Knitting Daily : Knitting Daily TV

Craft Daily Is Here!

Kathleen Cubley — Tue, 14 May 2013 19:39:00 GMT

My knitting workshop video library just got too big for the bookshelf! The new Craft Daily site is here, and with streaming videos for knitters you can watch Knitting Daily TV and knitting workshops with just a click of the mouse. What's even better is that you can take these videos with you anywhere. Allow me to introduce you to Craft Daily, your new resource for visual knitting.

Here's fellow knitter Annie Hartman Bakken to tell you more:



Watch a preview of how Craft Daily works, with Online Education Manager Laura Esposito.

CraftDaily.com

I feel like the new generation of knitting is here. Craft Daily is a video streaming site for knitters. Whether you're a new knitter or have been knitting for years, there are videos for every skill level. Learn how to read yarn labels from Eunny Jang on Knitting Daily TV or knit a sweater from the top down with Wendy Bernard. It's all here.

If you've ever had the luck of attending a knitting class, the benefits of the visual knitting experience is priceless. You can see the instructor cast-on and knit, and often times a light bulb goes off. It all seems so easy when you see it done!



	Watch Eunny Jang demonstrate short-row knitting on Knitting Daily TV episode 708, on CraftDaily.com.

Craft Daily brings those knitting classes to practically any device that supports a strong internet connection (Mac, PC, iOS). You can watch 45+ Knitted Cast-Ons and Bind-Offs with Ann Budd anytime. Let's say you're on the train traveling to Newark, and you can't remember that stretchy cast-on for ribbed socks. Well, log on to Craft Daily and watch the video in the dining car. Yes, folks, it's that easy.

One of the more exciting bits of Craft Daily for me is the addition of Knitting Daily TV videos. Every time a new season of the show comes out, I get lots of comments about how the show doesn't air in certain areas. Or, it's airing at 6 a.m. on Sunday mornings. Now you don't have to set the DVR to record the show, because Craft Daily has episodes streaming on the site. Plus, they're adding more and more videos each week.

The Craft Daily site also allows you to build a library of your favorite videos, so you can keep track of those you've seen and want to watch again. I've bookmarked Lily Chin's Reversible Cables video, because the first time I watched it there was too much to absorb. I'm not as fast a knitter as Lily. I want to revisit it when I actually have the yarn and needles in my hands to knit along.

The Craft Daily site is brand-new, so go check it out. You can watch previews of the videos to see if they're something that interests you. Plus, you can leave helpful comments on each video for other knitters. I'll be there. Probably for another twelve hours!

—Annie Hartman Bakken, associate producer of Knitting Daily TV and Interweave's yarn division marketing manager

Craft Daily has videos for quilters, crocheters, and even metalsmiths; so we knitters can dabble in other crafts as well. Just what we need, right? Another crafting hobby!

I might not go buy a soldering kit, but I actually have enjoyed watching the jewelry making videos. And some of the sewing and quilting videos are great for knitters that want to sew their seams or embellish their knitwear.

As you can see, Craft Daily is an amazing way to learn crafting techniques and "waste" many, many more hours on the computer. Enjoy!

Cheers,

All About Tencel Yarn (plus a free pattern!)

Kathleen Cubley — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 12:00:00 GMT

I'm eco-conscious, and I'll bet you are too. I recycle, reuse, and reduce wherever I can. But did you ever think about the environment in regards to your knitting?

The yarn you choose can make a difference ecologically, and I recently learned a lot about the fiber tencel from a segment on Knitting Daily TV. I thought tencel was a man-made fiber, which shows how much I know—not much!

Here's the segment, from Knitting Daily TV episode 1007:

(Please visit the site to view this media)


	Maidenhair Lace Wrap by Christine Nissley for Prism Yarn

Laura Bryant is such a wealth of knowledge about all things knitting. She's the owner and creative force of Prism Yarn—beautiful handpainted yarns. Laura is a frequent guest on Knitting Daily TV, which is just one more reason to watch!

Tencel has a wonderful drape, which you can see from the Maidenhair Lace Wrap at left. It's knit out of a lace-weight 100% tencel yarn, and it has a beautiful drape—wonderful for lace knitting. It's a free pattern, too! I think it's stunning.

KDTV episode 1007 has lots more to offer. Clara Parkes and Eunny talk about recycled yarn. Really, knitters have been part of the recycling program for a long time.

