Episode 161: Scattered Like Confetti

The Spring Festival Season is finally over! This week's WIPs include the Mystik Spiral Socks, another Star Leaves shawl and the Brush Creek Cowlette. FOs include Trillian and a Bias3 scarf. Whirlwind Romance project is a BFL from Spunky Eclectic. No featured baubles and bling, but lots of random talk about everything.

SHOW NOTES

KAL/CAL:  We are hosting a Stash Busting KAL/CAL for the month of May.  Post a pic of your finished project made from yarn purchased at least 6 months ago in the May Stash Busters Thread and get that stash under control!  A winner will be drawn next week.

We are also hosting a Sock KAL/CAL.  You choose the pattern.  If you use yarn purchased at least 6 months ago, you can enter your sock in both contests!  A winner will be drawn at the end of June (we decided to make it a two month KAL).

We will be giving away a copy of the Yvonne's Wings pattern by Kimberly Gintar.  Post in the contest thread in our group.  A winner will be drawn next week.

If you are interested in trying out one of the three fibers Wendy reviewed from Louet, post in the fiber threads in the group.  I will draw names next week.

On The Dance Card:

Wendy is working on:

Brush Creek Cowlette by Carina Spencer in Fiber Optic gradient handspun (not shown this week)

Star Leaves Shawl by Jenny Johnson Johnen in Fleece Artist Saldanha 2 in the Starlight colorway.

Sheila is working on:

Mystik Spiral Socks by Josh Ryks in sKNITches Syncopation in the Seriously? colorway.

Rate Your Date:

Wendy finished:

B(ias)3 by Amy E Chapleau in Shibui Sock in the Breeze colorway.

Sheila finished:

Trillian by Martina Behm in Cherry Tree Hill Supersock

Whirlwind Romance:

Wendy is currently spinning:

Spunky Eclectic BFL in the Malala colorway (which I believe is a limited edition or discontinued colorway).

Future Dates:

Wendy and Sheila plan to knit the Tan House Brook shawl by Jennifer Lassonde (we kept mispronouncing the pattern during the episode as "Tan Brook House" - sorry!)

Baubles & Bling:

Nothing this week.

Gossip & Innuendo:

Fiber Frolic at Windsor Fairgrounds, Windsor, ME 6/7-6/8/14. Wendy is unable to attend.

Convergence 2014 at Rhode Island Convention Center, Providence, RI, 7/16-7/19/14.  Wendy may attend the marketplace.

Fiber Revival at Spencer Pierce Little Farm in Newbury, MA 8/9/14.  Wendy may attend this event.

Southern Adirondack Fiber Festival at Washington County Fairgrounds, Greenwich, NY 9/27-9/28/14.  We do not plan on attending.

VT Sheep and Wool at Tunbridge Fairgrounds, Tunbridge, VT 10/4-10/5/14.  We do not plan on attending.

Stitches East in Hartford, CT 10/9-10/12/14.  Wendy plans on attending the Saturday marketplace.

Rhinebeck at Dutchess County Fairgrounds, Rhinebeck, NY 10/18-10/19/14.  We plan on attending for the weekend.

New England Fiber Festival at Eastern States Exposition, West Springfield, MA, 11/1-11/2/14.  Wendy plans on attending.

The Gathering at Sunday River, Newry, ME, 11/7-11/9/14.  We do not plan on attending.

Episode 160: Fiber Festivaled Out

Wendy is all alone this week. WIPs include the B(ias)3 crocheted scarf. Whirlwind Romances aplenty this week, including 700yds of Enchanted Knoll Farm in the Dragon's Blood colorway and 180yds of Frabjous Fiber in the Tourmaline colorway. Wendy also reviews the Northern Lights wool put up as pencil roving from Louet in the Popsicle colorway. Baubles and bling include more of the neon Regia sock yarn, beads for use in another Star Leaves shawl and four more Stitched by Jessalu notions pouches! I chat a bit at the end about the Webs Tent sale and the few remaining fiber events between now and Rhinebeck.

SHOW NOTES

KAL/CAL:  We are hosting a Stash Busting KAL/CAL for the month of May.  Post a pic of your finished project made from yarn purchased at least 6 months ago in the May Stash Busters Thread and get that stash under control!  A winner will be drawn at the end of the month.

