New Patterns NOW Available in Ad-Free PDF! Check out The Pattern Shop

Brett Bara

By 22 Comments

51e32742e4b0fad0b3fcdacf

Brett Bara was Marly’s guess on a special episode of the podcast this week!

Brett Bara is the founder of Brooklyn Craft Company and Brooklyn Craft Camp.  With a professional background in print publishing, Brett was the founding editor-in-chief of Crochet Today magazine and is the author of several craft books.  She is the host of the PBS television series Knit and Crochet Now and appears regularly on camera, including appearances on The Martha Stewart Show and more.  She is a contributor to Design Sponge in addition to blogging about DIY, decor, crafts and food on her own blog, brettbara.com.

20130816143932-Brooklyn-Craft-Company-Yay-Crafts

In 2012, recognizing a need for fun, stylish and accessible crafts instruction, Brett created Brooklyn Craft Camp, a one-day event that combined crafts classes with good food, great music, cool people and fun.  The event was a huge success that has spawned a new initiative, Brooklyn Craft Company: a brick-and-mortar space in Brooklyn, New York which will offer modern crafty and DIY classes for adults in a fun, social setting.  Who doesn’t love a crafty party day??

20130819065123-Brooklyn-Craft-Company-DIY-Paper-Flowers-DIY-Wooden-Bead-Necklace-DIY-Card

To prepare for their launch, Brooklyn Craft Company is fundraising via Indiegogo.  Please visit their campaign page to make a contribution and help them get off the ground – and score some great crafty rewards in the process!  C’mon crafty folks, lets send some awesome support Brooklyn Craft Company’s way!

lets be friends

You can also follow the fun on Brooklyn Craft Company’s Facebook and Twitter pages!

Links to follow Brett on: Facebook, Twitter, Craftsy, Knit and Crochet Now, and find her books here.

Also, gratuitous picture of Fifi (for you devotees)!

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Brett was so kind as to have a super fun giveaway to one of our lucky commenters!  You can leave a comment with Brett’s key word, and be entered to win a Brooklyn Craft Company Tote Bag as well as a free Craftsy class!  The lucky winner will be announced on next week’s special show Thursday with The Crochet Dude himself, Drew Emborsky!

Make sure you tune in next week on our regular day for your next happy dose of Marly and The Yarn Thing Podcast!  🙂


MarlyBird-AD-StitchesMID2013-v3

Let’s give some love to our sponsors! 
XRX Books, Knitter’s Magazine, STITCHES Expos
Craftsy.com/yarnthing
Fiesta Yarns
Drew Emborsky
Love of Knitting and Love of Crochet
Bijou Basin Ranch

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Brett Bara and what does she do?

So here’s the thing… Brett Bara is the founder of Brooklyn Craft Company and Brooklyn Craft Camp! She’s also been the editor-in-chief of Crochet Today magazine and has written several craft books.

What is Brooklyn Craft Camp?

Honestly… Brett started Brooklyn Craft Camp in 2012 because she saw a need for fun, stylish, and accessible craft instruction. It’s a one-day event that mixes craft classes with good food, music, and great people!

How can I support the Brooklyn Craft Company?

Yes! You can help get the Brooklyn Craft Company off the ground by contributing to their Indiegogo fundraising campaign. Plus, you can snag some awesome crafty rewards in the process!

Where can I follow Brett Bara’s crafty adventures?

Well, you can follow her on Facebook and Twitter, and also check out her blog at brettbara.com. She’s also on Craftsy and you can find her books on Amazon!

What kind of events does Brooklyn Craft Company offer?

Honestly… they offer modern crafty and DIY classes for adults in a fun, social setting. It sounds like such a blast, like a crafty party day!

Indian Lake Artisans

By 31 Comments

ILA LogoIndian Lake Artisans owners Pam and Mark joined Marly to talk about their adventure into the yarn industry!

Pam and Mark discussed the beginning of their journey into the knitting and crochet industry, and how they wanted to bring some life back into their community, in the Detroit and greater Michigan area, that was devastated by the recession.  How cool is that?  All of their products are USA born, and is helping folks in their own community!  Their needles are a hexagonal shape, much like that of a classic No. 2 Pencil, easy to hold, and great for a beginner or experienced knitter alike.

