Knitting News

'Sexy Little Knits' | Pensacola News Journal

'Sexy Little Knits'
Pensacola News Journal - June 9 2006

Ashley Paige, a former Pensacola resident, makes some of the sexiest swimsuits for some of the sexiest celebrities in the world.

Jessica Alba and Ashley Scott Thomas strutted some in last year's hit "Into the Blue," and Sports Illustrated always showcases them in its swimsuit edition. And Jennifer Lopez and Gwen Stefani are two of her biggest fans.

Now, Paige is sharing her swimsuit-making secrets in a new book, "Sexy Little Knits: Chic Designs to Knit and Crochet" ($21.95, Random House). It shows you how to make 24 haute summer creations, from bikinis and tanks, to dresses, shorts and loungewear.

I called Paige in Hollywood to ask her about her book, her couture collection and the future of her swimsuit line. Here's what she had to say.

Q: Tell me about the knits in your book.

A: In my book, I share some of the sexiest knit bikini designs from the fashion runway, as well as some brand-new clothing designs. [more]

Woman honors annual knit baby hat tradition | Greeley Tribune

Woman honors annual knit baby hat tradition
Greeley Tribune - June 29 2006

Mary Lois Knisely has two passions: knitting and volunteering.

And on Wednesday, she combined the two when she donated 24 knitted hats to the Monfort Family Birth Center.

"Some people can give money, I can't," the Greeley resident said. "I can give time."

Knisely has donated hats to the center for 24 years, ever since her son, David Turner, was born prematurely there. She said she was touched at the extra-special care her son received by the nursing staff.

David Turner turned 24 on Wednesday, and as part of the annual tradition, Knisely hand-delivered her son's age in hats to the center's nursing staff.
[more]

Get needled: Knit this easy-to-make scarf | MSNBC

Get needled: Knit this easy-to-make scarf
MSNBC - June 28 2006

Summer’s long days are the perfect time to knit accessories for winter. Vickie Howell, host of ‘Knitty Gritty’ on the DIY Network, shares a pattern

Vickie Howell, host of the popular “Knitty Gritty” show on the DIY Network, is known as a “chick with sticks.” In her latest book, “Not Another Teen Knitting Book,” Howell tells girls how they can knit trendy accessories — scarves, belts, shawls hats, gloves, and even handbags — to update their wardrobes. Try this easy-to-make scarf pattern at home: [more]

Festival knot just for knitters | The Border Mail

Festival knot just for knitters
The Border Mail - June 26 2006

Kate Moss does it before she hits the catwalk and Nicole Kidman uses it to relax in between movie takes.

Knitting is trendy and to cater to the widening knitting demographic the annual Stitched up Textile Festival, in Wangaratta, is being held against a backdrop of fighter jets and bomber planes.

About 150 people headed to the Wangaratta airport on Saturday for the festival opening, which runs until July 15.

Showcasing everything from patchwork and quilting to woodwork and crafts, festival committee member Wendy Norman said the entire town and surrounding areas, including Milawa and Eldorado, had been transformed for the event.

[...]The Stitched up Textile festival is open from 10am to 4pm everyday until July 15. Entry is $5.

For more information or to contributions to the world’s longest scarf, contact 1300 795 999 or visit www.stitchedupfestival.com [more]

Book Review: Maggie's Ireland: Designer Knits on Location by Maggie Jackson | M & C Books

Book Review: Maggie's Ireland: Designer Knits on Location by Maggie Jackson
M & C Books - June 25 2006

When Alexis Xenakis is behind the lens, you just know the photography is going to be superb as is demonstrated in this latest publication by XRX Books. Jackson’s knit designs vary between garments suited for everyday use like the Blackrock Coat knit in mohair and linen, some rather avant-garde patterns like the Enniskerry Top with it’s barely attached sleeves that will appeal to the more adventurous knitter, to a few tablemats and cushions, all carefully photographed using the lush Irish countryside as the backdrop. Jackson plays with slits, tubes, plus plenty of asymmetrical lines while making full use of simple knit, seed and ladder stitches typically worked in three or more yarns making complex appearing designs simple enough for most knitters. [more]

Spinners enjoy a quiet passion | Tribune-Review

Spinners enjoy a quiet passion
Tribune-Review - June 25 2006

Sandy Truckner, of Twin Springs Farm near Avonmore, spins yarn from wool, but she's not particularly interested in knitting or weaving anything from it.

"People ask what I'm going to do with my yarn, and when I tell them nothing, they think it's pointless," she said, "but I just like doing it and looking at it."

The relaxation and rhythm of the coordination between hands and feet are attractions of spinning wool and other fibers, so much so that members of Loyalhannon Spinners, which Truckner helped to found, get together just to share their passion and to demonstrate the ancient craft. [more]

Stress Less | LA Downtown News

Stress Less
LA Downtown News - June 26 2006

Linda Grimes had always been able to cope with life's ups and downs. But a stressful work situation, coupled with a rash of bad luck and personal loss, brought her to a breaking point.

[...]She doesn't obsess about difficult situations as she did before and makes sure not to take her problems home at night. When she does feel stress, she practices slow, deep breathing, plays music or takes a walk.

An avid knitter, she now brings yarn to her workplace and places it on her desk so she can see it and be reminded of a hobby she enjoys.

"Just looking at it helps," she says. [more]

Finally, light will shine where knitters need it | Chicago Tribune

Finally, light will shine where knitters need it
Chicago Tribune - June 25 2006

Edith Eig, who has become the go-to woman for Hollywood stars when they want to learn to knit, says the time has come for knitting in the dark.

"Knitters are like addicts," Eig said. "They knit everywhere."

And so now she and her husband, Merrill, have come up with a way for all those addicted knitters to do just that by inventing a device they call The Knit Lite.

It is a plastic knitting needle that has a light on the tip. Powered by three hearing-aid batteries, the needles come in various colors, but all have clear tips.

"It is a fairly classic design," Merrill Eig said of their invention. "You close the circuit, and it lights the LED from the batteries."

The couple developed the idea with the help of one of Edith Eig's knitting friends, Monica Dremann, and her husband, Michael Rosenberg, who is president of Imagine Entertainment, the production company of director Ron Howard and his partner, producer Brian Grazer. [more]

Billings woman hooked on crocheting | Billings Gazette

Billings woman hooked on crocheting
Billings Gazette - June 24 2006

Sue Hoffman admits that the first time she tried following a crochet pattern was like reading a foreign language. She persisted and soon was crocheting up a storm.

Initially, she just made afghans.

"One afghan after another," she said.

An oversized black, purple and teal geometric-patterned afghan is the most difficult one she has done. The blanket was so time-consuming that it took one hour to complete one inch using a large, afghan-stitch hook. [more]

Purler of a day for communities | Sunday Tasmanian

Purler of a day for communities
Sunday Tasmanian - June 25 2006

Two North-West communities are about to indulge in a day of "secret women's business", and it's all in the name of charity.

A community knitting day will be held in Devonport and Burnie on July 8 to make clothing for children in Mongolia.

Organised by Adult Education staff, the idea for the day arose when they read about Sunrise star Melissa Doyle's recent trip to Mongolia to distribute knitted goods made by World Vision's Guardian Angel program.

"We thought a community knitting day would be a great idea," Adult Education North-West regional manager Fiona Ellis said.

"It's a nice inter-generational activity where grannies, mums and daughters can all do something together while helping others. [more]