Shannon Dunbabin shares 60 Quick Knits for Little Kids, a brand new book published by Sixth & Spring books with all projects featuring Cascade Yarns on the Yarn Thing podcast with Marly Bird.
Shannon Dunbabin met the son, Rob, of the founders of Cascade Yarn, when they were at Cornell University so when he asked her to marry him, she came to the Seattle area and went to work for the company while she looked for other work. Thirty years ago, Bob and Jean founded Cascade after his career in Real Estate and she owned an oriental rug store, when Bob met Simon Manly from Hayfield, who suggested yarn distribution. Bob said ‘How hard could it be?’ Later, they realized it might be beneficial to have their own brand, including traveling to other countries to visit the mills, to see the standards as far as working conditions and yarn blends, etc. What was begun almost 30 years (they celebrate that anniversary next year) now continues with over 80 varieties of some of the most beloved yarns in the industry. Shannon is very attached to the Ultra Pima lines as it was the first one she was asked to select a color palette for and she said she just got out her box of crayons and selected 50 colors! It’s also a special favorite because of the way it works up. In fact there is a new linen/cotton blend coming in the spring that they are letting their reps share now. Marly shared her love of the Sateen, which she included in patterns in her book, Cold Weather Crochet, the Chevron hat and cowl. So much of the yarns are classic, even since Shannon has been with Cascade it has been interesting to watch what becomes popular and what doesn’t last, there are basics and classics with sticking power.
Marly also pointed out that Cascade Yarns are very designer friendly. User friendly as well, currently they are working on swatches to show crocheters how a yarn works up (which we all hope helps to dispels the myth that yarn-store yarns are only for knitters), and lots of patterns through their website.
Cascade Yarns has been teaming up with So-Ho publishers to create a series of books with their yarns. Shannon says that has been her mother-in-law’s, Jean, achievement. It began with a book that book of 
patterns in Cascade 220, that is no longer available and they could never get the rights to republish. They sought out Trisha Malcolm, Editor of Vogue Knitting, and they created 60 Quick Knits projects books available for under $20, and began with Cascade 220, but have since released Baby Knits, Superwash, more Quick Knits in Sport, Cherub, afghans, Ultra Pima. The current is 60 Quick Knits for Little Kids, which uses Pacific and Pacific Chunky yarns. The patterns are available in different skill levels, many are so stylish adults would love to wear them, also, and many we would love to see on our children. Soho curates the patterns/designers and creates these beautiful books that are so popular where knitting books are sold.
Shannon Dunbabin can be followed through her work at Cascade Yarns, they have a website, CascadeYarns.com, check out their blog, too, they also have a Facebook page, a Ravelry Designer page and Ravelry Group, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest.
Because they want to support Local Yarn Stores, Cascade Yarns does not offer yarns for sale, so check out the Store Finder on their website. Shannon also recommends using Google to search for a specific brand or color, you may find an online resource like WEBS or Jimmy Beans offers what you are searching for.
If you missed getting to hear this visit live, it’s still available as an archived episode where it aired originally: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/yarnthing/2016/10/25/shannon-dunbabin-shares-60-quick-knits-for-little-kids or with your favorite podcast catcher like iTunes or Stitcher Radio.
Hard to wrap my head around 60 Quick Knits! Even if you don’t have kids, the book is lovely and you could certainly make some of the little blankets for lapghans and hats for the local hospital or charity.
Enjoyed the webcast on fb today. Usually a Quilter, but just got back into some knitting and crocheting again more recently. I’m hooked 😉 now and ready to try some more difficult patterns. Loving these podcasts/webinars and tutorials. Thank you P.S. Also a Seahawks fan love Russel Wilson <3 and all he stands for
I love all the options in 60 quick knits! My daughter got married a few years ago so this book might come in handy soon! Love it! Thanks!
I love the thought of Quick Knits. And 60 sounds like a lot of choices. I’m certain there is something for everyone in this gem of a book.
