If you are tired of knitting scarves, blankets, baby items etc and want to give something a little bit more funky a go, I can highly recommend a book called 'DomiKNITrix' by Jennifer Stafford. My favourtie project in the book is the Valentines cushions. You will also find funky hats, necklaces and more. Full instructions on how to knit each project is included with cool photography.
Best of all you can buy this book for just $10.00 (normal price $19.99) at the moment from the Mycraftivity shop so why not treat yourself to something a little bit different and get it now while the offer is on and stocks last.
It's official--there is definitely something in the water around here. It seems like everyone is having a baby right now. Which means, naturally, we all have knitting for babies on the brain. It's especially so in my case because my nearest and dearest friend (we've been "best friends" for close to twenty years now) is expecting her first child this fall.
For some reason, picturing that tiny baby girl coming into the world makes my fingers itch--first to knit for her and then to sew. I'm trying to hold myself to one project at a time. I'm almost finished with the first item, which is a pair of baby pants. I am knitting them out of thick-and-thin pink/orange cotton yarn. They'll have heart patches sewn on the knees as a finishing touch. I think the hearts will be white, but the jury's still out on that. The pattern is from Closely Knit, by Hannah Fettig. Hannah does such a beautiful job with baby patterns.
See more of her work and read her musings at www.knitbot.com.
I also love knitting baby hats...and I want to knit some baby booties. My friend and I were discussing booties this morning and we laughed to find we'd both bookmarked the same baby booty pattern on Ravelry: Saartje's Booties. I've had my eye on these for a while, ever since a friend sent me a link to Saartje Knits. Her patterns are really pretty–unique and original, yet very functional. Also, a North Light author, Karida Collins (look for Pints and Purls, coming out in March 2009), knitted these booties for fellow North Light author Stefanie Japel. Check them out here.
My only question is: Do Moms really want handknit baby pants and booties?? If you are a mom, what would you most like to have knit for your baby?
This past weekend was the TNNA show, which is the trade show for the fiber arts world. It's held in Columbus, Ohio, which is, incidentally, quite a cool city.
Several of our knitting authors were at the show to do book signings, so I got to hang out with them, which is always a treat.
Stefanie Japel was signing Fitted Knits and giving away a free pattern from her next book, Glam Knits, due out in October of this year. Read about Stef's experiences at TNNA here.
Hannah Fettig was also there, signing her book, Closely Knit. Check it out—it just got a lovely review on Knitty. Hannah blogs here.
Also signing was Cosette Cornelius-Bates. Her new book is Knit One, Embellish Too, and it just came out in the past few weeks. It's beautiful! Cosy blogs here.
AND there's more! A few other F+W authors were in attendance as well, including Shannon Okey (Alternation) and Krause author Jane Davis (too many titles to mention here). Shannon blogs here.
Karida Collins and Libby Bruce, co-authors of the upcoming book Pints + Purls, were also there. Karida runs a yarn company called Neighborhood Fiber Company. Look out for more on their book in the coming months (it isn't due out until November 2009, so it's still in the early stages!)
My knitting group is growing with new members joining. Everyone is so enthusiastic that we now try to meet every week. We have been so busy knitting/crocheting different projects that we haven't had time to try out any of the knitalong projects on here yet. Although I have nearly finished my bag and I really want to try the napkin skirts! I will post a photo of my bag when it is finished.
Muriel who is a new addition to our group is a keen knitter and is currently knitting a baby blanket to give to her sister who is pregnant. The colours she has chosen are gorgeous and she is a really neat knitter as you can see from the photos below. The pattern she is following is from a book called Debbie Bliss Essential Baby which features some great designs.
I also thought I would post a photo of Charlotte who is so keen to finish her bag she is even spending her lunch hours sat at her desk knitting away! The pattern she is following is from The Knitter's Bible
It would be great to see photos of what you are knitting at the moment.
Cassie had commented on our previous post about Father's Day gifts and suggested knitting a tie. As soon as I read her comment, I remembered that I'd recently seen knitted ties in JCrew of all places. They are selling them for $50...but I'm guessing one could be handmade with love for a few dollars cheaper.
Who knew they were so trendy to wear! Anyone think they'll try making one this Father's Day?
