Lion Brand Notebook
News, Ideas and Information for Crafting with Yarn
Lion Brand Notebook
News, Ideas and Information for Crafting with Yarn
We are excited to announce our partnership with Maggie Weldon of Maggie’s Crochet! Maggie is a crochet expert who will be creating a series of tutorial videos for our customers!
How many times have you carefully counted your chain stitches when starting a crochet project to find that you’ve come up short or have extra? With the Chain-Less Foundation Row, also known as a Foundation Single Crochet, you’ll never have to count chain stitches again! Watch the video below to learn this easy technique:
If you’re reading this blog post in your email or an RSS reader, please click on the title to view the full blog post and video on our website.
Posted in Crocheting, Tips & How To, Tutorials | 15 Comments » Comments
Last week I put up my Christmas tree, a tiny two-feet tall plastic tree that was the perfect size for a cozy apartment in New York City. Since I started working at Lion Brand a few months ago, I’ve been thinking about adding some handmade ornaments to reflect my love of yarn and crochet.
When one of our readers had mentioned she had used baby booties as ornaments, it gave me the inspiration to crochet amigurumi! They would be small enough to fit on my tree and could also fit in a shoe box once the holiday season was over. Cute and functional!
Here are some ideas for decorating your tree:
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| Amigurumi Graduation Bookworm in Wool-Ease® |
Happy Reindeer in Vanna’s Choice® and Vanna’s Glamour® |
Amigurumi Lady Bug in Wool-Ease® |
Posted in Crocheting, Pattern Recommendations | 4 Comments » Comments
My daughter loves octopuses (or is it octopi?) and is almost never caught without holding one of her 7 stuffed octopuses or wearing one of her growing closet of socks and tees. When I saw this pattern for an octopus costume there was no contest as to what she wanted to be. She got so excited and immediately asked that it be made in her favorite colors: purple and “lellow” (yellow) with pink spots.
Crocheting the entire thing would be a feat that would’ve taken more than a month’s planning. And while I could quilt, the pattern was beyond my skill level. Thankfully Jackie, our Technical Editor, was an expert seamstress and offered to help out. Since I love creating new things using yarn, I wanted to add some personal handmade touches.
But I also didn’t want it to be just handmade – I wanted it to sparkle and glitter.
When I first saw the pattern I immediately wanted crocheted medallions for the suckers and the spots.
Vanna’s Glamour fit perfectly with what I wanted, and her mustard gold yarn went well with the deep purple velvet fabric. Soon I was swept up in a creative moment and started picking out more colors like light gold and pink, which would give the costume a cool, colorful, and textured look. Even Michala, our Design intern, found it so adorable that she also wanted to assist. Since I knew she was fast crocheter, I asked if she could make some medallions whenever she had free time.
By the time I looked away, I found a pile of medallions of varying sizes already on the table. She even had extra time to crochet the eyes and a pink bow too!
Then I saw Martha Stewarts CraftsTM/MC Glitter Eyelash yarn and it all came together. The sparkly polka dots, the giant eyes with purple eyelashes, even the pink bow on its head. When I showed my daughter the finished product she couldn’t wait to get it on her.
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| Michala crocheting away | The growing pile of octopus spots | Sewing it altogether. |
The only bad (or good) part will be trying to take it off her once Halloween’s over.
Posted in Crocheting, Lion Staff | 1 Comment » Comments
If you’ve always wanted to learn to crochet but had trouble following written directions and illustrations, check out our video playlist!
Already know how to crochet? Share this blog post with your friends who are interested in learning!
If you’re reading this blog post in your email or an RSS reader, please click on the title to view the full blog post and videos on our website.
For more blog posts on crocheting, check out:
Posted in Crocheting, Tutorials | 2 Comments » Comments
Since so many of you turn to Wool-Ease Thick & Quick as your tried and true yarn for afghans and warm fall/winter accessories such as hats and scarves – we’ve updated the line to add a few new self-striping colors. The new colors of Wool-Ease Thick & Quick were designed to create solid blocks of color, then striping blocks of color as you work, so that you won’t have to change yarns to create the effect.
The new colors of Wool-Ease Thick & Quick stripes in Hoosiers, Hoyas, Crimson, Tigers, Huskies, and Spartans make it easy for you to create fun, fast-finish projects to show off your team spirit and school colors. Browse the color selections below and see if there’s a shade for your favorite team!
 Crochet Wharton Wristers Wool-Ease Thick & Quick Spartans |
 Knit Collegiate Hat and Scarf Wool-Ease Thick & Quick Crimson |
 Crochet Bucket Tote Wool-Ease Thick & Quick Hoosiers |
Posted in Crocheting, Knitting, Pattern Recommendations, Yarns | 6 Comments » Comments
It’s that time of year again! Crochet-along with us as we make one of the following garments!
But FIRST you have to help us pick the pattern! Learn more about the patterns on LionBrand.com: Sunset Shrug, Colorfully Modern Jacket, Top Down Crochet Jacket.
A crochet-along is a virtual event, where all the participants make the same project together. Follow along with crochet-along host Lauren here on the blog and share your comments and photos. There’s no need to sign up, and it’s free to join! (New to crochet-alongs? Check out our guide here.)
