YarnCraft

Did last week’s episode on sock and sock-yarn projects get you craving more sock-inspiration? Satisfy your hunger for a socky good time with these episodes from our archives, each featuring an interview with a different sock expert! Click on the titles to see the episode guides or listen directly from this page.

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96 :: All About Socks: 20+ Tips, Patterns, and More for Knitting & Crochet Socks – Michelle, Zontee, and Liz share their favorite resources for sock patterns for crocheters and knitters, as well as an interview with Ann Budd, author of Getting Started Knitting Socks and Sock Knitting Master Class.

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105 :: 20 Gift Ideas for Yarncrafters, PLUS 5 Sock-Making Tips from Clara Parkes of Knitter’s Review – Designer and author Clara Parkes joins us to talk about her book, The Knitter’s Book of Socks, sharing 5 tips on making handmade socks last! Skip to 20:05 to listen to this interview.

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90 :: A Behind-the-Scenes Look at Yarn Development PLUS 10 Mother’s Day Gift Ideas – Join us for an interview with designer Candice Eisner Strick, whose book Strick-ly Socks features her unique method of sock construction. Skip to 19:12 to listen to this interview.

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88 :: 11 Stories of Why We Knit & Crochet – Designer Judy Sumner, author of Knitting Socks East Meets West, shares her insights into the world of Japanese stitches and why they inspire her sock designs. Skip to 21:36 to listen to this interview.

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[Pattern pictured: Knit Simple Striped Socks]

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Looking for a small, portable project that’s summer-friendly? Look no further than socks (and sock-yarn projects)! Zontee and Michelle share their favorite tips for knitting and crocheting socks—whether you’re a novice or advanced—on this bonus-length episode. See all Lion Brand sock patterns here.

They also share pattern ideas for non-sock projects like:

• Knit Fingerless Gloves
• Crochet Shades of Autumn Granny Throw
• Crochet Candy Color Afghan
• Knit Spritzer Scarf
• Knit Sparrow Fingerless Gloves
• Crochet All Seasons Wristers
• Knit Lake District Hat
• Scallop Crochet Leg Warmers
• Knit Baby Brights Pants

Be sure to check out the book Sock Yarn One-Skein Wonders for more project ideas, as well as books by Cat Bordhi and Candace Eisner Strick for more sock techniques.

Then Zontee interviews author Sally Melville whose new book is Knitting Pattern Essentials. Find out why you shouldn’t always follow a pattern as written!

Next, on Stash This: Ideas for Your Crafting Life, Zontee and Michelle explore Father’s Day gift ideas. Patterns discussed include:

• Crochet Boutique Laptop Sleeve
• Knit School Colors Felted Laptop Sleeve
• Crochet iPad Cozy
• Crochet Digital Tablet Cozy
• Knit Tablet Fair Isle Tech Vest
• Crochet and woven apron patterns
• Wrapped ear bud tutorial

Want to win a pattern book? Be sure to listen to this episode for details on how to enter our book giveaway! We have books from our friends at Potter Craft and SMP Craft—tune into 41:21 for directions and rules. Be sure to leave your comment by 11:59 pm Eastern on June 19, 2013 to qualify. (Must be 18 or the age of majority in your municipality. Only open to residents of countries where LionBrand.com ships. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited.)

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Did last week’s episode about the life of a pattern intrigue you about designing, tech editing, or other areas of the design process? Find out more about working in the yarn industry with these three interview-filled episodes. Click on the titles to see the episode guides or listen directly from this page.

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• 117 :: Becoming a Professional Yarncrafter: 3 Stories; Plus 6 Ways to Make a Custom Afghan – We hear from several different people at Lion Brand about how they fell into the yarn industry, as well as from Brenda Dayne, the popular podcaster behind Cast On.

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• 72:: Inside Design: A Behind-the-Scenes Look at 3 Designers’ Processes – We talk to Margaret Hubert, Kristin Omdahl, and Anna Hrachovec about their design processes and some of their books.

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• 21:: Sharing Your Designs with Others – We discuss different ways to get your patterns published whether that’s self-publishing or submitting it to a magazine. Plus we talk to the Crochet Dude, Drew Emborsky about his path to becoming a designer.

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If you’ve ever had questions about reading (or writing!) patterns, this is the episode for you! Join Zontee and Michelle as they explore the different elements of patterns–and how they are created.

Learn why pattern-reading is a lot like recipe-reading, and find out where some designers get the inspiration for their incredible designs.

Plus Zontee and Michelle answer a listener question and share tips on plane-friendly travel projects.

Then on Stash This: Ideas for Your Crafting Life, Michelle takes us to her movie corner, where we explore favorite films that feature needlework in scenes major and minor.

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We’re only a few weeks away from Father’s Day, so if you’re hoping to get some ideas for crafting for Dad, be sure to check out these episodes from our archives. Click on the titles to see the episode guides or listen to them directly from this page. (Reading in an RSS reader or your email? Click the title of the post to open it on our site.)

• 116 :: 10 Knit & Crochet Gift Ideas for Father’s Day – From sports-inspired paraphernalia to stylish accessories for the urban guy on-the-go, we explore great gift ideas for the men in your life. Plus, we hear from Shannon Mullet-Bowlsby, who shares his thoughts on designing for both men and women.

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• 76 :: Projects Men Want, PLUS Gifts Under $20 – Practical accessories for fall are the name of the game in this episode. Get ideas for projects that will take him into the cooler months (or just for those outdoorsy types!). We also talk to Bruce Weinstein, the designer behind Knits Men Want, who talks about tackling the challenges that yarncrafters may face as they knit/crochet for the average non-yarncrafting man.

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• 67 :: Gifts for Dad! A Dozen Ideas for Father’s Day – Get recommendations from our listeners as well as Liz & Zontee on all kinds of projects for guys, from sweaters to slippers.

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[Pattern pictured: Knit Saturday Morning Hoodie]