Knitting and Beer

"No Swastikas, Knitters Warned"

2006-09-12T22:07:00.000-07:00

[300 Latvian craftspeople] knitting 4500 pairs of woollen mittens as gifts for November's Nato summit have been told not to incorporate the lucky Latvian Thunder Cross symbol into their designs, as it looks like a swastika.

An interesting site with other Latvian symbols says of the Thunder Cross: "this sign was popular to cut into the beds of children and to interweave into belts for newborn children to wrap them."

Unfortunately the Thunder Cross, despite its traditional use for hundreds of years and its use by Latvian Air Force (from 1918 to 1934), in insignias of other military units and other non-political groups, was tainted by its relationship with Perkonkrusts, a Latvian fascist group in the thirties.

NATO dignitaries will instead get mittens with other designs and "a jar of honey, a CD of local folk music, Latvian tea and a bottle of the national spirit – a 45% abv concoction of at least 25 different ingredients, known as Black Balzam."

Zombie Knitting

2006-06-04T12:45:00.000-07:00

Inspired by the zombie armageddon imagination exercise in the Dawn of the Dead remake, I am reading zombie short stories. Last night it was Stephen King's Home Delivery in his Nightmares & Dreamscapes. Ghoulish zombies, yes, but not enough of them. Only mentions of the living being cannibalized - more gore, please.

The one highlight in the story lies in the pleasure this prodigal daughter of knitting got from the following two paragraphs:

The cold cobwebs of bone, which were all that remained of his fingers touched her throat before the baby kicked in her stomach - for the first time - and her shocked horror, which she had believed to be calmness, fled, and she drove one of the knitting needles into the thing's eye.

Making horrid thick choking noises that sounded like the suck of a swill pump, he staggered backward, clawing at the needle, while the half-made pink bootie swung in front of the cavity where his nose had been. She watched as a sea slug squirmed from that nasal cavity and onto the bootie, leaving a trail of slime behind it.

"Beutiful Art Made with Kintting"

2006-01-29T23:01:00.000-08:00

"Beutiful art made with kintting," despite the terrible typing, excels in the knitting department. That is, if you like knit b-movie-worthy props.

A cat with its yarny guts spilling out; a crocodile eating a child - fed by a reluctant Southern teen momma we presume; a giant pair of scissors stabbing a happy-in-death schoolgirl; a shark snacking on a hapless swimmer, head first; a Pinocchio that bears a striking resemblance to Michael Jackson with his honker being sawed off (who knew wood could bleed?); a suicide bunny in a masochistic carrot fantasy; Curious George rowing to freedom on a phallic banana - check out the yarn ripples! - conjoined teddy bear twins; and, in a twist on every little girl's fantasy, a unicorn impaling a teddy bear on its trunk.

Which serious knitter created all this? The site has no names. Reminescent of the Unfortunate Animal of the Month Club, it's seriously warped.

The referring blog, Yumlum, has no further information to give. Chockful of the weird (my other favourite is the referral to the Barbie doll dishes) but I will be keeping an eye on Yumlum from now on.

(Cross-posted on Maktaaq.)

Yarn Swap: Jan 16th

2006-01-15T10:31:00.000-08:00

Okay, yarn swap tomorrow night-Metrotown Bread Garden at 7:30pm.

Bring your knitting and odds and ends to trade if you feel like it. I'll be there.

RVSP via listserv.

Braaaaiiiinnnsss

2006-01-10T19:18:00.000-08:00

Joel Derfner, of The Search for Love in Manhattan, had a dream about a knitted brain. Suddenly he wants to knit a brain.

So he goes to the Museum of Scientifically Accurate Fabric Brain Art and asks Karen Norberg about her knitted brain. Karen tells him that he's the second person this week to ask for a pattern. She didn't make one.

Karen, if you ever stumble upon this, send everyone to me. My one and only completed knit item, a pink scarf, has been stretched to shreds. It's doing that brain wobbly-edge thing. I think we can cut up my scarf and turn it into a knitted brain.

(The Museum accepts further brain art: If you have some fabric brain art that you would like to see posted please send a jpg and a brief artist's statement to the Curator.)

Update on Giant Pink Bunny

2006-01-09T22:50:00.000-08:00

Knitters might remember the giant knit pink bunny deposited in northern Italy by Austrian artist collective Gelatin (now Gelitin). Art MoCo has updated photos of the rabbit lying beneath the snow.

Back in the swing of things (updated)

2005-12-28T15:19:00.000-08:00

In order to get Knitting and Beer back in the swing of things, I'd like to propose the following:
1. January 3rd, a TUESDAY night-normal Knitting and Beer at the Bread Garden
2. January 16th-Knitting and Beer Yarn Swap at the Bread Garden.

Ande suggested a yarn swap quite some time ago, and I think it's a great idea-should everyone just show up with what they don't want and put it in a big pool, or should it be barter and trade? What do you think?

Please rsvp to both of these events via the listserv if you can.

2005-12-13T17:13:00.000-08:00

I'm sure you're all very jealous that I get to knit at work. I've been working on the Knitty Baseball sweater for my husband as a Christmas gift since July, and I am just working my way up the second sleeve. It's been so dead that it's taken only three days to get about 70 rows done!

Anyway, for diversion today I picked up a copy of the holiday issue of Vogue Knitting. The time-consuming looking patterns are delightful to browse, even though I'm not quite ready for Fair Isle colour work.

However, an item in the front section caught my eye as well: a paragraph on the online exhibition of knitted artifacts from the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. When I went looking for the link, I found that the V and A has a whole page of links on all things knitting, including a gallery of 1940s-era knitting patterns. The exhibition includes a knitted sock from Ancient Egypt and items knitted from silk and gilt into fine patterns from Medieval Spain. Go, enjoy, knit.

Crazy Brit Knitters

2005-11-18T13:01:00.000-08:00

A non-knitting friend and classmate who nonetheless knows an entertaining website when he sees one sent me the link to this British Knitting Group called Cast Off. Check out the photos and sample patterns for the Knitted Wedding. They also have a message board, patterns for sale, and a book.

BTW, browsing my local magazine racks yesterday, I noticed that the new issues of Vogue Knitting and Knit.1 are out. The new Knit.1 is a man-themed issue and the patterns look very good. At least, the man models look happy wearing them.

Seriously, where is everybody?

2005-11-11T17:54:00.000-08:00

I debated whether to email this out or post it to the blog... but where is everyone? I fear that the live action portion of the Knitting and Beer group has fallen off quite drastically. Two of the three times in the last month, I have gone to the Bread Garden... and no one else showed up. That really sucked. Was it something I said?
The get-togethers we have are so much fun and inspiring for keeping up the knitting habit. It would really be crappy to see the group disintegrate.
Any ideas on how we can reinvigorate this thing we've got going?

Spinning

2005-11-01T22:02:00.000-08:00

Oh, new things to covet:

Fluffypluck, a new book on spinning your own yarn

and local knitter Sweet Georgia is selling her own spun wool in an "http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=2967"> etsy shop. Wow! Check out her photographs.

