outcast

new website

2010-09-06T09:51:00.002+01:00

We're making a shiny new website over here - come and visit for a cuppa : )

http://theoutcasts.co.uk/

Outside:Inside Festival - call for submissions

2010-06-08T10:41:00.001+01:00

http://www.outsideinsidefestival.com
The Outside:Inside Festival is a month long celebration of the arts. Music, Film, Art, Theatre and Dance are all showcased throughout the festival period amongst the festivals inside and outside spaces.
The Concept? Simple. The Outside:Inside takes the inside art institutions outside for the general public like yourself to enjoy out on the streets, and open spaces; whilst the outside festival vibe is taken inside, into the venues and into the shops, the restaurants, bars and quite possibly some pretty unusual places too, but you will have to keep your eyes peeled for that.

Performers will be descending on Reading from around the globe, with acts representing many great nations including Israel, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Ireland, Canada, the USA, and even Transylvania, Romania. These top global acts will bring a wealth of differing global styles with them, interacting with the huge amount of local talent whic will be drawn to the festival.
Interaction is the key, build an art installation, stroll the art market stalls, chooe from a worldwide array of food, ponder the outside art, sing along to the bands on stage, take a moment to reflect on the poetry and spoken word, be suprised by the random improvised theatre, foot-tap to a bit of Jazz or getting down and dirty at one of our inside venues afterparties or headline shows alongside the festival profile bands, big name DJs, and organisers till the wee hours.

The Mission:
The Outside:Inside Festival is brought to you by Outside Inside LTD with the support of Reading UK CIC.
Their joint aim. To provide Reading with a new more vibrant and celebrated culture, whilst providing a voice to the wealth of artistic talent and young enterprise in the Thames Valley area.
The festival is for you. The people of Reading, the familys, the shop workers, the shop owners, the bartenders, the professional, the young, and the old. This is why we have made all outside space free. It won't cost you a penny to come along and interact.

The Art Bits:
Submissions/ proposals are invited to use the following spaces at the following times. Please send all proposals to suzanne@jelly.org.uk. All submissions must be received by 28 June 2010

31st July
Behind BSM/ Civic Office area/ Dusseldorf Way, Clomnel Walk area
12-8pm( or hours in between them)

14th August
Market Place
-Through Bristol & West Walk, outside either ends of the space
12-8 ( or hours in between them)

21st August
Forbury Gardens
-Any area really -
12-8 ( or hours in between them)

looking forward too hearing from you!

Suzanne Stallard
Director

e suzanne@jelly.org.uk
website http://jelly.org.uk

jelly is an arts organisation in the heart of Reading. Established in 1993 as an artist led studio and exhibition facility, jelly is a registered charity limited by guarantee 1100730, running exhibitions, educational activities, special arts events with the visual arts and creative excellence being top of our agenda.

jelly’s charitable objectives are:

• To promote the development of the arts and in particular the visual arts for the benefit of the local community by providing studio space and facilities for public exhibitions and by organising events which improve public access to the arts

• To advance education by promoting understanding and learning about the creative processes involved in the visual arts

Creating Together

2010-05-17T22:24:00.004+01:00

Since the Knit A Poem letters and our Outcast banner we've worked together on two secret projects.

Emma's birthday mitts, an Outcast project for a special birthday.

The Skein Queen Hug Blanket, which the Outcasts contributed to along with other fans/friends of Skein Queen. Blogged about here.

Group projects are always fun but there's something extra special about these secret projects. The knitters conspire and strategise to combine their efforts into something greater than what the individual would achieve. The finished objects end up with such fantastic stories of their creation.

Give fleece a chance

2010-02-09T23:25:00.000Z

Belated Happy New Knitty Year

2010-01-26T19:19:00.002Z

Outcast are still knitting away and meeting each week. Just been a bit quiet on the blog. To kick off the new year - have a look at this animation "Life Behind the Scenes" by David Shrigley for Pringle. Hope it makes you smile.

">

Outcasts Banner Pattern

2009-10-23T17:02:00.005+01:00

It's been a busy Autumn so far for us at Outcasts HQ and our knitting-in-public appearances at IKnit Weekender in London, and LMEYD in Reading, presented the perfect opportunity to finally knit an 'Outcasts!' banner - after all, there's nothing like a deadline or two!

Knitted bunting was our favoured style of banner so after drawing up lettering charts we started on the stash. Exposing our inner yarn snobs to the suitcase of banished acrylics in the corner proved extremely painful for some but resulted in remarkably quick knitting! and a very effective banner. The real gain for us though was the sheer fun of creating something together.

A free pattern and blank chart for your own personal use is available to download here. We'd love to see what you create with it so drop us a post here or on our Ravelry pattern page here.

Knit a Poem

2009-08-31T22:44:00.006+01:00

The Poetry Society celebrates it's Centinary this year and part of the celebrations include the world's first giant knitted poem.

Over 700 knitters from around the world are getting involved by knitting letters and blank squares in readiness for the grand unveiling of the top secret poem in October.

Outcast have been knitting squares and we're proud to announce that next
Wednesday 9th September will be a special 'Knit Togther' night of sewing some of these squares plus some extras to take up with us to Iknit. The squares will be cerimoniously handed over to the lovely Poetry Society who have a stand at the event.

Join us for some poetry related knitting and sewing up, a cup of tea and slice of cake at Jelly in Reading from 7pm next Wednesday.

Wearable Cupcakes

2009-08-21T20:04:00.002+01:00

I'm so excited by Mika's flamboyant knitware in his new music video. I just want to show everyone shouting 'Wow -look at this! Isn't it the coolest thing ever!' I think non-knitters might be a bit confused by my enthusiasm -but hopefully you'll understand!

1st Wedding Anniversary

2009-07-19T09:57:00.004+01:00

I'm still overwhelmed by the amazing Outcast talent that made my wedding day feel so special -Thank you!

Fabulous Flowers, Lively Music, Handknitted Accessories, Beautiful Bunting and Delicious Cake

2009-07-04T14:37:00.002+01:00

Wind powered knitting. via MeFi

2009-07-03T06:48:00.002+01:00

Happy Birthday

Alabamawhirly!

Amazing knitter, purveyor of scrumptious cakes,

generous entertainer, formidable artist

and above all dearest friend.

From all of us Outcasts

The formidable world of Justine Holt

2009-06-22T21:48:00.003+01:00

One Sunday morning just before noon on the first day of summer, Alabamawhirly, Melarno, the formidable twins an I found ourselves eating strawberries and amaretti biscuits in the garden of the artist Justine Holt. Justine lives in a beautiful cottage in Pangbourne where she makes delicate beautiful paintings on blank gesso and exquisite pieces of sewing, stitching and embroidery. She shared a view into her world with warmth and generosity, into her studio which is filled with light, art work, books, fabrics, and pieces of crockery all arranged like a memory trail on a canvas painted in Farrow & Ball. The studio and cottage are surrounded by a magical garden where old tools have found a resting nest and an empty bottle of what used to be a Neal's Yard concoction is now used as a lighthouse for the fairies who gather to drink tea from the lettuce leaves, wearing knitted knee-high socks and ribbons that they've just purchased at Liberty's while they were looking for summer hats. And for those of us who are not fairies and were not amazingly lucky to view her work in person, Justine's art is available on
http://www.justineholt.co.uk/

WWKIP Weekends

2009-06-13T15:17:00.002+01:00

It's World Wide Knit In Public Weekend

Join us for some yarn bombing, knitting in public and eating cake from 12.30 pm on Sunday 14th June in Caversham in the park by the river near the kids playground. Maybe it won't be too wet to sit on the grass and knit some fuzzy wings for the bees, little summer skirts for the butterflies, evening cosies for the railings and fluffy scarves for the trees, and have a knitted knatter until dusk.

