Advent Calendar Scarves

Mystery knit along (KAL) projects are a lot of fun. You get to work not knowing what the finished project will look like as clues (i.e. more of the pattern) are released to the group at regular intervals. This year in late December, I discovered that some people design Advent Calendar Scarves, where they release a few rows of lace each day. These scarves end up being stitch samplers, and are a project that you can enjoy for all of December. As long as you have access to a computer, this would be a really fun project to travel with.

I already have a note on my own calendar to look out for the 2012 Advent Scarf. It looks like a lot of fun to me!

Knit Lace Shawl Pins

As I have been knitting more lace shawls, I have started looking into shawl pins. There are many beautiful ways you can hold a shawl closed without tying it closed. Imagine my surprise when I came across shawl pins decorated with images of knit lace! Fiddlesticks Knitting features these inventive shawl pins in addition to many other products.

Felted Birds

Not only are these birds cute on their own, but displayed on this tree this is a cute display for any season. I made felted birds of my own as Christmas ornaments, but I really like how these ones also have felted wings.

Photo credit Wollbrain Knitter via a Creative Commons License

Nike's Knit Shoes

Nike is frequently at the forefront of shoe innivation. Their latest design (Nike Flyknit) is composed of an "intricate patchrowkr of yarn, cables and fabric." The concept of the shoe is based on the comfort and fit of a sock. Make sure you read the article to see a video explaining this incredible new innovation.

"THE NEW FLYKNIT SHOE WAS THE PRODUCT OF FOUR YEARS OF R&D, WHICH YIELDED NEW MACHINES FOR A FABRICATION TECHNIQUE THAT NEVER EXISTED BEFORE."

A Bouquet of Knitting Needles

This is a convenient way to store your straight needles. In fact, I recently purchased a cup to create my own knitting needle bouquet!

Photo credit Peacock Modern via a Creative Commons License

Lace Knitting Books

Recently I have gotten into knitting lace. I prefer to knit by reading from charts anyway, but I am not sure what intimidated me about lace knitting. A craft that appeared intimidating is actually easier, and faster knits, than it appears. Knitting laces shawls goes so much faster than knitting afghans because even though you are knitting with thin yarn, you tend to use very large needles and the pattern changes frequently enough to keep your interest. If you don't believe me, then tempt yourself by reading this article that reviews a number of lace knitting books.

In the way of my Kntiting

At first I thought the photographer was trying to make it look like the cat was knitting... but it turns out that the cat is so interested in the knitting that the cat curled up in their lap!

Photo credit debra via a Creative Commons License

No Knitting at the Bar

BOOOOO! Of course, I find it hilarious that someone had to make this sign, but BOOOOO! (And so much for Pints and Purls: Portable Projects for the Social Knitter)

Photo credit lergik via a Creative Commons License

Happy Feet, Funny Face

These have to be the smallest knit penguins I have ever seen. And you know I cannot resist a knit penguin!

Photo credit wifebot via a Creative Commons License

Knits Cast in Silver

I cannot say enough about the beauty of the creations by ashflowers2. She knits these pieces individually before casting them in silver, resulting in amazing lacy earrings, bracelets and more. These would make a great gift for the knitter in your life!

A Simple Yarn Bomb

Simple and sweet, this should warm your heart.

Photo credit tempest tea via a Creative Commons License

Hand Dyed from Tuckerwoods Farm

I love to dye my own yarn, but I have never done this many skeins at one time!

Photo credit Kelly Radding via a Creative Commons License

Beautiful Pillows

There are a lot of amazing things you can do with multicolored yarn. These pillows are such an amazing home decor knitting option!

Photo credit Slideshow Bob via a Creative Commons License

Husky Headband

I received a wonderful Christmas present, a headband made of wool and dog fur! Sled team Huskies contribute to these Alaska Range Creations. I am not sure my aunt realized that I am saving my American Eskimo puppy's fur to have spun into yarn. I love seeing what a pet creation can be!

Statue Mask

This is a little creepy, Joker-esque even.

