Monday, August 17, 2015
First Try at Fourth's Scarf
Whitaker Knits is excited! A first effort at producing a scarf for a Fourth Doctor costume has ended well, in our opinion. A few changes will be necessary, but for the most part, this first scarf is acceptable, in our opinion. Next step: see how it's received by classic Doctor Who fans.
This scarf will be going to my personal classic Doctor Who expert for critique. If you can't trust your brother to give you honest feedback, who can you trust?
In the meantime, the scarf will be available for order at www.etsy.com/shop/whitakerknits. The scarf is not in stock, so orders could take up to four weeks to ship. The scarf is hand knit using 100% acrylic Caron Simply Soft yarn, not wool like the original. The colors are the closest available in our chosen brand and weight of yarn. This scarf is about 10 feet long but will stretch to 12 feet in very little time.
Our first try started as a Series 12 copy, but when the scarf appeared to be getting too long, we stopped knitting at the gold stripe in the following photo.
Baker appears to be wearing a Series 13 scarf here. That's what Whitaker Knits will be making and selling. It's not official. It's a copy, a knock-off, a replica for fans who like to dress up and play Doctor.
It took time, it took research, it took a lot of stitches, but the scarf is finally finished. And it makes us smile. We hope Whovians will appreciate the effort.
Friday, July 17, 2015
It's About Time I Made A Fourth-Doctor Scarf
I've been thinking about it for quite some time, but that's a lot of yarn to buy, those are a lot of colors to match, and the market is already saturated. Still, you can't be a fan of the Doctor and not make a 12-foot scarf.
I'm not concerned about the actual knitting. It's a simple garter stitch with slipped edges. And even though the scarf is excessively long, it's worked in a garter stitch, not a cable stitch or Fair Isle pattern; it can be produced fairly quickly despite its length. To help those of us who haven't extensively researched Baker's years as the Doctor, there are numerous patterns online showing what colors go where and how thick each band of color should be. The above photo alone is a great help to making a replica that will satisfy fans of cos play.
The biggest problem is yarn selection. Finding all the right colors in one brand of yarn is impossible, but getting the weights of different brands of yarn to match is also nearly impossible. I'm opting for getting the closest colors I can find in one brand of yarn. I'd rather have colors that are slightly off than to have some stripes slightly thicker than others because the thickness of the yarns differs.
My favorite yarn is Caron Simply Soft. It's a light worsted weight and very soft. It's acrylic rather than wool so it's not itchy. It has a good color selection though some of the colors may not match exactly the wool that was knitted for Tom Baker in the 1970s. But let's be honest, the yarn used in Baker's scarf has probably not been available for years. Things evolve.
The idea is to create something close enough to the original that the fans are excited to wear it. If they want to be the Doctor, I want to make something that will help them feel like the Doctor. It won't be exact -- this is, after all, fantasy. But Whitaker Knits will produce a scarf that, with a little imagination, will make anyone a Time Lord.
Visit www.etsy.com/shop/whitakerknits to order your Fourth-Doctor Scarf. Available soon.
I'm not concerned about the actual knitting. It's a simple garter stitch with slipped edges. And even though the scarf is excessively long, it's worked in a garter stitch, not a cable stitch or Fair Isle pattern; it can be produced fairly quickly despite its length. To help those of us who haven't extensively researched Baker's years as the Doctor, there are numerous patterns online showing what colors go where and how thick each band of color should be. The above photo alone is a great help to making a replica that will satisfy fans of cos play.
The biggest problem is yarn selection. Finding all the right colors in one brand of yarn is impossible, but getting the weights of different brands of yarn to match is also nearly impossible. I'm opting for getting the closest colors I can find in one brand of yarn. I'd rather have colors that are slightly off than to have some stripes slightly thicker than others because the thickness of the yarns differs.
My favorite yarn is Caron Simply Soft. It's a light worsted weight and very soft. It's acrylic rather than wool so it's not itchy. It has a good color selection though some of the colors may not match exactly the wool that was knitted for Tom Baker in the 1970s. But let's be honest, the yarn used in Baker's scarf has probably not been available for years. Things evolve.
