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Thoughts, observations, and recollections of Maryland Sheep and Wool 2025.Hey Ya'll, I'm Peggy, and I'm The Kickass Knitter An experienced knitter documenting her journey through TKGA's Master Handknitting Program, as well as other fiber fun. Peggy is a largely self-taught fiber enthusiast and Knitter with a capital K. She loves yarn, crafting, and riding her motorcycle. Questions? Comments? Feedback?!? My inbox is open at thekickassknitter@gmail.com.Show notes can always be found here.Additional So2W can be sent to your inbox for free! Subscribe!Join in on Ravelry!And, you can check out the Instagram @thekickassknitter
In this episode from 2011, Sasha tells you all about a field trip to the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival. You can find the script for this episode HERE. You can comment on and discuss this episode here in The Flock, Sheepspot's free online community for inquisitive spinners. Here's the link to the Podcast search page and playlists. Since these episodes are encores, you may occasionally hear Sasha mention links that are no longer available.
All the Wool A Podcast for Hand Spinners, Knitters, and Yarn lovers
To ask me a questionhttps://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdkoshX7grvAiOcNxwAlUqFskm-opVlE1h_L6jmdO-CvGX8kg/viewform?usp=sf_linkHandspun: a podcast all about handspinning yarn, processing wool, knitting, owning a wool mill, farm life and everything in between.Join 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-educationPlaces I talk about in this episode:John Day Fossil Beds National Monument in Grant County, OregonThomas Condon Paleontology CenterFestivals:Trailing of the Sheep in Idaho and Maryland Sheep and WoolAffiliate links if would like to support me while buying from these companiesRevolution Fibershttps://revolutionfibers.com/?dt_id=502219Wooleryhttps://woolery.com/?aff=352Mission 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/FacebookEwethfulFiberFarmandMill https://www.facebook.com/ewethfulfiberfarmandmillRavelry group: Ewethful Fiber Farm & MillBlogging at http://www.beingewethful.com/
All the Wool A Podcast for Hand Spinners, Knitters, and Yarn lovers
A podcast about wool, yarn, handspinning, knitting, owning a wool mill, farm life and everything in between. Basically a makers life!This episode I take you with me to Maryland Sheep and Wool plus a farm tour at the end!Romeldale CVM Sheep that I purchased is from Bohlayer's Orchardshttps://www.bohlayersorchards.com/Beth's Furry Friends, Beth Stern's cat rescuehttps://www.bethsfurryfriends.com/My mill equipment is from Belfast Mini Millshttps://minimills.net/Ewethful Patreonhttps://www.patreon.com/EwethfulFiber...My Mission at Ewethful: My mission at Ewethful Fiber Mill is to fill making hands with small batch American grown yarns and fibers. We 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/You can sign up for the Newsletter at the bottom of our homepage! Instagram@ewethfulfiberfarm https://www.instagram.com/ewethfulfib...Facebook EwethfulFiberFarmandMill https://www.facebook.com/ewethfulfibe...Ravelry group: Ewethful Fiber Farm & Mill
A wrap up conversation with the House Wicked Wool housemates about the 50th anniversary of the Maryland Sheep and Wool festival in West Friendship, MD at Howard County Fairgrounds.
It's Maryland Sheep and Wool Weekend! In this episode, I talk about the fun and overwhelm of fiber festivals and about the joy and lessons in learning something new (crochet!)Music credit: Ketsa "Day Trips"For comments or feedback: mrsdefarge@gmail.com
A chat about the upcoming Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival AND a quick note about the new #make15aday podcast.
In this episode, I chat about seasonal shifts, Maryland Sheep and Wool, summer knitting plans, and learning to spin with a drop spindle.Music credit: Ketsa, "Day Trips"
A bonus episode description of my haul from MDSW. And shoe advice. No notes for this one.Vendors mentioned:Neighborhood Fiber CoMiss Babs Hand-Dyed YarnsDragonfly FibersPawley Studio Handmade CeramicsA Hundred RavensMorehouse FarmsGeorgia Rustic Wool farmInfomation about Gulf Coast Native Sheep.
It's been a while! But sorta kinda on purpose. Join me for a recap of the first Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival in 3 years - it's so good to be back! Visit www.kinoknits.com/blog/103 for full show notes and photos. Recorded Sunday, May 15, 2022.
Please note - none of the links in this post will direct you to Ravelry due to accessibility issues. I have created project pages here on my website and also direct you right to the designers' or yarn dyers' websites. You've Arrived at Your Destination Basic Children's Poncho by Shaina Bilow - note, in the episode I mentioned that this was a Ravelry download and I was not sure whether Shaina had this available elsewhere. I am happy to report that the pattern IS available as a free download directly from Shaina's website. This is NOT a Ravelry link. Lady Dye Yarns - Precious Penelope Project page (this is for Z's version - still need a page for A's) Drive Semantics Explorer Knits - The Wild Within (variegated) and Untamed (semi-solid) Cover Story - Lion Brand I purchased my two cakes at Joann Thank you to Sue and Chelsea from Legacy Fiber Artz for the inspiration! Vanilla socks in One Twisted Tree (retired) - Megan Williams OMG Heel I mention the Reignbeaux Sweater by yelleyknits Seismic Yarns Mini Set La Bien Aimee in Aimee's Sweater Road Trips Stitches West and Maryland Sheep and Wool happened in person and looked like both were a great time! Vogue Virtual Knitting Live - this weekend (5/12-15) June 9-12 NYC - August 4-7 (in person) Stitches at Home - this weekend (5/13-15) June 11-12, 18-19 NYS Sheep and Wool (Rhinebeck) - October 15-16 Trip Planner Planning for Stash Dash with The Knit Girllls (5/27 - August) Down Cellar Studio Splash Pad Party (starting 5/30 through 7/31) Backseat Drivers The twins say "Hello!", but do not make an appearance this episode. Come Find me on the Interwebs Instagram – ndjen04 Making - ndjen04 Spotify – Commuter Knitter Podcast Pandora - Commuter Knitter Podcast Stitcher Radio - Commuter Knitter Podcast Twitter – @CommuterKnitter Facebook – Commuter Knitter Email – commuterknitter@gmail.com Show notes – http://commuterknitter.com
How to select a wool fleece and where to purchase a wool fleece are today's topics. This might cause money to fly out of your wallet so beware! Also, some interesting pooling shows up in an FO. Show notes with photos and links, as well as a full transcript can be found in the podcast section of our shop website: TwoEwesFiberAdventures.com. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Subscribe on Android or Subscribe on Google Podcasts Marsha's Projects I have a finished project! I finished my Walk Along Tee by Ankestrick. I love it and it fits so well. I highly recommend this pattern. I had knitted halfway down the foot of my second Drops Fabel socks when I realized I had not turned the heel. So now I need to frog to the heel flap. Not happy with myself. Picked up a long dormant shawl called Simple Shawl by Jane Hunter that I started in March 2018. Using Michael CWD in the colorway San Francisco Fog. Started swatching for the pullover Atlas by Jared Flood for my brother. The yarn I'm using is Navia Tradition. It is a very wooly wool. Mark likes his sweaters to be slim fitting but I think this sweater should have some ease. Also, I'm not great at colorwork so this sweater is going to be a challenge. I'm still spinning on my green/brown merino. Kelly's Projects I finished a Perendale braid from Sheep Spot. I spun 3-ply and used a fractal technique. I split the fiber into 3 pieces lengthwise. Spun the first one, split the second one into two and split the third one into three. Found two more bobbins with Santa Cruz Island singles. I have some carded fiber left so I guess I should spin the rest of it onto a third bobbin and ply it off. No knitting or crochet this week, but lots of dog training! Beary is doing great, his thyroid is stable and he's lost twenty pounds in the 8 weeks that we've had him. Summer Spin In Topics Don't forget your tetanus shot! Selecting a fleece what to look for http://livestockconservancy.blogspot.com/2019/07/selecting-raw-fleece.html Spinner's Book of Fleece, Beth Smith The Great Fleece Makeover, Emonieiesha Hopkins, SpinOff Magazine A great article on how a fleece that is not a coated, prize-winning, spinner's fleece can still be a good experience and make good yarn. Where to buy a raw fleece Wool/Sheep Festivals: Black Sheep Gathering: Show cancelled for 2021 but there is a list of producers selling their fleeces. Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival: Festival also cancelled this year and there is also a list of vendors selling raw fleeces Oregon Flock and Fiber 2021 in Albany, Oregon, October 23-24 Vermont Sheep and Wool Festival 2021, October 2-3 Natural Fiber Extravaganza, July 9-11, Lebanon, Tennessee Knitters Review Fiber Festival directory Check out your county fair website Shave ‘Em to Save ‘Em directory Direct from farms: I did a quick internet search and found these Nistock Farms: Still have 2021 fleeces available. Informative website. Located in the Finger Lakes region of western New York state. Sanctuary Wool/Homestead Wool: Located in Wisconsin. Their fleeces are from rescued sheep. Also, Fibershed Directory for California For example, Red Creek Farm, Peggy Agnew emailed her for information about purchasing. On Etsy: Lots for sale by the pound or the entire fleece Check out your local spinning guild! Sources for braids and roving--including my most recent purchases: Huckleberry Knits Sheepspot has dyed fiber braids using less common sheep breeds. Sincere Sheep Fiber is locally sourced (California) Valley Oak Wool Mill has roving. Show Transcript Marsha 0:03 Hi, this is Marsha and this is Kelly. We are the Two Ewes of Two Ewes Fiber Adventures. Thanks for stopping by. Kelly 0:10 You'll hear about knitting, spinning, dyeing, crocheting, and just about anything else we can think of as a way to play with string. Marsha 0:17 We blog and post show notes at Two Ewes Fiber Adventures dot com Kelly 0:22 and we invite you to join our Two Ewes Fiber Adventures group on Ravelry. I'm 1hundredprojects Marsha 0:29 and I am betterinmotion. Kelly 0:31 We are both on Instagram and Ravelry. And we look forward to meeting you there. Both 0:36 Enjoy the episode. Marsha 0:42 Good morning, Kelly. Kelly 0:43 Good morning, Marsha. Marsha 0:45 Well, how are you today? Kelly 0:46 I'm doing fine. As we were talking about earlier before we started the podcast. I thought I'd have a nice quiet morning to record and apparently the city has to come inspect our roof work that we had several weeks ago now, maybe months ago. Anyway, so there may be someone on the roof outside my window looking in as we're recording. Marsha 1:10 Okay. Kelly 1:11 If I suddenly scream in surprise, that's what happened. Marsha 1:17 Well, I have lots going on too. We were a little late recording because I was on the phone with the plumbers. I'm having the plumbing redone in the basement. Well not completely redone but I had a leaky waste pipe. So I have that replaced and I'm having a new washer dryer delivered in July. And so they had to redo the plumbing for that. I'm relocating them and that's been quite an endeavor. But the big waste pipe was leaking. So I was all excited to go down there the first they came. They were here two days. And the next morning I go down there look at the floor to see, Oh, it's gonna be all nice and dry and everything. I won't have to have my five gallon bucket there anymore. And there's a cascade of water down the Kelly 2:03 No! Marsha 2:04 So I called. I thought well maybe just one of their seals didn't seal or something. Come to find out that it's actually the the four inch waste pipe that goes up. The vertical one that goes up between the two bathrooms. So I now have a hole in the wall in the main floor bathroom, and I cannot use the second floor bathroom. Which is the one I use. So they're coming Friday. This is what? Wednesday? They're coming Friday to fix the pipe in... the big four inch pipe in the bathroom wall on the main floor. Kelly 2:42 That's not too long. Marsha 2:44 No it's not too long but it is a challenge living with it. I didn't realize... okay this is gonna... This is gonna make me sound very elitist when I say this and very privileged what I'm going to say. I haven't lived in a house with one bathroom and multiple people for a long time. And so you know I I'm living with Ben. He's living with me right now. And so I have to run down in the morning. You know, I have to run down to the bathroom, but he's in there. And so what do you do? Well, Kelly 3:17 coffee can in the basement! Marsha 3:20 Worse than that! Kelly 3:22 Backyard! Marsha 3:23 Backyard! I went out in the bushes in the backyard and tried to find a place where the neighbors wouldn't see me but I thought afterwards maybe I should not have worn my bright red bathrobe! Kelly 3:35 Right exactly. Like when we used to go to hunt tests. I learned when we used to go to hunt tests that that was when I did not wear my white underwear. That's when you have your darker colored underwear so that you're not flashing white in the bushes! [laughing] Marsha 3:51 Do you remember your Civil War socks for Robert? Kelly 3:54 Yes. Marsha 3:55 Wasn't that part of the things-- they had to be a dark Kelly 3:57 yes Marsha 3:57 you didn't want to take your boots off and then be seen and shot... so anyway... Kelly 4:03 You need a camo bathrobe. [laughing] Marsha 4:05 That's probably way too much information. But anyway, I was delayed because I my point of bringing all this up as I was delayed this morning because I was on the phone with the plumber. So yeah. Anyway, Kelly 4:15 well, yes. This is the old house version of the Two Ewes Fiber Adventures. Marsha 4:21 Yes, I know. Anyway... Well, that probably was probably the whole world did not need to know that but desperate times call for desperate measures. [laughing] Kelly 4:36 Exactly. Marsha 4:37 Well, after all of that, let's get to the projects, shall we? Kelly 4:42 Yes. And you have some big news, huh? Marsha 4:45 Yes, I have big news. I finally finished the Walk Along tee! Kelly 4:48 Yay. Marsha 4:50 Yay, very excited. It fits great. And I really recommend the pattern. Now. It's true. I didn't do it exactly. Actually, I really didn't modify it that much. I just really what I did is I made the sleeves a little bit longer, not the, because the pattern is either like cap sleeves or full length sleeves. I just made the sleeves a little bit longer, but not full length. And then I just didn't add the sort of the look of having the sweater under a sweater. Marsha 5:19 Oh, yeah, Marsha 5:19 I didn't do that. But it's very nice. And I I really like it. Marsha 5:24 All right, I saw the pictures. It looks really nice, I think. Yeah, I love the color. You have to wear it. You have to now wear it to Seabrook. Marsha 5:34 Yes, I will. I'll wear it Kelly 5:35 Down to Mocrocs. Is that the the name of the town or the beach? Marsha 5:41 Well, the official town, I think Seabrook is actually in Pacific Beach is the name of the town, but the actual beach that I believe Native American name is Mocrocs. Kelly 5:53 Okay. And that's the name. I mean colorway. Yeah, that's to let everyone know why I suddenly made this divergence. Marsha 6:02 So Kelly, I just wanted to.... are you on Ravelry? Can you see my... Marsha 6:07 Oh, no, I am not. But I can get there soon. Keep talking. Marsha 6:11 Well just... I want you to take a look at my picture. And I look at it and I really love the T shirt. But it does.... We've talked about this before. I believe I have a little pooling on the left breast on this one. [laughing] Remember, I was talking about that in something else? Kelly 6:11 Yes. Marsha 6:11 So just take a look at this. Let me... nobody's commented, but I look at it. Now when I wear it, I will not see it because I will be wearing it. But when I look at the photograph,[laughing] Kelly 6:44 oh, yes, you do. [laughing] Kelly 6:54 Okay, so pooling on the left breast and peeing garden. In the same episode. [laughing] Marsha 7:01 Oh my gosh, [laughing] Kelly 7:03 we might have to have a an explicit rating. [laughing] Marsha 7:11 But wasn't there something I've ... Kelly 7:14 You have a little matching pooling going on the right hand side, too. [laughing] Marsha 7:22 I started laughing because I thought, do you remember the endless discussion about how I was blending the yarn? Kelly 7:30 All the yarn management! Marsha 7:35 So much yarn management. And I have Kelly 7:38 but it's really pretty. And I don't t hink it's a big deal. I mean, when you look at the picture of it hanging kind of flat on the on the dress form, it's different than when you actually are in it. Marsha 7:50 Yes. And I think I'll have to actually try it on and post another picture because that mannequin is not my dimensions necessarily. Oh, well, that's life. Kelly 8:05 It just goes, it just goes to show you that that sometimes all that yarn management turns out to be no different than if you had just worked from one skein? I mean, who knows? It might not be but Marsha 8:21 yeah, cuz it's, you know, it's hand dyed. Kelly 8:23 Mmm hmmm. Marsha 8:24 And you can actually, if you look at it sort of below the pooling, there's a little sort of diagonal striping going. Do you see that? Kelly 8:32 Yeah. Marsha 8:32 It's just so again, it doesn't really bother me. I just think it's... I find it kind of amusing. And I, I really don't understand how it happened because I was so careful. And I had labeled everything. And that part where it happened is I'm not doing any shaping. at that point, right, I'm just going around. And I also use that great technique that helical knitting where you... Now the helical knitting, I will say, You're... the point where you change yarns keeps moving around the sweater. So because you're in that point where you change. Yeah, Kelly 9:14 So that makes it a little different than if you had always changed in the same spot. Marsha 9:19 Yeah, and I don't know if that has something to it. Kelly 9:21 Yeah, I don't know. The people who do planned pooling might be able to tell you more about that. But I've never done it. Marsha 9:27 Planned pooling? Kelly 9:27 Yeah, there's I mean, there's patterns for that where you... remember we saw at Stitches Marsha 9:31 Your, your sock? Well, yes. And then your socks. You did the Kelly 9:35 Oh, right. For Dennis, the Bengal socks? Marsha 9:39 Yeah. Kelly 9:40 Yes. Now those were a little different because it was planned pooling but then you also did short rows to turn around and go back the other way to make this to make the point at the end of the stripe, like so where the where you you know, because the tiger stripes have don't go all the way around the tiger. You know what I mean? So anyway, yeah, very interesting. And I think your sweater, your your tee, looks really nice. Your sweater turned out really good. All laughing aside. Marsha 10:15 Oh gosh. Okay, and then um, so I'm still spinning on the green and brown Merino. I've just been working on the brown. Then what else? Oh, I started knitting Well, I've been continuing to knit on the...my Drops Fabel socks. But the other night I finished the Tee shirt and so I thought Okay, I'll go pick up my socks and start knitting on them. I thought... I went to measure them against the... I'm halfway down the foot of the second sock. And I went to measure it against the first sock to see how much further I had to go. And I thought that's weird. Like the heel looks different. And then I realized I didn't I did not turn the heel. Kelly 10:57 Oh, no! I've done that before. Marsha 11:02 And it's like, What is wrong with me? Like I like how did I not do that? I that's so weird. And I what's also really weird about it is I remember my when I did the gusset. My numbers were way off. Anyway, I should have known. So now I have to rip back. Kelly 11:21 Oh, well. Marsha 11:22 Yeah, that's something to keep me busy. You know, start again. It'll keep me off the streets, you know, out of bars. And then I... Oh, I forgot to put this in the show notes, Kelly. But what I'm knitting on right now is... I had to look it up. I cast this on probably two years ago. It's a shawl. It's just called Simple Shawl. Oh, yeah. It's from hedgerow yarns. This was yarn that I bought down in San Francisco. Kelly 11:50 And I'm looking at it right now. That's pretty Marsha 11:52 Yeah, it's a... Kelly 11:53 Kind of denim looking. Marsha 11:55 Yeah. And it's... I bought this at Atelier Yarns in San Francisco. Actually, I bought it in 2017. And I think that was the time when I met you for Stitches West. And then I went into San Francisco, right. And just went to some of the yarn shops and I think that's when I bought that. Anyway, the colorway is called San Francisco Fog. That's why I love the colorway. And it was hand dyed. And it just says on the label Michael's CWD so I don't know anything about them. He's not you know, in that there's really no information about that company but anyway, it's very nice. It's kind of like denim, it has... okay, it reminds me of dirty jeans. You know, muddy jeans because it has that denim blue, but it also has some brown. Yeah, kind of a cocoa brown in there. Like you have mud on your jeans. Kelly 12:49 Yeah. And it's pretty I like it. It's a pretty color. Marsha 12:52 it's really nice. And it's kind of... what I think is kind of nice about it is it's it's quite a kind of a neutral yarn, where a lot of the shawls I make have lots of color in them. Yeah, this one's kind of neutral, which I think will be a nice. Kelly 13:07 Yes. Marsha 13:08 Let's see, when did I cast this on? Oh, I cast on in 2018. Kelly 13:14 Yeah, well, it'll be nice. Your your point about it being a neutral is, is a good one because I have a shawl that I made... Oh, man, way back when I started-- first started to spin. And I didn't even really know how to make a shawl. I mean, I didn't have a pattern. I started at the bottom and then I just made increases on the sides. Like I was doing... I had a dish cloth pattern that did that. And I thought oh, I could do this for a shawl. So I did. So it's with my handspun but it's like three different colors of blue. That kind of blue gray, Blue, a blue gray, and then a more tealy kind of a blue. Anyway, it turned out really good. And I use that all the time. That shawl. I mean it just it's just a good color with almost anything I'm wearing. I can grab it. Yeah, I think you'll be really happy with it once it's done. Marsha 14:04 Yeah. Yeah. Kelly 14:06 It's probably happy to be out of the knitting bag! Marsha 14:09 I know. Well, it's been... you know, it's funny, because it's been to Scotland. And it's been... I took it to Iceland. Kelly 14:15 Oh, it's kind of like the Pismo Beach socks. Yes, you're gonna have to, you're gonna have to bring it with you now everywhere you go. Marsha 14:22 Yeah. And then I started swatching for another project. And it's the Atlas pullover by Jared flood. And this is for my brother. Do you remember when you were up here? I think for the dye workshop that we did. And we went over with our friend Janis over to Tolt and Mark was our driver. And he bought this yarn for me to make a sweater. And so it's Navia Traditions. Kelly 14:51 Yeah, that's gonna be a really pretty sweater. Color work yoke. Marsha 14:55 Yes. And so he he likes color. So I think a lot of people would have reversed these colors, but he's using a really bright kind of grass Kelly green for the body. And then the color work there's the color work