Where My Knittas At

Where My Knitta's At? Knitta Please!

2012-01-15T08:42:00.000-08:00

I know he's crocheting and not knitting, but I still thought this image was so amazingly awesome that I wanted to share it.

Nursing Home Knitters Need Your Help

2011-07-31T20:19:00.003-07:00

As you may or may not know, I volunteer twice a month at a Nursing Home in Santa Monica. I spend 2 hours every other Saturday hanging out with the gals. I teach them to knit or crochet, supply them with yarn, needles, crochet hooks, patters and help them finish and complete projects. Basically anything they need or ask for, I make it happen.

We are looking for any kinds of donations you can make to keep this program going. If you have yarn, needles or hooks to donate, shoot me an email at cjarabia@gmail.com and I'll tell you where you can mail them to - or if you are local, I'll come and pick them up and thank you in person.

If you don't have supplies to donate, we are also taking monetary donations. Anything you can donate. $10 buys a 1 pound ball of yarn and that can make a baby blanket or a hat and a scarf.

A lot of these women can't walk, and many of them can barely use their arms and hands but somehow they get things done. I'm constantly amazed by them, and they inspire me. I am happy to buy them yarn myself, but some of these gals are knitting faster than I can earn a pay check, so I need some help.

Here's a ChipIn where you can donate and if you look below you'll see some pics of some of these gals and the amazing work they do.

The girls appreciate every ball of yarn I bring to them. They scarf (pun intended) it down like hungry children. It makes them happy and gives them purpose. Many of them live on disability and take such pride in being able to make gifts for their family and friends and the workers that care for them at the nursing home. Please consider making a donation. Thank you!

How We Knit

2011-06-25T14:48:00.000-07:00

This video is very cool. We all knit differently.

Knitting At Goldstar Nursing Home

2011-06-18T21:43:00.000-07:00

So I've started teaching knitting at a nursing home in Santa Monica. My sister works there and she suggested that it might be a good idea for some of the ladies who can't get around to learn a new hobby like knitting. I've been going for a few months now and it's amazing. I try to get friends to go with me but it's hard to talk people into going to a nursing home so I pretty much just go by myself. I supply the yarn and the needles and the hooks (the people living in the nursing home have no money and the nursing home doesn't have much of a budget)and I teach both knitting and crochet and I didn't know anyone would get into it. I mean some of them can't move very well but a few of the ladies have really taken to it. It makes me so happy and proud to see them knitting and come back a few weeks later and see the beautiful things they've created. I wanted to share some pics of their beautiful creations!

K-tel "K-tel Knitter" Commercial

2011-03-14T15:21:00.001-07:00

Knitting In Japan

2011-01-09T06:10:00.000-08:00

I've been in Japan for the past two weeks and if you want to read about it you can go to my travel blog www.travelwithcj.com but I wanted to show you some wonderfully beautiful yarn I picked up in a little knitting store in Nara, Japan. I made these pretty little mits.

I knitted them all day long at the Grand Sumo Tournament here in Japan. It was opening day and I can't imagine a better way to spend your last day in Japan than knitting with yarn you purchased here in Japan and watching Sumo.

Green Elf Hat

2010-12-07T19:34:00.000-08:00

I'm thinking of selling it... it would be the most amazing Christmas gift for someone. And yet it's so awesome I wouldn't be sad if I kept it. I guess it's win-win.

1, 2, 3 New York Jets Scarf For Joe But Modeled By Mather

2010-12-05T08:45:00.000-08:00

Cascade 128 and a mistake rib. Bam!

Jane's Knitted Elf Hat

2010-12-05T08:41:00.000-08:00

Made this hat for my niece Jane for Christmas. Used Knit Collage yarn.

CJ's Knitted Bookmark

2010-11-21T19:10:00.001-08:00

Once again I got the idea from Joelle Hoverson's "more Last-Minute Knitted Gifts" and just used a basic knit stitch because I kept getting frustrated with the stitch that they suggested which was a linen stitch.

Such a simple and easy to make gift for the book lover in your life this holiday season. Just cast on 11 or 12 stitches and knit your favorite stitch for about 7 inches. Takes about an hour or two depending on how fast you knit.

Then take an iron and press the marker as flat as you can get it and give it to your favorite reader.

CJ's Knitted Elf Hat

2010-11-21T19:02:00.000-08:00

I got the basic pattern from Joelle Hoverson's "more Last-Minute Knitted Gifts" and just modified it with a little curliecue at the end.

