This looks fun, and a great thing to do with an old sweater.
Photographer's note and specs:
"Made from a recycled sweater
Approximately 10x10" bottom is 4" deep, drawstring top, straps are 28" long, inside pocket"
Friday, January 30, 2009
Felt pack--felted backpack purse
Lacy Poncho - recycled
More good ideas from aSecondChance. Nice work!!
Here's what they have to say:
"This improvised poncho is hand knitted from 2 cotton sweaters (green/grey and charcoal). It's my first, and it was a ton of fun."
Handknit sweater made with recycled yarns
Very pretty, gorgeous yarns getting another, updated look.
Photo note:
Handknit sweater made with recycled yarns
One of a kind; 4 sale at miscusi.etsy.com!
Tan and Black 2 pc Dress, ooak
This is fabulous! I love it. A piece of art to wear. Here are the photographer's notes:
"Tunic and matching lined skirt made from recycled crochet and knit sweaters."
recycled sweater tote - front
More great yarn/sweater recycling ideas! Here are the photographer's notes:
I put together this little tote bag for the "Small Project Knit Kit" swap. It's made of felted recycled sweaters. I've been wanting to make one for quite a while -- I love the look of them. I really like it -- it was hard to pack it up today and send it away...
recycled multi sweater scarf neutral
Photographer's note:
Hand-knit/hand-sewn scarf from recycled/reclaimed sweaters. I salvage fun parts of the sweaters and then unravel the rest. This is made from the edges of a sweater's sleeves and waistline. Most of these scarves consist of 4-6 sweaters. All pieces are original patterns knitted on my great grandma's needles.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Bunny Finger Puppets
And speaking of fingers... these finger puppets are very sweet~
Here's the photographer's note:
Hare Finger Puppets
All kids love simple toys. The hare finger puppets are easy to knit, easy to carry around in your pocket toys. They are super useful to take with on long trips with your kids.
Hare Finger Puppets are made from very small amounts of yarn. They measure about 9 cm (3,5 inch).
This pattern is available for free: http://www.alusieta.republika.pl/blogowanie-ali/patterns/patterns-start.html
Finger Knitting - in progress
Photo note:
Find more finger knitting on www.tricotin.com !
Visitez www.tricotin.com pour découvrir le trico'doigt.
Find more hanspun wild things on www.tricotin.com !
Visitez www.tricotin.com pour découvrir le filage
du XXIe siècle !
Finger Knitting
Lost your needles, but still have that ball of yarn in your bag? Don't despair! Try knitting with your fingers...
Knitting with Fiber Optic Cable?
Let your imagination go wild! Try knitting with fiber optic cable. Got an old cassette tape that no longer works? Try knitting with the spent tape!
Watch here for another tutorial:
You Knit Uniquely--some interesting videos...
This takes patience, and a relaxed knitter. No tight tension here!
Take a look:
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Felted sweater purse
This is the day of purses--one of my obsessions~
This is clever, and here's what the photographer has to say:
"I love to recylce! Felted sweater tote/purse had a previous life as a gorgeous wool sweater. Interior and exterior pockets."
Vintage Crochet Rattan Handles Bag
Photo note:
Vintage Crochet Rattan Handles Bag
This vintage oval shape crochet rattan handles bag is handmade crocheted made from an acrylic and wool blend in order to keep it in shape with the inside lining layer fabric.
Approx 10 inches in height (handle adds extra 7 inches) and 15 inches in width. Beautiful natural light brown/green/pink oval rattan handles. This bag will carry it all.
Perfect for Winter Bag.
Check us out here: http://en.dawanda.com/product/54075-Vintage-Crochet-Rattan-Handles-Bag
Hand Knitted Lacy Summer Purse!
Some of you might have snow on the ground right now, but it's always good to look ahead! This is a sweet little bag, and I love the color.
Here's what the photographer has to say:
"I just finished making this sweet little purse. I used Berroco Cotton Twist yarn and a free knitting pattern I found on the internet.
www.anniesattic.com/stitches/knitting/patterns/pdfs/kn_la...
