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Knitting in the News: Nerdy Knits, Knitting Fails and Charity Projects

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giant sock knitting failBuzzFeed is not a site I love, but they do sometimes have some fun things related to knitting and crafts. This community post from Allie Dahl collects 19 nerdy knits that you’re sure to want to stitch up if you haven’t already if you’re of the geeky persuasion. You’ll find classics like the Doctor Who Scarf and the Jayne Hat, as well as projects inspired by Star Wars, Mario Kart, Harry Potter and Zelda, among others.

We all know knitting doesn’t always go as planned, and gauge can be a beast. But sometimes you want to show off your new knitting creation even if it’s, if you’re being honest, an utter fail. Check out this collection of projects that didn’t quite turn out as expected (via Mashable), and you’ll probably feel better about your latest knitting problem.

It’s been a cold, hard winter lots of places, and knitters and crocheters in Denver have taken to the streets, leaving scarves around town for people who need them. While most of the people in the story seem to be crocheting, this is something knitters can do, too. Please ignore the reference to needlecrafts being for old people; it’s still a nice story.

And speaking of stitching for people in need, I recently saw a call for handmade hats and booties for the Preemie Project, which gives hats, booties, care items and bereavement items to parents of preemies (as well as those who have stillborn babies or a miscarriage) at hospitals across Iowa. They’re in particular need of hats and booties for 3-5 pound and 6-8 pound babies, and say they always need more items for boys than girls. Click the link for more information.

[Photo of giant sock from Imgur, via Mashable.]

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Comments

  1. I thought I was the only one who found Buzzfeed irritating! Thanks for sharing the link to The Preemie Project, they have the best measurement chart for preemies I’ve seen.

Have you read?

A Blanket Knitting Pattern Where Yarn Selection is Everything

Many times when I write these posts I will say something like “you can use any yarn you want” or “this would be a great stash-busting project.” That’s just how my mind works. And my stash, too, since I probably have sweater quantity of two or three yarns at most, but tons of singles and odd balls and leftovers.

Blankets are generally a really good way to use up those bits, but in this case, I think you’re going to want to plan it out a bit better.

Looking at photos of the Color Study Blanket from Purl Soho, it looks like it’s made with two yarns held together, and that block in the center is worked with one of each color from the adjoining sides to make a mixed up color.

But that’s not actually how it’s done. This is three separate colors (four, really, with the neutrals in the corners) chosen form a yarn with an expansive palette so they play off each other. The project calls for a worsted weight superwash wool, which is a great choice for a blanket that’s both warm and washable.

This pattern was originally designed by Laura Ferguson and was updated by Hiromi Glover. It is worked in one piece in garter stitch intarsia, which is a great way to learn the intarsia technique if you don’t already know it. It comes in crib or throw sizes.

Despite the introduction to this post, I am going to go ahead and say that, yes, of course you could do this blanket with scraps or odd balls or even just choose five colors that don’t blend together so easily. But I really do love the look of the color play, and I think it would be worth your time to find colors that play well together to get a similar effect.

This pattern is available for free from Purl Soho.

[Photo: Purl Soho]