Fun for the "Almost Teens"

"Fashions and Fun for the "Almost Teens"!

Look at them, those "almost teens"!  They're having so much wholesome fun.  Almost makes you wish you were an "almost teen" again, yourself, doesn't it?  (Ok, not really.  There's actually not enough yarn in the world to make that sound tempting, but for the sake of the entry, we pretend. . .)

Tra-la-la!

Oh, to be an "almost teen"!  To have cozy sleep-over slumber parties with your besties!

(Funny thing, though.  None of my friends knitted, back when I was an "almost teen".  Possibly that's because it was the late 80s/early 90s, and knitting wasn't quite cool again, yet.  I wonder if even "almost teens" of the 60s and 70s truly ever knitted at sleep-overs.)

I love how this girl is leaning back with her arms folded behind her head. . . and yet there's nothing there for her to be leaning against, except for the fairly uncomfortable-looking edge of a coffee table.

. . . Meanwhile, a yarn octopus lion with braided tentacles legs perches on a side table and listens to their schoolgirl prattle, disapproval in every feature. . .

You Asked for It

I'm sure this is book(let) was meant along the lines of, "Oh, looky!  You expressed an interest in floral doilies, granny square housecoats, and . . . whatever's in that Christmas-themed photo (stuffed toys and thread ornaments?).  And we heard you.  We heard-- and answered--  your pleas for the granny square housecoat.  (You can thank us later.)  Aren't you lucky we read our fan mail?  We'd do almost anything for you, our loyal readers!"

However, to us contrary types, it comes across more like this:

you asked for these.

That's right-- YOU.  This is all your doing, and don't you try to deny it!
If you don't like it, you have no-one to blame but yourself. 

. . . I think it may be the lack of an exclamation point (or even capitalization, for that matter) that does it. . .

A Real Page-Turner

I sympathize with people in charge of every aspect of producing and presenting knit and crochet patterns for men.  Really I do.  It can't be an easy job.  They usually try to create some macho appeal to counteract the preconception that handknits are somehow inherently feminine. Unfortunately, in models' poses and expressions, "macho" often ends up looking more like "moody".

. . . And then you have the occasional book of knitting patterns for men that looks more like a thriller or crime novel:

Just look at the drama and tension in those eyes!

"From best-selling author Phildar comes the latest in his series of edge-of-your-seat suspense-- Homme.  Will the hard-boiled detective solve the mysterious mystery in time?  Or will his penchant for cabled sweaters be his ultimate undoing?"

The Value of Selecting the Right Name

The Sweater Workshop-- not to be confused with "sweatshop". 

P.S.  What kind of sweater is that in the upper left-hand corner?  A dog sweater maybe?  Or a sleeveless sweater for an unhealthily skinny person?  Odd.

P.P.S.  Whoever thought "sweater" was a good name for a garment, anyway?  When you're raised with the word, you tend not to think much about it, but really, when is it ever a good idea to put the word "sweat" in the name of something you want people to buy, make, or wear?  Yuck.