Faina's Knitting Mode

Book Review: TEXTURED STITCHES

2012-01-15T14:41:00.000-08:00

Many knitters are familiar with work of Connie Chang Chinchio. Her designs are published in Interweave Knits, Knitscene, Twist Collective, a few books, and through her own line of patterns. Her book Textured Stitches which is published by Interweave Press just came out and it is very "Connie". Read more...

A New Hat Called Lenta

2012-01-14T20:27:00.001-08:00

My model Melissa and I had so much fun playing with my new design Lenta (A Russian word for ribbon). You can come up with many more ways of using this knitted ribbon and see this hat transformed. My pattern is going to be released very soon for my store in Ravelry. As I mentioned before I am very busy right now, but I thought I will show it to you anyway. Maybe it will speed things up for

Talking about being busy

2012-01-12T20:33:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year to all my readers!!! Let 2012 be a perfect year for you! I kind of disappeared from the face of the Earth for awhile. Believe me, I would love to tell about my latest endeavors but I have to wait a little longer. I can say that I am working on a big project that takes all of my time. I am designing, knitting, calculating, and writing, but can't talk about it. Bummer!

Interweave Knitting Lab

2011-12-27T18:18:00.000-08:00

This is one way to break my silence. I just got the announcement that Interweave Knitting Lab is happening again in the coming year. It was a very successful and educational event and I think they should do it every year. I talked to teachers, students, market participants and everyone said that it was a very well organized and nice event. Interweave Knitting Lab Announces Two Locations in

Totally Simple Crochet

2011-10-16T17:03:00.000-07:00

A new crochet book by Norwegian designer Tove Fevang was recently published by Trafalgar Square Books. Tove is the author of a few books in different crafts including quilting, applique, embroidery, and crochet. Her choices of colors, yarns, and interesting stitch patterns make her designs very appealing, stylish, and comfy. As it says on the cover there are more than 30 projects for

My favorite way to organize circular needles

2011-10-15T11:49:00.000-07:00

I love tools and gadgets that make my life easier. This is one of them. I have Della Q hanging organizer for about a year now and I am still in love with it. All needles are in their compartments according to their size and I there is no need to bend cord of the needle. Since I do not have that much of wall space in my studio, I tied the organizer to a small hanger and hung it on a

Keeping sane while working on a huge project

2011-10-02T13:00:00.000-07:00

I find it difficult to keep quite about the project that took over my life for a few months. I am drawing, swatching, choosing yarn, thinking about it day and night. When I get closer to the finish line, I will be able to say so much more. In the meantime, I can tell you that I am making the Ormond for me. I do not have many garments that I own made by me. I just have no

Vogue Knitting Live

2011-09-26T13:43:00.000-07:00

I just came back from Los Angeles where Vogue Knitting had a big show. There was a great variety of classes taught by celebrities like Nicky Epstein, ShirleyPaden, Carla Scott, Deborah Norville, Clara Parkes, Franklin Habit and many others. Free fashion shows were separated by yarn companies and professional models were dressed in the projects published by Soho publishing. Everywhere you turn

Al Fresco Slouch

2011-09-10T14:24:00.000-07:00

I wanted to use Anzula Oasis (DK / 8 ply; 70% Silk, 30% Camel; 375 yards) for some time now. I knew just looking at it that it will be a wonderful yarn for some textured stitch. I was right. Reminiscent of a painting done on plaster this stitch pattern combines seed stitch squares and little columns of cables. At the crown seed stitch continues in the midst of tapering cables.

Star Pullover

2011-09-10T13:56:00.000-07:00

This design is done for Bijou Basin Ranch Fall Collection 2011 using their beautiful yarn Lhasa Wilderness (75/25 Yak & Bamboo). All photos are copyright of Bijou Basin Ranch. Worked entirely in the round from the bottom up the Star Pullover features sleeves that worked in the round and joined with the body at the yoke. The main stitch pattern, Open Star stitch, is harmonized with

Vienna

2011-09-10T13:39:00.000-07:00

One of my new designs is made for the Fall 2011 Fairmount Fibers brochure. Here is Vienna which is knit in wonderful Manos del Uruguay Silk Blend. © Fairmount Fibers © Fairmount Fibers My thanks to Pam Morrell for a beautiful job on knitting this sample.

TODAY"S GUEST: MARNIE MACLEAN

2011-09-10T12:02:00.000-07:00

Marnie MacLean is one of the behind-the-scene people of Twist Collective online magazine. She has been designing since 2003. By day, Marnie works for a newspaper as a business analyst... Marnie's designs appear in books and print magazines but primarily she self published until the launch of Twist Collective in the fall of 2008. I love her fresh, youthful, feminine, and classic-chic designs.