Pre-World War II, people sold their old, too-much darned knitted sweaters and socks to mills that would break them down and re-spin the wool into yarn, or simply use the bits as stuffing for pillows, mattresses, or other furniture.

Now, recycled yarn is made from discarded clothing, leftover bits from fashion manufacturers, and other too-used fibers. Most recycled yarn is a blend of wool and cotton and other fibers. This blending compensates for possible weaknesses in some of the fibers included and it results in a strong fabric.

I love these insights into our craft, and Knitting Daily TV is such a wonderful resource. You can download episode 1007 (or any of the other episodes from series 1000!), and learn all so much!

These individual episode downloads are great ways to start watching now!

Cheers,

P.S. Have you knitted with tencel yarn? Leave a comment and tell us what you thought!

Resolve to Save!

Kathleen Cubley — Fri, 25 Jan 2013 13:00:00 GMT

Save big this New Year with up to 80% off books, magazines, videos, seminars and more. Find great deals to help you learn a new technique, tackle your to-do lists and stick with your resolutions.

You know I love cables, and I want to share some great resources with you:


Reversible Cables with Lily Chin	Knitting Daily TV Episode 301: Traditional Cables	*Step-by-Step Guide to Knitting Cables, With 4 Favorite Patterns*	Power Cables by Lily Chin
Expand your knitwear options with reversible cable designs by Lily Chin, a companion workshop to her book, Power Cables.	In Knitting Daily TV episode 301, learn how to knit cables and use them to make beautiful knitwear.	Editor of Interweave Knits magazine Eunny Jang guides you through the basics and beyond of cable knitting.	From basic twisted stitches to complex cables, this book will expand your expertise and take your cables to a whole new level.

Pretty great stuff, right? Check out our huge sale—you'll save on almost anything that strikes your fancy!

Cheers,

Knitting Daily TV Turns 10!

Kathleen Cubley — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 13:00:00 GMT

I note from Kathleen: It's hard to believe another season of Knitting Daily TV is here! But it is, and I'm thankful. Each episode is so full of interesting techniques, patterns, and fun personalities. If you want to learn how to knit, or if you want some new tips and tricks, or if you just enjoy welcoming Eunny, Kristin, and Clara back into your home, wait no longer!

Here's Associate Producer Annie Bakken to tell you what's to come in series ten of Knitting Daily TV.


Eunny demonstrates fancy increases and decreases to shape your knitwear on episode 1003.

Clara Parkes and Eunny are in the knitting lab to talk about softspun yarns on episode 1005's Yarn Spotlight.

Behind the Scenes, Immersed in Yarn

As a knitter, there's nothing better than to be surrounded by the yummy yarns on the set of Knitting Daily TV.

We've taped the tenth season of the show, and I'm proud to say we get better and better with each series. Airing this January on Public Television, series 1000 of Knitting Daily TV is sure to delight our fans and hopefully intrigue new knitters to join us. Plus, if you're a yarn lover, tune in to see first-hand some of the newest yarns on the market.

Lucky Number 13!

We have thirteen new episodes, which means thirteen more quick tips and thirteen more getting-started segments with host Eunny Jang. We paid attention to what our fans wanted on our Facebook page, and we're diving more into sweater construction, lace knitting, knitted socks, and new design orientated segments. Viewers will learn how to tailor their knitwear, how to add drape using the right yarn and stitches, and even how to add small design elements that make all the difference.

Clara Parkes is also back on this season of Knitting Daily TV with thirteen more yarn spotlights, where all yarn lovers (crocheters, weavers, spinners too!) can enjoy her scientific, informative take on the newest yarns and how to best put these fibers to the test in your knitting. Learn the difference between handpainted and hand-dyed, woolen and worsted, and mercerized versus non-mercerized cotton. Plus, have you heard of possum yarns?!

Introducing Knit-Alongs!

Also brand-new are two knit-alongs with Kristin Omdahl. Mixed into our usual how-to designer segments, you can knit alongside Kristin to make the Agua Rios Vest and the Wheeled Lace Shawl.


	Kristin Omdahl knits the Wheeled Lace Shawl on this season's knitalong.

Both of these patterns are geared towards women, for beginning to intermediate knitters. They both look like elaborate knits, but are actually easy to master with Kristin's step-by-step approach. And, they're classic, ageless garments that we hope a wide audience of knitters will enjoy.

