Podcast appearances and mentions of dani sunshine

Recorded on March 14, 2024 Book talk begins at 21:00 Our Summer Tops KAL has begun and goes until to June 1, 2024.  It needs to be an adult-sized top that you consider to be appropriate for use in the summer, and we will leave the parameters of that to you!  Come chat with us about summer tops on our KAL thread, and check out our Summer Tops bundle for pattern ideas!   Virtual Knitting Group via Zoom   EVENTS Tracie and Barb will  NoCKRs - April 25-28, 2024 at the St Francis Retreat Center in San Juan Bautista, CA Fiber Frolic - June 1 at the Soul Food Farm outside Vacaville, CA KNITTING Barb Finished: 2 Knitted Knockers   Tracie finished: Tracie's Fresh Favorite Tee by Christen Clement Designs in Queen City Yarn Coleman in the Maple colorway Tracie's Pixie Dust  by Dani Sunshine in Berroco Vintage Handpaintsin a light blue/pale green/purple colorway 1 Knitted Knocker Tracie's Emotional Support Chicken by Annette Corsino, using Hayfield Spirit Chunky Barb is working on: CAPROCK tee by Yamagata using Araucania Ollagua Knitted Knockers Rock It Tee #2 by Tanis Lavallee, using Knit Picks Lindy Chain, in the colors Clarity, Rouge, and U Blue Pinnacles Beanie by Nancy Bates, from the Knitting the National Parks by Nancy Bates, using a kit Barb has cast on: Barb's Emotional Support Chicken by Annette Corsino, using worsted weight leftovers Tracie cast on: Bee Beautiful Tee by Pia Trans in  in Carpool Cotton Bamboo in the Copper colorway She continues to work on: Fiddly Bits Cowl by Jana Pihota using fingering scraps   If you would like to make Knitted Knockers, here is some useful info - From the Knitted Knockers.org website: “Knitted Knockers are special handmade breast prostheses for women who have had breast cancer and undergone mastectomy or lumpectomy. Traditional breast prosthetics can be hot, heavy and sticky. They typically require special bras or camisoles with pockets and can't be worn for weeks after surgery. Knitted Knockers are soft, comfortable, beautiful and when placed in a regular bra they take the shape and feel of a real breast. They are adjustable, washable and can even be worn while swimming. Our special volunteer knitters provide these FREE to those requesting them” Please visit the Knitted Knockers website, Knitted Knockers Homepage for all the information that you need.   This webpage is especially helpful for information on approved yarns and color information: Yarns and colors Very Important: Please note that neutral colors are preferred.  If you want, you can use bright colors on the bottom of your knocker, but the top of it needs to be in a neutral color.  Patterns: So many choices!  Please go to this section to pick and download your (free) pattern: Knitted Knockers Patterns.  Hint:  The Bottoms Up Knocker for Double Point Needles pattern works great with magic loop too…and has the easiest “start” to your knocker!   BOOKS Barb  read: If It Bleeds by Stephen King - 5 stars The Mystery Guest (Molly the Maid #2) - 3 stars Tracie read:  Forever... by Judy Blume - 4 stars I'll Take Care of You by Caitlin Rother - 4.5 stars The Bone Jar by S.W. Kane - 3 stars   Info from Tracie's "Thumbs Up" about the sweater shaver: The Substack article about pilling is here The excellent sweater shaver can be purchased here

Recorded Wednesday, February 21, 2024 Book talk begins at 31:30 Our Summer Tops KAL has begun and goes until to June 1, 2024.  It needs to be an adult-sized top that you consider to be appropriate for use in the summer, and we will leave the parameters of that to you!  Come chat with us about summer tops on our KAL thread, and check out our Summer Tops bundle for pattern ideas! Virtual Knitting Group via Zoom Events Tracie and Barb will  NoCKRs - April 25-28, 2024 at the St Francis Retreat Center in San Juan Bautista, CA Fiber Frolic - June 1 at the Soul Food Farm outside Vacaville, CA   KNITTING Barb Finished: Bankhead Hat #27 by Susie Gourley Velvet Pullover by Claudia Quintinella, using Serendipidye Kings Mountain Fingering in the Piccadilly colorway, Invictus Yarn Adventure in the Don't Look  Under the Lilacs, Invictus Yarns Master of My Feet in the Adagio colorway, AND Knit Picks Palette in the Aster and Bluebells colorway. 