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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 (she/her) is a craft book author & designer specializing in yarn crafts. Her work combines vintage and modern design elements, prioritizing color and graphic motifs. 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), and I’ve been helping yarn crafters untangle various techniques on the internet since 2010. I got my start here, as a blogger, and since then I’ve shared more than a few tutorials here and on YouTube as I’ve grown as a pattern designer. 🧶 

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Heidi Gustad 🧶 knitting & yarn crafts

handsoccupied

Knitting & yarn crafts designer 🧶
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Stay up-to-date 💌 & shop new patterns ⤵️

POV: Showing you how my new Bevelled Tank pattern POV: Showing you how my new Bevelled Tank pattern fits with no ease vs. 4” of positive ease. There’s a bit more length to the cotton (brighter color) sample, but both are cropped and feature shoulder seams designed to sit an inch back onto the shoulder instead of on top, giving it a little swing. Length is easily adjustable for folks looking for less of a crop. 
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Pattern: Bevelled Tank by @handsoccupied for @pompommag x @hobbii_yarn summer 2024. Available for free from Hobbii at the 🔗 in my profile.
Yarn pictured: @kelbournewoolens Skipper and Camper. 
Dress form is adjusted to a 36” chest and ~5’3”ish in height. 
Human has a 40” chest and is 5’5”.
Both skirts are vintage.
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#pompomxhobbiisummer2024 #handsoccupied #intarsia #handmade #knitting #colorwork
Let’s talk about fit and ease! . During the Beve Let’s talk about fit and ease!
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During the Bevelled Tank design process for @pompommag, I knit 2 samples using 2 different @KelbourneWoolens yarns. One was in Skipper (100% cotton, second photo) and the other was in Camper (100% 2 ply wool). The Skipper sample was knit for a 36” bust, which measures in at 40” with 4” of positive ease. And I knit the Camper Sample for my 40” bust with a 44” finished measurement. (BTW, I’m 5’5” for folks that find that measurement helpful in visualizing fit.)
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Based on the size chart for the Bevelled Tank, that means I knit one size 3 sample and one size 4. As designed, I conveniently fit a size 4 as intended with 4” of positive ease. When I wear the 3, there is no ease at all because the garment and my body are both 40” in size. Comparing the 2 garments, you can see how the fiber content (cotton vs. wool) and fit (no ease vs. 4” of positive ease) makes a difference in the look and feel of the finished garment. 
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These samples are a great way to compare what ease looks like on different bodies. While I can fit both a size 3 and 4, the garment with no ease feels more like pajamas or a bralette when I wear it. On the other hand, when I wear the one with 4” of positive ease, I feel comfortable enough to wear it to work, even as a crop top. Plus, it leaves me with enough room to layer it with a nice button down if I’m not feeling the cropped look one day. 
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I’m curious - how would you style this tank? Would you modify it with a few stockinette rows for added length? I’m so curious now that this pattern is finally out in the world. :) 
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#pompomxhobbiisummer2024 #bevelledtank #handsoccupied #knitting #intarisa #handmade #kelbournewoolens #croppedsweater #summerknits
After a 6 month hiatus, I am happy to say I’m ba After a 6 month hiatus, I am happy to say I’m back with a brand new pattern in 9 sizes, and it’s FREE as part of @pompommag x @hobbii_yarn’s summer design collection! (Link is in my bio.)
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In my December newsletter, I announced that I was soliciting test knitters for a pattern that had originally been selected for the summer ’24 issue of Pom Pom Quarterly magazine. However, the magazine ceased publication after its spring ’24 issue, leaving in-progress designs unpublished. (It happens.) As a result, I’d begun the long process of editing, testing, and photographing the pattern for independent release through the Hands Occupied pattern shop and Ravelry.
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Before I was done with that process, Pom Pom Quarterly’s former editors reached out with an exciting proposal for the pattern. Post-magazine, they’ve begun to partner with yarn companies to produce high quality pattern collections. They wanted to include designs from the would-be current issue of Pom Pom Quarterly in a new collection for Hobbii yarn, including my Bevelled Tank. I worked with the same technical editors I would have for the magazine on this one, and as you can see from the photos, Pom Pom’s team did an amazing job of styling the garment to the beautiful standards they’re known for.
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You can learn more about the pattern on my blog and get the free pattern from Hobbii yarn - links to both in my profile. I’ll post sizing info in the comments for quick reference too. 🧶
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#pompomxhobbiisummer2024 #knitting #intarsia #sponsored #colorworkknitting 
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Photos: @dianascarrunz 
Model: @angel.jade_
Here’s a nice throwback for you: my take on a vi Here’s a nice throwback for you: my take on a vintage knitting pattern from 1938 called the Fernlace Pullover. A pattern so nice, I knit it twice.
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Yellow version 💛: knit with Despondent Dyes’ Vintage Vixen Sport after attending a @squidneyknits vintage knitting retreat in 2019 & learning *so much*. Paired with a self-drafted circle skirt pattern. 
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Blue version 💙: knit with @eweeweyarns Ewe So Sporty in Sky Blue. Paired with the 1940s Boardwalk Duet sewing pattern from @decades_of_style 
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Head to my stories for 🔗🔗 to the handmade wardrobe blog posts I wrote about each take on the Fernlace Pullover, working with a vintage pattern, where to find vintage patterns (including the one I used), & some thoughts on sizing. 
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Image descriptions available in alt text. 
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#handsoccupied #handmadewardrobe #fernlacepullover #vintageknitting #vintageknittingpatterns #knitting_inspiration
Frogging is a word in the knitting world that mean Frogging is a word in the knitting world that means to rip out your knitting. It’s called frogging because frogs say “ribbit,” and when you’re tearing out your knitting, you will “rip it” out, and that sounds like ribbit. No really. 🐸 Did you know this fun fact? 
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P.S. I did like this design concept, but to make the pattern more knitter friendly as well as more wearable, I am making some tweaks to the construction. Excited to share when it’s ready! 🥰🧶
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Yarn: @blueskyfibers Woolstok North in Morning Frost & Highland Fleece 
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#handsoccupied #knitting #frogging #blueskyfibers #knittersofinstagram #blueskymakers #knittingvocabulary #bsfmakers #knitdesign
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