BOOK REVIEW: Vogue Knitting Knitopedia

2011-08-18T12:43:00.000-07:00

It took 5 years for Trisha Malcolm, the Editorial Director of Vogue Knitting and her crew to put together this comprehensive volume of all possible knitting terms, techniques, fibers, history points, and people of the industry. More...

BOOK REVIEW: Knitting at Home

2011-08-14T15:33:00.000-07:00

This book is written by one of the Australia's top knitwear designers Leanne Prouse. Her Ella Rae brand of yarns is in the focus of this book. Leanne offers 60 designs that are sorted out into 6 chapters named as a certain "room". It is also a play with words. Just listen to it: "A Room for Relaxing", "A Room for Little Ones", "A Room for Living", and so on. More...

BOOK REVIEW: 60 Quick Baby Knits

2011-08-12T18:55:00.000-07:00

Looking for a quick knitted baby gift? Do you know about the new book by Sixth&Spring Books called 60 Quick Baby Knits? It is fabulous! This book is the second one in the series that features a specific Cascade Yarn. The first one is 60 Quick Knits. This time the yarn used throughout the book is Cascade 220 Superwash which is perfect for baby knits. It also offers tons of colors, so you can

TODAY'S GUEST: AMY POLCYN

2011-08-11T08:36:00.000-07:00

THE DESIGNER'S STUDIO CELEBRATES ITS 30 th INTERVIEW! Amy Polcyn is a very prolific designer whose work can be found in such magazines as Knit Simple, Vogue Knitting, Knitscene, Interweave Knits, Knitter’s, Creative Knitting, Knit n’ Style, Yarn Forward. Amy contributes her designs to many books and she is also the author of Knit a Dozen Plus Slippers.Read in full..

Food inspirations

2011-08-09T18:10:00.000-07:00

I am always on a lookout for some good ideas for my cooking. Here is something new in my repertoire. A little bit of soft goat cheese sandwiched between two rounds of microwaved beets (you need to poke a raw beet root in a few places, so it does not blow up and wrap it in a paper towel) In a center there are pieces of lox. It is a cold appetizer. Plus this delicious traditional Dutch mustard

AND THE BOOK GOES TO...

2011-08-08T20:25:00.000-07:00

It was so much fun reading all the comments about Laura Zukaite new book. It is time to announce the winner. There were 17 comments (one was left on the home page and 16 on the review page) total. I used the True Random Number Generator and it gave me this result : The winner is number 12 comment and the name is katjab !! Congratulations! Please contact me with your information and I will

TWO LUCKY WINNERS OF FREE TICKETS TO VKL!!!

2011-08-02T13:51:00.000-07:00

O.K. people! Here it goes!As you know I was given the opportunity to give away two free passes to Vogue Knitting Live in Los Angeles. The deadline for comments was August 1st.I want to thank all of you for participating. We all have something in common: knitting.Make sure you come back and see what else I have to give away. There is still this giveaway going on. I have more coming.Today's winners

Two Designs for Classic Elite Yarns

2011-07-30T10:46:00.000-07:00

These two designs were just posted on Ravelry.com and on the Classic Elite Yarns website, so they are very new. I loved working with Classic Elite yarns. Each of these yarns are soft and show stitch patterns beautifully. The finished project shapes very well and it is just enough drape to the fabric.This cropped jacket is shaped beginning at the lowest point of center back. I used short-row

Gloves for Claudia Hand Painted Yarns

2011-07-29T22:35:00.000-07:00

I love Claudia's yarns. The colors are always beautiful no matter what colorways you choose. These two designs are sold as one pattern on Patternfish.com.Although the yarn and the gauge are the same, these designs are different. That means you are getting a bargain of two designs for the price of one. The rib on the palm side assures a great fit. Photographed samples for both sets of gloves were

CABLED CAP in Knit Noro.

2011-07-25T19:01:00.000-07:00

I was busy with so many things and then I was busy traveling (who is complaining?:) I am just saying) that I missed the times when my designs came out. Since there are too many for one post, I am going to break them up into three Groups.The earliest out of this bunch is the Cabled Cap published in the book Knit Noro (Soho Publishing / Sixth&Spring books).This gorgeous hard-cover book has 30

FREE PASS TO VOGUE KNITTING LIVE

2011-07-24T13:38:00.000-07:00

I can't tell you how thrilled I am right now. I just received an offer for two! free passes for a Vogue Knitting Live event in Los Angeles which I can give away to you, my readers. Here are some of the details that I know at this point.Deborah Norville will be the host of the Champagne Red Carpet Marketplace Preview on Sept. 23rd, Kaffe Fassett is our keynote speaker, and Vicki Howell will staff

LUXE KNITS the accessories >>> FREE FOR YOU !!