When I made this purse, I did an extra repeat of the lace pattern, because I thought it needed a bit more height. I also "cheated" at the end of the pattern. I didn't do the complicated eyelet row. I just did a YO, K2together for that row. I think it turned out fine."
recycled sweater purse
Great idea! Nice finish/
Photo note:
"recycled sweater purse
"So I was taking apart this funky orange sweater from an estate sale... only to find that the front neck cable stitch wraps all the way around the collar and back again! Rare. So I started playing around and realized it would be a great purse.
The buttons are now sewn up the sides to prevent things from falling out... except for the top 2-3 buttons. They're functional in order to have the "across the chest" option when wearing it. Lined with recycled pants and/or shirts.
Hand-knit/hand-sewn scarf from recycled/reclaimed sweaters. I salvage fun parts of the sweaters and then unravel the rest. This is made from unraveled yarn from 4 sweaters. All pieces are original patterns knitted on my great grandma's needles."
Purse
So much for adding to my purse blog! I keep finding these great bags, and many of them are crocheted.
Photo notes:
"I am so thrilled with how this turned out!!! I had an odd square left over and decided to make a dangle fob thingy to adorn the purse."
Looks good!
Crocheted Handbag
Here's another little bag by the same person--I love these!
"kyynlakuu kott
sihuke lumine.
täpsemalt bloogist: heegeldab.blogspot.com/2006/02/knlakuu-kott.html"
Crocheted Purse
Wow--I've been looking for purses for one of my other blogs, and found this one. Amazing details!
The photographer tells us that this is a "free form crochet purse."
SWS Felted purse finished
I like this little bag--nice colors, neat finish, and wonderful twist in the handle Here's what the photographer has to say:
"Knitted and felted purse for a friend.
Patons Soy Wool Stripes (SWS) in "Natural Earth". 70% Wool - 30% Soy
Shaped by drying with a plastic bag of lentils inside it."
Great idea, and helps to describe it's size.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
The Sweater (A Poem)
This one is from Debra B., on Gather.com :
The Sweater (a poem)
She sat there quietly plying her needles
listening to the radio and hummin'.
--knit one, purl two--
With aged but nimble fingers knitting
him a sweater, for winter is a'comin'.
She peers o'er her glasses at her old man
content to breath in the sweet smell
--knit one, purl two--
of the fresh tobacco he's stuffin' his pipe.
After 58 years she knows it so well.
It's been a long day; he's been up since dawn
and he's ready to put his tired bones to bed.
--knit one, purl two--
But she says, "Let me get just two more rows done."
So he waits up for her a while longer instead.
She works her pattern with the homespun yarn
"In the Sweet Bye and Bye" lowly hummin'.
--knit one, purl two--
With love she commits to every stitch
of that sweater for him, for winter is a'comin'.
db
Debra says, along with her poem, " I couldn't sleep last night so I let my mind wonder. When I finally harnessed my thoughts, this is what I had come up with. I'm not sure where the idea came from, but while I was writing I pictured my parents and my great-grandparents. I hope it evokes a smile."
Knit Knot Tree
This is very cool--I wonder how the tree feels?
This knitted tree is located in Yellow Springs, Ohio. The 'Knit Knot Tree' has been covered in knitted panels from (almost) the bottom to the top. There's a empty space at the bottom of the tree for dogs to pee. The tree is not unique, according to this article there are more located around the US. More here. [Picvia]
Here's more, from Yellow Springs News:
Neat knots and knick-knacks: the Knit Knot Tree finds fame
 |
| Corrine Bayraktaroglu and Nancy Mellon at the Knit Knot Tree on Xenia Avenue. |
You can call it a tree in a sweater, a community crazy quilt, or one more quirky idea from Nancy Mellon and Corrine Bayraktaroglu. Whatever you call it, the knitted art project on the pear tree outside the Emporium seems to have taken the world by storm.
At last count, a feature article on the tree, which went out on the Associated Press wire last Monday, had appeared in 158 papers worldwide, including papers from California to Maine, South Africa to Switzerland. Radio stations in Scotland and England have called for interviews. And no one is more surprised by the publicity than the artists themselves.
