Everyone should have a Sheldon

I'm a little bit behind with my Christmas knitting and I'm still working on a Sheldon turtle for my stepson. When I first saw the pattern on knitty.com http://knitty.com/ISSUEwinter06/PATTsheldon.html I thought it was fantastic. Now that I'm working on my first Sheldon, which is also my first attempt with dpns, I'm becoming increasingly enamoured! Everyone should have one of these!
See Sheldon's blog: http://sheldontheturtle.blogspot.com/

and a gallery of Sheldons: http://www.flickr.com/photos/85066113@N00/sets/72157594463364205/

Cute find of the week.....

I saw this this morning on etsy by Motley Mutton and the Gangly Goats. I think these are fantasic and a clever use of felt. I just love their faces :)

Handmade 2.0

Handmade 2.0: a lengthy New York Times article discussing, amongst other things, the resurgence in crafting, Craftzine, Etsy, buyhandmade, Stitch and bitch, getcrafty etc. (You can get a NY Times login and password at bugmenot)

Wednesday night knit links

(photo via iN-PUBLiC)

Here's a few Wednesday night knit links...

KnittaPlease - "a tag crew of knitters, bombing the inner city with
vibrant, stitched works of art, wrapped around everything from beer
bottles on easy nights to public monuments and utility poles on more
ambitious outings. With a mix of clandestine moves and gangsta rap — Knitta was born!"

Knit Pattern: The Princess Leia Wig

Crafty Geometry - Mathematicians are knitting and crocheting tovisualize complex surfaces

A knitted pair of converse allstars

Knucks: "Reluctant to commit to the permanence of a knuckle tattoo, but yearning to express yourself? Here is your solution. Embroider the eight-letter text that says you onto these quick-to-knit fingerless gloves and the world will know just what you stand for."

KnitML: an aim for a future standard for knitting patterns. Kind of like an HTML for knitting machines.

And, finally, please spare a thought for the trees now the nights are getting colder...

Did anyone read this in the Guardian on Saturday? - The Nigella Effect

A great article I read in the Guardian. 'Is Craft a radicle re-evaluation of women's skills or is it a slap in the face of feminism? Tanis Taylor Unpicks the argument'....

Click here to read the article in full

"Our ancestors may have crafted because they had to; women today craft because they want to" Tanis Taylor

Your thoughts??

Sometimes it feels like this -

Especially when leading up to Christmas and getting those Christmas presents finished.

Knitting and Cocktails at Mix Bar

We had a wonderful night at Mix Bar tonight. We were drinking amazing 'Lily Jasmine tea' which is white tea hand-rolled into a large ball encasing delicate jasmine blossoms (buddah Balls) which opens up in the clear glass teapot. We also had cocktails. I've got a bit of a sore throat so they kindly made me a soothing Whisky, honey and lemon cocktail :). Our knitting caused quite a stir (pardon the cocktail pun) amongst the bar staff and fellow cocktail drinkers. We want to say a big thank you to Mix for making us feel so welcome. We will be back :)

10 Reasons to Love Denise Interchangeable Needles

Denise Interchangeable Needles are a set of needle tips, lengths of cord, connectors and end buttons that can connect to make circular or flexible straight needles.

1. Save money
   If, like me, you don’t already own every combination of straight and circular needles then buying this kit can save you a significant amount of money. It contains 10 different size needle tips (3.75-10mm) and circular lengths from 17” to 58”. The cords can also be used as stitch holders –clever!
   
2. Be safe
   Apparently these are airline safe –though I haven’t tested this theory! I can say that as they made from plastic I do feel incredibly safe knitting with my one year old daughter on my lap.
   
3. Be organised
   I get a sense of satisfaction from how everything fits neatly into a tidy little case.
   
4. Knit anywhere
   Kipping (knitting in public) is good –but not so good when you’re constantly prodding the person sat next to you with the end of your needle. With Denise straight needles are flexible and so they don’t prod. You can also use them in armchairs without being space restricted.
   
5. Feel good
   They’re plastic but they don’t feel cheap. I find them very comfortable to knit with.
   
6. Knit quietly
   They don’t click. You might miss this but your non-knitting companions probably won’t.
   
7. Look sophisticated
   These needles make me feel like I’m some sort of expert with a toolbox of specialist equipment. Some may think geeky, but I think sophisticated.
   
