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An exploration of knitting from a geographer’s perspective
This is a quest to answer the questions where, why there, and how as we explore knitting’s tools, techniques, and designs. For example:
• How and why do techniques vary between places?
• What do designs tell us about places?
• Where (why there) and how are different kinds of materials are made into yarns?
A January 2008 course at Gustavus Adolphus College (Virtual participation welcome)
Blog Archive
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2008
(38)
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January
(36)
- More projects have been finished
- Final projects, part 1
- Online knitting communities
- Where are we?
- The final project
- Lace
- Arts vs. crafts
- Field trip #2
- Two students reflect on the trip to the Tangled Skein
- A student's description of our visit to Cozy Acres...
- Why we knit
- Show and tell mittens
- Knitting in Estonia
- Finishing the mitten
- Textured knitting
- Making sense of mittens
- Mitten progress report
- The knitting goes on
- Show and tell hats
- Supplies for the third project
- Class update
- Field trip
- Hat progress
- Show and tell bags
- Supplies for the second project
- Knitting progress report
- Latvian & Andean knitting
- Where’s the geography?
- Progress on the first project
- Finishing up our brief history of knitting
- Test felting the swatches
- Teaching yourself to knit: results
- Supplies and picture of the first project
- First day of class
- Dear Visitors,
- Course description
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January
(36)
Knitting books
- Starmore, A. 1997. Aran Knitting.
- Dandanell, B. & U. Danielsson. 1989. Twined Knitting.
- Ling, Anne-Maj. 2004. Two-End Knitting.
- Threads. 1993. Knitting Around the World.
- Swansen, M. & J. Williams. 2007. Armenian Knitting.
- Gravelle Lecount, C. 1990. Andean Folk Knitting.
- Upitis, L. 1997. Latvian Mittens.
- McGregor, S. 1984. Traditional Scandinavian Knitting.
- Keele, W. 1995. Poems of Color: Knitting in the Bohus Tradition.
- Feitelson, A. 1996. The Art of Fair Isle Knitting: History, Technique, Color & Patterns.
- Rutt, R. 1987. A History of Hand Knitting. (my history reference)
- Macdonald, A.L. 1988. No Idle Hands: The Social History of American Knitting. (my history reference)
- Crompton, C. 2004. The Knitter’s Bible. (a good knitting reference for beginners)
- Bush, N. 1999. Folk Knitting in Estonia: A Garland of Symbolism, Tradition, and Technique. Interweave Press.
Sources for cables
- Vogue Knitting. 2006. Stitchionary 2: Cables
- Starmore, A. 1997. Aran Knitting.
- Knight, E. (ed.) 2007. Cables & Arans. (not recommended, unorganized, very few charts)
- Crompton, C. 2004. The Knitter’s Bible.
Books to inspire two-color designs
- Bohn, A.S. 1965. Norwegian Knitting Designs.
- Dale Yarn Company. 1975. Knit Your Own Norwegian Sweaters.
- Debes, H.M. 1986. Foroysk Bindingarmynstur.
- Feitelson, A. 1996. The Art of Fair Isle Knitting: History, Technique, Color & Patterns.
- Gibson-Roberts, P.A. & D. Robson. 2004. Knitting in the Old Way: Designs & Techniques from Ethnic Sweaters.
- Gravelle Lecount, C. 1990. Andean Folk Knitting.
- Hansen, R. 2005. Favorite Mittens: Best Traditional Patterns.
- Hansen, R. 2005. Favorite Mittens: Best Traditional Patterns.
- Keele, W. 1995. Poems of Color: Knitting in the Bohus Tradition.
- Lewandowski, M. 1997. Folk Mittens.
- McGregor, S. 1984. Traditional Scandinavian Knitting.
- Norbury, J. 1973. Traditional Knitting Patterns from Scandinavia, the British Isles, France, Italy and other European Countries.
- Rutt, R. 1987. A History of Hand Knitting.
- Shea, T. 2007. Selbuvotter: Biography of a Knitting Tradition
- Spies, N. 2002. Here Be Wyverns: Hundreds of Patterns Graphed from Medieval Sources.
- Swansen, M. & J. Williams. 2007. Armenian Knitting.
- Swansen, M. 1999. Knitting.
- Threads. 1993. Knitting Around the World.
