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3D printing injects new life into knitting
If you think that knitting tends to be boring outside of the occasional yarnbombing, you're in for a pleasant surprise. Researchers at the Manchester School of Art have been working on hybrids of 3D printing and knitting that literally add a new dimension to clothes. Their approach adds interlocking 3D printed loops that add dashes of color and texture while remaining flexible enough to wear. The early creations (like what you see above) won't win any fashion awards, but they hint at what's possible -- you could turn a relatively ho-hum sweater into a conversation piece. It'll probably be a long, long while before you can buy one of these material mash-ups at the local store, but you can swing by the Knitting Nottingham exhibition before November 28th if you want to see them in person.
15 Minutes of Fame: Knitting together a gaming life
From Hollywood celebrities to the guy next door, millions of people have made World of Warcraft a part of their lives. How do you play WoW? We're giving each approach its own 15 Minutes of Fame. Yes, grandmas who knit play World of Warcraft, too -- and to prove it, we offer you this week's 15 Minutes of Fame with Pointilliste of Nesingway (US-A). Pointilliste is not only a knitting grandma, but a librarian as well. (She holds a master's degree in library science.) Nerdy-sweet enough for you yet? There's more -- this grandmother of four started playing Dungeons & Dragons in her forties, got her first PC nearly 20 years ago at age 50 ... and of course, she plays World of Warcraft.
Apple power adapter foot cozy, by Seymour Burns (video)
Hey, we love innovation and the gumption required to execute on an idea especially when knitting is involved. And the good lorf knows that our tootsies could use some warming up during the marathon sessions we spend at the computer. But while the idea of tucking one of those toasty, Apple laptop power adapters into a "foot cozy" might sound like an ingenious solution to our problem, we're also aware that those little white bricks must be ventilated to function properly. From Apple's own support site: The power adapter may become very warm during normal use. Always put the power adapter directly into a power outlet or place it on the floor in a well-ventilated location. If you are using your MagSafe adapter in a poorly ventilated area, or if the MagSafe adapter is covered by a blanket or other form of insulation, it may turn itself off in order to prevent damage to the adapter. Here's the best part: the inventor's name is Rachael Burns... why yes, she just might. Video demonstration after the break.
Wind powered knitting machine takes the tedium out of your heirloom production
Knitting is one of those acquired crafting skills we just never fully warmed up to. We'll embroider, crochet, or quilt until the sun sets for the last time on the day of the apocalypse, but knitting is just so... boring sometimes. Luckily, ingenious artist Merel Karhof has a solution for the monotony of the knit - purl - knit - purl routine. She's designed and invented a machine that knits all on its own, harnessing the ever-present power of the wind. Called the Wind Knitting Factory, the automatic knitting machine itself looks like a cross between an old-timey coffee grinder and a medieval torture device (which we like about it very much), and knits a scarf in about two hours. This isn't likely to be the type of thing that every hits the retail market, but we'll tell you this: if it did, we'd be first in line. Hit the read links for video, more photos, and an explanation of the machine's design.Read - Merel Karhof's blogRead - Show RCA Wind Knitting Factory
World of WarCrafts: Crochet Boomkin
Every Thursday, Shelbi Roach of The Bronze Kettle guides you in creating WoW-inspired crafts using real world mats with World of WarCrafts.Almina of <Sisters of Mercy>, an alliance guild member on the Gurabashi server and a fellow Texan, has created an epic crochet replica of the awesomest druid form in the game.Almina created a Crochet Boomkin for her father who happens to live out of state, but stays connected with his daughter by way of Azeroth. She didn't have a pattern to work from but managed to produce this impressive specimen nonetheless. Check out the in-progress and final product pictures here.
Link makes an epically cute craft
Link looks awfully adorable in amigurumi form, so we're grateful to Artoo1121 and her boyfriend for bringing such a cute craft into the world. What really gets us, though, are all the mini accessories that come along with this crocheted wonder, like the Hylian Shield, the Master Sword, the Lon Lon Milk, and (last but not least) the ocarina. Artoo1121 is also working on a Zelda to match up with Link, which will be impressive if it even comes out half as nice. You can also check out her Flickr set here to see more pictures of this craft if you happen to like it as much as we do.[Via Technabob]
The Body-laptop interface is knitted from Thneed which nobody, Nobody, NOBODY needs
Uh, er, that's the Body-laptop Interface. The idea is to provide the user "privacy, warmth, and concentration" when using a laptop in public spaces. It's just a concept for now... at least until Thanko or SolidAlliance sees it.[Via Mr. Gadget]
Super Mario Afghan
We like this new trend of people crafting game-related afghans. First it was with Tetris, and now with a scene depicting one of our favorite plumbers (Mario, obviously). This particular blanket was made by ThomcatDesigns, who have earned our complete respect for their (his? her?) mad crafting skills. The detail in this makes it look like it came right out of one of our favorite NES classics.Check the gallery to see the chronological progression of the afghan as it was created. It's pretty amazing to watch it turn from a mess of yarn into a masterpiece.%Gallery-20628%[Via Technabob; pictures via thomcatdesgins' Flickr account]
This hat will bite your head off
A hat like this might give Mario nightmares, but we're certainly fans. It's one of those ideas that seems so perfect, we're surprised we didn't think of it first. Made by the Knitting Ninja, this wonderful knit hat will make you look like a badass while keeping you warm. According to the Ninja herself, the hat is "a Chomp that has happily broken free of its chain, only to latch itself onto an unsuspecting gamer's head."If you'd like this chomp to rest on your head, fear not; the Knitting Ninja has plans to start selling them. You just have to watch her blog and hope you're able to snatch one up when they become available.[Via GoNintendo]
Knit yourself a few extra lives
Any knitters out there in DS Fanboy land? We've seen a few in the comments from time to time, so we've got something for you: patterns for mushroom toys! Now you can make your own mushrooms for extra lives or embiggening (that look a little like stuffed socks), and hug them and squeeze them for hours on end. We do not, however, recommend that you eat them.This blogger, sadly, cannot knit, and not for lack of trying. After a single row, it all becomes very alien. Maybe it's time for Knitting Training or something ....[Via OMG Nintendo]