2011-07-24T12:22:00.000-07:00

I have a very exciting news. Lark Crafts very generously offered me an extra copy offor one of my readers. I hope you are the lucky one. If you comment on the post about Laura Zukaite's book , your name automatically will be included in the drawing. Please make sure that you do not leave your comment here. Let's set the deadline for August 6, 2011 at midnight PST.Good luck!!

Back to what used to be USSR Part IV. ST. PETERSBURG

2011-07-22T18:32:00.000-07:00

One more overnight train ride with a few hours in Moscow and we were at our last stop on our 12-day trip to Russia - St. Petersburg. This was another city where we followed the usual touristy route. The two days allocated for this visit was hardly enough to see the center of the city. We loved it. It has been my favorite Russian city to visit in the past and it is now. Despite of the negative

Back to what used to be USSR Part III. SAMARA

2011-07-21T15:06:00.000-07:00

We said goodbye to our Saratov friends and took yet another overnight train to Samara. That's where our son joined us on this trip. Each of us in the family had a personal agenda for this city. Mine was to see my friends and places that meant something for me.In the morning, our train arrived at the train station. I was expecting that my friend Vera and her husband Igor will be meeting us there.

Back to what used to be USSR Part II. SARATOV

2011-07-15T11:02:00.000-07:00

This is the map of our trip inside of Russia. If you want to see it in more detail, here is the link to the entire trip including where we went after Russia.On the above photo the red line toward Moscow on the left is the end of our plane flight to Moscow.So, from Moscow we were taking overnight train to Saratov, a big industrial and cultural city on the Volga river. All of our friends and

Back to what used to be USSR

2011-07-12T15:48:00.000-07:00

I am not going to bore you with my personal history and what is the reason that my family and I have decided to go to Russia this summer. Let's just say that some of us wanted to go more than others and it was time to do it. My husband and I both have many friends there and lots of memories. After many days of planning, buying tickets, talking on Skype, and finally packing (which I hate to do) we

ORMOND is in the Spring/Summer 2011 fabulous issue of Twist Collective

2011-05-15T11:58:00.000-07:00

Before I tell you about my design, I want to say that I am so honored to have my design included in the Twist Collective's Spring/Summer of 2011 issue. There are so many incredibly talented designers whose work is featured in this issue, that I cannot even choose which pattern is my favorite. I recommend that you also read about the work behind the scene to appreciate all these fabulous people

Last Day to Win a Free Book

2011-05-09T08:54:00.000-07:00

Remember that today is the last day to be become a follower of The Designer's Studio on Twitter to win Linda Permann's Little Crochet. Follow us @InterviewsatDS and get your book.

Interview with Kristi Porter

2011-05-08T15:00:00.000-07:00

Kristi Porter is a designer, author, and a technical editor. She authored 4 books and contributed her other designs to many books, magazines and online magazine Knitty. Her style is saying simple chic, comfort, casual.Her designs are popular and we can see why. It is what most of us like to wear. Kristi lives with her husband and two beautiful daughters in a beautiful spot in CA. When you look at

My two new designs for MORE KNITTING IN THE SUN

2011-05-08T09:30:00.000-07:00

Today is my turn to brag about the two designs I contributed to this lovely book.This is a collection of 32 designs for kids. Beautiful photography, cutest kids and abundance of great designs. Kristi Porter (read her interview on The Designer's Studio) has asked all of the designers to name their designs after a favorite fictional character from a children's book or a fairy tale. Since I lived in

WIN YOUR COPY OF LITTLE CROCHET

2011-04-30T13:23:00.000-07:00

If you would like to submit your name for a drawing, start following @InterviewsatDS on Twitter. Your name will be included automatically. But hurry, the cut off time is May 9th, midnight (Pacific time). I hope you do not miss this unique opportunity of getting such a great book.

Blog Tour for LITTLE CROCHET

2011-04-30T10:40:00.000-07:00

Where you looking for a fun and modern design for your little one? Well, here it is. Linda Permann just released her new book Little Crochet full of adorable and functional designs for babies in your life. Read the full review here. Also read the interview with this designer on The Designer's Studio.

