this is a GREAT TUTORIAL

how to make a lace knitting chart using excel. it would work for cables too. no doubt about it

pic from the tutoral at chez plum

found via craftzine

by the way, i actually do the OPPOSITE. i am making THIS HAT for a friend for christmas (it's PERFECT because he actually has trilobite tattoos). i'm not a big fan of charts. i tend to knit in places other than sitting on my couch (which means i'm out and about somewhere). so i transfer the chart to knitting stitches in excel. you could just use word, or write it on a piece of paper, BUT the grids in excel make it easier to follow for me. instead of a symbol for let's say c2b, i'll actually TYPE OUT c2b in the excel grid box. like i said, it works for ME.

the new knitty is up!

fall 09

and there are some LOVELY items (as always)

here's but one

bel
by mandy moore
photos: Travis Smith (from knitty)

the spring knitty

is up

and guess what? i WAS going to submit a pattern to them for consideration for the holiday gift season (it's a fairly easy pattern and a fairly quick knit. it's quick that is if you KEEP UP WITH IT. i am not finished knitting it yet. well, i'm working on two of them, but i'm also working on other things. i will try to finish in the next week and submit it. one never knows).

anyway look at this BEAUTIFUL cover project

it's called shipwreck and it's by bethany whose blog knitty harpy is HERE

the wicked beautiful shawl is a variation of ez's pi shawl. plus this one is beaded (you can't see it very well in the picture - which by the way is from bethany and mike kok)

B E A U T I F U L

look at what knitty brings us

just in time for valentine's day

by Kristin Ledgett
(picture from the knitty website
kristin's website the knit cafe

the new winter issue of knitty is up

and who wouldn't want to receive these wonderful knitted wire earrings-bijouterie? i sure would. stop on over

model: Olivia Foppiano photos: Rosemary Hill

scarves, i love 'em

and i can't get enough of 'em

wouldn't your young one look GREAT in this?

knit pencil scarf from zakkalife?

school did start (or will next week, depending upon where you live) AND it will be getting cooler soon. heck, i'd wear that scarf.

anyway, while looking for something else, i came across this super duper scarf roundup at make magazine

i have knit (and felted) the yorik by kate kuckro in knitty by the way

anyway, i suggest you stop by the super duper scarf roundup for some patterns (not all are free, but a lot are) AND for some inspiration! GET THE NEEDLES OUT

yarn of the YEAR

i came across this yarn while looking at this month's knitty patterns (knitty is one of THE best sites out there if you're a knitter. if you've not checked it out, you should do so IMMEDIATELY). it was for a pattern called sea tangles. i HAVE to get some of that yarn. it's habu textiles silk stainless steel. yes, it's REALLY stainless steel AND silk. ANDDDDDDDDDDDD it's LACEWEIGHT

from the habu textiles site:

...Originally used as an industrial yarn to create oil filters, now they are available as weavers', knitters' and artists' yarn! The core is stainless steel and silk is wrapped around the core. Because of the stainless steel, there is a memory in the yarn. You can create something. Twist it around! It will stay in that shape unless you straighten it out. .........

sea tangles image: Pattern & images © 2008 Kie Zuraw. Contact Kie. , Sherry Skipper, Bryan Zuraw, and Kie Zuraw

yarn images: from the habu web site

and from the mochimochiland blog

we have snails vs slugs

she also has a pattern published in knitty (it's one of my absolute favorite knitting sites) woodins (aren't they THE cutest things!!!)