Urban Knit Collection by Kyle Kunnecke is the book we’re talking about on the Yarn Thing podcast with Marly Bird.
Kyle learned to knit in 2003, a housemate was knitting and he was intrigued by the materials but thought it was boring. Debra handed him needles and a skein of yarn, taught him to the knit stitch. He finished that skein and said, ‘OK, I want my own yarn’ so they visited a LYS (local yarn shop) and he became overwhelmed. They wound his skein and set him going. He worked in garter stitch for about three years. After a move, getting to know another yarn shop, it was suggested he look at patterns. He would find things to makeย and upgrade them to fit his desires, like recreating a woman’s pattern for a man, a motif that could become a sweater. ย ย
Kyle believes everyone is an artist because of the myriad decisions that are made to complete a project. The only difference between each of us and a published designer is the part where the work is put in to write things out. We each of us have the ability to impact others. For instance, his first pattern he published: He wanted to create a pattern to raise money for ‘Breast Cancer Awareness’ so he approached Karin Skacel of Skacel, to see if it would be possible that Skacel would like to create a kit where a portion of the proceeds would go to the charity. (To approach a big company like that was very Big.) Karin said ‘No’ but advised him to realize why you are doing the thing, put your whole heart in to a thing, to create the project where the entire amount of the proceeds would go to the project. He did create that project, with the proceeds going to Bay Area Cancer Connections, then later a big project ‘Good Deeds.‘

If you missed hearing this live, you can still hear it as an archived episode where it aired originally: https://www.blogtalkradio.com/yarnthing/2016/09/20/urban-knit-collection-by-kyle-kunneckeย or with your favorite podcast catcher like iTunes or Stitcher Radio. There is also behind-the-scenes video on Marly’s Facebook page.
Wow! So great to hear about Kyle and see his amazing designs. Another great episode! I feel like I keep saying that but it’s true week after week. I love Marly!!
Kyle’s new book sounds/looks wonderful! Glad to see he included two patterns for men even though they are not profitable. I will use the ilovemarly code for a few ravelry patterns too.
It is wonderful learning about new to me designers. I love Kyle’s designs. And I love Marly and the podcast.
Oh Kyle, I love Marly too!
I love Marly and I also love hearing how other knitters get started. Kyle working in garter stitch and now a wonderful knitwear designer! There is hope for all us garter stitchers.
Another great guest! I’m particularly impressed with all the different charity work. Thank you for the ilovemarly coupon code because of course I love Marly!
My husband always catches me listening to the Yarn Thing Podcast. I have to confess I do love Marly.
So innovative and so mindful of the needs of our fellow man. I love Marly for such great guests!
I love Marly for so many reasons like the fact that she introduces me to designers who are new to me. Kyle is in this category. I look forward to knitting his patterns. I think I will take a look at the Evanston pattern as he said it was good for learning the licking technique
I Love Marly and now I love Kyle too!! I was so glad to learn about him and his awesome art deco designs. I’ll be using the coupon code for sure!!
I love Marly and her podcasts. Kyle’s was another gem and I’d love to get his newest book! Please pick me!!
Of course we love marly. i mean I love marly! and hearing about this book was great. Can’t wait for next weeks episode too.
As many before me have said, I love Marly! Without Marly I wouldn’t hear great interviews each week, find out the scoop on the latest designs, have tried Red Hear Love or Red Heart Boutique (both great yarns if you haven’t used them in a project yet, attempted crochet and bout hooks in every size. Marly brings an entertaining and educational show to us all the time. What’s not to love?
The designs are so beautiful, and the colour work reverse side looks great also. This book is on my list of “wants”. I agree with Marly, the models are delish. Oh how I Love Marly as she shows us the book on Facebook.
I love all the designs in Kyle’s new book! This was a great interview, I love Marly and her podcast!
Is it I love Lucy . . . oh no, it is I love Marly!!!! Great show.
I love Marly and I love Kyle’s new book! So many designs to choose from. Thank you for this opportunity.
So entertaining. Thanks Kyle for being on the ILoveMarly program. Listened to this podcast as I was driving west to OFFF.
I love Marly. And I love Kyle also. Enlightening interview.
Thanks for another informative fun podcast, which is why I love Marly!
Urban knit collection is my favourite recent purchase, stranded knitting is something I Love. Marley, thanks for having Kyle on the show.
I love Marly and I LOVED this interview with Kyle.
I love Marly too. From her I learn about amazing designers and producs an feel like I’m part of a community on the fb page
What a great podcast. I love Marly because she has such interesting guests.
I enjoyed listening to Kyle in the podcast and of course I love Marly. I also love the Savoy sweater. I think it’s going in my queue.
I love Marly! I love to knit. And I love to win prizes! Kyle’s patterns are sooooo beautiful. I love them too!
What I really love about Marly is her positive attitude through it all, and how she doesn’t let technical difficulties ruin her attitude or podcast! And thank you again for introducing us to a great designer!
This was my very first time listening to this podcast. I love that Marly has introduced me to a new designer and that
Kyle has a great book showcasing new techniques to me. This is how all podcasts should be!
I love Marly too Kyle! Loved this episode and can’t wait to check out Urban Knits
I’m with Kyle; I love Marly! Love how she is a cheerleader for the industry. She is part of the reason I learned to knit! I had been crocheting for a couple years when I found the podcast. After hearing the stories from both crafts I finally took the plung a few months ago. Now I’m going down a whole new rabbit hole! LOL
What a great show this was. I’ve got several of Kyles patterns in my wish list and didn’t recognize his name. I will now. I love Marly! I love Marly! I love Marly! I love Marly! I love Marly! I love Marly! I love Marly! I love Marly! I love Marly! I love Marly! I love Marly! I love Marly!
How’s that
What’s not to love? Of course I love Marly! I love the new Urban Knit Collection also. It is a gorgeous book with lots of beautiful designs. I can’t wait to start knitting some of them!
I love Marly too! Her patterns are just beautiful! I also love her podcasts for introducing me to amazing designers like Kyle Kunnecke!
I love marly too. Thanks for such a great podcast.
I got to meet Marly and take a class from her at Stitches Texas! She is such a hoot and now I love Marly, too! I really love Kyle’s designs and his colorwork. It was fun to listen to the podcast and learn more about him. I definitely want to knit several of his designs out of his new book! Thanks!!!
I’m always behind in listening to your podcasts, but I do have to say “I love Marly”.
Thanks for another great show. I could on for days about how much I love Marly! This book also seems amazing and I can’t wait to see it in person, hope to win a copy! ๐
Why do I list to this podcast? Because I LOVE MARLY!
I Love Marly for opening my world up to so many new designers!