New Online Magazine -Tangled- Knit & Crochet

Tags

Arts, Craft, Crochet, Knitting, Knitting and Crochet, Knitting Patterns, Online Knitting Magazine, Pattern, Tarn, Yarn

There’s a new magazine online for knitters and crocheters: Tangled.

Tangled is a magazine which describes itself as “Proud to Be Bi-Craftual” which is a reference to their patterns and content being equally divided among Knitting and Crochet. I have mixed feelings about this. As a knitter who only learned basic crochet so I can knit patterns which use crochet embellishments and edgings, when I hear that it’s only half about knitting, I am immediately wary. It can be very disappointing when you see a project that you like and then you look closer and realize that it’s crochet. However, not wanting to be quick to judge, I decided to check them out anyway.

I’m glad I did.

They have just released their Premiere Issue :Fall 2010 and I already found a couple patterns which interested me.  Here are my favorites:

Orange Twist by Marina Orry

Acacia by Talitha Kuomi

Ponder by Talitha Kuomi

They also had an article about TARN (t-shirt yarn) and a cool project to make with Tarn in this issue, which was really fun. 🙂

There are not a lot of projects in Tangled compared to other Online Knitting Magazines, but the projects they have are unique and of good quality, which is more important to me.

Will this become one of my new favorite magazines? The jury is still out. I would like to see more articles: designer interviews, yarn reviews, techniques, etc. However, if the quality of their projects continues to be this good,  it will become a staple in my knitting library.

For now, I’d say they’re worth checking out and I will keep them on my radar in the months to come.

Review: Vintage Knits for Modern Babies

Tags

Arts, Book Review, Crafts, Fiber art, Hadley Fierlinger, Knitting, Knitting and Crochet, Knitting Pattern Book, Pattern, Vintage Knits for Modern Babies

Today’s review is on a book that I was not expecting to find, but am happy I did: Vintage Knits for Modern Babies by Hadley Fierlinger.

This book is a delight. The patterns are simply classic and beautiful. It stays true to it’s name; most of the 25 patterns in this book have a vintage feel. I wanted to knit the majority of the patterns inside, which is a rarity in knitting books these days and a testament to the quality Hadley Fierlinger has provided in her patterns. The photography is gorgeous and I think a lot of these patterns will become repeat knits for years to come. 🙂 Here are a few of my favorite patterns in the book:

Modern Baby Bonnet

Organic Heirloom Blanket

Nana’s Bunnies

Ruby Slippers

Tiny Trousers

As you can see, the patterns are divine. I want to knit them all!

Time to Tailgate

Tags

Chili Recipe, Cooking, Football, Knit Lap Blanket, Knitting, Knitting Patterns, Tailgate, Tailgating

It’s the first Sunday of football season in the US today, which means millions of Americans are gathering with good food and friends to watch a game or two. The first Sunday of football means different things for different people. For me, it’s a true sign of the beginning of fall. I can knit all day, stew a pot of chili in the crock pot, and invite friends over for a beer. To capture the spirit of this day, here are some Tailgate Knitting Patterns to get you in the mood:

First Up: Adirondack Lap Blanket by Joanne Yordanou

This cozy blanket with it’s huge tassels just screams tailgate to me. You could even knit it in your team’s favorite colors!

Next: Sylvi by Mari Muinonen:

This sweater is cozy and warm and a sophisticated alternative to the traditional team sweatshirt.

Finally, Football by Susan B Anderson:

Such an adorable little hat!

To finish our Tailgate Celebration, I am sharing with you our family’s recipe for Chili Roy:

Chili Roy

Enjoy it alone, on top of Elbow Macaroni, or with Saltines. It is truly a taste of home. 🙂

Happy Football Season!

Keeping Time with Knitting

Tags

Arts, Crafts, Crochet, Knit Calendar, Knit Clock, Knit Fashion, Knitting, Knitting and Crochet, Knitting needle, Scarf

I came across this online and thought I’d share it:

Calendar Scarf

How it works: You pull the string to take away each day that goes by.