2 Knitted Knockers   Tracie finished: 2 Soap Sacks by Haley Waxberg in Knockers yarn (And the bar shampoo and conditioner Tracie can be purchased at https://viori.com/) Beginner's Rainbow Rabbit by Claire Garland in sparkly periwinkle Tahki Linguine for Lauren's 12th birthday Jen by Josée Paquin in Marianated Yarns Scrumptious HT in Sea of Glass and Indigo Bunting, Laneras Barefoot in Coral and Invictus Yarns Unconquerable Sole BFL in the Powerful colorway 1 Knitted Knocker   If you would like to make Knitted Knockers, here is some useful info -   From the Knitted Knockers.org website: “Knitted Knockers are special handmade breast prostheses for women who have had breast cancer and undergone mastectomy or lumpectomy. Traditional breast prosthetics can be hot, heavy and sticky. They typically require special bras or camisoles with pockets and can't be worn for weeks after surgery. Knitted Knockers are soft, comfortable, beautiful and when placed in a regular bra they take the shape and feel of a real breast. They are adjustable, washable and can even be worn while swimming. Our special volunteer knitters provide these FREE to those requesting them” Please visit the Knitted Knockers website, Knitted Knockers Homepage for all the information that you need.   This webpage is especially helpful for information on approved yarns and color information: Yarns and colors Very Important: Please note that neutral colors are preferred.  If you want, you can use bright colors on the bottom of your knocker, but the top of it needs to be in a neutral color.  Patterns: So many choices!  Please go to this section to pick and download your (free) pattern: Knitted Knockers Patterns.  Hint:  The Bottoms Up Knocker for Double Point Needles pattern works great with magic loop too…and has the easiest “start” to your knocker! Barb working on: Cheeky Cables Socks  by Mary Lukas using Universal Yarns Zesty Sock in the Pearl colorway CAPROCK tee by Yamagata using Araucania Ollagua Knitted Knockers   Barb has cast on: Pinnacles Beanie by Nancy Bates, from the Knitting the National Parks by Nancy Bates, using a kit Rock It Tee #2 by Tanis Lavallee, using Knit Picks Lindy Chain, in the colors Clarity, Rouge, and U Blue   Frogged:  Colourwheel DK 1 Ball Scarf by Sirdar, using a Sirdar Colourwheel in the Follow the Rainbow Colorway   Tracie cast on: Pixie Dust by Dani Sunshine in Berroco Vintage Handpaints in light blue/pale green/purple 1 Knitted Knocker   She continues to work on: Fresh Favorite Tee by Christen Clement Designs in Queen City Yarn Coleman in the Maple colorway Fiddly Bits Cowl by Jana Pihota using fingering scraps   BOOKS Look What You Made me Do: Confronting Heartbreak & Harassment in Big Law by Erin Gordon - 4 stars The Loyal Wife by Natalie Barelli - 3 stars Trail of the Lost: The Relentless Search to Bring Home the Missing Hikers of the Pacific Coast Trail by Andrea Lankford - 5 stars The Secret Place (Dublin Murder Squad, #5) - 4 stars Patient Care: Death and Life in the Emergency Room, by Paul Seward - 4 stars   Tracie read: The River's Edge (Jackman & Evans #10) by Joy Ellis - 2.5 stars for someone not familiar with the series Ill Wind (Anna Pigeon #3) by Nevada Barr - 3 1/2 stars - takes a while to get going How Lucky by Will Leitch - 3 stars.  Wanted to like it more!  But got frustrated with situation and too worried for main character American Girl by Wendy Walker - 3 stars.  Have not thought about it since I finished it Tunnel Vision: A True Story of Multiple Murder and Justice in Chaos at America's Biggest Marine Base by N.P. Simpson - 4.5 stars The Island of Lost Girls by Alex Marwood - 4 stars Her Last Move by John Marrs - 2 stars

*** Audio alert: we're both away on holidays so this podcast was recorded remotely. Sadly, due to technology it's not our usual high-quality audio and there is some background noise occasionally. We'll try to find a better solution for the next episode! *** On today’s episode we talk about knitters using their powers for good, both individually and with their communities to back them up. There have been some amazing happenings in the wider woolly world recently and we couldn’t be more impressed with a couple of examples, the East London Knitters #sayballstotrump banner and The Tits Out Collective, headed by Countess Ablaze. Great London Yarn Crawl 2018 – Update Can you call an event sold out when there are only 5 tickets left?? We’d like to think so. With only a handful of tickets left on the