Knitting Daily : designers

Knitting Daily TV: A New Season (Plus a Free Pattern!)

Kathleen Cubley — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 13:00:00 GMT

A note from Kathleen: We're so excited for our fourth season of Knitting Daily TV. Our TV crew taped the season this week and while it's fresh in our minds, we wanted to give you a peek behind the curtain at what went on during the three-day taping. So enjoy this quick look, and if you don't get Knitting Daily TV in your area, please take a minute to write, call, or email your PBS station and ask them to get with the program (pun intended!). And in the meantime, be sure and check out seasons one, two, and three!

Here are producers Annie Hartman Bakken and Jaime Guthals to talk a little more about what season four has to offer you.

Here in Beachwood, Ohio, we just wrapped the taping of the fourth series of the Public Television show, Knitting Daily TV—with some exciting new changes.

We're thrilled to announce that Interweave Knits editor Eunny Jang is now the single host of the show, joined by regular guest expert Shay Pendray and the show's newest talent, crochet guest expert Kristin Omdahl.

Plus you'll see interviews with some of your favorite industry designers and personalities, like Lily Chin, Clara Parkes, Mags Kandis, Linda Cortright, Cecily Glowick MacDonald, Melissa LaBarre, Linda Pratt, and many more!

Although we certainly have a fabulous time when we all gather in Ohio, much work was to be done.

We crammed the tapings into three long days with cameras continuously rolling and we even managed to revamp the current show's 15-second opening with a fresh, new look.

Check it out:

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Series 400 will be the best season to date, with lovely guests and new patterns, more back to basic tutorials, and even a new series dedicated to learning to crochet—from the basic chain stitch to elaborate motifs, you'll definitely build your confidence with the crochet hook.

What to Expect

With Series 400 you'll learn how to "release your inner knitting geek," knit building-block style, see how reversible cables add innovation and versatility to your wardrobe, learn how to design knitwear on a knitting machine, and more.

We hope you'll tune in to Knitting Daily TV on your local PBS station—series 400 will begin airing at the end of January 2010. Look for more information in upcoming Knitting Daily blogs.

Cheers,

Annie Hartman Bakken and Jaime Guthals
Producers

P.S. Have an idea for next season? We're back in the studios again in March! Leave us a comment below and tell us what you'd like to learn in 2010.

_______________________________________________________________

We've got a special free pattern for you today, fresh from Knitting Daily TV Series 300, which just finished airing.

Kristen Rengren, author of Vintage Baby Knits: More than 40 Heirloom Patterns from the 1920s to the 1950s (STC Craft), was a guest on episode 302 of KDTV.

She shared her fascinating process of researching and collecting patterns for her book—she looked through hundreds of patterns! Kristen ended up with a wonderful collection of vintage patterns that are updated for today's knitters.

The Cleo Kitty slippers (today's FREE PATTERN!) were discovered in a New Zealand pattern book published in the 1950s. These darling slippers knit up so quickly; perfect for a last-minute shower gift!

Click here for more about Kristen's book and her appearance on KDTV, plus some finishing tips for the Cleo Kitties.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Kathleen

A Tight-Knit Community: All New Homespun Handknit

Kathleen Cubley — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 16:00:00 GMT

One of my favorite things about being a knitter is the community that we automatically belong to. I was in the airport recently and I saw a woman knitting at the same gate where I was waiting. I sat down next to her and we spent a nice half-hour talking about what we were knitting, favorite yarns and stores, and what our next projects were going to be. I love that instant kinship knitters feel for other knitters.

I have our new book All New Homespun Handknit in front of me, and I'm really appreciating the blend of community and tradition this book embodies. The original Homespun Handknit, edited by Interweave Press founder Linda Ligon, was in print for twenty years, and the editor of All New Homespun Handknit, Amy Clarke Moore, discovered it when she was in college. Amy is now the editor of Spin Off magazine and she was thrilled to put this new collection together.

That's the community part of this book. There are twenty-three designers represented in this book, all of whom are accomplished spinners, too, and twenty-five designs that span the knitting spectrum from hats to bags to shawls. These designers really understand how yarn works and they've put their precious handspun into the most fabulous patterns.

For the experienced knitter, Faina Letoutchaia presents the Old Garden Scarf, a stunning scarf that expertly combines a lace pattern with shaping to create a piece that actually fits around the shoulders without bunching up at the neck. I love it when brilliance meets beauty and they fall in love.

I also love the Spider Hat by Nancy Roberts (photo at right). Nancy designed this hat based on traditional Peruvian weaving patterns depicting spiders. This pattern uses the Fair Isle technique with a twist: you only use two colors of yarn at any one time, but one of the yarns is a variegated yarn, so the color changes are really impressive without being difficult to achieve. The top of the hat is a fabulous web--another beauty + brilliance match-up!

One thing to note is that you don't have to be a spinner to use this book to its fullest potential. Yarn weights are given for each project, which makes it easy for non-spinners to use yarn from their stashes or from their favorite yarn shops. One of my favorite features is a photo that shows each yarn used in the book, which is a great tool to use if you need to substitute yarns. (Added bonus: most projects use small amounts of yarn, so this is a good source of designs for those super-special-single-skeins of handspun yarn.)

