Twisted Sisters Meets Mason Dixon

Back in May I had the distinct pleasure of meeting Ann Shayne of Mason Dixon Knitting fame. If any of you are Mason Dixon fans you'll already know that Ann and "fambly" spend a lot of time in the Monteagle Assembly which is 5 measly miles from moi. One would think that the two of us would knit together but as life speeds by we seem to wave frantically as we pass in opposite directions (see photo of life whizzing by). So last weekend I decided to call on Ann, flowers and copy of my new book in hand. We had an awesome visit as usual. We simply MUST get together more often.

Meanwhile Ann (whose middle name is Fun) has posted a contest on Mason Dixon Knitting and the prize is two skeins of LV ltd handspun. How cool is this? But the contest! O M G, just check it out...words fail me. I am still reeling from some of the comments. This gal really knows how to whip up an instant cyber party!

Also, Ann brought to my attention that Twisted Sisters Knit Sweaters was number three on Amazon's knitting book bestseller list. At least is was yesterday. Not only did I stop breathing for about 15 minutes, but now I have a new obsession. Amazon updates the list every hour so this kind of status is fleeting at best. But nevertheless I'll probably wear out my mouse before next week. I can hear my chiropractor now: "How did this happen? Your eyes are bloodshot, your elbow is locked, you've got an acute case of carpel tunnel syndrome and your right index finger is swollen like a summer squash, not to mention the curvature of your spine. " Ego figure.

Fitted Sweaters

For those of you who have bought my book and would like to knit a sweater with fitted bodice and sleeves, check out Fit Central. This blog is a supplementary chapter on fitting a classic crew, complete with a groovy new way to take the mystery out of fitting sleeve caps. I just couldn't wait to write another book...had to share this info now. Happy Knitting

Workshop Approaching

It's just over two weeks until my class at Harrisville Designs. Check out workshopcentral to see what we'll be dabbling in. The class is full with a waiting list, probably cuz we had so much fun last year. It's called Spinning for Colorwork Knitting, complete with a dye portion.

It's Official!

It's official! The book is out! You can order it from Interweave and get it soon, soon, soon. If you ordered from Amazon, it will take longer, they tell me another month, but you saved enough dough to make the wait bearable.

Carlene and Byron Mays

Every Saturday morning from early June to early October you can fine Carlene and Byron Mays at the Sewanee Farmer's Market selling their flowers. For $6 you can take home a one of a kind arrangement with over 3o stems of assorted fresh flowers. And these aren't the florist variety either. These are the floral equivalent of free range chickens...loose, free and fragrant as mother nature intended.

On acreage around the Mays' Tracy City, TN home and greenhouse, Carlene grows every flower imaginable, at least every one that can find purchase in our thin mountain soil. Her zinnia bed alone is larger than most folks vegetable gardens. She collects countless varieties of rudbeckia daisies, a flower that in the species version is more than at home here. Add to the list all varieties of sunflowers, dahlias, larkspur, snapdragons, feverfew, celosia, ageratum, canterbury bells, monarda, pincushion flower, hydrangea, mountain mint, butterfly weed (some folks would kill for her stand of these native beauties) and more. In fact, just about the only flower she doesn't include in her arrangements is the rose. But heck, roses don't much like it here anyway.

Every bouquet is completely different from the next. This is pretty amazing, seeing as her arrangements cover three long folding tables that they bring every week in their pickup. Choosing is gruelling and favorites always stay behind or get chosen by other shoppers before I get to them. I've taken to going early, as most of them are gone by 8:30 or 8:45. I've bought two bunches a week (sometimes three) for over three years now.

Buying the flowers is half the fun though, as the Mays are delightful people in their own right as you might imagine of folks that spend their entire day Friday (sun-up to flat dark) picking and arranging such riotously beautiful flowers. Carlene is always warm and friendly, sunny as her arrangements and Byron is always up for a good chat with a bank of stories up his sleeve.

So if you're ever in Sewanee early on a summer Saturday, look up Carlene and Byron at the Farmers Market on highway 41A one block east of Shenanigans. You can't miss 'em. Just look for flowers.

And get there early.