LoopyKnits

I’ll be putting a few ads on LoopyKnits.com as soon as I can get approval for some programs, particularly Google AdSense and Chitika, as well as an affiliate link for Amazon.com. I hope the ads and affiliate links won’t be obtrusive and that you will bear with me. It’ll be a learning experience, as I haven’t done this part of blogging before.

My emphasis will continue to be on the blog contents — just with a few ads on the page too.

I’m going to be re-vamping LoopyKnits.com over the next few weeks. My first step was to upgrade WordPress to the latest version. Next, I’m going to finalize my selection of templates (there’s another one I’m playing with; this one is really sleek, but it’s doesn’t just scream “Knitting!” — you know?). [Update: done. - cb]

Then I’ll tweak the template. And, finally, I’ll start publishing contents here regularly again. Please check back!

Well, bless Nicky Epstein, because without this knitting author’s work, we wouldn’t have anything new to read this month.

Although I am reluctant to pick up any hot fibers in July for knitting, scarves are a perfect take-along size if you like to knit while on vacation. So, Nicky … well done!

Look for her latest book to hit the shelves today:

• Nicky Epstein’s Signature Scarves: Dazzling Designs to Knit by Nicky Epstein (Hardcover - Jul 1, 2008)

(Note: This was blogged in advance; by now, there may be more new knitting books coming out this month. - cb)

Oh, man. I can hardly wait to get ahold of the third book below. I love to knit at a fine gauge, and this topic looks tailor-made for me. Here’s a peek at the book that’s making me sigh, along with a few others that also publish this month:

• Knitting for Baby: 30 Heirloom Projects with Complete How-to-Knit Instructions by Melanie Falick, Kristin Nicholas, and Ross Whitaker (Paperback - Jun 1, 2008)
• Knits for Men: 20 Sweaters, Vests, Hats, Scarves, and More by Margaret Hubert (Paperback - Jun 1, 2008)
• Knit So Fine: Designs with Skinny Yarn by Lisa Myers, Carol Sulcoski, and Laura Grutzeck (Paperback - Jun 1, 2008)
• Inspired to Knit: Creating Exquisite Handknits by Michele Rose Orne (Paperback - Jun 1, 2008)

(Note: This was blogged in advance; by now, there may be more new knitting books coming out this month. - cb)

In the wake of last month’s avalanche of new knitting books, it’s not that big of a surprise that this is a light month for publications about our craft. But never fear; publishers have not abandoned us. Here are two titles we can look for in May:

• Knit and Stitch for Beginners by Wendy Freeman (Hardcover - May 15, 2008)
• Knit One, Embellish Too: Hats, Mittens and Scarves With a Twist by Cosette Cornelius-bates (Paperback - May 23, 2008)

(Note: This was blogged in advance; by now, there may be more new knitting books coming out this month. - cb)