As always, favorite guests Laura Bryant and Barry Klein are also back for more knitting and crochet know-how with slip-stitch knitting, tencel yarns, and Tunisian crochet. This season also welcomes crochet designer Robyn Chachula with crocheted jewelry and edging advice.

I hope you'll tune into the show and enjoy watching it as much as I love being a part of it. And as always, please feel free to leave comments as to what you like, love, or want to see more (or less!) of on Knitting Daily TV. We're listening!

Tune in to Knitting Daily TV on your local PBS station, or order the DVDs now and get KDTV delivered right to your door!

Cheers,

P.S. What's your favorite thing about Knitting Daily TV? Leave a comment and let us know!

Knitting Tips and Tricks

Kathleen Cubley — Mon, 19 Nov 2012 13:00:00 GMT

I love a good shortcut, whether it's cutting through an alley to avoid traffic or weaving in ends as I knit so I don't have to do it at the end of the project. Here are a few of my favorites, all of them things I learned from Knitting Daily TV!


		Weave in Yarns as You Go Place the needle in the next stitch and, before wrapping it, lay the yarn tail over the working yarn. Now work the next stitch; the tail is now fastened in. Repeat this for about 1 to 2 inches making sure to carry the yarn tail loosely to avoid puckering. This technique is a real lifesaver when you're knitting a striped project.

This is the correct orientation for adding new yarns. Positioning the yarns this way created a continuous length of yarn and will make your joins invisible.		Joining Yarns Hold the old and new yarn together so that the tail of the old one overlaps with the tail of the new one, creating a continuous yarn. Knit with both strands for about 4 to 5 stitches. Then discontinue knitting with the old strand and continue on with the new one. On the next row, treat the two yarns as one stitch, not two. This join can be used for light- to worsted-weight yarn.

		Tracking Your Project Needle Size Take a very long piece of contrasting scrap yarn and tie the exact number of knots to represent the size of your knitting needle. That way, if you remove your needle for use on another project, you will always know what size needle you were working with on the unfinished project. (This is one of my favorites! I hate doing gauge swatches again just to see what needle size I used.)

		Tracking Your Cable Rows Tie some scrap yarn with the cast-on yarn tail when working a cable. Take the scrap yarn and flip it over the needle every four rows—it looks like a running stitch up the project. You will always know what row of the cable you're on as you only have to count four rows. Why do it every four rows? Because so many cables are based on a multiple of four rows.

Pretty great tips, right? You'll use these techniques a lot, whether you're cable knitting, swatching, knitting stripes, or pulling needles from one project to use in another.

Each episode of Knitting Daily TV is full of tips just like these, to make your knitting easier and more fun. You can download single episodes from the Knitting Daily Shop, so browse the selection and choose a few today!

Cheers,

P.S. What's your favorite knitting tip? Share it with us below in the comments!

Thrum-pa-pum-pum!

Kathleen Cubley — Wed, 31 Oct 2012 12:00:00 GMT

On a recent outing to my local yarn shop, I tried on a lovely pair of mittens. They were so cute, knitted in stranded colorwork (I thought) with little white stitches dotting the dark blue background. Very simple. Then I put my hand in one of the mittens, looked up, and said "What the . . .?" It felt like I had put my hand into a cloud!

The inside of a thrummed mitten. This is just after one round of placing the thrums, so you can imagine how warm these will be!

The yarn shop owner said that the mittens were thrummed. What's thrumming? It's simply knitting little lengths of fleece into your work, with the ends on the inside of the work and a smooth stitch on the outside. just discovered how to knit thrums, a technique that adds a ton of warmth to mittens, hats, and even socks.

The original fleece-stuffed mittens came from Labrador and Newfoundland in eastern Canada. Small pieces of unspun sheep's wool were twisted, and then worked in every few stitches to create a fleecy lining. These mittens were were probably worked in natural sheep colors, but with all of the colorful yarns available today, you can make a rainbow of thrummed mittens!

A great thing about this knitting technique is that you can use any mitten pattern (or hat or sock pattern, for that matter!). Just make sure you leave a little extra room for the thrums by making a size larger or casting on a few extra stitches in the hand portion of the mitten.

