Boston Knit Out 2005

Boston Knit Out now has its own web address:

www.bostonknitout.com

Right now it's just one page, but information about the 2005 Knit Out will be added, so be sure to bookmark the new site.

The 2005 Boston Knit Out will take place Sunday, Oct. 2.

Photos! Photos! Photos!

A Boston Knit-Out attendee enjoying the event. Photo copyright © 2004 Todd Lehman

As promised, here are some pictures from the Boston Knit Out.

Todd Lehman posted an excellent recap of the event on his weblog, with lots of pictures. He has some great shots of the Show & Share in particular. There is also a full photo Knit-Out photo gallery of the pictures he took while there.

You can also see Pictures from the fashion show, exhibits, and more taken by Shawn Reeves.

We Want Your Feedback!

What did you think of this year's Knit-Out? What did you enjoy the most? What would you change?

We'd like to hear from you so we can make the next Knit-Out even better. Please e-mail any suggestions or comments to Susan Baker at susan@windsorbutton.com or Beth Sheard at turtletrackz@yahoo.com.

Coming Soon: Knit-Out Photos

We'll be posting some pictures from the Knit-Out over the next week or so. There'll be photos from the fashion show and more, so check back at this site.

Some Resources to Keep You Stitching

Whether you are an experienced crafter or just learned to knit or crochet at the Knit-Out—or even if you haven't yet picked up needles or hook—these resources should help keep you going.

We know from experience that even after you learn, you sometimes need to remind yourself how to do the stitches. So among these resources are several web sites where you can see videos or illustrations of techniques—including the basics like knit, purl, and single crochet. Use them to help you out if you hit a snag, or to get information on new techniques you want to explore.

We've also included links to text and Word files that contain slightly expanded versions of this information. (They're at the bottom of this post.)

WEB SITES

About.com's Knitting pages
Tons of information and lots of links. The Learning to Knit page has basics for beginners or for those who want to brush up on their skills. Also includes info on more advanced techniques, like multicolored knitting, links to free patterns, etc.

About.com's Crochet page
Similar to above. Also includes Learn to Crochet links.

DIY Network Web site
See photos and written instructions or watch video clips from the network's show "Knitty Gritty" demonstrating various knitting techniques. Each episode's web page has links to a few pages with how-tos.

DIY makes past episodes a little hard to find, but you can click the episode titles below to get to some of the episodes The Word and text documents below include URLs for all the episodes filmed to date.

Episode DKNG-101 Getting Started
Covers choosing needles and yarns for a first-time project, casting on and binding off. A great primer for anyone just learning to knit.

Episode DKNG-102: Knitting and Purling
If you know how to knit and purl, you can do stockinette stitch. This episode shows how to knit and purl so you can make a knitted guitar in stockinette.

Episode DKNG-103: Felting
Felting or "fulling" is a process by which knitted wool is soaked in hot water to shrink and tighten the fibers and create a dense, strong fabric. Great for making knitted purses, like those shown at the Knit-Out. In fact, this episode's featured project is a felted purse.

Episode DKNG-104: Knitting in the Round
How to knit seamlessly using double-pointed needles. Project is a pair of mittens.

Episode DKNG-106: Knitting with Kids
Making a beanbag, a hat, and a scarf.

Stitch Guide
Written instructions on different knitting, crochet, and other needlecraft techniques, with illustrations. There are also videos of many of the techniques that you can watch online using the free Quick Time player.

Valley Café Knitting Resource Page
Includes animated illustrations and short video clips of knitting techniques that you can watch online for free.

BOOKS

How to Crochet
How to Knit
These inexpensive booklets, pubished by The National Needlework Association, each provide instruction on basic techniques. They are available only through retail stores that are members of The National Needlework Association. Ask your local yarn store for recommendations on other good learn-to-knit or -crochet books.

GET AN EXPANDED VERSION OF THIS INFORMATION:

Word document (40K) or
Text document (12K)

Maps Fixed

The links to maps of the Knit-Out location on this site were not working properly earlier. We have remedied the problem, and we apologize for any inconvenience.

Schedule of Events

Pullover and shawl from the fashion show at the last Knit-Out

Here’s what’s happening when at the Knit-Out:

12:00 – 12:30
Wren Ross, “Singing With Every Fiber”
Wren Ross sings old favorites with a new yarn "twist."

12:30 – 1:15 Sock Knitting Contest
An exciting demonstration by staff members from Creative Warehouse

1:15 – 1:30 Door Prizes

1:30 – 2:00 Fashion Show
Selected items from local designers and knit shops

2:00 – 2:30 Show & Share
Show off your favorite project! Sign up at the information booth when you arrive.

2:30 – 3:00 Wren Ross, “Singing With Every Fiber”
Music.

3:00 – 3:15 Fastest Needles Contest
A contest to find Boston’s fastest knitter.

3:15 – 3:30 Fastest Hook Contest
Competition for Boston’s fastest crocheter.

3:30 – 3:45 Door Prizes & “Best of Show” Bag Winners

4:00 Closing

In addition, there will be technique demonstrations, knitting and crochet lessons, and kids’ activities throughout the day.

Getting to the Knit-Out

We’ve been asked exactly where on the Boston Common the Knit-Out will be.

The Knit-Out will take place at the Boston Common’s gazebo, which is on the Tremont Street side of the Common. It’s near the intersection of West Street and Tremont. An easy way to find the gazebo: It’s very close to the Boston Visitor Center, an easily noticeable landmark on the Tremont Street side of the Common. And it’s about halfway between the T stops for Park Street station (Red and Green lines) and Boylston Street station (Green Line).



Map of location.


Taking public transportation:

If you plan to take the T to the Knit-Out, here is a list of the stops nearby:

Red Line: Park Street
Green Line: Park Street or Boylston Street
Blue Line: Change at Government Center to the Green Line and then get off at Park Street.
Orange Line: State Street or Downtown Crossing
Silver Line Bus: Temple Place

MBTA web site.

Traveling from out of town by train:

MBTA commuter rail lines travel from many points in Massachusetts and connect with various T lines. For more information, visit the MBTA commuter rail page.

Amtrak has four trains that go to Boston:

From Rhode Island, Connecticut, and points south, you can take either the high-speed Acela train or the Regional.

From western Massachusetts (Pittsfield, Springfield, and Worcester), there is the Lake Shore Limited.

All three of the above trains connect with the subway at both South Station on the Red Line and Back Bay Station on the Orange Line.

From Maine and New Hampshire, Amtrak’s Downeaster train arrives at North Station, on the subway’s Orange and Green lines. Taking the Green Line from North Station to Park Street will bring you within steps of the Knit-Out.

From out of town by bus:

Peter Pan Bus Lines and Greyhound have terminals at South Station, on the subway’s Red Line.

Driving:

Parking is available at the Boston Common Garage, Zero Charles Street

Get driving directions to the parking garage from the Mass Pike (I-90) or I-93.

Get information on the garage’s rates.

Support the Knit Out: Buy a T-Shirt or Tote

Junior Raglan style shirt

You can buy Boston Knit-Out merchandise at the Knit-Out Shop at CafePress. There are a dozen different styles of shirts, as well as tote bags, messenger bags, mugs, buttons, and bumper stickers. All the profits go to defray the costs of producing the Knit-Out.

Limited numbers of short-sleeved T-shirts, in blue only, will be on sale at Windsor Button, and at the Knit-Out on September 12. Those styles can be seen here:

• girl-style T-shirt
• regular-style T-shirt

Tote bags will also be available at both locations.

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