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Giveaway + Designer Spotlight: Angela Tong

This month, we have another designer spotlight to share with our readers! Angela Tong recently used a variety of Knitter's Pride double-pointed needles while filming her newest Craftsy Class, My First Mittens and Gloves. This beginner-friendly class is a great introduction to knitting on double-pointed needles (DPNs), and Angela does a great job of explaining how to choose the right type of DPNs for your project! In addition to teaching, Angela is a knitwear designer, weaver and hand spinner. We hope enjoy getting to know her better on today's post - enjoy!


Angela on the set at Craftsy with a selection of Knitter's Pride DPNs.

How long have you been knitting? Weaving?
I have been knitting for 14 years, since 2001. I learned to weave on the rigid heddle loom in 2009.
Curvilinear Hat by Angela Tong
 
Where do you find inspiration for your knitting designs?
I have an eye for details. Even ordinary things that I encounter during my day can spark an idea. I use to live in Brooklyn and I found myself being bombarded with inspiration everywhere I walked. It could be what someone was wearing, a window pane on a building, or even a doorway. I use the inspirations to add details to my knitting designs.

For weaving, do you use specific patterns or make up your own?
I definitely make up my own. It's fun to experiment on the loom to see what kind of fabric can be made with what I have on hand. I tend to use mostly knitting yarns for weaving because that is what I have a lot of.

What do you love most about knitting? Weaving?
What I love most about knitting is that I can take 2 sticks and yarn to create something that can be worn, used or be decorative. It's so basic yet there is so much you can do with it. I love weaving because I find it meditative. Once you set up the loom, you can go on auto pilot and just repeat over and over again to create fabric.

Tell us a little bit about your new Craftsy class, and why you chose to focus on DPN needles.
My newest Craftsy Class is called My First Mittens and Gloves. It's focus is to teach knitters how to knit their first pair of mittens and gloves. I chose to teach the class using double pointed needles because I believe we all should learn how to use double pointed needles. It's a knitting skill that can be applied to other different types of patterns. Plus, it's really much easier to knit fingers and thumbs using double pointed needles.

What is your best knitting tip for beginners?
Making mistakes is good. That is how you learn to be a better knitter. I have learned so much by tinkering back my knitting mistakes.

Angela Tong is a fiber arts designer based in New York and New Jersey. Her designs have been published in magazines, books and yarn company pattern collections such as Interweave Knits, Knitscene, Knit Simple, Scarf Style 2, Free-Spirit Shawls: 20 Eclectic Knits for Every Day, and more. She is a certified knitting teacher through the Craft Yarn Council of America’s Certified Instructors Program. You can view her designs here on Ravelry and follow her blog here.



November Blog Giveaway
This month, we're giving our blog readers a chance to win a Marblz DPN set! If you're excited to try knitting in the round with DPNs, leave a comment on this post telling us which pattern you would most like to make using our Marblz DPNs. Remember to also tell us your Ravelry ID or email address so that we can contact you if you win. We will randomly select one lucky winner to announce here on the blog on Friday, November 27. Good luck! 

91 comments:

  1. I can't think of a particular pattern but the needles would be pure joy to knit with. I am Knitcoach on Ravelry.

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  2. Oh, to have a complete set of double point needles, especially a Knitter's Pride product. I have a set of their interchangeable needles which are my 'go-to' needles. I do charity knitting (Hats for Homeless) and would use the double point needles for these project.
    Ravelry name: Iamsomewhere

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  3. What pretty dpn's you have made! I would love a set to knit the Hurricane Boot Cuffs. I have a couple sets of your Karbonz dpns and wonder how different your Marblz would be? I am Snohotina on Ravelry

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  4. its about the time of year i start craving adding to my fingerless mitts collection so i would prob start with http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/battle-gauntlets RavID:webpixies

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  5. Gorgeous needles! I'd start with an earflap chullo for my daughter - having an extra dpn would come in handy when constructing one of those! I love that the needles come in sets of 5! MrsCollinHobbs on Ravelry

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  6. I'd like to make my first pair of gloves! I've made many a mitten and fingerless mitts, but am really excited to tackle gloves. I also use my DPNs when knitting mochimochi patterns. And hi Angela!! I'm you-von on Ravelry. :)

