Archive | March, 2011

YarnCraft Episode 88 :: 11 Stories of Why We Knit & Crochet

29 Mar

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For this episode of YarnCraft, we asked you–our listeners–why you knit & crochet, what it means to you, how you identify as a yarncrafter, and other questions about the reasons you’ve incorporated these crafts into your lives. The results are heartwarming, funny, and wonderful. Liz & Zontee share their own stories, as well as listeners’ stories. (Be sure to hop on YarnCraft’s Ravelry group and the previous blog post here to see all of the responses.)

Zontee interviews Michelle Edwards, contributor to Lion Brand’s Weekly Stitch newsletter and author of A Knitter’s Home Companion, about how she started to knit and what she thinks has lead to the more common identity of being a “knitter” or “crocheter.”

We also share an interview with Judy Sumner, author of Knitting Socks East and West, who Zontee interviewed at January’s Vogue Knitting Live, in front of a live audience of YarnCraft fans.

Liz & Zontee also answer a question from a listener on what projects sock yarns can be used for, other than socks. Click here for a blog post on the Lion Brand Notebook about some of these projects.

On Stash This: Ideas for Your Crafting Life, Liz & Zontee talk about 5 kinds of spring-friendly projects. Patterns discussed include:

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YarnCraft Episode 87 :: 10 Tips on Knit & Crochet Cables

15 Mar

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This week on YarnCraft, Liz & Zontee walk you through the classic technique of cables. Whether it’s a preppy sweater or a classic afghan, cables add a lot to your project. While traditionally cables are part of the knitted realm of techniques, front post and back post stitches allow crocheters to achieve the look of cables. For both knitters and crocheters, we share 10 tips that will help you create cables that will really pop.

Patterns discussed include:

We also share an interview with cable maven Lily Chin, recorded in front of a live audience at Vogue Knitting Live, in NYC this past January. She talks about her latest book, Power Cables, as well as sharing tips on her Tips & Tricks books, discussed on YarnCraft episode 55. If you’re in the NYC area, you can take classes with Lily at the Lion Brand Yarn Studio later this fall.

Then on Stash This: Ideas for Your Crafting Life, Liz & Zontee talk about unusual tools that you might find useful in your yarncrafting life.

Resources discussed include:

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YarnCraft Episode 86 :: Knit & Crochet Pattern Resources PLUS Tips on Publishing Your Own Patterns

1 Mar

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On today’s YarnCraft, Liz & Zontee talk about resources for patterns. Whether they’re free or for sale, online or off, we talk about where and how to find the patterns you’re searching for. Liz & Zontee also share tips on how to self-publish patterns, get published in an online magazine, and even build a following and get a book deal.

Online resources discussed, in addition to LionBrand.com, include these aggregating sites:

Online magazines discussed include:

Zontee then interviews Melanie Falick, editorial director of STC Craft and author of Weekend Knitting about the experience of publishing books, tips for those who want to become published, upcoming books from STC Craft, and of course, her book. It’s an interview from our ongoing series of designer interviews recorded at Vogue Knitting Live.

Then on Stash This: Ideas for Your Crafting Life, we continue with the pattern theme, talking about tools that will make organizing and using your patterns easier. From binders and magazine boxes to wet erase markers and pattern magnets, we’ll get you up to speed on tools for keeping track of your patterns.

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