Craftzine.com blog: Knitting Archives

Archive: Knitting

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April 3, 2007

Amigurumi Knit Patterns

We know that amigurumi patterns are typically crochet patterns so for all you knitters out there dying to make these cute toys, Katie at All in a Day's... has 2 tutorials for you to make. Knit The Sakura Brothers, the hanging vine tomatoes or Kumochan this cute spider toy.

The Sakura Brothers Knit Pattern and Tutorial - Link.
Kumochan Knit Pattern and Tutorial - Link.

Posted by Natalie Zee Drieu | Apr 3, 2007 04:28 PM
Amigurumi and Toys, Knitting | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

April 2, 2007

Knitting Machine Art by George Brett

The knitting machine post I did last week brought me in contact with two great knitters. The first was Cathy Kasdan and her knit dress and the next is artist George Brett who created this beautiful knit art installation that was on display at the Old Dominion University Gallery, ODU, in Norfolk, VA back in 1979. Created on his Brother KH-800 knitting machine, this knitted sculpture is made with cotton tobacco twine.

George writes:

My earlier works explored spider webs done on medium to very large scale. The largest web I made was one that stretched about 40-50 feet between two dorms at Florida State University and went all the way to the 5th floor. The webs were knotted cotton twine and I made my own shuttles that resembled net shuttles used by fishermen.
I never did get a job using my MFA because in 1978-80 university departments were looking for traditional fiber / textile crafts instructors. They were looking for weavers, basket makers, or silk screen printmakers. My work was too off of the wall -- too marginal. I upset the sculptors because craft was not supposed to be "precious" or presented as fine art.

Well, we at CRAFT are glad that George Brett marched to his own creative craft/art ideas bringing us more inspiration and beautiful knit art. As an added note, George also carves his own rubber stamps and you can also check out his previous craft projects (pre-flickr days). Thanks George for sharing!

See all of George Brett's beautiful knit art in his Flickr set here. - Link.
Read more about his thesis project here - Link.

Link.

Posted by Natalie Zee Drieu | Apr 2, 2007 05:31 PM
Arts, Knitting | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack

French Girl Knit Patterns

I always loved the patterns at French Girl but they don't sell online. Now Purl Soho has a bunch of their patterns for site on their website. I love the Fantine cardigan (left) and the Fifi sweater (right). Both patterns are only $6.60 and seem the perfect complement and quick knitting project for spring. Link.

Posted by Natalie Zee Drieu | Apr 2, 2007 02:42 PM
Bazaar, Knitting | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Knit Hats for the Homeless

Eyevea's Place writes:

Each year my daughter and I knit hats for homeless people and donate them to various shelters, soup kitchens, and sometimes just hand them out on the streets of NYC where my daughter goes to school. It started out as a way to use up leftover yarn and now we actually purchase yarn for the project.

Get the knit hat pattern and find out more how you can help knit hats for the homeless by using up your extra yarn here. - Link.

Posted by Natalie Zee Drieu | Apr 2, 2007 07:32 AM
Knitting | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

March 30, 2007

Zakka Bag

I posted up the Zakka Pouch tutorial earlier this week here and now here's another great one to add to the list from Black Dog Designs. Link.

Posted by Natalie Zee Drieu | Mar 30, 2007 03:45 PM
Japanese Crafts, Knitting, Sewing | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Plastic Grocery Bags into Knit 1950's Outift

Cathy Kasdan of Clevland, OH and I were emailing back and forth a bit yesterday afternoon regarding my post on the knitting machines. Then my jaw dropped when Cathy sent me this beautiful photo of her finished thesis project -- a handknit 1950's style ensemble made from plastic grocery bags. Cathy is currently finishing up a Master's in textiles at Kent State University and her thesis is based on consumer culture.

Cathy writes:

The dress is all hand knit from grocery bags that were the result of actual trips to the grocery store. As soon as I told people I could use their old bags for a project they brought them in by the bag full, I received thousands! The plastic grocery bag came about in the 1950's along with futuristic optimisim about America, so I made a "typical" 1950's ensemble complete with pillbox hat and purse, not pictured. I am going to have my pieces in an art show on recycled art at the School of Art Gallery in downtown Kent along with a group of other people beginning April 19th.

Cathy recommends to check out more amazing trash turned into fashion at the website, Haute Trash. You can view more photos of her plastic bag dresses her flickr photo set here - Link.

