Edie Eckman Knit and Crochet
Today on the Yarnthing Podcast with Marly Bird: Edie Eckman, knit and crochet designer extraordinaire!
Edie learned to knit and crochet about the same time from her Grandmother when she was young. She started out making Barbie clothes and stuffed animals and graduated to sweaters after she got married. In the early 90’s she co-owed a yarn shop which fed her yarn habit to such a degree that when they closed Edie decided she needed a way to feed it. While the shop was open, she had been designing for customers and that translated nicely into her new business. After a few years, she was able to completely quit her day job and focus on designing.
Edie has many books out and does several on-line classes with Craftsy. She started out publishing a few knitting books and her first big crochet book was the Crochet Answer Book. Two of Marly’s favorite crochet books are also from Edie: Beyond the Square Crochet Motifs and Around the Corner Crochet Borders. These books are really great and should be in every crocheter’s (and knitters!) library. In Around the Corner Crochet Borders, Edie shows not just the straight borders, but also how to turn the corners nicely! Once of her most recent books was Connect the Shapes Crochet Motifs and is all about crochet motifs and the many ways you can join them together. To check out all of Edie’s books, go to the book section of her website here.
Edie also teaches two classes on Craftsy: Joining Crochet Motifs and How to Say it-Pattern Writing for Knitters. Joining Crochet Motifs builds off of the book Connect the Shapes and shows you the techniques she talks about. How to Say It walks you through the pattern writing process and can also help any knitter read and understand their patterns.
To hear about all the other awesome things Marly and Edie talked about, listen in below!
You can find Edie on: her website EdieEckman.com, Craftsy, Ravelry, Facebook, and Twitter.
And we won’t forget the GIVEAWAY! One lucky commenter will win a copy of Edie Eckman’s book, Around the Corner Crochet Borders. Leave a comment with Edie’s multi-part keyword for your chance to win!
Let’s give some love to our sponsors!
XRX Books, Knitter’s Magazine, STITCHES Expos
Craftsy.com/yarnthing
Indian Lake Artisans
Fiesta Yarns
Drew Emborsky
Bijou Basin Ranch
Buffalo Wool Co.
Green Mountain Spinnery
KnitCrate
Such an interesting guest, especially for those of us who both knit AND crochet, i.e. knitandcrochet. I’m trying SO hard to convert some of the knitters at my LYS. Now I just need to get copies of Edie’s books…
I am a long time knitter but would love to one day be able to say I knit and crochet.. In fact I want to make that a priority for the year 2014. I will check out Edie’s books especially after you so highly recommend them to your beginner students.
I have taught myself to both knit and crochet over the years. Although I have a definite preference for knitting, I occasionally turn to crocheting for a change of scenery. I remember buying Crochet Magic magazines (some of which are still kicking around) and using them to learn how to use charts and diagrams. I will definitely look for the joining motifs book as that’s my biggest obstacle to crocheting motifs.
I only recently discovered the Yarn Thing podcast, and I feel like I found a new best friend in Marly! I love her enthusiasm and wonderful guests. Edie is so right that learning to both knit and crochet is the best way to go. I tend to favor crocheting, and I hope to get better at knitting this year. With the Yarn Thing podcast to help me learn about what’s new and exciting (Craftsy!), I can do it! Thanks for all the help!
I knit and crochet, I am always looking for borders and usually settle for single crochet, some other options would be nice.
Like both knitting and crochet. I learned crochet as a kid and taught myself to knit a few years ago. It would be great ton win Edie’s book!
I have been a knitter for over 10 years, but Edie’s book sounds perfect for me so I can knit and crochet my way to better finishing on my projects!
I love hearing about designers who knit and crochet! Being bistichual myself, but more of a crocheter, I enjoy hearing about both art forms. Hoping more designers take a page from your book and cross that line in the sand.
To knit and crochet is a peaceful way to spend my day. I am a yoga instructor so I am so thrilled to hear that Edie is a fan of my passion since I am a fan of hers!
I love to knit and crochet however, crochet needs more practice………Edie’s book would be a great help. Thank you!
I really enjoyed listening to Edie talk about her experiences with knit and crochet.
The border book would be perfect for adding edgings to knit and crochet projects. I’ve been frustrated by the lack of corners in edgings too, thought it was just me!
For a long time now, I’ve been a knitter. When I decided that I wanted to knit and crochet, I got Edie’s book, Around the Corner Crochet Borders and learned so much from it! I was able to crochet a beautiful edge on the baby blanket I had just knit, and I was thrilled!
I like to both knit and crochet. Crocheting comes easier to me, but nowadays I knit more than I crochet and I love it. So much to learn.
Thanks for another interesting interview! I have a well-used copy of “The Crochet Answer Book,” and I really appreciate Edie Eckman’s contributions to both the knit and crochet arts. I’ve just started some baby blankets, so thanks for suggesting her book “Around the Corner Crochet Borders,” for the perfect finishing touch!
It sounds like Edie and I would get along great! She has such a fun attitude. I learned to crochet first and then got bit by the knitting bug so I’m bi-craftsy too. Both knit and crochet hold so many possibilities for design and I love them both!
I Love Knit and Crochet and used both in my last project… a knitted poncho with a crochet border. I love both for different reason and try to have a knit and crochet project going at times!
I’ve been knitting and crocheting all along! I really enjoyed the podcast and I’m going to have to check out Edie’s pattern-writing class. Thanks!
KNIT AND CROCHET – I crochet only. I’ve tried to knit but never got the hang of it. I enjoy the podcast and guests always focus on both crafts which I really appreciate. Edie was awesome!
I love to both knit and crochet. They are both passions which were passed on to me by my grandmother when I was very young.
I really enjoyed hearing Edie talk about knitandcrochet. I am enrolled for her Motif Craftsy class. I am a new crocheter, but have been knitting for a few years. I’ve used a crochet border once on my knitting but look forward to learning more about it. Thanks Edie and Marly! You ladies rock!
I’m from Georgia too and live in Virginia now. I love to knitandcrochet while I’m listening to the Yarn Thing podcast. Another great show! Thanks Edie and Marly!
I too learned to crochet before learning to knit. Love to knit and crochet. Great podcast.
I love to both knit and crochet, and it was wonderful to hear Edie’s perspective on combining the two crafts. Great podcast!
I’m a bi-crafter…I love to knit and crochet!! LOVE LOVE LOVE!! Great podcast as always!!
I have crocheted since I was younger and have learned to knit a few years ago. Now I can knit and crochet! The problem is that I LOVE to do both of them, but only have a little time. So hard to choose which projects to do and which way to do them…. I love the podcast Marly! It makes my long commute very enjoyable.
I love to knit and crochet. I enjoyed listening to your podcast with Edie.
I have made a few of Edie’s patterns, and all were simple, classic and beautiful designs in my opinion! I knit and crochet, and find that they are very complementary – totally logical that one would do and love both!
I love to both knit and crochet. Thanks for having Edie on the podcast. I enjoyed hearing her.
I definitely agree with Edie, it is important to know how to both knit and crochet because they work so well together.