen waffles from Off the Waffle to take home and have later.

We think that the Black Sheep Gathering has wonderful stuff, interesting critters, and Eugene has the most amazing food.

Knitmore Girls Podcast reached a million downloads.  Yeay!

Tour de Fleece training: 

Find your spinning support group.

Thanks for listening!  Leave glowing reviews for the podcasts you like.  See you in September!

The Ike Championship: Sudden Death at Somerset Hills

via MGAgolfer

A classic playoff battle on an enchanting golden age golf course. It doesn't get much better than that, and so went the MGA's 56th Ike Championship.

The event took place over two days at Somerset Hills Country Club in the pastoral countryside of Northern New Jersey. The course, built on the site of a former racetrack by A.W.Tillinghast in 1917, features a layout that contrasts open expanses with rolling woodlands, and has often been described as charming. As a spectator it's a delightful stroll, but after 41 holes yesterday, nutmegger Tommy McDonagh was clearly glad to see the 493-yard ninth in his rear view mirror. You see, the Norwalk, CT native has been playing an awful lot of golf lately; just prior to his battle at Somerset Hills McDonagh had played in the grueling Connecticut Amateur Championship… and won it!

The Ike Championship had been on my calendar for months, and I'd been looking forward to getting back to Somerset Hills having fallen in love with the place several years ago when I was there for a fund raiser. In the end, life got in the way and I wasn't able to swing it... but fortunately, the Metropolitian Golf Association has a stellar social media team and they did an amazing job with ultra-timely updates on Facebook, and Twitter, daily photos and videos, and even an exciting live chat animated by the with the always engaging Billy Condon. It was the next best thing to being there.

ALA 2011 or how I ran out of marbles: Part 1

My last public event for this school year was the ALA convention. I was excited because I was finishing with a blast-in New Orleans, the Geisel Honor Award--I knew it was going to be a lot of fun. However even with such prospects of delight, I have to admit, even before getting on the plane, I was tired.

A while ago, I wrote about how an introverted person like me can only last so long. As I said then:

...my most natural state is introverted--there are only so many visits I can do in a year without stammering incoherently. I'm kind of like a jar of marbles--every visit I do I am less one marble until I am empty.

So, after the last couple of months being full of events and visits (which were all lovely!), my marble jar was pretty low when I got to New Orleans:

Which is perhaps why I had a bit of envy at the LB Middle Grade Breakfast when the other amazing authors Kelly Barnhill and Andrea Pinkney gave such mesmerizing and spirited readings (Andrea sang! Not fair!).

However, the librarians were still very kind to me and many came to my signings (I had two):

But it was only at the LB one that I signed advanced reading copies of Dumpling Days!!

Eeks, eeks, eeks! I can't believe people will be reading it soon!

Then it was a blur of convention exhibits:

pleased to see my friend Anna Alter's Disappearing Desmond and Thanking the Moon!

plus a screening of the movie The Library of the Early Mind (which I am in for about 10 seconds):

Trailer: 'Library of the Early Mind' from Backspace Productions on Vimeo.

and a panel discussion afterwards with the hilarious and highly energetic Jack Gantos and Daniel Handler (aka Lemony Snicket):

I can't believe I'm rubbing elbows with these two!

Trying to keep up with the fast wittiness of those two was no small feat, let me tell you. Luckily, earlier in the day I was able to sneak off to the famous Cafe Du Monde to ingest copious amounts of caffeine and sugar:

frozen coffee and beignets!

and my friend Libby Koponen and I had our tarot cards read!

I was hoping they would tell me I would get through the conference without collapsing.

What do you think?

(I actually don't really remember much of what she said, except something about how I like having lots of projects and thoughts going on in my head...I guess all those projects distracted me...)

Check for ALA 2011 Part 2 & 3 tomorrow and Friday at my personal blog.

Greta art activity

One of our readers (Hi Naomi!) recently ran a lovely art activity with her students using A Photo for Greta. She had her students bring in a self portrait, then draw themselves as a character in a book (like I did here). Such a great idea, thanks for the pictures! I love seeing how kids and teachers use my books.

