Monday, October 31, 2011

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:
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!

Sunday, October 30, 2011

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!


Friday, October 28, 2011

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.

Thursday, October 27, 2011

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!



Wednesday, October 26, 2011

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!

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

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?


Monday, October 24, 2011

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!


Sunday, October 23, 2011

Saturday, October 22, 2011

Creative Advertising

If you are a local yarn store on a busy street, what is a good way to get the crowd to stop and look at your shop? That's right, a creative yarn bombing project! The following bicycle is advertising a yarn store in Iceland.


Friday, October 21, 2011

Dissected Bat

Dissected Bat - I've seen many dissected animals over the years (both real, and knit versions) but this is my first dissected bat!


Thursday, October 20, 2011

Definition of Knit (verb)

Let's take a look at the word knit in verb form.

Transitive verb
  • chiefly dialect : to tie together
  • to link firmly or closely, knitted my hands
  • to cause to grow together,
  • to contract into wrinkles, knitted her brow
  • to form by interlacing yarn or thread in a series of connected loops with needles
Intransitive verb
  • to make knitted fabrics or objects
  • to become compact
  • to grow together
  • to become drawn together
I think that the definition (besides the practice of knitting itself) "to cause to grow together" is the most interesting. In looking at science knitting articles, I have found the word used a lot in cases with broken bones, so the example found in the dictionary is fitting.

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Knitting Fonts

Do you ever wonder how designers get those knitting symbols into their charts? I assembled a list of all of the freely available knitting fonts, so I could use the symbols in my own knitting designs. I will no longer have to make up my own symbols or draw these charts out by hand! Of course, some of the symbols I might use a little differently, but this is why it is important to always include a key with your knitting designs.

I use these fonts when I am working on creating knitting charts in excel. (See my three part tutorial which includes demonstrations on making graph paper in excel and drawing knitting charts in excel.)

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Open Shut

I love the look of this font... I'll have to try it in some of my knitting projects! I believe this project is used for the sign at a yarn store. How creative is that?!?


Monday, October 17, 2011

Knit Your Own Karma

The movie, Knit Your Own Karma, doesn't seem to be about knitting at all. I would love to know what "the bizarrest of chances to improve his life forever" is.... (maybe it is learning how to knit!)

Sunday, October 16, 2011

Go Canada Go!

A really creative tree cozy. This chart would make a great scarf, too.




Saturday, October 15, 2011

Knitting device for bilateral upper extremity amputee

Knitting device for bilateral upper extremity amputee - In reading the title, I know this wouldn't have to do with the knitting activity , but I did enjoy an image of a device to help and amputee knit. Unfortunately I am unable to get the full text from this American Journal of Occupational Therapy article, but I believe there are other similar articles on my list.

I am interested in mentions that knitting is therapeutic, because I have found it to be really therapeutic in my own illness (chronic fatigue syndrome.) Since knitting doesn't require much planning, you just take it one stitch at a time I find it really easy to focus on. Plus, finishing knitting projects gives me a sense of accomplishment, which helps with the frustration of my condition. I am very grateful that I do not live through any pain, and that I have a hobby like knitting (and writing about knitting) that is helping me through this struggle.

Friday, October 14, 2011

A Flowering Palm Tree

This palm tree is covered by a vine of knit flowers. So beautiful! This is one of my favorite yarn bombing projects by far.


Thursday, October 13, 2011

Yoda's Hat

Terri Hodges seems to like to use this yoda figurine as a model for completed knitting projects. This is certainly unique!



Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Adapting Knitting Patterns



Do you ever find yourself looking at a knitting pattern and wishing that you could tweak it to fit your needs? Maybe you want to change the way a sleeve is set in a sweater, or change the shape of a hat. The book How to Use, Adapt, and Design Knitting Patterns: How to knit exactly what you want, every time—with confidence! can help!

Once you get used to adapting knitting patterns for your own uses, you'll find yourself designing your own knitting patterns in no time!

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

A Knitting Picnic


Photo credit CrazyVet via a Creative Commons License

This picture is a nice continuation of what I've shared with you over the last few days. This is another "knit picnic", but in a very different way. This knitting club assembled for some sun, food and knitting. Looks like fun!

Monday, October 10, 2011

A Knit Picnic (Part 4)

Sit down to eat and enjoy your picnic!


Photo credit GiantFightingBot via a Creative Commons License

After the grilling has been done, you can sit down and add your "meat" to a bun with veggies and everything. What a fun play day!

"A knitted picnic, courtesy of the fine folks at Lint, which is certainly one of the nicest yarn shops I've ever been in." I love the imagination of this shop.

Sunday, October 9, 2011

A Knit Picnic (Part 3)

Fire up the grill!



Photo credit GiantFightingBot via a Creative Commons License

I love that the knit columns on the hot dog almost look like grill marks! I also love this photo because you get hints of everything that is yet to come from this knit meal. I am so impressed with the level of detail in this project.

Saturday, October 8, 2011

A Knit Picnic (Part 2)




I thought the slice of cherry pie was fun, but then I saw that there isn't only a slice, but the rest of the pie that the slice had been "removed" from!

Friday, October 7, 2011

A Knit Picnic (Part 1)

I have always enjoyed edible knits, and it amazes me what some people are able to put together. This knit picnic looks so fantastic that I want to dedicate multiple days to it to it!


Thursday, October 6, 2011

Forks of 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.

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Knitting a Love Song

Knitting a Love Song is a 14 min short film created in 2004. What is this movie about? According to IMDB, Knitting a Love song is "a short romantic comedy set in a high school and focused on the alluring power of knitting, as a woman uses her skills to intoxicate the man of her dreams. "

I'm not sure where you would be able to find this to watch it...

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Computer simulated knitting patterns

Too bad the computer won't knit it for you! The following doesn't explain much about the actual simulation, but it is a very cute advertisement for a paper talk.



"Please, don't show up to room 403AB on this Thursday, or any other Thursday for that matter -- the paper talk is now well in the past =)"

Monday, October 3, 2011

Knitting Wikipedia

Do you need some fast knitting information and want a source you can trust? Check out the Knitting Wikipedia! "Created at the tail end of 2005, KnitWiki is building a repository of great free patterns and techniques for the worldwide knitting community. Add your own!"


Thank you, Keith, for the submission!

Sunday, October 2, 2011

My Favorite DPN's

I use the KnitPicks 6" Double pointed sock needle set (nickle plated) all the time. Not only do I love the dpn's themselves, but I love the case that they came in. It is perfect for keeping track of the sizes and to not lose any of the needles!

Saturday, October 1, 2011

6 Months of KPOTD!

Today marks 6 months since the launch of Knitting Project of the Day. Today's KPOTD is.... KPOTD! It has been fun to keep track any knitting related project that I've come across while doing research for other knitting articles. Thank you all for supporting this project of mine.

What has been your favorite KPOTD? If you know of an awesome knitting project, please take the time to submit it!