There's also a nice list of fiber sources for handspun yarn. If you've never used handspun yarn before, please try it! You'll see what all the fuss is about when you knit up something with handspun--that extra something is the love and care that the spinner put into the yarn as it was being spun and dyed and packaged just for you.

This book has that same feeling: Amy put it together just for you, so ask for All New Homespun Handknit at your LYS or order it from the Interweave Store and start some new traditions with your knitting community!

Cheers,

Kathleen

(Interweave would like to express our gratitude to Lion Brand Yarns for graciously granting us permission to use the term "Homespun" in this book. "Homespun" is a registered trademark of Lion Brand Yarns.)

Audio Books: My New Must-Have "Notions"

Kathleen Cubley — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 19:33:00 GMT

For me, it doesn't get any better than curling up with a good book. Well, it could get a little better if I could knit and read at the same time. Wait! I can.

Have you tried listing to audio books while you're knitting? I've been listening to some of the Knitting Out Loud audio books lately and I'm really enjoying knitting while listening to books about knitting. It's official: I'm a knitting dork!

My favorite book so far is History of Handknitting: The Compelling History of this Ancient Craft by Richard Rutt, read by Melissa Hughes. (Click on the book title for a short sample.) It's the story of hand knitting from ancient times to the present. Rutt examines museum collections, literary references, and popular legends. Rutt, the former Bishop of Leicester, is an established historical writer, and he brings knitting history to life. Much of this fascinating story takes place in the UK, but Rutt covers knitting as it made its way to the Americas, too.

The next audio book I think I'll try is KnitKnit: Profiles + Projects from Knitting's New Wave, written and read by Sabrina Gschwandtner. (Click on the book title for a short sample.) This collection of profiles of contemporary designers is sort of the opposite of History of Handknitting, I guess; it's all about what's happening in knitting now. I love reading about knit designers, and this book fits the bill. I'm a huge Norah Gaughan fan, and there's a profile of her in this book, so that's my hook. There are also twenty-five more profiles, so that should keep me busy for at least one sock's worth of time.

I'm always surprised how absorbed I become in an audio book, whether I'm knitting or driving or relaxing in the sun. When I got my iPod a couple of years ago, I wasn't sure how much I'd use it. Turns out I use it every single day. It's loaded with my music, of course, but there's also a healthy list of podcasts (many about knitting) and several audio books. I'm a sucker for a trashy mystery when I'm going on a car trip and I usually like a good bit of literature when I'm sitting around knitting. I've also been known to download Ricky Gervais or David Sedaris, though, so I guess I can't be easily stereotyped in my "reading" taste.

You can imagine how happy I was to see the list of audio books in Interweave's catalog. Kathy Goldner, the owner of Knitting Out Loud, the company that produces the audio books Interweave offers, is working on several more classics, including a collection from the Mason-Dixon gals, and an audio version of Knitting for Peace.

Click here to see the audio titles we have to offer and stay tuned for alerts about forthcoming audio books.

I'm putting my iPod in my notions bag now so I don't forget it!

Kathleen

Great Free Easy Knitting Patterns EBook

Kathleen Cubley — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 18:26:00 GMT

Lots of us want to fill our project baskets with easy knit patterns, especially in the summertime. Occasionally, though, easy knitted patterns can sacrifice style: there's sometimes a lot of room between "easy" and "attractive."

Not so in this new, free Ebook, Easy Knits From Knitting Daily: 6 Free Easy Knitting Patterns! Sandi Wiseheart has put together a wonderful variety of simple, stylish, easy knitting patterns. Full of easy stitches and simple techniques, Easy Knits From Knitting Daily: 6 Free Easy Knitting Patterns is just what the Hey-It's-Summer-Let's-Relax doctor ordered. (If anyone has that doctor's number, send it to me STAT.)

Here's a snippet from Sandi about this free pattern collection. "Our designers have used easy stitches and simple stylings to produce some of the most popular designs we've ever published: Green Tea Raglan, all knits and purls in a gorgeous top; the Knitting Needle Knitting Bag knits up quickly with large needles, which are then glued onto the final row of stitches; the Barrymore Slouch Hat, a great introduction to knitting in the round on large double-pointed needles; the Ribby Slipper Socks, with an ingenious construction that doesn't require a genius knitter; the Super-Simple Wrap Cardigan, a graceful cardi in "five easy pieces" of stockinette stitch with a garter stitch belt; and Mike's Easy-Fit Pullover--something for the guys, with an easy knit/purl texture and great shaping that he'll wear every weekend."

Sandi has carefully gone through each simple knitting pattern and added tips and tricks to guide you effortlessly through the projects. You'll find lists of techniques, stitch guides, a simple chart primer, and a glossary of terms.

You'll get a lot of bang for your buck (er, download?) with these easy knits, so click on the link and cast on!

Kathleen

Download Easy Knits From Knitting Daily: 6 Free Easy Knitting Patterns

Knitting Patterns: To Read or Not to Read?

