Winner + Knitter's Pride in Action

We received a tremendous response to this month's blog giveaway! Thank you to everyone who left their comments on our last blog post; we thoroughly enjoyed reading each one. Congratulations to Julie, who was selected via Random.org as this month's prize winner (we will contact you to arrange for the delivery of your Karbonz DPNs). Julie said, "I would love to try out the size 2s and 3s DPN. Pretty much all my sock needles are bent, would love to use something that wouldn't do that.."

We have another chance for you to win a prize from Knitter's Pride - as soon as we reach 10,000 Fans on Facebook, we'll be giving away a Deluxe Nova Interchangeable Set! Click here to view all the details on Facebook, and don't forget to like our page and recommend it to your friends so that we reach our goal faster!

Finally, we'd like to share the latest Knitter's Pride in Action photos that have been submitted by our wonderful and creative fans. Click here to view & submit photos in our dedicated Ravelry thread; you can also submit via Twitter and Facebook or view our Facebook album here!

L-R: Dreamz Interchangeables (submitted by MrsMommy), Dreamz DPNs (submitted by Kmfox), Karbonz Needles (submitted by @YarnYenta).

Winner + Guest Post: Stacey Trock of Fresh Stitches

Thanks to everyone who entered our Pin It To Win It giveaway this month, we saw some fantastic pins and comments. Random.org has decreed our winning entry to be Raveler Lindaturc, who is wishing for some Dreamz Interchangeable Needles - looks like Santa got her letter! We have sent a private message to Lindaturc to arrange delivery of her Dreamz Starter Set. Congratulations!

Guest Post: Stacey Trock of Fresh Stitches

We're pleased to offer you this photo tutorial (featuring our own Dreamz Crochet Hook!) courtesy of Stacey Trock at Fresh Stitches. We are proud sponsors of the Fresh Stitches Crochet Chat Podcast this month and are excited to share this post with our fans! 

"Sc in each ch" is an instruction you'll often see in a written pattern. But exactly how do you crochet into a chain? It's a great question, because there are actually two different options for crocheting into your chain stitches. I'll show you both options and compare the finished look!

Meet your chain

When you crochet your chain (also called a 'foundation chain'), it should look like this:


Yarn: Ella Rae Classic Wool, color #70

Hook: Knitter's Pride Dreamz, size H (5.0mm)
It should look like a bunch of 'V's, laying on their side.
Does your chain not look like this? Let's troubleshoot:

• Look at the back... you might just be looking at the wrong side!
• Is your chain forming a ringlet curl? That's normal! Mine is just flat because I'm pulling on it. The ringlet will come out once you continue crocheting.
• Is your chain zig-zag-y? This typically happens when you pause in between your chains, which allows the chain to twist slightly.

Okay... let's do our first row!

Option 1: Crochet through the back loop only

Remember how we talked about those 'V's? The first option is to crochet only through the top half of the 'V' (also called the 'back loop'):

When you've completed single crocheting, your piece will look like this:

Option 2: Crochet through both loops

The second option is to insert your hook under the entire 'V' (also called crocheting through 'both loops'):

When you've completed single crocheting, your piece will look like this:

Comparing the two methods

Let's look at the two options side by side:

As you can see, crocheting through both loops creates more of a 'bump', while crocheting through both loops is straighter along the bottom edge.
There's no right way! And once you know the two options, you'll be able to pick the one that best suits your project!

Pin It To Win It: Wish List Must-Haves

Let the holiday countdown begin! Our Dreamz Limited-Edition Gift Set is now in stores, but not for long. As we've mentioned before, only 1500 sets are available, and when they're gone, they're gone! If you've been exceptionally good this year, this is the perfect addition to your wish list (click here to find a retailer near you!).

We know our fans are putting their favorite Knitter's Pride needles and hooks to good use this month creating memorable handmade gifts for their loved ones. All of us at Knitter's Pride would like to play 'Santa' by offering some extra-special prizes for our fans this month!

