Thursday, July 26, 2018
For the Love of Yarn
Hi guys! It's been awhile! Life has taken some unexpected turns, and I've stopped broadcasting my knitting podcast (at least for now). Sometimes I try to do ALL THE THINGS, but in the end, I just can't keep up. I do want to continue this blog though... so here I am... Back again...
I'm still designing knitting patterns, so I plan to start sharing them here as well as whatever else I'm working on.
Here's a little introduction, for new readers, to reintroduce myself. I hope to get back to posting more regularly again... so stay tuned and read on...
YARN... Yarn... and more yarn. Who doesn’t like the soft, squishy, coziness of a good yarn? For many, yarn may bring to mind images of grandma sitting in her rocking chair, needles clicking as she knits the day away. But knitting is not what it used to be, and it hasn’t been for a long time. There are so many different kinds of yarns today and so many different fibers. There are big box yarn companies and indie dyers. There’s wool, alpaca, silk, merino, bison, buffalo, bamboo, cotton, acrylic, mohair, cashmere, angora, hemp and the list goes on. I’d have to say that my all time favorite fiber is alpaca and I love the animal just as much, if not more, than I love their wool.
I myself took up knitting just after my son was born about 12 years ago. The local library back in Aurora, IL, where I lived at the time, was offering a free basic knitting class. They gave each student a pair of big fat plastic needles. They must have been size US 11 or 13. They also provided us with bulky yarn. Mine was a lemongrass green color. The vibrance of it still vivid in my mind. By the time I left the class, I had a garter stitch scarf in progress. I couldn’t wait to finish it and gift it to my daughter who was then only 2 or 3 years old. That scarf was the beginning of a passion I’ve never outgrown.
Since then my love of yarn and all things knitting has become more than just a hobby. For years I called it my knitting therapy. It provided comfort and an escape from the worries of the day. I didn’t leave home without a knitting bag filled with yarn and my current WIPs (works in progress). I knit in the car, whether it was a road trip or just a short drive to the grocery store. No, I didn’t knit and drive, I was the passenger. But I might have tried if it were safe and legal. I knit at restaurants while waiting for my food and I knit in parking lots while waiting to pick my kids up from school. You name it, and I've probably knit there.
After a few years, my knitting progressed into designing knitting patterns for several yarn companies and knitting magazines. But I’ll save that story for another post. Until then, I’d love to hear from you! Leave a comment below and let me know how long you’ve been knitting and what your favorite type of yarn is! And most of all... happy knitting!
Wednesday, January 20, 2016
Bayareaknitter Podcast Episode 14: An Interview with Kara Gott Warner
The New Year is upon us and I want to thank each and every one of you who have stood beside me through my humble podcast beginnings! I'm really looking forward to this new year with high hopes and expectations!
That said, I'm so happy to be opening the 1st chapter of my podcast this year with my friend Kara Gott Warner! I had the pleasure of meeting up with her and squeezing in this little interview while at TNNA earlier this month.
Show Notes:
Kara Gott Warner, Creative Knitting Magazine Executive Editor, and host of Power Purls Podcast, began her career designing knitting patterns in 2002. Her designs have been published in several magazines, including: Creative Knitting, Vogue Knitting, Family Circle Easy Knitting and Interweave Knits. Kara has a background as a technical illustrator, working with craft book publishers such as Random House, Lark Books, Sterling Publishing and F+W. Kara first joined Annie’s Publishing in 2008 as a knitting book editor, and then in 2010 signed on as Executive Editor of Creative Knitting Magazine and Annie’s knitting publications. Through her Power Purls Podcast, Kara’s mission is to dig deep and ask those burning questions about what turned her guests on to “two sticks and fiber,” in the first place, and what keeps their needles moving!
Kara Gott Warner |
You can follow Kara at these links:
Power Purls: www.powerpurlspodcast.com
Twitter: https://www.twitter. com/karaknits
Instagram: https://www. instagram.com/karaknits1
Instagram: https://www.
Creative Knitting: www.creativeknittingmagazine. com
Creative Knitting editor's blog, Splendid Sticks: www.splendidsticks.com
Monday, January 11, 2016
TNNA Yarn Group Fashion Show
I've just attended another TNNA Tradeshow... this one in San Diego. I'll be flying home on Wednesday, but wanted to share this Periscope video that I broadcast during the Fashion Show that was held on Friday night. Take a look now to see some of the latest runway trends in knit and crochet wear for the spring and summer season, sponsored by the Yarn Group. |
Sunday, October 25, 2015
My Free Christmas Cowl Knitting Pattern is Available Now!
Fall is in the air, and Christmas will be here before we know it. So, I'm happy to announce one of my newest knitting patterns... the "Christmas Cowl". Available now as a free download!
Christmas Cowl designed by Christine Marie Chen |
Knit it to give away as a holiday gift or knit one up for yourself to wear all winter long! The easy lace panel is perfect for a beginning lace knitter yet special enough that everyone will appreciate it!
Click here to add the pattern to your Ravelry queue: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/christmas-cowl-9
and be sure to save it to your "favorites" while you're there!
You'll find the yarn and free pattern here: http://www.redheart.com/yarn/holiday
Happy Knitting!!! Enjoy!!!
and be sure to save it to your "favorites" while you're there!
