Lion Brand Yarn Encourages NYC Knitters to Give

Lion Brand Yarn, as you probably know, has its flagship retail store in New York City, and this year it’s working to give back to the community there by collecting knit and crocheted hats (and other winter warmers) for Hats 4 the Homeless, a New Jersey charity that aims to bring a little warmth to homeless people during the winter.

The yarn company is collecting hats through November 30, and to entice people to help, those who buy yarn for a project they plan to donate will get 10 percent off their yarn when purchased at the store. When finished projects are dropped off — again by the end of November — crafters will receive 20 percent off coupons for a future purchase.

They’ve already got a nice collection of items to donate going, and I hope local NYC-area knitters will consider this project if you’re planning any charity knitting this year.

[Photo by Lion Brand Yarn.]

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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.

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