...... It's not exactly "my t.v. show" but I got your attention, didn't I? Some of you have probably seen me on PBS's Knit and Crochet Now. I'm one of the knitting experts (the other is Maggie Pace). I just heard from the producer Candi Jensen that yes, she is finally going to be taping Season 4 of Knit and Crochet Now. That's pretty exciting, isn't it? This means that I get to go to Detroit again in May and hang out with Candi, Drew, Brett, Maggie, and Robyn. It all has to come together really quickly. Let's just say FRANTICALLY QUICK!
Here's where I need your help! Candi has asked me for ideas of what to demo. I figure you all know what you need help with (techniques) or the kinds of easy projects that you would like to see.
If you have a minute, would you kindly leave an idea or two in the comments section. If you can't get that to work, shoot me an email - there is a link on my sidebar to my email address.
And here's what I have for your work/help.... I will be doing a random drawing on Monday. The winner will receive two DVD's including all the shows from Seasons Two and Three of Knit and Crochet Now!
In other knitting news, I'll be at Webs in Northampton, MA on Sunday, March 27th from 1 to 4 p.m. for their Author's Event. Should be a fun afternoon! You have to register but it is free. Check it out here!
In other knitting news, I'll be at Webs in Northampton, MA on Sunday, March 27th from 1 to 4 p.m. for their Author's Event. Should be a fun afternoon! You have to register but it is free. Check it out here!
Entrelac and or heel turning for socks. Maybe how to knit on I cord? Hope this helps.
ReplyDeleteI haven't been able to see this show (our station doesn't carry it - yet)
ReplyDeleteBut if I could see it I'd like to see finishing techniques - especially zippers.
And how about some designs that combine crochet and knitting?
I love to see 'techniquey' things - different cast-ons for example. Also, in my knitting group it seems the most freuquent questions I see are substituting yarn in patterns & help with reading patterns (increase and decrease, etc) Basic, timeless stuff? How about Fair Isle technique? People are often afraid of knitting with more than one color. Or how about ways of knitting with more than one color that LOOK fancy, but you really only work with one color at a time - like slip stitch. Or how about practical, thoughtful gift knitting as a theme for a show? I could go on and on. Your knit/crochet flowers would be lovely to do on a show and include a moment on uses of the flowers. (maybe to embellish something made on a previous show?) I hope this helps! good luck! Anne Paulson MN
ReplyDeleteHow about steeking? Or something a little simpler like trying to figure out how much of a tail to leave when you do a long-tail cast on! There must be a formula for that, right???
ReplyDeleteThis is my second attempt at a comment. I will copy it in case it doesn't stick.
ReplyDeleteI'm a new knitter. I want to learn everything. My questions are new to me but old to more experienced knitters. Is there a way to show me a technique that will also appeal to someone more experienced?
I want to learn Fair Isle. Knitting a classic sweater is at the top of my list. Classic sweater means different things to everyone. Show me the techniques I need to know, joining in the round, weaving in ends, how do I start that second color it looks magic to me. Show me the inside of the sweater. How to make my seaming beautiful. Please don't show me on a swatch, it really doesn't translate for me. Make some mistakes, fix them, on a real sweater. Embelishment is big righ now. Show different techniques for adding beads. I love your color work. However, I prefer more subdued colors. Show how you choose colors, and then how to tone it down for me. I think it's very important to attempt to keep things young and hip while still appealing to a more mature audience. It's hard to know how to do this, but I know it when I see it.
Cheers,
Jan
I'd like to see:
ReplyDeleteUnderstanding and designing with color
Knitting with color, esp tips on how to avoid 'peek through'
Continental knitting and purling
Casting on for double knitting. I can never remember and it really helps to see it done.
ReplyDeleteCharts, I don't get them, espically the ones where it says k the p and p the k on the next row. why don't they just mark it.
ReplyDeletethen there are the ones with charts inside of charts. oye.
what is the special language of charts
Andrea reminded me: Double knitting technique! And socks 2 at a time.
