Category Archives: interview

Get to Know Designer Takako Takiguchi

Our latest pattern collection Nature Walk: Lace Patterns is full of gorgeous patterns from talented designers, but we’re always particularly excited when we get to work with a skillful, experienced designer for the first time! In this collection, we had the opportunity to work with Takako Takiguchi who designed the Sumire Poncho, and since it is our first time introducing her work to Knit Picks fans through our collections, we thought we’d help you get to know her with an interview! Takako has been designing for a decade with over 100 published patterns to her name. She’s best known for designing patterns with clean lines, geometric motifs, and interesting shapes. Could you tell our blog readers a bit about your background?I am a Japanese woman and I live in California. My ...

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Knit Picks Podcast Episode 343 – High Desert Yarn with Jeanne Carver! Everything You Wanted To Know About This American Wool and More

Wool is a favorite yarn fiber by many knitters (including Stacey and Lee). In today’s episode of the Knit Picks Podcast, Knit Picks and WeCrochet’s Chief Marketing Officer Ursula Morgan interviews Jeanne Carver of the Shaniko Wool Company about the creation of Knit Picks newest yarn line, High Desert, a 100% American grown and spun Merino and Merino/Rambouillet wool. First up Lee and Stacey chat about why they both love knitting with animal fibers, and why wool is their favorite. In the United States “wool” refers to the sheep fibers while in other parts of the world wool could include other animal fibers like mohair or cashmere. Stacey and Lee ruminate about why wool is their favorite fiber which includes but are not limited ...

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Meet Michelle: Crafter Abroad

After having lived overseas for many years, I still have occasional moments where I am surprised when someone answers me or greets me in English. Thankfully, the language of textile appreciation and crafters everywhere often only requires oohs and ahhs and the proverbial thumbs up. I consider myself a generalist crafter as I grew up surrounded by creative & crafty ladies. I have pictures of me “sewing” on paper when I was three years old, and I think my love of textiles and fabrics began then. 

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Knit Picks Podcast Episode 339 – Yarn Substitutions

Whether you’re a process knitter or a project knitter, if you’re like us you’ve experienced the challenge of finding a pattern you’re really excited about but not having the exact yarn that the designer suggests. You could wing it and embraces the beautiful chaos that might occur or you can use one of our favorite resources, YarnSub dot com. If you don’t already know, YarnSub is a website to help you with yarn substitutions. Everyone needs a friend in crafts and we at the Knit Picks Podcast are happy to be your yarn and knitting buddy, and as a friend, we’re telling you to check out YarnSub.Today on the podcast Heather Mann interview Wendy Peterson, creator of YarnSub.com. They chat all ...

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Knit Picks Podcast Episode 338 – Emani and Her Yarn Vending Machine

Here at Knit Picks we love all things yarn. We love pattern designs, tools, the craft and really seeing what everyone makes. As a yarn company we also love seeing what other yarn companies and people in the industry are doing. Today we’re sharing an interview from the WeCrochet Podcast that aired last fall, where Heather Mann interviewed Emani Outterbridge, an entrepreneur who launched her own yarn line as well as the world’s first yarn vending machines. Emani has been crocheting since she was 12 years old and has navigated through different sides of the craft industry as a crochet designer and now a yarntrepreneur. Emani has even sold apparel to entertainers like Cardi B. Emani’s yarn line, Needles, offers unique colors in ...

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Knit Picks Podcast Episode 337 – Knitting and Crochet with Briana K.

Every knitter has their own path to take and follow. On today’s episode of the Knit Picks Podcast, we’re sharing a special interview. Heather Mann from the WeCrochet Podcast interviews Briana Kepner of Briana K Designs. Briana is a knit and crochet designer and one of the founders of Crochet Foundry, a quarterly publication of modern crochet designs. Briana (and the Crochet Foundry team) was recently featured on the WeCrochet Podcast but she stuck around our virtual recording studio for an extra chat to talk all about her knit designing journey. From making knits for newborn babies to having published over 300 of her designs, Briana shares some of her favorite yarns she’s found along the way. So grab your needles and ...

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Knit Picks Podcast Episode 335 – Meet Tian Connaughton

Tian Connaughton wearing the 32 Market Street Tee We’re back. Winter is here and our Knit Picks Team is very busy working to bring you exciting new things in 2021. If you missed it in last episode, we said goodbye to our Knit Picks Host Hannah Maier as she embarks on new adventures. Behind the scenes we’re working on our new podcast voice and style so stay tuned.  Last year Knit Picks and our sister brand WeCrochet ventured into the world of live streams. Today we’re sharing with you an interview that WeCrochet did in the fall of 2020 with knit and crochet designer Tian Connaughton. Tian is a joy and we are very excited to share some of this interview with you. ...

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Podcast Episode 332: Your Favorite Sock Yarns Explained

Felici Yarn Today, we’re dedicating an entire episode to the subject of sock knitting! Whether you’re a seasoned pro and socks are your very favorite thing, or a new knitter contemplating casting on for your very first pair, this episode is for you!  Lee and Hannah spend time talking about all of the sock yarns they’ve developed over the years. Colorful, hardwearing and in a range of lovely fibers, sock yarn is one of our very favorite things to develop behind the scenes. Listen along as they compare and contrast soft Stroll lines with Hawthorne’s rugged and complex colorways. You might even discover a new-to-you skein to try! Stacey invites Rosalyn Keys (you may know her as Rozknitz on Instagram) on to the podcast ...

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avocado dyed yarn
Bare Yarn: An Indie Dyer’s Canvas

avocado dyed yarn from @woodsandwool While it’s not a secret by any means, you may not know that most of our existing yarn lines are available in their undyed, natural state. We lovingly refer to these pristine fibers as bare yarns. In addition to heavy-hitters like Wool of the Andes, Hawthorne, and Gloss, you’ll find a healthy selection of unique fibers that aren’t available as part of our regular dyed offerings. Weighing in at 100g, these yarns are less expensive than their colorful counterparts, making them a smart choice when shopping for budget-friendly fibers.

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Podcast Episode 325: All About Lace!

Sagebrush Shawl Let’s take a look at lace knitting. Now, lace is a polarizing topic in our offices here at Knit Picks and we’re betting that it’s the same way in the broader knitting world. Either you love it, hate it or just haven’t taken the plunge and started your first project. If you’re lukewarm about lace or a newbie, this podcast episode is for you! We’ve just released a new collection of heavier weight lace patterns that are a great way to get started. Stacey talks with Kalurah Hudson, one of our designer extraordinaires and a contributor to this collection about lace. Starting with fingering, worsted or even bulky weight lace projects means you can get comfortable with charts and ...

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