YarnCraft interview and contest
Note: Don’t miss the giveaway at the end of this post!
YarnCraft, Lion Brand’s knitting and crocheting podcast, will air its 100th episode on September 13th! You can catch up on any episodes you’ve missed at the YarnCraft blog, or listen directly through iTunes.
The YarnCraft hosts, Liz and Zontee, are on a celebration blog tour, and today they’ve stopped at PlanetJune for a chat…
June: When you’re not podcasting, what are your roles at Lion Brand?
Liz: I do the product development at Lion Brand, which means I am in the lucky position of getting to work directly with mills to produce our new yarns!
Zontee: I work in marketing on content and outreach. I edit our various email newsletters like The Weekly Stitch and YarnPlay, oversee our blog (The Lion Brand Notebook), produce the podcast, and develop content for our website. I also work on our programs at yarn conventions and festivals and work with artists and designers who use our yarns, which means I get to spend a lot of time getting out in the yarncrafting community.
June: You’re both very knowledgeable! Has working on the show broadened your knowledge? And what’s your favourite yarncraft?
Liz: Working on the show has definitely encouraged me to learn a lot more about yarncrafting. We have such great guests that all specialize in different areas, so we get a lot of great information from them. And our listeners always challenge us with unique questions, so we have to do our research to bring them the right answers!
Zontee: One thing I’ve learned about teaching others is that it makes you more aware of the skills you already possess and just how difficult it can sometimes be to explain them. Working on the show has made me more appreciative of people who teach crafts and teach in general, because it really is a skill. I don’t think either Liz or I can really pick a favorite yarncraft, since we’re both multi-craftual. I’m just going to say that I think every craft has its strengths and its place in the world.
June: What’s your favorite YarnCraft episode?
Liz: I love all the episodes with Lily Chin because I always learn something new whenever she’s on the show. My all-time favorite tip is taping your swatch to the wall to measure gauge to get more accurate numbers!
Zontee: I like the episodes when we answer listener questions, because I think that they’re the episodes that cover the most varied, and in the end, probably the most useful advice for our listeners’ daily crafting lives.
June: Liz, I mentioned on Twitter the other day that I was having trouble finding good yellow shades for my amigurumi and there was a lot of agreement. Is there a particular reason for the lack of yellow/orange shades of yarn?
Liz: Generally if it’s hard to find a certain color, yarn weight, or fiber, it’s because that type of product has not sold well for retailers in the past. Yellow and Oranges have typically not been strong sellers in yarn. Even though these have been trendy colors in fashion the last few years, a lot of customers are hesitant to wear yellow and orange, or use it in home décor. We have a great article on our website about Natural Dyeing with food and spices that produced some nice yellows if you want to experiment and make your own.
June: That makes sense; I wouldn’t want to wear yellow/orange shades either – I’d only use them to make flowers and animals! I’d love to try natural dyeing; unfortunately I’m sensitive to wool and acrylic won’t accept dye – it’d be a great solution for people who can work with wool though.
Thank you, Liz and Zontee, for taking the time to chat with me!
Win Vanna’s Choice yarn and a PlanetJune pattern!
I love to design amigurumi patterns using Lion Brand Vanna’s Choice yarn. It has more substance than many other worsted weight yarns, which makes for really nice shaping on my amigurumi, and there’s a huge range of lovely muted colours to choose from.
All these PlanetJune crochet patterns use Vanna’s Choice yarn
Liz and Zontee are giving one lucky reader three balls of Vanna’s Choice in the colour(s) of your choice, and I’ll kick in a free PlanetJune pattern of your choice too, to give you a project for your new yarn!
To enter: just leave a comment on this post, letting me know which shade(s) you’d choose for your 3 balls of Vanna’s Choice if you win (and as you can make at least two amigurumi from one ball, I’d recommend you choose a selection of colours!) and which pattern of mine you’d like!
The contest is not US only (yay!) – you can enter if you have a shipping address in the US or any of the countries Lion Brand can ship to. (If you’re from outside the US you’ll be responsible for any duty and/or import taxes on the prize.)
You may enter until 6pm (EST) on Thursday September 15th 2011. I’ll draw a random winner from all the entries after that time.
Good luck!
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mary said
I like Dusty Blue, Sapphire and Silver Blue. The Lacy Bobbles Cowl pattern looks nice!
Angie said
I’d choose aqua, terracotta and magenta. Love the colors!
Stacie.Make.Do. said
Very nice interview. I like knowing more about podcasters I listen to. Thanks for the chance to win something, too!
Since I already have some of your dinosaur patterns, I’d choose the Lacy Bobbles Cowl.
Some yarn colors I need for my stash are rust, mustard and scarlet.
Knittingdancer (Teresa) said
I would choose Scarlet, Sapphire, and Demin Mist for my choice of yarn colors. I like the little red & blue frog pattern.
