I love publishing day.

Self-indulgent, I know, but amongst my favourite days are the days the new edition of KnitNet goes online.

Today is one of them. Inevitably, I feel humble and grateful that my email box fills with nice messages from readers.

Today's first message was from Gina, who said

Just when I think you can't possibly put out a better issue...you come up with this one! If this doesn't get every knitter out there subscribing, they just aren't paying attention! Great job!!

I've already thanked Gina for the kind words and I'd really like to take some time to bask in the glory. But, in fact, we're well into the development of the December edition, which is all about luxury. I've got a deadline to meet by the end of the day or I won't get much of a weekend.

Sic transit gloria mundi, as my old Latin teacher used to say when he was handing out exam results.

By the way, this entire edition is free to everyone. Go to the Sampler and click "start here" to navigate page by page through the whole edition.

old technology meets new

We're always crowing about new media and new technology.

After all, they've made KnitNet possible.

I was reminded today, however, that people using old technology can work wonders.

The phone rang and the screen said "Bell Relay". I couldn't imagine what that meant.

As it turns out, a KnitNet reader who is deaf wanted to ask me a question. She types into a device and the Bell operator -- Bell Relay -- reads what she says. I responded verbally and the Bell operator types what I said back to the reader.

After I finished each time, I had to say "go ahead" to signal that it was the reader's turn.

It was a very interesting experience, all around, for someone who lives, for the most part, in a world of pixels.

too cute

These way-too-cute baby socks are joining the Christmas-sock-knitting queue immediately!

I found the free pattern at elann.com . They're Fortissima Socka Fair Isle baby socks, designed by Jo Ellen Haustein for Skacel Collection.

Being a knitter, I don't make a list of people who need gifts -- I make a list of knitting I want to do and then try to figure out who to give it to! Fortunately, there are two babies-to-be in my families -- one in my blood-related family and one in the KnitNet family. (Shhh....)