Rumor has it!

Rumor has it! is "a lovely pair of socks that is not very difficult to knit and looks both elegant and playful." I know that they make me want to play!

Thank you, Fleurtje, for the submission!

Carbon Nanotube Yarn

I have been doing a lot of spinning lately, but I have never given any thought to spinning carbon nanotubes! "Carbon nanotubes are some of the strongest and stiffest materials known, and a growing area of research involves spinning them into flexible yarns – bundles of fibers that can be treated to produce superconducting cables, or electrodes for batteries or fuel cells." - Nature News Blog

Thank you, Keith, for the submission!

Talking to my Zpagetti

I consider knitting to be about reflection. Sometimes it is hard to start a project, and these reflections are as much a part of the knitting process as the finished product.

"Because it is about real life and about knitting. My slogan: 'a day without knitting is a day without joy.' And that is what this story is about. " Talking to my Zpagetti.

Thank you Fleurtje for the submission!

Cate Blanchett Granny Square Dress

Now that I know how to make granny squares, I am still not sure if I would want to wear them..

Granny Square Shorts

Urban Outfitters is upcycling old knit and crochet afghans. It should be noted that you get a random pair of shorts out of a random recycled afghan, many people have been disappointed that they did not receive this pattern!

Extreme(ly) Tiny Knitting

We have seen branches and hockey sticks as knitting needles, but have you ever thought of using sewing pins?

Happy Chanukkah Yarn Bomb

It is a little early to be thinking about Chanukkah, but this is a cute way to celebrate the festival of lights. One of my favorite parts of the menorah is looking at the candle reflections in the window. I love that you can see similar types of reflections on the bottom of the bench!

Photo credit serentiy_now via a Creative Commons License

Knit Sandals

The only trouble I see with knitting my own footware (as shown in the amazing sandals below) is finding the soles. Using some hemp and creative lace, you could really create some stylish footware very cheaply (once you find the soles, of course!)

I discovered the following awesome sandles on the One Sheepish Girl blog.

You better beleaf it

I like silly knitting patterns, and what is sillier than putting a cozy on an apple (You Better Beleaf It)? This adorable little knitting pattern is available for free via Ravelry downloads. I think there is a practical nature to this project, too... protect your apples from bruising while in your lunch bag.

Thank you Fleurtje for the KPOTD nomination, "A great way to use your leftover yarn"!

Knitware is taking over

Knit overalls?!?! Knitware is taking over! Check out the Bundle Your Bum article to see more

crazy winter knit fashions.

Crochet Furniture

These are the coziest bean bag foot stools ever. I came across these in Paola Lenti store. Now I cannot stop thinking about getting rope and knitting/crocheting out of it...

Storm Trooper Hat

There is a lot you can do with a generic skullcap* and bits of felt (*note the hat pattern I've linked to is not the hat featured in the photo.)

Photo credit Annie Pilon via a Creative Commons License

Pudify's Large Squid

Photo credit Pudify

"How could you NOT want to knit a giant cephalopod! It's amazing." It certainly is! I happen to love squid knitting patterns.

Thank you Lynette for the submission!

Ducks in the Fountain Part 2

A few months ago, I shared the following image of ducks in a fountain:

Photo credit Twilight Taggers via a Creative Commons License

I thought they were incredibly cute and wanted to know how they were made. It turns out that Bali of Twilight Taggers has shared the pattern on her blog. Now you can crochet your own Rubber Ducky Jumper! (Great step by step photos are included with the pattern.)

Some Like it Hot

I never loved knitting with plastic knitting needles, and I got rid of all of the ones I had many years ago. If only I had come across the shop of SewNewThings sooner! They create bangle bracelets out of vintage knitting needles. What a great gift for the knitter in your life.

What do you do with old Tshirts?

What do you do with old Tshirts that are too ratty (and too loved) to be donated to Good Will? Why not turn them into yarn and find a new use for them? This video will show you how to get a continuous piece of yarn out of a Tshirt.

What would I make out of Tshirt yarn? Well a bathmat, bowl, a toy, something that doesn't require a lot of drape and where structure is a blessing.

June 9 - International Yarn Bombing Day

The BBC is reporting on yarn bombing? This fiber art is sweeping the world (and international news scene.) Last Saturday (June 9) was International Yarn Bombing Day, an event that kicks off knit in public week.

I am looking forward to finding amazing images from this years event!