Pin It To Win It! 

We're giving away a Dreamz Starter Set to one lucky fan - all you have to do is pin your favorite Knitter's Pride product directly from our website (make sure it shows up here), then leave a comment on this blog post with a link to your pin and a way for us to contact you if you win (Ravelry name or e-mail address will do!).  

Not on Pinterest? That's ok, you can still enter our giveaway - simply leave a comment on this blog post sharing which Knitter's Pride product is at the top of your wish list (plus a way to contact you)! 

One winner will be announced on this blog on Friday, December 21 (we will use a random-number generator to pick our winner). Good luck! 

Be sure to follow us on Twitter, join our Ravelry group, or like our Facebook Fan Page for more great prizes this month (hint: if you've been wanting to give Karbonz a try, you won't want to miss out on this month's giveaways)! 

Karbonz + Operation Turkey Trot

We know that many of our fans were anxiously awaiting the arrival of Karbonz, our newest needles to join the Knitter's Pride family of products. Combining the sharp tips of our Novas with the lightweight, flexible carbon fiber which has an extremely high tensile strength, our Karbonz needles give you the best of both worlds!

We currently feature Straight, Single-Point and Fixed Circular needles in sizes ranging from US #000-US #4.  Click here to find a retailer near you!

For our fans who may not have a nearby LYS to see these needles in person, we'd like to share this video review from our friends at WEBS to give you a closer look at these unique new needles:

We're also excited to share the details of another exciting new product that we developed with the folks at Jimmy Beans Wool. When they asked us to create a one-of-a-kind interchangeable set that was truly "fit for a feast," we came up with this sleek set of Onyx-colored needle tips ranging in sizes from US #4 to US #11 which includes a spiffy case and four cords (one each 24" and 40" plus two 32").  The Holiday 2012 Dreamz Deluxe Set (available only at Jimmy Beans Wool) was inspired by the story of Kirstin Muench, one of our US distributors, and was part of "Operation Turkey Trot" - click here to read all about it!

Holiday Gifting Made Easy!

It's not too early to start making your holiday shopping list. We'd like to make it easy for you by rounding up the gifts you'll want to give and receive! 

For the serious knitter: The Dreamz Limited Edition Set is the ultimate gift for knitters this holiday season! Only 1500 gift sets will be available, each beautifully packaged with a certificate bearing a distinct box number. The attractive wooden box contains nine sizes of interchangeable Dreamz needle tips along with cords and other accessories. One set of Zooni Bead Stitch Markers are added complimentary in the set. 

For the sock-a-holic: Our Sock Needle Sets ensure you're ready for any sock project your heart desires! Choose from Nova or Dreamz, each set includes 6 sizes of DPNs ranging from US #0 to US #3. Sock Blockers are also an excellent choice for your sock-making friends. We have two colors to choose from, each available in three different sizes. 

For those who crochet: The Symfonie Rose Crochet Set is attractively packaged and tailor-made for gifting! Each single-ended crochet hook is adorned with European crystals. Sizes range from US E/4 to US L/11 totaling 8 hooks in all. The crochet artist on your list is sure to appreciate this elegant set! 

For stocking stuffers: Row counters, stitch holders, cable needles, stitch markers and point protectors are all handy gifts that knitters (and crocheters!) frequently forget to buy for themselves! Make sure your friends are ready to tackle a variety of projects in the new year by gifting these knitting bag essentials. 

For knitting guilds and stitching groups: If you have a big groups of crafty pals to shop for, remember that good things come in small packages! Our Zooni Bead Stitch Markers are colorful and stylish, not to mention useful. Choose from 17 colors and styles in all - each set includes 3 markers in all. There's sure to be one for everyone on your list!

Tools of the Trade for Successful Crafting!

Having the right tools at hand can make whatever you're doing easier and infinitely more enjoyable. At Knitter's Pride, we don't see why those tools can't also be lovely to look at, too! From our candy-colored line of Dreamz knitting needles and crochet hooks to our stylish fabric needle storage bags (and everything in between!), make sure you've got what you need at your fingertips as you jump into fall crafting.

