The Knit Picks Staff Knitting Blog

by Knit Picks Staff on April 5, 2013

With the swatches for my dad’s sweater blocked and measured, I was finally able to get to the math of the pattern! I sketched out what I wanted it to look like, and got to work on measurements.

Casting on after so long was a relief. I feel like I’m actually working towards keeping that promise now! And with an impending trip to see my dad, I’ve got the motivation of a deadline to spur me on.
I haven’t done much yet. Just past the sleeve cuffs and into the rhythm of cables and increases. But it’s progress – and now that I’m past the 1×1 ribbing (beautiful, but not as fast as I’d like!), the sleeves are whizzing right along. I’m working both at once, …

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Tags: crochet, Knit Picks Designers, Works in Progress

Sweater Finishing Series: How to Set in Sleeves

by Jenny K on April 4, 2013

Although binding off that last stitch on your sweater is extremely satisfying, there is usually a bit more work left to do in order for that sweater to be truly finished. Whipstitching a hem, grafting at the underarms, and picking up stitches for a buttonband or collar – these are the smaller details that require time and attention but may not be the most familiar of knitting techniques. So what’s a knitter with finishing woes to do? Why ask Kerin, of course!

In addition to designing patterns for our kits and collections, Kerin is also well versed in a huge range of interesting and unusual knitting techniques. So it only seemed fitting that as she was casting off a cardigan and planning out the finishing details to put everything together into a video tutorial series on sweater finishing.
The first part of this series focuses on how to set in the sleeves …

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Tags: Finishing Techniques, Tutorials, video

Tiny Spring Knits

by Hannah on April 3, 2013

I rediscovered my size 0 DPNS and some sort of spring FEVER just swept right over me. Before I knew it I had knit up a whole passel of Anna Hrachovec’s Tiny Cupcakes and a Tiny Easter Bunny lined up next to me! All this adorable knitting happened during a burst of sun over the weekend, so I was able to camp out on my back stoop and whip out all of these guys in an afternoon. I had one ball each of Sky, Blush, Wheat, Grizzly Heather and White Palette in a little basket and I just loved peeking at those happy colors together as I worked.

4 Comments

Tags: Finished Objects

Billow Contest Winners!

by Stacey on April 2, 2013

We had some beautiful projects in our Billow contest! I’m certainly glad I didn’t have to pick the winner – for this contest, we tallied the “love” clicks on the bottom of their Ravelry post!

And the 1st place winner is jodiemom with her gorgeous The Road Not Taken throw!

2 Comments

Tags: Inspiration

A little of this, a little of that!

by Knit Picks Staff on March 29, 2013

I’ve been busily swatching away on my dad’s sweater – and I think I’ve finally heeded to that little voice inside my head that tells me “Keep it simple!”

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Tags: crochet, gift knitting, Knit Picks Designers, stash, Works in Progress

Podcast Episode 211: Interview with Spilly Jane!

by Knit Picks Podcast on March 28, 2013

Kelley has been a long-time fan of Spilly Jane’s designs, so she jumped at the chance to chat with her for the Knit Picks podcast! And those who aren’t familiar with Spilly Jane’s patterns, you are in for a real treat. Spilly Jane is a Canadian knitter and knitwear designer who is in love with colour and texture and habitually translates songs, food and architecture into elegantly quirky handknit socks and mittens. Hear all about how Jane first started knitting and what started her mitten obsession, in addition to getting the inside scoop on her design process for her well-loved patterns.
The Swedish Fish Mittens might be one of my personal favs, but it’s so hard to choose just one! Find all of Spilly Jane’s mitten …

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Tags: Inspiration

A Photo Session With Linus

by Hannah on March 28, 2013

I love any opportunity I get to photograph my little buddy, Linus. Once upon a time he helped us with a video for our old Special Reserve yarn, Sugarbunny and he was the little cutie modeling a knit sweater on this very blog a few weeks ago. Yesterday, we got to take advantage of his very accommodating personality (and his ability to hold still lying on his back all by himself) to take some fun photos with Palette.

10 Comments

Tags: behind the scenes, Pets, silliness, Yarn

Last Socks of the Season

by Hannah on March 13, 2013

Winter is SOCK TIME! Take one glance at my bin (yes I said bin)
of WIPs and you’ll typically see a pair of two-at-a-time toe-up socks on
a pair of size 2 fixed circular needles hanging out among all the hats
and mittens. I like being able to pick them up between projects, cruise
through both heel sections over a weekend and then knit in a rather
meandering way until I just can’t STAND to look at them anymore before I cast off and pop them over my toes.

This particular pair of Imagination foot
cozies have been resurfacing on and off over the past month or so. All
the greenery, daffodils and warm sunshine over the past week has
reminded me that soon it would be summer again and time for me to start
casting on more cute toys and fewer cozy woolens. I plopped down on the
couch with a jar of tea and finished them up this past weekend before
all that lovely sunshine convinced me that I could wait until next
winter to get them off the needles and onto my toes!

4 Comments

Tags: Finished Objects, socks

The magic of safety eyes

by Stacey on March 12, 2013

Way back when I first started knitting toys, I was always disappointed in my embroidery skills, especially when it came to their eyes. For instance, about 6 years ago, I made a couple of the Mochimochi Knitted Grass guys by Anna Hrachovec.

While I like them, they just didn’t quite have that cute look I love with knitted and crochet toys. Their eyes are uneven and no matter how much I tried, I could not get it to come out right. They just look all wonky to me.

Then I discovered safety eyes! Not only did they save me from my unsuccessful attempts at embroidery, they gave my Grass Guy a little sparkle in the eye that just made him so much more adorable.

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Tags: Finished Objects, New Products, Toys

Ernesto

by Knit Picks Staff on March 11, 2013

My tiny baby Nate isn’t so tiny anymore, and he’s outgrowing clothes left and right. I tend to get sticker shock when I shop for baby clothes, and there’s no worse offender than the commercially made knit sweater – I just can’t stomach paying so much for a piece of clothing that will only last him a month or three.

Baby knits are satisfying to me for a number of reasons. First, I get to stash bust like a crazy person. The finished garment is small, small enough to only require 3-5 skeins of whatever I have lying around. If I see an accidental grouping of eye-catching colors in the bottom of a yarn bin, they may end up in a teeny sweater.

Second, the actual knitting is fast. As long as I keep focused, I can churn out a sweater in just a couple of days and get it right onto a (little) body. Success!

Finally, and somewhat shamefully, the fit doesn’t have to be as accurate as for me. Babies don’t necessarily need set-in sleeves or short row shaping, and oversized knits are pretty charming too. I secretly love making a sweater for a few months in the future and then unceremoniously stuffing Nate into it. So cozy! So warm!

3 Comments

Tags: Finished Objects

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