sknitter

Two words: BBQ. Fireworks. I thought that we’d only see the fireworks in the night sky, but nope, Sarah Palin quit her job! This is going to get interesting as the real reasons and the aftermath unfolds.  I have to say that I’d never vote for Palin for anything, and I probably would not knit any of the following items. But somehow, I find them all fascinating. Independence Day knits: Napkin Rings, Beverage Cooler, felted Hot Pads (a detail shown at left),  Placemats, Coasters, and this Dishcloth. Happy 4th!

The Purl Bee calls this pattern (left): Whit’s Knits: Stars + Stripes Felted Hot Pads. I love the beautifully art directed step-by-step photos and thorough instructions on this site.

Maybe this is a gigantic faux pax to be thinking about the American Bison (commonly referred to as a Buffalo) at the start of 4th of July Weekend. Especially, given the tragic backstory of the havoc reeked by early settlers on the indigenous people. But here goes. I’m amazed that dedicated ranchers in America’s Heartland have been able to bring this animal back from the brink of extinction. Several companies are making bison and bison-blend artisanal yarns for handknitting. Read Clara Parkes’ reviews of Buffalo Gold and Buffalo Gals Yarn. Apparently, although expensive, it’s lightweight, warm, and amazingly soft. A luxurious way to celebrate independence?

I was searching the web the other day and found my way back to Threadbanger. Always an interesting site, focused on DIY fashion, the whole thing just seemed spiffier. Beyond a site redesign, with movies like “How to Make a Bikini Top” and a “Knitta Please” profile, they are calling themselves, “The first network for people who make their own fashion.” Hmm…”network.” That got me investigating. I found that they are part of Next New Networks, an indie producer of online TV networks, or “Midtails,” started by some former TV execs who created MTV. Read more about the “Invasion of the ‘Midtails’” in a Virginia Heffernan piece for the New York Times about this phenomenon. FYI, Threadbanger wants content submissions, especially videos. Go here for info.

That is Nguyen Le of KnitKnitKnits.com doing the bikini top demo on Threadbanger (above).

Hand/Eye is a treat. It’s a relatively new online magazine that explores global textiles, sustainability,  and the relationship between craft and culture. Part travelogue, part art magazine, there’s lots of inspiring images and well written articles, like Keith Recker’s piece, “A Textile Diaspora” which tells the history of the world via textiles. Plus there are also short pieces on designers, like Trash Master Heath Nash and Donna Karan’s Urban Zen Foundation. I like the orientation towards featuring the combination of culture and commerce working for enlightened consumerism. Good stuff. My request: larger images, plus more yarn and knitting, please.

Just caught the premiere of the new HBO show, Hung, and I’m digging it. The premise: after a series of bad breaks, a divorced, beleaguered high school coach, played by hunky Thomas Jane (left), decides to use his only real asset— his over-sized manhood— to make money and get himself out of his financial difficulties. Helping him, well pimping him, is a wacky poet who knits(!) played by the delightful Jane Adams. Looks like our hero spends the season examining the question, “What do women really want, anyways?” Fun. Here’s what I want: to be done with my Textured Circle Shrug. Just 6 more rounds of 1×1 ribbing, then 22 rounds (x 295 stitches) of seed/moss stitch. Talk about huge.

The weekend was full of Gay Pride, discussions of marriage equality, and remembrances of the 40th anniversary of Stonewall. The Studio 360 show had a Redesign The Gay Flag competition. I think the existing flag, designed by Harvey Milk’s friend Gilbert Baker in 1978, is just fine. Many of us love to knit rainbows. From Ravelry, download for FREE  the Coming Out Rainbow Shawl and the Rainbow Pride Scarf. I’m not saying these designs are all intentionally about Pride, but they are colorful tributes if you want them to be: Vogue’s Rainbow Shawl, the Mini Mochi Rainbow Hat, Laughing Purple Goldfish Design’s crocheted Rainbow Scarf, and this lovely Rainbow Moebius by Manuèle Ducret of Filambulle (left). Check out these roller derby meets Thai fisherman “totally gay” Rainbow Hot Pants. Wow.

I wore myself out yesterday, teaching kids to knit at the East LA Boys & Girls Club and then hosting a little dinner party. So, today, exhausted, all I’m gonna say is take a look at these amazing FREE socks patterns. I marvel at these designer’s creativity: Corn Row Socks by Mr Poopers Day Out, Skyline Chilly’s Air Raid Socks, Cloud Nine by Debbie Orr, Climber Cable Socks from EASYKnits (left), and Bamboo designed by Baa Baa Blacksheep. So many lovely choices, where to begin, right?

These Climber Cable Socks (left) use the Magic Toe Up Cast On which creates an invisible seam. Go to Knitty and read how-to. 

I hate to look a gift horse in the mouth, I really do. No doubt I’m going to sound ungrateful today. I appreciate the FREE patterns yarn companies provide. I do. However, it seems like Patons has dredged the archives to pad out their pattern offerings online. Maybe someone somewhere around the world might want to knit the Colorful Polo Neck (left), the Fair Isle Border Cardigan, the Textures & Flowers turtleneck, and the amazing Argyle & Plaid Jacket. Really? I know we’re having an 80’s revival, but man, that stuff is FUG. It’s just not quite vintage enough to be cool yet. I’m not sure it ever was or will be. Over at Lion Brand, I notice that they’ve taken a number of old patterns, like this Classic Pullover, and specified them in some of the newer LB yarns. Tip: do not knit this baby sweater, it is truly an ugly mess. I know. I made it once. Good grief that looked stupid on the kid. Of course, my poor friend felt obligated to put her child in it since it was my gift. Awful.

It could be argued that Michael Jackson’s single glittery glove was truly one of the world’s most recognizable symbols. Transcending its humble original function, that glove became a global icon. It also launched a billion Halloween costumes. Earlier this year the famous diamante glove MJ wore in his Motown 25th Anniversary special performance of “Billie Jean,” along with thousands of other personal items, went up for auction to pay the troubled singer’s many debts. To be factual, these gloves weren’t knitted, they were primarily spandex and rhinestone-studded or encrusted with Swarovski crystals. You can get a replica. Or maybe just add a little discreet sparkle to a plain glove, and hum a little while you knit, “…She’s just a girl who claims that I am the one…”

A while back I did the math and determined that selling hand knits as a living probably wasn’t possible. Unfortunately. This week I found an article on Double X by Sara Mosle that really spells it out: “Etsy.com Peddles a False Feminist Fantasy.” It’s a brilliant article full of facts and figures supporting the author’s premise that Etsy actively fosters a delusion that ingenious crafters can earn a viable living via this site. “Etsy has a business model akin to the lottery’s,” Mosle writes. (Make sure to read the comments that dispute her.) No surprise, the only ones getting rich are the people who own Etsy. A figure* I’ve seen quoted: about $1.7 million a month. That’s a ton of scarves and mittens. Actually, it’s mostly jewelry.  [*Source: Rob Walker's 2008 book, Buying In ]

Here’s an Etsy seller I hope is beating the odds and making bank: Yokoo (left). Read more about her here.