http://www.care2.com/greenliving/knitting-for-the-nest-saving-the-planet-one-stitch-at-a-time.html
Knitting for the Nest: Saving the Planet One Stitch at a Time!
I have a confession to make, I am an addict–a knitting addict. Those of you who have this affliction know all too well that once bitten by the bug, you can’t get enough, and you can’t go back. Yarn stashes are tucked in all the nooks and crannies of your house, your car, your life! You comb the yarn shops and Internet for patterns, gadgets and inspiration. You secretly crave extended car, train and plane trips (unless airport security confiscates your needles as weapons ) for long stretches of uninterrupted time to knit. You don’t even mind waiting at doctor offices, school bus stops or for take-out food. Chop sticks can double as knitting needles in a pinch. Nothing is sacred, not traffic jams (and you thought cell phones were distracting), movie theatres (tiny LED flashlights line the pockets of my coats in case of a dropped stitch), and especially not faculty meetings (as my teaching colleagues can attest).
How could this have happened to me? Well, I’ve been a knitter for a long time. My earliest memory was when I was gunning for a Girl Scout badge and my garter stitch scarf had to be the longest and warmest. My mother knits, but she is more of a master seamstress. To this day, she is the most talented and gifted craftsperson of all things needle-related that I know east of the Rockies. I would like to pin the roots of this obsession on my mom, but it’s more likely a college friend who gets the badge of honor for dragging me into a yarn shop after a sobering shopping trip to Bloomingdales. The sticker shock of the handknit sweater I had been lusting after was hundreds of dollars. I was on a tight college kids budget. The economics of my sweater obsession drove me tumbling head first into my knitting addiction.
The popularity of hand knitting historically swings like a pendulum. It goes in and out of fashion. Knitting is having a resurgence again. It is hip and fashionable to knit with new eco-friendly yarns and supplies.
As with all addictions, sharing seems to expedite the healing process. With that sentiment in mind, for all you folks with the knitting bug or who want to learn to knit, I am sharing an easy and green gift idea.
EASY SEED STITCH SCARF
Yarn: Worsted-weight eco-yarn, approximately 430 yards.
Needles: Bamboo, Size 9 (5.5mm).
Gauge: 16 sts and 28 rows = 4”.
SEED STITCH
All rows: *Knit 1, Purl 1*; repeat from * to * across row, end Knit 1
Repeat this row for pattern.
SCARF
Loosely cast on 35 sts. Work in Seed stitch until your scarf is approximately 60” or your desired length. Bind off loosely.
I would like to say that I’m in recovery, but I still walk on the wild side of knitting. Now it’s come full circle back to economics. No, I am not a college student again, although I have a few. Holiday gift-giving has caused me to go off the wagon again (not that I ever really stopped knitting). With needles ready, willing and able, I am going to try to stave off any impeding economic downturns and save the planet one stitch at a time!
Ronnie Citron-Fink lives in New York with her husband, two children (when they come home to the nest), two dogs and a cat. Ronnie is a teacher and a writer. She has been a contributing writer for Family Fun magazine. She currently writes articles about education and home design. Her writings are in four books including Family Fun Home and Some Delights of the Hudson Valley.
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Kabin
Konteyner,Prefabrik
mega kabin
Konteyner
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Well ladies, I made it through and made better mitts. A guess practice makes perfect. lol I've started on my second sweater (top down, raglan sleeved...LOVE it!) and I'm using eco friendly yarn made of acrylic as well as post-consumer plastic bottles! It is inexpensive (about $2.50 a skein) and I can find it in many colors at that 'super' chain department store. (I don't like shopping there..but it is the cheapest yarn I can find) I am on Ravelry, for those who've suggested the site...feel free to look me up. Find me under "ladyleif". Happy knitting!
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Are you on Ravelry? If you're not, you should be! Awesome site for knitters and crocheters.
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Are you on Ravelry? If you're not, you should be! Awesome site for knitters and crocheters.
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i am also hooked on knitting it so amazing to see that so many women are. My mom taught me at a young age although i do not know alot of patterns i remain teachable through books. i have been laid off since last march its been rough. but i make beautiful scarfs &shawls they sell well,thanks to my friends that own a vegetarian restaurant, they suggested that i make them and display them there. its such a great feeling to see my finished product there. i used to just knit for fun and didn't know what to do with all of it. now i have a little business venture happening. i plan to knit summer shawls. i used to only knit in the winter now i plan to knit all summer too. With plans of introducing my products to other little shops on comission! I love to knit to me it is so relaxing and calming.I am 49 If you learn to knit you definetly get hooked!!! In my case a door closed but a window opened!!! HAPPY KNITTING EVERYONE !!
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I too have been knitting for a long time..about 30yrs! But I've just recently taught myself to knit in the round. (how fun is that?!) I've got a great stash and would love to knit hats and mittens/mitts for area children. I've got a great knit hat pattern that I love but I'm working on fingerless mitts that have a short thumb...I'm interpretting (sp?) the instructions wrong or something, but I can't find video online. Can any of you help me out? I'd like to continue making the fingerless mitts for the teen crowd (like my own kiddos) but wish my thumbs came out better. I'd also like to try mittens for the first time.
I'd love to email fellow knitters...perhaps start and online group..anyone interested, drop me a line! Happy knitting!
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I love knitting and am very fortunate to have learned at a young age. I am in my 60's now so I have been knitting for a long time. I prefer knitting over crochet for some reason, and am always in the midst of one project, if not many. I like short projects and love knitting for preemies, animal shelters, our soldiers, and homeless shelters as well as prayer shawls for women prisoners. There are several websites out there that will give you names of organizations to knit for. I don't buy expensive yarns, but like the new yarns a lot. My husband tries to find me yarn wherever he can. The sad thing is that some stores throw away and even crush unsold items including yarn. Why don't they donate it to nursing homes, senior centers, etc? Is there anyway someone out there knows of getting companies to donate to churches, etc. My church is trying to knit for the soldiers and don't know how we could get yarn donated. Thanks
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Sue, there are two types of decreases. A simple decrease just knits two stitches together as if they were one. The stitches slant slightly to the right. For a slip stitch (SSK) decrease insert the right needle into the first stitch on the left needle, as if your were going to purl, instead just slide the stitch onto the right needle. Slip the next stitch onto the right needle as if to purl (two stitches have been slipped). Insert the left-hand into the fronts of the two slipped stitches and knit those two together. The stitches will slant to the right. Hope this helps!
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i love knitting and the smaller the item the more i am engrossed in it its great to hear from other knitters the new hemp yarn is eco friendly but seems a tad expensive i have been very busy now coming up to the holidays and hope to get all my projects finished
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While I love knitting I ALWAYS have real problems when decreasing to do the arm holes, sleeves etc. Is it just me or is there a knack that I'm missing? :(
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