Lacoste Golf: Yani Tseng, Cristie Kerr & The Crocodile

 Lacoste Golf has a Facebook Page

The best women golfers in the world wear Lacoste.

W#1 Yani Tseng, just won a record breaking fourth major yesterday in a Short Sleeve 5 Button Stretch Pique Polo. It was a bright Begonia Pink and,  of course, emblazoned with a tiny green crocodile.

The familiar reptile was also present on Cristie Kerr's polo... a black version of the same classically designed shirt... as the defending champion, and W#2 golfer, Cristie shared in a three way tie for third at Locust Hill Country Club yesterday.

The brand... with its lovable logo... is one of the most recognized in the world and certainly has a historical connection with women's golf that's unique and extraordinary.

While tennis fans and fashion historians are familiar with Rene Lacoste, the tennis champion who invented the polo shirt, attached a crocodile to it and founded La Societe Chemise Lacoste, few people I've spoken to are aware that his wife, Simone Thion de la Chaume, was one of the top golfers in France for most of the 1920s and 30s, winning many national and international championships. Their daughter Catherine became a world class golfer as well, winning the US Women's Open as a 22 year old amateur, playing in just her third professional golf tournament. To date she remains the only amateur to win the US Women's Open. She went on to win the Women's Western Amateur, The US Women's Amateur and the British Ladies Amateur but never turned professional.  These days in addition to her position on the board of the company her father founded Catherine Lacoste Chantaco Golf Club and serves as non-playing captain of the French women's amateur team.

In addition to Yani Tseng and Cristie Kerr, Lacoste works with dozens of other top... and up-and-coming... golfers, both male and female.  The company is also a major sponsor of the awesome Evian Masters tournament which will take place this year from July 21 - 24.

Meanwhile, as the 2011 US Women's Open approaches, Lacoste's brand ambassador athletes are  looking like winners, it's a good bet golf fans will be watching the crocodiles next week in Colorado Springs.

from the BRG archives: inspiration

Some quotes that keep me working, or help me to look at my work in a new way:

"When you write don't think, listen." -Madeleine L'Engle

"Nobody ever gets what they want and that is beautiful. Everyone dies frustrated and sad and that is beautiful." -They Might Be Giants
(This one I stole from Linda, she sent it to me several years ago and it hangs on the bulletin board next to my desk)

"I was tracking something very slippery, very elusive, and had to use every sense I had to stay on the trail - other people were distracting. Later, I discovered what I was hunting was my own spirit." - Ana Forrest

What are some of yours?

Originally published October 17, 2006

#Winning Golf Tweet of the Week - June 26, 2011

Rickie Fowler, Ben Crane, and Ryan Moore are coming to the Canadian Open in Vancouver. We are one Quiros away from my dream team #getexcitedless than a minute ago via TweetDeck Favorite Retweet ReplyKaylee Price
kayleeprice

Tweeted by: @Kaylee Price

Why it's #winning: 1) Promotes the Canadian Open 2) Demonstrates fan engagement, 3) Displays enthusiasm for professional golfers 4) Effectively uses the hashtag #getexcited.

Look for the Winning Tweet of the Week here every Sunday!

MICHAEL

MY FAVORITE MICHAEL CHORUS.


I WATCHED THIS LIVE AND CRIED.
I WILL NEVER FORGET.

R.I.P.

Ryo Ishikawa Poised to Pounce at the Mizuno Open

撮影：岩井康博  / Photo: Yasuhiro Iwa

Upon his return to Japan last week... after a T30 finish at the US Open...  Ryo Ishikawa spoke with characteristic humility, admitting, "I came to painfully realize just how big of a gap there is between me and the rest of the world"

The Japanese golf star... like golfers, golf journalist and golf fans everywhere... was reacting to Rory McIlroy's huge win Congressional Country Club. "He's close to me in age so it's been incredibly motivating, Ishikawa explained, "I hope I can get to that level myself one day." And at nineteen, I think it's safe to say that Ryo Ishikawa has time on his side.