I used Knit Collage yarn which can be purchased at the Knitty City on the Upper West Side of Manhattan.

Gibby, Henry & Walter's Holiday Sweater

2010-11-20T20:27:00.000-08:00

I'm all about creating patterns that are easy to follow and can be finished in a few days. The only think more fun than starting a new project is finishing one. That is why when my friend Billy texted me that he wanted me to hand knit dog sweaters for his three adorable little Pomeranians... I jumped at the chance to come up with a fail proof dog sweater that literally anybody can make.

Here's what I came up with.

Size 8 DPN (double pointed needles)
and worsted weight yarn

Cast on 60 stitches (20 on each of 3 DPN)
For the neck I did a rib of two knit, two purl (repeat) for 15 rows
Rows 16 - 20 knit
Bind off the next needle but continue to knit the other two
When you reach the end of the third needle, purl your way back
continue alternating one row of knit, one row of purl for 10 rows (5 rows of knit and 5 rows of purl)
knit the next row and when you get to the end, cast on the 20 stitches that you bound off 10 rows ago
Knit 5 rows
Now you will finish the sweater with ribbing again by knit 2, purl 2 for about 3 more inches or until sweater is of desired length.
Then pick of the center 10 stitches where the arm holes go and knit every other row, and purl every other row for 10 years (creating a stockaknit pattern) bind off and sew the last 10 stitches into the center 10 stitches on the other side of the wide arm holes

Storm Cloud Shawlette For Frances

2010-10-08T21:29:00.001-07:00

Craig's Cape

2010-10-03T16:51:00.001-07:00

I made this cape for my friend Craig Wedren for his birthday. He looks so rad in his cape!

Jane's Red Monster

2010-09-13T00:26:00.000-07:00

Hasidic Jewish Clockwork Orange Ski Mask

2010-09-05T20:04:00.000-07:00

I created this original pattern for my friend Jon.

I hope he likes it!

Buckley's Monster Doll

2010-09-04T16:48:00.000-07:00

I created this monster doll for my nephew who lives in Florida. Pretty darn cute.

Kiera Hat

2010-08-22T16:36:00.000-07:00

My own pattern. Cast on 120 stitches with sock weight yarn on size 4 needles.

The bottom: k2, p2
then after about two inches you just start knitting
decreasing near the top like you would with any hat

Perfect for kids in warm weather because it's thin and light. My nephews and nice live in Florida and I wanted to make something they could wear in a warmer winter.

Storm Cloud Shawlette

2010-08-02T20:24:00.000-07:00

This is an excellent pattern that just takes a couple days to complete and it comes out beautiful!

Cast on 4 stitches
row 1 and all other odd rows:
K1 (y/o, K1) to end.
...Rows 2, 4, 10, 20, 38 & 72:
knit to end - this is considered an increase
All other even rows: Knit the knit stitches and drop the yarn overs.
A ruffle can be added by doing 6 - 8 rows of elongated garter stitch (*k1, y/o on one side, k1, drop y/o on the other side) after an increase row.

Craig's Cape

2010-07-30T21:37:00.001-07:00

Made this beautiful cape for my friend Craig for his birthday. I hope he likes it!

It's modeled by the lovely and talented Lindsay Lohan.

Baby Cape

2010-06-27T15:40:00.001-07:00

Beautifully modeled by Lennon Wedren!

Original pattern BY ME!

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Simple Things Shawl

2010-06-24T23:40:00.000-07:00

I got the pattern on Ravelry.com.

It's a birthday gift for my beautiful little sister, Julia. I hope she likes it.

If you want to make a shawl this one is the one to make! Such an easy pattern to follow. I demand that you go to Ravelry right now, download the pattern and start immediately!

Words of Wisdom

2010-06-20T09:53:00.000-07:00

One Of A Kind Shawl

2010-04-23T16:04:00.001-07:00

It doesn't look anything like it was supposed to but that's ok. It looks pretty cool anyway. A good thing to remember is that even if your knitting isn't quite turning out like it is supposed look doesn't mean it won't turn out awesome anyway.

Black Hat modeled by Muffy Bolding

2010-03-17T20:06:00.000-07:00

This black hat is similar to that last blue one I made except I closed the top. It's soooo cute. I love when I make something that I want to keep. Something I don't want anyone else to have. I don't want anyone else to have my black hat!

Doesn't Miss Muffy Bolding look so adorable!

I could eat her up!

