Skein and Tell

10 Secret Questions with Toni Lipsey: Uncovering the Magic Behind the #FrostandBloomCAL

Join host Gea for a warm, unfiltered conversation with the brilliant Toni from TL YarnCrafts as she walks us through the much-anticipated #FrostandBloomCAL and the heirloom-ready Aura Lapghan you'll be making over six cozy weeks. Toni spills everything, from the inspiration behind the design name, to the practical prep tips you actually need, the clever assembly hacks that save your sanity, and the one motif that stole her heart. You’ll hear: * ✨ Why the blanket’s official name is Aura Lapghan and how “Frost and Bloom” is the spirit of making in winter * 🧶 What a lapghan is (hint: heirloom vibes, perfectly sized for one) * 🔧 Toni’s top preparation tips: reading stitches, practicing a tighter gauge, and small practice projects to build confidence * 🪡 The one assembly rule she swears by: weave in your ends as you go (and why you’ll thank her later) * 🧩 Why the join technique is crochet-based (no eternal whip stitching!) and how the seaming order makes assembly zippy * 🌿 Why the cotton-wool blend was chosen * 🎨 How Part 5 lets makers personalize the Lapghan with five filler motifs of their choosing * 💖 Toni’s absolute favorite motif Plus: Toni’s advice for makers of every level (yes, even if motifs ramp up in complexity), small-gauge tips for long-lasting blankets, and practical week-by-week expectations so you know what to prepare for. Ready to join the CAL, level up your motif skills, and make a blanket you’ll love for winters to come? Hit play and start stitching with us. ✨🧶 Useful links: * Blog post: link coming soon * CAL kit: coming December 3rd on hobbii.com

Make Your Motifs Pop: Mastering Color Dominance in Stranded Knitting

In this episode ofSkein and Tell we’re unraveling one of the most powerful secrets in colorwork: color dominance. It’s a tiny detail, the way you hold your yarns, but it completely transforms your knitting. Get it right, and your motifs are bold, sharp, and professional. Get it wrong, and they blur into the background. In this episode, Gea will walk you through: * What color dominance is (and why it matters so much) * How to hold your yarns for consistent, crisp motifs * The connection between floats and dominance (and how not to mix them up!) * Gea's best tips and tricks for practicing dominance with the Dorthea Collection * A little history lesson, from Selbu mittens to Fair Isle sweaters, on how knitters have used dominance for centuries Want to see it in action? You can find free Dorthea patterns on hobbii.com and read the full blog post here: http://hobbii.com/blogs/news/color-dominance-in-stranded-knitting [http://hobbii.com/blogs/news/color-dominance-in-stranded-knitting] And don’t forget to share your colorwork with us on Instagram, so tag @hobbii_yarn and @copenhagenfibers with #hobbiidorthea and #CopenhagenFibersByHobbii. Because when it comes to colorwork, it’s not just about the colors you choose, it’s about how you make them shine.

Mastering the Mystery of Colorwork Floats: Your Guide to Stranded Knitting Confidence

Hey yarn bestie! Gea from Hobbii here, and today on Skein and Tell we’re pulling back the curtain on one of knitting’s greatest mysteries: floats in stranded colorwork. Those little strands running behind your stitches can make or break your project... Too tight and your fabric puckers, too loose and it snags. But once you learn how to manage them, floats turn into pure magic: smooth fabric, bold motifs, and colorwork you’ll be proud to show off. In this episode, we’ll unravel it all: * What floats are and why they matter * How to keep them neat, stretchy, and snag-free * Pro tips for catching floats, controlling tension, and using the “inside-out” trick * The hidden history of floats (and the surprising secrets they reveal about knitters past and present) * How to practice with the beginner-friendly Dorthea Mittens, then build confidence with the Cowl, Sweater, and Yoke Sweater Ready to conquer colorwork? Download the free Dorthea patterns on hobbii.com, read the full blog guide here: http://hobbii.com/blogs/news/how-to-work-with-floats-in-stranded-knitting [http://hobbii.com/blogs/news/how-to-work-with-floats-in-stranded-knitting] And don't forget to share your projects with us on Instagram, so tag @hobbii_yarn and @copenhagenfibers with #hobbiidorthea and #CopenhagenFibersByHobbii. Because floats aren’t just the hidden side of your knitting, they’re the secret that makes colorwork shine.

Explore the Bold Beauty of Modern Nordic Colorwork: Inside the Dorthea Knit Collection

On this episode of Skein and Tell Gea is diving into the bold, beautiful world of colorwork with the Dorthea Knit Collection from Copenhagen Fibers. Named after the street where our Hobbii HQ lives, Dorthea is all about honoring tradition while giving it a fresh, modern twist. Four free patterns: a pair of mittens, a cowl, a statement sweater, and the crown jewel yoke sweater, all show off Scandinavian style in every stitch. In this episode, we’ll unravel it all: * Why colorwork feels like magic (and why it’s addictive once you start) * How the yarns (Natural Wool, Brushed Alpaca, Baby Alpaca Blend, and Silk Mohair) combine to create texture, softness, and depth * Gea's top tips for floats, color dominance, and choosing palettes you’ll love * A quick trip through colorwork history, from Egyptian socks to Selbu stars to modern Scandi chic * The difference between traditional motifs and today’s bold, graphic designs All the Dorthea patterns are free on hobbii.com, and you can see all the photos, yarn pairings, and color inspiration on the blog: http://hobbii.com/blogs/news/dorthea-pattern-collection [http://hobbii.com/blogs/news/dorthea-pattern-collection] When you cast on your Dorthea, don’t forget to share it with us on Instagram, tag @hobbii_yarn and @copenhagenfibers, and use the hashtags #hobbiidorthea and #CopenhagenFibersByHobbii. Because these aren’t just knits you tuck away in a drawer, they’re knits you’ll wear, love, and show off. Because Copenhagen Fibers is Made to Notice.

Discover The Stripes That Never Go Out of Style: Inside The Thekla Knit Collection

In this episode Gea takes a deep dive into the Thekla Knit Collection, four modern patterns designed for Copenhagen Fibers that celebrate stripes, structure, and Scandinavian simplicity. From the chic Thekla Polo to the oversized Thekla Sweater, the soothing ribbed scarf to the playful striped hat, this collection reimagines timeless stripes with a fresh Nordic edge. Gea will take you through every detail: the clever constructions, the merino yarns that make stripes pop, and my favorite tips for choosing the perfect stripe colors (plus a little history of stripes you’ll never forget!). All the Thekla patterns are free on hobbii.com, and you can see all the photos, yarn pairings, and color inspiration on the blog: http://hobbii.com/blogs/news/thekla-pattern-collection [http://hobbii.com/blogs/news/thekla-pattern-collection] When you cast on your Thekla, don’t forget to share it with us on Instagram, tag @hobbii_yarn and @copenhagenfibers, and use the hashtags #hobbiithekla and #CopenhagenFibersByHobbii. We can’t wait to see your stripes come to life! Because some knits are just too good not to share and Copenhagen Fibers is Made to Notice.