Funny Knitting Projects

On the last day of the year, I thought it would be fun to share an article that helped inspire me early in the creation of Knitting Project of the Day: Weekly DIY Roundup: Funny Knit Patterns!

I came across this article as I was beginning my search for interesting knitting projects. Which one featured in the article is your favorite? For me, it is the hair rollers!

World Aids Day Yarn Bomb

World Aids Day Yarn Bomb - Twilight Taggers have done it again! These gorgeous knit and crochet creations are in red in honor of World Aids Day (Dec 1).

Photo credit Twilight Taggers via a Creative Commons License

Knit Your Bit

Given the title of a charity collecting knit items for veterans (Knit your bit) , I would assume that the 1917 video "Knit Your Bit" was some kind of propaganda commercial to get people knitting for the troops.

Over my time here at KPOTD I have shared some vintage photographs of all types of people knitting for war efforts. While it is sad that there are still wars almost 100 years after this video was made, it is nice that hand knit garments are still appreciated.

ChemKnits

Today is the third birthday for ChemKnits, my main knitting blog. To celebrate three years and over 300 posts (almost enough for a year of KPOTD!) I am naming ChemKnits today's KPOTD. The start of this blog has spun into me running four different blogs and writing for two different independent writing platforms.

I started ChemKnits because I was researching different earflap hat knitting patterns. When I was writing descriptions of each pattern, to help me keep track of the links, I wished that this list were already available online. I then decided that I could be the one to share this list. Happy Birthday, ChemKnits!

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Do you have a knitting blog? Tell me about why you started it in a submission to KPOTD!

Knitting Artifact - Not What You Might Think

Knitting artifact. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 2003 Nov;74(11):1501.

An Artefact is something that shows up on EKG and is non cerebral in origin. This is the first example of a knitting artefact:

"One hypothesis might be that the wool being knitted by the patient causes a build up of static electricity either on the knitting needles or on the wool itself. During the transfer of the stitch from one needle to the other, the tapping of the needles together may cause the release of this static electricity and allow it be recorded on the EEG."

QR Bombing

You see QR tags popping up all over the place, but I never thought I would see one made out of yarn! (I love making knitting charts, so I'm a bit bummed I didn't think of it first!)

From the Artist:

"I wanted to break out of the basic black and white form of the QR code and try if I could somehow “hide” the code in the fabric, make it less obvious. Using more colours both in the background and in the figure itself seems to do that nicely. The only thing you have to keep in mind when using other or more colours than just black and white is to keep the contrast high enough. By the way, this is a perfect way to use leftover yarns – I didn’t have to buy any new materials for these pieces."

Photo credit anuko via a Creative Commons License

Hand Knit Christmas Stockings

One of my favorite knitting projects are hand knit Christmas Stockings. The three stockings featured in the picture above are of my own design, but you can easily combine different elements from different patterns to create your own custom Christmas stocking.

Merry Christmas, from ChemKnits and the editors of KPOTD.

Crochet Settlers of Catan Board

Settlers of Catanis one of my favorite board games. One of the best parts of the game is that the board is multiple pieces that changes each time you play. Of course, this can be challenging if the surface you want to play on isn't perfectly level.

How is this for a solution? A crochet settlers of catan board. Sure, this may work for travel purposes, and there are many other things that you need to play... but I love the concept!

LisaJedi designed and crocheted this Settlers of Catan board.

Knit Handcuff Cozies

WOW! I was exploring ravelry when I came across the following handcuff covers. I have no idea why someone would want to make these... but this is certainly cool enough to be named KPOTD!

Self Patterning Yarn

Did you love those Ghost socks that I shared with you yesterday? I mentioned the secret to the socks is self patterning yarn, designed by KnitPurlGurl.

She is currently out of her stock of yarn (at least as of the time when I was writing this post.) But will offer skeins for pre-order. Each set of yarn comes with the pattern so you can get the patterning to happen correctly.

The self patterning shapes include Watermelons, Santas, Ghosts, Mushrooms, and much more.

I really wish I knew how to make these patterns since I love dyeing yarn of my own. Of course, I don't expect the designer to share her secrets!

Ghosty Socks

I fell in love with these ghostie socks when I saw them... and then I realized that the pattern is not due to stranded colorwork, but to the design of the yarn. That is right, this self striping yarn also forms little ghosts as you knit!

