Category Archives: video

Learn to Knit a ZickZack Dishcloth!

It's no surprise that dishcloth patterns are some of the most popular downloads on our site. They're a fun way to learn and practice stitches, without committing to a whole project at once. If you're new to knitting, they're a great way to swatch, while still creating something beautiful and useful for your home. Our Zickzack Dishcloth is perfect for new knitters. With only knits and purls, you can create a lovely dishcloth, and learn to read a simple chart, while making it! Of course, if chart reading seems hard, all the instructions are written out in the free pattern, as well. So grab your needles (we recommend a size US 7/4.5mm set), some yarn (we recommend Dishie, but Cotlin, Shine, or Comfy would work, too), download the free pattern, and follow Stacey through the steps you'll need to complete your Zickzack dishcloth, today!

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Crochet the Jazz Age Washcloth!

Have you downloaded the Jazz Age Crochet Washcloth pattern yet? I have, and like many people somewhat new to crochet, I was not very confident that I have what it takes to make one. If this sounds like you, fear no more! We have a new video tutorial that will teach you all the key steps to crocheting your very own Jazz Age Washcloth. So grab some yarn (any will do, though the pattern suggests CotLin and that's what Jenny uses for the video), a crochet hook (we use a 4mm hook, though gauge isn't so important for a washcloth), watch the tutorial, and complete your very own Jazz Age Washcloth!

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Meet Your Teacher: Heidi

Meet Heidi: Newlywed, Art Director, and Avid Crocheter. Heidi loves color, and she loves using colorful yarns to crochet blankets for her friends and family. Heidi teaches our online course on our Crochet Beginner Blanket (pattern available for free, here). We thought you'd might like to know a bit more about her, so I asked her some questions, below!

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3 No-Knit Ways to Package Your Gifts

Looking for new ways to package your gifts? Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hannukah, or have a winter birthday in coming days, we've put together some ideas for creative ways to make your gifts look special.

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Learn to Crochet: the puff stitch

Over the past year, I have been shifting my crafting energies from knitting everywhere, all the time to focus on expanding my crochet skills. And I have to say, I finally feel as though my efforts have been paying off! With practice, a few basic stitches eventually transformed into granny squares which grew into giant granny square blankets. So what has been captivating my crochet sensibilities lately? Textured stitches! Once I got the hang of how to work bobbles to my crochet, I couldn't help but learn a few more textures to add to my crochet repertoire. After bobbles, the next stitch on my list of things to tackle was the puff stitch.

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Daydreaming of Autumn in Summer: My Crocheted Infinity Cowl

During the height of summer, I was perusing one of my all-time favorite crochet books, Simple Crocheting by Erika Knight, when I was struck with the need to make the Classic Snood. The image of a large tweedy wool cowl paired with my favorite fall coat would not escape me, so I naturally spent an afternoon searching through my stash to find just the right yarn. Looking back, it's easy to see how the pages of cozy knits and oh-so-lovely photography transported me out of the sweltering summer heat and into the world of comforting winter accessories. Plus, who doesn't love having a few freshly finished accessories ready for the first day of cool autumn weather?

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Learning to Knit Lace

Light and airy lace - the epitome of summer knitting! Although it can look intimidating, the basics of lace lie in the added yarn overs to create an open fabric. Throughout the main body of the lace pattern, you'll often find these extra increases paired with decreases in order to keep the stitch count the same. However, yarn overs can also be used to create the shaping found in shawls. Shadow Lace If you have dabbled in lace or are new to the world of shawls, Kerin’s How to Knit Lace video class is sure to be your go-to guide for creating elegant lace wraps and shawls. This 12-part video class begins with a brief overview of lace knitting, then moving into the basics of how to determine the right yarn, fiber type, and color that will make your shawl shine! Next, you'll follow along with Kerin as she shows you how to cast on and make the yarn overs that will create your lace motif.

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Crochet Week: New Tutorials!

In honor of KP Crochet’s launch, the Knit Picks staff is taking this week to focus on all our favorite, hook-tastic products and projects. The introduction of KP Crochet just wouldn't be complete without a whole set of brand new video tutorials! We were lucky enough to work with knit and crochet designer Kalurah Hudson from While They Play designs, who kindly shared her wealth of crochet knowledge with us to create our series of crochet tutorials. Spanning a wide range of topics, complete beginners can learn about the anatomy of a hook or check out different ways to hold a crochet hook and yarn while those more acquainted with crochet can learn new techniques like broomstick lace!

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Sweater Finishing Series: How to Whipstitch a Hemmed Cuff

A hemmed edge is one of the more subtle finishing details that can really add a polished look to your sweater or cardigan. Whether you add a hemmed edge to your cuffs, collar, or along the lower edges of your pullover – there are several advantages to using this simple, yet effective technique that leaves a very neat and clean edge. If you don’t want your fabric to pull in as a ribbed hem would and you want to avoid the bulk of a rolled edge – a hemmed edge just might be the perfect solution! Not only does a hem prevent your edges from curling, it also adds stability and keeps edges like cuffs and colors from stretching out over time. It is also a simple and classic design detail that won’t distract or compete with any other patterning that you might have worked into your pullover, making this a versatile skill to have in your mental library of knitting techniques.

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