We are also hosting a Sock KAL/CAL.  You choose the pattern.  If you use yarn purchased at least 6 months ago, you can enter your sock in both contests!  A winner will be drawn at the end of June (we decided to make it a two month KAL).

We will be giving away a copy of the Yvonne's Wings pattern by Kimberly Gintar.  Post in the contest thread in our group.  A winner will be drawn next week.

If you are interested in trying out one of the three fibers Wendy reviewed from Louet, post in the fiber threads in the group.  I will draw names next week.

On The Dance Card:

Wendy is working on:

Brush Creek Cowlette by Carina Spencer in Fiber Optic gradient handspun (not shown this week)

B(ias)3 by Amy E Chapleau in Shibui Sock in the Breeze colorway.

Rate Your Date:

No FOs this week.

Whirlwind Romance:

Wendy spun approx. 700yds of Enchanted Knoll Farms in the Dragon's Blood colorway.

Wendy also spun approx 180yds of Frabjous Fibers in the Tourmaline colorway.

Wendy reviewed the following Louet fiber:

Northern Lights Wool Top in the Popsicle colorway:  I thoroughly enjoyed spinning this prep.  It is put up as a pencil roving and drafted like a dream.  It was so easy to spin a thin single that I had to be careful not to make my samples too thin so you could see the different color effects I tried!


I spun the first sample as a chain-ply so that the colors stayed together.  This choice would probably result in a stripey yarn when knit up.  The second sample I spun as a two ply so that the colors would barberpole against each other.  I liked the yarn both ways, and I liked that I could play around with the colors.

The resulting yarn was very soft and definitely next-to-skin friendly.  There are lots of different colors to choose from and this fiber would be great for pretty much any project.

Since I was sent 1/2lb, I am going to offer the remainder of my review samples to an interested spinner/spinners if you'd like to try them yourself.  Or you can pick them up for a good price at the links above directly from Louet.

Future Dates:

Wendy plans to knit another Star Leaves shawl in lace yarn sent to her by the lovely SiberianCat.

Baubles & Bling:

Wendy purchased at Webs Tent Sale:

Madelinetosh DK in the Esoteric colorway.  I picked up a couple of extra skeins for my planned sweater in case what I bought in February isn't enough.  I got worried.

Regia Fluormania in a different colorway than the one I used for the Mystik Spiral socks.  I want to see if I can knit another pair of sock in less than a week!

Stitched by Jessalu notions pouches (because I can apparently never have enough).

I also went to:

Northampton Beadery where I purchased beads for the Star Leaves shawl.  Since they didn't have enough beads of one type, I bought three similar colors and blended them all together.

Gossip & Innuendo:

Wendy went to the Webs Tent Sale at Webs Yarn Store, Northampton, MA, 5/17-5/18/14.  It was a fun event with lots of local artisans in booths, the tent of discount yarn and the usual Webs store and warehouse.

MA Sheep and Wool at Cummington Fairgrounds, Cummington, MA 5/24-5/25/14.  Neither Sheila nor Wendy will attend this year.

Fiber Frolic at Windsor Fairgrounds, Windsor, ME 6/7-6/8/14. Wendy is on the fence about attending.

Fiber Revival at Spencer Pierce Little Farm in Newbury, MA 8/9/14.  Wendy may attend this event.

VT Sheep and Wool at Tunbridge Fairgrounds, Tunbridge, VT 10/4-10/5/14.  We do not plan on attending.

Stitches East in Hartford, CT 10/9-10/12/14.  Wendy plans on attending the Saturday marketplace.

Rhinebeck at Dutchess County Fairgrounds, Rhinebeck, NY 10/18-10/19/14.  We plan on attending for the weekend.

New England Fiber Festival at Eastern States Exposition, West Springfield, MA, 11/1-11/2/14.  Wendy plans on attending.

Episode 159: Bragging About Our Kids

This week, Wendy reviews two of the Canterbury Prize wools offered by Louet during the Whirlwind Romance section of the show. WIPs include Mystik Spiral socks, Trillian, Brush Creek Cowlette and B(ias)3. FOs include a hat and mitts in the Gnome Garden colorway from Snitches and Mystik Spiral socks in Regia Fluoromania. A few baubles and bling from Wendy's birthday and NH Sheep & Wool. We announce a new contest featuring the design Yvonne's Wings by Kimberly Gintar.

