knitting

so currently, knitting is the passion........now granted, my passions tend to be circular, and go around in loops, but then again, so do most fibers.......heeheehee.......................
so here's the list of stuff i've found...........

starting wtih my favorite yarn company............ www.knitpicks.com ................amazing prices, decent colors, free shipping over $50..............pages of how-tos..................a really great all around site...............

my mother, oma, just gave our little monkey yarn and needles for x-mas, and started teaching her how to knit........and my grandmother gave her a little kit, from peace fleece (they don't have a website, try googling them to find their kits)....................so here's some interesting stuff on knitting with kids...........

for a list of multiple links, all about knitting with kids, http://anacleta.homestead.com/knittingwithchildren.html ..........how to knit with kids, articles on how knitting has helped kids, kits designed for kid's hands............

if you (or a kid) is just starting, try with knitting without needles, finger knitting..........only four stitches across, rather loose, but makes nifty cords, thin scarves, or belts............... http://www.maggiesrags.com/tips_fingerknit.htm has the best how to on fingerknitting, for pictures (but the commentary isn't as good) try http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEsummer06/FEATfingerknitting.html
(both of these links is on the above knitting with children links page)

for a comprehensive page of knitting links, with everything from how to pages to patterns, tools, blogs, catalog sites, try http://home.earthlink.net/~teechkidz/id46.html .......some of the links are out of date, most are alright..........

for conversions and calculations.......... http://www.thedietdiary.com/knittingfiend/tools/index.html ..................increases, decreases, yardages, convert yards to ounces............haven't tried them out, but worth it to keep in favorites...........

and for the green of us.............something to do with all those plastic walmart bags that seem to always act like bunnies.............. http://oma57.tripod.com/cleobag.html ...........i'm thinking of making up a few, and using them at camping events for shower bags..........or shopping bags..........or food bags..........or anything bags!! not sure how strong they are, i'll post after i make one..............

in the tools category, try here.......... http://www.craftydiversions.com/patterns/homemade_yarn_swift.htm ................simple, pretty..............and for a slightly weirder version of the same, http://www.folkcatart.com/blogs/jen/?p=742 (i've also seen one motorized out of k'nex!!)........
my grandfather (carpenter, contractor, furniture maker) made me a swift for x-mas.......not sure of the wood, but it's gorgeuos..............i'll try and post pics eventually.............

for a online magazine, try www.knitty.com ...............they have articles, patterns, etc.............with a flair for the unusual and interesting..............

and that's all just what didn't get lost on the other confuser when it died.........

my current project is a set of wristies.........like mittens, without the finger pocket and the thumb (just a hole for the thumb)............i'm using knitpicks yarn, wool of the andes coal, cardinal twist, and carbon twist. the next project i'm going to be working on (still hafta get the yarn!!) is a knit, felted basket for use at events (every wicker one i use i kill)...........gonna be large enough post-felting for a hardcover book (ish).....................prolly again in knitpicks wool of the andes coal, mist, carbon twist, firecracker heather, amethyst heather, and sapphire heather............i think that's it...........i eventually wanna pick up a set of their harmony wood needles, they are gorgeous.................but i'll prolly spend my x-mas money that was supposed to go to those and get yarn instead..........

i'll attempt to post pics, when i get stuff done............remember, i did say attempt.........