Knitting and Beer resumes on November 7th and 21st at 7:30 at the Burnaby Bread Garden. RVSP via the listserv.

2005-11-01T21:55:00.000-08:00

Haloscan commenting and trackback have been added to this blog.

Knitting and Beer is pissed off

2005-10-27T07:27:00.000-07:00

I've closed comments on the last two posts, due to spam (thanks very much, but Knitting and Beer is not interested in penis enlargements and spam software-particularily when it's demonstrated on on our site)--I would hide them but there are also some really genuine comments (which we read) from real people (thanks! It's nice to know that we're not alone out here!) and as far as I can tell blogger won't let me separate the spam from the the real comments.

What I really can't understand is why someone would think that adding fake compliments to our blog would trick us into visiting their stupid links. And I fear for the poor mis-guided soul who is posting to KNITTING blogs about getting a free pattern for a crocheted dog scarf (not to knock crochet-because knitter and beerers have been enthusiastic of the craft)-but um, do even our most beginner members NEED a PATTERN for this?!?!?

I'll leave comments open for a while (as site administrator I get an email for each and every post)-but if it gets too crazy, I may have to shut them down. Which in that case, I'll make sure more people have the ability to blog on the site.

Hope to see you all knitting in November.

Knitcast

2005-10-15T15:15:00.000-07:00

My trip to the UK didn't yield any exotic wools or cashmere's like I'd hoped, but I did discover one new thing knit-wise. Faced with a 10 hour flight, I downloaded a bunch of podcasts to listen to on the way. Marie Ershad's Knitcast was great entertainment while I travelled through fields and fields of sheep on my way to Edinburgh. She has interviews with many, among them Amy Singer, the founder of Knitty, and the Yarn Harlot. Worth a listen.

What's everyone knitting these days? I've finally finished my baby hat.

Knitting and Beer: September 5th

2005-09-04T11:32:00.000-07:00

The listserv has spoken: Knitting and Beer will be meeting on Labour Day at usual place and time-MetroTown BreadGarden, at 7:30

I'm doing some cleanup of our blog, and would like to invite those attend regularily to contribute posts to this blog (Mandy, Ande, Gina). I hope you accept, and will be able to add some content time to time.

Hope you're all having a great long weekend!

Shrinkie Legwarmers

2005-08-23T18:09:00.000-07:00

Check out the circulation-smothering thigh-high legwarmers on this babe!

Alterknits

2005-08-08T12:39:00.000-07:00

Keep your eye on this site. Looks like the book is due out in September. I'm excited!

Knitting and Beer on the Beach?

2005-07-30T12:21:00.000-07:00

Even though Knitting and Beer is officially on hiatus this Monday, I think it might be fun to go knit that evening at one our fine area beaches. Any takers for Second Beach, Kits, Ambleside or Cates Park? All of which are in easy reach of transit and have big grassy areas and concession stands. Please vote for your choice via comments, and then if there is sufficient interest perhaps we'll do some RSVPin' and give specific info on location through the listserve.

Japanese knitting site

2005-07-21T22:53:00.000-07:00

Here is a useful Japanese knitting site-found on the Urban Yarns newsletter, complete with instructions on reading Japanese knitting instructions! Maybe we'll be able to use all those cool Japanese books after all!

Knitting and Beer Meet-up: July 18th

2005-07-16T11:41:00.000-07:00

Knitting and Beer meets at the Bread Garden outside metrotown on July 18th, 7:30pm

Find out who else is going via yahoogroups listserv (see sidebar for details)

New Knitty-the Man issue

2005-07-09T18:48:00.000-07:00

New Knitty is out, it's the Man issue. I may want to knit my fiance this awesome hoody, but eliminate the "cool boys knit" part as he doesn't knit. Or maybe I'll just knit it for myself.

The Yarn Crawl: Afterthoughts

2005-06-27T20:30:00.000-07:00

(by Leanne-obviously the tardy updater)

Lessons learned on the yarn crawl:
1. If you are hemming and hawing over yarn that seems good for your pattern, and it's not quite right don't buy it.
2. Coffee is my substance of choice
3. Always bring photocopies of EVERY pattern you ever thought of knitting because you will regret not doing it.
4. If you spot a fellow blogger in Burnaby Knitworks and recognize them from both from what they've got in their knitting bag, and from remembering when they posted that they bought said knitting bag-you probably spend WAAAAAAYYYY too much time on the internet. (sorry, I was too shy to say hi!)
5. Steveson is lovely and I could spend far too much time there, particularily the tea and paper shop Nikaido.
6. The traffic is Richmond is awful.
7. Diaso is a fine distraction from knitting
8. Don't buy beautiful handpainted wool, and try to wind the hank into a ball when you arrive home exhausted at the end of the day. You will end up facing the hank ball of twisted hell--which is what I've been dealing with rather than blogging...(sob). Ah, well, one of us will win.

All in all it was a great day! Thanks for organizing it, O!

The Yarn Crawl According to Maikopunk

2005-06-26T10:57:00.000-07:00

If we could have fit it in, we might have gone to a petting zoo.
The four knitters of K+B met bright and early at our usual Monday meeting spot of Metrotown Bread Garden, only this time the drink of choice was coffee. We lingered a bit over breakfast and then decided to head out to our first stop, Burnaby Knitworks, located just kitty corner to the whole garganutan Metrotown/Metrotropolis/Station Square complex.
I had been to Burnaby Knitworks once before on an emergency Sunday yarn run, and was pleasantly surprised this time by their wide selection of yarns (especially the fine yarns for tiny needles I am becoming notorious for), good prices, and pattern books. Although we made the rounds to pet the wool, making a lot of "Ooh, feel this one!" noises, I had the best time looking at the pattern books.
I made the mistake of not having any patterns in mind before coming on the yarn crawl, so I spent a lot of time looking through the books thinking about what I might make. I would like to make a sweater for the husband for Christmas - something simple and classic, like a crewneck - so I was especially looking for patterns for the dudes. BKW had lots of European magazines and books, such as the English edition of German magazine Rebecca and pattern books from UK, Scandinavia and the Continent. All the stuff featuring men either was part of some happy-family-in-matching-sweaters configuration (gag) or a model looking like he was thinking of a way to break up with the chick who inflicted this horror on him.
Knitting model neuroses aside, I shall remember BKW for their wonderful selection of pattern books, and a bright, comfy area in which to read them! After about an hour of poking around the store, we left for our next stop, Wool and Wicker all the way down in Steveston. Maktaaq and I had to walk around a bit to find the tiny store two blocks up from the wharf (mmm fish and chips). The small space is divided in two, with one side devoted to pattern books and knitting lessons and the other featuring bins and bins of wool organized by colour. Its a pleasant jumble of knitty things, although most of their wool was designer-priced. I perused more pattern books which were scattered in bins, shelves and tables throughout the space and petted the $$$ yarns for the imaginary sweater. Maktaaq found the ultimate material for her legwarmers, while Leanne picked up a skein of gorgeous variegated wool, all handpainted. I was 0/2. Picky, picky.
We headed back into the centre of Richmond, and met up again at Daiso. Daiso is a Japanese store with all kinds of housewares, craft supplies, beauty products, dishes and stationery, all of which is $2 a piece. It was crazy busy. I didn't buy yarn, but went nutty in the stationery section. Super-extra cute school supplies y'know. We pulled ourselves away for lunch and show and tell in the food fair. Maktaaq went for the anime graphic notepads and Janet got the cutest tins in all sizes with Bam-Bam and big-eyed deer characters on them. And magic mushrooms are legal in Japan if that explains anything.
Janet departed, and we tried gamely to hit both the craft store in neighbouring Yaohan Centre and Birkeland Brothers on Main Street. Since none of us spends much time in Richmond, we headed over to craft store. I wish I would have kept up my Japanese because their pattern books have the cutest stuff in them! The male models, despite having to wear matching clothes with their "girlfriends", look quite content. I was rather disappointed with the yarn all encased in plastic bags, but perhaps its just a cultural difference in display. They did have a lot of good needles - Leanne picked up some extra-small circulars for her sock project.
At 5 pm, we knew we weren't going to make it to Birkeland Brothers on Main Street. But I know there's going to be a Yarn Crawl 2, so no big deal. Now that I'm inspired to pick up my needles and finish my old projects (dammit!), I'll bring some patterns along for the ride.