Maria D. said
Great interview June!!! 🙂
As for the contest, I’d like the mustard, olive and dusty blue yarn… and the Stegosaurus pattern… my almost two year old son would love it! 🙂
Thanks
javafiend said
Interesting about the dyeing issues w/yellow
Not sure which colors or which pattern I’d want…love them all 🙂
Onin said
Hello!!!
I love your work, specially your dinosaurs. My 2 years old son seems to be in love with them and I would like to have any of your dinosaurs patterns.
I like orange but it’s true that is difficult to find a nice colour in that shade. I like the colour you used for the fox.
I hope I can participate in your giveaway. I’m Spanish.
Undine said
Aha! So that’s why I’m having a hard time finding a bright orange yarn for a skirt I want to make (OK, so I’m tasteless…)
I’d love to try the Vanna’s Choice Aqua–and the pattern for the Tunisian Stripe Purse.
Steph M said
I really do love me some Vanna’s Choice! It’s my go-to yarn, that’s for sure.
Aqua
Chocolate
Fern
Yeti and Bigfoot – amigurumi crochet pattern
THANKS!
Carolyn said
Fun interview!
I would like the red fox pattern and the yarn colors terra cotta, white, and toffee. Thanks for doing this contest! I love your designs.
Rachel said
Great giveaway! I love Vanna’s Choice–one of my favorite yarns! I’d probably choose Olive, Pea Green, or Cranberry, and as for your adorable patterns, I really love the stegosaurus!
Anne said
Thanks for the give away always something going on here!
Love to do the big foot and the colors I would choose are
Silver Blue
Dusty Blue
Silver Heather
Lynne said
Honey, chocolate, burgandy and the Alpaca amigurumi. Thanks June for the great give away.
Leanne said
Love your blog!
I would love the arctic fox pattern. Would like honey, scarlet and black 🙂
Cora said
O-o I love give aways 🙂 I am unsure as tonwhat colors I would want or the patternbad I have many of your designs 😀
Yarnitect said
Great interview. Particularly loved reading about the lack of bright colors and dying yarn. I have always been curious about dying yarn and you sure packed a lot of info in that one short paragraph! I had no idea acrylic didn’t accept dye! I’ll make a mental note about that. Love your animals. They are all so adorable. Thanks for creating a group shot of the ones that showcase Vanna’s Choice. I am particularly drawn to the fox. We catch glimpses of real foxes around town (colorado springs). So, I would probably choose Vanna’s burnt red orange, dark grey and medium sterling grey so I could make that. And who doesn’t love the dinosaur set one. I’m sure the neighbor kids would love to play with a set of these! Swoon…love all your patterns! =)
Dana
Sara T said
I would pick Toffee, Olive, and Purple print. It is extremely difficult to choose just ONE pattern of yours, but I would love to make the Sea Turtle for my best friend.
Thank you so much for your generosity, and sharing the interview!
crochet by Michele said
I am so glad someone asked about the yellows! I love the Vanna series but always miss more yellows. I just made several yellow afghans and was disappointed I couldn’t find what I needed in Lion Brand yarns. I am still really pleased with how they came out though.
for the contest I would select, rust, chocolate and white for colors and the fox pattern. That little guy is just tooooo CUTE!
CrochetBlogger said
Great interview! I’d want your alpaca ami pattern for sure. And I would want sapphire, dusty blue and navy yarn colors. Yes, I want to make a blue alpaca. 🙂
tuome said
Great interview 🙂 and great giveaway ^^
I’d like to try Beige, Linen and Olive yarns. And for the pattern – it’s so hard to chose, because they are all lovely – but I’d like the Fruit Bat – he’s adorable ^^.
Jane said
Hello June–
I love your patterns!
I would like mustard, colonial blue, and terra cotta–and I want to use the terra cotta to make that adorable fox!
Simone said
Thank you for this opportunity and this interesting interview!
I’d love sapphire, honey and rose mist please.
For a pattern, my choice would be the Stegosaurus please.
Yay for this great idea! 🙂
maryanne @ mama smiles said
I’ve been admiring your stegosaurus for months, so that’s the pattern I would choose. As for yarn colors, I would be thrilled to win aqua, honey, and mustard!
Nessa said
I love this yarn. I would choose the AquaAmi Sea Turtle amigurumi crochet pattern and colors Linen, oatmeal, and chocolate.
Krista said
Thank you for the opportunity! The yarn colors I like are: Barley, espresso & cranberry. I would like the pug pattern, please. Thanks!
Amanda said
Great interview! Vanna’s has been my favorite for Ami for a long time now. I just hit a sale this last weekend and got 8 balls for $20! What a steal!
Taupe – This color is GREAT for weird creatures like armadillos and such
Burgundy – I have been wanting to make a red dragon, this would be great
Tangerine – because I want a hat! 😀 (even if yellows and oranges aren’t popular!)
Melissa Murray said
I love Vanna’s choice yarn! I would pick the tangerine mist, silver heather, and honey. The pattern I would choose is the Christmas tree.