Interview with Simona Merchant-Dest

2011-04-07T21:26:00.000-07:00

There are so many things I love and admire about Simona's designs that I do not know where to begin. Her style is always feminine, flattering, modern, interesting, and, what is very important, wearable. She puts a lot of thought in the construction of a garment incorporating shaping in the overall look. I am sure that many of you at some point opened the issue of Interweave Knits or Vogue

Playing with my new lens

2011-03-27T12:17:00.000-07:00

After a long wait and search for prices, I got my birthday gift: Micro-Nikkor Macro lens - 105 mm - F/2.8 - Nikon F. Thank you to my wonderful family for this fantastic lens.Do not judge my photos, please. I am so not a professional photographer! My wish is that I will learn how to use this wonderful tool and make some great photos. For now, I am in the stage of exploring what it can do without

NEW PATTERN CALYPSO CAPELET

2011-03-14T18:49:00.000-07:00

I got a very nice surprise today. UPS came by and brought this book by House of Birches with 10 designs on a circular knitting. It is edited by Kara Gott Warner. One of the designs is mine.I love the photography in this book. Some of the projects are simple, so it is a good book for a beginner. The illustrations, charts, book layout are done beautifully. It is available on Amazon and on Annie's

Hop on a wagon! There is a blog tour for A Knitting Wrapsody going on.

2011-03-10T15:41:00.000-08:00

I am very pleased to participate in the blog tour for her new book A Knitting Wrapsody. Although we saw her published knitwear designs before, this is her first book of knitting designs.In this book Kristin made a leap from crochet to knitting. She follows her style and aesthetics that we know from her previous books and puts together a winner.Here are some designs from this book...read

Fashion Show at TNNA in January 2011

2011-03-07T16:53:00.000-08:00

I was waiting for this video for some time now. At the end of this clip you will see the three models wearing pieces made out of Bijou Basin Ranch yarn. My design Sasha is one of them. If you want to see just this part of the clip, begin with time around 6:00 minutes.

Very quick trip to New Jersey.

2011-03-06T12:38:00.000-08:00

I am sitting at the airport and enjoying a free Wi-Fi access while my husband is driving to pick me up. I had to make a very short trip to New Jersey for my mom's funeral. Although I was aware that this day will come soon, it was a shock (as it always is) when I got a phone call about her death. This is one of those things that make you stop and put down everything you are doing to realize that

IRINA SHABAEVA'S designs

2011-02-13T12:19:00.000-08:00

Irina Shabaeva's designs and aesthetics are an inspiration for me and I am also very happy to know that Irina, who is originally from the Republic of Georgia where I spent my honeymoon, and was raised in NY where my family and I spent our first few months of life in America made so big in fashion. I wish her much luck and success in her career.This is the video from the YouTube.

NEW PATTERN LARA

2011-02-12T11:28:00.000-08:00

Interweave Knits, Spring 2011 is out in the mail!! I did not get mine yet, but I see it online already. Beautiful issue with many very light and ready for Spring designs. I was waiting for this moment for some time now.I absolutely fell in love with this design as I was working on it. The yarn was perfect. It was Schulana Merino Cotton 135. It had enough drape to it to realize the bubble effect.

Sasha and the Stylish Blogger Award

2011-02-01T16:39:00.000-08:00

I have been so busy lately that I forgot to receive this awesome award. It was passed on to me by Karen aka knitalatte. Thank you, Karen. I am honored and pleased. It is nicew to know that people read my blog and even think that it is STYLISH ! How cool is that?! Karen has a nice blog herself, so go and check it out.Now, what am I doing these days, you ask. I have 5 projects in the works at the

HOME AT LAST

2011-01-19T10:54:00.000-08:00

I am so glad to be home after three weeks. During this time away I had all kinds of things happening. It started with incredible New Year gathering of our family. We rented a huge house for a week near Los Gatos, CA and all of us had very comfortable rooms with our own bathroom. There was a gym downstairs and plenty of room to sit and do whatever. My husband had two eye surgeries after that with

WEEKEND OF INSPIRATION

2011-01-11T19:19:00.000-08:00

I am always looking forward to TNNA weekend. It is hard to explain in just a few words what it is all about. For me personally it's about friends from the yarn industry, beautiful yarns, colors, new books, magazine issues, and new opportunities. This time it was even more exciting and productive than I expected. I saw the photos of my five designs for different upcoming publications. It is so

BOOK REVIEW: VOGUE KNITTING MITTENS & GLOVES

2010-12-29T16:35:00.000-08:00

Another gorgeous knitting book from the editors of Vogue Knitting magazine. See this review in full...

2010-12-29T15:39:00.000-08:00

This new book by Sixth&Spring Books is full of surprises. The author, Rosemary Drysdale, is knitting editor at Vogue Knitting and Knit Simple magazines. She is also a consultant and a designer in the yarn industry. This review in full...