Bloomsbury and City of London routes, the GLYC takes place on Saturday, September 1st and tickets are only £20. Plus we’ll be collecting handknits for Knit for Peace and holding our popular raffle for Refuge too. More details on our website! What we’re working on Allison finished the Lily baby sweater and it has been sent to the lucky recipient! She’s also finished crocheting the French Market Bag, which her mom promptly claimed. Knitting continues on Praline while she tries not to get too distracted with all the different yarns she’s seeing on holiday in Canada. She may have also inadvertently joined the Tour de Fleece (hooray!) with the happy purchase of an Electric Eel Wheel Mini at her LYS in Calgary. Rachel has been spinning for Tour de Fleece, and so far has managed to spin every day except for Stage 13, when she was busy finishing her Lily baby sweater. She was so thrilled about the baby sweater instant gratification, that she cast on Arrival by Dani Sunshine. She’s also finished her prototype shawl design for an upcoming project, and has wound up yarn to cast on Study Hall by Sarah Schira from Knitty First Fall when she goes on holiday later this week. Electric Eel Wheel - https://www.dreamingrobots.com/ Subersive Cross Stitch - https://subversivecrossstitch.com/blog/  The Power of Community We talk about some recent events in our community - the East London Knitters Say Balls to Trump and an amazing blog post from Knit with Attitude, and the Tits Out Collective. Also mentioned: Everyday Knitter Zola Budd What the Queen wore for Donald Trump’s visit (perhaps sadly not as pointed as we thought) - and there's a great thread on Twitter about the same issue, from a knitter who pointed it out. There's a recap here. *** Wrap up: Many thanks for joining us for another episode! You can find the podcast on iTunes and Stitcher Radio (please rate, review and subscribe!) and you'll find us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter, in our Yarn in the City group on Ravelry, or in person on Wednesday nights at our knit night between 7 and 10pm at The Breakfast Club on Battersea Rise. Music credits (available on NoiseTrade) Revolution - Kate Tucker A Good Reason To Smile - Chasing Noise

We can hardly believe that it's almost time for this year's Great London Yarn Crawl tickets to go on sale! On this episode: Great London Yarn Crawl 2018 Update We have fewer routes, only 10 this year, to make things a little easier organizing the GLYC alongside Yarnporium. Sadly, I Knit and Fringe won't be taking part this year but a new shop is opening that will be! Willow & Lark is also on board as our yarn sponsor and we've already had some pretty lush door prizes pour in from Blue Sky Fibers. Routes will be announced on or around June 15th and tickets will go on sale on July 1st as in past years. What We're Working On  Allison has been a sewing and making fiend and has whipped up two Linden sweatshirts while also crocheting a French Market bag in linen. She's also started knitting Praline by Dani Sunshine and also whipped up a Lilly baby sweater on her knitting machine for a friend's new arrival. Rachel hasn't finished her Lilly baby sweater yet as focus has been on wrapping up her Marginalia sweater by Karie Westermann which is now off the needles, blocked and too hot to wear in this weather (of course!). Rach is also working on a new shawl design and searching for a travel project for a work trip to Amsterdam.  Yarn Crawl Season It's summer! Which means less enthusiasm about wool and knitting as it becomes too hot, but our local yarn shops still need our support! Thankfully there are things like Yarn Shop Day, World Wide Knit in Public Day, as well as Yarn Crawls all over the world to help keep us heading to our Local Yarn Stores to be part of the action. We chat about different things we can do to keep showing our support for our LYSs. Wrap Up ​​​​​​​Many thanks for joining us for another episode! You can find the podcast on iTunes and Stitcher Radio (please rate, review and subscribe!) and you'll find us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter, in our Yarn in the City group on Ravelry, or in person on Wednesday nights at our knit night between 7 and 10pm at The Breakfast Club on Battersea Rise. Music credits (available on NoiseTrade) Revolution - Kate Tucker A Good Reason To Smile - Chasing Noise