Posted by Natalie Zee Drieu | Mar 30, 2007 08:55 AM
Knitting, Recycle | Permalink | Comments (3) | TrackBack

March 29, 2007

Spring Ankle Socks Knit Pattern

Alison of The Blue Blog Patterns has a pattern for lightweight ankle socks that are perfect for spring. I do have to say I have a special place in my heart for the version with pom poms. Link.

Posted by Natalie Zee Drieu | Mar 29, 2007 05:26 PM
Knitting | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Monster Needles

205Kn Med
Melissa found these super cute Monster Knitting needles on Yarn Rescue. There's a different monster for each needle size! Link.

Posted by Natalie Zee Drieu | Mar 29, 2007 04:05 PM
Knitting | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Join the Sheepless Yarn Swap

Ok first off, how cute is this button? If you join the Sheepless Yarn Swap, you can adorn this on your site. Interweave is starting the swap as a part of Amy R. Singer's fabulous wool-free knitting book, No Sheep for You.

From the site:

Participants in the No Sheep for You Secret Pals Skein Swap will receive two skeins of nonwool yarn--one in June and one in July 2007--from their anonymous secret pal; they also mail two nonwool skeins in two months to their assigned pal.
What qualifies as a nonwool skein for this swap? Thankfully there are tons of options now in the wide world of fibers: hemp, linen, cotton, silk, rayon, bamboo, corn, Lyocall, Modal, Seacell, soy fiber yarn, or skeins with any combinations of the above. As long as it is 100 percent nonwool, it qualifies.

Find out more about the Sheepless Yarn Swap here and sign up now before the May first deadline! Link.

Posted by Natalie Zee Drieu | Mar 29, 2007 01:01 PM
Announcements, Knitting | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Knitting Machines

I loved reading the post by Liz Lopez at Whip Up about her mom's knitting machine (pictured left). I got a chance to see them in action (pictured right) last December while touring RISD with Diana Eng and my colleagues from Hackszine, Brian Sawyer and Brian Jepson. The ones we saw at RISD were the brother models with the punchcut cards. Hopefully we may see a resurgence soon. Read the rest of Liz's post to get some good tips on how to find and take care of your knitting machine, if you are one of those lucky ones who has one! Link.

Posted by Natalie Zee Drieu | Mar 29, 2007 11:10 AM
Knitting | Permalink | Comments (4) | TrackBack

March 27, 2007

Knit Skull Lace Stockings

I love these knitted skulls in a lace pattern on these stockings based on the Elizabethan stocking formula made by Severina of Vintage Stitch-O-Rama. Link.

Posted by Natalie Zee Drieu | Mar 27, 2007 04:30 PM
Knitting | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Knitting: Long Tail Cast On (video)

Knit like a Man's David Demchuk has a great video on how to do the long tail cast on for knitting. I cast on using this method but I always find it hard to explain to people who are starting to knit. This video is great and you can pause it when you need to practice along. David is also a columnist on Knitty and you can read here his current article for Spring. Link.

Posted by Natalie Zee Drieu | Mar 27, 2007 03:10 PM
Knitting | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Knit Bracelets

Gooseflesh has some great knitting inspiration on what you can do with a bit of your scrap yarn and iCord -- make some cute chain linked bracelets. More bracelet styles are on her site. Link.

Posted by Natalie Zee Drieu | Mar 27, 2007 11:10 AM
Jewelry, Knitting | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Zakka Pouch Tutorial

I always loved the Japanese Zakka pouches featured in the Japanese craft magazines. Here, Black Dog Designs has a tutorial on how to make one yourself with either a knitted base or basket. [ via ] Link.

Posted by Natalie Zee Drieu | Mar 27, 2007 10:06 AM
Japanese Crafts, Knitting, Sewing | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

March 26, 2007

Interview with Wenlan Chia, Fashion/Lifestyle Designer and Author of Twinkle's Big City Knits

Twinkle's Big City Knits by Wenlan Chia
Book Site - Link.
Amazon - Link.
Twinkle by Wenlan - Link.
Twinkle Handknit Yarns - Link.

