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I'm very excited to release this "learn to knit a hat" pattern just in time for my upcoming workshop at Bay Area Cancer Connections in Palo Alto! For those looking for a very basic pattern that works great for a new knitter, please consider purchasing this pattern.
Proceeds from the sale of this pattern are donated to Halos of Hope. Happy Knitting! Kyle 
Photo courtesy Practical Publishing, UK
I have a new pattern out in the March, 2015 of UK based Knit Now magazine! It was lots of fun
to come up with this design that uses short row shaping to create the slanted stripe motif. Like/Favorite on Ravelry: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/harrison-hat Learn more: http://www.knitnowmag.co.uk/ Happy Knitting, Kyle  While I was in Seattle for the Madrona Winter Retreat, I visited the Skacel warehouse and was given the opportunity to experiment with one of their new yarns, CoBaSi DK.
Paired with another yarn they carry, Ambiente, I thought it'd make a really lovely linen stitch cowl... not just because of the color patterning in Ambiente being obscured by the solid main color yarn, but also because of the mixture of the two yarn materials. Ambiente is merino superwash, while CoBaSi DK is cotton, bamboo, silk, and nylon. The two of them combined create a layer that's warm (but not too warm) for cooler temperatures. It's a free pattern, available HERE. I hope you enjoy it. Happy Knitting! Kyle  My latest pattern, Trenton, is now available in the special issue of Creative Knitting Magazine called Just-in-Time Knits. The goal with this design was to come up with a pattern that would make use of much-loved scrap yarns. In this case, it's worsted weight (Cascade 220), and there's a total of 7 colors specified in the pattern. If you choose to be creative with your color selections, I suggest that the main (MC) and beginning/end sections (G) be solid colors so the seam will be less conspicuous. This pattern is available exclusively through Creative Knitting Magazine. Happy Knitting! Kyle
Photography: Annie's Publishing
So... I made this colorful raglan pullover in August, 2009 out of a bunch of different skeins of Noro Kureyon and LOVED it for years. I loved how the sleeves didn't exactly "match" and that the craziness of the color changes made the knitting go very quick. (I finished it in 13 days) Well, years have gone by and it was starting to show a bit more wear than I like... so one day last week I decided that I should felt it to see what the fabric would look like.
I'm quite pleased with how it felted... but now I'm not sure what I'm going to do with it. My first thought was to make a hat but it's too thick. Then, I thought perhaps make a bag? What do you think? The stripes are so fun and I really do want to cut and sew it into something interesting.... 
In other recycling-related news, I have found myself a bit distracted by my stash now that the book knitting is all complete. I found some skeins of yarn made from sari silk waste in the stash and decided that it's time to make something out of it.
At first I thought I'd make a shawl, but then decided that a throw would be more practical for my house. I love how random the coloring is in these skeins! Because they're all a little different, I decided to separate each skein by a few rows of another yarn that's from my stash (a wool blend from Katia). It's all stockinette, and it'll be more difficult to haul to knitting groups as it grows larger (or at the very least it'll require a larger bag!) but I'm really enjoying the simple stockinette knitting on larger needles. I plan on picking up more of this yarn at Stitches WEST from my friends at Darn Good Yarn! I haven't decided how I'll edge the throw yet... I'm guessing crochet of some sort, and probably with a light colored yarn similar to the Katia. Any thoughts? Kyle  For those of you who haven't heard about it, the Madrona Fiber Arts Festival is an annual event that's chock full of really interesting classes, and a beautifully curated shopping venue. It takes over the entire Hotel Murano The main classes fill up super quick, so mid January (now!) they also announce a host of fun "mini-classes" about various different topics. It's another chance to get in and learn something interesting. These classes are 90 minutes long, and are limited to 10 students each. I'm teaching a mini-class on Sunday morning that will help you master the skills needed to work stranded knitting but with no floats on the wrong side. 
Look, Ma! No Floats!
