Interweave Knits' WebWatch

A little off topic, but timely...
Leave it to the knitting community to make me aware of a global peace initiative. It seems that March 20th has been set as a day to call for peace worldwide.

Whether you support this initiative or just want to express your wish for peace, here's the knitting connection: a free PDF-format pattern for a peace-symbol armband. If PDFs are new to you, you'll need to get the free Acrobat reader to view and print the pattern.

You might also want to take a look around the rest of the Revolutionary Knitting Circle's website to read more about what this group of knitters is doing to change the world for the better.

Posted 6:05 AM PST

Hurry up, Mailperson!
If you're lucky enough to be holding the new spring issue of Knits, here are the links mentioned in my column, and more that we had no room to share:

My favorite online source for vintage needlework tools is eBay -- the internet auction website. It's legendary and a good first place to look. You will likely not find a bargain, but the most amazing and obscure things show up from time to time. It's worth a regular search. In the real world, garage sales and flea markets are your best bet.

One thing you might spot for sale on eBay is an old sock knitting machine. I saw one sell recently for more than $1500US, though the average price is closer to $500. These machines can knit beautiful socks, and quickly…who wouldn’t want one?

Interesting sock knitting machine websites:
Pioneer Melissa's Favorite Things
Antique Sock Knitting Machine Internet Museum
Circular Sock Machines
Circular Sock Knitting Machines at Angora Valley
Sock Machines

Dying to see the five-skein wonder -- Charlotte's Web shawl -- up close? Here's the next-best thing...a whole bunch of online knitters' finished versions. They're so different, and so beautiful!
SequinK
Theresa
Julie
Kathy
Amy

Want to see Kat Coyle's work?
Her website is fabulous!
And her skirt with the interesting lace hem treatment is in Knitty -- you can start knitting it now!

For more vintage online, these sites have huge collections of vintage patterns for sale:
Vintage Knits
Yesterknits

And finally, if you dream of knitting authentic Victoriana, you may find nirvana here:
HistoricKnit's Yahoo Group

Posted 8:24 AM PST