Update on Principles of Knitting

The ever-resourceful Jane Jacobs, who is one of the owners of Porter Square Books and runs the monthly knitting group there, is on the case, tracking down what's going on with a possible reprint of this sought-after book. She wrote in a recent email to knitting group members:

After all of our discussions about this book, it seems something is stirring – again, maybe.

I just received an email from our Simon and Schuster rep. I had asked him the question about who holds the rights to the book.

He said they reverted to the author in 1997! And, that Simon’s Fireside imprint is planning on publishing a revised edition in the fall of 2011.

This sounds suspiciously like what I heard several years ago but at least we have a little more detail. I’ll keep harassing him as time goes on and see if I can get an editor out of him at the beginning of the year.

She promises to pass along any news as she gets it.

Blogged with the Flock Browser

No Principals of Knitting Reprint After All?

Knitters have long been awaiting a reprint of the comprehensive reference book Principles of Knitting. A revised edition was scheduled to come out in 2009, then the publication date was pushed to fall 2010.

Jane Jacobs at Porter Square Books has contacted the original publisher, Simon & Schuster. A customer service person there told her the book was out of stock indefinitely, and said they had no more information. Jane then emailed the store's representative at Simon & Schuster, who told her the book was definitely out of print and the publisher has no plans to reprint it. She has asked him to find out whether the rights reverted to the author.

Jane promised updates if she finds out anything else. If she does, it will be posted here.

Woolcott's Last Day Is Today

Today, October 27, is the last day that Woolcott & Co. will be open for business. They're offering:

50% off of all yarn
75% off of all novelty yarns, book and bags.

Also, if you're interested in any of the fixtures, furniture, storage bins, etc., you can stop by. Sean, the owner, says in his latest e-mail blast: "No reasonable offer will be refused. ... And if you want a momento of the shop, we're selling the logo boxes...make me an offer!"

Woolcott & Co. Sale: 50% Off Totes, Patterns $1, Samples

At the Woolcott & Co. closing sale, books and tote bags are now 50% off and single patterns are now $1.00 each. They're also putting knitted samples on sale.

Woolcott & Co. to Close; Clearance Sale Starts Today

Harvard Square is losing its yarn store. After decades in the square, Woolcott & Co. will be closing its doors.

The exact date that the store will close hasn't been settled yet; it will depend partly on how fast the owner can sell off the inventory.

Woolcott's going-out-of-business sale starts today. Everything in the shop is at least 25% off; novelty yarns will be 50% off.

Sean, the owner, is planning to start a new venture, PersonalKnitter.com. [Note: I'm including a link, but it's not up and running as of this writing.] He describes it as a service sort of like a personal trainer for knitters.

Details on the Woolcott store closing and the new venture from Sean's blog post.

40% Off Book Sale at Knitpicks

KnitPicks is having its annual fall book sale. The deal is 40% off all books in stock (so no discount on the books in their Upcoming Releases section). They don't have every knitting book under the sun, but they have a decent selection. And if you are spending more than $50, shipping is free. Here's the KnitPicks book section.

Oct. 3, 2009 edited to add: Another good reason to shop for books on KnitPicks: in many cases, they have many more photos of projects from the books than other web sites, including Amazon and the publishers' own web sites.

Pine Street Inn Knitathon Is Nov. 8

Prizes, guest speakers, food and fun are promised for the 2009 Pine Street Inn Knit-a-Thon.

The Knit-a-Thon raises money to benefit Pine Street Inn’s Supportive Housing Program, which provides permanent housing for formerly homeless people. And the blankets made during the Knit-a-Thon are given to residents of the program.

The way it works: Before the event, participants knit or crochet up as many 9” squares as possible. On the day of the event, the squares are sewn together into afghans. You can help by:

• knitting or crocheting squares,
  
• raising money,
  
• making a donation, and/or
  
• showing up on Nov. 8 to help sew squares into afghans.

Last year 40 blankets were made and nearly $20,000 was raised.

Pine Street Inn makes it easy to create your own fundraising web page (through the site FirstGiving.com) so you can collect donations online.

Learn more about the Knit-a-Thon, or sign up, here.

Knit-a-Thon Info

Date: Sunday, November 8, 2009

Time: 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (you can come anytime during that window)

Location:

GE Healthcare
116 Huntington Ave.
Boston, MA 02116
map

GE Healthcare is near three T stops (Copley or Prudential on the Green Line; Back Bay on the Orange Line). Parking is available in the building, according to the Knit-A-Thon web page.