knit

For centuries, craftspeople have knit fabrics that range from the pragmatically purposeful to the magnificently elegant. They use a variety of yarns, made from a vast selection of fibers, plus an endless variety of stitches to achieve the texture and drape they desire.

Very rough fibers, such as hemp, can be knit into practical items, like washcloths that are not only easy-to-make but very useful.

Luxurious fibers like silk and qiviut (a soft, warm fiber from the underbelly of the Arctic Muskox) can be crafted into delicate confections that are purely decorative.

All that is required to knit is a length of yarn and two needles. Surprisingly, the first to knit were men who used the technique to create stockings. When the craft first began, only the garter stitch was used. Later the purl stitch was added.

Today there are hundreds of stitches — from intricate lace stitches that are knit on very tiny needles to enormous cable stitches that are created on gigantic needles using super bulky yarns.

You can find information about knitting in several blogs including Yarn Harlot and Shear Bagatelle.

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Latest blogosphere posts tagged “knit”

• Tubular Cast On...The Italian Way

  
  Live and Let Knit...and Craft — Authority: 121
  With all the cable knitting in the work, I have been exploring several versions and variations of 1x1 tubular cast on for best appearance. My favorite is this one by Francesca of Fluffbuff, that is done over a knitting needle. Not only simple and easy-- less fiddly and efficient than using waste ...
  1 day ago

• Free Pattern: Earth & Sky Mini Sock Ornament

  
  Craft Leftovers — Authority: 515
  If you are a sock knitter, you know of the little 10 feet to 20 yards that are left when you make them. Well, I’ve been knitting a Ton of sock. Okay, maybe not a “ton” but about 5 pairs down now — I love wearing them now that it’s getting cold. Anyway, I’ve been working on a few projects to use up those ...
  1 day ago

• Free Pattern: Earth & Sky Mini Sock Ornament

  
  Craft Leftovers — Authority: 515
  If you are a sock knitter, you know of the little 10 feet to 20 yards that are left when you make them. Well, I’ve been knitting a Ton of sock. Okay, maybe not a “ton” but about 5 pairs down now — I love wearing them now that it’s getting cold. Anyway, I’ve been working on a few projects to use up those ...
  1 day ago

• You knew this was coming…

  
  SpinDyeKnit — Authority: 128
  Dropped the camera the other day, which is why UCSF had to settle for the cell phone.  It seems to be staying dropped. Anyway.  I ordered some merino/silk/cashmere laceweight yarn recently, two skeins of Plymouth’s new Dye For Me line, looking forward to seeing how the different fibers would create a heathery ...
  1 day ago

• New Etsy Shop!

  
  Craft Gossip — Authority: 162
  I love announcing new shops! Here’s one: We are Urban knitfits- based in Portland Maine.  We make cozy wool fashion accessories and items for the home.  We love to work with eco wool, and about 80% of our projects are made with Peruvian eco wool! http://www.etsy.com/shop/urbanknitfits
  1 day ago

• Free Pattern Friday GIVEAWAY #55

  
  The Hem Line — Authority: 113
  I thought I would share what I have been working on lately. I have been hoarding colorful yarn scraps to make this afghan. Mine wont be quite so uniform in color . . . I will use ivory where shown, but I havent decided on green or ??? yet. I will be using bright colors for the floral centers and the "leaves" will be ...
  1 day ago

• HKF

  
  Knit Flix — Authority: 115
  Its hand knit Friday! What hand knits do you have on today? Im wearing Zigzag sweater Project details on Ravelry
  1 day ago

• All Hail the Snood!

