Lion Brand Notebook
News, Ideas and Information for Crafting with Yarn
Lion Brand Notebook
News, Ideas and Information for Crafting with Yarn
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.
Posted in Knitting, Lion Brand Yarn Studio, Lion Staff, Tips & How To | 4 Comments »
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.
Posted in Community, Knitting, Lion Brand Yarn Studio, Lion Staff, Tips & How To | 1 Comment »
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.
Posted in Knitting, Yarniverse | 2 Comments »
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:
Posted in Crocheting, Knitting, Tips & How To | 4 Comments »
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.
Posted in Crafting, Crocheting, Knitting | 21 Comments »
At the Lion Brand Yarn Studio, we’ve been making scarves for the Partnership for the Homeless, an organization here in NYC, as well as collecting scarf & hat donations from local yarncrafters. We’re having so much fun knitting and crocheting for charity in our window, we thought we’d share some of our patterns. Each one of us gets to make whatever we want. Sometimes we use the StitchFinder, and sometimes we make it up. In the next few weeks we’ll share some of the staff’s scarves.
As we said in our first post, each one of our window scarves is one ball of Vanna’s Choice, but you can make a longer scarf by using two balls. The recommended needle size for this yarn is US9 and the hook size is J-10, but as always, adjust up or down depending on the feel if your own fabric and your tension. With all of the scarves, you would bind off when you have yarn about 4 times the width of the scarf left. Then just weave in the ends, and you have a great scarf!
Patty’s Seed Stitch Scarf (shown in Magenta)
CO 24 stitches.
Row 1: *K1, P1*, repeat from *.
Row 2: *P1, K1*, repeat from *.
Repeat row 1 & 2 (purling the knits and knitting the purls).
Patty’s Garter Rib Scarf (shown in Wood’s Print)
CO 24 stitches.
Row 1: K2 *P2, K2*, repeat from *.
Repeat row 1.
Tracey’s Back Loop Crochet (show in Fern)
Ch 20.
Row 1 & 2: Dc across row.
Row 3: Dc through back loop.
Repeat rows 1 - 3.
Tracey’s Drop Stitch Scarf (show in Seaspray Mist)
CO 24 stitches.
Row 1 - 3: Knit.
Row 4: *K1, YO* repeat from * until last stitch, end K1.
Row 5: *K1, drop YO*, repeat from * until last stitch, end K1.
Repeat rows 1 - 5.
Come back starting next Monday for a new scarf pattern from the windows every day!
Related links:
Posted in Community, Crocheting, Knitting, Lion Brand Yarn Studio, Lion Staff | 3 Comments »
We introduced Holiday Homespun earlier this year and it has become a fast favorite for holiday-themed garments and decorations. It comes in two types of color ranges. You can select from the traditional bright colors called Holly, Evergreen and Festive, or the deeper, richer colors of Victorian shades which are Berry, Wreath and Mistletoe. Our Starlight white color matches both palettes.
We have 21 patterns for this yarn. Choose from a selection of wearables, decorative items or home decor.
Posted in Crocheting, Knitting, Lion Brand Yarn Studio, Lion Staff, Yarns | Leave a comment »
Last year Lion Brand sponsored the Vanna’s Choice Contest at Michaels and it was such a success we are repeating it this year. To enter, knit, crochet or craft using any of Vanna’s yarns including Vanna’s Choice, Vanna’s Choice Baby, or Vanna’s Glamour.
There are 33 prizes total and you can enter in four categories: Afghans & Throws, Baby & Kids, Hats & Scarves, and Gifts & Crafts. The grand prize is $1,000 and a trip to California to meet with Vanna. For complete contest rules, see this link.
We look forward to seeing your entry!
Posted in Community, Crocheting, Knitting, Yarns | 3 Comments »
It’s always exciting to see knitters’ and crocheters’ creations, especially when those yarncrafters are sharing their finished goods with the world at large. On today’s episode of YarnCraft (our podcast that you can listen to over at iTunes or at YarnCraft.LionBrand.com), we talk about some of these artisans on Artfire.com, as well as how you can start your own online store for free.
In this vein of thinking, I wanted to feature a line by designer Heather Goldberg, Shadowplay Jewelry, that’s been getting quite a bit of attention. Her ethereal knit necklaces combine yarn with crystals, playing with texture.
What I love about pieces like this is that they challenge us to think outside of the box about what knitted and crocheted pieces can be. [Via DailyCandy.]
Do you create and sell knit or crochet goods? Leave a comment and tell us about what you make.
Related links:
Posted in Knitting, YarnCraft Podcast, Yarniverse | 1 Comment »
I love making socks because they’re small, portable, and great for trying new stitches. Many of you on Facebook and Twitter have been asking for help making socks. Our new videos teach you how to knit socks step-by-step. Learn how to use double pointed needles and make a comfortable pair of socks from the cuff down! I used the Mens Grey Socks pattern with Wool-Ease in Gold.
Related links:
Posted in Knitting, Tips & How To | 3 Comments »
