Podcasts about finished objects

 All about hand spinning yarn, knitting, owning a wool mill, farm life and everything in between. This episode is a whole lot of knitting sweater talk. The Calliope knit along has come to end so we share the finished items, pick winners and talk about the next spin to knit or crochet along we are planning. Basically a lot of fiber among friends talk.  Knit-a-long on Ravelry https://www.ravelry.com/discuss/ewethful-fiber-farm--mill/4292265/1-25Pattern: CalliopeDesigner: Espace TricotYarns I am using for my Calliopehttps://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/calliope-13Sincere Sheep Fingering Cormo shown in vloghttps://www.ewethfulfiberfarm.com/collections/other-u-s-milled-yarns/products/sincere-sheep-cormo-fingering-weight-yarnEwetopia Mohair/Silk yarns shown in vloghttps://www.ewethfulfiberfarm.com/collections/other-u-s-milled-yarns/products/mohair-silk-lace-weight-ewetopia-yarnJoin Ewethful's Patreon Communityhttps://www.patreon.com/EwethfulFiberMillFor details and to purchase the online course to learn to handspin on wheelhttps://www.ewethfulfiberfarm.com/pages/lets-make-yarn-landing-pageFor details and to purchase the online course to learn to spin longdrawhttps://www.ewethfulfiberfarm.com/products/2256545Shop for Ewethful handspinning fibershttps://www.ewethfulfiberfarm.com/collectionsFree hand spinning resourceshttps://www.ewethfulfiberfarm.com/pages/wool-educationMission at Ewethful: My mission at Ewethful Fiber Mill is to fill making hands with small batch American grown yarns and fibers. I strive to produce lightly processed products that maintain their character, have low environmental impact and tell the stories of the animals and shepherds from whence they came.Find me at:https://www.ewethfulfiberfarm.com/Instagram@ewethfulfiberfarm https://www.instagram.com/ewethfulfibermill/Facebook EwethfulFiberFarmandMill https://www.facebook.com/ewethfulfiberfarmandmillRavelry group: Ewethful Fiber Farm & MillBlogging at http://www.beingewethful.com/

Happy new year, friends! We're taking a look back on our 2022 projects, and Vivian is the clear Finished Objects winner. And we're making good progress on our 2023 makes. Both Vivian and Alyson are still knitting their cardigans. Plus, the Archive KCAL is coming down the pipeline. Links to things we mention: Buzzfeed Quiz Folklore by Amy Gunderson [Ravelry] Mitten Garland Advent Calendar by Kathy Lewinski [Ravelry] Twelve Days Ornament Series by Larissa Holland South Shore cardigan [Ravelry] Peeking Cat Butt Coaster [Ravelry] Anthology [Ravelry] Suburban Wrap [Ravelry] Pearl and Plum Show notes with photos Support and follow us: Instagram Pearl and Plum Etsy Our Website Buy KCACY merch Buy us a Ko-fi

Our WIPs are coming along nicely despite the frogging. Finished Objects are another story altogether! No crochet or knitting FOs in sight! But Alyson did revive an old needle felting project from the dead... Links to things we mention: Buzzfeed Quiz Meg's Wrap by Julie Blagojevich[Ravelry] Grand Forks Pullover by Cheryl Chow [Ravelry] Twylla by Rachel Coopey [Ravelry] All Points South by Casapinka [Ravelry] Felted Barn Owl (kit from Hawthorn Handmade) Fiber Expo in Ann Arbor Show notes with photos Support and follow us: Instagram Pearl and Plum Etsy Our Website Buy KCACY merch Buy us a Ko-fi

For show notes please see: weavolution.com/group/fiber-speed-life-podcast/episode-33 For early access, please support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/weavolution

  Sponsored by Weavolution If you would like to support the show, become a Weavolution Patron and get access to exclusive Patron content from Erica. Where to find us: iTunes, please leave us a review on Podcast FB Page! E-mail! We have an e-mail account, please feel free to e-mail us! Podcast Instagram: fiberatthespeedoflifepodcast Michelle is Ravelry: MichelleTF Instagram: michelletfcrafts Facebook: Valdelia Maker Erica is Weavolution: Erica J, Jahanara, or Weavolutionary Ravelry: weavemage Instagram: weavemage Facebook: Intro and Outro Music: Sundown by Joseph McDade, thank you!   Shearing day: Michelle and her daughters attended shearing day at Queso Cabeza farm. They go whenever they can to help schlep fleeces, skirt, round up sheep and whatever else they can do to help Laura and Rick on the day...and to play with sheep and fleece, of course. They have about 45 Icelandic sheep in their herd. The weather was good and they had a good time, as always. Michelle learned that Icelandic fleece grows at about an inch a month, so they're plenty warm for the winter despite being sheared in October. The shearer does most of the work along with Rick and Laura.   This may be a fleece that followed Michelle home.   Thing 2 helping skirt. The sheet on her head was used to transfer the fleeces from where the shearer was shearing to the skirting table The shearer is quick, so they didn't get to fully clean any of the fleece before having to roll it up and bag it to start on the next.   Ryder the guard llama.   Thing 2 and Stevie, one of the bottle lambs.   This fleece followed Michelle home after the sheep "undressed".           Finished Objects! Michelle: Michelle finished skirting one of the Icelandic fleeces that followed her home. She plans to try tail spinning this fleece.       Michelle continues to spin down her stash. Here is a selection of what she has dyed and spun. The fibers include Polworth, Falkland, Targhee (she won't be spinning more of that) and Corriedale.         Erica: Erica finished weaving over 4 meters of purple damask with red weft! This warp was wound 1.5 years ago! Erica can hardly believe this cloth is all finally woven. Can you believe she first talked about her warp calculations woahs in Episode 2! She thought she might have a bit more warp on the loom to weave more cloth in another weft. Now she is contemplating whether to use this 4+ meters for a Sasanid Wrap or a Sasanid Robe.     Erica is also super excited that she has finished knitting another sock! This is sock #1 of pair #2 for her husband, Oli! Once she really got going on this sock it really was quite fast, but life, etc. means that this sock was 2 months in the making, definitely at the speed of life!     The magic swatch! Erica swatched for Weasley jumpers and got gauge on the recommended needle size. She actually got gauge on the first swatch. Erica and Michelle did not think that actually happened to people! :)   Works in progress   Michelle: Michelle is currently skirting the second of the Icelandic fleeces that followed her home.         Michelle is also spinning a Cheviot/Dorset cross white fleece. She's decided to use some of these singles for tail spinning the Icelandic. The rest will be plied and possibly dyed.     Erica: Erica continues to work on knitting a shawl for herself. ?This fingering weight semi-circular shawl is very fun to knit. Erica is glad she is back to knitting on it most days. She is using Replenish Rambouillet yarn in Persimmon from Two Ewes Fiber Adventures Shop. Her knitting pattern is: K2, P2 K2, P2 P2, K2 P2, K2 Erica thought this was double seed stitch, but now she thinks she may have not written the pattern down correctly, still, it is quite beautiful and she really loves it. She is excited to finish this knit, so she can compare wearing a shawl with wearing a cardi with a shawl collar.  

 Sponsored by Weavolution If you would like to support the show, become a Weavolution Patron and get access to exclusive Patron content from Erica. Where to find us: iTunes, please leave us a review on  Podcast FB Page! E-mail! We have an e-mail account, please feel free to e-mail us! Podcast Instagram: fiberatthespeedoflifepodcast    Michelle is             Ravelry: MichelleTF             Instagram: michelletfcrafts             Facebook: Valdelia Maker     Erica is             Weavolution: Erica J, Jahanara, or Weavolutionary             Ravelry: weavemage             Instagram: weavemage             Facebook:  Intro and Outro Music: Sundown by Joseph McDade, thank you! Finished Objects! Michelle Erica TJ's Socks!!! Erica finished knitting the socks for her son, TJ. He loves them and has been dancing and sliding around the living room in them. :) Erica finished weaving off her handspun warp for TJ. It still needs the weft thread ends trimmed and the fringe twisted (if he is going to use it as a scarf). He probably wouldn't use a bag and seems to like it as a quite long scarf! Masks :) Ginny Cardigan swatches Deep Cove Handspun, Saltwater woolen prep 3 ply handspun, Nightshades       Works in Progress Michelle Erica Erica has been weaving away on the damask with the Treeenway Silks Zolo Borello colourway weft. She has done a lot of thinking about how to handle the possibility that there will be variances between the different dyed skeins, it will take about 4 skeins. Erica decided that in the Middle Ages, based on the textiles she has studied, that weavers would keep with one skein until the end of a repeat. This is based on studying partial textiles which do not show any variance in weft color within a single repeat. Here is the damask photo with two different dyes lots. Here is the damask woven using the only one skein.   Do you see a difference? :) Erica has cast on another pair of socks for her husband, Oli. The whole family now has one pair of hand knit socks. Erica is considering. over time, knitting 4-5 pairs of socks for each family member. Stay tuned. :) Erica is also working on finishing the seams on her handwoven robe. In order to finish the hems, she has started warping a narrow, long linen warp to weave a reinforcement for her robe. This decision is based on the The Metropolitian Museum's analysis of a 7th C Persian Riding Coat. Erica took her knitted shawl out of hybernation. This shawl is knit on 5.5 mm Signature Needle Arts needles, in a fingering weight yarn from The Two Ewes!  

We have news, Finished Objects, Works in Progress, Cast Ons, and Stash Enhancements for you. Our topic for the month is substituting yarn! Not every yarn is good for every knitter, so we have some tricks, trades, and general experiences with swapping out yarns! Dranks Emily: Oskar Blues Momma's Lil Pils Amber: Urban Artifact Spyglass Erin: Urban Artifact Gadget News #FuckingSelfCareAlong Knit something selfish Ends August 15th Fuck This Knit Enamel Pins are Here! Emily's Pattern Release Happy Haunts And a new way to buy her patterns Dark Romantic MKAL Finished Objects Sockhead Haunt Socks Emily's goth MKAL WIP: Jazz Shawl Slytherin Sweater Art Deco Scrap Blanket Hallow Socks Weasley Flax Buckbeak Sweater  RIP Shrug it On Friends socks New Super-Duper Mystery MKAL Emily's Secrets Revealed Stash Enhancement Spin Cycle

Sponsored by  If you would like to support the show, become a Weavolution Patron and get access to exclusive Patron content from Erica. Where to find us: iTunes, please leave us a review on  Podcast FB Page! E-mail! We have an e-mail account, please feel free to e-mail us! Podcast Instagram: fiberatthespeedoflifepodcast    Michelle is             Ravelry: MichelleTF             Instagram: michelletfcrafts             Facebook: Valdelia Maker     Erica is             Weavolution: Erica J, Jahanara, or Weavolutionary             Ravelry: weavemage             Instagram: weavemage             Facebook:  Intro and Outro Music: Sundown by Joseph McDade, thank you!   Finished Objects! Michelle Tour de Fleece! Michelle finished spinning the Coopworth/Shropshire fleece. She ended up with 1329 yards of 3 ply yarn. Michelle set the twist in a few of the Coop/Shrop skeins and dyed some of this yarn blue. Erica Erica has spun one three-ply yarn during the Tour de Fleece and a sample of Sweet Georgia's Saltwater color way to swatch for the Ginny sweater, more on this under WIP's.   Erica finished weaving the first length of her silk damask in the black weft. She only needs one yard for the cowl she is making. The fabric is about 32" wide and 34" long. She is hoping to get her serger working soon. This will be a 7th C Persian cowl and the hems will be hand sewn, however, she does want to serge the cut edges before hemming.   Works in Progress Michelle Michelle has started felting a dwarf hamster for Thing 2's teacher (she'll be getting it late).  Right now it looks like a large pumpkin seed. Erica Erica is swatching for the Ginny. Erica has watched in the original yarn, the Harrisville Designs Nightshades.   Erica fixed a problem with her Glimakra Ideal loom (below). The countermarche jacks on top of the loom were improperly mounted, so the jacks on the left were hitting the frame. That was fun! :) Now the loom is weaving like a dream again! :) Erica I currently weaving a plain weave fabric from several of her handspun yarns. The yarns that are barberpoled (dark and green yarn on the left and blue/purple in the middle of the photo below) create a twill effect in the plain weave cloth!   TJ's sock, is still in progress. She is nearing the heel, which usually builds up momentum in her knitting. Aplogies there are no progress photos at this time.   If anyone else is interested in coding for kids, the box Erica discusses getting for TJ it is here.  

We have news, Finished Objects, Works in Progress, Cast Ons, and Stash Enhancements for you. Our topic for the month is small knits! We wanted to give you ideas to pop out a quick project for the #FuckingSelfCareAlong. Continue the discussion on our Forums. Dranks Emily: Mile Wide Frivolous Ideation Amber: West Sixth Berliner Wisse Erin: Urban Artifact Paperweight News #FuckingSelfCareAlong Knit something selfish Ends August 15th Fuck This Knit Enamel Pins are Here! Emily's Pattern Release Steadfast Fellowship And a new way to buy her patterns Follow the Fiber Coven Finished Objects Chad man socks Long Distance Coven Scrunchie Bubble Tea Shawl WIP: Jazz Shawl Slytherin Sweater Art Deco Scrap Blanket 2020 Jimmy Shawl Sockhead Hallow Socks Weasley Flax Haunt Socks Buckbeak Sweater New Friends socks Shrug it On Stash Enhancement Lolabean Knuckle Sandwich Purple Nurple Valkyrie Fibers Appa Avatar mini skein set Junk Yarn Kurako SMALL KNITS ARE BIG Thank you to our sponsors! Bee Kind Yarn Superfine Yarn Co.

We have news, Finished Objects, Works in Progress, Cast Ons, and Stash Enhancements for you. The idea for the topic of this episode came from one of our listeners. Ergonomics are important for long-lasting crafting ability. Continue the discussion on our Forums. Dranks Emily: Gravely Neutral Milk Hotel Amber: Hoof Hearted Brewing Rose Gose Erin: Urban Artifact Key Lime News #FuckingSelfCareAlong Knit something selfish Ends August 15th Fuck This Knit Enamel Pins are Here! Emily's Pattern Release Foul Temptress Sunday Vibes in Knit Picks Follow the Fiber Coven Finished Objects Friendship Socks Toy Erin's Magpie 2018 Jimmy Shawl WIP: Jazz Shawl Slytherin Sweater Chad man socks Art Deco 2020 Jimmy Shawl Sockhead Hallow Socks Weasley Flax Haunt Socks Last Ride Scrappy Socks New Lace shawl Long Distance Coven Scrunchie A thing for knit picks Buckbeak Sweater Stash Enhancement Valkyrie Fibers Thundercunt in Sock Thundercunt in BLF Tweed Sock Dissent in Sock! Ergonomics

Where to find us: Podcast FB Page!    Michelle is             Ravelry: MichelleTF             Instagram: michelletfcrafts             Facebook: Valdelia Maker     Erica is             Weavolution: Erica J, or Jahanara             Ravelry: weavemage             Instagram: weavemage             Facebook: Weavolution Intro and Outro Music: Sundown by Joseph McDade, thank you!   Finished Objects:   Oli We had a guest on the show today, Erica's husband Oli. Oli shared two of his recent fiber arts projects. First a bag he made from the remaining fabric Erica wove for his Viking coat. Second he made Erica a facemask. He used some patterned fabric Erica has had for years with some Persian figures on it. He did a great job matching the patterns on the fabric when cutting out the pieces. Erica had seen that some people are using elastic bands for securing facemask. Since her hair and TJ's hair is too thick to use the thin hair ties, they have about 20 laying around the house not doing anything, so this seemed a good use for those hair ties. Erica's persona in the SCA is Persian, so this really does suit her.     Erica Erica finished the first of TJ's socks. These socks follow Ann Budd's BluPrint class pattern. TJ really likes them. They are knit with a 3 x 1 rib in a glitz sock yarn from Gynx Yarn. Erica's bin of handspun yarn that needed wet finishing hit the overflowing state, so she spent some time wet finishing 12 skeins of yarn. She simply soaks her yarn in hot water with a bit of soap, rinses it with warm water and hangs it to dry. Since most of her yarn is destined to be woven then wet finished more, she does not do much vigorous wet finishing in the yarn stage. More detailed photos of her color study yarns will be coming in future episodes as she discusses her comparison of the various yarns. For the very last bit of her Finn colour and breed study.  Erica made 2 batts out of the remaining Artic Berries, from CraftyJax. Erica will spin the two batts and ply them together. She is looking forward to getting all the yarns together and having a look at them side by side, stay tuned for thoughts on this study.  Erica finished her final yarn for her Organic Polwarth Breed and colour study with a 2 ply Graffiti colourway yarn. She is quite pleased with it. Both singles were spun quite consistently, likely, because Erica is spinning almost every day and spun the singles in rather quick succession. Erica finished a number of other yarns since the last episode. You can see in the photos, how Erica uses tyvex wrist bands to label her skeins. These can be written on in permanent marker and the wrist bands make it through the wet finishing process just fine. She has also adapted this process for her warping chains when making new weaving warps. Deep Cover colourway from Sweet Georgia Yarns.  Lakeside colourway from Crafty Jaks  Two of the Arctic Berries yarns     Michelle finished the cross stitch she's been working on. It may have to wait until the stay at home order is over to get it framed.     Michelle made two needle felted air plant hangers that she finished. Squid:   Octopus:         WIP's Erica has spun the singles of this beautiful colourway. It is called Petal from Bee Mice Elf. Erica still has quite a stash from this dyer, who is no longer dyeing. Below are the last two colours from Erica's advent calendar colourway. The single on the left was a bit naughty and thus is now knotty. Erica lost the end and created such a mess trying to find it had to cut the yarn and start at a random point. She is curious to see how this works out when she finally plies the yarn. The second photo below shows the mess that was made when trying to find the end, Erica tried for about 3 days on and off the find the actual end of the yarn, before deciding her time was more valuable and cut the yarn and kept spinning. When she rewound the yarn (above photo left) she had to break the yarn a few times and knot it back together, hence the yarn being knotty. :)   Erica decided to tackle the 5 ply yarn from her 51 yarns spinning in an unconventional way. Inspired by the crazy yarn Michelle showed her while recording a previous episode, Erica took 5 different bobbin ends and plyed them together, then put a knot in each time she ran out of a yarn, thus creating a skein with samples of 5 ply, 4, ply, 3 ply and 2 ply yarns to compare. Erica used a rigid heddle, which she often substitutes for a warping paddle, to seperate the 5 yarns. The below photos show the rigid heddle Erica used and how she had to use 2 lazy kates to accommodate 5 bobbins of yarn. It was a fun experience, but Erica is not sure when she might ever need a 5 ply yarn.       Michelle started needle felting a Cthulhu air plant holder.   She needs to finish turning him green and wet felt some wings for him.     Michelle has picked up an old project from years ago.  Her husband asked her to make him a cloak and requested embroidery all over the back of it. He did help her with the embroidery, but it's been sitting for years waiting for a lining. She has now cut out the lining and is just waiting for some black thread to stitch in the lining. Here's a picture from the pinning process.  

