Craftzine.com blog: Yarn Archives

Archive: Yarn

February 1, 2012

LOVE Letters

My Sisters Suitcase made these sweet, romantic LOVE letters for Valentine's Day. I love the gradient effect the yarn has. This would be great for a kid's room or wedding as well. Or just a nice 'Welcome' sign to your home. What would you spell out?

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How-to: Plaster Letters

Lion Brand Yarn CHA Fashion Show

For the past few days, I've been doing demos and soaking up crafty awesomeness at the Craft & Hobby Association Winter 2012 Conference and Trade Show in Anaheim. Per usual, there have been tons of amazing events on the show floor. But, on Monday, Lion Brand Yarn rocked my fiber-loving socks off with their Lion Brand Winter 2012 CHA Fashion Show. There, the models walked an honest-to-god catwalk and sported a combination of Lion Brand Yarn patterns and creations from emerging designers, like this gorgeous dress from Elissa Eriksson.

Here are are a few more of my favorite designs from the show:

Sweater by emerging designer Gareth Brown.

Dress by emerging designer Lucy Faulke.

Gown by emerging designer Paula Cheng.

Dress by emerging designer Heather Orr.

There you have it, folks. I'm submitting this as definitive proof that yarn can be high fashion!

January 26, 2012

Project: Smitten Softspot Knitted Heart

By Lauren O'Farrell
All images copyright Lauren O'Farrell

Mushy love stuff ahoy! It's nearly Valentine's Day - the time of the year when you bellow, "I HEART YOU!" with something handmade. Fancy stitching something squishy to profess your undying amour? Then it's about time you met the Smitten Softspot, a handmade heart that only has eyes for its owner. Awwwwww.

This kooky little knit was originally created for Knit the City's "Hubbub of Hearts" yarnstorm in February 2011. Knit the City is London's most infamous sneaky stitching collective, and there are persistent rumors that I may be Deadly Knitshade, founder of the graffiti group and author of the Knit the City book.

While I couldn't possibly confirm or deny this, I can share this pattern from one of KTC's most daring feats: a string of handmade hearts that were hung from the bow of the statue in the middle of Piccadilly Circus, one of London's busiest tourist areas. The bow was roughly 26 feet above the ground and the yarnstorm (that's what us UK knitters call a graffiti knitting installation) took place in broad daylight with a couple of hundred passers-by milling about.

Of course, you don't need to hang your Smitten Softspot from great heights. You can give him away, leave him somewhere for a random stranger to feel the love, or just keep him to yourself. I won't tell.

Warning: Cannot be used as an alternative to human heart in transplant or sacrifice situations. It's just not gory enough.

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January 24, 2012

How-To: Balloon And Yarn Heart Wreath

I've seen loads of balloon-and-yarn projects in craft blogland, but this one from Michele Made Me has a new twist ... literally. See how she uses a balloon animal approach to making this simple and beautiful yarn heart wreath. [via @SisterDiane]

January 19, 2012

How-To: Hudson's Bay-Inspired Knitted Crib Blanket

Hudson's Bay point blankets are beautiful and iconic examples of simple design. I adore the solid primary color stripes of the original blankets, so this Hudson's Bay-inspired crib blanket tutorial and knitting pattern from The Purl Bee really caught my eye. If, like me, you're more of a crocheter than a knitter, I think the simple lines would also look great in single crochet!

January 13, 2012

Lion Brand Pattern Support

Here's a handy tip - If you're working on one of Lion Brand Yarn's patterns and could use some advice, you can always contact them at support [at] lionbrand [dot] com or calling 1-800-705-8636.

January 2, 2012

How-To: Knitted Mushroom Wrist Warmers

These knitted mushroom wrist warmers from Adrian at Hello Yarn definitely speak to my inner funky forest sprite! Ready to get your colorwork on? Head over to the site to download the free pattern.

[Via Pinterest]

December 27, 2011

How-To: Crocheted Flower Hair Clips

I love a quick crochet project, and these crocheted flower hair clips from Ellen at Creative Passage are both pretty and fast! Depending on the yarn, they could easily be customized to make speedy handmade barrettes for kids and grownups!

December 23, 2011

Tool Review: Martha Stewart Crafts and Lion Brand Yarn Knit & Weave Loom Kit

Martha_Stewart_Crafts_and_Lion_Brand_Yarns_Knit_and_Weave_Loom_Kit2.jpg

I'm a yarn crafter, so when the folks at Lion Brand Yarn sent CRAFT the Martha Stewart Crafts™ and Lion Brand Yarn® Knit & Weave Loom Kit, I jumped at opportunity to put it through its paces. With loom pieces included for more than thirty configurations for making square, rectangle, circle, and oval looms in multiple sizes—plus tools for single knitting, double knitting, weaving, making rosettes, and weaving in ends—there are so many options for creative projects that it's almost overwhelming!

I tested all of the major configurations and techniques, and had a great time learning new skills and trying out yarn crafts that I'd never done before, like weaving and yarn rosette-making. The loom was easy to assemble and easy to configure into different shapes, but the pegs do require a firm hand to press them in and remove them.

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December 6, 2011

XL Modern Macrame

The Brick House posted this GIANT XL macrame wall. It is such a rad modern spin on the 70's-style craft and would be a killer headboard or room divider. Where would you hang a piece like this?

December 2, 2011

Chunky Yarn Bracelet

P.S. I Made This offers a great, easy chunky bracelet tutorial that will bring your wrists to next-level-cuteness for all of those holiday parties you are planning on attending.

October 31, 2011

Yarn Love Print

This Yarn Love print from Kayanna of June Shop is so sweet. It would make a perfect gift for the yarn lover in your life (including you!). I'm a fan of the orange, but she's also offering it in blue and red.

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