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Designer Spotlight: Reduce, Reuse Market Bag by Kirstin Webb

When it comes to knitting, crocheting and designing, Kirstin Webb tends to “wing it.” She learned the basics from a grandmother when she was young and got a refresher from her husband’s family as an adult. From there, she did a lot of reading and experimentation. Kirstin’s Reduce, Reuse Market Bag is the first pattern… Continue reading Designer Spotlight: Reduce, Reuse Market Bag by Kirstin Webb

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Emily Explains: Writing Out Charts

My first stitch dictionary I ever had was Barbara Walker's Volume II. The endless pages of patterns were eye-opening to me, and the book was perfect because each row was written out stitch by stitch. When I started my job at Berroco, I was introduced to Lesley Stanfield's The New Knitting Stitch Library of charted… Continue reading Emily Explains: Writing Out Charts

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Amy’s Thread: Thinking About Cotton

Last night we got another blanket of snow here in New England, but it's now March, 'in like a lion, out like a lamb' right? Time to start dreaming and scheming about spring and summer knits. Spring weather is fickle. Chilly mornings can turn into balmy afternoons that quickly cool back down as soon as the… Continue reading Amy’s Thread: Thinking About Cotton

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Designer Spotlight: Boho Banded Jacket by Kathy Perry

Kathy Perry has been knitting most of her life, but she’s still picking up new techniques through her design work. Her recently published pattern, Boho Banded Jacket, came about when an editor asked Kathy to create something using reverse Fair Isle. At the time she didn’t know what that meant, but she’s a quick learner!… Continue reading Designer Spotlight: Boho Banded Jacket by Kathy Perry

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Ashley’s Adventures in Knitting: Changing Charts & Colorwork Challenges

I cannot wait to cast on for our Agave KAL! So many gorgeous colors and textures combined in a fun and flattering sweater - I honestly don't think Alison could have designed it any better. And that's my problem... I have a bit of a contrarian streak when it comes to picking project colors. I… Continue reading Ashley’s Adventures in Knitting: Changing Charts & Colorwork Challenges

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Agave: Inspiration & Color Play

I'm delighted that our next Berroco knit-along is Agave, the yoke pullover I designed for booklet #360 Folk Art. For this collection, the design team was inspired by the bold colors and style of artist Frida Kahlo. Amy gave me this photo to interpret into a yoke sweater.     You can see that I translated the… Continue reading Agave: Inspiration & Color Play

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Emily Explains: Knit From the Red Carpet

When I was a little girl I absolutely loved the Oscars. At the time, I was too young to really know what movies or actors were being honored. I only cared about one thing - the red carpet and the designers. Valentino, Oscar de la Renta, Givenchy and Armani, are the names that stuck with… Continue reading Emily Explains: Knit From the Red Carpet

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Amy’s Thread: Knit-worthy Red Carpet Inspiration

Red carpet events are a fun place to look for style and color ideas. This year I saw a lot of red, white and black classic looks - overall a fairly conservative red carpet - but there were some standout actors and actresses whose Oscar looks we loved. The obvious match: Emma Stone wearing Elie… Continue reading Amy’s Thread: Knit-worthy Red Carpet Inspiration

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Designer Spotlight: American Blue by Gus Baxter

Gus Baxter picked up knitting pretty quickly. It was only a year ago that he signed up for his first lesson at Close Knit. Two months later, the owners called to offer him a job. Now he’s working to become a full-time designer. American Blue is a new shawl that Gus designed using two shades… Continue reading Designer Spotlight: American Blue by Gus Baxter

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Emily Explains: Garter Tab Cast On

I designing a shawl a few months ago, when the girls in the office taught me how to do a garter tab cast on. Since then, I've used it in almost every shawl I make. You'll  have to wait a few months to see these shawls, but you can practice the technique with Laelia from booklet #360… Continue reading Emily Explains: Garter Tab Cast On