Lion Brand Notebook

News, Ideas and Information for Crafting with Yarn

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How Can We Help You Build Your Knit Or Crochet Skills?

October 5th, 2010 by Ilana

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Is there one question you keep wondering about when you pick up your knitting needles or crochet hook that would help you improve your skills? Is there a technique or skill you have always wanted to learn?  Click here to vote in our survey, and we will take the most widely requested lessons and bring them to you.  We’ll create a step by step lesson with video or whatever is appropriate for teaching what you want to learn.  If there are any skills you’d like to see that weren’t on the survey, please feel free to add them in the comments below.

We look forward to hearing from you!

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This entry was posted on Tuesday, October 5th, 2010 at 8:00 am and is filed under Community, Crafting, Crocheting, Knitting, Tips & How To . You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
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  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Sandra-Miller/1232628075 <fb:name linked="false" useyou="false" uid="1232628075">Sandra Miller</fb:name>

    I always have had problems reading directions. I found a pattern that had the written instructions, with a well designed graph. It should helped a lot. And any other help reading patterns. How-to change colors, not quitting one color and starting another, but like a plaid pattern, you want to go from one color and then back and forth between the colors. Also any help with tunisian crochet. Especially changing colors. Again the going back and forth between colors without cutting the yarn. Plaid or argyle effect.

  • EL

    How to shape sleeves

  • sue04kids

    I would like to see crochet cables. I have seen patterns for it but never tried it!

  • msdb

    I would love to see videos on knitting fair isle, short rows, using double pointed needles and picking up stitches. Thanks for asking us! :)

  • Vicky

    I would like to know how to knit European style. Maybe you have a video about it already. Is it worth relearning how to knit? I know there are some benefits to each method.

  • Linda

    Can someone help me understand how to use up my closet full of yarn in a meaningful way? I used to do craft shows before people stopped buying and now still want to knit and crochet but need direction. Can anyone help me?

    Zontee says: Hi Linda, on our radio-style podcast, YarnCraft, we often talk about charity projects, using up your yarn with quick gift projects to stock up for the holidays, and donating yarn you’re never going to use to worthy causes. There are also plenty of knitters & crocheters who simply make their own wardrobe! Click any of the highlighted text in my comment to get more info.

  • Joan

    I would like to see different stitches in Tunisian crochet and a tutorial on tapestry crochet.

  • Ilana

    Thanks for your comments everyone. We will add these to the list on the survey. If you would like to enter your request for new skills into our survey, click on the link in the blog post to enter it. Looking forward to providing you with new how-tos

  • Molly

    I would really like to see some joining tutorials for crocheted or knitted afghans. I participate in block swaps and some of the ladies do fabulous joins and borders. Things beyond single crochet or slip stitching them together.

  • Gilder

    My frustration: Acheiving and maintaining gauge in garment crochet. My 4-inch swatches might be perfect, but my garment pieces don’t match schematic measurements, no matter the hook size or foundation-row method.

    I’m 53 and would like to complete at least ONE sweater for myself before I die. HELP!

    Zontee says: Hi Gilder, I would suggest that you follow along with one of our crochet-alongs, in which we guide you through the entire process of a project, so that you get the help and support of dozens of other crocheters working along side of you (at least virtually). Our current one is still in its early stages if you want to join in. Click here to see the past blog posts about it.

  • MadHatter

    I would like to see a video on “foundation crochet”. Instead of a beginning chain, the foundation is made as part of the first row of stitces.

    Also, a video on slip-stitch crochet would be nice.

    Thanks!

  • Sally

    I would like to learn about wool felting

    Zontee says: Hi Sally, click here to see the video from our YouTube channel on felting.

  • Patti

    I would love to see some video`s on loom knitting. I would love to do more than hats on my looms. I have the round and long looms.
    Ty
    Patti

  • Debbie

    I would love to see a video on cable stitching (knitted). I have the needles just can’t find good instructions to get started.

  • Ann

    Would like to see an Entrelac video……

  • Ellen

    I would like to see videos on learning to knit for left handers.

  • Ruth Ann

    I would to see a video on picking up stitches, especially around the neck of a sweater. I am sometimes left with a “hole” – how do we get around that?

