I must confess an obsession, and one that has little to do with knitting or maybe everything to do with knitting. I adore Nancy Drew. The other day, I admitted this to a knitter extraordinaire and the next thing that happened, she brings me her copy of an old Nancy Drew…. as a gift. Now, this was not just any copy but a first edition! OMG!

So, did you know that Sandra Day O’Connor, Hilary Clinton, Laura Bush and Sonia Sotomayor are all fans as well. And did you know that Carolyn Keene is not a real person but rather a pen name for many authors who constructed our dear Nancy. And what a sleuth they produced.

Nancy could always solve the mystery all while wearing her white gloves. And who doesn’t love a girl who can do just that. I do admit that knitting can be a total mystery at times. Must we put on our white gloves and heels to figure out the clues? Maybe, that would help when our projects go awry. What I like best, if truth be told, is that we all want to be like Nancy. The best chum to everyone and the girl who comes out on top, with a smile.

My small collection that always puts a smile on my face.

Can’t you just picture her in action? Check out her shoes!

A thousand words!

 

On a cold, dark night, in a city that never sleeps, a group of brave knitters and crocheters will gather to begin their mission. To some, the Yellowstone Art Museum is beautiful and to others, it could use a soft touch of, oh…say, knitting and crochet!

Guerilla Knitting is known as the kindest form of graffiti and we have been given the job of covering the front pillars in knitted swatches.

April 1st is the opening of the installation of fiber artist, Polly Apfelbaum.

You are all invited to attend the opening and view this fabulous, fiber installation. It is sure to take all of us out of our proverbial “fiber boxes.”

Come join the fun to ready the YAM for fiber on the outside and soon on the inside, on Friday, March 26th from 5 to 8pm when we will be Guerilla Knitting at the museum. And who said knitting is boring?!? Jump on board and join the fun!

 

We are often asked if men knit. All I can say is…

Clancy knits.

John knits.

And a few fellows from the Rocky Mountain College ski team knit.

Franklin knits

Shane knits.

We are sure many more have discovered the joys of knitting. If you possess the XY rather than the XX chromosomes, you too can knit. And we say, KNIT ON you brave fellows. Wild Purls loves ya!

 

Yesterday afternoon, we were madly finishing, projects around the table on the first of our Finishing Fridays in the 3 month series. Suddenly, a group of children from the Friendship House arrived on a scavenger hunt of the yarn shop. This winter, the children have been learning to knit. Their final project is a baby blanket for one of their wonderful teachers who just had a darling baby. Each of their blocks will be joined together for a hand made gift that we are sure this baby will enjoy.

Part of their afternoon fun was to find where the needles are located, the softest yarn in the store, the brightest yarn in the shop, and even to interview a knitter.

What a clever idea for the children to have to choose the brightest yarn!

Today, while the snow flies, yet again, I am going to choose the brightest skein of yarn that I can get my hands on, and begin my February project. If there are any of you needing a little pick-me-up during these long, snowy days, join the fun by choosing the brightest yarn you can find. Knit a February snow project. I may need to dig out my sunglasses with what I have in mind.

 

A great idea for all you do-it-yourselfers..

Homemade Woolwash Recipe

Grate 2 bars of pure Castile soap with a cheese grater, to equal approximately 2 cups of soap flakes. Add 4 cups of boiling water and whisk until soap is dissolved. Add 1 cup of rubbing alcohol and 1 Tbsp. of essential oil- Lavendar and Cedar are especially pleasant. Whisk until blended. Pour into containers and let sit 24 hours. It will gel up. To use, scoop out 1 Tbsp. and swish in warm water for your woollies. Simple and cheap.

Submitted by Kitrin Crane

I’ll be interested to know what you think of this recipe. Let us know.