Game Day’s Unique Bands

This post was originally sent via email for our Summer Knit Along.

We’re in the final stretch with just one week left of the KAL! If you were knitting the sleeves and button bands in the order the pattern was written, your sleeves will ideally be done and your bands started.

The neckband of Game Day is knit in two steps. First, half of it is knit and then placed on hold. Next the button bands are knit. With the button bands completed, the neckband is picked back up, so the strip of CC extending over the button band from the neckband is the same height as the contrasting stripes, making it appear like the outer stripe turns a corner but without having to …

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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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Knitting Game Day’s Sleeves

This post was originally sent via email for our Summer Knit Along.

Welcome to Sleeve Island and the final month of our KAL! To finish by the end of this month, ideally you should have your cardigan body completed and sleeves on the needle by now. Drop-shoulder sleeves are delightfully straightforward to knit, with simple shaping along the inner arm and no short rows or complex shaping to demand your attention. The biggest challenge here is one we’ve dealt with in the yoke of Game Day–having two different stitch pattern rates to keep track of. The upper arms feature purl ridges like the goal panels every 6 rounds, and the rate of shaping decreases varies by sizes, so you’ll need to track both. If …

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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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Free Downloadable August 2022 Calendar

Happy August! To celebrate, we have your free monthly calendar wallpapers. Enjoy these August 2022 wallpaper images (free download for you!) — featuring an assortment of blues and reds including Swish Worsted Estuary Heather, Curio #10 Copper, Owlet and Neptune Snuggle Puff, Cotlin Cyan, and Wool of the Andes Persimmon Heather and Firecracker Heather.

How to get the Wallpaper:

To get the free downloadable calendar background of your choice (smart phones, tablets, or desktop computers), simply click on the image of your choice to go to the full-size photo and then save it!

Free August 2022 Wallpaper for Desktop:

Free August 2022 Wallpaper for Tablet:

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Planning Game Day’s Next Steps

This post was originally sent via email for our Summer Knit Along.

At this point in the Game Day KAL, everyone is likely to be at points that look dramatically different as we get towards the end of working on the sweater bodies. Once you divide at the armholes, some parts will feel like they zip along quickly, while others may take longer than you expect! Wherever you’re at, to stay on track and have your cardigan finished by the end of August, aim to finish your sweater body by the end of July, leaving you all of August for the sleeves and button bands.

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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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Keeping Track of Stitch Patterns

This post was originally sent via email for our Summer Knit Along.

Once the body of your Game Day Cardigan reaches a certain length, it’s time to mark the sides and establish the textured stitch patterns. The first row after the stockinette creates the reverse stockinette ridge that frames the textured stitch patterns, and it’s the point to mark our left and right fronts and the back. 

The pattern calls for a lot of markers to be used, so you may find it helpful to color code them for yourself! If you’re using our locking stitch markers like KP Staff Member Andi is using on hers, pick one color for the sides and another color for the stitch patterns to be added in the next …

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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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Free Downloadable July 2022 Calendar

Happy July! To celebrate, we have your free monthly calendar wallpapers. Enjoy these July 2022 wallpaper images (free download for you!) — featuring an assortment of blues including Stroll Tweed Prussian Heather, Gloss Fingering Captain, Dusk Swish Worsted, Muse Hand Painted Savvy Tonal and Devotion Hand Painted, and Wool of the Andes Celestial and Depths.

How to get the Wallpaper:

To get the free downloadable calendar background of your choice (smart phones, tablets, or desktop computers), simply click on the image of your choice to go to the full-size photo and then save it!

Free July 2022 Wallpaper for Desktop:

Free July 2022 Wallpaper for Tablet:

Read more »