People Knitting, A Century of Photographs

I'm always on the lookout for good gifts for knitters. Buying yarn, needles or notions for someone else unless you know exactly what they want is tricky. Pattern books can also be a wild card since everyone has different taste. I'm a huge fan of historical knitting books and always think they make great gifts.

I was recently sent a copy of Barbara Levine's People Knitting, A Century of Photographs. This 144-paged book published by Princeton Architectural Press with 100 historic photos of knitters is a wonderful collection of vintage pictures paying tribute to the craft of knitting. Showing off wonderful images from 1860-1960, there are soldiers, nurses, children, actresses, mothers, people knitting for the war effort, people knitting for pleasure, people knitting alone or in large groups. What struck me about this book is while the fashions and hairstyles may have changed, the way people sat around and knit together back then is so similar to how we knit together today. Put me in a long gown and give me a Gibson girl hairstyle and one of those women could be me. I felt a connection to everyone in these pictures.

I've had this book on my nightstand and I find myself paging through it often. The simple fact is I love this craft. Knitting is my history - it ties me together with women from my family that came long before me and I never had the chance to meet. It binds us all like stitches in a row. Books like this make me think about all the women throughout the ages who have sat down with some sticks and string and made something beautiful, utilitarian, for someone else or for themselves. Other than a much larger fiber selection and choice of tools we work with, knitting hasn't changed that much. There's something comforting about that. Our craft has survived and thrived because of the women and men who came before us and passed it down and made sure knitting would life a long, healthy life.

If you have a knitter in your life, this is a fantastic little book and a perfect gift. I'll be buying a few copies for the knitters in my circle! Check out the book here.

Animal Scarves

Oh, I want one! Original article here.

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Realistic Felt Animal Scarves That Wrap Around Your Neck To Protect You by James Gould-Bourn 

Winter is rapidly approaching (for some of us at least) and it’s already time to start thinking about ways to keep warm during those long dark nights until Spring. And what better way to stay cozy than with these beautifully realistic felt animal scarves designed by Celina and Maja Debowska.

Based in Krakow, Poland, the sisters run an independent fashion label called Celapiu. Their scarves feature a variety of different animals including foxes, swans, rabbits and cats, and are all handmade used locally-sourced materials. “I like to think of my products as “surrealistic”,” says Celina on the company’s Etsy page. “Playful, out of context, conceptual – these are few keywords to grasp celapiu’s spirit. I play with styles, shuffle between cartoon kitsch and urban deconstruction.” Head over to Etsy where you can find the full range.

Sweaters - Not Just for Humans

When we think "sweater," we usually picture a human wearing them. The below article prove that sweaters are for everyone! Original article here.

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Everyone Falls in Love With This Featherless Lovebird, Send Mini Sweaters To Save Her From Freezing

by Elžbieta 

When 23-year-old Isabella Eisenmann from Boston saw a social media post about a featherless lovebird Rhea needing a home, she decided to help. Now the whole world is falling in love with Eisenmann’s lovebird, with birdie’s followers on Instagram even sending her custom-made sweaters.

Unfortunately, Rhea needs those sweaters not only to look good, but also to stay warm, as due to Psittacine, a beak and feather disease Rhea is quite ‘naked’. In severe cases this disease can even cause the birds to lose their claws and beaks. Luckily, Rhea has only a mild form of this condition and doesn’t need anything than an annual blood test.

Besides, Rhea has no business being sad, and is extremely social, always out of the cage and running around in the house, at times even singing like crazy! A lovebird to fall in love with, Rhea shows that ‘different’ can be super cute.

‘Acceptance is key and no matter how different you are physically, you are still beautiful; that’s what I want people to learn from her. Always smile, be happy and have a positive attitude’ Eisenmann told Bored Panda.

When 23-year-old Isabella Eisenmann from Boston saw a social media post about a featherless lovebird Rhea needing a home, she decided to help

Now the whole world is falling in love with Eisenmann’s lovebird, with birdie’s followers on Instagram even sending her custom-made sweaters

Due to Psittacine, a beak and feather disease Rhea is quite ‘naked’

In severe cases this disease can even cause the birds to lose their claws and beaks

Luckily, Rhea has only a mild form of this condition and doesn’t need anything than an annual blood test

‘When she has [a sweater] on she feels super cozy and is super calm’

Rhea has no business being sad, and is extremely social

Rhea is always out of the cage and running around in the house, at times even singing like crazy!

A lovebird to fall in love with, Rhea shows that ‘different’ can be super cute

More pics below… Cuteness overload!

Astrid Headband and A New WIP

I'm back from teaching at the Squam Fall Retreat! Just like last year, Squam is a magical teaching experience. I had the privilege of teaching students from all over the globe, sitting down to meals with people from all walks of life coming together for the love of craft, sharing stories, ideas, lakeside views and walks through the woods. It's one of those retreats that as soon as you leave, you want to come back. I look forward to next year.

My class at Squam was a technique-based class centered around one project, the Astrid Headband. Designed to be a boot camp knitting experience of sorts, we covered chart reading, kitchener stitch, bobbles, lace, cabling without a cable needle, the provisional cast on, applied i-cord and blocking. The pattern remains a Squam exclusive until after the retreat is over and now I'm happy to introduce it to you, dear readers!

Knit in fingering weight in the delightful Socks that Rock Mediumweight (I love the stretch factor of this sock yarn) and knit on us 2s, this is an ideal travel project. I worked on my second class sample at the airport, on the plane, at meals and always had it tucked away in my bag for those moments when I could sneak in a few rows. It kept my interest as I knit, was easy to follow and is blocked and ready for when the chill descends upon us.

The Astrid Headband is designed to fit an average adult-sized head but also comes with notes on how to adjust the sizing for larger skulls.

Download the Astrid Headband here.

The other announcement is that I have a WIP (work-in-progress) that we've been keeping under wraps. We are expanding our lovely little family from 3 to 4! I'm due in March and we are beyond excited. Stay tuned for lots of baby knits headed this way!

That's all for now as I try to catch up from Squam. What's on your needles?