(I just went through and got rid of a bunch of dead links, so I need to go shopping and add more!)

Have a link I ought to know about? Just email me!


DESIGNERS/PATTERNS:

Little Badger- ...is Ros badger and Elaine Scott, who have formed a knitwear company specializing in high quality children's handknits. Ready to wear is available via catalogue and website, but they have also put out a pattern book, their first, Little Badger Contemporary Classics. It's my favorite knitting pattern book this year! Filled with cute Gen-X styles and fun looks for kids. Many styles have been bought for, or by, a number of celebrities including, Nicole Kidman, Madonna, Sadie Frost, Dave Stewart, Meg and Noel Gallagher,Jo Whiley, Bono and Dawn French.

Debbie Bliss- Debbie Bliss is a bestselling knitwear designer who has created some of the best patterns out there for babies and children, and also has patterns for knitted toys, including a whole book devoted to teddies in different whimsical and original outfits. Her books have been published in the UK, Australia and America. Her website sells her kits, books, ready to wear and is full of pictures of her adorable designs and has info on workshops and her shop in London.

Kaffe Fassett- Fassett is regarded as one of the world's great textile artists. Worldwide recognition became his after the publication of his knitting and needepoint books, and led him to a one-man exhibition at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London as well as a television series with the BBC. He has gone on to publish many books of knitting patterns, and books on quilting and color as well. Check out his website to sample his sumptuous designs in the many facets of his design work.

Alice Starmore -This link will introduce you to Alice Starmore and her books currently available. She is truly unique; her style eclectic, her designs inspirational.  It seems like her name always pops up when someone is discussing counting stitches, and Fair Isle techniques.  This is probably because her designs seem mesmerisingly challenging, but with care and flair, they can be accomplished!  She also has her own line of yarn . To the right is her "Katherine Howard" sweater, from her latest book of patterns, Tudor Roses.

Up Country-  Check out what's in the latest Rowan pattern books, lots of gorgeous knits to be inspired by. This UK site "is a premier dedicated outlet for Rowan and Jaeger knitting products". Prompt worldwide mail order service. They have features for Debbie Bliss, Kaffe Fassett and Annabel Fox! Must see!

Colourway- This link will take you to Colourway's Rowan catalogue page. There are many beautiful sweaters to see here , you can get the Rowan book and try the patterns, or you can let them inspire your own originals.

Monkeysuits- This is a really adorable website. If you have favorite little monkeys bouncing around your house you will be interested in seeing these bright, imaginative knits for the little ones. Hey, there is even a matching pattern for a nifty coat and hat for mom. There are patterns and kits available.  Mohair trimmed blue Monkeysuit!  Cute, eh?   

TDB Knitting By Mail - This UK mail order service carries patterns by Patons featuring characters from Nick Park's "Wallace and Gromit". Gromit may be the world's only knitting dog! There are also sweaters featuring everyone's favorite sheep, Shaun. If you have never heard of these Oscar winning animated short films from Britain, I suggest you run out right away and rent them! Everyone I have shown my copies to has gone and bought their own! It's the kind of thing you can enjoy with the wee bairns.  Meanwhile, check out these fun patterns and knit a sweater for your favorite little person (they have adult patterns, too).

Suzu's Vintage Glamour - A truly neat-o site that features free online patterns from the 1920's to the 1950's. These pages are taken from originals, and you have to read her "notes about the patterns" as they contain information that is vital to the success of your projects. This page is really for experienced knitters, but there are some accessory patterns that someone with limited experience could tackle. Patterns for kiddies, women and men! UPDATE: Suzu says..."I'll be taking some time to revamp the site, add some new old patterns -- and mainly figure out a way to pay for all the data transfer charges! Thank you so much for your interest and support. Vintage Knitting Patterns will return.. " Meanwhile, she's got great links up and great book recommendations!

Knitting Universe/Knitter's Magazine Online - This website has really expanded! Free patterns, tips and tricks, forums, shopping and more! Gallery of projects available from the current issue, plus info on back issues. In my opinion, this magazine has more of a "homey" look than Vogue Knitting, but there are some nice patterns available from this magazine.  Lots of links, too!

Knitting About.com- Explore About.com's directory of links to patterns, books, galleries, designers, kits, and screensavers for new and advanced knitters. Tons of tips, creative info and other things to root around for!

KNOW-HOW LINKS:

Vogue Knitting - I keep pushing this site, don't I? Well that's because it's all that and a bag of chips, too. Here you will find tutorials on the basic stitches for knitting and crochet, and an illustrated stitch glossary from the current issue with a featured stitch. You can also get the scoop on upcoming trends and designs , and see some of the Vogue sewing patterns. You can learn all the IMPORTANT stuff here, stuff about gauge, needle and hook sizes, and what is really cool is a page on yarn substitutions (when you have a neat pattern but don't want to use the yarn it calls for).

Yarn Dyeing - This is FUN! This page provides several different techniques on how to dye your natural fiber yarn using Easter egg colors or my personal favorite, KOOL-AID! Go crazy, get creative, get messy, even, but get personal with your yarn and make something truly unique. There is even a Kool-Aid color chart!

Paula Burch's All About Hand Dyeing on Fabric- This is another wonderful page about dyeing, with more in depth techniques. Also learn about tie-dye, batik , and have a look at the gallery. She lists sources for buying dye, and has links to other dye sites and books.  Batik cat! 

