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Knitflix for Spring

May 22, 2018 Leave a Comment

Knitflix for Spring - There's just something about a season change that gets you in the mood for marathoning a project til it's done, which means you need something to watch while you knock it out! Here are four new Knitflix picks, and how they fared in terms of representing knit and crochet.
Ahh spring, when we finally have temperate, sunny days. But also, “Ahh, spring!” when we have days on end of rain. On top of the weather, there’s just something about a season change that gets you in the mood for marathoning a project til it’s done, which means you need something to watch while you knock it out! Here are four new picks that have really brightened up some recent knitting and sewing sessions of mine, and how they fared in terms of representing knit and crochet.

Knitflix suggestion: My Mother and Other Strangers is a great a show about marriage, family, and dealing with change.

My Mother and Other Strangers (2016)

I do feel like it wouldn’t be a Knitflix post without there being some kind of show set in the British Isles during World War 2! My Mother and Other Strangers is set in a rural village on the shores of Northern Ireland, the fictional town of Moybeg. The show begins in 1943 with locals reeling from the recent opening of an US Army Air Force in their area, introducing thousands of strangers to their otherwise-insulated community.  It’s a show about marriage, family, and dealing with change, and I really enjoyed it. The show was produced by the BBC and aired in the United States as part of PBS’s Masterpiece.

Worth the watch? If period dramas are your thing, this is a good one.
Does it feature knitting or crochet? There’s a TON of amazing knitwear, and even one or two crochet pieces.
Available to stream? You got it.

PS: Thanks, Tammy G. for suggesting My Mother and Other Strangers via the Knitflix suggestion form! I hadn’t heard of it before your submission, and I loved it!

Knitflix suggestion: Technically a kids' movie, Bedknobs and Broomsticks (1971) is a trippy musical that takes audiences from flying through the air on a magical bed to dancing at the bottom of the beautiful, briny sea.

Bedknobs and Broomsticks (1971)

Ok, it’s another WW2 movie set in England, I know. BUT! This one’s an absolute classic. Technically a kids’ movie, this trippy musical takes audiences from flying through the air on a magical bed to dancing at the bottom of the beautiful, briny sea. Bedknobs shares the story of three London children rehoused in rural England with a reluctant guardian, who happens to be a witch played by Angela Lansbury. Lansbury’s character has learned witchcraft via correspondence school (you read that right!), and she spends the film taking the three chidren on a quest to attain one last lesson she’s owed when the correspondence school suddenly ceases operation (probably because it’s literally the Blitz). In an action best described as questionable for a guardian, Lansbury bewitches a bed and uses it to fly the children to London (you know, the city they were just evacuated from) to find that lesson. They team up with the shady proprietor of the witch school (as you do), and go on more bed-related adventures. Eventually the Nazis attempt to invade, and more weird magic happens. Do the Nazis win? Does Lansbury keep the kids? And what about that shady magic school guy? Oh, and why would one find themselves playing soccer with a menagerie of talking animals? You gotta watch to find out!

Worth the watch? When the movie first came out, it didn’t have the greatest critical reception, but you know what? It’s fun, doesn’t take itself seriously, and combines epic 1970s movies effects, original music, live action and 2D animation into a family-friendly movie. It’s a blast that makes for great background viewing. Fans of Mary Poppins in particular might get a kick out of this movie.
Does it feature knitting or crochet? Angela Lansbury wears some excellent knitwear in this movie! Some of it seems a wee bit anachronistic for a WW2 era movie, but do I care when I have a great pompom to behold? No, not really.
Available to stream? It’s currently available to rent on several major streaming platforms.

Knitflix suggestion: Little Women (2018) follows the March family during the Civil War as four sisters grapple with growing up and finding themselves.

