June 30th, 2008
Interweave has posted their preview of the Fall 2008 Knitscene online.
In this issue they “present a modern take on the medieval silhouette; a colorful outdoor story that’s filled with outerwear like cardigans and vests; and a globally-inspired story, featuring region-specific styles like the Kimono Socks, the Himalayan vest, and more” according to the editor.
I always like to look at these previews and speculate on what will become the internet’s “must knit” item.
My money’s on Riding to Avalon. (Although I doubt very many will be knit with the specified Lorna’s Laces Swirl DK. At an average price of $12/skein many knitters will balk at spending $96 ($108, $120, $144, $156) for a sweater’s worth of yarn.)
A lot of people will dismiss the Himalayan Vest as yet another tiresome example of Tibetan Ammo Vest Chic, but I actually think it’s kinda cute, in a morbid sort of way. I wonder, are those horizontal segments worked in double knitting? Or do you knit a tube, then flatten it and wrap it around yourself? There’s also something interesting going on with the construction around the shoulder that I’d like to see in detail.
Posted in Publishing News | No Comments »
June 30th, 2008
Crystal Palace has announced three new yarns for fall:
Panda Silk DK a DK-weight blend of 52% bamboo, 43% machine washable Merino wool, and 5% combed silk. Panda Silk DK will be available in 50-gram put ups, 120 yards apiece. Color card
Panda Soy Sock Yarn a self-striping sock yarn made with a blend of 49% bamboo, 33% soy, and 18% elastic nylon. At 185 yards per 50-gram ball, Panda Soy Sock Yarn is comparable in weight to Koigu KPPPM. Color card
Kaya a striated bulky-weight 100% wool yarn with slow color transitions. Color card
Posted in Yarn Companies | No Comments »
June 30th, 2008
Blogger laughing purple goldfish has posted a tutorial on cutting no-sew fabric strips.
Long have I admired the Mason-Dixon Knitting ladies’ collected antique rag balls, but I’ve never seen any for sale locally. Now you can make your own!
(And let’s face it, antique rag balls are far too precious to actually knit with.)
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Posted in Weird Crafts | No Comments »
June 29th, 2008
We all suffer from Too Much Stuff. Dan Bruno has fired the latest shot in the War Against Clutter with his new 100 Thing Challenge.
“Goal: By November 12, 2008 I will only have 100 personal things. I will live with only 100 personal things for one full year, until November 12, 2009.”
My first question: does “my yarn stash” count as just one thing?
Related: The Tyranny of the Heirloom, NYT
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Posted in Weird Crafts | No Comments »
June 28th, 2008
Recycled Crafts points us to some Etsy sellers who are upcycling with style.
Sellers like dinolover77 are wrapping old bangle bracelets with yarn and fun embellishments. The results are divine!
It looks like everyone linked in the original post has sold out. You might have better luck searching Etsy for “yarn wrapped bracelet” or “sweater bracelet”. Enjoy!
Posted in Art Knitting | 2 Comments »
June 27th, 2008
A German knitter has crafted a beautiful hand-knit lace lampshade for the ever-popular Ikea Grono lamp.
It’s ever so beautiful, but I have to admit that part of me can only think “OMG FIRE HAZARD.”
The designer offers the pattern for sale in her online shop, albeit in German.
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Posted in Weird Crafts | 2 Comments »
June 27th, 2008
The world’s finest bale of wool has been sold at auction in Sydney for $244,000. (AU$, I assume.)
At 11.6 microns, this fleece from the Hillcreston Pinehill Partnership farm in southern New South Wales is half again as fine as the average merino fiber.
In the months before the sale, CNN reported that the sheep who produced the record fleece were kept in a special indoor paddock which was “stress-free with the climate controlled and special feed,” and that the bale of fleece itself was kept in a bank vault.
Posted in Fiber News | No Comments »
June 27th, 2008
Artist Christina Oh created two miniature knitted items for her graduation show.
The bicycle is approximately 5×7 inches, and was knit on US 00000 needles with DMC cotton. The swingset is 6×7.5 inches.
Tiiiiny! (Sing-song)
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Posted in Art Knitting | 1 Comment »
June 26th, 2008
Knitting designer Kristi Schueler has published a knitting pattern for socks which feature a phrase in Braille.
The pattern is available for sale on her website. 100% of sales proceeds will go to benefit Seeing Eye Dogs, an organization which raises and trains service dogs for the blind.
“[L]ace paw prints travel across the instep and up the outside edge of the leg leading to the phrase “Guided By Love” beaded in braille around the cuff with a decorative beaded heart on the outsides of the leg.” (Emphasis mine.)
Working a Braille phrase in beads is simply genius!
Posted in Art Knitting | No Comments »
June 26th, 2008
Posted in Art Knitting | 1 Comment »