Each needle is made and finished by hand, bringing out the beauty of the maple, cherry and walnut woods used.  Indian Lake Artisan’s signature standard straights, in 10″ and 14″, are the needles that have a different topper denoting the needle sizes.  Now they also have circulars, cable needles and double points in their inventory as well as beautiful shawl sticks.

All their needles are 100% guaranteed…if the tip begins to dull they will replace the needles!

As always, we have a great giveaway for you non-live listeners (or live listeners who didn’t get to call in and win), leave a comment here on the show notes with the keyword given by Pam and Mark, and be entered to win a beautiful set of Indian Lake Artisans needles!

You can find/follow Pam and Mark and Indian Lake Artisans on their website, Facebook, and Twitter.

Below we have some information on the other things mentioned on the podcast this week, Mittens for Detroit, a super sweet deal from Indian Lake Artisans for listeners of the podcast, and the weekly pattern deal!

Mittens for Detroit

Make mittens for this organization, send them to Pam and get a coupon code as a thank you! Don’t know how to make mittens? Perfect time to take Marly’s Craftsy class: https://www.craftsy.com/mgg use that link and get the class for 50% off!!!  The mailing information for sending Pam and Mark the mittens you make for this wonderful project is: PO Box 80523, Rochester, MI  48308.

A deal for everybody!

Tops and points

–A special 15% off coupon code just for The Yarn Thing listeners!

The code is case sensitive: MBirdYarnT

The weekly deal for 8/20/13 — 8/27/13.

Listen to the show to get the coupon code for 50% off!

Garden Party Sweater

Soft cotton and classic shaping form a posh design. The simple double crochet stitch pattern produces an artistic lace for a polished feel, while the oversized scallops add a touch of whimsy for a charming finish.

Cozy knitted blanket in shades of blue and gray featuring a textured stitch pattern, draped over a couch.

SPECIAL PODCAST THIS WEEK!  We have a special podcast Thursday with Brett Bara!  Make sure you tune in to hear what is new and exciting with Brett on Thursday!

MarlyBird-AD-StitchesMID2013-v3

Let’s give some love to our sponsors! 
XRX Books, Knitter’s Magazine, STITCHES Expos
Craftsy.com/yarnthing
Fiesta Yarns
Drew Emborsky
Love of Knitting and Love of Crochet
Bijou Basin Ranch

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s so special about Indian Lake Artisans’ needles?

Oh my goodness, these needles are something else! Pam and Mark make them by hand from beautiful woods like maple, cherry, and walnut. They even have a cool hexagonal shape, kinda like a pencil, which makes them super comfy to hold…

Are these needles good for beginners?

Yes! Honestly, they’re great for *everyone*, but especially for beginners because of that comfy pencil-like grip. They really want to make knitting and crochet accessible and enjoyable for all skill levels…

What kind of needles do they offer?

So here’s the thing… they have their signature standard straights in a couple of lengths, but they’ve also expanded to include circulars, cable needles, double points, and even pretty shawl sticks! They’ve got you covered for pretty much any project…

What if my needle tip gets dull?

Don’t you worry about that at all! Indian Lake Artisans offers a 100% guarantee on their needles. If the tip starts to dull, they’ll happily replace them for you. How awesome is that…

How can I support Indian Lake Artisans and Mittens for Detroit?

You can totally help out both! For Mittens for Detroit, just make some mittens and mail them to Pam and Mark. As a thank you, you’ll get a coupon code… And you can find and follow Pam and Mark and Indian Lake Artisans on their website, Facebook, and Twitter too!

Miriam Felton

By 19 Comments

This week on The YarnThing Podcast: Miriam Felton

Miriam Felton started playing with fiber, yarn and thread as soon as she could hold a needle.  In 1999, she began knitting, having been taught the basic stitch(es) by her older sister.  Designing knitwear followed soon after.  While many of her designs focus on lace patterns, all of her work features textural details, and exploring positive and negative space with the use of knitted stitches to create lyrical and strikingly visual patterns.

Chromaticity2-996x1024

(picture courtesy Miram Felton)

Miriam has had designs published in Interweave Press magazines and books, the online magazines Knitty, and Twist Collective, the book Sensual Knits, as well as self publishing patterns via her website at miriamfelton.com.