I love this idea because I am essentially creating an ever-growing ball of fiber which I can then knit up into a gorgeous lace stole once the year is done. Genius!

Here’s a video of the calendar in action:

Also, I found this Knitting Clock on-line recently:

It knits the time and produces a 2 Meter Long Scarf at the end of the year! I love the idea of watching time progress in a physical way. Genius!

Free Pattern Friday – Flamingo

Tags

Art, Crafts, Fiber art, Flamingo, Free Pattern, Knit Animal, Knitting, Knitting and Crochet, Pattern, Susan B Anderson

I am a HUGE fan of Susan B Anderson, so it should come as no surprise that I am featuring one of her patterns for Free Pattern Friday this week: Flamingo.

How precious is this toy? I have added it to my knitting queue. I don’t know who I will give it to, but one day the right person will come along and the rest will be history.

Happy Knitting!

FO – Knitter’s Handy Carry All

Tags

Arts, Crafts, Handy Knitter's Carry-All, KnitPicks, Knitting, Knitting and Crochet, Knitting Bag, Needlework, Sewing, Textile

Here it is!!!!

The FINISHED Knitter’s Handy Carry All by Kerin Dimeler-Laurence:

I SLAVED over this bag. The knitting was fun. I learned a ton about pockets and it went by really quickly. The one down-side to this bag is it requires A LOT of sewing to get it all put together. And I really don’t know how to sew, nor do I like sewing.

Here are my Pros and Cons for this pattern:

Pros:

Easy and fun to knit

Learned a lot about pockets

Awesome design; it’s REALLY well thought out.

I LOVE USING THIS BAG!!!

Cons:

LOTS OF SEWING

I hate Sewing

The original color options for this kit were not super attractive.

When I finally finished this bag, I felt two things:

1) Pride.

2) I will never knit another one of these again because I hate all the sewing.

Using this bag, however, has stymied that second thought quite a bit. I really love USING this bag! It’s so well thought-out in it’s construction. I was softening to the idea of knitting another one, and then I saw it:

A whole year later, Knitpicks has new kits. And BETTER COLORS!!!! While I cannot fathom how I will survive a second round of all that sewing, but I also cannot imagine life without another one of these bags. In Lime Green. It’s really the perfect knitting bag for me. Just let me take a few months to get up the courage to do all that sewing again…

WIP Wednesday – Textured Knots by Norah Gaughan

Tags

Arts, Berroco Comfort, Crafts, Crochet, Knit Afghan, Knitting, Knitting and Crochet, Norah Gaughan, Pattern, Textured Knots, Yarn

For more crafty goodness, check out: Work In Progress Wednesday.

I have had a special project on my needles for a while and I thought I would share it with you: I am (slowly) knitting Textured Knots by Norah Gaughan!

Here’s my progress so far:

Here’s an Up Close and Personal look at the pattern.  It is a 32 Row repeat and it is in chart format, which I love because it is very easy to see where I am in the pattern on the chart. Also that makes this a half-page sized pattern which is very convenient for travel (not that blankets are ideal traveling knitting projects, but I am weird and drag the hugest of projects everywhere with me).

One of the things I love about knitting this blanket is the pattern looks very complicated, but it is very manageable once you get into it. I love knitting this blanket in public because so many people stop and want to touch it and ask me about it. It is an excellent project for inspiring non-knitters to take up knitting. 🙂 This blanket is a bit of a guilty pleasure for me, because I am knitting it for myself and I have not given it a deadline. It will be done when it’s done, which is very freeing for my Type A self. I have never not had a deadline before, and I think I like it!!!

This is going to be a 25% larger blanket than the pattern calls for because I am knitting it in Berocco Comfort Chunky, but with the same amount of yardage. I hate blankets that are too small, so I am hoping this 25% increase will make it big enough.