Recorded September 26, 2016 Book Talk starts at 30:01 Our annual fall Sweater KAL will run from October 1 to January 31.  All entries to our FOs thread will need to be an adult-size sweater with sleeves (short is okay!), cardigan or pullover.  Challenge yourself - be sure to check out the Bundles of pattern suggestions! Win a copy of the Amplitude pattern by Greg Cohoon – will end on Halloween.  EVENTS: Tracie will be at Lambtown - October 1 & 2 at the Dixon May Fair Grounds in Dixon, CA (9-6 on Saturday, 9-4 on Sunday) Barb will be at  the Cogknitive Fiber Retreat - Saturday October 8, 2016 at the LaQuinta in Tehachapi, CA   Barb’s FOs Mother Bear #100  Be Kind Hat by Melissa Simpson, using Vannas Choice Directional Scarf by Lion Brand, using Lion Brand Amazing. Mata Shawl by Chrissy Graham, using Gnomeacres Scruffy Gnome DK The Bankhead Hat by Susie Gourlay, usling Plymouth  yarn Coffee Beenz Zigzagular Socks #2 by Susie White, using Fishknits Opulence MCN   Tracie’s FOs Meris by Elizabeth Doherty in Serendipidye Kings Mountain Sock  Rainbow Sprinkles by Kristy Harrison Mr. Cowl by Dani Sunshine in Lion Brand Lion’s Pride Woolspun   Barb has cast on Intergalactic Shawl by Jen Hiebert – using Knit Picks Stroll Fingering Another Bankhead Hat using Lion Brand Amazing   Barb continues to work on Crackerjack Cowl by Stacy Simpson Duke in Plymouth Merino Select DK Whippet Cardigan by ANKESTRICK using Knit Picks Lindy Chain Wing Span by maylin Tri-Coterie Designs using Crystal Palace Mini Mochi   Tracie has cast on Skykomish by Lee Meredith in Ella Rae Silkience Rainbow Sprinkles by Kristy Harrison   Tracie continues to work on Allegra tank top by Svetlana Volkova in Euro Baby Kid Cotton Added Elegance Socks by Mary Lukas in Malabrigo Sock Summer Fringe Shawlette by Sarah Keller in Chevel Blanc Official Comete   Barb’s Finished Books Follow You Home by Mark Edwards The Portable Veblen by Elizabeth McKenzie Pretty Girls by Karin Slaughter Heads or Tails by Leslie A. Gordon    Tracie’s Finished Books There Was a Little Girl: The Real Story of My Mother and Me by Brooke Shields Small Sacrifices: A True Story of Passion and Murder by Ann Rule If You Find Me by Emily Murdoch The Hunt Club Bret Lot The Good Goodbye by Carla Buckley    Barb’s Current Books My Name is Lucy Barton by Elizabeth Strout The Girls by Emma Cline   Tracie’s Current Books Savage Son by Corey Mitchell The End of Everything by Megan Abbott   Barb likes the good customer service from Crate & Barrel  Tracie recommends Vanishing Edge Panties from Soma

Book Talk begins at 26.53 Recorded on September 9, 2016 It's the 5-year Podiversary for the 2 Knit Lit Chicks Podcast!  Thank you all for making this journey a fun one. Our Mother Bear KAL/CAL is finished.  Be sure and listen to the podcast to find out what you won.  If you put a bear in the Mother Bear FO thread and didn't hear your name called, please let us know! Our contest to win a copy of the latest Stranded Magazine will continue until October 1st. Next up is our Fall Sweater 2016 KAL/CAL.  You have between October 1st and January 31st to complete an adult-sized sweater.  While you may not want to make the sweater picutred here (!), there are lots of other patterns to choose from.  Take a look at our Bundles Page to see Beginner Sweaters, Adventurous Beginners to Advanced Sweaters and Crochet Sweaters. WIPs count too!  And as with all of our KALs, you may double-dip into other contests with the same project. EVENTS Tracie will be at Lambtown - October 1 & 2 at the Dixon May Fair Grounds in Dixon, CA (9-6 on Saturday, 9-4 on Sunday) Barb will be at the Cogknitive Fiber Retreat - Saturday October 8, 2016 at the LaQuinta in Tehachapi, CA Barb has about 35 knitting books for sale here! KNITTING Barb has finished: * Molto Bella Shawl by Brenda Castiel, using her NoCKRs yarn from this year – Duren Dyeworks Luscious Fingering (silk/merino blend) in the Quietude and Forest Floor colorways. * She has also finished Mother Bears 97, 98 & 99 Tracie has finished: *her Mr. Cowl by Dani Sunshine.  