Little Women (2018)

Speaking of pom poms and Angela Lansbury, this next pick also features those delightful things! At just 3 episodes, this super mini-series is the latest take on Louisa May Alcott’s classic novel of the same name. No, we’re not talking about the 1994 Winona Ryder/Christian Bale Little Women movie (though here’s where it’s currently available to stream since it’s also great Knitflix material). Today’s recommendation is the brand new Little Women miniseries that premiered on Mother’s Day on PBS in the U.S., and wrapped up last weekend.

For those of you who don’t know what Little Women is, the story follows the March family during the Civil War. Truly a coming of age story for the four March sisters, they explore all sorts of relatable things involved with becoming a woman: sibling rivalry, sickness, creative development, relationships, marriage, loss, and love. It’s really a heart squisher, to coin a phrase! If you have a fondness for the Winona Ryder movie, this is a fun, new take that has three, hour-or-so-long episodes to tackle the same iconic source material (so you get even more of the story you love)!

Worth the watch? At just over 3 hours in total watch time, I’d say yes, particularly if you love the book or movie.
Does it feature knitting or crochet? Boy howdy! I mean, making art in many forms is central to the narrative, but there’s a lot of charming mending and crafting scenes. (There are even two Christmas scenes set during the mid-1800s, so you know there’s a lot of handmaking to be had in those two alone!)
Available to stream? It’s currently available to stream for free on PBS, but hurry! It will only be up for a couple more weeks. After that, check here for streaming options.

Knitflix suggestion: Professor Marston and the Wonder Women tells the story of American psychologist William Marston, the man who created Wonder Woman.

Professor Marston and the Wonder Women (2017)

Since spring is kind of Marvel season these days, with new film after new film being released throughout the season, it seemed fitting to include a super hero-related movie. Professor Marston and the Wonder Women is a fun watch with great costumes. It’s definitely an R rated movie “for strong sexual content including brief graphic images, and language,” just FYI. I enjoyed the film, set mostly in America in the 20s. The movie tells the story of American psychologist William Marston, the man who created Wonder Woman. Ultimately the story is about three people developing and navigating a polyamorous relationship during a not-so-progressive time in American history.

Worth the watch? If you are a fan of graphic novels and comics, or if you’re looking for a date night movie with a partner obsessed with Marvel movies, this is a fun option! Also, again, the costumes are gorgeous!
Does it feature knitting or crochet? There’s some knitwear in it, and not much in the way of fireside crafting scenes.
Available to stream? Indeed!


Til next time…

Apparently most of my picks today are all about handling evolving relationships… I wonder what that means? At any rate, if you have some ideas for future Knitflix posts, let me know! Help me figure out what to feature by submitting your ideas here, especially if they’re not a WW2 drama. We gotta mix it up next time! ;)  

Filed Under: Knitflix Tagged With: bedknobs and broomsticks, knitflix, little women, my mother and other strangers, netflix and knit, professor marston and the wonder women

About Heidi

Heidi Gustad is a craft book author, designer & creator specializing in yarn crafts like knitting, crochet, latch hook & macramé. Her first book, Latch Hook: 12 Projects for the Modern Maker, is out now.

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Heidi Gustad from Hands Occupied / Craft Book Author and Knitting, Crochet, Latch Hook and Macrame Designer

Hi! I’m Heidi (she/her/hers), a craft book author & pattern designer specializing in knitting, crochet, latch hook & macrame. Really anything with yarn! ❤️  My work combines vintage and modern design elements, featuring bold colors and graphic motifs.