I have run into a small issue with knitting this blanket: April. This is April:

April is my miniature dachshund, and she loves to suck on blankets. It has been quite the challenge to keep her away from this project as it grows. She tries her best to stay away, but blankets are a bit of an obsession for her.

Her brother, Alex, loves curling up under this blanket when I knit it, which makes it a little difficult to juggle…

In the end, I think the dog trouble is worth it… How can you get mad at dogs who appreciate a quality knit?

Just In – Designer Knit Accessories

Tags

Arts, Crafts, Diane von Fürstenberg, Knit Accessories, Knit Fashion, Knitting, Max Mara, Missoni, Rebecca Taylor, Shopping

I love browsing for fresh knit fashions that have just hit the shelves! Here is a little preview of the designer knit accessories released in stores this month:

Rebecca Taylor

Weekend MaxMara

Weekend MaxMara

Alexander Wang

M Missoni

M Missoni

Jason Wu for TSE

Diane von Furstenberg

Diane von Furstenberg

Ann Demeulemeester

Donna Karan

Eugenia Kim

Eugenia Kim

Eugenia Kim

Eugenia Kim

Rag & Bone

Prada

Polo Ralph Lauren

(Yes, that IS a knit silk tie!)

Happy Shopping!

Review: French Girl Knits

Tags

Arts, Clothing, Crafts, Fiber art, French Girl Knits, Knitting, Knitting and Crochet, Knitting Pattern Book, Pattern, Shopping

I went to the library this week and I was delighted to come across a whole selection of knitting books at the Chinatown branch which were not there a couple weeks before. I did not order them and they are not new releases which has led me to suspect that there is another knitter in Chinatown.

Every time I realize I might be in the vicinity of a fellow knitter I become giddy with excitement and this is no exception. Now, whenever I go to the library, I rush to the knitting section and pop around the corner of the aisle in the hopes that I will run into this mystery knitter. This, of course, has not worked out so far, but the idea that I might meet this other knitter (who has fabulous taste in knitting books) remains an exciting one.

While I was in the knitting section, I picked up French Girl Knits by Kristeen Griffin-Grimes.

It was a delightful treat! This book has 18 inspiring, beautiful and flattering patterns.

The first thing that struck me when I flipped through the patterns was the shapes of the garments are curve friendly and there are a lot of empire waists. The garments are fitted and flattering on most women.

Upon further investigation, I realized the book features a lot of seamless construction and the patterns are full of unusual stitch patterns and knitting details, which I loved.

What is most wonderful about this book is the way the patterns inspire you.The unique garments in this book make you want to capture the French “Je ne sais quoi” in your knitting and in your daily wardrobe. They are truly romantic and refreshing.

The patterns range from Lace to Bulky weight yarn, so there is a project for everyone and they are really striking to behold. Some of these garments would stop traffic, they are so beautiful (if the people in traffic were mostly knitters), and others are casual and versatile enough to wear to a nice dinner or to the grocery store.

Here are a few of my favorite patterns from French Girl Knits:

Wrenna

Celeste

Louisa

Viola

These are beautiful, flattering, French-inspired knits. I want to knit them all!

Stitch-Inspired Essie Fall 2010 Nail Polish

Tags

Beauty, Essie, Knit Fashion, Knitting, Manicure, Merino, Nail Care, NailPolish, Shopping

I have been an Essie Addict since I was 12 and you couldn’t pay me to put anything else on my nails. Their polishes are high quality and they always release ultra flattering colors.I also love all things Stitch-Inspired so I nearly squealed when I saw the names of the new Essie Fall 2010 Nail Colors. Here they are:

In Stitches

Limited Addiction

Little Brown Dress

Merino Cool

Sew Psyched

Velvet Voyeur

My favorite is In Stitches. If you’ve been looking for an excuse to treat yourself to a manicure, I think you just found it!