Knitting is obviously "where it's at" – centuries of craft, and the most recent revival started as a fad craze a few years ago has gained great strength and welcomed many new hobbyists. I am one of the many knitters who learned to knit within the last five years, and I think it is pretty obvious (the blog, the incessant knitting, etc.) that I am head-over-heels in love. This is not a short-lived love either… I will undoubtedly die with knitting needles in my hands… and sock yarn…
I spent the majority of my Wednesday (my day off from work) churning out my final project for my summer term graduate class, Media Services. Our assignment was to make a webpage with multimedia elements surrounding a theme. I knew once I saw the assignment that I would do my project about knitting (Prof said it could be about anything!)… I made a video, and some animated .gif images, and these step-by-step tutorials.
Me. Knitting. Durrow.
It took a few shots to get this right – I had to slow things down considerably for Kris to snap these pictures over my shoulder. I hold my yarn in my left hand. I throw. I basically learned to knit at a 30-minute class at the craft store, and then taught myself the rest from books and from observing others both online and at knitting meetups. I think every one of us has a special hybridized knitting style, and this is mine. I am not sure about all of the technical stuff, or if I am doing this in a weird way, but this works for me, so I will stick to it. There is not a "wrong" way to knit, right?
Me. Purling. Durrow.
I wish I had learned to knit earlier, but that probably would have required me to put my book down! I used to read dozens of books a year, and now, not so much. It is not something I am particularly proud of, but it is a reality. I miss reading, but not enough to put my needles down for a night. Of course, reading about knitting, well, that is a different story.
I was catching up on Lisa Shobhana's blog, My Life in Stitches, one that I have enjoyed since my early blogging days.
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I have read about her design process, her knitting deadlines, and yesterday, she unveiled the cover of her new book, Yarnplay: Colorful Techniques And Projects for the Creative Knitter. I think I can judge this book by its cover! Look at the lovely cover sweater! I can't wait to see more. Congratulations, Lisa!! |
And where there is one new fall knitting book, there are 20 more… some of the ones that caught my eye? Yeah, it was the subversive titles that really got me!
Knitting + Pseudo-sexual Innuendos = Memorable Book Titles
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Knitting With Balls looks pretty darn good. I love to knit sweaters for Kris (like the current Durrow knit, by the brilliant Jodi), but there are not many sweaters that we can both agree on – hopefully this book will help us out. (The one on the cover may pass the Kris-test!) It was written by Michael, another DC-area knitter, and a friend of my friend, Jenna. Too bad I have not had the chance to meet him yet, maybe at the book signing?
…And Not Tonight Darling, I'm Knitting? Well, the title made me laugh… but I was rolling my eyes at the same time. I don't know what else to say… without being too snarky.
Not quite as subversive, but an interesting and humorous title nonetheless: Never Knit Your Man a Sweater (Unless You've Got the Ring). Not sure if it is just men's patterns, but I will flip through it at the book store when it hits the shelves.
Any knitting books that you are looking forward to this autumn/winter?
well it’s already out — but don’t forget stitchy’s oeuvre … http://morici.typepad.com/bag_n_trash/2006/08/its_here.html
The “Knitting with Balls” made me giggle….As my love affair with cables continues, I’m waiting for the “Cables Untangled” to hit my library….
Isn’t it great when you can combine your fiber love with school projects. I’m finishing up a Technology Integration Certificate. I created a spinning video for an streaming project for my hypermedia class.
Wow! I was helping out a friend the other day – she’s a sort of new knitter – and I was watching her knit. At first I thought she was knitting continental, but it didn’t look right. She was throwing. Then I realized she was throwing, but holding the yarn in her left hand! I had never seen that before. Guess it’s not as weird as I thought.
I love to watch people knit. I’ve never met two people who knit the same way. It’s so fascinating!!
The cover on the left is a rip-off of a recent Knit one cover (I think it was knit one, there was a whole thing about it on YKW).
I love to watch/see how other people knit. I think no matter what style, everyone still does it a little differently. So fun! “Knitting with Balls”…HA!
Hello, I’m a long-time reader but this is my first comment! I really enjoy your blog, Lolly! Your knitting projects are very inspiring and the blog is so well-done. Today’s discussion of soon-to-be-published knitting books was great. I have an amazon.com gift card to spend and you have given me lots of great ideas, thanks! — Terri
I got to knit two of the sweaters in “Knitting with Balls” and I have to say, Michael did an excellent job designing! I can’t wait to see what else the book reveals!!