Just to give you a heads up, tomorrow's KPTOD will feature the Etsy store where you can purchase these fantastic handpainted yarns.

WW2 Knitting - Then and Now

During World War II, there were initiatives titled "Knit Your Bit" to create socks for soldiers. Now, the WW2 Museum website has a lot of free knitting patterns and has been running "Knit Your Bit" for 6 years to help keep our veterans warm with hand kit items. Read more to find out how you can contribute.

Knitting iPhone Apps

I was contacted by Knit Suite, Mobile Apps for Knitters to look at the applications they have produced, but I don't have an iPhone (I am an Android girl.)
I got contacted to review these apps, but I don't have an iPhone. Since I am not able to play with these applications myself, I wanted to find out what others think of them.

"I recently developed 3 iPhone applications for knitters, collectively known as Knit Suite. These are the start of what I hope will be a series of small, single focus apps for knitters.

The three applications on sale now are:
Kitchener Stitch, a photo and text tutorial
Abbreviations, knitting and crochet terms found on knitting patterns
Yarn Needs, the yardage required to knit many types of projects in many sizes and several yarn weights."

Definition of Purl (Verb)

The word knit as a verb has meanings that go beyond the act of knitting with yarn. I was curious if the same is the case for "purl."

transitive verb

• to embroider with gold or silver thread
• to edge or border with gold or silver embroider
• to knit in purl stitch

intransitive verb

• to do knitting in purl stitch
  

I never knew that purl was an embroidery term. But it seems like this verb hasn't come to have as many meanings as knit.

Isn't it interesting that the word purl predates the word knit by 70 years (1526 for purl, 1596 for knit)?

Hyperbolic pseudosphere

Photo credit Cheryl via a Creative Commons License

Excerpt from Hawaii Hyperbolic Crochet Coral Reef Project:

"Aloha! The worldwide hyperbolic crochet (and knit) coral reef phenomenon is finally making its way to Hawai’i! Take some inspiration from the marine life around the Hawaiian Archipelago and knit or crochet some models of marine life to contribute to this community art project. The exhibition will take place from 4-28 June 2011 at the Hawai’i Craftsmen window at Marks Garage, a gallery in the Chinatown arts district of Honolulu."

Knits for Boston Fans

Do you like Boston sports teams? Three are many free knitting patterns out there that will let you celebrate your pride in the teams.

Convertible Fenway Mitts shown at Fenway Park in Boston.

With knitting charts, you can modify mittens (as shown above), hats, scarves and so much more. Show your pride for the following teams with:

• Celtics Logo Knitting Charts
• Bruins Logo Knitting Charts
• Patriots Logo Knitting Charts
• Red Sox Logo Knitting Charts
• Fenway Mitts (featuring a Red Sox Knitting Chart)
  

Penguin Sweaters

Anyone who knows me knows that I love penguins (the first dance at my wedding was in the middle of a penguin pit!) My friend Jessica found this picture of penguins in sweaters, and had to share it with me. This is certainly an attack of the cute!

Thank you, Jessica for sharing this with me!

Blocking Knit Lace

I have something to admit to you KPOTD readers... I often don't block my knitting projects. The last sweater I made for myself didn't get blocked (although it fits great!) I have come to see what a difference blocking makes, especially when it comes to lace projects. The following tutorial will show you how to block knit lace strips from lace garters.

My Top Knitting Projects

Since today is my birthday, I find it only fitting to make the KPOTD very personal. Last March, I created an article about my top 10 knitting projects of all time. In this article, I share images of each of these completed projects and why they have special meaning for me. I hope you enjoy taking a trip down my favorite knitting projects!

The asymmetric knit 14 cable hat, of my own design.

A Good Start

I like seeing this scarf woven into the bench, but I would love it more if the whole bench had scarves woven through it.... (Challenge extended... do you care to accept?)

Photo credit Vivian via a Creative Commons License

Yarn Corner

What a fun way to advertise for a yarn store!

Photo credit Twilight Taggers via a Creative Commons License

Yarn Bombing Statues

Adding hats and scarves and other accessories to statues is something I could get on board with!

Photo credit PB-PSBear via a Creative Commons License



Photo credit PB-PSBear via a Creative Commons License

Nano neuro knitting repairs injured brain

Ah, knit to bring things together and heal. I love that the word has become a term in medicine!

