The holidays are almost upon us, so it’s time to get going on those last minute projects! In this episode, Liz and Zontee share their tips for quick crafting, including quick-working yarns like Wool-Ease Thick & Quick and Sasha, as well as plenty of fast finish gift ideas including striped scarves like the Town and Country Scarf. We’re also joined by Cat, host of the popular video podcast Let’s Knit2gether, who tells us about how she started podcasting and about her holiday experiences with handmade gifts.

Liz and Zontee also suggest thoughtful presents for fellow yarncrafters, including books like Vintage Styles for Today, a ball winder and yarn swift, the Needle Master and Crochet Hook Master, a great tote bag for your projects, and even making a personalized “crafting music mix.”

Patterns discussed include:

• Throws: 5 1/2 and 6 Hour Throws
• Baby blankets & pet blankets: Cascading Colors Baby Blankie & Dog Blankets
• Scarves: Crochet Ruffle Scarf, One Ball Scarf, 2 Hour Scarves
• Bags & Purses: Market Bags & Shimmer-by-Night Bag
• Prayer Shawls
• Stuffed animals: Amigurumi Penguin, Amigurumi Snowman, Amigurumi Holiday Penguin, Amigurumi Gingerbread Person
• Hats: Family of Beanies, Wool-Ease Thick and Quick Crochet and Knit Hat
• Gloves & Mittens: Crochet Driving Gloves, Easy Knit Mittens
• Socks: Cottage Slipper Socks
• Dishcloths & Washcloths

Stash This: Ideas for Your Crafting Life–Liz and Zontee share ideas for relaxing while crafting. Find out more about some techniques to unwind from the stress of the upcoming holiday season. We’ve even included some calming music at the end of the show to help you de-stress. Music is “Winter Wildflowers” by Jack Erdie, from the Podsafe Music Network.

To share your comments and thoughts, post a message on the blog, email to yarncraft [at] lionbrand [dot] com, or call [206-203-4842] and leave us a message! Our next episode will be about New Year’s resolutions, new skills, and new ways of meeting yarncrafters. Do you have a yarncrafting resolution? Tell us about it, and you may be included in our next show!

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Patterns discussed include:

• Sweet Scallops Shawl (shawl in front of the Studio)
• Thigh High Socks

Stash This: Ideas for Your Crafting Life–Liz and Zontee are once again joined by the Studio crew, who share ideas for holiday decorations with your yarn–it’s a great way to try out new yarns like Vanna’s Glamour or great textured yarns like Sasha.

• Snowflake Ornament
• Holiday Ball Ornaments and Holiday Ornaments
• Amigurumi Gingerbread Person
• Amigurumi Gingerbread House
• Mitten Ornament
• Knit Stocking Ornament
• Cornucopia
• Tom Turkey

To share your comments and thoughts, post a message on the blog, email to yarncraft [at] lionbrand [dot] com, or call 206-350-3957 and leave us a message! In our next episode, we recommend quick gift ideas for all of the last-minute yarncrafters. What’s your go-to gift? Let us know and you may be included in our next show!

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It’s just about time to start crafting gifts for the holidays, so Liz and Zontee share their top 10 gift projects for this season. Join us for unique, creative, and fun projects for the whole family that will be sure to please.

We also answer a customer question about crocheting an afghan with the look of tie dye, find out what the girls of YarnCraft have been working on, and find out what listeners like you are making for YOUR families!

Patterns discussed include:

• Loch Lomond Afghan (paid pattern)
  
•  5 1/2 & 6 Hour Throws
• Pop Art Afghan (paid pattern)
  

Our top 10 gift project list includes:

1. Socks - Basic Socks
2. Leg Warmers - Thigh High Socks & Leg Warmers
3. Purses/bags - Cable Ready Bag (paid pattern)
   
4. Cabled scarves - Aran Cable Scarf & Cable Scarf
5. Sweaters - Cabled Woman’s Cardigan
6. Shawl - Lavish Lace Shawl
7. Lace scarf - Crochet Lace Scarf
8. Fingerless gloves - Crochet Driving Gloves, Knit Wristers, and Crochet Fingerless Gloves
9. Afghan/throw - Afghan Squared
10. Bath items - Bath Collection

Find more great patterns on the Pattern Finder, and tune in two episodes from now, when we share great ideas for last-minute gifts!

Stash This: Ideas for Your Crafting Life–Liz and Zontee share ideas and tips for teaching your loved ones to knit, crochet, and craft with yarn over the holidays! Spread the joy of creating with yarn with beginner patterns like the 2 Hour Scarf and the School Colors Crochet Scarf or with easy group projects like our colorful or classic Holiday Ornaments!

To share your comments and thoughts, post a message on the blog, email to yarncraft [at] lionbrand [dot] com, or call 206-350-3957 and leave us a message! In our next episode, we’ll be taking you inside the NEW Lion Brand Yarn Studio for a sneak peek of the space, AND we’ll be once again joined by bestselling author Kate Jacobs. Do you have questions about the Studio OR for Kate Jacobs? Let us know and you may be included in our next show!

