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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.]

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?

Knit a Classic Aran Cardigan with this Free Knitting Pattern

Not too long ago I did a test knit for another designer that was for a cabled cardigan. It’s really cozy and nice but it just about broke me in a ton of different ways. I couldn’t get gauge, which I suppose is my own problem, but mainly I was somehow both bored and forced to pay attention at the same time. 

Because it used the same cable all over, I always had to know what row I was on, but nine out of ten of those rows, nothing in particular was going on. So I couldn’t stop paying attention, but what I needed to attend to was boring. 

It may have ruined me for knitting cabled sweaters, but maybe I just need something that’s more engaging. Like this Modern Aran Cardigan pattern from Lion Brand Yarn. 

This is a reworking of an old pattern from their archives, and you can tell that form the classic look of the cables and the oversized feel (nothing cropped about this one!). It has allover cables, but like a classic Aran sweater it’s not the same cable, so you’ll have to pay attention to what row you’re on and what cable turns happen for which cables on that row. 

Because of this, it’s considered an intermediate knitting pattern, but if you’re comfortable working from multiple charts at once it shouldn’t be a problem for you. There are three different charts and seven different cable moves. 

Also because the pattern is so big and boxy there are only two sizes available, with a finished chest measurement of either 49 or 63 inches (that’s 124.5 or 160 cm). It’s up to you to decide how much ease you would like and whether that will work for your body. 

The pattern uses worsted weight yarn (and calls for another classic, Lion Brand Fisherman’s Wool). It calls for six buttons and includes pockets to make it extra cozy. 

This one looks like a great winter project to make and to wear if you’re up for a bit of a challenge. You can grab the free pattern or buy a kit with the yarn needed direct from Lion Brand Yarn. 

[Photo: Lion Brand Yarn]