Tag Archives: Knit

Designer Spotlight: Margaret Holzmann
by on Aug 15, 2021

Margaret Holzmann likes to design and knit the BIG things: blankets, throws and sweaters.

She uses these larger items as a canvas for colorwork, shapes, and texture. She excels at construction techniques, the geometry of knitting, and color theory. Following a career as an engineer at Bell Labs and Jet Propulsion Laboratory, she is now a full-time knit designer living in Monrovia, California, and her patterns have appeared in multiple knitting publications.

Read more about Margaret Holzmann on her website theknitwit.org. If you’re an aspiring designer you’ll want to check out her advice on asking for yarn support, how tos on writing an arts & crafts book, and her thoughts on self-publishing verses big publishers, all available on her blog.

  • www.edsger-studio.com

During the stay-at-home orders of 2020, Margaret released the “Safe at Home Blanket“. The overwhelming positive response to the #safeathomeblanket pattern led to a very popular Facebook KAL/CAL. The pattern can also be found on Ravelry. We think this blanket would be perfect for Brava Worsted!

Knit Pick Patterns by Margaret Holzmann

We feature multiple patterns by Ms. Holzmann, including the Makin Waves Vest, the Townscape Pillow, and the Xcellent Shawl. More of her patterns can be found at Knit Picks.

We HEART getting to know talented designers and sharing them with you. We will feature new designers with you each month and hope you find crafty inspiration in their art. If there are designers you love and think we should love too, feel free to add their name and handle in the comments so we can follow-up.

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Tags: Inspiration

Playdate: A Baby Knits Collection
by on Apr 5, 2019
Knit Picks Baby Graphic Cardigan pattern
Designer: Quenna Lee

I make no secret of how much I love, love, LOVE tiny babies and their tiny baby clothes. The look on my face and audible squeal I make whenever I see a new human in a grownup looking garment is also kind of a giveaway, too. Imagine my delight when I learned we were planning a baby knits collection for this spring! Hoo-boy. It was some next-level excitement.

First things first—is there anything more heart melting than a little one in a teeny knit cardigan? I think not. This new collection offers several versions of this wardrobe staple to choose from! One such project is the Baby Graphic Cardigan, featuring the classic top down raglan shape, complete with triangular side panels knit in squishy Garter stitch.

Knit Picks Little Lamb Hat knit in Snuggle Puff
Designer: Stana D. Sortor

Keep those little heads cozy and warm with the Little Lamb Hat, knit in our new oh-so-soft cotton Snuggle Puff yarn.

Designer: Sandi Rosner

Even little ones need a few statement pieces, like the ultra-hip Round Yoke Cardigan. With a mini chevron pattern at the neckline, this classic cardigan will have your babe stylin’ and profilin’.

Knit Picks Bumpy Bear knit in Brava Worsted yarn.
Designer: Michele DuNaier (Bumpy Bear Hat)

Designer: Holli Yeoh (XOX Pullover)

A simple textured hat that looks like a bear? SOLD. The Bumpy Bear Hat is a simple and quick knit that looks adorable on kids of all ages. Pair with the XOX Pullover, and watch as the cuteness level goes off the charts.

Knit Picks Romper knit in Shine Sport yarn.
Designer: Kristen Jancuk

Whether playing in the sand on a day at the beach or just getting some quality tummy time in, this cotton Romper is the perfect outfit to keep your little ones feeling footloose and fancy free.

Knit Picks Moreland Pullover knit in Bare Swish Worsted yarn
Designer: Triona Murphy

Is your little one headed to a formal snack time between nursery school alums? The gender neutral Moreland Pullover fits the bill for when baby needs to look their most adorable & distinguished self.

Knit Picks Puppy & Kitten Toys knit in CotLin DK yarn
Designer: Sherrie Kibler

Kitten toy + playful baby = Instagram fodder for days! The Puppy & Kitten Toys are knit in ultra durable CotLin DK yarn, giving them the ultimate quality: machine washability.

Designer: Tiam Safari

At the end of a long day of self discovery, giggles, and joy-inducing cuteness, nothing sounds better than naptime with your favorite blankie (very relatable). The Triangles Pom-Pom Blanket is modern comfort for today’s baby. Sporting a fringe of über-cool faux-fur poms, your favorite little is sure to adore this blanket for years to some.

There you have it. Baby clothes are cute and babies are even cuter*. That’s just science, BTW. Want to see all of the precious pieces of Playdate? You can here!

*The opinions expressed here are solely those of Kate Millard. But seriously folks, how cute are babies? Amiright?