 DeStijl1-173x300

(picture courtesy Miriam Felton)

Miriam has embarked on a 365 challenge to create something each day this year.  Be that cooking, baking, sewing, quilting, knitting, crochet and/or knitting!  If you follow her on twitter (link below), you can see her daily pictures of things that she has made each day this year.  Such a fun idea!  Have any of you done a year long project like this?

You can find Miriam on Facebook, Twitter, Ravelry, and her class on Craftsy.

299497221_429f485be4

(picture courtesy Miriam Felton)

This week’s giveaway on the blog: leave your comment with the keyword that Miriam chose and be entered to win a copy of Miriam’s Craftsy Class, Lace Shawl Design!

(From Jolene: Hi back, Miriam!)

This week’s Pattern Deal:

You all have responded so awesomely to Marly’s weekly Pattern Deal, so she has decided to continue,

this week with her pattern:

Opening Night!

DSC_1803_medium2

(Isn’t the model ca-uute?  It’s Marly’s kid sister!)

See you all next week, tune in for a fun time with Indian Lake Artisans!

MarlyBird-AD-StitchesMID2013-v3

Let’s give some love to our sponsors! 
XRX Books, Knitter’s Magazine, STITCHES Expos
Craftsy.com/yarnthing
Fiesta Yarns
Drew Emborsky
Love of Knitting and Love of Crochet
Bijou Basin Ranch

“`html

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s Miriam Felton all about?

So here’s the thing… Miriam started playing with fiber, yarn, and thread super young and began knitting in 1999. Designing knitwear followed pretty quickly, and while she loves lace, her work really shines with texture and how she plays with space. You can find her patterns on her website, in magazines like Knitty and Twist Collective, and even in books!

What’s this 365 challenge Miriam is doing?

Honestly… Miriam is trying to create something every single day this year! It’s not just about knitting or crochet, either… she’s also cooking, baking, sewing, and quilting. If you follow her on Twitter, you can see pictures of all the cool things she makes daily. Isn’t that a fun idea?

Where can I find Miriam’s designs or connect with her?

Yes! You can find Miriam on Facebook, Twitter, and Ravelry. She also has a class on Craftsy, which sounds amazing if you want to learn more about her design style. Plus, she self-publishes patterns on her website at miriamfelton.com.

What’s the giveaway this week?

Oh my goodness, you have a chance to win a copy of Miriam’s Craftsy Class called Lace Shawl Design! All you have to do is leave a comment with the keyword that Miriam picked. So exciting!

What’s the Pattern Deal this week?

This week’s Pattern Deal is Marly’s very own pattern called Opening Night! It’s super cute, and they even used Marly’s little sister as the model for the picture. How sweet is that?

“`

Andi Smith

By 45 Comments

On today’s show: Andi Smith and her new book: Big Foot Knits!
64_coverversion
Andi Smith is a knitter, crocheter, embroiderer and can now add designer/author to that list.  She is originally from Yorkshire, England, but has lived in the US for over 20 years.  She is a mom and special needs advocate volunteer.  Her first book, Big Foot Knits has just been released by Cooperative Press. Available in both paperback and e-book.
Comment here to be entered to win an e-book of Andi’s book as well as a skein of super yummy yarn!!
Leave your comment here, and make sure you use the code word that Andi gave on the podcast!
You can find Andi on Ravelry, Facebook, and Twitter, as well as on her blog.  You can purchase Big Foot Knits here:  https://www.cooperativepress.com/products-page/books/big-foot-knits-2/
TNNA_2011June_Andi and Caro
Other business:  Marly is starting something new!  For all of our loyal listeners, Marly is giving you a weekly pattern deal!  Marke sure you listen to the podcast for Marly’s weekly coupon code, which you can use for one week, for 50% off any pattern in Marly’s Ravelry pattern store.  The coupon code will not be listed on the blog, you can only get it if and when you listen!  Did you get this week’s coupon code?
See y’all next week!
  • Like this podcast? Be sure to leave a comment/review on iTunes to let other know about it!
  • Stay up to date with the Yarn Thing podcast with the App available on iTunes and for Droid.
  • Find our more about Marly at www.MarlyBird.com or follow her on facebook at www.facebook.com/marlybird

This podcast is sponsored by: Knitter’s Magazine, Craftsy.com, Fiesta Yarns, Decades by Drew Emborsky, Love of Knitting, Love of Crochet and Bijou Basin Ranch.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Andi Smith and what is her new book about?