“We just can’t believe that a little knitting on a tree is getting so much attention” Bayraktaroglu, a native of northern England, said in an interview last week. “It tickles people’s fancy.”
To Mellon, the “Knit Knot Tree” (name suggested by Joanne McKee) has garnered acclaim because “there’s so much sadness in the world, people like something that’s bright and cheerful and nonsense.”
The Knit Knot Tree started when Mellon and Bayraktaroglu fastened two knitted sections around the tree’s horizontal limb, then began adding more. Day by day, the knitting expanded, until a hodgepodge of vibrant colors and textures crept up the tree’s limbs and down its trunk. Mellon first added new sections by standing on Tim Hackathorne’s chair, then she moved to a stepladder, then to an 8-foot ladder. Squeamish about heights, she finally asked friends to wrap the final knitted pieces around the highest part of the limbs.
After the two women put out a call for others to add to the project, many did so. And others have brought small items, such as photos or poems, that they stuffed into the pockets on the tree’s sweater.
While Mellon and Bayraktaroglu knew they’d have a good time on the project — they always do have a good time working together — they didn’t expect so much community enthusiasm. They are thrilled by it, the women said.
“When we started, people would see me out there and they’d stop and talk. Some people stopped their cars and came running across the street,” Mellon said. Part of the huge response can be linked to the tree’s location in front of the Emporium, she believes, a place she sees as “a community spot, a place for listening and talking.”
Mellon and Bayraktaroglu are quick to offer that they aren’t the first to put sweaters on trees. They were inspired by Knitta, the name taken by two Houston housewives who in 2005 began wrapping knitting in unusual places — around door knobs, stop signs, or lampposts, for instance. Since then, artists across the country have caught on to this knitted street art.
To Mellon and Bayraktaroglu, the ordinariness of the medium adds to its appeal.
“Anyone can knit,” said Bayraktaroglu. “You don’t have to think of yourself as some famous artist draping Central Park in fabric. It could be grannies.”
“Is it art?” she asked. “That’s up to the viewer.”
Those who want to ponder the nature of art under the Knit Knot Tree should do so soon, since the knitting will be removed in a month. Mellon and Bayraktaroglu have received, as well as praise for the project, some e-mails from those concerned about the knitting’s effects on the tree’s health, and the women want everyone to know that they consulted with tree experts before beginning the project. But the tree could be harmed if the art project stays on during the warm summer months, so Mellon and Bayraktaroglu will cut down the knitting on Arbor Day, then will give it away.
The two women, who are active in the Yellow Springs Arts Council, have no shortage of creative ideas. Before the Knit Knot Tree, they found international fame once before, when they launched the ChamberPot Gallery in the bathrooms of the local train station two years ago. And each month they create 15 or 20 small “found art” items that they hide downtown for people to discover during the Third Friday Fling.
“The ideas just fly out,” when she and Bayraktaroglu get together, Mellon said. “We have more ideas than we can handle.”
What gratifies the two women most, they said, is that the Knit Knot Tree, and the ChamberPot Gallery before it, brings attention to Yellow Springs. Both are fairly new to the village, and they love living here. Mellon and her husband moved to town four years ago, after reading about Yellow Springs in the book, 100 Best Small Art Towns. Bayraktaroglu moved here six years ago with her husband, who works at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.
Both women feel that living in Yellow Springs has helped them grow as artists, because they feel accepted for their work, and also because they feel inspired by other artists.
“I feel I’ve blossomed here,” Mellon said, as Bayraktaroglu agreed.
Having received so much from the village, they want to give back. And as well as good ideas, they have a vision, they said. While they are gratified that more and more out-of-towners have begun coming to Yellow Springs as a destination experience, Mellon and Bayraktaroglu believe much more could be done to market the town as an arts community.
“We would like to see the arts infuse the economic base,” Mellon said. “We would like it more known as an arts town.”