Yarn Crawl According to Maktaaq

2005-06-25T23:37:00.000-07:00

Bread Garden 10 am: fortification for the long journey

We had coffee and breakfast. Turns out that Land of the Dead is a worthwile movie.

Burnaby Knitworks 11 am: 1st yarn store

None of us bought anything because we thought we'd save for the long journey ahead. Instead we spent an hour or so flipping through knitting books and observing male models. It seems that European male models do not smile. Is it because they can't wait to dump their girlfriends for having forced them to wear a knitted monstrosity?

Its proximity to our regular watering hole will make Burnaby Knitworks a frequent stop. The bargain bin had some interesting goodies and we asked about crochet classes.

Wool & Wicker 1 pm: 2nd yarn store

Some of us got more lost than others. We did quite a bit of wool-petting. Then we got down to business.

Deciding on yarns was difficult. Wool & Wicker aranges yarn by colour. It made it harder for me to find what to look for. Most of the yarns were also beyond my budget: as a very hapless knitter, I don't deserve good yarn.

The other knitters were faster in purchasing. I made the mistake about changing my mind midway through my transaction from the corset to the legwarmers and thus, spent most of our time in this one store. Finally, I ditched the blue yarns and went for the "grenadine" yarn. Hot pink legwarmers are more my style anyhow.

Daiso 2 pm: 3rd yarn store

Though not technically a yarn store, Daiso has a yarn display. Everything else is so exciting at Daiso none of us left with just yarn.

My knitting-related purchases were a tape measure and three balls of a black-and-blue chunky yarn. Then I found an asymmetrical blue vase shaped like a half-circle. I also got myself two notebooks with illustrations of, according to MaikoPunk, "rabbits on mushrooms." I also found myself a pair of black-and-white legwarmers, which I am now wearing.

Aberdeen Centre, where Daiso is located, also has a great chandelier store where MaikoPunk picked out her bordello-style nightlight.

The other great thing about Aberdeen Centre is the very Asian food court. Lychee-coconut drinks, green curry, takoyaki, sushi, steamed buns...

Yaohan Centre 4:30 pm: 4th yarn store

Janet left us and we rushed across the street from Aberdeen Centre to the last knitting store we could manage.

I meant to get a business card; in the end, I even forgot the name of the store.

Currently, however, they have a special of 40% off on selected yarns. The yarns, still expensive after the discount, were funky Japanese types. Too bad they are all protected behind heavily taped plastic bags.

This store does have Cantonese knitting group lessons. Some of you might welcome the challenge.

I didn't buy anything there. I did see a Japanese knitting book with the sort of un-usual accessories I like. But, as I am already in the middle of a protracted battle with one Japanese knitting book, I thought it wise not to fight a battle on two fronts.

At this point, we realized we could never make it to Birkland Brothers before the 5:30 closing time, so our group dissolved.

Conclusion: Very fun. We felt like we were on a road trip. We did leave out quite a few stores so we will have to remedy this situation in the future.

Yarn Crawl-Sat June 25th

2005-06-25T18:05:00.000-07:00

Well, the Yarn Crawl was a success! We started off at Bread Garden to fuel up for the trip, then began our tour at Burnaby Knitworks and perused the many magazine patterns and lovely wool, then we made our way to Steveston where we enjoyed the much missed sunshine and descended upon Wool and Wicker. I bought some ribbon yarn which I'll be using to make a sleeveless top with. Then it was off to Daiso where we looked at yarn and then of course the other stuff in the store. I left the group after Daiso, they went off to Yaohan centre to the Japanese wool store I believe?
I am going to start knitting my new project out in the yard this evening while sipping ginger peach tea.

Group Photos

2005-06-24T13:14:00.000-07:00

OK, I know I wasn't there, I was knitting with you all in spirit, but Someone has to post a link to the only known photos of our little knitting group that have ever been compiled and actually made it onto a website! Many thanks to Knit and the City for posting the pictures of the June 6th meeting on her blog in the June 8th entry.

It looks like you all had a great time, I can't wait till I can come and join in the fun again!

Maple Ridge knitting store

2005-06-18T17:25:00.000-07:00

Since moving from Vancouver to Maple Ridge recently, I've been in knitting store withdrawl...until today, when I went to check out the knitting store (called Once Upon a Sheep) that's attached to the Maple Ridge Salvation Army. It's a great store, run by volunteers with a whole bunch of great yarns, books and offering a membership which gets you 10% off stuff and weekly Tuesday knitting nights. From what I could tell some or all proceeds go to the Salvation Army, which is awesome.

Loop-d-Loop the book

2005-06-14T07:11:00.000-07:00

A few months back I posted the interesting Teva Durham's Loop-d-loop website, now there is a book. I spotted it yesterday at the UBC bookstore. Lots of interesting avant-garde patterns.

Seems like there's lots of new knitting books out again. Anyone else seen something great looking?

Yarn Crawl South Postponed: Saturday June 25

2005-05-18T06:47:00.000-07:00

Update: The Yarn Crawl will take place on Saturday June 25, 2005.

*****

Apologies to everyone for the long wait on the Yarn Crawl update. Between visiting relatives, getting my wisdom teeth out and now helping my sister recover after getting her wisdom teeth out, this hasn't given me much time to update.

But I haven't forgotten about next Saturday. I even turned down a nice date just so I could buy yarn with you guys on May 14.

So here is the plan:

I am not sure who else will have access to a vehicle; I can take three (or four if someone doesn't mind the middle seat) in my car.

I do have a thing for free parking, so I insist we don't rendezvous downtown.