Nano neuro knitting repairs injured brain - published in 2006. "A team of scientists, led by Rutledge Ellis-Behnke (Massachusetts Institute of Technology, MA, USA), have shown that a peptide-based nanofibre scaffold enables axons to regenerate and to knit brain tissue together after injury, which results in a functional return of behavior."

Musical Notes

Musical Bombing - Crochet musical notes left outside a concert hall. What a unique idea!

Photo credit slideshow bob via a Creative Commons License

Double Headed Chicken

This double headed chicken part of a yarn bombing project, but it really looks like a sculpture to me. Magnificent!

Photo credit waltarrrr via a Creative Commons License

Maker Faire

" Maker Faire knitting at Discovery Museum Wow. The decorations at Discovery Museum were amazing. Kudos to these guerilla knitters!" - Nicola Stock

Photo credit Nicola Stock via a Creative Commons License

Ease in Knitting

I didn't know what negative and positive ease meant, and I found the following article very helpful. Ease doesn't come into play for many projects, but it is worth thinking about before you are going to start a new sweater!

Knitting Flags

I don't think this counts as yarn bombing.... but it is still super awesome!

Photo credit Cian O'Donovan via a Creative Commons License

The Knitting Machine

A 2005 documentary of Dave Cole's performance art piece "The Knitting Machine" at the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art. Has anyone ever watched this?

Tubular Cast on Using Judy's Magic Cast on

I like this tutorial because the instructor has written down the instructions on a sheet of paper that she refers to as she goes through how to do the stitches. I now use this cast on method as a provincial cast on alternative (with an extra needle if necessary.)

My only complaint is that the needles are pretty far from the camera, but this is really a minor complaint since I learned the technique.

Knit So Fine

The book Knit So Fine revolutionized my way of knitting. I now LOVE knitting with thin yarns. It is amazing what a difference it can make in the drape of a project.

BeeKeeper's Quilt

Why do I always find afghans I want to knit? The BeeKeeper's quilt is assembled by a series of small hexagons. The pattern is $5.50, and is incredibly popular... with over !

Tree Branches

Using when trees are covered in yarn bombing projects, I see parts of the trunks or a few branches. This image stuck out because there are many different branches, and forks of these branches, covered.

Photo credit zandperl via a Creative Commons License

Steeking

Iam trying to decide if I want to make a beautiful sweater pattern into a pullover or a cardigan. Making this a cardigan would require that I learn how to steek - the process of cutting a knit garment after the fact (and without it unravelling!)

This tutorial shows two steeking methods, and I know I will be referring back to it!

Knitted Garden

Can you imagine a picnic in a knit garden? And everything is life sized!

Photo credit Jessica Spengler via a Creative Commons License

Mailboxes look better with feet

Photo credit Urban Sea Star via a Creative Commons License

Making Dissected Animals (Vegan)

The Etsy store owner aKNITomy is the designer of many knit dissected animals. Many of these projects have been featured as KPOTD at this some point. IN aKNITomy's etsy store, you can even purchase some of the completed knit projects, if you are willing to pay for them!

Thanksgiving Knitting Patterns

Happy Thanksgiving! Do you do any fall knitting to celebrate this holiday? Well today I'm going to share with you an article that contains a list of free Thanksgiving knitting patterns. Knit up some stuffed turkeys as you wait for your stuffed turkey to bake in the oven!

Enjoy this family day!

Knitting with Dogs

My puppy, Indy, is very interested in my knitting projects. In fact, his favorite toy is still a knit ball that I designed for him. When I found the following vintage knitting photo featuring a great dane (a dog much bigger than my eskie will ever get) I just had to make it Knitting Project of the Day!

Knitting and the Great Dane - Manchester Dog Show 1966
Photographic Print
Baker, Shirley
Buy at AllPosters.com

Knitted carbon/PEEK composites for orthopedic bone plates

When I came across the article Feasibility of knitted carbon/PEEK composites for orthopedic bone plates published in 2004 I was hoping that by glancing at the full text if this was using a knit mesh of some sort... And in fact, this is true! Finally, a science knitting article that involves something knit! Apparently knitted fabrics have some application in orthopedic surgeries, "knitted fabric-reinforced composites have received increasing attention since they have several benefits such as mass productivity, low fabrication cost, and especially high drape ability to complicated contours..."

Town Hall

Yarn Bombing - pillars of the entrance to Town Hall Launceston. I love this example of yarn bombing because the column cozies aren't plain, they have design elements in the squares making up this huge project.

