Lion Brand Notebook
News, Ideas and Information for Crafting with Yarn
Lion Brand Notebook
News, Ideas and Information for Crafting with Yarn
Super Bowl XLVII is this coming Sunday, have you gotten your craft supplies ready? A great way to support your favorite team is by sporting accessories or clothing with the team’s colors; it’s even better when the item is handmade.
There are 3 days left to make an item to show your team pride on Sunday, but you still have some time! All you need is a super bulky yarn like Hometown USA, or, a small project with a worsted weight yarn like Vanna’s Choice. Besides, if you don’t get to finish it in time, you can always use it for the next football season (or wear the item on Monday!). You can knit or crochet something as easy as a cozy for your canned beverages, or a simple hat or scarf to show your team spirit.
I thought it would be fun to share a few easy patterns that could be completed in time for the game, and colors in Hometown USA and Vanna’s Choice that match the San Francisco 49ers and Baltimore Ravens colors – check them out below!
4 easy knit & crochet patterns to show your pride:
 Crochet School Colors Hat and Scarf Set Hometown USA |
 Knit Hat and Scarf Set Hometown USA |
 Knit Geaux Tigers Hat Vanna’s Choice |
 Crochet Can Cozy Vanna’s Choice |
Posted in Community, Crocheting, Knitting, Yarns | 3 Comments » Comments
Today I want to share a great DIY craft with you by Randi from the blog Dukes and Duchesses; a bright, sparkly white wreath inspired by the beauty that comes with snow and winter.
Randi combined textured yarns such as Luxe Fur, Vanna’s Glamour and Martha Stewart Crafts Glitter Eyelash, and added a few snowflake accessories to make this sohphisticated DIY wreath.
Click here for more pictures and instructions to make the wreath!
We’ve seen a lot of different creative wreaths lately, made in various styles; have you been inspired to make a yarn wreath? Share with us in the comments!
Posted in Community, Yarns | 8 Comments » Comments
Homespun is definitely a favorite yarn amongst many Lion Brand fans, and it especially seems to be a “go-to” yarn for those looking to making an afghan. Most of you have expressed your enjoyment of working with Homespun because it’s soft, has a beautiful color range, and unique texture – not to mention, it works up super quick.
It’s always so great to see what our yarns inspire other people to knit/crochet, whether it be an original pattern, or from a pattern on our site. Thank you for uploading pictures to our customer gallery, and please continue to do so! Here’s a roundup of some great projects made by fans like you, with Homespun.
 Afghan in the Round Pattern: Woodland Circle Afghan By: Delilah Sanchez |
 Vintage Ripple Afghan Pattern: Vintage Ripple Throw By: Carolyn Boulet |
 In Fine Style! (original pattern) By: Robert Toth |
Posted in Community, Crocheting, Knitting | 4 Comments » Comments
I love seeing all of the fun and unique ways people craft to celebrate the holidays, or elements of winter. It’s always refreshing to see what other people are inspired to create with yarn. For instance, these tiny Elfin baby booties pictured on the left from DIY Maven are perfect for a baby’s first Christmas, and the little bells at the folds add the perfect finishing touch.
I also love how Sarah from Repeat Crafter Me went with the idea of using a basic crochet hat construction, then added felted pieces to turn her hat into an adorable reindeer. Check out the projects below to see all of the cuteness for yourself!
 Crochet Rudolph the Reindeer Hat Pattern Repeat Crafter Me |
 Crochet Pine Cone Collection (Paid Pattern) Planet June |
 5 and 6 point Knit Star Ornaments Just Crafty Enough |
 Holly Gift Topper One Sheepish Girl |
What do you like to knit or crochet for the holidays? Share your project ideas with us below!
Related Links:
Posted in Community, Crocheting, Knitting | 4 Comments » Comments
From our family to yours, here’s wishing you a happy and healthy Thanksgiving! We love all of the wonderful friendships we’ve made over the years. Thank you for being a part of our family!
Pictured above: Crochet Tom Turkey
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Rohn Strong is a crochet and knitwear designer who has published numerous independent patterns including a paperback book entitled, Heritage Collection: WWI & WWII: Two Wars. Two Needles. One Extraordinary Response to War, where he combined knitting, history and personal stories to convey the lifestyles and realities of those who were living during that era.
