Hey, You Wonderful Knitter….
January 15, 2013 in Ella Rae, Inspiration, Sirdar, Viking of Norway
The yarny internet is a-flutter today over an interview with the actor Ryan Gosling where he says knitting would be part of his perfect day.
Ella Rae Lace Merino Chunky
According to the interview, he even once learned to knit!
We all have known for a long time that knitting and crocheting can contribute to a perfect day. We know how relaxing and carefree it can be to just spend the time working on a project, pausing just to refill our beverage, have a snack, and let the dog out.
Ahh, bliss.
In the interview, Gosling also mentions another aspect of what makes knitting so awesome.
“And you get something out of it at the end. You get a nice present. For someone who wants an oddly shaped, off-putting scarf.”–Access Hollywood
He must be a beginner since he doesn’t know that an oddly shaped scarf can be seamed and called a cowl. And that, when the recipient really loves you, they’ll still say the scarf is beautiful.
The internet craft world has had a fascination with Gosling for a few years now. There was a famous website named “Handmade Ryan Gosling” where people put encouraging statements over images from his movies.
They stopped accepting new submissions, but the site is still available if you need a good giggle.
Of course, we don’t need an actor to validate our craft. The look and feel of the beautiful yarn sliding through our fingers, and the useful items that result, are validation enough.
Still, it’s fun to wrap the handsome men in our lives in fibers. Or to wrap yourself, if you are a handsome man!
Currently, knitting and crocheting are hobbies dominated by women, but there was a time when they were the exclusive domain of men. Knitting guilds, full of males, trained people for the craft and vetted their skills.
There are plenty of modern male knitters and crocheters who practice the crafts either as a hobby or profession. Unfortunately, the media (and many people) don’t seem to realize these crafts are gender neutral activities that can be beneficial to everyone.
Hopefully having the media focus on male celebrities who knit or crochet will help break down that narrow mindset!
In the mean time, let’s focus on some attractive patterns for the men out there.
Ella Rae Lace Merino Chunky Vest
The Ella Rae Lace Merino Chunky book has the hat and scarf set at the top of the post as well at this nice vest.
Vests are a great way to add warmth and polish to an outfit. And you finish them faster since there are no sleeves!
Lace Merino Chunky is a 100% Superswash Wool available in 10 hand dyed, variegated colors.
Viking of Norway Odin Superwash
This set is in the Viking Of Norway Odin Superwash Book #1112.
The hat and gloves are knit using Odin Superwash, a 100% Superwash Wool yarn available in 20 self-striping colors. The colors range from neutrals, like the black and grey shown here, to vibrant reds and purples.
Sirdar Montana Pullover
This attractive raglan is in the Sirdar Montana book #430. The short shawl collar is both attractive and warm. If your man runs to hot to wear a pullover, there is also a boy’s version in the book.
Montana yarn is an easy care 70% Acrylic, 30% Wool blend available in 11 self-striping colors.
Ella Rae Season Cardigan, free pattern
If cardigans are more his style, check out this FREE Ella Rae Season’s pattern.
Season is a 76% Acrylic, 14% Wool, 10% Nylon blend yarn with a suggested gauge of 3.5 sts per inch on a US 8 needle. You might not finish in time for Valentine’s Day, but you’ll be pretty close!
Ten new colors were introduced this season, giving you 19 from which to select. Although this yarn is also self-striping, there are many neutral colorways if you are feeling tame.