ReplyDeleteI really want to learn to do some simple "embroidery" stitches on my knitting. I can see from your books that they really enhance the knitting, but it is hard to make embroidery stitches lay nice on such a flexible fabric. Are there any tips for this - i.e. size/type of needle? Do you split the plies and only use 1 or 2 plies? Do you make sure that the embroidery doesn't go between the stitches? How do you secure the yarn on the back? etc.
ReplyDeleteI don't think I'm alone in this problem. On Ravelry, especially when people have to embroider faces and features on knitted stuffed animals, about 1 out of every 4 look excellent (similar to a pattern designers model.) Many of the rest of them comment about how difficult it is and that they are unsatisfyed with the results.
It is discouraging to get to the end of a project and then have my inept embroidery efforts become "design features!"
Good luck on the coming season!
Hi,
ReplyDeleteI'd like to see a simple project using lots of colors and showing how to flow behind your work. Also an easy lesson in picking up stitches.
I'm new to cables and would love an easy cable lesson using more than one cable.
I would love to know how to do entrelac. It looks fascinating!
ReplyDeleteI catch the show whenever I can.
ReplyDeleteI'd love some examples of short row shaping. It's something that I read about, but would love some support in getting a grip on.
Thanks!
busgirl at rav
I think a demo of your felted flowers would be very interesting and entertaining. Would you be able to take a lamb model to the studio? (just kidding)
ReplyDeleteDemonstrate the longtail cast on, and when to use which cast on.
ReplyDeleteAny tips on changing the color without leaving holes would be much appreciated. Also, tips on carrying the yarn until you need it again and minimizing weaving in the ends. Thank you, Kristin, for your lovely blog.
ReplyDeleteI do would love to know about Skeeting. I have yet to find the show on my cable network, but that is one thing I have heard you talk about on your blog, that I have never heard of before discovering you.
ReplyDeletelove your blog.
I don't have access to this show, but , if I did, I'd like to have pointers on how you design your knitted, felted flowers. Are there better/poorer ways to increase/decrease? How to get them to felt without petals/leaves sticking together? etc.
ReplyDeletePlease put me in the hopper for a chance to win the DVDs. Thanks.
I also would like embroidery tips. Frankly anything, I learn by watching much easier than reading etc. So seeing something done is the best learning method for me.
ReplyDeleteI'm a crocheter but have showed some aptitude for knitting but haven't been brave enough to really try a project. I'd love to learn if there is a way to make those elf style baby hats without the big ridges from increasing/decreasing...
ReplyDeleteEmbellishments - beyond duplicate stitch. Sometimes a plain accessory (new or old) needs jazzing up.
ReplyDeleteI'm still relatively new to knitting, so I probably need help with EVERYTHING. I would be most interested in seeing techniques you use when making lace-type projects. I just tried a scarf, and I did well for the first 10 rows, then I accidentally destroyed it with a stitch I was trying to learn- it unraveled all the way to the bottom! So yeah, lace tips for beginners would be much appreciated!
ReplyDeleteWe don't get Knit and Crochet Now on our PBS station but I would LOVE to see it. I was trying to think of a question when I read down to your previous entry about homemade butter. It looks like you and Julia had great fun. I noticed that Julia was wearing one of your hand knit sweaters and then... I noticed the butter on her sleeve. How about talking about how you wash and care for your hand knits. Not just the recommended ways to wash them but any tricks or short cuts that you take. And how often do you and your family wear their knits. I tend to save my sweaters for special occasions like church but I'm trying to wear them more often. I do wear hand knit socks every day but I don't wash them after just one wearing. I'd love to know how others handle the care of their knits.
ReplyDeleteNothing terrifies me more than steeking. I also could use help seeing how others hold yarn in their left hand when doing colorwork. I'm a thrower, and I have trouble keeping the tension when I use my left hand for the second color.
ReplyDeleteI've enjoyed watching you on the show and will watch to see you regardless! Most techniques I've seen are a bit beginner-ish for me and the things I would really like to see may not have enough general appeal.
ReplyDeleteI would like to be able to adjust a cardigan pattern to have a zipper and sew in the zipper.
I have never done entrelac and would like to know how.
I wanna know how to make mitered squares.
I want to knit a quilt inspired blanket - either Roman Squares or Log Cabin. There are lots of log cabin patterns around, but I don't like doing that much garter stitch as it stresses my wrists.