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  7. Knitting makes me smile, but knitting with these needles would make the smile even broader, I think. I am in the process of designing some fingerless mitts. Would love to complete the process on these needles. Rav amchart

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  8. I use dpn's for sleeves on top down sweaters. They work great!
    Limeleaf on ravelry

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  9. It's mittens time... Perfect for DPNs! Not sure which pattern but some thing either with stripes or self striping yarn.
    I'm helenlam on rav

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  10. It's mittens time... Perfect for DPNs! Not sure which pattern but some thing either with stripes or self striping yarn.
    I'm helenlam on rav

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  11. I first used dpns on a set of fingerless mitts, and I was very lucky, because they really were so easy to use, I couldn't understand why others were intimidated or made such a fuss. In fact, not only was that my first time with dpns, I also taught myself EZ's Knitting Back Backwards technique on the same project, when I went from in the round to flat knitting for the thumbholes. Since then I've had a mishap or two, always my own fault, but I still love using dpns. Now it's time to win some Marblz, so I can also love looking at them! I'm KittenWhiplash on Rav, and I'm ready to make more mitts.

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  12. Love dpn knitted the gloves in the class. Hope to win the beautiful colors dpns thanks crafty for everything you do

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  13. So funny I just started knitting with DPN's and have been researching the best DPN set for me. I am interested in the Zing line your Europe company makes and have the Karbonz on my wish list. I own the Marblz interchangeable needles and love them.... now throwing marblz into my narrowing it down list. ;)

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  14. I have been reluctant to try using DPN but I have come across many patterns that require them. I would love to win a set to learn with and since I only use Knitters Pride needles they would be a great asset to my collection.

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  15. I LOVE these!! I really want to make more gloves this winter.

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    1. I was so excited that I forgot to leave my Ravely ID MyPinkKangaroo I taught myself to knit and crochet 4 years ago.

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  16. I would use DPN's for the sleeves of my top down sweater I am currently making. I am Themomster on Revelry.

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  17. Thank you for the great giveaway. The dpns are gorgeous.
    I would knit mitts and hats. The winter in Winnipeg is soooooooo cold.

    Hope I win.
    mamayaga on Rav.

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  18. I'd knit hats. I'm about to do some charity hat knitting, so it would be perfect to win this set of dpns in a range of sizes to fit whatever leftover yarn I use.

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    1. oops, forgot to add I'm SheilaOKeefe on Rav

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  19. DPNs are my preferred method for knitting in the round. No specific project in mind at this time. Margostitches on Ravelry

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  20. I'd like to make "fingerless" gloves that actually have fingers but no tips. 😊

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  21. I'm enrolled to Craftsy's "My First Mittens and Gloves" course and would love to use Marblz DPN's for the gloves project in that video!!
    tamars100 on Ravelry

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  22. I knit most often with double points, so I have quite a few patterns on my list! I think the next in the round project will be some small toys and ornaments for my gift box.

    rocket19 on Ravelry

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  23. I first used DPN for socks and christmas stockings!

    lolasan on ravelry

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  24. It's definitely getting to be mitten season in MN, so that's what I'll be knitting with dpns. Ravelry: beckarahn

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  25. Would love to make hats and mitts on these. I am a new knitter and would love these for sleeves or color work.Ravelry ID: SandyPink2.

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  26. Would love to make hats and mitts on these. I am a new knitter and would love these for sleeves or color work.Ravelry ID: SandyPink2.

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  27. I usually use circulars and magic loop but these DPN's are so gorgeous I would make fingerless gloves and boot cuffs! My Ravelry name is KnittingRN7
    I love knitters pride I just got the Tunisian interchangeable set showed them to friends and I ordered 3 more sets for them,

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  29. I would love to try these DPN's. Socks would be the first thing I would make. Can never have enough socks. Kittyk216 on Ravelry

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  30. I would like to knit my first mittens and second hat (I hope not the only one) in my life. It`s really problem to find good DPN here and I hope to get this beautiful needles to make my dream come true.
    nutella2002@icould.com

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  31. I would like to knit my first mittens and second hat (I hope not the only one) in my life. It`s really problem to find good DPN here and I hope to get this beautiful needles to make my dream come true.
    ***There was mistake in my e-mail address.
    Correct one is: nutella2002@icloud.com

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  32. I'm in the process of knitting socks and gloves for my family (Christmas presents), so I would use these beautiful needles for that. What an awesome set!
    ingerasata@yahoo.com

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  33. I would love to knit Angela's Iced Eucalyptus Beret. It is lovely.

    sherryglover1 on RAV




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  34. I am sandybeach on ravelry. I would knit another pair of Kerr Diamond Mitts.