We have news, Finished Objects, Works in Progress, Cast Ons, and Stash Enhancements for you. Lauren from Valkyrie Fibers hangs out with us and we ask her not so awkward questions (for once). Continue the discussion on our Forums. Thank you to our Sponsor: BeeKindYarn BeeKind Yarn has hand-dyed yarn and handmade stitch markers, $3 from every sale goes to directly benefit a beekeeper or a bee conservation society. Also, all of their labels are printed on recycled materials. Bee Kind Yarns even prints their business cards on seed paper so you can plant them and grow flowers that will make bees happy! Bee Kind Yarns offers FREE shipping to the US with with orders including 3 skeins or $75. You can get free World Wide Shipping if you order 4 + skeins or over $100. From now through the end of May, Fuck This Knit listeners can save 15% on orders from BeeKindYarn using discount code: fuckthisyarn Get yourself some beautiful hand-dyed yarn, help bees, save money, go do it now! Find BeeKindYarn on their brand new website, Instagram, Twitter, and Ravelry Dranks Emily: Gravely Doc Heffe Amber: Founder's Breakfast Stout Float Erin: Urban Artifact Woodbreaker Lauren: South Lake Brewing Dunkle AF News Valkyrie Fibers Virtual Trunk Show Knit Night May 19th, 6-9 pm EST In the Fuck This Knit Discord (only available to Patrons) Fuck This Knit Enamel Pins are coming soon! Keep your eyes peeled on our social media to find out when you can purchase them! Emily's Pattern Release Apiculture Hat Finished Objects Ace Bag White-Eyed Demon Egg Riddle Show Off Kerchief the second Trianglegram Maya Tunic WIP: Jazz Shawl Slytherin Sweater Chad man socks 2020 Jimmy Shawl Sockhead Hallow Socks Weasley Flax Haunt Socks DK Vanilla Socks Erin's Magpie Last Ride Scrappy Socks New Friendship Socks Art Deco Stash Enhancement Valkyrie Fibers: Matte DK in "Durmstrang" Nomadic Yarns: Trusty Sock in "Sharknado" Peach Queen Yarns: Sparkle Sock in "New Horizons"

We have news, Finished Objects, Works in Progress, Cast Ons, and Stash Enhancements for you. The topic for this month is love. We've all had a rough time these past few weeks and we just wanted to take some time to remind ourselves and each other about love. Self-love, friend-love, and love for our wonderful fiber community. Continue the discussion on our Forums. This month we have two sponsors! BeeKindYarn BeeKind Yarn has hand-dyed yarn and handmade stitch markers, $3 from every sale goes to directly benefit a beekeeper or a bee conservation society. Also, all of their labels are printed on recycled materials. Bee Kind Yarns even prints their business cards on seed paper so you can plant them and grow flowers that will make bees happy! Bee Kind Yarns offers FREE shipping to the US with no minimum order and if you order over $60 of yarn you can even get free shipping worldwide. From now through April 10th, 2020, Fuck This Knit listeners can save 15% on orders from BeeKindYarn using discount code: fuckthisyarn Get yourself some beautiful hand-dyed yarn, help bees, save money, go do it now! Find BeeKindYarn on Etsy, Instagram, Twitter, and Ravelry SuperFine Yarn Co. Superfine Yarn Co.'s hand-dyed skeins are created with love in Super Fine Yarn Co's Hildebrandt Building Studio and carry a variety of unique bases! There is enjoyment to be found in the unique hues and the individual specks of color that pop throughout this yarn. Get 15% off Superfine Yarn Co yarn and a free pin with all orders now through May 15th with the coupon code "FTHISKNIT" Find Superfine Yarn Co on their Website, Instagram, Pinterest, and Ravelry Dranks Emily: Gravely Sprocket Amber: Ballast Point Raspberry Sour Wench Erin: Mirror Twin I always wondered how Plumbuses got made News Chatty Bitches Voice Chat Enjoy by joining our Patreon Emily's Pattern Release Glitter and Floof Finished Objects Apiculture Hat Kerchief Emily needs to stop it with the secrets damnit WIP: Jazz Shawl Slytherin Sweater Trianglegram Chad man socks 2018 Jimmy Shawl Sockhead Hallow Socks Haunt Socks DK Vanilla Socks New Kerchief the second Weasley Flax Ace Bag 2020 Jimmy Shawl Erin's Magpie    

We have news, Finished Objects, Works in Progress, Cast Ons, and Stash Enhancements for you. Our big topic for the month is... BALLS! That is the tools to wind balls. We chat about our experiences with various ball winders and swifts to hopefully help you make a decision when you want to choose one. We'd love to hear about your favorite ball winders and swifts too, join us in our discussion on our Ravelry Forum!    Ball Winders Knit Picks Lacis Stanwood Jumbo Strauch Fiber Artist Supply Co. Swifts Blue Metal Death Knit Picks Glimakra Swedish Wooden Swift Stanwood Amish

Welcome to the AdoreKnit Podcast! A Show about a scattered caffeinated mom who loves her family, knits, makes stitch markers and tries to keep it all running smoothly. This is just a quick little check in with some Finished Objects, Works in Progress, Yarn Wall, Life, and Dream Knitting. Don’t forget to tag your projects … Continue reading Episode 20: Fuzzified →

What’s in Our Cup Lemond Ginger Yerba Mate from Mate Factor Japanese Matcha Cool Threads Diana: Katie Hat Sockhead Slouch Find Your Fade Shawl Glam Lamb Jocelyn: Find Your Fade Shawl Mallow Cardigan Squish Shawl Limited Resources (Magic the Gathering podcast) Woolly Workings Jocelyn: a crochet blanket consisting of many tiny squares Vanilla socks in… Continue reading Episode 147 – 72 Finished Objects 🙄

Welcome to the AdoreKnit Podcast! A Show about a scattered caffeinated mom who loves her family, knits, makes stitch markers and tries to keep it all running smoothly.  It’s been so long! Welcome Back!  This week there are a few Finished Objects and some dream knitting.  A giant Desert Vista Dyeworks haul and plans for … Continue reading Episode 12: Welcome Back! →

Recorded on Wednesday, May 29, 2019 Book Talk starts at 32:07 Our next Knit-Along will be our annual Mother Bear KAL!  Any bears you have knit or crocheted on 2019 are eligible to post pictures of in our FO thread (which will be started after June 1, 2019).  Come join the Chatter thread here!    What?  You say that you have never knitted or crocheted a Mother Bear but would like to join the fun?  All the information to get you started is in the first post of  The Chatter ThreadThe rules for the KAL and all the information to get    The winners of the 2 new sock patterns by Jenn Sheelen (Dragon Toes and Hint of Sophistication) will be announced at the end of the podcast.   Barb and Tracie attended the annual Spinning at the Winery event a Retzlaff Winery in Livermore, CA.  A good time was had by all! Tracie recommends the audio podcast Craft Cook Read Repeat.        KNITTING   Barb’s finished objects: 1.  Mother Bears #160 and #161 2.   If They Kill Daryl Socks using Desert Vista Dyeworks Viso in the If They Kill Daryl colorway   Tracie’s Finished Objects: 1.  Mother Bears #167 - #172 2.  Confetti by Veera Valimaki in Anzula Nebula in Lottie and Knit Picks Hawthorne Fingering Multi in Rockaway   Barb continues to work on: 1.  Christmas Vanilla Socks, using The Yarn Jar Shop sock yarn in The Grinch colorway 2.  ZickZack Scarf by Christy Kamm - free pattern on Ravelry - 5380 projects!  Using Lang Yarns MilleColori Baby in the 51 and52 color ways 3.  Zephyr Cardigan by Celia McAdam Cahill, using Malabrigo Yarn Rios in the Teal Feather color way 4.  Yolks Pullover by Natalie V, using a Craftsy Kit with Cloudborn Fibers Pima Cotton DK in the Magenta Colorway   She has cast on: 1.  Sunnydale Cowl by Katy H. Carroll (Katinka Designs), using Malabrigo Yarn Arroyo in the Anniversario colorway Barb has frogged: 1.  Poulia cowl by Hilary Smith Callis, using Malabrigo Yarn Arroyo in the Anniversario colorway   Tracie has cast on: 1. Another Never Not Gnoming gnome in the large size 2.  ZickZack Scarf by Christy Kamm, using Louisa Harding Amitola in the Hook and the Dawn colorways She continues to work on: 1.  Judah Cardigan by Juliana Lustanader in Valley Yarns Goshen in the Pacific colorway 2.  Fiddly Bits #7 by Jane Pihota in sport weight yarns 3. Dare to Dream by Boo Knits in Duren Dyeworks Heavenly Fingering in Cherry Pop 4.  Vanilla Socks, using Lollipop Yarn Quintessential in the Wide Awake colorway Tracie has put in to Hibernation: 1.   Jewel Box Cowl in Stunning String Studios Stunning Superwash in Jewel Box minis colorway   BOOKS   Barb has finished: 1.   The Demon Next Door by Bryan Burrough (Thumbs Up) 2.  To The Bridge by Nancy Rommelman.(Thumbs Up)   Tracie has finished: 1.  A Tale for the Time Being by Ruth Ozeki (Thumbs Up) 2.   Death on the River: A Fiancee's Dark Secrets and a Kayak Trip Turned Deadly by Diane Fanning (Thumbs Down) 3.  The Mystery of Alice (Audible Original) (Thumbs Sideways)   Barb is currently reading: 1. The Dark Heart: A True Story of Greed, Murder and an Unlikely Investigator by Joakim Palmkvist Tracie is currently reading: 1. In the Dark (DI Adam Fawley, #2) by Cara Hunter 2. Bad Monkey (Andrew Yancy, #1) by Carl Hiaasen  

Book Talk Begins at 27:30 Recorded on Wednesday May 15, 2019 Our 2019 Colorwork KAL is over!   Be sure to listen until the end of the podcast to hear the prize winners!   Our current Giveaway!  We have 2 new sock patterns from Jenn Sheelan: Dragon Toes Socks and Hit of Suspicion.  Comment on this thread for a chance to win.  This contest will close June 30.   The Spinning at the Winery date has been changed from 5/18/19, to Saturday, May 25 at Retzlaff Winery.   Our next Knit-Along will be our annual Mother Bear KAL!  Any bears you have knit or crocheted on 2019 are eligible to post pictures of in our FO thread (which will be started after June 1, 2019).  Come join the Chatter thread here!   KNITTING Barb’s finished objects: 1.  Mother Bears #157, #158 & #159   Tracie’s Finished Objects: 1.  Gnome #15 (Never Not Gnoming) by Sarah Schira 2.  Annie Bear for niece Jayla 3.  Mother Bears # 156 - 166 Barb continues to work on: 1.  Christmas Vanilla Socks, using The Yarn Jar Shop sock yarn in The Grinch colorway 2.  ZickZack Scarf by Christy Kamm - free pattern on Ravelry - 5380 projects!  Using Lang Yarns MilleColori Baby in the 51 and52 color ways 3.  Zephyr Cardigan by Celia McAdam Cahill, using Malabrigo Yarn Rios in the Teal Feather color way She has cast on: 1.  If They Kill Daryl Socks using Desert Vista Dyeworks Viso in the If They Kill Daryl colorway 2.  Poulia cowl by Hilary Smith Callis, using Malabrigo Yarn Arroyo in the Anniversario colorway Barb has frogged: Fire Bird Hat Test Knit for Carson of Rage Knit for Choice moderator Carson, using Alpenglow yarn and Madelinetosh Tosh DK in the grasshopper color way     Tracie has cast on: 1.  Another Judah Cardigan by Juliana Lustanader in Valley Yarns Goshen in the Pacific colorway   She continues to work on: 1.  Confetti by Veera Valimaki in Anzula Nebula in Lottie and Knit Picks Hawthorne Fingering Multi in Rockaway 2.  Fiddly Bits #7 by Jane Pihota in sport weight yarns 3.  Jewel Box Cowl in Stunning String Studios Stunning Superwash in Jewel Box minis colorway 4.  Dare to Dream by Boo Knits in Duren Dyeworks Heavenly Fingering in Cherry Pop BOOKS Barb has finished: 1.  Black Water Rising (Jay Porter #1) by Attica Locke - recommend 2.  Greyhound by Steffan Piper - recommends 3.  The Neighbors by Hannah Mary McKinnon - recommend 4.  A Curve in the Road by Julianne MacLean - so-so 5.  Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens - recommend 6.  Evil Eye by Madhuri Shekar - this is the Audible Original - recommend!   Barb is currently reading: 1.  The Demon Next Door by Bryan Burrough  2.  The Dark Heart: A True Story of Greed, Murder and an Unlikely Investigator by Joakim Palmkvist   Tracie has finished: 1.  Tell Me by Lisa Jackson - thumbs down 2.  Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens - Tracie thinks "meh" 3.  Deadly Greed: The Riveting True Story of the Stuart Murder Case the Rocked Boston and Shocked the Nation by Joe Sharkey - thumbs up 4.  The Silent Sister by Shalini Boland - thumbs down 5.  What We Kill by Howard Odentz - Thumbs up Tracie is currently reading: 1.  A Tale for the Time Being by Ruth Ozeki 2.  Death on the River: A Fiancee's Dark Secrets and a Kayak Trip Turned Deadly by Diane Fanning            

We like big shawls and we cannot lie! We talk about our favorite shawl shapes, styles, and patterns for our topic this month. Also hear about our News, Finished Objects, Works In Progress, Cast Ons, and Stash Enhancements. We can't wait to see you at Kentucky Sheep and Wool this weekend! BEER!!! Braxton Summer Trip Ginger Drink Bean Flicker Coffee Blonde Ale from Odd Side News: Kentucky Sheep and Fiber Festival Meet up: Saturday May 18th at 1pm near the food truck Emily's Class: Designing Knits - Saturday May 18th from 9am - 12pm Emily's Patterns are available Sparkle and Fluff Along with an ALONG! Milky Way We're starting an Unofficial Unfuck It Along! New Merch Alert! FO: Kitties are Cute Comfort Fade Cardi WIP: Scrap Blanket Ziggy Stardust Madtosh MKAL shawl 2018 Erin's Slyther-In Emily's Steadfast Fellowship ShieldMaiden Rose Gold Ad-ben-ture! New Layered Cakes are Yummy New Socks Ber's Fellowship Stash Enhancement Hawari Bazaar: Jasmine sparkle and fluff kit Dork x Wool: Silver Berries Storyteller Yarn: Zap and Love Valkyrie Fibers: Sea Witch Comfort Fade Cardi Kit

Recorded on April 24, 2019 Book Talk starts at 31:20 Our 2019 Colorwork KAL will continue until May 15, 2019.  Come join the conversation on the Chatter Thread, and post your finished objects on the FOs thread. We draw the winner of  the Frost Heaves Cowl by Bronwyn the Brave at the end of this episode!  Coupon code for $2 off the Frost Heaves pattern: THELONGWINTER until April 30. New Giveaway!  We have 2 new sock patterns from Jenn Sheelan: Dragon Toes Socks and Hit of Suspicion.  Comment on the context thread for a chance to win.  This contest will close June 30. Tracie and Barb will be at Spinning at the Winery, Saturday, May 18 at Retzlaff Winery   KNITTING Barb’s finished objects: Helix Hat #8 by Jessica Rose Vanilla socks using DVD Viso in Tea for Two color way Gnome de Plume mystery gnome by Sarah Schira using scrap yarn Fox Paws scarf by Xandy Peters, using the Craftsy kit in the Winter Night color palette.  Cloudborn Highland Sport in Black, Gray Heather, Lavender Heather, Dolphin Blue and White (photo) Candy Hug Hat by Taiga Hillard Designs using yarn picked up at the NoCKRs destash table. Mother Bear #157   Tracie’s Finished Objects: 16 Knitted Knockers  for 2019! Sand Layers by Lisa Hannes in January Yarns Staple Sock in Lucky and Serendipidye King’s Mountain Sock in Acapandemonium Judah Cardigan by Juliana Lustenader in Tahki Yarns Cotton Classic in Spruce Mother Bears 151-155   Barb continues to work on: Christmas Vanilla Socks, using The Yarn Jar Shop sock yarn in The Grinch colorway   She has cast on: ZickZack Scarf by Christy Kamm - free pattern on Ravelry - 5380 projects!  Using Lang Yarns MilleColori Baby in the 51 and52 color ways Fire Bird Hat Test Knit for Carson of Rage Knit for Choice moderator Carson, using Alpenglow yarn and Madelinetosh Tosh DK in the grasshopper color way Zephyr Cardigan by Celia McAdam Cahill, using Malabrigo Yarn Rios in the Teal Feather color way   Tracie has cast on: Dare to Dream by Boo Knits in Duren Dyeworks Heavenly Fingering in Cherry Pop   She continues to work on: Confetti by Veera Valimaki in Anzula Nebula in Lottie and Knit Picks Hawthorne Fingering Multi in Rockaway Fiddly Bits #7 by Jane Pihota in sport weight yarns Jewel Box Cowl in Stunning String Studios Stunning Superwash in Jewel Box minis colorway   BOOKS Barb recommends:  Beshert by Erin Gordon Boy’s Life by Robert R. McCammon   She does not recommend:  Tear Me Apart by J.T. Ellison   She is currently reading Black Water Rising (Jay Porter #1) by Attica Locke Greyhound by Steffan Piper   Tracie recommends:  Daisy Fay and the Miracle Man by Fannie Flagg Holding by Graham Norton His Bloody Project: Documents Relating to the Case of Roderick Macrae by Graeme Macrae Burnet   She does not recommend: The Weed That Strings the Hangman’s Bag (Flavia de Luce #2) by Alan Bradley American Appetites by Joyce Carol Oates   She is currently reading Tell Me by Lisa Jackson Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens

It's hard to believe that another Breed & Colour Study has come to an end! This month marks the wrapping up of this amazing study. Continue to post and chat about your yarns, projects and learning in both the Ravelry group and Slack channel. Ravelry group ongoing chatter threadRavelry group Finished Objects thread (chatter-free)Usually, I feel bittersweet when these studies conclude. On one hand, I am excited by the yarns I have made, the learning I have done and the reflections I have had a chance to share with you. But on the other hand, I am sad to be finished with another amazing fibre and to be moving onto something new. There is something powerful in being able to move onto "The New" but it is important to remember where we have been and what we have learned to be able to build upon that strong foundation.I hope you enjoyed this study as much as Katrina and I enjoyed creating it. There will be news at the beginning of April about how the next study will proceed so please await my post on how that will roll out. It will be slightly different from how we've done it in the past.Please leave your comments, thoughts and reflections in the comments below to continue this conversation on using your handspun versus stashing it, treating the things we make as 'precious' and the finishing of another study.Patreon Link herehttps://www.patreon.com/posts/24958537Until next time,Rachel

Welcome in and enjoy the latest episode of New Hampshire Knits with 2 Finished Objects, On the Needles, Winners of the NHK Mitten KAL and a quick shop update, The Vintage Shetland Project and the release of Fenella yarn by Susan Crawford.   @scandiwork   Christiandatter Mittens   @ovisetcetera   @lainemagazine   @camillavad   Magnolia Sweater   Einrum   Tidal Yarns   Riddari   Lettlopi   Humblebee Socks   Blacker Hebridean Mohair blend   NHKMittenKAL2018   @makersmerch   Squam Art Fair   John Arbon Textiles   Faithmead   Ullcentrum   West Yorkshire Spinners   Erika Knight   Rauma   The Vintage Shetland Project by Susan Crawford    Fenella by Susan Crawford    Uniform   Making 5: Color

