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17 Miles of French Knitting!

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british knitter 17 miles french knitting

Ted Hannford’s story highlights the therapeutic benefits of knitting and the creative ways in which knitters can use their craft to make something truly unique. French knitting or spool knitting, as it is commonly known, is a technique that involves wrapping yarn around a small device with four nails on top, and repeatedly pulling the yarn through the loops to create a long chain of knitted fabric. The repetitive motion of French knitting can be very calming and meditative, making it a great activity for those who are looking for a way to relax and unwind.

The fact that Ted took up French knitting to use up his wife’s leftover yarn from making Fair Isle sweaters is a testament to the resourcefulness and creativity of knitters. Knitting can be a great way to repurpose old yarn and turn it into something new and beautiful. And while Ted’s 17-mile long piece of French knitting may be an extreme example, it serves as a reminder of the endless possibilities that knitting has to offer.

The Australian knitter who is trying to break Ted’s record highlights the competitive aspect of knitting and the determination of knitters to push their skills to the limit. It’s a friendly competition that brings knitters from around the world together in their shared love of the craft.

In summary, the story of Ted Hannford’s 17-mile long piece of French knitting showcases the therapeutic benefits of knitting, the creativity and resourcefulness of knitters and the friendly competition that brings knitters from around the world together.

Ted Hannford, who presently holds the record for the longest bit of knitting.

 

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A Knit Vest to Get You Ready for Summer

I know that my posts can be read at different times of year and in different years by different people, but as I write this we’re on teh cusp of summer. And I know a lot of people don’t knit as much, and certainly don’t wear a lot of knits in the summer, but I want to encourage you to make and to wear your makes no matter the temperature.

To introduce you to the joys of summer garment knitting, I offer the Tied Vest from Lion Brand Yarn.

This easy project is great to make and wear throughout the year but it’s especially good for summer. It’s worked flat in one piece from the bottom up, mostly in stockinette stitch with a seed stitch edging. The I-cord ties are worked directly onto the garment so you don’t have to sew them on.

The project uses worsted weight yarn, and calls for a blend of cotton and hemp that’s great for warm weather.

There are eight size options, ranging from a finished chest measurement of 35 to 62.5 inches, or 89 to 159 cm. That makes it sound like it should be worn with at least a few inches of positive ease, but the pattern doesn’t specify.

The ties at the front give it a casual look and make it great to wear over a tank top or T-shirt when the weather is warm.

I also think this one would be good to knit in wool or a warmer fiber, too, to make a version you could wear more comfortably in the winter months, too. Though of course you could layer the summer version over a long-sleeved shirt and wear it throughout the year, too.

The tied vest is a free pattern available from Lion Brand. You can also purchase a kit that includes the yarn and optional needles and stitch markers if you need them.

[Photo: Lion Brand Yarn]

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