BOOK REVIEW: KNITTING ON THE EDGE

2010-12-29T14:02:00.000-08:00

The new paperback edition of this book is out for your pleasure. Nicky Epstein is offering us the essential collection of 350 different decorative borders that can be used in any way we wish or dare. A great addition to a knitter's library. Read this review in full...

TODAY'S GUEST: SHIRLEY PADEN

2010-12-29T00:23:00.000-08:00

Internationally renowned knitwear designer and the author of Knitwear Design Workshop: The Comprehensive Guide to Handknits Shirley Paden lives and works in New York city. Shirley is the owner of Shirley Paden Custom Knits and she also finds the time to design for such major publications as Vogue Knitting, Interweave Knits, Interweave Crochet, Knitter's as well as other publications. Read this

TODAY'S GUEST: NICKY EPSTEIN

2010-12-26T18:38:00.000-08:00

A bestselling author and a prolific knitwear designer, Nicky Epstein is known all around the world for her distinctive and creative style. In her many (more than 20) books and numerous articles and designs in all major publications Nicky is giving us a volume of information about innovative techniques and new ways to use some well-known even traditional stitch patterns. Continue reading this

AS COLD AS IT GETS

2010-12-16T09:35:00.000-08:00

Just wanted to share my excitement with everybody. I live in a place of no "real winter" as far as I am concerned. Yes, we can drive for about 30 minutes and see the real snow, but not in this town. Do not misunderstand me, it is cold enough for me. We do wear warm jackets and all. There is something very peaceful about white fresh snow. Since I know my chances here to see it through my window, I

COFFEE+NEEDLES+YARN=UTTER BLISS

2010-12-14T11:34:00.000-08:00

I am in the middle of finals week, so I can't say that I am fully devoting my time to knitting and designing, but I want to taste a little bit how it will be VERY soon. So, today I am at home. To start the day right I had to have some home-made cappuccino with this little device that I bought at Sur La Table. I love it. You can make milk to a great foam in a few seconds right in your cup.So, here

TODAY'S GUEST: GALINA CARROLL

2010-12-04T14:40:00.000-08:00

Born and raised in a beautiful and very inspiring Russian city, St.Petersburg, Galina Carroll became a professional designer after getting degree from a prestigious Academy of Arts. Later she moved to America near another inspiring and fashionable city of New York and continued her career by working with fashion houses such as Ralph Lauren, Donna Karan, Liz Claiborne, Tommy Hilfiger and

THERE IS NOTHING BETTER

2010-11-27T11:47:00.000-08:00

I am so lucky to have a birthday around Thanksgiving. When I was born in Russia, I did not know that. Here, in America, people get a few days off work and gather around the table with their families to celebrate my birthday...I mean, Thanksgiving :). Both of my kids can come home since they do not have to work during this holiday. This time they came for four days. The house is not used to having

BOOK REVIEW: SUCCESSFUL LACE KNITTING

2010-11-16T11:11:00.001-08:00

A beautiful and very interesting book by Donna Druchunas is celebrating the work of Dorothy Reade and the lace knitting itself. So, who is Dorothy Read? To find out you need to read Donna's book... >MORE...

BOOK REVIEW: TOE-UP

2010-11-11T13:06:00.000-08:00

For every sock knitter in the world making a second sock is not as exciting as making the first one. Some even wait awhile before working on the second sock. For me it was always a worry that they come out the same in size especially the height on the leg part. I also never tried to make socks from a toe up. If you share my sentiments, we do not have to worry about this anymore. Read more ...

Russian soft cheese TVOROG

2010-11-06T17:52:00.000-07:00

One of the common breakfast foods in Russian cuisine is a soft cheese called TVOROG. I grew up loving it and learned to make it myself when I still lived in Russia.It does not take long and is very low in calorie count. Plus it is delicious. It can be eaten as with toast, fruits, jam, nuts, and so on.This morning I mixed it with egg whites, oats, a little bit of sugar, salt, cinnamon, and cloves.

La Bella Tunica is in KNIT'n STYLE

2010-10-27T09:59:00.000-07:00

In the new issue of KNIT'n STYLE magazine on page 58 there is a pattern and some beautiful photographs of La Bella Tunica. Cascade Yarns chose to feature my designfor this December issue and I am thrilled. I loved to work with Soft Spun yarn. It makes a beautiful stitch definition and you can see how crisp the cables are shown. The model is just perfect for this tunic. It is exactly how I

NEW DESIGN: BRENDA'S BASKETWEAVE BAG

2010-10-26T08:44:00.000-07:00

Despite the fact that I know how to crochet almost as long as I knit, this is my very first published crochet design. The new issue of Interweave Crochet, Accessories, 2010 is full of great small projects that can be done very quickly for gifts or just for fun. I made my list of hats already.So, here is my design. This bag is a version of a messenger bag. You can use it in so many ways. It can

Interview with Angela Hahn

2010-10-26T08:39:00.000-07:00

It is my pleasure to welcome Angela Hahn to The Designer's Studio. I am positive that you know and love her feminine and beautiful designs. She plays with stitch patterns in a way that her designs look effortless, light, and very appealing. I always enjoy looking at her creations and I know I am not alone. Angela focuses on style and comfort so any knitter can see herself making and what is more

Yarn Harlot is making my Sweet Honey Beret!!

