Podcast appearances and mentions of benjamin levisay

Since 2006, my guest Benjamin Levisay has been the CEO & Director of Marketing and Sales for XRX also known as the Knitter's Universe. Founded over 35 years ago by his uncle and father, XRX is the publisher of the now retired Knitter's magazine as well as books and Stitches events. 

This week's episode is sponsored by: I want you to start living a happier life today. As a listener, you'll get 10% off your first month by visiting our sponsor at BetterHelp dot com slash knitmore Join over 1 million people who have taken charge of their mental health. Again, that's BetterHelp.com/knitmore    Presented by Ancient Arts Yarn, Edmonton Fibre Frolic is Edmonton's premier yarn and fibre festival. We connect fibre enthusiasts - makers, creators, teachers, learners – everyone sharing a love for all things fibre, yarn, and textiles. Join us May 28, 2022 and let us help you discover the wealth of luxury in your yarn habit.    Carry your creativity with Erin Lane Bags! Whether you show your fiber fandom with the woolly wonder Sheepleverse, or dive into history with the Curiosities collection, our project bags, totes, and hook and needle organizers are at the ready to keep your hobby happy.   Have you ever had to frog because you forgot a step several rows back? Or lost your spot because you dropped your magnet board or lost track with your highlighter tape? Instead of wrestling with paper, use the knitCompanion app. It keeps you on track so you can knit more and frog less. knitCompanion works with ALL your patterns and is available for Apple, Android, and Kindle Fire Devices     Are you feeling dis-GRUNT-eled about your stash? Are you browsing Insta-HAM looking for knitting inspiration? Is color "kind of a PIG deal" in your life? Oink Pigments offers over one hundred forty PIG-ture perfect colorways to make you SQUEAL with delight. For a limited time only, bring home the bacon with code KNITMORE and get fifteen percent off in-stock yarns and fibers at oinkpigments dot com. Shop soon, because these pigs will FLY!       On the Needles: (0:39) Gigi gave a pair of socks to Andrew in trade Jasmin swatched for the Godzilla sweater in Lisa Souza Pyrenees Worsted (“Styx”) with UV reactive beads from Bead Biz Gigi mentions the Cat's Pajamas Gigi working on a pair of denim blue tube socks for Genevieve Jasmin swatched some experimental Oink Pigments Linen Silk DK for the Encinitas Top Gigi cast on another pair of tube socks for Genevieve Gigi mentions Where is the Opaque from Sally Melville's The Knit Stitch Jasmin swatched in Seismic Yarn's “Natasha” color way for a deep cowl neck pullover for Genevieve (#17 Cowl Neck Pullover from Vogue Knitting Holiday 2011 issue) Working on a Regia sock for Andrew ,turned the heel  Jasmin finished the knitting and blocking on the Amber Pullover by Rachel Brockman in Wandering Flock Worsted “Cosmic Tie Dye” . Jasmin pulled her Humo Amargo cardigan in Onyx Fiber Arts DK “Burst” out of the UFO area and is nearly finished with the back. Jasmin pulled her Layered Cloche (from Knitted Hats) knit in Sea Change Fibers (experimental DK, now "High Tide") out of the UFO area and is a dozen rounds from completing it. Jasmin has joined a test knit: kid's Queen Been by Skeinanigans   Events: (18:28)   Jasmin & Lady Dye Diane are co-hosting a KAL! The Sea Glass Pullover (in DK). Pushed back to late may! Stash Dash! May-August Stitches Pasadena   Mother Knows Best:(22:49) Jasmin talks about the Altruism effect.   “Altruism activates reward centers in the brain. Neurobiologists have found that when a person behaves altruistically, the pleasure centers of their brain become more active. Engaging in compassionate actions activates the areas of the brain associated with the reward system” (Source)   Community Project:   Neighborhood Fiber Co.'s production and community mission has outgrown its current location, and owner, Karida Collins decided to purchase a larger building in the Midway neighborhood of Baltimore. This new location offers more square footage, ADA compliant access for customers, and increased space for additional classes and workshops. The new space is under construction to bring its gas and electric utilities up to code, and improve ventilation systems so that Team NFC can more safely work with dye pigments (as well as decrease the risk of Covid infection). Once these critical renovations are completed, cosmetic construction can begin on retail store space, class spaces, and outdoor area. The vision was always to have enough space so that Neighborhood Fiber Co. could not only expand their operations but also have the kind of facility that would work for projects and educational programs with Baltimore Youth Arts as well as other youth based organizations in the area. The problem is that since this project started (and Karida invested hundreds of thousands of dollars into the new building) the costs of renovations has more than doubled. Donations to this GoFundMe will go toward construction and labor costs to create a functional workspace and a welcoming creative hub in the Midway neighborhood. The sooner Neighborhood Fiber Co. can relocate, the sooner it can operate to its full potential and fulfill its community arts mission. Here is the GoFundMe link: https://www.gofundme.com/f/nfc-new-building-and-community-arts-center Here is the full blog post from Benjamin Levisay: https://stitches.events/news/letter-from-the-ceo/2022/03/neighborhood-fiber-co-a-fiber-arts-studio-and-community-arts-space/       When Knitting Attacks:(30:22) Swatches snowball in the Arbitrary Knitting Rules madness of my mind    Knits in Space:(37:38) Nowrooz History    And Sew On: (42:49) Need to find my joy in sewing again  Planning my summer sewing 