Eunny Jang, editor of Interweave Knits and host of Knitting Daily TV, recently presented a thrumming tutorial on KDTV episode 811. Here she is:

(Please visit the site to view this media)


	*Thrummed Mittens by Jennifer Appleby, available in the Knitting Daily* Shop**

The photo at right, of the Thrummed Mittens by Jennifer Appleby from the Knitting Daily Shop, shows the type of mittens I tried on. Cute, right? I love the rainbow of fleece colors used for the thrums.

There's so many neat techniques demonstrated on Knitting Daily TV, you won't want to miss a single episode. Get the entire Knitting Daily TV Collection today for one special price!

Cheers,

P.S. Have you tried the thrumming technique? Leave a comment and let us know what you made!

The Pluie Cardigan: Intarsia in the Rain

Kathleen Cubley — Mon, 24 Sep 2012 12:00:00 GMT


	The Pluie Cardigan by Alex Capshaw-Taylor, from the Fall 2012 issue of Interweave Knits

There are a lot of sweaters that caught my eye in the Fall 2012 issue of Interweave Knits, but the Pluie Cardigan (pluie is French for "rain") was the one that stuck with me.

It's so cute! I love the umbrella design; maybe it's because I lived in Seattle for twenty years and I had an umbrella with me almost all the time, plus one stashed in the car for emergencies.

Anyway, Alex Capshaw-Taylor's Pluie Cardigan is worked in intarsia. I know—an entire sweater worked in intarsia! Seems daunting, but I've got a couple of tips for you to make intarsia knitting easier. Here's Eunny Jang, co-host of Knitting Daily TV and editor of Interweave Knits, to show you a couple of easy ways to manage your yarn while knitting.

(Please visit the site to view this media)

I love Eunny's tip about using loose, yard-long lengths of yarn and just pulling them out of the "yarn mass" every now and again. I used this technique when I knit an R2D2 hat for my nephew and it was easy to manage the yarns without much tangling. The Pluie is a larger project, obviously, so I think the bobbin technique might be better and leave fewer ends to weave in.

The weaving-in of ends is one of the biggest complaints I hear about intarsia knitting. Yes, there will be ends to weave in. Just put on your big-girl panties and deal with it, okay? The finished Pluie Cardigan is so worth it!


A closeup of the reverse side of the Pluie. Look at all of those beautifully worked intarsia umbrellas!

I popped over to designer Alex Capshaw-Taylor's blog, Knitting on Top of the World, and here's what she has to say about this cardigan: "Pluie was inspired by a rainy weekend day—umbrellas to will the rain away and a cardigan to stay warm and cozy while curled up with a book. I got the idea of doing an all-over motif from Victoria Beckham's spring 2012 cat dress. I'm thrilled with the result. Not for the faint of heart, this intarsia cardigan is great for knitters looking for a challenge."

The challenge of this project is just working the intarsia, and many think it's more of a hassle than a challenge. However, I think it's fun, and it's wonderful to watch the design emerge as you go. Like stranded knitting, I get the just-one-more-row syndrome because I want to see what comes next!

This is the perfect sweater pattern to work on this fall and winter. You'll have it done in time for spring showers!

Like me, you'll find a pattern that sticks with you in every issue of Interweave Knits. Subscribe now so you don't miss anything!

Cheers,

P.S. Do you have any tips for intarsia knitting? Share them with us in the comments!

Faux Fur? Yeah, you heard me right!

Kathleen Cubley — Fri, 21 Sep 2012 12:00:00 GMT

Sometime in about 1974, my mom bought a groovy white leather jacket with a faux fox collar. I loved it! I didn't know it was faux, of course, and I decided then and there that I would have a coat just like Mom's and wear it all the time.

Well, I never got a white leather coat, but I have been looking at a lot of faux fur yarn lately. I got a skein of black yarn with white fur puffs here and there, and it's waiting to become a cowl. And at a trade show I saw these gorgeous faux fur pompoms that I can't stop thinking about! They were so soft you could barely feel them! I want to get two and put them on the ends of a scarf.

Recently I came across a fabulous cowl made with faux fur trim. I love it! The cowl was featured in series 900 of Knitting Daily TV, where designer Laura Bryant talks about how to use faux fur yarn; it's care and handling, if you will. Here's that segment for you:

(Please visit the site to view this media)

I want one in every color—how about you? Here's the pattern. (Click on the title for a PDF version.)