8. Bend your project
   Another plus point of the flexibility is that you can fit your projects in small bags without scary-looking needles poking out the top.
   
9. Loose weight
   The needles are incredibly light. Also the weight of the project is not balanced on the end of a rigid straight needle –as the project grows the weight of it simply falls onto your lap and keeps you warm.
   
10. They come in pink!
    The pink set costs a little extra but that extra amount goes to Breast Cancer Research –perfect!

ART MARKET - Rising Sun Arts Centre 8th DEC

Next Saturday the 8th DECEMBER we are sharing a stall with Gingernuts. Come and see us - 10.30 till 4.30pm.

Real men knit

Kaffe Fassett rules!

KIPPING - where do you do it?

Us brazen Outcasters do it in public all the time - knitting that is. Kipping means 'Knitting In Public. We can be spotted kipping on trains, waiting for trains, in cafes, waiting for children to finish their dance/music/drama classes, by the pool on holiday and in pubs to name but a few. We'd like to hear where you KIP


Knitting in Mal Maison


Cocktail in one hand and knitting needles in the other


Knithappens knits poolside in Portugal


Garter stitching in Greece

knitting with cocktails

Knit night with a difference.

So we arrived at Malmaison resplendent, looking normal everyday cocktail drinkers, ordered an exotic drink and sat down in the comfy darkened lounge with other people in their frocks. Before their very eyes we whipped out our needles and clickety click the knit was on.



the newest *outcast*, Bombella, sipping something french



knitwit sipping Jimmy Hendrix whilst at the wavy edged crochet




something tropical




too many cocktails???

a shameless pimp

This outcastian started making squares and look at her now!

Not only studying for her degree but freestyle makes jam jars, hanging baskets and tea sets. knitclicking!!!!

Genius

knitwit has been awarded *The outstanding Development in performance - excellence award* - HURRAH!! She is currently in her final year of a Knitted Textiles Course at Winchester, already had a work placement at Tait & Style... what next for the knitty witty...........watch this space

Well done Knitwit!!

Christmas Wish Lists

Us Outcast peeps thought we would offer an essential guide of what would make perfect gifts for knitters in homage to etsy's new "gift guide" feature.

Here is Christmas wish list guide idea number one - perfect presents for knitters:

Etsy: Your place to buy & sell all things handmade knitwit.etsy.com

It's a good week to be an Outcast

Look there's knitwit, wooty knitty witty!

KNITHAPPENS - Featured seller on etsy home page

Congratulations to knithappens who is a featured seller today on the etsy homepage. Whoot whoot!!!

Click here to read all about it

After the glamour and glitter of being out on the road, we will be back this week at the jelly workshops for knit night, hope to see you all there!
x x love the outcasters x x

DAY TWO - Outcast supporters - who was there

Many thanks if you came and saw us today. We appreciate your support. Check below to see if we snapped ya:









Also like to say thanks to Kira, Charlie, Jason and Katherine, Fee, Juilette, Liz, and Brighton Dan for popping over and saying hello.

HELLO!! -- day 1, who was there...

Many thanks if you came and saw us today. We appreciate your support. Check below to see if we snapped ya:

Also we'd like to say thanks to Skein Queen for popping over and saying hello.

Outcast - South Hill Park Craft Fair - NEXT WEEKEND

Come and find us and say hello. We'll be easy to spot. Look for us at stand 40 in the Wilde theatre which will be a riot of scrumptous knits and papermache manned by crafty colourful Outcast members in beautiful floral aprons (made for us by our friend Me Make.)

Also check out fellow Outcastian Jo Quinn on stand 62.

Tell your friends!!!

Getting ready to go

So this week, we met up at knitwit's, house, me knitwit and knitclicking to prepare for our Outcast day at South Hill Park Christmas Fair 2007.

Outcast, stand 40!



We have done other craft fairs together, run our own etsy shops but for this one we have special pinnies, made by the wonderful memake , brand new lovely moo cards and a mass of beautiful work, including sexy suspenders, teapots, candlesticks and angels.

The Terrible Knitters of Dent

A perfect evening...knitting, popcorn and a film...

The Terrible Knitters of Dent .... film review too follow

who we are

This picture of badge delights has been created for us by the wonderful Memake

So we have known each other a long time and the group is growing and getting bigger and bigger. The core members are
knitclicking, knithappens, knitwit and peggy paper