Progress is being made, they believe, especially with a recent collaboration between the Yellow Springs Arts Council and the Arts Center Steering Committee, which have recently opened a joint office downtown.
But more needs to be done, the women believe. And it’s safe to say that Mellon and Bayraktaroglu will continue to do their fair share, and beyond, in letting the world know that Yellow Springs is a distinctive arts community.
Contact: dchiddister@ysnews.com
To see more about this project, visit: www.jafagirlart.com and click on Knit Knot Tree. Check out the other links as well--it's a great site! I love the Knit Graffiti Textile Totems...
Knitting Poem, Fib to a Knit Dweeb
Fib to a Knit Dweeb
I
spend
my days
wondering
if Lion Brand Fun Fur
will make a nice pair of undies.
Poem to teach children to knit
A simple poem from Lion Brand, to help children learn to knit:
Under the fence,
around the sheep,
bring it through,
and off it leaps."
Poetic Mittens
Just found these in my travels (from the National Museum of American History):
Here's the note that goes with, and the link to the site:
These mittens were knitted of blue and white homespun wools in the early 19th century. The shag knit used at the wrists is recorded in an American diary of 1803 as the "new Mode of Knitting." The knitted pattern throughout the mittens is a poem that starts at the wrist of one mitten, spirals to the top, and continues from the wrist to the top of the second. The "Xs" are part of the design and are used as line delimiters. The poem reads, "One thing you must not borrow nor never give awayXFor he who borrows trouble will have it every dayXBut if you have a plenty and more then you can bearXIt will not lighten yoursXXif others have a shareXYou must learn to be contented then will your trouble ceaseXAnd then you may be certain that you will live in peaceXFor a contented mind is a continual feast."
The thumb of each mitten is adorned with the name "William Watson." A printer of cheap or penny papers named William Watson was active in London from about 1805 to 1830. Each of his publications contained a woodcut, a story, and a poem. The Library of Congress has only one example of his papers, but its poem is of comparable length, and of the same moralizing quality as the mittens' poem, offering a direction for further research.
In No Idle Hands, The Social History of American Knitting (New York: Ballantine Books, 1988), Anne L. Macdonald pictures a single mitten patterned with half of the same poem. An undated newspaper clipping attributes it to Margaret Evans of New Hampshire, possibly 18th century. The thumb of the Evans mitten appears to say, "Son 4 U Mother" and "80." At the beginning of the poem of this pair of mittens, there are two initials or numbers, perhaps "OB" or "DB" or "08" or "80." Patterns for short inscriptions and dates in knitting were published from at least the late 18th century.
The thumb of each mitten is adorned with the name "William Watson." A printer of cheap or penny papers named William Watson was active in London from about 1805 to 1830. Each of his publications contained a woodcut, a story, and a poem. The Library of Congress has only one example of his papers, but its poem is of comparable length, and of the same moralizing quality as the mittens' poem, offering a direction for further research.
In No Idle Hands, The Social History of American Knitting (New York: Ballantine Books, 1988), Anne L. Macdonald pictures a single mitten patterned with half of the same poem. An undated newspaper clipping attributes it to Margaret Evans of New Hampshire, possibly 18th century. The thumb of the Evans mitten appears to say, "Son 4 U Mother" and "80." At the beginning of the poem of this pair of mittens, there are two initials or numbers, perhaps "OB" or "DB" or "08" or "80." Patterns for short inscriptions and dates in knitting were published from at least the late 18th century.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Knitters for Obama Tote Bag
Another great way to transport your knitting projects on this momentous day...
Knitters for Obama on my bag
While searching for bags and purses for my And the Bag to Match blog, I found this!
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Knitter's Contents
Yes! What to do with the wine bag:
This knitter says,
"Here's what I think the bag should be used for..a knitting bag! I was able to stick in four projects worth of stuff plus extra needles, tape measure, and other notions. See notes for more info."
couch=roving storage
Lol--Love this!
This spinner says:
"what an empty nester does with furniture when the kids have moved on!"