I imagine everyone will immediately yell in defiance "At least make it near a Skytrain station!" So let's meet at 22nd Street Station in New Westminster at 9 am. (Eat breakfast because we have a busy day ahead of us.)

First up, we drive south (hence the New West Station) to our first stop:

Wool & Wicker (Saturday Hours 10-5:30)
120-12051 Second Avenue
Richmond
604-275-1239

We give ourselves an hour. Eleven am, we're off to our next stop.

Now someone said Knitopia is close by and looking at a map, it might make sense to go there before Wool & Wicker.

Knitopia
1446 Johnston Road,
White Rock
604-531-4818

We do need to check the hours here and then decide if Knitopia belongs on this tour. If it does (and the place opens at about ten on a Saturday), we'll slot it in before Wool & Wicker.

Whatever happens, we continue our way from Wool & Wicker up to Michael's. We'll leave the knitting book stores in the Yaohan Centre and Parker Place to the June Asian Tour.

Now, if we leave Knitopia to another day, we could do the Richmond Michael's first if we can meet at 8 am. No, I thought not. If Michael's follows Wool & Wicker, we should aim for 11:30 at Michael's. If Michael's follows Wool & Wicker and Knitopia (and if Knitopia opens at 10), we will be at Michael's at 1 pm.

Michael's (Saturday Hours 9-9)
9711 Bridgeport Road
Richmond
604-273-6311

Lunch takes place around now (12:30). I will choose a restaurant once we decide the Knitopia issue. It probably will be Chinese and in Richmond if I have my way. So wrestle me into submission if you vehemently disagree with my choice.

Then we head north to Vancouver:

Birkeland Brothers (Saturday Hours 9-5:30)
3573 Main Street
Vancouver
604-874-4734

We make it there at about 2 pm, if we skip Knitopia, or about 4 pm, if we include Knitopia.

Do we skip Knitopia to leave room for the North Shore's Knit-n-Stitch? Can we count on traffic over Lion's Gate?

Knit-n-Stitch (Saturday Hours 10-5:30)
2419 Marine Drive
West Vancouver
604-922-1023

I suppose, as either Birkeland or Knit-n-Stitch will be the last stop, we should really ask ourselves, "Can we sup better along Main or on the North Shore?"

Your comments requested, o knitters.

Monday, May 16th

2005-05-13T19:20:00.000-07:00

Knitting and Beer meets at the BreadGarden in Metrotown at 7:30. RVSP via listserv (see sidebar)

PS-We're one year old! Who would have thought?

Loop-d-Loop

2005-04-30T09:45:00.000-07:00

Some of these look like the most original knitting patterns I've seen in a while: Loop-d-Loop. Some are strange, but a lot look wearable.

Monday May 2nd

2005-04-27T19:47:00.000-07:00

I figured out the HTML and fixed the sidebar to show our May and June meetings.
Meeting on this Monday May 2nd 7:30 pm...be there or be square. Oh, and let everyone know you'll come or not: knittingandbeer@yahoogroups.com

Monday, April 18th

2005-04-15T21:55:00.000-07:00

Meeting at the Bread Garden at Metrotown–7:30 PM

RSVP via the listserv knittingandbeerATyahoogroupsDOTcom

New Spun Magazine

2005-04-12T21:34:00.000-07:00

Knitting and Beer got a nice mention in the new Spun Magazine that came out today. We are in the Tripping section which focuses on Vancouver this issue.

Thanks for the link Mary Margaret Jones!

Books for Knitfreaks

2005-04-12T20:48:00.000-07:00

Sometimes I read cookbooks in bed; right now I've got a great big pile of knitting books beside my pillow. I am hogging them from the knitting section of the Vancouver Public Library, 6th Floor, Fine Arts, northwest of the escalators.

The books I am reading/browsing are:

Knitting Without Tears by Elizabeth Zimmerman. This one was recommended by Debbie Stoller in Stitch 'N' Bitch and I expected a big honkin' tome. The writing style is direct, funny and conversational. It has patterns but they're not written like any other patterns I've seen.

The Celtic Collection by Debbie Bliss. The pretty border collies on the cover caught my eye, and then I had to look through the rest for not-so-hard looking sweater patterns, intarsia colour designs (one day), and a really cool-looking lacy scarf.

The Yarn Girls Guide to Kid Knits by Julie Carles and Jordana Jacobs. Am also browsing The Yarn Girls Guide to Simple Knits. They emphasize knitting with chunky yarns and have some really cute looking patterns. But its giving me a complex wondering if my current project, a baby sweater knit on tiny needles, will be big enough? Are Vogue babies smaller than Yarn Girls babies?

Lastly, I had considered some of the patterns in the Vogue Knitting Vintage Collection, especially those luscious cardigans in fluffy wool. But I feel too selfish making so many things for myself in a row.

New Knitty is up!

2005-04-08T17:52:00.000-07:00

Look everyone: new Knitty is up. Pretty Spring things to make
I also got the new Vogue knitting and there are some really great ideas in it. Their photo spreads seem to be getting better and better, so inspiring.

Monday, April fourth

2005-04-03T12:23:00.000-07:00

I don't know how to change the sidebar to say that we have knitting on this Monday. But we have knitting on this Monday! Breadgarden, 7:30?

Yarn Crawl Update

2005-03-24T19:49:00.000-08:00

The date of the yarn crawl has shifted towards mid-May, possibly May 14 or 15.

We've also decided to split up the Yarn Crawl into Yarn Crawl South-North (Steveston - Wool & Wicker - the new Yaohan Centre addition - the big Michael's - Daiso - Birkland Brothers - Knit & Stitch Shoppe) and Yarn Crawl West-East (Urban Yarns - A Touch of Wool - Homecraft Importers - the Granville Island place - Dressew - Burnaby Knitworks - the Como Lake Store).

Considering yarn store schedules, we might have to further whittle our list, possibly to Yarn Crawl East (including Sun Bench Fibres, Penelope Fibres, and all the alpaca farms in the Fraser Valley, such as the Maple Lane Alpaca Farm which gives tours starting in May), Yarn Crawl South, Yarn Crawl Vancouver, and Yarn Crawl North (if there are other North Shore yarny places).

Also, does anyone know anything about Knitopia?

I hope everyone is hunting down those must-do patterns for the Crawl!

Accessories

2005-03-24T19:41:00.000-08:00

I was just looking up knitting classes in Chicago, when I found Dame Couture.

Now, loooking at the accessories, I found that included, right after veils and pretty things, are men. Hmmm....

Fibrefest International 2005

2005-03-24T19:00:00.000-08:00

At last week's Sewing Festival, we met Ayami Stryck of Whaletown and saw her beautiful combination felt and silk scarves. We immediately signed up for her Nuno Felting on Silk class at Fibrefest. The felt on these scarves look like whispy clouds or foaming ocean waves. Plus, after Ms. Stryck's class we'll have a beautiful scarf for far less than what she sells them.