She used Lion Brand Kion's Pride Woolspun * Suture Hat by Alex Tinsley, using Plymouth Encorein Charcoal * Quick and Easy Slouchy Hat by Jessica Gutoski in Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick and Quick - Charcoal * I Was a Teenage Mutant Hat in Lion Brand Wool-ease in Green Barb is working on:  * Crackerjack Cowl by Stacy Simpson Duke using 4 colors of Plymouth Merino Select DK * Whippet Cardigan by ANKESTRICK using Knit Picks Lindy Chain *Zigzagular Socks #2 by Susie White, using Fishknits Opulence MCN in the Shades of TPK colorway Barb has cast-on: * The Be Kind hat using Vanna's Choice in a gray color * The Directional Colors scarf, using Lion Brand Amazing Tracie is working on: * Allegra tank top by Svetlana Volkova in Euro Baby Kid Cotton * Meris by Elizabeth Doherty in Serendipidye Kings Mountain Sock in the Carmen colorway * Added Elegance Socks by Mary Lukas in Malabrigo Sock in Aguas colorway *Summer Fringe Shawlette by Sarah Keller in Chevel Blanc Official Comete in the Cendre colorway She has cast-on: * The Hermione Hearts Ron hat by Christy Aylesworth in Zara Merino Extra Fine in Creme BOOKS Barb has finished: *  The Other Typist by Suzanne Rindell - excellent book! *  Nature Girl by Carl Hiasson - recommended *  Joyland by Stephen King - recommended *  Look Again by Lisa Scottoline Tracie has finished: * North Korea Undercover: Inside the World's Most Secret State by John Sweeney  - she recommends it * Judgment Ridge: The True Story Behind the Dartmouth Murders by Dick Lehr * The Unraveling of Mercy Lewis by Keija Parssinen *  The Burgess Boys by Elizabeth Strout Barb is currently reading: * The Portable Veblen by Elizabeth McKenzie * Follow You Home by Mark Edwards Tracie is currently reading: *  There Was a Little Girl: The Real Story of My Mother and Me by Brooke Shields *  Small Sacrifices: A True Story of Passion and Murder by Ann Rule Tracie recommends Schofferhofer Grapefruit Mother Bear KAL prizes and winners: 1.  donated by LGordon555, an e-copy of the Heads or Tails by Leslie Gordon - emrubin 2.  donated by LGordon555 - any Ravelry pattern - moxymomma 3.  1 skein of yarn donated by the Happy Buffalo etsy shop - istop2knit 4.  1 skein of yarn donated by the Happy Buffalo easy shop - mimifan 5.  donated by Sandra Maz - a tote bag - nursecatknit 6.  donated by PrairiePiper - 3 copies of her Crooked Ewe pattern - punkconformity,  domicroche, and Dagger51 7.  2 skeins of yarn donated by Knitty Kitty Bags etsy shop - Sockmonkey628 and miek 8.  donated by Joanna Johnson - Green Gables Knits - jollypondknitter 9.  1 Fix-a-Stitch kit - 1hundredprojects 10.  donated by SSKnits - the Knit Figures app - meadowlarkknit 11.  donated by SSKnits - a pattern from her Ravelry store - Sutton36 12.  donated by knrisluvswool - a copy of her In Transit hat and cowl pattern - jcampo 13.  donated by Sweetart 77 - a project bag from her makethisfromthat etsy store - Brooksnana 14.  donated by Goodstuff - 3 patterns from her Ravelry store - pjpurls, smithMKS, janeos2000 15.  donated by Goodstuff - a project bag from her etsy story - DCAlaneKnits 16.  donated by k8erpillar - 5 sets of bear stitch markers from her etsy shop - Obenya, GailBN, maddiesmom, seestephyknit and jchant 17.  $20 gift certificate donated by Leading Men Fiber Arts  - MariKnits 18.  Halcyon37 donated a Ravelry pattern of the winner's choice -TiaandCat 19.  donated by Jamies900 - 3 gifts of 2skeins of yarn each - Jasdel, rozstitches,  and stella650 20.  donated by Jamies900 - a yarn valet - cobbieknits 21.  donated by Invictus Yarns - 2 skeins of her Captain SW Sweet Clementine - kannasoup and notprunes 22.  donated by Invictus Yarns - 1 skein of MCN Content -  humbledaisy 23.  a copy of Henry's Hat by Joanna Johnson - KnitAdmin 24.  donated by tmkr - a skein of her handspun - MimaB 25.  donated by dptemple - a Ravelry pattern of the winner's choice, up to $10 - Corrinesknits 26.  donated by BostonJen - a copy of the Riley Rose Shawl - Halcyon37 27.  donated by DCAlaneKnits - handmade project bag with DPN holder and stitch markers - WiscKnitter 28.  donated by RedsKnits - teddy bear project bag - KrissyVB 29.  donated by an anonymous donor - a skein of Wollmeise - purlpumpkin 30.  a NoCKRs 2016 wine glass sippy cup - cmillerwise 31.  a NoCKRs 2016 tote bag - farmwife99 32.  2 Knit Lit Chicks project bag, made by Tracie - Belle717 33.  donated by Poppy - single skeins of yarn - pennyforyourthoughts, K8erpillar, straightfork, MEKW and cwyneken        