Kathleen Cubley — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 15:23:00 GMT

Yep, I'm the new girl here. It's my first week on the job in the Loveland office, and what do I find? A pile of books sitting on the desk. Of course, they're piled according to size and there at the top sits this little very bright green book of cartoons--It Itches, by Franklin Habit. I'm really not a big cartoon kind of person, but I it's so cute I have to flip through it. And what do I find? Appropriate KD content that is directly related to the post I was writing today! So I'm sharing two of Franklin's cartoons because they are just too darn close to my experiences with today's subject: Reading Ahead.

This was my process during the first year or so of my knitting career:

1. Choose a project.
2. Buy yarn, needles, etc.
3. Read the first line of the pattern.
4. Start knitting.

Although there are several problems with this process, the one I'm going to focus on is step 3.

Sometimes we're so excited about a new project that we dive right in and start knitting without reading through the pattern. I can't tell you how many times I've gotten to a point in the pattern and realized I needed to rip back because I didn't read what was coming next, or because there was some information hidden in the pattern in a place I didn't expect, or I thought I knew what kind of decrease to do but as it turned out, I didn't.

And let's face it, not all patterns are created equally. Designers have their own, unique methods of imparting information (which is part of the fun of knitting from a variety of designers' patterns). One time when I was knitting a pair of socks, I came across a line that said something like "if you're doing a larger size, add one or two stitches between each lace section of each line of the chart." This was on PAGE 3 of the pattern. That's right. Page 3. So, I had to rip out to the toe. Sad for me!

Lesson learned, though. I've changed my process to include reading through the entire pattern before I start knitting. I don't read word for word, I skim the pattern looking for key items like "AT THE SAME TIME" or "if you're knitting size L or XL" or "place X number of stitches on a holder," and while I'm at it I make sure I know what the heck the designer means when he or she says SKP or PSSO.

This has saved me from the frog pond so many times; it's worth it to spend that extra five or seven minutes reading. Let's make it a Knitting Daily standard practice: READ BEFORE YOU KNIT!

So that's my post for today and I'm quickly packing my bags to wing back home. But I grabbed It Itches off the desk and shoved it into my purse (I think it was meant for me to keep. . .) because it's perfect plane reading. And I'm hoping that my seat partner just might ask me why I'm laughing out loud so I can share some of It Itches with her or him. Grab a copy for yourself--it' a great hook to introduce someone to our wacky sense of fiber humor.

(Oh, and in case you were wondering, I've also added the gauge swatch to my process, but that's another topic.)

Early Sneak Peek: Knitscene Fall 2009

KD Sandi — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 11:34:00 GMT

Note from Sandi: It's almost that time of year again--Knitscene time! Twice a year, we get to delight in the pages of a knitting magazine unlike any other--in the words of its editor, Lisa Shroyer: simple, stylish, spirited. Some wonderful and unexpected designs come out of this magazine, and so I am delighted to have Editor Lisa here to give us the inside scoop on what's ahead for us in the upcoming Fall 2009 issue of Knitscene...This is an exclusive sneak peek for our wonderful Knitting Daily readers, as the actual preview won't be released until the week of July 21st. So heeeeeeerrrrrrree's Lisa--enjoy!

Working on Knitscene is a peculiar experience for me. Most of the year I’m a back-room editor—crunching numbers on patterns, managing shot lists at photoshoots… Important work for sure, but not sexy. Then twice a year, this little magazine floats into my world and I get to play Editor with a big E. Play may be the wrong verb—it’s a lot of work—but it’s also a lot of fun.

As an editor grounded in knitting patterns, what’s my vision for this magazine?
-    The projects have to be about knitting more than anything else.
-    They need to be alluring and fun to make.
-    They need to celebrate yarn.
-    They need to be simple in construction but effective as fashion.

There are some designs in this issue that hit these points exceedingly—check out the Hollywood Herringbone Pullover by Kate Gagnon. It’s a cute, wearable project, worked in a sumptuous worsted-weight. Knitting the mosaic front piece is easy—instead of fussing with stranded colorwork in rows, Kate has chosen a slip-stitch two-color pattern that creates the look of Fair Isle. I love this sweater, from a stylistic and technical standpoint.

The Flourish Vest by Katya Wilsher is a tunic-length V-neck vest which will flatter lots of women, and the undulating cables are so much fun to work. Mixing up charts of differently-sized repeats is all it takes. In a true Aran weight, the knitting is quick.

Also in the Contemporary Cables section, we have two reversible scarves. So many knitters love cabled scarves, but detest the one-sided look. Try mixing knits and purls in a cable pattern to get a dual-sided effect!

All of these designers have worked hard to create projects that make sense technically, that are simple and fun to make, and that hit that sweet spot of chic and not-too-trendy. I hope you enjoy.

Also in this issue:
- Melissa Wehrle reinvents the boyfriend sweater
- Funky-construction wool yarns for rockstar looks
- How To: Read Lace Charts
- How To: Count rows between crosses in a cable
- Cowichan cool—the history of the trend and how to wear it

Look for the Knitscene online preview the week of July 21st; meanwhile, you can pre-order your copy now!

