YarnCraft Episode 110 :: 10 Spring-Friendly Projects, Plus 3 Fiber Artist Interviews

14 Feb

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On today’s episode of YarnCraft, Liz & Zontee start looking ahead to spring with patterns for shawls, shrugs, bags, and more. As the weather gets warmer, we start thinking about making garments and accessories that are bright and airy, as well as useful for layering. Find out why you’ll want to think about small projects and bright colors this season.

Patterns discussed include:

Also discussed are tips for “reversing shaping.” Resources mentioned include:

Next, we share interviews with three fiber artists whose yarn creations are inspiring and varied: Anna Hrachovec of MochiMochi Land, Ruth Marshall, and Suzanne Tidwell. These interviews were recorded at Vogue Knitting Live this past January.

Finally, on Stash This: Ideas for Your Crafting Life, we check in with our listeners and find out where you are with your goals and resolutions. We also share tips for accomplishing some specific goals mentioned by listeners. Resources mentioned in this segment include the Universal Toe-Up Sock Formula and Melissa Leapman’s new book, Stashbuster Knits.

On our next episode, we’ll be talking about patterns and project ideas for the little ones in your life: from babies to tweens and beyond. Do you have a favorite project to make for kids? A favorite age range? A favorite tip? Or even a dilemma? Share your thoughts with us!  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
01:33 Listener comments & questions
08:44 Spring-Friendly Projects
15:31 Interviews with Anna Hrachovec, Ruth Marshall, and Suzanne Tidwell
26:21 Stash This: Ideas for Your Crafting Life
34:14 Thanks to our listeners and guest

  • Lorraine139

    Hi Liz and Zontee — Just listened to your podcast this morning.  It’s always a great way to get re-inspired.  I did not make a whole lot of knitting resolutions this year, but I did want to try to push myself in new directions.  To this end, I have completed a “Daybreak” shawl in Winter colors, and have now started a lacy shawl in pinkish Spring colors.  I have signed up for the Tunisian crochet class at the Lion Studio next month.  And I fell in love with the “Slip Stitch Sampler” afghan in the catalog.  It is so much fun.  I love slipped stitching, and this afghan design is great — by the time you start to get bored, the section is over and it’s on to another pattern.  I’ve already completed Square One and am getting ready to start the next one.  Must get some pics posted in Ravelry.  Thanks as always for the podcast, and warmest congrats to Liz on her newest project.  That boy will never be without socks!

  • MaryBeth

    Hi, I am curious, why is it only a podcast? why not a video ?  I think it would be far more inspiring and I would want to watch rather than listen.

  • Meg

    Hi Liz and Zontee, I really enjoyed the podcast. I listen while I am sewing – like my own personalised radio programme! I loved the photos that I found of the gnomes vs snowmen battle on the internet. Hilarious and well worth the look.

    My own knitting resolution is to do some knitting projects for myself. So often my knitting is for sale or to give as gifts. My sister spun me some mohair which I dyed late last year, and I am now knitting a lovely lace jacket for myself. It is all in once piece to the armholes, so it is quite a mission to fit on the needles and becomes quite heavy to hold, but I am determine! I am also knitting myself some beautiful orange socks. Almost completed the pair. The next pair will be for my husband, then I hope to make myself a fancier pair than the orange stripeys!

  • Zontee

     Hi MaryBeth, we feel that a podcast is easier for people to enjoy while actually crafting, since you aren’t distracted from your stitches; we also have a lot of listeners who enjoy the show on their commute or while walking the dog. More importantly, making video content takes a lot longer to produce. Each podcast episode takes several hours to coordinate, record, and edit–to make video podcasts of the same length would take even longer, meaning that we would only be able to do a much smaller number of episodes in the same time, since both Liz and I have full time jobs at Lion Brand.

    If you’re interested in video content from Lion Brand, please visit the Lion Brand YouTube channel for lots of short videos and interviews.

  • Devora

    Message to Shira: Kippa crochet does not hold the same curse as the boyfriend sweater.My first gift to my then boyfriend, now husband was a crochet kippa. we met in 1971, married in  ’76 and have been together ever since.

  • Kate

    Congratulations, Liz! Excited about your coming bundle of joy!

  • CraftRabbits

    Hi,

    I heard you are doing baby items as part of the next podcast.  Perfect!  I have a question about that.  I am a crocheter and my husband and I are expecting our first child.  Because I have so many crafty friends, I will probably be getting lots of knitted and sewn items for the baby.  I, of course, want to crochet something extra special too.  But what should I make, knowing we’ll be getting blankets and baby hats from friends?

    Thanks so much!

    ~MJ
    CraftRabbits

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