Lion Brand Notebook
News, Ideas and Information for Crafting with Yarn
Lion Brand Notebook
News, Ideas and Information for Crafting with Yarn
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!
Posted in Community, Crocheting, Lion Brand Yarn Studio, Lion Staff, Tips & How To | 1 Comment »
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.
Posted in Lion Staff, Tips & How To | 2 Comments »
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 | 5 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 »
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.
Posted in Crocheting, Lion Brand Yarn Studio, Lion Staff, Tips & How To | 1 Comment »
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 »
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.
Posted in Community, Crocheting, Lion Brand Yarn Studio, Lion Staff, Tips & How To | 1 Comment »
Laura is a pattern support specialist here at Lion Brand. This is her first blog post.
I am fortunate to live in an area that has a very welcoming group of knitters and crocheters. Every Wednesday night, we get together for a few hours, just to hang out and chat while we work on our various projects. Every week at least one interesting dilemma comes up for the group to solve – everything from choosing yarn for a new project to deciding whether to rip a WIP — predicaments that are not unique to my circle of friends. I’m going to be sharing the problems and, more importantly, the solutions from my group here every week.
This week, our newest knitter mentioned that she had missed the last couple of get-togethers, and because of that, hadn’t worked on her project at all. She said every time she picked it up and worked on it at home, she was afraid she was making mistakes because there was no one there to reassure her.
I know it’s scary when you’re first starting out, especially when you’re working on your very first project and are unsure about the skills you’re learning. It’s important to remember, though, that you’re not alone out there! If you’re in New York, stop by the Lion Brand Yarn Studio (check the website for free groups, as well as the knitting & crochet doctors, who offer free help each week). Not in NYC? You can use our website to find a local group of your own — just mouse over the Community tab at the top, then select “Knit & Crochet Clubs” from the dropdown and search for a club in your area.
Even if you don’t have a group to meet up with in person (or if you just don’t feel like going out), there are lots of way you can get guidance and reassurance from a more experienced crafter. Lion Brand’s pattern support line is open Monday-Friday from 9-5 ET if you want to speak with a real live person. Call us at 800-705-8636 or e-mail us at support@lionbrand.com. We also have videos of many basic -– and not so basic — techniques available on the Lion Brand YouTube Channel if you want to check visually to see if what you’re doing is correct.
Finally, don’t forget about using this blog as a resource –- you can even search (using the search box in the top left corner, or using the “Categories”) to see if we’ve already blogged about the issue you need help with!
Related links:
Posted in Community, Tips & How To | 2 Comments »
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 »
If you’re getting bored of garter and stockinette stitch, try something new! I personally love experimenting with the textures of different stitches. Looking through the many stitches on StitchFinder, I always ask “What can I make with that stitch?” The truth is I have too many ideas! Belts, scarves, shawls, blankets, maybe add a little lace here or a cable there… So I thought I’d share a few ideas with you.
First of all, when you’re experimenting with a new stitch, you really should do a gauge swatch. But it’s not so bad, you’ll get the hang of the stitch and you can create a washcloth or squares for a patchwork blanket! Once you know the gauge you’ll be able to make a better decision about what to make and how many stitches to cast on.
Making anything square or rectangular with your new stitch will be a cinch! Just decide on the length and width of your project and divide by the length and width of a repeat in your gauge swatch. Just make sure you’re starting with the right number of stitches for your stitch pattern (for example, if your stitch pattern says “chain a multiple of 6 + 3″ and you want 10 repeats you would chain 63). From there you can make scarves, shawls, blankets, or pillow covers! If you make a long skinny strip and add two D-ring to one end you’ll have a belt! If you knit a rectangle, fold it in half, sew two sides together, and add a strap, you have a purse!
You can also add a new stitch to an existing pattern or idea. Substitute stockinette for a more textured stitch; switch out one lace pattern for another or switch cables. By simply switching up the stitch you use you keep your projects interesting!
Posted in Crocheting, Knitting, Tips & How To | 3 Comments »
