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Knitflix for Hiberknitting (And Crochet!)

January 15, 2018 Leave a Comment

Knitflix for Hiberknitting on Hands Occupied

What’s Knitflix?

Knitflix, hiberknitting – we yarn folk do like our made up compound words don’t we? As mentioned in this week’s newsletter (which you can sign up for here if you’re so inclined), Chicago has been a big jerk with weather and temperatures careening all over the place. For folks all over the northern hemisphere, January is when hiberknitting becomes a thing. Hiberknitting is pretty much where we yarnies enjoy some well deserved indoor time with yarn as we hide from cold temps outdoors. In this installment of Knitflix, let’s take a look at the three shows I’ve been bingeing while making headway on January knit & crochet design deadlines.

BTW: Two of these are shows suggested by you, the readers, using the Knitflix suggestion form. Your ideas are super appreciated by everyone here – keep ’em coming!  

Knitflix for Hiberknitting: Miss Meadows

Miss Meadows

Miss Meadows is a well-mannered schoolteacher living in an evolving neighborhood. She sings in a church choir (just because she likes singing in choirs), has a compulsive tap dance habit, and she just so happens to be a vigilante. The town she’s recently moved to is experiencing a crime trend, and Miss Meadows is there to teach schoolchildren to say please and thank you in addition to directly and decisively deal with bad guys. This movie follows Miss Meadows as she navigates the world and attempts to have a life at the same time.

Knitflix for Hiberknitting: Miss Meadows
Worth the watch? A five star movie this is not, but this makes a quick and quirky addition to your Knitflix queue for sure.
Does it feature knitting or crochet? There’s a fairly important scene where “knitting” is happening on screen as Ms. Meadows speaks on the phone to her mother, but they screw it up in the most annoying way possible! Forgive the caps, but here goes: Two characters are knitting into a crochet project, which I get totally happens in movies and such sometimes, but not only are they knitting into crochet, THEIR KNITTING IS SUPER TERRIBLE. See above.
Available to stream? Here you go.

Knitflix for Hiberknitting: Home Fires

Home Fires

Tangent: Can we just pour one out real quick for commercial-free Sunday nights on PBS? Genuinely, go support your local station if you can. The programming is lit, as the kids say, especially for us knitters and crocheters. For instance, Call the Midwife, one of last month’s Knitflix picks, is a show I’d never have come across if it weren’t for PBS.

Home Fires is a two season show that first caught my attention on PBS on Sunday nights. The show is based on a nonfiction book called Jambusters that you’ll probably want to add to your to-read list after watching the show. This show is set in Britain during World War Two. With many of the men off to fight, a rural English town grapples with the reality of war that could make its way to the characters’ doorsteps. The local women’s league-style organization finds all kinds of ways to make do and mend, often lending that spirit to their friendships with each other. One of the projects that brings everyone together as a community is a drive to collect blackberries to make jam, which is endlessly charming.

Knitflix for Hiberknitting: Home Fires   Knitflix for Hiberknitting: Home Fires
Worth the watch? If you’re down with WW2 content and British TV, this is…. (forgive me) the jam. But really, it’s a sweet little show. :)
Does it feature knitting or crochet? As with many binge-worthy shows that feature knitting or crochet, the prevalence of yarn has a lot to do with the trends of the times. Great knitwear can be found throughout the show, and in season 2, there’s on screen knitting in episode 5 that they don’t screw up. Well done, Home Fires!
Available to stream? Available on streaming & digital rental: see where.

Knitflix for Hiberknitting: The Last Post

The Last Post

This show was suggested by a fellow lover of Call the Midwife. Fans of Midwife know that the show’s beloved lead actress, Jessica Raine, from the first few seasons left the show in 2014. If you want to see Raine take on a supporting role as a complicated English military wife in the Middle East in the ’60s (again, the costumes RULE in this one), this is for you.

Plot-wise, The Last Post follows a British Army unit in Aden, Yemen as they deal with insurgents, the harsh climate, and the struggles of daily life. Without delving too deeply into the politics of the situation, the show’s intro has the following voiceover speech from multiple newsreels* that offers a teensy bit of insight into the vibe of the show: “Aden, where East meets West. Vital as an oil refinery, as well as a Gulf trade route. […] The beach here at Aden is lovely. The sand is warm and the sharks are not always hungry. […] The Queen has full confidence in Aden’s future, describing it as the perfect example of Colonial Rule.” **

*I don’t know the provenance of the newsreel audio used in the show intro. **All capital letters are my best guess.