RSK 543 This week, Kathy is chatting with Benjamin Levisay of XRX all about Stitches SoCal, and other Stitches events that are coming up! Listen to hear more! And don't miss Steve's Yarn Picks of the Week! (Running Time 28:00)

RSK 536 This week, Kathy is talking to Benjamin Levisay of XRX all about Stitches Midwest! Listen to hear more about our favorite crafting convention! And don't miss Steve's Yarn Picks of the Week! (Running Time 28:00)

On today’s episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast I'm at Stitches United in Hartford, CT, talking with Benjamin Levisay, CEO of XRX, Inc., publishers of XRX Books as well as promoters of STITCHES Expos. Benjamin is a second-generation partner in this 31-year-old company originally started by his uncle, Alexis Xenakis, his father, David Xenakis, and their partner Elaine Rowley. Benjamin has been a part of the fiber industry since his family opened a yarn shop in Sioux Falls, SD when he was a small boy, an enterprise that later evolved into XRX. We talk about the closure of Knitters Magazine last and the expansion of the STITCHES shows. Benjamin explains the friction that sometimes arises between STITCHES and local yarn shops and how that might be resolved. We also talk about Benjamin's former podcast, Fiber Hooligans, a new physical product for selling digital books, and more. Learn more about the STITCHES shows on their website. +++++ This episode is sponsored by Sew Surprised. Sew Surprised is a learn-to-sew subscription box that is delivered to your door every month. Each box will contain all the materials needed to make a complete project, along with a link to a video showing you exactly how to complete the project. Sew Surprised is perfect for anyone who wants to learn how to sew, and we have boxes for boys, girls, and adults too! Visit us at Sew Surprised to get started. +++++ Please note that this show used to be called the While She Naps podcast. The name has changed, but the content and host have stayed the same. To get the full show notes for this episode, visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Meet with show host, Abby Glassenberg, each month for our Craft Business Roundtable, get access to courses and webinars taught by industry leaders, and much more.

RSK 485 This week, Kathy talks with Benjamin Levisay, CEO of XRX, Inc. to talk about Stitches United. And don't miss Steve's yarn picks of the week. (Running Time 28:00)

Benjamin Levisay is a second-generation partner in this 29-year-old company originally started by his uncle, Alexis Xenakis, his father, David Xenakis, and their partner Elaine Rowley. He is more commonly known as one of the hosts of STITCHES. It is his intention to carry on the legacy of passion and commitment that characterized his family’s contributions to the fiber world. Listen Live for chance to win great prizes! Stay up to date with the Yarn Thing podcast with the App available on iTunes and for Droid.Find our more about Marly at www.MarlyBird.com or follow her on Facebook Sponsored by:  Red Heart YarnsKnitter's MagazineCraftsyLo-Lo by Bar-MaidsErin.Lane BagsCreativebugBuffalo Wool Co.Green Mountain Spinnery

