Knitting News

The knitting kind | The Star

The knitting kind
The Star - April 1 2006

When Jackson Loh, 38, is not out procuring sales for Lily Handicraft, he is likely sitting behind the counter with a ball of yarn and knitting needles. When he is chatting, his hands are perpetually in motion, making sweater, scarf, mittens.
He has been knitting for 20 years and began this unlikely hobby at his sister’s shop, Lily Handicraft, in Wisma Centre, Penang. His sister needed help at the shop and Loh volunteered – briefly, he thought – and found himself staying for the next two decades.
“Knitting is not something men would find interesting. But I got the hang of it after a while and grew to like it. I even ended up teaching the customers and they would shower me with praises. I was special in their eyes because I could knit,” Loh says. The women took such a shine to him that one ended up becoming his wife.
“My wife Leong Kar Poh, 31, was working in the shop as a knitting instructor and I fancied her. So, I knitted a blouse for her, and that got her attention,” blushes Loh. They have two daughters aged nine and seven. The Penang shoplot has since been rented out and Loh is now sales manager for the wholesale division for Lily Handicraft’s chain of three shops in Ipoh, Sungai Wang and Subang Jaya. [more]

Book Review: Andean Folk Knits: Great Designs from Peru, Chile, Argentina, Ecuador & Bolivia by Marcia Lewandowski | M&C Books

Book Review: Andean Folk Knits: Great Designs from Peru, Chile, Argentina, Ecuador & Bolivia by Marcia Lewandowski
M&C Books - March 31 2006

Living in Bolivia for many years allowed Lewadowski to opportunity to become immersed in the daily life and rich cultural traditions of the Andean people, a tradition that includes colorful knitwear. After noticing the local women begin using imported fanny-packs in lieu of their unique hand knit purses, she began collecting and recording the bag patterns and stories from across the Andes. Born of her love for the hand knit patterns of the Andean culture, Lewadowski has brought together a thoroughly charming and whimsical knit purse collection liberally laced with photos and background information about the region. Sprinkled amongst the purses are a few mitten, scarf and hat patterns. [more]

Book Review: Fabulous Felted Hand-Knits: Wonderful Wearables & Home Accents by Jane Davis | M&C Books

Book Review: Fabulous Felted Hand-Knits: Wonderful Wearables & Home Accents by Jane Davis
M&C Books - March 31 2006

If you have ever accidentally shrunk a sweater in the washing machine then know it or not, you were felting. Now learn how easy it is to create an assortment of lively and durable items using hand knit fabrics felted in your washing machine. Designer Jane Davis takes you through the process from selecting the appropriate yarns, swatching, needle sizes, basting and forming to the actual washing process, drying and the care of your completed projects. A list of abbreviations and knitting terms is located at the back of the book but assumes the reader knows how to knit. [more]

Spinrite finds growth in fancy crafts yarn category vs. Spinrite in nasty spin cycle as slow demand sparks flood of low-priced yarn

Canada : Spinrite finds growth in fancy crafts yarn category
fibre2fashion - March 31 2006

Craft yarn producer Spinrite Income Fund announced its financial results for the 13 weeks ended December 31, 2005, and for the combined 52 weeks ended December 31, 2005.
“During the fourth quarter, we encountered significant challenges related to lower consumer spending and high retail inventories primarily in the fancy yarn segment,” said Dario Margve, President and Chief Executive Officer.
“In the first half of 2005, growth in the craft yarn category was very strong, particularly in the fancy yarn segment, and the Fund’s financial performance reflected this growth.” [more]

vs.

Spinrite in nasty spin cycle as slow demand sparks flood of low-priced yarn
CBC News - March 30 2006

Spinrite Income Fund (TSX:SNF.UN) is trimming distributions to its unitholders by half and seeking relief from its lenders amid an sharp drop in consumer spending on fancy yarns that is having a profound effect across its market.
That news and a bleak financial report sent Spinrite units down nearly 50 per cent Thursday to $2.70, the lowest price since the fund was created and its units began trading at $11.01 in February 2005. [more]

