This is Christien Meindertsma knitting (not Sara Kate).
Over our holiday, knitting came out in a force not seen before in our home. I don't know whether it was the sense of recession, delighting in the rich fibres or just wanting to get busy, but Sara Kate and her mother knitted something for almost everyone on both sides of our family and the needles never stopped clicking. Knitting is obviously very popular already, but I was surprised to learn that it's now morphing into Extreme Knitting and is already moving into the realm of interiors and furniture. I did a little research and found some really cool stuff to share...
• Christien Meindertsma is out in front of the extreme knitting trend having already produced these poufs and rugs for DWR. She's from Holland. Here's her website
>> www.theseflocks.com
• Xtreme Knitting in NYC! This is a great radio segment which introduces you to the world of extreme knitting, guerrilla knitters, knit tagging and "people who knit with weird stuff like fiberglass and lead, people who get together for massive knitting parties and cover entire park benches with yarn. Wow."
>> Xtreme Knitters Rock the Yarn
• Rachel John in England seems to be ground zero for extreme knitting and extreme knitting supplies, which include huge needles and huge diameter felted yarn. She knits rugs out of anywhere from 3-200 mixed yarn strands simultaneously.
>> racheljohn.co.uk
• Selvedge is a beautiful magazine out of England that focuses on textiles and home crafts.
>> Selvedge.org
• Knit Knit is a magazine out of NYC for obsessive knitters.
>> knitknit.net
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I truly am amazed! Unfortunately, I don't have the patience to knit with normal needles, I can just imagine an unfinished project on those poles.
P.S. I really like the poufs.
That knitted tree is kinda rude.
And yikes, the door handle cover! Should just be called a cold & flu starter.
A giant knitted rug would be cool. Might need some of those needles...
The poufs are amazing! Neato. :)
The knit/crochet/fibercrafts social networking/information site ravelry.com has a knitted furniture group that does some more normal stuff - cool knitted covers for IKEA chairs and the like. You can't just visit, you have to join and there is a waiting list. But the site is well worth the wait.
@patrick
I don't understand how the knitted tree is rude. Am I missing something...?
I think he means it's a bit evocative, let's just say.
I second the thought about Ravelry, the ultimate source on all things knitted. You do have to wait a few days for an invite to join (yes, there are THAT many knitters in the world) but tons of info.
And the knit door handle is the work of Knitta Please! that does knitted graffiti. You can see more of their stuff here http://www.knittaplease.com/KNITTA_PLEASE.html
I can't help but think Alice in Wonderland with those knitting needles... but I do like the poufs.
This reminds me of a current commercial, in which a girl is chattering about how knitting keeps her focused so she doesnt cheat on her diet.
Her boyfriend eventually walks in wearing a knitted basketball jersey. HILARIOUS.