Great seaming technique

Here's a really helpful technique on how to seam shoulders well (and it works really well on any vertical seams you have to sew, not just shoulders). Enjoy!

Knitting is good for your health!

A recent BBC News article reported that knitting and other brain-stimulating activities can delay memory loss. Yay for knitting!




“ One million people will develop dementia in the next 10 years so there is a desperate need to find ways to prevent dementia ”
Alzheimer's Society

Knitting 'can delay' memory loss

Engaging in a hobby like reading a book, making a patchwork quilt or even playing computer games can delay the onset of dementia, a US study suggests.

Watching TV however does not count - and indeed spending significant periods of time in front of the box may speed up memory loss, researchers found.

Nearly 200 people aged 70 to 89 with mild memory problems were compared with a group who had no impairment.

The findings are to be presented to an American Academy of Neurology meeting.

The researchers from the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota asked the volunteers about their daily activities within the past year and how mentally active they had been between the age of 50 to 65.

Those who had during middle age been busy reading, playing games or engaging in craft hobbies like patchworking or knitting were found to have a 40% reduced risk of memory impairment.

In later life, those same activities reduced the risk by between 30 and 50%.

Those who watched TV for less than 7 hours a day were also 50% less likely to develop memory loss than those who spent longer than that staring at the screen.

"This study is exciting because it demonstrates that ageing does not need to be a passive process," said study author and neuroscientist Dr Yonas Geda.

"By simply engaging in cognitive exercise, you can protect against future memory loss. Of course, the challenge with this type of research is that we are relying on past memories of the participants, therefore we need to confirm these findings with additional research."

Sarah Day, head of public health at the Alzheimer's Society said: "One million people will develop dementia in the next 10 years so there is a desperate need to find ways to prevent dementia.

"Exercising and challenging your brain - by learning new skills, doing puzzles such as crosswords, and even learning a new language - can be fun.

"However, more research, where people are followed up over time, is needed to understand whether these sorts of activities can reduce the risk of dementia."

Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/health/7896441.stm

Published: 2009/02/18 10:39:51 GMT

© BBC MMIX

Awesome Knitting Art Exhibit in Chicago

Today I read this review on one of my favorite knitting blogs of an interactive knitting art exhibit in Chicago. It closes today, but hopefully you can enjoy reading about it and looking at the pictures, anyway. The way Franklin describes how he felt at the exhibit sounds like an almost spiritual experience; very interesting. I hope you all enjoy the pictures, the concept, and his review!

(More pictures and the review at the link above. Franklin's website here: http://the-panopticon.blogspot.com/)

Picking Up Stitches

Here are some great tutorials I found for how to pick up stitches. I have had several questions about this recently, so if you're wondering, here you go!

http://www.knittingdaily.com/blogs/howto/archive/2009/02/10/picking-up-stitches-slipped-stitch-side-row-edge.aspx
http://www.knittingdaily.com/blogs/howto/archive/2009/02/10/picking-up-stitches.aspx

Meeting change!

The Meeting this Tuesday, February 17, is no longer going to be on colorwork; that meeting has been moved back, probably to next week.
This week, we will be tackling how to knit in the round! This is a very important skill that I have been getting a lot of questions about recently, so everyone bring either a set of four or five double pointed needles or a circular needle (preferable 12-20 inches long, no longer). If you do not yet have double pointed or circular needles and want me to bring extras for you to learn on, please email me as soon as possible at bsuknitcrochet AT gmail DOT com.

Also, the movie night is THIS FRIDAY!! We'll be handing out directions to Katie's house at the meeting Tuesday, so come come come! We'll work out movies and rides at the meeting, so everyone be there. If you cannot come, again, email me as soon as possible saying you want to come to the movie night but cannot come to the meeting and I'll send you directions or get you a ride.

Hope to see you all there!
-Abby

Cool new bind-off method

If you're looking for a great new, very easy and clean looking bind off method, here's a great one for you. You can find a simple explanation in the "cast off methods" link on the right ---->

Or watch it here:

Knitted Brain!

Here is a cool article about psychiatrists who knit an accurate human brain. Really mind-blowing!

Reminder, first meeting tomorrow!

Just a reminder that the first meeting of the semester will be tomorrow, Jan 20, at 7pm.

Jan 27--"How to Knit" class for all
Feb 3--"How to Crochet" class for all
*Remember, you can still come if you don't want to learn either of those skills. Every meeting is "free knit/crochet," meaning bring whatever you're currently working on and work on it in the presence of friends.

**Don't forget that over on the right side of the page is our calendar of events. Check back often for updates and special events!** ------->

Hope to see you all soon,
Happy Stitching!

First Meeting of the Semester

Hello everyone,

I hope you all had a really great semester. I just wanted to let you all know that our first meeting of the semester will be on Jan 20, the second week of school, NOT the first week. This is because I want to make sure that all of you can get used to your classes and such before we start meeting. Also, when we get to the first meeting, Katie and Abby will have a bit of a schedule worked out for you as well as some knitting and crocheting lessons ready!

Hope to see you all on Tues, Jan 20 at 7pm in the Atrium right outside of Starbucks on the couches around a TV.
--
Happy Stitching!

-Abby & Katie
BSU Knitting and Crocheting Club

"Extreme Knitting"--Rachel John

Watch this, be amazed, and never complain about a project again! This woman is crazy and amazing!

Click here for Rachel John's webpage (http://racheljohn.co.uk/default.aspx)