What is it about food?

We've explored this topic some in previous posts here and here. The topic reappears in the knitting news.

Knotted Pumpkin Pie by Ed Bing Lee seems appropriate for early autumn.

These examples by Ed Bing Lee are knotted (more like macrame) than knitted, but still interesting and inspiring.

Or you could check out this book from Japan:

More amazing pictures from this book can be found on Fleegle's blog here.
Even more photographs of knitted, crocheted, and knotted food can be found here, including a crocheted lobster, fruits and vegetables, and many baked goods.

What is it that we so love about using yarn and craft skills to depict food we can't eat? It seems that in the late 20th/early 21st century United States we've developed quite a tradition of enticing depictions of food in photography, television, print, and even decorative arts. It seems that not only is there "food porn" but there is even a sub-genre of "food craft porn."

Of course, one of my all-time favorites is this witty concoction by Debbie New that turns the problem on its head:These are actual licorice laces knitted as if they were yarn. [See Elaine Rowley, editor Socks, Socks, Socks (Sioux Falls SD: XRX, Inc. 1999) p. 95.] Knitting you can eat, instead of food you can't eat.

Thank you to this quarter's TKGA newsletter and Linda F. for the links.

Shop Hop Reminder

The annual shop hop begins tomorrow (Saturday 25 September) and runs through the weekend, the week, and next weekend ending on Sunday 3 October. As always, there are fabulous prizes donated by the participating shops. The drawings for those prizes are open to all shoppers, even those who don't make it to all ten shops. There is also a grand prize of $1000 in gift certificates (a $100 gift certificate to each of the ten shops) for one lucky yarn connoisseur who visits all ten shops. The shops are:

Cast-On Cottage and Needlepoint Garden (in a new location)
Knitch (in a new location since last year)
Main Street Yarns and Fibers
Needle Nook
Only Ewe and Cotton Too
Rare Purls Yarn Boutique and Knitterie (a new participant)
Sheepish
Strings and Strands
The Whole Nine Yarns (in a new location)
Yarn Garden

Remember you'll need to spend $1 to buy a passport (this covers the cost of printing) and then spend $10 in each shop in order to get your passport stamped. If you have your yellow 2009-2010 AKG Membership Directory, you can pack it in your car in case you need the phone numbers for the participating shops. (Remember the addresses are correct for seven of them, but outdated for Cast-on Cottage, Knitch, and The Whole Nine Yarns).

Happy hopping!

Moving & More Moving

A reminder if you are planning to go shop hopping -- two long-time guild merchant friends have moved recently. In both cases, you will find easier and better parking. What is it with us knitters and the need for parking?!?

Cast On Cottage and Needlepoint Garden has moved a short distance from their previous home in downtown Roswell to a convenient space with better parking.


Their new address is
Coleman Village
860 Marietta Highway
Roswell, GA 30075
Phone number remains the same:
770-998-3483

If you visit Woodstock, you'll find The Whole Nine Yarns has left the spot near the gazebo. The shop is now a minute south down Main Street and on the right if you are driving from the old location. Once again, the new location has more space and, especially, more parking.

Their new address is
8826 Main Street
Woodstock GA 30189
Phone number remains the same:
678-494-5242

Best wishes to everyone in both shops and special wishes that the new locations may turn out to be even better than imagined.

Easy Sock Blockers

Some of you may have seen Deborah's sock blockers at a recent meeting. These are surprisingly inexpensive and easy to make from wire coat hangers. In fact, Deborah says that the cheaper hangers actually work better! She also advises to be sure to use coated wire hangers. You don't want any nasty rust stains on your fabulous hand-knit socks. Follow this link.

The hook at the top makes it easy to hang socks up to dry or to position them around the premises for display and admiration. Remember, you're just saving other people the trouble of getting down on the floor for a better look.

Thank you to Linda F. for the information!