Ryo is the youngest of the what Golf Channel analyst Brandel Chamblee calls the three R's: Ryo, Rory and Rickie, an ultra-hip, uber-talented triad of young gun golf stars with aliterative forenames.

Tomorrow at the Mizuno Open, the young Mr. Ishikawa will be going into the final round, "poised to pounce", after shooting Saturday's lowest round of the day. Two shots behind the South Korean co-leaders, Kim Kyung-Tae and Bae Sang-Moon, Ryo finds himself in a tie for second with yet another South Korean, Cho Min-Gyu.

The DM I received this morning from my Ryo-afcionado friend Noriko, included a link to the photo above. "I think you love this photo" she wrote tweeted, Ryo got two eagles today."

Simply the Best - Rory McIlroy Gets a Donkey Tee

Less than a week ago Rory McIlroy was just another young gun.  An ultra-talented players who might someday win a major... or two.  But that all changed when he won the 2011 US Open... breaking several records and impressing even those who hadn't quite warmed up to him.

And now there's a Donkey Tee in his honor.

GRIZZLY BEAR: An Animal Mask Poem



Last week, I had brunch with Grace at one of our favorite restaurants—Henrietta’s Table in Cambridge. Grace has been getting on my case. She’s been encouraging me for months to send out my poetry manuscripts to publishers before I become a grandmother and a part-time daycare provider for my first grandchild. We talked a lot about my poetry during brunch.

Yesterday, Grace and I had a long talk on the phone about which manuscripts I should get back to work on. The discussion reminded me of a get-together I had had with Grace and Janet Wong a couple of years ago. That day, they gave me advice about the poetry collections that I had already written. In fact, they even gave me a great idea for a brand new collection. I returned home and I began work on it right away. The new collection, titled Docile Fossil,  includes poems about dinosaurs and other extinct animals, fossils, the La Brea Tar Pits, and the Petrified Forest. 

One thing I had forgotten about our conversation that day was the suggestion both Grace and Janet had given me about my collection of animal mask poems. They thought the collection included poems about too many different kinds of animals—and that it needed a narrower focus. They thought I should include only poems about animals that children might see in their backyards or neighborhoods. After talking to Grace yesterday, I remembered their suggestion—and got back to work eliminating poems from the collection...and thinking of subjects for new poems. Grace and I decided on a tentative title for the collection: Backyard Voices. It will include poems about earthworms, a butterfly larva, a silkworm pupa, crickets, a snail, a slug, a spider, frogs, a baby bird trying to break out of its shell, and a number of other little creatures.

Here is one the animal mask poems that I had to cut from the collection:

GRIZZLY BEAR
by Elaine Magliaro

I’m grizzly bear. I’m fierce and fat…
And dangerous. Remember that!
My teeth are sharp as sabers.
My curvy claws can cut like saws,
And when I prowl the woods I growl
And frighten all my neighbors.


I rule the land. This forest’s mine!
I ain’t NOBODY’S valentine!
Don’t think that you can be my friend…
My dinner?
Yum!
GULP!


The End

********************

At Wild Rose Reader, I have a cento poem that I wrote for a retiring music teacher who worked for many years at the school where I taught. She was fabulous!

The Poetry Friday Roundup is at Carol’s Corner this week.

Women's Day at the Travelers Championship

Connecticut weather can be capricious.

Today for example, the heavy clouds bought several down-pours, punctuated by periods where the sky seemed to be clearing...only to go dark again and produce yet another deluge.

In the end play was suspended before noon, allowing only six players to complete their rounds.

Meanwhile,  the third annual Travelers Championship Women's Day was sold out, and it went on with little regard to the wet weather, offering a full day of activities including speeches and presentations, networking opportunities,  a golf clinic and a cooking demonstration.

Play is set to resume tomorrow morning at 7:00 and continue until the sun sets... assuming the CT weather stops being a brat.  Happily, the weekend forecast is looking good.

2011 Wegmans LPGA Championship - Cristie Kerr's Pragmatic Optimism

Getty Images via LPGA.com

Pragmatic Optimism.