So here’s the thing… Andi Smith is a knitter, crocheter, embroiderer, designer, and author. She’s originally from England but has lived in the US for over 20 years. Her brand new book is called *Big Foot Knits*, and it’s all about knitting socks! It’s available in paperback and e-book.

I’m new to knitting socks and have trouble with fit… can Andi’s book help me?

Honestly… yes! Several listeners mentioned having trouble with sock fit, whether it’s due to cankles, large calves, wide feet, or narrow heels. Andi’s book sounds like it’s specifically designed to help crafters figure out how to make socks fit perfectly, no matter your foot or leg shape.

What’s this about a “cankle” mystery word and a giveaway?

Yes! In the podcast, Andi shared a fun “mystery word” which was “cankle,” and a lot of listeners found it hilarious! There was also a chance to win an e-book of Andi’s book and a skein of yarn if you left a comment and used the secret code word from the podcast. Keep an ear out for those codes!

What else is happening on the podcast or blog?

Well, Marly is starting a super cool weekly pattern deal just for loyal listeners! You have to listen to the podcast to get a special coupon code that gives you 50% off any pattern in Marly’s Ravelry store for one week. Make sure you check for that code!

Where can I find Andi Smith online?

You can totally connect with Andi on Ravelry, Facebook, and Twitter. She also has her own blog where you can probably find even more about her designs and her amazing book, *Big Foot Knits*!

Alaska Inside Passage Knitting Cruise

By 15 Comments

Hi Everyone!!

Did you miss Marly over the last two weeks?  I know she missed you guys!!  Her time with Crafty Cruises in Alaska was absolutely the best!

The last two weeks have been an amazing whirlwind of fun for John (Marly’s hubby) and Marly!  This was the first time that the Love Birds (see what I did there?) were able to take a grownup vacation and leave the little Birds at home.

Today Marly was full of stories of their trip, ranging from the cruise details, to the fun excursions, to hers and John’s time in Seattle.

As you may know Marly is a huge fan of the Twilight series, and she talked John into going to Forks for the day, where she completely geeked out on all the Twilight things in town.  They also went and saw the coast line, and put her feet in the water (which for Marly is a big deal)!

The group of knitters on the cruise numbered about 35 people, (there were a LOT more folks on the ship, there were just 35 on the cruise to be crafty!) and there were folks from all over!  She was so excited to meet them all once everyone had gotten settled on the ship, and then get to know these folks over the course of the cruise!

Marly and John did do a whale watching excursion and had a fabulous time, and she got some amazing pictures (be sure the check them out in this post)!  She has given some pictures from all different parts of the trip for this post, so make sure you scroll through all of them here.

One of the other things that Marly was so excited to do, was yarn shop hopping!  She visited one in Seattle, and a couple in Juneau, Alaska.  What fiber enthusiast DOESN’T love a local something fun when you go on a vacation and hit up a local yarn store?  Lesson learned…make sure John is either outside the store when she completes her purchase, or at least distract him when the total comes up on the register!  (Make sure you indulge yourself in some Quivut!)

Some things Marly learned about/while cruising:

  • How to pack (minimal shoes, they take up too much room)
  • How to Muster (life jacket, CHECK!)
  • How to Tender (sit down, don’t rock the boat)
  • The cost of your cruise is not necessarily your grand total!
  • Humpback whales are solitary creatures
  • Orcas travel in pods
  • Whales’ tail fins, are much like a fingerprint!

(Sidenote from Jolene: As I’m listening I’m giggling y’all…I’m waving back to all of you as well!! – J)

Next week’s show has a super fun gifts and of course, more prizes!!

