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No, I’m Not Thumbelina. I Just Knit With Giant Needles And Yarn
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No, I’m Not Thumbelina. I Just Knit With Giant Needles And Yarn

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In 2011, I decided to knit something giant. But I didn’t really know where to start. There were no tutorials available, so I was flying blind.

First, I bought six pounds of unspun wool roving, then I went to the hardware store and bought broomsticks to act as knitting needles. When the broomsticks were too small, I went back and bought 1.5″ diameter PVC pipe. I turned each five-foot length of pipe into “knitting needles” by adding duct-tape tips, and just started knitting. A few hours later, I had my Giganto-Blanket.

When I posted a video of myself knitting the blanket, I was suddenly getting a lot of requests for the pattern. So I wrote up the Giganto-Blanket pattern and put it up online, and now I even sell the finished blankets on Etsy.

More info: nocturnalknits.com | Etsy

Like Atlas, but with wool

Don’t look now, but you’ve got a giant ball of yarn behind you…

On the needles

Those knitting needles are five feet long. Seriously.

Playing with scale

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Tiny bed or giant blanket? Oh wait, is that a cat?

All balled up

These balls of yarn are ready to be knit into a Giganto-Blanket.

It’s so squishy

Really, you can’t imagine how soft it is.

Free People custom design

Free People asked me to make a version of the blanket for their holiday shop.

Giant yarn, cat + spinning wheel

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Neither the cat nor the spinning wheel is required for making the blanket, but they sure to do look cute sitting there.

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My first attempt

It turns out knitting on broomsticks wasn’t good enough. I had to go bigger!

Cabled Giganto-Blanket

The giant scale of the knitting makes for really dramatic cable patterns.

Free People custom design

Free People decided to call it the “Big Sky Blanket” – they sold out almost immediately.

Quality assurance

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My cat Magnus likes to inspect each blanket and give me feedback.

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Tiny cat?

Molly is a small cat, but next to the Giganto-Blanket she looks downright miniature! (She loves “helping” me knit my blankets.)

Pure comfort

It turns out the blanket is my cats’ favorite place to sleep.

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Laura Birek

Laura Birek

Author, Community member

Read more »

Writer, Knitter and Web Developer from Los Angeles.

Read less »
Laura Birek

Laura Birek

Author, Community member

Writer, Knitter and Web Developer from Los Angeles.

What do you think ?
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POST
lswhere
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Too much animal pain just for a blanket. There is no need for this these days.

Noor
Community Member
9 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

There is plenty of good whool to get from animals that have a great life. Yet the whool from uggs for example is plain cruel, I agree.

Load More Replies...
Thomas32
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Quite disgusting. Wool is inhumane, as some are saying.

ShelleyWestwood
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sheep have to be shorn or in the summer months or they can suffer terribly in the heat and with fly strike.

Load More Replies...
Axel
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You can find them at giantlycruelblankets.com or something...

GuinMatthews
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

To all that think it's inhumane to use God's bounty, have you ever seen sheep that were NOT sheared? Speaking of inhumane! Signed, ALL ANIMAL LOVER...

Load More Replies...
Becky Walker
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

No offense but you guys have no clue about shearing do you? It's inhumane to not shear the poor animals

d r e a m w o r l d
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Actually, sheep need to be sheared or else they will burn in the sun. If being proven wrong makes you cry, I'll knit you a handkerchief.

Iguill Guillermo
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think u chose the perfect pattern. Now I can't b unique from u. Ugh! ^_^ Anyone have any recommendations of other patterns to try?

Yolanda Qin
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Hey! Good Job! Our company also offer chunky knit blankets and super chunky yarns in Acrylic, Polyester and Wool. http://YarnsInBulk.com

MichelleBurrows
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

WOW! I love this! How do I get my hands on wool and needles in Australia to make this?

MarionHeadrick
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think they are beautiful and good for you, that's an incredible job.

Bev Tilson
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Looks Great are you also a spinners ,as Knitter on huge needle

Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Thanks! You can find the pattern and more info on my FAQ page on my blog: http://nocturnalknits.com/giganto-blanket-faq/

Load More Replies...
WarrenBridges
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Great but I've now seen a woman knitting eternal snoodes on her arms in 30 mins. I'm gonna give that a go xwx

Community Member
9 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Hi Floripa! I sell the blanket and pattern on Etsy -- you can find more info on my blog FAQ: http://nocturnalknits.com/giganto-blanket-faq/

Load More Replies...
ChrisJohnson
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Little to no pain, they are released from any restraints and the happily run off. No pain.

TiinaHoddy
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I havebeen knitting for 50 years and never seen this :D Love the texture and the look of it :D where can you get yarn that thick?

MartaSaftescu
Community Member
9 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

shorning a sheep is just about as inhumane as shaving your beard or getting a haircut

ChrisJohnson
Community Member
9 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Having been there when an animal is sheared, it takes less than 5 minutes to shear.