The idea is to create something close enough to the original that the fans are excited to wear it. If they want to be the Doctor, I want to make something that will help them feel like the Doctor. It won't be exact -- this is, after all, fantasy. But Whitaker Knits will produce a scarf that, with a little imagination, will make anyone a Time Lord.
Visit www.etsy.com/shop/whitakerknits to order your Fourth-Doctor Scarf. Available soon.
Monday, May 11, 2015
A Model Graduate
One of Whitaker Knits' models, daughter Alison, has reached a milestone. Alison graduated from Iowa State University with a degree in Animal Science. That doesn't mean that Mom won't ask her to model more Whitaker Knits products.
The children of business owners always get dragged in. Little Alison was an obedient child who patiently endured having her picture taken. She knew no other life. When Mom had a camera in her hands, Alison looked into the lens and smiled.
As she grew, Alison became very self-conscious and didn't like her own image. But when Mom opened a shop at Etsy.com, Alison was kind enough to model for Mom.
Now an adult, on her own, taking care of herself, and a new collage graduate, Alison continues to favor Whitaker Knits with her presence. We are grateful. And proud.
The children of business owners always get dragged in. Little Alison was an obedient child who patiently endured having her picture taken. She knew no other life. When Mom had a camera in her hands, Alison looked into the lens and smiled.
Wednesday, May 6, 2015
Leg Warmers and boot toppers at Whitaker Knits
As accessories become popular, Whitaker Knits adds items to its inventory. Sometimes it's the choice of Whitaker Knits, and other times it's at the request of buyers. Recently a customer requested leg warmers and boot toppers in the colors of Ravenclaw House from the Harry Potter books. What could we do but comply?
These boot toppers, though not in stock at the moment, will become available in all Hogwarts house colors before the Northern Hemisphere winter begins.
The leg warmers, as well, will be available come fall in the U.S. We're sure they will look better with jeans and booties than with shorts and flats.
Visit www.etsy.com/shop/whitakerknits to check for these new items. Or place an order for a custom item and Whitaker Knits will make it as soon as possible.
Saturday, January 17, 2015
If a Shark Stops Swimming
With Christmas behind us, the number of visitors to Whitaker Knits' shop at www.etsy.com/shop/whitakerknits has fallen off a large cliff into a deep, deep abyss. It was expected. Orders will trickle in until the weather warms, and then Whitaker Knits will be essentially dead until cold weather arrives again and with it, the gift-giving hordes.
Until then, what's a knitter to do?
Whitaker Knits has taken to knitting up all the yarn currently falling out of numerous tote bags in our daughters' former bedroom. Most finished projects go to the garage to be distributed later to anyone who asks for something hand-knitted. Some projects are given to charitable organizations that will take them.
A few lucky projects, or unlucky projects depending on their perspectives, remain with me. Like this hat I made for myself because I liked the color of the yarn.
Then there is this project which has been a goal for nearly 20 years.
This intricately-patterned sweater, when complete, will be my magnum opus. This pattern is from a knitting magazine I purchased in 1987. I wanted to knit the sweater then, but the pattern is rather daunting. Every few years I would look at the magazine and think about making the sweater only to become intimidated and put the magazine away.
I finally began knitting the sweater about three years ago. To make it fit using the yarn I've chosen, I have to use very fine needles, size 2, which make my hands cramp after a few hours. The chart showing which color each stitch must be is small and difficult to follow. Counting is a must on every row -- this many yellow, this many black, this many white, this many black, this many white, this many yellow, this many black, this many white -- and becomes mentally draining. I haven't yet reached the beginning of the 1980s-style dolman sleeves. I've waited so long to complete the pattern that dolman sleeves have come back into style. Perhaps I can complete the sweater before the style again makes one a fashion pariah.
It's disappointing to those of us of knit by hand that there is so little demand for the things that we ardently enjoy making, but such is life. We can't force our products on the consumer. Trade is about providing something that people want in exchange for something we want. So we live in reality, sell what we can, and continue to knit.
I've been told that if a shark stops swimming it will die.
