This is my knitting spot. See that little, squashed corner on the left with the knitting in it? That's my spot. With 200 pounds of lazy dog in the house, you learn to take what you can get. Although you can't see it in the picture, there is an ottoman for my feet, since I like to sit with my legs stretched out in front of me, and on the left side there is an oversized, antique trunk, topped with glass, that holds my books, magazines, knitting tools, mug, snacks, and project baskets. There is a lamp that casts light over my right shoulder, as I prefer. Here, look:
I love my knitting spot. I love it so much that it is also my reading spot, my tv watching spot, and my dining spot. It is my internet spot and my reading to kids spot and my talking on the phone spot. My husband calls it my "butt groove"--which is fair, I suppose, since there is a permanent indentation where I like to sit. I've been sitting here for more than seven years now, ever since we bought the family room furniture. This furniture has been through a lot: babies and puppies and illnesses and spills and crumbs and forts and jumping and napping and a whole lot of other things I won't mention. And it's held up really well. I deliberately bought good furniture at a time when that was a stretch, financially, because this is where we live, and I wanted it to be comfortable and durable and last a long time.But my favorite spot has become a little ragged lately. There are threadbare spots, and stains I can't seem to get rid of, and the fringe has been snagged by puppy claws and teeth. It is bad enough that, last night, my husband insisted that I take care of it, or he will. "I don't care what it costs," he said. So, people, I took him at his word.
Today I went to a little upholstery shop that I happen to know makes slipcovers (because I've wanted to have slipcovers made for this furniture for a couple of years, but it's always been too expensive), and I ordered custom, fitted, machine-washable and -dryable slipcovers. Never fear--the existing covers zip off, except for on the body of the sofa, so there won't be ugly old fabric underneath. See the pretty fabric? (Am I the only one who didn't know how expensive upholstery fabric is?)
It is a cotton-blend, damask-like fabric in pale yellow, with a white leaf-and-vine woven pattern. The info tag says" "RATED HEAVY DUTY". I'm counting on it. I'm having it pre-washed and dried so that it will do all its shrinking before it becomes slipcovers for my favorite spot, and in the future, it will be easy for me to take off the covers and throw them in the washer and dryer. This is important when you share your furniture with dogs and kids.
I am really excited about my favorite spot makeover, so I decided to celebrate with a contest. Tell me about your favorite knitting spot in the comments, or--better yet--blog about your favorite spot and let me know in the comments that you've done so, and I'll enter you in a random drawing for one of these colorful sock yarns. Sorry, no handpainted lovelies here. They're strictly commercial, self-patterning yarns, but hey--they're free! I have a lot of them, and, truth be told, I just don't like knitting socks all that much. So in a week or so, I'll draw a name, or two, or three, and send them to the lucky winners.
Everyone clear? Okay, ready...set...go!
62 comments:
That is so much my fay-voh-rite sock yarn. When you click on this link it will likely become clear that while grand blog friends, it's a good thing we weren't college roommates. Can you say Oscar and Felix? Posting about my space was one of the first things I felt it necessary to do. I can't wait to see more! Excellent contest!
A knitting spot makeover! Great idea. I'm not sure that I am brave enough to post a picture of my spot, it could use a wash. I'll do my hair and see how the picture turns out.
Stay tuned.
Love the new fabric.
I reserve the left side of the sofa in the front room. Right beside the window and the table lamp. If anyone else is sitting in that spot when I finally claim some time in an evening to knit, they only need "a look" from me, and they relocate.
Blogged about it way back on Dec 22/05
http://canadianedelweiss.blogspot.com/2005_12_01_archive.html
This is really sad, but I knit where ever I can. The favorite is on the couch in the family room of course, but among the others are the front porch, my bed, my car, my neighbor's porch. You name it, I drag my knitting along and get comfy.