I would definitely need 60 Quick Knits on my bookshelf. Just waiting for a baby to knit for!
60 Quick knits has a variety of patterns, but I have to say my favorite is the bear-ear poncho.
Wauw. That book with 60 Quick Knits for kids is just a must-have for me.
It would be a great source of inspiration to me.
I design toys and clothes for baby and children.
My one-woman-Company is in Denmark.
Oh I really really wish this book could be mine.
Well.
If i’m lucky today, this would be my pre-Christmas-gift.
I already have the book “60 Quick baby blankets”
I wish Marly and Tammy a wonderful autum-Day
I have two of the other 60 Quick Knits books and love them. The patterns are perfect for gift knitting and live up to the name – Quick! Shannon was a joy to listen to.
Great show today. I plan to look for the 60 Quick Knits series and see all that might interest me.
What a great book to have!! I am going to have to add this book to my fiber bookshelf. 60 Quick Knits for Little Kids is a collection that I can use all the time with all my friends and family having little kids. Thanks for a great interview and podcast.
Since I am a beginner knitter, 60 Quick Knits would be perfect for me! I love Cascade yarn, it was the first yarn I used when I starting crocheting 4 years ago!
Marly–
Just found your facebook podcast (?), really enjoyed your bubbly self and your guest Shannon. Kind of isolated, so good to hear folks who are enthusiastic about yarn etc.!
Cascade yarns are great to work with, have good value, nice color selection and quality. Liked learning about the care they take for proper & fair treatment of workers etc.
I was so pleased when I ran across the first 60 Quick Knits book, have 2-3 of them now? Again, good value, beautiful, and well done. With 6 grandkids so far, would love to add to my collection!
Hi Marly, oh boy what I could do with “60 quick knits”, i would have so much fun….cheers from Australia ❤❤❤
When Marly said 60 Quick Knits for Little Kids had cute boy patterns it caught my attention because I have a year old grandson to knit for. Thanks for letting us know about this book.
I need 60 Quick Knits for Little Kids. I have a new grandson who needs a knitted wardrobe from Grandma. How better to say “I love you?”
Love Cascade yarn & am excited about Quick Knits for Little Kids Book <3
Wanted to also say that Showers of Flowers Yarn Shop In Lakewood carries Cascade Yarns…..a lot of them if not all….go shopping!!!
I’m another Seattlite and looking forward to Quick Knits
I have loved knitting with Cascade yarn. 60 Quick Knits of patterns for little kids is perfect timing for the stage of knitting I am at with the age of my grand-daughter. Thank you for your fun podcast!
I really enjoyed this podcast! 60 Quick Knits for Little Kids will come in handy. I would love to knit up some the patterns for the little kids in my family.
The 60 quick knits book looks like a great skill-building book for a new sweater knitter, now I just have to find a little person to knit for!
I love the 60 Quick Knits book and can’t wait to see this one!
60 Quick Knits sounds great. It was fun to learn about Shannon and her role in Cascade.
60 Quick Knits is one of my favorites! It was interesting to hear about the history of Cascade yarns and Shanon’s role in the company.
I love Cascade Yarn. 60 Quick Knits for Kids has adorable patterns. I love the Raccoon Blanket and it would make a great blanket for my trailer. What better way to camp than to bring the raccoons inside? Thank you Cascades – I love your Pacific and Luna.
60 Quick Knits has sustained my grandchildren, and has also given me chances to do some gift knitting for new babies. I am excited to take a look at the “for little kids” book as the grandkids grow!
It would be very exciting to get a copy of 60 Quick Knits. Love Cascade yarns. And such a generous prize. Thank you!!!
I have 4 grandchildren and would so enjoy 60 Quick Knits for them. The patterns look adorable. I’d also love to try the Pacific yarn.
I love my 60 Quick Knits baby blanket book. I am looking forward to the new book. More quick knits for kids is great.