Lush Cowl

Size: One size, approx 10" x 36"
Yarn: 1 full skein Neat Stuff, Wild Stuff, or Cool Stuff (A); 2 skeins Plume (B)
Needles: Circular needles U.S. 9 and 10 or size to get gauge
Gauge: 16 sts and 24 rows = 4" with Stuff on U.S. 9 needles

Cowl

With B and #10 needle, CO 120 sts. Knit 2 rows. Join for circular knitting, taking care not to twist. Work garter stitch (k 1 rnd, p 1 rnd) for 4 rnds. Change to A and stockinette st (k every rnd) and work to 5". Change to # 9 needle and work to 7". Dec 10 sts evenly spaced around next rnd. Knit 1 rnd. Dec 10 sts evenly spaced on next rnd. Cont to 8". Work 9 rnds B in garter st on #9 needle, then BO all sts in B with elastic bind off: *k 2 tog, slip st back to LH needle* repeat **. Fasten off and bury end.

This is just one of many fun topics covered on Knitting Daily TV. Get KDTV on DVD today!

Cheers,

Learn Something New: The Sea-Foam Stitch

Kathleen Cubley — Fri, 07 Sep 2012 12:00:00 GMT

There are lots of things in knitting that are deceptively simple, and the sea-foam stitch is one of them. It's a beautiful stitch that mimics the undulating movement sea foam makes as it lies on top of the water.

This stitch is formed by wrapping the yarn around the needle numerous times between stitches and then dropping the wraps as you knit the next row.

Knitting Daily TV episode 904 showcases the sea-foam Stitch. Here's Eunny to show you how it's done:

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I learned this stitch a few years ago when I worked at a yarn shop. We worked up a scarf model using the sea-foam stitch and a skein of beautiful, shimmery, silk variegated yarn. I lost count of how many people saw that scarf and immediately bought the yarn and asked for the pattern. It was a perfect case of a stitch pattern perfectly showcasing a yarn.

The shawl featured in the video is the Ironwork Shawl by Tara Miller, from the Spring 2012 issue of Interweave Knits magazine. Beautiful, right?

Here's the stitch pattern:

Sea-Foam Stitch Pattern (multiple of 10 sts + 6)

Rows 1 and 2: Knit.
Row 3: K6, *[yo] 2 times, k1, [yo] 3 times, k1, [yo] 4 times, k1, [yo] 3 times, k1, [yo] 2 times, k6; rep from *.
Row 4: *K6, drop 2 yo off left needle, k1, drop 3 yo, k1, drop 4 yo, k1, drop 3 yo, k1, drop 2 yo; rep from * to last 6 sts, k6.
Rows 5 and 6: Knit.
Row 7: K1, *[yo] 2 times, k1, [yo] 3 times, k1, [yo] 4 times, k1, [yo] 3 times, k1, [yo] 2 times, k6; rep from *, ending last rep k1 instead of k6.
Row 8: K1, *drop 2 yo off left needle, k1, drop 3 yo, k1, drop 4 yo, k1, drop 3 yo, k1, drop 2 yo, k6; rep from *, ending last rep k1 instead of k6.
Rep Rows 1-8 for patt.

Search your stash for a fabulous skein of silky yarn—I think this stitch looks best with a slippery yarn—and cast on a sea-foam–stitch scarf today!

And check out the rest of the fun drop-stitch ideas in KDTV episode 904: "Oops—I Dropped It!"; it's on sale!

Cheers,

P.S. Do you have a favorite drop-stitch knitting pattern? Tell us about it in the comments!

Learn Something New: Steeking

Kathleen Cubley — Fri, 03 Aug 2012 12:00:00 GMT


My Bohus-style sweater, waiting to be steeked

When I cleaned out my knitting bags(!) a week or so ago I found a sweater that needs to be steeked. It's a Bohus cardigan that's so close to being done—it just needs the aforementioned steek and then the buttonbands picked up and knitted. I've heard a lot of knitters talk about how scared they are to cut their knitting, but I'm not scared, I'm excited!

If you're new to the knitting technique of steeking, too, here's some great info from Interweave Knits and Knitting Daily TV host Eunny Jang.

Steeking: Cutting the Edge

A steek is a column of extra stitches used to bridge two edges of knitting. Steeks let you knit an entire sweater in the round without reverting to knitting flat. Steeks can be worked between the right and left fronts of a cardigan, the front and back edges of an armhole, and/or the sides of a neckline.

