REVIEW: Knitting a Kiss in Every Stitch

Knitting a Kiss in Every Stitch: Creating Gifts for the People You Love
by Nicky Epstein
Hardcover: 128 pages
Publisher: Nicky Epstein Books (November 3, 2009)

Nicky Epstein is back with another wonderful installment for your knitting bookshelf. Knitting a Kiss in Every Stitch: Creating Gifts for the People You Love is a collection of over 35 patterns covering all skill levels. As the old saying goes, "Tis better to give than to receive" and knitters know there is nothing better to give than hand-made gifts from the heart! Nicky helps us do just that by providing the inspiration to create something special for most everyone on our lists.

With clear, well written instructions, easy to follow charts and gorgeous color photography, you'll have no problem picking out several projects to get started on! The patterns in Knitting a Kiss in Every Stitch are sectioned out into four main categories: The Kids, The Girls, The Guys and Special Friends. There is also a four page "Guide to Giving" section which lists organizations, charities and foundations that need your knitting skills.

Some of my personal favorites (read: pages already marked with post-its) include:

~ Li'l Knitting Angel Hat... a whimsical little number for your favorite little girl that doubles as a hand puppet
~ Creatures of the Nightcaps... if you have a teen in your life who's into all the vampire movies, these werewolf and vampire caps are perfect
~ Bride's Purse... if you know someone walking down the aisle soon, this bag combines a contemporary look with old tradition and lets you have fun with cables, beads and flowers
~ Lace Friendship Shawl... the name says it all and it has sleeve cuffs to help with that "hard to keep it on" issue we all have with shawls
~ Easy Opera Wrap... need a quick knit that'll still get you the "oohs" and "ahhs" as your recipient unwraps? This cute little wrap is knit on big needles so you'll have it done in no time.
~ Boyfriend Scarf... if only mine would wear one!
~ Gentry Lap Throw... perfect for the Grandpa who has it all
~ Serious Skull Cap... worked in intarsia using two colors and featuring, what else, a skull icon. I think this one will be on the needles for my nephew soon!
~ Pampering Spa Cloths... sick of knitting the same old cloths? These earthy, organic cloths are sure to be a hit!

Nicky also included a wonderful group project, A Charitable Gift Afghan. Spead the joy and split up knitting the blocks amongst your knitting circle or family and you'll soon have a cherished gift for someone truly special!

Our 4-legged friends were included also. For the cats, a Knitty Kitty Play Mat and for the dogs, Barkley's Hat Scarf (you have to see this one to get the full effect).

Grab your copy of Knitting a Kiss in Every Stitch now and get cracking on those holiday gifts... after all, you still have about 45 days until Christmas!

About the Author: One of today’s hottest knitwear designers, Nicky Epstein has gained international recognition for her distinctive and innovative work, whimsical sense of style, and informative workshops. She is the author of the best-selling Edgings series (Knitting on the Edge, Knitting Over the Edge, Knitting Beyond the Edge, and Crocheting on the Edge), Nicky Epstein’s Knitted Flowers, Knitting Never Felt Better, Knitting on Top of the World, and more. Her designs appear in major crafting magazines, including Vogue Knitting, and she teaches and lectures frequently about knitting and design.

Where's the Treats?

Thursday already? Woo hoo... that means one step closer to Friday! If you only stop by on doggy days, take a peek back ... Zeus won Cloud Star's Halloween photo contest and I posted a review of Planet Dog's RecyleBALLS.

Do you think Zeus is letting his contest win go to his head?

Sophie says "hmprf... I could've won... I know how to pose..."

Tut and Lola just say "so, where are the treats he won for us?!?!?"

Pretty Leaves

Happy Wordless Wednesday! Most of the leaves have now taken over the driveway fallen, but here are a couple shots from about a week ago...

Zeus Won...

Yes, that's right... my big guy won first place in Cloud Star's Halloween Photo Contest on facebook! Thank you to all of his friends who voted!

