Love of Knitting Blog

Here are a few links to some recent articles from around the web to fill you in on all the latest knitting news. Enjoy!

Ever wonder why knitting is so wildly popular these days? An article called “The Knitting Revival” offers a few interesting theories.

Another fun trends piece discusses why knitting and yoga are perfect bedfellows. Hint: it has something to do with stress relief.

Now this sounds like fun. Get Knitting! Groups aim to knit a giant scarf to wrap around a lighthouse just in time for a carnival celebration. Find out more here.

And last but not least, the world record for the largest knitting needles and crochet hook is being attempted — to win, they must be over 11 feet, 5.8 inches long and 3.15 inches in diameter!

Now that spring is here, it’s time to freshen things up a bit, don’t you think? Here are some beautiful home décor projects that will add a touch of style to your home. These knitting and crochet patterns are fun and satisfying to make. Feel free to personalize the colors to suit your taste.

Watercolor Vases

These charming vases are crocheted with silk recycled from saris. Quick and easy, they are made with single crochet stitches worked in the round.

Lazy Afternoon Pillow and Throw

This project also features a unique yarn — it’s created from recycled denim, and is as cushy and durable as your favorite pair of jeans! The set is homey yet modern, with a fun cable pattern.

Thousand Diamonds Table Mat

There’s something exciting about pulling out a new table runner for a special occasion. It’s an easy way to personalize your space, and the added pop of color can change the whole look of the room.

Tween Dreams Pillow

This pillow would look darling on a little girl’s daybed! The yarn has a hint of sparkle, providing a touch of charm and whimsy. This is quick project you could finish in a weekend.

The crochet patterns mentioned here can be found in the Spring Issue of Love of Crochet, and the knitting patterns appear in the Summer Issue of Love of Knitting. Both are available for purchase online!

A new block pattern is now available for download. Best of all, it’s free! This knitting pattern is different from previous block patterns we’ve shared with you because it features a two-color design. Yay! Don’t you love working with color? It adds an element of excitement, I think. There’s something a bit magical about seeing a color pattern appear before your eyes as you knit it.

This new block pattern calls for a yarn called Kenzie by HiKoo. It’s made with New Zealand merino, angora, alpaca, nylon, and silk nols, and it creates a fabulous tweed look that feels soft and cozy to the touch.  Find out more by reading the full yarn review on our website!

To download your free knitting pattern, click here. If you’re interested in downloading previous patterns, you can find them on this page. Look for the “Year of Yarn / Block of the Month” section. All the knit blocks in this section include free knitting patterns you can download instantly.

One of the fun things about working at a knitting magazine is getting to preview all the latest pattern books. Many wonderful books come across our desks, and it’s often difficult to choose which ones to review in our magazine, but when we saw Knitting Everyday Finery, we instantly fell in love. The designs are truly exquisite.

We wanted to know more about the designer who came up with these lovely, unique patterns. Luckily, Mel Clark had time to answer a few of our questions. We’re sharing her insights in today’s blog post, and we’re giving away a copy of one of her books. Just leave a comment below this interview for a chance to win!

Tell us about your background as a knitwear designer.

I think of myself as a maker of things. As a child I would design and make doll’s clothes and it became an obsession. My idea of fun is to come up with a new idea and see it through to completion. At a certain point I started experimenting with my own design ideas, which led to creating a line of ready-made hand knits. I took samples to a trade show in New York and returned home with a folder full of orders. I was thrilled!

My garments were made by knitters in my native country, New Zealand. Once my work started getting noticed, I was approached to design for several companies who wanted a similar look. I started providing them with designs, which ultimately competed with my own label because they were made in South America and China and could be produced for one tenth of the cost. After a few years of designing for these companies, I took up an opportunity to open a knitting shop!

What inspired you to create the book Knitting Everyday Finery?