is in that grass green. And then two other colors. In his case he picked navy and a kind of a bright blue light, like robin's egg blue. And so I did the swatch I not really proficient color work. So I'm going to need a little help on this. I think I'll be asking questions probably. You are great though. Because I called you other night when I was doing the swatch because they said obviously you want to do the swatch in the stockinette, which is the main body of the sweater. And then it's a color work yoke. And then you want to do a swatch in the color work, which I did. But I was swatching, you know, color work knit side and then purling back color work. And I said... my comment to you was isn't my my gauge going to be off? Because the whole... when I do the sweater, the color work is all done in the round. In stockinette. So all on the knit side. And so you said what a lot of people do is you knit on the right side, then slide your swatch to the other side and leave a huge long loop in the back and pick up the yarn and knit again. Yeah, so that's what I did. And it worked out a lot better. I do think-- I think doing color work in a swatch is going to be very different than doing the actual sweater. It was very slippery. Because I you know, it's I mean, I made a pretty sizable swatch, but it's still not like having all of that weight of the sweater and all those stitches, you know, to get any kind of rhythm. Yeah, so but it looks pretty good. And I think this is a very well written pattern. And I-- and also when you get to the part where you're doing the color work, it tells you of the three colors that you're using, which one is supposed to be the dominant color. I'm assuming, and listeners can give me some feedback, that I'm assuming that the dominant color is the one that you're going if you are throwing the dominant colors in your right hand. I'm assuming Kelly 17:21 Yeah, I don't know. Marsha 17:23 I have to read up on that. Or as I say if anybody wants to weigh in on it. The other thing about this sweater, too, is Kelly you and I talked about this. That Mark likes his sweaters to be very slim fitting. He's slim and he likes slim fitting sweaters. I think because this wool is it's worsted weight and it's it's a very woolly wool. The kind I think you probably want to wear over a flannel shirt. Yeah, I think he's gonna want more ease in it then he thinks he wants because it does... what does say the pattern say? Three to five inches of positive ease and I think he's gonna want that. So we're having some...we're in discussion right now. Marsha 18:09 And then and I'll talk more about this too when I start doing it but I think Jared Flood is also the designer of the other sweater that I made for Mark which I am now drawing a blank on it. What was that that blue one I made for him? Oh, here it is Cobblestone. The sweater is designed that you you you do a tubular cast on at the bottom of the sweater, do the ribbing and knit up to the armholes. Put the body aside, do the same thing with the sleeves and attach them and then do the yoke. But I found I did not do that with cobblestone. What I did is I provisional cast on for the body, knit up to the armholes, provisional cast on for the sleeves, did stockinette up to the armhole, attach the sleeves, did the yoke and then I went back and I actually had to knit some stockinette down before I did the ribbing to get the correct length. And because what I find interesting about this method that the pattern says is how do you know where the armhole is going to fit? Is it gonna be you know, an inch from the armpit or two inches from the armpit? So and that makes a difference on how long the sleeve is going to be? Right, depending on where the armhole hits on your body. So I don't... I can't really wrap my head around doing that method. I think. So. I'm going to do this method. Kelly 19:34 Yeah, I think worked with the other. I think it's a good idea that you had when you did that last sweater. Mm hmm. Marsha 19:41 So anyway, that's what I'm going to do on that one. And then that's it for me for projects. Kelly 19:46 All right. Well, you have more than I do. I did spin a four ounce braid, which was good. I had done a little bit of spinning for the last episode with that Santa Cruz Island which I need to talk about a little bit more, but I had a Perendale braid and Perendale is kind of a medium, I would say a medium to long wool. A little more woolly than Corriedale, which I consider to be usually like a medium. Or a little less against the skin than a Corriedale. I probably wouldn't make a hat out of this. But it's... but it's not. It's not as coarse as I thought it was going to be just based on what I had read about Perendale. And when I got this braid from Sheep Spot, and she has a lot of interesting breeds to select from. And I bought this last year, I think I bought it when I was buying prizes for the for the spin in and I bought it for myself. But anyways, blue and yellow. And then of course green where the blending happened in the braid, and I decided to do it as a fractal. It's a three ply fractal spin. So just to describe what that is, the way I got ready to spin this... For those of you who don't know, I divided the braid into three parts, because I was going to make a three ply. So vertically stripped it into three parts, vertically. And then one part I just spun it straight from the from the start to the finish, you know, I didn't do anything different, I just spun that. And so that gave me relatively long color repeats. My sections of color were were pretty long. And then the second bobbin, I took one of those strips that I had stripped out and I had weighed them and they were all roughly the same weight, I had to make a little bit of an adjustment as I was pulling it apart to make sure that I got this, you know, equal, kind of equal sizes. The second one I then split into, I split that one into two pieces vertically. So I had thinner strips, and I spun. And so I spun those. And I spun, you know, the first one end to end and then got the second one end to end. And I kept track of what order, you know, what was the start of it, and what was the end of it? Marsha 22:15 Right. Kelly 22:15 And so my color repeats are less, right? They're smaller. Because the fiber was... the piece of fiber that I was spinning from was was more slender. And then the third bobbin, I did exactly the same thing. But this time I did it in three, three parts. Yeah, three parts. And so it was 1/3 of the braid, split lengthwise, and then I took that 1/3 and I divided it again into three parts. Marsha 22:47 Okay, Kelly 22:48 And spun that. So now my color repeats are even smaller. So I've got one bobbin with longer color repeats, one bobbin with a little bit shorter color repeats, and then one bobbin with even shorter color repeats and I a plied those together. And that's what they call fractal spinning. I'm really pleased with the skein. I'm not sure it looks any different than if I just like, spun randomly, and then plied it together. But when it's stripes up, when you when you knit it up, it does have a different... I've seen in a couple of books or articles about fractal spinning compared to other ways of managing the color in your braid. It does look a little bit different when you knit it up. So it will be a little bit stripy, when I knit it up, but pretty blended. I mean, there's a couple of sections that are all blue and a couple of sections that are all yellow, and mostly it comes out... it reads green even though the the braid by itself just looking at it was more blue. This this yarn actually reads more green when you look at it, but it came out really nicely. And I plied it kind of loosely. I didn't i didn't ply too tight. Like I usually try... I usually like to ply tightly. But since Perendale is kind of a longer staple, I thought, Well I'm gonna ply it more like a longwool without so much twist in it. So that's what I did. I'm really happy with it. So that was kind of a fun experiment. And then I took what was left I'm not sure I'm gonna have enough to really be able to tell... but I took what was left over after the first bobbin ran out. And then I just plied a two ply because I want to do a little swatch of each and compare the two ply fractal to the three ply fractal spin. But I am going to do a little swatch of both of these so that people can see the difference and I can see the difference between a two ply fractal and a three ply fractal. The one thing that you will definitely be able to tell is there's not as much color variation in the two ply. Partly because it was only two bobbins worth of color playing together. Marsha 25:04 Right. Kelly 25:04 And partly because there was only a very little left on the bobbin. So you know, it didn't really have enough yarn to get all the way through all the different colors. But anyway, it'll be an interesting little experiment to make a swatch with both of those and compare them side by side. Yeah, so that was my spinning. Going back to the Santa Cruz Island, fleece. I was so excited because I had emptied bobbins of the Santa Cruz Island. And it's like, okay, I can call that finished, you know, even though I still have some fleece left, but it's like, okay, I can call that spinning project finished, right? Marsha 25:42 Yeah, Kelly 25:43 I was looking around in my stash for what else I had that I could just do a quick little spin with. And I found two about third full bobbins of Santa Cruz Island singles. Two, not three, two. And it's... I want to make, you know, to match the yarn I already had, I wanted to make it... I would make a three ply. Not that I really need any more of that. I was gonna make socks with it. And I have plenty for a pair of socks, but just kind of like Oh, no. So now, I do have some more fiber that's already carded. I did find that too, when I was digging around. So I will spin the yarn that I have, or the the fiber that I have that's already carded, and spin the third bobbin. And I just want to be done with this project. But you know, the little bits that I didn't want to throw away on those other two bobbins are insignificant compared to the mountain that's on these two bobbins Marsha 26:49 right, right Kelly 26:50 In comparison. I could have easily thrown that away. But anyway, I I now have another Santa Cruz Island job to do. So. I will do that. I like that fleece. It's really fine. It'sjust, it's tricky to spin. I mean, I have to do... I talked last time how I really am doing kind of an inch worming technique. And then I had to stop and pull out little neps of tangled fiber every so often. So it's not it's not exactly rhythmic Zen spinning. Marsha 27:26 Yeah. Kelly 27:27 So I did no knitting and crocheting. In my... since the last time we talked, I mean, I didn't even do any. I finished the last dish cloth. And I didn't even... I didn't even get any more on those. So that's kind of strange, but I've been doing a lot of dog training. Nothing formal, and not any real formal stuff, but you know, walks and, and trying to keep them from fence fighting. And so Beary's here sort of crunched into the corner where I'm recording right now. So you know where I am Marsha in the dressing room. Right? Well, he could be lengthwise and have plenty of room. But he's crosswise. So his head is jammed up against the cabinet. And his rear end is jammed up against the closet. The size of him is you know, the whole width of this little dressing room area. So, but he's, he's snoring. So he's happy. He doesn't mind being crunched in the corner here. Marsha 28:40 Well, and he can probably curl up into a tighter ball now because he's lost so much weight. Kelly 28:44 Yes, yes. He had a vet appointment last week. And so we got to, you know, get him weighed and get his result of his thyroid test and all that. He had a new thyroid test. But yes, he lost. He's now 113 pounds. Marsha 29:00 Wow. So that's amazing. Kelly 29:03 Yeah. Yeah. So just just to kind of recap for people. When he got to the ASPCA in January, he was 163 pounds. When we brought him home, he was 133 pounds. And now he's 113 pounds. In like ...it was about seven weeks, seven and a half weeks that he lost the 20 pounds. Marsha 29:27 Wait a minute, I say 50 pounds. Yeah, he's lost 50 pounds. Kelly 29:31 Yeah, he's lost 50 pounds. So he's got another probably 10 to go maybe. Maybe? I don't know. At first I thought he would... He was you know, he was shepherd and just heavy and needed... He could be probably 90 pounds would be his his final weight. But he may be crossed. Well, we talked about that. Marsha 29:54 Yeah, he's big, big boned. You know Kelly 29:58 He's got something in him that makes him bigger so it may be that he only has another 10 or so pounds to go so we'll see. But But yeah, the vet was really happy and his thyroid is stable. It's good, it's all in in the good ranges and the vet said keep doing what you're doing which is a lot of exercise and training and organized, you know, chewing activity like the frozen Kongs filled with dog food mush, doggy milkshake. Marsha 30:36 Did you like my comment? You posted that on Instagram. And it was like everyone thought Oh, it looks like milkshake. Yeah, but knowing what's in it, I think it looks disgusting. But the dogs love it. Kelly 30:48 Yeah, it is. It is pretty disgusting. I have some turkey fat from Aunt Betty made a turkey. Like a turkey breast roast last night for dinner. So I have some turkey pan drippings that are gonna go in the next version, the next round of the of the frozen Kongs, and it's funny because you know, I had to I wanted that magic bullet so that I could, you know, make smoothies and stuff. And I got it one year for Christmas. And I did use it for the first year. But, you know, before we got Bailey, it hadn't been out of the cupboard for months and months and months. And now that's what I use it for. Making dog milkshakes to pour into the Kongs to put in the freezer. So anyway, yeah, the dogs are getting healthy. I don't know about me, I'm not having my kale smoothies anymore. [laughing] Marsha 31:44 That's really good news. Kelly 31:45 Yeah, yeah, Marsha 31:46 It really is good news. Because he's just... I'm sure he feels so much better and you know he can move so much better. Kelly 31:55 He had the the senior dog blood panel because we know they told us he was eight at the ASPCA. But I have never had an eight year old dog acting this lively. And I'm pretty sure he's not eight. I mean, just watching him with Bailey and the, the constant playing that they do and all his I mean, just the things that he's doing now it's like, Okay, this dog is not eight, I just can't believe it. And his teeth. I mean, you can't always tell by their teeth. You know, we had one dog whose teeth were good for her whole life. And then the other dogs, you know, their teeth got bad right away. So you can't really tell. But his teeth are good. And his his energy level is high. So I just think he's not eight. But there's no way to know except, Marsha 32:48 yeah, Kelly 32:48 how long he lives, you know? Yeah, if he lives another 10 years, then he's definitely not eight. Marsha 32:54 Yes. Yeah. Kelly 32:55 But we won't know that. Yeah, so huh. So anyway, yeah, Beary's doing great. He starts obedience class at the SPCA on Saturday. And I got an email with homework that was like 10 videos. I was like, Oh, my God, I have to watch 10 videos, because I am not a video learning person. But I did. I watched them. They were all really short. But they were good. So I have homework before we go to our class. So he's supposed to be doing his name. And, you know, responding to his name and a couple of other things that I need to do. I have been working on down with him, but he doesn't like to lay down. I mean, he lays down fine when he wants it. Marsha 33:42 Yeah Really! Yeah. Kelly 33:43 But he's not he doesn't follow a treat to go down, which I've never had a dog that wouldn't do that. Marsha 33:51 So that's interesting. Yeah. Kelly 33:53 He, he pops up. And I've tried all kinds of different ways to keep his rear end from popping up. And it doesn't seem to work. So I need some tips and tricks from the from the trainer on that when we go to class, maybe. I've been just waiting. Mostly just waiting until he's tired. And then I tell him to sit and then I just stand there. And then when he does finally lay down, I tell him down. He's getting there, but that's going to be a tough one. Marsha 34:22 Yeah. So anyway, he doesn't really like to be told what to do. Kelly 34:28 Right. That is true. Yeah, he's getting better. But yeah, Marsha 34:33 He didn't come that way. We know he's learning. But Kelly 34:36 yeah, yeah, he's already... he's doing some crate training now, too. He's doing great now that he can, you know, he's thin enough that he can actually turn around in the crate. He's using the Wolfhound crate, and he fits great. And he goes in there just fine and he's quiet. And he doesn't break the crate. Marsha 34:54 Yeah. Kelly 34:56 So that's a nice fresh breath of fresh air compared to Bailey. Marsha 35:00 Well, good. That's really good to hear. I mean, I think that that's just really good news that he's lost so much weight and his panels are all good. Kelly 35:06 Yeah, his health is great. Yeah, his health is doing really well. So, yeah. Well, now that we've talked about all our projects, including our plumbing and dogs and all of that kind of stuff. We have a summer spinning topic for everybody. Marsha 35:21 Yes. So we thought we would talk about the whole process of selecting a fleece and where to buy a raw fleece. And so let's just dive right in. Okay. Kelly 35:33 And before we do that though, I just want to remind people that if you are going to be working with raw fleece, you should just make sure that your tetanus shot is up to date. Marsha 35:46 Oh, that's a good idea. I wouldn't even have thought about that. Kelly 35:49 It seems like every time you have an injury of any kind that could be tetanus related they give you a tetanus shot anyway, even if you're ...even if you just had one almost But you should have had a tetanus shot, I would say, because it's easy to... it's easy to have a puncture wound, using carding equipment or wool combs or being stuck with a sticker in your fleece. It's easy for that to happen. So anyway, Marsha 36:21 that's a good idea. Yes, that's good, because I would not have thought about that. So and you probably just get that at the pharmacy. Don't you think? You can get so many vaccines now just at the pharmacy? I mean, if you can get a tetanus Kelly 36:33 maybe, Yeah, probably. Marsha 36:35 I don't know. I have to look into that. Okay, so I have about selecting a fleece. How do you start just buying a fleece? What do you look for? Kelly 36:42 Well, Marsha 36:43 Kelly, any thoughts? Kelly 36:45 I tried to buy a fleece this morning from Instagram. And I don't think I'm going to get it because there was somebody else who was interested in it before me. But so what did I look for? Well, it was Wensleydale, a Wensleydale cross, which means it was a long wool, which always attracts me seeing those long curly locks. Just gets me. So that's what I look for. It was six pounds, which is a decent size. Again, that's what I look for. I am not... I'm not wanting to buy fleece, you know, oh, I'll just take a pound of that. Or, Oh, is it three pounds fleece? Now six pounds is a good size for a fleece. It's kind of like cones of yarn, you know, big and juicy. So, so that was an attraction. And then, and then it was gray, which is also an attraction for me. So long wool, gray, six pounds. And the price was right, it was priced at $50, which is about $8 a pound. And I think that's pretty... I think that's that's excellent. And then plus shipping. So for for a long wool that's a good price.You're not going to find... you're not going to find Merino at that price. But Marsha 38:14 Right, right, Kelly 38:15 But for a long wool. So that's what I look for. I wasn't thinking of a project, I wasn't imagining what I was going to do with it. Nothing like that. It was just like, oh, pretty long, curly, good pric-- buying! Marsha 38:33 Well, I will confess, before we really get into this, I will confess that online, doing some research, I was looking at producers and Etsy and there was many that I wanted to click buy. But I had to restrain myself. And what really gets me in this is excellent marketing. And if there's any producers who listen to this, this is excellent. This is how you get people to click buy. If you have a photograph of the sheep that the fleece came from, or just the name of... just the name of the sheep makes me want to buy because there's like this... I don't know it's just sort of... it's very... it's like a story and anytime there's a story about a product I get more and more tempted to buy it. Kelly 39:26 Yeah, well it's the same as a yarn having a name like Mocrocs Beach as opposed to you know the colorway Kelly 39:36 or San Francisco Fog. I bought San Francisco Fog because I liked the name. Kelly 39:39 as opposed to color number 5973. Marsha 39:44 Or I remember at... now we're getting a little off of the topic of buying a fleece but I remember one time at stitches. I do not need another skein of hand dyed sock yarn, but I bought one because the name of it was It Was Comic Con and I Was Drunk. I had to buy it, right? So, yeah, so if there's a backstory or something it's really very appealing for me anyway, personally. But so anyway, but what I was gonna say the first thing is... I was gonna say is online, there's... The Livestock Conservancy has an article about selecting a raw fleece. And I would really recommend that, because it talks all about staple length, coated versus not coated. What else Kelly? Kelly 40:38 it talks about the health of the lock and looking at health, the strength of the lock or the health of the sheep. It talks about the different breeds. Marsha 40:49 And so I-- that's just a great source, I think just start there. You get much better information than well, we could, and concise information to what we could give in just the podcast. But I think that's excellent. And the other thing we were sort of talking too before we started recording about-- let me just back up. When I, the first time I bought a fleece, I was like, Oh, I want it. This is what I want to make out of that fleece, I'm going to buy that. I think I bought a Shetland fleece at Black Sheep gathering. And I didn't know anything. No, I take that back. It wasn't, it was I split it with a woman down there. And it was now I don't remember now I think was like a Merino Corriedale mix, I think or something. And I didn't know anything. And I just thought, Okay, I'm gonna buy this. And then this is what I'm going to make out of it. Well, I don't think that really is. ..Maybe if you're really knowledgeable, you can get to the point where you can say-- you can look at a fleece and know how it's going to spin up and know how you're going to-- what you're going to make. Yeah, but I kind of think I think as a beginner, you probably just have to buy the fleece that you will like, and after you wash and card it and spin it. It will then tell you what you should make out of it. Kelly 42:00 Yeah, that's true. Marsha 42:02 Because you may have an idea that you want to have yarn, a yarn that really blooms, but that particular fiber is not going to do that. So it doesn't mean that it's going to end up being a bad yarn. It's just a yarn that's not-- it's gonna be a beautiful yarn that's for another purpose. Kelly 42:23 Yeah, yeah, that's true. I mean, so my love is when I see fleeces that are silver, silver gray longwool. Marsha 42:37 Yeah, Kelly 42:37 So I that would not be a good choice if what I wanted to make