If you love fashion and knitting, you'll love the new knitting book, Twinkle's Big City Knits by fashion designer Wenlan Chia. Most of us are already enamored by the Twinkle by Wenlan fashion line that's filled with modern knits that are chunky and feminine. The new book brings the same great style in cool patterns for us knitters and can be paired with Twinkle's own line of handknit yarns. I love that most of the patterns use chunky yarns and big needles so they will be quick to knit up. The cardigan patterns call to me with the wide variety of capelets, boleros, shrugs, shawls, as well as long and short cardigans. I actually love all of the knit patterns in this book -- from knit dresses, skirts, scarves, sweaters, hats, and more. Most of the patterns are knit in one piece on large circular needles as to avoid bulky seams. There's also got a section on knitting tips and techniques from Wenlan herself. The book is like a hybrid fashion book + pattern book, and it's fashion-emphasized design makes it like no other. You'll want to put this book on your coffee table so you can just continue to browse the designs and drool over them! Get this book now and you'll whip up some of the cutest spring knits to wear in no time!

(Pictured above L to R: Book cover, Striped Shopping Tunic, Mini Bolero, Karate Sweater, and Wenlan Chia.)

Twinkle Fall2007

(photos: nymag)
Fashion designer and CRAFT contributor Diana Eng got a chance to check out the recent Twinkle Fall 2007 fashion show last month in NY. Read her runway report "Wenlan Chia brings Boho Chic to Twinkle" here. - Link.

I got a chance to talk to Wenlan Chia after all the craziness of fashion week and her recent book launch. We talked more about her fashion background, the new book, and what lies ahead for Twinkle this coming year.

Nat: How did you get your start as a fashion designer?

Wenlan: I started as a fashion designer with a small collection of chunky knit sweaters. Wearing my creations out and about in New York City, I received many compliments and requests to buy the designs. Suddenly, I realized that I had the beginnings of a fashion collection and Twinkle by Wenlan was born!

Nat: Your new book Twinkle's Big City Knits is filled with your beautifully designed knits featuring your own yarn collection. What was the inspiration behind writing this book?

Wenlan: As Twinkle by Wenlan continued to gain popularity, I was often asked about my patterns by fashion lovers and knitting enthusiasts. I asked myself: where could women who love to shop at Barneys and love to knit find chic patterns? My chunky knits come from a fashionable point of view and I wanted to offer them to women everywhere. Big City Knits reflects my point of view that knitting is a traditional craft that can be made more exciting when infused with fashion!

Nat: One of the tips in your books mentions knitting in the round. In fact, most of your patterns require this. Why is this a good technique?

Wenlan: This technique eliminates bulky seams which is common when knitting chunky sweaters. It also helps the knitter to envision the sweater in a three dimension perspective, more like the shape of the human body.

Nat: How do you prepare designing your knits for a season and plan the runway show?

Wenlan: When designing the Twinkle by Wenlan ready to wear collection, which includes chunky hand knit sweaters, I usually start by emulating an ideal look. I search for the right fabric, yarn, colors and accessories that fit this look. As I begin sketching and creating the collection, the hand knit sweaters begin to take shape. Once each look is finalized, I do detailed sketches of every garment and make patterns for the sample knitters in my studio. After numerous fittings, alterations and remakes, I have a final sample for each piece in the collection. These styled designs are what you see on the runway at my fashion show.

Nat: What was your concept behind your recent Fall 2007 show in NY?

Wenlan: For Fall 2007. I was very inspired by the fabrics and materials I discovered, such as the dry textured wool and liquid-like silk. Every season, I develop my own prints. Several of the fall 2007 prints were inspired by 1950's abstract expressionism that worked perfectly with the fabrics I selected. I was delighted that my chunky knit sweaters in soft muted colors layered perfectly with these prints.

My concept was to treat the beautiful silk dresses like they everyday garments and not too precious or delicate. Twinkle girls will throw layers of chunky sweaters, jackets and accessories over the dresses so that they look spontaneous and adventurous.

Nat: You also have a home collection called Twinkle Living. What are some of your favorite pieces you've designed?

Wenlan: I love the rugs that were inspired from my prints in previous ready to wear collections. My prints are modern and tell a story, and when used in a rug they look like artwork. I also love the bedding from the Twinkle Living collection. It is romantic and modern at the same time. The bold and unexpectedly bright throw pillows and throws are also fun. They bring and exciting energy to the home.

Nat: What else can we expect to see from Twinkle this Spring and Summer?

Wenlan: For Spring and Summer, the Twinkle look will be relaxed, refined and playful - lots of drapery, and silk blended knits over sporty looks.

Posted by Natalie Zee Drieu | Mar 26, 2007 03:25 PM
Bazaar, Interviews, Knitting | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack

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