Category Archives: Inspiration

Mother’s Day Gift Guide: Life of Luxury

My mom and I have very different tastes, but we both really like to knit. When I knit, almost always seamlessly, I can hear her say, "What's wrong with seaming?". When I use only circular needles, I can hear her say, "What's wrong with straights? That's how we've always knitted!" She likes books with bold designs, and fibers with lots of flare, and that's what makes this craft great: we can all be so different and come together over the beauty of the craft. My mother does not knit for practical purposes. She knits to make herself luxury items, and she wears them in bold combinations. For Mother's Day, I think my mom would love: 1. Nicky Epstein's "Knitting on Top of the World". I recall her saying at one point, "Even if you don't make any of the things in these books, they are just so gorgeous to look at". Like a fashion magazine with patterns, this book is right up her alley.

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Lindy Chain Yarn - KnitPicks.com
Perfect Patterns for Lindy Chain!

It's official! The weather is gorgeous, flowers are blooming and I'm ready for something a little lighter weight on my needles. Lindy Chain to the rescue! I still can't get over how delightful finished projects feel in this yarn. In the ball the strands feel a little crisp because of the linen content and chain ply of the yarn, however once each project is blocked the fabric acquires such a lovely drape and surprising softness that's simply irresistible. In honor of our latest offer for a free ball of Lindy Chain with a $25 order, here's a pattern round-up of my favorite projects!

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Ending soon: 20% off Palette Yarn

The Monthly Yarn Sale for April includes our entire 150-color line up of our beloved Palette yarn, but the clock is ticking and the last days of April are slowing dwindling away - which means there are only a few days left to save 20% off our favorite fingering weight wool yarn! Now, just in case you've stashed away some Palette and need a bit of pattern inspiration - we've gathered together a few of our favorite patterns ranging from small, weekend projects to stash-busting designs and stunning colorwork masterpieces!

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The Beginner Blanket Two Ways: Knit + Crochet

Say hello to your favorite new blanket - easy enough for even the most timid beginners while more experienced crafters will enjoy the meditative repetition (perfect for netflix marathons)! This super easy pattern uses simple stitches to make a bold impact with large, modern stripes. And taking cues from all of the knitters and crocheters here at Knit Picks, we decided to make two versions - knit and crochet - that each shine with undeniable beauty while highlighting the essence of each craft.

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Crafting Confessions

If you've gotten a Knit Picks order in the last couple of months, you might have noticed a card hiding out with your yarn - tempting you to reveal your deepest, darkest crafty secrets with the world! We've loved reading through your submissions on Instagram (#CraftingConfessions) and there have been many LOL-worthy moments...mainly because we can relate! And now, we decided it was time to turn the tables and reveal our own confessions with you! Here are some of our favorite crafting confessions from the staff at Knit Picks, ENJOY!  

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“Classic” Craft Books: A Book Sale Round-up

If you're a crafter, you probably have a favorite book - one you've made things from over and over again, or turned to for inspiration time after time. Today, I'm going to highlight three books we here at Knit Picks just can't seem to put down. They're books that produce garments and accessories that illicit the age-old question, "What pattern is that?" Over and over they are patterns that come out of these books. To us, they're modern classics, ones we believe you'll love, too. With 40% off all books currently, perhaps you'll consider putting picking one up. They never seem to disappoint!

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Staff Projects: Comfy Babies!

Baby and children's garments are popular staff knits here at Knit Picks. They offer a quick knit, not much shaping, and are so very satisfying to give to a new mom, or your own kiddo. When Comfy Worsted Heathers came into the office, Alison and Hannah took no time at all casting on for some great cotton garments that are sure to look great on some sweet small people they know. Hannah went down to a size 2 needle and used 1 skein each of Comfy Worsted Heathers in Ripple Heather and Finnley Heather to make her Puerperium Cardigan (free pattern HERE). I love how subtle and beautiful the stripes look in heathered colors, and the side buttons will make this one easy to get on and off a newborn!

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6 Ways to Wear the Golden Morning Collection

Spring is well underway and that means lots of layers are in order! Our Golden Morning 2015 Spring Collection is filled with delightfully colorful garments that will become essentials for in the transition to warmer weather. Want a quick dose of spring style inspiration? We've put together 6 outfits featuring a cardigan, a pullover and a vest from the new spring garment collection. Let's get thinks started with the Daisies Cardigan! Daisies Cardigan THREE IS THE MAGIC NUMBER: When in doubt - pair black and white with a bright, bold color to make a dramatic (and chic!) style statement.

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Garment and Accessory Books We Love

Sometimes I marvel at the craft world - about how many people are knitting, how many more people want to learn, and about how many amazing collections of knitwear  and crochet designs there are in the world. Will my queue ever get manageable? Will I ever think to myself, "I haven't seen anything lately I really want to make"? Probably not. So many books cross my desk here at Knit Picks, and so many of them are so striking, offering crafters a chance to make something truly breathtaking. With all books currently at 40% off in our book sale, I thought I'd highlight 3 books that I thought are really something special.

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Free Patterns: Diadem Edition

Have you had the pleasure of knitting or crocheting with Diadem yet? This dreamy yarn is a delectable blend of baby alpaca and mulberry silk – and if that wasn’t enough to get your attention, the lusciously saturated colors will most definitely have you dreaming of silky soft accessories. No wonder a skein of two of this splurge-worthy yarn has found its way into my yarn stash! If you’re in a similar situation and have 1-2 skeins of Diadem just waiting to be transformed into something incredible, we’ve got 4 stunning and delightfully FREE patterns for you! First up is the Simple Shells Crocheted Cowl from designer Beth Major. Simple Shells Crocheted Cowl

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