-- Lisa Shroyer

Sandi Wiseheart is the editor of Knitting Daily.

What's on Sandi's needles? Houston, we have a row of stars on the Star Light, Star Bright baby blankie! Now it's a few rows of stockinette and then it's to the stars, baby, to the stars...

Free Pattern: Lovely Lace Shawl (Plus More Lace Tips!)

KD Sandi — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 11:36:00 GMT

Tips for Joining A Shawl Worked in Two Halves

Some long rectangular shawls or scarves are worked in two pieces and then joined at the center. Why? Because certain lace patterns produce a lovely scalloped or patterned edge at the cast-on end, but do not produce a matching pretty scallop at the bind-off end. If you were to work the shawl or scarf in a single piece, the two ends would look very different--and most knitters prefer the swoopy fancy cast-on edge to the comparatively plain bind-off edge!

Designers resolve this by knitting one half of the shawl which is then set aside while casting on and knitting another matching half. The two halves are then joined, usually by...no, no, don't run away, not yet anyway...grafting them together using the Kitchener stitch.

There's that dratted Kitchener stitch again. Just when we all were having so much fun, knitting a gorgeous lace shawl, that silly grafting thing had to go and sneak up on us at the very end. The existence of that sentence, "Now graft the two halves together using the Kitchener stitch" has stopped many a knitter from knitting certain perfectly lovely shawl patterns.

Methods for Joining the Two Halves and (bonus!) Saving Your Sanity

You can substitute a three-needle bind-off for the Kitchener stitch. This is easy and quick, but it can produce a pronounced ridge right down the middle of your shawl.

Another method, suggested by Alice Halbeisen, the designer of the Lace Shawl pictured above (and this week's free pattern!), is to bind off each half very loosely, and then stitch the halves together. This second solution works quite well, with only a minimal ridge if you do it carefully.

Here are some tips for seaming success:

1. If there is a "plain knitting" row, bind off on that row instead of a "lace knitting" row.
2. Bind off in pattern, meaning: If there are a mixture of knits and purls, knit the knits and purl the purls as you work the bind-off row.
3. Use the mattress stitch to sew the seam.
4. Carefully match column for column as you sew.
5. Use pins or locking stitch markers to "baste" the halves together to help keep the stitches and columns matched up.
6. Be sure to catch the legs of the very last stitch in each column, and alternate columns as shown in this tutorial.

Ultimately, however, every knitter sooner or later should become proficient at the Kitchener stitch. It seems to be some sort of scary monster that intimidates a lot of us; but really...it's just another knitting technique, just like entrelac or turning a heel or short rows. We're all knitters, and that means we're smart enough to Kitchener! I admit: I can graft when I need to, but I still have to look at the diagrams and in the process there's a lot of words coming out of my mouth that my momma wouldn't approve of. And so this summer, I'm making it one of my personal goals to conquer that silly grafting thing, once and for all. After all, who's the boss of my knitting? Me, that's who. So stay tuned! And don't forget to download the free Lovely Lace Shawl pattern.

-- Sandi

Sandi Wiseheart is the founding editor of Knitting Daily. She is now the author of the popular Knitting Daily blog: What's on Sandi's Needles.

Knitting Lace: Knitting Daily Presents 7 Free Knitted Lace Patterns

Are you addicted to lace knitting? Or maybe you've admired some of the gorgeous knitted lace patterns out there and want to give lace knitting a try? Here are seven of Interweave's top knitted lace patterns, gathered together in one FREE ebook for you.

Whether you are a first time lace knitter, or a seasoned expert, you'll enjoy the timeless beauty of knitting lace. Get these stunning projects that will continue to inspire, and be loved for generations to come. You'll want to make every one of these lace patterns, so download your free eBook now and get started (and don't forget to tell a friend so they can enjoy their own copy!)

Download Your Free Lace Patterns Today

Bringing the World of Knitting to Your Needles

KD Sandi — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 11:04:00 GMT

Note from Sandi: There's a wealth of talented knitting designers here in the United States...but what about knitters in other countries? It would be a shame to miss out on the rich heritage and vibrant knitting designs offered by other authors in countries, far across the globe. Each year, Interweave Press brings you some of the best of those international knitting books--but how do we find those wonderful books to bring to you? Here's Tricia Waddell, editorial director of Interweave's book department, to tell you about this fascinating process:

The best part of my job as the Editorial Director of books at Interweave is finding new designers and great book ideas to bring to our readers. Twice a year, I have the chance to see exciting talent from around the world at book trade shows in London and Frankfurt. I meet with publishers from Scandinavia to England, Australia to Japan, and everywhere in between, looking for the latest and most exciting knitting books to share with our readers. Knitters may speak and read different languages around the world, but the knit stitch is universal.

Most of the foreign books we publish are from England, and we work directly with them to Americanize the spelling and “translate” any references that wouldn’t make sense to an American audience. But when we prepare to publish a book that’s in another language, it’s a whole different process.

