WWW: Needlework Practical and otherwise; coffee yarn; Stevie Nicks wants a new shawl

Historians and fans of ephemera (and the work of Franklin Habit) will enjoy this amazing new reprint of Volumes 1-6 of Weldon’s Practical Needlework, from Interweave.

Weldon’s Practical Needlework was a popular Victorian magazine of knit, crochet, patchwork, and other “useful articles” involving needlework. Published in England roughly between 1885 and 1915, it offered women of the burgeoning middle class a variety of technical instructions and projects.

Some of the projects are indeed entirely practical; others, like the pattern for “reins” for small children, less so. The books provide a fascinating insight into the minds and lives of knitters from previous time. As a teacher and editor, I find the style and standards of pattern writing utterly and wonderfully mind-boggling.

A feature on the Guardian about innovations in sustainable textiles. Coffee I can get behind; not sure about the snail poo, though.

Stevie Nicks wants a new shawl. She’s launched a contest.

Make blankets, not war.

Discovery Harbour, a historical site on Lake Huron, in Ontario, Canada, recently celebrated its 200th anniversary. As part of the celebrations, they asked for knitters and crocheters to contribute to a yarn-bombing. Peggy W. contributed a few squares, and took a few photos on her recent visit.

The Doctor is back on Saturday. Do you have your shawl ready?

Did you see the image being used to promote this first episode of the new series? Fingerless mitts on the Doctor! Joan of Dark has very kindly published a pattern for them…

[image error]

Love it!

Friends of Knitty KnitSocial blogged about their project to yarnbomb Vancouver’s annual Pacific National Exhibition siten. Love the photos!