Podcast Episode 169: Everything Old Is New Again

It seems that this year, there has been a resurgence of popular and much-loved knitting books that are finally back in print! Kelley shares how learning to spin led her down the path of knitting and the books that passed on endless amounts of techniques and knowledge. Kelley then reviews four of her favorite books that are finally back in print and ready to be enjoyed by a new generation of knitters: Aran Knitting, The Book of Fair Isle Knitting, and Charts for Color Knitting, all of which are by Alice Starmore as well as Knitting Around the Word by Lela Nargi. Finally, Kelley catches up with all of the “distractions” that have been making her such a productive knitter.
Books Mentioned:
Knitting in the Old Way by Priscilla Gibson-RobertsKnitter’s Almanac, The Commemorative Edition by Elizabeth ZimmermanAran Knitting by Alice StarmoreBook of Fair Isle Knitting by Alice StarmoreCharts for Color Knitting by …

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Designer Interviews for October Kits!

With cooler weather fast approaching, it only seems appropriate that the new catalog is jam packed with all kinds of knitting goodness! And with so many kits to choose from, there is really something for everyone. You will find everything from blankets and throws to hats, bags, mittens, toys and holiday decorations.

One of my favorites is the Winter Wonderful Kit, I just love the idea of getting a kit of yarn to make my very own set of holiday decorations! I am a total sucker for the holidays and always get excited when I can fill my house with cozy and festive home decor. There are so many options for knitted toys, little gifts, and decorations – and even though it would be time consuming, the knitted string of lights would be completely worth it. Watch Kerin’s designer interview for the Winter Wonderful Kit to see all of the adorable things you could make!

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Fibery fun in the sun

 

Last weekend was the Oregon Flock & Fiber Festival – a big favorite of those here at the office.  While Oregon has a lot of fibery festivals, OFFF is one of the largest.  Lots of yarn & fiber vendors and a lot of fun to be had. And Saturday was an absolutely gorgeous day, so it was the perfect thing to do.  My mom even came up from Eugene to go with me, so it was extra fun!

To the shock & horror of many of my coworkers, I don’t spin and my yarn budget is maxed out this year from all the festivals & yarn shops I went to this summer so my main interest was looking at all the animals!  It’s my favorite thing about OFFF.  I wish I had the means to have them, but I’m afraid my little house would not support something like an alpaca, 🙂

 2011-09-24_11-21-35_978

 

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It’s beginning to look a lot like….

Holiday knitting season! Yes, yes, I know, it’s still September. But,
if you’re planning on knitting some holiday gifts, now is a pretty good
time to start! Now, I don’t know about you, but I think I’ve knit just
about every type of thing I can think of as gifts, and I’m sure my mom
only needs so many scarves. So, what to do? How about giving some lovely
ornaments and decorations from the Winter Wonderful kit?

This kit
includes 15 patterns for everything from a Mitten and Sled (that also
function as gift card holder!) to a life-sized Poinsettia and adorable
stuffed Chickadee and Polar Bear. Or, make a cute yarn basket for your
favorite knitting friend…

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Freebie Friday!

 

From now until the holidays, we are going to have Freebie Friday!  We are going to post a brand new free pattern every Friday (or highlight our favorite from our current library!) so we can get you all ready for the gifts you’ll be knitting & crocheting for family and friends this year – or heck, for yourself!

Our first one is from IDP designer Christine Olson – a super cute Lacy KiP Bag!

 

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My Grandmother’s Knitting Book Signing Recap

Last week, we posted about the book signing event for My Grandmother’s Knitting that was being put on by Andersen Fiber Works in Gresham, Oregon. A bunch of us from Knit Picks were able to attend the event and it was such a wonderful evening! Not only did I get to visit a new yarn store, but I also got a chance to hang out with other knitters and see Jen who does the Hanks in the Hood batts for Knit Picks.

For me, the evening started off by wondering around and admiring all of the yarn and fiber. Then, we moved upstairs to see Larissa Brown, Chrissy Gardiner,
Leigh Radford, Joan McGowan Micheal, and Stevanie Pico for the book signing of My Grandmother’s Knitting. Kelley (and Xena), Alison, Hannah and myself found a cozy spot to settle in and work on a bit of knitting as the karaoke was getting started.

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it’s book sale time…

What better time to buy books then during a book sale!!  All those
books you’ve been eyeing or have in your wish list are just begging to
be purchased! and at 40% off how can you resist? I’ve hunted for the
best knitting & crocheting books around so that you have a huge
selection to choose from.  There’s something for everyone!

One of our best sellers is Knit One, Knit All by Elizabeth Zimmermann, which features 39 new patterns that have never been published in any other of Zimmermann’s five books!

Knit one, Knit All

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Small projects are ideal for new yarns!


When we received the samples of our first Special Reserve yarn – Sugarbunny – I grabbed a ball of Platinum and headed off to Ravelry to find a hat pattern.
The Hollywood Boulevard Tam by Alexandra Tinsley is a well-written pattern that I finished in just a day!! 
Sugarbunny is such a wonderful yarn.  So soft and squishy, it makes me just want to squeal. Think about it as ideal for gift knittting.  But, I’m keeping my tam for myself!
 

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