- Upitis, L. 1997. Latvian Mittens.
Learn to knit websites
Visitors: Are you ...?
Class photo
January 7, 2008
14 comments:
I have been knitting for a little over a year. I even took my knitting overseas to the Netherlands while I did my Master's Thesis research. I have learned a few stitches and have only completed a scarf (I am slow at this knitting process). But I look forward to hearing all about knitting around the world.
~Stephanie, Illinois, US (62521)
Hi, Stephanie said this site was interesting. I usually live in Illinois (61801) but I'm currently knitting in London, England.
Cheers,
Peter
Hi--
I've been knitting since I was about 10 years old (taught by my grandma). Throughout high school and college I knit tons of sweaters (mostly for myself, family and friends). These days, I knit mostly baby blankets, afghans and prayer shawls (to be given away to those in need). Being of Irish heritage, I've done some knitting with Aran knits and recently did a reversible ribbed, cable shawl. I've found lots of hints and ideas at "Knitty Gritty" on the DIY network. Good luck with your project. It will be interesting to follow. I'm from WI, but am frequently found in Mankato and love the yarn shop in St. Peter.---bj
I am very interested in geography and history and have been knitting for a number of years on and off. I mostly crochet but do enjoy knitting a nice pair of wool mittens from time to time. I will vist again to read other comments.
JEH, Iowa Quad Cities (52803)
What an interesting concept! Several persons have sent this blog site to me, so I thought I'd check it out. I was taught to knit when I was 7 yrs old between my great grandmother and my grandmother (no love lost between these women, they were MIL and DIL). I learned both English and Continental ("throwing" and "picking") styles. I then gave it up for 30 yrs, until recovering from an injury I picked it up again. It's been 4 yrs this February that I've been knitting (and began crocheting last year). Ah, before I forget, I'm in eastern Iowa.
Just to wish everyone well on what sounds to be a fascinating course.
I am based in Cardiff, Wales and have been knitting ever since I can remember. I started knitting pockets and linings for my aunt's projects, then scarves, dolls clothss and made my first sweater for myself when I was nine.
I am currently researching the social and economic perspective of knitting and hope to share my findings with you as the course progresses.
Hi there fellow knitters! I learned to knit/purl/crochet from my grandmother when I was around 9. We lived in Wall Springs, FL (now a part of Palm Harbor, FL 34683). I now live in Pilot Point, TX 76258. I am not a regular knitter/crocheter but every couple of year I pick it up again. When I do it is usually baby blankets, afghans, or scarves. Knitting is something you will have for the rest of your life. I will be watching you progress.
~~Nina
A Grad School friend of mine (now living in Iowa)sent word to check out the website. I live in Indiana (47302) and just learned how to knit 2 years ago. It took me 6 months to make my first sox but the 2nd one was finished in less than a month! In my Stitch and Chat group, I am a part of the "crocheters who knit" section. We taught ourselves how to knit and it took many months... how did the "teach yourself to knit overnight" thing work out?
MM - Indiana
I started knitting as a kid, taught by my grandmother (which seems to be the popular choice), and finished my first sweater by age 9. Have knit off and on through all the years since, often getting a buring itch to knit that seems to come out of the blue. I knit a project or two, then stop for several months until the itch returns. I was raised in WV, but am now living in WA (98626). Look forward to reading more on the site.
This sounds a fascinating course. I'm just beginning to explore the history and propagation of knitting techniques and skills. I look forward to learning more.
Karen, Stockport, England
I grew up in SE MN and attended Gustavus and the U of M-Mpls. I've been knitting nearly 50 years, since I was 7 or 8. I learned about this course through a posting on the Yahoo! Historic Knitting list.
Oops, forgot to say where I am now:
Illinois, 61820.
Hi all - this is Kathy Erlandsen of Cozy Acres Alpacas of LeSueur, MN where the class came out to tour on the 15th this month! We loved having the class out to visit and see the steps it takes to turn raw fleece into roving, and roving into yarn and then into the various finished products. I think the hands on feel of the different stages was eye opening for some of the class. Thanks for the visit and happy knitting!
What a great opportunity each one of you have. I have just begun to be interested in the history and geography of knitting. I am a history major at the University of Texas in Dallas. I would love it this type of class was offered there.
Hanane
Garland TX 75042
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