Hope you get great marks for your project! It looks really cool!
Love these titles, now I have even more projects to add to my every growing wish list.
I loved what you said about your knitting technique. I learned from books and a whole lot of trial and error so I’m never sure what to call my style. Yarnplay looks good.
What a great thing to be able to use knitting as the subject for your assignment!
The book titles – HA!! Too funny. I haven’t even heard of those yet. Blogger turned author: Eunny has a book coming. But I guess everyone already knows that.
I used to read a whole lot also before I started knitting. Recently I discovered Librivox.org, and now I download free audio books. It’s awesome to be able to enjoy a book and knit at the same time! Also, you can get audio books on disk at the library, or in MP3′s from the iTunes music store. (Sometimes, I my husband will even read to me!) =)
I knit the exact same way you do! Throw with the left hand… yup.
Nice to know there are more people out there.
Knitting with Balls? He he he. I just like the way that sounds.
Great pics that Kris took of your knitting. Good luck w/ your media arts project!
My grandma has been knitting for 60 plus years… and she is THRILLED about the new fad craze that’s going on with knitting … and she’s THRILLED about all of the new knitters out there because she’s been waiting her whole life for knitting to be this popular. I’m not totally convinced it’s a fad though – there’s too many of us who have become passionately addicted to it….anyways… what I’m trying to say is it’s nice to hear that someone else plans on being a life-long knitter!
I love it when school and knitting can intersect. And since knitting is “popular” right now, your project is all the more timely. Maybe it will come in handy when your actually become a librarian?!?!
I love that picture on Knitting with Balls – too funny! Good thing he didn’t have his needles in that hand too!
I know how you feel about not reading as much anymore – I used to read constantly – now I’m luck if I can finish a book in a month for my bookclub! I do feel guitly about this at times – but not guilty enough to put down my knitting!
Did you read Vogue knitting yet by the way – it’s full of some awesome articles this month. Another book to add your list – Knit 2 together by Tracey Ullman and Mel Clark It looks like it’ll be fab… there’s a great article in Vogue knitting about it.
-Jody
My reading has gone downhill as well ever since the knitting obsession took over. I used to be a serious and voracious reader. I miss reading too but like you, not enough to put down the needles. I wish there was a way I could do both at the same time.
Thanks for enlightening me to some new books that are coming out soon. I look forward to checking them out in greater detail later.
Yeah, I don’t consider knitting a fad either. I’m taking it to my grave!
I think the pictures look great. I think for those that knit all the time like we all do, knitting will never be a fad.
I keep trying to combine knitting with school but sadly it’s just not happening! Those pictures look great, I’m sure you came up with an awesome finished product
Your pictures look fabulous. I like the black background as it emphasizes the main focus–the knitting.
I have to get the Knitting with Balls book. I have been wanting to knit something for hubby but haven’t found something simple.
There’s nothing like catchy titles to get you to look at a book huh?
Two of my favorite blog designers have books in the works, Stefanie Japel and Knit and Tonic.
Thank you for your kind word about me and my girls big day. I’m about to go pick them up. I can’t wait to hear all about it.
Amy
I recently saw the cover for “Naughty Needles” which is coming out this December. It’s on my must-have list for the cover alone, which combines my love/collection of vintage pin-up art and knitting.
Yay! I found someone who knits just like me!
My theory is, as long as my knitting comes out correctly, there is no “wrong” way to knit. But I can be anti-establishment sometimes, especially when it comes to crafts! 
Your project shots came out really well!
I’ll be keeping an eye out for those titles on the shelves… they look like they could be fun books!
Oh man. The cover for Not Tonight Dear is hysterical. That poor horny guy on the bed, while his gf/wife laughs at him and knits on. Yarnplay and Knitting with Balls look good!
I also throw with my left hand, though I use my middle finger and index finger to do it. I’ve always wondered if this had a name, since it’s not really continental. I think I gravitated to this method because I “learned” to crochet first (meaning I made a long chain).
What could be better but using your crafting passion for a school project! Nicely done.
Wow, so much… I don’t think knitting is a fad for me. It’s somewhere between a passionate hobby and an addiction, it sometimes seems. You could always try reading and knitting, at least for simple projects! As for the books, the Not Tonight one has a great cover!
i hadn’t seen those books yet — too funny. i feel bad for that poor guy in the bed, but, you know, some nights you’d just rather knit. : )
I just can’t stop lauging when I saw ” knitting with balls”…Is a very catchy title, hope the content are as interesting as the title.. my husband gonna laugh with tear when he see it.
