Knitting

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Because Knitters are Awesome

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new shawlI couldn’t resist sharing this really sweet story about the awesomeness of knitters. Knitter Susan Cottrell from London, Ontario, had been knitting a shawl in turquoise and blue lace, complete with 1,500 beads, while sitting at her husband’s bedside while he underwent a double-lung transplant.

One night she left the shawl in his hospital room and it disappeared. A search that included posting flyers around the hospital came up empty.

But one knitter from Colorado was inspired by the story and decided to knit her a replacement shawl. Katrina King recently sent the shawl to the newspaper that first reported the story and they delivered it to Cottrell, who declared the creation “beautiful.”

As for her husband, he’s now recovering at home, which is pretty beautiful, too.

Thanks for being awesome, knitters.

[Photo by Rick Madonick, via the Toronto Star.]

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Comments

  1. What a wonderful ending for Susan’s husband and the new shawl. GOD bless the giver, gift and recipient.

  3. What a beautiful story. I hope the one she was making will turn up. What a shame someone took it from a hospital at that. Blessings for all in this touching story.

Have you read?

Knit and Felt Some Tabi Style Slippers

The felted slipper craze that began last year doesn’t seem like it’s fading away. The Sailor Slippers, often striped knit and felted slippers made with super bulky yarn, because the project of the moment late last year (check out more knit slipper options in this post all about sailor slippers) and they’re still consistently popular with knitters.

Which makes sense because they are fun and fast to knit, and seeing them go from this giant thing to something that actually fits a foot feels a little magical. 

I have always loved felting (in fact my first book was about felting knitting) and it’s always fun for me to see people rediscover this technique. 

If you’ve knit enough plain slippers to fit all the feet you know, maybe it’s time to stitch up some tabi style slippers instead. 

Maymade Knits has designed these cute tabi ballerina slippers, made with bulky yarn and felted. They’re worked flat at first and then in rounds, and are available in 10 EU sizes (the Internet tells me add 31 to your American shoe size to get your EU size). The designer says the slippers are meant to have a close fit and you should choose a size a little smaller than your foot for the ideal fit. 

The pattern includes a video tutorial along with the written pattern. 

You can grab this pattern on Ravelry. The same designer has her own version of the striped felted slipper as well, called Sarah’s Striped Slippers. These are worked in super bulky yarn and have a contrasting foot and a striped body. These are knit flat and seamed and there are 7 size options available. Check that pattern out here if you’re looking for a more traditional slipper shape. They also look roomier so you can wear them with socks if you like. 

[Photo: Maymade Knits]