Even if you don't get into her class, check out these other offerings:

Finger Knitting & Straw Weaving

Alpaca Fibre Seminar

Raising Cashmere Goats

Sheepdog Demos

Spinning Horsehair the Icelandic Way

Natural Dyeing Seminar

Rare and Exotic Yarns from Common Pets (Karen whispered to me that dog wool smells as bad as a real dog when it gets wet)

Whimsical Felt Hats (check out the green ones!)

The best part about Fibrefest seems to be the animals; llamas, alpacas, cashmere goats, angora goats, cashgoras (!), angora rabbits, and border collies. At the Sewing Festival, I fell in love with alpaca wool. Plus, I can't wait to pet all those bunnies!

Move to Breadgarden?

2005-03-18T07:40:00.000-08:00

I think we should move our meeting place over to Breadgarden in Metrotown. I am starting to feel as though Connections isn't really providing us with the optimum atmosphere (lighting is dim, we get ignored when we try ordering stuff, as well when we try to get our bill!).
Could everyone vote on moving or staying?

Martha's Prison Flair

2005-03-11T07:00:00.000-08:00

I've been having a dilemma with what to do with four balls of Bernat Galaxy Mars–yarn that I bought in a moment of weakness, and have regretted ever since. My boyfriend has described the look of it as "space vomit". It is truely too ugly to do anything with.

Luckily, Martha Stewart has come to the rescue! Look, it's what was used to crochet the poncho she left prison in. Here's the $80 USD pattern + kit And, here's a USA today article showing Martha and the ponch, stating that she has revived a dying trend.

Seriously though, if anyone can come up with something attractive to do with this Mars wool--it's yours. I don't want it.

Yarn Crawl

2005-03-06T23:39:00.000-08:00

Ok, we've talked about it and no one's gotten around to organizing it. I propose we get our plans together for an all-day yarn crawl at our favourite knitting stores, starting with coffee and croissants (I like butter) at a central location and ending with dinner and a drink at a knitting-friendly restaurant.

Leanne posted a list of some yarn stores:

Urban Yarns on West 10th

Homecraft Importers on West 4th

Birkland Brothers on Main Street

The Knit and Stitch Shoppe in West Vancouver

Dressew

Wool and Wicker

A Touch of Wool on Dunbar

The Granville Island place

Burnaby Knitworks

The Coquitlam Como Lake Store

The snooty place in Steveston

To avoid too many impulse purchases, the rule will be that we need to bring our patterns for future projects and we must only buy yarn for those projects. Anyone who appears to be breaking their budget will be restrained by their fellow yarn crawlers and permitted only to pet the wool. (I left out Daiso, Walmart, Lewiscraft and Michael's so we can focus our attention on the really fun places.)

The people without cars will pair up with the folks with cars so that no one has to bother with transit to the farflung regions of the GVRD. Participants with cars should also let us know if they are willing to accept passengers in the comment section.

I propose a Saturday in the latter part of April or even the beginning of May (though next Saturday appears to bear a good omen as well). Please add your opinions in the comments section. Here are dates to consider:

March 19

April 9

April 16

April 23

April 30

May 7

May 14

(I left out Daiso, Walmart, Lewiscraft and Michael's so we can focus our attention on the really fun places.)

Once we choose the itinerary, the organizer will prepare a route. All participants can pitch a suggestion for the brunch and dinner places. Participants are encouraged to attend the dinner so we can do show'n'tell with our new yarn.

I also propose that anyone with a digital camera step forward to be the Official Yarn Crawl Photographer and we will post (anonymous) photos here. As all of us are bloggers, we will be a joint Official Yarn Crawl Scribe.

Once we decide on a date, we will inform other knitting groups (i.e. Seamrippers, the Meetup folks, coworkers, the group at Blake's - if anyone's infiltrated that group, and so on). If our group is big, we might even want to alert the yarn stores ahead of time, and we may want to put up signs in their stores to invite other knitters to join us. Ok, ok, I work in marketing so I might be getting too extravagant with this. But maybe the yarn stores might give us special treatment or something.

Let me know via the comments if I am missing anything.

Meeting up: March 7th

2005-03-05T11:52:00.000-08:00

Knitting and Beer is on for March the 7th at 7:30pm at Connections Bar and Grill.

Hope to see you then!

Spun Magazine has been launched

2005-02-14T20:37:00.000-08:00

Check out the new online knitting magazine Spun from TO!

RSVP listserv

2005-02-11T18:05:00.000-08:00

I'vgone and made us a listserv so that we can rsvp for Knitting and Beer nights. To join it visit yahoo groups:

Group name: knittingandbeer
Group home page: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/knittingandbeer
Group email: knittingandbeer@yahoogroups.com

It's a listserv only, as I figured that we can use this blog to post our links and opinions! Hope to see everyone signed up!

Legwarmers and Other Things

2005-02-09T20:19:00.000-08:00

One of my future knitting projects will be legwarmers, the only 80s wear I would consider. Alas, I have no pattern yet for these muy caliente legwarmers. But one day, dammit! There's no way I am paying someone else $100 when I can make them.

Nevertheless, Chocosho, this online store that features "maverick designers," had some other neato products that a whiz-girl knitter (or crocheter) might tackle. How about crocheted doily collars? Or crocheted earrings? It doesn't look knit or crocheted, but it involves yarn and I bet even a novice like me could come up with one of these flower brooches.

Or, for Valentine's Day, someone could surely crochet me a few of these heart brooches? From NY-based CUT + PASTE, I know what I'm crocheting right after I become an expert knitter.

Crafters for Critters

2005-02-09T19:56:00.000-08:00

I've just discovered Crafters for Critters, a Michigan-based site that sells independent crafters' work to make money for the Michigan Greyhound Connection (and other animal rescue groups). Crafters donate items to be sold and 100% of the profit goes to the greyhounds.

What's up with greyhounds? Well, greyhounds have it pretty nasty during their four-year careers. Just as bad as the greyhounds living in concentration camp situations are the almost "100,000 live rabbits, guinea pigs, chickens, and kittens ..... literally torn apart each year in the preferred training method using live lures."

A great idea for fund-raising! Plus, that's a damn cute hat!

Tonight?

2005-02-07T07:13:00.000-08:00

I won't be able to make it to tonight's stitch and bitch.

Are others planning to go? We've become pretty quiet here lately. Maikopunk? Maybe we need a email chain for rsvps so no one ends up at Metrotown on their own?

The Zodiac Made Me Do It

2005-02-06T23:48:00.000-08:00

From Maktaaq:

You know when you do something naughty one day and you spend the rest of afternoon obsessing how you are evil and your path of destruction will lead you straight to hell?

Then you know how you happen to glance at your horoscope for that day after hours of obsessing and the horoscope not only predicted your actions but also lauded them?

Today was such a day.

You walked into a yarn store.

I'll just say 'hi' to my friend, you thought. She had just left five minutes earlier, so you might as well examine her workplace. It'll give me something to talk about next time I see her.

Then you found a pattern you hadn't seen before. Not one of those run-of-the-mill sweaters or the prosaic *yawn* scarf. Not even a quirky hat.

You found a pattern for a knit corset.

