The Knit Picks Staff Knitting Blog

by Holly K on July 7, 2016

For me, summer is about trying new things. I like new stitch patterns and new yarns, but most of all I like new crafts in general. In the past, I’ve devoted summers to needle felting or dyeing. This summer, I’m learning to weave! I have a small rigid heddle loom and I can’t wait to make scarves and placemats and pillowcases for everyone I know. In my dreams, my Christmas list will be complete by the time the pumpkins are ripe. If you’re interested in learning to weave, we have a new tutorial available where Hannah weaves a gorgeous pillowcase out of Hawthorne Fingering Yarn! Learn how to warp, weave, and finish your project in this great video:

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Tags: Inspiration, Tutorials, video, Weaving

Summer Yarn Sale and Pattern Inspiration!

by Hannah on July 6, 2016

Our summer yarn sale is a great time to order some new-to-you yarns or to replenish your stash at a discount! Today, I’ll be featuring a few of my favorite yarns in our sale plus patterns that would be perfect for each lovely skein.

The Gramcrackers Mitts by Alyssa Copp in Wool of the Andes Tweed make the perfect accessory! Rustic tweedy nepps really shine in this simple pattern. Shown here in Rabbit Heather, I think they would look incredibly stunning in a dark color like Wellies Heather (on sale for $3.14/50g ball). I’ve knit three sweaters in this incredibly rugged-yet-soft yarn and have become a total super fan-girl for Wellies Heather.

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Tags: Sales, Patterns, Yarn

Lace Tip of the Week with Geoff Hunnicut

by Holly K on July 5, 2016

This week in our series, lace designer Geoff Hunnicut talks about the difference between lace knitting and knitted lace. It’s a hotly contested issue, about which many lace knitters have very strong feelings.

Find more of Geoff’s designs here, and our new book, Joyful Lace, by clicking here.

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Tags: lace, Lace Class, Tutorials

The Monthly Yarn Sale: Chroma

by Jenny K on July 4, 2016

This month, our most colorful yarn, Chroma, is now on sale for 20% off! To say we love Chroma is an understatement…you could say we’re obsessed and that would be fine with us. This color-shifting yarn is an absolute superstar for so many projects: baby knits, socks, shawls, sweaters, hats, definitely blankets…the list goes on and on.

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Tags: Monthly Yarn Sale, Sales

July 2016 Calendar

by Jenny K on July 1, 2016

July is the epitome of summer – when we thin of July, we think of fireworks, blooming flowers and plenty of ice cream. And to celebrate this warm and colorful month, our new calendar shows off an equally colorful yarn: Stroll Hand Paints!

To get the free July 2016 calendar background of your choosing (for smart phones, tablets and desktop computers), simply click the applicable device icon below. Enjoy!

Desktop wallpaper calendar for mobile 2015

Desktop wallpaper calendar for tablet 2015

Desktop wallpaper calendar for desktop 2015

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Tags: Calendar backgrounds

Learn to Knit a Loganberry Dishcloth

by Holly K on June 30, 2016

Sooo…some of you are not into lace knitting, am I right? For those of you (ok, us) who shy away from lace, let’s talk about good, solid, new-to-us stitch patterns. If this summer is, for you, about trying new stitches with very little commitment, then our Loganberry Dishcloth Tutorial has just what you need! Make a few today and fall in love with these tiny bobbles, so easy to memorize and fun to create. You’ll not only be left with a great stitch pattern to use again and again, you’ll have a dishcloth that’s useful, too!

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Tags: Tutorials, 52 weeks of dishcloths, Technique of the Week, video

Lace Tip of the Week with Geoff Hunnicut

by Holly K on June 29, 2016

Are you new to lace knitting? Is this the summer you try it out? Over the next few weeks, we’re featuring tips on lace knitting from designer Geoff Hunnicut. This week, Geoff takes you through a lace chart, and compares it to the knitted piece it produces. He’ll let you know why he thinks charts are preferable to written instructions, for knitting lace.

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Tags: Lace Class, lace, Tutorials

Last Chance for June Monthly Yarn Sale – The Big Cozy!

by Stacey on June 28, 2016

June is coming to a close (what, already?!?) which means you only have a couple more days to save 20% on The Big Cozy, our super soft, super bulky yarn!

The Big Cozy is a perfect yarn for quick projects – I love to use it for a break from fiddly projects or when I just want to zone out watching a tv show or two. And with a blend of superfine alpaca and highland wool, it’s a delight to work with as well! Just grab a pair of supersized needles or hooks and a skein or two and you’ll have a completed project in no time.

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Tags: Monthly Yarn Sale, Patterns, Yarn

Podcast 255: Feels Like Summer – Available Now!

by Holly K on June 27, 2016

If you’re reveling in the newness of summer, this podcast is a celebration of that feeling. Whether you travel to new places, or try new crafts during the warmer months, summer is always a good time to try new things. In this episode of the Knit Picks podcast, we talk to Clara Parkes, author of Knitladia, about her adventures in yarn-based travel. We also speak with designers Joyce Fassbender and Stephannie Tallent about their history of knitting and designing, as well as their recent contributions to our collection, Joyful Lace.

So if you’re out and about this summer, bring our podcast along!

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Tags: Inspiration, Podcast

Free Pattern Friday – Toasty Toes!

by Stacey on June 24, 2016

Socks are, in my humble opinion, the perfect summer project. Small, portable, and fun – they’re constantly on my needles all year long. Also, since I love knitting with wool, they’re light enough so I’m not dying of heat while working on them, like I would be with a heavier project. Plus, they are something I can wear right away instead of waiting until the weather cools enough for sweaters. Well, if you are looking for some fun sock patterns to try out this summer, look no further than Toasty Toes!

While you can get this gorgeous collection in book and eBook form for a low price, each of these 12 patterns are available for download for free!

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Tags: free patterns, socks

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