Photo credit Bianca J via a Creative Commons License

Photo credit Bianca J via a Creative Commons License

Entrelac

There are many different stitch patterns out there. Entrelac is a simple stitch pattern that looks much more complex than it actually is to knit.

Row of Knit Cars

This is absolutely amazing. Check out all of the cars in a row! I even find the one that appears to be knit with hockey sticks impressive. I hope you enjoyed these car cozies as much as I did.

Photo credit waltarrrrr via a Creative Commons License

http://www.yarnbombinglosangeles.com/ is responsible for this project.


Are you interested in checking out other car themed knitting patterns?

Fancy Rims

These rims have been decorated with something extra. These knitters get an A+++ for effort.

Photo credit waltarrrrr via a Creative Commons License

http://www.yarnbombinglosangeles.com/ is responsible for this project.

Knitting + Crochet Car Covers = Awesome

A great mix of knitting and crochet cover this car. I love the way the side mirrors look like wings.

Photo credit waltarrrrr via a Creative Commons License

http://www.yarnbombinglosangeles.com/ is responsible for this project.

Headlights

I appreciate the work the shaping that went into the front of this car cozy. The headlights may not be in the exact correct spot, but I still like the detail!

Photo credit waltarrrrr via a Creative Commons License

http://www.yarnbombinglosangeles.com/ is responsible for this project.

Afghans covering the car, not your lap

I cannot imagine the time that it would take to complete a car cozy. Well, actually I can since I've knit a number of afghans (and these are much more involved than my 10 hour afghan!)

Photo credit waltarrrrr via a Creative Commons License

http://www.yarnbombinglosangeles.com/ is responsible for this project.

Crochet Convertible

I love the "dice" dangling from the rear view mirror. The steering wheel cover and seat covers also make a nice touch.

If you are interested in knitting your own steering wheel covers, I have found a bunch of free patterns that can help you out.

Photo credit waltarrrrr via a Creative Commons License

http://www.yarnbombinglosangeles.com/ is responsible for this project.

Push it

I found a closeup of the car that caught my eye yesterday. (I bet you can't find a car cover for a peddle your own car... so you'll just have to knit one!)

Photo credit waltarrrrr via a Creative Commons License

http://www.yarnbombinglosangeles.com/ is responsible for this project.

Car Cozies Galore

Car cozies have been featured as previous knitting projects of the day, but I found something that is even better than a pattern on how to make your own car cozy.... a parking lot full of cars covered in knit/crochet!

Photo credit waltarrrrr via a Creative Commons License

Check out the child's push car on the left. I have fond memories of one of these...

http://www.yarnbombinglosangeles.com/ is responsible for this project. Why wasn't their sign knit, too?

Alphabet Knitting Charts

When you are designing your own knitting patterns, it can be helpful to have access to a knitting font. It can be really fun to personalize a project with initials and words.

I assembled a list of all of the alphabet knitting charts I could find, looking at the size of the letters so I could have a resource to assist with my future projects. I hope you find this helpful, too!

Definition - Purl (noun)

I wanted to explore the definition of the word purl because knit has so many meanings. Let's look at purl as a noun.

Definition of PURL

• gold or silver thread or wire for embroidering or edging
• the intertwisting of thread that knots a stitch usually along an edge
• purl stitch
  

I think it is interesting that knit (as the kind that is relevant to this blog) is giving a real descriptive definition for the craft, where as purl only describes the stitch with the word. Not a very illuminating definition!

The History of Sock Monkeys

Have you ever wondered about the obsession with sock monkeys? The book Everything's Coming Up Sock Monkeys!: Art, History and Business of the American Sock Monkey will bring you some amazing in sight into the history of these fun creatures. This book will take you on the journey from the iconic socks that provided the coloring for these toys to where sock monkeys reside in our society today.

Do you want to find other sock monkey knitting patterns?

Mobile Loop Cannon Yarn Bomb

So when I read the title of this video, the knitter in me misread "mobile loop" as "magic loop" and I was confused. Why would you use a magic loop to yarn bomb a cannon? You must have a REALLY long cable to those round needles.

Check out the following yarn bomb!

Learning to Knit

As winter approaches, why not take the opportunity to learn how to knit? I have a lot of knitting videos that will help you get started, or you can purchase a learn to knit kit.


Whoops, somehow this didn't end up getting published properly! Sorry to keep you waiting for your Knitting Project of the Day!

