I recently set up a knitalong group at work and was really
pleased when 8 people where keen to join in.We had our first meeting last Thursday and it was great to see the
different projects people where working on - some crochet, some knitting.It was also great to have 2 people new to
knitting come along and learn how to knit and purl!
Here is a photo of the group, some members were not able to
make it.From left to right Caron, Lisa, Gemma, Me, Debbie and Charlotte.
Lisa is working on a crochet blanket, Caron is knitting a
baby cardigan, Debbie has just started to knit a bag with some funky wool she
has bought and Charlotte and Gemma are beginners and picked it up really
quickly.We are meeting up again this
week and I am looking forward to seeing how everyone has progressed since.
If you attend a knitting group I would recommend a book
called ‘Not Tonight Darling, I’m Knitting’ by Betsy Hosegood.This fun and funky book is a celebration of
the increasing popularity of this relaxing and creative craft.It contains everything from knitter’s
anecdotes, shopping advice and keen celebrity knitters, to a fascinating history
of wonderful woolly fashions throughout the decades. Plus it is a bargain at
only £9.99!
It would be great to see pictures of your knitting groups if
you attend one.
In my search for a new bag, I stumbled on The Counterfeit Crochet Project. Too, too cool. Created in 2006 by Stephanie, a San Francisco visual artist, the project has since expanded to include knitters, weavers and sewers too! It has even been made into an art exhibition and in 2007 traveled to Manila, Beijing and Istanbul. Here's a pic of one contributors "Gucci" purse in progress:
Project creator, Stephanie, says, "It all started out as a lark--could I hand crochet a designer bag? And if so, would it look...good? Or bad? Does it matter what it looks like in the end, or is the attempt at the interpretation important? Would I be embarrassed wearing such a blatantly homemade knock-off bag? Is it like when your mom handmade your clothes when you were little because you couldn't afford new ones? Or would people--in a weird way--believe it was "real" because it had the logo on it. I wondered about all these things and more."
Above, a finished "Dolce & Gabbana" lookalike. Check out the Project's site for a great photo gallery, information on upcoming events and details on how to sign up and join the project. I think I might just have to take up crochet and give one of these bags a go!
Lately I've been having these urges to knit a cowl. Yes, I know, I
know, this is a very silly idea. It is spring. Soon enough it will be
blazing hot. I will not want to wear a cowl. Do I even need a cowl when
it is cold? I think I might. I just think I might. And I don't care if
it's not the right time of year for this, if I feel like engaging in a
bit of seasonally inappropriate knitting, I think I should sally forth
and engage. Don't you? Ok, only answer if you agree.
I have been eyeing patterns in two books (neither of which happens to be published by F+W). One is in Veronik Avery's Knitting Classic Style.
It's actually not even a cowl, it's this very light and puffy
scarf/gaiter thing. The pattern calls for mohair. You can see it on Ravelry. The other cowl is from Knit 2 Together by Tracy Ullman and Mel Clark. This one is also on Ravelry (but honestly, what isn't??) So, all right, I've decided, for better or for worse, to undertake a cowl project.
The
question becomes, what kind of yarn to use?? I have a lot of yarn in my
stash, and I think something should work for both of these projects.
But I need your help. For the Avery project, I need something very,
very lofty. I do have some variegated hot pink mohair.
I have had this one a long time, I think it might be Rowan. This is probably the most accurate choice as far as weight and loft, but what about the color. The one pictured in the book is white--will all this pink be ok to frame a face (here it should be noted I am not afraid of color). The yarn in the back is from the Neighborhood Fiber Co. You can buy fabulous hand-dyed yarns from this company, owned by the fabulous Karida Collins, co-author of an upcoming North Light book (more on this at a later date...). At any rate, this is a silk yarn. I think it'll have the right loft, but not 100% sure.
Also from Neighborhood are these mohair beauties. But I'm not sure if I have enough!
Or, is this something I could make out of cashmere? I have a very fine cashmere that seems like it might be somewhat lofty (it's the green in the bowl).
And for the Knit 2 Together cowl, what to do? It calls for a heavier weight yarns on size 10 needles. And I have a tiny bit of this fine gray cashmere or a blue silk/mohair blend, and both of those would need much smaller needles. The pattern doesn't seem too hard to adjust, though.
Thoughts, anyone? How do people feel about knitting out of season? Substituting yarn? I'll let you know if I make any decisions in this matter. In the mean time, I hope to be finishing up the shrug.
I'm on the hunt for a new everyday bag. Something that I can take to work, but that's also versatile and comfortable enough to carry for all day events (mostly shopping related) :)
I'm knee deep in my shrug project and starting some baby gifts, so I'm not counting on making one myself. Thank goodness for etsy! These were some of my favorites:
The first two are by Counting Stitches. I love the long strap on the oatmeal colored one!
I love the mustard color of this one by Pavlucha but the material may be too hot for spring:
And I'm very impressed with the spring pattern on this one by Into Knit:
Anyone have any other sprintime totes that they'd recommend?
Here are some pics from our knitalong last Thursday. Unfortunately, I spent the bulk of the knitalong taking OUT rows as opposed to making them. Somehow I miscounted and one sleeve ended up a few inches longer than the other. Oh well, at least I caught the glaring error before I started ribbing.
The shrug on the left is Jessica's, the one of the right is mine. (And in the foreground you'll see a super cool striped bag that Wendy is working on.) This weekend I caught up on the sleeve ribbing and am now ready to seam my sleeves together, though I'm not quite sure how to
do that. Good thing I'll be seeing my knitalong gurus in a couple of
days!
Photo below L-R: Kristin, Kim & Eileen - we're all very focused on making progress.