Keep all of your needles and hooks tidy with our new fabric storage bags, available in a variety of prints:

Most knitters will tell you that keeping a few good crochet hooks on hand is a good idea. From fixing dropped stitches to creating a quick and easy provisional cast-on, a crochet hook can be a knitter's best friend. You'll want to have a few sizes to correspond with the yarn weights you typically work with, of course. Our color-coded Dreamz line is a great choice - simply grab and go!

Crocheters appreciate our many varieties of crochet hooks, but if you're new to the craft you might be wondering, "Which hook is right for me?" We've got some good news: all of our hooks were designed to work with with every type of material, whether you prefer to crochet with wool, cotton, bamboo, silk, acrylic, or any fiber combination you can dream up!

On the Fresh Stitches blog: Dreamz crochet hook!

It truly comes down to personal preference and what works with your crocheting style. For crafters that tend to grip the hook near the working area, our our ergonomic hooks (available in aluminum and steel) are preferred because the soft handle grip is easy on their hands. For those that tend to hold their hook further away from the working area, our Dreamz and Basix crochet hooks are an excellent choice; the highly-polished surface provides easy stitch flow as you work.

Ready to craft like a pro? One of our Dreamz crochet hooks was recently used in a photo tutorial on the Fresh Stitches blog - click here to see how easy it is to knit or crochet from both ends of a skein! 

Winner + Tunisian Crochet Spotlight

Giveaway Winners

So many shawl knitters have entered our contest! We received such great comments that we've decided to not only give away a pattern holder to one of our blog readers, but also a shawl pin to a second lucky reader! 


Random.org has selected comment #43 by Lindr as the winner of the pattern holder and comment #1 by Sarah to win the shawl pin! Our prize coordinator will contact you shortly to arrange delivery of your prizes. Congratulations and thanks for reading! 

What's Hot: Tunisian Crochet

Knitters and crocheters alike are sure to be intrigued by Tunisian crochet, a technique that creates a woven effect in the finished fabric. Tunisian crochet uses a long hook similar to a knitting needle (shown below), allowing the crafter to work each row in two "passes": the forward pass, which works the loops onto the hook, followed by the reverse pass, which works the loops back off of the hook. 

Aluminum Single-Ended Gray Tunisian Crochet Hook from Knitter's Pride

Dreamz Interchangeable Tunisian Crochet Set

We've created our line of Tunisian crochet hooks for maximum glide and ease of use.  Our Dreamz interchangeable hooks feature resilient, flexible cords that won't kink or twist.  Each cord is easy to connect with a smooth join to ensure stitch flow, and the Dreamz Tunisian crochet set includes eight of the most useful hook sizes, all easily identified by the color-coded polished wood sourced from Vermont. 

We had the pleasure of meeting Jennifer Hansen of Stitch Diva Studios at TNNA this past June. Jennifer has pioneered Tunisian Crochet, offering a series of free tutorials here on the Stich Diva website. Recently, Jennifer filmed a video course for Craftsy.com, Tunisian Crochet: Revolutions on Color and Style, demonstrating each aspect of the technique, step-by-step as you watch from the comfort of your own home. 


Once you have the right tools and learn the basics, there's no end to the possibilities of what you can make with this exciting technique!  From Jennifer's colorful multi-garment featured in her Craftsy class (shown below) to any number of interesting and unique patterns you'll find on both Ravelry and Craftsy, create your own revolution in color and style with Knitter's Pride Tunisian crochet hooks! 

Tunisian Crochet Multi-Garment by Jennifer Hansen

Crochet Hook Spotlight + Giveaway

We're happy to say that the Knitter's Pride family has plenty of crocheters in the fold. In the short video below, you'll meet a few who have gotten "hooked" on our line of crochet products:

Dreamz Crochet Set

Whether you prefer wooden or metallic hooks, Knitter's Pride has you covered!  If you're new to crochet, our line of natural birch hooks are perfect for getting started. Basix single-ended hooks come in eight sizes and work well with any type of material, especially thicker yarns.

