Green Options

Who’s ready for some purling!? Knitting may not seem as exciting as football, but for some of us it is our lifeblood. Making something out of (what seems like) nothing is what all of us crafty folks crave, and for millions of men and women worldwide, that craving can only be satiated with some yarn and needles.

Continuing my aging “Top 5 Must-Have Tomes” series, I’ve finally put together my list of knitting books that will make any bookshelf feel complete. Mind you, this was no easy task as Amazon.com alone sells over 1,500 books on the subject, but it was more than worth it to bring this list to you, my avid readers.

Next in my Top 5 series, I’ll be bringing you the top crochet books available in print. Until then, enjoy this much-researched list on the wonderful world of knitting. Feel like something is missing? Leave a comment with your favorite knitting book and why you’ve referenced it so many times that the pages are falling out.

Remember how bummed you were when your favorite sweater got a hole in it? Even with similar structural blemishes, I find it hard to part with my favorite garments — ones that have been worn during so many memorable moments. With a few snips, unraveled rows, and sections of knitting, you can easily turn these old, damaged favorites into fashionably new creations with Knitty.com’s Frankenknits column.

Knitty was started back in 2002 by Toronto-based, New Jersey-born knitter Amy R Singer, who still edits and publishes the “web-only knitting magazine with a sense of humor and absolutely no doily patterns.”

After their well-received Green issue, Knit.1 Magazine continues to bring the classic art of knitting to thousands of younger purl pursuers. I must admit, the publication is a personal favorite of mine and I have been subscribed since the beginning. Each issue has a theme, and the Winter 2007 theme is Time - an integrative part of all of our lives and the craft of knitting itself. Here is a brief glimpse at what editor Adina Klein has to say in her editor’s letter for the issue:

In this age of I-want-it-NOW, taking the time to make something with your own two hands is priceless. In this issue we have included projects that take, literally, minutes to make, as well as projects that are well worth all the time and effort you put into them. Whether you choose to whip up the key chains on page 59 or create the fabulous flapper dress on page 30, you are making a statement about the importance of art, beauty and individuality just by picking up your needles and hooks. Often in our daily struggle to get things done faster, better, cheaper, we forget the value of taking the time to do things that are important to us.

What else will this slightly holiday themed issue have to offer? Here is a run-down of some of the Winter 2007 features:

PIECING TOGETHER MORE TIME
Shannon Okey finds ways to make every moment on the needles count.
KNIT-TINI TIME
Vickie Howell investigates: Where does Pink Martini frontwoman China Forbes rank knitting on the list of life’s most important things?
A KNITTING TIMELINE
Leigh Witchel’s almanac charts the most important dates in knitting history.
TWO-TIMERS
Reversible knitting—it’s not just for garter stitch anymore. Charlotte Quiggle presents your primer.