was a you know, a light fluffy cardigan. You know, like my Funky Grandpa sweater. If that was what I wanted to make, that would be the wrong choice. If I'm going to buy a romney for example long wool, I might be able to make like a coat kind of sweater, cardigan. Or blanket, or you do some weaving with it, weave a blanket, but I'm not going to be able to make a light fluffy cardigan out of a romney wool. So a lot of it depends on on what it is you want to do with it. I mean, you know, my, my advice is you just spin to spin, right? And see what happens. And so my advice would be for first spinners it would be to try all the ones that you just you look at it and you love it. Yeah, if it sings to you, and you go, Oh, my God this is so gorgeous. Get it! You know, if the price is right, and you're up for the adventure, I would say just go ahead and get it. And then you'll see what what the yarn is that it makes. And you don't have to spin the whole thing. You can, you know, and you don't have to buy the whole thing. Sometimes you can split fleeces with somebody. Or you can, I know on Etsy you can buy... sometimes people are selling them by the pound and so you can buy just a pound of a particular kind of fleece. So Marsha 44:08 If you do buy a whole fleece though, I think there's a couple things to sort of keep in mind. Find out if it's been skirted. And that's when they remove all of the wool that's not really usable and the tags which is manure. And you can buy a fleece that has all of that, but just know that you're paying. You're gonna be throwing away a lot that you're paying for. Kelly 44:29 Right right. Yeah, so if you're searching on Etsy, I would say one of the things to put in your search is spinning or hand spinning. Just to make sure that you know you're going to... you're going to get something that people are at least calling a hand spinners fleece. Although we will talk later, I found a great article on those bargain fleeces or free fleeces and how do you, you know, make sure that you can use a fleece like that. So, yeah. Marsha 45:03 And then the other thing and I, I've never had this experience, but they talked about it when we went to the Black Sheep Gathering. Well what they had said and people who were there, the general consensus is if, if you're buying a fleece that's been part of a show, you're going to get a good fleece. Just because people have carefully prepped them for showing Kelly 45:27 And spent money to put them in the show. Marsha 45:30 Right? Yes, there's an investment to show them. And so you really couldn't go wrong buying any of those. We did have though, do you remember the one judging where the fleece had an odor to it, like a sour odor or something? And they said that it was, I don't know, I don't remember now what was wrong with it. But I guess what the general... what I would take away from that is smell the fleece. If it just doesn't smell like that delicious, wonderful... which we like. Some people hate but we like that lanolin woolly smell. Then avoid that one. If it has any kind of weird sour or off putting odor that doesn't smell right. Kelly 46:15 A dirty dish cloth. Marsha 46:16 And so anyway, I was gonna say that the... I think that the Livestock Conservancy website is really good. And we'll have the link in the show notes. Yeah. And also the spinners book of fleece by Beth Smith is really good. Kelly 46:27 And that can help with you know, like, what kinds of fleeces will do what kinds of thing. What breeds will do what kinds of things, you know. Is it a medium, fleece? Would it make that fluffy cardigan? Is it better for outerwear? Will it be just good for rugs and blankets? It will give you a good idea of of that. Yeah, the other thing to think about too, is what kind of preparation you're going to work on. What kind of ability do you have to wash it. So like, if you're gonna buy... If you don't have a good capacity to wash a fleece and you're gonna have to wash it, you know, little by little, and you're not sure how it's going to work, you might not want to buy a Merino--a really greasy fleece like a Merino. You might, or you might want to, if you do buy a fleece like that, you might want to have someone else do it, have it processed. Marsha 46:45 Yeah, Kelly 47:21 Or even just washed by a processor. I mean, that's a possibility. That you can have a processor just wash your fleece and send it back to you clean. Just because that that does take a lot of water, a lot of soap, a lot of time to get all that grease out of the fleece. And so depending on what your washing situation is, you might be better off having a fleece that's not quite as greasy. So the article that I did find about the kind of fleece that I've always liked, the bargain fleece, is called The Great Fleece Makeover. And it's by Emmioneisha Hopkins in Spin Off magazine. And she talks about three different fleeces that she had and, and they were, you know, dirty in different ways. They were flawed in different ways. And yet she was still able to make beautiful yarn out of them. Time, you know, there's a time investment to that. If you have, you know, flaws. So for a lot of people any kind of veg matter in their fleece: stickers, hay, anything like that is just a no go. And I've never been like that. That has never been something that I totally just you know been put off by and I think partly because when I started spinning, coated fleeces were very rare. And so you know, you always had some of that in your fleeces, but now with coated fleeces, you can get, you know really pristine fleeces without any of these problems. But you pay the price, right? So if you get a free fleece or you have the opportunity to get some fleece for a very good price, I would really recommend this article The Great Fleece Makeover. So you can see, you know, what kind of things does she look at? And what kind of things does she do? Wool combs are what she uses, because they take out a lot of the garbage you know, the short cuts of wool, the really short pieces, you know. If the shearing is inconsistent, they take out a lot of the vegetable matter if there's a lot of that, and they make a really nice preparation. So wool combs are a really good thing to have if you're interested in working with the bargain fleeces. A carder also gets out a lot of the stuff that's in it. A drum carder, or hand cards, but not as much as combs do. So anyway, that's a good article that I would recommend to people looking for a fleece. But there is just something about walking around a fleece fiber festival looking at all the fleeces and just falling in love with one. And and if, if that doesn't happen to you, then maybe you're just not a spinner for fleeces, for raw fleeces, right? If you can walk through a fiber festival and you don't feel pulled... drawn to fork over money for at least you know, three or four of them and have to rein yourself in, then, you know, maybe braids are your are your jam. And that's okay. You know, yeah, processed fiber might just be what you are in love with. Marsha 50:41 Well, and the thing about the processed fiber you said about time and like, you can just start right away. I like that. And that's nice. Like I've used... it's all been, you know, the commercially processed roving that I've used for the combo spins. Kelly 50:51 Yeah, Yeah, I'm in a really bad place right now because this Perendale was my last... was my last dyed braid. I have a couple of braids of Coopworth that are natural color. And that's it. So you know, I don't have anything that I could just grab. Which is kind of on purpose because I have a lot of stuff that I need to process. [laughing] So how do you buy one? If you are going to fall in love? If you think you might fall in love, where would you find those fleeces? Marsha 51:34 Well, so the first place I know where I bought all of mine was going to some sort of festival. So now, the pandemic has, has changed all of this because a lot of these festivals are not happening. So Black Sheep Gathering is always in June. That's also been cancelled. But a lot of them have online sales. Kelly 52:01 yes. Marsha 52:01 Or a list of the producers and you can contact the different producers. So we have links to the Black Sheep Gathering in the show notes. There's the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival. Kelly, you added the Ore`gon Flock and Fiber in October is that on? Kelly 52:16 Yeah, in October, it's on. And they moved it to Albany so it's in the same location where Black Sheep Gathering was the last time we were there. Marsha 52:26 Oh, Kelly! Kelly 52:27 I know. Marsha 52:29 Maybe! Kelly 52:29 It's a possibility. Marsha 52:33 Oh, but school's in session ... Oh, no, but you're Kelly 52:35 Yeah, but I'm online. Marsha 52:37 Ah. Oh Kelly! Kelly 52:38 So I yeah, there's, there's a possibility. Yeah. Marsha 52:45 Okay. Kelly 52:48 Vermont Sheep and Sool festival is also happening in October, according to their website. They have dates in early October. So and then I found another one that's actually happening coming up fairly soon. That's the Natural Fiber Extravaganza in Lebanon, Tennessee. And it's July 9 through 11th. It's a mostly alpaca. It's put on by an alpaca association. But that looked, that looked interesting if you're in that part of the country. And then I also found Knitters Review has a fiber festival directory. Now I put the link to that in the show notes as well. A lot of them when you go to the website you see the 2020 information and you see "cancelled" but if you're willing to like search out your area. If you're looking for a particular area you can in a particular month you can narrow it down pretty well to just look at the ones that are, you know, pertinent to you and see if they have them. And then our county fair last year I kind of spaced and didn't even think about it but the Monterey County Fair last year they had their wool show, their wool auction, they just had it online. Marsha 54:04 Oh yeah? Kelly 54:06 So and then you had either pickup or shipping of the fleece that you had bought. I didn't even know about it until after it was already done. It was already done is when I realized. Marsha 54:20 Yeah, and I know the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival that one actually I think that was in May. It didn't actually happen but it was all online. But there you could check it out and see if there's still things available. And as I say, they all have vendors listed that are still selling their fleeces. Kelly 54:37 Yeah, the listing of vendors is the nice thing. Yeah, in these websites, so. So yeah, check out your county fair website. And then the other thing I just put in there, I know we've talked about the Shave 'Em to Save 'Em, and that's through the livestock Conservancy. The same website that Marsha mentioned about selecting a fleece. But they have a directory. And you can find different, you know, the rare breed fleeces there. And then also, there's the Fibershed directory. California has the Fibershed, I think Canada, Canada has a Fibershed organization. I don't know if other areas have a Fibershed organization. But if you have a Fibershed in your area, you can look at their website. And they usually will have a directory of producers of all kinds of things, not just wool. I think there's a, there's a hemp farm, and a flax farm on the Fibershed directory. And so there are some other websites, so lots of resources in this set of show notes. Marsha 55:45 So I just, I also just googled where to buy a raw fleece, you know, and the first one that came up was a farm in, it's in the Finger Lakes region of Western New York State. It's called Nistock farms. And they--you have to reserve the fleece. But they still have some available. But it was interesting. They have an interesting website just to read it too, because they they have a lot of information about processing your...washing fleeces. They also are part of the Livestock Conservancy. And they're members of the livestock Conservancy. And they talk a lot about how their... how important is to keep their their flock healthy. So they no longer take their sheep to to be judged at shows because they don't want to expose them to all the different diseases that sheep can get, apparently, and they don't bring in rams from outside the farm for breeding. They just have their own rams. And then, and now I'm getting into something I really don't know anything about. But the breeding of sheep. You can't breed them too many times because you have to bring in new Kelly 57:08 Right, genetics. Marsha 57:09 So when they do bring in a new ram, they have to be quarantined, they're tested and then they have to be quarantined for a certain merit amount of time before they enter the breeding program. Very, very interesting. I mean, if you if you want to go really deep into it, it's a very interesting website. And then the other one I found and I just think this is just sweet. And Kelly, you said we had talked about this before but the Sanctuary Wool website. They're located in Wisconsin, and their fleeces are from rescued sheep. This is the one where they have their pictures. And you know... Kelly 57:45 Which, I'm looking at them right now. Oh my gosh. Marsha 57:49 I know. Kelly 57:52 Good looking fleeces, too. I know when we first mentioned them, one of the caveats was, you know, we had not bought fleeces from them. And I don't know if they even had a website at that time or I don't think it had any pictures. So it was kind of, you know, I don't know what this will be like, but here's some information about it. But these look beautiful! East Friesian Polypay. And that's another thing! That.. so that's another thing that gets me-- a breed I haven't spun before. Yes, when I see a breed-- that's how I ended up with the Santa Cruz Island fleece. Marsha 58:31 Right. Kelly 58:31 It's rare, and I had never spun it. And it was just intriguing. And this one is also intriguing East Friesian Polypay. Marsha 58:41 Huh? What is that? I know there's Friesian horses. I think they're from Holland. Kelly 58:47 You're asking me a question I don't know the answer to. I really don't know what East Friesian sheep is. And I don't... I know Polypay is is a relatively newer breed. Anyway, one pound six ounces for $18. Wow. Add To Cart! Tthe lambs fleece, the locks average four inches long and there's very minor debris remaining to remove. So I anyway, I would say take a look at this. If you don't worry about the danger to your wallet, take a look at this website. [laughing] Marsha 59:06 Well, and there was another. I don't know if was this website or there's another website I was looking at. And what I wanted to put in the cart the name of the sheep was something like Big Gal, something like that. Anyway, but she was an older sheep and so they said as she's gotten older, more and more gray hair is in the fleece. Oh and that one I just like oh, I want it! Yeah, because of her story, she's just this old lady, you know, and I kind of wanted the old lady fleece. But anyway... Kelly 1:00:08 Sally's Fox on her Vriesis website would sometimes have her older sheep fleece. And she would describe it in such a way that just made you want to buy it. Marsha 1:00:22 Yeah, yeah. Oh my god very good marketing. Kelly 1:00:25 Yes. Marsha 1:00:26 For those of us with no self control, Kelly 1:00:29 I'm clicking closed now. I'm having self control, because I already tried to buy one this morning. I do not need any more fleece. How many do you think I have in my garage? Marsha 1:00:43 I don't know. Because I know how many I have. Kelly 1:00:45 I think I might have I think ten. Marsha 1:00:48 Oh Kelly, I think I have eight. Kelly 1:00:55 You know that True Confessions will be next next episode. [laughing] Marsha 1:00:59 Actually, I take that back. I think I have nine because I think I'm not counting the... my friend of mine in the knitting group gave me the alpaca fleece. So I don't think I'm counting that one. And that thing's a monster. It's huge. I didn't know alpaca had such big fleece but this thing seems huge. I don't know what I'm going to... I don't know but I was hoping during this our summer spinning that I would.. I obviously I can't wash and card all of it. But just some of it. Just because I've never spun alpaca. So anyway, the other place to buy, too Kelly, is... I didn't even think about this. You recommended it, Etsy. So that was another thing that I started sort of doing a deep dive into Etsy and there's tons and tons and tons of fleeces on Etsy Kelly 1:01:46 And if you know the name of the farm, that's a good way to look online. I follow some farms on Instagram. And so you know i've been, I follow them for you know, they might have lamb for sale, or they might just post nice pictures, or but some of them if you go to their website will have, you know, might have some fleeces for sale or might have processed fleece for sale. So that's another resource, too. If you're still not able to find a fleece, there's another way. Marsha 1:02:22 Anything else you want to add about where to buy a fleece? Kelly 1:02:26 Another thing to look at is fiber ills. So Valley Oak, she's the one that that posted this morning about the fleece that I almost bought. Marcaile at Valley Oak Wool Mill, but she also has roving that she sells, you know. She doesn't usually sell fleeces. She's helping someone else sell a fleece. But she does have roving. And so if you have a wool mill, that you know about, near you, or you know, that that you follow on Instagram or whatever, check out their website and see if they have their own roving for sale, and you can buy already processed fleece from them, you don't just have to buy a fleece and send it to be processed, you can just buy wool that's been been processed. So you know, your local, if you have some local mills, you can take a look and see if they have anything on their website. But then there's also those people who you know, there's a real nice thing about grabbing a braid and starting to spin. And I just my recent purchases, I mentioned Sheep Spot already. And I purchased a couple of braids of fiber the other day, which I think are going to be prizes, from Sincere Sheep. Her fiber is locally sourced. And then I also love the colors of that Huckleberry Knits has. That's up by you. Up in up in Washington, and there I mean, there are lots and lots of other people who have braids, but these are some examples of places that I've recently purchased. Marsha 1:04:10 The other thing I forgot to mention this is spinning guilds. Sometimes somebody will have something that they want to sell, or they know a producer that has too many and they're just looking for like, maybe they'll give it to you but if you pay for the shipping, right? So but that's also a resource. So I belong to the Northwest Spinners Association here in the Pacific Northwest and they have a Facebook group. And lot of times they're posting things.They post things, you know, funny articles, funny spinning cartoons and stuff, and interesting articles. Sometimes the equipment for sale, and then sometimes there's been fleeces too, that's another good source just to find, you know, they're all good sources. Kelly 1:04:58 So yeah. Yeah, we have lots of ways to make your money fly out of your wallet. . Marsha 1:05:05 Yeah, really. [laughing] Anything else on this topic, Kelly 1:05:10 I think just the main thing is that, you know, if you're interested in, in that process that you know, fleece to fiber, that whole, you know, the whole spectrum of the process, I would say it's, it's definitely worth doing once. And after you do it, you'll know what parts of the process you like, and what parts of the process you don't like. And then you can you know, you can decide. No, I'm just going to buy already processed braids of fiber, or I like washing fleece, but I have to wash it in small batches. So I'm only going to buy fleece by the pound I'm not going to buy entire fleeces. Or you could be like me, and if it's 10 pounds, that's even better. And so you really want, the bigger the fleece, the more attractive it is. Marsha 1:06:04 That is true. Like that was when we went to, I don't remember, I think it was the Monterey County Fair. And they had the auction. We got a really good deal on those. Like remember, we got a 10 pound fleece or something or a 12 pounds. I mean, it was a huge fleece that we got. And it was really quite inexpensive. And part of the reason is because it is so much for a hand spinner, right for hand spinner to go through 10 pounds Kelly 1:06:31 Really, Yeah, Marsha 1:06:32 Now granted... Oh, I one thing we didn't say is when you do buy a fleece, too, that when you wash it, you do lose. The weight will go down, right, because that weight is debris in the fleece Kelly 1:06:44 And when you card it, when you card if you do your own processing, or if you send it out to be processed, when you card it, there will also be waste. So you could lose, you know, you could lose as much as half by the time you have, or more, by the time you skirt it, wash it and process it and have it ready to ready to spin. Marsha 1:07:10 Because every time you do something to it, you lose. Right? Kelly 1:07:13 Right. So like I carded yesterday, I have an Oxford fleece that I started carding yesterday. I didn't put that in my projects. And I carded. I picked which means you pull the fiber apart. I picked and put through the drum carder what was 100 grams. So I decided I was just going to do it in 100 gram batches. So I did 100 grams. And then I put it through the carder. And when it got through the carder, it was only...When it got, you know, done being carded the first time, now it's only 95 grams. And I'm going to put that through the carder probably two more times, just to get it really nice. And by the time I do that, I'll probably be down to, you know, 75 or 80 grams. But yeah, the big fleeces are attractive to me. But they're not attractive to everyone. You know, it's helpful if you have a friend who will split it with you right, Marsha? Marsha 1:08:09 Yeah. So I'm always, I'm always willing to split. Kelly 1:08:15 So. All right, well, I think that's a, I think that's a good amount of information for someone who was interested in how to go about purchasing a fleece for the first time. And what are we going to talk about next time. Do you remember? Marsha 1:08:33 So the next episode, we're going to talk about carding of fleece, blending, prepping and process. Okay. So that's the plan. Kelly 1:08:41 All right. Marsha 1:08:43 So good. We have to do some research. Yes. Kelly 1:08:46 Well, I have one on the carder too right now. So I'll start now. I'll do my research. Partly do my research that way. Marsha 1:08:54 Okay, cool. All righty. Okay, well, with that we'll say goodbye. Kelly 1:08:58 All right. Marsha 1:08:59 We'll talk. Kelly 1:09:00 Okay. Bye. Thank you so much for listening. To subscribe to the podcast visit Two Ewes Fiber Adventures dot com. Marsha 1:09:08 Join us on our adventures on Ravelry and Instagram. I am betterinmotion and Kelly is 1hundredprojects. Kelly 1:09:16 Until next time, we're the Two Ewes doing our part for a world fleece. Transcribed by https://otter.ai
I'm knitting and spinning up a storm and trying to keep clear of the cicadas. I've also got a recap of two virtual Maryland Sheep and Wool 2021 classes I took. Recorded Wednesday, June 9, 2021. See full show notes and photographs at www.kinoknits.com/blog/092.
Amy Jumpsuit by Closet Core patterns (hack to dress), Glynn sweater, "ted talk" by Jenny Zhang, link to Distelfink hat pattern on Meghan's website, about Mulberry Hill Farm, link to Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival vendors, link to the Night Sky punchneedle kit and many other craft & knitting kits...
