The Third Annual Solstice Knit-In brought a great group of knitters together. As I thought about the gathering, and what I wanted to read, I kept coming back to my family's holiday favorite, Emmet Otter's Jug Band Christmas.

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Published in 1971, it's written and illustrated by the justly famous and prolific Russell Hoban and Lillian Hoban. Although there was an animated video made from this O.Henry-like story, the book is a singular treat.

But plans often go awry, and that's what happened Friday night. As it turns out, three of the people in attendance personally knew the subject of the KnitLit (too) story, "The Live-Lobster Sweater", written by Suzanne Strempek Shea. So, in honor of Suzanne and the subject of her story, Zedra Jurist Aranow, we read her story.

To lighten up the mood after Suzanne's moving story, we then read one of my all-time personal favorites, Stephanie Pearl-McPhee's "Our Knitting Heroine". It's as funny as always.

"More!", everyone cried, so Jay Elliott read "Aunt Ruth" from KnitLit.

To end the evening we read the prologue and coda from Mary Barnard's Time and the White Tigress, the 1986 Western States Book Award for Poetry.

This extraordinary volume is divided into ten Fyttes:

Fit, fytte, obs. exc. arch. Some regard the word as identical with OHG fiza list of cloth, mod. Ger. fitze skein of yarn, also explained in the 17th c. as the thread with which weavers mark off a day's work; the send 'division or canto of a poem' might well be a transferred use of this... O.E.D.

The light comes! With best wishes for the New Year,

Posted by Linda at 05:18 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Just a reminder that the Annual Solstice Knit In will be held as usual at the Fiber Art Center in Amherst, 79 So. Pleasant Street, Amherst, on Friday,
December 22, 5-7p.m.

This is a wonderful time to share the light with other knitters, hear stories read to you, work on finishing projects ... or just knit to relax.

We will be reading a couple of seasonal stories, followed by a KnitLit selection. Everyone at the Fiber Art Center looks forward to this, and it's one of the most delightful spots in Amherst to spend a cold winter evening and finish your shopping at the same time.

This exhibit alone is worth the trip!

Luann Udell

Small Works: Spirits and Shrines
November 16 – January 13, 2007

A holiday small works exhibition of small works including fiber related shrines, icons, talisman, amulets, reliquaries and other spiritual and mystical works. Selected artists from across the country. Holiday gifts for all.

Hope to see you there,

Posted by Linda at 09:53 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Here's what you missed if you weren't at the November 30 event:

For December we will combine our regular meeting with the annual Solstice Knit-In, held Friday, December 22, 5-7 pm at the Fiber Art Center 79 South Pleasant Street in Amherst. This is always a fun time - come and bring your knitting friends!

Posted by Linda at 03:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)