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  35. I would definitely work up some mitts or gloves. It's been snowing the past 24 hours. I think winter is here !! Which is the perfect time to stay inside , try some new needles , and make warm mittens!!

    I'm lolita on ravelry

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  36. I would like to knit some Christmas socks for my kids. I am Nadabrovitchka on Ravelry.

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  37. I'm just learning to knit so I would love to try the DPNs for knitting beginner's hats! My ravelry ID is quotku. Thanks for the giveaway!

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    1. Although all my crochet hooks are Knitters Pride Waves for the regular to set to as large as I could get!

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  38. I'm thinking about making another of Elizabeth Zimmerman's February Baby Sweaters -- I prefer to do the sleeves in the round, rather than knit flat and seamed, I'm Sampoulter on Ravelry.

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  39. These needles would be perfect for making new socks or hats! I'm schub5 on revelry.

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  40. ❤️ I would absolutely use the marbiz dpn's to knit myself new mittens, mine have disappeared over the summer & fall. Ravelry id: visgirl

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  42. I knit all my mitten and fingerless gloves patterns on DPN's.Right now I'm knitting a pair of mittens in alpaca for my sister. There's a tectured double seed type pattern on the back which I found on a pattern for a knitted hat - I also kitted the hat...
    Rav ID DChris

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  43. I found a pattern for "Elf on a Shelf" on ravelry....being the eccentric person that I am...I want to make Zombie Elf on a Shelf" as a gift for a walking dead fan that I know and love.

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  44. I would love to try something new to me, socks, on new dpn's
    blweinmann@gmail.com

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  45. I would love to knit baby hats and mittens on these beautiful needles! My Ravelry ID is mrschknlvr. Thanks!

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  46. I love my dpns! If I was so lucky as to win these, I'd knit a pair of mitts.
    sumac on ravelry

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  47. I love dpn. I use them for mittens, i-cords, berets, and lots of other things. I would truly enjoy having a knitters pride set since they are my favorite needles of all types.
    Sandra
    sa ett1234@gmail.com

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  48. I knit baby hats for newborns in NICU at our local hospital. Magic loop has been method as I do not own and dons. This set is gorgeous!

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  49. The dpns are beautiful. I prefer to knit mittens because they keep my hands warmer than gloves. I'm dominohs on Ravelry.

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  50. My next-up project is the Husky Beanie -- a special request from my son. I would love to knit this beanie on marblz dpn's! ...just finished the Neon Snowflake hat using Marblz interchangeable needles and magic loop because I didn't have the right size dpns. Ravelry id is: gremlinintheattic

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  52. How beautiful! The project I would love to see on those needles is the Ornamental fingerless mitts. You can find me on Ravelry as TaraVegas.

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  53. Love your needles, and have many, but no dpns (so many points!) maybe your beautiful needles will overcome my fears :-) I would start with one of the many hats I have on my Ravelry que. I am Barbula on Ravelry.

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  54. I'll surely make socks. Something simple like Skyp or Diagonal Rib. I'll need to de-stress after the holidays and will want to knit something easy peasy. Savannagal on Rav.

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  55. I would love to make some mittens for my son! Rav ID: sewknittystar

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  56. Oh how I would love to get my hands on these beautiful dpns. I love knitting beanies and donating then to clinics and charities. I also knit preemie caps and donate them at my sister's work, she is a NICU nurse. I just love knitting and enjoy giving them as gifts to families and friends.

