Follow along and discover your next inspiration as we cast on for projects we love, explore new techniques, and dish about the latest and greatest from Knit Picks.
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The Big Cozy (the name always makes me think of one of my favorite movies, The Big Sleep) is a super bulky alpaca/wool blend that is SO SOFT. I haven’t actually worked with super bulky yarns in years so I figured I should play around with it. I grabbed the largest needles I own (size 13) and a skein of both Marine Heather and Finnley Heather and decided to make a hat!
I LOVE taking two radically different Chroma colors, pairing them up and then working stripes until both skeins run out. I especially like how Chroma looks in a Granny crochet stitch, each little 3dc cluster is a slightly different color from the last and the gradual fade between colors is wonderfully mesmerizing.
Let me start out by saying – I LOVE bobbles! Not only are they a simple and fun way to incorportate a bit of texture into your project, but bobbles also add loads of scrubbing power to dishcloths! The Little Leaves Crochet Dishcloth Pattern uses a simple bobble with a chain 1 space, making it super easy to see where you need to make the bobbles on the next row.
This is the last week that we are touring the creative spaces of several designers from our new fall collection, Burnished and Jill Wright is the final contribution! Jill is both a knitwear and crochet designer and has been a part of several exclusive Knit Picks collections. For Burnished, she designed the Aspen Pullover Knitting Pattern – a classic staple for any cool weather wardrobe. Let’s hear what sparks Jill’s creativity and what inspires her designs.
where all the magic happens…in Jill’s recliner!
design inspiration: We have huge, tall Ponderosa pines as well as Colorado Blue Spruce, and Aspen trees whose leaves flutter beautifully in the gentlest breeze. Aspen leaves turn the most gorgeous shades of yellows, rusts and reds in the fall, and silhouetted against the deep blue Colorado sky the views they produce on the hillsides are just stunning. I liked the idea of having sparks of interest all over this sweater by having the central stitch pattern worked up both center front and back.
Fall is just around the corner and the new September wallpaper calendar definitely captures the spirit of this cooler season. Soon we will be returning back to cozy sweaters, savoring hot chocolate and enjoying our favorite crafts to keep us busy during the longer nights.
To get the free calendar background of your choosing (for smart phones, tablets and desktop computers), simply click the applicable device icon below. Enjoy!
Start your day off right with a dishcloth of deliciously intense fruit flavors. Made with whole cotton fiber and lightly sweetened, Fruity Loops makes dish washing fun, and is a complete source of rainbow cheer.
You’ve seen it all over your Facebook freinds, Twttier feeds and the news. Celebrities, sports figures and everyday people are taking part. It’s the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge – where you are are challenged to make a donation to ALSA.org and post a video dumping a bucket of ice water over your head. It seemed so silly at first, but has gained in momentum and the last total I saw was 90+ million dollars raised to fight ALS (also known as Lou Gehrig disease).
This week, Knit Picks and the rest of the Crafts Americana team at Vancouver WA office were happy to take part, as ALS has affected members of our families. We made a donation for everyone who took part (22 staff members), along with personal donations.
You may have visited this page on our website and read about the Knit Picks core team. However, Knit Picks is a company of so many people you may have never considered. In this episode, hear from Laura Birek, one of our great designers, Andrea Lum, an amazing test knitter, and Stephanie Starkel, Supervisor of Customer Service for Crafts Americana. Hear about what makes their jobs challenging, rewarding, and surprising, too!
Say “Hello!” to Simone Kereit – a designer from our fall pattern collection Burnished and this week’s contributor to our “From the desk of…” series. Let’s get to know what inspires Simone and learn more about her design process!