RSK 453 Kathy talks with Benjamin Levisay and Alastair Post Quinn. (Running Time 28:00)

Benjamin Levisay, CEO of XRX, Inc., publishers of Knitter's Magazine and XRX Books as well as promoters of STITCHES Expos. After a career in the software industry, Benjamin rejoined the company ten years ago as CEO and Director of Marketing & Sales. He is more commonly known as one of the hosts of STITCHES and board member of Halos of Hope. It is his intention to carry on the legacy of passion and commitment that characterized his family's contributions to the fiber world. Listen Live for chance to win great prizes! Stay up to date with the Yarn Thing podcast with the App available on iTunes and for Droid.Find our more about Marly at www.MarlyBird.com or follow her on Facebook Sponsored by:  Red Heart YarnsKnitter's MagazineCraftsyLo-Lo by Bar-MaidsErin.Lane BagsCreativebugBuffalo Wool Co.Green Mountain Spinnery

The incredible generosity and talents of Cee Cee & BeLinda Creech are on full display in this episode of The What Now Show. The guys also welcome Benjamin Levisay, CEO – XRX, Inc. (Knitter's Magazine, XRX Books, ... online home of Knitter's Magazine, XRX Books, and STITCHES Events) to discuss the value of gifts & talents. All of that, another instructive Top Ten list and more.

The incredible generosity and talents of Cee Cee & BeLinda Creech are on full display in this episode of The What Now Show. The guys also welcome Benjamin Levisay, CEO – XRX, Inc. (Knitter's Magazine, XRX Books, ... online home of Knitter's Magazine, XRX Books, and STITCHES Events) to discuss the value of gifts & talents. All of that, another instructive Top Ten list and more.

Benjamin Levisay, CEO of XRX, Inc., publishers of Knitters Magazine and XRX books, is a second-generation partner in this 29-year-old company originally started by his uncle, Alexis Xenakis, his father, David Xenakis, and their partner Elaine Rowley. promoters of STITCHES Expos, also as as CEO and Director of Marketing & Sales and board member of Halos of Hope. Listen Live for chance to win great prizes! Stay up to date with the Yarn Thing podcast with the App available on iTunes and for Droid.Find our more about Marly at www.MarlyBird.com or follow her on facebook Sponsored by: Knitter's MagazineCraftsyLoLo by Bar-MaidsDecade by Drew EmborskyBijou Basin RanchKnitCrateErin.Lane BagsKristin Omdahl Bamboo So FineBuffalo Wool Co.Green Mountain Spinnery