Although Interweave has published books translated from Danish, German, Korean, and Italian, each new book is a new adventure. Our translators have a basic knowledge of knitting, but it’s up to the talented book editors and technical editors to make the book friendly to U.S. knitters. Just like a brand-new book, we make sure the text is easy and clear to follow. We check whether the yarn is available in the United States and give yarn substitution information. We do a thorough technical edit to fit the ways American patterns are commonly written and make sure the charts are clear and accurate. We usually design a new book cover and tweak the title so that the book can be found easily on the shelf.

But even though we utilize all our editorial and design resources to bring a book in translation to a new audience, we do our best to preserve the original voice of the author, so you can hear their design inspirations, tips and tricks, and local knitting traditions. The books usually feature the same photography as the original book—after all, our readers should get the chance to feel as excited about the book as I first did!

In translating knitting books from other countries and languages, I not only have the opportunity to bring fresh knitting inspiration to our readers—I also get to bring knitwear designers from around the world together on our list. Be sure to check out our most recent translated knitting titles, Feminine Knits: 22 Timeless Designs, by Danish designer Lene Holme Samsøe, and Classic Knits and Japanese Inspired Knits by Danish designer Marianne Isager.

-- Tricia Waddell

Sandi Wiseheart is the editor of Knitting Daily.

What's on Sandi's needles? Finally! A decision has been made in the what-to-knit-for-Baby-Delaney. I've got the yarn on order for the sweetest baby blanket made of lace stars: Star Light, Star Bright, part of our new free Baby Knits ebook!

Marianne Isager: Bringing the World to You in Stitches

KD Sandi — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 11:35:00 GMT

I've been lucky enough to live in several countries (Israel, Australia, the U.S., and now, Canada), and in several U.S. states (California, Hawaii, and Colorado). Early on, my mother took me and my sisters to the local museums and cultural heritage spots, to help us learn about our new home and its history. I found myself entranced by Australian Aboriginal paintings of the Dreamtime and by native Hawaiian applique quilts; by liturgical tapestries and embroideries in Jerusalem, and by Amish quilts I saw in San Francisco. I took photos or made sketches; sometimes I just sat and stared at a particularly wonderful piece, trying to burn its beauty into my memory, so I could keep it with me always.

It never occurred to me to incorporate those memories into my knitting--but then, I am not Marianne Isager.

If you have not met Marianne or seen her work, you are in for a treat with today's Designer Spotlight video. She's quite charming, and when she talks about her extensive travels, she conveys such a quiet enthusiasm that you immediately want to book a plane ticket. Marianne's special gift is to take the imagery and cultural motifs of the places she visits and translate them into some of the most gorgeous sweaters you have ever seen. If you have not looked at her book Knitting Out of Africa, then we have a little treat for you today: a video of Marianne talking about some of the sweaters from that book, and showing us photos of the artwork and scenery that inspired each one.

(Please visit the site to view this media)

If you have trouble watching the video above, click here to view it.

Love hearing your favorite designers talk about their work? One of the most popular features on Knitting Daily TV is the Designer Spotlight, where the hosts interview creative folks like Cookie A., Norah Gaughan, Wenlen Chia ("Twinkle"), Teva Durham, Vivian Høxbro, and more! The designers showcase their newest designs, demonstrate techniques, and talk about what inspires their work. Don't miss a single episode of Knitting Daily TV Series 200--purchase the entire second season in our online store (and pick up a copy of the Series 100 DVDs as well, if you want the whole set!).

Sandi Wiseheart is the editor of Knitting Daily.

What's on Sandi's needles? I'm suddenly on a finishing kick. I realized I had a few pairs of socks sitting around that were ABT--"All But Toe"--so those are now done and on my husband's feet where they belong!

A Day With the Orenburg Lace Shawls

KD Sandi — Wed, 27 May 2009 12:07:00 GMT

Note from Sandi: When I worked in the Colorado offices of Interweave, one of my favorite things to do was to pop into the PieceWork office and see what kind of knitted glories the editor, Jeane Hutchins, had there. I loved when Jeane would let me put on white gloves and gently examine the stitches, done by some woman whom I will never know, but whose work I got to admire for a few moments. Jeane emailed me when the Orenburg shawls came in...but I was in Canada. I think my wails at missing the chance to see these lace artworks were heard for miles.

However, here's Jeane to tell you all about the day the Orenburg shawls came to visit Interweave:

A typical workday for me is filled with juggling: e-mails, correspondence, and phone calls; editing; deciding whether objects will be sent here for photography or will we need to contact the museum in Cairo for rights and fees; contacting authors/designers with questions that must be answered before moving on; answering questions from authors/designers who are working on future issue projects; fact checking (was Marie Antoinette actually born in 1755, for example); communicating with our production coordinator (“I promise I will have the file for you in five minutes!”); and so on. But then there are days like “My Lace Shawl” day.

In early January, I met with Galina Khmeleva to go over her article and project for PieceWork's May/June 2009 Special Lace Issue. Galina and I live in the same town about 30 minutes north of Interweave, so I often stop by to pick up or drop off a project, but this time was a little different. While we were in total agreement that her article should be a tribute to her late friend, mentor, and master Orenburg lace knitter, Olga Alexandrovna Fedorova, and that the project would be an Orenburg shawl inspired by Olga and her work, I had no clue about the treat that was in store for me that day.

