Isn’t it glorious to find something you love to do and then turn it into a a great big party for everyone to enjoy? That’s what my friend Mary Taylor has done with her Knitting On Top Of The World Knitathon. Mary is a mother of one fabulous son and is an extremely busy attorney who felt there just wasn’t enough on her plate. After being inspired by the book and movie Julie and Julia: My Year of Cooking Dangerously, she decided to start a 50-pattern/four-year project knitting all the patterns in her friend Nicky Epstein’s book, Nicky Epstein’s Knitting on Top of the World: The Global Guide to Traditions, Techniques and Design, and then blog about it. Wait, there’s more. She’s also invited everyone to knit along with her and share their joys and tribulations in her KOTOTWKnitathon Yahoo Group.
After looking through Nicky Epstein’s book, I can see why Mary would want to follow her patterns. They are simply stunning! What I wouldn’t give for some of those peek-a-boo back sweaters!
Mary has been knitting since she was 9 years old so she knows whereof she speaks. In her blog, she’ll discuss all the specifics of each pattern, listing what brand and yarn colors she’s using and where she’s purchased them. She’ll also suggest alternatives if the yarn listed in Ms. Epstein’s book has been discontinued. You’ll find a good dose of humor injected throughout, along with many lovely photos, so I hope you’ll pay her a visit.
The knitting begins in January 2010, so you’ve got some time to prepare if you plan to knit along. You will find a project schedule on her blog. Mary’s project is receiving world-wide attention as knitters from all over the world are joining in the fun!
If you love to knit, would like to learn, or think heaven is a cozy yarn shop, I highly recommend Knitting On Top Of The World!
I’m no knitter, but I do think it’s a marvelous idea!