The Dreamz line of crochet hooks are color-coded for easy identification and available in traditional as well as Tunisian-style.  Each hook is lightweight with a polished wood surface for effortless glide; choose from 13 sizes of single-ended hooks to add to your collection, or get our crochet set which includes eight of the most frequently-used hook sizes.  Our Dreamz Interchangeable Tunisian line has the same great features as our single-ended hooks plus easy-to-connect cords with smooth joins.  Purchase individual sizes of hooks or invest in a set!

Aluminum Hooks

For those who prefer metallic needles, our lightweight Aluminum and Steel crochet hooks feature ergonomically-designed soft feel handles for hours of comfortable crafting.  Single-ended steel hooks are available in six sizes; for a wider range of sizes, our single-ended aluminum hooks (available in gold or silver anodized finishes) fit the bill.  We also have single-ended Tunisian hooks in our aluminum line!

Dreamz Tunisian Crochet Set
Image via Webs Yarn Store Blog

Knitter's Pride is proud to provide jobs for folks in rural India who do not have have viable sources of income; we also support charities in our local community.  However, we also like to support our American friends and fans!  Recently, we sponsored Beans for Brains (click here to see who this year's scholarship winners are!).  We also source the wood used to manufacture our Basix and Symfonie line of hooks (and needles!) from the USA.  Additionally, all of the cords used in our interchangeable sets are purchased from a supplier in Ohio state.

Dreamz Crochet Hook Close-Up

Ready to give us a try?  We're giving away two crochet hooks, one Aluminum and one Dreamz.   Leave a comment on this entry sharing something new that you learned from this post and whether you would like to try a wooden or aluminum hook (be sure to give us a way to contact you, too, such as a Ravelry ID).  We'll randomly choose two winning comments on June 29th.  Good luck! 

Winner + Where Your Needles Come From!

Congratulations to our winner, StaceyD!  Her comment was randomly selected to receive a pair of US #7 Nova fixed circular needles:  "I'd love to try the Nova needles. I've been frustrated with blunt points and am in search for a good sharp needle.Thanks!" Please e-mail support@knitterspride.com with your shipping address so we may get your prize sent out ASAP!


Thanks to everyone who entered our giveaway this month. You'll have more chances to win great products from Knitter's Pride beginning next week. All of our fans and followers will be automatically eligible for our weekly drawings each Friday. Be sure to join the Knitter's Pride family for your chance to win! Like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, and of course - tell your friends so that they can win great prizes, too!  

If you've ever wondered where your needles come from, here are some shots of our brand-new factory. We broke ground in January of last year, and seven months later, our first shipment went out the door!  At the new factory we make close to 1 million needles every month. A major part of the production is the Symfonie wood needles, Cubics and Dreamz. We have close to 300 people working in the factory - nearly 100 of our employees are female. This is notable because most women living in rural India tend to stay at home while the men are the breadwinners. However, we encourage female workers to join the Knitter's Pride family, training them extensively since it is quite often the first job they've ever had. The joy when they receive their first paycheck must be seen to be believed!


To see more photos of our factory, click here! 

Rave Reviews & Customer Feedback

Dreamz Interchangeable Set

Our core belief at Knitter's Pride is that the best way to satisfy our customers is listening and learning from them. We welcome your comments which enable us to grow and meet the standards of all knitters and crochet enthusiasts; of course, compliments are always nice to hear, too!  Here is a recent sampling from our fans: 

"Love the Cubics needles because your hands don't get tired from gripping like with the regular needles and they are just wonderful to work with."-Ginny S. (via Facebook)

"I bought five Dreamz fixed 40” circulars in sizes US 0 - 2, and they are a great pleasure. I use them for flat knitting so far. They’re beautiful tools, they feel good in my hands, and they are neither too slick, nor too sticky."-Dave-B (via Ravelry)

