Category: Events

A Visit to the Lion Brand Yarn Studio

Posted on by Anna

I had such a great time yesterday at the Lion Brand Yarn Studio! The book signing was of course a lot of fun—I had a blast meeting knitters in person and seeing what they have to say about the sample toys from Knitting Mochimochi. Thank you to everyone who came out!

The staff at the store were all super welcoming. Before the signing, I was interviewed by Zontee for the Yarncraft podcast, which I think went well despite some nervousness on my part (I’ll let you know when it’s up), and then Patty, the Studio Director, gave me a tour of the store and told me all about how their amazing window displays come together. (It’s a big team effort!)

You may have already seen photos of the current Coney Island display that they have up this summer—it’s amazing to see in person.

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I hadn’t really noticed it on previous visits, but they also exhibit fiber art pieces on the back wall of the studio. I was really impressed by the studio’s commitment to creativity and experimentation with yarn.

Thank you to Patty, Zontee, and everyone at the Lion Brand Studio!

I’ll be returning to the Lion Brand Yarn Studio on August 29th to teach a Master Class, so if you are a toy knitting beginner or would like to see exactly how I do it (it also helps if you live in the NYC area), I hope you’ll sign up!

Toy Knitting Class at Lion Brand August 29

Posted on by Anna

If you’re in the NYC area and could use an in-person session on toy knitting, I will be teaching a class at the Lion Brand Yarn Studio from 2 to 5 pm on Sunday, August 29th!

In the class, we’ll use my Baby Gators pattern from Knitting Mochimochi to learn basic toy knitting techniques like using double-pointed needles to knit in the round, stuffing, and seaming.

babygators_lionbrand
[photo by Brandi Simons]

By the end of the 3-hour class, you will have finished your own Baby Gator or will be well on your way to finishing one at home!

I recommend this class for beginning to intermediate knitters who know some basic stitches and who may or may not have experience with knitting in the round.

For more information and to sign up, see the class schedule at the Lion Brand Yarn Studio website.

And don’t forget that I’ll also be at the Lion Brand Studio on July 27th for a book signing!

Release Party Wrap-up

Posted on by Anna

The Knitting Mochimochi release party on Sunday at Brooklyn General was so much fun! I didn’t know what to expect, since many people are out of town on July weekends, but I was pleasantly surprised by the steady stream of friends and new faces.

I got a little practice signing books, which is still kind of strange to me. It feels like a mixture of vandalism and middle-school yearbook signing. (“Stay sweet!”)

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The best part was seeing people’s in-person reactions to the toys in the book. They were mostly of the “cuuute” variety (with one or two “huh?”s thrown in for good measure), and Grouchy Couch and the Feet Eaters seemed to get the most attention.

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Thank you to Brooklyn General for hosting, and to everyone who turned out!

If you missed the party, next I will be at the Lion Brand Yarn Studio on July 27th (Tuesday) at 6 pm for a book signing. I can’t wait!

Cross-stitch Class at Brooklyn General August 8

Posted on by Anna

In the past couple of years, cross-stitch has become second only to knitting to me in the category of favorite craft projects. New Yorkers who are interested in learning how to do it but aren’t sure where to start should check out the beginning-level cross-stitch workshop that I’ll be teaching at Brooklyn General at 5-7 pm on Sunday, August 8th. Participants will have first crack at my newest pattern!

forestfriends_class

Along with everything you need to know about how to work with a cross-stitch pattern, the class will include a tutorial on framing your finished cross-stitch and (if time allows) some tips on creating your own design.

You can sign up via the Brooklyn General website. See you there!