My spot is very much like your spot only the rest of the couch is covered with little boys. I also do all those things you mentioned in addition to teach children from that spot. I laughed with delight when you mentioned that your spot was showing signs of wear... mine has a big freakin' hole where I sit. Seriously. It started out as a little open seam... that spread and spread and spread.
Now think about this. I live in a house with 5 overly destructive boys... and the only sofa damage is the spot where I sit (obviously way too much) day & night. It must be all the getting up and down I do... you think? Sounds good at least.
I'm not sure if I'm brave enough to post such a humiliating picture... would it be worth extra credit??
Oi! Your knitting spot is absolutely pristine. I bought myself a new knitting chair (wing recliner) a year ago, but I don't like knitting in it very much! It's somehow too hard to hold onto my pattern and reach notions while sitting in it. It's a great TV-watching chair though. So, believe it or not, I do most of my knitting at the dining room table!
Your knitting spot looks very comfy and warm with the dog bodies throwing off heat. My knitting spot is a green wicker chair with a thick cushioned seat right in front of a huge window that looks out over my town and lots of trees with wee a wee mountain too. I have an ottoman for may feet and tables on either side to hold all my knitting crap with room for a beverage. I do my spinning in this chair too. It's my reading chair too.
oooh, CONTEST!!!!!! Me loves contest! I'll tell you about my spot and then I'll try to do a post about it! I'm a couch tater too. And yes, a big ol' depression where I settle my butt into.I have all my stuff piled on a table next to it and I perch my laptop an a stack of books on the coffee table to watch DVD's while I knit. I also keep the cell phone near so I don't have to get up when some annoying customer or someone calls. But I have to have it all put away before the 'others' come home so they won't know what a pleasent day I had. I totally hear you on the 'look busy, someones coming' thing.
The new fabric looks great...
you can sneak a peak at my knitting spot here:
http://nasseknits.blogspot.com/2007/09/my-knitting-spot.html
well, you kind of saw my spot on my top ten tuesday post, but i did a whole new post about it today.
http://tales-of-a-knitting-mom.blogspot.com/2007/09/my-knitting-spot.html
needless to say, i think your dogs are absolutely adorable! can't wait to see your sofa all slipcovered. what a great idea. custom slipcover. very dog and child-friendly. must consider it as my spot is a much loved and abused sofa as well.
oh, and i think the sock yarn looks fabulous. so much better than the non-existent sock yarn in my stash :).
I don't have one particular knitting spot - I'll knit on the couch, in a chair, on my bed, wherever (although I don't tend to take my knitting out in public very often).
Your knitting spot looks great.
Hopped on over from the Knit Frau's Site. I too am a couch knitter. You can see my couch here: http://riverstitch.blogspot.com/2007/08/oh-what-tangeld-web.html . In that shot you can see that I am also surrounded by books and toys. It is definately our reading spot. However at night I move over to the identical love seat which is in the other room with the TV.
My favourite spot to knit is at the beach, but those pictures are on my old school camera and the film hasn't been finished up.
Fun to see everyone's spots!
Actually, I love to knit when I'm on the train back and forth to the office (or anywhere for that matter). It just makes the commute that much better and more pleasant and it's definately a way to unwind.
I'm off - train knitting - but this time, it's Amtrak from NYC to Boston - nice relaxing, happy ride :-)
'Butt grooves' hehe, but isn't that a television remote I see there? You can't be the only one sitting there!!
My spot: the back garden. I just love sitting back there and watching the goings on around me!
Over THREE rooms, you say?! I think I would faint. Thanks for stopping by.
My favorite knitting spot is actually in the car. Usually we're going somewhere fiber-y, or sort of fiber-y, or with fiber in the region that I intend to at least ogle. If we're not going someplace fiber-y, that's ok - because we're going somplace and we're going there together. When the kids were small we spent a lot lot lot of time seperated - his kids did one thing, mine another. Or his kids had an event I had to work, Or my kids had an event and he had to work. And so on. I've spent 350 miles in the last 48 hours sitting on my side of the car and knitting merrily away while completely failing as a navigator. It was WONDERFUL. No phone, no tv, just open road, needles, wind in my hair and the best man on earth by my side. Can't beat it.
