Use Your Stash for Good: DIY Dryer Balls

Via CasaSugar, an easy how to on making your own dryer balls. They are chemical free and can even whittle down your stash a bit. Now that’s using your stash for good!

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First Projects Shared: Alpaca Drops Neck Warmer

Over at Ravelry, I asked local Eugene knitters to share their first knitting project with me. I got a few good stories and thought I’d share them here.
From Maureen:

Besides the practice swatches that I used to learn how to knit, purl, yarn over, and test different ribbing, my first finished knitting object was a drops [...]

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Unraveling the Brain’s Secrets

Associate Professor Ruth Grahn has made a connection between “neuons and knitting.” Professor Grahn is an avid knitter and spinner and teaches all her behavioral neuroscience students to knit.
[from the Connecticut College magazine]
Why do you have the students in your Behavioral Neuroscience course learn to knit?
Students don´t expect to encounter knitting on the first day [...]

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Endless Possibilities: My First Knitting Project

Just two days away from my first knitting class, I’m excited about all the possibilities. They seem endless at this point! While I know I have to grow my skills to do things like this gorgeous sweater, it’s definitely on my wish list. Of course, by the time I’m able to knit this, it’ll be [...]

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Knots of Love: Warm Weather Care

Chemotherapy is hard on a cancer patient’s skin, causing very dry skin that can be sensitive to touch and to sun exposure.
In the summer months, Knots of Love, makes two types of caps for chemotherapy patients – caps made from cotton or cotton blend yarns (see brimmed cap picture) and sleep caps for ladies (see [...]

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Stitch ‘N Pitch This Summer With Your Favorite Team

The National NeedleArts Association is partnering with local yarn shops and needlework groups to bring you Stitch N’ Pitch 2008.
Stitch N’ Pitch brings together two wonderful traditions — Baseball [...]

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Why Forest Palm?

Palmwood is considered an exotic hardwood. And while it may not be as common as bamboo or metal for knitting needles, all Laurel Hill needles are made of of this flexible, sturdy – and sustainable – wood.
A hardwood timber from coconut and date palms, palmwood is taken from plantation- grown palms ready to be cut [...]

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Ladybird Books: Vintage Knitting Prints

I love vintage illustrations. My living room walls are decorated with french vintage prints and I have a hard time ever passing up a Mucha print.
These prints from the Ladybird Books printed in the 50s and 60s are a little more recent than most vintage pieces I’m drawn to, but the illustrations are gorgeous.
I’ve pulled [...]

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1,000 Knitters: Canadian Episode

I think one of the cool things about knitting and crocheting is the remarkable community of people involved. I’m new to this, but I’m amazed at the passion and comradery that exists. Franklin Habit’s 1,000 knitters project is a photographic manifestation of said community.
I loved reading about his recent visit to Lettuce Knit in Toronto.
If [...]

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Amigurumi Fun

A couple of cute amigurumi projects posted around the craft blogosphere in the last week or so and I thought I’d share. Really amazing crochet work.

Via Softies Central: Amigurumi chess set by CozyColeman. You can buy the set or just the pattern at her Etsy store.

MeekSandyGirl posted this adorable mushroom house amigurumi (made from recycled [...]

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