We started by looking at photographs of Olga that Galina had, some taken in Russia, others during Olga’s trip here in 1996 for Galina’s first Orenburg Knitted Lace workshop tour. Then we paged through Orenburgskii Pukhovyi Platok [The Orenburg Down Shawl], a limited-edition book published in Russia in 2005, which examines the centuries-old tradition of Orenburg lace knitting. We also looked at a catalog that documents the lace collection, including work by Olga, of the Orenburg Museum of Fine Arts. Both books are filled with beautiful examples of this art. Then came the icing on the cake for me: Galina opened up a trunk and extracted a quite large bundle wrapped in muslin. Inside the muslin were dozens of shawls made by Olga, including the last shawl she completed. Exquisitely made knitted-lace shawls in all shapes and sizes surrounded me; I could hold them, drape them over my shoulders, and twirl around like a small child playing dress up; I could examine them closely and marvel at Olga’s workmanship. Sheer joy. After much deliberation, I selected six to borrow for our photo shoot. Then I saw Galina’s finished project, which is magnificent. My cake wouldn’t even hold more icing.

Both putting together all the pieces of the puzzle that becomes each issue of PieceWork and special days such as mine with Galina are indications of why I truly love my job! Throw in the fact that I am totally smitten by knitted lace, and you’ll see why this May/June issue is a favorite. I do hope it will provide some icing for your cake!

-- Jeane Hutchins
Editor, PieceWork magazine

Ask for the latest PieceWork at your local yarn shop, or purchase it online from us. Or think about it--wouldn't you like it delivered right to your door? Why not subscribe and then you know you would never miss an issue!

Sandi Wiseheart is the founding editor of Knitting Daily. She is now the author of the popular Knitting Daily blog: What's on Sandi's Needles.

Knitting Lace: Knitting Daily Presents 7 Free Knitted Lace Patterns

Download Your Free Lace Patterns Today

We Have Yarn Winners!

KD Sandi — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 14:21:00 GMT

It's Tax Day in the United States, and so maybe today is a good day to give away some yarn. Let's put some smiles on a few faces, shall we? But first, let's refresh everyone's memory (no doubt blunted by all those deduction calculations):

Eunny Jang's Blooming Cotton Scarf, from the Spring 2009 issue of Interweave Knits, was originally knit in the colorway you see at right: Mango and Murex. Then, Eunny created three alternate colorways, seen in the photo below (left to right): Rossa Corsa, Peacock, and Tree and Ore.

That's where the yarn giveaway comes in: We decided to give away enough Tahki Cotton Classic Yarn in each colorway to make the Blooming Cotton Scarf. Since there are four colorways, that means four lucky winners! Each person will also receive a copy of the Tahki Cotton Classic Book, 3rd edition.

Here are the winners:

Kristina Johnson Strosnider of Norman, OK: Peacock.

Sue Hartnett of Exeter, RI: Tree and Ore.

Paulette Fritz of Howards Grove, WI: Rossa Corsa.

Rita Noetzel of Park Falls, WI: Murex and Mango.

Congratulations to all the winners! May you enjoy every minute spent knitting these pretty scarves.

Make one for yourself! Download the free pattern for the Blooming Cotton Scarf.

If you haven’t gotten your copy of the Spring issue of Knits yet, visit your local yarn store or order here.

Want more scarf patterns? Shawls, scarves and wraps are everywhere you look--on the red carpet, in movies, and on regular folks on Main Street. I think we are all ready for warmth and sunshine, but those spring breezes mean we need just a little bit of something warm around the edges. Interweave's book Scarf Style is a classic in the knitting world, with 31 designs from 25 top designers--the scarves are whimsical to elegant and back again. Pick up a copy at your local yarn shop, or purchase one here.

Sandi Wiseheart is the editor of Knitting Daily.

What's on Sandi's needles? I've been working on a small lace shawl for weeks and weeks inbetween other projects, and I'm only eight rows from the end. I also have been working on a Cookie A sock for a friend. I want to finish at least one of these projects this weekend...

Behind the Scenes: Knitting Daily TV, Series 300

KD Sandi — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 14:36:00 GMT

Note from Sandi: I love those "extras" on DVDs that show you little snippets of what was going on backstage at the movie shoot! Today, we have the Associate Producer of Knitting Daily TV, Annie Hartman Bakken, to give us a little behind-the-scenes sneak peek at the next season's taping of Knitting Daily TV. Here's Annie:

Setting the stage: Knitting Daily TV taped its third season this past month in rainy, windy Beachwood, Ohio. The best in the business gathered in front of the cameras with their fiber and tools in hand to bring you the best season to date! In five short taping days (okay, they were actually really long days, but they flew by!) it’s absolutely fascinating what I learned by simply being in the studio.

From yarn and knitwear designers Laura Bryant (Prism Arts) and Barry Klein (Trendsetter Yarns):

Did you know that you could simply organize your stash yarn by color weight, and lo and behold a new world of color combinations reveal themselves? Not sure what to do with a lone lime green skein? By organizing your yarn stash that pesky skein that doesn’t seem to belong will suddenly fit in with many projects! Pair it with other colors of the same value and it’s subtly will surprise you. Or, throw it in with a different family of colors and it will pop right before your eyes.