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Join us as we explore the terrific world of yarncrafted toys–get in touch with your inner child! Liz and Zontee share toy ideas for kids of various ages and even for your furry friends. We also share more of our interview with designer Nicky Epstein–this time, Nicky tells us all about her love of yarncrafting for Barbie, as well as her upcoming projects. (Listen to episode 24 for embellishing tips from Nicky.)

It’s the perfect time to start making holiday gifts whether you’re looking for small or large animal toys, crafts for your dolls, baby toys or toys for your pets, so listen in!

Patterns discussed include:

• Amigurumi Gnome
• Amigurumi Panda
• Amigurumi Owl
• Leo the Lion
• Prehistoric Pals (paid pattern)
• Heather the Hippo
• Glamorous Doll Dress and Stole
• Chicks with Sticks
• Winter Doll Hat and Muff
• Cuddly Bunny Blanket
• Carrot Rattle
• Best Bunny
• Delicious Sandwich
• Drink Can
• Carrot Sticks
• Amigurumi Frosted Doughnuts
• Amigurumi Sardines Cat Toy
• Door Hanger Bouncy Cat Toy
• Tug-O-War Dog Toy
• Goldfish Cat Toy

Stash This: Ideas for Your Crafting Life–Liz and Zontee look at advanced knitting and crocheting techniques, including knitting or crocheting in the round, adding color, cabling and so much more. Take up the challenge and learn something new!

To share your comments and thoughts, post a message on the blog, email to yarncraft [at] lionbrand [dot] com, or call 206-350-3957 and leave us a message! We’ll be sharing ideas for holiday gift-making on our NEXT episode. What kinds of gifts are YOU making this holiday season? Tell us about it and you may be included in our next show!

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Halloween is almost upon us! In this special episode, Liz and Zontee explore the creepy and kooky ways that yarncrafting can add fun and fright to your Halloween! Discover creative ideas for decorating your house, adding something special to your costume, and so much more.

Patterns discussed include:

• Felted Candy Bags
  
• Witch Hat
• Leaf & petal masks
• Miss Spider’s Treat Basket
• Halloween Scream Felted Wreath
  
• Halloween Finger Puppets
  

Stash This: Ideas for Your Crafting Life – We look at great patterns for Halloween crafting with kids. We also share ideas for spook-ifying your house! And don’t forget to check out our Halloween edition of BK4K, our newsletter for kids for even more great patterns!

Patterns discussed include:

•  Halloween Pom-Pom Ghosts
• Spider & Spiderweb
• Cowgirl Wig
• Monster Wig
• Felted Ghost & Felted Bat
• Pinwheel Candy, Roll Candy, Lollipops, Candy Corn
• Jack O’ Lantern Juggling Balls
• Halloween Pals

Also, this Halloween season, consider knitting or crocheting a Pumpkin Patch Baby Hat or the baby hat of your choice to donate to Warm Up America! Foundation and Save the Children’s Knit One, Save One charity campaign to save 1 million babies in developing countries.

To share your comments and thoughts, post a message on the blog, email to yarncraft [at] lionbrand [dot] com, or call 206-350-3957 and leave us a message! Our next episode will be about toys, toys, toys. Do you have a favorite hand-knit or crochet toy or toy pattern? Tell us about it!

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In this episode, Liz and Zontee share five top trends on the runway and the new patterns from our Fall catalog that translate them into great staples for your fall wardrobe. Discover flattering styles to make for yourself and your loved ones.

We also show you how these fall looks inspired great patterns for your home. Liven up your living space with new accessories!

Patterns discussed include:

• Granny Square Scarf
• Thigh High Socks
• Zen Coat (paid pattern; shown above)
• Waterford Cardigan
• Fair Isle Capelet (paid pattern)
• Felted Snowflake Tote (paid pattern)
• Branching Out Bag (paid pattern)
• Graphic Elements Tote (paid pattern)
• Felted Plaid Blanket (paid pattern)
• Mix and Match Afghan (paid pattern)
• Cabled Shell
• Knit Diva Shawl (paid pattern)
• Pom Pom Rug
• Circle in Squares Afghan
• Tumbling Blocks Afghan (paid pattern)
  
• Loch Lomond Afghan (paid pattern)
  

Stash This: Ideas for Your Crafting Life – Get tips on substituting yarn so that you can create the look you’re after in the yarns that are right for you.

To share your comments and thoughts, post a message on the blog, email to yarncraft [at] lionbrand [dot] com, or call 206-350-3957 and leave us a message! Our next episode will be about Halloween projects. How do you craft for Halloween? What’s your favorite yarncrafting Halloween story? 

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Make every project special by adding that extra something. In today’s episode, the YarnCraft girls talk embellishment. Liz and Zontee talk about intarsia, Fair Isle, and other color techniques, as well as duplicate stitch, cross stitch, and embroidery. We take a look at Picture Perfect Knits, a new book with great charts for these techniques. We then talk about trims and edgings, tassels and fringe, flowers, and other embellishments. Learn tricks to make these classic techniques new again. Visit our StitchFinder for various knit and crochet trims, or check out our newsletter for the Trim of the Week.

