Drop In Workshop this Thursday 19 Nov

Fancy a spot of knitting, or want some advice? Come along to the drop in workshop I am running this Thursday 19 November, 3 - 5 pm, in the foyer of Millburne House (otherwise known as Capital Centre). You can also join in making a collage to fill a petri dish that will be part of a large piece on the wall there.

Safe Bollard At Night

Just a pic of some well-behaving bollards at nighttime....

Learn How To Knit

Or, for that matter, crochet. I sometimes forget some people can not knit or crochet. Honestly, it is not difficult. Well, you can make it as difficult as you want, but the basics are simple and straightforward. There's lots of sites out there that learn you how to knit or crochet. Here's one:
http://www.learn2knit.co.uk/

Btw, I never knit or crochet following a pattern, I would find that way too boring. And there is no need to, unless you want a perfect fitting jumper or something like that! I usually just start out with an idea in my head and see where I end up.... much more fun

The Trail

So this is how it will look, more or less. I had quite a few enthusiastic reactions on this blog from both knitters and non-knitters, but no-one yet has committed to actually knit one...:-(

Come on, you knitters & crocheters, please help me! It takes a meditative hour or so to knit an easy one. And I will send you a stamped and addressed envelop to post your product to me, so I can insert it in the trail. And you'll be invited to the party on 1st December, on the campus of Warwick University! And it will be fun! What else can I say? Email me friedapoll@yahoo.com

Condoms for Bollards

The continuity of the trail connecting the venues on Warwick Campus that join in the Sexual Health Awareness Week, will be supported by large scale condoms for bollards.

These must be knitted or crocheted really loose, so the light in the bollards can shine through.

Size of the bollards is 70 cm round and the condom has to be at least 100 cm long in total (not longer than 120cm). Knit it with the biggest needles you have, so the condom is see-through.

I knitted this one in hazard tape with needles 25 to start with and 20 to knit the reservoir on top.

Questions

I've had a few Q's about dental dams. Allright, I'll tell you: they are basically square or rectangular latex things to cover the female genitals during oral sex. Not very exciting to look at, some producers print them with nice colours, or (see post below) a kissing mouth.

If you can't knit nor crochet, please feel free to make a condom or dental dam from a left-over bit of textile, like this one.

Oh, and please don't forget to send me your address, so I can send you a self-adressed and stamped envelop.

Btw: the trail has to be up the 23rd November; the sooner I get your contributions, the better!

THANKS!!!!

A bit of cruelty

Other materials may include wire. Like this one; I made it out of jewellers wire, in the easiest way, because the wire is rather stiff to work with.

The easy way being: choose your size (10 cm for small, 20 for extra extra large, etc) and set up accordingly. Knit and purl with two needles, which makes the bottom curl up nicely like the ring of a condom does. Decrease after a while, depending on the size of your condom, quite rigorously but evenly over just a few rows, to end up with just a few stitches to knit the reservoir. Join sides together, and Bob's your uncle.

Dental Dam

It is not only condoms that we are after. The female equivalent of the condom is a dental dam, used in oral sexual activities (didn't know that either!). Basically, it is a square or rectangular piece of plastic, measuring approximately 15 x 20 cm. A bit boring to knit or crochet, I admit. I found this image though on the net of a range of dental dams that have a kissing mouth printed on them. That makes it a bit more interesting. Ideas are welcome! Btw, some ladies apparently make do with clingfilm, just to let you know.

Examples

Here's some examples of what you can do. But please feel free to vary! Anything is possible - and not difficult at all. You can knit with four needles, like you do a sock. Main character of the condom is its ring at the bottom and the upper smaller bit, that is called a reservoir (I didn't know that!). Like I said, anything goes, make it as weird and wonderful as you like. This one came out looking quite comfy.

BTW, there is a pattern for crocheted condom on the following blog: http://ungulatescrochet.blogspot.com/2009/01/condom-crochet.html

Calling all Crazy Knitters!

We need you to knit or crochet condoms and dental dams! In any form, format (small, medium or extra large) or material. The finished products will be inserted in a trail around the campus of Warwick University. The trail will connect the venues that hold events in SHAW, short for Sexual Health Awareness Week, .

Think this is fun?! Please send an email to friedapoll@yahoo.com, and we will send you a stamped and adressed envelop, so you can send your product to us.

From the 23rd - 27th November 2009, Warwick University dedicates a whole week to Sexual Health Awareness. This will be the first dedicated week of its kind on a university campus! Check out the events:

http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/fac/arts/history/chm/events/shaw2009/