Posted by Catherine Skrzypek on Saturday, June 19, 2010,
In :
How To
Yeesh, I guess I've been neglecting this site for awhile. However, I'm not going to dwell on it: onward and upward, as they say. A lot of you are knitting stuffed toys, so you may want to take a gander at this article on how to properly stuff them. You should read the whole thing because it has some good tips, but the major takeaways are to (1) not overstuff your toy; and (2) stuff it so it's even. (via craftstylish).
Posted by Catherine Skrzypek on Friday, January 22, 2010,
In :
Patterns
Here's something different from the usual construction paper and doilies: knit Valentine's Day cards! It's a very quick pattern, you can knit them up lickety-split. The hearts begin on Row 8 and you make them by following the Heart Chart below (via About.com Knitting).
Posted by Catherine Skrzypek on Saturday, January 9, 2010,
A woman in England knits sweaters (which they call "jumpers" across the pond) for chickens she rescues from battery farms. When she receives the birds, they are often missing feathers, and the sweaters keep them warm until the feathers grow back. Read the full Telegraph article here.
Posted by Catherine Skrzypek on Tuesday, October 27, 2009,
In :
How To
I am not a fan of the DPN's. They're awkward, your stitches tend to fall off more readily than they would from a straight or a circular needle, and you get those ladders if you don't knit the first stitch tightly enough. In spite of this, I also knew that the DPN's and I had to find a way to co-exist peacefully, or there would be no legwarmers or sweater sleeves in my life (I haven't done socks yet--someday!). Not anymore: meet the Magic Loop! I haven't actually tried this yet, but instea... Continue reading ...
Posted by Catherine Skrzypek on Thursday, October 15, 2009,
In :
Patterns
Some of you have expressed an interest in learning how to cable. As I've proclaimed on numerous occasions, cables are much easier to knit than they look. If you don't believe me, here's a quickie little owl pattern that you can turn into a hair clip or a brooch. Just in time for Halloween! [via Ysolda]
Posted by Catherine Skrzypek on Monday, October 12, 2009,
In :
Patterns
Halloween is right around the corner. If you celebrate it, knit up one of these cheery-faced jack-o-lantern cloths for your kitchen or bathroom [pattern here at Purple Kitty]. Remember, you should use 100% cotton yarn when you are knitting cloths. Acrylics, wool, or cotton-blends will not absorb water the way cotton does. [via Knitting]
Posted by Catherine Skrzypek on Thursday, October 8, 2009,
In :
Patterns
Now that I've finished my beret and my sweater, these are what I'm knitting next! If you want to knit them, too, you'll need size 10 double-pointed needles, and a fine weight yarn with which you can knit double-stranded [pattern here]. By the way, the site where these originate from is in two languages: the first is obviously English, but I can't figure out the other one. Is it Norwegian, Swedish, Dutch? If you recognize it, please let me know! [via Whip Up]... Continue reading ...
Posted by Catherine Skrzypek on Wednesday, October 7, 2009,
Here's another solution to that common knitter's dilemma, "What can I possibly do with this last two yards of yarn?" Braid it, young knitter! You can sew the braid onto another knitted project as trim, or you can repurpose it into a necklace or bracelet [instructions here]. Do you know how to make friendship bracelets? Use some of those knots on your scrap yarn, and see what happens [via Craft]
Posted by Catherine Skrzypek on Tuesday, October 6, 2009,
In :
Patterns
Everyone winds up with those little scraps--one yard here, three yards there--and you may think there's nothing you can do with them. Guess again, knitters! Try playing with different fibers and textures and make a pincushion [pattern here]. This would be a much-appreciated gift for the knitters and sewers in your life [via Craft].
Posted by Catherine Skrzypek on Tuesday, October 6, 2009,
In :
How To
Knitting cables is one of those skills that looks harder to do than it actually is. Basically, you move a number of stitches off of your needle onto a cable needle, knit the next stitches as you normally would, and then go back and knit the stitches on the cable needle so they cross over and form a cable. Watch cabling in action right here with this video [via Craft]
Posted by Catherine Skrzypek on Friday, August 7, 2009,
In :
How To
Okay, okay, you may already know how to knit. These videoes, however, are for the brand-new knitter. Lion Brand's short videoes clearly illustrate what the heck you're supposed to be doing when you cast-on, do a knit stitch, do a purl stitch, and cast-off. I'm going to put this page, along with Lion Brand's more extensive Learn to Knit page in Links.
