Knitting in the summer is fun. It just requires a few adjustments. Going to an air-conditioned room is one option. The other, which allows for sitting on decks, porches, and in yards, is to choose a yarn that is comfortable to touch, even in high humidity. effrey Wall, one half of The Yarn Guys, the … More It’s summertime, and the knittin’ is easy…
Dear Knitters and Readers, Thank you for following Ingebretsen’s Knitting blog. We want to let you know that we will be on hiatus for an indefinite period of time. All of the Lake Street community has felt grief, pain, and loss from the events of the past three weeks. Ingebretsen’s, like our neighbors, must now … More Taking some time to reflect
I won’t ask for a show of hands, but how many of you have looked at a knitting pattern, shrugged at the line that says, “Make a gauge swatch” and entrusted the fit of your knitting project to wild optimism? Are you part of the knitting population who closes their eyes, clicks their heels, and … More Why bother with a gauge swatch?
We’ve all been watching the devastation taking place in Australia with the wildfires. Efforts are being taken to save not just humans and property but the wildlife. It is estimated that close to a billion animals have already been lost to this fire. One thing that is helping is people are knitting, crocheting, and sewing … More Australia Needs Your Help
There comes a time in a knitter’s life, usually in mid-December, when one realizes the list of gifts one planned to knit and the list of gifts that one can complete in time for Christmas are two very different lists. Sadly, the latter list is usually shorter than the former. Knitters, however, are resourceful, problem-solving … More A gift guide for knitters who are pressed for time.
Knitting patterns that are enjoyable to make and feasible to finish in time for Christmas are not unicorns. They do exist and Ingebretsen’s has them. You are not consigned to giving cute Christmas cards with rain checks and promises that the recipients will get their gift on St. Patrick’s Day. Below are some suggestions for … More Quick knits that are lovely gifts
October is a time to pick apples, pumpkins, and patterns for hand-knitted Christmas gifts. Hand-made gifts are appreciated, Ralphie’s pink bunny pajamas from “A Christmas Story” notwithstanding. If you are making gifts this year, some of our staff have strategies that may help you complete your knitting on time. Karen Haynes knits for relaxation. “Some … More Ready, Set, Go start knitting your Christmas gifts.
“My mission is to let people know about Swedish knitting, “ says Wendy J. Johnson, knitting designer and instructor. Her patterns and classes at Ingebretsen’s have drawn attention to Lovikka, Sweden, population 61 and home to the world’s largest mitten (12 feet tall). Here, in 1892, Erika Aittamaa first created he signature mittens. Erika may … More Wendy J. Johnson: Celebrating Swedish Knitting Traditions
Theresa Gaffey is a bit of a Renaissance woman, though she is more likely to describe herself, lightheartedly, as “a simple Irish peasant.” The author of knitting patterns available at Ingebretsen’s, Theresa is currently at the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, where she writes, edits, and creates web content. Before that, she was the editor of … More Designer Profile: Theresa Gaffey
When knitters who want dependable, well-written patterns come to the needlework store, they know to go to the big binder marked “Nancy Lindberg Patterns.” For 32 years, Nancy Lindberg carefully tested, knit, and wrote directions that knitters trust. While Nancy is not writing any new patterns, she continues to sell her existing ones and Ingebretsen’s … More Designer Profile: Nancy Lindberg “I knew that I had to make this my job.”
