Dean Robinson is Director of the Potomac Craftsmen Gallery in Alexandria. VA. I first met him when he stopped by our CGOA booth at “Stitches” and he consequently offered classes at our 3rd Annual Crochet Conference. Dean has knitted and crocheted for years and teaches techniques that he has developed. As one of five men members of his local Knitting Guild, Dean says he thinks the women in the group go out of their way to make him feel comfortable. One disadvantage Dean has found is that when he designs garments for women, he can’t try them on himself. He finds his Guild friends very willing to help him out when he needs to check shape or size on a garment. Continue reading →

Punk Knits: The Book

As the saying goes, this is not your grandmother’s knitting book. Many knitters, especially young ones, want to make items that are in no way typical of everyone else. They’d like to make garments and accessories that are fresh, edgy, and a little bit out there.

Unlike Goth-knit, punk knit isn’t about dark and depressing. It’s about being artistic, making a statement, and expressing individuality, and that’s exactly what this book delivers.

Each of the twenty-six designs in the book, including arm warmers, leg warmers, scarves, miniskirts, hats, and sweaters, was inspired by a music legend, such as Sid Vicious, Debbie Harry, Patti Smith, John Lennon, Lenny Kravitz, and the New York Dolls. Each pattern is modeled by Hollywood rock ‘n’ rollers and “scene-sters.” Continue reading →