Header PromotionToday’s topic was inspired by a headline recently featured on my DIGG widget. I have to admit, the title got me.
Strange Knits and Yarn Monsters
How could I not check that out? I was directed to this link . . . which highlighted an article with another great title.
When Art and Knitting Needles Collide
Where I was treated me to pictures like this . . .
And what about this?!
A knitted pink bunny big enough to be spotted from the Earth’s orbit! How long did it take to knit that? How much yarn was used? What in the world was the inspiration? Was it a dare? A challenge? A lifelong goal?
To think I'd be thrilled if I could knit a scarf.
I have a weakness for knitted shawls and ponchos. I own quite a few. More than once a patron at the library has asked if I made it myself. I wish. I can't knit or crochet. I'd like to learn. But that would take time. Something I don't have enough of as is. Maybe someday. . .
Although I doubt I'll attempt something like this . . .
Nope. This is more my style . . . What about you? Do you knit or 
crochet? If so, how long did it take you to learn and what was your most adventurous project? Got any Yarn Monsters under your bed?
www.bethciotta.com
"...enchanting, madcap romance..." Publisher Weekly
"...wry humor; sexy, multifaceted characters..." Booklist
Crochet
I use to crochet all the time but my fingers won't cooperate now that I have gotten older. Most of what I made were scarves and baby clothes, nothing as strange as those pictures.
December's MEMBER of the MONTH!
A true teacher is a person who, at the end of the school day, still likes children!
I used to knit and crohet also
but my new cat is too much of a hindance or maybe a good excuse not to anymore. Plus I can't do either while I am reading. I used to do both while watching TV but the only program that I watch right now is Dancing With the Stars. I learnt how to do both in home economics in my teens at school. I never could get sewing even semi-mastered. One apron and one ugly blouse were my only sewing projects. I already knew the basics of cooking and baking thank goodness as the lessons in school were enough to turn anyone off. Really didn't need to know how to cook liver and the spanish rice was to die for -literally. It took me a long time to try it again and I do like it now.
I can't imagine knitting a bunny that big. I wonder what they stuffed it with? Straw? It would mold I think. It would sure be fun for kids to play on. I wonder if it is near an airport? Imagine looking out your plane window and catching a glimpse of it and wondering if you really saw what you saw.
Ps I loved the anatony lesson. Now that is a fun project.
When I get a little money I buy books, and then if any is left I buy food and clothes..-- Erasmus
The digestive tract one
The digestive tract one reminds me of a pattern I saw a while back . . . for a dissected rat.
I'd like to learn to knit or crochet ....
my Mother doesn't know how to read a knitting or crochet pattern, she does it by sight ... she's tried to teach me, but I'm all thumbs it seems
when my Dad passed away suddenly in January 2005, my MIL handed me a pattern for a Comfort Doll that the Catholic Women's League were making for iCross Canada ... iCross Canada is an organization that provides aid to Africa ... the dolls are used in the packing crates to cushion medical supplies and then the dolls are given to orphans or children needing comfort ... Canadian Peacekeeping troops also kept a supply of the dolls to give out during their missions
that winter my Mother desperately needed a purpose so I gave her the pattern for the doll ... she hunted through all her scap yarn, and began what became a year long project .... in the spring, Mom and I went to garage sales collecting odd balls of yarn .... by the first anniversay of Dad's passing, Mom had solely knitted over 500 Comfort Dolls ... her single contribution was recognized by iCross with a lovely Certificate of Appreciation .... this project provides comfort to so many children in need and and it provided a comfort for my Mom ... she felt valued and it gave her tremendous satisfaction that a child might hug her little creations and not feel so alone ... each doll was created with love
sadly Mom developed horrible gout nodules and had to stop knitting for awhile .... but now that the nodules are under control and shrinking, she's eager to start up the cause again
I'm an embroiderer ... so each doll received it's eyes and smiles from me :)
KatherineT-eHarlequin ~ Book Challenge Host
I'm a Harlequin Addict, and I'm proud of it! ~ Quiet Canadians Blog
Thanks Katherine
I have so many old scraps of yarn and that looks like a fun project. I think I may try one someday soon. I used to crochet all kinds of toys for my nieces and nephews and then the greats. It doesn't look too big so Dash couldn't upset too much if he decided to help. What a kind way for your mom to work out her grief. I would be able to embroider the faces as well. I know enough that once I had made one or two I would just be able to keep doing them from memory. I would do the crochet version but my sister in law would do knitted ones. I'll have to figure out how to send the web site to her. My husband will probably be able to tell me.