Openings are created by cutting along the center of the column of stitches—and sleeves, neckbands, and buttonbands are picked up along the cut edges. When the garment is complete, the cut edges are trimmed and neatly tacked down on the wrong side of the garment, creating a tidy facing. Although steeks are most often worked in color patterns, if you prefer knitting in the round to working flat, you can use them in solid-color sweaters as well.



Two examples of steeks and where to cut them. Both are equally effective.

What about raveling?
The thought of cutting into knitted fabric is counterintuitive at best. Doesn't the knitting ravel as soon as it is cut? Not when the circumstances are right. Steeking capitalizes on the reluctance of knit stitches to ravel from side to side. You can further secure the cut edges by choosing a "sticky" yarn (hairy animal yarns such as traditional Shetland wools felt so readily that the slight friction created in the knitting process mats the hairs together and discourages raveling).

Reinforcing and cutting steeks
There are several methods for reinforcing steek stitches before cutting, each appropriate to different circumstances. All of them require good light; patience; a small, sharp pair of scissors; and steady nerves.

Unreinforced: The traditional steek, worked in sticky Shetland wool in a garment with a very dense gauge, calls for no reinforcement at all. The friction you create as you knit will mat and felt the fabric very slightly, stabilizing the area to be cut and minimizing fraying. Simply cut carefully down the center of each steek, working in a very straight line and snipping just a few threads at a time.

Crocheted: Crochet steek reinforcements firmly bind together the sides of two adjacent stitch columns to hold the cut ends securely in place. The method is ideal for sticky or smooth animal fibers still at relatively dense gauges: the applied binding adds security even to yarns that don't felt readily, but it relies on a firm base fabric to stay in place. Crocheted steeks are not suitable for plant fibers or for superwash wools, since the base fabric must have some natural cling.

Sewn: When you use a very slick plant or synthetic fiber, sewing is the only way to ensure that a steek will not ravel. Because sewing stitches have no elasticity, some of the flexibility inherent in knitted fabric is lost when you use a sewn reinforcement. Save this method for when crocheting will not provide enough security.


Figure 3: Picking up and knitting from a steek edge

Figure 4: Tacking down the steek flap

Picking up and knitting from a steek edge
Once the steek is cut, you can pick up stitches just inside the cut edge, along the purl channel between the border and body stitches, and work button and neckbands. Figure 3, at left, shows a stitch being picked up at the edge of a steek; notice how the needle picks up the bar between the border stitch of the steek and the first stitch of the body, both of which were worked in the background color.

In shaped sweaters, the sleeves may be knitted separately and sewn in along the line created by the border stitch. In every case, the steek flap will naturally fold to the wrong side along the pick-up or seam line.

Once all finishing work is completed and the sweater has been washed and blocked, the steeks should be finished neatly by trimming away any frayed ends and tacking down the flap with a simple whipstitch or blanket stitch (Figure 4, at left). With every washing and wearing, the facings will full a little more, eventually creating a durable, hard-wearing finish on the inside of the garment.

—Eunny Jang

And now here's a video from the new season of Knitting Daily TV, episode 912, where Eunny demonstrates steeking.

(Please visit the site to view this media)

Did you know you could download individual episodes of Knitting Daily TV? That's right—there are tons of knitting techniques right at your fingertips! Get episode 912, Eek, Steeks!, right now and learn even more about steeking!

Cheers,

P.S. Do you have any steeking tips? Share them with us in the comments!

I Love Knitting Daily TV!

Kathleen Cubley — Mon, 16 Jul 2012 12:00:00 GMT


Eunny demonstrates three methods for steeking on episode 912.

I'm a visual learner. You can tell me how to do a certain knitting technique and it's all Greek to me, but show me how to knit a complicated cable and I'm all over it!

That's why I love Knitting Daily TV. Each episode is full of yarny goodness such as new knitting techniques, yarn information, stitch pattern demos, interviews, and just plain fun.

Here's Associate Producer Annie Hartman Bakken to tell you more!

The new season of Knitting Daily is here!

Airing on local Public Television stations this July, Eunny and the gang are back with more knitting patterns, techniques, and quick tips.

Plus, this season we're introducing yarn expert Clara Parkes in a segment called Yarn Spotlight. Eunny and Clara meet up each show in the Knitting Lab—complete with mad-scientist lab coats—to dissect yarn characteristics and best uses. From 100 percent wool to yak and muskox, viewers will learn unique information about their medium from the best in the business. Here's a sneak peek at what's in store, from episode 912, when Eunny and Clara dive into silk blended yarns.