Until then, what's a knitter to do?
Whitaker Knits has taken to knitting up all the yarn currently falling out of numerous tote bags in our daughters' former bedroom. Most finished projects go to the garage to be distributed later to anyone who asks for something hand-knitted. Some projects are given to charitable organizations that will take them.
A few lucky projects, or unlucky projects depending on their perspectives, remain with me. Like this hat I made for myself because I liked the color of the yarn.
This afghan for the back of the couch helped me use up a lot of leftover yarn, but it's shorter than I'd hoped. That's one of the hazards of knitting with remnants; you can never accurately gauge when the remnant will run out.
Then there is this project which has been a goal for nearly 20 years.
This intricately-patterned sweater, when complete, will be my magnum opus. This pattern is from a knitting magazine I purchased in 1987. I wanted to knit the sweater then, but the pattern is rather daunting. Every few years I would look at the magazine and think about making the sweater only to become intimidated and put the magazine away.
I finally began knitting the sweater about three years ago. To make it fit using the yarn I've chosen, I have to use very fine needles, size 2, which make my hands cramp after a few hours. The chart showing which color each stitch must be is small and difficult to follow. Counting is a must on every row -- this many yellow, this many black, this many white, this many black, this many white, this many yellow, this many black, this many white -- and becomes mentally draining. I haven't yet reached the beginning of the 1980s-style dolman sleeves. I've waited so long to complete the pattern that dolman sleeves have come back into style. Perhaps I can complete the sweater before the style again makes one a fashion pariah.
It's disappointing to those of us of knit by hand that there is so little demand for the things that we ardently enjoy making, but such is life. We can't force our products on the consumer. Trade is about providing something that people want in exchange for something we want. So we live in reality, sell what we can, and continue to knit.
I've been told that if a shark stops swimming it will die.
Thursday, December 18, 2014
After-Christmas Sale
As is the case with many businesses, Whitaker Knits has most of its sales during the Christmas season. That's over now for those of us in the mail-order industry. It's difficult to guarantee delivery by Christmas with the volume of packages going out today and only four delivery days left in the U.S. before Christmas.
So what do businesses do with the leftover stock? We put it on sale. Whitaker Knits will offer 20% off of anything in stock on Christmas day only. It's a great way to get useful hand-knitted accessories at a low price while digesting that Christmas dinner, or while others are taking that after-meal nap, or when that harmless holiday game gets a little too competitive. Simply use the coupon code SANTASALE when you check out.
Whitaker Knits has reluctantly become a specialty shop, selling mostly Harry Potter colors and Jayne Cobb styles, but we have a lot more to offer, accessories for all walks of life. Check out our stock at www.etsy.com/shop/whitakerknits and visit us Christmas day for great deals.
So what do businesses do with the leftover stock? We put it on sale. Whitaker Knits will offer 20% off of anything in stock on Christmas day only. It's a great way to get useful hand-knitted accessories at a low price while digesting that Christmas dinner, or while others are taking that after-meal nap, or when that harmless holiday game gets a little too competitive. Simply use the coupon code SANTASALE when you check out.
Whitaker Knits has reluctantly become a specialty shop, selling mostly Harry Potter colors and Jayne Cobb styles, but we have a lot more to offer, accessories for all walks of life. Check out our stock at www.etsy.com/shop/whitakerknits and visit us Christmas day for great deals.
Thursday, December 11, 2014
Stocking Stuffers
Looking for something small to tuck into a stocking? Visit Whitaker Knits at www.etsy.com/shop/whitakerknits for hats, cowls and fingerless mittens. These items will easily roll or fold into a small size for a nice surprise on Christmas day. These fashions are not limited to outdoor use but are great accessories for any outfit. In stock and ready to ship, these gifts are novelties that are unavailable in stores and therefore unique and unexpected by the recipient. Read Whitaker Knits reviews to see how pleased customers are with the quality of these hand-knitted goods.
Happy Holidays.
Happy Holidays.
Tuesday, December 2, 2014
Knitting images
Sometimes when you buy an item you want it to reflect who you are. It's not just the color or the stitch that interests you, but an image on the hat, scarf or mittens that makes the item distinctly yours. Whitaker Knits has had its share of such requests.
