We love a bit of luxury here are Simply Knitting and we do keep an eye on what's going on in the fashion world, even outside the realms of gorgeous new yarns. After all, surely one of the advantages of making your own clothes is that you can make whatever you like.
So if you fancy a bit of catwalk glamour, how about a shawl which seems to be made of rats?
No? We didn't think so either. But what if you could knit one?
No? Ah well. You can see the rest of Gareth Pugh's collection on Style.com - and there's lots of other interesting designs in the new Spring 2008 catwalk collections. We particularly like the bold stripes in Anna Molinari's new line...
Friday September 28, 2007 Rats to fashion
Wednesday September 26, 2007 Show the world you knit!
Got knitting?
Got a knitting group?
Want to tell the world how many of us there are out there?
Well, so does the London SnB. They're working on a blanket, and they'd like to have a square on it to represent each knitting group in the country. You can design and knit or crochet it however you like - as long as it's a 20x20cm square!
The finished work is to go on display at Debbie Stoller's First Official Stitch 'n Bitch on 10 November 2007, so you'd better get cracking! The S'nB is being organized by I Knit London, and you can order your tickets now - or drop back next week, when we might have some interesting news for you!
Got a knitting group?
Want to tell the world how many of us there are out there?
Well, so does the London SnB. They're working on a blanket, and they'd like to have a square on it to represent each knitting group in the country. You can design and knit or crochet it however you like - as long as it's a 20x20cm square!
The finished work is to go on display at Debbie Stoller's First Official Stitch 'n Bitch on 10 November 2007, so you'd better get cracking! The S'nB is being organized by I Knit London, and you can order your tickets now - or drop back next week, when we might have some interesting news for you!
Tuesday September 25, 2007 Knit's ordinary life
If you've ever wondered what ordinary life is like across the UK, this is your chance to find out. The UK at Home is a nationwide photo project focussing on ordinary life. 50 professional photographers and thousands of amateurs will be documenting seven days in the nation's life. Today's theme is "Morning Rush".
What we'd like to know is: where's the knitting? Have you spotted any? Have you submitted any? We know knitting is an important part of many people's lives - heck, it's a big part of ours - so we'd hate for this project to miss it out!
All amateur photographers are welcome to join the challenge, whether you're a whizz with your camera or just enjoy taking holiday snaps. Turn your lens on your home, your life - and of course your knitting!
We'd love to see your snaps too, so why not take a photo of yourself with your current WIP and your favourite magazine? We'd love to add some more faces to our reader gallery.
What we'd like to know is: where's the knitting? Have you spotted any? Have you submitted any? We know knitting is an important part of many people's lives - heck, it's a big part of ours - so we'd hate for this project to miss it out!
All amateur photographers are welcome to join the challenge, whether you're a whizz with your camera or just enjoy taking holiday snaps. Turn your lens on your home, your life - and of course your knitting!
We'd love to see your snaps too, so why not take a photo of yourself with your current WIP and your favourite magazine? We'd love to add some more faces to our reader gallery.
Tuesday September 18, 2007 Less fearsome, more cuddly
Do you remember hiding behind the sofa the first time the Daleks appeared on our screens or do you just like watching David Tennant, the latest Doctor Who? Either you're sure to appreciate the combination of fannish love and knitting dexterity which go into knitting your own Dalek.
Heartless monsters they may be but they're suddenly awfully cute!
Heartless monsters they may be but they're suddenly awfully cute!
Monday September 17, 2007 Wonder Woman knits
If your energy seems to be fading away with the last of the summer sunshine, then perhaps you need a bit of superhero in your life. We haven't got a lycra-clad flying muscle-man to give away as our next free gift, but we can point you to Practical Polly's blog. This Wonder Woman has knit herself her own superhero jumper. We bet that gives you a bit of an energy boost!
Issue 33 (October) late on sale
Due to a delay in the printing schedule, we regret that issue 33 (October) is late on sale. We expect it to be in the shops on Tuesday 18 or Wednesday 19 September.
Friday September 14, 2007 Award-winning knits!
We'd like to say 'Congratulations!' to Coleen Foley who blogs at Lightening Chick Knits - she's just won the viewers choice ribbon at the Maryland State Fair for her version of Alan Dart's Farmyard Frolics!
We love Alan's patterns, and we're thrilled to see that Coleen's lovely knitted farm got the recognition it deserved.