How fun to incorporate a passion like knitting into a school project! Looks like you had a fun time doing it.
What a great roundup of knitting books – looking forward to more reviews, etc. : )
thanks for the postcard swap reminder…in the craziness of recent weeks it had completely slipped my mind.
he he he! i taught myself to knit and i call my style “combination knitting”… I hold the yarn in my left hand and throw it english style… just like you do… so we aren’t technically “Pickers”…. it is super fast and comfortable! love to see other people knit!
I teach a beginners class and i teach everyone to knit our way…..
Nope, there’s no wrong way to knit! (I read it from Elizabeth Zimmermann herself.. I’m finally getting around to reading Knitting Without Tears, lol!) And those were GREAT titles.. Gotta love it!
(Also, yes, I am wondering who is going to be next on the blogger-turned-author track!)
I’ve got to say that I’m so pleased someone else knits just like me! I also taught myself. The pictures look great. Neat books, I’ll have to check them out next time at the bookstore.
Cool pics. I hope by taking those pictures, Kris appreciates all of the work in all your stitches for the sweater.
There seem to be a bunch of cool books coming out in the fall. Of course, Knitting with Balls is already my favorite knitting book ever jsut by virtue of the title. Yay, Michael, he’s great!! I actually find the title and concept of Never Knit Your Man a Sweater to be pretty offensive on a variety of fronts, plus the patterns don’t look that great. Just my two cents.
That’s a great project! What is the yarn?
I’m so behind. But I must tell you:
1) You do knit WEIRD. But we still love you.
2) Everytime I see a new picture of you – you. keep. getting. skinnier! You look so fabulous!
3) Great tip on the wind energy. We want a solar water heater next. Some time you and I must speak on the environment.
4) Durrow! Will be great!
It’s good to see that I’m not the only person who knits weird! Different than you though.
As long as it makes knitting, at the end of the day, it’s all the same.
Arctic Lace looks cool (pun intended).
http://www.sheeptoshawl.com/arcticlace.html
Maybe the photos are in black & white or maybe all the items are knit with grey yarn? Which would be all right because it looks like grey is going to be a major color this fall/winter.
Victorian Lace Today also looks purchasable.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/images/1933064072/103-3345028-0888636?redirect=true
That capelet. That capelet.
Hi Sweetie! I’ve been knitting for more than 40 years!
) Since then I’ve learned to knit continental – she would be SO impressed! I knit BOTH ways now – I hold the yarn continental left to knit and THROW the purls with my right hand! I’m still ‘weird’ after all these years and still manage to have things come out right!
I knit all my friends ‘footies’ for Christmas when I was in Jr. High school!
After I was married I was able to sit in with my Mother in Law and her friends while they knit. I remember one lady making comments about my odd knitting style
You DO look FaBULOUS by the way!
Can’t wait to flip through the books you mentioned when they come out.
Great eye catching titles.
I am looking forward tothis Fall:
“Knitting beyond the edge” by Nicky Epstein release date Oct 28th
“Cables Untangled” by Melissa Leapman release date Oct 24th
And a long time away, Next Spring:
“The Natural Knitter: How to Choose, Use, and knit Natural Fibers from Alpaca & Yak” by Barbara Albright. release date March 2007
Those books are hilarious! I just met Michael. He taught the toe-up sock class that I took last week. That is exciting that he is publishing a book.
I haven’t read as much lately since I started knitting either. Knitting has taken the front seat on that hobby…audio books do sound like a good idea though.
Sounds like your final project was a fun one…ahhh knitting, you know you’re ‘in love’ when it’s the first thing you think of as the answer to any problem/project.
thanks, lolly!
I used to read all the time too. Knitting has slowly squeezed books out and tv/movies in.
But I have learned from other blogs a fabulous idea.
Listen to books on tape/cd while you knit!
I love it. I just checked out War & Peace and Moby Dick – both I have started to read but never finished.
Now I just have to set up my library/knitting room so I can get to it.
[...] The book business is still alive and kicking – and it seems like the craft-related books are more successful than ever (anyone with any authority to confirm this?) There are new knitting books coming out every season (check out the post I wrote a few weeks back about all of the funny fall titles!) and while I love me some new knitting books, I am often hesitant to buy any craft book before I can see some of the designs inside. [...]