It's Always Time to Knit

Do you have a great pre-fall knitting project in mind? The classic beautiful looks of an Aran sweater could occupy your time. These beautiful sweaters hail from the Aran islands off the West Coast of Ireland. Able to absorb 30% of their weight in water before feeling wet, these practical yet beautiful sweaters tell the stories of the clans they originated with. A finished sweater contains over 100,000 stitches, often being reflective of Celtic art. The gorgeous designs pictured are from Vogue Knitting winter 1989-1990, the winter special issue.

Trendwatch ~~ Make Your Own Gifts

I've been sewing my own clothes for years and knitting sweaters, hats and mitts. While making it myself is economical I also enjoy the design process and the chance to be creative. The appeal of making handmade goods is spreading. According to the U.S. Commerce Department, retail sales in crafts and related supplies is increasing. More people are doing a do-it-yourself Christmas because of the economic downturn and because people appreciate making things themselves. We're becoming more interested in sustainable living and realizing the health benefits of crafting as a major form of stress reflief. Even people who don't have the time to create their own gifts are buying handmade gifts directly from artists on sites like etsy.

Knitting Heirloom Toys

If you can knit, you can make stunning heirloom toys. Jean Greenhowe, a master knitter and designers has been at her craft for over forty years. It wasn't until 1980 that she designed her first knitted doll. Her patterns are easy to follow and produce professional looking dolls and charming accessories. Now residing in Scotland, Jean established her own company in 1988 and her patterns are sold worldwide.

Join A Needlework Group Near You

Knitting soothes the soul. Not only is it great for your mind, but you can use your talents to help others in need. Organizations such as the Needlework Guild of Canada, have been knitting handmade new clothes for the needy for the past 116 years. The Toronto Guild has 400 members and is always looking for knitters to join their organzation.

But if you don't live in Toronto and don't feel like joining a group you can always do something on your own. Donate your knitted goods to homeless shelters. Call your local school and see if there is a need for hats and mittens. Your generousity will go far in these times of need. And by knitting, you'll be helping yourself as well.

Knitting ~~ An Investment in Your Wardrobe

I sometimes think I'm the luckiest person in the world. In my family, I'm surrounded by knitters and I, of course, reap the bounties of their creativity. My sweater collection is huge and to put it bluntly, much better than the commercial variety. Sweaters, socks and mittens that are handmade stand the test of time. Yarn may be expensive, but it's certainly worth it to wear a handmade sweater year after year. During World War II (1941-1945), knitting to keep soldiers warm was a major preoccupation of North Americans, particularly women. Women, men and children, picked up their needles to knit socks, scarves, gloves and sweaters, helmets and hats to help keep soldiers warm. Donated hand-knits cost the military nothing, were produced without expense and far outlasted machine-knit clothing. The need for socks was paramount. Socks wore out much faster than sweaters, and needed frequent changing to keep battle weary feet warm and dry. “The need for socks was so great that captured American soldiers held prisoner in Germany sometimes unraveled their American Red Cross-provided sweaters and re-knit the yarn into socks themselves, using straightened pointed barbed wire as improvised needles.” (http://www.historylink.org/)

The Colors of Fall

I love the rich vibrant colors of fall ~~ the flaming red maples, white barked birch and deep yellow poplar become a glorious backdrop as the trees and bushes begin their slow sleep in preparation for winter. It's a beautiful time to take a walk. The air is crisp and I wear a favorite sweater. It's time to think about knitting! More sweaters, hats and mitts in time for winter, which, I know is just around the corner.

Artistry and Genius -- The Case of Elizabeth Zimmermann

I've just completed reading a 1984 copy of Elizabeth Zimmermann's Knitter's Almanac. If you haven't read it yourself, it's a friendly and charming way to visit with the late great expert knitter. Many of my knitting friends have owned several copies. They get so well used. Elizabeth was a passionate knitter who knit all year, day in and day out. Creative and artistic she was also a genius. Who would have thought to design a knit shawl based on PI? Elizabeth did. She claimed the shawl was based on the "...mysterious relationship of the circumference of a circle to its radius. A circle will double its circumference in infinitely themselves-doubling distances, or, in knitters' terms, the distance between the increase-rounds, in which you double the number of stitches, goes 3, 6, 12, 24 and so on." You don't need to be a genius to understand this book. It's a charming book full of practical hints and tips. You will like Elizabeth and if you're passionate about knitting you'll become even more so.

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