  
  Knitting Daily — Authority: 120
  "Snood" sounds like a Dr. Seuss creature, doesnt it? The snood has been around for quite a while—remember those hairnet type things in the 40s? They were the quintessential womans look of the era, and when I see a photo of one or someone wearing one in a movie, that era is evoked perfectly. Todays snood is ...
  1 day ago

• Holiday Knitting-Up in Smoke

  
  Knit with Snot for Your — Authority: 121
  Knitting for other people is always hit or miss. Over the last few days Ive picked up a few pointers on how to avoid the misses. 1. Send them photos of what you are willing to make, and let them pick. Thanks Laura! Thats a good idea. 2. Consider persons jacket, taste or style and ignore your own. Knit ...
  1 day ago

• Winter, where are you?

  
  marsupialia - collecting, breeding, breathing — Authority: 124
  We have lots of nice woolen hats that want to be worn during cold times. But here it’s about 10° warm and it’s raining. Not the perfect woolen hat weather. We want sunshine and cold temperatures! That’s much nicer than rain! Looking forward to christmas we of course want cold weather. We’d enjoy snow as well! ...
  1 day ago

• free pattern from Blue Sky Alpacas

  
  Stitch DC Blog — Authority: 119
  Its almost Thanksgiving so Christmas is just around the corner. So a small cute project to work on this sunday and maybe while youre watching the Macy Day Parade and Football games. This Sunday from 1-3, the Holiday gift project is the Java Cloche. The class is free with purchase of materials. Learn to make a ...
  1 day ago

• Nicky Epstein at Lion Brand Studio

  
  Tatting my Doilies — Authority: 107
  One of my knit-heroes, Nicky Epstein (she of Knitting On, Over, and Beyond the Edge fame) will be at the Lion Brand Studio on 15th Street in Manhattan on Friday, December 3 to talk about her latest book, Knitting a Kiss in Every Stitch . Shes super popular and space is limited, so head on over to the Lion Brand ...
  2 days ago

• November, the yarn

  
  PDXKnitterati — Authority: 113
  I bought a little more Malabrigo Chunky the other day. I’m still working on a pattern for our knit party auction event, and I needed to try one more variation on a theme. Isn’t this gorgeous? The color is called Noviembre. And yes, it looks like fall. These are so not my colors, but they [...]
  2 days ago

• Reese Witherspoon Works Out With Her RW Bag

  
  X17 Online — Authority: 704
  Working on her fitness! The petite blonde was spotted leaving the gym in Brentwood on Wednesday, carrying her monogrammed "RW" bag. Hmm, maybe shes cuter than Rachel Bilson? After all, we cant get over how adorable she looked in...
  2 days ago

• Cashmere. One Hundred Percent.

  
  Living Senses — Authority: 113
  If this blog were an indicator of real life a person could conclude that all we do around here is knit. I can assure you that is not the case. The vast majority of my crafty, creative time has definitely been usurped by work and chores and meal preparations, so most of my sewing has gone the way of the ...
  2 days ago

• Fiber Fashion Pre-Show Red Carpet Style

  
  BlackTabi Blog — Authority: 104
  Friday night was the first Fiber Fashion Showcase hosted by Cambridge’s own Common Cod Fiber Guild.  Even as models and designers assembled backstage to prepare for a runway show featuring local designers, guild members, guests and other fiber fans gathered outside decked out in fine fibery fashions from head to ...
  2 days ago

• Why I never knit anything for myself

  
  Adventures of a lady in training — Authority: 120
  I’m not really the kind of person who suits a hat, much to my chagrin. It is the bane of my existence that pretty woollies are out of my reach. That said, when Bob & I went to Stockholm in January for our wedding anniversary I picked up a phenomenal ear infection which took nearly three months to heal and so ...
  2 days ago

• RL RUGBY SKULL HAT

  
  LIMITEDHYPE — Authority: 613
  For no other reason than to prove that skulls haven’t all but gone to the douchebags. To prove that it can be done affordably outside of Mastermind Japan. To prove that done right, that is, in a wool knit, it can be dope. From Ralph Lauren’s Rugby line, surprisingly. Available here .
  2 days ago

• Reese Witherspoon Works Out With Her RW Bag

  
  People Buzz — Authority: 156
  Working on her fitness! The petite blonde was spotted leaving the gym in Brentwood on Wednesday, carrying her monogrammed "RW" bag. Hmm, maybe shes cuter than Rachel Bilson? After all, we cant get over how adorable she looked in...
  2 days ago

• OOAK

  
  Alice's Adventure's: Funstuff and Pretty Things — Authority: 127
  Hoodie + Scarf! I just need a pattern, and a couple snow days and this could be mine! via:  OOAK Hooded Scarf by rosetung on Etsy .
  2 days ago

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