Scarf Inspiration: Gina’s Shells
November 20th, 2009
Today, we bring you another beautiful crochet scarf! Pattern below.
Over the last two weeks, we’ve shared with you some of the scarves we’ve been making for our Hat & Scarf Charity Drive at the Lion Brand Yarn Studio. Whether you’re making them as gifts or for charity, come back from now until Thanksgiving for inspiration & patterns for easy scarves from the Studio’s staff.
Gina’s Shell Scarf (shown in Vanna’s Choice Charcoal)
Ch 21.
Row 1: 2 dc in the same ch, (sk 2 ch, 1 sc, sk 2 ch, 5 dc in next stitch) twice, sk 2 ch, sc, sk 2 ch, 3 dc in last stitch, ch 1 turn.
Row 2: sk 2 (5 dc in next st, sk 2, sc, sk 2) twice, 5 dc in next st, sk 2, sc, ch3, turn.
Repeat rows 1 & 2 to end.
Bind off and weave in ends.
*As with all of our scarf patterns shown, we only used one ball for our scarves, but you can use two and make them as long or short as you wish. Vanna’s Choice’s recommended hook size is J-10; its recommended needle size is US9.
Only 3 days of scarf ideas left, so keep coming back!
Take 2 Minutes for Yarn
November 19th, 2009
Back in August, I had the opportunity to make some two-minute inspirational videos all about knitting, crocheting, and crafting with yarns. They’re perfect for getting just a little dose of yarn in your day with a couple of patterns and ideas thrown in.
It was a fun experience, and now, I’m happy to announce that these videos are up on the Lion Brand YouTube channel for you to check out.
Here are just two of the videos:
And if you enjoyed them (or you want to use them as bait to convince your friends that they too should be knitting and crocheting), click here to see them all.
And don’t forget to check out more videos including tutorials, the basics, and more inspiration at the Lion Brand YouTube channel.
Discover Granite Stitch
November 19th, 2009
Add a lot of texture with today’s scarf, courtesy of Claire!
Over the last two weeks, we’ve shared with you some of the scarves we’ve been making for our Hat & Scarf Charity Drive at the Lion Brand Yarn Studio. Today, we continue with our 8 days of scarves. Whether you’re making them as gifts or for charity, come back from now until Thanksgiving for inspiration & patterns for easy scarves from the Studio’s staff.
Claire’s Granite Relief Stitch Scarf (shown in Vanna’s Choice Navy)
CO 24
The first 4 stitches & the last 4 stitches of every row are knit
Keeping your garter stitch edge, the following is the pattern stitch in the middle:
Row 1: Knit.
Row 2: K2tog across row, repeat from * to last 3 stitches
Row 3: Kfb of each stitch.
Row 4: Purl.
Repeat these 4 rows for full length of the scarf.
Bind off and weave in ends.
*As with all of our scarf patterns shown, we only used one ball for our scarves, but you can use two and make them as long or short as you wish. Vanna’s Choice’s recommended hook size is J-10; its recommended needle size is US9.
Visiting the Soundview Knitting Guild
November 18th, 2009
Recently, I had the pleasure of speaking to the lovely ladies of the Soundview Knitting Guild in Trumbull, Connecticut. It was a very special evening for both the guild and myself as I got to present the LB Collection among other new yarns. These women exude so much enthusiasm and passion for their craft that I knew they would be the perfect group to show the LB Collection to. Since these yarns are only sold through our Studio, catalog, and website, not many people have an opportunity to touch and see these exquisite yarns firsthand. It was so wonderful to see them experience these yarns for the first time.
I also had the opportunity to speak to the group about our amazing Lion Brand Yarn Studio, and I was pleasantly surprise to find that three women had already traveled to New York City to visit the store. By the end of our meeting the ladies were discussing getting a bus and taking a group trip to check out the Studio.
The cherry on top of the cake for me was having four Blumenthals from different generations — Ruth, Irene, Rhoda, and Mark (not shown) — come to see my presentation and say hello. It is always fun to see relatives that you haven’t seen in ages. Here at Lion Brand, family is of the utmost importance so having them there made the evening that much more special.
Have a group of 50 or more in the tri-state area? E-mail jack@lionbrand.com to arrange for Jack to come speak to your guild or yarncrafting group!
Related links:
- Lion Brand Visits the Danbury Crochet Club
- Lion Brand on Long Island
- One of the Greatest Parts of My Job
- Lion Brand Visits the Westchester Knitting Guild
Drop a Stitch On Purpose!
November 18th, 2009
Live on the edge with today’s scarf! Drop stitches on purpose for a unique look!
Over the last two weeks, we’ve shared with you some of the scarves we’ve been making for our Hat & Scarf Charity Drive at the Lion Brand Yarn Studio. Whether you’re making them as gifts or for charity, come back from now until Thanksgiving for inspiration & patterns for easy scarves from the Studio’s staff.
Andrea’s Drop Stitch Scarf (show in Scarlett)
CO 24.
Row 1 - 7: Knit.
Row 8: *K1, YO* repeat from * to last stitch, end with K1.
Row 9: Purl across row, slipping each YO
Row 10: *K1, drop YOs* repeat from * to last stitch, end with K1.
Repeat rows 1 - 10 for body of scarf.
Knit 7 rows.