PS My mom was left handed but she learnt how to knit and crochet by watching her mil and I watched her when I had trouble even though I am right handed. I also find that in crochet it is less critical if you make a mistake than in knitting.
PPS I realize my stories don't quite connect but I learnt from my mom when I was taking knitting and crochet in school.
When I get a little money I buy books, and then if any is left I buy food and clothes..-- Erasmus
Yarn
Beth,
I actually work for a thread / Yarn company. Coats and Clark, JP Coats are two of our divisions. (I work on the thread side) And I do NOT knit or crochet. So many of my coworkers do during their lunch hour.. Right now they are making blue and white scarves for the Winter Special Olympics. They also make cute baby clothes, sweaters, vests, afgans and much more. I work with a very talented group of ladies.
Tammy
Ellen Too....
My fingers cramp up these days when I write with a pen or pencil (hence why I choose the computer over writing longhand) so I wondered if I might have trouble manipulating needles. I'm sorry to hear 'age' hampered your ability to crochet, but it sounds like you tackled a lot of beautiful projects in the past. What's your favorite thing that you made?
www.bethciotta.com
"...enchanting, madcap romance..." Publisher Weekly
"...wry humor; sexy, multifaceted characters..." Booklist
Kaelee...
Sounds like you and I are opposites in this arena. I can't crochet or knit, but I'm pretty handy with the sewing machine. My grandma taught me basics on her old Singer sewing machine when I was a wee kid. Then I learned even more in home economicst. I can make a dress, but don't ask me to make dinner! (My cooking stinks!)
Regarding the big bunny, you raised some good questions. What DID they stuff it with I wonder? Love the thought of someone spying it from their plane window. Heh. There's a story in there.
www.bethciotta.com
"...enchanting, madcap romance..." Publisher Weekly
"...wry humor; sexy, multifaceted characters..." Booklist
Crochet
Beth my favorite thing is a lap blanket I crocheted for my grandmother after she was confined to a wheelchair.
I also learned to sew and got pretty good at making clothes for myself when I saw something I wanted but my parents couldn't afford to buy for me. I actually took sewing lessons when I was around 10 or so and began making clothes at that age. My mother made most of my clothes through out my school years. I also did a lot of embroidry mainly on denim shirts.
December's MEMBER of the MONTH!
A true teacher is a person who, at the end of the school day, still likes children!
I have one word, Werefan...
Ewwwwwww!
www.bethciotta.com
"...enchanting, madcap romance..." Publisher Weekly
"...wry humor; sexy, multifaceted characters..." Booklist
Oh, Katherine T....
What a beautiful, beautiful story. You brought tears to my eyes. Wow.
And thank you for sharing the link. Those dolls are precious.
www.bethciotta.com
"...enchanting, madcap romance..." Publisher Weekly
"...wry humor; sexy, multifaceted characters..." Booklist
Rats....
I'm being pulled away from the computer, laides. I'll be back tomorrow. I want to comment on more of your wonderful posts. Keep 'em coming.
I'm THIS close to buying some yarn!
www.bethciotta.com
"...enchanting, madcap romance..." Publisher Weekly
"...wry humor; sexy, multifaceted characters..." Booklist
I have a sister who is 15
I have a sister who is 15 years older than me--she gave sweater kits to my sister and I the Christmas we were 8 and 9. She spent the vacation teaching us how to knit. I knitted a bunch of afgans. When I was in my teens my grandmother taught me how to crochet, but I have always preferred knitting. Last year we moved my oldest dd 3.5 hours away--since we spent so much money helping her with the move we warned her that Christmas would be slim for her. So, I bought some christmas yarn and crocheted decorations for her first christmas tree, placemats for her table and a large afgan for her living room sofa.
