Minimalism in the craft of knitting

Posted in January 2016 by

Hello folks my theme this year is to feature minimalism in the craft of knitting. Minimalism is the use of the fewest and barest essentials or elements, as in the arts, literature, or design to create maximum effect.  Some knitwear designers (Jane Richmond, Tin Can Knits etc.) have used the art of minimal design elements to create a number of beautiful knits. Minimalism combined with Zen habits has also been applied to manage knitting projects and yarn (1). Knitting is recreational and therapeutic for me but it can easily become overwhelming with too many WIP’s (work in progress) and an increasing yarn stash (2). The benefits of applying minimalism to manage yarn and knitting projects include increased productivity, reduced clutter and decreased stress. It is for these benefits that I want to feature minimalism in the craft of knitting this year. Specifically my goal is to knit as much as possible with yarn I already have and also to feature minimal design elements in my knitting projects.

So folks will you share your theme for knitting this year?

1. Let it Go: Zen and the Art of Crafty Minimalism
2. On Knitting, Yarn Stashing and Consumerism

~coffeeteaknits.com

© Coffee Tea Knits. All text and images for personal use only. All Rights Reserved.

Coffee Tea or Knits is now Coffee Tea Knits

Posted in December 2015 by

Hello folks welcome to Coffee Tea Knits. It’s Coffee Tea or Knits with a new name and a new look. My previous blog entries are available at here. I will be moving these entries to the new site soon. Right now I have several incomplete knitting projects that I’m trying to finish by the end of this year.

A Piece by Piece Blanket

This blanket is a modified version of the log cabin scrap blanket pattern. I knit this using garter stitch and two colors only. The center square is knit first. With the last stitch remaining on the needle after bind off, the piece is rotated to one side and stitches are picked up and knitted. This process is then continued for all sides. I kept the garter stitch pattern so I could knit while I watched TV.  One side of this blanket is smooth while the other side shows the ridges of the picked up stitches. I like the pattern the ridges form. Yarn used:  Lion Brand Pound of Love in pastel pink and lilac.

blanket1

blanket2

Product vs. Process Knitter

I was reading some knitting blogs and came across product versus process knitters. A product knitter is one who has a specific purpose for the knitted item (a blanket, sweater etc.) while a process knitter is one who knits for the technique, the pattern or the yarn and not so much to complete a knitting  project.  I like to complete knitting projects so I think I’m a product knitter although the more I learn about yarn and the various stitch patterns and techniques the more I find myself thinking of the process than the project. Knitting just swatches to try out new yarn or stitch patterns still bothers me. So I think small knitting projects such as dishcloths or scarves satisfy both the product and the process knitter in me. So tell me are you a product or process knitter?

~coffeeteaknits.com

© Coffee Tea Knits. All text and images for personal use only. All Rights Reserved.