Knitting and fitness in 30 min or less. Shownotes can be found at windsweptknits.com. You can find me on IG and Ravelry as WindsweptMonique and on Facebook and Twitter as WindsweptKnits. Ep 90 recorded 1/22/21 Segments this week include: Be A Helper Craftalaong, FOs, Wips, Stash, Spinning, Out and About Virtually, On the Run Note on Ravelry – all links to Ravelry are clearly labelled as such – if a link does not say Ravelry, it does not go to Ravelry. Links to yarn are directly to manufacturer’s pages and should be safe for those still having rav accessibility issues. So it’s been a month since I last recorded and what a month it’s been. 2021 definitely told 2020, “hey hold my beer”. With all the craziness happening the last few weeks here in the US and the terror attacks on the Capitol Building I had thought of skipping the Be A Helper Craft-a-long this year because my anxiety levels were hovering around vibrating-chihuahua-on-espresso for a while there, but after some reflection I think that we need it now more than ever. Welcome to our 5th annual craftalong! Inspired by the famous Mr Rogers quote that in times of trouble you should look for the helpers, I'm encouraging folks to BE the helpers.Be A Helper Craftalong5th Be A Helper Craft-a-long has begun! We keep the rules simple.• Anything you make for any charity counts, doesn’t have to be knit/crochet/woven or spun. ANYthing you make for ANY charity.• One FO submission of the Google Form https://forms.gle/QdJuQUSr8uM7GoiF6• Donating blood counts too • Google Form closes when I wake up April 15th.• Wips are welcome One change this year - due to the ongoing accessibility issues at Ravelry, finished objects can be submitted via a Google Form. I have pages set up to share your beautiful work on Ravelry, but if you want to win a prize, please submit the Google Form. I will link to the Google Form repeatedly over the net few months here in the shownotes, on Ravelry, on IG, on FB and anywhere else I can think to post so you'll be able to find the link when you're ready to submit. Link to submit your Finished Object/blood donation: https://forms.gle/QdJuQUSr8uM7GoiF6 FOs Tan House Brook Shawl (Ravelry) – this is a pattern by Jennifer Lassonde of Down Cellar Studios in the Sekhment base, an alpaca/silk/linen yarn from A Hundred Ravens in the Nevertheless She Persisted colorway that I bought during the virtual Maryland Sheep and Wool. I’m doing a few rows each week The Opposite of Strict (Ravelry) hat by That Metzbower Girl Designs and it’s a ponytail hat designed to use scraps. I used up the leftovers from the two RBG Dissent Cowls I made earlier this fall. Princess Blanket by Carol Hladik – wearable crochet blanket. WIPs Wenlock (Ravelery) from Tin Can Knits. Knitting done. Need to weave in ends Galliatt (Ravelry) by JimiKnits – pattern also available on LoveCrafts, using discontinued Longmeadow by Webs. I finished the front and am about 7” in to the back Willowbrook Shawl (Ravelry) – pattern by Brenda Castiel in my own handspun cotton. Fiber from HipStrings. I used 2 braids, pulled apart the colors, spun them in rainbow order then chainplied it to maintain the rainbow. I am nearing the end of orange – there’s a lot of orange. Pull Me Over sweater – This was my Christmas Day cast on, though I haven’t picked it up at all since then! Pattern by Andrea Black, using leftover Universal Yarns cotton that are leftovers from knitting my husband a sweater many, many years ago. Slice of Summer (Ravelry) – my New Year’s caston using BaH yarns shawl ball Ozone crochet top (Ravelry) – restarted it now that my crochet skills are better; already half way through the band of hexies that go around your ribcage Stash My family got me a subscription to Hipstrings Cotton Club! I am so happy to be a member again, I looooove her colorways. I got 2 2-oz braids (technically it was the December shipment) that are beautiful blends of purple, blue, brown, mauve and brown called Moody and On the Horizon. I’m thinking of pulling these 2 apart and making a chain ply, but not sure. For Christmas I got 3 colors of Nomad Yarn’s hand-dyed Gelato series. This time I got the green, blue and purple to go with the pink, orange and yellow that I bought during a virtual fiber event last summer. Now I have a whole gorgeous rainbow and I need to decide what to do with it! Spinning Buchanan Fiber gradient spin – the 4th color is done and plied I’ve been spinning 10 min a day Out and About Virtually Lots of fiber events happening online this winter Pigskin Party now through the Superbowl Ravelry Group I’m sponsoring for the 3rd year and also participating. Vogue Knitting Live Upcoming Vogue Knitting Live @ Home Feb 11-14, Mar18-21. I got tickets for my birthday am taking classes with Bristol Ivy and Alisdair Post-Quinn and I’m very excited. Stitches At Home Feb 5-7 GGKCS podcast is running their annual winter craftaong starting now through the end of Feb 2021, more details on their Facebook page. Spa 2021 is virtual, sign up for their mailing list for further details. If you have any events you’d like me to share please email me windsweptmonique@gmail.com On the Run We took our annual New Year’s Day hike. It’s normally a big group event in our town – groups of 30-ish people led by a guide on trails in our town. Of course it was a bit different this year. We hiked by ourselves on a new-to-us trail behind our local agricultural high school. Lovely trail plus the kids loved seeing the cows and horses. Other people on the trail but everyone maintained a safe distance and wore masks. Belly dancing - great for bad knees and so much fun!
Knitting and Running in 30 min or less. Shownotes can be found at windsweptknits.com. You can find me on IG and Ravelry as WindsweptMonique and on Facebook and Twitter as WindsweptKnits. Ep 89 recorded 12/3/20 Segments this week include: FOs, Wips, Out and About Virtually, On the Run Note on Ravelry – all links to Ravelry are clearly labelled as such – if a link does not say Ravelry, it does not go to Ravelry. Links to yarn are directly to manufacturer’s pages and should be safe for those still having rav accessibility issues. FOs I ended up with lots of FOs this week because I finished my Christmas gift knitting! The Acadian Shawl (Ravelry), a Christmas gift for my mom in the approximate colors of the Acadian Flag (nous sommes fiere d’etre Acadienne!) I’m using the Goldberry crochet pattern and working it in blue, white and red with accents of yellow. I’ve put a photo of the Acadian flag in the shownotes so you can see it. Star Wars scarf (Ravelry) for Thing 1 – One section left, plan to finish later today. Still loving the new hexagonal needles from Indian Lake Artisans. I’m using Truboo by Lion Brand, a 100% bamboo yarn in white and dark gray. Pattern is a series of free charts by Jessica Goddard. Thing 1 Dragon Blanket (Ravelry) – all the pieces are finished, I just need to assemble it. WIPs Tan House Brook Shawl (Ravelry) – this is a pattern by Jennifer Lassonde of Down Cellar Studios in the Sekhment base, an alpaca/silk/linen yarn from A Hundred Ravens in the Nevertheless She Persisted colorway that I bought during the virtual Maryland Sheep and Wool. I’m doing a few rows each week Wenlock (Ravelery) from Tin Can Knits. I used a bunch of scraps in pink, white and yellow for the star pattern at the top, now I’m on to the body and I’ve using a variegated yarn, Cayenne by Feza Yarns, in cool-toned peach-pink-green variegated colorway. Started a new winter tunic for myself, Galliatt (Ravelry) by JimiKnits – pattern also available on LoveCrafts Started a new hat as part of the Fasten Off YAL (more on that a little later), the hat is The Opposite of Strict (Ravelry) by That Metzbower Girl Designs and it’s a ponytail hat designed to use scraps. I’m using up the leftovers from the two RBG Dissent Cowls I made earlier this fall. Out and About Virtually Lots of fiber events happening online this winter The first-ever Fasten Off YAL is going on right now. It’s an inclusive yarn-a-long for anyone to join. It is NOT being run on Ravelry so it’s safe to join for those of you having issues with the new site. There’s a website, a Facebook group, a Discord server to chat on and you can post on IG with the hashtag #fastenoffyal More than 90 knit and crochet designers from around the globe are participating. All the included designs are 25% off through 12/5 using code FO2020 and the crafalong portion runs through 12/31/20. Pigskin Party now through the Superbowl Ravelry Group I’m sponsoring for the 3rd year and also participating. Vogue Knitting Live Upcoming Vogue Knitting Live @ Home events will be Dec 10-13, and Jan 14-17. I will be attending the January VKL Stitches At Home December 5,6,12,13. GGKCS podcast is running their annual winter craftaong starting now through the end of Feb 2021, more details on their Facebook page. If you have any events you’d like me to share please email me windsweptmonique@gmail.com On the Run I was doing really well then I tweaked my knee again last Saturday. Meh. Lots of icing and ibuprofen and I’m staying off it as much as possible. It’s starting to be less cranky.
Knitting and Running in 30 min or less. Shownotes can be found at windsweptknits.com. You can find me on IG and Ravelry as WindsweptMonique and on Facebook and Twitter as WindsweptKnits. Ep 88 recorded 11/20/20 Segments this week include: FOs, Wips, Spinning, Out and About, On the Run Note on Ravelry – all links to Ravelry are clearly labelled as such – if a link does not say Ravelry, it does not go to Ravelry. Links to yarn are directly to manufacturer’s pages and should be safe for those still having rav accessibility issues. WIPs The Acadian Shawl (Ravelry), a Christmas gift for my mom in the approximate colors of the Acadian Flag (nous sommes fiere d’etre Acadienne!) I’m using the Goldberry crochet pattern and working it in blue, white and red with accents of yellow. I’ve put a photo of the Acadian flag in the shownotes so you can see it. Star Wars scarf (Ravelry) for Thing 1 – One section left, plan to finish later today. Still loving the new hexagonal needles from Indian Lake Artisans. I’m using Truboo by Lion Brand, a 100% bamboo yarn in white and dark gray. Pattern is a series of free charts by Jessica Goddard. Tan House Brook Shawl (Ravelry) - in the Sekhment base, an alpaca/silk/linen yarn from A Hundred Ravens in the Nevertheless She Persisted colorway that I bought during the virtual Maryland Sheep and Wool. I’m doing a few rows each week Thing 1 Dragon Blanket (Ravelry) – all the pieces are finished, I just need to assemble it. Ankle socks (Ravelry) – just about to the heel turn. Knitting in CoBaSi by Hikoo. New WIP, Wenlock (Ravelery) from Tin Can Knits. I used a bunch of scraps in pink, white and yellow for the star pattern at the top, now I’m on to the body and I’ve using a variegated yarn, Cayenne by Feza Yarns, in cool-toned peach-pink-green variegated colorway. Spinning Continuing on the last color of my gradient spin so I can count it towards the Pigskin party. I’m spinning 5 minutes a day, or every other day. Slow and steady getting back to using the injured leg. Out and About Lots of fiber events happening online this fall Pigskin Party now through the Superbowl Ravelry Group I’m sponsoring for the 3rd year and also participating. Vogue Knitting Live Upcoming Vogue Knitting Live events will be Dec 10-13, and Jan 14-17. I almost always attend Vogue Live NYC every January, it’s usually a birthday present from my family as it’s often right around my birthday weekend. This year it’s the weekend after so I’ll probably attend the January event. Stitches At Home December 5,6,12,13. If you have any events you’d like me to share please email me windsweptmonique@gmail.com On the Run Still not running, but I am biking regularly!
Knitting and Running in 30 min or less. Shownotes can be found at windsweptknits.com. You can find me on IG and Ravelry as WindsweptMonique and on Facebook and Twitter as WindsweptKnits. Ep 87 recorded 11/13/20 Segments this week include: FOs, Wips, Spinning, Out and About, On the Run Note on Ravelry – all links to Ravelry are clearly labelled as such – if a link does not say Ravelry, it does not go to Ravelry. Links to yarn are directly to manufacturer’s pages and should be safe for those still having rav accessibility issues. Lots of stress knitting the last week, so I have MULTIPLE FOs! FOs Dumpster Fire ornament 1 (Ravelry) & ornament 2 (Ravelry) both made in CoBaSi by Hikoo, a blend of cotton, silk, bamboo and nylon. It’s arguably my favorite fingering weight yarn – makes great socks and tank tops. Pattern by Mary Hull of Kino Knits. Thing 2 hitchiker (Ravelry) – a DK hitchhiker scarf for Thing 2, out of big box store cotton yarn from Michaels. It’s done and blocked and I accidentally left it out after photographing it and Thing 2 told me how much he LOVED the yarn lol. Good kid, it’s for you! Dissent Cowl 2 (Ravelry) – this is a Christmas gift for a very knitworthy friend. I’m using some ancient stash and I’ve about halfway through the necklace portion of the cowl. WIPs New WIP, what I am calling the Acadian Shawl (Ravelry), a Christmas gift for my mom in the approximate colors of the Acadian Flag (nous sommes fiere d’etre Acadienne!) I’m using the Goldberry crochet pattern and working it in blue, white and red with accents of yellow. I’ve put a photo of the Acadian flag in the shownotes so you can see it. Star Wars scarf (Ravelry) for Thing 1 – more than halfway through the last chart! I’m about 7/8 of the way through. Still loving the new hexagonal needles from Indian Lake Artisans. I’m using Truboo by Lion Brand, a 100% bamboo yarn in white and dark gray. Pattern is a series of free charts by Jessica Goddard. Tan House Brook Shawl (Ravelry) - in the Sekhment base, an alpaca/silk/linen yarn from A Hundred Ravens in the Nevertheless She Persisted colorway that I bought during the virtual Maryland Sheep and Wool. I’m on the 2nd set of eyelet rows, almost to the 2nd set of textured stitches. Thing 1 Dragon Blanket (Ravelry) – the second Christmas Snap The Dragon Blanket, this one from my older son. Using deep stash acrylic. Knitting Fail I still have a hard time reading crochet. Spinning Still no success at a distaff, but I have spun a little more of the Tussah Silk from Pinestar Studios in Maine on my Akerworks drop spindle. Started the last color of my gradient spin so I can count it towards the Pigskin party Out and About Lots of fiber events happening online this fall Pigskin Party now through the Superbowl Ravelry Group I’m sponsoring for the 3rd year and also participating. Vogue Knitting Live Upcoming Vogue Knitting Live events will be Nov 12-15, Dec 10-13, and Jan 14-17. I almost always attend Vogue Live NYC every January, it’s usually a birthday present from my family as it’s often right around my birthday weekend. This year it’s the weekend after so I’ll probably attend the January event. Stitches At Home December 5,6,12,13. If you have any events you’d like me to share please email me windsweptmonique@gmail.com On the Run Still not running, but I’m biking!
Knitting and Running in 30 min or less. Shownotes can be found at windsweptknits.com. You can find me on IG and Ravelry as WindsweptMonique and on Facebook and Twitter as WindsweptKnits. Ep 85 recorded 10/23/20 Segments this week include: Be a Helper Craft-a-long prep, Wips, Spinning, Stash, Out and About, On the Run Note on Ravelry – all links to Ravelry are clearly labelled as such – if a link does not say Ravelry, it does not go to Ravelry. Links to yarn are directly to manufacturer’s pages and should be safe for those still having rav accessibility issues. Be a Helper Craftalong For those of you who are new to the podcast, every winter I run the Be A Helper Craftalong, inspired by famous quote from Mister Rogers, that in times of troubles to look for the helpers. This charity-focused craftalong urges people to BE the helper. The rules are very simple: Anything you make for any charity counts, doesn’t have to be knit/crochet. ANYthing you make for ANY charity. One entry per FO Donating blood counts too - post a photo of your bandaid or of you drinking OJ afterwards, something like that. Wips are welcome First up I’d like to talk to you all quickly about the schedule for this year’s craftalong. Secondly, I will have to adjust how I run the event and track FOs since Ravelry is not safe for everyone to use. WIPs Star Wars scarf (Ravelry) for Thing 1 – finished the Death Star and all of Chart 2! Still loving the new hexagonal needles from Indian Lake Artisans. I’m using Truboo by Lion Brand, a 100% bamboo yarn in white and dark gray. Thing 2 hitchiker (Ravelry) – a DK hitchhiker scarf for Thing 2, out of big box store cotton yarn from Michaels. It’s still my car knitting and knitting a row or 2 most days. Ankle socks (Ravelry) – Still on the 2nd sock getting closer to the heel. I’m in physical therapy and have been working on it a little before each appointment. Tan House Brook Shawl (Ravelry) - in the Sekhment base, an alpaca/silk/linen yarn from A Hundred Ravens in the Nevertheless She Persisted colorway that I bought during the virtual Maryland Sheep and Wool. I’m on the 2nd set of eyelet rows, almost to the 2nd set of textured stitches. Willowbrook Shawl (Ravelry) – by Brenda Castiel in my own handspun cotton. I spun this yarn with fiber from fiber from Hipstrings with this shawl in mind last June during Pride month. I’ve finished the pinks and am on the red in the rainbow handspun. Dissent Cowl 2 (Ravelry) – this is a Christmas gift for a very knitworthy friend. I’m using some ancient stash and I’ve finished the first dots section and have reached the color band. Spinning Still no success at a distaff, but I have spun a little more of the Tussah Silk from Pinestar Studios in Maine Out and About Virtual Rhinebeck – this past weekend. Lots of fiber events happening online this fall Pigskin Party now through the Superbowl Ravelry Group I’m sponsoring for the 3rd year and also participating. Vogue Knitting Live Upcoming Vogue Knitting Live eve nts will be Nov 12-15, Dec 10-13, and Jan 14-17. I almost always attend Vogue Live NYC every January, it’s usually a birthday present from my family as it’s often right around my birthday weekend. This year it’s the weekend after so I’ll probably attend the January event. Stitches Expo at Home – Nov 6-8 If you have any events you’d like me to share please email me windsweptmonique@gmail.com On the Run Had an MRI, fun times. Stress fracture is healing though the knee itself is still swollen and sore. No walking for quite a while yet. But once I’m back on my feet I will continue the 100 Mile challenge I was part of.
Ep 84 Knitting and injuries in 30 minutes or less because even in a pandemic we’re all still busy Segments this week include: FOs, Wips, Stash, Out and About, On the Run Note on Ravelry – all links to Ravelry are clearly labelled as such – if a link does not say Ravelry, it does not go to Ravelry. Links to yarn are directly to manufacturer’s pages and should be safe for those still having rav accessibility issues. FO Dissent Cowl (Ravelry) – my homage to Ruth Bader Ginsburg, pattern by Carissa Browning and together we’ve raised over 30,000 through this pattern for the ACLU. Nice work knitters! I’m using ancient stash yarn. Over halfway through the necklace portion Thing 2 Dragon Blanket (Ravelry) - I assembled it yesterday while my kids were at school. I modeled it and posted some silly photos on FB/Insta because how often do you get to wear a dragon blanket, complete with spines?!? Thing 2 is going to LOVE it WIPs Star Wars scarf (Ravelry) for Thing 1 – started the Millennium Flacon and the Death Star, then it’ll be the Dark Side and some weird alien writing, then the Dark Side is the last third. I’m trying to work 5 rows a day so it’ll be done in time for Christmas. Still loving the new hexagonal needles from Indian Lake Artisans. I’m using Truboo by Lion Brand, a 100% bamboo yarn. Thing 2 hitchiker (Ravelry) – a DK hitchhiker scarf for Thing 2, out of big box store cotton yarn from Michaels. It’s still my car knitting and knitting a row or 2 most days. Ankle socks (Ravelry) – Still on the 2nd sock. It lives in my purse so I’ve worked on this a few times waiting in lines. Pigskin Party Castons: Tan House Brook Shawl (Ravelry) - in the Sekhment base, an alpaca/silk/linen yarn from A Hundred Ravens in the Nevertheless She Persisted colorway that I bought during the virtual Maryland Sheep and Wool. I;ve started section 3. Willowbrook Shawl (Ravelry) – by Brenda Castiel in my own handspun cotton. I spun this yarn with fiber from fiber from Hipstrings with this shawl in mind last June during Pride month. Spinning New Akerworks lightweight drop spindle – started spinning silk singles again. Won’t be wheel-spinning again for a while, I have a leg injury and am currently awaiting an MRI next week. This is my first spindle from Akerworks. I love their wheel bobbins soooo much, and I had a feeling I’d like their spindles and so far I really do. Out and About Lots of fiber events happening online this fall Pigskin Party now through the Superbowl Ravelry Group I’m sponsoring for the 3rd year and also participating. Stitches @ Home – put on by the folks XRX the folks who to Stitches East/West/South etc. Continuing Oct 10 and 11. Virtual Rhinebeck – Oct 15-18 I’ve signed up for 2 classes on crochet to improve my skills and learn how to read a pattern better because the charts are definitely harder to read than knitting charts. Indie Untangled Everywhere – the popular Rhinebeck-adjacent event for independent dyers is also going digital this year, more than 40 vendors plus access to zoom calls with designers. Vogue Knitting Live Upcoming Vogue Knitting Live eve nts will be Nov 12-15, Dec 10-13, and Jan 14-17. I almost always attend Vogue Live NYC every January, it’s usually a birthday present from my family as it’s often right around my birthday weekend. This year it’s the weekend after so I’ll probably attend the January event. If you have any events you’d like me to share please email me windsweptmonique@gmail.com On the Run I need an MRI. Damn.
In this episode, I talk about the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival and the way it fits into my al-anon story of recovery...