2010-10-10T19:10:00.000-07:00

For about two days I was trying to figure something. It was a complete mystery to me why the "user activity" tab on my Ravelry page suddenly was going crazy. So many people came to see my designs and liked one hat called Sweet Honey beret that was published in the Winter 2008 issue of Interweave Knits in particular. I was not aware of any forum discussions, or promotions going on. Since it is not

Interview with Lily Chin

2010-10-07T08:44:00.000-07:00

Lily Chin is a well-known name in the knitwear industry. Her career began many years ago in her native New York as she was working for such designers as Ralph Lauren, Vera Wang, Diane von Furstenberg, and Isaac Mizrahi. Read this interview in full here.

October

2010-10-06T08:05:00.000-07:00

October is always interesting around here. It is still very warm and people dress for summer, but if you look down, there are leaves on the ground. I guess Fall is coming no matter what people are thinking. It is absolutely fine with me. I love cool knitting weather. Very soon many trees will turn color and it will be magical.For me October is also a month of many birthdays among friends and

E-mail that made my day

2010-09-23T21:01:00.000-07:00

A couple of months ago I submitted my design for a publication featuring NORO yarns (can't tell you more right now) and it was accepted. Today I got an e-mail from the editor and she told me that the photography is done and my project looks beautiful. She thinks that it will be a popular design. How great is this!! I hope she is right and people will like it.Progress report on my current project:

Keeping my head just above water

2010-09-20T19:33:00.000-07:00

I do not want to sound frustrated or negative as I am describing all the things I am working on at the moment. In fact, I am surprisingly calm about all the deadlines piled up on me. I believe that I can do it no matter what is on my way. I guess I am used to it by now and I am grateful that my designs are chosen.If I count how many projects I am talking about, it will probably be close to 12. I

BOOK REVIEW: NEW ENGLAND KNITS

2010-09-10T11:09:00.001-07:00

You probably have noticed some buzz around our knitting community about this book. Two talented designers Cecily Glowik MacDonald and Melissa LaBarre collaborated on this lovely collection of knitwear that fits the subtitle of the book Timeless Knitwear with a Modern Twist. More...

Interview with Carla Scott

2010-09-07T22:03:00.000-07:00

I am very pleased to have Carla Scott as my guest today.Carla is currently the Editor in Chief of Knit Simple magazine, the Executive Editor of Vogue Knitting, and the Editor of Vogue Knitting Stitchionary 5: Lace Knitting, the newest book in the Stitchionary series. Read this post in full here.

Brioche workshop and the last few days of my summer break

2010-09-02T14:30:00.000-07:00

I am always waiting for my summer break with the hope that all of my million and a half things to do will be checked off my list. That's because it always seems that I will have so much time on my hands. After all I am not teaching and every day I can start doing something right after breakfast. Well, let's just say, it usually does not happen the way I hope.Except this time it was different and

CROWN OF LEAVES

2010-08-15T18:51:00.000-07:00

Image copyright Caro Benna Sheridan This hat is my first design in Twist Collective. I can't tell you how proud I am to be on the list of designers who contribute to this online magazine. Fall 2010 issue is full of beautifully crafted garments and accessories along with interesting articles.It is very intriguing for me to watch the beginning of any design. Each pattern is different. You never

BOOK REVIEW: AROUND THE CORNER

2010-08-02T10:43:00.000-07:00

Attention crocheters and knitters who like to use crochet for embellishments!! This new book by Edie Eckman is one of a kind. I encourage you to take a look at it. Read this review in full here.

Yarns Part 2. Bijou Basin Ranch

2010-07-27T21:40:00.000-07:00

I have a privilege to work with this exquisite natural yarn and I have to say that it surprises me every time I make a swatch. The feel and the look of the fabric is sophisticated and elegant and any stitch pattern that I use is showing up on this yarn at its best. On top of this Carl and Eileen Koop are the nicest people you ever meet. Here is their story.Established in 2005, Bijou Basin Ranch

100 plus degrees outside

2010-07-24T19:29:00.000-07:00

We have a beautiful historical Bidwell mansion here that was preserved in the state it was more than 100 years ago. You can see the furniture, clothing, and dishes among other attributes of the house that tell a story about two people John and Annie who lived there. It is very interesting and educational to visit such places as this one.Today in my conversation with someone this mansion came in a

Interview with Kristin Nicholas

2010-07-23T22:24:00.000-07:00

As knitters we know Kristin Nicholas as an author of knitting books and long-time knitwear designer. Her amazing color work is vibrant and thrilling. Read this interview in full here.