From Kathy Zimmerman, the Queen of Cables:

When you think of cabled sweaters, you tend to think of thick, traditional garments, such as fisherman sweaters – at least, I do. Well, that idea was thrown for a loop when Kathy Zimmerman showed up! Cabled garments usually take a lot of time to knit, but mixing them with lace makes them more knitable. And, the unique blend of the lace feminine details not only lessen the bulk of a knitted sweater, but transition it from a cozy weekend pullover to a chic cardigan for spring without losing the classic look of cables!

And more!

The list of “things I learned at the Knitting Daily TV taping” goes on and on, from Eunny’s take on the Chanel Island cast-on method, a new cable life line trick, the difference between alpaca and baby alpaca (it has nothing to do with the animal’s age, folks?!), to how to make reversible knitwear, and more, lots more.

Plus, just being able to see all the new saturated yarn colors out there, I’ve certainly felt the inspirational pinch to get back to knitting like a lunatic. But before I do, I seriously need one of those Namaste bags to haul my projects around in! The bags that decorated the set all season had me drooling before the cameras started rolling!!! How many bags does one girl need? Well, if my newly organized yarn stash is any indication…

Sandi and I will fill you in on all the fiber lesson to learn and fantastic guest appearances on Knitting Daily TV Series 300 in upcoming e-mails and promos, so stayed tuned! This series will begin airing on select Public Television stations beginning in July. Knitting Daily TV Series 200 is airing now and if you’ve missed any of the episodes, Series 100 and 200 can be purchased here.

-- Annie Hartman Bakken
Associate Producer of Knitting Daily TV

How-To Video: Twisted Stitches, The Simple Way

KD Sandi — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 13:23:00 GMT

Do The Twist!

Twisted stitches aren't always a mistake--sometimes designers use them intentionally to give a garment texture, body, and interest. A perfect example is this week's free pattern, the Twisted-V Pullover, an excerpt from our new book Simple Style. In this pretty pullover, the clean lines of a classic V-neck are enhanced with a lovely twisted rib stitch pattern. The twisted stitches of the bodice define the pullover's slimming silhouette; the same pattern at the cuffs adds to the sweater's unusual look.

As a companion to our free pattern, in today's video, Eunny Jang, editor of Interweave Knits, shows us all the simple "ins and outs" of twisting your stitches: how to purl through the back loop, what to do on wrong-side rows, and how to work twisted stitches in the round.

Enjoy!

-- Sandi

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Simple, Yet Beautiful Knitting:
Simple Style:
19 Innovative to Traditional Designs With Simple Knitting Techniques

Life these days can seem pretty complicated--and if you're like me, the time you spend knitting is a much-needed antidote for all the other frantic hours in the day! When you're tired, or stressed, it can be comforting to "just knit"--to have a project on your needles without complicated shaping or patterning, a project that makes the most of a gorgeous yarn and the simple glory of the knit and purl stitch.

Simple Style by Ann Budd presents patterns that are graceful without being fussy, stylish without being fancy. Each pattern has something special about it--an interesting edging, an unexpected silhouette--and each pattern is clean, classic, and yes: simple.

Order Simple Style today!

Sandi Wiseheart is the editor of Knitting Daily.

What's on Sandi's needles? You may have noticed I like to switch back and forth between different projects quite a bit...this helps me to adjust my knitting to my mood, my energy levels, and to the sudden appearance of a new, gorgeous yarn! This week, I seem to be sock-happy; I'm determined to finish at least one pair before I cast on for anything new. (Wish me luck.) Happy Weekend Knitting, all!

Video: Come to the Knit-Out With Me!

KD Sandi — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 13:38:00 GMT

I might become a video nut. I bought a teensy weensy video camera recently, and suddenly, I'm realizing how much fun it is to send video emails to my family and friends, and take little videos of my new kitten...so when I went to the Knit-Out & Crochet 2009 event, sponsored by the Craft Yarn Council, last weekend, I was determined to videotape everything that moved. Knitting designers, famous authors, random knitters-in-the-aisles...no one was safe from my cute little video camera.
It was a blast. I got to interview Edie Eckman, designer of the gorgeous Santa Fe Shawl that appeared on the Summer 2008 cover of Interweave Crochet. I got to interview Debbie Macomber, the author of the Shop on Blossom Street books, and, yes, I did get to do some knitters-in-the-aisles tapings.

If a picture is worth a thousand words, then perhaps a video is worth a thousand pictures? Click on the picture below to get a peek for yourself at some of the happenings at last weekend's Knit-Out & Crochet 2009!

Enjoy!

-- Sandi

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If you have trouble watching the video above, click here to view it.

Do you knit for charity? Need a little inspiration for your next afghan square or chemo cap? Knitting for charity can be deeply rewarding; throw in some interesting cables, a great lace pattern, and those simple afghan squares can become a knitting adventure! 101 Stitches to Knit is a boxed set of cards, each with a different stitch pattern clearly illustrated and explained. I love these cards, because you don't have to lug a big book around with you--you can just choose an interesting stitch, pop the card into your knitting bag, and your charity knitting is ready whenever and wherever you have a few minutes to work on it.

