Author of The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Knitting & Crocheting Barbara Breiter joins us for her monthly column featuring frequently asked questions.  As warm weather approaches (at least in the Northern Hemisphere), some may find themselves tempted to put away their knitting or crochet for the summer. But this is the season for baseball games, picnics, taking the…

Happy Flag Day to our friends across the US! In celebration of this holiday, and because July 4 is just three weeks away, I wanted to share some of my favorite American flag-inspired knit and crochet projects. Which one will you make to celebrate Independence Day? Get just a touch of Americana with this crochet…

June is National Adopt a Cat Month, and if you have a feline friend sharing your home or about to be welcomed into your family, I’m sure he or she would love a new toy! Here’s a roundup of some fun, fast and easy cat toys to knit or crochet for that special cat in…

Looking for beginner projects that look spectacular? I ask Jackie Smyth, Lion Brand’s technical editor, about her recommendations on three easy-to-make, high impact afghans that are perfect gift projects. What are gift ideas for beginner knitters and crocheters? A classic handknit or hand-crocheted gift is definitely the afghan or throw. You many not realize it, but…

A few weeks ago, we posted some photos of the food-inspired crochet art of textile artist Kate Jenkins on our Facebook page, and it started quite a conversation! Lots of people found these projects to be super fun; in addition to being decorative, some have also mentioned how great they are for babies and children’s toys.…

Flowers have bloomed, the sun is out longer, the temperatures have risen, and – we’re at the beginning of wedding season! Since many of you are probably looking for handmade elements to include in the ceremony or reception, I’ve gathered a roundup of some of our lovely wedding patterns to help you or the bride-to-be…

Lion Brand’s Design Department shares tips on one of their favorite tips for creating a unique (and quick-to-make) project. Yarn blending is the technique of stranding together several yarns to create a knit or crochet fabric. It takes all of the beautiful qualities of its component yarns and blends them into something that is greater…

It’s National Bike Month! Whether you like to cruise through beach towns during vacation or use your bicycle as a primary mode of transportation, there is something so lovely about the riding of a bike. You can cruise carefree, go on an intense workout ride, or travel around knowing you’ve reduced your carbon footprint. Whatever…

Though it’s often the 4th of July that we think of for cookouts, May is actually National Barbecue Month! It’s no surprise, really, as May is often the first chance we get to start enjoying warmer weather and pulling the cover off the once snow-covered grill out on the patio. With Memorial Day upon us…

I’m a sucker for new yarns. I’ve been crocheting since I was eight and knitting since high school, and I’ve realized that sometimes I get myself into a rut: making the same patterns over and over again, using the same yarn or colors, or not stopping to learn new techniques. Each time I see a…