ANNOUNCING THE WINNER of 60 QUICK KNITS!!!

2010-07-21T11:31:00.000-07:00

First, I wanted to say big thank you to all 23 people who left their comments with nice words about Cascade 220 and a great book 60 Quick Knits and all the readers who came over to read my review. If I could, I would give you all a copy. Seriously!The reality is, though, that I have only one to give away :(I used the Random Integer Generator to help me choose the winner.SO, HERE IT IS....Drums

BOOK REVIEW: CROCHET SO FINE

2010-07-16T20:17:00.000-07:00

This book is another masterpiece by Kristin Omdahl. The focus of her creations this time is on crocheting with fine yarns. She proves that crocheted garment can be light and airy if it is done with a soft and lightweight yarn combined with the choice of a delicate stitch.Please read this review in full on At First Glance.

Knitting Daily TV. A New Season.

2010-07-14T13:46:00.000-07:00

Oh, how I wish I had this show in my area. I think it is a wonderful and very useful show. I will have to buy the CDs they sell. It is too much to miss. Shay Pendray, Eunny Jang, and Kristin Omdahl show all kinds of techniques and tricks that I would love to see. I hope some of you are in the area where you can actually see Knitting Daily on Public Television stations. This morning, the

Paul McCartney in Live Concert

2010-07-12T22:10:00.000-07:00

Are you a Beatles' lover? I am. I listened to their music for many years and never even had a dream to see them on stage. It was as impossible in my mind as to see Chopin playing, so I never thought about it. To make a long story short, I had a chance to go to Paul's concert in San Francisco two days ago. Even when I was sitting there before the concert began I did not get it. Then he came out

Yarns at TNNA Part 1

2010-07-06T22:09:00.000-07:00

It is hard to describe how many different and beautiful yarns you can see walking from booth to booth at TNNA. There are some established companies and some small and new ones. Each one of them has its own take on colorways and fiber choices. When you stop to talk to people at a booth you learn so much about yarns and fibers in general and about the animals some of them raising. So, it is

BOOK REVIEW: COLOR BY KRISTIN

2010-07-05T14:38:00.001-07:00

A knitwear designer and decorative artist Kristin Nicholas is the author of a new book Color by Kristin (Sixth&Spring Books). From the subtitle How to Design Your Own Beautiful Knits we gather that Kristin is set to teach us how to work with color, understand it, use a Color Wheel to our advantage, and most of all how to be brave and experimental with color combination.Continue reading this

BOOK REVIEW: 60 QUICK KNITS. WIN A FREE COPY.

2010-07-03T13:13:00.000-07:00

An ode to a very popular yarn Cascade 220, this book includes 60 small patterns that are broken into three groups: 20 hats, 20 scarves, and 20 mittens. In other words, it is exactly what the title of the book says. Read this review in full and enter to win a free copy.

New pattern : Caprice Tank Top

2010-06-28T12:10:00.000-07:00

This is my first design for Bijou Basin Ranch yarn company. Carl and Eileen Koop, the owners, are the nicest people to work with. Their primary yarn fiber is yak. Here is the quote about yak down from their website: "Yarn made from yak down is one of the most luxurious fibers found. Warmer than wool and as soft as cashmere, yak yarn makes wonderful garments and accessories.

Interview with Kristin Omdahl

2010-06-28T09:36:00.000-07:00

Kristin Omdahl is a well-established crochet and knitwear designer. Kristin is best known for her crochet designs, which reflect her fascination with geometry that she is masterfully combines with her skillful and very interesting techniques.Read the interview in full here.

