Studio Window Scarves Pt. 2: Patty & Tracey Share Their Scarves
November 11th, 2009
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:
- Studio Window Scarves: Will & Michelle Share Their Scarves
- Celebrating & Making a Difference
- Great Reactions to Our Window Crafting
- Hat & Scarf Collection for Charity on the Studio blog
- The Studio Staff in the Window on the Studio blog
- Donations So Far on the Studio blog
Holiday Homespun Celebrates Its First Holiday Season
November 11th, 2009
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.
Enter the Vanna’s Choice Contest for a Chance to Win $1,000 and Meet Vanna White!
November 10th, 2009
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!
You Are Not Alone!
November 9th, 2009
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:
- Club Finder on LionBrand.com
- Lion Brand Yarn Studio website
Enter to Win a $100 Gift Certificate to LionBrand.com!
November 5th, 2009
We’ve got a great contest running on Facebook right now. Visit our Facebook page and click on the “Win $100 to LionBrand.com!” tab. All you have to do is select your favorite LB yarn and post it to your Facebook feeds, and you will automatically be entered for your chance to win $100 to shop at LionBrand.com. It’s that simple! While you’re there, be sure to become our fan to keep up with our most recent offers and updates.
Studio Window Scarves: Will & Michelle Share Their Scarves
November 4th, 2009
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.
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!
Will’s Garter Stitch (shown in Antique Rose):
CO 24 stitches
Knit every row
Will’s Crochet Scarf (show in dusty blue)
Ch 21
Row 1 - 3: Sc across row.
Row 4: Dc across row.
repeat all 4 rows
Michelle’s Basketweave Scarf (shown in Taupe Mist)
CO 24.
Row 1: *K4, P4* repeat from * to end of row.
Row 2 - 6: Knit the knits and purl the purls.
Row 7: *P4, K4* repeat from * to end of row.
Row 8 - 12: Knit the knits, and purl the purls.
Repeat rows 1-12.
Michelle’s V-Stitch Scarf (shown in Dusty Rose)
Ch 21.
Row 1: Dc into 6th ch from hook, ch1, dc into same ch *sk 2 ch, (dc, ch1, dc) into the same ch. Rep from * 4 times. dc into last ch.
Row 2: Ch 3, turn. (dc, ch 1, dc) into each ch 1 space (5 times total). dc into the top of the turning ch of the row below.
Repeat Row 2 to desired length.
Are you in the NYC area? To find out more about how you can help us by donating knit & crochet hats and scarves, please click here.
Related links:
- Celebrating & Making a Difference
- Great Reactions to Our Window Crafting
- Hat & Scarf Collection for Charity on the Studio blog
- The Studio Staff in the Window on the Studio blog
- Donations So Far on the Studio blog
Yarn Artisans & Their Creations
November 3rd, 2009
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:
Learn to Knit Socks!
November 2nd, 2009
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:
- Learn to Crochet and Teach Others!
- Learn to Knit: Increasing and Decreasing
- Learn to Knit (Or Teach Others)
Celebrate Halloween with Horror Movie Knits!
October 29th, 2009
I love watching horror movies to get ready for Halloween. Surprisingly, there are many horror films that feature knitting! Here are some of my favorite scary movies to add to your Halloween queue:
- Paranormal Activity: Visit your local theater to see one of the main characters knit and make jewelry. The yarn she uses is either a flammé or bouclé. Maybe it’s Homespun!
- Halloween: In the John Carpenter original, babysitter Laurie Strode (played by Jamie Lee Curtis) proves that knitting is more than a casual pastime. The remake by Rob Zombie features many crocheted afghans in various scenes.
- Idle Hands: What better way to keep idle hands busy than through knitting?
- The Addams Family and The Addams Family Values: Matriach Morticia Addams often knits for her family.
- Rosemary’s Baby: The women who congregate in Roseymary’s apartment knit.
- Delicatessen: This French film features a woman who makes a machine to frog her work just as quickly as she knits. At least she’s never bored!
Have a ghoulishly good Halloween, everyone!
British Artist To Crochet Two 30 Foot Lions For the 2012 Olympics
October 27th, 2009
A British artist will spend the next two years crocheting two giant lions for the London Olympics. The creation of the lions will be available for viewing on a webcam.
