About Knitting

Knitting with Annie

2010-02-09T15:00:15Z

Confessions of a Knitting Heretic by Annie Modesitt. ModeKnit Press.

When many knitters are asked what knitter taught them to be more fearless about their knitting, to go their own way and figure things out on their own no matter what a pattern or knitting instructor might tell them to do, they'd probably mention Elizabeth Zimmermann as being that trailblazer for them.

But I'd wager a fair number mention Annie Modesitt, too, and her book Confessions of a Knitting Heretic, which aims to teach knitters that there is no one right way to knit; so long as you get a fabric you like in the end, you made it the right way.

That's a lesson that can be very liberating for knitters, and it certainly was for Modesitt, though it was a hard-won lesson learned only after taking years away from knitting in discouragement. Thank goodness for the rest of us she took it back up and wrote this handy book to remind us that knitting is supposed to be fun, that we're smarter than we know and that there are always new techniques to try (many of which she shares in her book).

Knitting with Annie originally appeared on About.com Knitting on Tuesday, February 9th, 2010 at 15:00:15.

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Does What You're Wearing Affect Your Creativity?

2010-02-09T09:57:24Z

This week's poll comes from another great post from the Make and Meaning blog about being comfortable when you craft. The author says she can't really be creative if she's dressed up, and she'd prefer not to be wearing shoes, makeup or jewelry when she's deep into a project.

I would always prefer to be without shoes, and since I do most of my knitting and other creative work at home, I usually am without shoes (and also in comfortable clothes) when I'm creating. But I've never given much thought to whether I work better, more creatively or more efficiently when I'm dressed a certain way. Maybe because I'm never dressed any other way these days.

How about you? I know a lot of people take their knitting to work; do you find you're more or less able to focus and do good work when you're dressed in officewear compared to, say, your pajamas? Or does it make no difference at all?

Let me know, and if you'd like to share your ideal crafting outfit, do so in the comments (mine would probably be flannel pajamas or my fleece yoga pants and a big long-sleeved T-shirt).

Does What You're Wearing Affect Your Creativity? originally appeared on About.com Knitting on Tuesday, February 9th, 2010 at 09:57:24.

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Make Mine a Mobius

2010-02-08T19:54:55Z

Knit mobius or infinity scarf. (c) Sarah E. White.

The mobius, or "infinity scarf," as the fashionable seem to call it, is a big fashion statement this winter, and with the cold weather seeming like it's going to hang around for a long time to come, there's still plenty of time to knit yourself one of these cool warmers.

The only trick to my Knit Mobius Scarf is making sure you twist the stitches on the circular needle when you join the work in the round, contrary to what you'd do any other time you're working with circular knitting.

This adds a twist to the knitting such that you can't tell which side is the front and which is the back, or where one ends and the other begins. It's a fun, quick knit and a nice look that will also keep you plenty warm if knit in a bulky wool like the one pictured. Stay warm out there, everyone!

Make Mine a Mobius originally appeared on About.com Knitting on Monday, February 8th, 2010 at 19:54:55.

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Classic Comfort

2010-02-08T10:46:29Z

Suss Design Essentials by Suss Cousins. Potter Craft.

Some of this week's book reviews are stepping into the wayback machine a bit, for books that have been on my shelf way too long or classic books that were written long before I started working on this website but are still very much worth a read.

Today's book, Suss Design Essentials, may be a little difficult to find these days (I found resale copies on Amazon and you can also buy direct from the author) but it's well worth it for fans of this designer known for her ready-to-wear designs.

The book includes 30 of her favorite or most popular patterns and has sweaters, tops, skirts, dresses, coats, capes and accessories. The finished projects often look rather simple but include design details that elevate the patterns to the intermediate or advanced skill levels. Knitters are sure to enjoy working these patterns and wearing the classic designs for years to come.

Classic Comfort originally appeared on About.com Knitting on Monday, February 8th, 2010 at 10:46:29.

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Knitting, Japanese Style

2010-02-07T10:02:52Z

Haiku Knits by Tanya Alpert. Watson Guptill.

There's something about Asian style that attracts a lot of people who live in the West. The style of Japan is particularly interesting to a lot of people, and when those people are knitters, the fiber arts of Japan are certainly alluring. From Noro to Hobu, there are some really great yarns from Japan; add in the natural, beautiful style of clothing traditionally found in the country and you've got an unbeatable combination.

That's what Tanya Alpert found when she got interested in Japanese design and Japanese yarns, and the results can be seen in her book Haiku Knits.

The designs in the book are mostly relatively easy, with simple stitch patterns and sleek silhouettes. But combined with lovely yarns -- from Japan and elsewhere -- these plain patterns sing and become something you'd really want to knit. Details like a row of buttons to close a slit in a tank top or structure provided by stainless steel yarn make these patterns familiar and yet unlike a lot of the patterns you see out there.

Knitting, Japanese Style originally appeared on About.com Knitting on Sunday, February 7th, 2010 at 10:02:52.