SHOW TWO at the Royal College of Art

2009-05-29T20:33:00.002+01:00

Date for your diary for the forthcoming MA textile graduate exhibition - Open from 26 June – 5 July (closed 3 July). Open 10am to 6pm daily.

The event will also showcase work from Animation, Architecture, Communication Art & Design, Conservation, Critical and Historical Studies, Design Products, Design Interactions, Fashion Footwear and Accessories, History of Design, Industrial Design Engineering and Vehicle Design.

We should do this

2009-05-20T13:10:00.002+01:00

Words and knitting, we should especially do it as justbefore this someone was telling me poem about knitting by Adrian Mitchell, they were relaying it over the phone so this is meant to be.

I've sent of for a pack so we should be on course...

Knit a Poem

Celebrate the Poetry Society's centenary, by helping to create the world's first giant knitted poem.

Knitters everywhere are invited to knit a poem one letter at a time. The final poem, in all its knitted glory will be revealed at the end of the centenary year.

Packs will be available at the beginning of May, featuring knitting templates, and instructions. There will be opportunities for experienced knitters and beginners alike.

To register your interest, send your contact details to:

Rebecka Mustajarvi

Email: officeassistant AT poetrysociety.org.uk
(please use @ instead of AT when sending your email).

Or (if you don't have email)

Post: PLEASE INCLUDE AN SAE

Rebecka Mustajarvi
Knit a Poem
The Poetry Society
22 Betterton Street
London
WC2H 9BX

Back to back

2009-05-14T18:32:00.019+01:00

Seen as part of Stroud textiles festival – an attempt to knit a man’s sweater, from sheep’s back to man’s back, in a day. It was part of the international Back to Back Challenge, an annual competition where teams from all over the world hand-shear a sheep, and attempt to spin and knit the sweater faster than any other team.

There were two sheep to be sheared [each accompanied by young lambs who presumably couldn’t be left behind]. They were from a flock of organic Lleyns, lent from Highgrove. And to fit in with the competition rules they had to have been reared entirely outside. The shearer chose one with a dense fleece and one with looser, so that the spinners could choose. I think they went for the denser one as being easier to spin quickly.

The team was made up of seven ladies, not counting the shearer, and they were all able to spin and to knit, and so could swop jobs during the day. All participating teams had to follow a fixed sweater pattern, and the finished woolly would be inspected for dropped stitches and deviations from the pattern, which would mean being disqualified.

At nine o’clock sharp, the shearer started. And at seven minutes past nine, there was enough wool spun for the first knitter to cast on. The sheep was looking pretty ragged – not a neat job at all, but super-fast. And then all day, in a gazebo on the lawn outside the Museum in the Park, the seven ladies took turns to spin and to knit. The wool was coarse and unwashed, and so scratchy and hard to work with. A friendly masseur spent the afternoon rubbing their aching shoulders and arms.

In 2008, the winning team was from Toronto and finished their sweater in five hours, 55 minutes and 50 seconds. The Stroud team wouldn’t have beaten this as they were still at work at 4.30 when I left, but they were hoping to be done by early evening. The finished sweater is being silent-auctioned to raise funds for Macmillan Cancer Support charity.

famous people and knit night

2009-05-13T12:49:00.003+01:00

You know that emma is a knit superstar, Kevin McCloud stroking her cosy and all that, well now skein queen is having a trunk show all to herself this weekend at socktopus from 12-5pm. Just drool over that yarn....

If anything is left (LOL!) then the queen will bring some for us outcasts to look at next Wednesday.

In the meantime, knit night is on tonight, without yarn to drool over from Skein Queen, from 7-9.30 at jelly workshops, Old Town Hall - everyone is welcome

being inspired

2009-04-28T19:30:00.002+01:00

This little village has been in the news this week.

It reminds me of somewhere I used to go to as a child, Bekonscot, which I loved. This may be even better as it is knitted! The village of Mersham in Kent was created by 40 knitters over a 23 year period. The work will be sold off piece by piece to raise money for the village hall.

More info available here

Vicunas - FIBRE FACTS

2009-04-21T19:39:00.003+01:00

Image from www.vicunas.com

You think Alpacas are cute - have a look at these fellas - if you don't know already these are called Vicunas. Closely related to Alpacas, Vicunas have a fine soft hair which is celebrated for its insulation properties. It is said that Vicuna yarn is the finest and luxurious natural wool in the world.

Vicunas are wild animals and unlike the Alpaca they are too shy to domesticate. A Vicuna can only produce a small amount of yarn each year and capturing the wild animals to obtain the fibre can be a little tricky. Peruvian communities join together to capture the animals by forming a large circle around them, banging the ground to stun them and slowing closing in on them or luring them into traps. Once sheared the animals are released unharmed but due to this time consuming and potentially stressful event for the Vicuna, the animals are only sheared every 3 to 4 years. You may be disappointed to hear that you won't be able to get this yarn at your local John Lewis. As you've probably already guessed this yarn is very expensive. Vicuna fabrics can range from £1000 to £3000 per sq yard.

Join the Slow Art and Craft Revolution

2009-04-15T10:08:00.004+01:00

http://makingaslowrevolution.wordpress.com/

It's time to slow down - so say the people behind the 'taking time: Craft and the Slow Revolution' project at the Southbank Centre (27th April). They say 'the revival of craft is central to current arts practice, and notions of slowness are epitomised by crafts and craftsmanship.' I must say...I agree with them. There is nothing better after a hetic day than sitting quietly with your knitting with a freshly brewed pot of tea and reflecting on your day. Knitting and making a good cup of tea are crafts which cannot be rushed. They take time.

The 'Slow revolution' project questions whether our 'fast paced', 'mass produced', 'wasteful' lifestyles are good for the human condition. If we just slowed down could we create a better world for ourselves? I'm willing to give it a go!

At the Southbank Centre in London they hosting a series of events entitled 'Slow Down London - living in real time festival' from the 24th April to the 4th May. The events include a Slow Food Market and tips on Slow Travel.

With thanks to IanT for sharing this event with me.

The birth of Grumpo

2009-04-12T15:45:00.003+01:00

Grumpo arrived on Easter Eve. First there was his foot then his hat sat on his head and the boy was made. He looked at his mum then moved his black eyes around and went on a merry-go-round in his new home. I think he liked what he saw but he could not show it because his mum made him look cross permanently, which made him very grumpy from the start. But in his heart of hearts he knew he was happy because he was wearing a bubble cardi to make him handsome and a yellow scarf to make him warm and a half-waistcoat to make him fancy and maybe, one day, his mum might stitch a smile on him just for special occasions. At that point Grumpo knew he was ready to take the world.

three good things

2009-04-08T10:46:00.004+01:00

There are many good things but here are three things that may delight you

1.Knitwit aka Emma Bradbury is in the Grand Designs magazine - she is becoming more and more famous, will she no longer be an outcast?

