Category Archives: Podcast

Podcast Episode 200: Celebrating Our 200th Podcast!

In honor of the 200th Knit Picks podcast, Kelley revisits one of her favorite episodes from the very beginning – deserted island knitting. Back in 2007, Kelley used this idea of being stranded on a deserted island to create her list of must-have knitting supplies. To start, Kelley shares two of her favorite blogs whose stories come awfully close to Kelley’s deserted island scenario. Both The Sailing Knitter and Island and North Country Life are blogs that follow the lives of two women traveling the high seas with knitting by their sides. Inspired by their stories, Kelley begins on her own list of must-have knitting supplies. Although there are some similarities to her list from 2007, Kelley’s focus is on drop spindling this time around with her cherished spindles from Golding Spindles being on top of her list. Along with plenty of fiber and silk hankies, Kelley also adds a ...

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Podcast Episode 199: Interview with Anna Dalvi

Not ready to let go of your summer knitting just yet? Keep your lace projects inspired with this week’s podcast as Kelley chats with designer Anna Dalvi, author of the books Shaping Shawls and Ancient Egyptian Lace & Color. Hear all about Anna’s love of shawls and her design process for her book Shaping Shawls, which focuses on construction techniques for shawls. In her newest book, Ancient Egyptian Lace & Color, Anna uses her lace knitting expertise to explore the stories, symbolism, and mythologies of Egypt as reinterpreted through her lace designs. Anna also shares a few of her favorite mythological stories with Kelley and how they have inspired her designs. Ancient Egyptian Lace & Color. And don’t forget to check out Anna’s first book, Shaping Shawls! 3 easy ways to listen…

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Podcast Episode 198: Adorably Spooky Toys for Halloween

This week, we have another bonus episode of the Knit Picks podcast and it is chock-full of adorably scary projects perfect for Halloween! First, Stacey talks with Anna Hrachovec of Mochimochi Land about her newest book Super-Scary Mochimochi. This latest collection of patterns still highlights the cute and clever knitted tiny toys that Anna is known for, but with a scary and creepy twist! Hear all about Anna’s design process for this book, what some of her favorite patterns are, her inspiration for the designs, along with fun behind-the-scenes stories. Next up, Stacey chats with crochet designer Deja Jetmir about her newest eBook Wonderfully Horrific Crochet. In her book, Deja celebrates all of the camp and fun of classic horror themes with 14 patterns for crocheted softies. Hear all about how Deja started designing her own crochet patterns and learn more about the design ...

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Podcast Episode 197: Interview with Audrey Knight

In this week’s podcast episode, Kelley gets a chance to talk with designer Audrey Knight about her newest book Reversible Scarves! Audrey began knitting in 2004 and quickly began exploring the world of design. Hear all about her transition from knitter to knitwear designer, and how she came up for the idea for her book which features reversible patterns that are sure to “cure the wrong side blues” as Audrey says. Kelley walks through each chapter of the book, and chats with Audrey about the unique patterns and techniques for creating your own reversible patterns and designs. You can find Audrey’s newest book here: Reversible Scarves eBook Reversible Scarves (printed version) And don’t forget, Audrey also has several designs in the IDP program which you can find here: Audrey Knight’s patterns 3 easy ways to listen…

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Podcast Episode 196: Northern Lights Collection Interview with Kerin

This week, take a tour of Scandinavia as you hear all about Kerin’s inspiration for Northern Lights, a new collection of patterns inspired by the region and its cultures that are steeped in a rich history of knitting. Featuring six stunning patterns, Kerin walks you through the traditions of Norway, Iceland, Finland, Denmark, the Faroe Islands, and Sweden as she shares the stories and ideas behind each of the patterns. Naturally, Kerin put her special twist on each of the patterns by melding the traditions, color, and motifs of Scandinavia with updated shaping and elegant, modern details. If you enjoy hearing about the design process and how ideas are transformed from sketches and swatches into finished patterns and pullovers – you’ll love hearing Kerin’s stories behind each of the six designs of Northern Lights. History buffs will also love hearing more about the cultures and traditions of these six Scandinavian ...