We love Alan's patterns, and we're thrilled to see that Coleen's lovely knitted farm got the recognition it deserved.
Thursday September 13, 2007 Sirdar yarn and pattern bundles giveaway (issue 33)
This competition is now closed. To find a stockist near you, or for more information about their yarns and patterns, visit the Sirdar website.
Crafts for Scotland show tickets giveaway (issue 33)
This competition is now closed. Find out more about upcoming ICHF shows near you.
Colinette Creative Thread Packs giveaway (issue 33)
This competition is now closed. Find out more about Colinette's great range of yarns, patterns and book on the Colinette website.
Wednesday September 12, 2007 Debbie Tomkies, radio star!
If you're a regular reader of Simply Knitting, you'll probaby recognize Debbie Tomkies' name. She's also a regular feature in the magazine explaining complicated knitting problems in simple terms. She's a knitting expert on everything from dyeing to neck lines!
So when the people at BBC Radio Manchester rang up to ask her to come on air and talk about knitting, they'd certainly struck gold! You can find out more about the interview including how to listen to it online on Debbie's website.
Debbie also runs her own webshop, DT Craft & Design, packed goodies including over 50 undyed yarns for you to customize including silks, cottons and - of course! - wools.
So when the people at BBC Radio Manchester rang up to ask her to come on air and talk about knitting, they'd certainly struck gold! You can find out more about the interview including how to listen to it online on Debbie's website.
Debbie also runs her own webshop, DT Craft & Design, packed goodies including over 50 undyed yarns for you to customize including silks, cottons and - of course! - wools.
Tuesday September 11, 2007 One sheep, 20 large suits
A sheep called Shrek has evaded shearers for six years, in which time he's grown enough wool to make 20 large suits, the BBC reports.
That's an amazing amount of wool to come from one animal. We're wondering what it will be turned into and what state the wool will be in after six years on the hoof!
That's an amazing amount of wool to come from one animal. We're wondering what it will be turned into and what state the wool will be in after six years on the hoof!
Monday September 10, 2007 The sweetest knit
In issue 31 of Simply Knitting (on sale Thursday 19 July 2007) we featured a great letter from Jackie, a reader who made some knitting out of icing, to go on a cake for her sister's birthday.
We thought it was a scrummy idea, and we're thrilled to discover that we're not alone. For more tempting knitcentric treats, visit Vegan Yum Yum. This blogger certainly demonstrates that vegan cupcakes are the sweetest thing!
If you're inspired to make your own, we'd love to see photos. If you're new to extreme icing, why not have a go on some plain store-bought cakes first? We're sure that even your most sceptical friends and family will be taking a close interest in the results of this knitting!
We thought it was a scrummy idea, and we're thrilled to discover that we're not alone. For more tempting knitcentric treats, visit Vegan Yum Yum. This blogger certainly demonstrates that vegan cupcakes are the sweetest thing!
If you're inspired to make your own, we'd love to see photos. If you're new to extreme icing, why not have a go on some plain store-bought cakes first? We're sure that even your most sceptical friends and family will be taking a close interest in the results of this knitting!
Sunday September 09, 2007 Shaun the Sheep's PicKnit Challenge
We're at Bristol Zoo today, supporting Shaun the Sheep's PicKnit Challenge. It's raising money for the Wallace and Gromit Children's Foundation, so if you're in the area, come on down! There'll be lots to see and do as well as look at the animals. There's a new Aardman film, workshops - and we'll be teaching people to knit!
We've got two great downloads for you today:
How to organise your own PicKnit and more patterns of food to knit.
You can knit anything you might find at a picnic for Shaun's Challenge, so get your creative grove on and get designing! Why not crochet a cake or knit a napkin? Or you could go all out and try something more complicated...it's up to you!
These links are to PDF documents. They won’t open unless you have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your computer. You can download this program from the Adobe website for free. If you have Acrobat Reader and it’s still not working, try right-clicking the link and clicking “save as”. Save the document onto your computer – make sure you can find it again! – and try opening it from there.
We've got two great downloads for you today:
How to organise your own PicKnit and more patterns of food to knit.
You can knit anything you might find at a picnic for Shaun's Challenge, so get your creative grove on and get designing! Why not crochet a cake or knit a napkin? Or you could go all out and try something more complicated...it's up to you!
These links are to PDF documents. They won’t open unless you have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your computer. You can download this program from the Adobe website for free. If you have Acrobat Reader and it’s still not working, try right-clicking the link and clicking “save as”. Save the document onto your computer – make sure you can find it again! – and try opening it from there.