Made This Blue Hat

2010-02-21T21:01:00.000-08:00

Inspired by the Winter Olympics.

My Birthday At Unwind In Burbank

2010-02-16T17:54:00.000-08:00

Just knitting with my gurls.

Booties

2010-02-13T17:40:00.000-08:00

Who doesn't love booties? I would wear them all day long if I could. I looked around for a simple pattern and then decided to just improvise my own pattern and it turned out really cute.

The Cock Cozy

2010-02-02T15:50:00.000-08:00

A friend kept jokingly keeps requesting a Cock Cozy every time I see him. I don't think he really ever expected me to make him one. Won't he be surprised next time he sees me and I give him this!

Reid Levin in his Jaunty Blue Scarf

2010-01-18T17:11:00.001-08:00

The amazing and talented Reid Levin, a New York City writer, actor and comedian who is currently undergoing treatment for Leukemia in his hometown of Denver, CO. He's also a peach of a man and someone I like very much. Go and check out his blog.

I made the scarf from Punta hand painted yarn on size 13 needles. 4 scanes. It's the most amazing and dazzling blue you'll ever see.

Ceejwick The Magical Elf Hat

2010-01-17T22:45:00.000-08:00

I ended up watching the last half of the Golden Globe Awards with some of my knitting sisters tonight. I also finished this pretty green hat, made of Misti Alpaca chunky hand painted yarn. I think this is the prettiest green hat I've ever seen.

My boyfriend is coming out to Los Angeles on Thursday. I can't wait. We've been dating long distance LA/NY for almost 4 years now. How the hell do we do it? I'm baffled... but I love him and I can't wait to see him!

Knitting On The Ellis Island Ferry

2010-01-05T16:37:00.000-08:00

I certainly can't be the first person to knit her way to Ellis Island, only one of many. A taste of history folks... soak it in. Those of you snapping photos are not historically accurate. Those of us knitting, staring at seagulls... WE are historically accurate.

The extremely sexy and talented Muffy Bolding joins me for some historically accurate knitting. It may look cold folks but trust me, it's even colder than it looks.

Picking Up Knitting... Where Mom Left Off

2010-01-05T11:01:00.000-08:00

Someone asked me how I learned to knit so I thought I'd tell you.

In March (2009) my mother died a horrible painful death of ovarian cancer. It sucked. When she went on Chemo she took a knitting class so that she'd have something to do while she sat there in chemo. After she died I found myself in a room with bags full of yarn, knitting needles, scissors, hooks, sewing machines, needles... my mom was so crafty and now here were all her crafts... unfinished.

My brothers handed me a bag of yarn and said, "I guess you better learn how to knit." So I did. My living room was full of all her yarn. First I tried YouTube but I couldn't get it, so I went to my local yarn shop for a real lesson and one hour later I was knitting... I was knitting my ass off. I couldn't stop knitting.

I would think, "Mom, I have no idea what you had planned for this yarn but I hope it's OK if I make it into a scarf since that's all I can make right now." And I feel like she's cool with that and proud of me for learning to knit.

I like to call my first piece my "Rage scarf"; as I knitted it, I was angry that my mom had to die of cancer at 58 years old. I was pissed about a lot of things. It's no secret that my mother and I didn't get along. I had a violet childhood, I was molested... I blamed her. Just when we were finally getting along came the cancer. I was angry at how she had been treated by medical professionals, I was angry at her husband for smoking pot and playing guitar all day instead of helping her fight her cancer and I thought about all of that and as I knit each stitch. Fuck you for this, and fuck him for that, and fuck them for this other thing. I'd stitch and think, "Knit one, FUCK YOU, knit two, FUCK HIM, knit three, FUCK HIM AND HER AND THEM!" I felt my anger melting away. In the end I had a beautiful scarf and much less rage. Funny how you can put so much hate into something and then it's just a beautiful little scarf that you're actually proud of. Makes anger seem a lot less dangerous... comforting in fact.

(here is my rage scarf for all to see... harmless little thing ain't it?)

I realized that the knitting had turned into a form of meditation for me. So I thought that instead of focusing on anger, I'd focus on more positive things. With each stitch I would quietly say "love" in my mind. So as I knit, I meditate on love and forgiveness. I've been calling it knititation.

I've been reading and found out that knitting lowers your heart rate, lowers your metabolism and relieves stress just like meditation, so there really is something to this.