Photo credit Johnida Dockens via a Creative Commons License

Valentine's Day Knitting Patterns

Christmas is not the last chance to show people how much you love them with knit gifts... Valentine's Day is a great opportunity to give hand knit warm accessories. Now, everything you knit doesn't have to be Valentine's Day themed, but there are many Valentine's Day knitting patterns available for free. (Don't forget about Valentine's Day Crochet Patterns!)

Whenever I knit something for someone, I think about how much they mean to me with each stitch. I love creating handmade things for gifts!

Casting on Clay

Reshape Studio whose tag line reads "Design to reshape the way we view everyday objects" as created one of the most amazing knitting projects I have every seen. These are CLAY "knit" tableware! I have no idea how these are created, but you can purchase them through her etsy store.

Twisted Loop Cast On

A few weeks ago I told you that I use the long tail cast on method the most because it was the first I learned. A big downside to this cast on is that you need to estimate how much yarn it will take, and you frequently end up wasting a lot of yarn in the tail. Enter the twisted loop (backwards loop) cast on. This method is great when you need to add stitches onto the end of a row, but it is also a great way to start your knitting project.

Fabulous Tree

I have seen may different "tree cozies" in my research for KPOTD. So often these are composed of squares or horizontal stripes, so it is refreshing to see a tree yarn bombing project with more geometry.

Photo credit Frida Eyjolfs via a Creative Commons License

Unique Knitting Needles

What kinds of knitting needles do you knit with? Metal, wood, plastic, they all have different pros and cons. But why not take your knitting up a notch and use some crazy unique knitting needles? You can find needles in fun colors, and even some that light up at the tip!

Tree Cozy

I've seen some good tree cozies in the past, but this one has to be the best tree yarn bombing (and best photograph of the final project) that I've ever seen. A lot of planning went into this yarn bombing project. Notice how the stripes work with the first fork, and how well the knitting fits around the trunk and branches.

Photo credit QueenieandtheDew via a Creative Commons License

Knitting Cells

The cells featured in the image below aren't knit, they have been needle felted. They are featured on a knit background, and I love that they are framed. I wonder where these are displayed...

Photo credit Estonia76 via a Creative Commons License

Knitting in Art

The art of knitting is art itself.

A Young Scheveningen Woman Knitting
Giclee Print
van Gogh, Vincent
Buy at AllPosters.com

Teach Yourself Visually Knitting Design

Teach Yourself Visually Knitting Design: Working from a Master Pattern to Fashion Your Own Knits is a book that every knitter should have in their personal library. While this book is more about original design than adaptation, there are stitch numbers that can help you convert a pattern for an adult to a baby. It is a handy resource to quickly calculate from your gauge swatch how many stitches you should cast on for that hat.

I own this book, and you should, too!

Sticks, Hooks, and the Mobius: Knit and Crochet Go Cerebral

The exhibit Sticks, Hooks, and the Mobius: Knit and Crochet Go Cerebral ends today. I had the pleasure of sharing some of ChemKnits' designs in the exhibit, and I have to say the experience has been incredible. If/When I receive pictures from the exhibit, you can bet that a lot of the works will end up being featured here on KPTOD!

Crochet Tricycle Cover

Protect your kid from the rusty tricycle left out in the rain...

Photo credit Leah Gregg via a Creative Commons License

Bike Rack Cozy

With this Yarn Bomb, you don't have to worry about any rust from a bike rack getting onto your bike!

Photo credit Eli Carrico via a Creative Commons License

Theory Knitting

Theory knitting reconsidered. Am Psychol. 2002 Dec;57(12):1127-8.

"Theory knitting usually guides the theorist away from the segregative effects of masking the new theory—the failure to explicitly identify the theoretical construct that underlies the new theory or phenomena..."

My brain is starting to feel a bit tangled!

Amsterdam Bridges

Someone took the time to yarn bomb many bridge railings in Amsterdam. It would be fun to explore the city, counting how many bridges got covered.

Photo credit Roxie Carpenter via a Creative Commons License