Welcome to The Crochet Circle Podcast and the show notes for Episode 26 – CALathon.   In this episode, I cover: Quick news beats; Old dog, new tricks;  FOs; WIPs; DIPs; Feeding the habit, Review of Making Winter book; Big Up and What's good?   This podcast is sponsored by my online crafting company, Provenance Craft Co.  Thanks to everyone who tunes into the podcast whether it is through Stitcher, Podbean, Spotify, iTunes or the YouTube Channel. Your support and engagement are really appreciated and makes running a podcast very special and worthwhile.    If you would like to support the podcast, you can do that through Patreon:   1 - Quick news beats Global Hook Up – Are you all ready to join in the first-ever Global Hook Up?  Here are the joining details:    Hi there, Fay Dashper-Hughes is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting. Topic: 1st Global Hook Up with The Crochet Circle Podcast Group Time: Feb 3, 2018 7:00 PM London Join from PC, Mac, Linux, iOS or Android: https://zoom.us/j/4750475819 The meeting ID number is 475-047-5819 and you will need to join via Zoom which you can do here:  https://www.zoom.us/join I have set it up so that everyone is on mute to begin with and then I can unmute you.  The meeting will start when I join in at 7pm (GMT) on Saturday 3rd February.  It will run for an hour and then we can take a call on whether it works and we want longer sessions.   The next session will be on 24th of February and may have a later start time so that it is more accessible from the Eastern time zones too. You may need to bear with me whilst I get to grips with the technology.  If you are on Instagram, then please get involved by using #GlobalHookUp and following that hashtag.  That way I can see what you are all up to and comment on your projects.        I will also release the meeting code on Instagram about an hour before it starts on Saturday night (GMT). One Skein Wonderland CAL – By the time this podcast is out the CAL will have closed.  We will announce prizes shortly afterwards. There have been so many great projects.  Even if you haven’t managed to join the CAL, I encourage you to look at the Finished Objects thread in the Love Charlie Podcast group on Ravelry and #OneSkeinWonderlandCAL on Instagram to see some fabulous projects. Different Designer CAL – This will start on 1st March and run until 8th April.  The premise is that you go to the ‘Different Designer CAL’ Ravelry thread and tell everyone who your favourite designer is.  You share why you love their designs and which your favourite one is.  You then get to look through all the suggestions or come up with your own. You HAVE to try out a new designer, that’s the only rule.  Other Crochet Circle CALs – 4th May to 30th June – Summer tops CAL 13th July – 31st August – Vintage Along (using either vintage yarn or a vintage pattern - 20+ years old)  14th September – 26th October – Sock Along 24th December – 31st January – One Skein Wonderland CAL Apart from the Different Designer CAL, I am going to add a new twist which is that you can enter WIPs so long as they fit the brief. #FridayIsDyeDay – It’s great to see people taking part in this on the last Friday of every month.  There was some amazing speckled yarn by Lyndsay (andthentherewasmorgan on IG), Gemma (curlygem92 on IG) dyed up four fab bright colourways and started almost straight away to crochet a hat with one of them.  Haylie (fireweedfibres in IG) dyed up two colourways and Jo (dancing_goat_crafts on IG) dyed up some wool tops ready for spinning.   I managed to do some from my weekend accommodation.  I dyed a shop-bought pair of cashmere gloves a bright turquoise and over-dyed some orange yarn that I had previously dyed and not loved.  It has already been crocheted up into a cowl which you can see in FOs.  I also made my Mum dye up a skein which you can see below.  It’s and 80% Merino/20% silk mix and she wants me to knit her a pair of socks with it.     Unravel Festival – I am heading to Unravel on the Sunday 18th February.  If you are going to be about and fancy meeting up for a coffee, let me know.  Knitting and Stitching Show at Olympia – Eeek, I’m going to be at this show working on the Erika Knight stand!  If you are going to the show, I will be there all day on Friday on Stand F62.  Come and say hello.  I promise to both wave at you and hug you! Both are obligatory.   2 - Old dog, new tricks Google images – If you have a specific pattern in your mind that you want to make, then a really quick way of trying to see whether it exists is to use Google images as a search function.  I also use this if there is something that I want to buy, and I want to see what options there are.  For instance, I typed ‘crocheted asymmetric shawl lace’ and it came up with hundreds of options which I can then quickly assess and click on the image to find out what the pattern is.  You may still have to do some sifting through because the occasional knitting pattern may appear, but I still think that it is a great way to see what is available beyond Ravelry.   Instagram – I mentioned a few of the tricks of Instagram in Episode 24 and I think that it prompted a few of you to join Instagram.  If that is the case, I really hope that you are finding it to be the positive, inspirational space that I find it to be.   3 - Finished Objects Well first up must be  Cardigan of Doom really.  I used Cascade Heritage in shade Dark Plum (2632) I cannot say how happy I was to get this project off my needles and out of my life.  It has now arrived safely with Frazer (after I sent it to the wrong address!) and here is a quick pic of him in it.  I learned some major lessons with this project: 1 – Never knit a 4-ply cardigan ever again. 2 – Don’t make big items for other people.  3 – If you make an obvious mistake, frog it back and remedy it. 4 – Don’t work simultaneously on two projects that have a level of cross over.  I ended up adding two rows of moss stitch rib to a K1/P1 section of the cardigan rib… My third Criss-cross shawl for the Olann and Criss-cross CAL is finished! I used Rowan’s Alpaca Colour DK, sadly, a discontinued yarn. It was nice to work with and used 260g in total and came out at a whopping 2.8m in length.    You can get the pattern free of charge from Olann and. It is available to download as a PDF in both UK and US terminology and there is a YouTube tutorial to help you through the slightly trickier elements, but that said, this is a pattern for competent beginners and up.  There is still time to get hooking this shawl as the CAL doesn’t finish until the 23rd February.     At the weekend I over-dyed some chunky alpaca yarn from orange to green.  I asked Becci from River Knits for some advice and she very kindly gave me three options.  I chose option three which would give me greens and browns.  I have gone from feeling totally meh about this yarn to loving it and crocheting it up straight away.  More on the pattern in the Making Winter book review below.     4 - Works in progress I have been beavering away on my final set of designs for Erika Knight and remaking the patterns in five different and very awesome colourways.  This means that whilst I have been crocheting away, I haven’t got much that I can show you as I only have a couple of personal projects on the go and they are both for CALs!   Alyson and Vivian from the Keep Calm and Carry Yarn Podcast are hosting an #Ultravioletkcal based on Pantone 2018 Ultra Violet.  I can’t resist a CAL and so I am crocheting up the Inclination Wrap which is available designed by Julme Conradie and available from the Nurturing Fibres website.   It is a properly sized wrap and uses linen stitch to get some nice stitch definition with the colour changes.  My yarns are Drops Alaska (03 Light Grey), a purple yarn that I hand-dyed a couple of years ago (on a base from John Arbon) and want to put to good use and a skein of Life in the Long Grass aran in colourway Viola (the one with pops of yellow and burgundy).    I have a future WIP which I am planning to start between now and the next podcast.  Claudia at the Crochet Luna vlogcast is hosting a Fortune Cookie CAL which starts on the Chinese New Year (16th February) and runs to the 31st March.  I already have my yarn selected and just need to crack open a fortune cookie which will dictate the pattern that I do.     5 - Designs in Progress My other DIP is just at the very beginning stages.  I’m not really a fan of granny squares and the granny stitch.  Is that something you can say when you have a crochet podcast?  Are you going to disown me?  Rosina from the Zeens & Roger vlogcast is hosting a granny along.  It started on 1st February and I figured that it isn’t really acceptable to broad-brush say I don’t like something, so I am determined to create a granny something in colours I like and hopefully a pattern I like too.  The yarn is Álafoss Lopi in shades Dark Grey (0005), Mid Grey (0058) and Light Grey (0054).  These are leftovers that I had from my version of the Phasian Blanket from Take Two.       Watch this space to see whether I can be converted. Or not.   6 - Feeding the habit  When I did the interlocking crochet workshop at Black sheep wools, I was in great company.  One of the other participants was the lovely Kathryn from Crafternoon Treats Podcast.  We did some podcast goodies swapping and I have a lot of very lovely things to give away from Kathryn’s Crafternoon Treats Etsy store.  Even better the prizes were chosen by Katherine and Lyndsay when we met up for a coffee before the workshop started at Black Sheep Wools.    If you haven’t looked at Kathryn’s store yet, you really should.  She dyes up some beautiful colourways and specifically works with British breeds.  So, you will see some of these goodies going out as podcast prizes for the 2018 CALs.     She also gave me some lovely yarn to design with and some great single breed hanks which I can use for my version of Wool Exploration throughout the year.  I am a very lucky lady!   I spent the last weekend in Wales.  Do you remember tales of me supposedly walking back down Snowdon having taken the train up there?  Well, because we had moved the dates of our trip, it was out of season for the train.  I took one look at the torrent of rain and decided that even a little walk was not for me.  Instead, I went shopping with my Mum and got some crafting time in. That was after I managed to photograph our feral goat visitors.     En route I had to pop into Abakhan (a haberdashery chain based in the NW of England and Wales).  They had a nice selection of Rico cotton which I bought because ready for the Vintage Along in July.  I want to use a pattern from a very old book and it up to date with soft modern colours of cotton.      7 – Book Review ‘Making Winter’ by Emma Mitchell I bought this book from Loop London the day after it was launched in the same shop.  I bought it for a couple of reasons.  Firstly, it is a multi-craft book with crochet patterns in it and I feel that this needed supporting.  All too often the woollen craft part of these types of publications is knitting so it’s refreshing to have crochet in there instead. Secondly, other crafts feel very natural and environmentally friendly.  The author, Emma Mitchell is very much inspired by nature and this is oh so apparent if you follow her in Instagram.  This is the kind of crafting that I like.  Taking my inspiration and raw materials from nature whenever possible.   I have pulled together a full book review which you can read over at my blog.     8 – Big Up It has been a little while since I did a Big Up and new crochet podcasts are popping up!   Here are some of them for you to look at: Micky Midge Crochet Podcast – Michelle has been podcasting for a few months and has a weekly podcast.  She’s based in the UK, is a working Mum and is starting to be drawn into the rabbit hole that is hand-dyed yarn!  Michelle is about to start a SprintimeCAL which is due to start on 14th February and ends at Easter.  The idea is that you crochet something that is Spring themed.   Talia Louise Crochet – Natalie has a couple of podcasts out so far.  She’s based in Australia and works on a range of projects with lots of different yarns.  I think that Natalie is aiming for a monthly podcast.  Earl Grey Crochet – Elizabeth has been podcasting for about seven months now and crochets all sorts of things.  She makes A LOT of amigurumi.  She is great fun, based in Australia and full of enthusiasm.  Elizabeth is also running a Blurred Shawl CAL starting on the 31st March.  Of course, I will be participating in that! Samsqueak Craftcast - Sam has a couple of podcasts out and is based just outside Chicago.  She loves to crochet and do all sorts of other crafting too.   9 - What's Good I had a thoroughly lovely day at Black Sheep Wools.  The morning was spent drinking coffee and eating cake with lovely friends Katherine, Lyndsay and Kathryn.  Charlie and Katie popped their heads in for five minutes too!     The workshop that some of us did in the afternoon was interesting and it taught me a new technique – interlocking crochet.  The tutor was Graeme Knowles-Miller and he was great fun and very informative.  It’s so nice to be able to sit and chat with fellow crafters, so roll on Global Hook Up!    Fay x   Instagram: Crochet_Circle_Podcast  Instagram: provenance.craft.co   Instagram: FayDHDesigns YouTube: The Crochet Circle Podcast Crochet Clan on Mighty Network: Invite

Our topic for this month is Giftmas! Regular content is here like Finished Objects, WIPs, Cast Ons, Stash Enhancements, and the winner for The UnFuck It Along. So grab the holiday beverage of your choice, snuggle with that homespun blanket, and listen along. FO's Finally done with those bags Insta-gratification Emily's Taboo Scarf One Scarf Two WIP's Ber's Tosh Shawl Em's Tosh Shawl Erin's Tosh Shawl Scrap Blanket Ber's Geodesic Cowl Malabrigo Mittens Braid Hills Sweater Vanilla Socks Erin's Taboo Nor'easter Dad Socks Paon Granny Done Did't Mag-ra the Second Hat of Erin's design Mitts of Awesome Erin's Weasley sweater Emily's Weasley sweater Quay New Projects Yule Ball(s) Stash Enhancement

Our topic for this month is being thankful. Tis the season, so buckle up for some real cheese. Regular content is here like Finished Objects, WIPs, Cast Ons, Stash Enhancements, and The UnFuck It Along! Unfuckit-along prizes Boo Knits Collection Oink Pigments FOs Ber's Veritaserum House Cup Socks So Faded Sweater Stripes Shaelyn Shawl Another bag of holding Hitchhiker WIP's Ber's Tosh Shawl Em's Tosh Shawl Erin's Tosh Shawl Scrap Blanket Ber's Geodesic Cowl Malabrigo Mittens Braid Hills Sweater Erin's Taboo Emily's Taboo Dad Socks Vanilla Sock Paon Granny Done Did't Mag-ra the Second New Projects Hat of Erin's design Mitts of Awesome Erin's Weasley sweater Emily's Weasley sweater Quay Are we done with the dice bags yet? Stash Enhancement Hedgehog Fibres: Merino DK in "Ghost" Prism: Delicato in "Plum Dandy" Voolenvine Yarns Wolke in "Gothday Cake" Footsie in "Spinderella" Teenybutton Studio: Tough Sock in "3am on Bourbon Street" Nomadic Yarns: Trustie Sock in "Amortentia" Knit Picks City Tweed DK in "Plush" "Emerald Isle" "Tahitian Pearl" Felici in "Captain Nemo" Deep Dyed Yarns Still in "Lost Girl" Inkling in "Rainbow Kitty" Woolfolk Far in "18" and "20" Cat Sandwich Fibers: Trustie in "Mathemematical!" Gynx Yarns: Glitz in "Gingerbread House" Madelinetosh: MCN in "Luster" and "Cove"

Our topic for this month is scary knits. If it frightens us, we talk about it. Regular content is here like Finished Objects, WIPs, Cast Ons, Stash Enhancements, and The UnFuck It Along! Unfuckit-along prizes Boo Knits Collection Oink Pigments FOs Namesake Sweater Beddington Boot Cuffs Bag of Holding WIP's Ber's Tosh Shawl Em's Tosh Shawl Erin's Tosh Shawl Scrap Blanket Ber's Veritaserum Ber's Geodesic Cowl House Cup Socks So Faded Sweater Malabrigo Mittens Braid Hills Sweater Erin's Taboo Vanilla Sock Hitchhiker New Projects Paon Stripes Granny Done Did't Another bag of holding Stash Enhancement Knit Picks City Tweed Aran in "Blueblood" CatSandwichFibers Trustie in "I Eat Shades of Red" Three Irish Girls Luxe Adorn in "I Wanna Be Your Lover", "When Doves Cry", and "Day Glo" Brooklyn Tweed Shelter in "Snowbound"

Not a normal episode.  It’s less than 36 hours since the horrific shootings in Las Vegas and as of last night I wasn’t going to record this week, I was going to put it off a week.  My kindergartener just had his first lock-down drill at school and I don’t even know how what to say to him. I’ve had that stunned, frozen, deer-in-the-headlights feeling since yesterday.  Heck, for the last week or two what with everything that’s been happening in the world recently.  I couldn’t sleep last night and sometime around 4am I remembered that Mr Rodgers meme that goes around after every tragedy, in times of trouble look for the helpers. From the PBS website “Fred Rogers often told this story about when he was a boy and would see scary things on the news: “My mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’ To this day, especially in times of disaster, I remember my mother’s words, and I am always comforted by realizing that there are still so many helpers — so many caring people in this world.” “ I decided at 4am this morning that I am NOT going to sit here feeling helpless and afraid and frozen.  I am going to help someone.  I may not have a million dollars to donate to Puerto Rico or be able to drive to Vegas to donate blood, but I can knit a NICU baby a hat.  I can donate blood here.  I can make a knitted knocker for a breast cancer survivor.  I CAN HELP. And I want you to help, too.  Today I’m starting a charity KAL and I want you to join me. There is something you can do.  BE A HELPER.  Donate blood locally.  Make a Knitted Knocker for a woman with breast cancer.  Knit or weave a scarf or crochet a blanket for a homeless shelter.  Knit a hat for refugees.  Make a preemie hat for the local NICU.  I don’t care what you do, just do something for someone else.  Have another great charity idea?  Wonderful!  Share it in the Ravelry group in the chatter thread.  Go do something for your fellow humans. Here are the knittiy gritty details: One entry per FO or photo proof of blood donation. Wips are fine. Double dipping in other KALs is fine. Knit, crochet or weave anything you want, just post a picture in the Finished Objects thread in my Knitting on The Run / Windswept Designs group on Ravelry and tell us what charity you are donating it to. I’ve already got a gradient kit from Birdies Knits and a skein of silk from Ito Yarns as prizes, and Sarah from KnitWit Designs and CC from JavaPurl designs have graciously offered pattern prizes.  I will list all the prizes in detail in my next episode. Interested I donating a prize or know someone who might? PM me on Ravelry or Instagram, I’m WindsweptMonique on both. Now go out there and do some good in this world.

Our topic for this month is the Kentucky State Fair. We all entered in both the Knitting and Spinning categories and won various ribbons for various things! We also discuss our favorite parts of attending the fair. Regular content is here like Finished Objects, WIPs, Cast Ons, and Stash Enhancement. As well as a special Question Box where we tell the story of how all of us met! We also announce a brand new KAL, The UnFuck It Along! FOs Lapislazuli Hubby's Hermione Corn Stalks Varda Socks Hitchhiker Elephant in the Room Sharks! Fall Yarn in Summer Warm Glass of Milk WIP's Ber's Tosh Shawl Em's Tosh Shawl Erin's Tosh Shawl Scrap Blanket Ber's Veritaserum Ber's Geodesic Cowl Fleur De(lacour) New Projects House Cup Socks So Faded Sweater Beddington Malabrigo Mittens Namesake Sweater Stash Enhancement Three Irish Girls Adorn Luxe, I Would Dye 4 U Twisted Owl Fiber Studio Super Sock 4 Ply, Darkwing Duck Hedgehog Fibres Skinny Singles, OOAK color for Stevenbe Kim Dyes Yarn 50% Yak, 50% Silk in Hard Hart Ella Rae Lace Merino Dk Juniper Moon Farms Findley Dream in Color Smooshy Cashmere Rio Verde and Heavenly Knit Picks Wool of the Andes Cloud and Opal Heather Leading Men Fiber Arts Box Office in Neon Pencil Swans Island All American Collection Worsted, in Port Berroco Ultra Alpaca Fine, in Gray  

  Thanks to Brenda Castiel for sending me a copy of her new pattern, The Plum Sorbet Shawl.  Knitting Segments Show-Ready Knits Country Garden Top   Knits in Rehearsal Panther's Socks Hermione's Everyday Socks by Erica Lueder   Shusui Shrug by Susanne Sommer Check out this Craftsy Class if you want to learn Brioche.   Loving the Yarn for this project:   Yarn Geek Fibers Rocketeer in Grace Hopper Computer Scientist     Stitch Markers from Such Gwenderful Stuff   Leading Men Fiber Arts Diva in Dirty Truce Auditioning Knits I started out being inspired at my favorite LYS, Black Mountain Yarn Shop.  The main color inspiration was from Woolen Boon in the Greenleaf Hut color way. I picked out some Madeline Tosh to compliment that skein. Tosh Merino Light in Grasshopper and Turquoise color ways.   Looking for a 3 color shawl and I'm considering:    Versus by Hillary Smith Callis Stay Soft Shawl by Veera Valimaki    I'm currently obsessed with looking through my stash for yarn for:  What the Fade?! Mystery KAL by Andrea Mowry    Here is what I am considering for my What the Fade?!     Knitting Podcast Spotlight This episode I tell you about the Fruity Knitting Podcast on Youtube.  Knitting News, Notes and Events Special thanks to the Intermission Prize Sponsor for the month of July, Zombody Knits. Listen up to see if you were the lucky listener!    For the last month of the PalKal the Intermission Prize Sponsor is The Worsted Purl. Thanks to Tricia for sponsoring. Check out these adorable stitch marker prizes.      Get your Finished Objects posted by September 1st (or as long as the thread is open). Check out the Ravelry group for details about all of the great sponsors for the PalKal2017.   I am excited that I have finalized my plans for SAFF , the Southeastern Animal Fiber Fair in Flectcher, NC. It is happening October 27-29, 2017 and I'll be there on Saturday and Sunday. I'll be staying in Black Mountain, NC and visiting my favorite LYS, Black Mountain Yarn Shop, where there will be a Magpie Fibers pop-up shop and a Signature Needles trunk show.  Non-Knitting Segments   One-Pot Wonders Ground Turkey with Potatoes and Spring Peas from Skinny Taste.      Love it or Leave it Love: I forgot to mention that I got my iPad back after losing it on a flight!  Leave: I have to go back to work tomorrow!    Other News and Notes Running Updates I had a rough run on Saturday and injured my hip a little bit, hoping that it will right itself after some days off, rest and ice.    Next race is the Greek Festival 5k on August 26. Unfortunately, I have to do 22 miles that day.    Reading Updates   I finished reading:       I finished listening to:   For you, the listeners of Actually Knitting, Audible is offering a free audiobook download with a free 30-day trial to give you the opportunity to check out their service.You can try the book I linked above or any audiobook of your choice for free!    To download your free audiobook today go to audibletrial.com/actuallyknitting.    Lately I've been listening to:              

Episode 48: Finishing Projects, say what? I finally finished the Joji Mystery Knit Along!  The Joji Mystery Knit Along which now has a proper name - Starting Point. I decided what to do with that jumper I was knitting in Dept of Rocket Science by Space Cadet Creations. And an update on the 365 Challenge along with thoughts on Finished Objects! Find the links to all these projects on my Facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/ChampagneandSocks/   Many thanks to Patrons: Acts of Kitchen, Kate, Tansy and Elanor.   Join my craft circle:   Email: champagneandsocks@gmail.com Ravelry: girliejones and Champagne and Socks Craft Circle Group Instagram: girliejonesadventures Twitter: @champagnesocks or @krasnostein Facebook: Quilt Block N' Swap; ChampagneandSocks And my new Patreon: find that here.   