The winning pattern will be announced next Wednesday on the blog—when we’ll also give you details on picking up your supplies and getting started on the project!
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Votes must be cast by 12:00 am Eastern August 13, 2013. You must use the link above to vote; comments here on the blog do NOT count as votes.
Knitters, look out for a knit-along later this year, here on the Lion Brand Notebook.
Posted in Crochet-Along, Crocheting | 170 Comments » Comments
Blogger and author Kathryn Vercillo shares tips on meditating through crochet.
I remember the first time that I tried formal meditation. I sat amidst a group of compassionate people with closed eyes who were letting go of all thoughts, focusing attention on their breath. I felt no compassion for myself as my monkey mind skittered about. I felt self-conscious about my constant twitching and resituating, certain I was irritating the peaceful beings around me. More than that, I simply didn’t enjoy the experience. My anxious mind raced into terrifyingly uncomfortable places. I left feeling that meditation is a great thing…for other people but not for me! Then I found crochet.
Crochet offers a chance to meditate in a way that many people find easier than sitting still in a room and focusing on the breath. Crochet is a relaxing, repetitive craft that can be done as a means to mindfulness. The combination of constant counting, gentle recurrent hand motions and focus on the work is a stress-reducer and a path to being present in the here-and-now.
Want to practice crochet as a form of meditation? Here are some tips:
There is certainly something valuable to be found in formal meditation. However, it doesn’t work for all of us. In particular, people with mental health conditions including depression and anxiety may find it too difficult to simply sit on the cushion and watch the breath. We can use mindfulness crochet instead to bring ourselves back to the present moment, practicing compassion for ourselves and for others with each stitch.
What has been your meditation experience? How does crochet help?
Posted in Crocheting, Tips & How To | 150 Comments » Comments
Now that we’ve celebrated Independence day and have spent some time at the beach, it’s clear that we’re in full summer mode! Of course as a crafter, you know that just because it’s warm out – that’s not an excuse to stop your knitting or crocheting. Summer is a good time to work on smaller scale, portable projects. You’ll feel so accomplished knocking out project after project on road trips, or just relaxing by the pool. To get you started with ideas, I’ve included some fast, stress free project from crafters on the Internet, as well as our very own Lion Brand patterns.
Projects from Crafters:
 Crochet Picture Framein Amazing |
 Moss Stitch Bow headbandin Wool-Ease |
 Knitted Jam Jar Sweaterin Vanna’s Choice, Wool-Ease |
Lion Brand Projects:
 DIY No Tangle Ear Buds in Bonbons |
 Crochet iPad Cover in Vanna’s Choice |
 Mini Granny Square Bookmarks in Bonbons |
What are your favorite summertime projects? Share with us in the comments!
Related Links:
Posted in Crocheting, Knitting, Pattern Recommendations | 4 Comments » Comments
July 4th is just around the corner, and you know what that means – BBQs, pool parties, picnics and more! In preparation of the big celebration day, I’ve gathered some fun decorative, and patriotic themed patterns to help you get in the spirit of things. Below you’ll find projects from some creative bloggers in addition to our Lion Brand patterns. Take a gander for yourself and get ready for some crafting this weekend!
Projects from Blogs we enjoy:
 Patriotic Stars Blog: Repeat Crafter Me |
 Star Spangled Banner Crochet Bunting Blog: Petals to Picots |
 Patriotic Barefoot Sandals Blog: Tutus and Tea Parties |
Lion Brand Patterns:
 Americana Crochet Evaporative Cooler Lion Cotton (can substitute for Kitchen Cotton) Click here for knit version |
 Barista Cup Cozy Set Martha Stewart Crafts Cotton Hemp |
 Macrame Plant Hanger (Craft) Nature’s Choice Organic Cotton |
Do you like to knit or crochet items for your BBQs or celebrations? Tell us some of your favorite patterns for these occasions!
Related Links:
Posted in Crafting, Crocheting, Knitting, Pattern Recommendations | 3 Comments » Comments
As you may have already noticed, I’m big on the quirky holidays. The way I see it, each of these silly days is a chance to celebrate something that may get overlooked every other day. An excuse to eat more donuts just because it’s national donut day? Count me in! (National Donut Day was on June 7, actually, but I don’t see why you can’t have a belated celebration.) Anyway, today is National Log Cabin Day! For some people, this probably evokes the smell of fresh cut grass and the feeling of the raw lumber used to construct a grandparent, aunt or uncle’s log cabin in the woods. For crafters, however, the term “log cabin” speaks directly to a very particular variety of quilts and afghans.
The quilts first became popular in the United States in the 1860s, during the Civil War, and their popularity as a traditional style of American crafting has remained for generations since. Traditionally, center squares were symbolically red or yellow, but more modern takes on the style show off individual preferences. These log cabin quilt-inspired afghan patterns range from traditional to contemporary, and can be knit or crocheted in a variety of yarns, colors, and stitch patterns.
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| Crochet Cozy Cabin Throw | Knit Log Cabin Pocket Blankie | Crochet Neutrals Log Cabin Afghan |
Posted in Crocheting, Knitting, Pattern Recommendations | 5 Comments » Comments
