Knitting

Patterns, projects and techniques

Knitting Stuff Giveaway!

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Part of cleaning out my various knitting baskets/boxes/rooms/stashes… involves finding things that I currently have no use for. A lot of these things are new, some slightly used, none will be damaged. They may or may not include books, patterns, needles, yarn, gadgets, whatever I find and throw in the box by Dec. 31, 2008 will be shipped off to a lucky commenter!

So comment away, just be sure to leave your email address so I can contact you if you win!

Slipper/boot update. I felted the first part last night. Something went wrong, part of it felted beautifully, part of it  not. Remembered I changed yarns halfway through the foot, so tonight, I’ll cut that part out, and sew in another piece, knitted and felted from the same yarn as the rest. Also the fuzzy white yarn at the top? Yeah, not so good. So I’ll maybe spin some white yarn to replace that, or maybe not, depends on how ambitious I get. Stay tuned for more updates!

Don’t forget to comment!

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Comments

  3. Good luck with the felting! I’ve been wet felting some dreadlocks for a project and the merino wool isn’t cooperating.

    I hope I win the stash – I gave most of mine away in the move out and I’m just barely starting over.

  5. I love knitting.
    I don’t care for felting. I hate seeing all the hard work and beautiful stitches get smooshed.

    I am working on my own stitch design for a baby – car seat afghan. I like reversible stitches – where both sides of the item looks nice.
    Sheryl

  8. Win or lose, I’ve really enjoyed the posts you’ve given us since taking over this little gem on the Internet.

    Felting. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. They should call it animal fleece-based karma experience, don’t you think?

  11. I always find that getting rid of things I no longer use always energizes me, for some reason. Count me in for the giveaway. I’m not a knitter…yet, so if you have anything that could get a beginner started…pick me.

  15. I use so many leftover pieces of yarn as I do picture knitting (intarsia) and make up cushions and wallhangings. At times you really only need a small amount of a colour to finish up a project but have to go out and buy a full ball to do it. I would love to take up your leftovers and they would be put to good use.

  17. A mystery giveaway – involving fiber goodness – what better way to start the new year? Thanks!

  18. I sympathize with the felting not working! I just ripped out (3rd time) a cowl/hood for my mother-im-law! This time it will not be twisted, too tight, or too stiff!
    I’d love to get some of your excess knitting stuff- please enter me.
    Thanks and luck.

  19. yippee! yay for fluff! our family has moved cross country 3 times in the last6 months (lotsa. moving. yep, military.), and i have not been able to find a good yarn shop yet. i would LOVE to get what you don’t need, as i am currently suffering from new yarn withdrawal. thanks for the chance at this!

Have you read?

Knit a Sweet Striped Vest for Kids

I’m trying to include more knits for kids in my posts because I know a lot of people do a lot of their knitting for the little ones in their lives. 

This child’s striped vest from Lion Brand Yarn is not only cute and great for kids who might find a full sweater too hot, it’s also an easy project if you’ve never knit a garment before. 

Lion Brand rates it as level 2 easy/beginner +, probably just because there’s a little shaping and seaming invovled, but it’s nothing you can’t handle. 

The pattern comes in three sizes that are meant to be for ages 6, 8 and 10. The finished chest measurement is 30, 31.5 or 33 inches, which is 76, 80 and 84 cm respectively. This makes the vest a little roomy and makes it easy to slip on over a T-shirt or other top. 

It’s worked in two pieces from the bottom up, with the neckband and armhole bands worked in the round after the body pieces are sewn together. One benefit of knitting stripes on a project like this is that it’s easier to make sure your pieces are the same length because you can just count the stripes (it’s also a little easier to seam because you’re always lining up the stripes). 

If you’re knitting the smallest size, you only need one skein each of the two colors you choose, and for the larger sizes you will only need two, making this project a pretty good value. The suggested yarn is Color Theory, a worsted weight acrylic yarn that comes in 18 relatively muted colors. Of course you can use any worsted weight yarn you like. Keep it acrylic for easy washing or use wool to make this a warmer garment for kids who live in cooler climates. 

You can grab the pattern for free from the Lion Brand website, or get a kit that includes the yarn you need (and needles if you don’t have them already). I think this would be a great basic to knit a kid for back to school in their school colors, or make it holiday with red and green, or whatever colors the child likes. 

[Photo: Lion Brand Yarn]