This week's episode is sponsored by: No matter what you need, the barmaids have you covered from head to toe. Face pudding to keep you smiling, Lolo lips keep them kissable, probiotic deodorant for keeping you fresh as a rose, oh for feet’s sake to keep your feet soft and sandal ready, and the Lolo body bar for everything in between. You can find all this - and more! at bar-maids.com Dragonfly Fibers creates hand-dyed, artisan yarns and fibers in vivid and sophisticated colorways. We can be found in select local yarn shops and at fiber festivals such as Rhinebeck, Maryland Sheep and Wool, Vogue Knitting Live, STITCHES and SAFF. We have a busy fall show schedule! Come see us at Shenandoah Valley Fiber Festival September 28th and 29th in Berryville, Virginia! All of our products are available on our website, www.dragonflyfibers.com. Come see why we say that Dragonfly Fibers are the colors of happiness. Carry your creativity with Erin Lane Bags! Whether you show your fiber fandom with the woolly wonder Sheepleverse, or dive into history with the Curiosities collection, our project bags, totes, and hook and needle organizers are at the ready to keep your hobby happy. We all have it, we all snicker about it. Fun Fur. Whether it’s eyelash, boucle, or just generally furry, it’s hard to find projects for novelty yarn. With a sweet face, spiraling horns, and delightfully rotund body, Friendsheep by Cate Carter-Evans lets you transform your novelty and textured yarns into sweet, fleecy little friends. Pattern available on Ravelry; more info at infinitetwist.com Books plus knitting plus happy memories. That’s Little Skein in the Big Wool. We make kits, yarn and project bags that bring your favorite stories to life. Find *your* favorite story at littleskein.com On the Needles:(0:41) PUPPIES! Meet Han and Chewie Our personal instagram handles are @gigidahling @cuteknitter . Jasmin finished her Vanilla is the New Black socks in White Birch Fiber Arts “At Night, the Ice Weasels Come” while shushing kids during the performances. Jasmin mentions Jade from the Geek Girls Craft podcast Jasmin started a pair of Vanilla is the New black socks out of White Birch Fiber Arts "Study in Peach, Mint". Gigi is working on a pair of Vanilla is the new Black socks out of the Mani-Pedi vacation yarn. She got to the toes, then started another pair with Regia Pairfect Kids color for the nieceling. #operationSockdrawer The button band on Jasmin’s Dissent Cardigan is in progress. She mentions Splendid Apparel, by Anna Zilboorg. Gigi is working on the Polygon blanket again. She finished another hexagon Jasmin’s Viajante is inching towards the mesh section. Jasmin mentions Diane (Lady Dye Yarns) and a Rhinebeck Garment KAL we're collaborating on! (The #RhineBIPOCSweater KAL!). Join the Ravelry Group, if you’re a BIPOC dyer, fill out the form, if you’re a BIPOC designer, make sure you’re on the Black Squirrel List. Jasmin is going to be making Sevrine out of Neighborhood Fiber Co. Capital Luxury Sport in “Reservoir Hill”. In Stitches (11:56) Jasmin wore her Sweet ImPEACHment hat to James and the Giant Peach, she mentions Genevieve's. Gigi wore the A line skirt from sewing class. Events: (15:14) - #ChooseYourOwnAdventureKAL is ongoing. - Stash Dash :May 24 till August 24. Hosted by the Knitgirllls - May 31 till end of August: Two Ewes Not Along Not knitting, crochet, spinning or weaving -#MyRhineBIPOCSweater - PIQF October 17-20 Mother Knows Best:(17:12) This week we answer a question from the "What do you want to hear about?" thread about what we look for in a wonderful local yarn store. Let us know what you love about your yarn store in the episode thread. Jasmin mentions Ysolda. Neighborhood Fiber Company, and Uncommon Threads, A Verb For Keeping Warm When Knitting Attacks:(39:54)) Gigi doesn't like how the Pairfect sock turned out, it was designed for a sock with a flap She needs to frog to beginning of the heel increases Rocky Coast cardigan. Gigi put it on the dress form.She will need to pull it back to waistline and start hip shaping from there. Straw into Gold:(45:05) Gigi started a braid of Purl up and Dye on a Jenkins Lark Turkish spindle. Jasmin has been plying, to get yardage for Stash Dash, and to free up bobbins for her Family Sweater Project And Sew On:(52:08) Gigi decided to sew more A-line skirts from class. She found some wool tweed and coordinating silk. Also , she found some corduroy and coordinating squash blossom yellow lining. Gigi serged the edges, so the fabric can go in the washing machine.
This week's episode is sponsored by: No matter what you need, the barmaids have you covered from head to toe. Face pudding to keep you smiling, Lolo lips keep them kissable, probiotic deodorant for keeping you fresh as a rose, oh for feet’s sake to keep your feet soft and sandal ready, and the Lolo body bar for everything in between. You can find all this - and more! at bar-maids.com Dragonfly Fibers creates hand-dyed, artisan yarns and fibers in vivid and sophisticated colorways. We can be found in select local yarn shops and at fiber festivals such as Rhinebeck, Maryland Sheep and Wool, Vogue Knitting Live, STITCHES and SAFF. We also have a bi-monthly yarn club called Club Dragonfly. You can join on a pro-rated basis and receive three more shipments, with or without bonus swag. Chicagoland folks can find us at STITCHES Midwest in booths 304/306/308 from August 1st-4th in Schaumburg, Illinois. All of our products are available on our website, www.dragonflyfibers.com. Come see why we say that Dragonfly Fibers are the colors of happiness. Ever face the tedious task of having to drop down and correct a mistake in your knitting? The Fix-A-Stitch is here to help! It’s a double-ended tool that uses a patented method to change stitches from knit to purl or purl to knit quick and easy. Check our website for great tutorials and other ways to use it. The tool comes in a package of three for light, medium or bulky weights. A lace weight tool is sold separately. Fix-A-Stitch is available at local yarn shops around the country. More information available at www.fixastitch.com. Carry your creativity with Erin Lane Bags! Whether you show your fiber fandom with the woolly wonder Sheepleverse, or dive into history with the Curiosities collection, our project bags, totes, and hook and needle organizers are at the ready to keep your hobby happy. We all have it, we all snicker about it. Fun Fur. Whether it’s eyelash, boucle, or just generally furry, it’s hard to find projects for novelty yarn. With a sweet face, spiraling horns, and delightfully rotund body, Friendsheep by Cate Carter-Evans lets you transform your novelty and textured yarns into sweet, fleecy little friends. Pattern available on Ravelry; more info at infinitetwist.com Books plus knitting plus happy memories. That’s Little Skein in the Big Wool. We make kits, yarn and project bags that bring your favorite stories to life. Find *your* favorite story at littleskein.com On the Needles:(0:34) Thank you, LittleSkeinAnne for co-hosting in Mom's absence! ** admin update. Episodes 101-491 aren’t available until we finish admin work on them. The body of Jasmin’s Dissent Cardigan is complete, first sleeve is done, second sleeve is past the halfway point. Anne is knitting an Ama sweater in her hand-dyed Merino Sport. Jasmin is still casting on a Panjereh top by Christina Danaee out of Neighborhood Fiber Co Studio sock Anne cast on a Pebbles & Pathways Sock, designed by heybrownberry, in her Smooth Sock club colorway “Marilla’s Amethyst Brooch.” (This is for Sock School) Jasmin mentions Diane (Lady Dye Yarns) and a Rhinebeck Garment MAL we're collaborating on! We talk about a Rhinebeck Lonely Hearts type club. Jasmin is making some slow progress on her Viajante. Jasmin mentions getting to see Patti LuPone in concert, and Brenda's French Soul Food (restaurant). Jasmin mentions her Tundra pullover. Most of Anne’s knitting time has gone to an upcoming kit sample (Hiirnaqtuq) designed by Caroline Dick which is inspired by a children’s book about an Inuktitut mother’s love for her child and their arctic landscapes. Anne finished a two-night project: Alfalfa (baby) Hat by Kate Gagnon Osborn. In Stitches (22:39) San Francisco summer means Karl the Fog and sweater weather. Anne has been wearing her Birkin sweater (now steeked into a cardigan), Ursa by Jacqueline Cieslak (bulky cropped pullover, knit in a bright ruby red grapefruit color for cheerfulness in the damp grey weather), Water & Stone by Veera Valimaki, and her Soldotna Crop by Caitlin Hunter. Jasmin wore her Sprig pullover in San Francisco. Anne has also been wearing two different styles of the Odacier “Thea Rachelle Raglan” pattern, both are short sleeve, and one is regular mid-hip length and the other is tunic length and she made it to wear under her Soldotna. Both are made from Kaufman Essex Yarn-Dyed Linen. Jasmin talks about Rick Mondragon's Knit to Fit class, and proportion. Events: (33:04): - #ChooseYourOwnAdventureKAL is ongoing. Anne mentions Amy Herzog's CustomFit. - Stash Dash :May 24 till August 24. Hosted by the Knitgirllls - May 31 till end of August: Two Ewes Not Along Not knitting, crochet, spinning or weaving -Tour de Fleece: July 6-28, Mother Knows Best:(37:14) This week we answer a question from the "What do you want to hear about?" thread about how we squeak in our knitting time. Where do you find time to knit? Jasmin talks about Sultana. When Knitting Attacks:(47:52) Anne’s beagle attacked her ball of Do or Donut. Review:(56:14) Online Activism for the Conflict Averse Anne’s Instagram: @littleskeinanne Book recommendations: So You Want to Talk about Race by Ijeoma Oluo and White Fragility by Robin DiAngelo Anti-racism educators: Where Change Started, Layla Saad, Rachel Cargle Culturally Responsive Teaching and the Brain - If you're consuming their writing, please buy your teachers a KO-FI. - Engage in social proof. (Hit the like button) Signal boost posts from people of color. - Diversify purchases and buy from POC. - Cartoon of Equality, Equity, Justice - If you have a question, start with googling your question. - What is tone policing? (Don't tell a person of color that they would be more effective, if they were "nice") - Signal boost salient comments, so they rise to the top - The "An Unfinished Object" blog, Follow it, and support it Tour de Fleece:(1:35:58) Driveband and WW woes. Genevieve drop spindles! Jasmin mentions sewn drive bands. Join Team Sasquatch if you haven't done so already. Also, be mindful of your body. Ergonomics. Make sure you are Knitting Comfortably
This week's episode is sponsored by: No matter what you need, the barmaids have you covered from head to toe. Face pudding to keep you smiling, Lolo lips keep them kissable, probiotic deodorant for keeping you fresh as a rose, oh for feet’s sake to keep your feet soft and sandal ready, and the Lolo body bar for everything in between. You can find all this - and more! at bar-maids.com Dragonfly Fibers creates hand-dyed, artisan yarns and fibers in vivid and sophisticated colorways. We can be found in select local yarn shops and at fiber festivals such as Rhinebeck, Maryland Sheep and Wool, Vogue Knitting Live, STITCHES and SAFF. We also have a bi-monthly yarn club called Club Dragonfly. You can join on a pro-rated basis and receive three more shipments, with or without bonus swag. If you’re local to the Washington, DC area, please join us for our super-fun open house at our studio on Saturday, June 22nd from 12-4. We’re located at 4104 Howard Avenue in Kensington, Maryland. We have plenty of surprises in store! Chicagoland folks can find us at STITCHES Midwest in booths 304/306/308 from August 1st-4th in Schaumburg, Illinois. All of our products are available on our website, www.dragonflyfibers.com. Come see why we say that Dragonfly Fibers are the colors of happiness. Every hobby needs organization, every project needs a place. Erin.Lane bags helps you turn your fiber pasttime into neat and organized endeavor. Our project bags, totes, and needle and notions organizers are everything you need to keep your fiber arts from fraying. We all have it, we all snicker about it. Fun Fur. Whether it’s eyelash, boucle, or just generally furry, it’s hard to find projects for novelty yarn. With a sweet face, spiraling horns, and delightfully rotund body, Friendsheep by Cate Carter-Evans lets you transform your novelty and textured yarns into sweet, fleecy little friends. Pattern available on Ravelry; more info at infinitetwist.com Books plus knitting plus happy memories. That’s Little Skein in the Big Wool. We make kits, yarn and project bags that bring your favorite stories to life. Find *your* favorite story at littleskein.com On the Needles:(0:33) We are drooling over ice cream. The Perfect Scoop. Jasmin is making some progress on her Viajante. Gigi is working on the green part of the Welcome blanket in Berroco Comfort. 45 green squares are done so far, have yarn for one more, 48 purple squares. Jasmin’s Dissent Cardigan is separated for the armholes! She remains enthusiastic about Knitcompanion Gigi is working on the Joker and the Thief shawl by Melanie Berg. Yarn from Stitches 2018 Jasmin has separated the sleeves on her #chooseyourownadventureKAL Sprig in Squashblossom yellow and is zooming down the body. Gigi suggests buttons by Sheila Ernst Jasmin mentions the pleased expression on @antigonaNYC on Instagram in her Tundra Pullover. She also loves A Verb For Keeping Warm Jasmin is making progress on the front on her Myrna top by Joan Michael-McGowan out of Tess Yarns microfiber ribbon. Gigi is knitting the Long Pure Garter Stitch Mitts, by Cat Bordhi, in Forbidden Fiber Co, Merino Nylon Stellina in Coal Train Gigi is back working on the Rocky Coast cardigan. Jasmin mentions Sally Fox Gigi is knitting more socks out of Patons Kroy, both need to be kitchenered and afterthought heeled. Events: (23:46): - #ChooseYourOwnAdventureKAL is BACK ON! - Stash Dash :May 24 till August 24 - May 31 till end of August: Two Ewes Knot along Not knitting, crochet, spinning or weaving -Tour de Fleece: July 6-28, Mother Knows Best:(25:44) This week we discuss Franklin Habit’s from the Lion Brand blog piece about the things we leave behind. Jasmin mentions custom label logo design by Julie. When Knitting Attacks:(41:11) Gigi is working on Cat Bordhi wristers. Edges are not crisp, but loose and flaring. Frogged. Will slip 1st stitch. Yarn lost color all over my hands. Review:(44:07) The Art of Circular Yokes, by Kerry Bogert Tour de Fleece Training:(1:02:46) Week 3: take 25g and spin a sample to test both your fiber, and your wheel. Join Team Sasquatch if you haven't done so already. Also, be mindful of your body. Ergonomics. Make sure you are Knitting Comfortably And Sew On:(1:04:03) Sewing machine is back. Jasmin really likes Ray’s sewing in SJ. Aki's Bakery is now closed. No link.
Join me for a recap of the 2019 Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival! I also announce the winner of the 2019 Refund KAL and update you on a few other KALs - ICYMI MKAL and the Grad Your Stash 2019 KAL. Also, what are YOUR economics of weaving in ends? Let me know in the Ravelry episode thread at https://www.ravelry.com/discuss/kino-knits/topics/3920928. Full show notes and pictures of adorable sheep are at kinoknits.com/066. Recorded Thursday, May 16, 2019.
Quick episode of all the designs before I head to the Maryland Sheep and Wool! I've got a new collection out and a couple KALs coming up, including an MKAL, so tune in for all the details! Visit kinoknits.com/065 for full show notes. Recorded Wednesday, May 1, 2019.
This week I'm recording from the horse farm while Janie is at a lesson. I have three finished projects, the Doodler, my Advent Wrap and Joji Locatelli's All the Love Pullover. Also, Maryland Sheep and Wool is almost here!
This week's episode is sponsored by: No matter what you need, the barmaids have you covered from head to toe. Face pudding to keep you smiling, Lolo lips keep them kissable, probiotic deodorant for keeping you fresh as a rose, oh for feet’s sake to keep your feet soft and sandal ready, and the Lolo body bar for everything in between. You can find all this - and more! at bar-maids.com Dragonfly Fibers creates hand-dyed, artisan yarns and fibers in vivid and sophisticated colorways. We can be found in select local yarn shops and at fiber festivals such as Rhinebeck, Maryland Sheep and Wool, Vogue Knitting Live, STITCHES and SAFF. We also have a bi-monthly yarn club called Club Dragonfly. You can join on a pro-rated basis and receive four more shipments, with or without bonus swag. Speaking of Maryland Sheep and Wool, we’ll be in our usual spot in the outside lower corral on May 4th and 5th. Come see Faerie, our brand-new mohair/silk blend, our show exclusive colorway, Carroll Creek Park and much more! All of our products are available on our website, www.dragonflyfibers.com. Come see why we say that Dragonfly Fibers are the colors of happiness. Every hobby needs organization, every project needs a place. Erin.Lane bags helps you turn your fiber pasttime into neat and organized endeavor. Our project bags, totes, and needle and notions organizers are everything you need to keep your fiber arts from fraying. Ever face the tedious task of having to drop down and correct a mistake in your knitting? The Fix-A-Stitch is here to help! It’s a double-ended tool that uses a patented method to change stitches from knit to purl or purl to knit quick and easy. Check our website for great tutorials and other ways to use it. The tool comes in a package of three for light, medium or bulky weights. A lace weight tool is sold separately. Fix-A-Stitch is available at local yarn shops around the country. More information available at www.fixastitch.com. Dreaming of Fall sweater weather? Infinite Twist has you covered with Dyer's Choice Sweater Quantities. Each yarn pack includes 1800 yards of hand-dyed 6-ply Merino in a one-of-a-kind color for $98, and shipping is free! Colors are not repeatable, and when they're gone, they're gone. Check out the colors currently available at infinitetwist.com. Have you ever had to frog because you forgot a step several rows back? Or lost your spot because you dropped your magnet board or lost track with your highlighter tape? Instead of wrestling with paper, use the knitCompanion app. It keeps you on track so you can knit more and frog less. knitCompanion works with ALL your patterns and is available for apple, android and kindle fire devices. On the Needles:(0:33) Gigi is working on the Welcome blanket in Berroco Comfort. 27 squares done. Finished the lavender and purple yarn One square out of leftovers. Jasmin is nearly at the armholes on her Polwarth pullover by Ysolda Teague out of Neighborhood Fiber Co. Capital Luxury Sport in the “Sanctuary City” benefit colorway. Gigi Newsprint cowl out of Oink Pigments in grey and black knitting is finished! Jasmin has cast on her Weekender by Andrea Mowry out of Lisa Souza BFL worsted in “Blue Spruce”. Gigi has finished Ysolda’s Poza, out of A Verb for Keeping Warm “Floating “ in Quarz She still needs to block the Purlbreak by Stephen West. Jasmin is about 25% done with the Intermezzo Cowl by Rahymah out of Lisa Souza Cashmere/Silk Fingering in “Squashblossom”. Gigi picked up the Non-Euclidian heel Socks . Jasmin has swatched (Anzula "For Better or For Worsted") for her Dissent pullover. Jasmin started a sock in Oink Pigments “Roy G Pig” to replace the one on our Knitmore Vanilla Sock pattern. Jasmin is making some progress on her Viajante. Maybe done by Stitches West 2020? Gigi is knitting : Robin’s Hooded Bandana Cowl, Out of Neighborhood Fiber Co, in Studio Chunky in the "Reservoir Hill" colorway. Events: (24:01) - #ChooseYourOwnAdventureKAL is ongoing. - May 18 (tentatively) Spinning at the Winery - Stash dash end of May till sometime in August Knitgirllls are doing a clothing conservation month, April to May -Tour de Fleece July 6-28 In Stitches:(25:40) - Gigi : Quynn hat with ear flaps, Knitmore cowl, Ridgeline cowl, wool socks, - Jasmin: Bifrost Scarf, Rainbow Dots cowl. Jasmin also mentions the #todaysknitoutfit hashtag - Genevieve: Gryffindor Scarf and hat - Andrew: Cashmere Andrew’s Watch Caps, Mother Knows Best:(27:57) Why classes, why does Gigi sew? When Knitting Attacks:(36:33) Gigi is attacked by her Poza, the Newsprint cowl, the Robin’s Hooded Bandana Cowl, the Non- Euclidean heel Socks. Jasmin is attacked by her Polwarth pullover. She mentions the Directors Cut Ysolda interview. Review:(44:29) Dogs on Sweaters Franklin Habit is teaching a dog sweater class Jasmin mentions that there are companies that process pet fur. (VIP Fibres is the company we're most familiar with, but they might not be in business anymore.) Straw into Gold:(51:05) Jasmin finished the Silk Abby sent with her Device after a long dry spell spinning. Gigi loves the Sewing Out Loud podcast And Sew On:(54:21) Flare skirt done, Surplice done Finished the book by The American Duchess Guide to 18th Century Dress Making; How to Hand Sew Georgian Gowns and Wear them with Style She is watching Project Runway, Season 10