    Zontee says: Hi Ruth Ann, check out this blog post from here on the Lion Brand Notebook for tips on picking up stitches.

  • Susan McCorquodale

    Joining, grafting, seaming, and otherwise putting pieces of garments together (sigh) OR EVEN BETTER: how to adjust a pattern successfully to knit from the top down( or bottom up) WITHOUT SEAMS, I’ve been doing that, but sometimes the fit is quirky. Also I’ve always admired TATTING but can’t find anyone who knows how much less a class…YOUR VIDEOS ARE WONDERFUL…BUT I’M A SENIOR AND IT’S REALLY HARD FOR ME TO SEE THE YELLOW AGAINST ORANGE BACKGROUND, AND WHITE ON ORANGE ISN’T MUCH BETTER.

  • http://oklahomapeachfuzz.blogspot.com Linda R

    I am a crocheter and haven’t yet learned to knit, but I enjoyed the voice and pace of the instructor for knitting socks!
    Like some of the above readers, I would like to learn how to establish and maintain gauge on crochet projects, joining granny squares, and cable stitch for crochet.

  • Cheryl

    Dear Linda;

    With all your yarns have you ever tried “Free Form”
    knitting?

    You create your own style of pattern with either a color theme or shades of yarn in all different textures and yarn weights . It’s fun …
    Great for scarves, purses,or whatever you like.

    A Great way to use your stash!!!

    Regards
    Cheryl Jaeger

  • Chandrima

    I know how to read a flat chart, but the moment I see more than one chart for knitting, I become confused, specially where the stitches are decreased and increased, as in a shawl chart. I would like to learn the technique of reading a shawl chart.

  • Lois Pitler

    I would like to knowhow to do the Old Norwegian cast on for socks. Can you make a how to video for this?
    Lois Pitler

  • Gail

    More cast on & cast off techniques please. My Mom did a seam with 2 edges cast off together.

    Zontee says: Hi Gail, check out our YouTube channel for several cast-on techniques. The cast-off technique you’re referring to is the 3-needle bind off. Click here for our FAQ on it from LionBrand.com.

  • Lex Borthwick

    I live in Australia, which is of course generally hotter than your part of the world. But I love many of the northern knitting patterns designed for your cold winters. Most of the patterns I like are in what we call 12 ply and 14 ply, the lightest being 10 ply. I would like to knit them in 8 ply and need advice on how best to amend the patterns accordingly.

    Zontee say: Hi Lex, check out this blog post that I wrote here on the Lion Brand Notebook, which has some concepts for adjusting a pattern to a different yarn weight. The idea here will apply to using a thinner yarn, just as it would a thicker yarn.

  • JULIE

    I have knitted four sweaters and would like to get help in sewing the seams. I find the raglan
    sleeve is easier to sew into the garment, but
    have a problem with the fitted sleeve. Is there a tutorial on this subject?

    Zontee says: Hi Julie, please see this FAQ on sewing/finishing from LionBrand.com.

  • Bargain Betty

    Although I’ve knit off and on in the past, I’ve been knitting seriously for two years. I love the relaxation that knitting brings, but I often wish I were a bit faster. Techniques on how to increase your speed would be great.

  • Llewelyn Tucker

    Since you have so many yarns and my local suppliers have only 3 or 4 types at any one time I’d like to see several yarns named and compared up close and personal side-by-side in a photo or video. The photo with other commonly used words like ’4 ply’ and weight references like ‘fingering’, ‘lace’, or ‘worsted’ would be so interesting and a useful aid in choosing appropriate yarns for each project. Also, ‘ditto’ on all of #18 comments. Thanks so much for asking! I took the quiz too.

  • Blair

    I have real problems obtaining gauge in knitting. Like Gilder I’ve almost given up hope of ever making anything that fits a body. I started working on the TKGA Master’s program and know that’s there’s something wrong with my knitting due to the way the stitches on the back look but don’t know what to do about it. Toe up socks would be good too since I may not have enough yarn to make two full height socks it allows me to make shorter ones. Thanks.

    Zontee says: Hi Blair, check out this blog post from the Lion Brand Notebook on getting gauge. Hope that helps.

