YarnCraft Episode 98 :: 5 Reasons to Try Loom Knitting PLUS Hand-Healthy Tools & Techniques

16 Aug

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On this episode of YarnCraft, Liz & Zontee give you a first-look (or listen) at the NEW Martha Stewart Crafts Lion Brand Yarn Knit & Weave Loom Kit and its capabilities. Learn about how this tool can give you over 30 configurations from knitting in the round to weaving rectangles to making rosettes.

Then, the ladies of YarnCraft explore the world of other yarncrafting tools that will help you to keep your hands healthy and relaxed so that you can craft for years to come. Tools discussed include:

Zontee also interviews Denise Layman of KnitChat.com, author of the new book, How to Knit Scarves on Circle Looms, who shares with us 5 reasons for all yarncrafters to explore the world of loom-knitting.

Plus, as a special treat for YarnCraft listeners, we give a sneak peek into what you can expect from the entire Martha Stewart Crafts Lion Brand Yarn line, coming out this September.

Finally, on Stash This: Ideas for Your Crafting Life, we share interviews from the Knit & Crochet Show that took place last month. Hear interviews with designers Kimberly McAlindin and Tammy Hildebrand, and Ellen Gormley. Zontee also talks to perennial YarnCraft guests, designer Lily Chin and the Craft Yarn Council‘s executive director Mary Colucci.

We want to congratulate Teresa and Janice, the winners of our last giveaway! To enter this episode’s giveaway of a set of Denise Interchangeable Crochet Hooks (good for Tunisian crochet!) and 3 balls of Vanna’s Colors–these are 2 separate prizes–simply leave a comment on what kinds of fibers you’re looking forward to trying/working with this fall. Comments must be left by August 25, 11:59:59 EDT; be sure to include your name and email address so that we can get in touch with you.

Join us again in two weeks, when we talk about weaving on various kinds of looms. Have you ever woven? What were your impressions? What are your favorite resources or techniques? Leave a message on the blog or email us at yarncraft [at] lionbrand [dot] com! You can also call in and leave a message at 774-452-YARN–that’s 774-452-9276.

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Theme music is “Boy with a Coin” by Iron and Wine, from the PodSafe Music Network.

Show Notes:
00:12 Intro & welcome
01:36 Contest winner & next contest announcement
02:45 First look at the Knit & Weave Loom Kit and hand-healthy tools & techniques
15:31 Interview with Denise Layman
22:18 Martha Stewart Crafts Lion Brand Yarn line preview
23:52 Stash This: Ideas for Your Crafting Life
34:46 Thanks to our listeners and guests

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  • cat.naps

    The Moonlight Mohair would be lovely, but I’d really love to try the Wool Stainless Steel to see what I could create with it.

  • Amanda

    I’m looking forward to using Hometown USA to make blankets for the brother and sister to take to college with them.  It’s soooo soft and comfy!

  • Wanett

    I would love to work with more merino wool. I have used some rougher wools recently and nothing compares to the smooth texture of a nice merino. I may also treat myself to something more luxurious this fall, cashmere perhaps.

  • April

    Cashmere, and alpaca…if only I could convince my hubby to let us have our own herds of yarn producing animals :)

  • Naomi Wheatley

    I really want to try sock-ease and Amazing. 

  • Ladybugadoodle

     Looking forward to knitting several pairs of soft & lucious alpaca socks to keep my family & friends feet toasty & warm on these upcoming chilly days.

  • SereneKnitter

    I am looking forward to crafting with Organic Cotton and Wool-Ease (not combined) on projects I have planned for Christmas.

  • DCAlane

    I’d say that I am ready for something in the LB collection.  I’m currently eyeing up the angora merino.  Looks so soft and cozy!

    aroneille at gmail dot com

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001578091038 Linda Wagner

    I can’t wait to see and buy Martha Stewart’s new line of yarn. I looked for a preview on line but could not fine one. I guess I have to wait. Yarncraft is my favorite podcast. Love it! Linda from Wichita

  • Terri

    I found Microspun in the local Hancock’s and liked the texture of it, so I’ve been looking at the possibilities for that.

  • Pingback: Yarncraft Interview up!! « Knitting Without Needles

  • Courtney

    I love listening to the podcast! I’m looking forward to trying out some
    natural fibres, I recently made a sweater w/ 100% wool and enjoyed that.

  • Pat

    I just love yarn – leaning more and more toward the naturals (I made cowls in angora/merino last year for Christmas presents, they were great), but I LOVE the Baby’s First and I just bought skeins of Vanna’s Colors to make my grandmother an afghan for Christmas this year.  The Sock Ease looks really neat, and I want to make something with Amazing, don’t know what yet, I just want to work with it.

  • Olivia

    I am really looking forward to using the warmer yarns like Homespun, I might get a head start on Christmas gifts! I also see a purchase of Amazing in my future, I have been wanting to try legwarmers!