Zeus won a box of each flavor of Muttos and a hooded sweatshirt for his Mommy. Now I need to explain to him that he should share his T-R-E-A-T-S with his siblings...

REVIEW: Planet Dog RecycleBALLS

Planet Dog: RecycleBALLS
Where to Find: Planet Dog

Planet Dog has recently expanded their popular line of recycled dog toys with RecycleBALLS and RecycleBONES. The Lapdogs had the pleasure of testing an Orbee-Tuff RecyleBALL and the Orbee-Tuff RecycleBALLS Three-Toys-In-One Value Pack.

As you can see, the new toys peaked quite a bit of interest. As I was trying to photograph them for this review, Lola laid claim to the yellow RecycleBALL... tags and all.

Both RecycleBALLS are rated 5 out of 5 chompers and feature Planet Dog's signature mint-scent. The RecycleBALLS Three-Toys-In-One Value Pack seemed to be the favorite. It is essentially two RecycleBALLS on a piece of reclaimed climbing rope, provided by Planet Dog's neighbor Sterling Rope. The back of the tag suggests other ways to use the toy - including removing one of the balls to make a toss toy and having a second ball to toss as is. Our kids definitely seem to like having both balls on the rope to play with... whether as a toss toy or for an impromptu tug-of-war game amongst themselves.

REDUCE. REUSE. REWOOF. The toys in this Regrind Line are just as durable and minty as first-run Orbee-Tuff toys. Due to the recycled material content, the assortment of colors in the Regrind line varies and most frequently includes solid Purple, Black, Pale Yellow and Green.

Like the colors of the RecycleBALL, the colors of the rope for the Three-Toys-In-One will vary and be based on what color scraps are available for recycling. Sterling Rope, a like-minded Maine company committed to making the highest quality and safest products while reducing their environmental impact, was eager to be part of this “up-cycling” project. "We were thrilled when Planet Dog approached us about working together on this project," says John Branagan, who handles outdoor recreation sales and dealer services for Sterling Rope. "We are impressed by their commitment to reducing their carbon pawprint and we are proud to be a part of their efforts to do so," adds Branagan.

Planet Dog is always looking for ways to develop new and unique, tail-wagging products that have minimal impact on the environment. Not only are all of their award-winning Orbee-Tuff toys recyclable, but they reuse 100% of their post-production material. The recycled material is used in their Orbee-Tuff Regrind line. “We don’t know of any other toy company that takes their leftover material and makes productive use of it,” says Stephanie Volo, Planet Dog's Top Dog. “With so many of our top selling Orbee-Tuff toys out there, it is important for us to make them environment-friendly,” adds Volo.

Planet Dog has won several awards for their Orbee-Tuff toy collection, which is noted as the most durable, pliable, chewy, buoyant and bouncy toys on the market. All of the Orbee-Tuff toys are made in the USA, are recyclable and feature Planet Dog's 100% guarantee.

Happy Spooky Day!

The lapdogs wanted to wish everyone a Happy Halloween!

Zeus as the little (baby) devil...

Lola doing her best Amelia Earhart... watch out Hilary Swank!

Tut as the fisherman (maybe from I Know What You Did Last Summer... look at those scary eyes!) ... or is it the little old lady?

Sophie says she'll do a trick for lots of treats... and this is her trick...

disclaimer... yes, yes... you've seen these pictures before... we didn't dress up this year and these photos were all recycled, hope you don't mind!

Lenny Rocked!

Happy Friday... and Happy almost Halloween! I don't really have any knitting updates for you and I'm behind with getting reviews up, but in the meantime...

I finally had a chance to go thru my Lenny Kravitz pictures from last week's Boston show... about 100 of them! Enjoy, and if you're lucky I might post a video clip later this weekend....

Lenny doing what he does best...

Rocking some keys...

That's me ... watching Lenny from the 3rd row!

Goodnight Lenny!