The process is more time-consuming, especially if the image is one that Whitaker Knits hasn't done before. In that case a graph of the image has to be made before knitting can begin. Then the proper weight of yarn and the right size of needles have to be determined through trial and error so the image will have the correct length-to-width ratio.
The finished product, however, can be very rewarding, and customers of Whitaker Knits are generally happy with the results.
The process is called intarsia and involves changing yarn colors in the area of the image only as opposed to carrying two or three colors of yarn across the back of the garment as with Fair Isle patterns.
This maple leaf mitt required little planning on the part of Whitaker Knits because the image was already charted in a knitting magazine.
This Horde image, however, was a challenge when a buyer requested it a couple of years ago because Whitaker Knits had to create the image on paper and experiment with needle sizes, and that was after looking up the image online because of a lack of knowledge of what the Horde image actually was or referred to. The customer was happy with the results, and if the customer is happy, Whitaker Knits is happy.
This Washington hat probably has Trademark infringement issues. The NCAA is pretty picky about things like this, but it slipped our minds at the time because the customer was our concern. School colors are not usually an issue, but logos are protected. Still, the photo proves that Whitaker Knits can create a monogram for personalized items if a customer requests it.
This paw-print baby blanket was not a customer request but a Whitaker Knits idea for a baby gift. The paw print pattern is from a knitting magazine, but the placement is a Whitaker Knits original.
Words are the easiest images to knit into an item because letters are easy to graph. This blanket was made for family, not for sale.
Personalized items always take more time, but if you have the time to wait and are comfortable with a finished product that is attractive but not exactly what you envisioned, a personalized item could produce that "Eureka!" moment you are looking for.
Contact Whitaker Knits at www.etsy.com/shop/whitakerknits if you have a request. If we aren't up to the task, we'll let you know.
Saturday, November 29, 2014
Thinking Ahead
Christmas is four weeks away, but for online sellers only two to three weeks are left in the holiday shopping season. Spontaneity is not a bad thing in some cases, but shopping online requires some thinking ahead.
Whitaker Knits has all it's items in stock, so you don't have to add the time it takes to make the item into your lead time, but shipping is uncertain, especially this time of year. We can ship within 24 hours, but the postal service has to have time to drive the item to its destination, and it has to have room on the trucks for everything that is being shipped or items can get bumped to the next truck.
Overseas orders are even worse. Whitaker Knits has had items reach addresses in the U. K. in seven days or less, but you can't count on that. Anyone outside the U. S. ordering from Whitaker Knits should place that order within the next few days to assure Christmas delivery.
Inside the U. S. delivery usually takes two to three days, but Whitaker Knits would advise five to seven days this time of year, just to be safe.
There are advantages to ordering online if you are a plan-ahead kind of person. You can shop at your leisure. You can shop while watching the big game or that traditional holiday movie. You can shop at 1 a.m. when you can't sleep or at 3 a.m. when Jake at State Farm is taking calls from men with jealous wives who can't sleep.
And Whitaker Knits is a great place to shop for those people who always puzzle you. What would the person who has everything appreciate? A pair of hand-knit fingerless mittens? How about that person at the office whom you barely know? A hand-knit scarf? A slouchy hat?
Filling stockings? Scarves won't fit, but mittens and hats are great additions to the candy and fruit already in the sock. And all Whitaker Knits items are functional. Anyone can use a hat or fingerless mittens.
Whitaker Knits has all it's items in stock, so you don't have to add the time it takes to make the item into your lead time, but shipping is uncertain, especially this time of year. We can ship within 24 hours, but the postal service has to have time to drive the item to its destination, and it has to have room on the trucks for everything that is being shipped or items can get bumped to the next truck.
Overseas orders are even worse. Whitaker Knits has had items reach addresses in the U. K. in seven days or less, but you can't count on that. Anyone outside the U. S. ordering from Whitaker Knits should place that order within the next few days to assure Christmas delivery.
