The Knit Picks Staff Knitting Blog

Episode 370: Yarn Thrift Stores with Zeb from Disco Fibers

by Knit Picks Podcast on September 20, 2023

Every knitter ends up with yarn they don’t plan to use and don’t know what to do with, and that’s the problem Zeb from Disco Fibers is looking to solve! He joins our hosts Lee and Stacey to talk about starting a yarn thrift store in the Portland, OR area that helps get unused yarn out of the back of the closet and into the hands of knitters that will love it.

Plus, Andi joins Stacey to discuss our upcoming KAL, where we’ll all be knitting the Axiom Sweater by Claire Slade! Andi and Stacey chat about their yarn choices and some modifications to the pattern.

Mentioned in this Episode

Lee’s cardigan project in Swish Pops (Ravelry link)

Swish Pops yarn

Twisted Stitch Sourcebook (book with …

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Tags: Podcast

Worsted Weight Yarns for Cables

by Andi Satterlund on September 15, 2023

The Axiom KAL begins October 1st, 2023, so now is the best time to begin picking out yarn to have it ready to cast on by the 1st! The Axiom Sweater was designed using Wool of the Andes Worsted, but this pattern lends itself to substituting other worsted weight yarns that cable well. The key attributes to look for are good stitch definition and elasticity to make well-defined cables and ribbing that holds its shape. Here are the yarns we think are best to use and why!

High Desert Worsted or High Desert Tweed

One of the two suggested yarns, …

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Tags: KAL

Join the Axiom KAL!

by Andi Satterlund on September 13, 2023

Sweater Weather is finally here, and we’re excited to announce that our next knit-along will be the Axiom Sweater by Claire Slade!

Just the Details

What: Knit the Axiom Sweater along with us

When: October 1st – December 15th 2023

Skills to Know: CO, BO, knit, purl, increases, 2×2 cables, getting gauge, seaming, picking up and knitting

Why: To make a beautiful cabled sweater with others

We chose the Axiom Sweater because it’s a great choice for a first cabled sweater, as well as being gender-neutral and size inclusive. It’s a simple, seamed, drop-shoulder pullover knit in worsted weight with a loose fit, and the majority …

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Tags: KAL

Episode 369: Cool Tweed Fall

by Knit Picks Podcast on September 6, 2023

We’re back from summer break and ready to start planning our autumn knits! Dozens of new colors of old favorites and a handful of brand new yarns have come out since we last recorded, and Lee and Stacey are excited to share with you the development process of a few of their favorites.

There isn’t just new yarn! There also are new patterns, and Stacey and Lee chat about our new tweed home collection that comes out the same day as this episode, Stay In & Knit: Tweed Patterns for Home as well as the transitional, lacey collection from earlier this summer, Nature Walk: Lace Patterns.

Plus, the end of the Ice Fire KAL is discussed, and …

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Tags: Podcast

Free Downloadable September 2023 Calendar

by Regan N on September 1, 2023

Happy September! To celebrate, we have your free monthly calendar wallpapers. Enjoy these September 2023 wallpaper images (free download for you!) — featuring our September Yarn of the Month Swish! (starts September 6th)

How to get the Wallpaper:

To get the free downloadable calendar background of your choice (smart phones, tablets, or desktop computers), simply click on the image of your choice to go to the full-size photo and then save it!

Free September 2023 Wallpaper for Desktop:

Free September 2023 Wallpaper for Tablet:

Free Blank Wallpaper for Zoom:

20 Comments

Tags: Calendar backgrounds, Wallpaper downloads

Get to Know Designer Takako Takiguchi

by Knit Picks on August 23, 2023

Our latest pattern collection Nature Walk: Lace Patterns is full of gorgeous patterns from talented designers, but we’re always particularly excited when we get to work with a skillful, experienced designer for the first time! In this collection, we had the opportunity to work with Takako Takiguchi who designed the Sumire Poncho, and since it is our first time introducing her work to Knit Picks fans through our collections, we thought we’d help you get to know her with an interview! Takako has been designing for a decade with over 100 published patterns to her name. She’s best known for designing patterns with clean lines, geometric motifs, and interesting shapes.

Could you tell our blog readers a bit about your background?I am a Japanese woman and I live in California. …

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Tags: interview

Options Needle Binders Explained

by Knit Picks on August 16, 2023

What’s the best way to store interchangeable needles along with all your knitting notions? Our Options Needle Binders are our favorite way to stay organized! Each binder comes with the following insert pages, with additional pages available individually. Here’s what each page is used for.

Interchangeable Needle Tip Page

This double-sided insert holds two complete sets of Knit Picks Options Interchangeable needles in the standard sizes. The needle slots are sized to correspond with the US 4-11 sized tips, much like the vinyl package they come in. We think they’re prettiest with the needle tips pointing up, but if you …

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Tags: Inspiration

Knitting & Reading at the Same Time

by Knit Picks Staff on August 9, 2023

Summer is the best time of year for reading, but that doesn’t mean you need to put your knitting aside! We asked two Knit Picks team members who love to knit and read at the same time to share how they manage both and to share their best tips. Reading and knitting at the same time might sound a little unusual, but once you find your favorite method to keep your text visible and the right project to knit without looking at too much, it’s easier than you might imagine!

19 Comments

Tags: Inspiration

Pop Hats

by Lee Meredith on August 5, 2023

Make the most of Swish Pops’ many colors in this planned pooling hat! Planned pooling means working the yarn at a gauge and stitch count that causes the colors to line up with each other in an intentional-looking pattern. Depending on the colorway used and the exact gauge, this may be a wavy design, or it may resemble argyle or plaid, or it may be more of a color-block abstract painting kind of vibe. There’s no way to know what you’ll get until you start knitting!

11 Comments

Tags: free patterns, Patterns

Free Downloadable August 2023 Calendar

by Regan N on August 1, 2023

Happy August! To celebrate, we have your free monthly calendar wallpapers. Enjoy these August 2023 wallpaper images (free download for you!) — featuring a variety of yellows, oranges, and purples in Wonderfluff, City Tweed DK, Twill, Curio #3, Snuggle Puff, Voliere, Samia and Brava Tweed.

How to get the Wallpaper:

To get the free downloadable calendar background of your choice (smart phones, tablets, or desktop computers), simply click on the image of your choice to go to the full-size photo and then save it!

Free August 2023 Wallpaper for Desktop:

Free August 2023 Wallpaper for Tablet:

1 Comment

Tags: Calendar backgrounds, Wallpaper downloads

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