Winners + Our Favorite Crafting Resolutions

We're very impressed with everyone's crafting resolutions for 2013, which ran the gamut from learning how to knit or crochet, trying a new kind of project such as socks or sweaters, experimenting with new techniques such as cabling, colorwork or entrelac, and resolving to finish projects that have been hibernating for a long period of time, and going "cold sheep" on a yarn diet in an effort to knit from the stash.....and that is just a very small sampling!

The Random Number Generator has chosen the following winners for this month's blog giveaway - drumroll, please!

Prize #1: Dreamz Single-Ended Crochet Hook: Our lucky winner is Knitschmidt, who said "Knit down some of my stash! Then I can spend more time and money on yarn rather than yarn storage solutions. And I DO want to learn to crochet, but have been saying "this is the year for crochet" for several years now. "

Prize #2: Nova Fixed Circular Needle: Our lucky winner is longbeachgirl71, who said "I want to make more time to finish knitting projects, and I would love to try and knit an entrelac project." 

Prize #3: Karbonz Single Point Needle: Our lucky winner is Quinn, who said "Colorwork! Even if it's a single wonky patterned dishcloth, I am determined to get over this hurdle in 2013."

For our fans that would like to become better organized in 2013, we have a few suggestions of our own!

Knitter's Pride DPN Tubes are essential for knitters who like to knit socks and other small accessories on double pointed needles. The DPN Tubes will ensure that your project stays on the needles and are also great for storing DPN needles when not in use!

Our Fabric Needle Cases are a stylish way to keep your needles and hooks or interchangeable tips and cords organized in one spot. Plus, you can match your case to your knitting bag!

The Needle Size Markers which come with our interchangeable sets are great for remembering what needles you're using for a project that's hibernating, but here is another handy use: slip the corresponding tag into the pocket of your needle case to indicate which needle tip is stored there.




We look forward to seeing you fulfill your crafty resolutions in 2013. Be sure to share your WIPs using Knitter's Pride needles and hooks here in our Ravelry group! 

Tell Us Your Crafting Resolutions!

Dreamz Tunisian Crochet Interchangeable Set

Happy New Year from Knitter's Pride! January is a great time to take stock and set goals, especially when it comes to crafting! Perhaps in 2013, you'd like to learn a new technique such as colorwork, entrelac, or Tunisian crochet; Knitters may decide they'd like to try their hand at crochet and vice versa; or perhaps you've never made yourself a sweater and have decided that this is the year to give it a try!

Whatever your resolution, Knitter's Pride has the tools you need to make it happen. We'd like to help you on your way by offering some great prizes this month on Facebook, Twitter, and Ravelry, as well as on this blog!

Three lucky readers will win one of three great prizes below; to enter, simply leave a comment sharing your crafting resolution for 2013. We'll randomly choose 3 comments (one for each prize) to announce on our next blog post on January 23rd. Be sure to also leave a way for us to contact you if you win such as an email address or Ravelry ID.

Good luck!

Prize #1: Dreamz Single-Ended Crochet Hook

Prize #2: Nova Fixed Circular Needle

Prize #3: Karbonz Single Point Needle

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!

Winner + Choosing the Right Needles for YOU!

Thanks to everyone who entered our blog contest this month! We were impressed with the variety of answers we received when we asked the question, "how do you like to knit socks?"  Our winner is Patrick Lyddy who said "Two at a time, Toe-up! Have an actual pair when you're done and no Second-Sock-itis!!" Please contact us at support@knitterspride.com (or Ravelry PM knitterpride) to arrange delivery of your Knitter's Pride Sock Blockers. Congratulations! 

Though many of our fans know which style of needle they prefer, we'd like to offer anyone who is new to Knitter's Pride a few suggestions to help select the right needles for your next project. 

First, consider what you'll be making: Projects that are knitted flat are well-suited to single-point needles, which beginning knitters are often more comfortable using. However, if you are knitting something large such as an afghan, you'll want to use circular needles so that you have plenty of room for all of your stitches. 

Karbonz DPNs

Cubics Fixed Circulars

Projects that are knitted in-the-round can be made on circular needles or double point needles (DPNs). As we noted in our last blog post, small circumference projects can use either needle option if you know how to use the magic loop technique for circulars. Larger-circumference projects such as sweaters work best on circulars. 

Lace knitting is often faster and easier with sharp-pointed needles such as our Nova or Karbonz needles, while sock knitting (as we learned in our last post) lends itself to various needle and material types. This brings us to our next point: your knitting style.

Yes, how you knit can play a part in your needle choice. Do you hold a lot of tension in your hands as you work and are often sore after a few hours of knitting? Give our ergonomic Cubics needles a try! Knitting on-the-go? Consider using circular needles - there's no need to worry about dropping a needle and never finding it again! Our new line of Karbonz needles is also great for traveling knitters; they are virtually unbreakable while still being lightweight and warm to the touch. Both Karbonz and Nova needles can endure being packed away in your purse or bag without fear of snapping.

Nova Deluxe Interchangeable Set

If you're trying to decide between fixed circular needles or investing in an interchangeable set, it's especially important to pay attention to how you knit: knitters who tend to twist their knitting while working in the round will be happiest with fixed circular needles, while looser knitters who use less twisting motions in their knitting will enjoy working with our interchangeable sets. 

Ultimately, personal preference is often the deciding factor in choosing needles. Once you've tried various materials and styles (such as in our Comby Sampler Set), you'll know what works best for you!