You’ve Got Snippets: October 14, 2023

Dear knitter,

Welcome to your Saturday!

At MDK, this weekend is all about knitting and resting up—for next weekend! We’ve been trying hard to focus on day-to-day life, but the fact is, we can’t stop daydreaming about our upcoming visit to the Hudson River Valley for two of our favorite fiber festivals: Wool & Folk (Catskill, New York) and the New York Sheep and Wool Festival (Rhinebeck). 

If you’re among the 30,000 sheep-crazy funseekers heading that way next week, we’d love to see you. 

Here’s where to find us. Whatever you do, say hi! And ask us about Nash Yarn Fest (yes, that’s a teaser about more yarny fun times to come—in 2024). 

Meanwhile . . .

We had a big time on MDK this week.

She’s back! Dana Williams-Johnson and her favorite mini-model showed off a stripey cardigan that will look great on the whole coven this autumn. 

Our knitalong of Dee Hardwicke’s gorgeous designs for MDK Field Guide No. 25: Botanica is in full, glorious bloom. It’s a delight to see all the color combinations, variations, and sheer fun knitters are having with these patterns. If you’re knitting along with us—or thinking about it—Cristina Shiffman has created a help center full of helpful resources. Go for the tips and tricks, stay for the power scroll of sumptuous knitting. 

When we’re rolling in the deep of stranded colorwork, the question of floats always bobs to the surface. Hang onto this lifesaver from Kate Atherley: the whys and whens of trapping floats in stranded colorwork. 

Kay came up with a new fall cleaning method that is sure to catch on . . . with knitters, at least. 

If you’re looking for a bingeworthy series to knit to, don’t forget about this one. 

Remember to enter this week’s giveaway by midnight Central time Sunday night. The prize? Field Guides Subscription 2023! It’s never too late to get in on the fun and benefits of being a subscriber. 

As ever, we thank you for supporting this beloved, handcrafted enterprise. Every morning, we bring the best writers, teachers, and knitting to you. This is made possible by your purchases from the MDK Shop—thank you!

We invite you to support what you love, and have a great shopping experience while you’re at it. Thank you for keeping us going.

Questions? Email us anytime at hello@moderndailyknitting.com, and you’ll get a prompt personal response from a real live MDK person.

Stay healthy, take care of each other, and knit on.

Love,

Ann and Kay

Indigo Weekend!

One of our favorite artists and makers, Jan Quarles, is coming to MDK World Headquarters in Nashville for two days of in-depth workshops, December 9 and 10. Plus, join us for a festive evening of shopping the aisles of our warehouse just in time for the holidays.

We’re ecstatic to have this special time with Jan, where we’ll dive deep into the amazing techniques that Jan has masterfully honed throughout her years as an Indigo artist. Here’s the link to the registration page. A (blue) handful of spaces are left!

. External Link. Opens in new window.

About Jan

Jan Quarles is a legendary teacher in the world of natural dyeing. We are extremely lucky that she is joining us for this special weekend. This is your opportunity to explore the fascinating world of indigo dyeing with a truly delightful, inspiring teacher. We love every minute we get to spend with Jan, and you will too.

Stocking Season

Today’s Public Service Announcement: it’s pretty much Go Time if you’re dreaming of knitting somebody a Christmas stocking. We’ve got you covered with the pattern that has launched hundreds of jolly stockings to mantels all across the land!

Join us for The Great Botanica Knitalong

Colorwork is the sort of knitting that makes us feel a) creative, b) clever, and c) happy. And these projects are all pretty much sunbeams of joy, so we hope you’ll join us.

. External Link. Opens in new window.

There are six glorious projects in Field Guide No. 25: Botanica—ranging from a quick cowl to a throw for the ages. Choose your project to match your mood. We’ve done something we’ve never done before: we’ve created six yarn bundles, one for every design in this Field Guide. See them all right here.

Cottage Throw. This is one of the most glorious designs we’ve ever seen. Six color stories and a modern set of motifs combine to create a treasure for you to love. This yarn bundle is truly special.

Climbing Vine Mitts. A quick project. Your thumbs will thank you.

Treeline Cowl. We were gobsmacked when Dee showed us this colorway of Barn Red, Seaglass, Navy, and Pebble.

Blossom Stripe Shawl. A band of flowers trails across a field of stripes. Love this. In two colorways. Or create your own from our palette of 100% Rambouillet Atlas.

. External Link. Opens in new window.

Flora Arm Warmers take one each of Clementine, Barn Red, Merlot, and Tutu. Fun, quick, a perfect welcome to autumn.

. External Link. Opens in new window.

Autumn Garden Stole. Sophisticated color here, such a forever piece.

We Get Letters

. External Link. Opens in new window.

From a soon-to-be guest at the MDK Indigo Dyeing Workshop with Jan Quarles:

“This workshop sounds like so much fun. It feels like I’ve scored Taylor Swift tickets.”

From a happy camper:

“I love these virtual workshops and dream of the day I can attend one in person. Thank you for doing them!”

From a Field Guides subscriber: 

“How wonderful it is that you give us subscribers both the gorgeous hard copy + digital versions without an extra expense (plus the 10% off purchases)! 

I have all the FGs loaded onto my iPad for traveling or a quick lookup. But nothing beats getting to read the hard copy. Perfect size, amazing content, gorgeous photography, excellent design/print quality.”

Subscribe to Field Guides

. External Link. Opens in new window.

Subscribing to the MDK Field Guides is a way to support the joyful, high-quality content MDK brings to knitters, 365 days a year. We’re so grateful for the steady support of Field Guide subscribers—you’re keeping a vital, beloved resource and community of knitters going—and going strong.

To show our thanks, the Field Guide subscription comes with superb benefits.

• Every month, an exclusive coupon code to save 10% on all full-price MDK items

• An early copy of each Field Guide

• First access to special yarn bundles

• First dibs on event registration

If you’d like to join MDK’s most supportive readers, subscribe right here, and we’ll get your 2023 Field Guides in the mail to you right away—plus you’ll get the ebook editions instantly!

There’s a lot going on.

Our upcoming virtual workshops for October and November have sold out, but fear not: we’ve got more fun plans in the works. Keep up with all our events—virtual and in-person—on the events page. And stay tuned—first notice of new events goes to MDK Field Guide Subscribers, and then to our Snippets email mailing list.

Enrollment closes soon on the Premier Online Knitting Masterclass Event

. External Link. Opens in new window.

Knit Stars Season 8 launches on November 1 and features designers and makers whose presentations will inspire and energize your knitting. Earlier seasons are available too. We were Knit Stars in Season 3 and we loved our experience. Our affiliate link here. External Link. Opens in new window. takes you to Knit Stars to learn more and to enroll in Seasons 1 through 8!