Knitting

Free Patterns, Tutorials and Project Ideas

Giveaway: Knitting Ephemera

by

knitting ephemera book review

Mary is the winner.

It’s fun to know about knitting history and some of the funny stories, legends and trivia that go into this craft we love. Whether these facts are amusing to friends or only to us doesn’t really matter. It’s nice to be able to throw out a fact about the origins of the sock knitting machine or the story behind a figure of speech derived from fiber arts.

If you like that sort of thing you’ll love Carol J. Sulcoski’s book, Knitting Ephemera, which collects a lot of knitting lore and fibery fun.

I’m giving away a copy of the book this week, so if you’d like to win it, leave a comment on this post before the end of the day Sunday, June 12. Do you know any knitting trivia or knitting jokes? Who would you share this knowledge with? I’d love to hear your thoughts.

Save

Next Pattern:

Comments

  1. Unfortunately I do not know any knitting jokes. I might share this book with a friend of mine who also likes to knit.

  2. I am new to learn knit, and I wish to win this beautiful book because I love it’s content. You are lovely people…….Iam your big fan from Pakistan.

  3. Here’s a knitting joke – What happened to the cat who ate a ball of yarn? She had mittens!

  5. I don’t know anyone else that knits but this would be awesome for my own enjoyment.

  7. I was driving on the motorway but the traffic was dreadful, I was at a standstill, so I pulled out my knitting. A police motorcyclist drove up beside me and shouted through the open window ‘pull over’, ‘no’, I replied, holding up my project, ‘socks’, I said! (ah, the oldies are the best!)
    I’d share this with my knit night friends in the pub.

  8. My husband is a master of trivia and frequency shares facts with me. I would love to be able to share knitting trivia with him.

  9. The world’s largest knitting needles and crochet hook are in my hometown – Casey, IL!

  11. I don’t know if this would be considered trivia or just dating myself, but back when I first started knitting, stores like K-mart, Sears, Woolworth (remember them?) and S.S. Kresge sold yarn. They only had acrylic worsted and baby yarn – not all of the selections that are out now, which make you drool!! lol As a matter of fact, I still have a few skeins in my stash, if you can believe it, since I inherited my Mother’s yarn, after she passed away. The craft stores sold things like mohair, which were considered exotic, and a couple other types, but it was mostly acrylic yarn that was available. I had to stop knitting for a few years, due to a severe hand and arm injury, so you could imagine my surprise and joy once I was able to walk into my LYS and saw what was available!! This book is going to be like going back in time for me, and I’m really not that old!! Thank you for the giveaway!!

  12. I don’t know anyone who knits so at times I feel lonely. Reading books about knitting makes me feel connected.

  14. As a Knitter for some 57 years, I would love to know the history of knitting. I have knitted for 4 children, 11 grandchildren, family members, friends and for charity – teddy bears, blanket squares, warn clothing and more.

  15. Love the knitting jokes but some of my knitting is a joke, so I guess it works out! The book sounds fascinating, but if I don’t win it….where can i get a copy?????

  17. I love Carol Sulcoski, i got to take a class from her once. This sounds like a book I need on my bookshelf.

  18. No knit jokes here, I would love to read this book! And better yet, win it! I’d swap trivia and jokes with my knit/crochet pals!

  22. Would love this book! There have been so many changes since I began knitting about 40 years ago as a teen. I think back and remember stores like Woolworth and Kresge were some of the few places to buy yarn. I would visit them weekly looking for new colors, books, patterns…really anything to add yo my stash. Thanks so much for the chance to win this awesome book!

  23. I’ve been wanting to read this book. I’d share knitting trivia and jokes with my mom, who taught me to knit as a child.

  25. I don’t know any knitting jokes. But I would love to win this book and learn some! Thanks

  28. I have never knitted. 🙂 But really would love to start. This would be a lovely way to get started. such a great Idea

  29. I don’t know any knitting jokes, thanks for the chance to win this awesome book!
    Kim R.

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]