10 Interesting Facts about Knitting

1. The worlds fastest knitter is Hazel Tindall from Scotland, who knits 262 stitches in 3 minutes. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GfRZnN2rL4Y

2. The worlds largest knitting needle is 13ft .75in  and each needle weighs 25 lbs.  They belong to Jeanette Huisinga, and she had to knit a 10X10 square with the them be qualify for the title.

3. The term “Stitch-n-Bitch” has been used at least since World War Two to refer to social knitting groups. It is also the title of a 2003 knitter’s handbook. Scholars note that these social groups often act as a form of resistance to major political, social, and technological change in Western societies.

4. For the first four or five hundred years of knitting’s history, the most common knitting materials were cotton and silk, not wool.

5. Famous people who knit include Julia Roberts, Vanna White, Cameron Diaz, Sarah Jessica Parker, Julianna Margulies, and many others.

6. Between 2002 and 2004, the number of women knitters in the U.S. ages 25–35 increased nearly 150%.

7. Early knitting needles were typically made from bone, ivory, or tortoise shell.

8. Knitting was initially a male-only occupation.

9. A person burns 55 calories by knitting for half an hour.

^10. The U.S. Olympic Committee sent a cease-and-desist letter to the knitting websiteRavelry.com stating that their “Ravelympics” infringes on their copyright. The letter states that Ravelry’s afghan marathon, scarf hockey, and sweater triathlon “denigrate” the Games.

Starting in September 2015, we are going to start charging a $2 sitting fee at all our Sit and Knit sessions.  All monies collected will be donated to various causes:

September 2015: Alliston Humane Society for Dog Food
October 2015: Alliston Humane Society for Cat Food

November 2015: Alliston Food Bank

December 2015: My Sister's Place, Alliston

All are worthy causes you will agree, and all could do with that extra help?  Of course $2 is only a suggestion, if you want to give more, or less that is fine.  However the more money we raise the more animals and people we can help.

Knit and Sit sessions are:

Tuesday knit and sit 10:30 am to  2:30 pm

Thursday knit and sit 10:30 am to 2:30 pm

Friday knit and sit 7 pm to 9 pm

Saturday knit and sit 1 pm to 4 pm

Go On - Knit! It's Good For You

For anyone who knits, crochets or does any hobby, there are many health benefits.  I stumbled upon this article that gives us many reasons why knitting is good for us, (thank you Tree Hugger)

1. Knitting is used for therapy. It’s a powerful distractant, helping people manage long-term physical pain. For those who are depressed, knitting can motivate them to connect with the world. It is a conversation starter, allowing people to interact politely without making eye contact. It builds confidence and self-esteem.

2. Knitting is supremely relaxing, which is extremely important for reducing stress and anxiety. Dr. Herbert Benson, founder of Harvard’s Mind/Body Medical Institute, wrote The Relaxation Response, in which he recommends the repetition of a word, sound, phrase, prayer, or muscular activity to elicit “the relaxation response” – decreased heart rate, muscle tension, and blood pressure. Knitting is likened to meditation, sometimes described by knitters as “spiritual” and “Zen-like.”

3. Knitting connects people. By joining a knitting group, a solitary activity turns into a social one. One study, called “The Benefits of Knitting for Personal and Social Wellbeing in Adulthood” and published in the British Journal of Occupational Therapy, found that “knitting in a group impacted significantly on perceived happiness, improved social contact, and communication with others.”

4. Knitting improves concentration and can provide an outlet for excessive energy. Toronto teacher Caleigh Murtaugh started a knitting club for 7- and 8-year-olds at a private boys’ school. It was a smashing success, with boys opting to stay in from recess to work on projects. Some were extremely hyper, but focusing on work with their hands helped them greatly and gave them a sense of accomplishment.

5. Knitting can reduce the risk of dementia. One study of over 2,000 seniors (65 years and older) found that “regular participation in social or leisure activities such as traveling, odd jobs, knitting, or gardening were associated with a lower risk of subsequent dementia.”

6. Knitting offers a break from busy schedules and a refreshing detox from a technology-saturated world. It gives many of us a rare chance to be alone with our thoughts.

7. Knitting makes people happy, from the people who knit to those who receive knitted items, and those who see knitting in their surroundings.Consider the popularity of “yarn-bombing,” the beautiful graffiti that uses yarn to decorate public spaces, filling them with happiness-inducing warmth and colour. No one can resist smiling at the sight of a knitted bus or tree!

So if anyone says to you, knitting is a waste of time, you can tell them why knitting is good for you.

At The Knitting Basket we have lots of new things happening:

• New Yarn arriving weekly
• New classes
• New Fall and Winter hours (more info at a later date)
• 

As always we have our regular sit and knit sessions, where you can meet new members and of course all the great regulars; you know who you are!!

Knit and Sit sessions are:

Tuesday knit and sit 10:30 am to  2:30 pm

Thursday knit and sit 10:30 am to 2:30 pm

Friday knit and sit 7 pm to 9 pm

Saturday knit and sit 1 pm to 4 pm

Back From Vacation!

I was on vacation last week.  Of course I am took some knitting with me:

One of my favourite things to knit while on vacation is

gifts, albeit baby gifts or Christmas gifts but gifts in general. This time around I was working of this baby outfit.

   Do you have a project you like to do when on vacation? 

I know the week I was away I needed to recharge my batteries as I knew when I got back it was going to be so busy.  New Fall and Winter yarn is arriving daily.  Estelle Yarns have just come out with a new selection of knitting pattern books.  We will be stocking this one:

​If you click on the link above you can check out the other books and if there are any that you would like, just let me know.  Classes will be starting in September and of course we have our usual sit and knit meetings taking place.  They are always fun and you never know what we may end up talking about; oh and of course we do fit in a bit of knitting here and there!

Tuesday knit and sit 10:30 am to  2:30 pm

Thursday knit and sit 10:30 am to 2:30 pm

Friday knit and sit 7 pm to 9 pm

Saturday knit and sit 1 pm to 4 pm