Socktopus!

There is also the debate about what to do with extra sock yarn. It's too pretty to just throw away. Sock knitters--always gluttons for punishment--will just use the extra yarn in a new pair of socks, heels or toes, or whatever. I've held it together with plain wool to add color to a hat. Sharri has started knitting condom cozies out of her left over sock yarn (way to update the whole cozy phenomenon, Sharri!).

Or you could follow Heather's lead and knit a Socktopus. She has eight legs that need eight little socks (or leg warmers as the case might be) which is just perfect for sock yarn left overs.

And even though those of us who have seen Coraline recently shuddered at the button eyes, she really is an adorable lady!

Shalom!

A finished object by Colleen! It's the Shalom sweater (free pattern from Involving the Senses, easily found on Ravelry), made out of approximately 5 skeins of Lamb's Pride Bulky in Old Sage.


Unfortunately, Colleen refused to be photographed actually wearing the sweater. Which is beautiful by the way. It's all the good things about a cardigan combined with all the good things about a vest. AND it's knitted top down on US 11 needles. The only negative is that the pattern is written for one size. But I'm sure I could help anybody figure out different sizing.

If you want to see an actual person modeling this sweater, check out the links above, or Jessica's blog (and her Shalom has long sleeves!)

Malabrigo!

The Malabrigo is here! And it is so delicious, you don't even need to knit with it to enjoy it. Mary Beth demonstrates how wrapping it around one's head makes a very fashionable turban.

Coraline

As a knitter, I am often distracted by the sweaters when I see a movie. I remember seeing the Sylvia Plath movie a few years ago and seriously rewinding it so I could look at the sweaters (never mind the depressing plot--check out that cardigan!) The owner of my first yarn store, Linda Daniels, was the sweater knitter for The Ciderhouse Rules, so I was aware early on that a lot of the sweaters on screen are handknit, one of a kind creations.

Althea Crome is the fiber artist behind the knits in Coraline. I should clarify: the handknits in Coraline. She is a miniaturist which means she knits things that you and I struggle with like gloves and intarsia twelve times smaller. She has to create her own needles with wire because they don't make needles small enough for her!

See how she does it in this video. And check out her website for more inspiration.

Fishy

Whitney just knit the cutest hat ever for her niece. From the current issue of Knitty, the Fishy (Dead or Alive?) Hat was knit completely out of left overs. The colors are fantastic and Whitney did an excellent job.


This pattern raises so many questions. Is the fish dangerous? It seems to be eating the child. But then again, the fish is most certainly dead (X's for eyes: the most important clue) and the kid is smiling. Why wouldn't she? Just the idea of wearing a dead fish for a hat makes me smile. And knitting it, even more so.

Me and Knitty don't always get along. First of all, there are always way too many sock patterns, and some items are of questionable taste. (Also, they rejected Tonya's Eptiome Hat, which made no sense whatsoever.) But you can't argue that Amy Singer has a great sense of humor. Knitty has a whole "whimsies" section in its archive. Also in the current issue is Socktopus, another fantastic stash buster, and the Oomingmacks Slippers. And can anybody forget the knitted uterus?

I'm back!

Thanks for all the kind words and nice notes about my trip to England. Haven't been back to the Knit Nook yet, but I know that you all did a fantastic job holding the fort down while I was gone. Thank you!

Here are some pictures of my trip. At the Bronte House, in Haworth, West Yorkshire. You knew you were in Yorkshire because as soon as we crossed the county line, sheep ran into the road. No joke!

Some pictures at the Museum of Science and Industry. They had a whole textiles section, including a few demonstrations about knitting. Here I am, trying to use the giant knitty notty, but the person who duct taped the rope "cast on" way too tightly!

Overall, our trip was nice, but 50+ hours of traveling in less than a week is exhausting! I didn't knit a stitch while I was gone. I'm glad to be home!

I'm in England!

Sorry I haven't been blogging, but I'm in England!

Jonathan and I have been here since Thursday, and we'll be home on Wednesday. I haven't done much knitting (although I brought my February Lady on the plane), but I did see a knitting exhibit at the Manchester Museum of Science and Technology . There was also a coat made entirely of nettles!

I also bought this book and I've drank pints at the pubs Peveril on the Peak and the Britain's Protection.

I hope everybody at the Knit Nook is doing well and not giving Cindy, Suzanne, and Tonya a hard time while I'm gone. I miss you all!

When I get back and figure out the whole camera/pictures/computer thing, I'll post pictures of my trip!