In-Depth Review of Knitting Yarn

Knitter's Review
December 17, 2015

Westminster Abbey through the windows of the Central Hall

Ever since I first listened to Lionel Barrymore's 1939 radio recording of A Christmas Carol (which was our annual family tradition), I've always wanted to see London in December. I had vivid dreams of everyone bundled in woolens, scurrying along snowy streets by flickering lamplight. With a goose or two for good measure.

Last week I finally had the chance to see the city in its holiday finery. There was no snow and I failed to procure any goose, but I did have high tea and see The Nutcracker, sing carols with a choir and even hear Hugh Grant recite Dickens. But, more to the point, I spent lots of time with members of England's vibrant knitting community.

Would you like to meet them?

Heifer Countdown
As of today, we're less than $1,500 shy of reaching our $20,000 year-end Heifer International fundraising goal. Perhaps surprised by the collective power of the knitting community, the fine people of Heifer contacted me with thanks and an offer. On December 31st, I will pick ten donors and send each of them a surprise skein of Clara Yarn. But Heifer is adding another gift: a gorgeous alpaca scarf made by a women's group they work with in Peru. If you haven't done so yet, won't you consider making a donation?

Color Me Happy
Just in time for the holidays, Ann Shayne and Gay Gardiner of Mason-Dixon Knitting have released a coloring book for knitters. It features 30 charming, playful drawings by illustrator Juliana Horner, each allowing you to add your own colors not only to knitting scenes but to the stitches themselves.

A Forum Farewell
As I mentioned earlier this month, the Knitter's Review Forums will be closing at the end of December. Won't you pop in, see where folks are going, and leave a farewell note? Thank you.

Changes in the New Year
The Forums aren't the only change to Knitter's Review. I've decided to publish ad-free in the coming year. We began this way, an intimate conversation between me and you, and I'm glad to be returning to those same roots. You will receive Knitter's Review in your inbox whenever I have something to say that I think would interest you. It's that simple, and I couldn't be happier.

This being our last newsletter of the year, I wish you and your loved ones a happy, healthy, safe, and prosperous New Year—with yarn. Lots and lots of yarn.

See you in 2016!