Gifts for Knitters

The holidays are quickly approaching, so it is time to start thinking about gifts. Knitters end up making a lot of gifts for others (how many hats does one person really need?) It is important for people to think of gifts to give to knitters. When in doubt, a great knitting book is the perfect gift for a knitter.


Whoops, somehow this didn't end up getting published properly!

Knitting up the ravell'd sleave

Knitting up the ravell'd sleave is another article about sleep. I really don't understand what knitting has to do with sleep, especially when they don't use the word knit in the article. This is the second article that I have found about knitting and sleaves related to sleeping.... Can anyone shed some light on this?

Yarn Bombing in Progress

Careful... the prisoners may escape!

Photo credit Twilight Taggers via a Creative Commons License

Yarn Bombing Interview

I've shown you many pictures of yarn bombing over these last few months... and now I am pleased to share with you an interview by the people making the instillation.

"The Department of Design Studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison's School of Human Ecology and the Madison Knitters' Guild cooperated on a 'yarn bombing' of a Madison Metro bus shelter."

Railing Cover

This yarn bombing project has a little something extra. I love the dangling flowers with button centers!

Photo credit Twilight Taggers via a Creative Commons License

More Comuter Simulated Knitting

This is another article that I had found from a Ravelry discussion. This article, Efficient Yarn-based Cloth with Adaptive Contact Linearization, goes beyond just simulating different knit stitches, but to simulating an entire garment. You should check it out!

Halloween Knitting Patterns

Halloween is one of my favorite holidays ever. Last year, I knit many projects to decorate my home for Halloween. Later, I wrote an article focusing on free Halloween Knitting patterns in the following categories:

• Ghost Knitting Patterns
• Eyeball Knitting Patterns
• Jack-o-Lantern Knitting Patterns
• Black Cat Knitting Patterns
• Free Skull Knitting Patterns
• Witch Related Knitting Patterns

Some of these sections just show my favorite three patterns in the category before taking you to a page dedicated to the subtopic (for example, I had found dozens and dozens of skull knitting patterns). I hope that these knitting patterns that I've found will help you plan out the perfect knit Halloween!

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Do you have any pictures of your Halloween knitting projects? Submit them to KPOTD and find yourself featured here!

Largest Knit Sculpture

If you first look at this picture, you just see a large bunny-like creature. But then you notice that there are people in the picture too!

This world record for the largest knit sculpture was earned in Italy in 2005. Using 1,000 kg (2,200 lb) of wool, it took more than a year to knit the basic shape and a further seven weeks to stuff and place the 61-m (200-ft) long sculpture. Wow!

Could you knit before you could walk?

He'll have a whole scarf done before he learns how to write!

Young Boy Trying to Use Knitting Needles During Drive to Provide Woolen Goods for Servicemen
Photographic Print
Buy at AllPosters.com

Knit One, Purl Two

I would love to see a knitting talk show... well Knit One, Purl Two has been a TV series since 2007. Once again, I'm having some trouble finding information about the actual show (Knit One, Purl Tow is a very common search phrase!) but I love thinking about what could be on the show.

Black Forest Cake

Yesterday I shared knitting book featuring knitted cakes, and today I'm going to share an actual knit cake with you. This knitted black forest cake shared by Prudence at www.knotjustknitting.com is amazing. This knitting project "takes the cake".... literally! This knit black forest cake stands out from all other knit cakes I've ever seen. Why? There is also a knit cake serving utensil!

Photo credit Prudence via a Creative Commons License

Knit Cakes

Want to have some fun with novelty yarns? Do you have a sweet tooth but don't want the calories? Why don't you try baking some knit cakes! This is a delightful book that shows creative ways to use novelty yarns to knit up realistic looking baked treats.

Want to find more food knitting and crochet books? Stay tuned for a fun knit cake in tomorrow's KPOTD!

An Appropiate Yarn Bomb

A knit flag at a statue commemorating the centennial of the writing of the Star Spangled Banner. Can you think of a more appropriate yarn bomb?

Photo credit schmedgar via a Creative Commons License

Peace Knits

"Group photo at the Nelson, B.C., Revolutionary Knitting Circle Knit-Out in the Park. Peace Knits banner on display. Part of the Revolutionary Knitting Tour. August 21, 2004." Now this is a group project!

Photo credit Grant Neufeld via a Creative Commons License