Category Archives: Podcast

Episode 354 – Revisiting Old Patterns

Here at the Knit Picks Podcast, we’re often excited to share new patterns with you all, but this week we’re talking about revisiting old patterns that we love to knit over and over again. Stacey throws it back with her most recent Clapotis that’s fresh on her needles, and Lee and Andi discuss using Lee’s self-published eBooks over and over again to create something new each time. Our hosts also chat about how using a new yarn can refresh an older pattern to make it feel modern again.  Lee’s Adventure Knitting Sweater Plus, the time has come to wrap up our Game Day Knit Along. The hosts discuss finishing (or not finishing) their projects, and everyone is still contemplating ...

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Episode 353 – Say Hello to Alexis Again!

Changes have been happening at Knit Picks this summer, and we’re excited to reintroduce Alexis Wilson-Castaldi, who is now the Knit Picks Brand Director! You may remember her from when she previously was on the podcast while working in various positions, including in photography and purchasing. She shares a few of her favorite patterns to knit, as well as her favorite yarns. Alexis also tells us about bringing back features like our Yarn of the Month promotions and pulling some yarns marked as discontinued back into the regular selection! Alexis with her stack ...

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Episode 352 – Always Learning with Donna Estin

Game Day Cardigan by Donna Estin from Generations: Knits for All Ages We couldn’t end our Game Day Cardigan KAL without talking to its designer, Donna Estin! She shares with us her inspiration for the sweater and clever little details incorporated into the pattern. Donna also tells us about the Boho Lace Vest from Transitions: Lace Patterns, drawing inspiration from the runway, TKGA’s Master Hand Knitting Certification, and enabling knitters to make their projects their own! Boho Lace Vest by Donna Estin from Transitions: Lace Patterns Plus, Lee and Stacey talk about our new yarn Journey Tweed ...

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Episode 351 – A Chat with Designer Claire Slade

The Sea Sprite Vest by Claire Slade In this episode, Lee, Stacey, and Andi discuss getting through the long stockinette section of their Game Day Cardigans for the summer KAL. They also compare their preferred methods for marking up patterns and keeping track of progress when working through pattern repeats. Professor Meow Pullover by Claire Slade Lee and Stacey share some behind the scenes work that went into creating Haven: Knit Lace Patterns, and later on, Stacey interviews Claire Slade, the designer of the Sea Sprite Vest from Haven about her design process and favorite ...

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Episode 350 – Why are you spitting on your yarn? 

Summer knitting has arrived in the Pacific Northwest! In this episode, Stacey and Lee discuss their summer crafting, contemplate cotton knits, and talk about wearing knits on the Oregon coast.  Stacey and Lee also share their Game Day KAL progress, and Lee tells the story of an unfortunate set-back involving her cat, Karl. Next, Producer Andi joins in the conversation to talk about methods of joining new balls of yarn as everyone progresses on their cardigans. Later, Stacey and Lee answer your questions! Topics include, cable lengths for magic loop, how to undo knitting, weaving in ends, and more. You can send questions to be answered on future episodes to podcast@knitpicks.com, or leave one in the comments here! Mentioned in this Episode Game Day Cardigan ...

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Episode 349 – New Faces and Knit Alongs

Jen’s Sailaway Cardigan sample that was knit in 4 days! The Knit Picks team has grown a lot during our long podcast hiatus, and in this episode, we’re excited to introduce you to two new staff members: Alena Ruman, the IDP Program Administrator, and Jen Burt, our Content and Outreach Coordinator. Lee interviews Alena about her experiences starting at the Knit Picks warehouse in Ohio and then moving to the Pacific Northwest to work as the IDP Program Administrator. Alena is an experienced yarn dyer and shares with Lee some of her tips for dyeing using acid dyes.

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Episode 348 – We’re back from break!

The podcast is back! After a long break, we’re excited to have a regular recording schedule again. In this episode, you’ll hear about Lee and Stacey’s personal projects that they’ve worked on during our long recording break. They’ll also share with you collections, patterns, and new yarns that have been released over the period.Next, we’re excited to share with you our summer knit along, featuring the Game Day Cardigans by Donna Estin from Generations: Knits for All Ages. The whole podcast team is substituting the suggested yarn for High Desert Worsted, and they share their color ...

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Knit Picks Podcast Episode 347 – Learning & Teaching Yarn Crafts

Today on the Knit Picks Podcast we’re talking all about our knitting pasts and futures. From learning to knit to taking that knowledge and teaching someone to knit, the Knit Picks Podcast team offers up their experience. First up Lee and Stacey invite friends, co-workers and fellow crafters, Heather and Kate to come on the podcast for a discussion of their knitting and crochet origins. Each starts their craft somewhere but what everyone has in common is that someone else helped them get started. Next Lee and Stacey share tips and tricks for people who want to teach knitting to their friends and family. While Lee has experience teaching knitting classes, Stacey has experience helping people in one-on-one learning sessions. Stacey also shares ...

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Knit Picks Podcast Episode 346 – An Ode to Chunky Yarns & Get Excited About Spinning with Michael Smith

While the word “chunky” in relation to yarn is not an official yarn weight class, it is common to refer to thicker yarns, Aran, Bulky, Super Bulky and Jumbo as “Chunky”. Today on the Knit Picks Podcast the team talks about chunky yarns and what to do with them! First up Lee and Stacey check in on their WIPs and discuss projects to knit with Bulky and Super Bulky yarns. Later Lee sits down with Michael Smith aka @piece4peacecrafting to learn more about his knitting and his spinning journey. Lee and Stacey talk about the benefits of working with chunky yarns. Projects knit up faster with chunky yarns but also create a thicker fabric. If you’re new to bulky and super bulky ...

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Knit Picks Podcast Episode 345 – A Celebration of UFOs and Summertime Knits with Designer Felecia O’Connell

UFOs have been in the news recently. How many UFOs have you encountered? In knitting, UFO stands for “UnFinished Object!” In honor World UFO Day and in celebration of summer, today we are talking about our knitting-related UFOs and summertime knitting. First, on behalf of World UFO Day (celebrated around the end of June), Lee and Stacey talk about their definitions of UFOs vs. WIPs. There are a good deal of insider terms that get thrown around in the crafting community. A quick look: UFO – UnFinished ObjectWIP – Works in ProgressPHD – Project Half Done (not mentioned in this episode but good to know) Lee and Stacey also confess to the projects they haven’t picked up in a long time. Is it time ...

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