  • http://profiles.google.com/knittingdancer Teresa aka Knittingdancer

    I have a skein of Tweed Stripes in Caribbean that I am looking forward to use in the next couple of weeks.  I love to knit with the Vanna White collection of yarns.

  • Margaret

    Thanks for the info on loom knitting, I think it will be an easy way for me to use tv time when I need to zone out.

  • Hoozieg

    I’ve been dying to try Amazing. Unfortunately, in rural Montana, the stores do not carry this.

  • Debbie J.

    I got some Amazing and Fun Fur yarn on clearance this summer, and plan on working with that this fall.  The Fun Fur happens to be in the same colors as the colors from the high school I attended.  My niece is a senior this year at the same high school, and loves the Fun Fur, so I am going to make her a scarf and hat for homecoming.  I would love to buy some more Amazing, but I need to burn some of my stash up first!

  • Lrybaczy

    I want to would like to try the baby wool. I have friends with babies on the way and need to start gifts!

  • http://yarncraft.lionbrand.com YarnCraft Podcast

    Don’t forget that we have some of the most affordable baby alpaca around in the LB Collection!

  • http://yarncraft.lionbrand.com YarnCraft Podcast

    Yes! Convince your husband you need adorable alpaca and goats…

  • http://yarncraft.lionbrand.com YarnCraft Podcast

    Patience, Linda! Photos and info will be available in early September!

  • http://yarncraft.lionbrand.com YarnCraft Podcast

    Don’t forget that we sell our entire product line on LionBrand.com — plus if you “like” Lion Brand on Facebook, the FB page sometimes has free shipping and discount offers.

  • Patricia

    I would like to try more fingering yarns, more lightweight fibers as I live in a warm climate. As much as I love wool I do not use it so much. However another skinny scarf with Amazing or trying the tweed stripes would be fun. Also the colors of the new Vanna Colors are tempting for this long time crocheter. Making a granny square/motif something with the lighter weight yarns appeals to me as well like using sockyarn for other things besides socks.

  • dalsee

    Bought some “Amazing”  can’t wait to see how it comes out in the cowl I’m going to knit.

  • Maryann

    I’d like to try some superwash wool, as well as wool blends. That should make my projects warm, but still easy care, and great for gifts.

  • Kara Moore

    I’d like to try using some of the art yarns and experimenting with how they look.  I’d also like to try more blends to see how they drape (silk, nylon, bamboo, etc.).  Thanks for the great podcast!!

  • teenbaker

    I want to get my hands in some soft, thick yarns from cotton, merino, bamboo- anything that’s soft, comfy and environmentally friendly!

  • http://yarncraft.lionbrand.com YarnCraft Podcast

    Check out the book, Sock Yarn One-Skein Wonders, which features 101 non-sock projects featuring sock yarns. We didn’t have enough time to mention it on the sock episode, but it’s a good one.

  • Jodiebodie

    If ‘this fall’ means Sep-Nov, then I hope to use lots of sock yarn in my quest to learn how to make socks; I thought I might even try it for making string shopping bags for myself and friends (perhaps as Christmas gifts) - I figure that if it is strong enough for socks, it should be sturdy enough for bags too, whilst encouraging environmentally friendly shopping habits.

    Being in the southern hemisphere, ‘my fall’ happens 6 months earlier…during the past 6 months (‘my fall’) I have been working my way through Doris Chan’s ‘Crochet Lace Innovations’ book and am enjoying bamboo blends because of the lovely stitch definition it gives and also that it is a natural fibre.

    It will soon be summer here which means a return to cottons but I am keen to try silk yarns to examine their ‘keeping cool’ properties that I have heard about; e.g. breathability, absorbency, weight, stitch definition, etc. but so far have had no luck in finding a local supplier.

    Thanks again for an interesting and informative podcast. Tips for looking after the body are so important. I have suffered nerve damage like that caused by repetitive strain injuries and wouldn’t wish that on anyone, so you will frequently find me reminding people to be sensible because these injuries are insidious and serious – they will stop people from doing more than just their yarncrafting.

    Thankfully my problem has been remedied by an excellent surgeon but unfortunately, a remedy is not always possible once the damage is done. If you are getting a small hurt whilst yarncrafting, STOP! because it is better to stop than end up with a big hurt.

  • Jodiebodie98

    my final sentence got jumbled up because I used punctuation and symbols. It was supposed to say “Jodie hops off soapbox now ;-) ”

  • Grammie Rojo

    I am looking forward to using wool fibers this fall to try my hand at felting.  I have a super cute pattern for a felted clutch… can’t wait to try it out!

  • Carmel J.

    I am looking forward to it being cool enough to break out the wool!  Especially in trying more colorwork.  :)

  • Paige H.