Yarn Stash Storage
More along today's theme--Storing the Yarn Stash. I like this because you can see the yarn. And I'm one of those people who needs to see stuff to remember what I've got.
Here's what this knitter has to say:
"My stash's home. This closet holds my yarn and fabric yardage stashes. The rack that you see just a corner of to the left holds smaller fabric pieces and my crafting books. My yarn and fabric is organized by color."
Space Age Fiber Arts Storage System
Photographer says,
"Yeah, it's from Target. And I made little stringy walls out of Cascade 220. Shush."
Smile--from where I sit, I have the same black cubes in my office, and I got mine from Costco.
recycled storage
This is great, and is similar to how I store my pens and pencils - in old glass jelly jars, and Republic of Tea cans.
Here, the photographer says,
"I store my craft supplies in recycled tins and jars. Click the photo for notes. I also use Harrod's cheese crocks for my toothbrushes in the bathroom.
blogged at skamama.com
More Knitting Storage Ideas
The photographer says,
"studio shot Tuesday Nov 13th
new storage unit for my studio - from the IKEA 'as is' section. lots of cubby holes for various projects and equipment bins."
crafty space
I like this, too. So neat!
Photographer says,
crafty space
This is my table mostly set up in our new house. I still need to do a major reorganization and bring more stuff down from the attic, but at least I got the drawers cleaned out and everything is mostly contained.
sock stash
I'm curious about how we store our knitting stash: needles, yarn, books, etc. Here are some great ideas I've found:
This photographer says,
"sock stash
photo of my sock yarn stash for a ravelry group. In my defense I only stash sock yarn and I do actually knit socks with it, lol."
Knitting Needle Collection
The photographer says,
"I've started sorting out my rather vast collection of vintage knitting needles. I am no way near done!!
blogged at www.lianakabel.blogspot.com
Let's Knit, Shall We?
As I surf through Flickr photos, I am reminded about these wonderful miniature knits that fascinate me so--the patience and care given to each piece...
The photographer notes:
"Yes they are just normal pins.
The needles I use to knit miniatures are no thicker than these, just much longer."
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Glitter Knitting Needles
The photographer of this image found these at Jo-Ann Fabrics...
Great photo, and fun needles. Makes me think I might feature different needles people use, and how they store them... coming soon!
--TKC
How to Knit--the Basics
Okay, so we've looked at some interesting videos on knitting, but maybe you want something kind of toned down and almost meditative when learning to knit. Here is one more knitting tutorial done to techno music, with subtitles to explain the action:
How To Knit, How to Make a Scarf, Knit Knit, Threadbanger
Since we're in the video mode today, here is a quickie video on the basics of knitting. Plus some interesting knitting books and other unique and quirky information. Check it out!
Knitting with Lighted Knitting Needles
Okay, this is crazyness. I was *not* aware that these existed (yes, behind the times). Lighted Knitting Needles! If you want to see these in action, here's a little video I found on Flickr:
How to Knit a Pidge Scarf, Knitting Tips, Threadbanger
An fun and informative video from Threadbanger:
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Which Came First?
I swear, this is the last one for today, then I'm going to bed! I love it! What great ideas I'm finding today on Flickr...
Photographer's notes:
Which Came First?
A pattern for a reversible chicken and egg knitted toy!
In CRAFT Vol. 06
Neon Fibertrends Huggable Hedgehog
The possibilites are endless. This is one easy care hedgehog!
Photographer's notes:
"Neon Fibertrends Huggable Hedgehog
Pattern: Fibertrends Huggable Hedgehog (228x), design by Debbie Radtke
Yarn: Cascade 220 (Front), Ella Rae Classic Wool and a Fun Fur type yarn by Scheepjes (Back)
This guy is probably the wildest color combo that I've tried yet. I quickly got bored with the natural colored hedgies."
Felted Knit Mushroom 2
This reminds me of a wonderful hike I took with my husband and kids, where the mushrooms were plentiful, and so many different kinds. It was a wonder we finally got out of the woods--I had to stop every few yards to inspect a new variety.
