Here's one of the sweaters I made over for the winter issue of Knitty. Happily, Thing 2 actually wants to wear it now and it makes me want to make her another.

I had a great time making bags for the article. f you've read the fall issue of Knitty and been inspired to make a bag of some sort, send in your ideas or photos and I'll post them. And you should definitely check out Diana Hammons' fine work over at Mosaic Fashions. I love looking at all the different color combinations they've come up with and it may help you in putting together sweater pieces that don't seem to "go". If I only lived some place cold enough to own a wool coat.... heck, I'm this close to buying one anyway.... Note too that Mosaic Fashions offers coats in sizes Small through 3X. Something for everyone.

I'm extending the contest through November 15th. If you've got a logo idea for Frankenknits, send it!

A contest will be announced in the summer issue of Knitty, but you heard it here first. Design a Frankenknits logo. Winner will get the very first Frankenknits t-shirt. How cool is that? T-shirts will be done at cafePress. You can get details on what sort of images work best here.

Deadline August 1, 2006.

or Soundtrack, II

Perhaps I'm a bit behind the curve, but today I'm fascinated with iTunes. Plug in keywords like "knit" "thrift" or "fashion" and you've got yourself a fascinating array of mix-tape tunes to choose from. You could choose from "Red Sweater", "Blue Sweater", "White Sweater", "Christmas Sweater"... even "Funky Sweater". Who knew? I mean, The Cubby Creatures "Knitting Bee"! Would I have ever, ever, stumbled across it any other way? I love the Internet.

Read more about what's going on my mood music mix below the bump...

Daily life sometimes deserves a soundtrack. It sets the mood. You're driving down the road or sitting on the sofa. The perfect song makes whatever you're doing better. A whole CD full and your project hums along. The drive to the thriftshop or the yarn store is just that much more fun.

So what songs go on the Frankenknits soundtrack? Leave your suggestions in the comments box!

A reader has asked what to do about moth holes in hand knits. Any suggestions?

Restoring it, I think, is possible, even if it is the tedious sort of thing you do almost surgically, under very bright lights.

Renovation may be an easier path. How would you do it?

Thanks for all the great feedback. I'm glad to hear that I am not alone in my predilections for knitting and thriftshopping (and, apparently, the Dewey Decimal System!).

Speaking of pawing through other people's things: A friend has invited me to a clothing swap at the end of the month. What a great idea for a party! I will certainly gobble all kinds of wardrobe-improving frankenstash there. And artichoke dip. She has a thing for artichoke dip. Host one of your own and then take all the knits.

So here's a question. In the history of knitwear -- and, indeed, clothing design in general -- there have been some bad ideas. My college friend, Faye, called single-armed dresses "bad ideas" and swore fervently that they made the wearer look like she had three breasts. And you can get branded a witch for that.

Because "bad ideas" are sometimes allowed to become "bad mass-produced clothing that people purchase in weak moments", second hand shops are full of bad ideas. My current bad idea fixation: The superchunky sleeveless turtleneck.

What's your bad idea? How would you make it better? Bonus points awarded if you post a picture of it on your blog.

The spring issue of Knitty features my new column. Frankenknits will be an ongoing feature in Knitty, but this website will allow me flexibility to add things between issues, to post readers' own franken-inspired projects and to share other resources and tips.

Frankenknits is about chopping up old things to create new things. To reuse, reknit, recycle, refashion and reinvigorate those tired items at the back of your closet -- or someone else's tired things that you've found at the second hand shop. It'll involve knitting, thriftshopping, various other needle and fibercrafts, and running with scissors.

Add in some tasty snacks and you've got the makings of a perfect afternoon, in my book.

Leave your comments here or drop me a line at kristi AT frankenknits.com.