My short TNNA visit

2010-06-27T15:47:00.000-07:00

Every six months there is a big to do in the world of needlework and fiber. It's called TNNA show. TNNA stands for The National NeedleArts Association, the professional organization that unites yarn producers and dyers, designers, publishers, retailers, and companies that produce all kinds of tools and gadgets. At this show you can place a wholesale order, make great contacts, take wonderful

BOOK REVIEW: STITCHIONARY 5, LACE

2010-06-23T12:33:00.000-07:00

Vogue Knitting continues its wonderful series of Stitchionary books. This volume is number 5 and is devoted to lace knitting. I love the design and the color scheme of this volume. The colors are shades of blue and gray as you see on the cover and the photography is so incredible, that you see every stitch and feel that you almost can touch each swatch.To read this review in full please

NEW YORK and VA

2010-06-21T21:04:00.000-07:00

I just got back from a trip to NY, VA, OH, and back to NY before I crossed the country horizontally to come back home. In every destination I had a lot of fun and met with wonderful people. I am going to start with NY city. What can I say. I love New York unconditionally with its noises, smells, masses of people on the streets, subways, parks, museums, incredible architecture, great restaurants,

BOOK REVIEW: KNITTING BRIOCHE

2010-05-31T14:09:00.000-07:00

If you read my DS interview with Nancy Marchant, the author of Knitting Brioche, you know that I am a huge fan of brioche family of stitches. Although I use these stitches since I was about 10 years old, I always was looking for a reference book that covers decreases, increases, and more advanced techniques in these simple to knit yet complicated when you want to shape your working piece

Techknitter's Tulip buttonhole in Interweave Knits

2010-05-31T09:45:00.000-07:00

Knitting Daily, a free daily online magazine, came today with a great video. In it Eunny Jang explains the new way to make a very nice looking and very functional buttonhole.A Techknitter did it again! I love her website and illustrations. Very clever and clear.I just finished one project with buttonholes and I had exactly 8 sts for my button band, so Eunny's example would have been great for me.

From Carpets to Jourabs

2010-05-26T11:29:00.000-07:00

There is a very interesting article in the Crochet Insider written by Larisa Vilenksy. It tells us about a certain areas in Middle Asia where people were and even are now in some villages wearing very thick and incredibly gorgeous socks. They are worn instead of boots and are very warm. In these areas one of the main craft industries is a carpet making. The patterns and yarns used for carpets

What is an American? U-Tube Video by Josh Blum

2010-05-25T19:12:00.000-07:00

My niece's son, Josh Blum, a senior from Jamestown High School just won first prize in the High Street Video Essay contest! I am very proud of him and in awe.

La Bella Tunica makes rounds

2010-05-25T12:15:00.000-07:00

Cascade Yarns talks about my design on their blog. I am very happy with this design and hope to see some projects made by people. It is always exciting because every knitter chooses her/ his own color and sometimes yarn to make the sweater, so they all come out differently. On Ravelry.com I can see 170 projects of my Sweet Honey Beret and it is wonderful.

Coming soon

2010-05-22T08:26:00.000-07:00

I feel like I am a TV announcer today. I just wanted to tell my readers that I have a few book reviews coming, some very exciting interviews with designers on DS, and... some book giveaways. Meanwhile I am finishing my semester at work. Only finals are left at this point. It is always a very difficult time emotionally for me. After teaching so many people over 16 weeks you get to know some of

My Experiment

2010-05-13T17:20:00.000-07:00

Up to this point I always designed on my needles. This is the first time that I am actually not talking but doing differently. Since I had 5 designs all due this months it was not conceivable for me to do it in any other way. Notes as I work on the project will not do the trick. I had to organize myself and started an Excel sheet for each of my projects. Instead of doing my usual format, I wrote

New pattern: Nostalgia

2010-05-10T21:58:00.000-07:00

When I say that this pattern is new I smile. The reason is that I made this top a year ago and had to wait to talk about it until it is published. It is officially published by Claudia Hand Painted yarns and at this point you can get it through the yarn shops that sell this yarn. Soon the pattern will be available online as well. The yarn I used is called Cotton Ball. It is a wonderful yarn to

Blog Tour for "Twisted Wooly Toppers"

2010-04-22T22:00:00.000-07:00

If you did not hear about it yet, there is a blog tour going on an now you are a part of it as well. We are on week 6 of this tour. Here is the schedule of the tour if you missed the previous posts.18 March - Just Call Me Ruby25 March - Baby Long Legs1 April - Binge Knitter8 April - Stolen Stitches15 April - Knit With KT (me!)22 April - Faina’s Knitting Mode29 April - Tot Toppers6 May - The

BOOK REVIEW: NEW TWISTS ON TWINED KNITTING

2010-04-20T16:02:00.000-07:00

Many years ago I bought a book on Twined knitting by Birgitta Dandanell-Ulla Danielsson. Although this book is very interesting with many historical notes and photographs, I always kept it as something I would try one day. I have seen projects made with this technique when I was growing up in Russia. These projects were brought from Scandinavia. As much as I love and admire knitted garments and

Baby Hat Elinka is available now

2010-04-17T20:45:00.000-07:00

This sweet baby hat is available on Ravelry.com and on this page of my blog.Information about the pattern: