Scieintific Knitting

As the author of ChemKnits, I would consider myself a scientific knitter. Not only have I designed many scientific knitting patterns, but I have also enjoyed searching for other designs.

Rather than looking at how knitters deal with science, I am curious about how science has dealt with knitting. Over the next few weeks, I'm going to research scientific articles somehow related to knitting (whether directly or indirectly) through pubmed. Wish me luck on my newest project!

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Whooops! This the first one I forgot to post on time. Sorry that it's two days late!

Knitting Outdoors

I love the juxtaposition of the soccer ball (a very active game) with knitting, an active process that appears to be more static. Sure, it can take a long time to finish a garment, but you are constantly moving and creating. I just hope that the ball didn't hit this knitter in the head!

A Soccer Ball Flies over the Head of Woman Who is Knitting Outdoors
Photographic Print
Olson, Randy
Buy at AllPosters.com

Knitting Simultaneously

Do you enjoy knitting in groups? Whenever I knit, I tend to be by myself, but I am open to joining a knitting group.

Well there are some large knitting groups out there. The world record for the largest amount of people knitting simultaneously in one location is 937. This record is currently held by Portland, Oregon, USA.

Do you know of any efforts to break any knitting world records? Let me know through the KPOTD submission form.

Creating Knitting Charts in Microsoft Excel

After receiving numerous questions about how I create and share my knitting chart designs, I created a three part tutorial on how to use Microsoft Excel to draw knitting charts:

• Part 1: Setting up your knitting graph paper in Excel
  
• Part 2: Drawing your knitting chart in Excel
  
• Part 3: Saving and sharing your completed knitting chart

Creating this tutorial was the beginning of many tutorials I would create over the years, and may be the reason why I started filming knitting videos. I hope you find it helpful, it is a great way to start getting your own designs out there!

A Doily on a Tree

"A woman smiled while passing the moment I hung it... and that is what it is about for me!" -The Artist

I love this image because it makes me think of knit snowflakes falling down and catching on branches. This may be a funny mental image for July, but the quote makes me smile!

"Photo credit storebukkebruse via a Creative Commons License"

Knit Weddings

Today, at the moment this post is published is the start of my wedding ceremony! I thought it was only fitting to make the KPOTD personal and wedding themed: my article on knitting for weddings. I wanted the knit contribution of my big day to be small, but I knew that I should incorporate it SOMEHOW. I therefore created a knit garter for myself!

I probably don't need to say this, but I definitely won't be responding to any comments for a little while! ;)

Knit Lego Man - Some Assembly Required

Yesterday I talked about a knit lego block, but today I am bringing you a more impressive lego creation, "Some Assembly Required," a knit lego figurine, designed by the author of the Fight Knit club. This figurine has legs, torso and head that can all be taken apart and put together, much like a real lego figurine!

I'd like to thank my cousin, Brandon, for getting me to think about knit legos from a Google Reader post years ago. Unfortunately this knitting pattern isn't free, but it is so cool that it definitely deserves to be KPOTD!

Giant Knit Lego

Did you ever play with legos as a kid? Do you have children or spouses who are huge lego fans? (I sure do!) Then any of them could love this knit lego doorstop. I cannot think of a more fun doorstop to use in a playroom!

I'd like to thank my cousin, Brandon, for getting me to think about knit legos from a Google Reader post years ago.

Knitting on the Edge

After I read Knitting on the Edge: Ribs, Ruffles, Lace, Fringes, Floral, Points & Picots: The Essential Collection of 350 Decorative Borders, I wrote a good review of it on ChemKnits where I strongly hinted that I wanted the book. Lucky me, I received it a week later from a friend of mine at our secret santa exchange.

This book has given me so much inspiration for knitting designs that I struggled to put them all in my design notebook fast enough. I highly recommend this book for your personal library if you have ever had the desire to make an ordinary knitting project extraordinary.

First Day of Summer

For the first day of summer, I thought I would share this poster of a vintage, knit swimsuit! Now I don't think that one of these would be that practical in the water... (have you ever noticed how knit things stretch when knit?) But I think this is the cutest little outfit for laying in the sun with an ice cold beverage. Get excited for the summer, everyone!

Swimwear Knitting Pattern, 1948
Giclee Print
Buy at AllPosters.com

Knit Wine Bottle Sleeve

My mom likes to clip things out of magazines that she thinks we'll like, and she shared with me a clipping of 15 great finds for holiday shopping. #7 on the list was a knit wine bottle sleeve, with either buttons down the front or a scarf around the neck.

Neither of these items are currently available for sale, but they are really cute designs for wine bottle cozies.

It's finding things like this in magazines that helped me start designing knitting patterns. You see elements you like, keep track of them and then suddenly you're combining things into your own knitting patterns!

Knitting and Wine

An acquaintance of my friend Jamie works for a New York based knitting charity named the Purl Foundation. Although it appears as though they have not done anything official for a while (the last blog post is from 2009), this last event they mentioned caught my attention. A "Knit+Wine" night at a bar.

I think that this sounds like such a cute and fun social knitting even, and the fact that it would be promoting a charity makes it even better. This type even is something that we should all hold in the back of our brains as an idea for a fun knitting event.

Body-Laptop Thneed

When your apartment is cold, and you're working on the computer, your face and hands remain exposed to the elements. With the following Body-laptop Thneed, you no longer have this concern! Keep your hands, face AND laptop enclosed for warmth and privacy.

Thank you Alan G. for sharing this fun knitting project!

The Compassioknitter

In March 2011, I was contacted by Chrissy at The Compassioknitter about doing an interview. Now I'm not highlighting Chrissy because she likes my work, but because of the brand new blog she was starting.

A big part of The Compassioknitter is highlighting knitting charities themselves, but also the people who have done work for the charities. (Can you see some similarities to KPOTD here?) Therefore, it is my pleasure to dedicate today to someone who is working hard to raise awareness about different ways knitters can contribute to charity.

(P.S. You can read my interview here)

Knit iPad Covers

I like to say that with the creation of the iPad, there was an explosion of free iPad cover knitting patterns. Although I am an advocate of creating knit items yourself, I understand that some people may want the look of a knit cover, but don't have the time, or ability to create on themselves. Amazon offers a number of knit iPad covers for sale, so I'm sure you could find one that fits your needs.

The following is one that (if I had an iPad) I would probably recreate for myself. I do love cables!

Owl

I've been fortunate enough to see this finished project in person. My friend Heidi knit this adorable Owl, and I have to say I really want one! (Hint, hint!)

Heidi, congrats on being KPOTD!

Oh! Odessa

Jennifer Jackson at the Major Knitter gets KPOTD because A) I think the project of the Odessa hat (with a spiraling rib) is fantastic, but B) I appreciate her efforts to take a picture of herself with a hat on! It is so hard for us knitters to share pictures of hats when we are the only models! Congrats, Jennifer. I enjoyed what I saw of your project.

Top Websites for Men who knit

Sarah E. White assembled a great list of knitting resources geared specifically at men, "Here's a quick look at some of the best websites, blogs and historical information related to men and knitting. " The list featured knitting blogs run by men.

Men Who Knit

I came across the website Men who Knit "Promoting and inspiring the art of knitting amongst men" while I was searching for male knitters. The site has forums and hosts some blogs run by male knitters. You should take a peak around! (There are women on the site, so don't think you're not allowed to join if you are female.)

Top 10 Men in Knitting

Today's KPOTD goes out to an article at knitty.com, Top 10 men in knitting, which is only fitting since I am celebrating men who knit this week. (I'm not trying to be sexist, but I come across more female knitters around here, and just like I don't think knitting is just for Grandmas, knitting isn't just for women.)

The men featured in this article are a mixture of historical figures and modern designers. I learned a lot from this article, not just about male knitters, but about the history of knitting! (You'll have to read the article to find out who these men are, I'm not going to spoil it for you!)

The Knitting Man(ual)

It can sometimes be hard to find variety in men's patterns. The Knitting Man(ual): 20+ Projects for Guys is the answer. With over 20 knitting patterns of men's apparel: traditional silhouettes with modern colors and patterns.

Teaching Keith to Knit

I love teaching people how to knit, but one student was very special to me, and that is my fiance Keith. He learned how to knit and created a 9x9 square (when blocked) for a charity project I was working on. Today Keith is the Knitting Person of the Day!

Keith knitting (left) and his first completed project (right).

Knitting with Balls

I received the book Knitting With Balls: A Hands-On Guide to Knitting for the Modern Man as a Christmas gift from a male friend who selected it mostly as a joke (he liked the title). The projects in this book are manly, as one would expect, but any woman would welcome them into her home, too. Creating the knit beer cozies in this book led me to searching for more, and designing my own beer cozy knitting patterns.

This is a fun book that you can use to challenge other guys you know to start knitting with you!

Knitting on Breaks

I love vintage knitting images, and this is one of my favorites of all time. I hope you enjoy the image of this Ambulance driver knitting for English solders during world war 2.

Ambulance Driver Knitting For the English Army During WWII
Photographic Print
Mydans, Carl
Buy at AllPosters.com

You know, I think I'm going to have to dedicate the next few days to Male knitters....

When Art Meets Science: The Hyberbolic Crochet Coral Reef

Before the launch of KPOTD, a reader at ChemKnits commented on my Humuhumunukunukuapua'a Knitting Pattern asking me if I had submitted this stuffed knit fish to Hawaii's Hyperbolic Coral Reef Project. This is the type of project that would be up my alley... if it were knit. The artists involved with the hyperbolic coral reef project have crocheted aspects of a coral reef, from coral to fish to other creatures that you would find there. It is really a beautiful work of art, and raises awareness for preservation of our coral reefs.

Walking on Broken Glass

If I were to describe this photograph without showing it to you, I'm not sure if you would believe me! Lizzi Young (pictured) is knitting with hockey sticks while standing on broken glass. As if one of those activities wouldn't be extreme on its own! I can barely knit while standing up...

Photo Credit KateMonkey via Creative Commons license.

Good Enough to Eat

I love looking at knit food. There is something about it that is delectably frustrating, since it is not edible. Maybe it is the combination of my two blogs, ChemKnits and ChemEats that makes me love this intersection of food and knitting so much.

Either way, today's KPOTD goes out to Matt from London, who shared this photo of knit cupcakes... on what looks like a cupcake stand! Way to take this above and beyond, Matt!

Photo Credit Matt From London via Creative Commons License

Want to see more free cupcake knitting patterns?

Knitting on a Roller Coaster

I decided to Google "Knitting on a Roller Coaster" just to see what I could find. Maybe I've been reading too much XKCD lately...

Would you believe me if I told you I found photographic evidence of someone knitting while on a roller coaster? I recommend reading Kris' blog post about the experience.

A Gas Station Cozy!

Today I am featuring a gas station covered in knitting by the International Fiber Collaborative. "The project was called the World Reclamation Art Project (W.R.A.P.), otherwise known as the Gas Station Project. Participants crocheted, knitted, stitched, patched, or collaged 3 foot square fiber panels that expressed each participants concern about the topic."

I'm bummed that I missed this. It sounds like quite the opportunity. I really love these mass knitting projects!

Twisting Yarn into a Hank

Believe it or not, it took me a long time to figure out how to twist a circular skein of yarn into a hank like you would find at the local yarn store. I created this video so other knitters could figure out how to make their yarn appear neat and pretty.