Knitting Daily TV also includes guest appearances from Kristen TenDyke, Laura Bryant, and Barry Klein. Packed with one-of-a-kind projects, this season has something for everyone—and the free patterns are available online. From episode 906, Laura and Barry meet up with Shay for a trendy episode of Faux Fur designs. No animals were hurt in the process!

As you can also tell, we had a lot of fun putting this season together and we hope you'll enjoy every bit of it, as well as learn something new and knit along with us. Check your local listings to see if Knitting Daily TV airs in your area, or purchase the new season on DVD or download the entire season!

Happy knitting,

Yarn Expert Clara Parkes Joins Knitting Daily TV!

Kathleen Cubley — Mon, 07 May 2012 12:00:00 GMT

A note from Kathleen: The new season of Knitting Daily TV is starting in July and there are big things in store. BIG. Here's producer Anne Bakken to tell you more!


Yarn Spotlight: What do you get when you cross a yak with bamboo? (Hint: not a yakaboo!) You get the great yarn characteristics of each combined into one fiber!

Set your DVRS, you won't want to miss this. . .

Yarn expert (from Knitter's Review and the author of The Knitter's Book of Yarn) Clara Parkes is joining the cast of Knitting Daily TV, coming this July!

Have you ever been so blown away by a skein or ball of yarn at the yarn store that you impulsively made a purchase to later wonder what you'd use it for? Splurged on a luxurious fiber and now are too afraid to knit with it? With host Eunny Jang, Clara Parkes demystifies yarn in the newest segment, called Yarn Spotlight. From 100% wool yarns to tweeds, bouclé, embellished yarns, and even bamboo and yak blends, the Yarn Spotlight informs viewers of showcased yarns' characteristics, qualities, and best uses. You'll understand how twist affects a yarn's behavior, what options you have to knit with chain constructed yarns, and even how many plies a yarn has and why.

With Clara's help you'll be able to find the perfect project for even the most unique yarns. Yarn Spotlight focuses on a variety of yarns per episode, so you're getting a great insider look at basic to unique yarns each time. You're left feeling a lot smarter about the yarns that are on the shelves and in your stash.

For example, you might be the best knitter in the world, with perfect gauge and professional finishing skills, but if you think you're going to be able to intentional drop stitches with bouclé yarn, you should think again! With Eunny and Clara's help, you'll be able to choose a yarn that best fits your designated project-or vice versa.

Knowing your medium can make you a true artist or designer. Clara arms you with the education you need to discover your highest potential when designing projects that give the desired effect you're aiming to achieve.

The new season of Knitting Daily TV with Clara begins airing this July on Public Television stations across the country, so be sure to check your local listings to see if it airs in your area. If not, don't fret-the entire series will also be available on DVD and by instant download this coming July, too.

In the meantime, take advantage of the 3 for $99 Knitting Daily TV DVD sale to stock-up on previous episodes, including the latest Series 800 currently airing today. With one-of-a-kind projects, knitting tips and techniques, and great guest appearance, Knitting Daily TV is how-to television for today's knitter.

Cheers,

Getting drape from cotton yarn (plus a free pattern!)

Kathleen Cubley — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 12:00:00 GMT

When I think drape I think silk, sea cell, or bamboo. I don't think cotton, especially the smooth, sorta stiff mercerized cotton yarn that's ubiquitous in spring and summer knits.

But I'm thinking again because Kristin Ohmdahl and Eunny Jang, hosts of Knitting Daily TV, are here to show us all how to knit with cotton and get the drape we want. With the right shaping and pattern, you can get a great result.

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The Clinton Vest, a free pattern from Knitting Daily TV

I have quite a bit of cotton yarn, which I usually use for baby projects; there's just no sense in knitting something non-washable for little ones, and cotton is long-wearing and long-washable. I've also used mercerized cotton to knit a tee-shirt for my mom. The cotton I used was a DK-weight and it had a sheen that's inherent in mercerized cotton, which I like a lot.

Anyway, I always thought mercerized cotton came in just one style, smooth and straight, like Tahki Cotton Classic or Knitting Fever King Tut. Then, at Interweave Knitting Lab last fall I discovered Tahki Ripple and I fell in love with it. It's the yarn used in the Clinton Vest, pictured at left.

