23
May

Podcast Episode 215: Interview with Jen Lucas

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In a quest to find new ways of using up that stash of sock yarns, Kelley chats with Jen Lucas, author of the book Sock Yarn Shawls. Being a self-taught knitter, Jen shares how an obsession with socks eventually led to her to the world of shawls and shawlettes. Kelley and Jen chat about the different chapters of the book in addition to the different styles of shawls included. Get a behind the scene’s peak into Jen’s first book of shawl designs in addition to a few handy tips and tricks for shawl knitting!

Sock Yarn Shawls by Jen Lucas

Jen is also part of the IDP program, you can find more of her designs here:

Jen Lucas

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22
May

Free Cryptozoology Wallpapers!

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Some people have pictures of dear friends, devoted pets or adoring families set as their wallpaper images. HO HUM. Wouldn’t you rather see a knitting Jackalope as your bleary eyes turn to your phone first thing in the morning?

In celebration of our fantastic new pattern collection by Annie Watts, we’re offering free Cryptozoology wallpaper downloads—available in mobile, tablet and desktop sizes. To get the wallpaper size of your choosing, simply click the applicable device icon below your favorite monstrous scene.

And by the way, are there any other dynamite KP photos you wish you could immortalize on your desktop? Leave suggestion in the comments—we’re definitely listening!

 

“Jackalope“, knit in Wool of the Andes worsted yarn jackalope_desktop

mobile tablet desktop

 

15
May

Two New Stroll Hand Painted Colors!

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One of my favorite parts of my job here at Knit Picks is picking new colorways for Imagination and Stroll Hand Painted. It’s always fun to make twenty or so different colorways pulled from some of my favorite photographs, natural formations or time periods. Then we all get together and cull the herd of possible yarns down to two, three or however many we need to round out the existing yarn line. We only needed two new faces for Stroll Hand Painted this time and I’m really pleased with what we decided upon!

15
May

Twin Studies

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Doppelgangers have enormous appeal for me in all forms: professional celebrity impersonators, Dostoyevsky’s The Double, Nabokov’s Despair, houses with miniature/to-scale versions that serve as mailboxes—the list goes on and on! But my current Top-of-the-Heap favorite is crocheted toy twins.

To begin, a question: What makes a good doppelganger? Ideally, it should be both precious and eerie in its sameness—but with most small toys, you’re also painting with a broad brush. Therefore cats (and the like) are a terrific subject, because very simple changes can be made to a pattern to mimic their varying fur and markings.

Recently, I found Claudia van K.’s joyful “Mr. Tibbles the Cat” free pattern on Ravelry and I knew exactly who to model it after…

Meet Harvey, my boyfriend’s cat. He enjoys dirt, moths, making Snoopy noises and sleeping on his very own military cot:

harvey

Now, meet Mr. Harvey the Cat. He enjoys eating polyfill and being very quiet:

15
May

Raiding Sock Summit Stash For Travel Knitting

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Timpani Project Photo Sample
Image from Timpani Ravelry pattern page.

Hah! You thought it was going to be a pair of socks!! I recently spoke with Jen Lucas about her new book Sock-Yarn Shawls for an upcoming podcast. I loved the book and Jen’s enthusiasm got me excited to decide on one of her shawls for our trip to the east coast this weekend.

14
May

Sweater Finishing Series: How to Whipstitch a Hemmed Cuff

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A hemmed edge is one of the more subtle finishing details that can really add a polished look to your sweater or cardigan. Whether you add a hemmed edge to your cuffs, collar, or along the lower edges of your pullover – there are several advantages to using this simple, yet effective technique that leaves a very neat and clean edge.

If you don’t want your fabric to pull in as a ribbed hem would and you want to avoid the bulk of a rolled edge – a hemmed edge just might be the perfect solution! Not only does a hem prevent your edges from curling, it also adds stability and keeps edges like cuffs and colors from stretching out over time. It is also a simple and classic design detail that won’t distract or compete with any other patterning that you might have worked into your pullover, making this a versatile skill to have in your mental library of knitting techniques.