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Jen Lucas is working overtime

Jen Lucas is working overtime, but took some time out of her busy schedule to visit the Yarn Thing podcast with Marly Bird. Jen has visited before, and says she’s been a listener since the beginning, and we can’t be more proud of her everytime we visit. Jen Lucus profile pic

Jen says she and some friends decided they needed to learn to knit after college, possibly inspired by the ‘Golden Girls’, even though the Sophia character was a crocheter. At the time many things were happening and helping people be inspired, like various knitting blogs, the tv show ‘Knitty Gritty’ with host Vickie Howell. Also, Stephanie Japel did a ‘design-your-own-shawl’ course. So she was able to continue her education easily online while she wore a lab coat by day, testing water.

Now her full-time job is writing books, teaching at knitting guilds… she feels it’s the best job ever, it feels so cool.Jen’s first book, Sock Yarn Shawls, (Here is the link in Ravelry to view the patterns) is full of triangle shawls which she says was what she was into at the time, and finds that people still are. It was followed by Sock Yarn Shawls II (Ravelry link) and Sock Yarn Accessories (Ravelry Link).

COZY STASH-BUSTING KNITS is divided into various Jen Lucas bookweights of yarns, DK, Worsted and Bulky Weights, the heavier yarns that her earlier books were not focused. The cover design shawl, Damsel, for instance, was created for DK weight yarns in an all-over lace pattern. Also, she’s been using a lot of Madeline Tosh and many of the patterns are featured in that brand including Damsel. Others brands are used, but that seems to be a current favorite she says. The book also includes other shawls, mittens, hats, headbands and scarves.

When she began writing books, Jen says she knitted all of the pieces photographed in the books, but the books have gradually grown and in this book of 22 designs, each design shows who the sample knitters were that helped her out. How exciting for them to see their work acknowledged!

Jen also notes she writes the patterns for one size, and includes notes for larger if you wish to make it a little bigger than she designs for. Just remember to get a bit of extra yarn!

Jen Lucas can be followed through her website, www.jenlucasdesigns.com, which links to her blog too, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Designer page in Ravelry, and Etsy shop.

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  1. Chris Lopez says:

    This book looks so amazing! It would be just what I need to attack my yarn stash and make beautiful things.

  2. Jackie Watson says:

    I enjoyed watching the podcast today as I was eyeing my yarn stash! My stash runs the gamut from very economical to luxurious! You never know what yarn you might need and that is my justification for it all!

  3. Pamela Geist says:

    Most of my yarn stash was inherited from my Mom, she would be so proud to see it knit up into any of the projects from this book!

  4. Sylvia says:

    Since my yarn stash is completely out of control, I could probably use some “stash busting”!! Enjoyed the interview.

  5. Linda says:

    Jen’s book would be a great addition to my library. I have a ton of yarn stash and I could really use some new patterns to help use up some of my yarn. Thanks for the great interview!

  6. Ramona says:

    I’m trying to reduce my yarn stash, but somehow all these new lovelies keep coming in and I can’t knit fast enough to keep pace!

  7. Thekla says:

    Always looking for ways to use up my yarn stash…I tend to buy yarn first, then look for a pattern. I really like Jen’s idea of having the edging use the same or similar pattern as the interior of the shawl…very nice. Thanks.

  8. Amberly says:

    I love being able to use my yarn stash. There is nothing like being able to shop through your stash for the perfect yarn for your next project!

  9. Belinda says:

    I rest interview! have been looking for projects to reduce my yarn stash, so I would love to receive a copy of your book.

  10. Katelyn M says:

    Thanks for another great show. I love how she has put the book in order of yarn weight, I feel it makes it easier to find something that I want to make. I really enjoyed hearing about the new book, the cover shawl is my favorite!

  11. Trisha says:

    Your new book would definitely help me to reduce my yarn stash. I organize my yarn stash by weight so love that your book is organized that way too.

  12. Elizabeth says:

    I own both of Jen’s sock yarn shawl books and have plans to continue making shawls from them. If I am fortunate enough to win her newest book, I’m sure I can dig through my yarn stash to make some of these fantastic new patterns. If I don’t win, I guess I will just have to buy it 🙂

  13. Diana H says:

    I love my yarn stash – pretty colors and textures. Perhaps I can use some of my stash to make one of Jen’s patterns.

  14. Gigi Wansor says:

    Oh my! The shawls are beautiful but I love the headbands and have a lot of yarn stash I could use. Live the podcast!

  15. Michelle says:

    I am not a yarn lover who has a yarn stash. STOP laughing ladies…really! I can’t get comfortable with the thought of yarn waiting for me to work it. But…I have friends who would let use theirs, score!

  16. Rachel Catherine says:

    To non-fiber people it would seem that I have a big yarn stash, but really it’s NOT! If my husband is with when I am looking at yarn he always asks what I plan to make LOL.

  17. Anita says:

    Luckily I am a fast knitter and my yarn stash is reasonable. When I travel I take advantage of new to me yarn stores or fiber festivals because I live in a one LYS town. What I do have is many single skeins or partial skeins because I am so lucky to have inherited my mom’s stash. She is in good health except for arthritic hands. I intersperse her wool with my own and have knitted many baby and adult hats for charity. I think Jen’s new book would be a perfect addition to my knitting library. I love that I learn so much from listening to this podcast. Thanks Marly.

  18. Kara says:

    I swear I’ve been trying NOT to have a yarn stash. But like Marly I am afraid of running out of the yarn for a project, so often buy an extra skein, and it adds up.
    This book looks lovely!

  19. Stephanie Cross says:

    My yarn stash is too big at the moment! Especially since our local yarn crawl just passed. I can’t wait to get my hands on a copy of Jen’s book!

  20. Mary Kay Smith says:

    Great interview! I have Jen’s first sock yarn shawl book, and now I’ll have to look for this book. My goal this year was to identify a project for everything in my yarn stash, so this book would be perfect!

  21. Suzanne says:

    I’m working hard to use up my stash so I can build it up again! I think Jen’s new book has some great projects in it to help me in my efforts.

  22. Jill H. says:

    I love Jen’s patterns! Plenty of my yarn stash has plans to become shawls from Jen’s books.

  23. Valerie says:

    I love all of Jen’s patterns. I need to dive into my yarn stash so that I can find the perfect yarn to make Damsel.

  24. Geraldine Scott says:

    Oh, wow! This book is just what I need to tame my out-of-control yarn stash! Thanks for the chance to win!

  25. Lauren says:

    Jen’s book is just what I need to get me inspired to use up my yarn stash for great projects. Ironically, I was inventorying my stash while listening to this podcast.

  26. roseruffolo says:

    WOW! I can’t think of a more beautiful and creative way to tackle my “YARN STASH” … (Other then with your work Marly )…tthen with Jen’s fab designs! Such stunning work!

    Thanks for another great guest and another chance to win a great prize!

    (((Hugs)))
    Rose

  27. Shelly says:

    I only buy yarn for projects I am working on, and yet my yarn stash is already piling up. I guess it is time to put those leftovers to good use.

  28. Renee Culver says:

    Hopefully Jen’s book will help me use up my yarn stash or at least make a dent in it! LOL! And I loved “Golden Girls”, too! So funny!

Marly Bird

The One and Only, Marly

Marly is a knitwear and crochet designer (and yarn addict) that is here to help you learn how to knit and crochet in a way that's fun and approachable.

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