Frame a handbag rather than knit it

The Easy Knit Frame uses techniques that are similar to knitting, but dispels with the knitting needles. Instead, you hook the yarn on the frame.

"It's much easier than knitting," says Nana Patamavorakulchai, 22, a business administration major at Assumption University.

"It's so easy that it only took two days - after classes - to knit my first scarf with the knitting frame. That compares with one week to knit a one-metre scarf using the traditional method," says Nana, who never completed her conventional scarf because she found the process using knitting needles too difficult.

The Easy Knit Frame has its limitations, notably that you can create fewer patterns than with ordinary knitting. But the frame allows countless colour combinations and you can use designer wool yarn to create attractive handicrafts.

The frames can be used to knit spaghetti straps, tank tops and shawls. The stores selling the designs stock patterns and designs, and their staff will help you develop your own ideas.

"I ask customers about their interests - what they want to make and what knitting skills they have - and then suggestions," says Raweewan Chaiyagran, an instructor and sales clerk at the Pinn shop in Central World Plaza. "Some girls want to make scarves for their boyfriends, but they don't know which colours or kind of wool to use. I help them choose."

There are plenty of different yarns to choose from, and more arrive all the time as fashion trends change. "Woollen clothing is quite popular in the West and in many Asian countries. Would you believe, some bikinis are even made of wool," says Methinee Kongprasertkit, the Pinn shops' purchasing manager. "We're bringing the trend to Bangkok teens."

Pinn shops sell more than knitting supplies. They sell sewing supplies and teach customers how to sew and knit for free. Of course, you have to buy any equipment, supplies and fabrics you need for your handicrafts.

The knitting frame costs just Bt150 and balls of yarn range from Bt180 to Bt500 each. Different handicrafts require yarns with different thickness. Some projects need just one or two balls of yarn, and some require more, so costs vary accordingly.

Pinn shops are in all branches of The Mall department stores and at Central World Plaza. For more information, call (02) 530 2667 or (02) 932 6885 or log on to www.pinn.co.th.

Suwicha Chanitnun

The Nation