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Favourite Books

9/9/2014

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As teachers, both Karla and I love books. We have been talking for a while now about writing a post of our favourite knitting books for everyone to check out. Here goes!



One of my favourite books for new knitters is Fearless Knitting Workbook by Jennifer Seiffert. I love this book because it has small projects of increasing difficulty with clear instructions. You can make a minimal investment in some cotton yarn, or even hemp, and turn each of these projects into a dishcloth. You learn techniques from knits and purls, to following a chart, to basic lace. I think that this book is a great investment for any knitter!


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Another book that I love, love, love is Knit. Sock. Love by Cookie A. Most of you know that I love sock knitting and that Cookie A. is one of my favourite sock designers. Her socks are intricate, unique and beautiful They are not for the faint of heart but offer a new challenge to a knitter who has mastered the basic sock pattern. 

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Lastly, I think that every knitter needs a good reference book for their library. The Principles of Knitting by June Hemmons Hiatt is a great resource for my library. It explains the basics and the complex and has clear illustrations along the way. I know that there is lots of reference materials available online, but it is nice to be able to have reliable information at your fingertips just in case your wifi decides to stop cooperating! 

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Of the books on my shelf, I find myself reaching for two books more often than any other. They are both written by the lovely Melissa Morgan-Oakes I am not a sock knitter so when I do knit socks it is important to me that they knit up quickly and efficiently. With these books you will learn to knit a pair of socks at the same time using magic look on a 100cm circular needle. The picture tutorial is so clear and the patterns in the book are beautiful. There's even a section at the back that tells you average foot length of different size feet for those knitworthy people in your life. 
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If you're at all interested in designing your own accessories I recommend Stephanie Pearl McFee's book, Knitting Rules. Although it's not detailed math equations for everything it does go into nice descriptions on how items like shawls, hats and socks are constructed. Her writing is very funny and she'll even give you some tips along the way on how to trick people that you're knitting them hand-wear by measuring their hands when in reality you'll be knitting them head-ware and foot-ware! Very clever book. 
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A recently aquired book that I wish I would have had as a new knitter is Knit Fix. This book trouble shoots all possibly stumbling blocks to knitting and gives you the help you need to breathe and get through any knitting catastrophe. the picture tutorials are great and very well explained. 
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Finally, every knitting library needs a stitch dictionary or stitchonary. I have a few in my library and the two I visit often when designing my knitting are 400 Knit Stitches and Up, Down, All-Around Stitch Dictionary. Traditionally, stitch dictionaries have been written for items worked flat and a little brain power is necessary when adapting these stitch patterns for in the round. 400 Knit Stitches is like this whereas Up, Down All-Around has instructions for flat, in the round, from the top of a piece and from the bottom of a piece but less options. Both very good books. 
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September KAL

7/15/2014

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PictureMaile Sweater
Wow, things are progressing. I am in full baby knitting mode. I have finished my "if it's a girl" cardigan, and I have finished the knitting on my "if it's a boy" cardigan. I still have to do some finishing work on the boy cardigan, but I hope to get that done this week. 


Last night at knit night I cast on for the Pop blanket. I finished two squares. I think I'm going to need at least 30. I am hoping they will get progressively faster as I go. The pattern is pretty intuitive and I should have it memorized in no time. 

Picture© Hilary Smith Callis
All of this baby knitting, and a trip to A Twist of Yarn in Vernon, made me start wondering what I'm going to knit after baby arrives. I know my life will be getting just a little more hectic so I need to keep it simple. I would also like to be able to use at least a little something from my stash. I've settled on Itineris by Hilary Smith Callis. It looks like it's done mostly in stockinette stitch and should be a pretty low key knit. Plus, it looks awesome! 

So I propose you knit it with me! We will start September 1, and aim to finish for September 30. You'll have to buy a copy of the pattern (It's $5.50 CAD on Ravelry) and make sure you have enough yarn. After that, you've just got to get your knit on. We would love to see photos of your progress along the way, or even better, have you show us in person at Knit Night! 

So.... Who's knitting with me?

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Christmas Shopping for the Knitter #1

11/24/2013

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Recently a knitterly friend posted on Facebook that she was all done her Christmas shopping, talk about keener! The post actually made me panic a little because I've done about 25% of my shopping at that was by pure fluke. 

After I saw the declaration of Christmas accomplishment I started my shopping online. I love shopping online but find myself finding more ideas for me than my loved ones. 

The item on the top of my list is the Quinn bag by Jordana Paige. It is the ultimate knitting bag that is functional and stylish. I immediately sent the link off to husband and have had my fingers crossed ever since. Take a peek at the bag tour below, hopefully I'll be doing a product review post in January! 

Stay tuned for more gift ideas and happy holiday shopping! ~Karla

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30 day Sweater

10/12/2013

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Emily and I have recently discovered the awesomeness of the 30 Sweater Challenge. As it sounds, it is a challenge to knit a sweater in 30 days. The awesome thing about it is Johnny Vasques and Lacie Lynnae have put together a free sweater planning ebook, a great 30 Day Sweater design book and an online course. I'm so excited about the books, they are very detailed and make knitting a sweater so much less daunting because it lays out benchmarks and goals and they even through some catch up days in there. 

My favourite part is the 30 Day Sweater YouTube channel and the Sweater Knitting show. They talk just about knitting sweaters, give tips and tricks that sweater related and have knowledgeable guests. I love it!
Finally, every Wednesday at 4pm PST they host an online sit n' stitch and chat room. It was really informative and I'll be doing it again. 

Emily has taken the 30 Sweater Challenge and is knitting a cardigan our of lace weight yarn! Crazy lady! I have been living vicariously through her and furiously knitting my existing sweater that I started in August. Should be done this weekend and when it is I will post pictures. Happy knitting!
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Huffpost live:Knitting isn't just for grandmas

8/9/2013

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Huffpost Live did a great interview with some amazing up and coming knitters and is worth every minute of watching! For me it reinforced that what I do and love isn't dated but is innovative and a true art form. Make yourself a cup of tea, pick up your needles and have a watch. 
Here's the link to the original video, below the video are the links to all the interviewees. 
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    Emily and Karla, we knit relentlessly. 

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