2. This article here about the tenacity of Italians and doing something whilst you are waiting to be rescued. Within the terrible news of loss of life, there is this wonderful story. There was much scurrying of emails between the Outcasts and one of them said I was telling the girls a few weeks ago that I'd head for jelly with my knitting bag in a time of crisis

3. Look here at something amazing

The Mystery of the Giant Pink Rabbit

2009-03-30T20:31:00.005+01:00

A giant pink rabbit lies on a mountain at the foot of the Italian Alps. It lies there like a toy left behind by a child, with its eyes and mouth wide open in disbelief at how quickly it was replaced and forgotten. But the bunny was not discarded nor forgotten, it was made to be cherished and remembered. Its makers, the Gelitin Viennese art collective, placed it on the 5,000ft hill in 2005 after five years of intensive knitting to look as 'if knitted by giant grandmothers'. The creature is 200ft-long and was made with a soft waterproof material and stuffed with straw. It will stay on its back on the Colletto Fava mountain near the village of Artesina until 2025 hoping to be discovered, touched, climbed over, cuddled, visited by the sheep, fed by the villagers, worshipped by new acolytes, cuddled by the grass, kissed by the bees, washed by the rain, blanketed by the snow or just looked at from a plane or from Google Earth.

The full story of the pink Rabbit can be found on http://www.gelitin.net/mambo/index.php?set_albumName=album14&option=com_gallery_proj144&Itemid=91&include=view_album.php

For your pure sheep delight

2009-03-24T07:30:00.000Z

Enjoy dear knitters

Cake at the bottom of the Rainbow?

2009-03-17T13:43:00.002Z

This is fabulous, I love it and saw it whilst perusing the internet for St Patrick's Day goodness.... Full details on how to make one can be found here - go on, you know we want one : )

And if you are looking for other St Patrick's Day goodness (the Rainbow is a tenuous link), see what mastery has been created here by quietraine

Is March the month of knitting genius?

2009-03-10T13:05:00.005Z

Do you think the odds are against us if we are not March babies or is it just a peculiarity that so many knitters have their birthdays in March? On Ravelry last week three of my online friends were celebrating their birthdays.

This week real knitty friends and family from the real world are celebrating their birthdays.

Firstly Ma Knitwit (photo above, front right), a knitty genius like her daughter (photo below)... knitwit also likes beer!

Then there is Bombella,(photo below) who designs and makes her own stuff and celebrates her birthday today with my mum (bottom photo, she's the one on the left!)

Happy Birthday to you all

something to listen to whilst you're knititng

2009-03-03T14:03:00.002Z

Here you will be able to listen again and again for up to 7 days

Knit One Purl One by Pippa Gladhill, read by Pippa Haywood
Funny and tender account of a marriage, a series of summer holidays and the importance of knitting

Radio 4, 3.30pm

See you at knit night from 7pm this Wednesday

It was such a perfect day, I'm glad I spent it with you.

2009-02-25T12:29:00.005Z

Wednesdays had become my favourite day of the week and then last Saturday happened and now I am caught between which is the perfect day.

Friday night, Debbie (skeinqueen)and knitchard hammond met me at The Maltings to do the initial set-up for Unravel (see post below). We hung the brand new large swanky SQ banner and I made random little areas for our Museum of the Mundane. It was quite quiet, hardly anyone was setting up but the reality was setting in.

Early Saturday morning (7.30!!!) I picked up wildfennel and melarno at the train station for our drive to Farnham with our few extra bits and pieces including some knitted cotton wool balls that Mel had whipped up. We got to Farnham, met the Royal Highness SQ and helped her unload her car which was full of yarn, there were no room for passengers in there.

Were we in a panic? Nope, calm as you like we just put a few labels up and then were sat down by 8.30am to start knitting Debbie's Ten O'Clock scarf (pattern available here). The only thing we were waiting for was the urn to get warm enough for a cuppa.

SQ's stall looked fantastic and it was hard to pick favourites, so unwisely no purchases were made before the doors opened. Then the doors opened and here was not much left. kiknits arrived and we all just chatted to people, answered random knitting dilemmas and just had a giggle. Before we knew it, it was 5pm, both wildfennel and melarno had ploughed a long way through their scarves and Debbie did not have much left to sell.

It was an inspiring day, bumping in to old friends, making new ones and just hanging out knitting - a perfect day.

We will be Unravelling

2009-02-20T12:47:00.004Z

We are going to be at Unravel this Saturday, you'll find us there with some of the mundane stuff we've made, we'll be chatting, knitting and just generally having the best day ever

see you there (and the gnome will be there too)

really really teeeny weeny

2009-01-29T14:52:00.001Z

Wool and the Gang - too wool for school!!!

2009-01-26T21:31:00.003Z

Super groovy knitting kits and yarns - go check it out:

Wool and the Gang

Is Yarbombing the new graffiti art?

2009-01-25T19:02:00.005Z

One idle afternoon, while I was entertaining my eyes on the computer, I glanced at the various cables popping out from under the screen and from the top of the mouse. I convinced myself that they looked quite uninspiring and that maybe I should use some of my light blue yarn and knit a cable cover with my Knitting Nancy. Little did I know that I was on the verge of trespassing into the world of Yarnbombing. http://www.yarnbombing.com/

According to the legend, Yarnbombing started in the US when Texas-based clothes shop owner Magda Sayeg created a website called Knitta Please. http://www.knittaplease.com/KNITTA_PLEASE.html

The story goes that one day Sayeg looked at the door handle in her shop and decided to knit a cosy for it. After that the projects got bigger and started appearing in the streets of the UK just like true graffiti art. Sayeg's latest project was a double-decker bus covered in knitted patches, which took her one week to finish with the help of a small team.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/4305406/Knitters-turn-to-graffiti-artists-with-yarnbombing.html

So next time you look at your TV and start thinking about bespoke knitwear to cover it, remember that you are not alone and that there is a group of knitters out there who are ready to wrap the world into yarn and they are unstoppable.

The Knitted Brain

2009-01-14T17:08:00.006Z

Reading about Karen Norberg's knitted brains for the Museum of Scientifically Accurate Fabric Brain Art made me think. Can we really reproduce anything in the knitted and/or crocheted form? Why would we want to do this when photography and computers can render a more accurate image of what surrounds us, which can also be manipulated invariably. Maybe it is because by knitting and crocheting we go through the experience of making and assimilating the progress of the object through our hands. True the copy is not as accurate as it could be when it is replicated by digital means, but the sensation of the yarn and the needles through our hands does make up for any imperfection. After all who wants to see another perfect image of the real world when the knitted one can be so exciting.

Images are from:

http://imaginaryfriends.typepad.com/neuroscienceart/2006/09/karen_norberg_1.html

http://lcni.uoregon.edu/~mark/Space_software/animations.html

Knit resolutions

2009-01-06T11:13:00.005Z

New Year, new projects to come and a new optimism for those UFO's (Unfinished Objects languishing somewhere quietly)

Some things stay the same, we knit, we meet. It has felt such a long time since our last knit and natter (in fact it was the night at Picnic on the 17th December)

We are meeting this week at jelly from 7pm and next week there is no knit night so get the knit whilst you can

Please don't let it snow so we can all get there....

Christmas Knitting

2009-01-01T17:47:00.003Z

My main Christmas knit was a Lace Ribbon scarf for my mum (Billy Brown on Ravelry). It was a surprise so I couldn't show you until now.From my mummy I recieved a beautiful pair of Mosey legwarmers. Absolutely gorgeous!

My daughter who is two now calls the legwarmers 'nana's knitting'. When my brother-in-law was trying on his plain garter stich scarf (another Christmas knit but too boring to include a photo) she kept trying to take it off him saying 'mummy's knitting'. She must have thought he was trying to play with my knitting -as she often does!

ho ho ho!