Welcome to The Crochet Circle Podcast. Here are the Show Notes from Episode Six - Shore to Shore.   In this episode we continue with our crochet journeys, including helpful hints on blocking; Yay Crochet or Nay Crochet; Yarn Review of Daughter of a Shepherd Hebridean/Zwartbles yarn; Magazine Round-up; a review of two fibre festivals on either side of the pond – Woolfest and Houston Fibre Fest; WIP Wall and FOs, Feeding the Habit, a fab giveaway from Anna Nikipirowicz and finishing with What's Good.   This podcast is sponsored by my online crafting company, Provenance Craft Co. and Lynne Rowe Knitting and Crochet Thanks to everyone who tunes into the podcast whether it is through Stitcher, Podbean, Spotify, iTunes or the YouTube Channel. Your support and engagement are really appreciated and makes running a podcast very special and worthwhile.    If you would like to support the podcast, you can do that through Patreon:   1. Yay Crochet or Nay Crochet (at 2.55 mins) It's a Nay Crochet from Fay due to the lack of crochet content at fibre festivals and in general. When we visited Woolfest, we noticed that most of the stalls were aimed at knitters and even on most of the yarn stalls the samples that were on show were also knitted. This seems at odds with the increasing rise in the popularity of crochet and may be off-putting to new crocheters who perhaps don't realise that you can crochet with any yarn. We know that at Yarndale we'll see a lot more crochet-related vendors and Lynne and I will also be there waving the flag for crochet.   It's a Yay Crochet from Lynne for all the lovely things that people are crocheting up and the inspiration that they give to others. I’ve really been enjoying The Crochet Circle Podcast Ravelry forum – especially seeing all of the lovely finished objects that people are sharing. In particular, it’s also made me realise how adaptable crochet is, even if you’re not hugely experienced with crochet. It seems easier for people to take parts of a pattern and make something else altogether, or tweak patterns to suit their individual taste.   Here's the link to our Ravelry FO's board: http://www.ravelry.com/discuss/the-crochet-circle-podcast/3400722/51-75#71   2. Yarn review (at 9 mins)   Daughter of a Shepherd: 75% Hebridean and 25% Zwartbles DK weight 233m/255 yards per 100g Recommended needles/hook:3.5-4.5mm hook/needles Cool hand wash only and leave flat to dry  Completely UK produced (sourced, scoured and spun in UK)  RRP: £18 for 100g.  Website: www.daughterofashepherd.com Rachel's blog: http://mylifeinknitwear.com/ We had 10g each to test and crochet up.  The characteristics of Hebridean wool are very similar to the Zwartbles that is has been blended with as both are very dark brown/near black in colour, durable and dense.  This yarn is spun at John Arbon Textiles and John says that the longer staple length of the Zwartbles helps with the processing of the Hebridean because it gives the Heb staples something more to align and grip to.        Fay – I tried this with a 3.5mm, 4mm, 4.5mm and 5mm hook and found that the 4.5mm gave the nicest effect, so using a 4.5mm hook I created a tiny little bowl to put my measuring tape in because I am always losing it!  It is hard to see the stitch definition because of the natural yarn colour (which is very dark), but it is good.  I still had a little bit leftover and so made some leaves with the remainder and also made some using some Jacob wool that I had to create a cup holder for when I am out and about (I usually have them in my different handbags so that I don’t need the cardboard sleeve).   The wool is soft and nice to work with and becomes softer when washed and blocked. I would use this again for crochet and could easily take it up against my skin.  It would make a beautiful crocheted shawl with an open lacy structure that really makes the most of the stitch definition.  I would also use it with other natural wools to bring out the depth of colour that it has.  It would be great at the dark end of a gradient project or mixed with a really vibrant blue or burnt orange.   Lynne: I really enjoyed working with this yarn – as soon as I wound it off the skein I could smell the sheep and it made me feel happy to be working with a natural fibre that can be fully traced back to its source.  I love the natural colour of the wool– it’s a very deep brown, almost like treacle, and there are a few light coloured fibres running through. I have really sensitive skin, but for the time that I was using the yarn, I was absolutely fine. I don’t think I could stretch to wearing it directly around my neck (but that’s just me) but I could mix it with something else and just keep the Hebridean/Zwartbles away from the neck edge. I made two things also with my mini skein – a bookmark, which I’ve already been using, and a small mandala that I’ve made a pincushion from. Both have great stitch definition and are firm in structure. I made my pincushion using wool fabric from Eliza Conway (a Yarndale purchase) and I’m delighted with both of my mini-projects.   On Ravelry in Rachel’s group, there are lots of projects on the go with this yarn – often it’s mixed with something else, but it’s a great place to go and visit if you want inspiration.   Link to Rachel's Ravelry group: http://www.ravelry.com/groups/daughter-of-a-shepherd   3. Magazine round-up (at 22.15 mins) Fay's overall favourite: Cowslip Parsley Garland from Simply Crochet issue 47, designed by Emma Mitchell. It's a free pattern download from Emma's blog: www.silverpebble.net Lynne's overall favourite: Lace Shirt from Love to Knit and Crochet issue 4. It's a button-down shirt with a scalloped edge on the cuffs and hem. A clamshell pattern creates a light and airy effect which is perfect for Summer. Simply Crochet – issue 47 Ravelry link: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/sources/simply-crochet-issue-47 Website Link: http://www.simplycrochetmag.co.uk/2016/07/21/simply-crochet-issue-47/ Fay's favourite: Cow Parsley Garland,  designer Emma Mitchell, pg 98 Lynne's favourite: Freeform Floral Cowl,  designer Jennifer May, page 83 Let’s Get Crafting – issue 83 Ravelry Link: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/sources/lets-get-crafting-knitting--crochet-83 Website Link: http://www.letsgetcrafting.com/ Fay's favourite: Mouse toys (knitted), designer Sachiyo Ishii,  I have a pregnant friend that woudl love these for her daughter and new baby! Lynne's favourite: Hearts Garland, designer Kath Webber, pg 48  Crochet Now - issue 4 Website link: http://www.crochetnow.co.uk/ Fay's favourite: Flower Bedspread, designer Mrs. Moon, page 36 - this is beautifukl yarn to work with. Lynne's favourite: Candy amigurumi Deer, designer Irene Strange, pg 62    Love to Knit and Crochet - issue 4 Website Link: https://www.theknittingnetwork.co.uk/ Fay's favourite: Silky Vest Top, pg 33 Lynne's favourite: Lace Shirt, pg 34 4. A Crochet Journey - some tips on blocking your garment (at 26.30 mins) Like everything with crochet (and knitting), there are some aspects of blocking that are just a personal preference.  Fay - in the main I wet-block by immersing my finished object in cold water with a small amount of soaking product, gently washing then very gently squeeze out excess water and roll in a towel before pinning out to required dimensions.  You can see from the below photo that this can help to take out any residual (unexhausted dye).     Lynne - in the main, I spritz (or spray) my work to the point that it’s wet but not saturated. I use a plastic spray gun (the type that you can buy for the garden - usually around £1), then I gently press the water into the fibres with my hands. I then pin out carefully, according to the dimensions of the pattern, and leave to dry. Sometimes I repeat this process if I feel it necessary.   Even when a project is already the size you want it to be (pre-blocking), I'd still recommend blocking as it greatly improves your stitch definition and "sets" the stitches. I mainly steam block for cotton (I cover my project with a cotton cloth and hold the iron above and steam  - do not touch the fabric with the iron). I also steam block fair isle items because it really sets the stitches nicely. After steam blocking, I pin out because it’s damp and leave to dry.   What if I’m desperate? Sometimes I may be on a close call with a deadline – it could be 2pm in the afternoon and I’m still working on a project that needs posting that day – by 4.30pm – so I will always steam block just to make sure that the stitches look good for photography. If necessary I will use a hairdryer to dry it off before posting.   A lot of people say don’t block acrylic as it’s not wool and therefore has no stitch memory – but I do block acrylic projects, just because it improves the overall appearance and stitch definition. I would mainly spray block acrylic but have been known to steam block (very carefully) when desperate. There is more risk with steam blocking as you can relax the fibres too much and your work can become very droopy and much bigger than originally made. I always sew my ends in first and then block, whereas Fay doesn't sew in her ends before blocking because she found that if she sewed her ends in first and then blocked, the tail ends sometimes shift and she would have little bits of yarn poking out which then just create more work to neaten them up again.  When pinning out it is essential that you get your measurements right because if you overstretch the yarn then it’s ruined forever – yarn has a memory so once it’s set then it will spring back to that shape after washing. So be really careful when blocking, especially if using an iron. It really is a case of trying the method that suits you best given the yarn and project that you have made, but it is definitely worth it - see below!     5. Woolfest and Houston Fiberfest (at 48.50 mins) As you know we went off to Woolfest at the end of June.  Whilst we were there, Tamara, one of the listeners to the podcast was at a yarn festival in Houston, Texas.  Tamara kindly recorded some audio for us on the festival that she attended and we have some photos too.  Woolfest: Houston Fibrefest: We have started a thread in Ravelry for you to add details on any yarn festivals that you have been to. Kerry listens in Australia and has just added details of the large Wool and Sheep Festival that she has been at in Bendigo, Australia.  Feel free to add details of any yarn festivals that you have been to so that others can see what is available throughout the world.  I have added some standard questions that you can answer if you need something to crib from. Tamara is on the left - thanks for doing the review! Here's Tamara's round-up from Houston Fiber Fest: Link to website: http://www.houstonfiberfest.com/ New companies that Tamara hadn’t come across before: Independence Farmstead Fiber Mill, an artisan mill service for the independent fiber producer: http://www.independencefarmsteadfibers.com/ Windmill Crest Farms near San Antonio: http://www.windmillcrestfarms.com/ There was a gentleman there had an industrial needle felting machine: http://www.feltcrafts.com/ Lucky Ewe Yarn in New Braunfels dye their own yarn which is called Wool Tree Yarn using natural ingredients: http://www.luckyeweyarn.com/ Things that Tamara bought: Brazen Stitchery Harmony Sock in colourway Team Gayle semi-solid in tonal shades of dark green: http://www.brazenstitchery.com/ Lazy cat yarns 2 x 50-gram skeins of Endurance - semi-solid – in shades of gorgeous teal: http://www.lazycatyarn.com/ Western Sky Knits, 2 variegated 100g skeins: http://www.westernskyknits.com/ Hedgehog Fibers is an Irish indie dyer. I was surprised to find Irish yarn in Houston. This festival was their launch at Park Avenue Yarns (a loyal yarn store): http://shop.hedgehogfibres.com/ http://www.parkavenueyarns.com/ Blind date project from In Skein Yarns, one of the local yarn stores. So fun! They were clear plastic bags with a label on the outside describing the project - The craft (I chose crochet), yarn weight, fiber content, the difficulty of pattern and type of project:  https://inskeinyarns.com/ Shawl pin – from the Muddy Knitter: https://squareup.com/store/themuddyknitter Two mini Loomes spelt L-O-O-M-E and you can make pom poms, cords, tassels and weavings: https://www.theloome.com/ A funky necklace from Fiesty Fenn Fibers: https://www.etsy.com/shop/FeistyFennFibers Some tea from Independence Fiber Mill: http://www.independencefarmsteadfibers.com/     Didn’t buy but have ear-marked: Suzoo’s Wool Works: http://www.suzooswoolworks.com/ Inner Loop Dyeworks: https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/InnerLoopDyeworks – I will definitely buy some more of her yarn – we stock her yarn at the store where I work which is very lucky but tempting at the same time http://www.nimblefingerstx.com Podcaster Suburban Stitcher’s project bags. http://suburbanstitcher.com/ I might buy a mini loom for weaving from Purl and Loop www.purlandloop.com All of Tamara's photos of Houston Fiber Fest can be found here:  https://uk.pinterest.com/craftyescapism/  and you can also view her blog here: http://www.craftyescapism.com/ 6. Finished Objects (at 71.45 mins) Fay - Missed Kingfisher shawl was completed whilst in France with Jenny.    Cowls for the book – testing more colours because I am thinking about doing them as a kit for Yarndale.  Also, the items for the yarn review. One sock firmly in the HO pile!   Lynne: Pincushion and bookmark from Daughter of a Shepherd (so pleased with both); mandala coaster for hubby (at his request) to put his mobile phone on at night; lots of commission projects, including a hot water bottle cover, a pair of fingerless mittens, a teddy, a lampshade cover, a set of crochet frames, a cushion, a pair of slippers, another pincushion and another couple of bookmarks - phew.   7. WIPs (at 79 mins) Fay - Simply Crochet wrap-over, Henslowe shawl, Nut-Hap (Kingfisher colours), Tardis cushion, Shorelines blanket, Baby Bird scarf, blanket for the booklet, John Arbon socks for a study on adding stripes to socks. I'm still at eight but there are so many things that I want to start! Lynne – I'm still at 14, but have started (and finished a few) so they didn't even make onto the list (which is good) and I probably won't be able to make a dent in this until after Yarndale.     8. Feeding the habit (at 91 mins) Fay – I thought I was really good this month and so, I bought some extra Rowan Felted Tweed to be able to do a Kingfisher based Nut-Hap.  I also realised that I needed to get another skein of the Kalinka linen because it would look great with a contrast colour. Then I remembered that I had been to Woolfest... At Woolfest, I bought yarn from John Arbon and Ripples Crafts, some amazing Art Deco buttons and some woven fabric. It was also my Birthday so I am book rich – Fleece and Fiber, Erika Knight’s latest, a book on dyeing yarn, British Sheep Breeds and an old book of my Dad’s.  Very lucky to have so many nice wool related books to go through in the next few months and enhance my reference library with.     Lynne - At Woolfest I bought some John Arbon skeins (I love their mini skeins too),  a couple of squares of handwoven fabric which is really lovely, some buttons for my cowl from Textile Gardens, and Emily Foulds kindly gave me a ball of WYS Signature 4ply from the cocktail range for my knitting book which I can’t wait to use. I have bought lots of yarn for kits and to test colours, but I don’t count work-related purchases as they go through the business.     9. Competition Time - Odeletta Shawl Give-away     This month we have a give-away, kindly sent to us by Anna Nikipirowicz for her Odeletta Shawl Kit which contains everything you need to create your own shawl, including two balls of Rowan Kidsilk Haze, patterns, beads and a crochet hook. Plus a lovely teabag so you can enjoy a nice cuppa whilst you crochet. Thanks Anna!   Anna's website is here: https://moochka.co.uk/ Find all the details for the giveaway here: http://www.ravelry.com/discuss/the-crochet-circle-podcast/topics/3468941     10. What’s Good (at 105 mins)               Fay:  This was meant to be my What's Good but I was so excited about it that I covered it off early!  I just mentioned that my Dad gave me one of his books.  It is a very special book that was my absolute favourite book when I was little. It is the Observer’s book of Farm Animals.  I was born in 1977 and the book came out in 1976 and was given to my Dad by friends when we moved from Wiltshire to Caithness in the North of Scotland in early 1978.  It used to fit in the pocket of my pinafore and I would spend ages pawing through the different breed photos and memorising them.  I even wrote in the front of the book to amend it to say “Fay - it is to Fay” so that I could lay claim to it.  Needless to say, the book is battered and the spine is being held together with masking tape and love. It is delightful to have something in my possession that brings back nice memories and until recently I had completely forgotten about.  It clearly influenced and shaped the person I have become.   So my What's Good became the excitement for going to interview John Arbon down in Devon - it really was good!   Lynne: Really enjoying natural fibres at the moment – you can definitely feel the difference and there are lots of affordable natural yarns out there that are well worth a try. I’ve been using Wendy Ramsdale which is about £3.50 a ball for 50g and the colours are lovely as well as the texture and feel of the yarn. I’ve used if for hats (only takes 1 ball to make a child’s hat) and also for my cushion (6 balls, so less than £24) for the yarn. Also Erika Knight British Blue is £4.20 for a 25g ball – a bit more expensive but well worth it when you can make a nice cowl with just three balls - so that's £13 for a cowl made with British yarn - where every step is traceable. Remember cotton is also a natural fibre and you can buy Rico Cotton Aran for less than £2 for 50g. I’m not saying I don’t use acrylic as I do because some projects have to be really affordable but there are some lovely yarns out there that may cost less than you would expect.   Happy listening and crocheting.   Lynne and Fay x   Instagram: Crochet_Circle_Podcast  Instagram: provenance.craft.co   Instagram: FayDHDesigns YouTube: The Crochet Circle Podcast Crochet Clan on Mighty Network: Invite                

