Lion Brand Notebook
News, Ideas and Information for Crafting with Yarn
Lion Brand Notebook
News, Ideas and Information for Crafting with Yarn
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 »
Liz & I love writing/recording/producing the YarnCraft podcast — it’s a fun activity on top of our regular jobs here at Lion Brand, and it’s always great connecting with you, our customers and listeners.
If YarnCraft is a podcast that you love, help us show the world what knitters & crocheters are all about! You still have 5 days to nominate us for a People’s Choice Podcast Award! Nominations are open until Oct. 18, and if we make the cut, we’ll let you know when official voting begins!
Nominate at: http://www.podcastawards.com/
How this works: You can write us in for EITHER People’s Choice OR Best Produced, PLUS one other category (Cultural/Arts probably makes the most sense). Simply type in our podcast name: YarnCraft and our URL: http://yarncraft.lionbrand.com in those fields — then fill in your info at the bottom, and click “submit.” It’s just that easy!
And as always, share your thoughts, questions, suggestions, and more — we always love getting your feedback!
And of course, join us next Tuesday (and every other Tuesday) for a new episode of YarnCraft!
Posted in Community, Lion Staff, YarnCraft Podcast | Leave a comment »
One of the best parts of YarnCraft, our knitting & crochet podcast, is that we get to hear from you — our listeners and Lion Brand users — and get stories, inspiration, and ideas from you to share with others. (My co-host) Liz and I always enjoy hearing (and sharing) your stories. This week, we got a great e-mail from long-time listener and active YarnCraft community member Josh:
Hi Liz and Zontee,
When you had talked about my post on an earlier episode regarding how my craft room is set up, I had written about the mythical stargate that swallows my tape measure and scissors. You took it a step further to liken it to the Island of Lost Toys, which inspired this article I wrote for Crochet Insider… hope you get a giggle out of it.
All my love to you both,
Josh
We thought it was so much fun we wanted to share the article with you. Click here to read it.
If you want to hear Josh’s original story, listen to episode 22 — Your Yarncrafting Sanctuary – by clicking here. Josh’s story is about 8:40 into the episode.
Related links:
Posted in YarnCraft Podcast, Yarniverse | 4 Comments »
In the special 50th episode of YarnCraft, our bi-weekly podcast, Liz and Zontee answer your questions! From entrelac to invisible seaming, this episode is full of great tips you don’t want to miss.
This episode’s Stash This: Ideas for Your Crafting Life features lots of one-ball projects, perfect for fast gifts or stash-busting. Here are five fast patterns to get your fall crafting started:
To listen to the entire episode, click here [MP3]. For more information about the podcast or this episode, visit the YarnCraft blog. Join the YarnCraft ladies next week for an all-new episode featuring fantastic fall and Halloween crafts.
Posted in Crocheting, Knitting, YarnCraft Podcast | Leave a comment »
In honor of our 50th episode of YarnCraft, we’ll be answering YOUR knit, crochet, and craft questions. We have already gotten tons of questions on the YarnCraft blog and on Facebook, but if you have questions on techniques, if you want suggestions on must-have knit and crochet books, or just some ideas about great projects for your mother-in-law, leave a comment, and Liz & I will do our best to answer them.
Join us on Sept. 22 (Tuesday) to listen and see if we’ve answered your question!
Posted in Tips & How To, YarnCraft Podcast | 5 Comments »
The listeners of YarnCraft are some great people, and Liz and I just wanted to share a couple of the kind and amazing things they have been saying on the YarnCraft blog and in the Ravelry fan group. We want to thank our listeners for their kind words and for stopping by and tuning in twice a month!
I’m a weekend home remodeler. So while I’m painting, sawing, sanding and scraping I listen to your cast. This inspires me so when I’m too tired to paint and scrape, I pull out the needles and start knitting. [...] Keep up the great work - who would have thought a yarn craft show would work audio only? Not me, but you keep me coming back twice a month. - Ellen
Hi Liz and Zontee…I have been listening to your podcast since the very first episode and love it. I have gotten so many ideas from you. Looking forward to another podcast. After listening to your last podcast I may try my hand at Entrelac, you have given me the courage to try something new. By the way my name is Joan and I live in NJ.
Hi Liz and Zontee,
Thanks so much for your terrific podcast, I enjoy every episode and eagerly look forward to the next one. My name is Lorraine, and I have been knitting steadily for a little over a year, mostly making socks and scarves [...] Audiobooks and podcasts help make the commute back and forth to Staten Island each day bearable, so thanks for that.
This is Linda from Stoughton Massachusetts (a suburb of the great city of Boston Massachusetts). I live in the burbs but commute to the city (yarn crafting on the subway and the commuter rail every week day).
I want to start out by saying that I love your podcast and get lots of inspiration from just listening. In addition, I’m learning tons. Thanks for a great show to look forward to each week.