I love the way you put colors together, but I don't know how to work with colors to achieve the same kinds of results. Maybe just talk about color theory?
And congrats on doing more shows!
YAY! New Eps!! Mother will be happy to hear!
ReplyDeleteAs for Content Suggestions... I think I'd like to see something along the lines of YARN "Production" - from shearing to final product. And maybe some info on the care and washing of various wool types...?
Perhaps have Candi and Brett come visit you guys...? "Road Trip" Episodes are always cool! :-D
And, it'd be great advertising for The Farm!
A demo of nupps and/or bobbles would be helpful (especially nupps). I think people would get a lot out of seeing how to do a picot cast on and bind off. I haven't seen every episode, so I don't know if these things have already been covered, but those are the first things that came to mind.
ReplyDeleteOh, one more thing: I discovered the tubular cast on and it changed my life. That would be an excellent topic.
ReplyDeleteWould love to learn more about yarn substitutions as well as altering a pattern to fit. Seeing a demo of various finishing techniques would be great too.
ReplyDeleteI am doing your fair isle knitting for the first time and my blanket with hearts for baby is just delightful. I want to make more baby sweaters etc using this technique. I would LOVE to SEE how you gather the stitches in the back so they are flat across and not too loose like mine are. If I pull too much they make it all wonky...if too loose I leave these loops. So, that is what I NEED TO SEE. Maybe how you "wrap them too".
ReplyDeleteThanks for the chance to win the DVDs. I just bought your COLOR book!!! And Embroidery book Colorful Stitches and Knitting for Baby too. Excited getting ready for my fifth grand child!
Some examples of fun hats would be great. They are a great way to experiment with lots of techniques, are quick and so useful.
ReplyDeleteHow about finishing (that thing we all hate!)? Techniques for weaving in ends, best ways to sew seams, etc. I love the show, I'm so glad it'll be back for a 4th season!
ReplyDeleteI wish we had your show on our local PBS station, I think I found it once on one of the HD PBS stations, but at a time that I can't usually watch, so maybe my suggestions have already been covered. But, if I could see it, I'd like to see techniques for attaching tassels such as the lanyard braid, how to do a twined herringbone edge on hat and mittens, steeking and putting in a zipper, anything on the history of textiles, I love to hear about where techniques came from.
ReplyDeleteVarious crocheted/knitted flowers, leaves...felted and non.
ReplyDeleteChristmas and other holiday ornaments
First time i visit blog. I found very interesting stuff in your blog, especially its discussion. I guess I am not the only one having all the enjoyment here! Keep update stuff regualry.
ReplyDeleteSteeking ould be great. Also Intarsa. I have holes here the colors end. I can do faire isle but not Intarsa, it is frustrating.
ReplyDeleteI would love to see some simple/quick and colorful applications for gift items... your marvelous color sense used to shake things up a bit with a traditional crochet border on a baby blanket or hand towel, pillow case perhaps?
ReplyDeleteI'd like to see knitting backwards in a demo - it's great to know for entrelac and times when you don't want to keep on flipping your work.
ReplyDeleteAlso, a demo of double knitting would be very helpful.
FLOWERS!!!! lots of different flowers. Plus different ideas on how to use them (pillows, flower arrangements, purses ). I would love to show people that knitting is more than sweaters and socks as long as you open your imagination! Plus your flowers are the best!
ReplyDeleteOne thing I would love to learn from professionals is felting from beginning to end. I can never get my felt projects to turn out, and I would love to see exactly how you do it. Not everyone is lucky enough to have a yarn shop around to teach them. Also if you are going to do it commit the entire episode to it. Don't do 5 minutes of needle felting, crochet felting, etc, show every step!
Thanks,
Kerri Iowa
Hi Kristin! I'm in Norway and don't have access to your show, but if I could watch, I would love to learn an easy technique for knitting with two colours at once. Good luck with your new show :)
ReplyDeleteI would love to learn how to felt and also how not to get holes in my project when changing yarn colors in the middle of a row.
