Knit Rug Project

I was browsing on the DIY Network website and came across this project from Knitty Gritty. It is called the "Woven Woolen Rug." The project was designed by Erika Knight, who has written many books including Simple Knits With a Twist. I like that this project can help you use up your leftover bits of yarn.

Insects in Decor

I adore anything insect. Today, Apartment Therapy included a link for Ant'ique, which is a wallpaper that won the "New Walls, please! 2007" design competition hosted by the German Design Council and A.S. Création. At first glance this wall treatment appears to be a classical baroque pattern, but on further inspection, the design is composed of thousands of ants. This reminded me of a piece I saw in the "Installation/Innovation: Textile Art in the 21st Century" exhibition at the San Francisco Museum of Craft + Design. It was an installation that included an amazing wallpaper covered in beetles.

Knitted Homes of Crime

The Institute of Contemporary Art in Philadelphia is having an exhibition titled "Crimes of Omission". The show is on view in their Project Space from April 20- August 5, 2007.The title of this exhibition "refers to artistic strategies that remove visual traces of a crime or draw attention to injustices that typically go unnoticed." Included in this show are an interesting series of knitted works called "Knitted Homes of Crime" by Freddie Robins. I really am inspired by all the uses of fiber in contemporary art today. via

Fair Isle R2 D2 hat

So Much Yarn, So Little Time has posted a free knit pattern for a fair isle R2 D2 Hat. It is pretty cute. It may have to be teamed up with the my knit Leia Wig.

Knit Diaper Cover pattern

Curly Purly has created a free knit pattern for diaper covers that she calls the Soaker Pattern. Many of the women in my life that are having babies have requested this item. I was unsure where to start. But, here it is! I particularly like the good photos she has included in this pattern.

Red Light Special hat

Brooklyn Tweed, has posted a free pattern for a beautiful adult sized, fair aisle hat called the Red Light Special. The well written pattern includes a color chart and uses the very affordable KnitPicks Telemark yarn. You can see more photos of his completed knits in his flickr album here.

Little Cables Hat

Claudine of the Knitting Box has posted a cute, free pattern for a knit cap called Little Cables Hat. The pattern, which was designed for a baby, is covered in a bunch of little cables. I think it would be nice to add a few stitches to make it adult sized. You can see more pictures of Claudine's knitting in her flickr photo album here.

Scrapblog

I am so excited about Scrapblog. It is a new, multimedia way to share photos and blogs. It is basicly a super fancy digital scrap book that you can put on online or print when you are done. It is a Flash based application and seems really easy to use. No registration is necessary, and it is free. I can't wait to put my first one together! (Via)

Adorable knit shoe tutorial from Casey

Casey of floofie has posted a fantastic tutorial on how to knit up a pair of espadrilles using an old pair of flip flops for the sole. You can see more photos of her work in flickr album, atomic rose. She also has an etsy store.

Artist Uli Rapp

Amsterdam based artist, Uli Rapp has created some contemporary jewelry by screenprinting onto fabric and rubber. Her inspiration comes from classic 16th century designs. She also designs fabric using old and new printing techniques. You can purchase a number of her items from unica HOME. via

New Flickr Pool: Knit & Crochet Patterns for sale

Flickr has a new group called Knit and Crochet Patterns for Sale. This group offers a place for indie knit and crochet designers to showcase the patterns they have for sale. I have posted my Leia Wig there in addition to my two Boyfriend Hat patterns. Do you design patterns too? Join us!

The amazing felt flower lariat necklaces of Gail Crosman Moore & Sandra Jasmin Fuchshofen

I have always been enamored with the work of Gail Crosman Moore. Her felt flowers have been an amazing source of inspiration for me. Last year I was lucky to have the opportunity to take on of her classes at The San Gabriel Bead Company. Craftzine featured an interview with her a while back.


I was browsing through the felt flickr pool today I came across another artist, Sandra Jasmin Fuchshofen who creates amazing felt flower lariats too. Her website, in German, features many more of her amazing creations.

The Wonders of KnitPro

microRevolt has an amazing product on their website called knitPro. knitPro is a web application that translates digital images into knit, crochet, needlepoint and cross-stitch patterns. You can try it for free, but they appreciate donations.

The Becky at Pesky Pixie has created up a bunch of stuff using this application. Now I just have to find that perfect image and get to work.

More on Knitting Machine's & French Knitting Translations

I posted a bunch of links about knitting machine's a number of weeks ago. Craftzine has listed some more information about them too.

Also, Craftzine blogged about Sylvie of Chez Plum who created these super cute Lacanau knit shoes at Knitty. Sylvie has created a French to English dictionary for knitting patterns. She also listed a few links to free French knitting patterns. Neat!

Knit Pattern: Ribbed Knit Boyfriend Hat

I have created a new knitting pattern that is quick, easy, and inexpensive to make. It is the Ribbed Knit Boyfriend Hat. I had made this in time for Valentine's Day, but just had a chance to photograph it today.

This pattern requires 1 ball Plymouth Yarn, Encore DK which is 75% Acrylic, 25% Wool.

The pattern is available in my etsy store. I hope to create a whole line of 'Boyfriend Hats'. The first one I created was the Rolled Brim Boyfriend Hat.

My First Sweater, pt. 2

I have progress on my first sweater, the Sunrise Circle Jacket. The first sleeve and front left panel are complete, and I am near to finishing the right panel too.

I really like knitting up this pattern. It incorporates many increases and decreases and makes me think I may be ready to try knitting up some lace. Possibly this Swallowtail Shawl from the Fall 2006 Interweave Knits.

Artist Jennifer Morris

One of my incredibly talented friends, Jennifer Morris, has been working on a line of polymer clay jewelry for the past few years. Her outstanding work is unlike any polymer clay creations you have ever seen. She is currently working on a website, Jennifer Morris Beads. She has a lovely etsy store where you can see and purchase her work. You can also puchase her work at The San Gabriel Bead Company in Arcadia, CA.

More Competitions

Whip Up has just posted about a few more places where you can challenge yourself artistically. Also, Anushka of Magic Fingers has posted some other interesting links about things to do if you do not know what to write about on your blog.

Two Upcoming Competitions

There are two upcoming contests that sound like a lot of fun.

The first is the third annual Translations in Tupperware Global Design Contest. Consumers and designers are challenged to create a piece of art or unique functional object using tupperware. Categories include Fashion, Utility Objects, or Free Form. You can see the winners from previous years here.

The second is Craft Magazine's Stitch N' Pitch Contest. This competition celebrates all things needle arts and baseball. There is more about Stitch N' Pitch at The National Needle Art's Stitch N' Pitch. Contest rules and how to enter are here.

New Handmade Felt Find

A few days ago an anonymous person left a comment on the post I wrote about my favorite felt artists. The comment included a link to a site that features some amazing handmade felt. The site is called Enchanted Earth. I really like how the work has a fairy or elven like quality to it.

Happy Cavalier and artist Cal Lane

The other day I was browsing through my new favorite blog, Happy Cavalier and came across her post on artist Cal Lane. She is represented by the Foley Gallery. I adore how she has used a blowtorch to create these 'lacework' shovels. They make so many statements about gender issues and men's vs women's work. It would be nice to see them in person.