Upholstry fabric. You were not aware? Yeah, like many, many dollars a yard.
i knit in a chair in my bedroom ... sometimes.But i knit and crochet anywhere i can. A photo is on my blog.
Favourite spot - in bed, on Saturday mornings, knitting while listening to North by Northwest on CBC Radio.
Li
Yay for contests! (as if I needed more sock yarn) I blogged about my knitting spots today:
http://kmkat.typepad.com/kmkat_and_her_kneedles/2007/09/my-favorite-kni.html
Knitting spot posted on blog - check!
This is fab - I'm going to photograph my knitting space and show you later. "Butt groove"? Mine's way past that. I occasionally have to sort through the effluvia, when it gets too deep. And I'm occasionally graced with sleeping cats, either wedged in behind me or squonched up next. I do read here too, watch TV - and sometimes topple over and sleep (the husband sometimes just gives up and throws a quilt over whichever of us are there!)
I can knit anywhere - but mostly I knit every day in the car to and from work (when I'm not driving) and on airplanes. At home I mostly slouch on the couch.
I have a chair that is really in need of a slip cover. It is always wonderful when a husband gives the go ahead for such things. Mine isn't there...yet.
I love contests. As an aside I met a woman this week with two Newfs, and she said to let her know if you need more hair for spinning. They were soooo cute with their mushy faces.
Mmm...my knitting spot. Well much like you I do everything from this spot. In fact I am sitting here now typing this comment. It's the left hand side of the love seat(well that's where my butt sits) I really take up the whole loveseat with my knitting notebook and an ongoing project. Its next to an end table and lamp and a tall speaker that I use to hold my beverage of choice :) may it be tea coffee or a pepsi. The end table hold my laptop.
My favorite knitting spot is my big comfortable recliner, but it's not complete without my Shih Tzu Roxy curled up on my lap working hard on her "chewy sticks". With Roxy curled up in my lap, then anyplace can be my favorite knitting spot, but my recliner is the most comfortable!!
My favorite knitting spot is the couch in my living room which I share with four Schipperkes. I have an antique truck on the left hand side and an Ott Lamp so I can see what I'm doing. Sounds familiar, huh?
Hi, Suzann! We met yesterday in line for the Yarn Harlot. Here's my post link for the Knitting Spot contest. (http://catbookmomsyarns.blogspot.com/2007/06/knitting-place.html)
I like the look of the jeans, so I'm going to check them out. I found my L.L. Bean jeans via Zafu.com; while my body type is very different from yours, the waist-hip thing has been my biggest problem, too.
http://tinyurl.com/ys5tq5
Oops! My link was cut off. Here's the Tiny URL version.
Hi--I found your spot today and enjoyed looking through your blog. I've enjoyed what I've read so far! Some great projects (and I like your embroidery jeans by the way!).
I'll add on to your contest...I'm a biologist and pretty much try to spend as much time outdoors as I can. So in the summer, I tend to park myself under a tree outside with knitting (if you go to my blog and go to the May 28th post, you can see an example of knitting outside...with something special added!). It can be hazardous if wind blows pine needles and such into the knitting but it's so nice knitting out with a breeze and sun! In the winter, I park myself on my 15 year old papazon (I have no idea how to spell that) chair with my basket beside me and a warm cup of tea always close by! Right now I'm taking classes and have a less than ideal living situation with roommates, away from home and hubby and my things, so my knitting spot is also very less than ideal. So we won't mention that one here! :)
My knitting spot is the right side of my bed. And yes there are butt grooves which I don’t’ really understand because I have a memory foam topper on my bed. Isn’t memory foam supposed to bounce back to its original shape? Well mine should be named rememory foam because all my indentations have perfectly been saved like presets on a tuner.
