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.
Meet the team »
I’ve gotten so much in the habit of knitting socks that I have forgotten that hats have many qualities that make them ideal, portable projects.
While we were out to dinner the other night, one of the waitresses reminded me that I had promised her a hat for winter. Yikes! Thank goodness I just received a review copy of Weekend Hats.
Read more »That’s how much time I have to finish up the knitted gifts for my family’s Christmas celebrations! Eek!
Luckily I was smart this year and started my biggest project first, which was a vest for my mom – I made Talia, a free pattern by SweaterBabe but I haven’t got a good photo of it yet. So with the big project out of the way, I’m left with a lot of smaller knitted gifts for 4 nieces & nephews.
A month ago, I was told that my 7 year old nephew really wanted some fingerless gloves to match his new green & black bike. I really love the pattern Knucks – I’ve made a ton of them over the years so they’re easy to whip out. I used Swish DK in Black & Peapod.
If you’re reading this, you can safely count yourself among the
comfortably fortunate. Access to the internet, heat, warm clothing and a
family with whom to gather this holiday season are things we might all
easily take for granted. But not everyone is so lucky.
Although need has no season, the season of sharing and giving seems
to highlight the contrast between those who have and those who have not.
It’s this season that reinvigorates my commitment to charitable causes.
When I found out about the Mittens for Akkol drive by The Motherless Child Foundation,
I knew that I’d found a cause that would truly make a difference. This
group of volunteers is spearheaded by parents who adopted children from
the orphanage in Akkol, Kazakhstan, but couldn’t bear to leave the other
children behind.
It all started with a Ravelry post in the Charity Knitting
board requesting socks. Since I’d knit a bunch of kids’ socks earlier
this year, I figured a few more wouldn’t be a problem. But as I read on
about the charity, and especially about the recipients of these socks,
it struck me just how much a simple thing like warm socks can make a
huge difference in the life of someone halfway around the world. So I
started knitting.
Well, we suddenly got very cold here in the Pacific Northwest this week (“very cold” is subjective, I realize. Suffice to say, we’ve been grabbing our warm wooly gear though!). If you’re also in the middle of a chilly December, check out this adorable hat from April Fehrman.
This is the Holiday Earflap Hat! It’s perfect to keep a young friend’s head nice & toasty warm when they’re out in the chilly air especially with the double thick ear flaps!
Read more »This week, Kelley talks about the other half of her fiber life –
creating handspun yarn with a spinning wheel! Hear all about Kelley’s
advice for those new to spinning with a spindle or a wheel in addition
to all of the possibilities you have by making your own yarn.
Kelley also reviews the books Learn to Spin by Anne Field, and Color in
Spinning, by Deb Menz. Next, Kelley talks about all of the wonderful
fiber options you have for spinning and reviews several Knit Picks
roving blends. Finally, Kelley catches you up on what kinds of projects
are on her needles and spinning wheel.
Books & Rovings Reviewed:
Learn to Spin by Anne FieldColor in Spinning by Deb MenzWool of the Andes RovingFull Circle Roving
3 easy ways to listen…
Love the look of spinning fiber but don’t you don’t spin? Do you have a ton of fiber odds and ends that are too precious to toss, but aren’t quite enough to make a skein of yarn?
I bought a pack of empty clear glass ornaments at Target – I think it was $6 for a pack of 9 ornaments, although I’m pretty sure you could find them cheaper elsewhere. In the office, we have samples of the Hanks in the Hood layered spinning batts that just launched on the website, and they come in a really beautiful spectrum of colors and textures and sparkle.
Read more »You don’t need to be a spinner to love fibers! I’m not a spinner but it doesn’t stop me from indulging in an assortment
of fiber. That’s why I am so excited that Knit Picks is now selling many
types of fiber.
There’s Wool of the Andes roving in Bare and in colors, recycled fibers with Full Circle Roving; there are spinning batts in many colors and now silk hankies!
Read more »It’s officially one week into December, and like many people, I have a few projects that are just about ready for finishing – things like seaming, weaving in ends, blocking, etc. This year, I will be trying to work on the finishing touches as I go along, which means I will hopefully be able to avoid the mad dash of sewing and seaming.
For one reason or another, as soon as I bind off my last stitch my mind instantly categorizes my project as done. But! There is still so much to do after binding off, I know this yet, I try to avoid it. Once I get into a good workflow, I can spend the weekend finishing up projects and blocking out shawls with no problem. Like everything, starting is the hardest part – even if it is the finishing that you are starting on.
Read more »
‘Tis the season for knitting and general fiber craft madness! It’s foggy
outside and I’m keeping my cocoa mug topped off while I round out my
basket full of finished presents for family, friends and… of course,
the various pets! I like switching between something that will give
me that instant gratification and those complicated heirloom-quality
pieces that demand a greater portion of my brain. So, I thought I’d share some of the products of my industrious little
needles, just in case there are some of you out there who need a little
nudge of inspiration!
If you’re like me and haven’t started your holiday shopping yet,
don’t fear – there’s still time! And if you’re trying to find just the
thing for your knitting friends, we have lots of options.
Besides yarn and needles, our kits
make great gifts. It comes all packaged up for you (just need some
paper and a bow!), and contains everything you need to make a project.
They make it easy for you to get your shopping done and find something
for every knitter on your list!
Accessories
Accessories are fun to make and wear and are a great medium for learning new things.
This stylish cap pairs a simple slip stitch pattern with advanced
finishing. This is a great project for someone who is a little uneasy
about hemming, lining, seams and sewing – by the end of this hat,
they’ll be a pro!
