TKGA Plans a Yarn Bomb for New Hampshire Show

The Knit & Crochet Show is the conference of the Knitting Guild Association, and for their show in July (23-27 in Manchester, to be exact), the group is planning a yarn bombing of the Radisson hotel where the even is taking place.

Even if you’re not attending, you can get in on the fun by sending swatches of knitting or crochet to be included.

More specifically, here’s what they’re asking for:

Knit and/or crochet an 8″ x 8″ square or 8″ x 16″ rectangle using yarn of your choice!- great use for leftover yarn!
Bright colors are best
It doesn’t have to be perfect
BE CREATIVE!!
Send your swatches before June 15th!

If you want to take part but aren’t going to be there, you can mail your pieces to

ATTN: TKGA/CGOA
1100-H Brandywine Blvd.
Zanesville, OH 43701

I have taken part in a yarn bombing of my local downtown area before and it’s really a lot of fun. And lest you think the knitting will “go to waste” (as if art and whimsy are a waste!) the group notes that leftover items will be pieced together into blankets and scarves and donated to local charities.

Next Pattern:

There’s always room for more stitch dictionaries on your shelf, but Andrea Rangel’s Knitovation Stitch Dictionary is unlike those stitch pattern books you might already own. That’s because this one is full of colorwork stitch patterns rather than textured stitches, lace or cables, so the designs are ripe for adding to hats, sweaters and other projects with a stockinette stitch background.

The book starts with a quick introduction to knitting colorwork that’s also unlike what you’ve probably seen before, because it’s less about the colors themselves and more about the kinds of fibers you choose, how the yarn is prepared and the gauge you’re working at and how those things all change the look of a design.

Most of the book is filled with motif designs and swatches. The motifs were designed and named by Andrea’s husband Sean, who is an artist and brings a bit of whimsy to the designs.

You’ll find some classic looking leaves and flowers, mosaics and waves, but also rubber ducks, penguins, puzzle pieces, cherries and cows, snails and teapots, eyeballs and chess pieces, to name a few. Many of the designs also have funny names, like a fish named toilet bound, or cats in suits called corporate fat cat.

Of course you can use the designs in any way you want on any project you like, but there are also three patterns in the book — for a hat, a sweater and a pair of fingerless gloves — plus discussion of how the motifs were added, adjusting patterns for a different size or gauge, and adding your own motifs.

If you like adding a bit of colorwork to otherwise plain projects that other people have designed, or you’re ready to start making your own designs with fun motifs, this book is a great place to start. The fun and funny motifs are sure to inspire you to want to pick up your needles and add a little more color to your projects.

About the book: 160 pages, hardcover, 150+ motifs and three knitting patterns. Published 2023 by Interweave, suggested retail $28.

Next Pattern:

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