Posted by Catherine Skrzypek on Tuesday, July 21, 2009,
In :
Patterns
It's a sunglasses case that is knit with two strands of worsted weight yarn on good old size 8 needles (pattern link here). [via Knitting Under the Desk]
Posted by Catherine Skrzypek on Friday, July 17, 2009,
In :
Patterns
If release of The Half-Blood Prince is rejuvenating your enthusiasm for all things Harry, pull out your knitting needles and show the world! There's the Hogwarts Scarf Bookmark I posted about yesterday, or you can whip up this Golden Snitch Plush Toy, originally from the Knitted Toybox. You'll also find dozens more Harry Potter-themed patterns hereat HP-Mega-Fan-Site, the Leaky Cauldron. [via Knitting Under the Desk]
Posted by Catherine Skrzypek on Thursday, July 16, 2009,
In :
Patterns
I haven't posted many patterns lately. It's mostly because what I have come across is either very complicated to knit, or just not inspiring enough for the 'tween and teen knitting set. Well, as they say, when it rains it pours. These links have flown by my radar over the past few days. Try them out.
1) Monster Chunks by Rebecca Danger. Download free PDF pattern here.
2) Harry Potter Bookmark Scarf. Link to pattern is here. This one requires size 0 needles, which are tiny...
Posted by Catherine Skrzypek on Thursday, July 16, 2009,
Historical Tidbit #1 I haven't seen a verifiable source to this story, but apparently, in the late 16th Century, King Christian IV of Denmark outlawed knitting! He thought it made women too "dreamy". Pshaw, your highness!
His mother, Sophie of Mecklenburg-Gustrow, did not think much of this edict either. She would gather some of her ladies in waiting, and they would row out to an island and knit the day away! If anyone wishes to do a little research and find out if this really happene...
Posted by Catherine Skrzypek on Thursday, July 9, 2009,
The Mochimochi blog has dedicated the month of July to knitting tiny. Besides the tiny fish and tiny volcano above, she's also created a tiny brain, a tiny computer, a tiny bully, a tiny lion and a tiny fried egg. No patterns or how-to's, but I'm really enjoying the quirky little backstories Mochimochi has created for each of her tinies. Here's the fish's:
"This fish dreams of being on So You Think You Can Dance. I don’t have the heart to tell him that it will never ever happen."
Posted by Catherine Skrzypek on Monday, June 15, 2009,
Our first World Wide Knit and Public Day at the Brooklyn Public Library was a big hit! The weather out on the Plaza was perfect-sunny, but with lots of shade. Dozens of knitters, beginners and veterans, joined in on the festivities. My guess is that at least 150 people attended. I hope the library offers more knitting events in the future. If we do, you can read about them right here. BPL's WWKIP was unexpectedly blogged about in the Nerdabout blog, which is part of the Science Channel.... Continue reading ...
Posted by Catherine Skrzypek on Tuesday, June 9, 2009,
We've been talking about it since February, and now the big day is nearly upon us. I am talking, of course, about World Wide Knit in Public Day! The Brooklyn Public Library is hosting an event out on the front plaza of the Central Library on Saturday, June 13 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. There will be giveaways, demonstrations, raffle prizes, and music. Newcomers and experienced knitters are all welcome!
The video shows a basket-type sculpture that was knitted out of surgical tubing and has colored fluid running through it. It is strangely beautiful and hypnotic to watch. The creators of the video also knitted up a dress using the same surgical tubing. Imagine showing up for a party wearing something like this! (found via CRAFT).
Posted by Catherine Skrzypek on Thursday, May 28, 2009,
In :
Patterns
The website where this pattern is found suggests knitting it for a bridal party, but you might want to try it simply because it's pretty. It's a lace pattern, but unlike the lace bag I posted a few weeks ago, the lace is worked every row. Therefore, you should count your stitches after you complete every row. Also, the pattern uses the abbreviation yf (yarn forward) instead of yo (yarn over). Yf is the same as yo: bring your yarn to the front of the needle and knit the next stitch as if... Continue reading ...
Posted by Catherine Skrzypek on Thursday, May 21, 2009,
Write to your friends and family using the stockinette stitch! You don't need needles and yarn, just your parents' permission to download a new font onto your computer. You'll get all of the upper- and lowercase letters, numbers, and basic punctuation marks. It's free and you can get it by following two simple steps:
1. Ask your parents. You shouldn't download anything onto your computer's hard-drive without checking with them that it's okay.