SHOW NOTES

KAL/CAL:  We are hosting a Stash Busting KAL/CAL for the month of May.  Post a pic of your finished project made from yarn purchased at least 6 months ago in the May Stash Busters Thread and get that stash under control!  A winner will be drawn at the end of the month.

We are also hosting a Sock KAL/CAL.  You choose the pattern.  If you use yarn purchased at least 6 months ago, you can enter your sock in both contests!  A winner will be drawn at the end of June (we decided to make it a two month KAL).

We will be giving away a copy of the Yvonne's Wings pattern by Kimberly Gintar.  Post in the contest thread in our group.  Since the show was late getting posted, we will keep the contest thread open for two weeks.

On The Dance Card:

Wendy is working on:

Seashell Shawl by Ivy Brambles in Blue Moon Fiber Arts Silk Thread II

Brush Creek Cowlette by Carina Spencer in Fiber Optic gradient handspun

B(ias)3 by Amy E Chapleau in Shibui Sock in the Breeze colorway.

Sheila is working on:

Trillian by Martina Behm in Cherry Tree Hill sock in the Silver Streak colorway

Mystik Spiral Socks by Josh Ryks in Snitches Sock in the Seriously? colorway

Rate Your Date:

Wendy completed:

Mystik Spiral Socks by Josh Ryks in Regia Fluoromania

Sheila completed:

A hat and mitts from Snitches sock yarn in the Garden Gnome colorway (Wendy's birthday presents). See Sheila's project page for info on the patterns (which were modifications).

Whirlwind Romance:

Wendy is currently spinning an Enchanted Knoll Farms batt in the Dragon's Blood colorway.

Wendy reviewed the following Louet fibers:

Canterbury Prize Jacob Sliver:  This fiber had a long staple and was very smooth, shiny and hardy.  I let the fiber guide my spinning and ended up with a heavy lace weight or light fingering weight 3 ply (chain plied).  It is a very sturdy and stiff fiber, so it would potentially be good for a lace shawl worn over clothing.  Much like Shetland, I think the stiffness of the fiber would hold the open spaces in lace open beautifully after blocking.  It is definitely not a fiber meant for wear close to the skin.

Canterbury Prize Cotswold Sliver:  This fiber had a shorter staple than the Jacob and also had a beautiful crimp.  Again, I let the fiber guide my spinning, and even though I spun it on the same whorl and at the same speed as the Jacob, I ended up with a completely different yarn.  The Costwold spun into a beautifully lofty worsted weight 3 ply (chain plied).  The crimp gave the finished yarn a nice bounce and elasticity that wasn't present in the smoother Jacob.  Although this yarn might be a little coarse for next to the skin wear, I think it would make beautiful and warm outwear, or even a hat or mittens.

I am going to offer the remainder of my review samples to an interested spinner/spinners if you'd like to try them yourself.  Or you can pick them up for a good price at the links above directly from Louet.

Future Dates:

Sheila and Wendy will be finishing their ongoing projects.

Baubles & Bling:

Wendy received:

Sheila's handknit Gnome Garden hat and mitts.

Hiro Mittens:  by Julia Farwell-Clay from the Awesome SuperD (Madaboutmatisse).

Wendy purchased at NH Sheep & Wool:

Spunky Eclectic Comeback Progression on Superwash in the Rodea colorway (6oz)

Mad Color Fiber Arts Gradient on Polwarth in Rainbow Connection

Gossip & Innuendo:

Wendy went to the NH Sheep and Wool at Deerfield Fairgrounds, Deerfield, NH 5/10-5/11/14.  This is a great festival for a family, as it features lots of kid-friendly events and crafts.

Webs Tent Sale at Webs Yarn Store, Northampton, MA, 5/17-5/18/14.  Wendy plans to attend on Saturday.

MA Sheep and Wool at Cummington Fairgrounds, Cummington, MA 5/24-5/25/14.  Neither Sheila nor Wendy will attend this year.

VT Sheep and Wool at Tunbridge Fairgrounds, Tunbridge, VT 10/4-10/5/14.  We do not plan on attending.

Stitches East in Hartford, CT 10/9-10/12/14.  Wendy plans on attending the Saturday marketplace.

