Thursday, July 26, 2018

For the Love of Yarn



Hi guys! It's been awhile! Life has taken some unexpected turns, and I've stopped broadcasting my knitting podcast (at least for now). Sometimes I try to do ALL THE THINGS, but in the end, I just can't keep up. I do want to continue this blog though... so here I am... Back again...
I'm still designing knitting patterns, so I plan to start sharing them here as well as whatever else I'm working on.
Here's a little introduction, for new readers, to reintroduce myself. I hope to get back to posting more regularly again... so stay tuned and read on...

YARN... Yarn... and more yarn. Who doesn’t like the soft, squishy, coziness of a good yarn? For many, yarn may bring to mind images of grandma sitting in her rocking chair, needles clicking as she knits the day away. But knitting is not what it used to be, and it hasn’t been for a long time. There are so many different kinds of yarns today and so many different fibers. There are big box yarn companies and indie dyers. There’s wool, alpaca, silk, merino, bison, buffalo, bamboo, cotton, acrylic, mohair, cashmere, angora, hemp and the list goes on. I’d have to say that my all time favorite fiber is alpaca and I love the animal just as much, if not more, than I love their wool.


I myself took up knitting just after my son was born about 12 years ago. The local library back in Aurora, IL, where I lived at the time, was offering a free basic knitting class. They gave each student a pair of big fat plastic needles. They must have been size US 11 or 13. They also provided us with bulky yarn. Mine was a lemongrass green color. The vibrance of it still vivid in my mind. By the time I left the class, I had a garter stitch scarf in progress. I couldn’t wait to finish it and gift it to my daughter who was then only 2 or 3 years old. That scarf was the beginning of a passion I’ve never outgrown.

Since then my love of yarn and all things knitting has become more than just a hobby. For years I called it my knitting therapy. It provided comfort and an escape from the worries of the day. I didn’t leave home without a knitting bag filled with yarn and my current WIPs (works in progress). I knit in the car, whether it was a road trip or just a short drive to the grocery store. No, I didn’t knit and drive, I was the passenger. But I might have tried if it were safe and legal. I knit at restaurants while waiting for my food and I knit in parking lots while waiting to pick my kids up from school. You name it, and I've probably knit there.

After a few years, my knitting progressed into designing knitting patterns for several yarn companies and knitting magazines. But I’ll save that story for another post. Until then, I’d love to hear from you! Leave a comment below and let me know how long you’ve been knitting and what your favorite type of yarn is! And most of all... happy knitting!

Wednesday, January 20, 2016

Bayareaknitter Podcast Episode 14: An Interview with Kara Gott Warner

The New Year is upon us and I want to thank each and every one of you who have stood beside me through my humble podcast beginnings! I'm really looking forward to this new year with high hopes and expectations!
That said, I'm so happy to be opening the 1st chapter of my podcast this year with my friend Kara Gott Warner! I had the pleasure of meeting up with her and squeezing in this little interview while at TNNA earlier this month. 


Show Notes:
Kara Gott Warner, Creative Knitting Magazine Executive Editor, and host of Power Purls Podcast, began her career designing knitting patterns in 2002. Her designs have been published in several magazines, including: Creative Knitting, Vogue Knitting, Family Circle Easy Knitting and Interweave Knits. Kara has a background as a technical illustrator, working with craft book publishers such as Random House, Lark Books, Sterling Publishing and F+W. Kara first joined Annie’s Publishing in 2008 as a knitting book editor, and then in 2010 signed on as Executive Editor of Creative Knitting Magazine and Annie’s knitting publications. Through her Power Purls Podcast, Kara’s mission is to dig deep and ask those burning questions about what turned her guests on to “two sticks and fiber,” in the first place, and what keeps their needles moving!
Kara Gott Warner




You can follow Kara at these links:
Creative Knitting: www.creativeknittingmagazine.com 
Creative Knitting editor's blog, Splendid Sticks: www.splendidsticks.com


Monday, January 11, 2016

TNNA Yarn Group Fashion Show

I've just attended another TNNA Tradeshow... this one in San Diego. I'll be flying home on Wednesday, but wanted to share this Periscope video that I broadcast during the Fashion Show that was held on Friday night. Take a look now to see some of the latest runway trends in knit and crochet wear for the spring and summer season, sponsored by the Yarn Group.

Sunday, October 25, 2015

My Free Christmas Cowl Knitting Pattern is Available Now!

Fall is in the air, and Christmas will be here before we know it. So, I'm happy to announce one of my newest knitting patterns... the "Christmas Cowl". Available now as a free download!

Christmas Cowl designed by Christine Marie Chen

Knit it to give away as a holiday gift or knit one up for yourself to wear all winter long! The easy lace panel is perfect for a beginning lace knitter yet special enough that everyone will appreciate it!