Now that we’re a few weeks into 2016 we’re curious as to how you’re all doing with your resolutions or goals for this year. We’ve also been doing some thinking about our own plans for Yarn in the City this year and had our own thoughts that we wanted to share with you.  Shout outs:  C. C. from the Geeky Girls Podcast. The Dublin Brooks Hotel Knit Night, who introduced Alli to the beers of Galway Hooker. Best. Brewery. Name. Ever. What’s Happening:  30th January - Renée Callahan of East London Knit will be teaching Brioche Basics and Brioche Next Steps classes at A Yarn Story in Bath. 30th January - Woolly Wormhead is teaching two classes at Knit With Attitude, a Knitting in the Round Masterclass and her Turning Sideways class. 31st January - there is a Learn to Darn class happening at Wild & Woolly. Participants are encouraged to bring a woolen garment that needs mending and will learn both invisible and decorative techniques by a professional Japanese clothes mender.  4th-7th February – the annual French stitching show L’Aiguille en Fete takes place at the Porte de Versailles in Paris. This show is jammed with all kinds of inspiration! 5th – 7th February – Purlescence is hosting a weekender featuring the KNITSONIK Colourwork and Bespoke Yokes workshops with our good friends Felicity Ford and Brenda Dayne. If you missed Gwlana last fall, Felicity and Brenda are cramming their classes into two full days (and a Friday evening kick off) at Purlescence’s new location in Oxfordshire.   6th - 7th February – Rachel is teaching an Introduction to Drop Spindling and How to Knit a Sexy Sweater class at A Yarn Story.  10th February – It’s the next Late Night Knitty Lock-in of 2016 over at Wild & Woolly. Check out the details on their website.  13th - 14th February – Cécile Balladino is teaching her Eclectic Gipsyland crochet class at Loop. These are the same class but offered on two different days. The class will teach Cécile’s techniques for lace motifs, joining as you go, surface crochet and more. This is not a beginner’s class and you will be expected to already know how to crochet.  20th February – For those of you up north, Karie Westermann is teaching her Two-Handed Colourwork for Fair Isle and Nordic Style Colourwork class at Be Inspired Fibres in Edinburgh.   19th - 21st February – Unravel is happening at Farnham Maltings. We will be there with two stands – a joint Porpoise Fur/Yarn in the City stand where we will be debuting the London Craft Guide! We’ve just found out that our stand will be located in the Barley Room, so we do hope you’ll come and say hello!  26th - 28th February – Joeli’s Kitchen Retreat in Manchester. Featuring classes with Kate Atherley, Karie Westermann, Joeli and other great teachers, as well as a mini marketplace on the Sunday that will include Countess Ablaze.  Giveaway: Speaking of Unravel – we still have a pair of tickets to giveaway. To enter, leave a comment in the show notes for Episode 28 and let us know what you’re looking forward to seeing at the show. We’ll draw a name on February 1st and announce the winner on the first podcast episode in February. Contest note: this pair of tickets is for a single day’s entry to the show and does not include any travel to Farnham. Good luck!  Save the Date! We’ve finally figured out the date for this year’s Great London Yarn Crawl,which will be held on Saturday, 10th September. Mark the date in your calendars now and stay tuned for more details this spring!  What we’re working on: Rachel is working on a sample of the Waterloo Mitts, our pattern from the London Craft Guide, in Eden Cottage Yarns Whitfeld DK. She is also working up her Knit a Sexy Sweater class sample by knitting the Middlefield Pullover by Melissa LaBarre from New England Knits, in Elann Peruvian Highland Chunky. She's finished knitting her Dark & Stormy, but the buttons and grosgrain ribbon are still to be done. She's finished spinning for the first Unravel hat and is almost ready to cast on. The first stage of the project is in her Design Diaries segment on her blog. Allison has her first FO of 2016 off the needles – the Quaking Aspen shawl by Courtney Kelley. She’s also finished spinning some Porpoise Fur handspun from the Lab Goddess Fibre Club and is working it up into the Grown Up Booties by Ysolda. She is also almost finished with her She’s a Waterfall shawl by Dani Sunshine.  