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  57. Oh how I would love to get my hands on these beautiful dpns. I love knitting beanies and donating then to clinics and charities. I also knit preemie caps and donate them at my sister's work, she is a NICU nurse. I just love knitting and enjoy giving them as gifts to families and friends. Rav Id knitted2

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  58. These are GORGEOUS!!!! I love to knit toys. I will be working on a Kangaroo in January that I would truly enjoy using these to make. But seriously-they would make any toy knitting just that much more fun!!!
    (ForMomCrochet on Ravelry)

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  59. I have recently begun sock knitting and love VeryPinkKnits German short row sock pattern. These needles would work perfectly with the DK weight pattern! On Ravelry I am EchoSierran.

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  60. I knit preemie hats, and I would love to have a full set of DPNs instead of having to go buy more needles every time I need a different size. Plus there can never be enough of a good DPN, since I never have only 1 project going at time.

    I am msmelody on Ravelry.

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  61. I'd make just about any hat with the Marblz DPNs. I love hats!!!
    Ravelry ID: Halcyon37

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  62. These are so Pretty. I have knitters prides cubics, marblz, karbonz and just purchased royal these all are special addition. Love to try dpns to knit mittens and gloves for my family. Hope for win the beautiful set.
    Syeda on Revelry.
    Syedaiffatqureshi@ Hotmail.com

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  63. These would set me up nicely for my first project. Mittens appeal to me or maybe a beanie. Thank you for the giveaway opportunity. ID mudgeegirl

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  64. These needles look lovely! I would love to make a cabled hat with them. My username on Ravelry is AchtungKitten. Thanks so much for the giveaway!

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  65. I'm collecting patterns now to knit mittens, hats and cowls. I'm suesieq on Ravelry. Thanks for the chance to win this giveaway!

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  66. I would make gloves and cowls with the DPNs.
    Rav ID: Lynn12345

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  67. I primarily make hats for people who are homeless, underprivileged, or undergoing chemo. Knitter's Pride needles are my favorite😍 and I already have several pairs. I would make the Curviliniear hat by Angela Tong. Thanks for the giveaway and for making knitting so colorful and fun!!!
    Revelry ID: knitcrochetsmile

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  68. I want to try socks. No particular pattern it will be easy one it will be my 1st time. Im whalalang in Ravelry.

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  69. I'd like to make some fingerless mitts, perhaps the Masonry Mitts pattern. I think the Marblz DPNs would be good because they'd grip the yarn well.

    RavID: JudyAnn

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  70. Oh these are so pretty. I would like to use them to make hats.

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  71. Oh these are so pretty. I would like to use them to make hats.

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  72. I like her "Ornamental" mitts! And I love the few Knitter's Pride needles i have, though I haven't tried the Marblz.

    knitonepugtwo

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  73. hmm.... i think the Tatara curved armwarmers designed by Olga Buraya-Kefelian: https://www.brooklyntweed.com/patterns/?fwp_designers=olga-buraya-kefelian

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  74. No particular pattern but I would love to try these on mittens! asimplehomestd on Ravelry

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  75. I'd really like to learn to knit socks on DPNs! I'm currently knitting Christmas stockings for my family using magic loop on 16" circulars because I don't have any DPNs. Jbeamish on Ravelry

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  76. I'd really like to learn to knit socks on DPNs! I'm currently knitting Christmas stockings for my family using magic loop on 16" circulars because I don't have any DPNs. Jbeamish on Ravelry

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  77. Socks,Socks, Socks! They are fun to make and very portable so you can take them and knit anywhere. I enjoy seeing what the color combination will look like as you knit. Kind of a mystery. My Ravelry ID is Dendandee1959.

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  78. Socks and mittens and hats, oh my! The possibilities are endless. Magic loop just ain't the same. :) My ravelry ID is chmor163.

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  79. Mittens and socks! Gotta keep the fingers and toes warm!!! I'm Lor1492 on Rav.

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  81. Nordic mittens! Would love to try it! My email: laurissluengo@gmail.com :)

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  82. Sorry I forgot to leave my Rav ID....pinkshabbyroses

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  83. I desperately need some dpn's for socks and finishing off hats. Primarily the hat pattern of my own that I am working on. Rav ID corycats

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  84. Hats hats and more hats.. Oh and a few cowls for good measure!

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  85. Socks are my latest project. Will make them until they seem as easy as hats. Haven't tried these needles so far use wooden dpns. Always anxious to try something new! suzyqe0303@yahoo.com

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