  • Nancy

    I would like to learn how to make crochet garments that fit properly — how to measure myself and adjust the pattern to fit.

    Zontee says: Hi Nancy, don’t forget to check out this article on LionBrand.com about how to choose the right size garment to make.

  • Susie

    Ditto on the guage vids.. would like to see more begginer vids.. us begginers.. it takes a while to wrap our head around the different concepts Thank u

  • Susie

    Also would like to see the vids Closed Caption for the Hearing Impaired im deaf can see the vids but it would also be nice to know what there saying along with the vids

  • Cheri Astrahan

    When you describe a yarn, it is very important to me that the full contents of the yarn be disclosed. I am violently allergic to wool, so are my kids, so any yarn work I do must be with either silk, cotton, or synthetics. Bamboo seems to be okay. I would love to be able to work with wool, but alas, it is not possible. I wish you had a range of products as nice in synthetics or cotton or silk as you do in wool. It would be nice for your patterns if you had a nonwool alternative yarn for those of us with allergies. FYI.

    Zontee says: Hi Cheri, both on the label and at LionBrand.com under “Our Yarns,” we do list the full fiber contents of all of our yarns. We in fact have dozens of non-wool options, such as: Baby’s First, Babysoft, Cotton-Ease, Cupcake, Festive Fur, Fun, Fun Fetti, Fun Fur, Glitterspun, Holiday Homespun, Homespun, Hometown USA, Incredible, Jiffy, Jiffy Thick & Quick, Lamé, LB Collection Baby Alpaca, LB Collection Cashmere, LB Collection Cotton Bamboo, LB Collection Silk Mohair, Lion Bouclé, Lion Cotton, Lion Organic Cotton, Microspun, Nature’s Choice Organic Cotton, Pound of Love, Quick & Cozy, Recycled Cotton, Ruffles, Tiffany, Tweed Stripes, Vanna’s Choice, Vanna’s Choice Baby, Vanna’s Glamour, and Velvetspun. Hope that helps!

  • Ilana

    Thanks for your ongoing comments. We will consider all of your ideas and try to start with the most commonly requested videos from these comments and our survey in this blog. Great ideas and thanks for taking the time to tell us what you are looking for.

  • Patricia Ellistone

    I can crochet and machine knit but hand knitting eludes me. I know that stocking stitch is alternate rows of knit and purl, but how do I tell what the next row should be by looking at it?

    Zontee says: Hi Patricia, see this FAQ from our website that shows you how you can tell.

  • SharonM

    I’d like to see a video on how to crochet an adjustable magic circle. Thanks!!

  • Verna Crofoot

    I have been sent your brand of yarn by my daughter and love the colors in it, but am very dissatisfied with the yarn itself – it is shredded, and knotted and i have lost a lot of the very small balls and do not appreciate this product. Verna Crofoot

    Zontee says: Hi Verna, we’re sorry to hear that you were dissatisfied with one of our products. Please contact our Customer Service team at support@lionbrand.com with the specifics of which product and a description of the issues, so that we have a record of the issues for our production facilities. We may also ask you to send in the yarn so that we can see exactly what the problems were. Customer Service will also be happy to replace the yarn for you.

  • Lesley Fahey

    Sorry, this is not strictly on the subject, but I am looking for some advice. I am making a jacket composed of crocheted squares. Most of the yarn is acrylic or acrylic and nylon, but I am making some squares of wool, because I couldn’t find the right colour in acrylic yarn. Is there anything can I do, preferably before joining the squares, to prevent moths and other insects from eating the wool?

  • Joyce Stapleton

    MOEBIUS SCARF PATTERN -I would like simple detailed pictures on casting on and first row of the moebius scarf. I know there is a wonderful video but I can’t watch it and complete the steps. I hear Cat has a book but it is out of print and not available. does anyone know where I can find this???

  • Pingback: How Can We Help You Build Your Knit Or Crochet Skills? | Lion … | Knitting Instructions

  • http://www.fayescrochet.etsy.com Valencia

    I completed the survey and look forward to videos.
    I’m looking forward to more knitting videos as I try to learn how to knit. Is there a fair isle crochet technique?

  • Sally

    I would like to learn how to purl through the back loop.

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