2016 - The Do-Over: After last episode’s chat about themes for the year and having a focus for this year, we decided that we wanted to come up for one for our year. There are already lot’s of things out about being creative this year, all of which are great. But we were wondering if there was something we could do that would tie in to what Yarn in the City is all about. We also wanted it to be something that anyone could take part in, no matter how big or small, and in whatever way felt right and personal to them.  We’ve been inspired by Calgary, Canada’s mayor Naheed Nenshi, who challenged his council and the citizens of Calgary to do Three Things for their community as a way to increase civic engagement (an overview here). The idea was simple: if there are over a million people in the city of Calgary and every person did three things to make the city better –image how amazing an already great city would be.  When we were thinking about what we wanted to focus on in 2016 we looked back to the things and themes that resonated with us last year. And they were stories of people within our yarn and fibre community doing great stuff that makes it better for everyone. Whether it’s people who are spreading the passion of wool like the Wovember team, or podcasters likeShinybees and Curious Handmade, who demonstrate than knitting podcasts can build community, or show organisers like Jo and Mica who saw a void in their own community and created the Edinburgh Yarn Festival to fill it.  As a community we’re sharing knowledge and learning from each other and asking questions. So this year we want to encourage you to do three things for the world wide yarn and fibre community. Think about what is important to you. Think about what you’re good at. Talk to your friends and figure out how you can make a difference, however small.  Then we’d like you to do those things, and tell us about them on a dedicated Three Things for the yarn and fibre community thread on our Ravelry board, or on our Facebook page. You can even tweet or Instagram at us. Use the hashtag#3thingsforyarnlove so we can see what you're up to and cheer you on! And once you've done three things, do three more, and three more, and three more... As always, please let us know what you think by tweeting, liking, or loving our posts when you see them go up on Twitter,Facebook and Instagram – or even better, leave a comment in the shownotes, post on our Ravelry board or send us an email at hello@yarninthecity.com.  You can find us on iTunes or Stitcher Radio (and please consider leaving a review for us!), or download us directly from the Yarn in the City website.   Our Knit Night is every Wednesday from 7:00pm to 10:00pm at The Goat on the Rise in Clapham Junction. We'd love to have you join us! Music credits (all available on NoiseTrade) Howlin' At Nothing (Live in Denver), S. O. B. - Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night SweatsBright Lights and Amplifiers - American OperaLove in the World - Devon Heath

Yarn in the City is proud to be sponsored by A Yarn Story. A Yarn Story specialises in hand-dyed yarns and luxury fibres. They carry yarns from indie dyers near and far, such as The Uncommon Thread, SweetGeorgia Yarns and Life in the Long Grass. Find them at www.ayarnstory.co.uk, or in Bath on Walcot Street in the heart of the Artisan Quarter. What's going on: 25-26th July: Fibre-East, Ampthill, Bedfordshire. Rachel will be flying solo at the Porpoise Fur booth that weekend, so come by and say hello! 22nd August: The 10th Anniversary edition of the TTC Knitalong, the inspiration for the GLYC, in Toronto.. 3rd September: Kate Atherley will be teaching her "Math for Knitters" class at A Yarn Story in Bath. 5th September: The 3rd edition of the Great London Yarn Crawl, and the Yarn in the City Pop-Up Marketplace, which will include the Indie Designer Spotlight. 6th September: Workshops on Knit Design and Pattern Writing with Kate Atherley 8th September - 3rd October: Waste Nothing - Finding a Home for the Discarded, an exhibition by the London Guild of Weavers, Spinners and Dyers happening at the crypt at St Martin-in-the-Fields in Trafalgar Square, London. 