This week's episode is sponsored by: No matter what you need, the barmaids have you covered from head to toe. Face pudding to keep you smiling, Lolo lips keep them kissable, probiotic deodorant for keeping you fresh as a rose, oh for feet’s sake to keep your feet soft and sandal ready, and the Lolo body bar for everything in between. You can find all this - and more! at bar-maids.com Dragonfly Fibers creates hand-dyed, artisan yarns and fibers in vivid and sophisticated colorways. We can be found in select local yarn shops and at fiber festivals such as Rhinebeck, Maryland Sheep and Wool, Vogue Knitting Live, STITCHES and SAFF. We just started another year of our fabulous Club Dragonfly – six shipments available with or without bonus swag! It’s not too late to sign up. Details are available on our website. Come see us at STITCHES West at the Santa Clara Convention Center in Santa Clara, California from February 21st-24th. We’ll be in booths 706, 708 and 710. Can’t make it to one of the shows? All our yarns and kits are available at www.dragonflyfibers.com. Every hobby needs organization, every project needs a place. Erin.Lane bags helps you turn your fiber pasttime into neat and organized endeavor. Our project bags, totes, and needle and notions organizers are everything you need to keep your fiber arts from fraying. Take advantage of HelloFresh’s special offer for 2019. Get $80 off your first month by going to hellofresh.com/KNITMORE80 and enter KNITMORE80. Dreaming of Fall sweater weather? Infinite Twist has you covered with Dyer's Choice Sweater Quantities. Each yarn pack includes 1800 yards of hand-dyed 6-ply Merino in a one-of-a-kind color for $98, and shipping is free! Colors are not repeatable, and when they're gone, they're gone. Check out the colors currently available at infinitetwist.com. Have you ever had to frog because you forgot a step several rows back? Or lost your spot because you dropped your magnet board or lost track with your highlighter tape? Instead of wrestling with paper, use the knitCompanion app. It keeps you on track so you can knit more and frog less. knitCompanion works withALL your patterns and is available for apple, android and kindle fire devices. On the Needles:(0:42) There are deadlines approaching for the #OperationSockDrawer book, and we are very excited. Jasmin is thrilled about her Aumangea pullover by ArohaKnits; Jasmin also signed up for her Colorwork Workshop. Gigi mentions the new Reverberate podcast. Gigi unloaded all of the yarn left over from the swap to the Art Vistas program and the fabric to the middle school quilting project. Jasmin is nearly done with the back of her Aumangea Pullover. She took a picture with hers on Try- it-on-Tubing Gigi unloaded all of the yarn left over from the swap. Art Vista, middle school quilting project, and Knitsvah. Gigi is knitting the Poza cowl by Ysolda, out of Floating from A Verb For Keeping Warm. Two rows at a time. Jasmin is working on her Viajante. She is also working on the Sarcastic Unicorn Sockhead cowl. Gigi is working on another one of the gradients for the polygon blanket. Gigi knitted Vanilla is the New Black socks last year.This year she has Non-Euclidian heel socks on the needles, working on three different pairs, Cherry Pop Stripes, "Rainbow Stripes" and "Purple Haze". Turned three heels. You can get all of the colors of Paton's Kroy from Craftsy (currently sold out, check back). Gigi is knitting Hogwart's house colors from MustStashYarn for Genevieve. Almost at the toe Gigi is knitting another Rocky Coast cardigan Lightning McQueen sideways dude cardigan for rex Gigi knitted another preemie hat. 72 stitch cast on Events: (19:44) - #ChooseYourOwnAdventureKAL is ongoing. - Stitches West, February 21-24 2019 - Stitches West registration In Stitches:(21:08) - Jasmin: wool socks,looped loop cowl, Goin Gold Hat, 1st ribbi cardi, 3 color cashmere cowl - Gigi : Quynn hat with ear flaps, Knitmore cowl, Lorelei cowl, wool socks, red v neck , Beastkeeper shawl . She mentions the Gleener. - Genevieve: Gryffindor scarf and hat, Kapuzin hoodie -Andrew: Cashmere Andrew’s Watch Caps, - Rex: Oliver sweater Mother Knows Best:(27:18) How to do a “perfect sweater” sloper. When Knitting Attacks:(36:12) Gigi: has cast on another Rocky Coast cardigan Review:(41:34) Gadgets from Katrinkles Gigi mentions The Kissing Hand Jasmin likes their Niddy noddy And Sew On:(50:10) Gigi is trying to sew or do something sewing related every day. Building routines to make time for sewing. Sewing one seam per night on the Ribbi Cardi. Cut sack gowns in small and large. Also, preemie size for hospital School: draping muslin on front and back of bodice. Marking. Pinned rubric to dress form, expecting grade today. Measured my own dress form, padding waist, belly and hips. Trying to work parallel to what we do in class
This week's episode is sponsored by: No matter what you need, the barmaids have you covered from head to toe. Face pudding to keep you smiling, Lolo lips keep them kissable, probiotic deodorant for keeping you fresh as a rose, oh for feet’s sake to keep your feet soft and sandal ready, and the Lolo body bar for everything in between. You can find all this - and more! at bar-maids.com Dragonfly Fibers creates hand-dyed, artisan yarns and fibers in vivid and sophisticated colorways. We can be found in select local yarn shops and at fiber festivals such as Rhinebeck, Maryland Sheep and Wool, Vogue Knitting Live, STITCHES and SAFF. We just started another year of our fabulous Club Dragonfly – six shipments available with or without bonus swag! It’s not too late to sign up. Details are available on our website. Come see us at Vogue Knitting Live at the Marriott Marquis in New York from January 25th-27th. We’ll be in booths 906 and 908. From February 21st-24th, you can find us at STITCHES West in booths 706, 708 and 710. Every hobby needs organization, every project needs a place. Erin.Lane bags helps you turn your fiber pasttime into neat and organized endeavor. Our project bags, totes, and needle and notions organizers are everything you need to keep your fiber arts from fraying. For a total of $60 off, that’s $20 off your first 3 boxes, visit HelloFresh.com/knitmore80 and enter knitmore80 Dreaming of Fall sweater weather? Infinite Twist has you covered with Dyer's Choice Sweater Quantities. Each yarn pack includes 1800 yards of hand-dyed 6-ply Merino in a one-of-a-kind color for $98, and shipping is free! Colors are not repeatable, and when they're gone, they're gone. Check out the colors currently available at infinitetwist.com. Have you ever had to frog because you forgot a step several rows back? Or lost your spot because you dropped your magnet board or lost track with your highlighter tape? Instead of wrestling with paper, use the knitCompanion app. It keeps you on track so you can knit more and frog less. knitCompanion works withALL your patterns and is available for apple, android and kindle fire devices. On the Needles:(0:41) Jasmin mentions the Dissent sweater. Gigi did more units for the polygon blanket. Gigi has Non Euclidean heel socks on the needles, in the "Deep End" colorway, and has cast on a new pair in Cherry Pop Stripes, also "Rainbow Stripes" and "Purple Haze". You can get all of the colors of Paton's Kroy from Craftsy (currently sold out, check back). Jasmin has made some progress on her Viajiante. She ordered beads to start her Celestatarium. Since Gigi has finished her Vitamin D sweater, she set up to knit another Rocky Coast cardigan Jasmin has finished the front of her Worsted Boxy and started the back. She needs to frog two sweaters in progress to accommodate her current size needs. Gigi has set up a kit for the Poza cowl by Ysolda, out of Floating from A Verb For Keeping Warm. Gigi also wants to set up Curls by Hunter As Well as a set of Fingerless Mitts by Cat Bordhi. We are using our Strickplaners (purchase one here) by Martina Behm. Jasmin mentioned SymposiPress Stickers. Gigi mentions Die Urbane Spinnstube Jasmin has finished her Goin Gold hat by meliabella knit in Black Trillium Quadra and made giant pom poms (used the size 85 Pom Pom maker). Events: (26:19) - #ChooseYourOwnAdventureKAL is ongoing. Jasmin is knitting the Fading Lines from Joji Locatelli. - Stitches West, February 21-24 2019 - Stitches West registration In Stitches:(28:20) - Jasmin: wool socks,looped loop cowl, Goin Gold Hat, Seneca pullover, Frozen Hearts sweater - Gigi : Quynn hat with ear flaps, Greyhaven hat, sockhead cowl, Knitmore cowl, wool socks. Best Girlfriend jacket - Genevieve: Gryffindor scarf and hat -Andrew: Cashmere Andrew’s Watch Caps, Sam: grey hat. Greyhaven hat on loan Mother Knows Best:(37:02) Air your stash every year. Maybe not exactly Mary Kondo, but get rid of stuff you’re not going to use. Touch everything. When Knitting Attacks:(51:19) Gigi messed up the cast on for the Poza. Not enough stitches. Did Lucy Neatby technique out of Cool Socks Warm Feet. Jasmin suggests Judy Becker's Magic Cast on Review:(58:18) This week we review: Knitting Pleats by Olga Pobedinskaya Gigi is wearing the Ridgeline Cowl, yarn from Backyard Fiberworks , Knitting Pleats in Ravelry And Sew On:(1:07:39) Gigi is trying to sew or do something sewing related every day. Gigi talks about the postage stamp quilt. Jasmin raves about the Cricut Press Gigi wants to make another sloper using the instructions from Suzy Furrer’s book Building Patterns, The Architecture of Women’s Clothing
Thank you for tuning in to Episode 113 of the Down Cellar Studio Podcast. This week's segments included: On the Needles Brainstorming From the Armchair In my Travels KAL News Events Contest, News & Notes Life in Focus On a Happy Note Quote of the Week Thank you to this Episode's Sponsors: Knitty Kitty Bags, Atelier de Soyun, Sunsoaked Yarns On the Needles Donner Needles: US 3 (3.25 mmm) Yarn: Ellen Cooper. Jenny base- 50/50 bamboo/cotton. Colorway is called Driftwood which is perfect for it- tans, grays, blips of peachy/pink. Variegated but almost tonal. Just enough variation for me. Pattern: Donner by Elizabeth Doherty Amma Granny Square Top Hook: F Yarn: Swift Yarns- Swift Bliss Sock- MCN- 2 ply in Dream Weaver Colorway- light green Pattern: Amma Granny Square Top by Maria Valles Modification- using a solid granny square pattern found here Granny Square Scrap Blanket #2 Pattern: Waveless Colorful Granny by CherylDeeCrochet (free) Hook: D (3.25 mm) Yarn: leftover angering weight scraps Lea’s Christmas Stocking Pattern: Christmas Stockings to Knit and Crochet from Family Circle Magazine Yarn: Knit Picks Wool of the Andes in Red, Everglade Heather and White Hook: F (3.75 mm) Mexicali Stripes Socks + Blues Stripey Socks + Brown Rose Marl Patons Kroy Stripes in Mexicali Stripes and Singin the blues stripes Pattern: OMG Heel by Megan Williams Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm) I ripped out my Caesious Curl by Hunter Hammersen. Loved the stitch pattern but the shawl was too small w/ just 1 skein of fingering. Brainstorming I'm excited to make all the spring/summer tops. I bought yarn for the Construction Zone at Maryland Sheep and Wool. I'm also excited to look through all my WIPs to strategize for Stash Dash! From the Armchair Audiobook- Julian Barnes- The Sense of an Ending Nerdette Podcast: Episode Breaking Yoga Stereotypes With Jessamyn Stanley In My Travels I talked about my trip to visit friends and attend the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival Friday night we went to the Knot House in Frederick. Met Carol from Swift Yarns: love her color sense, she does lighter colors and speckles impeccably Caught up with Karin from The Periwinkle Sheep (love her grays! I need to buy a sweater quantity from her soon) Finally got to meet Kristen of Media Peruana Designs Saturday highlights: shopping, podcaster meet up!! KAL News 12 Months to Christmas KAL Click here to find about more about this KAL. Check out: Chat Thread & FO Thread Finish 1 project during each/all of the 12 months of 2017 that you plan to gift for the 2017 holidays. Post 1 item (max) per month of the year. Prizes will be drawn randomly throughout the year from all posts in the FO thread. WIP’ing 2017 in the Butt Declare a WIP from 2016 or earlier within the first 5 days of the month, posting a photo of it in the thread. Finish the project by the end of the month, update your post with your FO photo and you'll be eligible to win a Ravelry downloadable pattern of your choosing up to $8. Splash Pad Party 2017 Rules Questions Thread Sponsor List Prize Thread Pre-Swim Chat Thread in the Ravelry Group Exclusive Products for Splash Pad Participants Pro Shop Sponsors Atelier de Soyun Blueberry Chick Yarn Colorful Eclectic Designs of Acadia Dragonfly Fibers Fibernymph Dye Works Infinite Twist Jennifer Lassonde Designs Knit Style Yarns Knitcircus Yarns Knitters Brewing Company Knitty kitty Bags One Geek to Craft Them All Pearl and Plum Plum Deluxe Tea Prairie Bag Works Skeindalous Yarns Sunsoaked yarns The Periwinkle Sheep Wooly Wonka Fibers Snack Shack Sponsors Daizie Knits Imagined Landscapes Designs Jenn Sheelen Kino Knits Kitchen Counter Crafter Knits4Comfort MarigoldJen Hand Dyed Yarns MediaPeruana Designs Remade By Hand Designs She Is Sew Whimsical Sunny Shoppe The Martini Knitter Company The Worsted Purl V Yarn Windswept Designs WizBags Zombody Knits Events RI Fiber Festival: May 20, 2017 Long Island Fleece & Fiber Fair– May 20 & 21, 2017 Massachusetts Sheep and Wool: May 27 & 28, 2017 Adirondack Wool and Arts Festival: September 23 & 24 VT Sheep and Wool: September 30 & October 1, 2017 World Wide Knit In Public Day; June 10, 2017 Virtual Events I'm looking forward to: Stash Dash KAL – hosted by the Knit Girllls Podcast. Starts May 26th. Around Your Neck KAL hosted by the Suburban Stitcher Podcast PAL KAL hosted by the Actually Knitting Podcast Batter Up KAL hosted by the In a Sknit Podcast Contests News and Notes Come over to the group to this thread to enter to win a copy of the Merrain MKAL pattern from Mary of Kino Knits. Tune in to hear about a coupon code available for this pattern until 6/15/17. Life in Focus May Happiness Project: Try new tastes Spaghetti Squash: pierced it 10-15 times. Baked at 350 for about an hour. Easy! Siggi peach yogurt Protein shakes Blue Diamond almonds with Wasabi and Soy Sauce Trying to get in more protein after learning recently that you should eat 8 grams of protein for every 20 pounds you weigh On a Happy Note I went to the Museum of Fine Arts with my best friend to see a painting by Frida Kahlo Going to my nieces' dance recital! They did GREAT! Managing a successful software upgrade at work. Finally getting a day off and treating myself to a massage + keratin treatment Applying strategies I know work well for me when life is crazy. Eating well. Sleeping well. Knitting for stress. Exercise. Seeing friends. Making time for date night. Dan hung up the swings my parents bought us for Christmas! They're from Cobble Mountain Hammock Company Quote of the Week “I can’t just sit here and think, ‘I just wish my body was different. Everything could be different, would be different.’ When you accept that, you can accept the strength your body parts are actually giving you.” JESSAMYN STANLEY ------ Thank you for tuning in! Contact Information: Ravelry: BostonJen & Down Cellar Studio Podcast Ravelry Group Twitter: Instagram & Periscope: BostonJen1 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/downcellarstudio Sign up for my email newsletter to get the latest on everything happening in the Down Cellar Studio!
Join me for a recap of the MD Sheep and Wool Festival! I'm also excited to announce the launch of my first mystery knit-along (MKAL), a single-skein shawl called Merrain. Full show notes can be found at kinoknits.com/030.
This week I'm just back from Maryland Sheep and Wool and can't wait to tell you all about it. Also, I've added theme music.
This week I'm happy to be done with the Giant Hairy Man Feet socks for my son. I'm also excited to be going to Maryland Sheep and Wool.
April got away from Megan and Amy, but they have loads to talk about and share. In addition to crazy family schedules and a fair weather delay, Megan is sample knitting like crazy for the Minnesota 52 book photo shoot with Gale Zucker!, Amy is headed to Maryland Sheep and Wool. Grab your knitting and catch up with us! Read more »
In this episode, Aja and Meadow rap about the fabulous and famous Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival! We announce our silly "Honest Superlatives" for artists and livestock alike, talk about some of our favorite vendors and what we've added to our stash. Also tune in for this episodes new drawing giveaway! Comment and Share our Facebook post containing this episode in order to enter! For this episode's Show Notes, visit www.thewovenroad.com!
SHOW NOTESThis week's WIPs include Atomic Blender socks, Ex Tempore shawl, and Indigo Frost poncho. FOs include Opal yarn socks in the Harry Potter colorway, 1 Atomic Blender sock and one felt slipper. Featured Baubles and Bling include a birthday bag of recovery goodies for Wendy from Sheila, Hamamelis Shawl pattern by Kristin Kapur, Fireflies Rising Shawl pattern and Summertide Shawl pattern by Helen Stewart. We also got donations this week! Thank you! Shout Outs:Mar/Apr KAL/CAL prizes are drawn this week! We will post the new KAL/CAL next week.Sheila is also hosting a Blue Moon Fiber Arts KAL/CAL that will continue throughout the year and includes any projects made from Blue Moon Fiber Arts yarn. Because she was unable to record today, she will draw a winner in the next episode.On The Dance Card:Wendy is working on:Indigo Frost Poncho by Isabell Kraemer in Dream in Color Classy in the In Vino Veritas colorway.Rate Your Date:Wendy finished:Atomic Blender socks in Dyeabolical Yarn Targhee sock in the Atomic Blender colorway. Pattern will be available soon.This Way That Way socks by Mina Philipp in Knitpicks Felici in the Teacup colorway.Whirlwind Romance:NothingFuture Dates:Wendy plans to knit the Extempore shawl by Briony Singleton in Freia Handpaints Metropolis gradient. She also plans to knit the Pebble Beach shawl by Helen Stewart. These will both be great recovery shawls.Baubles & Bling:Wendy purchased:The Lemonade Shop Yarns fingering weight in the Disco Hippo colorwayGossip & Innuendo:Wendy drew the KAL/CAL winners this week. She will post a 50% off code in the group for those who wish to purchase Stephannie Tallent's Craftsy class. Her review of the class will be in the next episode.Fiber EventsMaryland Sheep and Wool May 7-8, Howard County Fairgrounds, West Friendship, MDNew Hampshire Sheep and Wool May 14-15, Deerfield Fairgrounds, Deerfield, NHRhode Island Wool and Fiber Festival May 16, Coggeshall Farm Museum, Bristol, RIWebs Annual Tent Sale May 14-15, Webs, Northampton, MAMassachusetts Sheep and Woolcraft Fair May 28-29, Cummington Fairgrounds, Cummington, MAMaine Fiber Frolic Jun 6-7, Windsor Fairgrounds, Windsor, MEFiber Revival TBAFinger Lakes Fiber Festival Sep 17-18, Hemlock Fairgrounds, Hemlock MESouthern Adirondack Fiber Festival Sep 24-25, Washington County Fairgrounds, Greenwich, NYVermont Sheep and Wool Festival Oct 1-2, Tunbridge Fairgrounds, Tunbridge, VTNew York Sheep and Wool Oct 15-16, Dutchess County Fairgrounds, Rhinebeck, NYFiber Festival of New England Nov 5-6, Eastern States Exhibition, Springfield, MA
The FAA created an advisory committee, permits educational institutions to fly UAS, and rescinded a proposed website for collecting reports of bad drone behaviour. UPS and Zipline partner for drone delivery of medical packages, and more interviews from the Drone Dealer Expo. Zipline International medical package delivery drone News FAA Administrator Makes Major Drone Announcements FAA Administrator Michael Huerta made two significant announcements at the AUVSI annual conference in New Orleans. Another advisory committee is being formed to provide advice on unmanned aircraft integration issues. Huerta said, "Input from stakeholders is critical to our ability to achieve that perfect balance between integration and safety. We know that our policies and overall regulation of this segment of aviation will be more successful if we have the backing of a strong, diverse coalition." Huerta also announced that students can operate UAS for educational and research purposes without going through the Section 333 process. This allows educational institutions to conduct activities that have been restricted in the past. UPS-backed Rwandan blood deliveries show drones' promise, hurdles The UPS Foundation announced a partnership with Zipline, a California-based robotics company, and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance to “explore using drones to transform the way life-saving medicines like blood and vaccines are delivered across the world.” The UPS Foundation has awarded an $800,000 grant to support the initial launch of this initiative in Rwanda using Zipline fixed-wing drones. Zipline International, Inc. is a robotics company that works with governments to provide access to medical products at the last mile. Zipline is supported by investors such as Sequoia Capital, Google Ventures, SV Angel, Subtraction Capital, Yahoo founder Jerry Yang, Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, and Stanford University. UPDATE: FAA Withdraws Request for Drone Reports Dubbed Witchhunt By Many Congress has directed the FAA to “assess the flight behavior of [drones] and enable the reporting of [drone] sightings that cause public concern for safety, national security, and/or privacy.” In response, the FAA planned to launch a website to collect “airborne and ground based observations by the public of drone behavior that they consider suspicious or illegal.” Now, however, the FAA has withdrawn the plan [PDF], citing that the proposal “contained errors, and needs further clarification.” Drone Dealer Expo Interviews More interviews by Tim Trott of Southern Helicam from the Expo: David Alamillo, Chief Pilot and Flight Operations Manager, Farm Solutions, which manages sensor output for agricultural applications, and integrates with drone manufacturers Mark Manson, Consumer Experience Lead for Academy of Model Aeronautics Videos of the Week Max and @dronemama Fly Away Dronie This “fly away dronie” of Max Flight and @dronemama was taken by Hover Solutions, LLC at the 2016 Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival at the Howard County Fairgrounds, West Friendship, Maryland. Hover Solutions was at the Festival with their DJI Inspire 1 to film the festival for the organizers. Hover Solutions provides aerial photography and video for clients, UAV education, and industrial applications such as orthomosaic mapping and multisensor scanning services, including 3D modeling and NDVI overlays. Hover Solutions will be exhibiting at the 2016 Howard County Fair, August 6-13, 2016, at the Howard County Fairground in West Friendship, Maryland. They'll have a booth next to the main building. Stop by and say hello! Clash of epochs: Drone speared at history festival in central Russia A drone that was filming a historical reenactment in Russia was taken down by a spear thrown by a man dressed as an ancient Russian warrior. How often do you see that?