  • Like this podcast? Be sure to leave a comment/review on iTunes to let other know about it!
  • Stay up to date with the Yarn Thing podcast with the App available on iTunes and for Droid.
  • Find our more about Marly at www.MarlyBird.com or follow her on facebook at www.facebook.com/marlybird

This podcast is sponsored by: Knitter’s Magazine, Craftsy.com, Fiesta Yarns, Kollage Yarns, Decades by Drew Emborsky, Love of Knitting, Love of Crochet and Bijou Basin Ranch.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Did you go on the Alaska Inside Passage Knitting Cruise all by yourself?

Oh goodness no! Marly went with her hubby, John. It was their first grownup vacation without the kids, and they had such a blast exploring Alaska together. John even got to see some of the Twilight spots with Marly!

How many people were on the knitting cruise part of the trip?

Honestly, there were about 35 crafty folks on the cruise part of the trip, but the ship itself was much bigger! It was so exciting for Marly to meet so many fellow yarn lovers from all over the place.

Did you do any fun excursions in Alaska?

Yes! Marly and John went on a whale watching tour and saw some amazing humpback and orca whales. She also got some absolutely stunning pictures, so be sure to scroll through the post to see all the beautiful scenery!

Was yarn shop hopping part of the fun?

You bet! Marly loves hitting up local yarn stores when she travels. She visited one in Seattle and a couple in Juneau, Alaska… and let’s just say John might have needed a little distraction at checkout! 😉

What’s one thing you learned from cruising?

So here’s the thing… packing light is key! Marly learned that shoes take up a lot of precious suitcase space. She also learned how to muster and tender, and some super interesting facts about whales… like how their tail fins are unique, just like fingerprints!

TNNA Recap!

By 41 Comments

Hi Folks!

This week, fresh off the plane, Marly brought us her recap of her weekend at TNNA‘s convention in Columbus, Ohio and all the fun things that went on while she was there.

She mentioned the YarnThing Designer Dinner she hosted, seeing her fiber friends in the industry, getting to meet all kinds of new designers and the general fun that TNNA can be!

This week, she gave away some of the fun stuff from the goody bags at the Designer Dinner on the air, and the blog giveaway this week is for a great Chic-A Bag and some super yummy Bijou Basin Ranch Lhasa Wilderness yarn!  Leave your comment here on the blog with the secret word/phrase.

Marly will be off the air for the next three weeks since she will be on the Craft Cruise to Alaska, but that gives you all more time to enter for this week’s giveaway, as well as catch up on archived episodes of the podcast!

Marly also posed the question to you, her loyal listeners!  Who do YOU want to hear on the show?  Who do you want to know more about, what is going on in the industry you’re curious about?  Shoot Marly an email and tell her so that she can work on getting those folks on the show!

Happy Crafting everyone!!!

  • Like this podcast? Be sure to leave a comment/review on iTunes to let other know about it!
  • Stay up to date with the Yarn Thing podcast with the App available on iTunes and for Droid.
  • Find our more about Marly at www.MarlyBird.com or follow her on facebook at www.facebook.com/marlybird

This podcast is sponsored by: Knitter’s Magazine, Craftsy.com, Fiesta Yarns, Kollage Yarns, Decades by Drew Emborsky, Love of Knitting, Love of Crochet and Bijou Basin Ranch.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was Marly up to this weekend?

So here’s the thing… Marly just got back from TNNA’s convention in Columbus, Ohio! She hosted a YarnThing Designer Dinner, caught up with her fiber friends, and met tons of new designers… it sounds like a blast!

What kind of giveaway is happening this week?

Honestly… you can win a super cute Chic-A Bag and some yummy Bijou Basin Ranch Lhasa Wilderness yarn! Just leave your comment here on the blog with the secret word/phrase to enter.

Is Marly going to be on the podcast soon?

Yes! Marly will be off the air for the next three weeks because she’s going on a Craft Cruise to Alaska… lucky duck! But don’t worry, you can catch up on old episodes or enter this week’s giveaway while she’s gone.

Who does Marly want to hear on the show?

She’s asking all of you, her amazing listeners! Who do YOU want to hear interviewed… what industry happenings are you curious about? Send Marly an email and let her know so she can try to get them on the show!

I’m new to podcasts, how can I stay updated?

Oh, that’s easy! You can get the Yarn Thing podcast app on iTunes or for Droid. And if you like the podcast, a quick comment or review on iTunes would be super helpful so others know about it too!