Dear Sun Spots: I wish to thank the good folks who responded to my request for yarn for my 95-year-old mom. She is now happily knitting hat and mitten sets for needy children, lap blankets for seniors and more.

We are still trying to find Phentax yarn for slippers. Any help would be greatly appreciated. – Terry in Lewiston.

Answer: In addition to responses from readers, Sun Spots has spoken to several yarn stores locally and none appear to have heard of this brand. However, Sun Spots did locate some Phentex slipper and craft yarn only $1.24 a skein for the entire month of December at Yarn & Thread by Lisa, 905 E. State Hwy 33, Crete, NE 68333, www.yarn-and-threadbylisa.com. You can order online, via phone at (402) 826-4278 or fax the order form you’ll find online to fax number (402) 826-4288.

In contacting Halcyon, 12 School St., Bath, ME 04530, 1(800) 341-0282, the staff says while they do not carry this particular product, they have many comparable yarns that will work for your mom’s slipper project. They are open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Saturday and open late Wednesdays until 8 p.m. You can also check them out online at www.halcyonyarn.com.

In addition, perhaps your mother would like to try the following pattern for Knitted Dorm Boots. SIZES: Child’s size use US #5 needles; woman’s size (or small man) use US #7 needles; Man’s size use US #8 or #9 needles. MATERIALS: 2 – 3 oz. knitting worsted (4-ply yarn):

Cast on: 76 stitches (for child), (86 for woman or small man), (96 for large man). If desired, you can use a double strand of yarn for thicker sole.

SOLE: Knit 14 rows: makes 7 ridges. (for a very broad adult foot, knit 16 rows)

NEXT ROW: If you are using a double strand for the sole, drop one strand now. Knit 35 (40 – 45) stitches, K 2 tog., Purl 2, Slip 1, K 1, PSSO, Knit remaining 35 (40 – 45) stitches.

NEXT ROW: Purl 34 (39 – 44) stitches, Purl 2 tog., Knit the next 2 stitches by knitting in the back of the stitch rather than the front, Purl 2 together, Purl the remaining 34 (39 – 44) stitches.

(You are shaping the sides of the slipper, and there will be a row of contrasting stitches right up the front of the foot, over the arch, to the ankle (the 2 central purl stitches in the K row and the 2 central K stitches in the P row).

Repeat these two rows, Knitting or Purling one less each time and continuing to decrease on either side of the center contrast row, until you have a total of 40 stitches remaining.

CUFF: Knit 6 or 7 rows to form a cuff of about 3 ridges. Bind off loosely, leaving long tail. Sew down the back of the heel and down the sole to the toe.

Options: The sole and cuff can be knit of a different color, if you wish.

Dear Sun Spots: How would one be able to write to Ted Danson? What is he doing for a job now? How old is he? Thanks for the help. – No Name, No Town.

Answer: Try writing to him at:

1033 Gayley Ave., Suite 208 Los Angeles, CA 90024

955 South Carrillo Drive, 3rd Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90048

You might be interested in noting that according to www.contactmusic.com, former “Cheers” star Danson and family are heading to Guam this Christmas. Danson was born Dec. 29, 1947 in San Diego, California and will turn 58 years old this month. He recently celebrated a decade of marriage to actress Mary Steenburgen. He starred in the A&E movie “Knights of the South Bronx” which is scheduled to premier tonight, Dec. 6.

This column is for you, our readers. It is for your questions and comments. There are only two rules: You must write to the column and sign your name (we won’t use it if you ask us not to). Letters will not be returned or answered by mail, and telephone calls will not be accepted. Your letters will appear as quickly as space allows. Address them to Sun Spots, P.O. Box 4400, Lewiston, ME 04243-4400. Inquiries can also be posted at www.sunjournal.com in the Advice section under Opinion on the left-hand corner of your computer screen. In addition, you can e-mail your inquiries to [email protected].