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Stitch your way to fun online
Looking for a new indoor hobby this winter? Once considered a domestic pastime for grandmothers, knitting is one of the latest and coolest fads for women and men of all ages. It's a great way to meet new friends and replace old habits, such as spending too much time snacking or watching television. Often referred to as the "new yoga," knitting is known for its stress-relieving powers. The Web offers a range of information about this craft—from how-to tips and knitting clubs, to historical tidbits.
Beginners can start with KnittingAbout (http://knitting.about.com), which provides the largest selection of free knitting patterns on the net, help with basic and advanced knitting techniques and much more. A special feature is the holiday section that has holiday knitting patterns for hand and machine knitters. For free detailed instructional videos, visit KnittingHelp.com (http://www.knittinghelp.com). It also has a special forum on how to teach kids to knit.
Wool Works (http://www.woolworks.org), a noncommercial, volunteer-run site, is full of information for hand knitters. Free available patterns range from sweaters, scarves and afghans to baby and doll clothes. There also are several discussion boards to meet other knitters or discuss specific knitting techniques.
For men involved in this craft, MenKnit.Net (http://www.menknit.net/main.html) offers discussion forums and a list of men's knitting blogs. The site highlights events in history, such as the role of knitting for men during and after WWII.
If the history of knitting perks your curiosity, visit SCAtoday.net (http://scatoday.net/node/view/3765), a site for those interested in the Middle Ages and Renaissance. Included are annotated links to Web sites about period knitting, such as medieval Muslim knitting, Egyptian socks, hand-knit stockings from the 1500s and Viking-age knitting techniques.
Knitting enthusiasts can also learn more about the craft from the Victoria and Albert (V&A) Museum (http://www.vam.ac.uk/collections/fashion/knitting/index.html). The collection includes information about regional knitting in the British Isles and Ireland (such as Shetlands, Fair Isle and Channel Islands), interviews with knitting designers, patterns from the 1940s, a list of knitting blogs and related material.
If you are already a skilled knitter and want to send some of your treasures to those in great need, take a look at Knitting for a Better World (http://www.interweave.com/knit/charities.asp). You can find out how to donate handmade gifts to premature infants, children in hospitals, domestic violence victims, chemotherapy patients and members of the U.S. armed forces.
Obviously, there are plenty of innovative ways to incorporate knitting into your life. Make your grandma proud!
—Laura Taddeo, University Libraries