What would you do if you lost your house and all of your possessions? What if your business was swept away? Could you go on, knowing friends and maybe even family members were missing? It’s so hard to imagine even one of these devastating losses, but for thousands of people in Japan all three have… Continue reading Yarn Alive
Month: January 2013
Ask Amanda: How do I join my knitting in the round?
When you’re preparing to knit in the round, joining is a critical step. Your pattern will tell you how many stitches to cast on, and then it will ask you to join in the round, being careful not to twist the stitches. Even one little twist will result in a potentially unusable piece of knitting,… Continue reading Ask Amanda: How do I join my knitting in the round?
Norah’s Knitting: Cavalcade of Cowls
Now that the really cold weather has arrived, I’m remembering how much I like cowls-- and I’m so happy that these wonderful rings of knitted or crocheted warmth have become a long-term trend in winter knit accessories. A few weeks back, I pointed out a few cowls that were great knitting projects for beginners. Cowl knitting… Continue reading Norah’s Knitting: Cavalcade of Cowls
Knitter’s Spotlight: Cardamom by Whatthehay
We had a few sweaters this season that seemed to catch everyone’s eye. Cardamom was definitely one of them. Knit in the super bulky Berroco Peruvia Quick, it goes without saying that this cardigan doesn’t take long to make. It’s also cozy and has great texture, combining stockinette stitches, ribbing and a clever cabled button… Continue reading Knitter’s Spotlight: Cardamom by Whatthehay
KnitBits Preview: A Fine Italian Yarn
Berroco yarn is manufactured in mills all over the world, but we do most of our buying twice a year at a huge trade show in Florence, Italy. That's where our beautiful Berroco Cirrus comes from. There’s an interesting story about this fine Italian yarn, and the family that makes it, in tomorrow’s KnitBits. As… Continue reading KnitBits Preview: A Fine Italian Yarn
A Short Story About Designer Cathy Carron
Cathy Carron’s grandmother taught her continental knitting when she was just 10 years old. More than four decades later, she's still at it. Her popular designs have been featured in top knitting magazines and, of course, her four books. Her newest collection, Short Story, features 35 cool crops for layering…including four patterns that are knit… Continue reading A Short Story About Designer Cathy Carron
Ask Amanda: Are my stitches twisted?
Before I delve in, it may help to clarify the difference between intentional twist stitches and unintentionally twisting your stitches. It can be a little confusing with such similar names, but they are two separate techniques. Twist stitches (the intentional kind) are a nice way to add surface texture to your knitting. The examples below… Continue reading Ask Amanda: Are my stitches twisted?
Norah’s Knits: Variations on a Theme, Cable Knit Cardigans
I love designing with cables and designing new stitches. Sometimes the "invention" of a new knit cable is little more than a simple recombination of long loved stitches. To come up with the cable pattern for my Kaide cardigan, I started with this very basic easy honeycomb pattern in two sizes. I added a few columns… Continue reading Norah’s Knits: Variations on a Theme, Cable Knit Cardigans
Knitter’s Spotlight: Hooks & Needles Rap
Have you ever gone to YouTube to learn about a new knitting technique, only to find yourself listening to a song about how much someone loves yarn? I love these accidental discoveries, so I thought I’d share one of my favorites. I can’t remember what I was looking for when I came across Yorkshire Yarns’… Continue reading Knitter’s Spotlight: Hooks & Needles Rap
KnitBits Preview: Winter Giveaway
Would a new knitting book and some free Berroco yarn help make your new year happier? We thought so! Make sure you read tomorrow’s KnitBits, to find out how to enter our winter giveaway. Five winners will receive Cathy Carron’s “Short Story: chic knits for layering.” The book features 35 designs – all quick knits… Continue reading KnitBits Preview: Winter Giveaway
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