I think of hand knits as the ultimate in luxury, both for the beautiful materials and the hours of work that go into making them. I’ve never been one for buying “luxury” clothing. My idea of a fabulous something to wear is a beautiful hand knit that makes you feel special every time you put it on. It can be something small like a pair of gloves that makes your outfit eye-catching. For this book I wanted to create accessories (and a couple of garments) that would make the wearer feel special and yet they are really everyday items.

How would you describe your design aesthetic?

I am a modernist with a love of tradition and history. I like clean designs, nothing fussy, with small details that create extra interest.

Do you have any favorite knitting projects you find yourself turning to again and again over the years?

I love knitting slippers and bags. The Shiraz Slippers in this book are one of my favorite patterns. I’ve made several pairs for myself and to give as gifts. They lend themselves to extra touches like different colored soles, linings, and embroidery, so I customize each pair I make.

Why do you think knitting is such a popular hobby these days?

Knitters these days are spoiled for choice with incredible knitting supplies, which makes knitting more fun than ever: yarns, tools, accessories, patterns. It’s also part of what I call the “handmade revolution” that started a few years ago as a reaction to consumerism.

About the author: Mel Clark currently lives in Santa Monica, California, and writes about knitting on her popular blog www.slipslipknit.com. Her designs have been featured in magazines around the world. You can also find her on Ravelry.

Leave a comment below for a chance to win a copy of  Knitting Everyday Finery! To learn more about this book and other new exciting titles like it, check out our reviews in the Summer Issue of Love of Knitting (on pages 60-61).

The weather is finally clearing up. It was a beautiful evening, so I stepped outside to snap a quick picture of my Shangri-La Scarf. I love the easy elegance of the lace knitting pattern. After I block it, the stitches will look even more beautiful and a bit more uniform. It’s been so much fun to see this knit scarf take shape and grow.

I don’t have too much further to go! I’m knitting lace a lot faster now, and the stitch pattern feels so much more familiar.

I’ve knit many projects, but this one feels especially satisfying. Whenever I begin a lace knitting pattern, there’s always that inner doubt niggling in the back of my head wondering if I will ever really be able to memorize all these stitches. Will I have to refer back to the pattern the entire time?

It never fails though. I eventually start noticing patterns and repetitions, and the logic behind the flow of stitches becomes clear as I knit each row again and again. After a while, the pattern feels like an old friend. And that’s definitely a great feeling!

If you’re looking for ways to help memorize this lace pattern, here are a few tips that helped me conceptualize it. The purl stitches are always enclosed on either side by ssk and k2tog. The knit stitches begin and end with a yarn over. You’ll notice that the number of purl and knit stitches vary from row to row and come in blocks of one, three, and five stitches on right side rows. By breaking the row up into blocks of certain repetitions, you can remember what you are doing a lot easier.

I know there are several other readers who have also started knitting their own Shangri-La Scarf as part of this knit along. I’d love to hear how you are coming! Have you hit your stride yet? Let us know! We’re here to help you and cheer for you along the way.

We recently received an email from a knitter named Terri who sent us a link to her Raverly page where she shares notes on how to knit this scarf another way. It’s always great when knitters customize a pattern to make it their own. Check it out if you’re interested!

This contest could be your dream come true!

You could win YARN FOR LIFE! Can you just imagine what a thrill that would be?

In this contest, we are offering a range of exciting prizes, so your odds of winning something are actually pretty good! Here are the details:

The Grand Prize Winner will receive free yarn for 20 years.

Two Second Place Prize Winners will receive free yarn for 1 year.

Fifty Third Place Prize Winners will receive a subscription to the magazine of their choice: Love of Knitting or Love of Crochet.

Psst! Here are a few secrets to help increase your chances of winning!

For additional chances to win, you can enter once per day!

After you enter, you will also be provided with a personal referral link. You can share this link with friends and family. Every time someone enters the contest using that unique link, you will earn an additional entry for your own! So by spreading the good news and sharing this contest with your friends, you will increase your own chances of winning! Now that’s a good deal if I ever heard of one.

Hurry on over to the Yarn for Life Sweepstakes to participate!