Formulas for Dyeing Yarn with Food Coloring

Want to know how to mix colors? The website DyeYourYarn.com has come up with many different color recipes based off of KoolAid and food coloring. I like the McCormick Dye Formulas because this is the dye I use the most frequently. I will have to refer to this website in the future as I am planning out my colors.

Brain Hat

I love it when people share interesting knitting projects with me (in fact, that is the whole point of KPOTD!) Now this is a thinking cap if I've ever seen one. I wonder if it is constructed through appliqued (or sewn) icords of if there is some whole other manner of construction.

Thank you, Uncle Russ, for sharing this with me!

Knitting for Mom

Did you knit something for your mother for Mother's Day? Last year I shared an article filled with free Mother's Day themed knitting patterns, and now I am pleased to add a fabulous eBook to the list. 9 Easy Knitting Projects for Mom is a free eBook filled with classic garments that your mom, or any other woman in your life would love.

Get free knitting patterns, ideas & special offers + a FREE ebook, “9 Easy Knitting Projects for Mom.”

Yarn is Art

A few months ago, I received a press release as part of the Lion Brand Yarn mailing list. I have always loved van Gogh's sunflowers, and now you can see them recreated out of yarn!

"Lion Brand Yarn Studio Unveils "Yarn is Art" Window Display in NYCYouTube Video Showcases Creative Talents of Local Artist Who Created the Art Pieces All with Yarn. "

One Skein Patterns

Do you frequently find yourself with single skeins of yarn but no ideas for projects? The following free eBook from AllFreeCrochet will help give you some inspiration.

Get free crochet patterns, ideas & special offers + a FREE ebook, “One Skein Patterns: Crochet Made Simple.”

Learn to Crochet Kits

I love kits. I like having patterns and yarn all rolled up into one nice little package. It is fun when you already know the craft, but they also come in really handy when you want to learn something new. When I was ready to teach myself how to crochet, I found myself searching for different learn to crochet kits. Some kits come with videos, others with written instructions.

How did you learn how to crochet?

"Does it still count as yarn bombing if it is happening in plain sight?"

"Does it still count as yarn bombing if it is happening in plain sight?" I vote yes! (I really enjoy the drive by paparazi look to this picture.)

Photo credit Tara Anderson via a Creative Commons License

Fibonacci sequins

When you are adding sparkles to your knit ware, do you add them randomly or according to a pattern? The following cartoon isn't exactly knitting related, but it is worth a good chuckle.

How do you wear those handmade scarves and shawls?

This video isn't knitting related, but it is SUPER useful for some fun ways to wear scarves and shawls. I found it useful enough that I felt it deserved a place on KPOTD. How do you wear those handmade scarves and shawls? I find myself wrapping them around my neck to display the lace, but there are some good ideas for in this video!

Handmade Yarn Bowls

Where do you keep your yarn ball while you are knitting? Does it ever accidentally fall onto the floor? What would you do if you could keep it anchored in a pretty handmade bowl? I only discovered yarn bowls recently, but apparently they are a very popular way to keep everything organized while you knit. I happen to love the added layer of craftsmanship to the whole knitting process.

Woven into a Bench

Remember when I said a scarf bench yarn bomb left something to be desired? This one goes a step further.

Photo credit Nathan Jongewaard via a Creative Commons License

Ghast Knitting Chart

I think that the Minecraft Ghasts are so cute.... when they aren't throwing fireballs. Sure, they scare me and I never EVER go into the Nether, but I think that as a design they are adorable.

17 rows x 16 columns

I hope that you enjoyed this series of Minecraft Knitting Charts! I haven't made a chart for every character in the series. Is there a character that I left out that you would like to see? Let me know and I'll see what I can do. I have some ideas for incorporating these Minecraft Charts into more complex knitting designs, hopefully you'll see them in the future!

This knitting chart was created by ChemKnits (www.chemknits.com and kpotd.blogspot.com) for your personal or charity use. You are not to distribute or sell this pattern without the permission of ChemKnits. © 2012 ChemKnits

Minecraft Chicken Knitting Chart

Of the Minecraft themed knitting charts I've shared so far, the chicken is the only one that does not have a square face. The two right squares on the bottom row should be the same as your background color.

6 rows x 4 sts

This knitting chart was created by ChemKnits (www.chemknits.com and kpotd.blogspot.com) for your personal or charity use. You are not to distribute or sell this pattern without the permission of ChemKnits. © 2012 ChemKnits