Posted by Catherine Skrzypek on Saturday, May 16, 2009,
Isn'tthissweet? A British knitting club created this replica of their own village, Mersham, near Ashford. It took 23 years to complete and will be sold piece-by-piece to benefit the local hall. Have any of you been inspired to knit up a replica of our own Central Library? For more pictures of the knitted village, click here.
Posted by Catherine Skrzypek on Wednesday, May 13, 2009,
Are you getting excited? It's only one month until World Wide Knit in Public Day! The library is hosting a big outdoor celebration on the plaza, and you're all invited! There will demonstrations, music, giveaways, and raffles. You can learn some new techniques, or volunteer to show a new knitter how to get started. Here are the details.
Posted by Catherine Skrzypek on Thursday, May 7, 2009,
Phoenix Bess is an established knitting designer, and she's only 16-years old! The Central Youth Wing carries her new book of flirtacious patterns, It Girl Knits under the call number YA 746.432 B (click here for the catalog record). As we like to say in the library, check it out! Phoenix also maintains a blog. Here's the link.
Posted by Catherine Skrzypek on Monday, May 4, 2009,
Have you seen Coraline? Did you find yourself wondering about her wee little sweater? Turns out that the sweater is the real deal! The video shows how the xxs beauty was knitted on tiny little needles (via 100 Scope Notes).
Continue reading ...
Posted by Catherine Skrzypek on Thursday, April 30, 2009,
In :
Patterns
You can't go wrong with hand-knitted gifts, and this beginner's lace sachet is a great idea for Mother's Day. Here's my hint for knitting lace. Count your stitches at the end of every right-side row (with this pattern, that's rows 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12). I'm speaking from experience here. It's so easy to leave out that yarn-over or k2tog. If you count, and you find you've wound up with too few or too many stitches, simply undo and fix it (via craftstylish).
Posted by Catherine Skrzypek on Wednesday, April 29, 2009,
In :
Patterns
I love the blog Dollar Store Crafts. It features creative and funky projects that you can make easily using supplies found at your local-you guessed it-dollar store. Here's an idea for adding some knitting to a pair of flip-flops using the i-cord. Cute!
Posted by Catherine Skrzypek on Tuesday, April 28, 2009,
In :
How To
I haven't tried this yet, but it looks like a very handy skill to know, especially if you forget to pack your needles into your backpack before coming to the library. Click here for the tutorial found at Folksy. Continue reading ...
Posted by Catherine Skrzypek on Monday, April 27, 2009,
In :
Patterns
Use up some of the scraps you probably have lying around. This would be a lovely handmade gift to make for Mothers Day. You can probably use any jar, or even a soup can, as long as it's not curvy. From skipping in the meadow.
Posted by Catherine Skrzypek on Thursday, April 9, 2009,
In :
Patterns
Do you know any babies in need of cute slippers for their tootsies? These duck slippers are so sweet, and it's a project you'll be able to finish quickly. Here's the pattern, found on the Scribbit blog (and don't forget about yesterday's post on how to make pompoms). Continue reading ...
Posted by Catherine Skrzypek on Thursday, April 9, 2009,
The Teen Knitter and Crocheter Magazine Blog is written for teens and by teens. You'll find tips, tutorials, observations, knitting-inspired fiction, and the occasional pattern. TKCM debuted last June, and they have published four issues. The last one came out back in December. I hope they'll post another one soon.
Posted by Catherine Skrzypek on Thursday, April 9, 2009,
Check it out! There is a post about knittingon the Brooklyn Public Library blog, "No Shush Zone". Write a comment there of what you think about knitting and our group here at the Central Library! Continue reading ...
Posted by Catherine Skrzypek on Thursday, April 9, 2009,
Save the Date!Saturday, June 13 is World Wide Knit in Public Day. We'll be doing our part and knitting out on the Plaza of the Central Library from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Join us!
Posted by Catherine Skrzypek on Thursday, April 9, 2009,
We had a great time up in Room 216 bouncing around ideas and talking about our website. Special thanks to Chantel for joining in and participating! We'll set up another one soon. Notes from last week's meeting can be found here.
Posted by Catherine Skrzypek on Thursday, April 9, 2009,
Hi Everyone! Our knitting website is sporting a new look. This homepage is now a blog! We'll post news here, as well as interesting tidbits that don't quite fit into other parts of our website. I hope eventually that you'll be able to submit guests posts and book reviews that you write. In the meantime, if you come across any links, videos, or anything you feel needs to be profiled here, please share it with me!