Exciting news! A new eBook featuring 3 easy lace knitting patterns is now available to download for free. If you’ve always wanted to try your hand at knitting lace, this is the perfect opportunity to learn. Seasoned pros will also enjoy the variety of beautiful patterns available in this eBook. Here’s a peek at what you’ll find inside:

Espalier Wrap

This free knitting pattern will show you how to create an heirloom quality wrap that is both elegant and warm. This beautiful lace pattern is a must-knit for any time of the year!

Cielo Shell

This soft, gorgeous shell will make you look and feel great. The knitting pattern is easy and fun to make, and the results are sure to wow.

Lace Linen Trim

A quick project perfect for beginners, the Lace Linen Trim creates an antique, shabby-chic look that will add a lovely personal touch to your pillows and sheets.

Get started on one of these fabulous projects, and download your free eBook now!

If you subscribe to Love of Knitting, you’ll have a happy surprise waiting for you in your mailbox. Isn’t that the best? Receiving a glossy magazine full of enticing project ideas makes that trip to the mailbox so worth it! Plus, when you have a new knitting magazine to peruse, there’s nothing better than curling up with a cup of tea and a few sticky notes at the ready to mark all the patterns you want to knit next!

The Summer Issue is definitely a keeper. It’s full of wonderful, inspiring patterns. Whether you are looking for a stylish staple — the Little Black Shrug would be perfect — or a fun accessory for warmer weather such as the Wild Strawberry Bag, this issue will provide you with tons of exciting possibilities!

One of my favorite articles in this magazine is the Beginner’s Guide to Increasing and Decreasing. You’ll learn how four different increase and decrease stitches affect the look and size of your knitting. Super helpful information to know!

Another gem is our Stitch Dictionary which includes several Lacy Leaf patterns. They are simply gorgeous and so much fun to make.

So what are you waiting for? Order your copy today at the crochetandknitshop.com! To see the full range of patterns available in this issue, stop by our website. Enjoy!

Our last photo shoot took place at The Edwards Foundation for Rescued Animals. It’s a beautiful farm located in Parker, Colorado, that’s run by two retired teachers who love animals and want to make a positive difference.

There were all kinds of cute, curious animals wandering around during our photo shoot including horses, llamas, and chickens! Our Art Director Kathy snapped a few behind-the-scenes photos to share with you.

As you can see, the animals added a fun, playful element to our day. While one of our models was getting ready to pose for a photo, a chicken ran by in the background.

Some llamas watched our photographer in action.

A little horse was curious to know what was in Jen’s knitting bag!

We felt lucky to be able to spend our day at the farm. If you’re in the area, try to plan a trip to the farm, or if you are so inclined, donate to help support the important work they do.

The farm welcomes visitors to come spend time with the animals. They’ve worked with groups of scouts, special needs classes, emotionally disabled kids, and foster kids. They also offer spinning and weaving classes to make use of the fiber gathered from their llamas (knitters take note!).

Our knit along for the Shangri-La Scarf is in full swing. Have you started knitting this pattern along with us? You can find it in the Spring Issue of Love of Knitting. We’d love to have you join us — this fun little knit along is a chance for us to all work on the same scarf pattern at the same time.

My knit scarf is starting to take shape. I am loving the lace pattern! It’s intricate and beautiful and fun to make. The fiber is soft and lovely and drapes gracefully. I’m using a silk/yak combo called Shangri-La from Bijou Basin Ranch. It’s definitely one of the more luxurious yarns I’ve knit with in a while!

Here’s a close-up photo of the lace stitches.

One of our readers named Anna sent us a photo of her knit scarf. Isn’t it great? What an amazing color. It looks like she is using a yarn that’s a little thicker. I love how subtle changes can create a totally different look. Thanks for sharing with us, Anna!

Snap some photos of your own scarf and send them to info@loveofknitting.com. We’d love to post them on the blog too. Or leave us a comment and let us know how your knitting is coming along. It’s always inspiring to hear what other knitters are up to!