2008-12-11T06:41:00.002Z

We have had a relaxed attitude to updating the blog and emailing round everyone reminding them that it is knit night, that may be that we are caught up with Christmas knitting (see above) or that the very prospect of knit withdrawal as Christmas approaches is too much to bear.

Yes, there is no knit on Wednesday 24th and Wednesday 31st December but to cheer ourselves up we have a few knit nights out to look forward too.

Next Wednesday (17th) the lovely Picnic (Butter Market, Reading) is opening it's doors for the evening for a knitting special. No home baking required as we will be able to buy a delicious slice of something with a cuppa. Come along between 6.30-9.30pm.

We will meet again at jelly on Wednesday 7th January from the usual time of 7pm and then the following week, 14th January, we will be going en masse to The Royal College to see Emma's current work in progress.

I've shown you some of my Christmas knitting, now it's time to show me yours......

Lego knitting machine

2008-11-18T13:58:00.002Z

What we would like for Christmas?

Knit is on this coming Wednesday from 7pm at the Town Hall, see you there

We are exhibiting at South Hill Park, Bracknell

2008-11-16T01:07:00.002Z

This weekend 15th and 16th November you'll find Outcastians, Knithappens, Kikiknits, Angharad, knitwit, knitclicking, Skein Queen and Skimmity Jig selling their crafty goodies at South Hill Park, Bracknell.

Come and find us on stand 39 in the Wilde Theatre.

more info see here

2008-11-03T19:02:00.005Z

My knitty chum Melanie Bond who I studied with at Winchester made this dress. I think it is marvelous and wanted to share it with you. The pattern will be available soon at Knit On The Net

See you all on Wednesday.

Knit Night

2008-10-27T17:49:00.003Z

Knit Night will be on as usual at the Jelly from 7 pm on Wednesday 29th October 2008. In addition, the Jelly will host Felix' workshop on Knitted Vegetables on Halloween night from 6.30 pm to 9.30 pm. All details are available on:

http://thedomesticsoundscape.com/wordpress/?p=218

Knit Night

2008-10-21T13:19:00.003+01:00

Knit Night will not be on at the Jelly this Wednesday, 22nd October 2008. The Outcast knitters will be off to the Charity Private View of the Affordable Art Fair in London. You can check details of the Art Fair, which will run from Thursday 23rd October to Sunday 26th October, on
http://www.affordableartfair.com/

But we will be back.....next Wednesday 29th October at the Jelly from 7 pm.

the hats are on their way

2008-10-17T07:21:00.008+01:00

So here they all are, ready to travel to Fruit Towers to the lovely innocent people, if you missed what we were up to, it's all here. 228!

Thank you everyone, Jan at the Post Office who kept making more, the Esmerk team who just couldn't stop knitting and even those innocent bystanders/ people trying to enjoy cake on a Sunday who got dragged in

And an extra big THANK YOU to Jon and all his lovely staff, including Cat and her amazing macaroons, at Picnic for welcoming our knit takeover and keeping the kettle on.

A new baby to knit for

2008-10-14T13:46:00.003+01:00

Beatty and Ben have literally just become first time parents of a little boy, I don't know a name yet as Granny Bridget texted me. Good timing I think as I saw this lovely snuggle sack on the purlbee.

Sorry for the gratuitous yellow, I can't help myself....

And whilst we are in the subject of yellow, I shall say the words, VINTAGE again - wow, how much you love the vintage stuff so knit night this very Wednesday 15th October will be a plethora of cheese and pineapple on sticks and smelly old patterns rootled out form the bottom of the cupboard or some other unmentionables.

I know you will love the family trunkt project, go on, I encourage you to open the trunk.

Saving the odd ones under the pile or rubble

2008-10-05T18:27:00.006+01:00

On a very cold and windy Saturday afternoon I found myself on my knees in a charity shop going through a pile of old knitting patterns. The pile didn't look very inspiring with all its 1980s ladies looking at me in big pompomning shoulders and fluorescent makeup but I kept rummaging and found two 1960s patterns for gloves and tea cosies. I guess sometimes you really have to look harder to find the odd ones...

Then I found this article in the new issue of the BBC Homes & Antiques magazine about the Knockando Woodmill, which lies in a Scottish valley and looks like a disused mill. But if one looks harder through the pile of rusty roofs and shaky walls, there is a working weaving mill which uses the same tools as when it started 200 years ago. The mill needs help to survive through the 21st century and beyond, and if it does survive it might start producing yarn for sale. So I guess that sometimes the little gems do lie under a pile of uninspiring 'rubble' be it paper or bricks and steel.

http://www.knockandowoolmill.org.uk/

The image of the mill is from: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/north_east/7315111.stm

Thank you!

2008-09-28T23:16:00.002+01:00

Thank you, all of you dear Outcastians

What an afternoon, the sun shone, the knittarazzi came and took some snaps, we ate cake, drank tea, knitted, enjoyed the sun and then quickly it was over..... 109 hats complete in 3 hours.

Thank you all x x x x

superstars x x x x x

The Big Knit Marathon 2008

2008-09-22T13:47:00.004+01:00

Just a reminder for the Big Knit Marathon sponsored by Innocent drinks for Age Concern. The Outcastians will meet at Picnic in Reading from 2.30 pm to 5.30 pm on Sunday 28th September 2008 to knit lots of cute little hats to go on Innocent bottles. Some of us have already tried our millinery creations on our favourite models like Willow the cat.

Her mummy Jenny knitted this beautiful creation which could be reproduced for winter skiing in Switzerland! Very becoming indeed!

Happy Birthday Wildfennel

2008-09-16T08:59:00.002+01:00

Image from Memake - http://www.flickr.com/photos/memake/

Happy Birthday to Wildfennel today!

Love from your knitty friends xxxx

See below post about Knit night tomo

Yarn pRon

2008-09-16T03:36:00.001+01:00

There is this kind

or this kind

Choose at will

Knit will be back at the usual place this week, from 7pm at jelly workshops.

2008-09-15T18:07:00.000+01:00

Event: All-day workshop: “Stitching Into Your Knitting”
Tutor: Sarah Hazell
Date: Saturday, 11 October
Time: 10.00am to 4.30pm
Cost: £35, payable at time of booking

New in conjunction with Rowan’s 30th Anniversary collection, this workshop teaches how to confidently add embroidered decorations to your knitted projects. Participants will produce a decorative panel which incorporates intarsia and embroidery. Suitable for knitters of intermediate to advanced levels looking to extend their skills.

Rowan workshops include lunch, refreshments and all materials. Guests are asked only to bring a pen and paper for optional note-taking. In addition, a 10% voucher will be offered for use on the day for all Rowan and Rowan Classic purchases. Spaces are limited, so best to book early.

You can book by either visiting the Haberdashery Department in John Lewis, or by calling 0118 9575955 ex. 4450.

As life becomes more technologically advanced we tend to cling to certain basic and fundamental things

2008-09-12T08:48:00.003+01:00

quote from Andrew Salmond, Creative Exhibitions

The joys of knitting - the debate was is this just a temporary return? What do you think?
Information here

Big Bang Knitting Wednesday

2008-09-09T14:08:00.002+01:00

Captain Kirk Knitting chart
Knitting Chart

The end of the life, the universe and everything?

Wednesday is Big Bang Day but it's also knit night. This week we are going to Sally's. Please contact us if you need directions. Same time as normal. See you there.