On another note. I do miss seeing Cascade Yarns at Stitches. Thank goodness we DO still get to see Marly there
I know someone who would love 60 Quick Knits!
I love the 60 Quick Knits books. I too thought Cascade must be a larger company. I was surprised to hear you say you have less than 20 employees.
It never ceases to amaze how fantastic Marly Bird’s yarnthing podcast is. 60 quick knits sounds like the perfect book to get in hopes that I will become a grandma in the next few years.
I have the original 60 Quick Knits and have totally used it for gift knitting, especially when holidays creep up on you quickly! Thanks for the podcast!
I definitely need to get 60 Quick Knits for Little Kids, as my grandson is 2 years old. I’ve loved the previous 60 Quick Knits, so I’m happy to have patterns in this size range.
Thanks for all the great background on Cascade.
Love this series… 60 Quick Knits and I have a little one to make for now. Loved the show, Looking forward to finding a great project to work on
You know, I try other brands of yarn but I always seem to come back to Cascade. Such nice yarn for a reasonable price point! I’m new to knitting so 60 Quick Knits sounds like a great book since I have a 2 toddlers. =)
I have a 14 mo old little boy, so excited by the 60 quick knits for little ones and some cute patterns for boys =) All Cascade yarn is lovely. Thanks again for a great show =)
I have 6 grandkids all under the age of 10 so I need 60 quick knits!! I will out this on my wishlist.
My nieces and nephew are now starting their families, so 60 Quick Knits for Little Kids is coming out at just the right time. I really enjoyed hearing about Cascade Yarns — what a neat story.
Wow, cascade has always a highly regarded company in my knitting career. I had no idea their workforce numbered only 20. Kudos to them for such fantastic lines of yarn and for all of the quick knits books. Wouldn’t it be great if they could produce 60 of said collections???
I am over the moon for 60 Quick Knits! I love to knit quick projects and your generous prize is awesome!
I have three of the quick knits books…and would love to add this to my collection!
I have the quick knits cowls book and am looking forward to seeing the 60 quick knits for littles! Love your podcast, thanks for inspiring me to get hurry home and pick up my needles! (I listen while running)
Many great patterns
in 60 Quick Knits!
Dearest Shannon! I have missed you so much but was thrilled to hear you on Marly’s podcast!! I am looking forward to reading and working on all of the patterns in the 60 Quick Knits for Kids!
Can’t every have enough patterns for munchkins especially using Cascade yarns!!!
Karola
I knit the googly-eyed gator from the 60 quick knits baby blankets for my friends baby a few years ago.
I have several of the 60 Quick Knits books and love them. Love Cascade yarn, too.
Really enjoyed hearing about Cascade and 60 Quick Knits! The prize sounds wonderful!!
Thank you thank you for this wonderful book with patterns for kids. There are baby books and adult books but kids books are hard to find. AND there are such cute patterns for boys, of which I have two!!!! I have two of the 60 quick knit books and I am getting this one too! So excited for it to get here in the mail!!!
Soon I am going to need a room for all of the books you recommend! 60 Quick knits will fit in the shelf , I’m sure! Might need my own she-shack!
I have enjoyed some of the other 60 Quick Knits books. I’m surprised at my age how many people I know still having babies so something like this would still be very useful.
I thought this was a really interesting podcast. 60 Quick Knits sounds like the kind of book my knitting students and I would appreciate. Thanks Shannon for enlightening us on Cascade Yarns.
The 60 Quick Knits series is a must have for one’s knitting library! Great interview…learned so much about Cascade Yarn.
it was fun to learn more about cascade yarn. I look forward to checking out 60 quick knits.
I love cascade yarns and would love to check out the 60 quick knits.
60 Quick Knits looks like a great book to have! I’m using Cascade for the first time right now and loving the socks it’s creating 🙂
I love the 60 Quick Knits books. I’ve knit at least 3 projects from the blankets book