Worth the watch? The hot setting of this one is a great escape from winter cold, but it’s not my favorite show of all time.
Does it feature knitting or crochet? Nope, but there’s some sewing.
Available to stream? Currently available to buy or rent: see where.

Knitflix for Hiberknitting: The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel

The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel

This show has lots of awards buzz around it, but I was lucky enough to get wind of this fun show before all of that colored my opinion. It’s funny, irreverent, stylish, feminist and an easy one to binge. Set in the late 1950s, Miriam Maisel has a picture perfect, privileged Upper West Side New York life. Until her husband, who she’s been almost cartoonishly supportive of, up and leaves. By happy, alcohol-infused accident, she almost literally stumbles upon a talent she didn’t know of – stand up comedy. The rest of the first season of the show (that’s all that’s out so far) is spent following the misadventures of Mrs. Maisel as she continues to raise her two children, develop her career, and juggles her family in a less-than feminist set of worlds. Fans of Gilmore Girls, be advised if you weren’t already, this show was created by the same woman, Amy Sherman-Palladino.

Worth the watch? This would-be R-rated show is tons of fun. Folks dealing with young motherhood, career issues, the end of a relationship, and more can find something to relate and laugh to in this show.
Does it feature knitting or crochet? One of the sets returned to a few times is a garment factory, so there’s some sewing. Speaking of which, the costumes are fantastic. If you love vintage anything, this show is full of eye candy for you!
Available to stream? It’s an Amazon-produced show, so spoiler alert: here’s where it’s available.

Have your own ideas for Knitflix? Help me figure out what to feature by submitting your ideas here.

Filed Under: Knitflix Tagged With: home fires, knitflix, miss meadows, netflix and knit, the last post, the marvelous mrs maisel

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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handsoccupied

Craft book author, designer & creator specializing in yarn crafts like knitting, crochet, latch hook & macramé
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Nobody panic. This is just the back of an (admitte Nobody panic. This is just the back of an (admittedly insane) intarsia project. One day, this will be a seamed sweater, but today is not that day. 🧶 
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Have a good weekend, everyone! 
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Yarn: @universal_yarn’s Fibra Natura Cobblestone in Antarctica & Dragon’s Breath 
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Here’s how to work a Norwegian purl stitch for e Here’s how to work a Norwegian purl stitch for easier continental style knitting. With this purling method, the working yarn says tensioned (held) at the back of your knitting at all times. For many knitters, always holding the yarn at the back helps with tension issues, as well as feeling a little more comfortable. 
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Have you ever encountered this style of purling before? If you’ve tried it, have you found it helps with your purl tension and knitting speed? I’m curious.
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For a written tutorial, visit handsoccupied-dot-com. For video, you guessed it, You2be. Both of these platforms allow for longer, more in-depth versions of this tutorial, including full transcripts, alt text & the ability to pause, slow down or speed up at will. (Like if you really want to learn this, I recommend using a platform that doesn’t keep your hands occupied. Thinking of putting this in all my captions these days tbh - shout out to you if you made it this far. 🙌🏻😂)
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Have you ever tried this style of purl? . All thi Have you ever tried this style of purl? 
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All this recent talk about throwing vs. continental style knitting made it clear many people struggle with purling in continental knitting. Turns out that Norway may have the answer! In Norwegian purling, the working yarn stays tensioned at the back at all times, helping with speed and tension. 🤯
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Head to the bl0g (🔗 in bi0) for a more in-depth look at how to work a Norwegian purl stitch, including a photo tutorial with animated GIF & a video tutorial. Wrapping your mind around how to work a stitch you’re familiar with in a totally new way can be confusing, so I tried to give a few options for clarity. 🤙🏻 Video is also on You2be. 
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It’s been a hot second since I showed my face or It’s been a hot second since I showed my face or reintroduced myself, so here goes! I’m Heidi Gustad, a craft book author, pattern designer, and tutorial creator who specializes in yarn crafts. Lately, I’ve been focused on releasing quality knitting videos and related blog posts to help teach things like the difference between provisional cast ons and how to fix common knitting mistakes. Next week I’m shooting requested crochet and latch hook videos, so h👀kers, your time is coming! And if you ever have tutorial requests, please let me know. ☺️
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TLDR: I’m Heidi. I design & teach yarn crafts. You can find tutorials on my blog (est. 2010) & You2be. I also have several knitting & crochet patterns + a book about latch hook available. / All of these can be found on my website, the 🔗 is where you’d think. 
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Are you a picker or a thrower? Do you knit Contine Are you a picker or a thrower? Do you knit Continental or English Style? Here’s a quick overview of the differences between the two most common knitting styles, including a side by side comparison. (A good one to save for future reference. 👍🏻) 
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