                                  Welcome to The Crochet Circle Podcast. Here are the Show Notes from Episode Three.   This podcast is sponsored by my online crafting company, Provenance Craft Co. and Lynne Rowe Knitting and Crochet Thanks to everyone who tunes into the podcast whether it is through Stitcher, Podbean, Spotify, iTunes or the YouTube Channel. Your support and engagement are really appreciated and makes running a podcast very special and worthwhile.    If you would like to support the podcast, you can do that through Patreon:   The books and yarns in this episode were all purchased by ourselves. Arne & Carlos yarn competition prize - supplied by Provenance Craft Co.   DMC Natura Medium competition prize - supplied by DMC Creative In this episode, we talk a lot about socks as well as Wonderwool and Edinburgh Yarn Festival, stylish crochet designers, crochet tension, Crochet Yeah! WIP Wall update, Finished Objects and The Woollen Woods.   1. Yay Crochet or Nay Crochet (at 1.25 mins) It's a yay from Fay on her Shoreline blanket: In Episode 1, I spoke about a blanket that I hadn’t touched for a year.  I can now safely say that it has moved on somewhat and has made me think about the shorelines beyond the small island that is the UK.  I've thought about our listeners that are further afield and love the idea that through something as simple as a hook and a length of yarn, with a bit of technology, we can share our passions for crochet, knitting and yarn.  Every time I pick up the blanket to do a bit more I think about our lovely listeners.         The Shoreline Blanket uses a very subtle 4dc, 1htr, 2tr, 1htr stitch pattern for the ripple.   It's a Nay from Lynne on paper yarn.  I used paper yarn recently for a knitting and crochet commission and I was really looking forward to trying it out. I have to admit it wasn't one of my favourite yarns, mainly because it wasn't as flexible as I thought it would be. You have to give it a tug when working a stitch and often it popped off the end of the hook. My projects turned out fine but I would only recommend using it for homewares and accessories that will be used indoors, mainly mats, coasters and baskets or bags because if it gets wet it will also get soggy. Quite a few yarn companies are now manufacturing paper yarn so we may see more projects and patterns becoming available.     2. Festivals (at 4.55 mins) Fay visited Edinburgh Yarn Festival in March and had a great time. If you're into your designers, workshops, patterns and like to meet up with fellow enthusiasts then it's a great show for you. Lynne and Fay visited Wonderwool Wales - we both love this show, which is open and airy with good light and it's great to get around and there's a lot of space. We found some great bargains that we can't wait to turn into something lovely.   Lynne's Wonderwool haul:    Fay's Wonderwool Haul:   We're also exhibiting at Yarndale later this year, which is really exciting. We will be sharing a stall so come and say Hi. For information on Yarndale 2016 see: http://yarndale.co.uk/http://thewoolnest.blogspot.co.uk/2016/05/crochet-tension.html   Stylish Crochet Designers (at 18.35 mins): Marie Wallin: Ravelry: http://www.ravelry.com/designers/marie-wallin Website: http://www.mariewallin.com/   Joanne Scrace Ravelry: http://www.ravelry.com/designers/joanne-scrace Website: http://notsogranny.com/   Kat Goldin: Ravelry: http://www.ravelry.com/people/katgold Website: http://www.slugsontherefrigerator.com/   Vicky Brown Ravelry: http://www.ravelry.com/stores/lilley-stitches Website: http://www.vickibrowndesigns.com/    Contemporary Crochet - 37 European Designs - Sys Fredens For book details see here   Designer Crochet - Shannon Mullet-Bowlsby. Create figure-flattering garments with great shape, with easy-to-follow tutorials. For book details see herehttps://www.knitit-hookit-craftit.com/blogs/news/162848583-book-review-crochet-yeah-by-the-crochet-project   5. Yarn Reviews (at 33.50 mins) Socks Yeah!   In Shade Iolite (75% Superwash Merino/25% Nylon; 212m/50g) RRP £5.45 Machine washable at 30 degrees Recommended needle size 2.25mm Read Fay's full review here: https://www.knitit-hookit-craftit.com/blogs/news/162718215-yarn-review-socks-yeah-from-coop-knits   Regia Design Line by Arne and Carlos 4 ply engineered sock yarn (75% virgin wool and 25% polyamide; 50g/210m) RRP £5.19 Recommended needle size is 2-3mm Read Fay's full review here: https://www.knitit-hookit-craftit.com/blogs/news/162372423-yarn-review-regia-design-line-by-arne-and-carlos   6. Magazine Reviews (at 40.00 mins) Inside Crochet issue 76: The Theme for Issue 76 is Spring Time, so there are lots of lovely flowery projects, cute children’s accessories and cosy crochet for cooler evenings or country walks.   Lynne's choice: Celandine Wrap by Emma Wright – inspired by the flower of the same name. www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/celandine-wrap   Fay's Choice: Pop! Socks designed by Katherine Mills. Stretchy socks, comfortable to wear and fun to show off. www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/pop-socks Let’s Get Crafting issue 80: Includes a feature on Gregory Patrick (Madman knitting) and how knitting helped him to get out of homelessness. www.madmanknitting.wordpress.com Lynne's choice: Fairisle Purses designed by Lynne. I know I'm breaking my own rule of not talking about my own projects but I had such fun designing and making these and love the way they turned out. I've enjoyed seeing the reader's own versions too. www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/fair-isle-purses Fay's choice: Lavender Sachets designed by Nicola Valiji - but would try a crocheted version. Lavender is great from deterring moths from your stash. www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/scented-sachets Simply Crochet – issue 44: An Oriental theme with free amigurumi sea creature pattern cards.   Lynne's Choice:  Kat Goldin’s column – an interesting read, all about her sock obsession for cosy crochet socks and passing on tools and heirlooms.   Fay's choice: Blossom Cushion - simple cushion base with pretty Oriental flowers and embroidery (image not available yet) Woman’s Weekly Knitting and Crochet, May 2016: Bright/Spring theme.   Lynne's choice:  Crocheted Daisy Dog Toy and Blanket – a vintage pattern from the1970s, reworked in Yarn Stories Fine Merino and Baby Alpaca DK – in Cream and Dove. (Image not available yet).   Fay's choice: Crocheted Bowls. (Image not available yet).   Crochet Now issue 2 will be reviewed in our next Episode as it isn't on the shelves yet.   7. Finished Objects (at 41.00 mins) Fay's FOs:     EYF Scarf - Endless Possibilities - the pattern will be released shortly. www.ravelry.com/projects/MaDashper/endless-possibilities   Knit British - Nature's Shades along - Nougat Neck - design to be released shortly. http://www.ravelry.com/projects/MaDashper/nougat-neck   4 (yes 4!!) crochet shawlettes (shh it's a secret - to be released soon)   Crochet Socks for The Duke www.ravelry.com/projects/MaDashper/crocheted-baby-socks   Knitted Socks for Winkie www.ravelry.com/projects/MaDashper/basic-socks-2   Lynne's FOs   Simple Granny Square Blanket using Stash yarns (DMC Natura Just Cotton): own design (not published yet)   Baktus Scarf using Manos Del Uruguay Silk Blend Shade 7438 Zenith (2 skeins): http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/baktus-scarf   Simple Stocking Stitch cowl using Rowan Fine Tweed (discontinued): own design (not published yet)   8. Works in Progress and WIP Wall (at 41.00 mins)   See who's at the top of the WIP Wall this month over on Pinterest: https://uk.pinterest.com/pin/417920040403148820/    Fay's WIPs   Missed Kingfisher shawl by Joanne Scrace: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/missed-kingfisher  Scarf for Baby Bird using a knitting sequence from Cecilia Campochiaro’s book  Sequence Knitting: http://www.sequenceknitting.com/   The purple blanket that you can see was frogged during the recording of Episode 3!   Tardis cross stitch cushion (available to buy on Etsy): https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/203231184/tardis-de-lys-instant-pdf-pattern?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=tardis%20fleur%20de%20lys&ref=sr_gallery_1 John Arbon socks (update - these are now finished and another pair started) http://www.ravelry.com/projects/MaDashper/basic-socks Winkie's postal scarf is just simple rows of colour.   Shoreline Blanket (picture at beginning of show notes) is Fay's own design using a very subtle 4dc, 1htr, 2tr, 1htr stitch pattern for the ripple.   Lynne's WIPs   Spice of Life CAL (Sandra Paul): http://www.cherryheart.co.uk/p/spice-of-life-blanket.html   Agrarian Artisan Scarf CAL: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/august-crochet-scarf-mcal   Fairisle Blanket (Lynne Rowe): http://www.womansweekly.com/knitting/knit-a-long-knit-a-knitted-blanket-15631/   Odeletta Shawl (Anna Nikipirowicz) (update - I've now bought beads so ready to finish the last few rows): http://www.ravelry.com/projects/LynneRowe/the-odeletta-shawl---crochet-gifts-5   Accordion Mittens (Lynne Rowe): own pattern not yet published   9. Other links   Woollen Woods at Arlington Court, North Devon.  27th. August - 30th. October 2016 (at 59.30 mins)   Organised by Natalie Savage, Visitor Services Manager     For more information see: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/arlington-court-and-the-national-trust-carriage-museum/features/woollen-woods-in-autumn   The Crochet Circle will collect any mammals and fungi that you would like to make and send them all together. You can find out more along with some free pattern links here in our Ravelry Group: http://www.ravelry.com/discuss/the-crochet-circle-podcast/topics/3425147   John Arbon Mill Membership (at 10.50 mins) https://www.jarbon.com/mill-membership/mill-membership#.VysCaY-cHIW     Woolfest and the wool clip http://www.woolfest.co.uk/whos-involved/woolclip.htm   10. Competition Winners Thanks to everyone who entered our Ravelry competitions and Congratulations to the winners: Erika Knight Studio Linen - theemmashan Lynne Rowe's Once Upon a Time in Crochet - jojotwinkletoes Erika Knight's Simple Colour Knitting - Dianneb     11. New Competitions (at 63.30 mins) We have 2 new competitions open on our Ravelry Forum:   Arne & Carlos Summer Nights Yarn 2 x 50g http://www.ravelry.com/discuss/the-crochet-circle-podcast/3424381/1-25   200g DMC Natura Medium 100% Cotton http://www.ravelry.com/discuss/the-crochet-circle-podcast/3424604/1-25 Good Luck and thank you for listening to our chatter. Don't forget, every Episode is published on the first Friday of every month.   Happy Crocheting.   Lynne and Fay x   Instagram: Crochet_Circle_Podcast  Instagram: provenance.craft.co   Instagram: FayDHDesigns YouTube: The Crochet Circle Podcast Crochet Clan on Mighty Network: Invite      

Knitting Segments Show Ready Knits Vanilla Socks for Josh         Knits in Rehearsal    Bryum shawl  Yarn purchased at my favorite yarn shop, Black Mountain Yarn Shop.   Hermione's Every Day Socks by Erica Lueder I'm knitting these out of my first ever skein of Socks that Rock by Blue Moon Fiber Arts.   I used the OMG heel by Megan Williams on these socks and I will be using this heel a lot in the future.   Vanilla Socks with some White Birch Fiber Arts       Auditioning Knits I'm looking for the perfect Rhinebeck Sweater! I have 1500 yards of a beautiful 100% Sport Weight in a gorgeous golden yellow.    Stay the Same by Veera Valimaki   Still Light Tunic by Veera Valimaki   Cosi by Judy Brien    The Reviews are In This episode I reviewed Henry's Hat by Eric and Joanna Johnson. Thanks to the folks at Slate Falls Press for sending me this review copy.    Knitting News, Notes and Events The Broadway KAL is up and running!  I hope you are playing along because there are some great prizes up for grabs.   Cast on: February 15, 2016 Bind off: April 30, 2016 Wips Count!   The theme is Broadway, and you can interpret this theme as strictly or as loosely as you’d like. Basically, your project should tie in with a play or musical (on Broadway, or a little further from the Great White Way, the decision is yours). How you tie in your project with the theme is up to you, make it work! Have fun! Is the yarn or pattern actually named after a Broadway show or character or even a song from a show? Does the project remind you of a costume from a show? Is the yarn bright green, so it reminds you of Elphaba’s skin in Wicked? You get the point! Here is a great website where you can see Broadway shows listed by the year that they opened. You never know what might inspire you! There is a featured bundle in this group where any group member is free to add patterns you find that might work. This thread is for discussion and planning. Feel free to chat, encourage, make suggestions, etc. Closer to the cast-on date, a thread will be opened for finished objects. We will keep this KAL to one post per person in the FO thread, that way everyone is kind of on even ground. You may complete as many projects as you like, but you will put all of your FOs in one post in that thread. Prizes!   1 pattern from Jennifer Lassonde   1 Skein of yarn from The Happy Buffalo Boutique   2 Skeins of yarn from Ancient Threads Farm   Thanks to Thuy from the Twisted Stitches Podcast for the donation of an Original Cast Recording of Hamilton. Listen up to find out about the prompt for this giveaway and thanks to Thuy for the prize.    There is a chatter thread open on the Actually Knitting Podcast group on Ravelry, as well as a Finished Objects thread. Use the tag #AKBroadwayKal2016 on Instagram and Ravelry.   PAL KAL is coming up this summer!    Today I answered a question in the Ask me Anything thread in the group on Ravelry.    Non-Knitting Segments   One Pot Wonder One Pot Wonder Southwest Pasta    Love it or Leave it Love it: Ice Cream, specifically Ben and Jerry's Salted Caramel Blondie   Leave it: I have a friend who is coping with the loss of a loved one.    Other News and Notes Finished Books        The Daughter by Jane Shemilt.    Pretty Girls by Karin Slaughter. Warning, this book is very graphic and disturbing.    Currently Listening to:  The Girl with All the Gifts   Currently Reading:  Furiously Happy   Running Updates   I wil be running in the 41st Annual Marine Corps Marathon in October 2016! I am scared and excited.  I am raising money in memory of my cousin Jacob, who was a Marine who served 2 tours in Iraq, and passed away in 2011. I would love to raise some more money this month in honor of his birthday on April 20th. Please check out my fundraising page and donate if you can. 

Episode 49   I mentioned the iTunes review from one of the hosts of Unraveling with Greg and Joey, check them out if you get a chance.   Knits in Rehearsal Vanilla Socks for Josh   Hermione's Every Day Socks by Erica Lueder I'm knitting these out of my first ever skein of Socks that Rock by Blue Moon Fiber Arts.   Vanilla Socks with some White Birch Fiber Arts    Bryum shawl  Yarn purchased at my favorite yarn shop, Black Mountain Yarn Shop.   Worsted Boxy  My favorite Miss Babs Yarn, gotta love it!   Auditioning Knits It's not been released yet, but Joji Locatelli has a new shawl pattern coming out (hopefully) soon. Check out her Instagram feed to see the picture.    I mentioned having seen the shawl on the Suburban Stitcher Podcast.  Knitting News, Notes and Events News The Broadway KAL is up and running!  I hope you are playing along because there are some great prizes up for grabs.   Cast on: February 15, 2016 Bind off: April 15, 2016 Wips Count!   The theme is Broadway, and you can interpret this theme as strictly or as loosely as you’d like. Basically, your project should tie in with a play or musical (on Broadway, or a little further from the Great White Way, the decision is yours). How you tie in your project with the theme is up to you, make it work! Have fun! Is the yarn or pattern actually named after a Broadway show or character or even a song from a show? Does the project remind you of a costume from a show? Is the yarn bright green, so it reminds you of Elphaba’s skin in Wicked? You get the point! Here is a great website where you can see Broadway shows listed by the year that they opened. You never know what might inspire you! There is a featured bundle in this group where any group member is free to add patterns you find that might work. This thread is for discussion and planning. Feel free to chat, encourage, make suggestions, etc. Closer to the cast-on date, a thread will be opened for finished objects. We will keep this KAL to one post per person in the FO thread, that way everyone is kind of on even ground. You may complete as many projects as you like, but you will put all of your FOs in one post in that thread. Prizes!   1 pattern from Jennifer Lassonde   1 Skein of yarn from The Happy Buffalo Boutique   2 Skeins of yarn from Ancient Threads Farm Be sure to check out Ancient Threads Farm! Lynda has generously offered a coupon code, Actually20, that is good through April 15th, for 20% off of anything in her Etsy Shop.  2 patterns from Estella Haines' Ravelry Shop.    New Prize Offering!  Thanks to Thuy from the Twisted Stitches Podcast for the donation of an Original Cast Recording of Hamilton. Listen up to find out about the prompt for this giveaway and thanks to Thuy for the prize.    There is a chatter thread open on the Actually Knitting Podcast group on Ravelry, as well as a Finished Objects thread. Use the tag #AKBroadwayKal2016 on Instagram and Ravelry.   Notes My mother came for a visit and I taught her how to knit and she loves it! I'm so happy! She's working on her first ever pattern, the Sugar Cubes Baby Washcloth.    Events I attended the Carolina Fiber Frolic a couple of weekends ago and I had am amazing time. Listen up for a short recap of the event.   Heather Storta was the teacher and I really enjoyed taking classes with her.       Non-Knitting Segments One-Pot Wonders One Skillet Cream Cheese Mexican Chicken and Rice     Love it or Leave it Love: Peloton Bike   Leave: End of Quarter Stress     StageCraft I've been working on even more sewing! Check out my Instagram to see the pics of the bags I have finished this week. I used Ellie Mae Designs K155 and McCalls M6256 for my project bags.    Book News/Notes   Thanks to a listener for suggesting Modern Mrs. Darcy for book recommendations. I also heard about it on the Cultivate and Create podcast.    Currently Reading   Started reading The Daughter by Jane Shemilt.    Pretty Girls by Karin Slaughter. Warning, this book is very graphic and disturbing.    Finished Reading The Last Anniversary by Liane Moriarty   Maisie Dobbs by Jacqueline Winspear   Running Updates I am back at it, training for a 10k in May. No pain, so hopefully the injury is healed. 

Knitting Segments   Show Ready Knits Virgie Clay by Sarah Stevens   Los Monos Locos by Jennifer O'Sullivan   Knits in Rehearsal Vanilla Socks for Josh   Auditioning Knits Ready to cast on a pair of vanilla socks with some White Birch Fiber Arts and a pair of patterned socks with my first ever skein of Socks that Rock by Blue Moon Fiber Arts. I'm thinking of casting on some Hermione's Everyday Socks or some Zigagular Socks.    Also ready to swatch and cast on for my Worsted Boxy sweater that I've had in my queue for a long time!    Will probably cast on the Bryum shawl this week as well.    Knitting News, Notes and Events News I started watching a New to Me video podcast called The Grocery Girls Knit. These ladies are sisters from Canada and they are quite charming.   Notes My mother came for a visit and I taught her how to knit and she loves it! I'm so happy!   Events   I drew a winner for the Fern Fiber contest that started February 15th. Listen up to see if you are the lucky winner!     I'll be attending the following events:   Carolina Fiber Frolic March 18-20   Carolina Fiber Fest (tentatively) March 26th (tentatively)   The Broadway KAL is up and running!  I hope you are playing along because there are some great prizes up for grabs.   Cast on: February 15, 2016 Bind off: April 15, 2016 Wips Count!   The theme is Broadway, and you can interpret this theme as strictly or as loosely as you’d like. Basically, your project should tie in with a play or musical (on Broadway, or a little further from the Great White Way, the decision is yours). How you tie in your project with the theme is up to you, make it work! Have fun! Is the yarn or pattern actually named after a Broadway show or character or even a song from a show? Does the project remind you of a costume from a show? Is the yarn bright green, so it reminds you of Elphaba’s skin in Wicked? You get the point! Here is a great website where you can see Broadway shows listed by the year that they opened. You never know what might inspire you! There is a featured bundle in this group where any group member is free to add patterns you find that might work. This thread is for discussion and planning. Feel free to chat, encourage, make suggestions, etc. Closer to the cast-on date, a thread will be opened for finished objects. We will keep this KAL to one post per person in the FO thread, that way everyone is kind of on even ground. You may complete as many projects as you like, but you will put all of your FOs in one post in that thread. Prizes!   1 pattern from Jennifer Lassonde   1 Skein of yarn from The Happy Buffalo Boutique   2 Skeins of yarn from Ancient Threads Farm Be sure to check out Ancient Threads Farm! Lynda has generously offered a coupon code, Actually20, that is good through April 15th, for 20% off of anything in her Etsy Shop.  2 patterns from Estella Haines' Ravelry Shop.    There is a chatter thread open on the Actually Knitting Podcast group on Ravelry, as well as a Finished Objects thread. Use the tag #AKBroadwayKal2016 on Instagram and Ravelry.   Knitting Talk Back  In the third part of the Carolina in my Mind series, I have an interview with Laurie Gonyea of the Feel Good Yarn Company/Silver Spun Yarn. This is an exciting product and I hope you enjoy hearing all about it!   There is a contest thread up in the Actually Knitting Podcast group on Ravelry, check it out and enter to win. This contest will run from March 15th to April 10th, 2016.   Non-Knitting Segments   One Pot Wonders One Pan Mexican Quinoa Wraps   Love it or Leave it I only have one thing that works for both Love it and Leave it this episode, the Downton Abbey Series Finale.    Other News and Notes No running news, I'm on the injured list.    Books I started listening to Pretty Girls by Karin Slaughter. It's listed as a psychological thriller, but I haven't had a chance to get really into it yet.   I started reading the Maisie Dobbs Series and I also haven't really gotten into that. Thanks for all of the suggestions on the book thread on Ravelry.  

