Brave New Knits: 26 Projects and Personalities from the Knitting Blogosphere

Whether you own a successful, well-established business or are just getting started, you are missing out on an excellent way to attract and retain customers if you are not using social media to connect with your network.

While Facebook began as a method for individuals to stay in contact with friends and relatives, it has evolved into something much broader, and now boasts over 500 million users worldwide, with 100 million U.S. users. There is no other utility on Earth that allows you to connect with so many people for such a small investment of in your time.

Here’s an example of why Facebook is so effective. Imagine that you set up a business Facebook page for your business, and you invite 100 people to become “fans” of your business. These people could be friends, family, associates, network contacts, or even just local people you find on Facebook. According to Facebook Statistics the average amount of friends a person has is 130. If you assume that only 50% of those you invite sign up, you are still reaching 6500 people since all the friends of the people who sign up will see that they have added your business to their fan page, as well as updates and additions that fans comment on or like. That’s a lot of people!

It sounds easy--and it is--but it takes a lot of planning and good marketing to work. This book will show you what you need to succeed, including how to create a polished page using Facebook's Markup language.

• Promote better relationships
• Know when to delegate, direct and coach.
• Balance directive and supportive styles of leadership for productive partnerships
• Overcome fears and deal head-on with difficult situations and conflict.
• Use coaching for performance improvement and on-the-job development.
• Support independent thinking and personal reflection
• Gain commitment and accountability from others and build teams

These socks will keep you on your toes!

Jonelle Raffino and Katherine Cade are back with more toe-tapping designs in this follow-up to the best selling Socks à la Carte. Create perfectly fitting pairs every time with toe-up construction and sizing tips from the experts. Become a master sock designer by combining interchangeable foot, leg and cuff patterns to create your own original designs. Perfect for sock mavens and beginners alike, Socks à la Carte 2 combines design savvy with easy-to-follow instructions to knit eye-catching socks every time.

Inside you'll find:

• Innovative flip pages: Preview your designs before you knit them by matching the foot, leg and cuff of your choice. See what your socks will look like before you knit them.
• Easy tutorials: Clear, illustrated instructions guide you through the toe-up technique, specialized cast ons, sock sizing and more!
• Thousands of design possibilities: Totally unique and personalized socks are possible with over 50 pattern options. Create literally thousands of different pairs!

Professionals of all stripes and ages are told to 'get out there' and network so they can build their careers, grow their businesses and elevate their influence in the community, but they are rarely taught the skills to do that. Most people are lost, intimidated by the idea of presenting their own personal brand, and frustrated when it comes to networking. Despite long hours at events and attempts to make the right connections, they aren’t seeing their desired results.

From Business Cards to Business Relationships is a start-to-finish guide that demystifies the networking process and teaches readers how to truly benefit from getting connected. Allison Graham provides an easy to follow road map that is adaptable to your personality, circumstances and growth goals. You will learn how to strategically decide where to go, what to do when you get there and what to do afterwards to turn those casual business card contacts into meaningful relationships. Allison's approach is based on the Four Pillars of Profitable Networking: Perspective, Personal Brand, Procedures, and a Strategic Plan.

This is a prescriptive, practical system based on the author's real-life experience of going from unconnected to connected in a short period of time. No cheesy gimmicks or high-pressure nonsense, just the skills and knowledge that will create success for anyone willing to do the work and follow this advice. Regardless of your past experience or current level of connectivity, your industry or profession, whether you're an entrepreneur or climbing the corporate ladder: you can accomplish whatever you want by meeting and connecting with the right people. From Business Cards to Business Relationships gives you the tools you need to cement a positive personal brand and build your own profitable network.

Praise for From Business Cards to Business Relationships

"Allison Graham can help you turn an introduction into a business, a dinner into a relationship, and an average practice into world class. I've long preached that we're in a relationship business, and this book provides the handshakes, codes, actions, and routes to master those relationships."
—Alan Weiss, PhD, Author of Million Dollar Consulting and The Consulting Bible

"At last—a networking book that actually makes sense! Allison Graham's four pillars of networking are as simple as they are powerful. If you are willing to follow her lead with consistent and persistent effort, you will make your mark and expand your horizons both personally and professionally."
—Lou Heckler, Humorous Business Keynote Speaker and Speech Coach

"This book is an excellent and much-needed resource to share with the business community."
—PJ Hartson, Business Editor, Sun Media

Customize handknits to fit and flatter your figure

Whether you're tall or short, curvy or slender, you deserve clothes that fit you perfectly. Fitted Knits gives you patterns that create well-fitted garments designed to accentuate your positives. You simply knit to your measurements, easily adjusting the pattern so it's tailored to your unique shape. You'll be surprised at how easy it is to add shaping details that ensure a perfect fit for your figure.

There is something here to keep you knitting happily the whole year through, from lightweight summer tanks and tees to shrugs, wraps and cardigans perfect for those transitional times, and, of course, warm and cozy sweaters, vests and coats to get you through the cold months.

Inside Fitted Knits you'll find:

• a How to Fit Your Knits guide that shows you exactly how to adjust the patterns in the book to get a perfect fit
• 25 wearable fashion-inspired knits for all seasons
• a user-friendly skill level guide so you know what to expect with each pattern
• an essential information section including a knitting abbreviations key, a knitting needle conversion chart, a helpful Reference Library and a list of great knitting websites