In my last blog post, I shared some thoughts on yarn substitution. I compared Ultra Alpaca to Maya - two yarns that look different but behave similarly. Both have good stitch definition and produce fabrics with a lot of drape, so they're a great match. Since I have the luxury of many of different yarns at my disposal,… Continue reading Amy’s Thread: Choose Your Yarn Adventure (Part II)
Tag: Berroco Ultra Alpaca
Designer Spotlight: The Klompen by Lydia Hamilton
Lydia Hamilton is addicted to crochet and she doesn’t care who knows it. We’re talking intervention-and-hidden-stash level addiction. She tries to put down her hook from time to time, but old habits die hard. One of her favorite projects at the moment is actually her own design. The Klompen is a pair of felted, crochet slippers… Continue reading Designer Spotlight: The Klompen by Lydia Hamilton
Amy’s Thread: Thoughts on Yarn Substitution
Yarn substitution is always a gamble. There is a reason that the yarn was paired to the pattern by the designer and the pattern reflects the characteristics of that yarn. Choosing an different yarn is entering at your own risk - if it doesn't work out you're sort of sunk. Nothing's worse than a mismatched… Continue reading Amy’s Thread: Thoughts on Yarn Substitution
Emily Explains: Knitted Patches
Mending handknit socks, sweaters, scarves or just your favorite knits in general is so important. They are precious to us and, with the proper restoration, can be worn and loved forever. There are several ways you can repair those worn out spots and here are some tools you will need for mending.... 1) darning needle … Continue reading Emily Explains: Knitted Patches
Designer Spotlight: Brassica Pullover by Elizabeth Smith
The third time was the charm for Elizabeth Smith’s latest design. She knew she had the right yarn, she just needed to make a few modifications. So she knit and frogged (and knit and frogged) and knit it again until she was completely satisfied. Elizabeth is a bit of a perfectionist and Berroco Ultra Alpaca… Continue reading Designer Spotlight: Brassica Pullover by Elizabeth Smith
Designer Spotlight: Effloresce Shawl by Amy Antler
Amy Antler loves to flip through her many knitting magazines for design inspiration. She can look at the same issue again and again, and each time, something different catches her eye. Her love of mixing and matching stitch patterns is especially evident in her newest design. Amy’s Effloresce Shawl is full of texture and interesting details.… Continue reading Designer Spotlight: Effloresce Shawl by Amy Antler
Designer Spotlight: Noe Valley Sweater by Katherine Lee
Whenever she would run errands or drive her kids around town, Katherine Lee wished she had something warm to throw on in the car – especially on those chilly mornings. In particular, she wanted something that would work over a variety of outfits and could keep her neck nice and cozy. She came up with a general design… Continue reading Designer Spotlight: Noe Valley Sweater by Katherine Lee
Designer Spotlight: Breakfast Waffles Socks by Rosencrantz Knits
Working as a school teacher in New Brunswick, Brittany (a.k.a. Rosencrantz Knits) has plenty of opportunity to show off her collection of colorful and "cableicious" handknits. In fact, her students have come to expect it! While many of Brittany's designs are inspired by her love of literature, her latest came from a more practical place… Continue reading Designer Spotlight: Breakfast Waffles Socks by Rosencrantz Knits
Designer Spotlight: Skullcracker by Carissa Browning
Carissa Browning wouldn’t design just any old hat. She prefers to “fiddle around with unusual construction methods.” That's how she came up with her latest design, Skullcracker. This seemingly simple, stockinette cap starts with a magic cast on and is knit in alternating rectangles that are created by picking up stitches from the previous edges.… Continue reading Designer Spotlight: Skullcracker by Carissa Browning
Norah’s Knits: What Everyone is Knitting
I'm about to tell you about our most popular patterns this season. Why should that matter? If everyone else was jumping off a cliff, would you jump too? Which reminds me of this GREAT video. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M6ZjMWLqJvM Even though I don't like to think of myself as a lemming (in the popular metaphor sort of way),… Continue reading Norah’s Knits: What Everyone is Knitting
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