A weird-looking corset. Nobody has one of those. I could be the first and therefore the coolest.

Plus, it involves ribbon.

Over a t-shirt and - poof! - you are a princess.

But you stopped yourself. You would not spend $30 on a corset pattern.

You should have just walked out of the store now.

Then the yarn clerk came over. She asked if she could help you.

"No, just browsing" - you should have stopped there - "Maybe you can help me."

You explained that you want one pair of knitting needles. That should do.

Then she frowned. "One pair is expensive. Why not buy the whole kit? It slices, it dices, it even turns carrots into roses and carves boulders into filigree! With guaranteed two-year workmanship, a one-year limited warranty, and 24-hour-half-hour round-the-clock troubleshooting through a free charge-by-the-minute toll number, plus a set of AA batteries. Buy now and we'll throw in this free $49.95 inflatable cutting board!"

Confused, you bought the turbo-engined solar-powered knitting needles and started a weird neck warmer with globule buttons.

You later walked aimlessly, the thought that you traded in the deed to your house gnawing like a muskrat boring a hole through flan.

A scrap of paper wafted on the breeze and landed at your feet. A word caught your eye.

Gemini.

Then you leaned down to read more.

Sunday February 7, 2005:

You need to stand out from the crowd. But how? You need a custom-made something. Splurge!

Thank you, Mr. Horoscope, for making my excessive spending part of the greater cosmic plan.

That's right, it's a fry up knitalong...

2005-01-27T21:17:00.000-08:00

Sheep in the City encourages you to join them in making the hideous bacon and eggs bag.

More skull knitting

2005-01-25T23:21:00.000-08:00

I am so in love with the free patterns at Hello Yarn!

Crazy Wife Wanted, Must Knit

2005-01-24T19:07:00.000-08:00

Maktaaq, we must know if you are responsible for posting this. Can we rob banks together sometime?

Missed Connections?

2005-01-20T06:57:00.000-08:00

Nan and I didn't get to Connections until 8ish on monday. Our table was taken, so we had to set up on the other side of the bar. We didn't see anyone else wth yarn and needles-hopefully we didn't miss anyone who thought we were a no show...

Another Man Who Knits

2005-01-14T22:49:00.000-08:00

David is the genius who writes the wonderful Upside-Down Hippopotamus. Now there is even more reason to love David.

He knits.

And he isn't one of those wussy knitters who overlooks minor errors. He demands perfection.

"The point of knitting (like the point of everything else) is to do something perfectly on the first try. If one cannot manage this, one is doomed to rip out his two rows of work and begin anew as many times as it takes, all while cursing up a storm. Later, in a darkened room, one may curl on the floor with is body tangled in an unraveled skein of yarn and weep inconsolably for all of the knitting projects that will go forever uncreated because he is a fumble-fingered loser who will never amount to anything!"

Feminism and Knitting Article

2005-01-09T15:48:00.000-08:00

An article on feminism, bust magazine and the stitch and bitch movement from the Guardian (via yahoo group: Knitomatic)

Fave Knitting Destinations

2005-01-08T11:51:00.000-08:00

I've been asked to give a tour of Vancouver knitting destinations to a Toronto knitter. Here's my list of favorites:
Urban Yarns on West 10th
Homecraft Importers on West 4th
Birkland Brothers on Main Street
The Knit and Stitch Shoppe in West Vancouver
Diaso in Richmond for cheap Japanese Needles and Yarn (kindly discovered by Sweet Georgia , thanks!)
Dressew for cheap needles (beginning at $.99!)

Though I've never been there, I know that there is also
Wool and Wicker
A Touch of Wool on Dunbar.

Reviews of these two?

Are there any that I've missed? Lewiscraft and Micheals are probably too chain-storish to be exciting, and she's probably already familiar with them.

Vintage Knitting Machines

2005-01-06T13:28:00.000-08:00

Via Not Martha: an ebay auction for a Vintage Mattel Knitting Machines. Cool!

Anyone know much about knitting machines? While I like the look for handknit, I have been a fan of Fresh Baked Goods for a really long time.

Crocheting Chaos

2004-12-30T10:19:00.000-08:00

This has been in the news for a while, but I think it's worth a post.

Mathematicians crochet chaos . Spooky!

Knit your Bit

2004-12-29T22:16:00.000-08:00

I've been thinking about the disasters in Southeast Asia (who isn't?) and I'd like to find some way to help. I was wondering if anyone would be interested in putting on a Knitathon fundraiser for the Red Cross. We could invite other S+B'ers, collect pledges and see how long we can go on only knitting and beer! It could be a public event with performers (spinning yarns as we knit them) and the opportunity for new knitters to learn. I have some other ideas we could discuss on Monday if anyone else wants to do this... See you then.

Anyone get this for Christmas?

2004-12-29T20:19:00.000-08:00

Check this out. 24 Krt Gold Knitting needles!

Boxing day yarn scores

2004-12-28T20:07:00.000-08:00

I was in Victoria for the last few days and went to one of my favorite yarn shops, the Beehive Wool Shop where in my attempt to draw myself away from dark colours, I found 6 brightly coloured fun and fuzzy balls of yarn in a bargain bin: Patons Bella in Fennel and Patons Anna in Geranium. Not sure what I'll make with them yet, maybe some bags...
I have been diligently working on my shawl (except mine's in multi-coloured) for the last couple months and I am supposed to actually use most of the ball of wool, according to the pattern, but there is still an astounding amount of it left to use, which makes me wonder just how enormous this shawl will be!

Knitting the Superheroes

2004-12-23T21:05:00.000-08:00

Fellow knitters might be interested in an exhibition at the absolutely beautiful Chicago Cultural Centre of Mark Newport's knitted superhero costumes.

Staring up at these mammoth suits, then reading the dates of creation, from last year to this year, all I've got to say is that I am hiring Newport to finish my scarf for me.

Reporting live from Chicago, this is Knitting & Beer correspondent Maktaaq, saying good night and Merry Christmas.

Seasonal projects pretty much finished

2004-12-16T10:39:00.000-08:00

Six scarves and 1.5 hats done. Yesterday I made the "Hot Head" hat from Debbie Stoller's Stitch and Bitch book for my dad. (note, rather than the 2 hours it says it will take in the book, it took me about 5--luckily Lord of the Rings extended version was playing in my house so I felt justified sitting around knitting for that long.) I'm pretty proud of it because it's my first hat. I didn't go with the flame motif, just a grey natural looking wool which is more his style.

However, half an hour after finishing, I spotted a guy on the street wearing a version exactly as in the pattern. It didn't look bad, but I have to say I prefer my monotone version.

I'm now making myself another one with the left over wool, with a pom-pom on top. The checkerboard scarf and pink and grey stripped monstrosity are still in progress. Oh well, I guess I need something to do on my 8 hour car ride to the interior.

(New year's resolution: Learn how to post pics to this blog.)

I wish I could be there monday, but, it turns out that I have family staying in town for a few extra days. Hope that it is fun!

Winter Knitting

2004-12-08T13:35:00.000-08:00

As Janet mentioned on monday night, there's a new knitty!