Today’s episode is sponsored by the New and Improved Dizzy Blonde Studios. New and Improved because we now have our own website. Visit our new home at DizzyBlondeStudios.com If you want to find your raveler number enter the Konami Code on your profile page. If you need help, see this thread. Catching Up: (1:15) Laura had family visiting, Her sister-in-law was visiting. And her brother and his family are doing the amusement park tour of California, including Disneyland (and she will be able to play in the park with them). It's Tony's birthday soon, so that's happy. And she's been doing a lot of dying, especially the custom colors for both of the shops that carry custom colors of Dizzy Blonde Studios yarn. And she's been catching up on Doctor Who. She loved "Blink." (Don't we all?) Jen made strawberry basil lemonade. She has a blog post up with her strawberry basil lemonade recipe. She also saw both The Grand Budapest Hotel and Godzilla and thinks they are both worth seeing. She and Ron are working out some new songs, "Amie" by Pure Prairie League and a mashup of two songs "Little Talks" by Of Monsters and Men and "Home" by Ed Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros. And she's been paying some old video games by Tim Schafer, including Day of the Tentacle. We mention yarn shops Colors and Alamitos Bay Yarn Company, the Cradle Will Rock Shawlette, and Canon Hand Dyes. In the Knitting Bag: (12:44) Laura is on the last color of her Leftie by Martina Behm out of a Miss Babs Yummy kit in slate and reds. She has finally actually started her Down the Garden Path Shawl by Michele DuNaeir in Lambie Toes in Special Hell. And she started her Yggdrasil Afghan by Lisa Jacobs out of reclaimed Berroco Vintage Chunky in Chocolate. Jen is working on her Leah’s Lovely Cardigan from More Last Minute Knitted Gifts out of Malabrigo sock in Eggplant.  She is almost done with the sleeves.  She is also working on her  second Sunshine Sock by Cookie A in Dream in Color Smooshy in Butterpeeps and her Lauriel Cardigan (by Ysolda Teague from Little Red in the City) out of Wollmeise DK in Pesto for Camp Loopy. She has trouble casting on, as usual. We mention the Citron Grande and Endless Rainbow. Finished Objects: (20:21) Laura finished her Men's Vintage Socks in Dizzy Blonde Studios Lambie Toes in No Touching Guns (grey). She may want to take different pictures than the ones she initially took. She is still deciding on a name, but she probably going to name it for Sectumsempra, a spell that Snape used in Harry Potter. Jen finished her Hitchhiker by Martina Behm out of a Zauberball in the colorway 2079 Durche die Blume (pink and green and white).  She only got 40 teeth and she had about 6 inches of yarn left after binding off. Devil's Tower: (23:00) The UFOs are quiet. Frog Pond: (23:10) Laura had some trouble with the Down the Garden Path Shawl. She didn't read the pattern, because she thinks she can read the designer's mind. Jen has frogged her entire Chickadee (which is by Ysolda Teague and she was working it in Quince and Co. Chickadee). It's a top down yoke sweater with stranded colorwork worked flat, and she's not happy with how it looks. So she's going to start over, because she wants to be happy with it. On Deck: (26:11) Laura wants to make a Dreambird by Nadita Swings out of either Dizzy Blonde Sock or Lambie Toes (or maybe both) for a booth sample.  She wants to make Knitted Scale Mail Gloves by CraftyMutt, the Effortless Cardigan by Hannah Fettig out of Dizzy Blonde DK in an undecided color, and the Motoring Madness Mittens by Audrey Nicklin from Lit Knits out of brown alpaca. Jen will be re-starting her Chickadee. She'll be making a Ginny's Cardigan by Mari Chiba from the Unofficial Harry Potter Knits out of Wollmeise Pure in Chim Chim Chimney. And she wants to make Water for the Elephants socks by Rose Hiver in some Knitpicks Stroll in a bare (natural) and Summer Blooms (pink) and the Citron Grand out of Desert Vista Dyeworks Voir in Cherry Icee. Knit Culture: (30:28) We play the promo for the Once Upon a Time Podcast. We do the drawing for the May Stashdown Challenge. Congratulations to knitallthestuff! You win a digital copy of Subversive Socks edited by Tabetha Hendrick, courtesy of Cooperative Press. June’s theme will be Matriculation, so post your finished objects in the June thread. July's theme will be music; projects that remind you of your favorite song or musician or album cover or what-have-you. Steve Malcolm of It Takes Balls to Knit has launched an indiegogo campaign. And we interview Benjamin Levisay of XRX Books, the Stitches Shows, and the Fiber Hooligan Podcast. We talk about his background, his podcast (including the origin of its name), his work with Halos of Hope, his new software venture, Hopscotch, and some general geek stuff. Geek Culture: (1:14:23) We talk some more about some upcoming blockbusters including How to Train Your Dragon 2, Transformers: Age of Extinction, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, Jupiter Ascending, Guardians of the Galaxy, The Expendables 3, Sin City: A Dame to Kill For, and Sex Tape. We mention Interstellar (which is the Matthew Mcconaughey astronaut film that Jen couldn't think of the title of. Events: (1:19:44) Jen will be at the Retzlaff Winery Fleeces, Food, and Fun event on June 7th. We are doing an event for World Wide Knit In Public Day.  We are partnering with Colors 91711 (address 248 Harvard Avenue, Claremont CA 91711). On Sunday June 22, we will be at the park across Harvard Ave having a knitting picnic from 11am to 2pm. Bring a chair, some shade, some snacks to share, water, sunscreen, your knitting. Colors opens at 12 noon for your shopping pleasure. We are both going to the CogKNITive retreat run by Dr. Gemma of the CogKNITive Podcast on July 25. KnitDizzney will be Sunday, September 7, 2014.  Save the date.  There will be exclusive colorways and T-shirts for purchase and we will have a meetup at the picnic spiral.