"A friend told me about these new needles, well they are flipping amazing! Slick, great joins, flexible cables! functionality is superb! I will order [Nova] in fixed circulars as well. YEAHHHHHH!!!!! Love 'em!!!" -Kirstin (via Jimmy Beans Wool)

"I did cast on something immediately on a set of the [Cubics] dpn’s…and all I can say is..WOW! I could lay one down and not have to get up, find that it had once again rolled off onto the floor and under my chair. And the fact that the yarn didn’t slip off my dpn either..and the tips on the dpn’s….so much better than my bamboo/wood ones I have a ton of! I want to replace every dpn and circular needle I have in my collection..with the Cubic needles of course." -TXgal (via Ravelry)

Besides getting rave reviews directly from knitters and crocheters alike, we're pleased to hear such great things from our retailers, such as the Loopy Ewe, who added 10 feet of wall space just to make room for Knitter's Pride needles.  We can't think of a greater compliment - click here to read more on their blog! 

Hillsborough Yarn Shop reports that the Dreamz Fixed Circulars "have quickly become our bestselling circulars, and as such, are forever being reordered." They've even added our shawl pins to their roster of Knitter's Pride products - click here to read their shop blog!

Finally, Halcyon yarn had this to say about their latest addition to their shop:"You’ve heard the buzz about the new needles from Knitter’s Pride… When they first debuted we heard comments like “they’re [the needles] going to change the knitting needle industry”.  They’re the talk of the town so we had to take a look. What did we find upon close inspection? – Terrific, good quality, high performing needles at affordable prices."  That's just the beginning of their recent post welcoming our Dreamz and Nova needles to their shop - click here to read more!

We've been receiving lots of feedback from both customers and retailers alike about our Nova needles;  the quality is unparalleled for the price point, and whether you're using the straights, circulars, or DPNs, the points are perfect for a variety of projects.  Nothing says it better than a video review, though - Kristen from Jimmy Beans Wool and Kirstin from Muench Yarns give you a fantastic overview of the Nova Interchangeable Set, highlighting their favorite aspects such as smooth joins, pointy tips, and flexible cables. 

Meet our Newest Needle Sets!

After hearing feedback from enthusiastic knitters and yarn store owners alike, we have developed several new needle sets for your knitting pleasure!

Cubics Deluxe IC

Perhaps the most talked-about needles from Knitter's Pride (though we're pleased to say it's a rather close competition), we have two new Cubics sets you'll want to try.  The Cubics Deluxe IC needle set features 7 needle tips ranging in sizes from US #6-11.  You'll also receive 4 Cords (to make 24'', 40'' & 2 of 32''), as well as size markers, end caps and cord keys, all in a fabric case with see-through vinyl. 

 The Cubics Special IC (Interchangeable) needle set features five needle pairs ranging in sizes from US #6 to US #10, 2 cords to make 16" circumference total (when tips and cord are joined together), plus other useful accessories (size markers, end caps and cord keys), all packaged in an attractive fabric case with see-through vinyl.  What makes this set special is the 4" needle tips which allow for knitting smaller circumferences when used with the set's cords.

Cubics Special IC

Both sets feature the unique ergonomic shape of our Cubics line, providing comfort to the hand and uniform stitch formation as you knit the hours away.  The easy-to-connect cords have smooth joins that enables easy stitch glide and no snagging; they're also resilient and flexible, lying flat with ease, and won't kink or twist as you knit with them.  Beginners and advanced knitters alike will appreciate these thoughtfully-packaged sets.

Dreamz enthusiasts can also rejoice - our latest set in your favorite color-coded wooden needles was designed with you in mind!  The Dreamz Special IC set comes with seven of the most-used needle sizes, ranging from US #4 to US #10, 2 cords to make 16" circumference total (when tips and cord are joined together), plus size markers, end caps and cord keys.  Like our other sets, they're attractively packaged in a fabric case with see-through vinyl.  The needles tips measure 4" in length, featuring perfect points that are flawlessly tapered.  When used with the included cords, you'll be able to knit smaller circumferences in the round - perfect for hats, and cowls!

