Knitting Needles—Materials Matter

Plus, Farm-fresh Yarn ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌

TOOLS Knitting Needles—Materials Matter Should you reach for metal, wood, or something else to cast on your next knitting project? By: Katrina King

Knitting needles are one of the great debates in the craft, and there are several opinions on what material is best: laminated birch, airplane metal, carbon fiber, bamboo, and more. Most options fall into two distinct categories: metal or wood. I started out on wood needles and transitioned to all-metal because I love to knit lace and want sharp points. I wonder, though: are there instances where wood is a more comfortable or effective option? Continue Reading

SUBSCRIBER EXCLUSIVE Farm-fresh Yarn How did that skein of yarn in a farmer's booth get so dreamy? Through years of sampling, listening to knitters, and collaborating with mills. One shepherd shares the journey to her perfect yarn. By: Anne Sammons

There's nothing better than a fresh-from-the-mill delivery of farm yarn. The satisfaction of about 2 years of work reveals itself as I open the box. Shepherds who create farm yarn know how special this moment is. Many of you who create with farm yarn can also relate. Continue Reading

SUBSCRIBER EXCLUSIVE Lambs Galore at Apple Creek Merinos! Learn about the joys—and frights!—that come with being a shepherdess during lambing season at this family farm in the Pacific Northwest. By: Debbie Blair

It's that time of year in the United States—lambing season. As a city girl who comes from a long line of farmers, I've always delighted in tales my father and grandfather would tell about raising pigs and sheep and cows, about sowing the seeds and harvesting the crops, and about what life was like on their farm in the middle of the Great Plains. Continue Reading

More Stories & Patterns You'll Love Explore your new digital source for knitting expertise, fiber stories, farm explorations, and more. Join us in exploring the world of natural fiber, must-knit designs, and the essential community of knitters.

Textured Tweed, Textured Stitches: 4 Tips for Knitted Bliss Does your textured yarn outshine your cables? We're here to help. Continue reading.

A Shepherd's Year: What to Expect When You're Expecting (Lambs) Nesting begins as lambing season approaches. Continue reading.

SUBSCRIBER EXCLUSIVE 10 Steps for Seasonal Woolen Storage Protect your beloved handknits and stash yarn by following some sensible precautions. Continue reading.

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