Laura Nelkin started out in apparel design and worked with weaving and textiles back in college. While knitting is something she learned more recently, it has taken off for her. She worked as the Design Director for Schaefer Yarn Company before starting and branching off with Nelkin Designs. Laura lives in upstate New York where the sunny season is short and there is plenty of time to knit! Laura is currently enamored with lace, and incorporating beads into knitted jewelry, so most of her designs lean in this direction.
The kits for the jewelry and accessories can be found in 400 stores around the country! Laura was one of the first designers on Craftsy; she currently has two classes you can take: Mastering Lace Shawls and Knitting with Beads. The kits are great quick gift ideas to give or make for knitters, even the Yarn Harlot says so! The kits are a great starting point for sure, and the possible combinations are almost beyond imagination depending on your yarn and bead choices! The Mudra Cuff, shown at left, Mudra Necklace, Butin Earrings, and Butin Necklace would be great teacher gifts! Rippled has a bit more heft and weight to it.
You can follow Laura (and her design exploits) on her blog, Twitter, Facebook, and in her Ravelry group. She travels a bit for classes – click here to see where and when!
Giveaway #1 – on December 16 Marly will pick a winner for Adorn Anew, Laura’s second knit jewelry e-book! If you would like to be entered to win, leave a comment on Marly’s Facebook page, and don’t forget the keyword! Leave your comment by midnight, December 15!
Giveaway #2 – One lucky listener will win a copy of Adorn, Laura’s first e-book! Leave a comment on this blog post! Don’t forget the keyword (it’s different!)!
Giveaway #3 – One lucky listener will win a Mudra Cuff kit! Link to Laura (@LNelkin) and Marly (@Marly_Bird) on Twitter. A winner will be picked in a few days! No keyword needed since Twitter space is short!
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This podcast is sponsored by: Knitter’s Magazine, Craftsy, Fiesta Yarns, Kollage Yarns and Bijou Basin Ranch.
I would absolutely love to learn to knit jewelry! Wouldn’t that be a great subject for another Craftsy class?
Hi Marly, another great show! I love to knit jewelry! Laura’s designs are so beautiful. I made the Butin Collar as a shop sample and it just made me want to knit more of Laura’s designs!
What girl can have enough jewelry–especially if it’s knit jewelry!?!?!?!?!?! I can’t wait to make some. I love Laura’s patterns and have several on my wish list!
Wendy (Wendeluu on Ravelry)
I love knit jewelry and it is hard to find such great patterns as Laura has written.
Usually when I bead I pick up my tatting shuttle; it would be great to have some patterns to knit jewelry instead!
Marly, you have inspired me to knit jewelry, between Betsy and now Laura!
I’m taing Laura’s bead class on Crafty–loving it. I am excited about knitting jewlry and wearing my knitting in summer months.
I have only ever made knit jewelry with wire and would love to try with yarn