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by Kelley on May 26, 2010
I’ve always loved the concept of Elizabeth Zimmermann’s Baby Surprise Sweater (Jacket) but it wasn’t until Meg Swansen, Elizabeth’s daughter, made a video that I actually knit one. It is a classic example of Elizabeth’s keen mathematical mind which explains why I needed Meg to hold my hand through each step. Given the creative possibilities for this little gem, I think that the DVD is an excellent investment. Another “publication” that I have enjoyed for years is Spin-Off Magazine from Interweave Press. It’s unfortunate that more knitters don’t know that this magazine is an excellent knitting magazine. I’ve made many more projects from Spin-Off than Knitter’s. And, not always from my own hand-spun yarn. If you want to broaden your understanding of fiber and knitting, you should pick up one issue of Spin-Off. I guarantee that you will be hooked!! Why am I yammering along ... |
Category Archives: Inspiration
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by Knit Picks Staff on May 26, 2010
I came across this yarn in my stash (Essential Multi), and, realizing that the colors are perfect for my sister-in-law, it was decided on the spot that this Lace Ribbon scarf would be a must-knit Christmas gift for her. Does that ever happen to you – when you are struck by a flash that you MUST knit a certain item for a certain person? In my case, it’s contagious, too. Once one person has a gift planned for them, I think of someone else who really needs one too. Sort of a revolving gift list. So, what are you knitting for gifts this year? And, how are you feeling about your time line – are you going to make it? < |
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by Knit Picks Staff on May 26, 2010
A friend sent me this cartoon today, and I thought it might make you guys smile too. < |
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by Knit Picks Staff on May 26, 2010
I have to admit that I’m not the hugest Harry Potter fan in my family. My dad and my sister have both read all of the books, and I’ve only read, um, 2 chapters of Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone. BUT I have seen all the movies. Since my dad is such a big fan, I’m thinking of knitting him something from Charmed Knits for either Christmas or his birthday in March (his birthday is looking likelier and likelier as Christmas gets closer and closer!) Picking colors for a lot of the projects in the book is pretty easy since Alison Hansel used lots of Knit Picks yarns, but since we’ve introduced some new colors, I’ve been thinking a bit about which yarns I’d actually choose. This post on Ravelry was the final push I needed to compile a list of all the Knit ... |
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by Knit Picks Staff on May 26, 2010
One of my favorite tasks here at work is to proof the podcast every Friday. It’s half an hour of knitting/listening enjoyment. I bring a small knitting project to work with me every day to be on hand for meetings, lunch, etc. My current “mindless” project is the Lace Ribbon Scarf by Veronik Avery, originally published on knitty.com. I’m knitting this one in Essential for my sister-in-law for Christmas. The Essential yarn is soooo soft, it will feel so cozy on her neck and will keep her warm without being too bulky. And what is Kelley’s podcast topic this week? Hat and scarf knitting, especially for stash busting and gift giving. Serendipity! (I listen to the podcast on RealPlayer here in the office. I don’t know why, but this funny dancing sheep is the visual that RealPlayer runs along with the audio.) ... |
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by Kelley on May 26, 2010
I am astounded at how quickly this shawl knit up and how happy I am with the results. It feels light as a cobweb and is a perfect size. Long enough to wrap generously around my friend’s shoulders. It is also narrow to fit on a hospital bed. The blocking went quickly with the use of blocking wires. I had thought about wetting it at the office but I love the smell of Kookaburra wash so much that I soaked the shawl at home while Bob finished his breakfast. I wrapped the shawl in a towel, let the bundle spin around on the spin cycle of the washing machine and tossed it into the back of my car. By the time I had it blocked out, it was practically dry. I used my plant mister to dampen it to set the pattern. |
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by Kelley on May 26, 2010
This DVD cover certainly captured my knitter’s imagination! If you go to the Young at Heart site, you can watch the trailer. And, the best part is watching the knitting needles working in the very beginning. I’ve put this movie on the top of list in NetFlix! < |
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by Knit Picks Staff on May 26, 2010
So, I am working through my lace yarn stash. I’m sorry I keep showing you all discontinued colors in my projects. About a year ago, when we put the discontinued lace yarn colors on sale, I bought a TON (while, not quite literally, but enough to keep me knitting for a long while, obviously). On the upside, this enabled us to bring in lots of new, delicious colors of lace yarn for your enjoyment! I absolutely love the shape of the Curved Shawl from Victorian Lace Today. It’s the only shawl I’ve ever worn that actually stays in place during the day. I knew my hand-dyed yarn was a little busy for a lace pattern, so I decided to make a shawl in simple garter stitch, but with the curved shawl shaping. I’m going to use two hanks for the body of the shawl and ... |
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by Knit Picks Staff on May 26, 2010
Lately it seems like all I’ve knit are baby gifts. Since we launched Comfy this Spring I’ve made two baby sweaters from it, and while I’m sick of baby sweaters, I must say that I still love the yarn! I knit this Pea Pod Baby Sweater (an Interweave Knits pattern) for a friend’s newborn baby boy in Comfy Honeydew. I couldn’t resist going with the light green of the original pattern. I love the little details of the pattern, like the leaf accents in the edge ribbing, though I suspect that the sleeves are too long for a baby. I started the pattern when I was home sick, which is never a good idea and resulted in several froggings until getting it right. I must say the Comfy held up like a champ. |
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by Knit Picks Staff on May 26, 2010
All of us here at Knit Picks, including Sheldon, would like to wish you and yours a very happy International Talk Like a Pirate Day, mateys. In honor of this auspicious holiday, we’re giving you a sneak peek at one of the new upcoming colorways of Imagination– Pirate King. We hope you like it, it will be available in late February. If any of you land lubbers try to steal it before then, we’ll have to make you walk the plank! Buccaneer Humboldt got in on the fun sporting a Kettle Dye eye patch and a stitch marker earring and protecting his booty of blueberry crumble bread. How are you going to celebrate? Yo-ho-ho, and a bottle of rum? ... |