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Podcast Episode 195: Technology and Apps for Knitting Organization

Always on the lookout for new and interesting ways to use technology to organize her fiber life, Kelley shares her enthusiasm for a handful of knitting apps! Kelley reviews three apps for android users that help you stay on track throughout your knitting project and keep you connected to your Ravelry account – no matter where you might find yourself knitting! Kelley first reviews Ravulous, a handy app that links to your Ravelry account so you can manage your stash, search through patterns, and update your projects. Next, Kelley talks about the Ravelry Photo Uploader app that lets you snap a photo of your WIP and upload it to your Ravelry project page directly from your phone! That way you can be sure to keep your projects organized and up to date, no matter if you are at your local knit night or on the road. Both of the Ravelry ...

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Podcast Episode 194: New Fall Yarns 2012

This week, Kelley and Alison sit down to chat about all of the exciting new things that have been happening here around the office – in particular, all of the wonderful new yarns available for fall! First up is Palette, our fingering weight colorwork yarn that is now up to 150 colors! A staple yarn of the Knit Picks family, Kelley reminisces about the debut of Palette and how it first began with a selection of 30 colors. Next, Kelley and Alison introduce a yarn line new to Knit Picks this fall – Galileo! Hear all about this amazing Merino wool and bamboo blend in addition to some great projects that Kelley and Alison have in mind that would be perfect for this new yarn. Next up is another new yarn line by the name of Reverie, which is a blend of baby alpaca and acrylic! Kelley and Alison chat about this super soft brushed yarn, its unique ...

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Podcast Episode 193: Interview with Mary Scott Huff

This week, Kelley gets a chance to catch up with designer Mary Scott Huff. One look through her book The New Stranded Colorwork and you can clearly see that Mary’s passion is definitely colorwork knitting. Which is exactly why she’s the perfect person to write a book of the techniques for color knitting! Her new book Teach Yourself Visually Color Knitting highlights Mary’s expertise on the subject alongside clear, concise images that will help new knitters learn to master colorwork. Kelley talks with Mary about this unique process of writing a technique-based book, along with getting a few handy tips and tricks as Kelley and Mary walk through each chapter of the book which includes intarsia, entrelac, stranded colorwork, and even embroidery! Mary’s enthusiasm for color knitting is so infectious; you’ll be tempted to cast on a color knitting project right away. You can find Mary Scott Huff’s latest book here: Teach ...

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Podcast Episode 192: For the Love of Cowls

In this week's episode, Kelley chats about her love of cowls! In addition to covering a brief history of the cowl, Kelley talks about several different varieties of designs that are based in the basic cowl shape - including neck warmers, infinite scarves, and other styles that experiment with unique ways of closing the loop. This allows designers even more creative freedom in order to come up with even more fun ways to wear cowls. And of course, Kelley also mentions that cowls are the ideal way for using up those single skeins of wonderful handspun yarn. Next, Kelley reviews a few books including The Complete Guide to Spinning Yarn by Brenda Gibson, Knit & Wrap: 25 Capelets, Cowls & Collars by Nathalie Mornu, and Ultimate Mittens by Robin Hansen. Finally, Kelley catches you up on what has been on her needles - or in this case, what will be on her needles! After finishing up all of her works in progress, Kelley shares a few projects from her queue that will be making their way onto her needles very soon.

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Podcast Episode 191: Favorite Bags and Books for Summer Knitting

This week, Kelley shares her excitement for finding the perfect summer bag! Finding a summer bag or tote for your knitting can be a hard task and not only depends on how you will be using the bag, but also what kinds of projects you are planning to carry with you. Kelley reviews two of her favorite Namaste bags to help make your search a bit easier. Next, Kelley shares her favorite books that are not just wonderful reference books for experienced knitters, but also perfect for helping new knitters advance their skills. Hear Kelley’s detailed reviews on The Fearless Knitting Workshop by Jennifer Seiffert and The Circular Knitting Workshop by Margaret Radcliffe. Finally, Kelley catches you up on what projects are on her needles, what projects might next be on the needles, and reviews a few of her favorite tools and accessories to help everything stay nicely organized. And of course, Kelley can’t help but indulge you in a ...

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