Nancy Bacon is not your typical grandmother from Minnesota. She's 61 going on 20, full of energy and enthusiasm! We all had a great time getting to know Nancy as we filmed our latest episode of What to Knit. Before the shoot, Norah picked out an assortment of designs based on Nancy's broad knitting preferences.… Continue reading What to Knit: Nancy
Month: November 2013
Emily Explains: Feather and Fan Stitch
I've recently realized that in my free time I want to be knitting something special but...very simple. I do enjoy the complicated, mind-bending, mathematically-concocted knitting and the feeling of accomplishement when the shapes come together. But every once and a while, I just want something simple, beautiful and cozy. The feather and fan stitch is… Continue reading Emily Explains: Feather and Fan Stitch
Norah’s Knits: Twists and Turns (or Rectangles Rule!)
It's amazing how a little twist or fold can turn a rectangle into something so much more. The Gazost turban? Just a rectangle. Emily explained how to make this hat come together in a beautifully illustrated post a few weeks back. I wanted to bring it up again because this hat is the perfect illustration of… Continue reading Norah’s Knits: Twists and Turns (or Rectangles Rule!)
Designer Spotlight: Just One More Cowl by Estella Haines
After years of knitting, Estella Haines gradually transitioned from adapting patterns to designing her own. Her motivation? A 16-year-old daughter with “definite fashion tastes.” Together, they’ve come up with a number of popular patterns. “She loves to draw a sweater, pick a yarn and direct my knitting skills into whatever she desires.” Estella’s most recent… Continue reading Designer Spotlight: Just One More Cowl by Estella Haines
What Inspires: All the Wonderful People at Knitter’s Review Retreat
My mind is still bursting with excitement from a recent trip Norah and I took to the Knitter's Review Retreat in Canandaigua, New York. The retreat is held once a year and run by a team of amazing women. There was so much to take in from the weekend, I feel I could write a… Continue reading What Inspires: All the Wonderful People at Knitter’s Review Retreat
Emily Explains: Ways to Wear Big Scarves
The air is chilly again today and I officially want to be snuggled in a blanket all the time. This becomes a bit of a problem when life resumes and, you know... I have to go out in public. My best solution? Knit a big cozy scarf... choose a scrumptious yarn and wrap myself up in… Continue reading Emily Explains: Ways to Wear Big Scarves
Norah’s Knits: Easy Baby Patterns
The warmer fall weather held out in New England yesterday, allowing us a fun playground adventure with four of our five grandchildren. They were all looking so adorable in their little hipster hats and handknits gifted by friends and family (but alas, not by me). All this cuteness reminded be that I really need to… Continue reading Norah’s Knits: Easy Baby Patterns
Designer Spotlight: Library Window Watchcap by Christine Guest
Between homeschooling three children, keeping two blogs and publishing knitting patterns, Christine Guest spends a lot of time at her local library. So much time, in fact, that library’s architecture actually inspired a recent design! “I noticed that the windows have the decoration of a square with an x and a cross, so I started… Continue reading Designer Spotlight: Library Window Watchcap by Christine Guest
Emily Explains: Color Combinations
I have to be honest, sometimes I find working with color to be extremely difficult. Seriously, I mean how can one possibly narrow down just a few colors of beautifully spun yarn to work with! And to make that decision quickly?! No way.Ultimately, I end up with the same colors - white or “bluish” grey.… Continue reading Emily Explains: Color Combinations
Designer Spotlight: Starbrook Pullover by Cassie Castillo
You know how you can have a closet full of clothing and nothing to wear? Cassie Castillo can relate. A talented knitwear designer, Cassie says she had fallen into a bad habit of designing clothing and accessories that she “aspired” to wear. In reality, most of these items just stayed in her closet. That’s when… Continue reading Designer Spotlight: Starbrook Pullover by Cassie Castillo