Knitting Segments   Show Ready Knits Elphaba Cowl by Wendy Chapman Yarn: Plymouth Yarn Trabajos del Peru Needles: Size 11 bamboo   Star Crossed Slouchy Beret by Natalie Larson Yarn: Plymouth Yarn Trabajos del Peru Needles: Size 11 Knitter's Pride Nova Platina Interchangeables   These knits are both for the #akbroadwaykal and were a donation, plus they were from stash I've had since 2009, making them perfect Triple Threat Knits!        Knits in Rehearsal Virgie Clay by Sarah Stevens Yarn: Fave Sock by Fiber Story in Deep Sea, Aegean, Squeeze, and Koi Pond  Needles: Size 5 Signature Convertibles     Knitting News, Notes and Events The Broadway KAL had it's opening night. I hope you are playing along because there are some great prizes up for grabs.   Cast on: February 15, 2016 Bind off: April 15, 2016 Wips Count!   The theme is Broadway, and you can interpret this theme as strictly or as loosely as you’d like. Basically, your project should tie in with a play or musical (on Broadway, or a little further from the Great White Way, the decision is yours). How you tie in your project with the theme is up to you, make it work! Have fun! Is the yarn or pattern actually named after a Broadway show or character or even a song from a show? Does the project remind you of a costume from a show? Is the yarn bright green, so it reminds you of Elphaba’s skin in Wicked? You get the point! Here is a great website where you can see Broadway shows listed by the year that they opened. You never know what might inspire you! There is a featured bundle in this group where any group member is free to add patterns you find that might work. This thread is for discussion and planning. Feel free to chat, encourage, make suggestions, etc. Closer to the cast-on date, a thread will be opened for finished objects. We will keep this KAL to one post per person in the FO thread, that way everyone is kind of on even ground. You may complete as many projects as you like, but you will put all of your FOs in one post in that thread. Prizes!   1 pattern from Jennifer Lassonde   1 Skein of yarn from The Happy Buffalo Boutique   2 Skeins of yarn from Ancient Threads Farm Be sure to check out Ancient Threads Farm! Lynda has generously offered a coupon code, Actually20, that is good through April 15th, for 20% off of anything in her Etsy Shop.    There is a chatter thread open on the Actually Knitting Podcast group on Ravelry, as well as a Finished Objects thread. Use the tag #AKBroadwayKal2016 on Instagram and Ravelry. Contest News:  Last episode in the  "Carolina in my Mind" segment, I had an interview with Maria and Nikki of Fern Fiber. These ladies specialize in naturally dyed yarns that are produced without chemicals. I learned a lot talking with these ladies, and they generously provided a giveaway skein for my listeners. Check out  Episode 46  for more information. The giveaway thread will be open  Events:    I'll be attending the following events:   Carolina Fiber Frolic March 18-20   Carolina Fiber Fest (tentatively) March 26th   Finishing class with Alana Dakos May 14th, 2016 at Black Mountain Yarn Shop             Non-Knitting Segments  One Pot Wonders Avocado Caprese Skillet Chicken     Love it or Leave it Love: LuLaRoe Leggings   Leave: My more frequently needed haircuts!     Stage Craft I made pants! Simplicity 1887 was very easy to follow and now I'm working on a dress. I'm finding sewing easier and less scary!     Other News and Notes Book Notes Wow! I am enjoying all of the suggestions on the Ravelry thread! I have definitely grown my "to read" list on Goodreads, keep the suggestions coming!   I finished reading Mr. Churchill's Secretary by Susan Elia MacNeal   I started reading The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah   Running Notes I ran a 10 mile race on February 20th and did pretty well considering my lack of training.   I have another 1/2 marathon on March 5th.

Show notes can always be found on www.stitchedtogether.co.uk by clicking on the Podcast button at the top of the page.Stuff and ThingsThe Crafting With Colour KAL is proceeding well. Finished Objects should be posted in this FO Thread (please no chat there). Please also read all the rules carefully before posting to make sure your project fits the rules.If you want to chat about the KAL, please come and join the friendly thread here.The KAL finishes on 31st August 2015, so still plenty of time to enter.Starting on 1st September, I'll be hosting a spin a long. It's going to be a simple and straight forward SAL, using a minimum of 100g or 3.5oz of fibre and spinning at least 100yds/91m. The SAL will finish on 30th September and there will be two prizes:The first prize that will be drawn was kindly donated by Deb of Fondant Fibre, which I showed a few months ago. It's a set of blending roving made from Shetland/Merino/Bamboo. The set is in 6 colours and weighs 150g in total. The set is called Harlequin Bites.This second prize was very kindly donated by Sara of Sara's Texture Crafts. This is two matching 50g batts of merino in the Porto colourway.I'll open a chat thread for this SAL when this episode goes live and the FO Thread after the start date. Please don't start before 1st September, no WIPs are allowed. It would be even better if you pulled from stash!Done and DustedHoli Party by Joji Locatelli using Noro Iro in colourway 69.World of Wool Superwash hand dyed in the oven using Wilton's Cake Decorating Gels - Set of 8 Food Colour Pastes and white vinegar.SpunRightRound Rambouillet in the Circus colourway. It's a worsted spun 2ply aimed at obtaining a barber pole appearance. It turned out to be a heavy fingering weight yarn measuring 363m.Fondant Fibre Organic Merino Silk and Baby Llama in the Beach Huts colourway. It's a worsted spun 3ply in the worsted weight, amounting to 136m.Nose to the GrindstoneBotany Lace Hitofude using Araucania Botany Lace in the 2118 colourway, bought from Stash Fine Yarns (they have 35% off all yarns including those on sale). The project bag was from Lowland Originals.Nuvem by Martina Behm in Wollmeise Lace-Garn in the Cu colorway. The project bag was from MinaMakes of The Knitting Expat Podcast.Yarn Geek Fibers BFL in the Iron Man II colourway. I am using a Neal Brand spindle in Black Palm and Ivorywood.Into The Whirled 85% Polwarth/25% Silk in the Captain Tightpants colourway. I am using two Spanish Peacock Bead Whorl spindles.Splashed OutKnitty and Color Superwash Targhee in the Early Fall colourway. I have 4oz.Sara's Texture Crafts Polwarth fibre in the Final Frontier colourway and 70% BFL/30% Silk fibre in the Fangorn colourway. Sara also kindly sent me some Mint Choc merino silk batts to try.HilltopCloud Gradient Packs in the Conch and Cabbage Leaf options. Conch is comprised of 50% Merino/25% Shetland/12% Silk/12% Baby Alpaca. Cabbage Leaf is comprised of 55% Merino/30% Corriedale/15% Bamboo. Each pack weighs 140g and is made of 9 colours of blended fibre.Apple Rose Fibers Undyed Cormo Top (4oz). I talk about the #spin15aday instagram spin-a-long where people are spinning 15 minutes a day. BaaBonnyBelle sent me some Cormo locks.OnTheRound Signature Sock in the Silver Lining Tweed colourway. It's a 4ply/fingering weight yarn made of 80% Merino and 20% Nylon and it measures 375m/410yds.Posh Yarn Fenella Sock in the Let's Be Up and Doing colourway. It's a 4ply/fingering weight yarn made of 75% Merino and 25% Cashmere and it measures 355m/388yds.Online CommunityThank you to the purchasers of my destashed yarn. There's still more and if you see something you like that isn't listed in the Trade/Sell category, you can always ask, I might let it go if you really want it.

Show notes can always be found on www.stitchedtogether.co.uk by clicking on the Podcast button at the top of the page.Stuff and ThingsThe Crafting With Colour KAL is proceeding well. Finished Objects should be posted in this FO Thread (please no chat there). Please also read all the rules carefully before posting to make sure your project fits the rules.If you want to chat about the KAL, please come and join the friendly thread here.The KAL finishes on 31st August 2015, so still plenty of time to enter.Done and DustedThe Joker and The Thief by Melanie Berg. I'm using Wollmeise Pure in a WD version of Ein Klein Wenig Verrucht and couple of sets of mini skeins from Frankenskein Yarns in the Sour Heart colourway.Quicksilver by Melanie Berg. Knit in Snaeldan 2-Ply in the Charcoal, Cloud and Turf colourways, from Island Wool on the Faroe Isles.Skein 80% Polwarth/20% Silk in the Thyme colourway. I got 250m of a heavy DK weight 2-ply yarn.Countess Ablaze blend in the Extravagance and Cruelty colourway. 62% merino/12% alpaca/12% angelina/12% Seacell. I got 487m of a 3-ply DK weight out of 311g.Fondant Fibre Oatmeal BFL in the Luckenbooth colourway. I got 275m of a heavy fingering weight chain plyed yarn, spun worsted.Sara's Texture Crafts BFL in the Precious Rock colourway. I got 254m of a sport weight 2-ply yarn, spun worsted.DT Crafts 50%/50% Merino/Tencel Sock Yarn and High Twist 75%/25% Superwash Merino/Nylon Sock, dyed using Wilton 8 Colour Icing Set 226 g (UK Link) dyed in the microwave. All the video tutorials I used are in this YouTube Playlist.Nose to the GrindstoneToddler Blanket using Rico Designs Baby Classic DK in the Powder (038), Mauve (041), Dusky Pink (40), Anthracite (32) and Purple (16) colourways. Done using Treble(UK)/Double Crochet(US).Botany Lace Hitofude using Araucania Botany Lace in the 2118 colourway, bought from Stash Fine Yarns (they have 35% off all yarns including those on sale). I mention Megan of Stockinette Zombies and Emily of the Fibre Town podcasts and Poke Me Not needle holder from Jan B Smiley.Refraction Plus Shawl in DyeForYarn Superwash BFL Sock in the Wooden Treasure Chest  colourway. Using the charts from the Refraction Shawlette pattern.Yarn Geek Fibers BFL in the Iron Man II colourway.PlottingI discuss frogging the Stripe Study Shawl which is in a bag by The SilverShed USADotted Rays Shawl in a Superwash Merino Ombre Shawl Kit from YarnLux in the Moss to Berry colourways.Splashed OutWollmeise 100% Pure Superwash Merino in the 0 Rh Negativ colourway.BeesyBee Fibers BFL in the Galah colourway.Fondant Fibre Rolags in the Lina colourway. A blend of alpaca, camel, Shetland and silk.Fondant Fibre MCN in the Life's A Beach colourway.Hobbledehoy Merino/Tencel in the Lagoon colourway.Online CommunityReceived a prize from MandoBug of MandoBug Crafts podcast.I'm destashing some yarn. If you see something you like that isn't listed in the Trade/Sell category, you can always ask, I might let it go if you really want it.

Show notes can always be found on www.stitchedtogether.co.uk by clicking on the Podcast button at the top of the page. Stuff and ThingsPrizes for the Crafting With Colour KAL are:Donated and dyed by HappyDebs, a member of our group, MCN Sock Weight Yarn in the Spring Garden colourway, 350m/383yds of 80% merino/10% cashmere/10% sock.Kindly donated by another viewer is Sundara Sock Yarn in the Shadow Studies colourway. It's 100% superwash merino and 338m/370yds.Alessandra, aka PokedaGoblin donated this yarn specifically for this KAL. Two skeins of Regia 4-Fadig Color (a self striping yarn) in colouway 05048. Each skein measures 210m/230yds and weighs 50g. The yarn is made of 75% wool/25% polyamide.Finished Objects should be posted in this FO Thread (please no chat there). Please also read all the rules carefully before posting to make sure your project fits the rules.If you want to chat about the KAL, please come and join the friendly thread here.The KAL finishes on 31st August 2015.Done and DustedMake It Work by Allie Coffey of Caffeinated Knitting Podcast. I used yarn spun from Fondant Fibre Organic Merino in the Inked colourway.Knitty and Color Merino Silk in the Sleepy Hollow colourway. It's 80% merino and 20% silk. I spun it worsted with a 2ply constructions and 261m of a light DK weight, weighing 110g.Sara's Texture Crafts Merino in the Raspberry Chocolate colourway. I spun it worsted with a 4ply construction. I got 160m aran weight and it weighs 179g.Northbound Knitting Polwarth in the Flying Kites colourway. I spun it worsted with a 2ply construction aiming to get a barber pole effect. I got 178m of a worsted weight yarn weighing 105g.Textured Shawl by Stephanie Bold in The Knitting Goddess Laceweight 70% Baby Alpaca/20% Silk/10% Cashmere in the Greens colourway. This was knit for my friend Rachael who bought the yarn when she took me to Fibre East 2014.Nose to the GrindstoneToddler Blanket using Rico Designs Baby Classic DK in the Powder (038), Mauve (041), Dusky Pink (40), Anthracite (32) and Purple (16) colourways. Done using Treble(UK)/Double Crochet(US).Felici Socks using Knit Picks Felici in the Afternoon colourway. My vanilla sock pattern with a Fish Lips Kiss Heel. I mention the Poke Me Not from Jan B Smiley and Emily of the Fibre Town Podcast.The Joker and The Thief by Melanie Berg. I'm using Wollmeise Pure in a WD version of Ein Klein Wenig Verrucht and couple of sets of mini skeins from Frankenskein Yarns in the Sour Heart colourway. I mention my HiyaHiya Kitty Snips. I got mine from Meadow Yarns.Skein Polwarth Silk in the Thyme colourway is being plied.Countess Ablaze blend in the Extravagance and Cruelty colourway. 62% merino/12% alpaca/12% angelina/12% Seacell. It's stored in a basket from Julzcrafts. This is my Tour de Fleece 2015 spin. I'm in Team Caffeinated 2015, which is a very laid back group. I have also opened a thread in the Stitched Together Ravelry group for people who are sort of spinning along with the TdF but don't want any commitment. There aren't any prizes, just friendly support.Fondant Fibre Oatmeal BFL in the Luckenbooth colourway.PlottingKnitting some socks from Sock Architecture by Lara Neel.Splashed OutSpanish Peacock Cocobolo Russian SpindlePigeon Roof Studies Superwash Targhee in the Magical colourwayOn The Round Superwash Targhee/Silk in the Silver Lining Tweed colourway.Countess Ablaze Viscount of Spark in the Nerds Prefer Their Rainbows Darker.Countess Ablaze Dr Donegal in a OOAK colourwayMarigoldJen Merino/Silk Single (4ply) in the Serene colourway.Online CommunityThank you for all the well wishes during my surgery and support in the aftermath!

Catching Up: (0:20) Jen has been working out to get into shape some more and she's enjoying it, but it's hard. She's been working on pattern writing. She's really loving the new season of Orphan Black. She and Ron have been working on the music. And she's enjoying Mad Men but is sad to see it go. Laura is normalizing to her new job. She got her new shipment from Annie Modesitt's yarn club and it's really, really pretty. It's inspired by a moth. And the extra is a matching bag from Namaste. She's working on the Sunnydale Yarn Club Patrol 4 Sign ups. We talk a little bit about Season 4 of Buffy. Even if you don't join to club, join the Dizzy Color Ravelry Group to talk about Buffy. She's also preparing for a trunk show at Ewe+You. She's also working on a new yarn club (Teaser!). In the Knitting Bag: (14:01) Jen has been working on the Ysolda Teague’s Wee Envelope out of Oink Pigments in purple. She's working on the Baby Yours Sweater by Stephanie Pearl-McPhee out of Cascade 220 SW Sport. She's regretting not getting the worsted for the blanket, because it's taking forever. She is working on Rainbow socks out of White Birch Fiber Arts self-striping sock yarn in Fade to Gray (rainbow and grey self-striping). She only works on one sock at a time. She worked on that up at a show at the Groundlings. She is working on her sample for Sunnydale so she can take pictures. Laura is working on a hat for Halos of Hope out of Knit Picks Brava. These seem to be her standard Disneyland knitting. She is also casting on the Carson Shawl by Romi Hill out of Forbidden Woolery Pride Fingering. This is her Knitalong (or Slackalong) with her friend. And she is almost done with Swirl Hat (Crochet) from Patons out of Knit Picks Gloss Fingering in black. Finished Objects: (24:03) Jen blocked her Baby Yours sweater and it's not seamed. She has a ton of partially finished stuff, but nothing finished. She is struggling with inspiration to knit. Laura had hoped to finish her Swirl Hat, but isn't done. But she will be done with it tomorrow. Jen is sad about her lack of finishing. We need a finishing bootcamp. We mention Stash Dash by the Knitgrillls and Miss Kalendar's Finishuary. Devil's Tower: (27:24) Jen's Devil's Tower is languishing. Laura pulled out Carson, even though she hadn't really started, but she had swatched so that's kind of started. Her Ink by Hanna Maciejewska is going to escape and get worked on at some point. Frog Pond: (28:52) Jen is not challenging herself as a knitter, so she has no Frog pond. Laura has been having some issues with her Swirl Hat because it's black yarn and crochet and she's not really used to it. We want to hear about your frog ponds in the episode thread! On Deck: (31:00) Jen doesn't feel like knitting and is so uninspired she's not queuing patterns. Laura used up all her On Decks forever in the last episode, with all of her Amy Herzog sweaters. She needs to make herself go kits, because all her yarn will be inaccessible for a while due to some home remodeling. She's overwhelmed by her list a bit, but we love all the designers. But as a bonus, Jen learned the difference between a bedroom and a bonus room! Knit Culture: (33:52) Jen has been feeling uninspired, so we talk about our knitting inspiration. Jen is inspired by her awesome friends who knit and crochet. For example, one of her friends has been posting her Sophie's Universe crochet projects. Her friend Melissa (who is well known to regular listeners) is an inspiration because of her color sense. Laura is inspired by her friend Dorothy, who is an amazing lace knitter. Jen and Laura's mutual friend Erica makes excellent sweaters and her finishing work is amazing. Laura gets hugely inspired by yarns: colors, groupings, etc. Jen used to have this inspiration but lately she hasn't been feeling it. While this keeps her from buying too much yarn, she wants it to be more of a struggle. Jen's friend Sarah is an amazing knitter, especially double knitting. Jen and Laura both find specific patterns pretty inspiring. We talk about how Kristin Omdahl has helped us reconsider crochet. Jen also talks about her friend Sandra who is an amazing fiber artist and does really cool yarn bombing projects and also other fiber art installations (including sweaters for fish). And of course Laura's first inspiration was her friend Jen (different Jen) who taught her how to knit initially. So who are your real life knitting inspirations? Geek Culture: (50:19) Agents of SHIELD has been awesome lately! And we are excited to see Age of Ultron. Jen wants to do a Marvel Cinematic Universe marathon. We also think Hot Topic Marvel Line. We're also a disappointed at the lack of Black Widow on Avengers merchandise. Upcoming Events: (54:48) Laura has a trunk show at Ewe and You on May 31st, for their first anniversary. We will be doing our own version of World Wide Knit in Public Day on June 20th from 2:30 to 5:30 at the Five O'Clock Winde Bar in Alamitos Bay Marina (right next to a yarn store). Camp CogKNITive is August 21-23, Camarillo, CA. It’s a great and relaxing weekend. Knit Dizzney will Sunday, September 13th, 2015. There will be T-shirts, project bags, and exclusive yarn available for pre-order. The meetup will be at 2pm at the Hearthstone Lounge in the Grand Californian. Yarnosphere is October 17-18 EXPO Art Center in Bixby Knolls, Long Beach. Laura is vending. Want Knotty Girls Swag? You can get some by donating! Click the donate button in the right sidebar! $10 gets you a set of stitch markers, $20 gets you a project bag, and $25 gets you both! Please include your name and mailing address when you donate and specify if you want crochet or knitting type stitch markers if applicable.