And here's a knitted, felted one that'll last a lot longer~
Photo note:
Felted Knit Mushroom 2
I just added a new free pattern to our site for these felted mushrooms (as well as a few others)! You can find the Myriad Mushrooms pattern here.
This mushroom is the Small Rounded Cap with the Large Bell-Shaped Cap as the stem. The spots were needle felted on after the cap was fulled.
Sleepy Snake eats Mischievous Mouse
This was just too fun to pass up. Check it out!
Photo notes:
Sleepy Snake eats Mischievous Mouse
"Don't be alarmed! Mischievous Mouse is just playing with his friend Sleepy Snake.
You do have permission to be alarmed, however, by the terrible toupees both are wearing."
Knitted Doll
This is another great creation--Fantastic colors!
Here are the photographer's notes:
Paulette standing
12"/30cm tall
Paulette is finished! It was so fun coming up with all sorts of details to enhance her look.
Tonari no Totoro
This is cute~
Here are the photographer's notes:
Tonari no Totoro
This is my Knitting Olympics creation, and I dedicate it to all the Totoro lovers (all that Miyazaki fans who are there, yes, we are so many!! :D
Design by Zone + Knitted/Felted by Elewa = Made by NCW
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Also from Sweater Babe--
This is a gorgeous cabled vest--
#71 Intricately Cabled Long Vest PDF Knitting Pattern
Here's what they have to say on the site:
The best vest that you will ever knit. Superb detailing mixed with a sexily tailored shape. Notice the curved bottom front hem, the knit-in pockets, and the sensuous and intricate cable that dissolves into a simpler cable to help define the waist shaping.
Then, there is the extended button-up collar, which can be worn out as shown, or buttoned up into a cozy turtleneck. The buttons reverse at the collar to show their best advantage.
And last, but not least is the optional belt, knit wide to make a bold statement and finished with pretty horn-like double rings as the buckle.
This is one to make for yourself or for someone who is very deserving.
See it discussed on the SweaterBabe.com Blog.
Here's the link to go there:
http://www.SweaterBabe.com/knitting-patterns/intricately-cabled-knit-long-vest.htm
Sweater Babe website
I just found this site--SweaterBabe.com, chock full of knitting patterns and great photos. I suggest giving it a look! It's also an online yarn shop.
Here's a cardigan I liked, and there's a patterns to go with. Just click on the link:
Here are a couple of others that looked nice to me:
Crochet Pixie hat
Crocheted bat pattern! How cute!
Here are the specs on this one (from their website):
#65 Fantastic Crocheted Bat PDF Crochet Pattern
Quite possibly one of the quickest projects on earth! Make a single bat or make a colony of them! OR, make a bat mobile (ha ha ha).
Perfect for Halloween favors or just for decorating. Glue them onto hair clips, clothes pins, or make a game of "pin the bat on the cave (?)" or something cleverer than that by attaching velcro on the back… it's entirely up to you.
A great pattern to use up random scraps of black yarn. Use worsted yarn as shown here to get bats approximately 3 ¾" wide. Or use any sport yarn on hand with a size E hook to get smaller bats. Or use a bulky yarn and size K hook to get bigger bats. Etc., etc…. you get the idea.
Finished Bat Measurement(s): Approximately 3 3/4" wide.
Skill Level: 
/
Yarns Used: Brown Sheep Company Lamb's Pride Worsted (15% Mohair/85% Wool); 4oz/113g (190yds/173m) per skein: 1 skein Onyx #M-05
NOTE: Each bat only uses approximately 4g of this yarn, less than 7yds per bat.
Gauge(s):
Pattern Gauge: With bulky yarn and Size H/8 [5mm] hook, each bat is approximately a 3 ¾" wide.
Yarn Label Gauge and Information: A bulky weight yarn with a gauge a gauge of 3 stitches = 1" on size 10-1/2 needles.
Total Yardage Required: Each bat only uses approximately 4g of this yarn, less than 7yds per bat.
Crochet Hook Used: Size H/8 [5mm] crochet hook
Suggested Yarn Substitutes:
If you have a suggested substitute, please email us.
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