Inside the U. S. delivery usually takes two to three days, but Whitaker Knits would advise five to seven days this time of year, just to be safe.
There are advantages to ordering online if you are a plan-ahead kind of person. You can shop at your leisure. You can shop while watching the big game or that traditional holiday movie. You can shop at 1 a.m. when you can't sleep or at 3 a.m. when Jake at State Farm is taking calls from men with jealous wives who can't sleep.
And Whitaker Knits is a great place to shop for those people who always puzzle you. What would the person who has everything appreciate? A pair of hand-knit fingerless mittens? How about that person at the office whom you barely know? A hand-knit scarf? A slouchy hat?
Filling stockings? Scarves won't fit, but mittens and hats are great additions to the candy and fruit already in the sock. And all Whitaker Knits items are functional. Anyone can use a hat or fingerless mittens.
Visit www.etsy.com/shop/whitakerknits today to assure that your hand-knit gift will be ready for giving when you need it. Happy holidays.
Saturday, November 15, 2014
I Have a Friend
I have a friend who crochets and a few years ago took up knitting as well. She has the love of yarn that all of us with yarn-based hobbies have. She also has no self control. She sees yarn she likes, and she buys it. She buys for projects that she doesn't actually make, and she fills her closet with a plethora of intriguing colors and textures.
And then she cleans out the closet. That's where I come in. She brings me the yarn that she can no longer make room for, and I willing take it.
It's a blessing -- and a curse. Those of us who knit know the temptation of yarn shops. I don't even go into them. I have enough trouble keeping my curser off the "add to cart" button when I search yarn on Etsy. But this is free yarn, and I tell myself I'm doing my friend a favor by taking it off her hands even though it feels more like stealing.
That's the blessing part. The curse part is that I am obsessed with using all the yarn. I feel the need to use every scrap in some project. The compulsion to create my way through boxes and bags and totes full of yarn is sometimes overwhelming. It's like an endless tunnel, and just when I see the end, my friend cleans out her closet.
I foresee a day when I hide yarn and needles in secret locations so that I can sneak a few stitches when no one is looking. A day when I make excuses to stay at home so I can knit. I try to take a break and read, but the yarn calls to me. Perhaps I need an intervention.
Then again, what's the harm? I make a little extra money selling things at www.etsy.com/shop/whitakerknits, I give hand-knitted items as gifts, I give items to charitable organizations. There are worse compulsions, worse addictions, worse obsessions.
Excuse me. My yarn is calling.
And then she cleans out the closet. That's where I come in. She brings me the yarn that she can no longer make room for, and I willing take it.
It's a blessing -- and a curse. Those of us who knit know the temptation of yarn shops. I don't even go into them. I have enough trouble keeping my curser off the "add to cart" button when I search yarn on Etsy. But this is free yarn, and I tell myself I'm doing my friend a favor by taking it off her hands even though it feels more like stealing.
That's the blessing part. The curse part is that I am obsessed with using all the yarn. I feel the need to use every scrap in some project. The compulsion to create my way through boxes and bags and totes full of yarn is sometimes overwhelming. It's like an endless tunnel, and just when I see the end, my friend cleans out her closet.
I foresee a day when I hide yarn and needles in secret locations so that I can sneak a few stitches when no one is looking. A day when I make excuses to stay at home so I can knit. I try to take a break and read, but the yarn calls to me. Perhaps I need an intervention.
Then again, what's the harm? I make a little extra money selling things at www.etsy.com/shop/whitakerknits, I give hand-knitted items as gifts, I give items to charitable organizations. There are worse compulsions, worse addictions, worse obsessions.
Excuse me. My yarn is calling.
Thursday, November 6, 2014
Customer Reviews Are A Boost
Reviews are important to sellers because they allow potential customers to evaluate the seller and the products and can actually make or break a sale. But Whitaker Knits likes them for another reason. Why make a product that buyers aren't happy with? The reason for doing anything is to make the lives of those around us better, and if we can provide something for them that they absolutely love, then life is worth living. So sometimes I read the reviews simply to validate my existence.
