Lion Brand Notebook
News, Ideas and Information for Crafting with Yarn
Lion Brand Notebook
News, Ideas and Information for Crafting with Yarn
This is a guest post from our friend, Travis Meinolf, public textile artist and teacher. Travis’s current project can be seen at the Museum of Craft and Folk Art, in San Francisco, CA, from now until January 24th, 2010. If you’re in the area, we hope you’ll stop by, add your own piece to the weavings and interact with textiles in a new way.
Open Source Embroidery is a group art show; the running theme of the works in the show, curated by Dr. Ele Carpenter, is how current open source programming and high-tech philosophies intersect with contemporary and historical craft production practices. My installation in the show, a continuation of my Social Fabric/Weaving Place projects, is a space with small, simple-to-use looms I have designed, materials generously provided by Lion Brand Yarn, and chalkboards, for people to write notes about what it is they would like to be producing in the space.
Previously I have asked for people to spend their time producing material to be made into blankets for people on the streets and in shelters, but this time, I thought I would let it be completely open to suggestion from the participants. Only time will tell what the outcome will be, but the process will be one of absolute agency of the producers. Anyone who participates is invited to direct their action and suggest direction for the group, based on the simple strips of cloth that they can make. I will update as the project progresses. Hopefully the system I have put in place allows for freedom but is a space for structured, productive play, resulting in a true “dialectical material”.
Thanks go out to Lion Brand, who made me feel like a kid on Christmas opening boxes of skeins and skeins of beautiful yarns to provide a truly sensual and mesmerizing weaving experience for museum-goers, again…
Travis J. Meinolf
action weaver
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Posted in Crafting, Yarniverse | 2 Comments »
I was in mid-town New York City last weekend and saw a striking crochet art exhibit in the window of the Roger Smith Hotel. There will be a performance on several upcoming evenings that integrate dance in this crochet setting. If you are in New York City it looks like something you won’t want to miss. The performances are 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. September 18, 21, 23 and 25.
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Posted in Community, Crafting, Crocheting | Leave a comment »
This pattern from our new catalog was an instant sensation. Many of you who rated this pattern said that yarn-covered hangers bring back great memories of grandmothers or aunts who had these in their homes. This updated version uses beautiful colors of the Cotton-Ease yarn and received rave reviews. One customer emailed us that she is planning to make 100 of them to create 10 gifts of 10 hangers each for her friends and co-workers. It seems like this pattern is just so easy and the results so beautiful and practical that it’s more than nostalgia making these popular. What do you think?
If you have made any of the patterns on our site, please to post a review. Your pattern reviews help others decide which patterns to make.
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Posted in Crafting, Yarns | 3 Comments »
Our friends over at Craft are hosting Cozy Up to Yarn Month on their website, featuring great knit, crochet, and yarn craft projects throughout the month of September. They are also featuring an adorable fuzzy panda amigurumi crochet-along. Click here to check out the first crochet-along post!
Click here to check out a preview of all that this month has in store, and be sure to bookmark Craftzine.com so you can check back often during the month of September, where yarn lovers will find lots of inspiration.
To spot all the yarny goodness, look for this banner:
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Posted in Community, Crochet-Along, Yarniverse | Leave a comment »
Recently I have been noticing a trend of people going back to when things were simpler. It seems that the state of the economy is forcing people to realize that it is truly the little things in life that are the most important. I recently came across an article called “Why We Party Like It’s 1959” that I feel describes this trend perfectly. In the article it explains how today’s youth seems to be gravitating back toward the simplicity of things, such as knitting clubs, homemade baked goods, and dinner dances. Even thought we live in a world full of excessive internet-use and text messaging, there is a growing number of young people who seeking more human interaction and simple fun. The article explains how inexpensive activities like knitting are calming and meditative experiences and can help alleviate the stress that these hard times have brought to everyone’s daily lives.
I came across a book the other day called The Craftster Guide to Nifty, Thrifty, and Kitschy Crafts which is comprised of various craft projects from the Fifties and Sixties. I feel that this book is a perfect response to this retro movement. All of the projects in the book are inexpensive and easy to make. With the summer quickly approaching, these cute creations such as the Merry Monsters and Powder Room Poodles (both fun, yarn creations), would be perfect for summer projects.
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Posted in Yarniverse | 3 Comments »
Yesterday I went to visit Spacecraft in Brooklyn, NY. Spacecraft is a unique craft-making and supply store located on the South Side of Williamsburg. I would call this store “Retrocraft.” It is a really great out-of-the-box type store.
I knew something was different when I first drove by and saw their window display. “Poo Poo — Make It Yourself! Freak Out Your Friends! April Fools!” There was other signage through the store that was unique. One sign said “Craft is political, Craft is powerful, Craft is possible!” This store is about become a community. They have a big table in the middle of the store and it revolves around community, sharing, and experiencing together. In this case it’s about CRAFTS!
Posted in Community, Lion Staff, On The Road | 1 Comment »
BK4K (By Kids, For Kids) is our monthly kids’ newsletter that’s perfect for kids and the adults that craft with them, from parents and grandparents to teachers and scout leaders.
Since March is National Craft Month, we’ve decided to get ready for upcoming holidays in advance! In this issue, we share great patterns for Easter and Passover to keep children busy during those rainy spring days. These great crafts can be used as the centerpiece for your holiday table, a toy for children, or just a joyful holiday decoration.
Even if you can’t knit or crochet yet, you can still make handmade decorations! Our Over Easy Eggs are a great way to personalize crafts without all the mess of dyeing eggs.
For even more holiday inspiration, search our Pattern Finder for “Easter” or “Passover“.
For more great kid-friendly ideas each month, subscribe to BK4K. If you already have a Lion Brand account, you can simply add it by clicking on “My LBY“, and selecting it under “My Subscriptions.”
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Posted in Crocheting, Knitting | 1 Comment »
March is National Craft Month! Celebrate by creating something special for yourself or someone you love. Be sure to crochet during National Crochet Week, March 16-22.
Posted in Community, Crocheting, Knitting | 5 Comments »
We love to see what people are doing with our yarns, and our friend Natalie Zee Drieu, Senior Editor at Craft Magazine, shared with us her adorable pictures of her newly finished hooded baby wrap. It’s knit out of Nature’s Choice Organic Cotton, a great yarn for baby projects because it’s so soft and fluffy.
Nat’s dog Lulu was so curious about the blanket, that Nat ended up using her as a model!
Posted in Knitting, Yarniverse | 3 Comments »