Happy Birthday Ginko

2008-09-08T17:52:00.002+01:00

Wishing Ginko a Happy Birthday for Tuesday from all your chums at Outcast.

We hope that dress is nearly finished!

xxxxx

old fashioned knitted things

2008-09-04T15:01:00.005+01:00

A little treat for you old fashioned knitters (who, us?), some free vintage knitwear downloads..... mmmmmm

They look quite glam but a photoshoot in a field of sheep is not neccessary.

A new book of vintage patterns recreated into current knit speak is available here

New hats, new shoes, a wedding maybe?

2008-09-02T09:42:00.004+01:00

I was completely inspired by Wildfennels post below and the fact that we are returning to our newly wed knitter, bombella's house this week for knit night so I thought we should celebrate the love of knitting.

Any newly wed hubby who invites a group of renegade knitters to his house is a keeper!

image from the cast off wedding

Knit night for Wednesday 3rd September will be at Bombella's - contact me for directions

KNIT NIGHT

2008-08-27T13:34:00.002+01:00

Just a quick message to confirm that Knit Night is on from 7 PM to 10 PM at the Jelly as usual despite the holiday defections....

and i love this from

http://www.frimframdesign.com/aboutme.htm

the big knit

2008-08-24T16:37:00.005+01:00

the outcast knitting marathon

So you didn't know that knitting is a sporting activity??? Well it is and we are going to host a knitting marathon in aid of the Big Knit 2008

What’s the Big Knit?
Every year innocent run a campaign to get folks up and down the land to knit little hats for their smoothie bottles. For every behatted bottle sold, Sainsburys and innocent will give 50p per bottle sold to Age Concern to help keep older people warm in winter.

Why are we doing it?
It’s a really sad and largely unknown fact that every winter, over 25,000 older people die from cold related illnesses. It’s tough for many to get enough food, warmth or activity to stay fit and healthy. The money raised from The Big Knit goes towards providing hot meals, blankets and advice to older people on how to keep their houses warm.

How can I help?
Last year The Big Knit raised over £200,000 for Age Concern and this year they’re looking to raise lots lots more. So they’d love our help.

All we need to do is knit a little hat and pop it in the post. All the knitting patterns are available here and we will bring more along on the day, including yarn, needles and a lot of knitter natter.

Join us at Picnic, from 2.30pm on Sunday 28 September for a knitting marathon.

Last year we got a top knitter award, what this year?

Song of the Knitters

2008-08-19T10:05:00.002+01:00

When I was at the 'In the Loop' conference in Winchester last month, Rachael Matthewshanded out song sheets. The exact date of the song is unknow but I'm guessing it dates back to the 'Knitters of Dent' era. This song would ideal to help keep you cheerful if you were knitting a plain jumper in black yarn.

It goes like this to a tune similar to 'Three Blind Mice'

We're a busy and joyous band
Terrible knitters of Westmorland
And many's the stocking we send away
To Kendal town up on market day
Week in, week out
You may see us sittin'
In t'ingle nook a doin' our knittin'
In t'ingle nook a doin' our knittin'
A do in' our knittin'

CHORUS

Knit Knit Knit!
By Morin', by noon and bu night
Knit Knit Knit!
So lang as there's owt of a light
When ever you're sorry
When ever you're sick
There's nowt that cheers like t'needles click,
So knit knit knit!

T'men may snuff or drink or smoke,
But thats not 'way with Women folk
To pass the time or to soothe her grief
She takes up her own lile knittin' sheaf
And hours on end
You may see her sittin'
Just doin' nowt but knittin'
Just doin' nowt but knittin an knittin'
Just nowt but knittin'

By WT Mc Intire and George Rathbone

KNIT NIGHT - bonfire and baked potatoes

2008-08-12T18:36:00.004+01:00

A change of venue for knit night this week - 13th August 2008.

Contact me for details.

Twist Collective - knitting Magazine

2008-08-06T09:05:00.003+01:00

image from www.twistcollective.com

Whilst surfing the internet I came across this magazine and quite liked it so wanted to shared it with you. It also features an article by one of our faveourite author/blogger The Gentle Art of Domesticity/Yarnstorm - Jane Brocket.

Enjoy the photography!

Click here to read more

2008-08-02T14:12:00.002+01:00

Love found, love lost

Knitters, listen to this Leonard and Marianne

Only one thing made him happy, but now it is gone everything made him happy

It will be gone 7 days from now

The story of the love affair between poet and singer Leonard Cohen and Marianne Ihlen, the beautiful wife of a Norwegian novelist. The two met on the Greek island of Hydra in 1960. Their romance and eventual separation is immortalised in one of Cohen's earliest and best known songs, So Long, Marianne. 45 years later Cohen talked to Norwegian Radio about the song, and later Marianne spoke for the first time in English about her role as muse.

In the Loop Conference - Winchester School of Art

2008-07-21T12:43:00.005+01:00

Last week I attended a conference at my art school called 'In the Loop'. They had amazing guest speakers covering a variety of knitty topics from the past, present and future. The conference touched on historical knitted collections from author Jane Waller and the late Montse Stanley and how hand knitters of the 16th to the 19th century (such as the 'Terrible Knitters of Dent' - see previous post for more info)earned a wage from their knitting skills.The Terrible Knitters of Dent
and I discovered what a 'polka' jacket looked like...'The School Girls Hymn' by William Holman Hunt 1858-9. A young girl wears a knitted tight fitted jacket known as the 'Polka'.

Also boundary pushing and avant-garde knitters brought the conference up to date with talks on new technology such as Designaknit and guest speakers such as Sabrina Gschwandnter founder of Knit Knit,
Rachel Beth Egenhoefer - textile artist combining traditional knitting techniques with new technology
Rachel Beth Egenhoefer - image from www.rachelbeth.net, Liz Collins, Lacey Jane Roberts Image from www.laceyjaneroberts.com/images/tink-red1.jpg and Freddie Robbins shared with us the inspiration and motivation behind their work.

There is so much more to say as the conference was jammed with interesting knitty facts and inspirational stories. I nearly blubbed when one of the event co-ordinators said her thank yous and said 'this is the end [of the conference]'. Not only did those words mean the end of a lovely 3 days but to me it also symbolised the end of my three years at Winchester and what a wonderful way to end.

The joys of freeform

2008-07-18T18:42:00.005+01:00

When I think of a new piece to knit or crochet I look for inspiration in texture and colour. As a novice knitter I still find it hard to follow a strict pattern and, because I mostly knit or crochet jewellry or small items, I can be as bold as to improvise while I go along - no fear of jumpers with three head holes. So, I'd like to celebrate the technique of freeform, its inspiration from art, and the work of Prudence Mapstone which looks fab and reminds me of paintings by Gustav Klimt (check him out at a current Tate Liverpool exhibition)

and Austrian genius Hundertwasser.

http://www.freeformcrochet.com/designs.html

http://www.eject.com.au/e-motive/prudence/

and for all tea cosies lovers...beautiful freeform teacosies

http://flickr.com/photos/hpnyknits/2005761321/

SALE

2008-07-08T00:28:00.001+01:00

Fab yarn sale in John Lewis! Check it out girls :)

xxx

escapism

2008-07-02T09:41:00.007+01:00

For me knitting is about escapism. Whatever else is happening, you can submerge yourself at some point in a quiet act of making something, all around could be a hullabaloo or debris from life but once those needles begin clicking and the methodical repetition begins then a calm kind of descends. A kind of yoga I guess, something at the very least that goes back to the basics.

