New knitting book to benefit women’s heart health

Knitting, women, heart health and the color red have combined to create a book that’s good for you.

“Knit Red: Stitching for Women’s Heart Health” by Laura Zander has as its mission raising awareness of heart disease as it pertains to women and raising funds to benefit the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health in support of The Heart Truth, a national awareness campaign for heart disease sponsored by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. A portion of proceeds from sales of the book will be donated to the Foundation.

Heart disease if the number one killer of women in the United States and needlearts industry if made up of 98 percent women, according to Zander, founder of the Jimmy Beans Wool company.

Thirty designers, including Debbie Bliss, Nicky Epstein and Debbie Stoller, have wrapped themselves in red, so to speak, to craft for the cause. Even a few male designers — Barry Klein, Jared Flood and Martin Storey — have taken needles in hand to contribute to the cause. In addition, the designers share their stories about how they or their loved ones have been affected by heart disease.

The designs, all done in shades of the most remarkable reds, include sweaters, caps, bags, mittens and mitts. shawls, socks and an afghan. The result is a compendium of projects that will satisfy knitters of all skill levels. Add to that the books Heart-Healthy Living section featuring facts about women and heart disease, exercising your heart and heart-healthy recipes and you end up with a must-have book to add to your collection.

It’s difficult to choose a favorite design from the book, but I find myself leaning toward the Graphic Tunic, the Snowboarder Hat and the Leaf Lace Sweater.

Oh, and have you ever wondered where to find a pattern for the Red Dress logo? This book has it.

Look for “Knit Red: Stitching for Women’s Heart Health” at your favorite bookstore or online. The cost is $19.95. For information, go to sixthandspringbooks.com.

Snippets
The Moosehead Quilters will present the Antique and Vintage Quilt Exhibit 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 1, at the Center for Moosehead History, 5 Lakeview Street in Greenville. The exhibit, on the second floor of the center, is open to the public, with a donation appreciated. On display will be quilts and various other fiber art items on loan for the day from area families. A basket of items valued at more than $125 will be raffled at the end of the day. Raffles tickets are are available at the Crazy Moose fabric shop in downtown Greenville and at the door the day of the quilt show.
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To access free knitting patterns go to knitpicks.com.
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The Georges River Land Trust and Wanda Garland will present a packbasket making workshop using Asian cane 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 8, at the Cynthia Hyde and Jim Kennelly farm in Hope. The cost is $30 for materials including basket weaver’s cane, and participation is limited to 12 people. To register, call 594-5166 by Sept. 1.
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WINTERPORT — The Winterport Clippers Quilting Chapter is offering a series of free, basic quilting lessons for the beginning quilter who joins the quilting chapter. The dues are $18 for the chapter year Sept. 1, 2012, through Aug. 31, 2013, which includes dues to parent organization, The Pine Tree Quilters Guild. The lessons are scheduled for 6-9 p.m. Wednesdays, Oct. 3, 10 and 24, at the Victoria Grant Center in Winterport. Participant will be required to bring a sewing machine. For information, call Khris LaChance at 223-5424 by Monday, Sept. 17.