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Designer Spotlight: Little Man Waistcoat by Lissa Snyder

Lissa Snyder knows that designing is a process – sometimes, a very frustrating process. From mismatched pinstripes to a run-in with a hungry kitten, her latest design truly tested her patience. Despite those and other problems, she kept knitting until she got it right. She says it’s now one of her favorites! Lissa’s Little Man… Continue reading Designer Spotlight: Little Man Waistcoat by Lissa Snyder

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What Inspires: A Little Bit of Hocus Pocus

Fall is such a magical time of year in New England. The trees fill with color, the streets fill with leaves, the weather has a bit of chill and Halloween creeps up on us. I was always told that Halloween is the one day of the year that spirits of the past walked among us. Easily… Continue reading What Inspires: A Little Bit of Hocus Pocus

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Style Your Knits: Halyard

We like to joke that there's a dividing line of color preferences in the design office. Amy and Emily are metaphorically (and physically, with our desk arrangement) on one side with their love of neutrals and classic earth tones, while Alison and I prefer jewel tones (Alison even has a pink streak in her hair)… Continue reading Style Your Knits: Halyard

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Emily Explains: Embroidery Ideas for Minutia ’14

In this year's adorable free Minutia patterns, I designed Blitzen, the quirky little mitten. I was inspired by embroidered and knitted Scandinavian and Norwegian mittens. The embroidery on these mittens is exquisite! The color pattern and motifs are so inspiring. If I had the option, I would love to be dressed in these patterns from head… Continue reading Emily Explains: Embroidery Ideas for Minutia ’14

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Amy’s Thread: Alternative Yarns for Grace

Christmas is less than two months away...have you started knitting? Our 2014 Holiday Gift Knit-Along is the perfect opportunity to give and receive! There are 6 projects to choose from for this KAL & a good incentive (see below) to finish on time: Holman Hunt from booklet #347 Berroco Andean Mist Minutia ‘14 free pattern available in KnitBits (all four count as one project)… Continue reading Amy’s Thread: Alternative Yarns for Grace

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Designer Spotlight: The Harvest Pumpkin by Bonnie Burton

An experienced knitter with a professional background in marketing, Bonnie Burton has found her niche in lifelike knitted displays. She started several years ago with a knitted picnic scene aimed to catch shoppers’ eyes as they passed the large front window of Colorful Stitches – a LYS that Bonnie co-owns in Lennox, MA. Thanks to… Continue reading Designer Spotlight: The Harvest Pumpkin by Bonnie Burton

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Barrison’s Travels: Day at the Circus

Being a bear, and an avid traveler, you might think Barrison (now available as a free crochet pattern) has encountered a variety of animals from all over the world. But, the truth is, she's more of an indoor bear. That's why she so excited when the circus came to town. Elephants and tigers and ponies -… Continue reading Barrison’s Travels: Day at the Circus

emily explains · holiday · knitting · make this · ravelry · visit our website · yarn

Emily Explains: Casting on with Two Circular Needles for Corker

My apartment was chilly this morning and as I rummaged through my sock drawer I was disappointed with the number of bulky socks I found. I don't have nearly enough to wear with my favorite fall and winter boots! Obviously, the answer to my problem is to knit myself a pair. Corker is a knee-high sock knitting… Continue reading Emily Explains: Casting on with Two Circular Needles for Corker

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Amy’s Thread: The Season of Cabled Pullovers

My favorite trend that I'm seeing this fall is big, cozy, cabled pullovers. The kind that knit up double quick in chunky gauges with bold cable patterns, that transition from fall jacket to winter weekend staple. My personal favorite from our current collection is Wicklow from booklet #346 Inca Tweed (from left to right: Diggory, Analogia and a detail from Wicklow)… Continue reading Amy’s Thread: The Season of Cabled Pullovers

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Designer Spotlight: Celtic Cables Hood by Lynn Venghaus

When it comes to pattern writing, Lynn Venghaus is particular about what should be included – end of row stitch counts, yardage for a long-tail cast on, predetermined decreases – the more information, the better. Poorly written patterns are her pet peeve! If you decide to knit one of her designs, you won’t have to… Continue reading Designer Spotlight: Celtic Cables Hood by Lynn Venghaus