Wednesday, October 14, 2015

Bayareaknitter Podcast Episode 13: Faina Goberstein talks about "The Art of Slip-Stitch Knitting"


I'm Proud to Welcome Knitwear Designer Faina Goberstein to my Bayareaknitter Podcast!
This Interview is actually a part of her Blog Tour! 
You can find the rest of the Blog Tour Schedule Here:


Tanis Knits –9/28
Yarn Thing Podcast – author interview podcast 10 AM, 9/29
Yarn Yenta - 10/8
Bay Area Knitter –10/15
Sheep to Shawl - 11/15

So without further ado, watch our interview now to find out how Faina got her start in knitwear design and to get a behind-the-scenes look into her new book, "The Art of Slip-Stitch Knitting". 



SHOW NOTES


Designs Shown During Podcast 
by Faina Goberstein:



Handles by JUL Designs 
photography by Joe Hancock

Volna Scarf from The Art of Slip-Stitch Knitting: Techniques, Stitches, Projects



Santorini Cowl from Interweave DVD 

Spiral Hat from The Art of Slip-Stitch Knitting: Techniques, Stitches, Projects

Bordo Shawl from The Art of Slip-Stitch Knitting: Techniques, Stitches, Projects


Kromka Hoodie from The Art of Slip-Stitch Knitting: Techniques, Stitches, Projects
photography by Joe Hancock
Koketka Sweater from The Art of Slip-Stitch Knitting: Techniques, Stitches, Projects
photography by Joe Hancock

Nebo Pullover from The Art of Slip-Stitch Knitting: Techniques, Stitches, Projects




The Art of Seamless Knitting is Another Great Book by Faina and Simona



The Art of Seamless Knitting
By Faina Goberstein and Simona Merchant-Dest

Lace Stockings from The Art of Seamless Knitting

Cabled Top from The Art of Seamless Knitting

Reach out and connect with Faina at these links:



Ravelry FGDesigns Group: http://www.ravelry.com/groups/fgdesigns

Facebook: Faina Goberstein
Twitter: @inasilver
Ravelry: Faina Goberstein

Books:

Craftsy classes: 

Thanks for watching! Until next time... Happy Knitting!!!

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Follow me!
Instagram, Periscope and Twitter: Bayareaknitter
Ravelry: needle2needle

Saturday, September 12, 2015

Bayareaknitter Podcast Episode 12: Catching Up, my MKAL and some yummy Yarn!


Follow me!
Instagram, Periscope and Twitter: Bayareaknitter
Ravelry: needle2needle
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/KnittingwithChristine
Ravelry Group: http://www.ravelry.com/groups/bayareaknitter-aka-christine-marie-chen

SHOW NOTES

Links:

My Bayareaknitter Mystery KAL Pattern:
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/bayareaknitter-mystery-kal

Pictured below are Prizes that will be given away to 3 random MKAL participants that have completed their shawl and posted a photo of it in the group thread! Winners will be drawn on Sept. 16th!
A HUGE thank you goes out to Roundabout Yarn and Justk33pknittin9 for reaching out to sponsor my MKAL and for contributing their beautiful products!!! I've also added a skein of Anzula's Haiku yarn (This is the same yarn I used for my Bayareaknitter MKAL shawl)!

Roundabout Yarn White Pines Worsted Superwash Merino 220 yds/100grams

Knit 1 Purl 2 project bag by Justk33pknittin9

Anzula Haiku Fingering 425 yards 70% Merino, 20% Bamboo, 10% Nylon

Periscope Replays:
http://katch.me/bayareaknitter

Yarns mentioned:

Anzula Haiku
http://anzula.com/

TreLiz Your Owl Yarn
Luxurious Hand Dyed Yarns and Fibers
http://www.treliz.eu

Other Links:

Basilwood Farms
http://www.basilwoodfarm.com/

Listen to my Interview on the Power Purls Podcast with Kara Gott Warner coming in October
(Date to be announced)
http://www.powerpurlspodcast.com

My home-based businesses:
Jamberry Nails
https://christinechen.jamberry.com/
Life Matters
http://lifeshotz.com/christine

Thanks for watching! Until next time... Happy Knitting!!!

Monday, August 24, 2015

Bayareaknitter Podcast Episode 11: An Overdue Update and Trying Something New


Follow me!
Instagram, Periscope and Twitter: Bayareaknitter
Ravelry: needle2needle
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/KnittingwithChristine
Ravelry Group: http://www.ravelry.com/groups/bayareaknitter-aka-christine-marie-chen

SHOW NOTES

Join my Bayareaknitter Mystery Shawl Knitalong:
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/bayareaknitter-mystery-kal

Yarns mentioned:

Anzula Haiku
http://anzula.com/

Other Links:

Knit 1 Purl 2 Project Bag by JustK33pKnittin9
https://www.etsy.com/shop/JustK33pKnittin9

Ravelry Mini Skein Swap Group
Sock Yarn Minis/Scraps Swapping
http://www.ravelry.com/groups/sock-yarn-minis-scraps-swapping

Last Episode's Podcast Winner:
TinaBW1
Please contact me with your address and I'll get your mini skeins right out to you! 

Thanks for watching! Until next time... Happy Knitting!!!