Category Archives: Beginning Knitting

Knit Picks staff - Allison Drake
Meet Allison, new administrative assistant

  Hi! I’m Allison, one of the newest additions to the Knit Picks team! I joined the Knit Picks team with the knitting experience equal to half of a busted washcloth that I never completed and lost at some point (don’t worry – I bring other skills to the team). I’ve always wanted to master knitting, but I wasn’t really sure where to start and the memory of my busted washcloth was a reminder of what I considered a failure to learn. Then one day I suddenly found myself accepting a job with the Knit Picks family, and this amazing team of supportive knitters made me realize that the silly excuses were just silly and I ...

Read more »

Easy Stripes Blanket
Pattern Roundup – Current Favorites

As the rain goes so does my pattern queue. It's been a long wet season in the Pacific Northwest and I have added many projects to my list, especially as my skills grow. A "problem" many of us can relate to, I'm sure, no matter what the weather.

Read more »

WIP Intarsia Knitting Baby Blanket
All About the Blankets – Intarsia Style

Hello Stash Readers! Hold onto to your hats, not only for the impending fall winds, but because I am making an intarsia baby blanket. You may remember me from my intro podcast or the post about my knitting the Learn to Knit Kit Scarf, if not I will give you a brief introduction. I am the merchandise planner for Knit Picks and new to completed project knitting. I'm great at starting things, but I was always merely dabbling. It wasn't until I started working here that the bug truly took hold, maybe a little slower than others, but I've caught it and have gone a touch off the rails. Once I mastered the knit stitch, completing my garter stitch scarf, I started another scarf in Tuff Puff practicing stockinette, and that is coming along swimmingly.

Read more »

A closer look at Knits for Everybody!

Our new Knits for Everybody pattern collection is our answer to any knitter's age-old quest for basic patterns that fit virtually everyone on their knitting list. No more scouring the internet or your library of books, this pattern collection has everything you need to knit simple hats, mittens, socks, slipper and pullover sweaters in both fingering and worsted weight yarns from newborn to men's XXL sizes. Pretty stellar, huh? Read on for more pictures and descriptions of each pattern!

Read more »

Learn to Knit a Lacy Spa Cloth

Lace is really hard for me. I've tried it a few times and had no good results. I'm resolving to try again, however, and in doing so, I'm going to start with the basics. As much as I would love to try the patterns in Joyful Lace, and go forth with our new 100% silk yarn, Luminance, I will start small. So I'm going to cast on with our cotton yarn Dishie, and try to knit a Lacy Spa Cloth. With a super repeatable pattern that I can memorize really quickly, I think this will be a fast project where I can repeat my yarn overs and get used to how things look on the needles, before I progress to larger patterns. The texture reminds me of those string market bags you see at the Farmer's Market all summer long. Maybe I'll try my hand at one of those, next! If you want to learn to knit a Lacy Spa Cloth, here are some handy links: Lacy Spa Cloth Free Pattern Dishie Yarn

Read more »

Dispatches from The Beginners

With some recent staff changes here at Knit Picks, we have a number of employees who are new to knitting.  It's fun to check in with them to see how they're progressing. I love to hear about their trials, and how they're completing projects and gaining confidence along the way. You might remember Alexis from the podcast she did a while back on being a newbie. She's been working on a scarf from our Learn to Knit Club Kit, and look how well she's doing! Here are the dispatches from the Knit Picks Beginner Knitters, in their own words.

Read more »

Learn to Knit a Benefaction Knit Hat

Have you ever wanted to learn to knit in the round, or on double pointed needles, but are unsure how? A simple hat, with handsome stripes and the perfect fit is an excellent way to get started on these techniques, and our new tutorial featuring the Benefaction Knit Hat will take you through every step! Stacey, who designed the hat, uses circular needles from our shorties set, and then changes to double pointed needles when the decreases result in too few stitches to continue with a circular needle. KP Staffer Jennifer, relatively new to knitting, tried out knitting in the round for the very first time. She watched the tutorial, and tentatively cast on.

Read more »