norah's knits

Norah’s Knitting: Wool & Alpaca Sweaters and Other Early Knitting Adventures

My love of natural fibers came early. The first sweater I ever knit was made from wool yarn I bought at the county fair. Creamy white, right off the sheep, and soaked in its own natural lanolin, the yarn had an aroma I love to this day. The pattern I chose to follow was from… Continue reading Norah’s Knitting: Wool & Alpaca Sweaters and Other Early Knitting Adventures

knitter's spotlight

Knitter’s Spotlight: Monsters for Hope by bonniejacobs

Raveler bonniejacobs is as generous as she is talented.  She’s been crocheting for as long as she can remember, but she only picked up knitting (or at least, it finally stuck) a few years ago.  Shortly after, she turned her new hobby into a beautiful charity effort to help bring smiles to the faces of… Continue reading Knitter’s Spotlight: Monsters for Hope by bonniejacobs

knitbits · knitting · make this · sneak peek · yarn

KnitBits Preview: Enduring Favorites

Did you know the Berroco Design Team creates nearly 200 new patterns every year?  While we're constantly thinking up new designs, we still love to see that people are continuing to knit some of our enduring favorites.  You know the ones I mean.  They’re the designs you make in multiple colors or for every family… Continue reading KnitBits Preview: Enduring Favorites

advice · ask amanda · knitting

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?

knitting · norah's knits

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 · make this · ravelry · sweaters

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 · knitting · make this · sneak peek · sweaters · trade show · yarn

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

books · contest · knitting

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

advice · ask amanda · knitting

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?