If you haven’t already discovered YarnCraft (our radio-style online show for knitters and crocheters), I hope you will take 30 minutes while you’re knitting, crocheting, commuting, or even walking the dog to check it out…and of course, feel free to leave comments on the YarnCraft blog. Click here for more on how to subscribe to the show.
Posted in Community, Crocheting, Knitting, YarnCraft Podcast | 1 Comment »
Recently, I was at the Knit & Crochet Show up in Buffalo, and I got to chat with popular blogger the Crochet Dude, Drew Emborsky, who came all the way from Austin, TX and was gracious enough to tell us about his design inspiration in this week’s YarnCraft episode. Want to listen to our interview for yourself? Click here to launch the episode [MP3].
Drew has a new line of small pattern books out with Leisure Arts, some of the patterns of which I got to see at the show. I especially love the handbag book, featuring projects in vibrant and easy-care Vanna’s Choice (I saw a great green tote on the runway of the Knit & Crochet show fashion show that I adore), as well as a collection of quick crochet dishcloths (great gift items) in fashionable colors of Cotton-Ease. These dishcloths are almost too pretty to be used!
Interested in seeing some more of Drew’s handbags? Click here to see the slideshow from the Knit & Crochet Show.
Related links:
Posted in Crocheting, On The Road, YarnCraft Podcast | Leave a comment »
It’s never too early to start your holiday crafting! In the most recent episode of YarnCraft, our radio-style podcast, my co-host Liz and I offer a wide variety of gift ideas so that you can plan ahead for December. We also introduce one of Lion Brand’s newest yarns, Holiday Homespun, designed in reds, greens, multis, and white, all with a gold metallic wrap — especially with the holiday season in mind.
It’s an episode that’s especially close to me and Liz, as we inevitably get stuck in that cycle of last-minute crafting. Beat the last-minute crunch and get a jump start with these 5 fantastic patterns:
To listen to the entire episode, click here [MP3]. For more information about the podcast or this episode, visit the YarnCraft blog. Join us today on the YarnCraft blog or on iTunes for a brand new episode of our special series, Summer Crafting with Kids. There are only two episodes left of this special series, so be sure to check it out.
AND join us next week for a brand new episode of our regular podcast, featuring a hilarious story by Michaela Murphy and tips on how to make the most out of your vacation or staycation.
Posted in Tips & How To, YarnCraft Podcast | 1 Comment »
On the latest episode of YarnCraft, my co-host Liz and I explore the topics of yarn as art (and even yarn as graffiti), and what it means to express yourself through the creation of objects as an artist and as a community.
We talk about groups like Knitta Please, artists like Robyn Love and some of the great fiber arts exhibits that have been taking place around the country, as well as organizations like Keep the Fleece, whose longest scarf project supports Heifer International, a non-profit aiming to end world hunger through self-reliance and sustainability. Since yarncrafts are most often thought of as home-arts suitable for making useable projects, it was interesting for us to think about yarn as a means to express oneself. In this episode, we also interview Brooklyn Tweed’s Jared Flood about blog as a vehicle of expressing himself through his knitting and photography. Click here to listen to this episode now [MP3].
We have previously featured art projects here on the Lion Brand Notebook, and it’s always interesting to see what people have to say. What do you think? Is there value to yarn used purely for art? Or do you feel that yarn should be used solely for things like garments? Share your thoughts here in the comments.
Related links:
Posted in Community, Crocheting, Knitting, YarnCraft Podcast, Yarniverse | Leave a comment »
This summer, we are featuring shorter 20-minute episodes of our YarnCraft podcast, along with a special series, Summer Crafting with Kids, filled with tips for parents, teachers, scout leaders, camp counselors and babysitters for crafting with kids.
Load episodes onto your MP3 player, just like you would a song or audio-book and listen to episodes on the go. It makes for a perfect commuter companion, whether your hands are busy with yarn or not. Our most recent episodes?
YarnCraft Episode 44 :: Easy Ways to Sell Your Knit & Crochet Goods Locally
The latest YarnCraft episode is all about simple ways to sell your knit & crochet goods and make a little extra cash from this hobby. Click here for this episode guide.
Summer Crafting with Kids Episode 03 :: Teach Your Kids to Knit & Crochet
Our most recent Kids episode focuses on tips and techniques for teaching your kids to knit and crochet, from finger knitting and crochet to supplies to rhymes, we have great suggestions. Click here for the episode guide.
Summer Crafting with Kids Episode 02 :: Have Fun with Group Craft Projects
Get ideas for crafting with kids in groups, whether it’s for day camp, a birthday party, or just a group session on the blog, there are all sorts of fun and creative things that your kids can make with yarn. Click here for this episode guide.
Want to listen? Just go to the iTunes store and search for “YarnCraft” OR go to the episode guides above to listen to the episodes online. For those who want to load them to your MP3 player, but you don’t use iTunes or another podcatcher: right-click (Ctrl+click on Macs) the “Direct Download” link at the bottom of the episode guides to save them to your computer, then load them onto your MP3 player like a song or audio-book.
Posted in Tips & How To, YarnCraft Podcast | Leave a comment »