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Tags: Exclusive KP Collections, baby, Inspiration, kids, Patterns, Toys

Red and Pink Yarn Sale
by on Jan 31, 2019

Our annual red and pink yarn sale is live! Save up to 40% off our favorite rosy red and pink yarns* (over 200 colors to choose from, to be exact). So if you’ve got a sweater planned in these colors, or you feel the absence of them in your stash, now is the time to stock up!

With these gorgeous yarns at such low prices, this is the perfect opportunity to knit something for that someone special. Or for Galentine’s Day, your best gal would love to sport these cheery shades. Here are some of my favorite easy to knit projects that you can make in time for Valentine’s Day.

Clacton Scarf

Knit in Wool of the Andes Superwash Bulky, this bold scarf is perfect for your friend that likes to make a statement. Not only is it undeniable squishy, the easy to memorize colorwork pattern makes this such a fun project.

Strata Sweater

This sweater is perfect for your littlest gal. Never crocheted a sweater before? This knit-look sweater is simple to crochet and appropriate for adventurous beginners and intermediate crocheters. It features an innovative stitch pattern (with video tutorial) used to achieve this modern knit look.

 

Ribbon Wrap

Can’t choose just one shade of pink or red for your project? Why not use all of them! Knit entirely in Garter Stitch on the bias with constant changes in color and construction, the Ribbon Wrap is an easy but engaging knit that works up quickly in Swish Worsted.

 

You can find all of the red and pink yarns on sale HERE.

What’s your favorite? Mine is Preciosa in the colorway Dusty Rose. So, so gorgeous!

*Sale ends Feb. 6, 2019. Select yarn colors only, limited to stock on hand. No adjustments to prior purchases or to purchases made after this promotion expires.

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Tags: Sales, Fun, gift knitting, Inspiration

Clove & Spice Knit and Crochet Pumpkin Free Pattern
by on Oct 2, 2013

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Link to the Clove & Spice Knit and Crochet Pumpkin Pattern

The rains are here and I know it’s time to start thinking about pumpkins, golden leaves and early frosts. My favorite pumpkin patch has started sneaking tempting images of ripe pumpkins into my Facebook feed and my Pinterest is filling up with October crafts (beeswax-dipped leaves, anyone?) so it’s definitely time to get my fall crafting started! To celebrate the cooler weather and changing seasons I whipped up a quick little pattern with instructions for both knit and crochet pumpkins.

Both versions of the Clove & Spice Pumpkins are great beginner patterns with written pattern instructions and photos illustrating how to create those chubby little ridges. These little fellas are the perfect size to perch on a book shelf or to add into a little tabletop tableau (the knit Spice pumpkin has a 10.5″ circumference and the crochet Clove pumpkin has a 13.5″ circumference) and there’s enough yarn in one ball of Wool of the Andes Sport to make two pumpkins.

I can’t think of a cuter way to welcome in the fall season! What are your favorite cold-weather crafts? Are you gearing up for a trip to the pumpkin patch too? I can’t wait

7 Comments
Tags: crochet, Patterns, Toys

Knit & Crochet in Public Week: Knittin’ Out in the Open
by on Jun 12, 2013

Crafting started as something fun to do once in a while, like during a rainy day or on the odd vacation weekend. I have a few memories of making massive collages of tiny horses cut out of magazines, or sorting through a giant jar of buttons.

That was all before I picked up a pair of knitting needles late in high school. From that moment on I needed to craft. It became a lifestyle. I knit in class, on the bus, during movies, on car rides to the store and especially in parks on nice days. Today I always have a larger project to work on at home and a smaller portable project to work on when I’m out in the fresh air and I noticed during this past round of craft shows that I always love picking up purses and tote bags but my first thought was always “hmmm… how much knitting can I fit in here?” 20130610_0051

I’m not making a statement with my public craftitude, instead I’m simply keeping busy and working through my stash no matter where I am. I do get a little thrill whenever a stranger asks what I’m making or even just correctly identifies whether I’m sewing, knitting or crocheting (conversely, I HATE it when someone asks what I’m sewing when I’m clearly knitting… sheesh!).

I think the project that has spent the most time out and about with me is my Hue Shift Afghan. I bought the yarn after I saw the finished blanket when it came through the office, well before I even shot it for the catalog! I couldn’t WAIT to get started!

Well, almost exactly one year later I just finished weaving in the last end. It is by far my most long-term project and one of the least portable but I wanted to finish it so badly that I wound up lugging it around with me for the past five months.

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Now it’s officially done (complete with a photo!) so now the space in my purse for projects is freed up and I’m definitely at a bit of a loss for what to start next! I think I’m due for a few toys or mittens. Lately I’ve been grabbing a ball of yarn and a crochet hook instead of reaching for my circulars when I head out on a date or to a coffee shop. I love how portable and quick Amigurumi or granny squares can be!

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Tags: Finished Objects, Knit & Crochet in Public Week, Patterns