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by Jenny K on April 17, 2012
At the beginning of the new year, instead of setting resolutions for myself that I knew would be lost after a month or two - I instead tried to come up with a list of crafting goals for myself in 2012. And wouldn't you know it, I have been slowly been tackling new projects and checking off my goals! One of the things I knew I really wanted to try this year was spinning. And aside from the fact that you get to make your own yarn, I just loved the zen-like calm that spinners have about them as they sit at their spinning wheel. Combined with the fact that I had a wealth of information all around me since so many others here at the KP office know how to spin, I finally faced with the fact that it might be time to learn. I had a good chunk of Wool of the Andes Roving in Tidepool Heather that I started on with a drop spindle, and that is where my spinning adventure started! L: Full Circle Roving, R: Full Circle and Wool of the Andes Roving |
Category Archives: Yarn
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by Jenny K on March 29, 2012
With warmer weather just around the corner (at least hopefully for us here in the Pacific Northwest), more of my project planning starts to focus on working with cotton yarns and blends. For me, shifting from planning and working up projects with animal fibers to plant based fibers can be a bit tricky since cotton fibers play by their own rules. This means that we as knitters and crocheters must sort through additional guidelines and characteristics to achieve the desired results that we are looking for in our projects. To help explain why protein and plant fibers differ, we have to look closer at the structure of the fibers. Unlike wool and other protein fibers, cotton yarns are made up of cellulose fibers. These are fibers that typically are inelastic, yet very strong and durable. The structure of these plant fibers also have the ability to pull away heat instead of retaining warmth. You can work with these qualities to your advantage, however – if chosen without these considerations, your project may not turn out as expected. |
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by Hannah on March 28, 2012
I'm so excited to share the catalog cover for April 2012! I knew I wanted to do something with our lovely range of cotton yarns and I definitely wanted to create flowers but it took a few tries to get the cover just how we wanted it. I can't help thinking about the huge field of poppies in the Wizard of OZ when I look at this picture. |
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by Knit Picks Podcast on March 15, 2012
With spring just around the corner, there are lots of new yarns popping up here at Knit Picks! First, Alison chats with Jenny about all of the fun that was had while developing the fifteen new colors of Chroma Fingering and Chroma Worsted. Hear all about the colors that almost didn’t make the cut, how they were saved and which shades are quickly becoming staff favorites. Next up on the list of new yarns is Aloft! Jenny and Stacey chat about why they just can’t make up their minds and choose a favorite of Aloft’s five new colors, in addition to giving tips and tricks to working with Aloft and of course, there is also plently of pattern inspiration for this lovely yarn. Finally, Alison introduces Hannah, our catalog designer for Knit Picks! In addition to dreaming up fun cover shoots and making the catalog beautiful, Hannah also gets to ... |
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by Jenny K on March 6, 2012
The best way to create extra special projects is to use a yarn that is equally extra special! And knowing the different properties of luxury fibers will help you to make the very most of out of every stitch. No matter if you are looking to make a luxurious sweater for a friend or family member or perhaps you simply want to indulge in a one-skein wonder, you’ll find a variety of luxury fibers that are sure to suit your project. City Tweed DK |
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by Stacey on February 23, 2012
With Kerin & Hannah's recent posts on organizing their stash, I decided to work on my craft corner last weekend! When I lived in Massachusetts, my significant other & I had a 3 bedroom house, which was great! I took the tiny room for my craft area, where I could keep all my yarny things, plus my sewing machine, books, a comfy chair and anything else I wanted in my own private sanctuary. It was a very small dark room but I liked having a place of my own. |
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by Knit Picks Staff on February 14, 2012
Being relatively young, I still have the energy to ask the bland questions: Why should Valentine’s Day matter to us? In this, I mean the Valentine’s Day of you and me---the general, stodgy adults---since I think we can agree that children could never have any objection to candies and little cards and fun days at school. As it’s a time to acknowledge and reward Romance, let’s also give some thought to love-in-actuality and what endures. Now being in a position to look back some, I can say that I’ve forgotten nearly all of my Valentine’s Day gifts through the years. I’ve certainly forgotten all the flowers and candies and trinkets. I’ve forgotten most of the books and records. |
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by Hannah on February 8, 2012
My yarn stash is... well, more along the lines of a squirrel hoarding acorns against a long winter than a few future projects saved and waiting to be used. I spent this past weekend trying to impose some sort of order. While the pile hasn't gotten any smaller (in fact, it's gotten a tad bit bigger after the office stash swap party last week) I do think I've found a way to make starting projects easier. |
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by Guest on February 1, 2012
(Note: Our wonderful Purchasing Director Teri is one of the biggest cheerleaders for Brava - here's her experience with it! You also may recognize her son Tyler from several patterns currently on our site such as the cute Duck Hat. - Stacey) As soon as I heard we were getting acrylic yarn I rejoiced! |
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by Hannah on January 31, 2012
I bought The Beekeeper's Quilt pattern from Tiny Owl's Magic Attic back in October and have quietly been working on hexipuffs between other knitting projects ever since. I've been using all my fingering weight odds and ends leftover from all the sock projects, mittens and Teeny-Tiny Mochimochi critters that I made over the holidays. This morning I decided to sit down and see if I could identify all the Knit Picks yarn that has gone into this project so far... it was fun trying to retrace my knitting! Do you spot them all? |
