
Michelle
When and how did you learn? April 2017. My friend taught me at Miller’s Pub in Chicago.
Favorite Projects: Anything knit in the round! Cowl, hats and socks.
Process or Product stitching? Process – I have a basket full of unblocked projects!
Plant, Animal or Synthetic fiber? Animal
Bamboo, Wood, Metal or Plastic tools? Wood or metal – depends on my project.
Advice for new knitters? You are in charge. You can knit or crochet however you want and follow a pattern or not. The way you learn to knit does not have to be how you do so in the future. You do not have to choose between knit or crochet (or something else). Do it all! A knitter who can crochet – or vice versa – has more skills in their toolbox that makes them better at both.

Jan
Craft: Knitting
When and how did I learn to knit? My Grandmother lived across the street. Every day after elementary school I would go to Grandma’s and work on a project. One day she said, “Mother’s Day is coming. Let’s learn to knit.” That was my first foray into to a hobby that would become an obsession. After my sophomore year in college, I came home wanting to pick up knitting again. I took lessons from Mary Helen Growt, the woman who changed my life. Mary Helen taught me to knit continental. I will be forever grateful.
Process or product knitting: I love the process of knitting from falling in love with a pattern or yarn to learning new challenging techniques to steaming to giving the treasure away. But it all starts with falling in love. I don’t do “have to knitting,” I only do “want to knitting.” All through the process I ask myself, “Does this bring me joy?” If it doesn’t, I drop it like a hot potato. I knit every day. It is my zen.
What kind of needles? I collect needles. You name it and I have it. Each is the best for a certain type of knitting
Advice for new knitters? Find a LYS that you love and take lessons. Pick out yarn that you love. Pick out something small at first. Go to social knitting groups and talk to experienced knitters. Remember: cast-on, bind-off, knit and purl. Once you master those, everything else are just tweaks. Let knitting bring you joy.

Melissa
When and how did you learn? 2018, mostly self-taught with a little bit of YouTube and some not-so-gentle prodding from the teachers at Ann’s By Design.
Favorite Projects: Garments and functional items.
Process or Product stitching? Both depending on my mood and why or who I’m making it for. If it’s for me or I’m testing a new stitch or pattern or I’m just playing around with an idea in my head, it’s process. If I’m making it because someone asked for it or it’s a gift or commission, it’s product.
Animal or Synthetic fiber? Anything but Mohair.
Bamboo, Wood, Metal or Plastic tools? Metal
Advice for New Crocheters? Practice makes perfect – don’t be afraid to rip out a project and start over if it’s not working!
Check out our friends' projects and share your own
Tag your photos with #tinkandthefrogsamples on Instagram to add your project to our growing showcase!
Sample time!
Spring is just around the corner, and this adorable Kelsey Dress is the perfect knit for the little girl in your life! Michelle used one just one skein of Recycled Tweed by @queenslandcollection for the smallest size and had leftovers! Sized for ages 12 months - 6 years, this cute little dress is perfect for spring or paired with a shirt and leggings on chillier days. Recycled Tweed is a DK-weight yarn made of 100% recycled materials, making it an earth-friendly and pretty choice.
We have lots of choices that work with this great little pattern. In addition to Recycled Tweed, Michelle recommends Malabrigo Arroyo or Plymouth Dreambaby.
#tinkandthefrogsamples #yarn #knittedsample #knitsample
Sample time!
Michelle wrote this Colorburst Celebration Cowl pattern as a THANK YOU and to celebrate one year of Tink & The Frog! Using just one skein of Wonderland Yarns & Frabjous Fibers March Hare in their Colorburst collection, this beginner-friendly project knits up quick using simple ribbing, stockinette and linen stitch. Michelle used the Blue Skies & Rainbows colorway.
#tinkandthefrogsamples #colorburst #marchhare #knitting #yarn #yarnaddict
Sample time! 🥳
Midwest mornings are still a little chilly... It`s the perfect weather for a light cowl! Cubes and Hues knitted in @gustowool`s Echoes is a soft and beautiful springtime accessory. This pattern uses brioche knitting, but a similar effect could easily be made with simple knits and purls.
Echoes comes in two identical mini-skeins with exciting gradients dyed on a fingering weight merino and nylon blend. This beautiful yarn is hand-dyed in Turkey.
#knittedsample #gustowool #knitsample #tinkandthefrogsamples #knittingaddict #knitstagram
This cabled cardigan is a showstopper! 🤩
Our Women`s Cabled Jacket is knitted in Worsted Merino Superwash by @plymouthyarn and will achieve gauge in Galway or Encore as well.
Plus, this store favorite is going to be a knit-a-long starting in August! Srop in to pick out your yarn. Tentative start date is August 23 meeting at 10am.
#tinkandthefrogsamples #knitsample #knittersofinstagram #knitalong #knitstagram
Sample time!
Melissa crocheted this beautiful Duinen shawlette using a Mary Ann mini-skein pack from the Down the Rabbit Hole collection by @wonderlandyarns . This great pattern has multiple sizes and simple crochet stitches to create a stunning spring accessory! We have lots of mini-skein options to choose from, or try a Blossom to skip weaving in all those ends!
#tinkandthefrogsamples #yarn #crochetsample #crochetaddict #miniskeins
Sample time!
Christal knit our Perky Little Hat pattern in @malabrigoyarn #rasta in the Teal Feather colorway. This was a fun and quick knit, and there is enough yarn leftover for a pompom.... but we think it would look cute with a fur pom too - what do you think?
#tinkandthefrogsamples @tinkandthefrog
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