As previously hinted, Storytellers rides again. Sort of. We've just finished judging the final competition (which I've nicknamed "open mic"), so those winners will shortly be published in the usual place; the honourable mentions, however, will be posted on the new Storytellers blog. Sort of an ice-breaker.

["How Scheherazade was saved by her knitting", by Jessica Mayes. Once again, technical issues are interefering with pictures... *sigh*] “Enough!” said the king as he strode toward Shahrazad. “The people are in suspense as to how much longer you shall live. The advisors tell me to either let you live and be my wife until… Continue reading Stories to prolong life, knitting to save it

[Keri Brenning's story, and the last of our honourable mentions.] The first weak rays of light streaked the sky and were greeted by the call to prayer. Sunrise was still an hour or so away and it seemed Scheherazade would survive to see the sun trek across the sky once more. She had performed for… Continue reading A story with a twist

[An honourable mention from Julie Blosser, who writes: "I've always loved the story of the Thousand and One Nights, and I think Scheherazade must have been an incredible and well-educated woman. I love the idea that she would have a wide variety of skills, including knitting, story-telling, and smattering of practical magic. I also love… Continue reading Scheherazade’s magic carpet

This is Catherine Procter's entry for our Scheherazade competition — exquisitely presented in a little handmade book, bound with three ribbons! Catherine tells me she is an engineer by training, and she seems to believe this means she's not naturally artistic. I beg to differ. King Shahryar fell in love with Scheherazade during one thousand… Continue reading The Story of a Storyteller

Scene: a dark and empty room. Cobwebs flutter in the corners; wind whistles through the broken windows. Somewhere, a shutter bangs. An ominous creak is heard... a beam of light cuts across the dusty floor. As the door slowly opens, a freckled nose peers around it. Whispers: "Hello?" Silence. The freckled nose is followed by… Continue reading Back!

1. I am, despite all appearances, in fact alive. 2. My beloved partner in crime, and in Purlescence, is about as busy as I am — which is to say, shockingly, outrageously, life-threateningly* busy. This is unfortunate for Purlescence, since his involvement in it is at this point, entirely for love, not money, and must… Continue reading Some things

By Karen Holdup …The dwarfs said, "If you will take care of our house, cook, make the beds, wash, sew and knit, and if you will keep everything neat and clean you can stay with us and you shall want for nothing." "Yes," said Snow White, "with all my heart." And she stayed with them.… Continue reading Snow White’s practical streak

The godmother is clearly one of those who don't *get* knitting... but Cinders certainly does, and what stunning gloves she creates! By Kim-Xuan Nguyen "Such ghastly inequity," Cinderella fumed. "I spend all day cooking, and they turn up their noses at dinner, saying they're watching their figures. Then they sneak into the kitchen, steal slices… Continue reading Cinderella’s opera gloves

Another great story... besides the punchline, I like how the animals are incorporated. By Donyale Grant Once upon a time there was a beautiful girl called Cinderella. She led a horrible life with her Nasty Evil Stepmother and 2 Ugly Stepsisters who made her work night and day, with only the midnight hours for herself.… Continue reading A Cinderella tale with a moral