On this podcast, I talk about my WIPs and my trip back East to attend Maryland Sheep & Wool. Project Info on Ravelry at allison1031
SHOW NOTESThis week's WIP is the Indigo Frost poncho. FOs include Atomic Blender and This Way That Way socks. Featured Baubles and Bling is yarn from The Lemonade Shop. Wendy draws winners of the bi-monthly KAL and announces a code to get Stephannie Tallent's Craftsy class for 50% off! Wendy will review that class in the next episode. Shout Outs:Mar/Apr KAL/CAL prizes are drawn this week! We will post the new KAL/CAL next week.Sheila is also hosting a Blue Moon Fiber Arts KAL/CAL that will continue throughout the year and includes any projects made from Blue Moon Fiber Arts yarn. Because she was unable to record today, she will draw a winner in the next episode.On The Dance Card:Wendy is working on:Indigo Frost Poncho by Isabell Kraemer in Dream in Color Classy in the In Vino Veritas colorway.Rate Your Date:Wendy finished:Atomic Blender socks in Dyeabolical Yarn Targhee sock in the Atomic Blender colorway. Pattern will be available soon.This Way That Way socks by Mina Philipp in Knitpicks Felici in the Teacup colorway.Whirlwind Romance:NothingFuture Dates:Wendy plans to knit the Extempore shawl by Briony Singleton in Freia Handpaints Metropolis gradient. She also plans to knit the Pebble Beach shawl by Helen Stewart. These will both be great recovery shawls.Baubles & Bling:Wendy purchased:The Lemonade Shop Yarns fingering weight in the Disco Hippo colorwayGossip & Innuendo:Wendy drew the KAL/CAL winners this week. She will post a 50% off code in the group for those who wish to purchase Stephannie Tallent's Craftsy class. Her review of the class will be in the next episode.Fiber EventsMaryland Sheep and Wool May 7-8, Howard County Fairgrounds, West Friendship, MDNew Hampshire Sheep and Wool May 14-15, Deerfield Fairgrounds, Deerfield, NHRhode Island Wool and Fiber Festival May 16, Coggeshall Farm Museum, Bristol, RIWebs Annual Tent Sale May 14-15, Webs, Northampton, MAMassachusetts Sheep and Woolcraft Fair May 28-29, Cummington Fairgrounds, Cummington, MAMaine Fiber Frolic Jun 6-7, Windsor Fairgrounds, Windsor, MEFiber Revival TBAFinger Lakes Fiber Festival Sep 17-18, Hemlock Fairgrounds, Hemlock MESouthern Adirondack Fiber Festival Sep 24-25, Washington County Fairgrounds, Greenwich, NYVermont Sheep and Wool Festival Oct 1-2, Tunbridge Fairgrounds, Tunbridge, VTNew York Sheep and Wool Oct 15-16, Dutchess County Fairgrounds, Rhinebeck, NYFiber Festival of New England Nov 5-6, Eastern States Exhibition, Springfield, MA
SHOW NOTESThis week's WIPs include Atomic Blender socks, generic cuff down socks and This Way That Way socks. That's a lot of socks! FOs include cotton footie socks, Atomic Blender socks and one This Way That Way socks. Featured Baubles and Bling include Rock and String Creations sock yarn in the Miss Congeniality colorway, Freia Fine Handpaints in the Metropolis colorway, and Knitter's Pride Cubics needles. Shout Outs:Mar/Apr KAL/CAL will be to knit with variegated yarn! Trying digging something out from deep stash! We will draw two winners during the first episode in May.Sheila is also hosting a Blue Moon Fiber Arts KAL/CAL that will continue throughout the year and includes any projects made from Blue Moon Fiber Arts yarn. We will draw the next winner in May.On The Dance Card:Wendy is working on:This Way That Way socks by Mina Philipp in Knitpicks Felici in the Teacup colorway.Sheila is working on:Be My Valentine Socks by the Cozy Knitter in unlabeled cotton sock yarn. She will not be using the cable pattern, just the gusset and heel combo.Atomic Blender socks in BMFA mill end.CBD Fudge Neckcessory by Deborah Tomasello in CBD Metallic Spice from her new yarn line (which we reviewed last episode). Rate Your Date:Sheila finished:One Atomic Blender sock.Be My Valentine Socks by the Cozy Knitter in unlabeled cotton sock yarn. She did not use the cable pattern, just the gusset and heel combo on a footie sock.Wendy finished:Atomic Blender socks in Dyeabolical Yarn Targhee sock in the Atomic Blender colorway. Pattern will be available when the sample socks are knit.One This Way That Way sock.Whirlwind Romance:NothingFuture Dates:Sheila will knit socks.Wendy needs to finish her current WIPs..Baubles & Bling:Wendy purchased:Freia Fine Handpaints sport gradient in the Metropolis colorwayRock and String Creations self-striping yarn in the Miss Congeniality colorwaySheila purchased:Various sizes of Knitter's Pride Cubics needlesGossip & Innuendo:Fiber EventsConnecticut Sheep and Wool Apr 30, Tolland Agricultural Center, Vernon/Rockville, CTGore Place Sheep Shearing Festival Apr 30, Gore Place, Waltham MAMaryland Sheep and Wool May 7-8, Howard County Fairgrounds, West Friendship, MDNew Hampshire Sheep and Wool May 14-15, Deerfield Fairgrounds, Deerfield, NHRhode Island Wool and Fiber Festival May 16, Coggeshall Farm Museum, Bristol, RIWebs Annual Tent Sale May 14-15, Webs, Northampton, MAMassachusetts Sheep and Woolcraft Fair May 28-29, Cummington Fairgrounds, Cummington, MAMaine Fiber Frolic Jun 6-7, Windsor Fairgrounds, Windsor, MEFiber Revival TBAFinger Lakes Fiber Festival Sep 17-18, Hemlock Fairgrounds, Hemlock MESouthern Adirondack Fiber Festival Sep 24-25, Washington County Fairgrounds, Greenwich, NYVermont Sheep and Wool Festival Oct 1-2, Tunbridge Fairgrounds, Tunbridge, VTNew York Sheep and Wool Oct 15-16, Dutchess County Fairgrounds, Rhinebeck, NYFiber Festival of New England Nov 5-6, Eastern States Exhibition, Springfield, MA
SHOW NOTESThis week's WIPs include Indigo Frost Poncho, Atomic Blender Socks, Toe-up ankle socks, and CBD Fudge Neckcessory. We had two PHD's: one Atomic Blender sock and one ankle sock. Baubles and bling this week included a bag and notions from Knittingsmybag, Sockotta gifted to Sheila by a viewer and a miniature LL Bean bag. We also announce an upcoming Craftsy class review and a contest being held by designer Stephannie Tallent to win the class for free! Shout Outs:Mar/Apr KAL/CAL will be to knit with variegated yarn! Trying digging something out from deep stash! We will draw two winners during the first episode in May.Sheila is also hosting a Blue Moon Fiber Arts KAL/CAL that will continue throughout the year and includes any projects made from Blue Moon Fiber Arts yarn. We will draw the next winner in May.We will also be reviewing a new Craftsy class by designer Stephannie Tallent called "Custom Colorwork Techniques: Mitts" which will roll out around May 2. Stephannie is holding a contest HERE up until the class release date where you can win the class for free! Once the class is live, we will review it on the show and have a 50% coupon code for our viewers. So, if you haven't checked out Craftsy yet, this is a good opportunity to do it.On The Dance Card:Wendy is working on:Indigo Frost Poncho by Isabell Kraemer in Dream in Color Classy in the In Vino Veritas colorway with scraps for the color work.Atomic Blender socks in Dyeabolical Yarn Targhee sock in the Atomic Blender colorway. Pattern will be available when the sample socks are knit.Sheila is working on:Be My Valentine Socks by the Cozy Knitter in unlabeled cotton sock yarn. She will not be using the cable pattern, just the gusset and heel combo.Atomic Blender socks in BMFA mill end.CBD Fudge Neckcessory by Deborah Tomasello in CBD Metallic Spice from her new yarn line (which we reviewed last episode). Rate Your Date:Sheila finished:One ankle sock.Wendy finished:One Atomic Blender sock.Whirlwind Romance:NothingFuture Dates:Sheila will knit something (possibly the Simple Skyp Socks by Adrienne Ku with her BMFA yarn of the month, a mill end in purple and blue.Wendy needs to finish her current WIPs and will definitely cast on another sock.Baubles & Bling:Wendy purchased:Bag and notions from Knittingsmybag.Sheila received:Sockotta Yarn from a viewerA miniature LL Bean bag that Wendy bought her for Christmas but lost until this week!Gossip & Innuendo:Fiber EventsConnecticut Sheep and Wool Apr 30, Tolland Agricultural Center, Vernon/Rockville, CTGore Place Sheep Shearing Festival Apr 30, Gore Place, Waltham MAMaryland Sheep and Wool May 7-8, Howard County Fairgrounds, West Friendship, MDNew Hampshire Sheep and Wool May 14-15, Deerfield Fairgrounds, Deerfield, NHRhode Island Wool and Fiber Festival May 16, Coggeshall Farm Museum, Bristol, RIWebs Annual Tent Sale May 14-15, Webs, Northampton, MAMassachusetts Sheep and Woolcraft Fair May 28-29, Cummington Fairgrounds, Cummington, MAMaine Fiber Frolic Jun 6-7, Windsor Fairgrounds, Windsor, MEFiber Revival TBAFinger Lakes Fiber Festival Sep 17-18, Hemlock Fairgrounds, Hemlock MESouthern Adirondack Fiber Festival Sep 24-25, Washington County Fairgrounds, Greenwich, NYVermont Sheep and Wool Festival Oct 1-2, Tunbridge Fairgrounds, Tunbridge, VTNew York Sheep and Wool Oct 15-16, Dutchess County Fairgrounds, Rhinebeck, NYFiber Festival of New England Nov 5-6, Eastern States Exhibition, Springfield, MA
SHOW NOTESThis week's WIPs include Indigo Frost poncho, Atomic Blender socks, and Be My Valentine socks (without the cable). FOs include BMFA mill ends vanilla toe up sock. Baubles and Bling include Fibernymph Bounce sock in the Oops Blue and Gray colorway, and a review of Deborah Tomasello's new customizable yarn line (you won't want to miss this). Shout Outs:Mar/Apr KAL/CAL will be to knit with variegated yarn! Trying digging something out from deep stash! We will draw two winners during the first episode in May.Sheila is also hosting a Blue Moon Fiber Arts KAL/CAL that will continue throughout the year and includes any projects made from Blue Moon Fiber Arts yarn. We will draw the next winner in May.On The Dance Card:Wendy is working on:Indigo Frost Poncho by Isabell Kraemer in Dream in Color Classy in the In Vino Veritas colorway with scraps for the color work.Atomic Blender socks in Dyeabolical Yarn Targhee sock in the Atomic Blender colorway. Pattern will be available when the sample socks are knit.Sheila is working on:Be My Valentine Socks by the Cozy Knitter in unlabeled cotton sock yarn. She will not be using the cable pattern, just the gusset and heel combo.Rate Your Date:Sheila finished:Vanilla toe-up socks in BMFA mill end (heavy weight)Whirlwind Romance:NothingFuture Dates:Sheila will knit something (possibly the Simple Skyp Socks by Adrienne Ku with her BMFA yarn of the month, a mill end in purple and blue.Wendy needs to finish her current WIPsBaubles & Bling:Sheila purchased:Fibernymph Dyeworks Bounce sock in the Oops Blue and Gray color way.REVIEW:We received a sample of Colorworks by Debi Yarns, where you can customize the yarn by picking strands of different colors and/or fiber composition to make a 2, 3 or more ply yarn. The sample we were sent was a cotton and tencel skein that had a lovely color, drape and shine. Sheila will be knitting a project with the yarn, since Wendy has sensory issues with cotton based yarns. At first we thought the yarn was a laceweight until we unwound the skein a bit and understood the unique concept. Debi takes strands of different yarns and winds them together. It's like knitting with two strands held together, except she does the work for you and winds them up together in any combination you like! And you can pick from many colors and bases to get the perfect customized yarn for your project. She has price information and more on her website, which we linked above. You can also join her Ravelry group HERE.Gossip & Innuendo:Fiber EventsConnecticut Sheep and Wool Apr 30, Tolland Agricultural Center, Vernon/Rockville, CTGore Place Sheep Shearing Festival Apr 30, Gore Place, Waltham MAMaryland Sheep and Wool May 7-8, Howard County Fairgrounds, West Friendship, MDNew Hampshire Sheep and Wool May 14-15, Deerfield Fairgrounds, Deerfield, NHRhode Island Wool and Fiber Festival May 16, Coggeshall Farm Museum, Bristol, RIWebs Annual Tent Sale May 14-15, Webs, Northampton, MAMassachusetts Sheep and Woolcraft Fair May 28-29, Cummington Fairgrounds, Cummington, MAMaine Fiber Frolic Jun 6-7, Windsor Fairgrounds, Windsor, MEFiber Revival TBAFinger Lakes Fiber Festival Sep 17-18, Hemlock Fairgrounds, Hemlock MESouthern Adirondack Fiber Festival Sep 24-25, Washington County Fairgrounds, Greenwich, NYVermont Sheep and Wool Festival Oct 1-2, Tunbridge Fairgrounds, Tunbridge, VTNew York Sheep and Wool Oct 15-16, Dutchess County Fairgrounds, Rhinebeck, NYFiber Festival of New England Nov 5-6, Eastern States Exhibition, Springfield, MA
SHOW NOTESThis week's WIPs include the Atomic Blender sock, Indigo Frost poncho and a vanilla toe up sock. FOs include the Super Stretchy Baby Hat and Crafty Toes baby socks. No featured Baubles and Bling this week, but we have a long talk about medically-assisted weight loss and Wendy makes an announcement. We draw winners of the Masterpiece Knits pdf and the monthly BMFA KAL/CAL. Shout Outs:Mar/Apr KAL/CAL will be to knit with variegated yarn! Trying digging something out from deep stash! We will draw two winners during the first episode in May.Sheila is also hosting a Blue Moon Fiber Arts KAL/CAL that will continue throughout the year and includes any projects made from Blue Moon Fiber Arts yarn. We will draw the next winner in May. We drew March's winner in this episode.On The Dance Card:Wendy is working on:Indigo Frost Poncho by Isabell Kraemer in Dream in Color Classy in the In Vino Veritas colorway with scraps for the color work.Atomic Blender socks in Dyeabolical Yarn Targhee sock in the Atomic Blender colorway. Pattern will be available when the sample socks are knit.Sheila is working on:Vanilla toe-up socks in BMFA mill end (heavy weight)Rate Your Date:Sheila finished:Super Stretchy Baby Hat by Julia Tarsha in Plymouth Happy Feet (red colorway).Cozy Little Toes by Judy Kaethler in Plymouth Happy FeetWhirlwind Romance:NothingFuture Dates:Sheila will knit something with self-striping yarnWendy needs to finish her current WIPsBaubles & Bling:NoneGossip & Innuendo:We drew a winner of Masterpiece Knits from Dragonfly Yarns. We also drew a winner of the March edition of the BMFA KAL/CAL/SAL!!Fiber EventsConnecticut Sheep and Wool Apr 30, Tolland Agricultural Center, Vernon/Rockville, CTGore Place Sheep Shearing Festival Apr 30, Gore Place, Waltham MAMaryland Sheep and Wool May 7-8, Howard County Fairgrounds, West Friendship, MDNew Hampshire Sheep and Wool May 14-15, Deerfield Fairgrounds, Deerfield, NHRhode Island Wool and Fiber Festival May 16, Coggeshall Farm Museum, Bristol, RIWebs Annual Tent Sale May 14-15, Webs, Northampton, MAMassachusetts Sheep and Woolcraft Fair May 28-29, Cummington Fairgrounds, Cummington, MAMaine Fiber Frolic Jun 6-7, Windsor Fairgrounds, Windsor, MEFiber Revival TBAFinger Lakes Fiber Festival Sep 17-18, Hemlock Fairgrounds, Hemlock MESouthern Adirondack Fiber Festival Sep 24-25, Washington County Fairgrounds, Greenwich, NYVermont Sheep and Wool Festival Oct 1-2, Tunbridge Fairgrounds, Tunbridge, VTNew York Sheep and Wool Oct 15-16, Dutchess County Fairgrounds, Rhinebeck, NYFiber Festival of New England Nov 5-6, Eastern States Exhibition, Springfield, MA
SHOW NOTESThis week's WIPs include Indigo Frost poncho and Super Stretchy Baby Hat. FOs include a pair of cuff down vanilla socks and Wendy FINALLY finished her Jeck socks. Featured Baubles and Bling include notions from Stitched by Jessalu and a gradient set from Wonderland Yarns. We give lots of random technology advice in this episode. Shout Outs:Mar/Apr KAL/CAL will be to knit with variegated yarn! Trying digging something out from deep stash! We will draw two winners during the first episode in May.Sheila is also hosting a Blue Moon Fiber Arts KAL/CAL that will continue throughout the year and includes any projects made from Blue Moon Fiber Arts yarn. We will draw a new winner during the first episode in April.On The Dance Card:Wendy is working on:Cache Cache Cowl by Kiki Kawaii in Into the Whirled Manchester sock cashmere/merino/nylon yarn, Double Rainbow colorwayIndigo Frost Poncho by Isabell Kraemer in Dream in Color Classy in the In Vino Veritas colorway with scraps for the color work.Sheila is working on:Super Stretchy Baby Hat by Julia Tarsha in Plymouth Happy Feet (red colorway).Rate Your Date:Wendy finished:Jeck Sock by Regina Satta in Fibernymph Dye Works Bounce base, Lucky Cat colorway.Sheila finished:Vanilla cuff down socks in Opal cotton.Whirlwind Romance:NothingFuture Dates:Sheila will knit hats and socks.Wendy plans to design a new sock.Baubles & Bling:Wendy purchased:Wonderland Yarns Cheshire Cat fingering weight in the Dormouse gradient.Stitched By Jessalu notions pouchesGossip & Innuendo:We are giving away a copy of Masterpiece Knits from Dragonfly Yarns in episode 246. Just tell us which pattern you would knit in the contest thread on Ravelry before our next episode!Fiber EventsConnecticut Sheep and Wool Apr 30, Tolland Agricultural Center, Vernon/Rockville, CTGore Place Sheep Shearing Festival Apr 30, Gore Place, Waltham MAMaryland Sheep and Wool May 7-8, Howard County Fairgrounds, West Friendship, MDNew Hampshire Sheep and Wool May 14-15, Deerfield Fairgrounds, Deerfield, NHRhode Island Wool and Fiber Festival May 16, Coggeshall Farm Museum, Bristol, RIWebs Annual Tent Sale May 14-15, Webs, Northampton, MAMassachusetts Sheep and Woolcraft Fair May 28-29, Cummington Fairgrounds, Cummington, MAMaine Fiber Frolic Jun 6-7, Windsor Fairgrounds, Windsor, MEFiber Revival TBAFinger Lakes Fiber Festival Sep 17-18, Hemlock Fairgrounds, Hemlock MESouthern Adirondack Fiber Festival Sep 24-25, Washington County Fairgrounds, Greenwich, NYVermont Sheep and Wool Festival Oct 1-2, Tunbridge Fairgrounds, Tunbridge, VTNew York Sheep and Wool Oct 15-16, Dutchess County Fairgrounds, Rhinebeck, NYFiber Festival of New England Nov 5-6, Eastern States Exhibition, Springfield, MA
SHOW NOTESThis week's WIPs include Jeck Socks, Cache Cache cowl, Indigo Frost poncho and generic cuff-down socks. FOs include one vanilla sock. We review Dragonfly Fibers Masterpiece Knits this week! Don't forget to play along in the Ravelry group for a chance to win a copy. Shout Outs:Mar/Apr KAL/CAL will be to knit with variegated yarn! Trying digging something out from deep stash! We will draw two winners during the first episode in May.Sheila is also hosting a Blue Moon Fiber Arts KAL/CAL that will continue throughout the year and includes any projects made from Blue Moon Fiber Arts yarn. We will draw a new winner during the first episode in April.On The Dance Card:Wendy is working on:Jeck Sock by Regina Satta in Fibernymph Dye Works Bounce base, Lucky Cat colorway.Cache Cache Cowl by Kiki Kawaii in Into the Whirled Manchester sock cashmere/merino/nylon yarn, Double Rainbow colorwayIndigo Frost Poncho by Isabell Kraemer in Dream in Color Classy in the In Vino Veritas colorway with scraps for the color work.Sheila is working on:Generic Cuff-Down sock in Opal Cotton.Rate Your Date:Sheila finished:One cuff down sock.Whirlwind Romance:NothingFuture Dates:Sheila needs to finish some projects and will knit more socks, possibly Rose City Rollers and a pair for herself from her BMFA heavyweight mill end.Wendy plans to design a new sock when she finishes the ones on her needles.Baubles & Bling:Nothing this weekGossip & Innuendo:BOOK REVIEW:This week we are reviewing Masterpiece Knits from Dragonfly Fibers. You can purchase a pdf copy of this book on Ravelry for $18 or a hard copy plus a code for the pdf version on the Dragonfly Fibers website.The book is unusual in that it is centered around Dragonfly Fibers colorways based on fine art. We both thought all of the featured colorways were beautiful. The book has 15 patterns that would be suitable for almost any level of knitter. There are simple projects for beginners as well as more complex projects for knitters with more experience. Basically, something for everyone!We had a little trouble with the format at first as it came up on our devices with two pages at a time, which made it difficult to follow. Wendy discovered by accident that if she sized the page up to fit only one page on the screen, it shifted to a one page at a time format, which made it much easier to read. The patterns range from simple hats to sweaters, and include techniques like intarsia, cabling and textured stitches. We really liked a lot of the patterns, most of which would work great with semi-solid and more variegated yarns. The sweater patterns do come in some larger sizes for knitters who need them. This book is definitely worth a look, especially if you love Dragonfly Fibers or fine art. It is definitely a collection that will have you knitting more than one pattern.We will be giving away a copy of this book in episode 246. Just tell us which pattern you would knit in the contest thread on Ravelry!Fiber EventsConnecticut Sheep and Wool Apr 30, Tolland Agricultural Center, Vernon/Rockville, CTGore Place Sheep Shearing Festival Apr 30, Gore Place, Waltham MAMaryland Sheep and Wool May 7-8, Howard County Fairgrounds, West Friendship, MDNew Hampshire Sheep and Wool May 14-15, Deerfield Fairgrounds, Deerfield, NHRhode Island Wool and Fiber Festival May 16, Coggeshall Farm Museum, Bristol, RIWebs Annual Tent Sale May 14-15, Webs, Northampton, MAMassachusetts Sheep and Woolcraft Fair May 28-29, Cummington Fairgrounds, Cummington, MAMaine Fiber Frolic Jun 6-7, Windsor Fairgrounds, Windsor, MEFiber Revival TBAFinger Lakes Fiber Festival Sep 17-18, Hemlock Fairgrounds, Hemlock MESouthern Adirondack Fiber Festival Sep 24-25, Washington County Fairgrounds, Greenwich, NYVermont Sheep and Wool Festival Oct 1-2, Tunbridge Fairgrounds, Tunbridge, VTNew York Sheep and Wool Oct 15-16, Dutchess County Fairgrounds, Rhinebeck, NYFiber Festival of New England Nov 5-6, Eastern States Exhibition, Springfield, MA
SHOW NOTESThis week's WIPs include Jeck Socks, Cache Cache cowl, Indigo Frost poncho and generic cuff-down socks. FOs include Sheila's Lined Beanie. Featured Baubles and Bling are Dyeabolical Yarn self-striping sock yarn. Shout Outs:Mar/Apr KAL/CAL will be to knit with variegated yarn! Trying digging something out from deep stash! We will draw two winners during the first episode in May.Sheila is also hosting a Blue Moon Fiber Arts KAL/CAL that will continue throughout the year and includes any projects made from Blue Moon Fiber Arts yarn. We will draw a new winner during the first episode in April.On The Dance Card:Wendy is working on:Jeck Sock by Regina Satta in Fibernymph Dye Works Bounce base, Lucky Cat colorway.Cache Cache Cowl by Kiki Kawaii in Into the Whirled Manchester sock cashmere/merino/nylon yarn, Double Rainbow colorwayIndigo Frost Poncho by Isabell Kraemer in Dream in Color Classy in the In Vino Veritas colorway with scraps for the color work.Sheila is working on:Generic Cuff-Down sock in Opal Cotton.Rate Your Date:Wendy finished:One Jack sock (finally)Sheila finished:Lined Beanie by Heather Kinne in Malabrigo sock in the Indecita colorwayWhirlwind Romance:NothingFuture Dates:Sheila needs to finish some projects and will knit more socks.Wendy plans to design a new sock when she finishes the ones on her needles.Baubles & Bling:Dyeabolical Yarns self-striping Targhee sock in the Katatomic colorway.Gossip & Innuendo:For those of you who love Stitched by Jessalu Bags, she will have a trunk show at Circle of Stitches, 66 Wharf Street, Salem MA on March 19 during the Knit North Yarn Crawl!We drew a winner of the BMFA KAL/CAL and two winners of the WIP KAL/CAL.Fiber EventsKnit North Yarn Crawl Mar 17-20, various North Shore locations, MAConnecticut Sheep and Wool Apr 30, Tolland Agricultural Center, Vernon/Rockville, CTGore Place Sheep Shearing Festival Apr 30, Gore Place, Waltham MAMaryland Sheep and Wool May 7-8, Howard County Fairgrounds, West Friendship, MDNew Hampshire Sheep and Wool May 14-15, Deerfield Fairgrounds, Deerfield, NHRhode Island Wool and Fiber Festival May 16, Coggeshall Farm Museum, Bristol, RIWebs Annual Tent Sale May 14-15, Webs, Northampton, MAMassachusetts Sheep and Woolcraft Fair May 28-29, Cummington Fairgrounds, Cummington, MAMaine Fiber Frolic Jun 6-7, Windsor Fairgrounds, Windsor, MEFiber Revival TBAFinger Lakes Fiber Festival Sep 17-18, Hemlock Fairgrounds, Hemlock MESouthern Adirondack Fiber Festival Sep 24-25, Washington County Fairgrounds, Greenwich, NYVermont Sheep and Wool Festival Oct 1-2, Tunbridge Fairgrounds, Tunbridge, VTNew York Sheep and Wool Oct 15-16, Dutchess County Fairgrounds, Rhinebeck, NYFiber Festival of New England Nov 5-6, Eastern States Exhibition, Springfield, MA
In which we discuss a dinner for more than two in DC, visits from dear friends (military friends and podcaster friends!), a fun speaking engagement, a visit to DC by Karen, getting the Full Monty, biking around mother nature, Yarnover, Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival, and baby lambs (!!!!), and in which Ellen's geeks out.