Patterns discussed include:

• Intarsia Brocade Afghan (paid pattern)
• Felted Snowflake Tote
• Branching Out Bag (paid pattern)
• Everyday Textured Tote
• Just Ducky Baby Afghan (paid pattern)
• Ruffled Spirit Scarf
• Patrick’s First Sweater

Nicky Epstein, master of embellishment techniques, joins us for an interview in this fun and informative episode. Find out what’s the one piece of advice she gives to yarncrafters! Click here to see her books.

Also, find out how you can add flair to everything from gifts to memory boards with yarn!

Stash This: Ideas for Your Crafting Life – Discover how variations on using multiple yarns held together can add depth and texture to your projects.

Patterns discussed include:

• The Wonderful Wallaby (pre-printed paid pattern)
• Over Easy Poncho
• Custom Mixed Color Bag
• Glowing Colors Afghan

To share your comments and thoughts, post a message on the blog, email to yarncraft [at] lionbrand [dot] com, or call 206-350-3957 and leave us a message! Our next episode will be about fall trends. Do you have a favorite fall project? Leave a comment and tell us about it!

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Summer’s wrapping up and the YarnCraft girls are excited for fall and for fall projects. Whether you’re taking care of the kids or just nostalgic for summer camp days past, we’ve got great project ideas for yarncrafters on today’s episode. Patterns featured include:

• Lanyards (Click for one set of basic instructions on Instructables.com)
• Pom-pom animals
• Yarn “paintings” on greeting cards and pencil holders wrapped with yarn
• Beaded bookmark
• Crocheted bookmark
• Knit book cover
• Felted Laptop Case
• Spool-Knit Apple Coaster
• Crochet Monster Dolls: Square, Circle, Triangle, Rectangle
• Knit Coastal Stripe Pullover
• Knit Hooded Sweater
• Knit Sundress

Don’t forget to check out BK4K, our kids’ newsletter, for more ideas.
We also interview Sharon Mann and Phyllis Sandford, writers of the book, Crochet Kid Stuff, which will be featured in September in the Lion Brand E-Newsletter with a great free pattern.

Stash This: Ideas for Your Crafting Life – Liz and Zontee talk about great ideas for those other members of our families, the pets! Find all of the patterns mentioned in this segment by searching on our Pattern Finder, and don’t forget to sign up for our fall catalog to see even more great pet patterns.
To share your comments and thoughts, post a message on the blog, email to yarncraft [at] lionbrand [dot] com, or call 206-350-3957 and leave us a message! Our next episode will be focused on embellishments, so tell us about your favorite technique OR let us know if there’s something you want to hear about.

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Knitting and crocheting can provide relaxation and personal expression. This time on YarnCraft, we talk about your yarncrafting space–what inspires you, how to organize your tools, and how to make the most of whatever space you have. We share stories from listeners like you, as well as more interviews from the Knit & Crochet Show that took place a few weeks ago. Zontee talks to writer/designer Margaret Hubert and Mary Beth Temple of podcast Getting Loopy!, as well as the very funny writer/designer, Lily Chin.

Patterns mentioned in this episode include:

• Felted Needle Roll
• Hook Book
• Candle Cover

Zontee just finished her amigurumi elephant, and Liz is trying some new yarns that will be out this fall–stay tuned for more information in the upcoming months!

Stash This: Ideas for Your Crafting Life – Loom knitting was such a popular topic that we wanted to share some of the great resources out there, whether you are new to looms or a pro.

Sites mentioned include:

• YouTube
• Loom Knitters Circle Magazine
  
• LoomKnit.com
• LoomKnittingHelp.com
• LoomKnitting.com

To share your comments and thoughts, post a message on the blog, email to yarncraft [at] lionbrand [dot] com, or call 206-350-3957 and leave us a message! Our next episode will be focused on back to school projects, so share your favorite projects with us.

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Have you ever designed your own garment? It’s great, and all of your friends ask for the pattern. Now you’re wondering how to share it with the rest of the world. In this episode, we take a quick look at various ways that you can share your patterns with the world, be it online or in print. Share your pattern for free. Sell it online. Submit it to a website or magazine. Liz and Zontee delve into all this and more in this episode.

At the CGOA Chainlink Conference and the Knit & Crochet Show that took place this weekend in Manchester, NH, we talk to Drew Emborsky, also known as the Crochet Dude, about his path to becoming a designer.

Sites mentioned include:
Ravelry.com
Knitty.com
CrochetMe
Knitting.About.com
Crochet.About.com
Etsy.com

Liz and Zontee are working on various projects, including Kelly Maher’s Ribbed Lace Bolero in Cotton-Ease, available on her blog (one of the ways to share your pattern with others that we talk about today).
Stash This: Ideas for Your Crafting Life – Get tips on estimating the amount of yarn needed for a given project, learn how to leave enough “tail” for a long-tail cast-on, and discover which stitches use up more yarn. Stay tuned for this useful segment.

To share your comments and thoughts, post a message on the blog, email to yarncraft [at] lionbrand [dot] com, or call 206-350-3957 and leave us a message! Our next episode will be about creating the perfect yarncrafting sanctuary, so call or leave a comment about your workspace or your dream workspace.

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