Behind the Scenes of Filming Knit and Crochet Now, Season 12

It truly takes a village to produce a television show!

Once I finish my step outs, I weave in all the loose ends, steam the pieces nice and flat, and photograph them to send to producers for final approval before organizing them for travel. Once approved, I organize the step outs in labeled bags within bags to keep everything extremely organized. Then I extract all of the detailed information I need from each section of the patterns for the specific step outs. For example, if I am showing a special post stitch decrease in round 4 of a motif, I copy and paste that specific line of the pattern onto a separate document and blow it up huge. Then it gets printed on heavy card stock, like a big index card. The reason we use card stock is because it makes very little noise on camera. Also, if it has to be seen on camera (like to feature a chart as I work), it has no wrinkles either. It takes some finessing to get all of this into a bag that is small enough for an airplane carry on, but doesn’t compromise the work! I usually put my card stock notes in a heavy folder so they don’t bend. Then I remove as much air as possible out of the baggies so the step outs can fit into a bag that will fit underneath my seat on the airplanes. I never pay for premium boarding, so by the time I board the plane, the overhead compartments are always full. And if my bag doesn’t fit underneath the seats, I would be forced to check the bag. And I absolutely cannot risk it getting lost.

Next I work on my wardrobe. I pack a unique outfit for every segment I will be filming at the studio. This season, I filmed 9 segments so I brought 9 outfits! For fun, I shopped several of my outfits from Amazon so you can buy them as well, if you like any of my outfits. You can see what I bought HERE

The general rules for filming for TV (PBS specifically) are modest coverage of cleavage and upper arms; no small prints; and preferably jewel toned colors in large prints or solid fabrics.

Once I travel to the studio location (2 plane rides and a rental car), I am greeted very warmly by everyone at the studio. There are so many people involved on a TV crew and each job is so important! Many of the crew do multiple jobs, too! But the best part is how kind, helpful and team-oriented everyone is on the set. I always like to swap make up tips with the professional make up artist, and this time was no exception! I learned about new techniques for coloring in my graying and thinning eyebrows (eyeshadow, not eyebrow pencil) and she showed me how to blend eye cream with concealer for a super moisturized under eye look! For someone with aging skin and dark circles, this was a very exciting tip, indeed! I also got to hear amazing stories, personally and professionally, from so many sweet people on the team.

When on set, I wear an ear piece so I can communicate with the producer and director (without it being heard on camera) and I wear a battery pack microphone. Unfortunately I struggled so much with the ear piece fitting me on this trip, that eventually we slapped tape across the back of my neck to keep it from falling out. It was kind of funny, but I loved how MacGyver-like the crew and I figured out “how to make it work”.

Now that I finished my part on the show, the real magic begins. And we can all enjoy this master team of talent when the 12th season of Knit and Crochet Now debuts sometime late summer or early fall 2021. I’ll be sure to let you know when I hear more detailed information. It will be available in select PBS stations first, then it will show up on Create Channel, too. Check your local listings for this exciting new season 12! Watch it LIVE or on demand with your service provider. And you can always download the individual episodes or the full season at Annies.

Join me on Patreon HERE

Kristin Omdahl is the best-selling author of dozens of knit and crochet books; designer of almost 1000 knit and crochet patterns; producer of award-winning videos; and curator of gorgeous yarns and products. You can join Kristin LIVE 5 days a week for The Kristin Omdahl Show on YouTube and browse through thousands of tutorial videos there, too. Kristin donates a portion of every sale to help survivors of domestic violence. Learn more about Kristin’s charity, Project Kristin Cares HERE.

Shop Kristin Omdahl Crochet Patterns HERE

Shop Kristin Omdahl Knitting Patterns HERE

I would love to see your creations. Just as much fun as making these myself is the satisfaction I get from seeing my designs come to life and other knit and crochet fans wearing them too. There are now 2 ways you can share what you have done!

• I have recently added a wonderful new interactive section to the website which I invite you to take part in, it has been a smashing success and such fun so far. It is the new “Share Your Project” section. You, my creators, can upload images and descriptions of your creations to share with the ever growing community! To upload simply click here. 
• If you want to continue the party, join the KO Community Forums on my website. It is 100% PRIVATE! You can start or join forum posts, and even direct message others, too. Join the KO Community forums HERE 

Additionally, I host a livestreaming podcast, vlog or show weekday on my YouTube Channel called The Kristin Omdahl Show. You can join the audience and even ask me questions LIVE! I often do a show and tell, or quick demo and I always interact with the live audience. It is a lot of fun!

You can browse through over 1000 previously recorded episodes HERE: The Kristin Omdahl Show Playlist. Make sure to subscribe to my YouTube Channel to get reminders when the next episode airs LIVE.

You can also Refer-A-Friend and get rewarded, too! Learn more HERE

I look forward to seeing what you create!

xoxo,

Kristin