Sunday Morning Session 2 9:00 - 10:30 Teacher: Kyle Kunnecke Beauty on the Inside: The Key to Locked Floats Ever looked at the "wrong side" of a stranded, hand-knit garment and see no floats? Do you wonder what was done to hide those floats and make it so beautifully finished? The answer may very well be what some refer to as "Armenian Knitting" or, what I call "Locked Floats". The technique is simple, and creates a wonderfully even fabric. In this class, we will first review how to carry floats across the back of the work (traditional), and then be introduced to this simple technique that results in a beautifully woven "wrong side". You'll learn some valuable tricks and leave inspired by the possibilities created. Experience: Students should have basic knitting skills, including the ability to cast on, knit, purl and read color work charts. Supplies: One skein each of two colors of worsted weight yarn (solid-color, wool yarns with medium to high contrast work best). Appropriately-sized circular knitting needles (bring a few different sizes or an interchangeable needle set) ruler, stitch markers, note taking materials, and usual knitting supplies. Location: Camaretta in the Hotel Check out all the mini-classes HERE! I'm really looking forward to this weekend up in Washington, and can't wait to hang out with all the like-minded fiber enthusiasts! Happy Knitting, Kyle I had the pleasure of being interviewed by the one and only Benjamin Levisay (XRX) on his podcast, Fiber Hooligan! His podcast can be found HERE and you'll discover all kinds of interesting fiber-industry folks on his show. Here's hoping you're having a great week!
KW It's the most wonderful time of the year (again!) and I'm back with a list of suggestions for items that you can get your fiber-loving loved-one. Here's 10 ideas that might pique your interest (or at least give you an idea of what one knitting-obsessed guy has on his mind for holiday gift giving). They asked for a Sheep!
Handmade Spindle
Practical Bags
What's on your mind?
Yarn Shop Gift Card
Give, Give, Give For me, the holidays are more than just a chance to recognize those I care about... it's also a time to support others in need. Kiva is a fantastic nonprofit that uses microloans and croudfunding to support and back folks working to make their lives and communities better. It's also a gift that keeps on giving since the loans are repaid, and then you have the chance to re-lend the money over and over! You can also email the gift certificate which makes it a great gift for friends online. $25.00 and up Purchase HERE Get Craftsy!
Shiny, Shiny!
Handwoven Chevron Scarf
So there you have it - my list for 2014 of some of the goodies that have caught my eye. Disclaimer: I don't get anything from sharing these links with you (other than the joy of doing it) - I'm not paid by these folks or compensated in any way. It's done in the hopes that folks who really aren't sure what to get their fiber lover will find it useful. Happy Holidays! Kyle William Modern Luxury's San Francisco Magazine featured my men's knitting group in their section called "Affinities" in the December issue! Click to enlarge the page, or click HERE to see the entire December 2014 issue.
 Happy Holidays! (read: can you believe it's almost time to deck the halls and cross names off of lists?!) Well, it's true. and there's no sense attempting to ignore it. Since we're weeks away from Halloween, that means that we are less than 12 weeks from the end of the year. Have plans to knit for anyone this year? What will you make? Socks? A hat? A cute little bag? Scarf? This new compilation from Interweave includes 25 of their favorite patterns and as I looked through the copy the patterns looked like ones I'd have fun making for others. The thing is, you really have to start early if you plan to make for a lot of people... and in order to begin, you must first decide what to make. Here are a few of my favorites: My favorite piece is the Modern Quilt Wrap by Mags Kandis - Super yummy in Kidsilk Haze, I can imagine how excited someone might be receiving this as a gift. The colors make me smile, and I know that yarn is incredibly comfy, warm, and lightweight.  The Hourglass Rib Socks by Chrissy Gardner made it on my "love" list because it's an interesting pattern and it looked like the kind of design someone might make and then stash away for when they had the occasion to give a lovely gift. Anyone would love a pair of hand knit socks for the holidays, right? Cozied up in front of the fireplace... wearing gorgeously knit handmade socks... sipping cocoa, listening to holiday music while the snow falls (of fog rolls in if you're in San Francisco like me!)....  Less time consuming? The Wanderer cap by Jared Flood looks like an easy weekend project. Worked in another favorite yarn of mine (Shelter) its the type of timeless design we've come to expect from Mr. Flood.  OK last but not least... Ann Budd's Toe-up travelers caught my eye. A bit more interest in this design, and decidedly feminine, I especially like how the patterning continues up through the ribbing at the top of the sock. Crafted in Quince and Company Tern they have to be sheer luxury. (OK, OK... I love good yarn... what can I say!)  But what if the recipient is another knitter? I find these are the best people to knit for... they understand the time, energy, and heart that goes into a handmade item more than anyone else, because they also knit. Perhaps you'd like to give a copy of this book to a friend for the holidays? I have a copy to send to you! To earn your chance, comment on this blog post and let me know what your favorite thing to make for the holidays is.... and you'll be entered! (that "thing" could be something knitted, crocheted, quilted, carved, cooked, baked, or painted... whatever it is that sparks the holidays for you... share away!) - Enter by Saturday, October 11, 2014 11:59pm. Happy Holidays! :) KW UPDATE: Winner Announced
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