You can't think about anything when you're knitting; you can't worry. You can't stress. You can't hate. I mean, you can hate while knitting but the act of knitting will melt that hate away and eventually you will end up knitting to positive thoughts weather you like it or not soooo... Breathe in, breathe out, knit one, love, purl one, forgiveness, knit one, love, purl one, forgiveness ...

Think of knitting as meditation for those with ADD. If meditating is too boring for you, you might want to consider knititation. If you don't know how to knit, there are classes you can take at your local yarn stores and, if you're really smart, you can use YouTube to learn. (Heck, if you live near Studio City I'd meet you at a coffee shop and teach you myself if you're lucky as hell.)

There are so many kinds of yarns, and I find just feeling the textures and smelling them very relaxing. I dig my fingers into the yarn and feel how soft or scratchy it is. Maybe I'm weird, but I find it quite comforting to squish yarn in my hands.

When I'm knitting I'm not thinking about being unemployed. I'm not thinking of my mom's painful cancer death (and trust me I think of it often). And I'm not thinking about all the people I'd like to kick in the balls.

I'm thinking, Knit one, knit one, knit one ... love.

Janeane Garofalo in Brown Cowl

2010-01-04T13:48:00.001-08:00

I remember in the 90's when Janeane and I took trucker speed. The kind you get at the 7-11 check out counter and we jumped up and down on her sofa while watching MTV until 4 in the morning talking about God knows what. Now we're old ladies who knit, make jewelry, are obsessed with our dogs and have colorful tattoos on our arms.

In this photo Janeane is wearing about 6 lbs of wool in this pic and she is still small enough to fit in my pocket.

The cowl continues to be my #1 seller.

Janeane Garoalo in Shrug and Hat With Hair Hole

2010-01-04T13:40:00.000-08:00

Janeane commissioned me to make her this red/black shrug. I was excited at first but then it took longer than I thought it would and I got so sick of knitting in circles... I thought I'd never finish and I started to resent the shrug so when I went to Europe for 2 weeks it's the only knitting project I took with me. We took an 8 day river boat cruise up the Danube River and I had no choice but to work on it. I found some knitters on the boat and started a knitting circle evenings in the bar. When I was finished with the shrug I had some extra yarn so I made her this cute little hat. I know she likes to wear her hair down so I put this large hole in the back of the hat so that she could pull her hair through. My second original design.

I think it looks fucking awesome on her with all that long dark hair flowing through the hat. Makes me want to knit her hair into something.

Look at those tats bitches! No one rocks a tat like JG.

The Knitty City

2010-01-04T08:32:00.000-08:00

I just spent two weeks in Europe and I was so excited to go to the yarn shops while there. Sadly the yarn selection in Europe was kind of pathetic. I realized that MY yarn store, The Knitty City in Manhattan has such an amazing variety of yarn that there's no way that any other shop will ever be able to compete. After a few trips to various icy cold Eastern European yarn stores I gave up and decided that I'd just wait till I got home to buy yarn... now I'm heading back to LA on Friday and going to stock up on my favorites before I go and ship them to myself so they are waiting for me at my apartment.

If you are in New York you absolutely have to visit The MotherfuckingKnitty City on 79th street, upper west side. I warn you, once you go there your home yarn stores will seem small and pathetic so brace yourself. If you spend a hundred dollars you get a free knitting bag... which is so so easy to do.

Check me out... I'm at the back table of the Knitty City.

The J. Keith Van Straaten Scarf

2010-01-01T07:00:00.000-08:00

J. Keith Van Straaten is standing on the streets of Prague here wearing this beautiful black and brown scarf that I made him last year. An extremely simple scarf to make that keeps you warm on any continent.

We had a great time in Prague. Here, J. Keith is standing in front of the U Medvidku hotel and restaurant where we stayed for 3 days. I can highly highly recommend this hotel and restaurant. The rooms are so cool, the food is delish, in the heart of the city and the staff is so nice. If you're going to Prague, the U Medvidku is the place to stay.

Knitting at the Czech Ossuary

2009-12-29T08:13:00.000-08:00

It's a church that is decorated with the bones of up to 70,000 people who died in the great plague. Creepy and cool as shit.

An honor to knit with the dead.

Knitting in Prague

2009-12-29T08:06:00.001-08:00

I did a little knitting in Prague Castle.

Then hit the local Kavarna for some beer and more knitting.