It's Earth Day! Laura is a Giant Squid; Jen is a Mantis Shrimp. What kind of animal are you? Also, as promised, here is the Radio Lab episode where they talk about colors. We play a promo for the Actually Knitting podcast. Catching Up: (1:51) Laura loves her new job. She had a couple weeks off between jobs and she got to see her stepdaughter and her family for a visit. They went to Disneyland. She a had a pizza party with her step-granddaughter and mother-in-law. She and her step-granddaughter went to see Home and she really liked it. She's doing a fundraiser for the Walk for Wellness House with her boss. She also went to Vogue Knitting Live and had a great time taking Amy Herzog's class. She's inspired to knit all the sweaters. The marketplace was small, but the vendors were pretty good. There were a lot of designers, which is interesting to look at. Jen has had a lot of gigs and is really enjoying that. She went to visit some family for her sister's wedding shower and played with her nephew, who is obsessed with Beymax. She's been working some on her Firefly cross-stitch from Watty’s Wall Stuff. She went to see some films at a David Lynch film festival at a local art theatre. She started her new job as well, it's a little overwhelming in a way, because she's still having to do stuff for her old departments. And being exempt means she's losing some knitting time because she doesn't have to clock out for lunch anymore, so she forgets to take it. She's really enjoying it though. In the Knitting Bag: (15:49) Laura is working on her Swirl Hat (Crochet) from Patons out of Knit Picks Gloss Fingering in black. That was her work training crochet. She's also working on a hat for Halos of Hope out of Knitpicks Brava. Jen started some Rainbow socks out of White Birch Fiber Arts self-striping sock yarn in Fade to Gray (rainbow and grey self-striping). She's swatching for Ysolda's Wee Envelope out of Oink Pigments in purple. And she's still working on her Baby Yours Blanket based on Baby Yours Sweater by Stephanie Pearl-McPhee out of Cascade 220 SW Sport. She has been working on some mitts for Sunnydale Yarn Club. Finished Objects: (22:37) Laura finished her taxes! And her studio organization. And Patrol 3 of Sunnydale. But no knitting. Jen just needs to push through and finish some of her stuff that is very close to finished. Devil's Tower: (23:33) Laura's Yggdrasil Afghan by Lisa Jacobs is in Devil's Tower because she doesn't have the freedom to work on Mean Girls stuff at work. Her Carson Shawl by Romi Hill out of Forbidden Woolery Pride Fingering for her KAL with her friend is in Devil's Tower before she even started. And she's glad she put Ink by Hanna Maciejewska into Devil's Tower until after she took Amy's class. She would have made the wrong size for sure. Jen has her Customfit tunic top in there until she has time to block and seam it. She needs to dig some stuff out of her bin and swatch. She needs to organize the pattern charts for her Four Season Summer Symphony Wedding Ring Shawl, so she can actually knit it. Frog Pond: (29:48) Laura and Jen have no frog pond, luckily. But when you don't knit much, you don't frog much. On Deck: (30:26) Laura was really inspired by Amy Herzog. She wants to make Birch Bark, Aislinn, Cushing Isle, Striper Cardigan, and the Drumlin Cardigan. Otherwise, it's the same. Jen wants to make Hitofude and redesign her Joshua Tree Cardigan. She wants to make something for her friend’s baby out of White Birch Fiber Arts Rainbow Warrior colorway. She also has the Watermelon by Alana Dakos planned. Knit Culture: (35:03) We review Defarge Does Shakespeare, edited by Heather Ordover (of Craflit), published by Cooperative Press. It retails for $16.95 for pdf only and 29.95 for print and pdf copy. We LOVE this book. We love the patterns and the essays and that in the electronic copy there is a button to click that takes you to the Ravelry page for the pattern. Basically, we say buy this book and all the other Defarge books. Geek Culture: (55:57) We talk about the new trailer for Star Wars and the return of Orphan Black. Upcoming Events: (59:07) Laura has a trunk show at Ewe and You on May 31st, for their first anniversary. Camp CogKNITive is August 21-23, Camarillo, CA. It’s a great and relaxing weekend. Knit Dizzney will Sunday, September 13th, 2015. There will be T-shirts, project bags, and exclusive yarn available for pre-order. The meetup will be at 2pm at the Hearthstone Lounge in the Grand Californian. Yarnosphere is October 17-18 EXPO Art Center in Bixby Knolls, Long Beach. Laura is vending.

Catching Up: (0:19) Jen got a new job (new position, same company) and she's really looking forward to starting it. She did some serious spring cleaning at home. She went to Craftcation and had a great time. She even got to hang out with Kim Werker, who is an awesome crochet designer and Amy Tangerine was also there. She has been doing a lot of gigs with Ron. And she's continuing to work on Firefly sampler from Watty’s Wall Stuff. She has a lot of tiny detail work left. Laura also got a new job! This one is at a different company than where she previously worked. She has a few weeks off while she transitions and will get to spend some time with family, including helping her mother-in-law clean house for remodeling and visiting with her step-daughter and her family. She got some new lovely yarn in the mail from Annie Modesitt's yarn club and it's super pretty. In the Knitting Bag: (12:10) Jen hasn't had a lot of knitting mojo for various reasons. She worked on her blanket inspired by the Baby Yours Sweater by Stephanie Pearl-McPhee out of Cascade 220 Superwash Sport in Winter White. She finished all the knitting on her Customfit tunic top out of Cascade Heritage in Deep Plum.  Now she needs to block. Laura worked on her Yggdrasil Afghan by Lisa Jacobs out of Berroco Vintage Chunky in Mocha. She also worked on her Swirl Hat (Crochet) from Patons out of Knit Picks Gloss Fingering in black.  She worked on her Ink by Hanna Maciejewska in Dizzy Blonde Studios Superwash Sock in Applegate and she swatched for her Carson Shawl by Romi Hill out of Forbidden Woolery Pride Fingering. We thank our listeners for the good crochet swatching advice. Finished Objects: (18:36) Jen hasn't finished anything because of no mojo and no blocking space. She also seriously needs to update Ravelry. Laura has finished another preemie hat and all the crocheting on her Quinty by Bernadette Ambergen. She blocked it and wove in ends and it just needs photos. We mention Caro Sheridan's Photography Class on Craftsy. Devil's Tower: (24:46) Jen just has lots of stuff waiting on blocking and finishing. She misses her mojo. Laura had a block party and blocked Quinty, her Night Blooming Shawlette, and her Clapotis. Frog Pond: (26:07) Jen had to rip back to fix a split stitch in the sleeve cap of her tunic. She also had a sad mishap with an order from a company--just a minor mistake and the company had great customer service to fix the problem really quickly, it was just a sad disappointment to open the package and find the incorrect order. Basically, she just isn't very patient. Laura didn't have any issues, luckily. On Deck: (30:58) Jen is having trouble thinking about it because she has lost her mojo, but she wants to make some baby sweaters for various baby-having people in her life. She wants to make one sweater out of the White Birch Fiber Arts. This was inspired by Jasmin of the Knitmore Girls's sweater for her new baby. She has a lot of other stuff, including the Hitofude Cardigan. Laura wants to do a crescent or semi-circular shawl with some of her lovely new gradient yarns. Other than that, she has the same list as previously detailed in other episodes ( Knit Culture: (34:06) We review A Head for Trouble: What To Knit While Catching Crooks, Chasing Clues, and Solving Murders by Julie Turjoman from Passiflora Press. The book retails for 19.95 for a Ravelry download and starting at 20.03 for the hard copy book on Amazon (regular price $26.95). We both LOVE this book. The styling, photography, and patterns are all gorgeous. We love the details on all the patterns and can't wait to make them. The patterns are inspired by the 20's but not costumey. There are patterns for 10 hats and each hat has a matching accessory. Also each hat/accessory combination is inspired by a fictional woman detective and each hat has a paragraph describing the character who inspired it. We like it just as much as the designer's other book, Knits That Breathe. And we are really excited about the fact that this one is called "Volume I" and can't wait for "Volume II". Geek Culture: (45:37) We talk about Con Man, a new project from Alan Tudyk and Nathan Fillion and also the return of the X-Files (and Twin Peaks and Full House--so it's apparently the 90's again). Also Hot Topic and Torrid have an Orphan Black collection. Events: (50:51) Vogue Knitting Live, April 17-19 at the Pasadena Convention Center. Laura is taking Amy Herzog’s class. Camp CogKNITive is August 21-23, Camarillo, CA. It's a great and relaxing weekend. Knit Dizzney will Sunday, September 13th, 2015. There will be T-shirts, project bags, and exclusive yarn available for pre-order. The meetup will be at 2pm at the Hearthstone Lounge in the Grand Californian. Yarnopshere is October 17-18 EXPO Art Center in Bixby Knolls, Long Beach. Laura is vending.

Catching Up: (0:25) Laura went to Disneyland for Dapper Day. We also talk about Galliday. She's been dying for both Mean Girls and Sunnydale Yarn Clubs. She's really enjoying Agents of SHIELD. And she did some family visiting. Jen has been working a million hours a week, cutting into her knitting time. She and Ron played two gigs, one at a wine bar and one at the Long Beach Art Walk. She visited her family and got to see her new baby niece and her other niece and her nephew. She's continuing work on her Firefly sampler from Watty’s Wall Stuff and spinning on her Threewatersfarm. Melissa went on a cruise with her knitting group and got a lot of knitting done, for the first time in a while (because she likewise work a million hours a week). She has a cold (not Legionnaire's Disease). She saw Kingsman and we talk about the violence in the film. And she's really excited for Furious 7. We also talk about inappropriate work emails. In the Knitting Bag: (11:05) As a note: Melissa is wearing her Customfit Featherweight Cardigan out of Dizzy Blonde DK in the Martha colorway. Laura passed the 2nd corner and on the 3rd side of her Yggdrasil Afghan by Lisa Jacobs out of Berocco Vintage Chunky Mocha. One more row until the second sleeve of Quinty by Bernadette Ambergen is done. She's making the XL size in Dizzy Blonde Studios Superwash Sock, color Marie. She started on Swirl Hat (Crochet) from Patons for her mom for Mothers' Day out of Knit Picks Gloss Fingering in black.  She's all ready to start on Ink by Hanna Maciejewska in Dizzy Blonde Studios Superwash Sock in Applegate.  She's also doing a magic ball preemie hat out of odds and ends of Knit Picks Brava and Berroco Vintage.  And she's planning to do a Yarn Baby Shawl KAL with her friend Cheryle of the Carson Shawl by Romi Hill in 3-color yarn baby from Forbidden Woolery out of Pride Fingering in Smoke Signal, Illium and Mo Duinne Jen is almost done with the second sleeve of her Customfit Tunic out of Cascade Heritage.  She's also working on her Bohus Cuff from her class from Stitches West.  She's swatching for the Four Season Summer Symphony Wedding Ring Shawl by Russian Lily out of Gossamer Weight Silk/Cashmere from Colourmart in a cream color. Melissa is doing a test knit for Customfit that is way overdue out Wollmeise DK in Erbse. She is also working on her Coracle in Sweet Georgia Trinity Worsted in Oceanside. And another Customfit sweater that she calls her Korl!!! Cardigan out of Cascade 220 in Coral (and yes the name is a reference to The Walking Dead. She is also preparing for a knitalong with a coworker that she taught how to knit. They are going to make an open-front cardigan from the book Knit It!: Learn the Basics and Knit 22 Beautiful Projects, which we recommend for the beginning knitters in your life. Finished Objects: (22:30) Laura finished one preemie stripy hat that she cast on for social knitting for Stitches West. She's made it out of leftover Berroco Vintage and Knitpicks Brava. Jen finished her second 15-color Rainbow Sock in The Fab Funky Fibres self-striping sock yarn of the same name and the heel was out of black Cascade Heritage.  She did the thumb joint top hat afterthought heel by Lara Neel and loves it! (You can find instructions in the Fork in the Road Socks pattern--which is free). We mention Lara's book Sock Architecture and her blog Math4knitters. Melissa blocked and seamed a sweater that had been done since December. She had a pile of stuff to block and seam, but she had a blocking block. All three of us have them. Devil's Tower: (25:37) Which segues to a boring Devil's Tower where we all have stuff to block. Frog Pond: (25:54) Melissa wants to do a shawl collar on her Korl!!! cardigan. She decided to wing it. She had to frog it one time. Then, history repeated itself, so Jen frogged it this time because Melissa just couldn't bring herself to do it...again.  What are friends for? This sweater also had an issue with the sleeves, because Melissa generated the pattern with straight sleeves instead of tapered sleeves. This sweater has been a lot of knitting. This sweater is cursed. We mention the films Snowpiercer and Dracula: The Untold Story. On Deck: (31:31) Laura added Bunnies "R" Us by Marken of the Hat and I to her list of usual suspects. Jen's planning on starting on the Hitofude, redesigning the Joshua Tree Cardigan, something for her friend's baby and a shawl for her to wear at her sister's wedding. Melissa will start the aforementioned cardigan with her coworker. She also wants to make the adult version of the Playful Stripes Cardigan by Alana Dakos, Charlie's Cardigan by Amy Herzog, and she might make a third Leah’s Lovely Cardigan. Jen and Melissa both love how the sweater fits although the find knitting it a bit of slog. Knit Culture: (36:50) Stitches West wrap-up! Laura spent most of the time in her booth, but she enjoyed it. Her haul included a lace-weight linen gradient yarn baby from Apple Tree Knits, another 3-color sparkly yarn baby from Forbidden Woolery, a Little Brother gradient set from Yarn on the House.  Sparkly "Exploding T.A.R.D.I.S." yarn from Steven Be and the book "Crochet so Lovely" by Kristin Omdahl. Jen and Laura got to meet Stephen West at the pajama party and he was very personable and funny (he judged the pajama contest) and he complimented Jen's Leah's Lovely Cardigan. Melissa got a ton of compliments on her Rainbow Sweater. Jen and Melissa had dinner with the Knitmore Girls and Maria from Subway Knits. Jen took a design your own Pi Shawl class and learned a new cast-on she loved. Jen got a mug and some stitch markers from Jennie the Potter, some lovely red fingering weight yarn from Jill Draper Makes Stuff for a sweater, some pink fingering yarn from Miss Babs for a sweater, and lots of vintage buttons, including Bakelite sets. Both Melissa and Jen got some rainbow yarn from White Birch Fiber Arts. Melissa enabled Jen to get some Indigodragonfly for a sweater (and Melissa got some too) from the Yarnover Truck. We love her colorway names. Melissa also got a Jennie the Potter mug and some citrus yellow Jill Draper Makes Stuff Yarn. Melissa got some new yarn babies from Newton's Yarn Country, one in hot pink and one in purple and they were a great deal. She also got several sweater quantities of yarn from Miss Babs in Perfectly Wreckless and Deep Sea Jellyfish and Funny Papers. Melissa and Jen took a six hour class on picking up stitches with Lily Chin and are now experts on picking up stitches. It was amazing. Jen took a class on Bohus Knitting with Susanna Hansson and it was amazing. She even got to see some of the original vintage garments, and even pick them up and handle them. They worked on a cuff in class as well. She wants to get a kit to make a sweater from Angora Garnet. And she also took a great stranded knitting class with Beth Brown-Reinsel, which was amazing, but her brain was seriously fried because it was Sunday. Melissa took color classes with Laura Bryant of Prism Yarns. Jen is not going to take so many classes next year; she is going to do more social stuff. Laura got to meet Marnie McClean in person. And Melissa and Jen got to reunite with a old knitting friend who surprised everyone by coming from England to attend Stitches (who also won the student fashion show). And everyone managed to have great food, including Psycho Donuts. We mention Exploration Station, Rockefeller, Enchanted Mesa, Green Planet Yarn, and Foxy Knits. Geek Culture: (1:05:00) "Goodbye Old Friend", we bid a bittersweet farewell to Leonard Nimoy and Terry Pratchett. Jen shares her favorite Leonard Nimoy story. Upcoming Events: (1:08:32) Vogue Knitting Live, April 17-19 at the Pasadena Convention Center. Laura is taking Amy Herzog's class. Camp CogKNITive, August 21-23, Camarillo, CA. Yarnopshere, October 17-18 EXPO Art Center in Bixby Knolls, Long Beach.

Catching Up: (0:35) Jen has been working out a lot of new music. She's still spinning her BFL from Threewatersfarm; she plans to make a two ply. She's been running and using her new Fitbit to try to be more active, including running. She's continuing work on her Firefly cross stitch sampler from Watty’s Wall Stuff. She and Melissa also watched some terrible movies including Last Stand and Fire with Fire. Laura saw Wicked with her mom. She did a trunk show at Ewe + You and it went really well. Blarney Yarns was also there. She got caught up on Blacklist and thinks it's awesome. Heather shipped the newest installment of Sunnydale Yarn Club, which was based on the episode "The Zeppo". Laura is also really excited for some new crochet patterns from Ann at Freeform Fibers. And we are both really excited for Stitches West! In the Knitting Bag: (17:54) Jen worked on her Baby Yours Blanket based on Baby Yours Sweater by Stephanie Pearl-McPhee out of Cascade 220 SW Sport in Winter White, her CustomFit tunic in Cascade Heritage, the second sock of the 15 Color Rainbow Socks from the 15 Color Rainbow self-striping yarn by Fab Funky Fibres. And she's been doing her Stitches Homework and her Playful Stripes Cardigan out of Cascade 220 SW Sport. Laura worked on her Yggdrasil Afghan by Lisa Jacobs in Berroco Vintage Chunky in Mocha, her Quinty by Bernadette Ambergen out of Dizzy Blonde Studios Dizzy Blonde Superwash Fingering in the "Marie" colorway. Finished Objects: (25:32) Jen finally blocked and wove in ends on her Leftie, Hitchhiker, and Leah's Lovely Cardigan Laura finished a preemie Hat and blocked and wove in ends on her Down the Garden Path Shawl Devil's Tower: (30:45) Jen pulled out her Rocky Coast Cardigan and her Rockefeller. Frog Pond: (34:56) Laura had some issues with her Quinty caused by "dumbassery" (her words). First, there were gauge issues and we ask for help with crochet swatching. Then she started over and lost some stitches and had to frog again! We mention Craftsy. On Deck: (39:39) Jen really wants to make a Hitofute Cardigan by Hiroko Fukatso. She wants to rework her Joshua tree sweater and needs her charts. She also wants to finish her Sunshine Sock, but it's somewhere safe. Laura has a lot of deck: Ink by Hanna Maciejewska, Loie by Beth Kling, and the Pashley Wrap by Amy Pickard from the current Knitty. Knit Culture: (41:48) My Modern Met article about Teresa Lim: Textile Artist Creates Travel Snapshots by Embroidering with Needle and Thread. We mention Jenny Hart. The Fiber Factor Season 2 call for designers was cancelled. This makes us sad because we will miss the competition, but we do understand the backlash. Geek Culture: (50:27) S.H.I.E.L.D. Helicarrier Set is real Lego Doctor Who Is Officially Happening in 2015. And we talk about this Lego In N Out. Events: (53:13) Stitches West is February 19-22 and both Jen and Laura will be there. The LA County Yarn Crawl will be March 26th through 29th. Vogue Knitting LIVE! is at the Pasadena Convention Center on April 17-19. Laura may take some classes and Jen may go to the marketplace. Camp CogKNITive will be August 21-23 in Camarillo, CA We mention Amy Herzog and her book Knit to Flatter and Lisa Souza again (cuz we lurves her!). Want Knotty Girls Swag? You can get some by donating! Click the donate button in the right sidebar! $10 gets you a set of stitch markers, $20 gets you a project bag, and $25 gets you both! Please include your name and mailing address when you donate and specify if you want crochet or knitting type stitch markers if applicable.