Megan said
What a fun giveaway! Thanks June! 🙂 So many options! I think I would choose the Christmas trees or fuzzy bunnies & chicks. Sooo cute! Oh! or the lamb! My mom decorates with lambs for Easter, so it would be great to make one for her collection!
Colors. Hmm. I really have no idea. But I love the pinks and the blues. Also the Oatmeal. That one is really pretty. I will wait to narrow it down to three once I have to! 🙂 Thanks again!
Karin said
I would love two in the Mountain print and one in taupe so I can make an army of multicolored geckos!
Thanks for the opportunity!
Betsy McAvoy said
i would like the browns and black for the bat pattern.cute patterns
Elizabeth Jones said
toffe, beige and terracotta so that I can make that super cute fox please!
Margaret said
Great interview! If I were to win the drawing, the pattern that I would like to try is the Red Fox! And the three Vanna’s Choice colors would be Wild Berry, Terracotta, and Antique Rose.
VanGo87 said
Great interview, June! Hope SA is treating you well!
I would love to try a great many patterns of yours! particularly the Lacy Bobbies Cowl. But since I’m learning amigurumi, I’d love to try your Animal Ears pattern and then move onto the much harder Moptop Mascots and Red Fox next!
VanGo87 said
I forgot to mention the colours I would choose! I’d love to try the Dusty Purple, Magenta and Mustard. Great colours for fall and can make the mascots for my little cousins in their favorite colours!
wrchili said
I love designing with Vanna’s Choice too! I agree with it being hard to find yellow and orange yarn. My newest design has orange in it, and I had to look around forever before I found a yarn to make it out of that had orange. For Christmas last year my mom wanted me to make something for her with orange and yellow eyelash yarn. That was a nightmare to find!
Anyway, if I win I’d like the colors Cranberry, Dusty Rose, and Rose. I’d like the Sea Turtle pattern.
lorraine said
your little ami guys are the cutest! i especially love the Stegosaurus ..and isnt vannas choice the best…if i won id love terracotta,olive and dusty purple thank you!
Chrisie Merriman said
Nice interview! I just bought 8 balls of Vanna’s Choice for an afghan… I’m really looking forward to some cooler weather to work on it.
I would love the pattern for the fruit bat.
And the colours Espresso, Toffee and Scarlett.
Thanks for the giveaway!
Mike said
I would pick;
Eggplant
Mustard
Tangerine Mist
I would like to make the little Stegosaurus
Mireya said
what a wonderful interview ! I would adore your aardvark pattern and theses colors:
scarlet
wild berry
and kelly green
thank you for the give away ^_^
Devora Baronofsky said
I’d choose terracotta, golden and olive, and I think that I’d make a small table runner for my dining room table
Margo said
Congratulations to Liz and Zontee on 100 episodes. Thanks to you and Lion Brand for the giveaway.I would choose your German Shepherd pattern and black, beige and toffee.
Carol said
I love Vanna’s colors and texture, too. The colors I would like are Honey, Olive, and Denim Mist to make an army of Stegosauruses.
Emilie said
I would choose Linen, Silver Heather, and Sapphire with the Fuzzy Kitten pattern. I would use the Linen and Silver Heather yarn to make a kitty that looks like my cat, Lucy. The Sapphire would be the perfect color to try to make some cheerful flowers to decorate my office during the coming winter.
Jessica said
Oooh – I’ve wanted to try vanna’s choice yarn for ages but been unable to find a suitable UK supplier so this giveaway is very, very tempting! I even have the lovely “easy crochet critters” amigurumi booklet waiting to be used… so colours wise I would love to get my hands on:
– Terracotta
– Toffee
– Mustard
Thanks for the lovely giveaway and interesting interview 🙂
Rosita said
I would like to get pearl mist, toffee and pea green yarn 🙂 and I would looove to get your fuzzy bear amigurumi pattern 🙂
Silverlotus said
What a great interview, June. It totally makes sense now why there aren’t many yellow yarns. I don’t know why that didn’t occur to me before.
I’d love to be entered into the contest. 😀 If I won, I’d love Vanna’s Choice in Charcoal Grey, Linen and Brick. And, I’d love to win your Fruit Bat.
Kassie said
I would love your Fuzzy Ferret pattern and the color of yarns I’d choose would be Espresso, Wheat and Pearl Mist. I hope I win! I’d love to make that little ferret!
Cheryl Jackson said
Love your work!! The yarn I would choose are Scarlet, Antique Rose and Magenta.. So many yummy colors of yarn to choose from!!
Rianne said
Yay for give-aways. 😀
I’d love the pattern for the Arctic Fox, and yarn colors white, aqua and rose. <3
Judith said
I like the Light Pink, Toffee and Purple Print. Thanks!
becky said
OUh a give away 😀
The three colors I would choose are: Aqua, Terracotta, and the Mustard. 😀 I do like my yellows too hehe. This btw an awesome article and it is great to get a little insight.
Thank you