Wendy Hoopes in Knitted Green Dickie

2009-12-09T16:24:00.001-08:00

The lovely and talented Wendy Hoopes shows off her new birthday present. Visit Wendy on Facebook by clicking HERE

Lance Henderstein in Blue & Gray Tunisian Crochet Scarf

2009-12-07T15:30:00.001-08:00

What a handsome man. Visit Lance on Facebook by clicking HERE

Me in My New Black Hat

2009-12-07T13:25:00.000-08:00

It's a big ol' hat.

Using a thick chunky yarn - 16" size 13 needles
Cast on 64 stitches
make a two inch brim of ribbing - 4 knit and 4 purl
Then continue knitting until you are happy with the length
decrease and tighten and add a big ass puffy ball

Korin Thorig in Green Headband

2009-12-07T13:17:00.000-08:00

Gorgeous as per usual. Visit Korin on Facebook by clicking HERE

Janeane Garofalo in Handknit Heroes Hooded Scarf W/ Pockets

2009-12-06T23:55:00.000-08:00

Very simple pattern. Looks so cool! I got the pattern from http://www.comicknits.com/ - funky cool comic books whose lead characters are into knit!

Special thanks to all around great gal Janeane Garofalo for not only commissioning this item but also taking the time to model it in the hallway! (special guest appearance by Mather Zickel in hood/cowl)

Korin Thorig Sporting a Beautiful Hand Painted Malabrigo Hood/Cowl

2009-12-04T10:10:00.000-08:00

And don't it just look lovely on her! Visit Korin on FaceBook by clicking HERE

Jane Higgins in Pink Cable Headband

2009-12-03T16:01:00.000-08:00

Notice the headband is inside out. For more Jane click HERE

Muffy Bolding in a Gray Chainmail Cowl/hood

2009-12-02T20:19:00.000-08:00

Yarn made by Punta yarns in Uruguay this MeriTwist yarn is natural spun, hand painted and 100% Merino. Muffy Bolding models. Visit Miss Muffy on Facebook by clicking HERE

Andy Corren in Gray Misti Alpaca Hood/Cowl

2009-12-02T18:12:00.000-08:00

Three Chains Necklace

2009-12-01T16:09:00.000-08:00

The Ring Necklace

2009-12-01T16:07:00.000-08:00

Crop Circles Choker

2009-12-01T16:00:00.001-08:00

Very simple crochet pattern. Makes a lovely choker.

Hannah Bos in a Red Wool Hat

2009-11-30T12:00:00.001-08:00

Actress Hannah Bos and her giant head of hair wear this simple hat. Pattern of two knit, two purl for the brim and then knit the rest of the way up. I found the pattern on YouTube. If you haven't seen Hannah in her hit show Mimi and flo you've got to check it out. Hilarious.

Madeline Granger in Pink Wool Hood/Cowl

2009-11-27T17:57:00.000-08:00

Madeline Granger models this lovely pink hooded/cowl.

CJ Arabia in Camo Green Variegated Cowl/Hood

2009-11-24T04:57:00.000-08:00

Just like the gray chainmail hood/scarf - this is the same exact yarn but in green variegated. It's a thick and chunky yarn made by Punta yarns in Uruguay this MeriTwist yarn is natural spun, hand painted and 100% Merino.

Photo by: Muffy Bolding

Photo by: Muffy Bolding

Photo by: Muffy Bolding

Mather Zickel in Black Misti Alpaca Cowl/Hood

2009-11-21T06:58:00.000-08:00

Chunky Yarn
Cast on: 80
on 16 inch size 10 1/2 circular needles
Row 1 - 4 rows of purl
Row 5 - 8 knit
repeat this pattern until you have 12 sets of (4 rows per set) purl and 11 sets of (4 rows per set) knit - bind off
wear the shit out of it and be the envy of all your friends

Inspired by Maxine's pattern at Knitty City in New York.

My super awesome boyfriend Mather Zickel models the Misti Alpaca as a hood and cowl. I believe he has claimed this one for himself. Sorry folks.

Aubrey Zickel models cowl in this Thanksgiving action pic.

Frances Chewning in Prism Wool Cotton Twist Cowl/Hood

2009-11-21T06:41:00.000-08:00

Cast on 86 Stitches
16 inch circular size 10 1/2 needles
Row 1 - 4 rows of purl
Row 5 - 8 rows of knit
Your first and last set of rows should be purl
Repeat until you have 12 sets of purl and 11 sets of knit
bind off

Inspired by Maxine's pattern at Knitty City in New York. This Prism colourway yarn is made in Wales. The color is called Earth 61. It is a cotton and wool blend. Modeled by the hilariously talented Frances Chewning from Mimiandflo.com