Like Kristin says in the video clip, Ripple knits up with automatic drape because of the thick and thin nature of the yarn. The drape is great; add to that the interesting texture you get from plain old stockinette and this yarn is a real winner.

I have a few balls of Ripple in my stash, but I'm going to get more and knit that Clinton Vest. I love vests and this one is really pretty and simple. The color I have is a beautiful winter white—perfect for springtime.

Learn a bunch more about knitting with cotton, whimsical details, and interesting knitting techniques—download Knitting Daily TV episode 808 now!

Cheers,

The Silver Lining: A hat tutorial (plus a 10-cent download!)

Kathleen Cubley — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 13:00:00 GMT


The Silver Lining Hat (click here to download the free pattern!)

There's such a thing in knitting as "deceptively simple." This phenomenon happens in all crafts, actually, and it's such a pleasant surprise.


	The Silver Lining Hat in its "football" stage

The Silver Lining Hat, by Kirsten Hipsky of Valley Yarns, is one of those deceptively simple patterns. When it's done it's shaped like a football that's two different colors, which, I think you'll agree, doesn't look much like a hat (photo at right).

The deal is that you work from the top down, and then you switch colors and work from the bottom up.

At the end of the process you have a double-layer hat that has a different color lining that can be worn with either color showing and the other appears as the contrast color when you fold up the brim.

The only tricky part of the Silver Lining Hat is at the very beginning, where you start knitting in the round with just a few stitches. And it's not really hard, it's just awkward for the first few rows.

to get you over that hump, Knitting Daily TV host Eunny Jang walks you through the first few rows (and then she shows you how to knit the rest of the hat!) step by step.

Here's the clip from KDTV episode 802!

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Isn't that great? I hope you'll try the Silver Lining Hat, and the other hats in KDTV episode 802, too. It's available as a single episode download, so check it out!

Cheers,

P.S. In the video, Eunny is wearing the Off-Rib Cardigan from knit.wear magazine.

Learn something new: Roositud Inlay (plus a free pattern!)

Kathleen Cubley — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 13:00:00 GMT

There are so many color knitting techniques to learn because adding color to your knitwear is so much fun! It adds interest and a little challenge as you knit, which is always welcome, right?


Kate Gagnon Osborne's Norquin Beret, which features the Roositud inlay technique (download the free pattern here!)

Today's "Learn Something New" technique is Roositud knitting, which is kind of like embroidering while you knit. Roositud knitting is a great way to add an isolated motif to your knitting.

Roositud is an Estonian inlay technique in which groups of stitches are wrapped with a contrasting color yarn, following a charted pattern. The groups of stitches are wrapped from right to left in a series of two-round sequences.

One of my favorite designers, Kate Gagnon Osborne, designed a simple, beautiful beret (shown at left), which includes a stunning Roositud inlay.

Here's a quick tutorial on how to knit Roositud.

For the Norquin Beret, use the inlay yarn held doubled for better coverage.

Round 1: Work to group of sts to be wrapped (Figure 1 shows 3 sts being wrapped). Lay contrasting inlay yarn from back to front between needles. Knit group of sts with main yarn, leaving inlay yarn hanging at front of work. Pass inlay yarn between needles to back, wrapping sts, then cont working with main color to next inlay group—1 inlay completed. Adjust tension of inlay yarn by gently tugging on yarn from back of work.

Round 2: Note: For each group of sts on this rnd, yarn must first be moved to right side of group before sts can be wrapped. Work to group of sts to be wrapped (Figure 2 show 2 sts being wrapped). Lift inlay yarn from back to front over top of left needle, then from front to back between needles, leaving a loose loop of inlay yarn at front of work.

Knit group of sts with main yarn, bring loop of yarn between needles to back and cont knitting with main yarn to next inlay (Figure 3)—1 inlay completed. Adjust tension of inlay yarn. Rep Rnds 1 and 2 for patt.

—Adapted from Vintage Modern Knits by Courtney Kelley and Kate Gagnon Osborn, Interweave, 2011

Kate and her business partner and fellow designer Courtney Kelley demonstrated Roositud knitting recently on Knitting Daily TV. Here's a clip:

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Fore more color knitting idea, check out our new Knitting Daily Workshop, Knitting Seamless Colorwork with Courtney Kelley and Kate Gagnon Osborne.

And I hope you'll try Roositud inlay; it's such a fun, unique knitting technique.

Cheers,