This week I had the privilege of sitting down with Benjamin Levisay for the podcast (no, I was not driving as I recorded!)  Benjamin is CEO of XRX, Inc., the company behind Knitter's magazine, XRX Books and STITCHES Expos.  He also hosts his own weekly podcast, Fiber Hooligan, where he interviews the best and brightest in the industry.  Today, Benjamin is in the interviewee chair as we chat about STITCHES, Halos of Hope, and the Podcaster Throwdown. Links to check out: Find Benjamin - Twitter (@BenjaminXRX) - Facebook - Ravelry XRX, Inc. Knitter's XRX Books STITCHES Fiber Hooligan - BlogTalk Radio - Ravelry Group - Facebook Group Halos of Hope Drew Emborsky's Chemo Cap Challenge Podcaster Throwdown Don't forget to vote in the thread for Episode 64 for which team gets the official Commuter Knitter podcast endorsement.  Voting will stay open for another week or so.  As of today, the following teams are participating: KnottyGirls Knitcast, Ravelry Group Knitmore Girls Podcast, Ravelry Group Craftlit, Ravelry Group Read, Set, Knit, WEBs Ravelry Group Yarn on Tap, Ravelry Group Knit Knit Cafe, Ravelry Group Come Find me on the Interwebs Ravelry - ndjen04 Ravelry Group - Commuter Knitter Podcast Twitter - @CommuterKnitter Facebook - Commuter Knitter Email - commuterknitter@yahoo.com Show notes - http://commuterknitter.blogspot.com Google + - Commuter Knitter Podcast  Instagram - ndjen04

