About Yarn and Knitting

Discover the story behind our self-striping Autorayanteᵐᶜ hand-dyed yarn below. In English we use the term "self-striping" but since Biscotte Yarns was precursor in its field of expertise, no word existed in the French language to designate this type of color. It is thus in March 2009 that the owners appealed to Stéphanie Beaulieu, certified translator, and that with her they developed the word AUTORAYANTEᵐᶜ. Do not look for it in the dictionary since it is not there: it is a word invented and marketed by Biscotte Yarns to designate their striped wools! The name AUTORAYANTEᵐᶜ was introduced to the world of wool and knitting by Biscotte Yarns and is an integral part of the identity of this brand. What is the AUTORAYANTEᵐᶜ yarn? Since 2007, Biscotte Yarns has pushed the limits of hand-dyed wool by specializing its artisan dyeing technique. After several months of work, trials, mistakes and sacrificed wool, the owners have developed a way of dyeing the wool in colored stripes. For laymen, Biscotte AUTORAYANTEᵐᶜ self-striping yarns are dyed so as to produce stripes by themselves by knitting. No need to get several balls of assorted colors and worry about changing wool and weave in the ends. Everything is done automatically, it's almost magical! The production of this wool is a process that requires a lot of handling and sometimes loss before you arrive skein ready to knit. Biscotte Yarns pays particular attention to color changes in order to produce a smooth transition between stripes. The AUTORAYANTEᵐᶜ self-striping color palette is unique and exclusive to the Biscotte Yarns brand. The owners are proud to be able to offer their customers their SELF-STRIPINGᵐᶜ wool for almost a decade! They now have more than 60 SELF-STRIPINGᵐᶜcolors including the very popular Autorayanteᵐᶜ self-striping watermelon yarn.   AUTORAYANTEᵐᶜ for all tastes! Over the years, Biscotte Yarns has designed, produced and marketed over hundred self-striping Autorayante® colors, many of which  have become classics: What do you knit with self-striping AUTORAYANTEᵐᶜ yarn? To maximize the effect of the SELF-STRIPINGᵐᶜ yarn, you have to choose knitwear of small circumference such as socks, mitts, hats and scarves. Biscotte Yarns has developed knitting patterns that highlight different effects of SELF-STRIPINGᵐᶜ yarns as the following free sock patterns: Stitch Surfer, Viper's Tongue, Biscotte Sheep etc! These knitting patterns are available here, visit our knitting patterns collection on this page: KNITTING PATTERNS ONLINE

Sock yarn, self-striping yarn, knitting patterns – oh my. Prior to knitting, yarn was just yarn but as you start to indulge in this new hobby, you’ll quickly see that there is no shortage of options when it comes to materials. With baskets overflowing with all kinds of yarn, it can be difficult to know where to start. Fortunately, you’ve come to the right place. Here is a breakdown all of the different types of yarn and what each will do for your knitting aspirations. Sock Yarn For Feet Just as the name reads, sock yarns are for the kind of knitting designs you intend to be placed on feet. More specifically, this term refers to the weight of the yarn. You wouldn’t use the same yarn for a chunky knit sweater as you would for a pair of socks and that’s because of the way the material needs to fit. The most common sock yarns are DK weight, fingering weight and worsted weight, and they can typically be found in any fiber you desire. So, whether you want to craft some bulky winter knee socks, hiking socks or soft, traditional socks, sock yarn is where to go.   Self Striping Yarn For a Colourful Change Throughout our yarn website, you’ll hear a lot about self-striping yarn and that’s because it’s a huge trend. Self-striping yarns are yarns that have various colours woven together to create a stylish appeal. The colours change throughout the knitting designs, allowing every piece you create to be unique in its own way. Self-striping yarns are often used to create scarves, socks, hats, mitts, blankets – you name it. Hand Dyed Yarn for True Handmade Creations You’ll also come across several hand-dyed yarn varieties. These are excellent knitting materials for the true artisan out there, as each piece of yarn may not be identical to the next even if they come from the same dye. This is important to know if you intend to knit 100% identical pieces. The benefit of using this type of yarn is that it emits exquisite, hand-crafted beauty that you simply can’t get from brick and motor stores and products.   Yarns from Animals Yarns come from many different places, and some are even made with animal-based fibers from sheep (as the merino wool), llamas, goats (cashmere and mohair), alpacas, etc. Each has their own unique characteristics and softness. However, it’s important to know what type of animal the yarn is made of, as this can instantly determine whether or not you want to use it. For example, you may not want to use animal based yarns that are produced unethically and unnaturally from animals such as rabbits and foxes. This is a very important thing to consider, especially if you’re knitting for profit. Everyone appreciates yarns that are naturally provided by animals, such as wool from sheep, but the same can’t be said for all the rest.  Plant Producing Yarns Plants are also great sources of yarn that don’t harm the environment in any way.  These are a huge trend in today’s knitting industry, as people are starting to prefer natural, safe materials as opposed to synthetic ones. Some common types of natural plant-based yarns include cotton, bamboo, hemp, silk & seacell. Each have their own level of softness, which can help you determine which one is best for your knitting designs. Synthetic Fibers is Great for Starters While synthetic fibers aren't always the most common type of yarns used today, they still hold precedence and can be perfect for your knitting designs. These types of yarns are typically acrylic, which is an inexpensive and machine washable option, making them ideal for many knitting designs. They’re also a great yarn to start with if you’re a knitting beginner. And that’s not even getting into the true depth of the different varieties of yarn available across the industry. From speckled yarns to solid tones, lace to bulky yarn weight, everything you need to knit up your knitting designs can be found on Biscotte Yarns. Join our mystery yarn club today and enjoy new yarn to turn into a unique knitting patterns on the regular. You just never know what you're going to unravel.  NEWBIE KNITTER? Find more info about Knitting yarn types, knitting stitches and other resources for beginners on eKnittingStitches.com