Connections worked out well, despite a little bit of bar chaos. They DO turn the lights down at 10pm, any chance we think we can cure them of that?

On the other hand, that's about the time I begin to get 'knitter's cramp'--so maybe it's a good thing.

Knit Cosies for the Girls

2004-12-04T11:33:00.000-08:00

Thank you, Mr. No Milk, for information on more knitting projects for our group.

And we get this tasteless joke from one of the commenters: "If you boil a tampon, do you get vampire tea?"

Get your permission slips

2004-12-04T09:12:00.000-08:00

I have been made aware of this craft collective with workshops, equipment and events: http://www.seamrippers.ca/. They do bookmaking and screeenprinting classes as well as knitting in a downtown location.

You are Merino Wool

2004-12-01T22:21:00.000-08:00

Soft and Cuddly wool I can live with, and it's purple wool too *Grin*

You are Merino Wool.You are very easygoing and sweet. People like to
keep you close because you are so softhearted.
You love to be comfortable and warm from your
head to your toes.

What kind of yarn are you?
brought to you by Quizilla

Request

2004-11-30T22:41:00.000-08:00

At work today, one of the volunteers asked for your help. Yes, Knitting & Beer folks, your help.

The Museum has a display of a 1905 kitchen. We need red woollen socks. If you've knit any or have access to a sock drawer you can raid, please bring them to Monday's meeting.

The socks will be on display until January.

Alas

2004-11-30T22:40:00.000-08:00

I am more than a little disenheartened.

You are Dishcloth Cotton.
You are a very hard worker, most at home when
you're at home. You are thrifty and seemingly
born to clean. You are considered to be a Plain
Jane, but you are too practical to notice.

What kind of yarn are you?
brought to you by Quizilla

I AM MOHAIR!

2004-11-30T19:59:00.000-08:00

You are Mohair.
You are a warm and fuzzy type who works well with
others, doing your share without being too
weighty. You can be stubborn and absolutely
refuse to change your position once it is set,
but that's okay since you are good at covering
up your mistakes.

Awesome! I'm mohair!

What kind of yarn are you?
brought to you by Quizilla

Yet another silly quiz

2004-11-29T20:25:00.000-08:00

What are you?

You are Shetland Wool.
You are a traditional sort who can sometimes be a
little on the harsh side. Though you look
delicate you are tough as nails and prone to
intricacies. Despite your acerbic ways you are
widely respected and even revered.

What kind of yarn are you?
brought to you by Quizilla

The Baby Ugg Boots

2004-11-23T13:33:00.000-08:00

I think I mentioned these at the last stitch and bitch. Pretty cute, eh?

East Van Culture Crawl

2004-11-18T13:05:00.000-08:00

Don't forget that the East Van Culture Crawl is on this weekend! It's a great opportunity to see all kinds of artists: painters, textile artists, sculptors, etc...

There's a great felt artist named Saskia at the Parker Street Studios off Venables.

Sizing pieces + last night's S&B

2004-11-16T19:08:00.000-08:00

A listserv that I'm on (Knitomatic from Toronto) just referred me to this site with all sorts of headsizes . It might come in handy-–particularily for knitting for children (as the beautiful baby blanket pictures we saw last night demonstrate--good work Maikopunk!).

Last night's Knitting and Beer was pretty successful. It was great to meet some new people and see everyone excited about new winter projects. Connections Bar and Grill is no longer on strike--so I'll ask again, where do we want to meet for the next one?

Connections Pros: big tables, cheaper drinks, can stay as long as we like
Connections Cons: not a lot of food choices, lighting can be low, obnoxious drunks

Red Robins Pros: better lighting, more food options, friendly staff, no drunks!
Red Robin Cons: more $$$, smaller tables

Are we happy with Red Robin or do we want to go back to the bar? Vote! Your comment counts!

New Links

2004-11-13T10:15:00.000-08:00

I've added our favourite bloggers on the sidebar...well...mostly mine. Just let me know who else you'd like to see on the side and I'll add them in.

I also know there are other related forums out there, but dang it if I can't remember them.

I also think our website is boringly white, so I will work on that. It'll be a December project, though, as I should be writing my novel now.

Let me know what you'd like to see at Monday's meeting and, if it is within my limited web powers, I will see it gets done.

41 Men Who Knit

2004-11-12T01:51:00.000-08:00

Gals and guy, I have found it: the motherlode (fatherlode?) of male knitters. We've got to get G-Whiz to post more so we'll be an equal opportunity knitting group.

I joined us, hence the "Men Who Knit" link on the sidebar.

This might encourage the significant others to knit with us.

Our First Link

2004-11-12T01:09:00.001-08:00

Someone from Burnaby linked to Knitting & Beer. It's a blog called Justy's Knitting n' Stuff.

This is knitting dedication:

2004-11-11T11:39:00.000-08:00

I like going to this woman's site (she's from the Lower Mainland) often to see her pretty pictures of soft, gorgeous coloured yarn and perfect finished sweaters. She knits like a mad demon, I am so jealous.

More on Knit.1

2004-11-11T09:42:00.000-08:00

It looks like the next issue won't be out till February though! Why so long? I already want another one!

Vogue Knitting Knit.1 Premier issue

2004-11-11T09:18:00.000-08:00

Anyone seen or bought the new Vogue Knitting Knit.1 magazine?(site still under construction)I was very happy to find it yesterday in London Drugs. There are some pretty crazy patterns in it, like some great goth style accessories and clothes. There are even knit flowers you can put on things. I'd recommend it-much more interesting ideas than a lot of mags or books I've seen!

November 15th: Red Robin

2004-11-09T13:57:00.000-08:00

It looks like there is a fairly unanimous group decision to move Knitting and Beer to Red Robin. Our next session is November 15th so let's meet there rather than in front of Connections.

Katherine also brought up that first and third mondays are too infrequent, any thoughts? I personally think that twice a month is all that I can manage, but we can change the dates if everyone else feels like they'd like to meet more often?

On a completely different note, I'm really enjoying looking at the Knitting Forum's finished projects on Craftster.org. There's lots of free patterns too! I like the Amelia hat and this devil hat . Too bad Halloween's over.

The moral of the story is...

2004-11-08T18:47:00.000-08:00

Just thought I'd point out the value of reading and fully understanding your knitting pattern before embarking on the long arduous journey of wool buying and working on the same pattern for like 10 months (or more), then cursing your incompetance, until you find out one day that the cause of much of your frustrations lies in the fact that the goddam pattern was wrong in the first place.
I'm not bitter...really.
I just came to this realization on Saturday when my avid knitter co-worker pointed out that my internet sweater pattern neglects to give the instructions on knitting the shoulders.

On a lighter note,these are the cutest things ever and I need to try and figure out how to make them!

The Question is Answered

2004-11-06T15:30:00.000-08:00

Men who knit.

New Location?