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Helping yarn crafters untangle various techniques on the internet since 2010
🧶 Really into intarsia
Stay up-to-date 💌 & shop the latest patterns ⤵️

Heidi Gustad 🧶 knitting & yarn crafts
Wow! I am floored by the awesome response to the S Wow! I am floored by the awesome response to the Spiral Hill Sweater Vest. Thank you. 🙏🏻❤️ If you love this pattern & didn’t know already, we are going to be doing a knit along (KAL) from October 1-29 featuring this spooky sweater vest & lots of tutorials, especially for the intarsia part. 
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Later today my newsletter will be coming out with additional Knit Along details, so if you’re not already signed up, now is a great time - the 🔗 is in my b1o. 
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Pictured: My Spiral Hill Sweater Vest pattern from the new Nightmare Before Christmas knitting book by @tanisknits. Model is wearing size 1 with 2” of positive ease, knit in @brooklyntweed Imbue Worsted. Vest images via @insighteditions 
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#spiralhillsweatervest #handsoccupied #nightmarebeforechristmasknittingbook
At long last! I can share the Spiral Hill Sweater At long last! I can share the Spiral Hill Sweater Vest, my contribution to the new book Disney Tim Burton’s Nightmare Before Christmas: The Official Knitting Guide to Halloween Town and Christmas Town, out now! 🎃💀 
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I’m hosting a knit along (KAL) October 1-29 for anyone who’d like to knit this vest along with a group & learn a little about intarsia while we’re at it. I’ve got weekly tutorials planned to help you knit this worsted weight sweater vest, and there’s a prize package giveaway at the end for KAL participants too. Details are on my site - you know where to find the 🔗 I think. 😉
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Book by @tanisknits 
Publisher @insighteditions 
Yarn @brooklyntweed Imbue 
Find it wherever fine books are sold. 
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#handsoccupied #nightmarebeforechristmas #intarsia #sweatervest #knittingpattern #knittingbook #spiralhill #knitting_inspiration #knitting
Since there was some interest in stills of my WIPs Since there was some interest in stills of my WIPs closet after this weekend’s quick tutorial, here are few. ✂️ The tutorial is one post back in my feed as a video.
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As you can see, I didn’t worry about the wire hangers all being perfectly uniform, but it doesn’t matter to me. Also, this closet holds a lot! Despite that, it is already at capacity. Since the hanging bags don’t appear to be recyclable, I want to reuse them as long as possible. Who knows, maybe this will be a way to limit my WIPs? 😅
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P.s. In the third photo you can see how I use this system to store the original swatches, scraps, yarn ball bands, & notes from a design project all together. 
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#handsoccupied #wips #craftstorage #yarnstorage #yarncrafts #knitting_inspiration #craftstudio #craftroom #craftcloset
How to convert a closet into WIPs storage with jus How to convert a closet into WIPs storage with just a few supplies ✂️
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When I was a librarian, we would use these hanging bags to circulate books with audiobook CDs. They came to mind when I wanted to develop a filing cabinet-like system for my differently-sized WIPs. To fit in my studio closet, a standard bedroom closet, they just needed custom hangers. 🤙🏻 
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HOW TO MAKE THE HANGERS
1. Carefully cut approx. a 9” (23 cm) length of flexible 3 mm aluminum wire.
2. Near the end of a large knitting needle or dowel, wrap the wire around it as you would a twist tie. 
3. Bend the other end into a hook shape, perpendicular to the circle shape you just created. 
4. Hang like a hanger in a closet, as shown. 
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#handsoccupied #handmadelife #knitting_inspiration #craftcloset #craftroom #craftroomorganization #craftroomstorage #craftroomdecor #crocheter #latchhook #knittersofinstagram #wip #wips #hangingstorage
It’s time for the monthly review and giveaway! T It’s time for the monthly review and giveaway! This go around, get to know two new sister yarns from @manosyarnsusa, Marla and Sami, and enter to win a skein of each to try for yourself. 
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What makes these yarns sisters is that, while dyed differently, they’re the same weight and come in intentionally coordinating color palettes. For my review, I opted for a sky-inspired combo of Sami in Natural and Marla in Nube. 🌧️ 
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Check out the full review & enter the giveaway at the link in my bio. 
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#handsoccupied #yarnreview #manosdeluruguay #knitting_inspire #crochet #yarngiveaway #knitters #yarn #crochetersofinstagram
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