Knitting for Spring

The Vernal Equinox occurs this Wednesday. The day and the night will be equal lengths in time, and Winter is no more.

An icon of the season – the Easter Bunny – can be found in a myriad of forms. There are two options for the transitioning knitter/crocheter… Easter Bunny (Osterhasen) by Christine Manitz and Best Bunny from Lion Brand Yarn.

Lion Brand’s bunny is the more traditional, floppy-eared rabbit associated with the American Easter Bunny. Crocheted in the amigurumi style, Best Bunny will be a fun addition to any Easter basket.

The Best Bunny as made by Ravelry member doremush

Manitz’s German-language pattern – fear not, Google will offer to translate – is more whimsical than the Lion Brand bunny. By creating this tall and slender rabbit, novice knitters can move to the next step of using double-pointed needles.

Påskeharer - Two Osterhasen by ravelry user "Pritt"

For crafty celebrators of the Jewish holiday of Passover, a hand-made crochet yarmulke can be worn for many high holy days and Sabbath dinners for years to come. The Passover Yarmulke from PurlBee.com is a meaningful way to learn to crochet in the round.

PurlBee.com

For those simply looking for a way to protect themselves against chilly spring mornings, a simple shawl should suffice. Clapotis by Kate Gilbert was published nearly a decade ago, and is still considered a fun intro to intermediate knitting, and a great project to learn about dropping stitches.

Clapotis by Kate Gilbert - knitty.com

Whatever type of project is next on your knit list, it is sure to become a treasured staple in your collection.

Feiern! ("Celebrate!")

To celebrate ravelry.com – the online community of international folks who knit and crochet – reaching 3 million members, as well as the personal acquisition of a 1973 VW camper, this week's post combines knitting with automotive accessories.

Before cars had automatic transmissions, all cars had manual gear shifts.

To create a seamless stick-shift cozy, a worsted-weight yarn knit on double-pointed needles in desired colors are needed.

Before crafting, chose your desired colors and organize your needles!

This cozy was made for a German car – a vintage 1971 Volkswagen Super Beetle – so colors chosen closely coordinating with the German flag (black, red, gold) will do.

To create a tight fit for a vintage Volkswagen stick shift, cast on 20 stitches in the first color (in this case, the gold) yarn onto 4mm double-pointed needles.

Casting on using DPNs - not as scary as it looks.

Knit in a 2x2 rib for about 2 inches. Switch to the second color (red) in pattern for about another 2 inches.

Switching from Color A (Beware around kitties!)...
...To Color B...

...Ending with Color C.

Switch to the final color (black) and knit in pattern for 1 inch.

To create a pocket for the gear shift knob: In stockinet stitch, (Knit 2, increase 1), repeat to end of round.

On next round: knit all.

On next round: (knit 3, increase 1), repeat to end of round.

On next two rounds: knit all.

On next round: (knit 2, knit 2 together), repeat to end of round.

On next round: (knit 1, knit 2 together), repeat to end of round.

On next round: (knit 2 together), repeat to end of round.

Weave in tails through stitches.

Slip the cozy on the stick shift.

The Stick Shift Cozy as modeled by a 1971 Super Beetle.

Enjoy.

Another will soon be made for this VW Bus.

Knitwear Is Not Exclusive to Christmas

When thinking of hand-knit items, images of people wearing cabled sweaters, mittens, scarves, and hats drinking a steamy beverage in front of the fire are likely to come to mind.

Knit and crochet wear can also be some of the most versatile, useful accessories to make for women during the late winter/early spring season, particularly in Southern California.

With the weather transitioning from winter to summer, wardrobes are in a sort of limbo: too hot for down jackets and boots, too cold for shorts and tank tops. While knitting or crocheting a sweater for this time of year in a weekend is impractical, crafting a scarf or a pair of legwarmers is feasible and functional.

Hand-knit scarf, perfect for spring weather, based on pattern. (Photo by Alison Keiser, 2007, all rights reserved)

The ability to create such items is not merely practical, but may also have personal significance. For special events, people who DIY (“do it yourself”) often use the occasion to challenge themselves and commemorate an event.

During the Olympic Games, members of the crafting website ravelry.com have the option of joining a group called the Ravellenic Games (formerly known as the Ravelympics). Ravelympians attempt to finish a project between the opening and closing ceremonies, documenting their successes or failures.

Whether crafting legwarmers from a complex pattern or a simple scarf from the yarn lover’s own imaginings, spring is the perfect time to fill one’s wardrobe with transitional items.

This will also quickly decrease the dreaded “stash” that plagues many a yarn devotee’s home.