This episode is sponsored by Dizzy Blonde Studios. “Beautifully hand-dyed yarns in a variety of superwash bases and inspired knit design.” Listen to the episode for a special coupon code. Catching Up: (1:03) Jen is playing a lot of guitar to prepare for two benefit gigs: one for Generations on the Move and one for the Village of Hope. She's also prepping to teach. Laura's father has been ill with SIADH, but he is recovering. She is also working on the Sunnydale Yarn Club. Pre-registration is open now! Knit Dizzney was so much fun! Thank you to the following people who provided swag and coupons for the goody bags: Benjamin Levisay from XRX, 5elementknitr, Wolfe Farms, Yarn Garden, Yarnosphere, and Karen from id.me Promotions. And thank you to all who came. In the Knitting Bag: (10:07) Jen is working on an Aesop's Cables hat for the Podcaster Throwdown out of Red Heart Soft. She's also working on her Watership Dow out of Unique Sheep Selene in the color Nature Walk. She's also started her Rocky Coast Cardigan out of Fibre Company Organik in the colorway Highlands. She started the California Poppy Shawl out of Baah La Jolla in My Sweet Valentine. This is for Melissa, who wants the shawl, but doesn't want to knit it. Finally, she has one Sunshine Sock done and the second one cast on. She loves working with the Dream in Color Smooshy in Butter Peeps and Laura wants to eat it, because it looks like Peeps. Laura is working on the Claudia Hat out of Berroco Vintage in Vintage for the Podcaster Throwdown. She is working on two pairs the Tree of Life Mitts for a friend and his wife. The first pair is in Knitpicks Wool of the Andes in Forest Heather. She is also knitting some socks (Roman udones like this) for Roman re-enactment out of Knitpicks Palette in Clover Green. She's almost done with her Sassy-tis (Clapotis). Finished Objects: (16:11) Gratuitous Artsy Shot Jen finished her Effervescence Cardigan for Camp Loopy, just under the wire. And she's done 3 hats for the Throwdown, two Gerri hats (one in Wendy Peter Pan yarn and one in Naturally Caron Spa) and one Hermione Hearts Ron in leftover Pashmina. One Throwdown Hat! BOOM! Laura has finished her Malcub Reynolds Mother Bear and one Throwdown hat, the Reversible Beehive Hat in Berroco Comfort. Devil's Tower (20:05) The Broncos Scarf (Lattice Wingspan) is coming back out, because she ran out of yarn, but now she got more. Frog Pond: (20:49) Jen made her Aesop's Cables too short so she has to redo the top part. Laura maybe used the wrong needle size when casting on her Claudia hat and is debating ripping it out. It's wading in the frog. On Deck: (23:34) Jen is going to do a sweater design inspired by the cover of the Sweetheart of the Rodeo album; Laura will make a second pair of Tree of Life Mitts in gray. Both will work on more hats for the throwdown. Knit Culture: (25:32) We give an update on the Podcaster Throwdown. Listen to Episode 8.5 for information. You can join our Ravelry group. The teams currently in are Craftlit and Knitmore Girls. There is a rumor about Webs. Laura calls out the Yarniacs and Knit 1 Geek 2 to join. We are giving away the Eton Hat if you submit a hat for Team KnottyGirls in September. We are sourcing prizes... We review Fiber Factor Challenge 4. We review Wrapped in Color: Stranded Knitting in the 21st Century by Deborah Tomasello. We definitely recommend checking it out. And we have in interview with Johnny Vasquez of the 30 Day Sweater Challenge. There are awesome prizes and if you want sign up, you can go here Geek Culture: (1:00:05) We discuss upcoming geeky television shows for fall, including a re-air of Torchwood: Miracle Day and Orphan Black on BBC-America. Events: (1:08:57) Dizzy Blonde Yarns will also be for sale at the Yarnosphere Fiber Festival, in the Toluca Knit Jewelry and Fine Yarns Booth. This is a new festival, taking place October 12 and 13th. We will not be there, because we are at Cogknitive, but go support so we can keep a cool yarn festival here. We will both be at the CogKNITive Fiber Retreat in Tehachapi from the evening of October 11th to the morning of October 13. Dizzy Blonde will be a vendor and Jen will just be hanging out and taking classes. The retreat is full, but contact Dr. Gemma to be on the waiting list. We will be collecting hats for Halos of Hope! We will be at the Southern California Handweaver's Guild Annual Weaving and Fiber Festival (WEFF) at the Torrance Convention Center. Parking is free, entry is seven dollars. Laura will be vending. You can drop off Halos Hats at her booth. We will be having a Knitalong in October! The Socktober Knitalong! Knit something (anything (hats)) out of sock yarn (fingering weight or any yarn that would make good socks) between October 1st and October 31st. Post finished projects there for a chance to win a prize. Please do a separate entry for each project. Our next milestone drawing is at 500 members in the Ravelry Group, so join!