Marie-CharlottePopp
Community Member
9 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Guys, you realize that shearing is literally just shaving the sheep right? If you do it right, the sheep don't even freak out...

CajsaOscarsson
Community Member
9 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

If you have a realy wooly breed of sheep. It acctually whants to be cut. Otherwise it will be really hot and hard for the sheep to move.

JasonFord
Community Member
9 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Well done Laura! I think what you are creating is awesome! As for the people that are worried about the sheep, get a life!!! Sheesh!

MartinW
Community Member
9 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Looks like every animals rights extremist invaded this particular article with their sad little down arrows... what 'tards.

DianneHeinz
Community Member
9 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Some need to learn to spell and others that don't raise sheep or goats, need to do some research.

Helpful
Community Member
9 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

How sheep are sheared: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=53KoRxxr1jc It's like a haircut...

RogerSullivan
Community Member
9 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

the the wool was never removed the poor old sheep would have to rub it off to hot in hot weather...hair cut...

dbradley
Community Member
9 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

sheep are suffering worldwide. please. what about those of us who have to continue listening to you

lswhere
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Too much animal pain just for a blanket. There is no need for this these days.

Noor
Community Member
9 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

There is plenty of good whool to get from animals that have a great life. Yet the whool from uggs for example is plain cruel, I agree.

Load More Replies...
Thomas32
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Quite disgusting. Wool is inhumane, as some are saying.

ShelleyWestwood
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sheep have to be shorn or in the summer months or they can suffer terribly in the heat and with fly strike.

Load More Replies...
Axel
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You can find them at giantlycruelblankets.com or something...

GuinMatthews
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

To all that think it's inhumane to use God's bounty, have you ever seen sheep that were NOT sheared? Speaking of inhumane! Signed, ALL ANIMAL LOVER...

Load More Replies...
Becky Walker
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

No offense but you guys have no clue about shearing do you? It's inhumane to not shear the poor animals

d r e a m w o r l d
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Actually, sheep need to be sheared or else they will burn in the sun. If being proven wrong makes you cry, I'll knit you a handkerchief.

Iguill Guillermo
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think u chose the perfect pattern. Now I can't b unique from u. Ugh! ^_^ Anyone have any recommendations of other patterns to try?

Yolanda Qin
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Hey! Good Job! Our company also offer chunky knit blankets and super chunky yarns in Acrylic, Polyester and Wool. http://YarnsInBulk.com

MichelleBurrows
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

WOW! I love this! How do I get my hands on wool and needles in Australia to make this?

MarionHeadrick
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think they are beautiful and good for you, that's an incredible job.

Bev Tilson
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Looks Great are you also a spinners ,as Knitter on huge needle

Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Thanks! You can find the pattern and more info on my FAQ page on my blog: http://nocturnalknits.com/giganto-blanket-faq/

Load More Replies...
WarrenBridges
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Great but I've now seen a woman knitting eternal snoodes on her arms in 30 mins. I'm gonna give that a go xwx

Community Member
9 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Hi Floripa! I sell the blanket and pattern on Etsy -- you can find more info on my blog FAQ: http://nocturnalknits.com/giganto-blanket-faq/

Load More Replies...
ChrisJohnson
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Little to no pain, they are released from any restraints and the happily run off. No pain.

TiinaHoddy
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I havebeen knitting for 50 years and never seen this :D Love the texture and the look of it :D where can you get yarn that thick?

MartaSaftescu
Community Member
9 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

shorning a sheep is just about as inhumane as shaving your beard or getting a haircut

ChrisJohnson
Community Member
9 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Having been there when an animal is sheared, it takes less than 5 minutes to shear.

Marie-CharlottePopp
Community Member
9 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Guys, you realize that shearing is literally just shaving the sheep right? If you do it right, the sheep don't even freak out...

CajsaOscarsson
Community Member
9 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

If you have a realy wooly breed of sheep. It acctually whants to be cut. Otherwise it will be really hot and hard for the sheep to move.

JasonFord
Community Member
9 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Well done Laura! I think what you are creating is awesome! As for the people that are worried about the sheep, get a life!!! Sheesh!

MartinW
Community Member
9 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Looks like every animals rights extremist invaded this particular article with their sad little down arrows... what 'tards.

DianneHeinz
Community Member
9 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Some need to learn to spell and others that don't raise sheep or goats, need to do some research.

Helpful
Community Member
9 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

How sheep are sheared: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=53KoRxxr1jc It's like a haircut...

RogerSullivan
Community Member
9 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

the the wool was never removed the poor old sheep would have to rub it off to hot in hot weather...hair cut...

dbradley
Community Member
9 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

sheep are suffering worldwide. please. what about those of us who have to continue listening to you

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