The Knitter's Niche Subscribe to The Knitter's Niche
Add The Knitter's Niche to Google Reader

Search The Knitter's Niche

Jun 09 2009

Flickr Knit-Picks of the Week

Published by Jennifer under Knitting

We’ve once again chosen some awesome knit creations from flickr to showcase here!

Get some crafty ideas from these creations and colors:

Fetchings for Mom
Creative Commons License photo credit: wakingmagenta

Side view
Creative Commons License photo credit: wakingmagenta

Wave Scarf
Creative Commons License photo credit: KateMonkey

Pure shades of red
Creative Commons License photo credit: Alyssa Wilcox

Delicious Digg Google Netvouz NewsVine

No responses yet

Apr 28 2009

Flickr Knit Pick of the Week

Published by Jennifer under Featured, Knitting

Enjoy this week’s selections of knitted creations from flickr!

Looking for a beautiful handmade gift or favor idea? Then have a look at these gorgeous knitted washcloth packages:
Washcloth Packages
Creative Commons License photo credit: knitgirl63

Now that’s an awesome knitted dress!
dress for delphine
Creative Commons License photo credit: libraryrachel

The makings of a scarf
IMG_1686.JPG
Creative Commons License photo credit: noricum

Delicious Digg Google Netvouz NewsVine

No responses yet

Apr 21 2009

Flickr Knit-Picks of the Week

Published by Jennifer under Knitting

Here are this week’s picks of knitted items on flickr - enjoy!

Wonder woman and the mutant mice
Creative Commons License photo credit: dad1_

I love cute knit-scapes :)

the forecast
Creative Commons License photo credit: lanuiop

Pretty photo showcasing a knitted scarf.

More Korknisse
Creative Commons License photo credit: Sammy4586

I love this!  What a cute and creative knit craft idea!

Delicious Digg Google Netvouz NewsVine

2 responses so far

Apr 16 2009

Flickr Knit-Picks of the Week

Published by Jennifer under Featured, Knitting

Welcome to our first in a series of Flickr Knit-Picks of the Week!  I always get so much inspiration from checking out the creative ideas of others, that I thought I’d post my Flickr picks here - enjoy!

IMG_2293
Creative Commons License photo credit: stefanie says

Thinking about coffee...
Creative Commons License photo credit: Risager

Sweater FAIL
Creative Commons License photo credit: kpwerker

canadian bib
Creative Commons License photo credit: striatic

Getting Ready
Creative Commons License photo credit: Caitlinator

I’m always a sucker for cute knitted plushies and love to crochet plush dolls myself.

Delicious Digg Google Netvouz NewsVine

No responses yet

Apr 16 2009

All About Knitting Machines

Published by Jennifer under Knitting, Knitting Machines

This article covers in very broad terms some background info on knitting machines and the various models available.

A knitting machine is used to produce knitted fabrics and clothes on a fixed bed of hooked needles. A knitting machine is made of a needle bed, a carriage and yarn guides but it may have other attachments as well. Latchet hooks hold the stitches.

Domestic & Industrial -
They can be hand powered or motor assisted. There are also domestic and industrial models of knitting machines. The domestic knitting machines produce a fabric that looks handmade because they use the weft knitting method. It is obviously easier to knit using a knitting machine and a lot faster because knitting machines make an entire row of loops in a single movement. Another reason for using knitting machines is that the fabric made with a machine looks better in many instances than the hand-knitted fabric, the latter having large areas of plain stocking stitch. Finally, you do not have to be a professional knitter to make wonderful clothes because many machines are fairly simple to operate and it can be a great way to begin to knit .

However, you must not confuse knitting machines with sewing machines. A knitting machine is more complicated- it has springs, buttons, wires and hooks
and most Importantly you need to realize you have to use machine-knitting books to get the pattern you want because hand knitting books can’t be used with a machine as they are not compatible.

Different Machines -
A Bulky size machine is used for making heavy sweaters because the distance between the needles is 9 mm and the hook is large enough and there is no risk of splitting the yarn.For machine knitting with lace the machine needs to be used as manual or semi-manual.

The smallest yarns you can use when knitting with this machine are Sport and DK weight yarns . Some of the techniques you can undertake on this machine are: tuck, slip, intarsia, weaving, and many others.

On the standard bed machine you can make knitted suits and lace curtains. The distance between the needles is 4.5 mm and the hook/latches are much smaller. The lace is automatic. You can do fair isle, tuck, slip, manual cables and others. Baby weight is the most popular weight used for this machine. DK weight is the largest yarn that can be knit with this knitting machine. The Standard 200 can knit very fine yarns , up to a sport weight.

The Silver Reed Gauge SK830(3.6 mm) is a machine used for fine yarns. It is perfect when knitted in an open and loose fabric and light and airy fabric. Knit at tension 5 or 7 and use 2 or 3 strands together.

For the Hand Knitted Look -
If you want to have garments that look and feel more like the hand-knitted garments you should buy a mid-gauge knitting machine.

Knitting with a machine is straightforward but you need to consider when using a machine the patterns, many are not easily inter-changeable between machines, some are but It is hard but not impossible, but is probably best left until you’ve had a little experience of using a knitting machine as you have to spend a lot of time calculating, multiplying and dividing to modify the pattern.

Toby Russell and his website- http://www.knitting4beginners.com offers help & advice for beginners to the hobby of knitting.

