Knitting Items Of Note

Installment 3 of Stash Knit Repeat's excellent Fit to Flatter series is up, and features lots of patterns from the latest Twist Collective! Stop by and check it out!

While we're at it, one of my very favorite bloggers, Techknitter, has also started a less-regular series of posts about Designing and Fitting Knitwear, the second of which is available this week. Techknitter always does a fabulous job of not only explaining and illustrating how to do something, but also why the yarn or fabric behaves in certain ways. It's gotten to the point where I will check the Techknitting site before I Google when I'm looking for instructions on a technique that's new to me. If I can work up the nerve, I plan to write and ask for permission to use some of the illustrations for the class I'm teaching in July (with full credit and links, of course); I have no idea whether the request will be granted, but regardless, I will be encouraging my students to check out the site.

(By the way, Techknitter has an awesome article on Mastering Kitchener Stitch in the Spring 2010 Interweave Knits that is definitely worth the read!)

Last but not least, Kira K. is a great local designer (she actually lives in my neighborhood) whose designs have been featured in knitty.com. She teaches knitting, crochet, and sewing in many local stores and venues. I took a beaded knitting class from her at Knit One One a couple years ago and really appreciated her informative yet laidback teaching style, and I had a great time helping her out at her booth at Stitches West this spring. She's teaching a series of 4 classes on Knitted and Crocheted Skirts at Piedmont Yarn (Flash warning) starting May 22. If I can make my schedule work AND get over my intention of losing some weight before I try knitting a skirt, I hope to sign up. She's got a variety of skirt patterns to work with a variety of body shapes.

In knitting news

A few things you may want to check out:

This Saturday, Knit One One in Berkeley is having their May Magic Craft Sale. I will be on a plane, but you should go! Those caramels look delectable, and there are some really cute coin purses, bags, jewelry, awesome San Francisco cards, and oodles of other things. Check it out!

Mark your calendars now for Sunday, June 27. My favorite local yarn store, Piedmont Yarn (warning: Flash!) is hosting the first Oakland Fiber and Textile Festival (another warning: Yes, Flash! Sorry. :-/) in Splash Pad Park where Grand and Lakeshore meet 580. I can't wait for this! I  know it's Pride weekend, but the parade's in the morning, you'll still have time to come out to the Festival for the afternoon. Bente is focusing on getting as many local yarnies and fiber artists here as possible; I love how much value she places on supporting locals.

This new series of Fit 2 Flatter tutorial posts on Stash Knit Repeat looks really promising. Maybe between this, my Big Girl Knits books, and Custom Knits, I'll find altering knit garment patterns a little less intimidating.