When I'm out and about, I love to knit with friends. And when I'm at home, I knit and watch TV. (Don't we all?) A few years ago, I stumbled upon a show called 'Knit and Crochet Now' on PBS, and quickly realized it was a pretty fantastic knitting companion. Knitting friends on my TV/laptop! Because the only thing better than knitting is knitting while you watch a TV show about knitting.
I started watching a new episode each evening while working on whatever I was knitting at the time, and became totally hooked. I felt like such a multitasker. I learned so many new skills – both knitting and crochet – and looked forward to seeing what projects and guests would be featured each week. New episodes (Season 6!) of Knit and Crochet Now have begun airing on PBS this month.
You know how it's easier to learn a new skill (like, say ... duplicate stitch or entrelac) when someone is sitting there with you, showing you the way? That's exactly what happens when you watch 'Knit and Crochet Now' – you get step-by-step knitting and crochet instruction plus really helpful tips from the pros. I've watched episodes featuring all sorts of techniques: Tunisian crochet, amigarumi, wall art, incorporating fabric, colorwork, seaming, weaving, crochet short rows, knitted short rows, brioche rib, entrelac, felting, loom knitting, life lines, side-to-side dropped stitches, cast-ons, linings, crocheted cables and more. So many things! Here a few of the experts you will see on the show this season.
Brett Bara is the host with the most. She's warm and down-to-earth and I secretly wish she was my real-life crafty friend. When Brett is not in front of the camera on Knit and Crochet Now, she is a designer, author, blogger, and consultant in the craft and DIY community. She is the founder of Brooklyn Craft Company & Brooklyn Craft Camp and is the former Editor in Chief of Crochet Today magazine.
Special guest Drew Emborsky (aka The Crochet Dude) is a designer, teacher, author and most recently launched his own line of hand-dyed yarns. Drew will be hosting special segments featuring party accessories, kiddie toys, fingerless gloves, headbands and shawls. He is awesome.
Robyn Chachula, the author of six books, including Blueprint Crochet, Baby Blueprint Crochet, Blueprint Crochet Sweaters, and Simply Crochet, creates architecturally inspired pieces and has her own crochet design company, Crochet by Faye. Her patterns have been featured in numerous magazines, including Crochet! and Inside Crochet.
Crochet expert Ellen Gormley is the Editor of Crochet! Magazine and is the instructor for two Annie’s online classes, Learn to Crochet and Crocheting with Beads. Ellen is the author of Go Crochet! Afghan Design Workbook, is particularly well-known for her stylish bead crochet and join-as-you-go crochet and motif designs.
Special guest Jenny King is the talented Australian crochet designer behind Jenny King Designs and has written several books that include Annie’s Bavarian Crochet On-the-Go.
Color expert Kristin Nicholas is the author of eight books, including Color by Kristin, Kristin Knits, Colorful Stitchery, Kids Embroidery, Knitting for Baby and more.
Lena Skvagerson is the designer of many of the gorgeous projects for Knit and Crochet Now! She is the in-house exclusive designer for the Annie’s Signature Collection, as well as Creative Knitting Magazine, Crochet! Magazine and Crochet World. Until recently, Lena was a Designer for Drops/Garnstudio. She has been designing knit and crochet patterns for the past 25 years.
Projects featured on 'Knit and Crochet Now' include garments, accessories, toys and jewelry, but the main focus is on education and learning new techniques. I cast on this chunky lace scarf and worked right along with the show, finishing one repeat of the lace pattern as I watched! How fun is that?
Each episode features knit and crochet projects, exciting new yarns, interesting stitch patterns and a popular segment called 'Knit and Crochet Now Scarf of the Week.' Full instructions for each of the featured projects are available on KnitAndCrochetNow.com.
GIVEAWAY TIME!
THE PRIZE
One lucky reader will win a Knit and Crochet Now! All Access Membership for 1 year!
THE ALL-ACCESS MEMBERSHIP INCLUDES:
- All 78 episodes ON DEMAND
- Free downloads for all 210 projects
- Save 10% on everything at Annie's Craft Store
HOW TO ENTER
- Comment below telling me if you are a knitter or crocheter (or both!)
- 'Like' Knit and Crochet Now! on Facebook
THE RULES
- Giveaway is open until February 1st, 2015 at 11:30 PM CST.
- Comments must include a valid email address or Ravelry ID so I can contact you if you are the winner. :)
- Winner will be chosen via random number generator and will be contacted within 48 hours after giveaway ends.
A huge thank you to 'Knit and Crochet Today' for the awesome giveaway. Best of luck and thanks so much for reading!
P.S. Want a shot at another giveaway? Visit Berroco's blog from January 21-28 to enter to win enough yarn to make the two hats featured in Episode 2. The winner will be selected on January 29th.