Catching Up: (0:21) Laura saw Gravity and really enjoyed it. She's adjusting to the new bosses at work. She managed to bruise a rib, which is painful. She's still prepping for Stitches. She released the latest installment for the Mean Girls Yarn Club, based on Moriarty from Elementary. She's been watching Agent Carter, Downton Abbey, and Season 7.2 of Doctor Who. We both gush a bit about Agent Carter. And she's going to see Wicked with her mom soon. Jen has been spinning some BFL she got from Threewatersfarm in the colorway Cherries and Chilis. She saw The Theory of Everything, Birdman, and The Imitation Game and loved both of them. She's working on a Firefly cross stitch sampler from Watty's Wall Stuff. And she has a new baby niece, which is really exciting! We mention this video by Chris Hadfield about How you Cry in Space. Also Odyssey Magazine. In the Knitting Bag: (18:47) Laura is working on her Yggdrasil Afghan by Lisa Jacobs. She’s making it out of Berroco Vintage Chunky in Mocha.  And she is working on Quinty by Bernadette Ambergen out of DizzyBlonde Studios Sock. Jen is working on her Customfit tunic top out of Cascade Heritage in Deep Plum; she is on the front.   She's working on her Porcupine Blanket from 60 Quick Baby Knits out of Cascade 220 Superwash in Charcoal, Silver Grey, Turtle, Winter White, and Shire. The knitting is done, but she has a bit of finishing work to do.  And she is working on the blanket inspired by the Baby Yours Sweater by Stephanie Pearl-McPhee, out of Cascade 220 Superwash Sport in an off-white (the sweater is done). She finished the first sock out of the FabFunkyFibres 15 Coloured Rainbow self-striping yarn and she is working on the second sock. She did the thumb joint tophat heel from Lara Neel (you can find an explanation in the Fork in the Road Socks. She's working on premie hats. And she's knitting on her Stitches West homework. Finished Objects: (28:49) Laura started and finished a hat for Halos of Hope of her own design out of some Berroco Vintage and Knitpicks Brava. She used a lot of mixed textures. She also finished her Berry Slipped Stitch Hat for Halos of Hope. Jen hasn't finished anything. Devil's Tower (31:31) Laura has put away her Night Blooming Shawlette for the Sunnydale Yarn Club KAL out of Sunnydale Yarn Club color “My Boyfriend is a Demon Robot” until she has time to block it. Jen is pulling out several projects to do that last bit of finishing before Stitches West, including her Leah’s Lovely Cardigan, her Leftie shawls, and her Hitchhiker. And she worked a little bit on the sleeves for her Rocky Coast Cardigan by Hannah Fettig out of Fibre Company Organik in Highlands. Frog Pond: (34:15) Laura has no frog pond because she's actually reading her patterns. Jen forgot to do an decrease in the front of her tunic, because the book she was reading while knitting was interesting. On Deck: (36:02) Laura's next project is Ink by Hanna Maciejewska. She also wants to make the Quilted Lace Ascot by Pam Powers, Death Star by Patricia Castillo, Swirl Hat, Loie, the Crochet Fan Shawl by Valerie Martin, and Art Déco and Dreambird by Nadita Swings, and the the Effortless Cardigan by Hannah Fettig, and the Sea Glass and Stone Cowl. Jen wants to make the Hitofude Cardigan, she wants to change her Joshua Tree Cardigan, and something for her friend's new baby. Knit Culture: (40:54) We review Kung Fu Knits by Elizabeth Green Musselman, illustrated by Ben Bender, published by Cooperative Press. It retails for 9.95 pdf only and 15.95 for print and pdf. We both love this book and think it's really creative and cute. We love the illustrations and the patterns are really creative and it's a great story in the book. Geek Culture: (48:27) Inspired by this article on Comicbook.com, we discuss recurring Whedon tropes in Agents of Shield, Buffy, and Firefly. Events: (1:04:44) Stitches West is February 19-22 and both Jen and Laura will be there. Laura is vending in booth 924 and Jen will be taking a ton of classes, but come say hi! The LA County Yarn Crawl will be March 26th through 29th. Vogue Knitting LIVE! is at the Pasadena Convention Center on April 17-19. Laura may take some classes and Jen may go to the marketplace.

Catching Up: (0:25) Jen saw Birdman and she really enjoyed it. She really liked the film and thought the way it was shot was really impressive. She finally caught up on Agents of SHIELD and she really likes the direction it's going, but doesn't like that they killed off on of her favorite characters. And she LOVES Agent Carter. She is really jealous of her friend's cool new yarn bowl that her dad made her out of a salad bowl. Laura has a new boss at work and it's a bit of adjustment. Her stepdaughter and stepgranddaughter came to visit and they saw Into the Woods and they really liked it. She's been dyeing a lot in preparation for Stitches West. And the first installment of Sunnydale Yarn Club Patrol 3 shipped, inspired by "The Wish". In the Knitting Bag: (13:18) Jen is working her Porcupine Blanket from 60 Quick Baby Knits out of Cascade 220 Superwash in Charcoal, Silver Grey, Turtle, Winter White, and Shire. She has to do the finishing on it. She is also working on her Customfit tunic top out of Cascade Heritage in Deep Plum. And she is working on her Baby Yours Sweater by Stephanie Pearl-McPhee, out of Cascade 220 Superwash Sport in an off-white. Laura worked on her Slipped Stitch Hat for Halos of Hope out of three colors of Berroco Vintage. She finished the knitting on her Night Blooming Shawlette for the Sunnydale Yarn Club KAL out of Sunnydale Yarn Club color “My Boyfriend is a Demon Robot”. She just needs to block it. Finished Objects: (16:50) Jen forgot that she already talked about her cowl last episode. Devil's Tower: (17:57) Laura pulled out her Yggdrasil Afghan by Lisa Jacobs. She's making it out of Berroco Vintage Chunky in Mocha. Frog Pond: (19:45) Jen had some troubles with her swift. It broke and she needs a new one. On Deck: (23:15) Jen: Playful Stripes Cardigan, Hitofude Cardigan, she wants to change her Joshua Tree Cardigan, and the Southern Skies to go with her Celestarium. She wants to do some serious lace. Laura: Quinty by Bernadette Ambergen, the Death Star by Patricia Castillo, Swirl Hat, Loie, Ink by Hanna Maciejewska, the Crochet Fan Shawl by Valerie Martin, and Art Déco and Dreambird by Nadita Swings, and the the Effortless Cardigan by Hannah Fettig, and the Sea Glass and Stone Cowl. We mention the Lacy Knitters Guild. Knit Culture: (30:20) We announce the final winner of the stashdown. Congratulations MrsZuvers! Since the stashdown is over, you win YARN! We talk about how we personally did on the stashdown and our goals for 2015. We both want to concentrate on uncharted waters of our lives--trying new things and focusing on new goals. And we want to encourage you all to do the same. We started a thread in the Ravelry group. Laura wants to work on larger projects, be more of a social knitter, and grow Dizzy Blonde. Jen wants to spin more and design more and be a better designer and work on her running and her music. We mention the site Knitmeter.com and Forbidden Woolery. Geek Culture: (42:25) Edward James Olmos will be joining the Agents of SHIELD cast, which is awesome. And we point to this poll to vote for your favorite Doctor Who episodes. We want to hear about your favorite Who episodes. Events: (44:43) Stitches West is February 19-22 and both Jen and Laura will be there. Laura is vending in booth 924 and Jen will be taking a ton of classes, but come say hi! The LA County Yarn Crawl will be March 26th through 29th. Vogue Knitting LIVE! is at the Pasadena Convention Center on April 17-19. Laura may take some classes and Jen may go to the marketplace. We mention Lisa Souza.

Catching Up: (0:43) Laura finally saw Dawn of the Planet of the Apes and liked it. She also watched The Red Tent mini-series on Lifetime, which starred Morena Baccarin as Rachel. She's been dyeing yarn for Stitches West--she has several new colorways. When she did her Christmas shopping, she used Amazon Smile to get some extra money donated to Halos of Hope. She went to Disneyland and love the holiday-themed "Jingle Cruise". Her father-in-law died, which made the holiday season a little less happy. Jen went and visited her family for Christmas and saw all the babies. And she had a lot of fun shopping for presents. She's been working on music stuff. Her day job is still crazy. She plans to do some cleaning in her stash. As promised, some clips of Porter Wagoner and Dolly Parton: Sparkley! In the Knitting Bag: (8:45) Laura is working on her Night Blooming Shawlette for the Sunnydale Yarn Club KAL out of Sunnydale Yarn Club color "My Boyfriend is a Demon Robot". And she's working on a Berry Slipped Stitch Hat for Halos of Hope out of Berroco Vintage. Jen is working on Customfit tunic top out of Cascade Heritage in Deep Plum. And she’s been working on her Porcupine Blanket from 60 Quick Baby Knits out of Cascade 220 Superwash in Charcoal, Silver Grey, Turtle, Winter White, and Shire.  She started her Rockefeller for Ron out of Twist Yarns Heavenly in Fog and Navy. She is doing German short rows instead of wrap and turn. She started the Baby Yours Sweater by Stephanie Pearl-McPhee, out of Cascade 220 Superwash Sport in an off-white. Finished Objects: (13:58) Laura finished the Knitted Scale Mail Gloves in an Iron Man theme by CraftyMutt out of Brown Sheep Wool. She crocheted the repulsors out of gray and white Knitpicks Brava. She also finished the Owl Mittens for her friend’s daughter in pink Knitpicks Brava sport weight. And she finished an Openwork Crochet Hat for her mom out of Knitpicks Brava Worsted in Paprika. Jen finished her project for her guild’s knitalong, a cardigan inspired by the VESSST by Bebe Thomas. It's made of Malabrigo Arroyo. She also finished The Age of Brass and Steam by Orange Flower Yarn out of Feederbrook Farms Entropy in the colorways Nebula and Paradox. And she finished a cowl out of some bulky alpaca from a local yarn store, Twist, Yarns of Intrigue in Blueberry and Grey. Devil's Tower: (21:22) Laura set aside her Yggdrasil Afghan by Lisa Jacobs to work on last minute Christmas knitting. Jen worked for a tiny bit on her Watership Down KAL Shawl out of Unique Sheep Selene. Frog Pond: (23:13) Laura missed some increases in her Nightblooming Shawlette so she had to rip. Jen has been lucky, but she hasn't knit anything too taxing. We mention the Laminaria Shawl. On Deck: (26:20) Laura: Quinty by Bernadette Ambergen, the Death Star by Patricia Castillo,  Ink by Hanna Maciejewska, the Crochet Fan Shawl by Valerie Martin, and Art Déco and Dreambird by Nadita Swings, and the the Effortless Cardigan by Hannah Fettig, and the Sea Glass and Stone Cowl. Jen: Playful Stripes Cardigan, Hitofude Cardigan, she wants to change her Joshua Tree Cardigan, and the Southern Skies to go with her Celestarium. Knit Culture: (30:55) We talk Stashdown. We have a great interview with Tammy Burke, also known as wearingpurple. And we talk a bit about the Definitive Ranking of Willow's Sweaters on Buffy. We also mention Tom and Lorenzo's Mad Style recaps. Geek Culture: (1:03:24) We have two cool articles: We emailed a wrench to space with 3D printing and this neuron dress is amazing. Events: (1:05:32) Stitches West is February 19-22 and both Jen and Laura will be there. Laura is vending in booth 924 and Jen will be taking a ton of classes, but come say hi! The LA County Yarn Crawl will be March 26th through 29th. Vogue Knitting LIVE! is at the Pasadena Convention Center on April 17-19. Laura may take some classes and Jen may go to the marketplace.

Catching Up: (0:26) Jen had three Thanksgivings and met her niece. She took a trip to the Huntington and it was pouring rain. But the Yarnover Truck was there! She also bought recipe dice. She also bought a new guitar at a Black Friday sale. And she's been working a ton of overtime. She also has been listening to a lot of the Thrilling Adventure Hour Podcast. Laura had a game day for Thanksgiving. She saw Mockingjay and she liked it. She also mainlined Outlander and can't wait for more. We also talk a little bit about the historical accuracy of the costuming. Mei Mei had a little adventure, but she is fine. And she's been dyeing yarn for various clubs and stores. She got caught up on accounting and filing. And she's heading out for some Disney time soon. In the Knitting Bag: (17:30) Jen is working on her sweater for her guild’s knitalong. It’s a cardigan inspired by the VESSST by Bebe Thomas (which was designed specifically for the KAL) and is using a Customfit pattern. She’s making it out of Malabrigo Arroyo in a purple with pink and natural accents. She's also working on her Customfit Tunic Top out of Cascade Heritage in Deep Plum. And she's been working on her Porcupine Blanket from 60 Quick Baby Knits out of Cascade 220 Superwash. Laura is also working on Knitted Scale Mail Gloves in an Iron Man theme by CraftyMutt for her granddaughter’s father out of Brown Sheep Worsted in the Red Fox colorway. She's crocheting a pair of Owl Mittens for her friend’s daughter in pink Knitpicks Brava sport weight for her friend's daughter.  She's working on her Night Blooming Shawlette for the Sunnydale Yarn Club KAL.  She's also working on her Yggdrasil Afghan by Lisa Jacobs out of reclaimed Berroco Vintage Chunky in Mocha. She’s on the applied edging (still). Finished Objects: (25:25) Jen and Laura haven't finished anything. Devil's Tower: (28:05) Jen is saying her Rainbow socks are officially with the aliens. Laura is working on some hats for Christmas presents so she's not working much on her Yggdrasil and it may find it's way into the Devil's Tower. Frog Pond: (30:02) Jen frogged her VESSST sweater because she didn't like the stripe placement when she was first starting. Laura had some gauge issues on the owl mitts and she wasn't sure the correct size as well, so she's ripped out several times. We ask about the "rules of crochet". She also had some issues with scale placement on her scale mail mitts. On Deck: (34:55) Jen will make a layette based on the Baby Yours Sweater. She will make a Playful Stripes Cardigan by Alana Dakos, the Hitofude Cardigan, and a Rockefeller for Ron. She also wants to change her Joshua Tree Cardigan. Laura has a long list: Quinty by Bernadette Ambergen, the Death Star by Patricia Castillo,  Ink by Hanna Maciejewska, the Crochet Fan Shawl by Valerie Martin, and Art Déco and Dreambird by Nadita Swings, and the the Effortless Cardigan by Hannah Fettig, and the Sea Glass and Stone Cowl. We also mention Leadlight. We mention Never Not Knitting and Hollywood Knitter. Knit Culture: (43:15) We talk about the November theme and announce the winner. Congratulations Knitgirlwalking! You win a copy of History on Two Needles by Annie Modesitt (who donated the copy)! We also review Mystic Shawls by Anna Dalvi, which was given to us for review by Cooperative Press. We LOVE this book. Go buy it! We mention Laminaria. Geek Culture: (55:16) We talk about cool geek gifts. Doctor Who Converse Star Trek onesie Harley Quinn Hoodie Avatar the Last Airbender/Legend of Korra Periodic Table Double Helix Necklace A Beautiful Science Book Space Lollipops Star Wars AT-AT Lawn Ornament Weeping Angel Tree Topper Star Trek dog collar Big Bang Theory Clue Lab Cocktail Set Events: (1:02:30) Stitches West is February 19-22 and both Jen and Laura will be there. Laura is vending and Jen will be taking a ton of classes, but come say hi! The LA County Yarn Crawl will be March 26th through 29th. Vogue Knitting LIVE! is at the Pasadena Convention Center on April 17-19. Laura may take some classes and Jen may go to the marketplace.

Catching Up: (0:32) Laura is happy to announce that her health is just fine. She tried to get into Gotham but she couldn't get into it. Jen was in the same boat with regards to the show. She's been dying a bunch. And she's looking forward to the holidays and spending time with family. Jen has been working a lot. She saw some movies: Big Hero 6, Snowpiercer, and Ouija. And she has a new pattern available for sale: Cradle Will Rock Shawlette. Also, we were on Yarn Thing (Marly Bird's Podcast) and it was great. You can listen to our episode! In the Knitting Bag: (9:14) Laura is working on her Knitted Scale Mail Gloves in an Iron Man theme by CraftyMutt for her granddaughter’s father out of Brown Sheep Worsted in the Red Fox colorway. She has one done.  She is going to crochet the repulsors in Knitpicks Brava Worsted in grey and white. She's also working on crocheted Owl Mittens for her friend’s daughter in pink Knitpicks Brava sport weight.  They're for her friend's daughter.  She's going to add an edging.  She's also working on her Yggdrasil Afghan by Lisa Jacobs, out of Berroco Vintage Chunky in Mocha. She really likes the pattern but she has to work on it in small pieces because it's huge. Jen is working on a sweater for her guild's knitalong. It's a cardigan inspired by the VESSST by Bebe Thomas (which was designed specifically for the KAL) and is using a Customfit pattern. She's making it out of Malabrigo Arroyo in a purple with pink and natural accents. She's also working on her Customfit Tunic Top out of Cascade Heritage in Deep Plum. It's a lot of knitting at a really small gauge so it's slow going. Finished Objects: (19:17) Laura finished her husband's Motoring Madness mittens by Audrey Nicklin from the book Lit Knits out of a custom-dyed yarn she made. She wants to take the same cable pattern and make a hat and some mitts for herself out of the leftover yarn. Jen finished a lot. She finished her Mustachioed blanket by Christina Behnke from 60 Quick Baby Blankets. She made it out of Cascade 128 Superwash. She also finished her Heirloom Layette Set by Kerin Dimeler-Laurence out of Cascade Heritage in Snow. She finished the sweater and the hat and they knit up really quickly. And she just made up her own edging for the blanket. And she finished her Playful Stripes Cardigan by Alana Dakos. We mention Celestarium. Devil's Tower: (24:10) Laura needs to block the Motoring Madness Mitts (and several others including the Down the Garden Path Shawl and her Sectumsemptra Socks) and she decided to keep working on Yggdrasil because the corners of the edging is interesting. Jen pulled out her Rocky Coast Cardigan by Hannah Fettig from Coastal Knits. She did a little work on the sleeves. She's making it out of Fibre Company Organik. Frog Pond: (27:25) Laura had some trouble with her Scale Mail Mitts, getting the placement of the scales so she was happy with it. Jen ripped out her initial attempt at her VESSST because she didn't like where she put the stripes. On Deck: (30:07) Laura will make the Night Blooming Shawlette for the Sunnydale Yarn Club KAL. She also has on the list Quinty by Bernadette Ambergen, the Death Star by Patricia Castillo,  Ink by Hanna Maciejewska, the Crochet Fan Shawl by Valerie Martin, and Art Déco and Dreambird by Nadita Swings, and the the Effortless Cardigan by Hannah Fettig. Jen will make a layette based on the Baby Yours Sweater. She will make a second Playful Stripes Cardigan, the Hitofude Cardigan, and a Rockefeller for Ron. Knit Culture: (38:44) We check in on the Stashdown. December's Theme is "A Gift for Myself" so post your FOs in the the thread. We talk about knitting bags: Namaste, Slipped Stitch Studios, Atenti Bags, Jordana Paige, and Erin Lane Bags. Geek Culture: (51:55) We landed on a comet, which is awesome! And we think these bike paths are gorgeous and amazing! Events: (58:05) Stitches West is February 19-22 and both Jen and Laura will be there. Laura is vending and Jen will be taking a ton of classes, but come say hi! Vogue Knitting LIVE! is at the Pasadena Convention Center on April 17-19. Laura may take some classes and Jen may go to the marketplace.