Lessons learned from yarn work | Coulee News

Lessons learned from yarn work
Coulee News - March 30 2006

In Deb Kroll’s second grade class at Onalaska’s Northern Hills Elementary, knitting is weaving its way back into fashion.
Yes, the old-fashioned way of making clothing has made a return in the form of hats, socks, and scarves, all made by the hands of second graders.
For about two months, the second graders were allowed to knit in their free time during class. The reward for finishing their reading activities early is a comfortable seat on the classroom couch with their Nifty Knitters and their balls of yarn.
“Knitting is an art, or craft, that has gone away from our society,” Deb Kroll said. “It’s a great way for the kids to learn not only how to knit, but valuable life lessons as well.”
So what can an “information superhighway” generation child learn from a “county highway” craft?
“I’ve learned about patience,” said Kasara Miller, who has already finished making one hat and was on to another.
“It teaches us to listen,” said Blake Williamson, who is working on a hat he wants to give to his brother. [more]

They knit the pain away | The Eagle-Tribune

They knit the pain away
The Eagle-Tribune

Traumatized children hug the teddy bears they make. Young mothers receive their hand-knitted cuddly baby blankets, booties and mittens. Cancer patients who've lost their hair get "chemo caps."
These are just some of the people who have benefitted from the handiwork of local women who get together each week to knit a variety of items.
The Retired Senior and Volunteer Program of Greater Haverhill and Lawrence has honored the women who knit the items. They were treated to a luncheon at Maria's Family Restaurant in Haverhill. About 15 women from Greater Haverhill attended the luncheon, which was paid for with a grant from the Charles F. Bacon Trust.
"I don't think you could ever put a price tag on their work," said Guy Kelley Jr., executive director of the retirees program. "These are really gifts of love." [more]

Look who's knitting: It isn't your grandma | azcentral

Look who's knitting: It isn't your grandma
azcentral - March 30 2006

Lexi Hyman learned to knit in elementary school by making outfits for her Barbie dolls. By middle school, she had outgrown Barbie and knitting.
But the 23-year-old Alaska native rediscovered her childhood hobby the knitting, not Barbie -- three years ago during a particularly dull winter break from college. She spotted some yarn in her mother's sewing basket and decided to knit a sweater. That project led to another, and soon she was knitting again.
"I go through phases sometimes where I knit all day, every day," she said. "It's addicting."
Hyman is one of a growing number of women - and a few men in their 20s and 30s who are redefining what has long been considered a hobby for grandmothers. They knit in college classes, during work breaks and on the subway. They buy "designer yarns" made of cashmere, chenille or mohair in colors like lime green, hot pink and black. They create hats and handbags, scarves and tank tops, and even skimpy bikinis. Already the trend has led to a flurry of books, patterns and designer yarn marketed to a younger, edgier generation of knitters. [more]

A blanket statement about pets, babies in Montville classroom

A blanket statement about pets, babies in Montville classroom
Daily Record - March 28 2006

Every Thursday morning the Lazar Middle school students and administrators are engaged for half an hour in the school's Character Education Advisory Program.
...This time around they are busy knitting and crocheting blankets. Part of the class wanted to do it for abandoned babies, while the others wanted to do it for animal shelters. They compromised and will be splitting the blankets up between two charities. [more]

Well-knit | Cecil Whig

Well-knit
Cecil Whig - March 29 2006

Lois Beck sits in front of a sunlit window and crisscrosses her pink knitting needles.
A soft black cast helps steady her right hand.
She hasn’t stitched this much since she took lessons from her grandmother, who made knit dresses and gloves during the Second World War.
“Knitting keeps you young,” says Beck, 88. Her speech is interrupted by quick inhales, caused by tubes that run up her nose and supply air to her lungs. [more]

They value a good yarn | Intelligencer Journal

They value a good yarn
Intelligencer Journal - March 29 2006

Recess had never been Jordan Groff's favorite time in school."Basically, I didn't have anything to do at recess. I would just walk around," the fifth-grader at Brownstown Elementary School said. "I used to play kickball, but everyone fights during that game."
Three months ago, Jordan found a solution to his playground woes: a pair of knitting needles and a ball of yarn.
Jordan is one of four boys in Brownstown Knitters Club; its 40 fifth- and sixth-graders spend their lunch recesses making blankets and accessories. [more]