hank you to Eve and Michele of the Skein After Skein podcast for the shout out. We say “Challenge Accepted!” (Details to come.) Catching Up (1:22) Laura got a new internet provider, but all may not yet be rosy. She also was interviewed by Benjamin Levisay of the Fiber Hooligans Podcast. You can listen to her interview here or on iTunes. She continues to work on a yarn club with Heather of Mad Color. She is also working on preparing for the new year of Mean Girls Yarn Club (sign ups open in early August). Jen has been really busy with work. She only has energy to go out and see movies. She saw Despicable Me 2, This is the End, World War Z, and Sharknado. She enjoyed them all but was disappointed in World War Z as an adaptation of the book. Sharknado was everything she could have hoped for. Laura and Melissa at Stitch and Pitch. You can catch a glimpse of Laura’s Lattice Wingspan! We went to Stitch and Pitch at Dodger Stadium and it was really fun. We bought our tickets with the Yarnover Truck, who had extra gift bags and bingo cards. And Dodgers won! In the Knitting Bag (15:26) Laura is working on a Kaylee-inspired Mother Bear (Koalee Frye) out of Knitpicks Brava yarn. A cabled beret. So cute! She also is working on the Cabled Beret by Darlene Dale as a gift for a client at work. She continues to work on her Mean Girls Yarn Club WAL project, a Lattice Wingspan out of the MGYC colorway Hoar’s Yer Buddy. Thisclose to done. Jen is still working on her Madroña Shawl by Romi Hill out of Prism Delicato in Hibiscus. She’s on the last wing, and she is almost done. She also cast on for the Sunshine Socks by Cookie A, out of the book Sock Innovation. She’s using Dream in Color Smooshy in the colorway Butter Peeps. Finished Objects(19:15) Hoban Washbear and Inara Bearra Laura finished her Inara Bearra Mother Bear. All she has to do with her Cabled Beret is block it. Jen knit up a storm! (Get it?) The view from the front. Jen finished her Tempest Cardigan by Ann Weaver for Camp Loopy. She knit it out of Dream in Color Smooshy in the colors Charged Cherry and Rosalita. She modified it to knit the body in one piece and used short rows to shape the armholes, sleeve caps, and shoulders. She also sewed grosgrain ribbon on the button band and used backing buttons, using these tutorials by the Knitmore Girls: Grosgrain Ribbon Buttonband Tutorial and Couture Button Tutorial. She also finished her MGYC WAL project, the Dinner in the Eiffel Tower Shawl by Jessie Doddington in the Dictate Hoar colorway of MGYC yarn. She also did some modifications on that to use more yarn. It still needs blocking. On Deck (23:03) Laura is waiting for Nerd Wars Challenges for August. She is going to cast on some Kninja Kitties (the Knitted Kitty by Lillian). She will also be knitting a coffee mug cozy based on Alison Hogg’s Grenade pattern. Jen will be knitting the Effervescence Cardigan by Olga Buraya-Kefelian, published in the Circles + Dots e-book by Quince and Company. She is using Madelinetosh Pashmina in the colorway Rainwater. This is for Camp Loopy month 3 project, which requires the project to be 800 yards minimum. She’ll be using the tubular cast on and tubular bind off. She is also going to start the Unique Sheep Watership Down Mystery Shawl Knitalong. She will also count this project as part of the Knitmore Girls Summer of Lace and Beads Knitalong. Laura mentions that both the 2 Knit Lit Chicks Podcast and the CogKNITive Podcast are hosting Mother Bear Knitalongs. Knit Culture (28:08) We discuss Challenge One of the The Fiber Factor as requested by Andimc13 in our Knotty Talk Thread. We both like it and will continue to watch and discuss. We appreciate the focus on knitting and not drama. Laura points out a tutorial to make multiple pompoms at once on Flax and Twine. We both are very excited for the Unofficial Harry Potter Knits coming out from Interweave Press. We love it when knit and geek culture collide. Laura is Slytherin and Jen is definitely Ravenclaw. Geek Culture (46:56) Pictures from the Rubiks Cube Yarn Bombing at Comic Con are up. (This is the project that some of our guests at the WWKIP event we hosted were working on.) We discuss some of the announcements that excite us from Comic Con, including news about the upcoming Avengers movie (Yay Ultron!), Cobie Smulders being in Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., the new Harley Quinn comic series, and Batman vs. Superman. We also mention Superman: Red Son and the Man of Steel Alternate ending joke YouTube video. (That last link is not safe for work and has swearing). Events (54:48) A preview of the custom Knit Dizzney Colorway KnitDizzney will be Sunday, September 8th, 2013 at Disneyland. We will be there from open to close. We will have a meetup at 2pm in the picnic area outside the Disneyland entrance; come say hi and get swag! We will have t-shirts for preorder and a custom yarn color! Keep an eye out for those; information will be out soon. We will both be at the CogKNITive Fiber Retreat in Tehachapi from the evening of October 11th to the morning of October 13. Dizzy Blonde will be a vendor and Jen will just be hanging out and taking classes. The retreat is full, but contact Dr. Gemma to be on the waiting list. Dizzy Blonde Yarns will be at Stitches Midwest August 8-11 at the Skeindalous Yarn’s Booth (Booth 925). This is just the yarn, not us.

Kathy talks with Benjamin Levisay. (Running Time 28:00)

Benjamin Levisay is the CEO of XRX, publishers of products including Knitter's magazine, and producers of the wildly popular Stitches events. Benjamin has been working hard the last few months to make the Stitches events more crochet-friendly, let's hear more about what he is planning!

Kathy & Steve talk with Benjamin Levisay. Kathy & Pixie finish the KAL. (Running Time 28:10)