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.