Enter to Win a $100 Gift Certificate to LionBrand.com!
November 5th, 2009
We’ve got a great contest running on Facebook right now. Visit our Facebook page and click on the “Win $100 to LionBrand.com!” tab. All you have to do is select your favorite LB yarn and post it to your Facebook feeds, and you will automatically be entered for your chance to win $100 to shop at LionBrand.com. It’s that simple! While you’re there, be sure to become our fan to keep up with our most recent offers and updates.
Studio Window Scarves: Will & Michelle Share Their Scarves
November 4th, 2009
At the Lion Brand Yarn Studio, we’ve been making scarves for the Partnership for the Homeless, an organization here in NYC, as well as collecting scarf & hat donations from local yarncrafters. We’re having so much fun knitting and crocheting for charity in our window, we thought we’d share some of our patterns. Each one of us gets to make whatever we want. Sometimes we use the StitchFinder, and sometimes we make it up. In the next few weeks we’ll share some of the staff’s scarves.
Each one of our window scarves is one ball of Vanna’s Choice, but you can make a longer scarf by using two balls. The recommended needle size for this yarn is US9 and the hook size is J-10, but as always, adjust up or down depending on the feel if your own fabric and your tension. With all of the scarves, you would bind off when you have yarn about 4 times the width of the scarf left. Then just weave in the ends, and you have a great scarf!
Will’s Garter Stitch (shown in Antique Rose):
CO 24 stitches
Knit every row
Will’s Crochet Scarf (show in dusty blue)
Ch 21
Row 1 - 3: Sc across row.
Row 4: Dc across row.
repeat all 4 rows
Michelle’s Basketweave Scarf (shown in Taupe Mist)
CO 24.
Row 1: *K4, P4* repeat from * to end of row.
Row 2 - 6: Knit the knits and purl the purls.
Row 7: *P4, K4* repeat from * to end of row.
Row 8 - 12: Knit the knits, and purl the purls.
Repeat rows 1-12.
Michelle’s V-Stitch Scarf (shown in Dusty Rose)
Ch 21.
Row 1: Dc into 6th ch from hook, ch1, dc into same ch *sk 2 ch, (dc, ch1, dc) into the same ch. Rep from * 4 times. dc into last ch.
Row 2: Ch 3, turn. (dc, ch 1, dc) into each ch 1 space (5 times total). dc into the top of the turning ch of the row below.
Repeat Row 2 to desired length.
Are you in the NYC area? To find out more about how you can help us by donating knit & crochet hats and scarves, please click here.
Related links:
- Celebrating & Making a Difference
- Great Reactions to Our Window Crafting
- Hat & Scarf Collection for Charity on the Studio blog
- The Studio Staff in the Window on the Studio blog
- Donations So Far on the Studio blog
Yarn Artisans & Their Creations
November 3rd, 2009
It’s always exciting to see knitters’ and crocheters’ creations, especially when those yarncrafters are sharing their finished goods with the world at large. On today’s episode of YarnCraft (our podcast that you can listen to over at iTunes or at YarnCraft.LionBrand.com), we talk about some of these artisans on Artfire.com, as well as how you can start your own online store for free.
In this vein of thinking, I wanted to feature a line by designer Heather Goldberg, Shadowplay Jewelry, that’s been getting quite a bit of attention. Her ethereal knit necklaces combine yarn with crystals, playing with texture.
What I love about pieces like this is that they challenge us to think outside of the box about what knitted and crocheted pieces can be. [Via DailyCandy.]
Do you create and sell knit or crochet goods? Leave a comment and tell us about what you make.
Related links:
Learn to Knit Socks!
November 2nd, 2009
I love making socks because they’re small, portable, and great for trying new stitches. Many of you on Facebook and Twitter have been asking for help making socks. Our new videos teach you how to knit socks step-by-step. Learn how to use double pointed needles and make a comfortable pair of socks from the cuff down! I used the Mens Grey Socks pattern with Wool-Ease in Gold.
Related links:
- Learn to Crochet and Teach Others!
- Learn to Knit: Increasing and Decreasing
- Learn to Knit (Or Teach Others)
Celebrate Halloween with Horror Movie Knits!