Purchase 101 Stitches to Knit

And for the crocheters out there, we have the crochet set: 101 Stitches to Crochet, with both basic stitches and crocheted motifs to choose from.

Look for 101 Stitches to Knit and 101 Stitches to Crochet at your local yarn shop, or buy them online from us.

Great Free Sock Pattern: William Street Socks

Need a new sock knitting pattern? Want a great free sock pattern? Try the William Street Socks! Big thick cables stretch to cushion your feet...or the feet of someone you love! This sock pattern is appropriate for either men or women, and is specially designed to fit larger feet--because everyone deserves a pair of handknit socks!

This easy sock pattern is available in our FREE sock pattern ebook:

Knitting Socks with Knitting Daily:
5 Free Sock Knitting Patterns

The William Street Socks are one of five of our top sock knitting downloads which are now together in one FREE ebook for you.

So what kind of sock patterns are in this eBook? Let's see. There's a knitted lace sock pattern, a colorwork sock pattern, a men's sock pattern, and an easy beginner sock pattern--in addition to the cabled William Street sock pattern. Something for everyone!

Download Knitting Socks with Knitting Daily: 5 Free Sock Knitting Patterns

Sandi Wiseheart is the founding editor of Knitting Daily. She is now the author of the popular Knitting Daily blog: What's on Sandi's Needles.

Knitting Socks with Knitting Daily: 5 Free Sock Knitting Patterns

Need a new sock knitting pattern? Want a great free sock pattern? Here are five of our top sock knitting downloads together in one FREE ebook for you.

So what kind of sock patterns are in this eBook? Let's see. There's a knitted lace sock pattern, a cabled sock pattern, a colorwork sock pattern, a men's sock pattern, and an easy beginner sock pattern. Something for everyone!!

Download Knitting Socks with Knitting Daily: 5 Free Sock Knitting Patterns

Let's Hear It For the First Free Pattern of Spring!

KD Sandi — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 13:36:00 GMT

I’m tired of snow. I’m tired of Christmas-card perfect white landscapes, and fleece-lined boots, and enough layers to make everyone look like a herd of Sta-Puft Marshmallow Men.

I want Spring, and I want it NOW. Unfortunately, my weather karma is not powerful enough to change the course of seasons, so it’s still grey outside, and there is still snow on the ground where I live.

However, I do have pretty good knitting karma, if I do say so myself. I can pick up my needles, pull out a charming bit of yarn, and knit myself some serious Spring. And my knitting karma is even good enough that I can help you knit up some Spring, too…

First New Free Pattern of Spring!

Soap Bubble Wrap by Connie Chang Chinchio

from Knits Spring 2009

The minute I saw this pattern, I thought “Winner!” It’s unusually beautiful, one of those sweaters where folks will constantly be asking you where you got it. (“Oh, just a little something I whipped up myself,” you’ll say modestly, eyes lowered so as not to show your glee.)

It’s a wrap sweater, and wrap sweaters are flattering on a wide variety of body types, from slender to fulsome. Sizing a wrap cardi is forgiving, so there aren’t a lot of adjustments to be made. And those lace details! The lace bubbles up (ahem) over shoulder and hip, giving you a bit of sass and curve no matter what shape you are! And the linen yarn means that the fabric will have a luscious sheen, terrific drape, and will become softer every time you wear it. (Note that Louet Euroflax is no longer available in the worsted weight we originally used in this pattern. Eunny Jang, editor of Interweave Knits, has this suggestion for yarn substitution: "Try knitting to the same gauge with Euroflax sport weight for a garment with an airy, fluid hand—or substitute a worsted-weight cotton or linen/cotton blend.")

Hey. Where did everyone go? Suddenly, I am talking to an empty room. Everyone has dashed off to their local yarn shop in search of yarn to knit this sweater…

My work here is done. Have a great weekend, everyone. And don't forget to let us know what you're knitting and thinking about!

-- Sandi

Download the free Soap Bubble Wrap pattern.

P.S. Come join me this weekend at the National Knit-Out and Crochet 2009 event! If you happen to be anywhere in the vicinity of the Mall of America on Saturday and Sunday, stop by and watch a demo, see a fashion show, and meet designers, authors, and knitters galore! I’ll be answering questions on an editor/author panel both days at noon in the Staging Area, wrangling pups-in-knits on Saturday at 1 PM, and roaming the crowds in search of interesting people to interview for next week’s posts. Come join the fun!

Sandi Wiseheart is the editor of Knitting Daily.

What's on Sandi's needles? I cannot tell a lie. There might be the sleeve of a Spring sweater from the new issue that just jumped onto my needles, when I wasn't looking. All I can say is, I read Vicki Square's article in the new Spring Knits called "Start as Many New Projects as You Can," and her last sentence inspired me: "Knit anything and everything you want--and enjoy the scenery!" So I am indulging my knitting habit, and not worrying about whatever the knitting police might have to say about it.