Quietly whilst you sit there you end up with wonderful things, to keep or to share.

yellow socks by alabamawhirly, made from hand dyed custom order yarn by skeinqueen

tea cosy by knitwit

picture of knitwit by cardinal wolsey

knit night and art

2008-06-24T08:06:00.003+01:00

Well done to our brainy and talented knitters, who all got first class honours degrees.

Knit night is off course a wednesday, but this wednesday also coincides with the opening of a new exhibition at 10 Gun Street, from 6.30-9pm so maybe an early art plunge before a knit evening?

Details of the exhibiton are as below:

ALLOTMENT
arjeea21 is a new contemporary art group in Reading. It provides a supportive critical forum in which artists can discuss and exhibit work that is developing in new ways or exploring current issues. Allotment is arjeea21's first exhibition.

It reflects a diverse patch of ideas and practical manifestations by artists whose work is growing and being actively cultivated.

Jean Aust, Belinda Fitzwilliams, Gill Goodwin, Elizabeth Heydeman, Ingrid Jensen, Helen Lunn, Karen Malik, Chris Mercier, Chris Quintrell, Roger Smalley, Hazel Strange, Roxana Tohaneanu-Shields and Janet Walton are showing work this time.

Informal meetings are held once a month for discussion and planning. Work either finished or in-progress, may be brought along for feedback. New members are welcome.

arjeea21

The exhibition will be open from 26 June - 13 July, 11am - 6pm daily.

Sponsored by Danny Fraifeld and Greg Muden of The Purple Turtle

Knitting Hen Night

2008-06-22T11:44:00.007+01:00

Knit night last Wednesday was at my house.

Lovely Outcasters came to try some practice wedding cake and to offer some creative advice and support for the big day (next month). All the ingredients for a perfect sophisticated hen night were there, a beautiful evening, knitting, Pimms, cake, scones and fantastic company all offering positive enthusiasm -it doesn't get better than that!

Continuing in a theme....

2008-06-10T19:25:00.003+01:00

Knit night is tomorrow - hurrah

That is good because I have had a long long week and it is only Tuesday as I have written this

In fact there feels like there has been hardly any knit time in my house at all, and seeing as I knit whenever I can and too make me relax, that means that everything is at full tilt and there is no relaxing, so I found this movie and thought maybe that's what is needed

A metaphorical hug will do and then all is right in the world again.

Many congrats to Max, our knitting genius - in researching *knitted mortar boards* I found this article - I sped read it but found this interesting info for you *By the mid-fifteenth century Masters of Arts had a kind of knitted skull-cap, the caleptra.(30) In 1529 a pileus was allowed a candidate supplicating for the degree of Master of Arts* mmmmm, interesting!

see you at the workshops

knitting is so rock n roll

2008-06-07T08:23:00.001+01:00

Knitting with Dolly and the Clothes Pegs

2008-06-03T08:41:00.005+01:00

Knit night is on as usual from 7pm at the jelly workshop tomorrow but with the added bonus of Sarah, an outcast knitter performing with the rest of the band in the 3b's bar! wooty wooty, yeh -ha

If you have never heard them, you can hear a sneaky peek right here. Go on click, you know you want to.

Described by themselves as *Ramshakle clog stompin red neck music*

Poetry Please

2008-06-01T21:54:00.003+01:00

This weekend has been so busy that I hardly got any knitting done - apart from trying to make a sock to match a lonely one.

But the bit of time I found for myself also coincided with Poetry Please.

Check it out to hear these featured poems:
How to Knit a Poem by Gwyneth Lewis
Not yet published

Memorial Sweater by Gwyneth Lewis
Not yet published

Knitting Needles by Roger McGough
Not Yet Published

Nana’s Knitting Needles by Roger McGough
Not Yet Published

the debate on why handknits cost so much

2008-05-31T19:56:00.002+01:00

Someone on Etsyknittersteam, photostream here and team info here, forwarded this blog post about why do handknits cost so much

A good read!

Whilst you are pondering that, stroke the gorgeous yarn. Over on Ravelry, the wonderful Skein Queen has her own group of SQ addicts. I have see wonderous yarn and knittiing and this particular image comes from Maverick......................... mmmmmmmm. yarn.

For further etsyknitters info read here

Call for seaside postcards

2008-05-29T09:16:00.002+01:00

Would you like to contribute a ‘seaside postcard’ to be displayed in folders within the exhibition?

We will welcome creative responses on the theme of The Sea, in any medium as long as it is postcard size (15 x 10cm), fairly flat so that it can be slipped into a folder (so collage, painting, photography, stitching, drawing, printing, writing etc. actual works rather than photographs of works please).

We will welcome ‘postcards’ from individuals or sets of ‘postcards’ from groups of artists so please tell you colleagues.

‘Postcards’ can arrive at the museum at any time during the summer.

We will do our best to return work if you include your name and address on the back of the ‘postcard’ but, as the folders will be for public browsing, we cannot guarantee it.

The Sea, the Sea
10 May - 5 October
The sea in all its moods has inspired generations of artists. Paintings and drawings from the museum collection evoke the cry of gulls, the smell of salt spray and the feel of sand beneath your feet. Complementing the artworks are seldom-seen objects collected and created by people who lived, worked and dreamed by the sea - from shells, fossils and birds to tools, models and ceramics. The exhibition includes works by important artists as varied as Johannes Lingelbach, Julian Trevelyan and Maggi Hambling with plenty of things for all the family to see and do.

See Reading Museum for details

knit night is still a wednesday

2008-05-28T08:51:00.006+01:00

So it is half term , you might really need too escape or even bring any wee bairns with you (you don't need to if you don't actually have any)

Knit night is tonight from 7pm at the workshops but in the meantime, I came across this handy book if you really love coming too knit night but really don't want too knit why not use the ideas from here - the uninitiated would never know!

Check out their blog

Knitting, cake and beer?

2008-05-20T09:40:00.006+01:00

Last week I think I was a little optimistic regarding the sunshine, but at least we all enjoyed a quick drink en plein air before retiring to the sanctuary of the workshop area.

This week we are probably having a visit from the knithappens in Newbury group. so I am planning to make some cake. Not the cake in this picture as all the cake gets eaten. In our house we have decided it is cake week, just because we can, so every day a new cake is made.

Cakes aside, I think it will be a busy night - Teresa V-B needs help with her environmental display piece, Knitwit and Trudie are being interviewed by a journalist and CraftyYarnGirl might be bringing some sale yarn she has got and Skein Queen has a competition to celebrate her one year anniversary.... check out the blogpost

And one final note, to bring the tone down, I found out something new about SEX today - it is an acronym for Stash Enhancement experience = buying yarn according to The Ravelry Knitting Lingo.... but if your partner says any chance of a quickie and a wink I doubt if a yarn spending spree is what they had in mind ; )

anyone for a beer?

2008-05-13T18:31:00.005+01:00

mmmmm, beer and sunshine - quick, only sunny for at least the next 36 hours….. want to meet at the pub tomorrow instead of inside?

You could always have a glass of wine instead or a cup of tea ….

So knit night is from 7pm, sat outside the 3b’s - sounds perfect

If only my special Ravelry beer glasses were here..... get them whilst you can on Ravelry!

It is so very quiet out there.....

2008-05-13T07:33:00.002+01:00

Have you noticed?

The number of knitting blogs that are slowing down?

This is the reason: The Detonator

Sock Wars III is now game on! I know there are a few Berkshire knitters taking part in this worldwide deadly knit game but who will survive the longest?