October 29th, 2009
I love watching horror movies to get ready for Halloween. Surprisingly, there are many horror films that feature knitting! Here are some of my favorite scary movies to add to your Halloween queue:
- Paranormal Activity: Visit your local theater to see one of the main characters knit and make jewelry. The yarn she uses is either a flammé or bouclé. Maybe it’s Homespun!
- Halloween: In the John Carpenter original, babysitter Laurie Strode (played by Jamie Lee Curtis) proves that knitting is more than a casual pastime. The remake by Rob Zombie features many crocheted afghans in various scenes.
- Idle Hands: What better way to keep idle hands busy than through knitting?
- The Addams Family and The Addams Family Values: Matriach Morticia Addams often knits for her family.
- Rosemary’s Baby: The women who congregate in Roseymary’s apartment knit.
- Delicatessen: This French film features a woman who makes a machine to frog her work just as quickly as she knits. At least she’s never bored!
Have a ghoulishly good Halloween, everyone!
British Artist To Crochet Two 30 Foot Lions For the 2012 Olympics
October 27th, 2009
A British artist will spend the next two years crocheting two giant lions for the London Olympics. The creation of the lions will be available for viewing on a webcam.
See Art in Action
October 27th, 2009
A few weeks ago, our friend, artist Travis Meinholf wrote about his new installation at the Museum of Craft and Folk Art. Now, you can watch him talk about the show while people interact with it!
See the show from now until January 24th in San Francisco, CA, and help Travis weave!
Related links:
- Open Source Embroidery: What Will We Make Together? (Travis’s most recent blog post)
- Weaving in the Great Outdoors
Add a Stitch of Interest
October 26th, 2009
If you’re getting bored of garter and stockinette stitch, try something new! I personally love experimenting with the textures of different stitches. Looking through the many stitches on StitchFinder, I always ask “What can I make with that stitch?” The truth is I have too many ideas! Belts, scarves, shawls, blankets, maybe add a little lace here or a cable there… So I thought I’d share a few ideas with you.
First of all, when you’re experimenting with a new stitch, you really should do a gauge swatch. But it’s not so bad, you’ll get the hang of the stitch and you can create a washcloth or squares for a patchwork blanket! Once you know the gauge you’ll be able to make a better decision about what to make and how many stitches to cast on.
Making anything square or rectangular with your new stitch will be a cinch! Just decide on the length and width of your project and divide by the length and width of a repeat in your gauge swatch. Just make sure you’re starting with the right number of stitches for your stitch pattern (for example, if your stitch pattern says “chain a multiple of 6 + 3″ and you want 10 repeats you would chain 63). From there you can make scarves, shawls, blankets, or pillow covers! If you make a long skinny strip and add two D-ring to one end you’ll have a belt! If you knit a rectangle, fold it in half, sew two sides together, and add a strap, you have a purse!
You can also add a new stitch to an existing pattern or idea. Substitute stockinette for a more textured stitch; switch out one lace pattern for another or switch cables. By simply switching up the stitch you use you keep your projects interesting!
Learn to Crochet and Teach Others!
October 22nd, 2009
You’ve asked for crochet videos, and now we have them! These fast videos will help you refine your crochet skills. Use them to teach yourself or others how to chain, single crochet, double crochet, half double crochet, and treble crochet. If you prefer written directions, be sure to visit our Learn to Crochet page for more information. We’re always making new videos, so be on the look out for even more knitting and crocheting clips!
Related links:
Afghans for Afghans: Race to the Finish
October 21st, 2009
Afghans for Afghans needs help filling 30-40 cartons with wool blankets, sweaters, vests, mittens, socks, and hats. There is just over a week left until the October 29 deadline for their campaign to warm the youth of Afghanistan! A week is just enough time to whip up a hat, scarf, or mittens (for ages 7-14) and send them to the afghans for Afghans’ San Francisco collection center. The packages must arrive at the collection center no later than October 29 so that the donated items get to Afghanistan in time for winter. Challenge yourself to finish a garment for Afghan youth!
Click here for more information about the afghans for Afghans Youth Campaign. For general guidelines and the mailing address please click here.