Rhinebeck at Dutchess County Fairgrounds, Rhinebeck, NY 10/18-10/19/14.  We plan on attending for the weekend.

New England Fiber Festival at Eastern States Exposition, West Springfield, MA, 11/1-11/2/14.  Wendy plans on attending.

Episode 158: Post-Maryland Depression

So many Baubles and Bling this week after Wendy visits the Maryland Sheep and Wool. WIPs include Sheila's Trillian and Wendy's Mystik Spiral Socks and Brush Creek Cowlette. FOs include a Project of Shame: Wendy's mostly Aquaphobia socks! We draw winners of the monthly stash busting KAL/CAL and the Annika/Chevron Chapeu KAL.

SHOW NOTES

KAL/CAL:  We are hosting a Stash Busting KAL/CAL for the month of May Post a pic of your finished project made from yarn purchased at least 6 months ago in the May Stash Busters Thread and get that stash under control!  A winner will be drawn at the end of the month.

We are also hosting a Sock KAL/CAL.  You choose the pattern.  If you use yarn purchased at least 6 months ago, you can enter your sock in both contests!  A winner will be drawn at the end of May.

On The Dance Card:

Wendy is working on:

Mystik Spiral Socks by Josh Ryks in Regia Fluoromania

Seashell Shawl by Ivy Brambles in Blue Moon Fiber Arts Silk Thread II

Brush Creek Cowlette by Carina Spencer in Fiber Optic gradient handspun

Sheila is working on:

Trillian by Martina Behm in Cherry Tree Hill sock in the Silver Streak colorway

Rate Your Date:

Wendy completed a Project of Shame:

Aquaphobia Socks by Crystal Flanagan in Into The Whirled Pakkoku Sock in the Muse colorway

Whirlwind Romance:

Wendy is currently spinning an Enchanted Knoll Farms batt in the Dragon's Blood colorway.

Wendy plans on sampling three bags of fiber from Louet for review on future episodes:

Louet Northern Lights printed wool top in the Popsicles colorway

Canterbury Prize Jacob Sliver

Cotswold Sliver 

Future Dates:

Sheila will be knitting:

Mystik Spiral Socks by Josh Ryks

Baubles & Bling:

Sheila and Wendy received:

Knittingsmybag notions pouches.

Wendy purchased:

Into The Whirled Falkland batt in the 221B colorway.

Frabjous Fibers Stripey Batts in the Tourmaline colorway (at the Susan's Fiber booth)

Blue Moon Fiber Arts Socks that Rock in the Portland Plaid colorway (from The Fold booth).

Hobbledehoy braid of Merino and silk in the Metropolis colorway

Vintage Rose MDSW souvenir stitch markers and holder

Fiber Optic Gradients in Wild Thyme and Dusty Plum to Olive

Signature Needles in US4 and US6.

Wendy received:

Gale's Art yarn (from madaboutmatisse)

Blue Moon Fiber Arts Socks That Rock (from Taralyn)

String Theory Caper Sock in the Peacock colorway (from Knittingsmybag)

Baby Camel lace (from KnittingKnirvana)

Knitted Flying Pig (from Loonyhiker)

Old Bay Seasoning (from Fireknits)

Gossip & Innuendo:

Wendy went to the Maryland Sheep and Wool 2014 at Howard County Fairgrounds in West Friendship, MD, 5/3-5/4/2014.  The weather was gorgeous and much fun was had by all.

NH Sheep and Wool at Deerfield Fairgrounds, Deerfield, NH 5/10-5/11/14.  Wendy plans on attending with her family.

Webs Tent Sale at Webs Yarn Store, Northampton, MA, 5/17-5/18/14.  Wendy plans to attend on Saturday.

MA Sheep and Wool at Cummington Fairgrounds, Cummington, MA 5/24-5/25/14.  Sheila may attend, Wendy will be unable to attend.

VT Sheep and Wool at Tunbridge Fairgrounds, Tunbridge, VT 10/4-10/5/14.  We do not plan on attending.

Stitches East in Hartford, CT 10/9-10/12/14.  Wendy plans on attending the Saturday marketplace.

Rhinebeck at Dutchess County Fairgrounds, Rhinebeck, NY 10/18-10/19/14.  We plan on attending for the weekend.