I know, it sounds like an oxymoron. However, I'd guess it's actually a good way to approach competitive golf. Right? I mean, of course you don't want to let negative thoughts to compromise your confidence, but neither do you want to let overconfidence prevent you from "playing smart".

Cristie Kerr was a picture of that perfect balance yesterday when she sat down for her pre-tournament interview earlier today in Rochester on the eve of the 2011 Wegmans LPGA Championship.

She spoke about what it's like to defend a 12-shot victory stating, “I’m not 12 shots ahead of the field starting out this week". There's your pragmatism. But she also discussed the current state of her game which... on the heels of her third straight runner-up finish... is excellent, she's optimistic that it's her time for a win.

The No.1 U.S. golf also talks about a number of other subjects... including her new irons, her recent round at Augusta National and her meeting with fellow "Major dominator" and Audemars Piguet Golf Ambassador, Rory McIlroy earlier this week in Cape Cod. The video is almost 15 minutes long but it's well worth watching for the unique perspective.

Now... for the GolfWeek Major Challenge! You have only a few more hours to make your picks, so get over to their site and do it.

If These Walls Could Talk

Video by Molly Landergan + Meg Remy for the song "If These Walls Could Talk" off the new split LP with Slim Twig on Palmist Records. Get yo hands on it here
Filmed in November 2010 at ZDB in Lisbon. Thanks to Sergio.

U.S. Girls: 'If These Walls Could Talk' from Palmist Records on Vimeo.

Still on the road with Noveller. 3 shows to go...Lafayette, Cincinnati, Brooklyn. No more Columbus...show fell through. Bumm-ah.

It's that time...

It's almost time for the Geisel Award Ceremony! Do you know that that means? Yes, time for me to go dress shopping!

I decided that this year's theme would be silver, in honor of my silver medal. This however proved to be a bit difficult as many silver dresses seemed a bit too...um...shiny:


So I decided to consider "silver grey." This was a unique shopping experience for me, as I tend towards clothes that are bright colors--perusing the neutrals was a mind-broadening experience and pocketbook-thinning experience. For, of course, while shopping in this new territory I found a bunch of "extra" beige and grey dresses, so now my wardrobe has quite expanded. But I digress! Back to the Geisel dress.

Silver-grey...first I considered something like this:which I quite liked but didn't seem special enough for an awards ceremony.

Then there was this:
but I have a horror of strapless dresses.

And then, this:
Hmm, more bombshell than children's author, don't you think?

Nothing was quite calling to me until I saw this dress:
OOOH! Be still my Anne-of-Green-Gables-heart! I loved this one. Cute but elegant, sophisticated but young...I plopped down my money, well pleased. Perfect! All was well until about a week go when I received my schedule for the ceremony.

That's when I found out the Geisel Award Ceremony isn't a banquet like the Newbery or a breakfast like the Coretta Scott King. It is a much more relaxed affair, before lunch and after breakfast. My beloved new silver-grey dress was going to be a bit too much for it. Boo!

So, back to the internet shopping I went...back to the endless quest for the perfect and appropriate silver-grey dress...searching..searching...until finally, I've decided on this:

I'll wear it with some silver shoes...if I can find a pair.

Two visits and a review

The past week has been a busy one, though perhaps not as busy as Alvina's travels. Here are a few highlights:

*On Father's Day I visited Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast to talk about the making of A Photo for Greta. A big thanks to Jules for having me! Read my post here.

*I had a lovely school visit in Newton, the first after taking some time off for maternity leave. It was a lot of fun to read my new book to a group of kids at last (I've read it during some Skype visits this spring, but this was the first time in person). When I tell kids about the book making process, I describe how I made a watercolor "test" of my palette in order to choose which colors I will use in the illustrations. I usually show them this palette, which I made for Francine's Day:

When I got home I was greeted by a sweet email from the organizer, whose son attended my talk. When he arrived home he pulled out his watercolors and made his own paint palette, then proceeded to paint all of his stuffed animals:

Such a talented artist, nice work Jared! I hope you will keep painting and visit the library often.

*Publisher's Weekly gave A Photo for Greta this lovely review. A snippet: "As she did in Disappearing Desmond, Alter displays notable sensitivity to children’s insecurities and doubts, while providing reassurance of their worth." Thanks PW!