    I can’t wait for the reveal of the Martha Stewart Collection.  I’m also looking forward to trying out an LB scarf pattern with Hometown USA, and I love working with Woolease and Amazing. 

  • http://profiles.google.com/wzrdreams Grace Jones

    This winter I am going to try knitting with silk and wool blends. I want to make a cozy shell that I can wear next to my skin without irritation so I’m looking at cashmere and merino blends.

    I really enjoyed this episode ladies. I’d love to hear more about looms in future podcasts.

  • Heather

    I’m looking forward to more silk blends. Here in California, we get summer all the way through October and so I’m still knitting the light stuff!

  • pam

     I would like to knit with light silk and cotton blends-menopause has made heavy sweaters impossible to wear.  I like wool for felting all types of accessories.

  • Adrianne

    I am really interested in trying loom knitting, saw a sock loom the other day and now I am inspired to try it. I am a crocheter who is lusting after a pair of hand knit socks!

  • Hsailormoon

    I just started drop spindling, so I am super excited to try out some of the 100% merino and sw merino fibers that I have bought. Thus far I have only spun BFL. I am also looking forward to knitting with my handspun yarns as well! :D  

    Name: Heather N.
    Email: hsailormoon @ gmail (dot) com

  • Jodiebodie

    I just got that book last week and it is on my nightstand! Heaps of projects and a lovely variety with clever ideas

  • Ccbrockette

    There are a few fibers that I am looking foreword to using in the upcoming colder months. I recently used merino wool for the first time in a birthday shawl I was making for my mom. It felt great working up and I was amazed at how soft it was being wool.  I hope that I can use it to make some lovely sweaters and so forth for the work place. Another is yarn made from corn. I have seen it in sock yarn so far and it says that it is supposed to help keep toes nice and dry. Which is great when you live in Michigan when it starts to get colder and snow. I would use it in a nice pair of tall socks for my boots and maybe a hat/scarf/glove set. The third fiber that I am really looking foreword to working with this fall is alpaca. I have used the LB Collection baby alpaca in smaller projects though am looking foreword to using this gorgeous fiber in a sweater for my fiance!

    Name:Caitlin B.
    Email: ccbrockette@hotmail(dot)com

  • Davisvalorie

    I’m going to have a new grandbaby this winter.  I want to make him/her a cocoon and hat to stay warm.  It will be out of something washable and soft, not sure of the color yet.  My son keeps saying twins run in my daughter-in-law’s family!

  • http://twitter.com/nonmom Amy Harrison

    I first was introduced to Lion Brand by The Martha Stewart Show so seeing that there is a collaboration is uber-exciting! Now I have to go seekout those looms. Love and appreciate the tips for tired hands too, I really have to stretch mine more, keyboarding all day & then crocheting to relax is doing me in….but I can’t not work with yarn!! LOL
    Keep up the awesome work, love your podcasts.
    Email: nonmomblog ‘at’ gmail ‘dot com

  • KnittingMama73

    I really want to try the try the Superwash Merino Cashmere.  I have only used alpaca once and would like to do another scarf with some alpaca as I loved the hand.  I tend to knit for little ones so use mostly acrylics so am ready for something nicer!

  • Kelly K.

    As always, thanks for another great podcast.  I never tried working with angora wool or silk mohair before.  I bought both types of yarn from the LB collection sold at the Lion Brand Yarn Studio, but never felt comfortable enough to make something with it.  I always kept sticking to my favorite comforts like the baby alpaca and even the cashmere (when I can afford it) from the LB collection. (They are fabulous by the way.)  I just read a post from the Lion Brand Notebook about cowls being trendy for the 2011 fall season.  The pale gray lace cowl looks cozy and sophisticated without being too fussy.  It’s even made with LB collection angora merino in the sophisticated smoke pearl color!  The pattern, yarn and color combo fits the bill for this fall season and can easily translate to the winter season as well.  Thanks for all the great yarns, patterns, inspirations and always encouraging yarn crafters to push the limits.  Cheers!

  • Debbi the Cockatoo Lady

    I am anxious to play with some of the Vanna’s Glamour that I bought months ago that I haven’t gotten around to yet! I haven’t decided though to make the wristers, a cowl or a scarf.

    I did however run out and buy this Loom set. Very cool! I have the whole set of Knifty Knitters and added this one to my stash. I was listening to the Podcast as I drove from Toronto to Buffalo, NY and found it at a Jo-Ann’s store. Squee! Super excited to play with it.

    Love the podcast & keep up the great work!!

  • Jillana Holt-Reuter

    I am really hoping to try making a garment such as a sweater for my husband this fall. As far as fiber, the one he wants is the one I want to try.  lol

  • Dee_bee927

    I made the clutch purse with Vanna’s Glamour that is  on the LB Web site. I uses eh silver and the white. I lined it with a piece of buckram that I had covered with satin. I used this at my daughter’s wedding. Got lots of compliments.

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