I too recently wore out the sheet on my side of the bed from over use. Ha Ha. But the good thing about knitting in bed is that instead of buying expensive slip covers to repair the damage I got to buy new sheets. 600 thread count, pima cotton so soft and luxurious that bed time (knitting time) got move up an hour earlier.
I try really hard not to share my space. No children, adults, dogs or other intruders. I’m a Baby knitter and I need to be able to completely focus on my work. Even causal conversation could easily cause a dropped stitch, which explains the blue ear plugs conveniently located on my night stand. All noise or sound must be eliminated! When I knit I want to slip away into the gentle hypnotic rhythm of knit one Perl two, so that I can block out invasive thoughts like, “I need to pay the orthodontist today”, or worse, “What’s for dinner”. I don’t’ want to think about anything. Knitting is my therapy. My knitting spot is my oasis.
The only problem with my “spot” is that I can’t knit too late and if I wake-up in the middle of the night with the urge (to knit) I can’t turn on the light. In that case I retreat to the office and knit in the big black chair.
Hello! Sadly, I am blogless, so a description will hopefully suffice. My knitting spot is the right side of our red sofa in front of the tv. My husband usually has control of the remote so knitting provides me with a distraction from whatever sporting event he has chosen to watch. While he is supportive of my knitting overall, my poor husband does not like when I knit while watching tv because that used to be our cuddling time. Oh well, I figure if he won't compromise on what we're going to watch, then I'm not compromising on the knitting. :) Just kidding, I'm not that mean. I usually split up the tv time half and half between knitting and cuddling. Has anyone discovered a way to knit while cuddling? That would be very helpful. lol
Hmmm...favorite knitting spots. Well, I do love to knit in my family room chair, which has an ottoman and wide arms, so I can put my feet up and sprawl in an ergonomically unsound way.
Oddly, the other place I love to knit is when I or my son go in for allergy shots. We have to sit there for 30 minutes after the shots to make sure we don't get a reaction, and for some reason, I really enjoy using that time and place for knitting. No one bothers me, it's usually quiet, the chairs aren't comfy, but it's guaranteed time, which is maybe why I like it.
OOOO sistah! I saw you workin it on Quail knits blog at the Popes viewing!!! You still got it!
The left side of the couch, not ever the right side which is completely uncomfortable and none of the remotes work from there.
I can't believe I am admitting this but my fave knitting spot right now is on the couch in front of the tv, watching tv at the same time! I always thought I was a nice spot knitter but I'm not at all.
My favorite spot for knitting is on my comfy loveseat with my fern pillow perched under my right elbow in front of the fire, or in the summer with the ceiling fan on.
I added my sad little knitting spot to my blog. Check it out! Yours looks cozy.
I've just added my favourite knittingplace on my blog...but I've been knitting on the riverside while watching the kds swim, or outside in the garden, or in bed(when hubby is away at work- which he is most of the time)-but never in the car. Either I drive- and all concentration is needed on the road! or hubby is driving, and all attention is needed on the road-LOL (or I'll get carsick:-()
Here's my favorite knitting spot!
My favorite knitting spot is my bed!
Right now, my favorite knitting spot is my mattress ticking-stripe wingchair in the living room in front of the TV. But my "dream" knitting space will be up in the office, next to shelves of books and yarn and patterns, with the laptop nearby to surf blogs. Soon...(I hope!) I'll have the small wingchair recliner I've been eyeing.
My favorite knitting spot is on the loveseat in our bedroom - my own little corner of the world.
I too have the corner of a sofa as my designated knitting/reading/tv watching spot. I have great lighting there and from that vantage point I can interact with most of my home's co-inhabitants. I purchased 40 yards of upholstery fabric 3 years ago to recover out living room set with. It was expensive. To this day I've not had time to even consider sewing. And what's worse is that I no longer even like the fabric.
My favorite knitting spot changes with the seasons. Summer it is a patio at the coffee shop near work. It has a little pond and a waterfall and good coffee. In the fall, I switch to the wing back chair in the living room. It has a nice little lamp beside it that just illuminates my knitting so the rest of the room can be dark and cozy.