Light at the End of the Carpal Tunnel- This may not be the most fashionable link about knitting, but I believe it is important for avid knitters to be able to recognize the signs of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, and know what it is. This is an excellent and well-researched article about the disease, symptoms, treatments, and best of all, there are many preventative tips and exercises ! It offers encouragement to those who are afraid it may cause them to give up their love of knitting (or other hand work). Don't knit yourself into a splint! Moderation is the key to success in many areas of life, including knitting. Remember, knitting is supposed to be relaxing and fun.

SHOPPING!!:

Peace Fleece - "A yarn company committed to helping historic enemies cooperate and prosper through trade.  Peace Fleece offers knitting yarn made from Russian/American, Israeli and Palestinian wools as well as felting supplies, handpainted knitting needles and wooden buttons."  This is a lovely and important website that offers goods with real heart made by real hands.

Artfibers, San Francisco - My favorite ! A gorgeous site where you can actually SEE the yarns and colors online. These are custom-made yarns from Europe , reasonably priced and the customer service is excellent. These yarns are really yummy! You have to see this website! Custom patterns and specials, find everything from cashmere to funky futuristic!

Patternworks - This site is just full of stuff! You can get their huge catalog free by filling out on online form (U.S. addresses only) or you can call and get one right away for 3 bucks, along with some freebies. This is a good deal, because a lot of other sites will charge you this for a particular yarn's color card alone. Download demos of sweater designing software here!

Wooly Knits - "Your designer yarn superstore!" Eye candy alert ! Sweaters in bold, bright designs abound on this site, lots of photos of trunk shows and unique stuff.  There is a lot of classic, pretty design as well. Some of the sweaters are really out there and worth a look-see! What's fab is you can see the yarns all made up into a garment . Lots of info and background is given with the pictures, it's really marvelous. They've got everything!

The Wool Shack - Check out The Wool Shack in Perth, Australia, they've got everything, including knitting forums and workshops! Owner Emma says,"We stock a collection of contemporary knitting patterns, a wide variety of quality yarns from Jo Sharp, Rowan, Jaeger, Debbie Bliss, Noro and Heirloom. Quality bamboo, wooden, painted, and casein needles, knitting accessories, books, kits, ready-made items, buttons and beads, knitting bags and gifts for the avid knitter. Browse colours and patterns in our product library, book into knitting workshops or get advice via online forums."

Shuswap Lake Haven - ...in Canada is a llama and alpaca breeding farm offering livestock for sale but also have garments and yarn made from the luxurious coats of their animals.  The prices are good and Americans can take advantage of the favorable exhange rates!

Lion Brand Yarn - You can order the free catalog, and see excellent photos of the yarns and the colors available right online! However, this site is primarily blends and acrylics. They do also carry an Aran type 100% wool yarn, tho, and it's a nice big skein for a really good price. For those allergic to wool, or for those who want to be cost conscious without having to resort to nasty-cheapie stuff, this site will be of interest to you. Free online patterns with photos of the garment!

Yarn Forward- Another great site with lots of color cards available to view online. There are many great selections, including many blends and yarns good for those allergic to wool, great prices! Also online, gorgeous pewter buttons and sweater clasps, and other knitting accessories. Check out what's on clearance !

Bramblewool Shetland Sheep and Wool- Learn everything you ever wanted to know about this unique breed of sheep and their wonderful wool. True Shetland wool ONLY comes from Shetland sheep! This site offers fleece for spinners, and yarns are available through a source listed on the page, or special order.

Qiviut-Learn all about this super-luxury fiber at this link, even how to pronounce it! It's all about musk-ox and the yarns made from their fluff! Order hand knitted hats, scarves and tunics from the Musk Ox Producers Cooperative, consisting of 250 Alaskan hand knitting women.  

Personal Threads Boutique -A great site with online color cards for some very nice yarns: Adrienne Vittadini, Alice Starmore, Colinette, to name a few. She has buttons you can see online, as well as bargains, 40% off! Everything you need for any needlecraft, knitting, crochet, weaving....

Ram Wools - This Canadian site is a treasure for its US customers who "save as much as 36%* or more" (*subject to prevailing exchange rates) and who "pay no duty or taxes"! They have an extensive yarn list, and order their beautiful catalogue online, free for North American addresses. There are great photos of their truly sophisticated sweater kits. For all your knitting needs!

Great Yarns -This is a super friendly site! It is also one of those wonderful sites that show right online some of their most beautiful yarns knit up into projects, and the colors they have available. There is a huge yarn list, with each yarn's vital statistics, newsletters, needles and accessories, and photos and purchasing information from their trunkshows.

School Products Co, Inc - Coming to you from 1201 Broadway, NY, NY, a huge site of quality and designer yarn, knitting supplies, books, videos, software, knitting machines and hand weaving (they carry LOOMS! Check it out!). The best feature is the designers' surplus yarns, sold on cones by the pound. I recently saw cashmere and cashmere blends for \\$40.00 a pound, when you usually pay almost that amount for a single skein. Of course these yarns are a surplus from various American designers and European mills, so they are subject to availability.

Yarns And...- This site is geared towards machine knitters in presentation, but they carry a vast collection of yarn from 100 different different manufacturers, with online color cards for the yarns from 50 of them . That's a lot of online color! Worth a look-see if you want to know what is out there and what is available to you.

Stuff my mailbox!

©1999 Helen Ralph