For those who aren't fighting for their lives with some yarn and a pair of sticks, come along to knitting tomorrow night, Wednesday 14 May from 7pm.

The knit is on

Knit night entertainment

2008-05-07T07:10:00.002+01:00

A multi talented Outcastian is playing in her band tonight 'Dolly and the Clothes Pegs'. You can see them play after 9pm in the bar next door to Knit night.

See you there.

Stitchy Mcyarnpants

2008-05-04T10:01:00.004+01:00

From www.stichymcyarnspants.com

The Museum of Stitchy McYarnpants is Knitclicking's faveourite book. This book celebrates embarrassing and cringe worthy knitwear collected from decades of knitting faux pas with hilarious commentary and observations. Stitchy McYarnpants is a true 'Knit Wit'. This book is sarcastic, honest and very funny.

“The Museum of Kitschy Stitches’s hilarious tour through the annals of yarn history is a not-to-be-missed comedic cautionary tale.”—Debbie Stoller, author of Stitch ’N Bitch

Check out her blog. I particually like the post about "The Ballad of Dusty Sorrow"

Her website also offers free knitting patterns like the 'Beer Can Hat' - pictured above.......and she has an etsy shop too......

Clothkits is back and looking mighty fine!

2008-04-21T16:30:00.004+01:00

Clothkits has been rebanded. Originally from the 1970's, Clothkits provide a pre-printed, fully instructed and fully equiped 'kit' and all you have to do is sew it together. Cheating - maybe but super awesome prints and cute stuff for kids. I'm in!

Rob Ryan (see previous Outcast posts) designs an adult skirt for Clothkits.

ALSO - they are running a competition to design a Clothkit dress. See here for more info.

Website find for the Weekend

2008-04-18T19:02:00.006+01:00

How about this.....

here is a company Knitting out Load who make audio books on "the best of knitting literature" to listen to whilst you knit, weave or spin. Here are some examples:

*The History of Hand Knitting by Richard Rutt

*Knitting Memories: Reflections on the Knitter's Life edited by Lela Nargi

*The Art of Fair Isle Knitting By Ann Feitelson

Knit night is on this week

2008-04-14T23:37:00.003+01:00

Knit night is back this week 16th April - same time....same place.

Above is a photo I took on holiday of some seriously colourful knotwork.

See you at knit night x

Packing up, ready to go

2008-04-05T13:01:00.004+01:00

NO KNIT NIGHT THIS COMING WEDNESDAY 9TH APRIL 2008

I am setting my priorities right and packing the vitals for my trip away - I am sure Emma is doing exactly the same at this very moment. Don't forget there is no knit night this week although the 3B's is there, reayd with drinks if any of you decide too meet up.

Will miss your nattering and will be back ready too knit on the 16th, maybe I should pack something else other than knitting?

In the meantime look at this wonderful family trunkt project

Knitting in your own world

2008-04-03T09:09:00.002+01:00

Get so caught up in your knitting that you don't realise what is going on around you? Or maybe just so used to your kids mad antics that you don't bat an eyelid to the mad dancing happening in front of you. Check out this youtube. It did make me smile...

Thanks to IanT for finding this clip.

Eye candy - website of the week

2008-04-02T13:23:00.003+01:00

I know we mainly share knitting sites and links but I just wanted to share this website Mister Rob with you. I am a big fan of Rob Ryan's work. I love his intricate paper cut work and elaborate screenprints. Enjoy.

Image from www.misterrob.co.uk

multi functioning good things

2008-03-29T18:39:00.004Z

Not that we have ever had to point to the value of knitting...

This is a self-knitting lamp, it is knitting its own shade. The contraption at the top is the lamp, and when it's activated at floor level it begins slowly spinning and knitting a shade for itself at a speed of about three rotations an hour.

come on knitters, show me other functioning knits

Something gorgeous for the weekend

2008-03-28T07:13:00.003Z

A gratuitous knit shot because I love it

Image courtesy of knitwit

How French shepherds did their knitting in times of yore.

2008-03-24T19:16:00.009Z

French shepherd resting on stilts, knitting. Undated.

"[...] Walking was just one form of locomotion. The swamp dwellers of the Marais Poitevin got about their watery world using fifteen-foot ash wood poles with webbed feet that allowed them to vault across a canal twenty-six feet wide. The shepherds of the Landes spent whole days on stilts, using a stick to form a tripod when they wanted to rest. Perched ten feet in the air, they knitted woolen garments and scanned the horizon for stray sheep."
~ 'The Discovery of France' by Graham Robb.

Maybe it is because I am becoming older

2008-03-20T09:39:00.004Z

but I really want to keep my belly warm!

mmmm, belly warmer and knitted too!

More Finished Projects (Visions of Loveliness)

2008-03-17T22:49:00.006Z

Two more Finished Projects have been added to the SQ website this week which I thought I'd share:
Loop-Through Scarf in Lavish - Bea from California knitted this gorgeous Garter Stitch Loop-Through Scarf by Marci Richardson with just one skein of Lavish in Sea Serpent which her sister from Reading, the lovely Machi, sent her as a consolation gift after some horrible person stole the shawl she was in the middle of knitting. The pattern is from 101 Designer One Skein Wonders and it's such an unusual design - I love it!

Montego Bay scarf in Lavish - Jaana from Finland used two skeins of Lavish in Golden Plum to create this sumptious but cool, summery Montego Bay scarf. The pattern is by Amy R. Singer and was published in Interweave Knits, Summer 2007. Jaana has a fantastic eye for colour, as can be seen by her projects on Ravelry (where she's known as Kamicha) and is a very talented up-and-coming knitwear designer. See more of her designs and adventures in knitting on her yarned

Yes, this tree is wearing a sweater

2008-03-17T07:33:00.003Z

Sweater wearing trees are popping up all over the place, including this example in the town of Yellow Springs, Ohio. Residents of the town have embraced knit graffiti in a big way, covering the town's "knitknot" tree in knit panels filled with in-jokes and family artifacts.

It is reported that things in Yellow Springs aren't all peaches and cream, though:the tree is vulnerable to the raised legs of passing pooches. Because of that, the panels of yarn don't extend all the way to ground level.

Check out the abc article or the blog here at extreme craft

brrrr..... keep warm

a sedate pastime or revolutionary crafting?

2008-03-14T00:40:00.003Z

Original post by Alabamawhirly - See post below for more info and comments.

a sedate pastime or revolutionary crafting?

2008-03-12T08:25:00.011Z

We are not even going to start this debate again about where we all sit in this debate (I think we all know what category we fit under) - you can check out an earlier outcast post here

If you need any further proof that knitting is an exhilarating seat of the pants activity why not join in the forthcoming Sock Wars?

Now in it's 3rd year Sock Wars is the brainchild of Julie Gardner a 31 year old mother of 2 who after travelling Europe has returned to settle in her native Northern Ireland.

1,000 knitters took part in the first Sock Wars, making the " international sock of doom" and for Sock Wars II the pattern was called "scar" - a sock with a ridge down one side.

The players also post photos of the completed socks online, with some dramatising their "assassination" using fake blood or by lying on the floor beneath the pair they received.

If you are brave enough sign up to do battle you will be emailed a top secret assassination dossier on 9th May 2008. This file contains the details of your target and an exclusive, never-been-published-before knitting pattern with which to assassinate them.