You'll find the yarn and free pattern here: http://www.redheart.com/yarn/holiday
Happy Knitting!!! Enjoy!!!
Wednesday, October 14, 2015
Bayareaknitter Podcast Episode 13: Faina Goberstein talks about "The Art of Slip-Stitch Knitting"
I'm Proud to Welcome Knitwear Designer Faina Goberstein to my Bayareaknitter Podcast!
This Interview is actually a part of her Blog Tour!
You can find the rest of the Blog Tour Schedule Here:
Tanis Knits –9/28
Yarn Thing Podcast – author interview podcast 10 AM, 9/29
HZoppetti Designs –9/30
SweetGeorgia Yarns, Inc. –10/6
Yarn Yenta - 10/8
Bay Area Knitter –10/15
Knit More Girls Podcast –10/15
Sheep to Shawl - 11/15
SHOW NOTES
Designs Shown During Podcast
by Faina Goberstein:
Gobelen Bag from The Art of Slip-Stitch Knitting: Techniques, Stitches, Projects
Handles by JUL Designs
photography by Joe Hancock
|
Volna Scarf from The Art of Slip-Stitch Knitting: Techniques, Stitches, Projects
Santorini Cowl from Interweave DVD
Spiral Hat from The Art of Slip-Stitch Knitting: Techniques, Stitches, Projects
Bordo Shawl from The Art of Slip-Stitch Knitting: Techniques, Stitches, Projects
Kromka Hoodie from The Art of Slip-Stitch Knitting: Techniques, Stitches, Projects photography by Joe Hancock |
Koketka Sweater from The Art of Slip-Stitch Knitting: Techniques, Stitches, Projects photography by Joe Hancock |
Nebo Pullover from The Art of Slip-Stitch Knitting: Techniques, Stitches, Projects
The Art of Seamless Knitting By Faina Goberstein and Simona Merchant-Dest |
Lace Stockings from The Art of Seamless Knitting
Reach out and connect with Faina at these links:
Website http:// fainasknittingmode.com
Newsletter: http:// fainasknittingmode.com/ newsletter-signup/
Ravelry FGDesigns Group: http://www.ravelry.com/ groups/fgdesigns
Facebook: Faina Goberstein
Twitter: @inasilver
Ravelry: Faina Goberstein
Books:
Craftsy classes:
Thanks for watching! Until next time... Happy Knitting!!!
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Follow me!
Instagram, Periscope and Twitter: Bayareaknitter
Ravelry: needle2needle
Saturday, September 12, 2015
Bayareaknitter Podcast Episode 12: Catching Up, my MKAL and some yummy Yarn!
Follow me!
Instagram, Periscope and Twitter: Bayareaknitter
Ravelry: needle2needle
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/KnittingwithChristine
Ravelry Group: http://www.ravelry.com/groups/bayareaknitter-aka-christine-marie-chen
SHOW NOTES
Links:
My Bayareaknitter Mystery KAL Pattern:
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/bayareaknitter-mystery-kal
Pictured below are Prizes that will be given away to 3 random MKAL participants that have completed their shawl and posted a photo of it in the group thread! Winners will be drawn on Sept. 16th!
A HUGE thank you goes out to Roundabout Yarn and Justk33pknittin9 for reaching out to sponsor my MKAL and for contributing their beautiful products!!! I've also added a skein of Anzula's Haiku yarn (This is the same yarn I used for my Bayareaknitter MKAL shawl)!
Roundabout Yarn White Pines Worsted Superwash Merino 220 yds/100grams |
Knit 1 Purl 2 project bag by Justk33pknittin9 |
Anzula Haiku Fingering 425 yards 70% Merino, 20% Bamboo, 10% Nylon |
Periscope Replays:
http://katch.me/bayareaknitter
Yarns mentioned:
Anzula Haiku
http://anzula.com/
TreLiz Your Owl Yarn
Luxurious Hand Dyed Yarns and Fibers
http://www.treliz.eu
Other Links:
Basilwood Farms
http://www.basilwoodfarm.com/
Listen to my Interview on the Power Purls Podcast with Kara Gott Warner coming in October
(Date to be announced)
http://www.powerpurlspodcast.com
My home-based businesses:
Jamberry Nails
https://christinechen.jamberry.com/
Life Matters
http://lifeshotz.com/christine
Thanks for watching! Until next time... Happy Knitting!!!
Monday, August 24, 2015
Bayareaknitter Podcast Episode 11: An Overdue Update and Trying Something New
Instagram, Periscope and Twitter: Bayareaknitter
Ravelry: needle2needle
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/KnittingwithChristine
Ravelry Group: http://www.ravelry.com/groups/bayareaknitter-aka-christine-marie-chen
SHOW NOTES
Join my Bayareaknitter Mystery Shawl Knitalong:
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/bayareaknitter-mystery-kal
Yarns mentioned:
Anzula Haiku
http://anzula.com/
Other Links:
Knit 1 Purl 2 Project Bag by JustK33pKnittin9
https://www.etsy.com/shop/JustK33pKnittin9
Ravelry Mini Skein Swap Group
Sock Yarn Minis/Scraps Swapping
http://www.ravelry.com/groups/sock-yarn-minis-scraps-swapping
Last Episode's Podcast Winner:
TinaBW1
Please contact me with your address and I'll get your mini skeins right out to you!
Thanks for watching! Until next time... Happy Knitting!!!
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