Vicki Stiefel and Lisa Souza are the Laidback Knitters. Their book 10 Secrets of the Laidback Knitters, a guide to holistic knitting, yarn and life, helps you to enjoy the process as well as the finished project.
I enjoyed this book from cover to cover. The 10 “secrets” they cover include resources, websites, stories, anecdotes, patterns and more. The photographs are large and colorful. It was fun to see how the skill level definitions were adapted from Recliner (easy), Rocking chair, Wing Chair, to Dining Chair (challenging). If you aren’t a spinner “yet”, this book might be just the motivator. If spinning is still not in your cards, you will have a better understanding about fiber and the yarn created from it.
There are 27 patterns and bio’s of the designers who created them. My favorite is the Smoked Jewels Hooded Shawlette by Sivia Harding. I like that it includes a hood and just a subtle touch of beading. Audrey F. Clarke’s Elfin Leaves is a colorful, unique design that will happily get you noticed. Vicki and Lisa have a section on crochet with a couple of patterns. Here is a free pattern Ribs with a side of Lace by the Queenie Sisters from the book.
Vicki and Lisa will show you how to go about finding a Fiber Festival, talk about the “Slow movement”, “Community Supported Agriculture” and tell you about the different animal fibers used in yarn. You can find both of these ladies on Ravelry. They would be great to know as neighbors with their knowledge, inspiration, humor and joy of fiber. So pick up the book and they will share their secrets.
The Hither and Yarn shop located at 733 E Main St, Torrington, CT 06790-3977, (860) 489-9276, has $20 classes for June and July. All classes are $20 for 2 hours. Materials fees vary. Be sure to pick up your teacher's handout when registering. Classes must be paid for at time of registration. Pre-registration is required.
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