18th October - Come hear Heather Ordover of Craftlit and "What Would Madame DeFarge Knit?" fame talk about "What Knitting Does to Your Brain: the many benefits of knitting (and crocheting) - this time backed by 95% more science!" - tickets will go on sale 1st August. What we're working on: Allison got to Canada and got to try her Skulls Sweater on her brother, and he loves it! In celebration, she allowed herself to cast on She's A Waterfall by Dani Sunshine, with Lioness Arts Silky DK in "Aquae Sulis". Sadly, she left Rachel's spindle on the coffee table at home, so there has not been much spinning. Rachel has finished her handspun Bagatelle Cowl, and has picked up her long-neglected Marie Curie Mittens by Emily Bujold. She has been doing a lot of spinning, finishing off some Hello Yarn Fiber Club superwash Targhee, some Lac Blanc Ile de France from Porpoise Fur, and a bump of Southern Cross Fibres Falkland. An interview with Brenda Dayne: We talk about the history of Gwlana, the upcoming Gwlana retreat the 23rd-26th October that we're planning on attending with Caerthan Wrack of Triskelion Yarns, and what's in store for future events. There are still a few spaces available - why not join us for a weekend of inspiration, camaraderie, and knitting? You can find us on Ravelry, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest. Please don't hesitate to share your thoughts and feedback with us, and please come say hi at any of the events we're attending if you get a chance! Everyone is also more then welcome to come join our Wednesday night knit group from 7-9 pm (or longer) at The Goat on the Rise, Clapham SW11 1EQ. We'll be there the rest of July, but on hiatus for August, with plans to start back up again after the big GLYC weekend in September. Music credits (all available on NoiseTrade)Loneliness & Alcohol - Jars of ClayEverything You've Done Wrong - SloanFierce Flawless - Ani DifrancoSomething on Your Mind - The Atomic Hound Dog

Thank you to Jasmin and GiGi from knit more girls podcast for mentioning us on their podcast.. Also, thank you to Twinset Ellen and Twinset Jan for visiting our group on ravelry!   We have a 100 followers on Facebook! 1000+ downloads! Thank you to Jeremy Troski, Jeremy Troski Art and Design and Jeff Dean Dillener for our music!   Master Status:(5:06) We received the program and update through The knitting guild association. We read through the instructions. Alicia and Natalie discuss feelings and anticipation to start the program. Natalie developed a solid plan.   Master Plan: (10:04) Natalie and Lish are going to start blocking research.The are going to start a binder to organize information. They will complete their first two swatches.   In our hands: (12:47) Alicia is currently working on: 1. Traveling Woman (#6) by Liz AbinanteShe abandoned her road map and is going to just keep knitting! She discusses some plans for next projects. Natalie is currently working on: 1.Alicia's wedding shawl Aphrodite by Sivia Harding using Juniper Moon Farm Findley in this lovely pale blue wedding shawl 2. Cast on an ankle sock using ONline Supersocke Cotton Beach Color improvised pattern and using fish lips kiss heel 3. Planning for SPAKAL sweater. SPAKAL( Spin a-long Knit-a-long) with the Knitmoregirls Podcast.  Planning to use locks she cleaned from a 3.5 lb ½ corriedale fleece she purchased at SAFF in 2009 from a farm in NY.   Master Pieces: (12:58) Alicia finished up traveling woman shawl  #5. Natalie finished tubed socks for the girls out of Patons Kroy sock yarn in Blue Striped Ragg leftovers. She also finished a crown for Maria Circlet by Dani Sunshine in Cascade 220 sport in Purple Hyacinth (short rows and bobbles)   Simply Selfie: (23:35) Alicia discusses bridal shower planning. Natalie shares Maria's party and anticipates a hectic work week.   Raise your Hand: (31:27) This week we ask, what's you goto gift pattern? For baby? For adult? Natalie’s go to pattern for babies is booties EviePants All in One Booties by Marilyn Porter Whimsical Rib Wrap Booties by Diane Hall and  Aviatrix hat by Justine Turner  She usually uses simple hat for adults. Alicia loves theKnit Hat for Everyone! by Kathy North, The Sunlight Shawl for Sad People by Sylvia Bo Bilvia, and the Baby Boy 5-Hour Sweater by Gail Bable   Happy Tails: (38:44) Stephanie Perez, of Columbus, OH, shares PJ’s adoption journey. Comfort zone: (41:12) Natalie loves the moment she gets home to two  little girls running over to get hugs. Alicia treated herself to PIZZA from Gem City Pizzaand hit the Goodwill jackpot.   You can email us at masteringtheknits@gmail.com. Alicia is knottyknitter17 on Ravelry, Twitter, Instagram,  Natalie can be found on twitter, Instagram, plurk, everlapse, and ravelry as barknknit.