YarnCraft

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UPDATED NOTE (10/25): The feed to iTunes and other podcatchers should be fixed, and you should be able to download the new episode in your preferred program/app. Please let us know if you have any issues!

Hear terrible tales of gauge-gone-wrong and mutant sweaters on this episode of YarnCraft…then hear how you can avoid the same terrible fate–all in our special Halloween show. Zontee and Michelle share stories from listeners like you, themselves, and from Patty Lyons of the Lion Brand Yarn Studio (who was the source of inspiration for this episode).

Get tips on getting the most out of gauge, understanding fiber content, reading ahead in the pattern, understanding construction, and knowing when to walk away from a project.

Plus we share stories from listeners: LaLunaUnita, spitfireSNC, and cinderga. Click here to see listener spitfireSNC’s sock monkey lobotomy.

Then on Stash This: Ideas for Your Crafting Life, Zontee and Michelle share their top picks for leaf-inspired patterns. Add a touch of nature into your knit or crochet project with these patterns:

• Knit Shoreline Leaf Shawl
• Knit Felted Roll-Up Pencil Case
• Crochet Vintage Neck Tie
• Knit Fingerless Gloves
• Crochet Felted Soap Cozy with Leaf
• Crochet Leaf Sachet
• Crochet Fall Flower Brooch
• Crochet Fall Wineglass Decorations
• Crochet Felted Leaf Coasters
• Crochet Napkin Rings
• Crochet Felted Leaves Table Runner
• Knit Leaf-Pattern Tunic
• Knit Leaf Yoke Cardigan
• Knit Autumn Leaves Afghan
• Crochet Magnolia Afghan
• Knit Cascading Leaves Throw

Read more…

What’s more appropriate than YarnCraft being nominated for a “Stitcher” Award? (Ha–YarnCraft? Stitching? Yes, we love puns.)

The podcasting site is currently open for nominations for the 2012 Awards. Click here and nominate YarnCraft for the Games & Hobbies and/or Education & Learning categories.

Then tell your friends!

You can vote once a day through Oct. 19!

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Are you looking for fun ways to jazz up your projects? Consider colorwork! Just by adding sections of various colors (through color blocks, stripes, intarsia, Fair Isle, slip-stitch, and more), you can turn even simple stitches into eye-catching designs. Zontee and Michelle walk you through some of the clever ways that project construction can make colorwork even more interesting.

Patterns discussed include:

• Crochet Mod Granny Afghan
• Knit Slip Stitch Sampler Throw
• Crochet Zen Spiral Afghan
• Crochet Squares Afghan
• Crochet Intarsia Brocade Throw
• Knit Intarsia Polka Dot Scarf
• Knit Child’s Dog Motif Sweater
• Knit Fair Isle Hat
• Knit Colorful Fair Isle Throw
• Knit Entrelac Beret
• Knit Directional Colors Scarf
• Crochet Mitered Diamonds Throw
• Knit Mitered Squares Afghan
• Crochet Candy Color Afghan

Check out Lucinda Guy at the Lion Brand Yarn Studio if you’re in the NYC-area, or check out her new book.

Then on Stash This: Ideas for Your Crafting Life, Zontee and Michelle share their favorite quick-to-knit-and-crochet Halloween projects. Click here to see all of the Halloween-related patterns available on LionBrand.com.

Read more…