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Knitting the Rings

2010-02-06T15:17:30Z

Olympic rings. (c) Sarah E. White.

If you'd like to commemorate the Winter Olympics in knitting, check out this pattern for an Olympic Rings block. This is a basic Stockinette Stitch background with the Olympic rings worked in duplicate stitch.

You can use the design on a sweater or another project, or use the block in a sampler afghan to remember the games.

Knitting the Rings originally appeared on About.com Knitting on Saturday, February 6th, 2010 at 15:17:30.

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Classic Cables and Beyond

2010-02-06T11:49:27Z

Deborah Newton's Cable Collection. Leisure Arts.

I have to say that I love Deborah Newton. I don't know how I haven't gotten around to reviewing her classic knitting book, Designing Knitwear, for you yet; maybe I can get to it this month.

That book has been in print for decades, but Newton is still cranking out the patterns using the design principles outlined in that book. Such is the case with Deborah Newton's Cable Collection, a set of 19 patterns, mostly for women, mostly tops, sweaters and jackets.

The patterns use cables in classic ways but also in some unexpected applications, such as combined with a Fair Isle panel on a long coat, or splitting into a V at a neckline that's not a V neck (it actually has a big collar worked in Seed Stitch, and the design also includes ribbing and Double Moss Stitch).

Lovers of sweaters and cables alike are sure to find a lot to enjoy in this book full of roomy sweaters and coats you'll want to live in during the cooler months.

Classic Cables and Beyond originally appeared on About.com Knitting on Saturday, February 6th, 2010 at 11:49:27.

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Special Olympics Knitting

2010-02-05T14:29:42Z

Remember last year, when everyone was knitting blue and white scarves for the Special Olympics? This year, the Special Olympics competition in Idaho is hoping to be able to welcome participants with hand knit scarves, this time in red and gray (in particular, Red Heart Super Saver in Cherry Red and Gray Heather).

The state is expecting 650 athletes, and they're coming soon -- the Games open on March 12. If you'd like to help meet the goal, you can knit a scarf in any pattern you like using the two colors mentioned above. They'd like the scarves to be around 5 inches wide and 55 inches long, and they need to be received by March 9 in order to be ready for the opening ceremony.

Click on the link above for more information on how you can help and where to send your completed scarves. Let's help the Idaho Special Olympics meet this lofty goal!

Special Olympics Knitting originally appeared on About.com Knitting on Friday, February 5th, 2010 at 14:29:42.

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Knitting for the Senses

2010-02-05T09:41:01Z

Sensual Knits by Yahaira Ferreira. Sterling/Hollan.

A few days ago I reviewed Feminine Knits, a book that I found rather unabashedly girly in its ideas of what women like in their knits. And that's a perfectly legitimate way to go.

But Yahaira Ferreira takes a slightly different approach in her book, Sensual Knits. The patterns are still perfectly feminine and lovely, with luxury yarns to boot, but there's not a lot of lace, cables or other details that might strike you as particularly feminine.

Instead, it's the yarn, the form-fitting designs and subtler details (like a mohair sweater knit partly with two strands of yarn and partly with one to make portions more see-through) that make these projects sing. They're a lot of fun to look at and would surely be a joy to knit and to wear as well.

Knitting for the Senses originally appeared on About.com Knitting on Friday, February 5th, 2010 at 09:41:01.

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Knitting in the News: Knitting for Sports, a Record and Art

2010-02-04T16:08:00Z

Two stories this week had to do with knitting in support of sporting events. First, kids at Anderson Elementary in Vancouver knit red and white scarves to support Canada in the Olympics. More than 50 kids in the knitting club took part. And students at Walter Lee Elementary are selling red scarves to benefit an organization that helps set up sports programs for disadvantaged youth around the world.

Second, folks in Indianapolis are excited that their team is in the big game this weekend, but they're also looking forward to hosting the Super Bowl in 2012. As part of the city's effort to attract volunteers for the event, some intrepid knitters have vowed to knit a blue and white scarf for each of the estimated 8,000 volunteers. That means they'll need to knit 12 scarves a day until the big event!

Folks at the Macclesfield Express in the UK are among the many who don't know the difference between knitting and crochet, but that doesn't change the fact that local art student Jean Westbrook is aiming to knit the world's biggest cardigan on 12-inch square at a time. She's collecting squares from other knitters and will join them together to make a giant sweater. The current record holder is from China; that knitter worked up a sweater with a 28 foot chest.

A woman in Cambridge, Ontario, is also looking for help with a big knitting project: draping the Main Street bridge in knitting. Sue Sturdy is the city's artist in residence for the year, and she'll be putting on knitting programs, placing knitting baskets in area waiting rooms and libraries and hosting monthly educational knitting circles. If the bridge project falls through, she's thinking of wrapping the town's clock tower in a giant scarf instead.

Knitting in the News: Knitting for Sports, a Record and Art originally appeared on About.com Knitting on Thursday, February 4th, 2010 at 16:08:00.

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