Kelley chats with knitter & author Kay Meadors.  Kay is the author of "I Can't Believe I'm Lace Knitting" and many, many more knitting and crochet books.

Kelley talks about ways to plan and organize big, challenging projects, which are perfect for the post-holiday slump.

Kelley talks with Leigh Radford, author of "AlterKnits," "One Skein," and "AlterKnits Felt."

Kelley chats with Franklin Habit, author of the popular "The Panopticon" blog and author of "It Itches," a compilation of knitting cartoons and essays.

Kelley talks with the talented knitwear designer & blogger Stefanie Japel about her books "Fitted Knits" and the brand new "Glam Knits."

Kelley and Tina talk about their favorite knitting tools and offer extra tips and tricks for using them.

Kelley chats with designer Donna Druchunas about her books "Ethnic Knitting Discovery" and "Ethnic Knitting Exploration."

Kelley and our in-house designer Kerin Dimeler talk about ethnic colorwork and knitting styles, from Fair Isle to Lithuania.

Kelley discusses winter wardrobe staples - hats and scarves - which are also terrific stash busters.

Kelley chats with Cheryl Brunette, author of "Sweater 101," about how to make sweaters that fit well and look good.

Kelley talks with the Mason Dixon knitters, Kay Gardiner and Ann Shayne, about their new book "Mason Dixon: Knitting Outside the Lines."

Kelley demystifies common knitting questions, such as the difference between k2tog and ssk.

Kelley talks with Miriam about being in the Guiness Book of World Records as the World's Fastest Knitter.

Kelley, armed with questions that knitters posted to her blog, chats with Stephanie Pearl-McPhee.

Kelley and Tina talk about the new fall yarn lines, detailing the color selection process and discussing different commercial dyeing techniques.

Kelley talks with Gale Zucker, photographer for "Shear Spirit."

Summer provides lots of opportunities for knitting in public. If you have hesitated before, take my word for it, now is the time to give it a try.

Kelley chats with Margaret, author of "Knits for Men," about her adventures in designing patterns and writing books.

The jury is in on this one.  Blocking is a necessity for any knitting project.  Kelley explains why, and gives you tips.

We love our sock blanks!!  And, after several months of secretive planning and knitting, Tina and I are thrilled to be able to share a few of our experiences as we worked out the details and then enjoyed our own dyeing and knitting pleasures.

While Bob in I were visiting his mother in Philadelphia, my sister-in-laws and I explored Muriel’s recipe cards that she inherited from her mother. It got me thinking about handing down my favorite knitting patterns to future knitters in our family. I’m sure there will be knitters in the family. Otherwise I will come back and haunt everyone until someone gives in and takes up needles and yarn.

Kathleen is an avid knitter whose day job is a director/script supervisor for Recorded Books Productions. I couldn’t resist asking her to join me on this podcast so I could indulge my curiosity regarding the making of audio books.

Mittens are perfect projects for summer or travel knitting. Just as easy to knit as socks, mittens offer many opportunities for creative expression and historic study. Just like there are several different ways to handle the heels of socks, there are different ways to accommodate your thumb.

Joan combines her extensive training as a designer and her love of vintage garments into a delightful collection of projects based on “nethergarments�.

Golf has begun and my mind is filled with projects I want to knit to make me more comfortable while I’m out playing golf with Bob.  

Charts vs. written instructions – relax, one is not better than the other. The key is to understand the pros and cons of each method and then adapt instructions to your personal preference.

Interview with Jillian Moreno, author of "Big Girl Knits" and "More Big Girl Knits."

Chat with Kathleen Taylor. Author of Yarns to Dye For, Knit One, Felt Too, and I Heart Felt.

Yippee! What could be better than being able to talk with the lady who inspired my cable selections that I’m using on my Aran cardigan?

Lace shawls come in several shapes. These shapes aren’t just a question of fashion. Some are easier to knit while traveling and some are easier to knit because they are long strips of repeated lace patterns. Before you choose your lace project be sure to think about your knitting surroundings (traveling or staying home) and how you would like to use your finished shawl.    

Charlene Schurch is the author of Sensational Knitted Socks and More Sensational Knitted Socks. Two of my favorite sock knitting books! What a treat to be able to talk with her about our shared love for sock knitting.

Note: This interview was recorded over the phone, so it was hard to control the audio quality for this week's podcast.

Kelley talks with Melissa, our Art  Director, about her talent for dyeing yarn.

What is the deal with needle sizing?  Depending on where you live, there will be a particular way that the sizes of knitting needles are categorized. It all seems a bit confusing, but it is actually quite simple.

Our new warm weather yarns will be arriving in just a couple of weeks! Tina and I couldn’t wait any longer to give you a bit of a preview.

Casting on is the beginning of every knitting adventure. But, just like a travel adventure, how you get started depends on where you are going. Plane, train or automobile? Cabled, long tail or invisible cast on?

In cold weather, I’m quite comfortable knitting warm garments. But, before I know it, spring arrives and I have absolutely nothing hand knit to wear in the warm weather. What a disappointment! There are many reasons to knit summer tops and sweaters but you need to get started during the dreary days of winter. To help you make your yarn decisions, I thought it would be a good idea to review the qualities of summer fibers like cotton and linen.

Every artist has a set of favorite tools that are a magical blend of usefulness and empowerment. As long as you have your bag with you, you can fix any knitting problem. Over the years I have defined my own collection of tools that I consider to be absolutely essential. I always keep them within reach when I am knitting. Since every knitter has their own style, her own requirements will be little different from mine. But, I will share my must-have list with you in case my collection inspires you to add a few things to your own tool kit.

Knitting socks for Jonathon has reminded me of all the opportunities knitters have to knit for others. Why not extend the spirit of giving beyond the holidays? Find a cause that tugs at your heart and get knitting!

You know that I absolutely love to teach people how to knit. I put in my order for my vacation knitting supplies which included 2 balls of Wool of the Andes and 2 pair of #7, 24� circular needles. This is my usual routine before I leave on an extended trip because it seems I always run into at least one person who tells me they would love to learn to knit. Voila! I have the yarn and needles ready for a spontaneous lesson. I’ve gotten people started by swimming pools, in ski lodges and even during long airplane flights.

 

The holidays provide two excellent opportunities for sharing the joys of knitting. If you happen to joining in family celebrations, you can teach a new knitter in person. The second option is to put together a nice “learn to knit� package that will be nearly as good as having a teacher right at hand.

The funny thing about knitting is how little things can make a huge difference in the ease of knitting and in the look of a finished project. One of the most under-utilized and misunderstood techniques is the simple i-cord, or idiot cord - a tube of 3 stitches that can be used on its own or applied to a garment in a variety of ways. I’ve given you a couple of examples, but if you would like to see i-cord used to its full potential you can refer to some of the projects in Elizabeth Zimmermann’s book Knitting Around. Better yet, watch the Knitting Glossary DVD where she gives no less than 15 useful ways to use this magical tube of knitting.