Silk is an animal protein fibre produced by certain insects and arachnids as building material for cocoons and webs. When this is done in captivity to make fine fabrics, it is called sericulture. The origin of producing and weaving silk by humans is clouded in mystery, though it is universally accepted that it did begin in China around the middle of 3rd century BC. By 2nd century CE, India was producing silk and exporting it to Persia. Though it was an Asian supersecret, eventually the whole industry went ‘viral’ and now we can find silk literally everywhere. Around 1865, Louis Pasteur worked extensively with silkworms to understand the problem of infectious diseases, especially that of silkworm disease. He was able to save silkworms by preserving their […]
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Knitting Circles
What is it about a circle that makes it mesmerizing? Is it because it is in absolute symmetry? For sure, the circle is the first, the simplest and most perfect form. Is it because it evokes feelings of peace and calm? Think of mandalas, and how meditating with one in front can help. Is it because it represents a safe place? Phrases like circle of life, family circle and a circle of friends come to mind. These circles to many living beings are a place where they feel secure, included, may not be judged and are able to give and take strong support and encouragement. Is it because it means strength? A sphere technically is strongest 3d shape, where stress is distributed […]
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Merino
Merino. We know of this yarn in India, and it is synonymous with warm winter wear that we would buy if we were going to a trip to the North, or abroad. Or sometimes as blends in our socks. But what is Merino? It is actually the name of the breed of sheep, first spoken about in the 12th century in Morocco. The Spaniards then found this sheep, crossbred them with their ewes, and monopolised the trade of wool to develop their country economically in the 15th and 16th century. Intensive selective crossbreeding and breed refinement over the ages has today led to the production of the softest and finest wool of any of the 200 odd breeds of sheep. […]
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Using Scrap Yarn to Make Party Favors
Usually, I know how much yarn is required for my projects, and buy accordingly, but it is very very very rare for me to be able to use up 100% of the yarn dedicated for the project. This happens because I err on the side of caution, and my definition of ‘buying accordingly’ is to buy a little bit more. Why you may ask? Because though a pattern requires X amount of yarn, I need some for the swatch, some as backup for accidents, and also for the big possibility that the yarn may be discontinued forever. Which is very very normal…cue eyeroll. My idea of a knitting nightmare is to not have a little bit more yarn, when I […]
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Stitch Holders
A stitch holder was designed to cater to one and only purpose in a knitter’s life, and that is to hold open stitches when not on needles. They come in various sizes, which correspond to the number of stitches – more the number of stitches, bigger the holder you use. I have slowly begun to feel that knitting and crochet to some extent has so many such tiny and large tools and equipment, that do such specific work. They may not be useful for any other purpose other than what they were designed for. Do I really need some of these tools, if not all? Not really. I could, and have, easily used a beading wire, embroidery floss, skewers, spare […]
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Using a Yarn Swift
Reader, I bought the yarn swift. After that Bronte-sque opening, you must be wondering what I am talking about. You may scroll down to a previous post, dated 18th December 2020, when I said that a swift-and-ball-winder is a long-term investment, but I didn’t have the swift. Knitting is supposed to be as cheap or as expensive as you want it to be, and how sunny and patient your disposition is. Well, the disposition is still sunny and patient, but now the situation is different. Time is really equal to money, and this is where a tool is handier and quicker and easier than using knees, arms, chairbacks, revolving chairs or even a niddy-noddy (you’ve got to Google that!) So, […]
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Types of Crochet Hooks
A crochet hook is literally a stick with a pointy hook on one end. This small tool is used to loop yarn or thread, and interlock them into crochet stitches. Available in materials like steel, aluminum, clay, glass, bamboo, wood and plastic, and sizes ranging from 0.35mm to 25mm, it is the workhorse of the entire crochet industry. I mean, this tiny stabby pokey thing is so different, and creates such a unique fabric, that there is no machine that can replicate what it can do! Every item that is crocheted will most certainly be handmade by a human. (I did try to Google and search if monkeys can crochet, but nope…no such information available :P) Amazing or what?! Want to […]
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Double Pointed Needles
Let’s talk Needles. Needles are the backbone of knitting, and there are three types of knitting needles – Double Pointed Needles, Straight and Circular. Double Pointed Needles, or DPNs, are essentially needles with pointy edges on both sides. They are used for knitting small and round items like hats, socks, sleeves, mittens and gloves. They are also exclusively used for brioche knitting. DPNs come in a pack of five needles, with 4 holding the stitches, while the fifth one is used to knit round and round and round without stopping. DPNs come in different materials, and in the infographic, you can see three sets of needles. The first set (a) is by Lantern Moon, made out of redwood in Vietnam, […]
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POM-POMS
Pom-poms are fun. I mean, try saying pom-poms multiple times when you are angry. I am sure you will burst out laughing. It’s exactly like saying bubbles 😀 A pom-pom is a decorative ball or a tuft, made with fibres. It is derived from the French word pompon, a small decorative ball made of fabric or feathers. Flexible and versatile, it can be made out of wool, cotton, paper, plastic, thread, glitter and feathers, in a variety of sizes and with innumerable colour options. It is extensively used on top of hats, or you may have seen a variation of them in cheerleaders’ hands. To make a pom-pom, you could use a cardboard sheet, a fork or a pom-pom maker. […]
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T-SHIRT YARN
T-shirt yarn is exactly what the name says: yarn made out of t-shirts. Snip an unseamed t-shirt in whichever width you like into a continuous strip, roll it into a ball and off you go! There are a bazillion videos online to ease this process, with many tips and tricks thrown in. The yarn I have is actually about 3cm wide, but it tends to curl up naturally and become about 4mm. Which is a bulky bulky yarn, that works up super quick. It is perfect for those days when I don’t have reasonable sanity, and don’t want to spend my limited working hours on complex projects. T-shirt yarn is super easy to make, and is an excellent way of […]
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