Bind off and weave in ends.
*As with all of our scarf patterns shown, we only used one ball for our scarves, but you can use two and make them as long or short as you wish. Vanna’s Choice’s recommended hook size is J-10; its recommended needle size is US9.
Milk + Knitting = Comfort
November 17th, 2009
I love advertisements that feature knitting or crocheting, and this Canadian milk campaign is so fun and innovative! The website features a milk-drinking woman who has covered her house in all things knitted, from her phone to her cat. Take time away from knitting to try their virtual knitting game! Quebec residents can even enter for a chance to win computers and video game consoles.
Add Cables for Texture
November 17th, 2009
On our journey through Scarf Land, we bring you to the classic cabled scarf…get the pattern below. 6 more days of scarf patterns left!
Over the last two weeks, we’ve shared with you some of the scarves we’ve been making for our Hat & Scarf Charity Drive at the Lion Brand Yarn Studio. Whether you’re making them as gifts or for charity, come back from now until Thanksgiving for inspiration & patterns for easy scarves from the Studio’s staff.
Gillian’s Cable Scarf (in Vanna’s Choice Taupe)
Cable stitch definition: CR4: slip two stitches to cable needle and hold in back, K2 , K2 from cable needle
CO 30.
Rows 1 - 8: Knit.
Row 9: K5, P4, K4, P4, K4, P4, K5.
Row 10: K9, P4, K4, P4, K9.
Row 11 & 13: Repeat row 9.
Row 12 & 14: Repeat row 10.
Row 15: K5, P4, CR4, P4, CR4, P4, K5.
Row 16: K9, P4, K4, P4, P9.
Repeat rows 1 - 16.
End with 8 rows of Garter stitch (knit every row).
Bind off and weave in ends.
*As with all of our scarf patterns shown, we only used one ball for our scarves, but you can use two and make them as long or short as you wish. Vanna’s Choice’s recommended hook size is J-10; its recommended needle size is US9.
Swatching: It’s Not Just for Gauge Anymore
November 16th, 2009
It doesn’t take long for a new knitter or crocheter to learn about the importance of making a gauge swatch: one badly off-size project usually convinces even the most gung-ho non-swatcher. Learning to make and measure a gauge swatch properly is one of the most important steps on the road to a great finished project. I’ve noticed that most of the knitters and crocheters I know (including myself, I’m sorry to say) tend to skimp on the swatching, doing only enough to make sure they’re getting approximate gauge and then plunging headlong into the project at hand.
By doing this, we’re only short-changing ourselves. Not only can getting the proper gauge solve a number of problems, a gauge swatch can tell you much more than just whether you’re getting the requisite number of stitches and rows per inch. Your gauge swatch is the most important place to start learning what your final project will look and feel like. This is particularly important if you’ve chosen to use a different yarn or even color than the one called for in the pattern.
You might find, for instance, that even though you are getting the correct number of stitches and rows per inch, the fabric you are creating is too stiff or too drapey for the project you’re making. Or you might find that the stitch pattern you love just doesn’t show up when worked in the navy yarn you’ve chosen to work with. Better to find out now than after you’ve crocheted half an afghan! Next time you find yourself tempted to skimp or skip the swatch, remind yourself that even though it might seem like a drag now, you’ll be much happier in the end if you do a full, proper swatch.
Related links:
A Scarf a Day: Gina’s Crochet Basketweave Scarf
November 16th, 2009
Over the last two weeks, we’ve shared with you some of the scarves we’ve been making for our Hat & Scarf Charity Drive at the Lion Brand Yarn Studio. Today, we’re kicking off 8 days of scarves. Whether you’re making them as gifts or for charity, come back from now until Thanksgiving for inspiration & patterns for easy scarves from the Studio’s staff.
Gina’s Crochet Basketweave (shown in Vanna’s Choice Linen)
Ch 21
Row 1: dc 19, turn
Row 2: ch 2 *dc through front post, dc through back post, repeat from * to end of row, turn
Row 3: ch 2 *dc through back post, dc through front post, repeat from * to end of row
Repeat rows 2 - 3 to end.
Bind off and weave in ends.
*As with all of our scarf patterns shown, we only used one ball for our scarves, but you can use two and make them as long or short as you wish. Vanna’s Choice’s recommended hook size is J-10; its recommended needle size is US9.
A Different Way Of Thinking About Gift Giving
November 12th, 2009
If you are reading this blog, you probably knit or crochet. Do you remember when you learned? Do you remember who taught you? It’s often a memory so indelible that you can picture details about that day from the way the room looked to what you were wearing. Many of us learned as children, in awe of this person who could teach us to create something from a simple ball of yarn. We may have put down our craft as we became busy with children or work and picked it up again as we awaited the birth of a child, found a new way to relieve stress or discovered a yarn that could not be resisted.
This lovely story tells of a woman whose most cherished gift was given to her by an aunt when she was seven years old. She remembers the day, the snack of tea and cookies that came with the gift and the color of the yarn.
This holiday season, consider giving this precious, lifelong gift to a child. It’s a gift of your knowledge and your presence together with a few inexpensive supplies. It’s a gift that connects you to the person you teach in a way that very few gifts can. It’s a gift for the holidays that reminds us of what is really important.
We invite you to share your stories of the person who taught you to knit by commenting on this blog post.
