Category Archives: Inspiration

An Ice Fire KAL Update

We’re grooving along on our Ice Fire Wrap KAL projects! The KAL is coming on an end on July 31st, and some of the team have their eyes on the finish line, some are already finished, and a few decided to put their projects into hibernation. Jen has a long ways to go one her Ice Fire Wrap, but she’s determined to have it finished by the end of the KAL. She’s using Chroma Worsted for her main color and Swish Worsted as the solid contrast.

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What We’re Getting at the Summer Yarn Sale

The Summer Yarn Sale is in full swing, and even we can’t resists picking up yarn at a great price! Here’s what some of our team members are adding to their stashes. I am stocking up on Summer Yarn Sale deals for my holiday gifting. I grabbed some Dishie Twist Kenai and Conch to make some dish towels. I always make new hats for my nephews too so I grabbed Estuary Heather in Swish Bulky and Lake Front in Chroma Twist Bulky. I have a few baby blankets in my queue too, so I stocked up on all of the colors of Brava Speckle, you can’t beat that price!  — Hillary

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What Does Positive Ease Look Like?

Ease is the difference between the wearer’s measurement and the garment’s measurement, but knowing that doesn’t always help when it comes to choosing a size to knit if you struggle with visualizing that difference! There are three types of ease you’ll hear discussed with regard to knitting patterns, and they’re all based on a simple math equation: garment’s chest circumference – wearer’s chest circumference = ease. Negative ease is created when the garment is smaller than the person wearing it, which makes a tight fit thanks to knitting’s natural stretch. Zero ease is created when the garment and wearer have the same chest ...

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We’re donating to Outside In!

We’re delighted to share our latest pattern collection Coloring Outside the Lines, with 5 rainbow-striped patterns, and for this collection, we’re doing something new that’s very close to our hearts. For every eBook purchase for the first two years, we’re donating 50% of the sale to Outside In, a nonprofit providing healthcare and social services, including LGBTQIA+ services, for unhoused youth in Portland, Oregon.  “Since 1968, Outside In has transformed thousands of lives by helping to break the cycles of chronic homelessness, poverty, and poor health. Our health clinic and young adult programs strive ...

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Episode 358 – Back from Winter Break with New Patterns

Our Winter Break started earlier than we planned, but we’re back in the recording studio with the latest episode of the Knit Picks Podcast! Our hosts Stacey and Lee talk about their personal knitting projects they worked on over the break as well as all of the gorgeous pattern collections that came out since our last episode.  Plus, Stacey and Lee talk about the new Upcycle we brought in for the Big Sale, Fall 2022 Felici, and new yarn colors. Then we give some hints on what’s coming in 2023! 00:03 Welcome to the Knit Picks Podcast 00:25 November’s Big Sale started our Winter Break earlier than planned, but we’re back! 02:47 Lee and Stacey have been knitting up a storm and discuss their recent ...

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Best Free Knit Patterns

Our best free knitting patterns are a nice mix of socks, sweaters, hats, cowls, and blankets, and there are toys and more accessories too! These free patterns feature brioche, texture, lace, and cables and include beginner-friendly patterns as well as more challenging handknits. We regularly release new free knitting patterns, so the most popular free pattern on Knit Picks is constantly changing. Strata Cowl by Megan Gonzalez, knit in Swish DKHistory can be traced through layer upon layer of geological strata, and these layered stripes of sedimentary rock have formed ...

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Best Knit Cowl Patterns

Quick and cozy, handknit cowl patterns are both fun to knit and to wear. There are just as many styles to make as there are techniques to choose from for when picking your knitting pattern – lace, cables, and textured stitch patterns can decorate double-loop cowls, single-loop cowls, infinity loops, circular scarves, neckerchiefs, or hoods. Check out our most popular cowl knitting patterns! Deilen Hood by Christina Wareham-Norfolk, knit in Wool of the Andes TweedThe bold cable design on this stylish yet practical hooded cowl picks up the shape of leaves and entwining branches. The cables are simple on ...

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Best Knit Blanket Patterns

Blanket knitting patterns can range from relaxingly simple to wonderfully complex, and you’ll find a mix of both in our list of our best blanket knitting patterns! Modular blankets (aka blankets knit in smaller pieces that are seamed together) keep a bigger project portable, and blankets knit from end to end require no extra organization, so it’s easy to see why both are popular. Stripes, textures, cables, and stranded colorwork blanket patterns all can be found here. Hue Shift Afghan by Kerin Dimeler-Laurence, knit in Brava Sport or Mighty Stitch WorstedMade with simple garter stitch mitered squares and finished off with a darker border, ...

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Best Knit Socks Patterns

Handknit socks are the ultimate portable project, and we’ve gathered up some of our best sock knitting patterns to help you find your next pair to cast on! The classic fingering weight sock is well represented here, with patterns featuring cables, color blocking, fair isle, stranded colorwork, argyle, and lace, and we’ve also got heavier yarn weights used to create handknit house socks! Jive Socks by Katie Noseworthy, knit in HawthorneThese socks were made for swinging! Inspired by the rambunctious sounds of jazz, the Jive socks have been specially designed with the wildest of variegated yarns in mind—breaking up colors but showing them off ...

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Best Knit Hat Patterns

Handknit hats are the perfect project for anyone from beginner knitters to experienced. Everyone loves a hat knitting pattern! They’re quick, fun knits, on top of being wonderfully portable projects to take to knitting groups. Whether you love cables, fair isle, or lace – beanies, caps, toques, or slouches – we have hat patterns for all tastes and styles. Andean Chullo Hat by Kerin Dimeler-Laurence, knit in PaletteAndean knitting is known for its brightly-colored stranded designs. Geometric patterns as well as depictions of common things, like farm animals, are the main motifs seen in this region. Knitting and textile creation are as ubiquitous in Andean ...

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