Shop for knitting machines:

Silver Reed SK-860 Mid-Gauge Single Metal Bed Knitting Machine SK860 with 150 needles spaced 6.5mm apart, Knits Widest Range of Yarn, Add Electronics*


Silver Reed SK-860 Mid-Gauge Single Metal Bed Knitting Machine SK860 with 150 needles spaced 6.5mm apart, Knits Widest Range of Yarn, Add Electronics*

Delicious Digg Google Netvouz NewsVine

No responses yet

May 14 2008

Decision made

Published by mityka under Miscellaneous

Done. Yesterday, first thing in the morning, I went into my boss’ office, and told her that I have received a job offer I would be stupid to refuse. Do you know what she said? - It might be better this way. - So, I’m over it. I told her that June 30 is the last deadline for me to leave, and she agreed. Now we are looking for a secretary, and I can train her.

I think she was  hurt though, at least this is what I felt from her during the day. She is off today, so things will settle down by the time we meet again. Thursday I’m going to Budapest for a training for my new job: I will work for a loan company.

I’m going to another job interwiev today: someone is looking for a part time assistant. I will keep my eyes open, ad take part-time jobs, until my business will be able to stand alone. I’m not scared, I think I will manage. My only concern is that I have to earn at least the amount of money I’m earning now, to be able to pay the mortgage. Let’s hope for the best.

I’M FREEEEEEE!

Delicious Digg Google Netvouz NewsVine

No responses yet

May 14 2008

Talking about summer knitting

Published by mityka under Crochet, Knitting, Miscellaneous

weddingdress.jpg Now, this is the perfect summer knitting. I can’t imagine how long would it take to make it in my size :D. But heck, summer will be next year too.

The pattern can be found in Vogue Knitting Summer 2007. And the yarn is available at Elann.com.

Think linen, cotton, and silk for summer knitting!

And not only garments: but jewelry can be knitted or crocheted. Look at these wonderful things by Blanka Sperkova (http://amanitadesign.com/blankasperkova/):

 

Amazing things can be found on her website.

I suggest you to use Google picture browser, to find knitted or crocheted jewelry inspiration.

I love to browse the internet for inspiration, not only Etsy, but Google too.

Delicious Digg Google Netvouz NewsVine

No responses yet

May 12 2008

Decision time

Published by mityka under Knitting, Work

Tomorrow I have to go to work again, and this time I need to decide if I want to stay for another 6 months or not.

I made a list, with pros and contras on both sides. Turned out clearly that I do not want to stay for a minute, even if the future is a bit blurry. So, I will go into my boss’ dreaded office tomorrow, and tell her that I will not stay until the end of the year. I want to quit as soon as possible. Preferably at the end of this month. Although I’m quite sure I will have to wait another month, at least until I teach the new secy.

Poor girl.

Anyway, I will let you know how did it went, tomorrow evening.

As I suspected, the drop-stitch cardi is a dream knit. It is going so fast, I feel that I can finish it next week. I have finished the back, and the left front is nearly done. It will be finished today, and I will cast on for the right front immediately. Tomorrow or the day after I will buy the zippers for the hood and the front. I think I will skip the zips on the sleeves. I don’t think I will need them at all, even they are decorative.

Delicious Digg Google Netvouz NewsVine

No responses yet

May 08 2008

Knitting as a summer activity

Published by mityka under Knitting, Miscellaneous

Yeah. My husband often teases me, why I knit socks or sweaters in the summer. I don’t understand the question. Why on Earth not? First, it takes so much time to me, that I probably will not finish them until the winter anyway. Second, there are yarns for the summer. Yesssss. Ssssssssilk, for example. It is just right for the summer. A cool touch on your skin. Or cotton. It will dry up your sweat. And all those non-wooly goodness of bamboo, soysilk, milk-fiber, corn, etc.

And what could entertain the knitter more than a delicate lace shawl. Knitting beside the pool. Or even better: the sea. There, if, you have a sea around.

Now, that the weather is getting better and better here, and Sára is starting the - ‘Let’s go to the swimming pool, Mom!’ - chanting, I’m starting to think about some summer knitting.

Not that I would be able to finish anything FOR this summer. But who cares, summer will be next year too.

So I just take my time and finish my sweaters first. Then I might look for a nice cotton or bamboo cami. Or I just knit some socks, on those warm and long summer evenings.

Delicious Digg Google Netvouz NewsVine

No responses yet

May 07 2008

New IK magazines

Published by mityka under Knitting

Since I wrote about my favourites in the Summer IK, I have received it through my subscription. And I also received the Spring issue from Donna, who sent the GGH Samoa to me.  I have spent a few joyful hours looking through them. And both will keep me entertained for a long time.

Gosh, there is so much nice things to knit! When will I have the time and yarn to make all what I want? No question that I have to make a lot of them. Even if they doesn’t fit me, I can do it for my family, for Christmas! What a great excuse to knit!!

Here are my favourites from the Spring issue: http://www.interweaveknits.com/preview/2008_spring.asp#Aleita-Shell

- Aleita shell: this is not available in my size, but I think my sister-in-law would love it too.

- Linen trumpet skirt: I’d love to do it with linen, I guess that would be great for a skirt. I don’t think that I can afford that amount of yarn though.

- Katharine vest: Definitely will make this. I think I even have a great yarn for this. I will make a swatch with it to see.

I’m not the swatch making type though. Although I understand that I should make a tiny little swatch, so my measures would be accurate, I can’t force myself to do it. I just have to cast on right away. After about an inch or two I see if I’m about the correct measurement or not, and I usually have to frog the thing once or twice. Silly, I know. I can’t help it.

 

Delicious Digg Google Netvouz NewsVine

No responses yet

Next »