Hufflepuff fingerless mittens:
Love love love these fingerless mittens! I recently just went to Harry Potter world at Universal Studios in Florida and bought a Hufflepuff scarf and was disappointed they didn't offer a matching hat and glove set. The scarf I bought is a much darker more muted yellow/gold and the hats and gloves they had at the park were very bright and obnoxious yellow that didn't match my scarf at all. These mittens are a VERY close match and I couldn't be happier! I also bought the Hufflepuff beanie to go with these mittens to have a matching set. They were just what I was looking for to match my scarf. ☺
Purple Mobius shawl:
Like a big, purple hug! Very warm and well made. Tight enough but not to where it constricts movement. Great purchase! Thanks so much!
Gray fingerless mittens:
Warm without being bulky or inhibiting the ability to move. Very well constructed. Fast shipping, too! Thanks so much!
Jayne-style hat:
Well and accurately made, timely processing and shipping, very comfortable.
Great quality item, the shipping was fantastic, seller posted this as quick as they could and arrived before a week was up to the UK.
A very cunning hat! Woman walks down the street in this hat, people know she ain't afraid of nothing!
Slytherin scarf
This is the second scarf I ordered and the craftsmanship is just impeccable! The scarves are warm, vibrant, and beautiful! I don't think I can ever go back to buying scarves in stores, the difference is incomparable. These are so reasonably priced for what you receive, it's DEFINITELY hands down the way to go as far as Harry Potter scarves are concerned and I will definitely recommend her. Thank you so much!!
Gryffindor scarf
This is seriously the most incredible scarf I have ever seen! It looks AMAZING!! I love it soooo much!! It actually managed to exceed my expectations and I could not be happier, I'm over the moon! It's insanely high quality and well made and I will recommend this seller to anyone who asks me where I got this fantastic scarf! :D Thank you so much!
Some of these reviews are old and there have been some price changes and style changes to make the scarves more like those seen in the Harry Potter movies, but Whitaker Knits is still dedicated to putting out a quality product at a reasonable price. Visit us at www.etsy.com/shop/whitakerknits. Let us make you happy.
Hufflepuff fingerless mittens:
Love love love these fingerless mittens! I recently just went to Harry Potter world at Universal Studios in Florida and bought a Hufflepuff scarf and was disappointed they didn't offer a matching hat and glove set. The scarf I bought is a much darker more muted yellow/gold and the hats and gloves they had at the park were very bright and obnoxious yellow that didn't match my scarf at all. These mittens are a VERY close match and I couldn't be happier! I also bought the Hufflepuff beanie to go with these mittens to have a matching set. They were just what I was looking for to match my scarf. ☺
Purple Mobius shawl:
Like a big, purple hug! Very warm and well made. Tight enough but not to where it constricts movement. Great purchase! Thanks so much!
Gray fingerless mittens:
Warm without being bulky or inhibiting the ability to move. Very well constructed. Fast shipping, too! Thanks so much!
Jayne-style hat:
Well and accurately made, timely processing and shipping, very comfortable.
Great quality item, the shipping was fantastic, seller posted this as quick as they could and arrived before a week was up to the UK.
A very cunning hat! Woman walks down the street in this hat, people know she ain't afraid of nothing!
This is the second scarf I ordered and the craftsmanship is just impeccable! The scarves are warm, vibrant, and beautiful! I don't think I can ever go back to buying scarves in stores, the difference is incomparable. These are so reasonably priced for what you receive, it's DEFINITELY hands down the way to go as far as Harry Potter scarves are concerned and I will definitely recommend her. Thank you so much!!
Gryffindor scarf
This is seriously the most incredible scarf I have ever seen! It looks AMAZING!! I love it soooo much!! It actually managed to exceed my expectations and I could not be happier, I'm over the moon! It's insanely high quality and well made and I will recommend this seller to anyone who asks me where I got this fantastic scarf! :D Thank you so much!
Some of these reviews are old and there have been some price changes and style changes to make the scarves more like those seen in the Harry Potter movies, but Whitaker Knits is still dedicated to putting out a quality product at a reasonable price. Visit us at www.etsy.com/shop/whitakerknits. Let us make you happy.
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