For those of you who prefer metal needle tips, but also want to knit smaller circumferences with circular needles, look no further than the Nova Special IC set.  Again, you'll receive seven of the most-used needle sizes, ranging from US #4 to US #10, 2 cords to make 16" circumference total (when tips and cord are joined together), plus size markers, end caps and cord keys - all in a fabric case with see-through vinyl.  Each 4" needle tip is engineered from hollow brass pipes and plated with high quality nickel; the polished surface and sharp tapered points are a delight to knit with. 

Finally, if you're new to Knitter's Pride needles and don't know where to start, our revamped Comby Sampler Set gives you a taste of our most popular needles types and sizes.  This affordable set contains a pair each of Dreamz (US #6), Cubics (US #7) and Nova (US #8) tips along with cords in two useful lengths (to make 24'' & 40''), end caps and cord keys.  Packaged in a lovely fabric case with see-through vinyl, the Comby Sampler Set is ideal for introducing interchangeable needles to new knitters and makes a great gift!

Getting to Know Your Needles

You may have noticed a new line of needles at your LYS - Knitter's Pride needles and crochet hooks are soon to be your favorite tools for the crafts you love!  With the help of an international advisory panel of knitters and crocheters, we developed our range of needle styles and types to suit the needs of artisans just like you.

If you're new to the Knitter's Pride family, we're pleased you've found us - allow us to give a brief introduction to our product lines:

Dreamz

This line of wooden needles is color-coded for each size, making it easier to find what you're looking for!  Choose from DPNs, Fixed Circular, Interchangeable, and Single-Pointed.  We also have Interchangeable Circular Needle sets, DPN sets, and Single-Pointed needles sets to ensure you always have what you need to cast on!  You can also click here to read Clara Parkes' Dreamz review on Knitter's Review.

Cubics

These cuboid-shaped needles are easy on your hands and available in a wide range of options:  DPNs, Fixed Circulars, Interchangeables, Single-Pointed, and Interchangeable Circular sets, too! They are truly needles with all the right angles - once you give them a try, you won't want to knit with anything else!

Nova

These needles are lightweight, durable and soon to be your new favorite metal needles. Choose from DPNs, Fixed Circular, Interchangeable, and Single-Pointed.  You can also build your needle library with our Interchangeable Circular Sets, DPN sets, and Single-Pointed sets!

Basix

Everyone needs a few good Basix!  Available in DPNs, Fixed Circulars and Single-Pointed needles, they're a great option for the beginning knitter.  These lightweight birch needles are polished for superior glide - they work effortlessly with every type of yarn without slowing down your rhythm!

Crochet

We've developed both Single-Ended and Tunisian crochet hooks in a variety of materials.  Choose from our color-coded Dreamz or the lightweight and ergonomically-designed Aluminum with a soft-feel handle.  If you prefer single-ended crochet hooks, choose from our Dreamz and Aluminum lines as well as our durable Steel hooks which feature an ergonomic handle for maximum crafting comfort, or the polished wood Basix, which glide effortlessly with every type of material.

Try Knitter's Pride for Free!
We know that once you give our needles a try, you'll fall in love - which is why we're giving you plenty of chances to win FREE Knitter's Pride needles and crochet hooks this month.

Chance #1: Click here to sign up for our brand-new e-newsletter (you can also use the sign-up on the right sidebar), and you'll automatically be eligible to win a prize!  We'll announce our first round of winners (yes, plural!) when we send out the inaugural issue.

Chance #2: Follow us on Twitter, join our Ravelry group, or become a fan on Facebook - because you never know when or where we'll announce our next giveaway! 

Chance #3: Leave a comment on this blog post sharing which needles you're excited to try - or, if you've used some already, let us know what you think! We'll pick one lucky person to win a prize on Friday, February 24th.  Good luck!