Rohn has just released a new pattern e-book entitled, Southern Crochet Winter 2012, where he combined both his love for crochet and the south. His crochet designs are modern and fashionable, yet timeless; pieces you’ll be sure to wear year after year. Rohn’s latest patterns are now available on Ravelry; I personally love the Emily’s Sweater pattern crocheted in Fishermen’s Wool. Find out more about Rohn and his inspirations below!
Rohn: I have been knitting for just over 7 years now. I learned when I was running after school programs for at-risk youth. We wanted to teach them knitting and crochet to give them something to do one day a week.
As for crochet I have been doing that for about 18 years. I began when my Mother decided to begin making an afghan for my father (who mind you, was 6’5″ and weighed over 400 pounds!). She quickly gave up and I taught myself what I was doing. I put it down here and there over the years and within the last three to four years I have been perfecting my craft!
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Posted in Community, Crocheting, Fashion & Style, Fiber Arts/Artists | Leave a comment » Comments
In September, we showed you the Wrapped Headband in Candy Colors by Cathy, from the blog Trinkets in Bloom – who created a bright, sparkly headband wrapped in the Party and Celebrate assortments from our newly released yarn, Bonbons; today, I’m going to share with you a few more Bonbons projects made by some crafty bloggers.
Bonbons are a great collection of mini skein yarns that allows you to mix and match with color while you craft, knit or crochet. The projects featured from these bloggers highlight various different ways Bonbons can be used, and with 8 different colors of yarn in one package – there are so many different opportunities for experimentation. Take a look for yourself!
(When you click on the image or project name, it will take you to the blogger’s page for instructions)
 Bohemian Twist NecklaceThis Mama Makes Stuff |
 Crochet Chain necklaceThanks I Made It |
 Nail String Art Creme De La Craft |
Posted in Community, Crafting, Crocheting, Fashion & Style | 5 Comments » Comments
Our offices have reopened today following Hurricane Sandy. We’re just now getting back in the swing of things, so there will be some delay in shipping and responding to your emails and calls. Since our power was out for a week, please allow us time to catch up. We consider ourselves very lucky to be back at work, but our staff is still coping with the latent damage from Sandy.
Most of our staff has made it back to the office, but over in my home neighborhood of Greenpoint, Brooklyn, transportation is at a stand-still. The subway tunnels are still flooded, buses are beyond capacity, and the East River Ferry stop is out of commission. Grocery stores are completely depleted of bread and perishables. Here’s a look at the bread aisle of my store last night:
Even so, I am very grateful that things are looking up. After all, my power and internet have been restored, so I’m able to get some work done from home. I can’t help but smile when I think of the amazing amount of support and love we’ve received through social media. There are still so many without basic necessities like food and shelter, so I encourage you to look into the many ways you can donate. The American Red Cross is a great place to start, and Bev’s Country Cottage has this great round-up of places to donate knit/crochet items. It’s truly inspiring how our community has really come together in this time of need, so from all of us at Lion Brand, thank you!
Posted in Community | 11 Comments » Comments
Over the last few days, we’ve heard from many of our wonderful customers on social media checking in to see how our staff is doing, so I just wanted to log on from my home in Brooklyn to personally thank you all for thinking of us.
Because of Hurricane Sandy, Lion Brand offices in both New York and New Jersey are currently without power and closed. In addition, many of our staff’s homes are currently without power.
For those of you waiting for orders from LionBrand.com, we ask for your patience during this period. From what I understand from news reports, the towns where our NJ offices and warehouses were particularly hard-hit by storm flooding.
In NYC, Patty, the director of the Lion Brand Yarn Studio, tells me that if we get power returned (as we’ve heard should happen) on Saturday, our NYC store & education will open for business on Sunday. Please check the Studio’s website and/or call on Sunday to see if we’re open. We will also be in touch if you booked any classes at the Studio for this past week and/or Sunday to help you with rescheduling/rebooking.
As a New Jersey/New York-based company, this storm has affected us quite personally. For me, growing up in New Jersey and visiting the Jersey Shore have contributed many happy memories to my childhood, and living in NYC for my entire adult life, I have many friends living in affected areas. This weekend, I’m planning on volunteering here in NYC, and I hope that if you can, you’ll consider donating food, supplies, time, and/or money to help those who’ve been affected by the storm.
Thanks again for all of your good thoughts, and we’ll keep you posted as things progress.
Posted in Community | 5 Comments » Comments
Click the image to view the pattern for the Crochet Halloween Ghost Ornament.
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