*And lastly, Tilda is now eating butternut squash, which she prefers to feed herself. Next thing you know she will be applying to college.

A foot long - Episode 157 - The Knitmore Girls

Listen here:


This week's episode has been sponsored by:

We're seeing the occasional ray of sun at the Abstract Fiber studio in Portland  The weather is finally warming and lace knitting season has arrived!  We love using MightySock for lace. 50% Tencel makes it drape beautifully, and gives it sheen.  MightySock comes in any of our solids or colorways to suit your project. Give MightySock a try in your next lace project.  You're gonna love it!  Check AbstractFiber.com for a list of retailers or shop online anytime



At Purlescence Yarns we're head over heels for weaving. From rigid heddle looms like Jasmin's favorite Schacht Cricket to table and floor looms for weaving beautiful textures, Purlescence Yarns is your resource for the best in weaving equipment and supplies. Call today to order your loom!





Discover jacket mastery: see how easy it is to get the fit, confirm it as you knit, and know that every jacket will fit on Opening Day with Jean Frost. Take classes from the most talented designers in the Knitting Universe. Shop-till-you-drop in the largest fiber market in the Midwest. See the hottest new knit designs at the Fashion Show or take to the runway yourself -- showing off your knits during the Student Banquet. If you love knitting, YOU CAN'T MISS THIS! Go to KnittingUniverse.com/Events for all the details. If it has to do with knitting, you will find it here. STITCHES Midwest is open to the general public August 25th-28th. For more information please join us online at http://KnittingUniverse.com/Events/ or call 1-800-237-7099.

On the needles: (00:35)

Gigi has nearly completed the Hobbit Socks for Mr. Knitmore. Jasmin continues to work on the Unloved Andrew socks. Jasmin is stalled on Hugo for no good reason. Gigi is working on vanilla socks and preemie hats. Jasmin mentions an episode of In Plain Sight ("Something Amish") and asks why did/do you join a knitting group?

Gigi does some mending, and works on a "glued" quilt with Janice. We do a short recap of the Retzlaff winery event.

We will be going on hiatus, starting after our 6/27 episode and we'll be back on 9/5.

Events: (23:25)

- June 24-26: Black Sheep Gathering. We're staying at the Courtesy Inn in Eugene, OR.
     Meet and Greets:
          - Friday, June 24, 12-1 Abstract Fiber booth (just us)
          - Friday, June 24, 3-4, Bar Maids booth (podcaster meetup EXTRAVAGANZA!)


Contest: (25:36)

The Three Bites contest continues! Try something new, anything, and tell us about it! The contest closes Monday 6/27/2011. Fabulous prizes include:


- A 1-year subscription to Knitter's Magazine
- A drop spindle kit from Schacht Spindle Co.
- A Pagewood Farm Tinkerbell Needle Felted Silk Scarf Kit


Mother Knows Best: (30:14)

This week, we answer a question from the "What do you want to hear about?" thread about organizing patterns from magazines.


When Knitting Attacks: (37:48)


Gigi's Petra attacks.


Review: (39:50)


This week we review "Seamless (or Nearly Seamless) Knits" by Andra Knight-Bowman. It has a good range of sizes. Unfortunately, most of the garments are drop shoulders, which is not a flattering style on most people. Photos are blurry, and garments are styled in a strange way. We suggest giving this book a "pass".


Tour de Fleece Training: (48:41)


Week 5: Clean your wheel. 

Details on how Jasmin washes her Matchless:


- Use a soft side of a kitchen sponge, using a solution of water and Murphy's Oil Soap
- Dry
- Apply Wood Beams, allow to sit for an hour or so
- Buff off Wood Beams. Enjoy!


Straw into Gold: (50:22)


Jasmin plied the Cold As Ice. Jasmin has pulled out a gunmetal grey Shetland fleece (named "Moses") for her Tour de Fleece project, which is spinning enough for a long-sleeved Goodale cardigan using an attenuated long draw. Three alpaca fleeces have also found there way to Jasmin.