A Different Way Of Thinking About Gift Giving

November 12th, 2009 by Ilana

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 »

Was It Nostalgia?

September 15th, 2009 by Ilana

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.

Posted in Crafting, Yarns | 3 Comments »

The Knitting Version of Julie and Julia

September 11th, 2009 by Jess

The film Julie and Julia has inspired one knitter to take her own challenge: knit and blog about all 48 projects from Nicky Epstein’s Knitting on Top of the World. Beginning in January, Mary will knit one garment per month in the order that they appear in the book. She’ll be tracking her progress on her blog. Until then, Mary is preparing by purchasing yarn and supplies, making gauge swatches, and choosing the perfect color combination. It’s an enormous and inspiring task. Best of luck, Mary!

Want to join Mary’s knit-a-thon? Simply purchase your copy of Knitting on Top of the World and join her Yahoo group by clicking here.

Posted in Community, Knitting, Yarniverse | 5 Comments »

What’s Your Favorite Place to Buy Yarn and Why?

June 2nd, 2009 by Ilana

We’d love to hear your comments about where you purchase yarn, what’s your favorite place to shop and why.

Posted in Community, Quick Poll | 63 Comments »

Cake as Yarn!

April 22nd, 2009 by Zontee

Birthdays are always a fun occasion here at Lion Brand, but sometimes it gets extra special. We recently celebrated Lion Brand Yarn Studio manager Patty’s birthday. Our very own Michelle and Nili helped make a fabulous chocolate cake shaped like a ball of yarn! Check out this amazing cake for this amazing lady!

Patty was surprised and ecstatic, and so were the customers in the store that day — they got to partake in this delicious chocolate cake with raspberry filling!

Posted in Lion Brand Yarn Studio, Lion Staff | 8 Comments »

Yarndorphins

June 6th, 2008 by Guest

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I’m Hilary the V.P. of Sales for Lion Brand. Lately I’ve realized that two of my passions—health and yarn are converging.

I’m fortunate in that my passion is my work and my work involves selling a wonderful product that encompasses fashion, color, design, and is affordable and beautiful. I take pleasure in the fact that the product I sell makes people happy and gives joy and purpose to their lives.

My other passion is to live a healthy lifestyle. I eat wisely, including dark chocolate and broccoli. I do water aerobics, yoga and lift weights. I am just starting a walking program, thanks to Ilana’s encouragement. I watch my blood work numbers and I’m committed to reducing stress, because most medical professional believe it is a major cause of illness.

So how do my two passions connect? The fact that knitting or crocheting can help reduce stress, has been noted by doctors and crafters alike. Stephanie Pearl-McPhee wrote about it too. The simple repetitive movement of yarn on needles or hook is like meditating. Whether you meditate, or knit or crochet every day, you allow that special space in your otherwise busy day to let your thoughts untangle and your mind be free of all the chatter, planning, and worrying.

I am overjoyed to see friends live better as a result of having a regular knitting “practice.” I’d love to see it become part of a healthy lifestyle routine; to take even 15 or 20 minutes a day to knit or crochet in order to create a peaceful space in which to rejuvenate.

I’d love to hear from anyone reading this about how knit or crochet works into your healthy living program.

Posted in Knitting, Lion Staff | 6 Comments »

Question and Answer - Substituting Yarn

May 2nd, 2008 by Ilana

Q - I found a pattern that I love but it is designed with Wool-Ease and I’m giving it as a gift to someone who is highly allergic to wool. Can you please suggest an alternate yarn that will work with this pattern?

A - You can find a list of yarns that can be substituted for any Lion Brand yarn on our Substitution Chart. In this case, you may want to substitute Lion Organic Cotton or Nature’s Choice (both organic) or you might choose Cotton-Ease or Vanna’s Choice, all completely wool-free. Keep in mind that the importance of creating a gauge swatch before starting most projects, is especially important when you are substituting yarn.

Posted in Tips & How To, Yarns | Leave a comment »

She may never buy from us but . . .

April 30th, 2008 by David

It’s been one week since we launched the Lion Brand notebook and it’s been a real thrill reading all the comments. I especially liked the one from Laura, who wrote from Argentina. She said, “even though your yarns are not available in Argentina, I just want to thank you for all the interest(ing) things I find at your place. . . I can’t buy your products, but I love to see the patterns and all the tips you give us.”

You may wonder why I was so pleased at a comment from someone who can’t even buy our yarn. It’s because when Lion Brand can encourage someone to knit and crochet, I believe we have done something good. I am thankful for the fact that I am part of a business that helps make peoples’ lives better. Yarn provides people with a way to de-stress, a way to express themselves creatively with color and fiber, a way to share something handmade with others and so much more.

You may even be surprised to know that I work with my competitors (I like to refer to them as my friendly competitors) several times a year to come up with ways to promote and encourage crafting with yarn. I’m chairman of an organization called the Craft Yarn Council which, among other things, organizes the annual Knit Out, now held at the Mall of America in February.

Loving my work means loving the business I’m in as well as believing in our products.

Posted in Lion Staff | 3 Comments »

Welcome to the Lion Brand Notebook

April 23rd, 2008 by David

Hi, I’m David Blumenthal, President of Lion Brand Yarn Company, and I’d like to welcome you to Lion Brand through this notebook. As a family business with a long history (Lion Brand has been around since 1878), we are passionate about yarn and dedicated to upholding the values that our parents, grandparents and great-grandparents have instilled in us. Several times a week we’ll share ideas, information and thoughts about crafting with yarn and we’d like to hear your comments.

The picture above is a sign that greets visitors in our corporate offices Carlstadt, New Jersey offices. There is also a bronze plaque in our reception area with the following quote:

The ideals set forth by our parents for this company will ever remain the guiding spirit in our efforts to promote lasting friendship and fair dealing.

We’ll be bringing you answers to your most asked questions, tips and technical support for crafting with yarn, information about the community of knitters, crocheters and crafters, and knit and crochet events. Please check this notebook regularly for up-to-date news and information about new products and plans for an exciting new endeavor that we’ll share with you soon.

We’re looking forward to the conversation. We hope you’ll become part of our extended family. Please feel free to leave a comment, introduce yourself and say hello.

Posted in Lion Staff | 18 Comments »