2004-11-01T23:31:00.000-08:00

Well, despite our persistence, Connections Bar and Grill is still on Strike...which lead us to discuss a possible new location. Options include so far:

-The Bread Garden
-A Firemans' Bar
-The Bubble Tea place near Connections (though only open til 9)
-Red Robin

Opinions?
(safety, and close access to skytrain and parking lots should be taken into consideration.)

PS, Here Maktaaq, this is for you. Not exactly a guinea pig, but close.

Its (almost) done!

2004-11-01T16:37:00.000-08:00

Just felt the need to announce that yesterday afternoon I finished all the knitting on my "endless" baby blanket. All that is left to weave in all the yarn ends and a bit of blocking to shape it. I am so excited. Hope to post pictures soon.
Now I can get to work on a nice warm scarf for myself because its butt cold outside!

We could save the planet?

2004-10-28T21:12:00.000-07:00

A quick search on google reveals that knitting and beer could save the planet. Take that beer-cozy mockers!

In other news, I am so astounded by Gangsta Knitter !?#!*? What does it all mean?

A poncho here, a poncho there, a poncho poncho everywhere!

2004-10-28T19:52:00.000-07:00

Count 'em TWENTY SEVEN free poncho patterns, oh my!

Ooh! I'm the apprentice!

2004-10-26T16:33:00.000-07:00

You appear to be a Knitting Apprentice.You've got the basics down pat and you might just
be falling in love with this hobby. Big
needles, funky yarns and simple shapes are the
name of the game, but it doesn't mean you don't
experiment a bit, here and there. As an
apprentice, you probably fall back on other
people to get you through those rough spots,
and if you don't know anyone who knits, you
probably have a few books or online sources to
tap.http://marniemaclean.com/

What Kind of Knitter Are You?
brought to you by

Are They Evil?

2004-10-26T11:21:00.000-07:00

Beer cosies kill the environment.

Wooly e-cards

2004-10-23T16:25:00.000-07:00

These animal ecards are crazy!

I Just Like Funny Yarns

2004-10-22T17:57:00.000-07:00

You appear to be a Knitting Apprentice.
You've got the basics down pat and you might just
be falling in love with this hobby. Big
needles, funky yarns and simple shapes are the
name of the game, but it doesn't mean you don't
experiment a bit, here and there. As an
apprentice, you probably fall back on other
people to get you through those rough spots,
and if you don't know anyone who knits, you
probably have a few books or online sources to
tap.
http://marniemaclean.com

What Kind of Knitter Are You?
brought to you by Quizilla

He, he...knitting quiz....

2004-10-22T11:26:00.000-07:00

Here's a really great way to waste time...what kind of knitter are you?

You appear to be a Knitting Adventurer.
You are through those knitting growing pains and
feeling more adventurous. You can follow a
standard pattern if it's not too complicated
and know where to go to get help. Maybe you've
started to experiment with different fibers and
you might be eyeing a book with a cool
technique you've never tried. Perhaps you
prefer to stick to other people's patterns but
you are trying to challenge yourself more.
Regardless of your preference, you are
continually trying to grow as a knitter, and as
well you should since your non-knitting friends
are probably dropping some serious hints, these
days.
http://marniemaclean.com

What Kind of Knitter Are You?
brought to you by Quizilla

SPUN magazine

2004-10-17T14:18:00.000-07:00

I just got this really great call-for-submission for knitting patterns for an new online magazine from Toronto!

SPUN: Knitting in the key of alt

Spun Magazine is an online magazine geared at the new
generation of knitters. You know who you are -- you
have more in common with Debbie Stoller than Debbie
Bliss.

We will be publishing bi-monthly beginning in January
2005. The site is still under construction but you can
think Bust meets ReadyMade meets Tiger Beat and
Maisonneuve.

The editorial board is looking for previously
unpublished knitting pattern submissions.
January/February layouts include I "HEART" YOU
(knitted gifts for the person who you sort of like/
love/ enjoying hanging with), and cocooning (titles
TBD).

Unfortunately, we are unable to pay at this point. (We
are developing an advertising model from which we can
demonstrate traffic and impact for potential
advertisers. It's all in the plans.)

Please email your submissions to Mary-Margaret Jones
at murmur_j@yahoo.com

=====
Check out what's on my needles and my mind at Yarn Tart.
http://yarntart.blogspot.com/

Connections Strike Still On

2004-10-17T01:39:00.000-07:00

Once again, girls (and guy) we are out of a knitting bar.

I was there this afternoon and saw that a lone striker was sitting in front of the blocked door. I suggest we still meet there and go to Red Robins.

Poncho madness

2004-10-14T18:36:00.000-07:00

Ha! I knew it. Just when I think it's about time to knit me up a poncho, articles like this come out (linked from Not Martha). This woman is clearly pissed off with how many ponchos can be seen during a small walk. Funny as hell though: Poncho's are like "your own travelling fort". Works for me.
I'm not giving up yet.

What to do with clothes from the Gap

2004-10-11T20:42:00.000-07:00

Here's an interesting project to reclaim wool from oversized sweaters.

Connections Strike

2004-10-10T11:49:00.000-07:00

Our Knitting Bar, Connections, was indeed closed due to a strike during the October 4 Knitting and Beer stitch'n'bitch. The people on strike remembered us (we're the knitters) and they offered to pass on messages to errant stitch'n'bitchers. Red Robin's was the next logical choice: we picked a corner table, well-lit, in a non-serviced section. No waiters bothered us to scram.

But now that we're getting chummy with the Connections staff maybe they'll let us stay longer and they won't dim the lights on us again.

Stitch and Bitch 2004

2004-09-28T13:11:00.000-07:00

Okay, I think everyone has agreed that Monday nights work the best, so here's the proposed schedule for the next few months:

OCTOBER
October 4
October 18

NOVEMBER
November 1
November 15

DECEMBER
December 6
December 20th

7:30-10pm? Connections Bar and Grill at the Holiday in Station Square of Metrotown (unless alternative place is found between now and then)

More on Knitting with Dog Hair

2004-09-23T21:26:00.000-07:00

The Vancouver Public Library Central Branch has a copy of Knitting with Dog Hair. I took it out and enjoyed reading it on the Skytrain to weird stares from fellow passengers.

For your benefit, I am excerpting the juicy bits as I go along.

Let's start with the first chapter. A man is saved in a sudden mountain storm thanks to a dog hair hat. The reasons for using dog hair to knit are its economy, its environment-friendliness, its vegan-friendliness (is it really animal exploitation if the dog now looks forward to its brushings?) and its family values wholesomeness.

Chapter two lists ways to get the dogs cooperation: if it refuses the brushings, try over-feeding it for a "soporific effect" or exercising it "into a state of near catatonia."

Skipping to chapter ten, we have an outline of dog breeds and the suitability of their fur. Anyone who's been near an Alaskan malamute knows full well how generous these pups can be with their hair. The beagle, no good, the bichon frise good. Also good are afghans, chow chows, collies, german shepherd, golden retrievers, pomeranians, and poodles.

The chihuahua: "you will probably harvest enough from the long-haired variety to make, say, a nosewarmer."