To kill your target you must knit them the pair of socks in the pattern (your weapon) and mail it to them. Once your target receives your parcel they are dead and must post their death on the “fallen comrades” section of the sockwars site.
They must also immediately send you details of their intended target (who becomes your next person to assassinate) along with their unfinished knitting (which becomes your new weapon).
All the while this is going on, someone has been assigned you as their target…
Prepare to live in fear… Kill or be killed!

Sign up for the bloodbath at the Sock Wars home.

I Knit

2008-03-08T07:34:00.004Z

I have been hearing about I Knit for a while, thinking they are just like us outcastians - they like to KIP, they watch movies, compare knit ratings and it appears an all consuming passion.

So here they are on Ravelry and even better, there is an online shop, blog, a club and a film club - knitty heaven

Now, low and behold they are going one step further and presenting the first KNIFTAS, Knitting in Film and Television Awards..., full info here.

Fancy a knit night on tour trip? Or day out to the I Knit Day in September? Or even have any ideas of what you would nominate for the following categories?

Worst knitting/crochet/craft scene

Best knitting/crochet/craft scene

Best knitwear

The rules are that all nominated films must have played in UK/US cinemas, or been shown on UK/US television between 1st January 2007 and 29th February 2008.

Nominations to be posted here or on the Ravelry I knit group message board, where you also argue/discuss the other nominations.

so what is it to be an etsyian?

2008-03-03T17:33:00.005Z

I don't know the answer to this, but some of us outcastians became etsyians and some etsyians have become outcastians.

The founder, Rob Kalin has reached the goddess of American Life (sic)Martha Stewart for an interview on leap day - you can watch the footage courtesy of moth to flame here or see a web exclusive from martha

so what do you have to say about Etsy?

Is there a need for knitted Easter eggs?

2008-02-28T08:31:00.004Z

At Outcast, we love our chocolate but in the effort for healthy eating (we have been known to make the odd bit of knitted lettuce) I stumbled across these knitted eggs on the internet.

The pattern is really easy and free and available from little cotton rabbits blog. Very sweet

Hyperbolic Crochet Reef

2008-02-26T09:21:00.002Z

A fellow Outcastian sent me an email about *hyperbolic crochet reefs* and even if you had no idea what they are about, I bet you love it now.

The Hyperbolic Crochet Coral Reef is a large-scale, constantly mutating, series of hand-made crochets that replicate the forms of natural coral. In 1997 Dr. Daina Taimina, a professor at Cornell University, astounded the scientific world by realising the first physical model of a hyperbolic plane, using crocheted wool. Using the same mathematical technique, two Australian sisters, Christine and Margaret Wertheim, created the idea for a Hyperbolic Crochet Coral Reef. The project, organised by the Los Angeles based Institute for Figuring is a direct response to the plight of coral reef from pollution and global warming. Fusing science and mathematics with fine art and handicraft, The Reef is constantly updated by an ever-expanding group of participants from around the world. You can see it at The Hayward Gallery from Friday 6th June until Sunday 17th August 2008 - 73 days of possibilities.

There are hyperbolic crochet lectures by Margaret Wertheim at the Hayward on:

Saturday 15th March:
2-5pm Workshop

Sunday 16th March:
2-5pm Workshop

Margaret Wertheim will give an Intro talk about the whole project - the plight of reefs, global warming, plastic problem, and the crochet reef response - and then you will be able to begin to do hyperbolic crochet.... it is all open to the public!

(Not sure about prices yet though...watch for an update)

Thanks skeinqueen for the heads up!

Knitted Landscape

2008-02-21T00:31:00.005Z

Could you imagine a few of these cropping up in Forbury Gardens or Palmer Park?

And who would put them there? The magic fairies?
If you want to see more knitted toadstools, flowers, shells and pebbles which crop up in unexpected places, check out Knitted Landscape

Radical-ness

2008-02-05T08:58:00.000Z

I don't think that *radical-ness* is a correct word but I have been thinking about a card someone gave me when the wee bairns were born way back in 1997 - I was going to change the world but I could not find a babysitter

Sometimes that is what it feels like (not that I could possibly change THE world but maybe my own little world) so in light of that I am proposing that knit night starts at 7pm.... not 8pm, although everyone is welcome to come whenever they want ... it is just so that I get a little bit longer knitting and changing my own world, so maybe see you there?

In the meantime, how about trying something a little different

mmmmmmmmm, paper yarn, here is a post about it here

got anymore interesting links.....

some eye candy from outcast

2008-01-29T21:19:00.000Z

knitwit waiting for a beer

skeinqueens's gorgeous Calpotis

memake's bag, mmmm, orange

angharad's super slouchy gretel

knithappen's sewing up pile, sigh....

Book Review

2008-01-22T19:52:00.000Z

KNITKNIT by Sabrina Gschwandtner

There is nothing more to say than.....buy this book. Whirly and I are fans. This book requires a comfy chair, a cat on your lap (if you have one - otherwise borrow the neighbours) and a big pot of tea. All the designers and artists featured are interesting and inspiring. It is fancinating to read about them and have a sneeky peep into their studios. When you put the book down your head will be swimming with new crazy knitty ideas.

Here are some of the designers featured that I liked:
Freddie Robbins
Dave Cole He knits teddies out of lead and uses JCB's to make the ultimate knitting machine.
Lisa Anna Auerbach She knits amazing jacquard/fair isle fabric.

outcast

new website

Outside:Inside Festival - call for submissions

Creating Together

Give fleece a chance

Belated Happy New Knitty Year

Outcasts Banner Pattern

Knit a Poem

Wearable Cupcakes

1st Wedding Anniversary

The formidable world of Justine Holt

WWKIP Weekends

SHOW TWO at the Royal College of Art

We should do this

Back to back

famous people and knit night

being inspired

Vicunas - FIBRE FACTS

Join the Slow Art and Craft Revolution

The birth of Grumpo

three good things

The Mystery of the Giant Pink Rabbit

For your pure sheep delight

Cake at the bottom of the Rainbow?

Is March the month of knitting genius?

something to listen to whilst you're knititng

It was such a perfect day, I'm glad I spent it with you.

We will be Unravelling

really really teeeny weeny

Wool and the Gang - too wool for school!!!

Is Yarbombing the new graffiti art?

The Knitted Brain

Knit resolutions

Christmas Knitting

ho ho ho!

Lego knitting machine

We are exhibiting at South Hill Park, Bracknell

Knit Night

Knit Night

the hats are on their way

A new baby to knit for

Saving the odd ones under the pile or rubble

Thank you!

The Big Knit Marathon 2008

Happy Birthday Wildfennel

Yarn pRon

As life becomes more technologically advanced we tend to cling to certain basic and fundamental things

Big Bang Knitting Wednesday

Happy Birthday Ginko

old fashioned knitted things

New hats, new shoes, a wedding maybe?

KNIT NIGHT

the big knit

Song of the Knitters

KNIT NIGHT - bonfire and baked potatoes

Twist Collective - knitting Magazine

In the Loop Conference - Winchester School of Art

The joys of freeform

***SALE***

escapism

knit night and art

Knitting Hen Night

Continuing in a theme....

knitting is so rock n roll

Knitting with Dolly and the Clothes Pegs

Poetry Please

the debate on why handknits cost so much

Call for seaside postcards

knit night is still a wednesday

Knitting, cake and beer?

anyone for a beer?

It is so very quiet out there.....

Knit night entertainment

Stitchy Mcyarnpants

Clothkits is back and looking mighty fine!

Website find for the Weekend

Knit night is on this week

Packing up, ready to go

Knitting in your own world

Eye candy - website of the week

SALE