Monday August 27, 2007 Win! Our last 5 pairs of tickets to Craft4Crafters
Tuesday August 21, 2007 Missing diagram for Alan Dart's ark
If you've been looking for the diagram to show you how to put the ark itself together, look no further.
Download a PDF of the ark diagram.
The link is to a PDF document. It won’t open unless you have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your computer. You can download this program from the Adobe website for free. If you have Acrobat Reader and it’s still not working, try right-clicking the link and clicking “save as”. Save the document onto your computer – make sure you can find it again! – and try opening it from there.
Download a PDF of the ark diagram.
The link is to a PDF document. It won’t open unless you have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your computer. You can download this program from the Adobe website for free. If you have Acrobat Reader and it’s still not working, try right-clicking the link and clicking “save as”. Save the document onto your computer – make sure you can find it again! – and try opening it from there.
Monday August 20, 2007 Win! More tickets to Craft4Crafters
Monday August 13, 2007 Win! 5 pairs of tickets to Craft 4 Crafters show
Friday August 10, 2007 Win! 5 pairs of tickets to Craft 4 Crafters show
This competition is now closed. We'll be giving away more great prizes soon. Please visit our competitions page for details.
Craft 4 Crafters
On Friday 21 September at 10am, Craft 4 Crafters opens at Newark and Nottingham’s George Stephenson Pavillion.
With an amazing 90 exhibitors, the three day Stitch & Thread 4 Crafters and Paper & Card 4 Crafters covers the full range of crafting from knitting to card-making, through buttons, embellishments, and pretty embroidery.
Over the next four weeks, we’ll be giving away 20 pairs of tickets to the show in our exclusive blog competition. Every Monday morning, we’ll ask you a question, and the first five correct answers drawn out of our virtual hat after the competition closes on Sunday will win a pair of tickets to the show. Each week, there’ll be five pairs of tickets up for grabs, so don’t forget to drop by and enter for your chance to win.
There'll be lots to see at the show, and it's a great chance to get inspiration - and yarn! - for a new project. Why not take advantage of the broad range of beautiful things on offer, and try something completely new?
It's also the perfect opportunity to learn a new knitting skill, or try a new craft, whether it's felting, cross stitch or card-making. There'll be over 50 workshops over the three days, many of them free!
We love looking around the paper craft and cross stitch stalls at these events. They have a lot of clever storage ideas and pretty embellishments which can really liven up your knitting. Look out for sequins, beads and pretty charms which make great stitch markers, as well as yarn, needles and accessories.
There'll also be lots to look at and enjoy. Step into the past with the Needlecraft Museum. Look out for displays of work dating back to the Second World War including patterns, designs, books, threads and tools.
As children under 15 get in free, it's a great day out for the whole family. For more information or to order tickets, visit Craft 4 Crafters or call 0117 9705007.
With an amazing 90 exhibitors, the three day Stitch & Thread 4 Crafters and Paper & Card 4 Crafters covers the full range of crafting from knitting to card-making, through buttons, embellishments, and pretty embroidery.
Over the next four weeks, we’ll be giving away 20 pairs of tickets to the show in our exclusive blog competition. Every Monday morning, we’ll ask you a question, and the first five correct answers drawn out of our virtual hat after the competition closes on Sunday will win a pair of tickets to the show. Each week, there’ll be five pairs of tickets up for grabs, so don’t forget to drop by and enter for your chance to win.
There'll be lots to see at the show, and it's a great chance to get inspiration - and yarn! - for a new project. Why not take advantage of the broad range of beautiful things on offer, and try something completely new?
It's also the perfect opportunity to learn a new knitting skill, or try a new craft, whether it's felting, cross stitch or card-making. There'll be over 50 workshops over the three days, many of them free!
We love looking around the paper craft and cross stitch stalls at these events. They have a lot of clever storage ideas and pretty embellishments which can really liven up your knitting. Look out for sequins, beads and pretty charms which make great stitch markers, as well as yarn, needles and accessories.
There'll also be lots to look at and enjoy. Step into the past with the Needlecraft Museum. Look out for displays of work dating back to the Second World War including patterns, designs, books, threads and tools.
As children under 15 get in free, it's a great day out for the whole family. For more information or to order tickets, visit Craft 4 Crafters or call 0117 9705007.
