It's been a busy year and a half for me, and in the unique way of knit design and publishing, all things tend to reach critical mass simultaneously.   

With work in Vogue Knitting, Interweave Knits and in various books, I look as if I'm the busiest woman on the planet - but I'm not.  It appears that I'm in 50 places at once, but in reality I'm just sitting on my sofa - a knit potato. We've been spending our time at home productively, though, by painting, fixing the steps - and making our wonderful house market ready.  (Now all we need is the right person to buy it!)

I do get out every now and then, usually for one of my traveling teaching gigs.  As much for my own sanity as anything else, I've devised a new calendar for my website outlining all my appearances and engagements. Check it out to see if I'll be near you this Fall!

And don't forget my blog!  I write several times a week on the general ups and downs of working as a free-lance designer and writer, full-time mom, wife and pet-owner.  I can be frank and more than a little controversial if the spirit moves me, so be forewarned...

Along with very simple first-time projects and an extensive tutorial on knitting and crocheting with wire (yes, I've included another love here) there are many more substantial wire jewelry projects for you to sink your teeth into!  

I'm especially thrilled with the timing of the release of Twist & Loop as it allows crafters a few weeks to perfect their wire knitting & crochet and crank out some one-of-a-kind jewelry pieces for the holiday season!  

The book itself would make a nice gift for your favorite crafter!  Package it with a spool of artistic wire and some lovely beads and you may just get a stunning necklace in your OWN stocking!

Drew Emborsky (aka, the crochet dude) - my partner in crime for this adventure - handled the male-bonding aspects of this book.  I handled the designs and patterns (and THAT was plenty!) We've come up with a collection of garments and accessories for your favorite two or four legged companion, and some interesting tidbits on male knitters we met along the way.

Sweaters are sized to accommodate a great variety of dog and human body types, with smaller sizes added to the men's patterns to make sizing them down for tweens, teens and women a breeze!

Although this won't be out until after the holidays, a be-ribboned doggie bone with a bookplate and a note promising knitting lessons for your favorite crafty male or dog owner would make a terrific stocking stuffer!  (Ask your local yarn shop to contact me to receive signed bookplates for folks who pre-order this book.)