YarnCraft

We’re just over two weeks away from Valentine’s Day. If you’re looking for some knit, crochet, and yarncrafted gift ideas, be sure to check out these two episodes of YarnCraft from our archives:

• Episode 109 – Listen to the “Stash This: Ideas for Your Crafting Life” segment at 26:57 for great fast-finish Valentine’s Day gift ideas for your entire family. From your sweetie to the kids in your life, you’ll find some adorable ideas here. 
• Episode 84 – This “Stash This” (at 25:50) features gift ideas as well as décor ideas for Valentine’s Day. Make a bunting or garland and get festive!

For more Valentine’s Day ideas, be sure to visit LionBrand.com and type “valentine” into the search box!

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Get answers to your burning questions about YarnCraft, Lion Brand, and the yarn industry in general! On this episode of YarnCraft, Zontee and Michelle tackle some of listeners’ mist frequently asked questions.

Find out which Lion Brand yarns are made in America, what kind of equipment Zontee and Michelle use to record the show, and why dye lots are important.

For tips on publishing your own patterns, revisit episode 86.

Have additional questions for the girls? Ask them by leaving a comment on this blog post! You could be included in a future episode!

Then on Stash This: Ideas for Your Crafting Life, Zontee shares interviews from the Craft & Hobby Association’s Winter trade show. She speaks to designer and author Mary Beth Temple (find her Curvy Girl Crochet pattern on LionBrand.com) and Lion Brand spokesperson Vanna White!

Pattern pictured: Crochet Easy V-Stitch Scarf

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Looking forward to Vogue Knitting Live in NYC this coming weekend? Get in the mood with interviews from the 2011 and 2010 NYC events. Check out these episodes from our archives:

• YarnCraft Episode 110 :: 10 Spring-Friendly Projects, Plus 3 Fiber Artist Interviews - Zontee interviews artists Anna Hrachovec (of Mochimochiland), Ruth Marshall, and Suzanne Tidwell.
• YarnCraft Episode 87 :: 10 Tips on Knit & Crochet Cables - Zontee shares an interview with the inimitable Lily Chin recorded in front of a live audience.
• YarnCraft Episode 86 :: Knit & Crochet Pattern Resources PLUS Tips on Publishing Your Own Patterns - Join Zontee as she interviews Melanie Falick, book editor for STC Craft and author of Weekend Knitting.

Going to be at the event? Stop by the Lion Brand booth for 20% off all yarns at the show! You can also meet Zontee at the booth on Sunday!

Hi listeners! Zontee here. If you caught a preview of our episode 133 show notes earlier today, lucky you! Because of a scheduling mistake with our blog software, a version of that blog post came up a week early–please come back on Jan. 22 for the final version and the full episode.

See you then!

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Now that we’re past holiday-crafting, treat yourself to a quick project just for you! Zontee and Michelle share some of their favorite project ideas and patterns for using up a single ball of colorful, luxurious, and/or hand-dyed yarn! It’s the perfect way to “cleanse the palette” before moving on to new projects in 2013.

Patterns discussed include:

• Shawls
  • Crochet Beginner’s Triangle Shawl
  • Knit Modernist Lace Shawl
  • Knit Eyelet Shawl
  • Crochet Soulful Comfort Shawl
• Hats
  • Crochet Angora Tam (pictured)
  • Crochet Morning Stroll Hat
  • Knit New Moon Hat
• Socks
  • Knit Sockies
  • Cozy Crochet Socks
  • Knit Father’s Day Socks
• Scarves
  • Knit Angora Lace Scarf (pictured)
  • Crochet Ripple Scarf
  • Crochet Perfect Gift Scarf
  • Knit Beginner’s Tweedy Scarf
  • Crochet One-Ball Scarf
• Headbands/Ear Warmers
  • Crochet Ribbed Headband
  • Knit Seed Stitch Headband

Yarns discussed include: Homespun®, Vanna’s Glamour®, Bellini, Zpagetti, Fishermen’s Wool®, LB Collection® Pure Wool, LB Collection® Superwash Merino, and LB Collection® Silk Mohair.

Resources on dyeing your own yarn: 4 Yarns Perfect for Your First Dye Project; Yarn Dyeing: Selecting the Right Dye for Your Fiber; How-To: Kool-Aid Dye with a Microwave.

Then on Stash This: Ideas for Your Crafting Life, we combine yarncrafts with reading. Michelle shares some of her favorite fiction and essays inspired by yarn. Writers we discuss include Debbie Macomber, Rachael Herron, Maggie Sefton, Betty Hechtman (revisit her YarnCraft interview here), and Kate Jacobs (revisit her YarnCraft interviews here and here). Recommended by one of our listeners is Elizabeth Lenhard’s Chicks with Sticks series.

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