A member of Stitch 'n' Bitch-Boston posted on that group's discussion board to let people know about this article. As it points out, there is a long history of men knitting. According to Mary Thomas' Book of Knitting, some of the first knitters were likely Arab men, although I have read elsewhere, in more recently published material, that the origins of knitting are not completely clear. (Any knitting historians out there?)
Categories
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Links
- About.com Yarn Shop Reviews - Massachusetts
Another source of opinions about yarn shops in Massachusetts - Stitch ’n’ Bitch-Boston
This Yahoo! Group is a good place for new knitters to get advice. Some members of the group also meet in person in and around Boston. (See Knitting Groups page for details on this and other knitting groups in the area.)
Good Knitting Books
Vogue Knitting Magazine Editors: Vogue Knitting
Great all-around reference. Covers tons of knitting techniques, with step-by-step photos and illustrations. Includes a glossary of knitting terms and abbreviations used in patterns, which is a big help. (*****)Montse Stanley: Knitter's Handbook
Dry reading, and almost too comprehensive and detailed — I definitely would have been put off if I had picked this up as a beginner. But where else can you find instructions for more than 30 different methods of casting on? (***)Debbie Stoller: Stitch 'n Bitch: The Knitter's Handbook
Good beginner's book, with a range of projects to help you get started. Many patterns are geared toward the 20-something set, but others would work for any age. (****)Debbie Stoller: Stitch 'n Bitch Nation
Debbie Stoller's second knitting book takes it to the next level, with advice on understanding knitting patterns and changing them to suit your size and style preferences. It also spotlights knitting community, with profiles of Stitch 'n' Bitches around the world and patterns and tips from knitters across the country — including Boston's own Stitch 'n' Bitchers Trinity Muller and Christine Quirion . (****)Alice and Jade Starmore: The Children's Collection
Although it's out of print, it's worth tracking down a copy of this book of patterns for classic children's knits — or any of Alice Starmore's other books. Most of the patterns in this book feature Starmore's trademark Fair Isle and Aran styles. (****)Vicki Square: The Knitter's Companion: Expanded and Updated (The Companion series)
Handy reference of knitting techniques, sized to carry in your knitting bag. Also includes size charts, needle and swatch gauges, and lots more.
Good Knitting, Crochet, and Spinning Mags
- Knitter's Review
Includes reviews of yarns, books, knitting tools, discussion forums, etc. - Knitty
A great, fun webzine with lots of how-to's and lots of free patterns for every skill level. - Rebecca
Great magazine with fun, trendy patterns for GGH brand yarn. The web site usually offers a couple of free patterns from each issue. (The actual magazine is in German, but the U.S. version has the patterns translated into English. You can get it at many knitting stores.) - Crochet me
This online magazine is sort of like the crochet equivalent of Knitty or MagKnits. It offers free patterns and articles. I'm kind of tired of seeing knitting sites and books described as "hip" and "modern," but those descriptions do fit. - Spin-Off
Interweave Press's excellent spinning magazine.
Some P.C. Knitting Companies
- Himalaya Yarn
Small company offers mostly handspun and hand-dyed yarns made with recycled and/or Nepal-grown fibers. The company provides business opportunities for local people. For instance, its recycled silk yarn is handspun by women’s cooperatives and the profits support women’s shelters and programs. - Lantern Moon
This company sells baskets, beautiful wooden knitting needles, and accessories like silk needle cases, hangers and measuring tapes, made by a Vietnamese women's cooperative. - Malabrigo Yarns
Like Manos del Uruguay, this company works with a cooperative of women in Uruguay to make its yarns. It offers hand-dyed 100% merino worsted-weight wool. They are in the process of introducing two new lines: handpainted handspun Angora and handpainted variegated cotton. The company says new colors and yarns will be introduced all the time — you can subscribe to their mailing list to get the latest news. - Mango Moon
Like Himalaya Yarns, Mango Moon offers yarns made in Nepal from recycled silk in order to provide income for women there. - Manos del Uruguay
The web site says this yarn company was established “ … to give support to Uruguayan craftswomen … Its purpose was and is the economic, social and cultural development of its members and the environment in which they live.” - Peace Fleece
Peace Fleece makes yarn from wool bought from Russian, Israeli, Palestinian, and American shepherds. Also sells wooden knitting needles with tops handpainted in Russia (very cute); needle cases (also v.c.); adorable learn-to-knit kits for kids; felting supplies; Russian drop spindles; unwashed fleece; and wooden buttons. Everything is reasonably priced.
Blogs and Web Sites Totally Unrelated to Knitting
- C.D. Collins and Rockabetty
Web site for writer and spoken-word artist C.D. Collins and her band. - Captain Marshmallow
C.D. Collins' political and social commentary blog. - What Passes for Normal
Political and literary blog by a cranky feminist with a husband, a job and two kids.
Recent Posts
- Moving Back to Blogger
- Knitting Kitsch: Tin Knitting Bank
- Spark Craft sale reductions down to 50%
- 30% off store-closing sale at Spark Craft Studios now through Nov. 23
- Purl for a Purpose Update
- Purl for a Purpose on Nov. 9 to raise money for Pine Street Inn
- Save your $300. New edition of Principles of Knitting due by fall 2009
- Blogging again - at least for now
- Yarn Store Maps
- Spark Craft Studios
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Other Knitting Blogs
- 2Ktog
Boston-area couple (and fellow attendees of the Somerville SnB) blogs their knitting adventures. - Cyborgoddess
Local blogger and member of the “Knitting Bloggers” webring. - Grumperina
"Neuroscientist by day, silliness embodied by night," Kathy writes about crafts, science, dreams, and life. - Kenneth's blog
Local blogger on knitting plus Quakerism, religion, reading, houseplants, contra dancing, international folk dancing, GLBT issues. - Knitting Antiblog by Fallingblox
Knitter/artist and True Grounds Stitch 'n' Bitcher Alasdair is always teaching himself with techniques. - Qblog
Boston-area crafter Christine Q. on knitting, t-shirt making, books, occasionally politics, and random other stuff. - The Blue Blog
Incredibly prolific knitter and Knitsmiths member chronicles her many projects, with photos galore. - True Grounds Stitch 'n' Bitch
Group blog for the Somerville Stitch 'n' Bitch meeting collects posts from many of the group's members — including this blog and some of those listed above. Plus others as well.
Good Listening
- C.D. Collins and Rockabetty
Subtracting Down
This beautiful album combines traditional Southern music and storytelling with elements of jazz, classical music, and politics. Sometimes challenging, sometimes soothing, sometimes heartwrenching. Hear samples from the album.
Good Reads
- Moonlight Chronicles
Dan Price is a self-proclaimed “hobo artist” who, when he's not traveling, lives in a meadow in a hobbit-like, semi-underground studio he built. He writes and draws journals about his life, drawing, and the way we live, and mails them out (old-school style — no blog to be found here) to his subscribers.His journals can be thought-provoking, calming, inspirational, sometimes even irritating, but are pretty much always worth reading. Watch his interview on Oregon Public Broadcasting, try an issue of the Chronicles, or read one of his books
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Two Knitting Sites I Built
- Mind's Eye Yarns
Store in Porter Square, Cambridge, that sells knitting and spinning supplies—yarns (including some beautiful hand-dyed stuff), drop spindles, spinning wheels, unspun fleece—both dyed and undyed, and more. - Knit-Out & Crochet Boston 2002
This event took place in Boston in October. But the site still has pertinent info on knitting resources in Mass. and on the web, plus pictures from the fashion show and info on the patterns and materials used.