I'm going to call my favorite knitting spots the ones where I actually get most of my knitting done.
Summer=bench at playground
School year=hallway in my daughter's school before picking her up
I don't have a fav at home. Only one spot is good, Knitting Hubby in his knitting chair beside me, cats fighting for a spot in my lap. Nicest place I've knitted recently? On a deck at a lodge in Alaska, wine (and Knitting Hubby) by my side, with a full view of Denali!
My knitting spot (which is WAY too cluttered to show you--plus my camera is not working) is the right-hand side of my couch. I have to share it with the Yorkie, who although small manages to take up most of the room, and the two Bengal cats. I put all my knitting stuff, drinks, etc on the coffee table and the desk to my right holds my laptop (when it's not on my lap).
Thanks also for the great idea of custom slip covers. My couch is getting worn but still has some life left in it. And I hated my generic slip covers that did just that--slip!
my favourite spot is also on the couch, near the light--when my kids are in bed and the house is all quiet.
i can watch TV or a movie, or just sit in the quiet.
i love it when there is a cup of tea beside me, and my stash is in the corner so I can look at it if i want..
happy contest!!
Sorry, no blog but my spot looks much like yours. OK, a dog and a cat with a chest instead of a trunk, but very similar. As a matter of fact, I made a slipcover! Got a book from the library and did it. Fitted and all. You'll love them.
Cool! My knitting spot is kind of similar to yours, except mine is a futon and we've only had it about a year since Katrina destoyed all our furniture 2 years ago. I have to share the space with 3 cats too so I don't always get to pick where on the futon I will be sitting so no butt groove has formed.
My favorite spot is actually my kitchen table - it gets the best light in the house, and it's easy to spread out a pattern.
I also like your new slipcover fabric! We're actually looking into the opposite - refilling our deflated couch cushions. That's expensive too, but probably not as bad as slipcovers!
My favourite knit spot is in my dining room because I can hear the cricket on the village green or the sofa in the lounge surrounded by cats. I wrote about these on Sunday http://www.mrspao.com/blog/?p=1857 with photos :)
(PS you have very cute dogs)
Great contest!
My spot is almost the same as yours! I posted details on my blog!
My favorite knitting spot is, in good weather, the bench in the shade at our local playground. In bad weather, it's the glider in my living room, angled to watch the TV and not run over the dog's tail. (Love your dogs, by the way. What an awesome picture of them!)
My favourite knitting spot is on my couch, which is so comfortable, and in front of my DVD player, which is always backed up with all the shows I haven't yet watched.
But my usual knitting spot is on the skytrain, which is how I commute to work, 35 minutes each way.
well....my most common spot is the big microsuede rust orange chair in the living room. But my fav spot??? Where ever we hike and hubby fishes...i will grab a rock or a log and relax and knit!
in cold weather and at night my spot is on the couch in front of the wood heater in the rumpus room but on warm spring days [ and we're just heading into spring here ] it's on the front verandah in my comfy wicker chair with my feet up on the other one and a cup of chai on the matching table with its lace tablecloth. I live on 10 acres of bush and the view through the rose garden of the gum trees is my idea of knitting heaven.
I just posted a pic of my favorite knitting spot this morning- my back porch. I'm normally surrounded by dogs while knitting, but they follow me around so they aren't in the picture that I posted. Great idea for a contest! :)
Great contest! Your spot looks so much neater than mine!
My fave place to knit is the corner of the couch with my legs tucked up underneath me. It's probably not good for my back, but it's the only position that's comfy enough for long spells.
I have access to the telly control (when I can wrest it from hubby's mitt!), and there's always a cup of tea, or glass of wine, within easy reach. ;)
I'd put up a blog post if I could find the bloomin' camera....
If I had two gorgeous dogs like that, my spot would be next to them, too!
My house is just too messy for me to share. sigh
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