Lion Brand Notebook
News, Ideas and Information for Crafting with Yarn
Lion Brand Notebook
News, Ideas and Information for Crafting with Yarn
Hello everyone! If you’ve been following along with these blog posts in real time, then today is the day that we start our Glittery Shrug! For those of you who are just now joining us, it’s not too late to work up a gauge swatch and jump in! You can also look back at these posts later and follow along at your own pace.
When you read through the pattern before you start the garment, you’ll notice that the shrug is made in two pieces, a top half and a bottom half. Since the whole base of the garment is just two pieces, it’s easy to customize. The finished bust measurement is a bit flexible since this isn’t a traditional cardigan. Also, some people will want to wear the shrug closed across the bust, and some will want to wear it open, in which case it can afford to be a little smaller. The first set of numbers in the measurement section is the Finished Circumference for the front opening. This measurement is the edge that comes around your neck, down the front, around your back and back up again. This finished circumference is made up the top (collar) edge on the upper half, and the bottom edge of the lower half.
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Posted in Crochet-Along, Crocheting, Tips & How To | 55 Comments » Comments
The Philadelphia Museum of Art opened its Craft Spoken Here exhibit in early May, and it’s the first time the museum has hosted an exhibit focused on the art of “crafting”. The exhibit features art pieces by 39 craft artists from 11 countries who work with a diverse selection of media such as ceramic, rubber, glass, wood, silk, natural fibers and more. What’s even more innovating is the museum’s idea to yarn bomb the facade of their Perelman building.
Elisabeth Agro, the curator of Craft Spoken Here, commissioned Jessie Hemmons, an artist known as the “Philadelphia Yarn Bomber” to yarn bomb the building’s facade. Elisabeth felt that “yarn bombing the front entrance of the Perelman building would be a great extension of the exhibition” and that yarn bombing would truly enhance the craft experience of this exhibit. Elisabeth shared that part of her decision to include yarn bombing was because – “it truly is an extension of my personality as a curator. I want to engage my audience, get them to be excited about the subject matter as I am.” It’s hard not to get excited about what crafted goodness lies beyond the exhibit entrance yarn bombed in bright shades of Lion Brand’s Vanna’s Choice and Hometown USA yarns.
In celebration of this historic yarn bombing installation, I reached out to Jessie Hemmons to learn more about her passion for creating fiber street art, and why she specifically chose to work with Lion Brand yarns for this piece.
Posted in Community, Fiber Arts/Artists | 9 Comments » Comments
With spring in full bloom all around us, it’s hard to ignore all the beautiful colors!
These flowers were all in bloom near our New York City offices, and have the same lovely tones as the cotton and cotton blend yarns that are perfect for light, warm-weather crafting. Beside each flower and the matching yarn, I’ve added one of the most popular patterns we have in that yarn and a link to explore even more patterns in the chosen fiber.
What’s your favorite flower, or favorite color to craft with in spring and summer? Leave a comment to share your thoughts!
Related Links:
Posted in Pattern Recommendations, Yarns | 5 Comments » Comments
Hello fellow yarn crafters! My name is Vanessa, and I will be your host for this Crochet-Along. I am one of the store associates at the Lion Brand Yarn Studio, Lion Brand’s store and education center in NYC. I have a degree in fashion design, and I have been knitting for fifteen years and crocheting for seven years. The project that we’ll be working on for the next several weeks is the Glittery Shrug pattern done in Vanna’s Glamour yarn. Don’t worry if you haven’t done a gauge swatch yet. Even if you have not yet selected your yarn, this post will help guide you in the right direction, as well as provide you with helpful tips.
Posted in Community, Crochet-Along, Crocheting, Tips & How To | 73 Comments » Comments
Tired of weaving in ends whenever you reach a new skein in your crochet project? Avoiding crochet colorwork project because there are too many ends? Try crocheting over your ends! This easy technique allows you to keep on crocheting so that the end you have to weave in is the very last one. Here’s how to do it.
You’ll have two pieces of yarn: the working yarn and the tail you’re weaving in (top image). Place the tail over the top of your next stitch (second image). Then, complete your stitch as normal (third image). This securely hides your tail in the middle of the stitch (bottom image). Continue in this manner until the entire tail has been used, then snip any excess yarn that may be sticking out. That’s all there is to it! This technique is helpful for both stripes and solids, so get crocheting!
Related links:
Posted in Crocheting, Did You Know . . . ?, Tips & How To, Tutorials | 14 Comments » Comments
Since we’re celebrating May Flowers Month, today, I’ve gathered 6 adorable accessory patterns that are fast to crochet. They’re just right for making multiples and sharing!
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Crochet Baby Hat with FlowerJust adorable, this little hat features a gently scalloped edge and is finished off with a little flower. It’s a perfect pattern for those charity projects–check out our Charity Connection if you’re looking for an organization in your area to donate to. |
Posted in Crocheting, Pattern Recommendations | 1 Comment » Comments
One of the things I liked best about being out on the road with sales was meeting yarncrafters face to face. Now that I spend more time working with the Lion Brand Yarn Outlet here in New Jersey, it’s still a treat for me to talk to knitters and crocheters in person, and to see their faces light up when they see all our colorful yarns and supplies.
Last week several ladies from the Cedar Crest Retirement Community in Pompton Plains came out in dreary Monday morning rain to pay a visit to the Outlet. The ladies came in, shook off the weather and strolled through the rows and rows of vibrant yarns stocked on the shelves.
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Posted in Charity, Community | 4 Comments » Comments
Each season we host a crochet- or knit-along, a virtual event in which yarncrafters come together here online to work on one pattern together, share their experiences, and to learn together. There’s no need to sign up! Simply follow along with the blog posts at your own pace as you crochet your project, and feel free to share your comments and/or photos as you progress.
Thousands of you voted, and this season, we’ll be making the Glittery Shrug in Vanna’s Glamour. This crochet-along will be hosted by Vanessa, one of our fantastic associates at the Lion Brand Yarn Studio (our retail store & education center in New York City).
Posted in Community, Crochet-Along, Crocheting, Events, Fashion & Style | 151 Comments » Comments
As mentioned in Zontee’s post earlier this month, we will be featuring flower patterns for the month of May, and this week, I’m sharing some patterns for flowers you will most likely find in your own garden and at the floral shop.
Knit and crochet flowers are so fun because you can take the traditional form of the flower and mix and match an assortment of colors to create a one-of-a-kind design. Think about all of the different color combinations you could use to create your own special Chrysanthemum (pictured below); use a variegated or self-striping yarn like Amazing, or Sock-Ease, and watch the petals change colors.
Posted in Crocheting, Knitting, Pattern Recommendations | 1 Comment » Comments
Father’s Day is just a month away, which means you still have time to pick out and make the perfect gift! With these tips and pattern ideas to choose from, you’ll be way ahead of the game when it comes to Father’s Day gift-giving.
Tip #1: Take a look at what he already wears.
Chances are that the man you’ll be crafting for already has an idea of the sort of knit and crochet projects he likes to wear or use. Taking a peek at his closet can also tell you what colors he prefers, what fibers he likes to wear, and what style garments he likes. You might even learn that he’s a fan of zany-colored socks!
Posted in Pattern Recommendations | 1 Comment » Comments