Nancy
Tammy...
I'm familiar with the company you work for! I buy your thread! How funny!
Kudos to your co-workers and their projects for the Special Olympics. How sweet is that?!
www.bethciotta.com
"...enchanting, madcap romance..." Publisher Weekly
"...wry humor; sexy, multifaceted characters..." Booklist
Ellen...
Sounds like your talents are many! As for the lap blanket, I can see why that would be your favorite.
How kind!
www.bethciotta.com
"...enchanting, madcap romance..." Publisher Weekly
"...wry humor; sexy, multifaceted characters..." Booklist
Sheandean...
I really envy your abilities. My stepmom made me an aphgan many moons ago. I thought it was such a lovely gift--thoughtful and handmade--and treasure it to this day. I bet the christmas ornaments you made turned out fantastic. How unique!
www.bethciotta.com
"...enchanting, madcap romance..." Publisher Weekly
"...wry humor; sexy, multifaceted characters..." Booklist
It was a way of doing
It was a way of doing something that would bring some 'home' to her new home and not spend a ton, since we had when we moved her.
Nancy
Beth
Even funnier Coats and Clark is always bringing boxes filled with yarn in our breakroom to give away. I take a skein every now and then for Girl Scout crafts. I have a feeling the many of you would be in hog heaven there! What kind of thread do you buy??
Tammy
Tammy
hog (yarn) heaven for sure. LOL .
When I get a little money I buy books, and then if any is left I buy food and clothes..-- Erasmus
How fun!
I actually just taught myself how to knit. Camy Tang and Allie Pleiter are knitting queens, and after listening to them go on about it, I decided to try.
Maybe once I learn a little more, I might try something like those things listed above... For now, I'm knitting a dishcloth. LOL
Dream
Save the Date! You won't want to miss our annual open house event on December 11th!
Dream
the first project's the hardest. If you get the dishcloth to come out square you're a natural.
When I get a little money I buy books, and then if any is left I buy food and clothes..-- Erasmus
the square
well, it's certainly square-ish... I haven't quite figured out the whole dropping the first stitch thing. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't, and sometimes, I just knit it anyway. *shrugs*
Save the Date! You won't want to miss our annual open house event on December 11th!
Knitting
I'm not a knitter but one of my friends belongs to a group who knit caps for newborn babies and also for cancer surivors. Apparently this lady has a web site and everything. Also I strongly suspect I'll be getting slippers for Christmas so my feet will be nice and cosy!
Pat
Dream....
All best with that dishcloth. Square-ish is good.
Actually, anything other than sqaure would be... unique. Either way, you're way ahead of me. At least you're trying!
www.bethciotta.com
"...enchanting, madcap romance..." Publisher Weekly
"...wry humor; sexy, multifaceted characters..." Booklist
Sparkle....
Loved your note.
I'm also aware of a knitting group who work magic. They meet at the library I work at. Aside from personal projects, they knit caps--some pretty, some funky--for cancer patients. They call them Chemo Caps. :) They also knit lap blankets for seniors living in care centers. Their kindness is inspiring to be sure.
www.bethciotta.com
"...enchanting, madcap romance..." Publisher Weekly
"...wry humor; sexy, multifaceted characters..." Booklist
I started crocheting back
I started crocheting back in the 1980's still can not do pineapples! Knitting which I love more I started a couple years ago, I knit dishcloths plan on sewing them together to make a afghan. Now I'm knitting tea pot cozys. I will have a picture on my photos soon, here's the link.
See my Photo bucket! *at top click on View all* * new pictures added*
http://s235.photobucket.com/albums/ee169/myreptiles56/?action=view&curre...
Some are my own designs plus my sister has design some hats too.
As for dust bunnies they are everywhere.
hugs
Penney
Happy reading!
Penney