  Behind every knitter is a giant basket full of yarns, knitting designs, and needles. As the knitting industry grows, with crochet fashion styles and yarn crafts coming into trend, there’s no better time to indulge in this hobby. What was once reserved for retired grandmas is now a modern day trend every age is enjoying. However, as a beginner it can be hard to know where to start. So, allow this to be your beginners guide to everything you need to know about knitting.    The Amount of Yarn to Buy It can be difficult to gauge how much yarn you need to buy for each knitting design, even if you’ve been knitting for years. Fortunately, all of the knitting designs on Biscotte Yarns tell you exactly what you need to create the masterpiece shown. In fact, each knitting pattern clearly describes the type and amount of yarn needed as well as the knitting needles required. So, all that’s left to do is channel your inner creativity and put your craft into action. This is important Biscotte Yarns benefit. When knitting designs don’t come with information about the type and amount of yarn, it makes the entire creation process significantly harder. So, we make sure the only thing you have to do is weave.    Easiest Knitting Designs for Starters Ask any knitter and they’ll tell you the easiest knitting designs to start with are hats and scarves. Whether it’s a patterned hat, ear warmers, headbands, long scarf, short scarf or something in between, this is where every beginner should perfect their craft. Hats and scarves are typically round or straight, making them the easiest knitting designs out there. However, it’s important to stick with the most basic of styles because like everything in life, hats, and scarves can also be very complex depending on the specific style. In other words, a standard scarf is going to be much easier to make than a ruffle scarf. So, stick with the simple staples first.   The Different Types of Yarn Not all yarns are created equally, and it’s important to know the materials you’ll be using within your knitting designs. While each knitting patterns available on Biscotte Yarns come with clear instructions, including the type of yarn to use, substitutions can often be made. This is important information to have, especially if you’re knitting something for someone with sensitive skin, fabric allergies or a specific lifestyle. For example, it’s probably a bad idea to knit with animal-based fibers such as wool if you’ll be gifting your creation to someone who is vegan. So, pay attention to the different types of yarn. Take the time to learn, feel and knit with several varieties, so you can understand each better. This will also allow you to easily implement substitutions as needed.    The Knack of Knitting Needles Along with baskets overflowing of knitting yarn and tabletops covered with knitting designs, you’ll also see the industry also has just as many knitting needles to choose from. If you have no idea where to start, read the instructions provided with Biscotte Yarns knitting designs, as the specific needle you need to knit up each masterpiece is carefully described. However, if you’re eager to purchase some knitting needles today, start with a medium size needle and medium yarn. These are the perfect and most comfortable size of knitting needles for beginners to weave up an incredible creation.    As you perfect your knitting patterns and learn more about the knitting craft as a whole, you’ll be able to move onto more complex knitting designs and materials. However, to ensure a positive transition from amateur to expert, start slowly and focus in on the small details before heading into the next level. You should definitely join our Mystery Yarn Club, where we send unique yarns and knitting designs to you bimonthly. It’s like Christmas every other month. So, join today and start knitting.