ReplyDeleteI'd like to learn more about using charts in knitting. I prefer written patterns. I hear that charts are so much easier, but they totally intimidate me. How to read and use charts and feature an idea first colorwork project that would not be too intimidating. Glad to know there will be a Season 4; it disappeared from my Sunday morning lineup and I was worried.
ReplyDeleteI would love to learn different cast on techniques and when to use them! thanks so much for asking!
ReplyDeleteWhat about the spider embroidery... the yout tube video was so helpful.
ReplyDeleteAlso how to make decorative cast on or off.
rav id:atareen
What about using a color wheel to select yarn colors? Complimentary colors, different hues etc.
ReplyDeleteI have just discovered HOW helpful it IS to have something demonstrated! It's like when my grandma first taught me to knit ( a LONG time ago!) I would like to see various ways to cast on... also how to "continental knit"? as well as cables
ReplyDeleteI would love to see corrugated ribbing demonstrated. For some reason I cannot seem to get it right and reading how to do it in a book does not seem help. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI love little purses, coin bags, project bags, and had warmers. I love quick and easy projects! Can't wait to see the new shows!
ReplyDeleteI'd like to see some different ideas for i-cord (i.e. not stockinette) and also for ties & narrow belts. I saw the pillows in the new VK and would love to expand on that.
ReplyDeleteFinishing techniques, tips for changing color and not getting the hole, tips on blocking and any tips on weaving in ends.
ReplyDeleteDonna in VT
Kristen,
ReplyDeleteThere are two things that I need to know: steeking & two-color double knitting. It would be great if you could help out on the show.
Betsy
I see this show on the PBS Create channel. Frankly I like getting it on Create because they run 6 hours of programming on a repeat so the same program appears 4 times in a 24-hour period. "Your" show covers a lot of ground and if there's something I'm interested in, I usually want to watch it again. There was one season that I did not like; the hostess was distracting and actually seemed to INTERFERE with the technique demonstrators. I like the segment with the squares of the week so I hope that continues. Echoing some of the other commenters, I would love to see beginner things like alternate cast-ons, minimizing weaving in ends, & changing colors without leaving holes. As for advanced things, I'm always willing to learn something new. As for the crochet part of the program, I would love a segment or three about how to read diagrams. I try but they give me a fit.
ReplyDeleteA really good button hole!
ReplyDeletehi Kristen,
ReplyDeleteI wouls like to see how to set in a sleeve, pick up for a button band and around the neck without getting puckers.
Tips for steeking would be berate too.
love your designs and books. Lu
Sideways knitting is fun. Also great bind offs such as I cord, picot, etc. Love your show and watch it all the time even though it's reruns. It will be great to see some new ones.
ReplyDeleteTalk about color, or embroidery...or the two together. Take something fairly plain, and show how to pop it up with some additions.
ReplyDeletewrap and turn rows please, drop stitch lacey things
ReplyDeleteA show on doing various types of buttonholes.
ReplyDeleteSteeking! would love to see this done on tv. Thanks
ReplyDeleteI loved the bobble edging on some of your samples at the class at the Fiber Loft on March 19. How about a needlebook cover that uses a bobble cast-on or bind-off? Add a zippered pocket on one side and we'll always be able to find our stitch markers and tapestry needles.
ReplyDeleteI love the show! I'm so glad you are filming another season. I look forward to watching---I even look forward to reruns! I'd love to see you demonstrate Kitchener Stitch, three-needle bind off, and color work (especially how to deal with long floats). Thank you!
ReplyDeleteWould love to see some quick tips on short rows, ways they can be used etc.
ReplyDeleteI would love to see more demonstrations on choosing color combinations and knitting with multiple colors.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on a 4th Year!
Steeks! Nothing strikes fear into me like cutting a sweater. I've knit several stranded sweaters, and always loved ones with steeks, but never had the guts!
ReplyDeleteEmily
Seaming, or blocking! I guess for me it is the finishing touches that i both look forward to least, and maybe that's cause i know there must be better ways out there than how i do them now! :)
ReplyDeleteI would love help on putting in zippers in knitwear. Also any special finishing techniques.
ReplyDeleteHow about different ways to knit in button holes. Or cabling without a cable needle. Or starting a toe-up sock. Or binding off with a crochet hook. Thanks!
ReplyDelete