Choosing colors for Colorwork

A very common question I get is, “how do I pick colors for my
colorwork project?” The short answer is that that’s a really personal
decision. You know what colors you like or that you like to wear, and
there’s no set aesthetic regarding what colors ‘should’ go together.
(believe me, since art school, my personal color palette includes all of
them!)

Generally, a safe bet for a 2-color sweater is to go with a light and
dark version of the same color. So, that means a dark red and light
red, dark blue and light blue, and so on. These colors can be
interchangeable, so it can be a light or dark background. This is great
if you have a favorite color in mind, or want to be completely sure that
the colors will look good together. If you want to use two colors that
you know go well together, be sure to use a light version of one and a
dark version of the other.

That said, choosing a basic palette for a garment starts with a few basic steps.

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Designing a modern Bohus

Bohus sweaters are known for their subtle gradients of color and the
fuzzy halo that gives them an almost ethereal glow. The tradition of
Bohus sweater knitting is a recent and colorful one, inspired by many
other European knitting styles and the fashions of the mid 20th century.

The most recognizeable Bohus item is the yoked sweater. Though the
typical elements of a Bohus-style sweater can be applied to lots of
items like gloves and hats, a colorful stranded yoke really shows off
the techniques used. Careful planning of increases, multiple colors in
each row, knit and purl stitches and slipped stitches create a texture
unique to Bohus knitting. This texture can make even the simplest motif,
like stripes or dots, look exotic and unexpected. When I began thinking
about Tuva,
I wanted color to become the real focus, and let the stitches help to
show them off. I didn’t want this to be subtle – and immediately jumped
for a vivid rainbow.

With so many elements to balance, designing a Bohus-style yoked sweater presents some interesting challenges.

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Podcast Episode 196: Northern Lights Collection Interview with Kerin

This week, take a tour of Scandinavia as you hear all about Kerin’s inspiration for Northern Lights, a new collection of patterns inspired by the region and its cultures that are steeped in a rich history of knitting. Featuring six stunning patterns, Kerin walks you through the traditions of Norway, Iceland, Finland, Denmark, the Faroe Islands, and Sweden as she shares the stories and ideas behind each of the patterns. Naturally, Kerin put her special twist on each of the patterns by melding the traditions, color, and motifs of Scandinavia with updated shaping and elegant, modern details.
If you enjoy hearing about the design process and how ideas are transformed from sketches and swatches into finished patterns and pullovers – you’ll love hearing Kerin’s stories behind each of the six designs of Northern Lights. History buffs will also love hearing more about the cultures and traditions of these six Scandinavian …

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Small Joys: Crafting Books with Peculiar Titles

As one of our resident copywriters, I get first peek at all of the varied and wonderful books available on the website. Often times, simply because of workflow and logistics, I see the book’s title far before I see any related images, patterns or other content; that means that I am often unable to immediately “judge a book by its cover”—allowing hilarity to ensue!

In honor of our super 40% off book sale,
I thought I’d share a few of my favorite oddball, double-take,
laughter-gifting titles. I apologize in advance. I cannot guarantee that
you have the same sense of humor as I do.

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Embroidery: How to do the Back Stitch

Every couple of months, I get the urge to break out of my little knitting bubble to try my hand at some other crafty craft. My latest adventure has been with crochet. I’ve dabbled in crochet here and there but I’ve never undertaken more than a small toy (yet at the moment, I am completely obsessed with working on my first-ever crochet blanket!).

However, a few months back when I got the itch to try something new with my yarn collection – I fell in love with the world of embroidery! This was a whole new way to explore color and texture, it was almost like drawing (slowly) with yarn. I even bought a shadow box to frame my little embroidery sampler that I was working on as a fun way of meshing my crafty explorations with pretty home decor.

So it was no surprise that my interest in embroidery was revived when I saw Kerin’s latest design – the Suzani Jacket!

This pattern incorporates four different types of embroidery to embelish and beautify this colorful cardigan. If you’ve had your eye on this pattern but haven’t had much experience with these techniques (or maybe you just want more fun and unique ways to use up those odds and ends!), we’ve created a series of video tutorials that focus on different embroidery techniques.

For this week’s technique of the week, we’re highlighting the versatile back stitch!

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This is what happens when I stop baking

I have been committed to a gluten-free diet for about four months. (Medical disclaimer – I am not a doctor)

I decided to give the diet a try after reading blogs covering the gluten-free lifestyle. So far, I have been very happy with my results with one HUGE exception. I absolutely love baking! I don’t necessarily eat everything I bake because I use baked goods as gifts to friends and family. It’s the act of baking that gives me so much pleasure.

It is possible to bake gluten-free at home but I feel like it is just too involved so I’ve given up baking. Would you believe I have had withdrawal symptoms? Not for sugar and calories but for the act of baking. I’ve found myself getting up on Saturday morning having to fight the urge to whip up scones, cookies and a pie. Don’t even get me started on my urges to bake bread.

Over the Labor Day Weekend, I decided to focus on having my knitting and spinning as a healthy way to distract me from baking. As much as I love my fiber world, I’ve been astounded at how it has been an effort to have it replace my baking urges. Once I got myself settled, I did enjoy the the hours of uninterrupted knitting.

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Holla Knits Fall/Winter 2012

Our friends at Holla Knits! have a new collection out!

All of us here were big fans of the first Holla Knits! collection and couldn’t wait to see what Allyson Dykhuizen would come up with next. And we were not disappointed! Once again, the Holla Knits! designers show two different versions of each pattern, one in an indie yarn and one in Knit Picks yarn. We are so excited to be part of these wonderful collections and delighted to be included on their blog tour!

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Let’s take a trip…

…through Scandinavia!

My newest collection, Northern Lights, is out – just in time for fall
knitting. The six patterns in this collection were inspired by the
amazing knitting traditions of Norway, Finland, Sweden, Iceland, Denmark
and the Faroe Islands.

The beautiful 8-pointed rose common in Norwegian designs becomes the highlight of the Aesa Pullover

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Tempest Time!

Oh man, there’s nothing better than a fully finished project! Blocked and everything! It’s a rare thing at my house so when a project actually makes it through all the steps and winds up actually wearable, it’s time for a little celebration. My Tempest cardigan just became one of those sought-after treasures.

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