Staff Projects: Hats for Days – Part Deux

We are expected to have our first snowfall of the season next week here in the Pacific Northwest. While this may not come as welcome news for some people in our neck of the woods, folks around the KP office are excited at the prospect of putting our most recent labors of love to work, keeping our heads toasty and warm during this potential snowpocalypse (we don’t get a lot of snow around here). In the spirit of bundling up, we’re sharing several of our latest FOs, all of the chapeau variety!

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Podcast Episode 311: Knit, Tips and Tricks

Whether you’re brand new to knitting or an old hand, talking about the foundations of knitting can lead to some profound “ah hah!” moments. Time and again we think we’ve learned all there is to know about our favorite craft, only to be surprised by some little tip or trick from a fellow crafter that totally changes our process.

Lee and Erica start the conversation by sharing their methods for reading both patterns and your knit fabric! Being able to look at your project and correctly “read” your stitches can help prevent errors as well as give you a greater understanding of general knit construction. We even have a little treat for our left-handed listeners.

Next, Stacey and Hannah talk about our forays into knitting …

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Podcast 310 – Knitting Fears Realized

Halloween, the SPOOKIEST time of year may have come and gone, but our offices and crafting queues are still haunted by scary decorations and seasonal knits.

While we’re still making cute ghosts, leaves and pumpkins and enjoying treats with cinnamon and spice, we thought it would be the perfect time to cozy up with some spooky themed podcast segments. 

First up, Lee and Morgan chat about their knitting fears! Trying new projects or techniques can be intimidating so they’ve come up with some tips and tricks to make the whole process easier. 

Next, light some candles and settle in with a cozy blanket while we share some scary stories! Listen along to knitting nightmares with happy endings and surprising twist that are sure to get …

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Getting Started With Lace Knitting

Have you found yourself looking at a gorgeous lace shawl and thinking: “Oh, I could never do that!” Well, we think that anyone can knit lace – even the most intricate of shawls is simply a series of knit, purls, increases, and decreases. The real key to expert lace knitting is the right materials – and patience. While lace can be incorporated into projects, there are some things to keep in mind if you are going with the big guns – intricate lace shawls and wraps.

Yarn

While lace can be knit on any weight of yarn, if you’re drawn to the classic shawls and wraps, you’ll want to choose a lighter weight yarn. As the name implies, lace weight yarns are commonly used to get an airy fabric.

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Podcast 309: Gifting and Color

Summer is long gone, and everyone here at Knit Picks has started gearing up for the holiday gift giving season! Our needles are busy casting on hats, socks, stuffies, and everything in between.

Erica and Hannah share their tips and tricks for managing their project queues throughout this busy season, as well as ways of making sure we all give the perfect gift, every time. Hannah’s favorite tip for making e a stellar gift in no time at all is to pair a basic pattern with a stunning, color-changing yarn.

In the second segment, Lee and Stacey share their favorite ways to feature thes cool color effects of color-changing yarns in projects. From long gradients to steady stripes, color-changing yarns elevate simple projects …

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About Our Easy Care Yarns

With the hectic season of gift knitting/crocheting/crafting upon us, there’s no better time to revisit the convenience of easy care yarns! What, exactly, classifies a yarn as “easy care”? It’s fairly simple: machine washability (two of the most beautiful words in the English language).

Every hand-knit or crocheted project will likely begin with the same step—fiber selection. Beyond the consideration of factors such as color, sheen, and even drape, you’ll want to think about the recipient of your labor of love. The good news? Whether you’re making a tiny hat for a newborn, a gift for someone with a wool sensitivity, or perhaps crafting for a person who is … shall we say … less careful with their accessories, easy care …

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