I made it! Two years cancer free!! This episode is light on actual knitting content but has a full review of the Maryland Sheep & Wool festival along with a video of pics from it at the end. Enjoy.
May 17, 2014In this episode I provide a recap of the last few weeks, talk about my WIPs including a new project and I share my stash enhancement from my Maryland Sheep and Wool Trip. I also talk about upcoming events, and an app that I have been enjoying lately. There is talk of a new read-a-long and last but certainly not least there are some drawings.Read more »
Note: There will not be an episode next week!Whatcha Finish?Seaweed Socks by Lauren McMordie- String Theory Caper Sock in North Haven. 3x1 ribbing, ended with 1x1 rib for two rows and used the Invisible Ribbed bind off from Cast On, Bind Off by Leslie Ann BestorRomy cardigan by ANKESTRICK- Woolen Rabbit WW Kashmir in Birch Beer. sleeves knit flat, alternating skeins, mattress stitched up. Whatcha Makin?plain vanilla socks- Vesper Across the Universe, size 0 and 1. Fish Lips Kiss heel by Sox Therapist- started ½ inch before the line on my cardboard foot, fits perfectly. Summer Dawn cardigan by Andrea Black. Plucky Primo Sport in Vanity. gauge was off by 1 stitch for every 4 inches, so I’m sizing down. Seamed 1x1 twisted rib button band instead of garter stitch BB. Also changed the slip 1, psso to an SSKWhatcha spinning?Fiber Optic SWMerino/Silk in VineyardBFL dyed by meOldest Anything KAL- April and May with Deep Blue Renegade podcastNew stuff: Plucky Knitter Traveler Aran in Round TableString Theory Caper Sock in LagunaCity Garden SoapNew England Soup Factory cookbookThree Waters Farm is the guest dyer in April for the Completely Twisted and Arbitrary group on Ravelry. Go over there and spin along with them!I am excited to announce that Three Waters Farm is offering Whatcha Swatchin viewers a 10% off coupon, good for any of the hand dyed fiber, yarns, or goats milk soap in their etsy shop, www.etsy.com/threewatersfarm. Coupon code is good through March 31. Shop updates happen daily, so check back often.You can see Mary Ann and Stephen in person May 3rd and 4th at Maryland Sheep and Wool, booth B23, in the Main Exhibition Hall. Check out the Three Waters Farm board on Ravelry for information about monthly spin alongs, giveaways, and for links to their facebook and twitter feeds, as well as links to Three Waters Farm on Pinterest.Mary Ann and Stephen have also kindly donated a braid of Falkland (Winter Sunset 7 colorway) for me to use as a prize. Go to the thread and post which of their fiber or yarn colorways or soap scents are your favorites. I’ll draw for winners after March 31.
Whatcha Finish?nadaWhatcha Makin?Seaweed Socks by Lauren McMordie- String Theory Caper Sock in North HavenRomy cardigan by ANKESTRICK- Woolen Rabbit WW Kashmir in Birch Beer. sleeves knit flat, alternating skeins, mattress stitchplain vanilla socks- Vesper Across the Universe, size 0 and 1. Fish Lips Kiss heel by Sox Therapist- started ½ inch before the line on my cardboard foot, fits perfectly. Summer Dawn cardigan by Andrea Black. Plucky Primo Sport in Vanity. gauge was off by 1 stitch for every 4 inches, so I’m sizing downFingering Weight February: prizes! Cloudlover Rambouillet in IrisSweetGeorgia merino/silk in StillwaterOldest Anything KAL- April and May with Deep Blue Renegade podcastNew stuff: Three Waters Farm- Rooftop Panorama in Polwarth/Silk, and Second Sight on BFLFireweed Dyeworks Russian RainbowI am excited to announce that Three Waters Farm is offering Whatcha Swatchin viewers a 10% off coupon, good for any of the hand dyed fiber, yarns, or goats milk soap in their etsy shop, www.etsy.com/threewatersfarm. Coupon code is good through March 31. Shop updates happen daily, so check back often.You can see Mary Ann and Stephen in person May 3rd and 4th at Maryland Sheep and Wool, booth B23, in the Main Exhibition Hall. Check out the Three Waters Farm board on Ravelry for information about monthly spin alongs, giveaways, and for links to their facebook and twitter feeds, as well as links to Three Waters Farm on Pinterest.Mary Ann and Stephen have also kindly donated a braid of Falkland (Winter Sunset 7 colorway) for me to use as a prize. Go to the thread and post which of their fiber or yarn colorways or soap scents are your favorites. I’ll draw for winners after March 31.
Whatcha Finish?Golden Pear hat by Melissa Thomson- madtosh dk in Celadon and Graphite, size 5 and 6 needlesWhatcha Makin?Seaweed Socks by Lauren McMordie- String Theory Caper Sock in North HavenRomy cardigan by ANKESTRICK- Woolen Rabbit WW Kashmir in Birch Beerplain vanilla socks- Vesper Across the Universe, size 0 and 1. fish lips kiss heelSpinningFiber Optic SW Merino/silk in Vineyard. 8 oz total 3plyThree Waters Farm polwarth/silk Tangerine Dream- 300 yards single ply fulledFingering Weight February: fingering weight adult sweater KAL from Feb. 1 to March 15- tag your projects with “FingeringFeb”upcoming Oldest Anything KAL- April and May with Deep Blue Renegade podcastGiveaway! Three Waters Farm Falkland- Winter Sunset 7 www.etsy.com/shop/threewatersfarm. Coupon code good through March 31. Shop updates happen daily, so check back often.You can see Mary Ann and Stephen in person May 3rd and 4th at Maryland Sheep and Wool, booth B23, in the Main Exhibition Hall. Check out the Three Waters Farm board on Ravelry for information about monthly spin alongs, giveaways, and for links to their facebook and twitter feeds, as well as links to Three Waters Farm on Pinterest.
Whatcha Makin?Seaweed Socks by Lauren McMordie- String Theory Caper Sock in North HavenRomy cardigan by ANKESTRICK- Woolen Rabbit WW Kashmir in Birch Beerplain vanilla socks- Vesper Across the Universe, size 0 and 1Sirka row counter SpinningFiber Optic SW Merino/silk in Vineyard. 8 oz total 3plyThree Waters Farm polwarth/silk in Tangerine DreamFingering Weight February: fingering weight adult sweater KAL from Feb. 1 to March 15- tag your projects with “FingeringFeb”upcoming Oldest Anything KAL- April and May with Deep Blue Renegade podcastCaptain PhilipsThe AmericansThree Waters Farm is offering Whatcha Swatchin viewers a 10% off coupon, good for any of the hand dyed fiber, yarns, or goats milk soap in their etsy shop, www.etsy.com/threewatersfarm. Shop updates happen daily, so check back often.You can see Mary Ann and Stephen in person May 3rd and 4th at Maryland Sheep and Wool, booth B23, in the Main Exhibition Hall. Check out the Three Waters Farm board on Ravelry for information about monthly spin alongs, giveaways, and for links to their facebook and twitter feeds, as well as links to Three Waters Farm on Pinterest.Blip/iTunes UPDATE! Starting next week, I am changing feeds for itunes distribution. If it doesn’t change automatically, you can find the new feed at feeds.feedburner.whatchaswatchinpodcast or search itunes for “Whatcha Swatchin Podcast”, NOT just “Whatcha Swatchin”If you watch through the blog or Blip, nothing will change.
Episode 024 Shownotes - YARNCON 2013Work in Process - Whats on and off my needlesExploring Stripes Beaded Bag from the Beaded Knitting workshop.I completed this bag in 17 days including the icord (which I normally hate and procrastinate knitting) due to the friendly competition with Midge65 who completed two in the same time and ultimately made 4 bags.Legwarmers for Spinning Buddy Jr. in stockinet in thick and thin colorful yarn. Used all 3 balls and made shorter legwarmers.New segment -5%(Tell story of 5%) ice breaker when being irrationalwhich brings me to ...My 3rd set of Prairie Boots for Me! Me! Me!I went to sew the buttons on and didn’t like where the button holes were positioned so I am going to knit the very top flap ove r. (I substituted bulky yarn and forgot to alter for for the different gauge. A quick fix, but is put on hold now the weather is warmer. In this episode I am introducing another new segment I call... Distracted by the Shiney.This segment will talk about the products or projects that are distracting you from finishing the project that you currently are working on. We will talk more about it in On the Road Again.Guild UpdatesIllinois Prairie Spinners GuildNeedle felted birds workshopand our new temporary location Warren Tavern in Warrenville, IllinoisCultured Purls Knitting GuildBeaded Knitting Workshop 3 ways to knit with beads -Prestring beads and push up between stitches. ( makes beaded pattern a little wonky) - Prestring beads and push up in front of slipped stitch. (sometime can slip to back of work) - My favorite way - use a crochet hook by placing the bead on the hook, removing the stitch with the hook and while stitch is under tension sliding the bead on the stitch and returning to knitting needle and knit. ( benefits does not stress yarn, bead is located on both sides of your project.Shop UpdatesElgin Knit Works moved a block away from their original location in Elgin, IllinoisElgin Knit Works8 Douglas AveElgin IL 60120847-627-4700shop@elginknitworks.comMosaic Yarn Studio moved from DesPlaines to Mount Prospect IllinoisMosaic Yarn Studio, Ltd. 109 W. Prospect Ave. Mount Prospect, IL 60056Phone: 847-390-1013Fax: 847-390-1256Email: info@mosaicyarnstudio.comWebs is having a huge 39th anniversary sale all during March online atWWW.Yarn.comOn the Road again...Yarn Con 2013New Segment...Distracted by the Shiny.What product or project is distracting you from finishing the project that you currently have in WIPs. The Rivulet Shrug by Andrea MarquisSomeone You should knowMy interview with Monika Kimrey Developing World708/601-6664 Envision UnlimitedWWW.Envision.OrgInterview with John from White Mountain Whiskey LLCWooly App for Ravelry contest and interview Kickstarter.com for version 2.0 Universal version that will be compatible with IPad and Android and uses all the Ravelry features that Ravelry makes available to developers.Why Wooly?Wooly app makes it easy to update your Ravelry project page on the go. I like how you can clearly review your projects and stash. You can also share your projects on facebook easily with the Wooly App.The reason why I love Wooly is that the Wooly app inserts your pictures first on your projects page instead of last like Ravelry does. This helps people on Iphones and Ipads easily update their project pages with the latest progress on their projects.You are able to see the basic information about the pattern such as which yarn weight, yardage and needle size is recommended if entered on your project page, however you are not able to see your pattern instructions or see the details about your yarn unless you specifically loaded that information when and if you entered it in your stash.This is because Ravelry had previously limited the types of information they would release to the developers to make the applications.I love Ravelry for access to Patterns and Yarns as well as sharing information in the forums. Hopefully Ravelry will release these features to the developers so that they will be able to be added in version 2.0WOOLY APP DrawingEnter under the Homespun Journey Ravelry Group Under the Episode 24 YarnCon thread. Leave a comment and let us know your favorite Ravelry feature.The winner will be chosen by random drawing as of June 15th, 2013 midnight.John has graciously donated access to the Wooly App for free using a download code.Upcoming FestivalsMaryland Sheep and WoolShepherds Harvest May 11-12, 20013Middle Tennessee Fiber Show May 24-25, 2013 Hoosier Hills Fiber Fair Indiana May 31-June 1, 2013Iowa Sheep and Wool June 8+9, 2013Midwest Weavers in Kansas June 20-22 , 2013 Midwest Fiber and Folk Art Fair June 21-23, 2013Black Sheep Gathering in Oregon June 21-23, 2013
This week's episode has been sponsored by: CNCH is coming to Santa Clara April 9-11 and Abstract Fiber will be there. Not a weaver? CNCH has something for all fiber enthusiasts! We'll have yarns for knitting and weaving, plus lots of fiber. We'll have some new fibers too, including Polwarth!!! You can also shop online anytime by clicking above. Spring is just around the corner and we here at Purlescence Yarns have turned our thoughts to lighter weight yarns. We just got a new shipment of the Chic Knits Sandrine pattern by Bonne Marie Burns. Knit in spring-friendly DK weight yarns, it's a quick and easy knit, just perfect for your transitional wardrobe. Cascade Yarns Cash Vero DK is a beautiful choice with a broad palette of delectable colors, 20% through March 22. Don't forget to mention the Knitmore Girls for a free logo ChicoBag with your mail order or in store purchase of $50 or more! STITCHES South offers something for everyone. This 4-day event brings thousands together in Atlanta, GA for workshops, demonstrations, author signings, and door prizes. It showcases beautiful yarn, books, gadgets, patterns, & buttons in a market full of retailers from across the country. If it has to do with knitting, you will find it here. STITCHES South is open to the general public April 24th-26th. For more information please join us online at http://KnittingUniverse.com/Events/ or call 1-800-237-7099. On the needles: (00:34) Gigi is working on her Classic Slant Cardigan (by Deborah Newton), which is the color of red velvet cake. Jasmin is plugging along on her Mondo Cable Cardi. We also mention the Kindle, and the Kindle stand. We discuss the merits of a yarn marker vs a "clippy" stitch marker. Gigi is working on her Color Your Own sweater, and we discuss dart placement at length. We have an app in the iTunes store! Contest! (16;58) February Finish-a-long contest will end April 3rd, and the winners will be announced in Episode 95. Events: (17:38) We will be attending the Maryland Sheep and Wool festival! Mother Knows Best: (18:23) We discuss bartering skills. When Knitting Attacks: (21:23) Gigi has some missteps this week. Her Mondo Cable Pulli hits a snag. Gigi find the issue with her Ellina shawl. Straw into gold: (29:14) Jasmin discusses spinning Shetland, specifically the Shetland Top from Crown Mountain Farms"Fiber of the Month" club. Jasmin refers to "In Sheep's Clothing" and "The Knitter's Book of Wool".
CraftLit - Serialized Classic Literature for Busy Book Lovers
Not much for you this episode. Maryland Sheep and Wool was great. and and were spectacular (a year since the cruise! Who knew?!). And now I'm heading out to NYC. Ping me if you are there and want to hook up. Whoo hoo! Next week will likely NOT have a 'cast, but the week after, you know it! And don't forget the ! Lots of Scarlet Letter yarn went at MSW. It really is a great scarlet color--and a wool silk blend. mmmmmmmmm yummy... Perhaps we need a Scarlet Letter T-shirt...
CraftLit - Serialized Classic Literature for Busy Book Lovers
Many things from this episode! Not the least of which is chapter four of TSL!!!! April Incentive book and ! New Interweave book! LOVE IT! Our THSG journal fundraiser full of pics of our artsy goodies from last year's challenge! Maryland Sheep and Wool! Find me at stall with and the gang! FAST-DRYING NAIL POLISH (really...but, okay, not in that color)! And SOMEONE out there, please make speak Mac to me!
CraftLit - Serialized Classic Literature for Busy Book Lovers
I bait the "come-and-see-me" hook with three venues: Maryland Sheep and Wool, Sock Summit, and SFO. Come by 's stall at MSW if you want to be recorded for a 'Cast! Or, you know, just say hi! Don't forget about the Challenge! New Website coming! Really! Life is good and we're on Chapter 3 of The Scarlet Letter. I love this chapter...
This episode is part 2 of our field trip to the 2007 Maryland Sheep and wool festival. In this episode you’ll see: The Sheep to Shawl Contest A Sock knitting machine An interview with Jessica Marshall Forbes from Ravelry and her friend Maya Mackowiak Spinning from a rabbit Fiber and yarn everywhere! Plus you’ll see what I took home from the festival….. These [...]
In this episode of our video podcast, we took a field trip to Maryland in May for the Sheep and Wool Festival. We saw: Sheep, alpacas, lamas, rabbits, and lots of people! A Fiberarts tools auction Sheep Show Aggie and Scout the sheep dogs Several great small events Plus interviews! What am I wearing: Shawl (my own design) made with La Boheme and ruffles [...]