A Word I Wish I didn't Know

You guys might remember an earlier post of mine in which I freaked out a bit about the fibers some spinners choose to work with.

I just came across a new word in a spinning context: "Chiengora."

As in "chien," French for dog.

Gag.

[double gag: the word was used in an add for a used drum carder--the seller was raving that it had carded her "chiengora" well. but now i don't want to buy it.]

[note: if the seller of this carder is reading this, i apologize if i hurt your feelings. it's really a pretty drum carder. i'm just skeeved out by the knitting with dog hair thing.]

New Pattern Coming Soon at PopKnits

Katie’s new pattern, Harper, will be featured in the new PopKnits. The preview is live already—check it out!

The Knitty Professors Holiday Gift Guide, Part 5

For Anyone

A knitted pillow in a neutral color:

This Wreck Tangled blanket has nerd appeal:

According to the designers, “The design consists of 14 different rectangles, all with the same area. The total area of the rectangles is equal to the total area of the background.”

Holiday items are also fun. Take these cute holiday stockings from CanadianLiving.com: 

Or how about these Dickens Mice? They’d make cute Christmas ornaments:

As would these adorable gnomes:

I’m also working on a pattern for my own holiday felted ornaments, coming soon:

Knotions -- Finally Live

Go check out Jordynn's pattern at the new Knotions.com. It's finally up! [direct link to her pattern]

The Knitty Professors Holiday Gift Guide, Part 4

For Your Mom/Sister/Best Friend/Girlfriend

I love the texture in these Daisy Stitch Handwarmers:

 

Magic Mirror Mittens from Knotions.com

Since all of our gift guides need at least one nerdy reference, how about the Chromosome Cap:

Or DNA tank?

And we’d be remiss if we didn’t mention some of our own patterns:

Flatiron Mittens

 Mrs. Whatsit’s Neckerfuffle

(Coming soon at knotions.com!)

Chopin Handwarmers

 

Happy knitting!

Gamekeeper: Husband's First Sweater

1/7/2009 Update: This sweater, along with 7 other patterns, will be a part of the Knitty Professors Winter 08/09 Collection, to be released on Jan. 31, 2009.





I designed and knit and finally finished a sweater for my husband M.A.P. I used Lion Brand Fisherman's Wool (2 skeins, with a little left over) mostly because it was inexpensive, and this is my first experiment in men's sweater knitting.



I'm going to reknit this in some pretty green Cascade 220, with a few modifications, before writing up the pattern. It will appear in our Winter 2008 Pattern Collection (coming out in early January).

Jane Goodall Errata

The Jane Goodall pattern as written indicates 5” of negative ease. This should read 5” of positive ease (give or take a few inches).

So, if your bust measurement is 45” the 48” size would be appropriate. The goal is to have a few extra inches so the sweater will be loose fitting.