New England Fiber Festival at Eastern States Exposition, West Springfield, MA, 11/1-11/2/14.  Wendy plans on attending.

Episode 157: An Embarrassment of Riches

Lots of baubles and bling this week! Featured WIPS include the Trillian shawl, Aquaphobia socks, and Brush Creek Cowlette. FOs include Sheila's and Wendy's Patons Wool Ragg Shades socks. Featured goodies include neon shades yarn, an awesome gift from Callie of Dramatic Knits including Leading Men Fiber Arts yarn, bags from Stitched by Jessalu and fiber from Louet, among other things.

SHOW NOTES

KAL/CAL:  We are hosting a Stash Busting KAL/CAL for the month of April! Post a pic of your finished project made from yarn purchased at least 6 months ago in the April Stash Busters Thread and get that stash under control!  A winner will be drawn at the end of the month.

We are also hosting a KAL of the Annika Cowl or the Chevron Chapeau.  The designer, Suzanne Morrison Gavreau, has generously offered a coupon code: everythingisawesome for 25% off the pattern price for the month of the knit along!

On The Dance Card:

Wendy is working on:

Aquaphobia Socks by Crystal Flanagan in Into The Whirled Pakkoku Sock in the Muse colorway

Seashell Shawl by Ivy Brambles in Blue Moon Fiber Arts Silk Thread II

An improvised wrap in Into The World handspun.

Brush Creek Cowlette by Carina Spencer in Fiber Optic gradient handspun

Sheila is working on:

Trillian by Martina Behm in Cherry Tree Hill sock in the Silver Streak colorway

Rate Your Date:

Wendy and Sheila showed their socks knit from Patons Kroy in Ragg Shades.  Sheila used the Fish Lips Kiss Heel by Sox Therapist.  Wendy's mom used Wendy Johnson's toe-up sock pattern.

Whirlwind Romance:

Wendy is currently spinning an Enchanted Knoll Farms batt in the Dragon's Blood colorway.

Wendy showed three bags of fiber from Louet for review on future episodes:

Louet Northern Lights printed wool top in the Popsicles colorway

Canterbury Prize Jacob Sliver

Cotswold Sliver 

Future Dates:

Wendy and Sheila will be knitting:

Mystik Spiral Socks by Josh Ryks

Baubles & Bling:

Sheila received:

Leading Men Fiber Arts in the All The Way to the Bank colorway on the Showstopper base from Calsters of Dramatic Knits.  Love you, Girlfriend!

Gorgeous Spring bag also from Calsters.

Blue Moon Fiber Arts sock yarn from Siberiancat.  Big thanks, Penny!

Wendy received:

Fleece Artist in the Stardust colorway from Siberiancat!

Wendy bought:

A large wedge bag and four notions pouches from Stitched by Jessalu

Regia Fluoromania  in the pink/orange/yellow/green colorway.

The "As The Crow Flies" cross stitch pattern by Prairie Schooler

Gossip & Innuendo:

We went to the Conn Sheep and Wool in Vernon, CT 4/26/14.  It was pouring down rain, but we had an awesome time meeting up with our friends and viewers!

Maryland Sheep and Wool 2014 at Howard County Fairgrounds in West Friendship, MD, 5/3-5/4/2014.  Wendy plans on attending.

NH Sheep and Wool at Deerfield Fairgrounds, Deerfield, NH 5/10-5/11/14.  Wendy plans on attending with her family.

Webs Tent Sale at Webs Yarn Store, Northampton, MA, 5/17-5/18/14.  Wendy plans to attend on Saturday.

MA Sheep and Wool at Cummington Fairgrounds, Cummington, MA 5/24-5/25/14.  Sheila may attend, Wendy will be unable to attend.

VT Sheep and Wool at Tunbridge Fairgrounds, Tunbridge, VT 10/4-10/5/14.  We do not plan on attending.

Stitches East in Hartford, CT 10/9-10/12/14.  Wendy plans on attending the Saturday marketplace.

Rhinebeck at Dutchess County Fairgrounds, Rhinebeck, NY 10/18-10/19/14.  We plan on attending for the weekend.

New England Fiber Festival at Eastern States Exposition, West Springfield, MA, 11/1-11/2/14.  Wendy plans on attending.