With a quick look at the knitting designs available on Biscotte Yarns, you’ll see an abundance of things you can create. The knitting industry has taken over with a storm. It’s no longer a hobby for little old ladies in nursery homes. It’s now a trend that all ages are enjoying and the fashion industry is following en suit. However, knitting isn't the only thing you can do with the vast selection of yarns available. So, channel your inner creativity. Here are the amazing types of needlework you can do to turn your craft into a masterpiece.   Applique Needlework Applique is a term used within the knitting industry that describes the process of creating art with different pieces of fabric. It dates back to ancient times and is a great type of needlework to create decorative pieces. As each bit of fabric is applied to another, a unique, stunning art form is created. Applique is applied to all types of items as well, from clothing to quilts, hats, mitts, scarfs and even household accessories. So, if you’re looking to really channel your inner creativity, applique needlework is definitely for you.   Crocheting Take a look on any boho chic fashion site and you’ll see crochet styles. It’s a form of knitting that involves inter-looping your yarn with a hooked needle. Crocheting also dates back several centuries and is coming back this year with a vengeance. People are wearing all sorts of crochet cardigans, crochet sweaters, crochet accessories – you name it. So, if you’re interested in creating a fashion ensemble, it’s time to put up some yarn and hook needles. Bead Embroidery As you perfect your knitting craft, you’ll be able to apply several different elements to take your yarn to a new level of style. Bead embroidery is the process of apply beads to your fabric. As you can imagine, the possibilities are endless as there are just as many bead choices as there are fabric and yarn selections. So, this is a great type of needlework for anyone looking to create artistic, personalized pieces.   Hand Embroidery Despite the name being similar to the prior, hand embroidery is quite different. By hand, you decorate a piece of fabric with yarn to create a unique, artistic item. This is often seen in knit sweaters and scarfs. So, with a needle and some yarn, you would sew it into the knitting designs to create a unique item.   Knitting Knitting is certainly the most common form of needlework which involves two needles and some yarn. It is also an ancient art form that used to be associated with little old ladies and a rocking chair. However, knitting is a modern day sensation and all generations are starting to get involved with this hobby that allows them to express themselves creatively.    Needlepoint A type of needlework often forgotten about that involves yarn is needlework. Unlike knitting, you do need a specific tapestry needle and an open weave canvas to make these kinds of art. However, the options are endless and incredibly artistic. By covering the surface of your canvas with your choice of yarn. You can create a vast array of patterns, designs, and masterpieces.    There’s a common misconception that knitting only involves yarn or that yarn is only used for knitting. While various types of yarn are commonly the main component of such art pieces, there are several different types of needlework that can take your knitting to the next level. So, if you’re ready to put these types of needlework into action, it’s time to shop some knitting kits, knitting designs and needles.   Don’t forget to join our Mystery Yarn Club and enjoy new knitting designs and yarns on a bimonthly basis. Life is a like a box of yarn, you just never know what you’re ‘gon get.  

Knitting and crocheting are two popular yarn crafts. Although the techniques involved are quite different, the benefits achieved from each are quite similar. Whether you do, or want to do, one or both crafts, knitting and crocheting provide relaxation and a wonderful way to create hand-made gifts and decorations for every holiday. Relaxation Whether you’re clicking knitting needles together or silently hooking away, knitting and crocheting are meditative and relaxing. Something about the feel of the yarn and the repetitive nature of the motions involved helps the brain relax and achieve a nearly meditative state. External pressures and problems disappear as your brain and body hone in on the creation process. In fact, studies show that creativity and positive emotions are deeply connected in the brain. Depending on emotions, different regions of the brain are activated during the creative process. Sad or angry emotions may impede the creative flow, but are also often more easily expressed through creativity than those of happiness and joy. Happy emotions, however, allow the creative process to flow more freely.  The wonderful thing about knitting and crocheting, however, is that it activates a creative process, but since most yarn workers use patterns, it doesn’t require that same active creative flow that creation of original painting or music would. Knitting and crocheting enable the brain to process any negative emotions in a peaceful, disconnected manner. Hand-Made Gifts Everyone loves giving and getting gifts. When they’re hand-made with care and love the joy on both sides is even greater. A scarf or sweater for a birthday, a blanket for a new baby or a marriage, a set of placemats and napkins to celebrate the purchase of a home…the list could go on forever. Items like this are completely unique and special. They’ll be truly appreciated by the receiver and the giver will experience heightened joy as a result. Halloween For the upcoming Halloween fun, kids need warm costumes and your home, or your neighbors’ might enjoy a unique Halloween themed decoration or two. Check out our fun hand-dyed Witch’s Underpants self-striping yarn to make all sorts of amazing Halloween creations. Halloween also means Candy Corn and other sugary treats. We’re so inspired by the vibrant colors of these tooth-shaped sugar bits that we made a yarn and a sock pattern to bring the fun to your feet! They’d be the perfect way to keep your feet warm under a witch or jack-o-lantern costume. Christmas Christmas is full of wonderful opportunities to create decorations with knitting and crocheting patterns. Stockings hung by the fire, tree skirts and ornaments, and cuddly toys are just a few ideas. Check our our Peppermint self-striping yarn to make a set of candy canes to hang on your tree.   Hand-Made Decorations Some of the ideas above you may want to keep for yourself. Fortunately, they’re so much fun to do, you can make some for yourself and some for your friends and family. And with so many different yarns to choose from, you can make them all slightly different and unique. What other ideas do you have?