Thursday, September 25, 2014

Episode 178: The Poking Finger


This week's WIPs include Sheila's Faux Duotone Cowl and cotton comfort baby blanket, and Wendy's Chevron blanket. FO is the second Fish Hat (Dead or Alive). 

SHOW NOTES

KAL/CAL:  We opened a September/October combined Stash Busters thread.  Post a pic of your finished project made from yarn purchased at least 6 months ago in the thread and get that stash under control!  Two winners will be drawn at the end of October.

On The Dance Card:

Wendy is working on:

Spicy Chevron Blanket by Patons (free on Rav), heavily modified, in Loops and Thread Impeccable (Michael's Store Brand yarn).

Sheila is working on:

Diagonal Comfort Blanket by Lion Brand in kitchen cotton.

Duotone Cowl by Orange Flower Yarn.  She is calling it "fake" duotone because she is using Sknitches self-striping sock yarn.

Rate Your Date:

Wendy finished:

Fish Hat by Thelma Egberts (free on Rav) in Araucania Nature Wool and Cascade 220.

Whirlwind Romance:

No progress this week.

Future Dates:

Sheila plans to make fingerless mitts from some Woolen Rabbit yarn in her stash.  Wendy might cast on a plain, toe-up sock in self-striping yarn.

Baubles & Bling:

Nothing this week.  We did order more buttons for festivals, though!

Gossip & Innuendo:

Contests:

This week, we introduced Mixing the Grape and the Grain by KaRi Waymer (Coggie of the High Fiber Diet audio podcast.  This unique shawl design incorporates a crocheted edging with a knit shawl body!  If you want to win a copy of this pattern, enter the contest thread in our group and tell us what yarn you would knit and crochet this in!

We are also giving away a PDF copy of the book Sock Architecture by Laura Neel, published by Cooperative Press.  If you want to win a copy, post in the contest thread in our group!

Winners for both contests will be drawn next week.

Announcements:

Knittingsmybag Rhinebeck Contest! 25 lucky people can win a $5 coupon for the Knittingsmybag Store if you see her at Rhinebeck and show her your Knittingsmybag bag.  She will probably be with us, so don't miss out!!

Southern Adirondack Fiber Festival at Washington County Fairgrounds, Greenwich, NY 9/27-9/28/14.  We do not plan on attending, but Stitched by Jessalu will be selling bags there!  Get 'em while they're hot!

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.








Monday, September 22, 2014

Episode 177: Talk Like A Pirate Birthday


It's Sheila's Birthday! WIPs this week include Sheila's fake Duotone Cowl and cotton baby blanket, and Wendy's fish hat and Striped Chevron blanket. No FOs, but Sheila shows off her baubles and bling including some yarn from Desert Vista Dyeworks and her presents from Wendy. We review Sock Architecture from Cooperative Press and introduce the latest pattern by KaRi Wymer of the High Fiber Diet Podcast.


SHOW NOTES

KAL/CAL:  We opened a September/October combined Stash Busters thread.  Post a pic of your finished project made from yarn purchased at least 6 months ago in the thread and get that stash under control!  Two winners will be drawn at the end of October.

On The Dance Card:

Wendy is working on:

Fish Hat by Thelma Egberts (free on Rav) in Araucania Nature Wool and Cascade 220.

Spicy Chevron Blanket by Patons (free on Rav), heavily modified, in Loops and Thread Impeccable (Michael's Store Brand yarn).

Sheila is working on:

Diagonal Comfort Blanket by Lion Brand in kitchen cotton.

Duotone Cowl by Orange Flower Yarn.  She is calling it "fake" duotone because she is using Sknitches self-striping sock yarn.

Rate Your Date:

Nothing this week

Whirlwind Romance:

No progress this week.

Future Dates:

Sheila plans to make fingerless mitts from some Woolen Rabbit yarn in her stash.  Wendy has no plans.

Baubles & Bling:

Sheila purchased:

Desert Vista Dyeworks sport weight yarn in the Dia de los Muertos colorway.  She will use the yarn for a special RB KAL with her housemates.

Sheila received:

Paul the Mushroom Boy (crocheted by Wendy) and a phlebotomy-themed necklace from BagEnd Treasures on Etsy.

Gossip & Innuendo:

Book Review:

This week we reviewed Sock Architecture by Laura Neel, published by Cooperative Press.  This book is an amazing sock knitting resource!  The book starts out with an interesting sock construction history and helps you measure your foot for the best fit.  There are both toe-up and top-down options described, both with a number of different toes and heels to use.  There are helpful organizational charts to give you the various features of the heel options and help you select the one that works best for you (Wendy would choose the laziest option!).  The book is simply loaded with the tools you would need to knit the perfect sock, and all of the techniques and modifications are detailed so that you can use these skills on every sock that you knit.  On top of that, the book has 17 patterns included, all using the techniques that are described in the book.  Both Wendy and Sheila loved this book.  We think any level of knitter could use it, although we both thought it might be a little overwhelming for a new knitter due to all of the techniques and options.

We will be giving away a PDF copy of this book.  Just let us know which sock pattern you would choose in the contest thread in our group!

Contests:

This week, we introduced Mixing the Grape and the Grain by KaRi Waymer (Coggie of the High Fiber Diet audio podcast.  This unique shawl design incorporates a crocheted edging with a knit shawl body!  If you want to win a copy of this pattern, enter the contest thread in our group and tell us what yarn you would knit and crochet this in!

Announcements:

Knittingsmybag Rhinebeck Contest! 25 lucky people can win a $5 coupon for the Knittingsmybag Store if you see her at Rhinebeck and show her your Knittingsmybag bag.  She will probably be with us, so don't miss out!!

Southern Adirondack Fiber Festival at Washington County Fairgrounds, Greenwich, NY 9/27-9/28/14.  We do not plan on attending, but Stitched by Jessalu will be selling bags there!  Get 'em while they're hot!

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.








Sunday, September 14, 2014

Episode 176: Shawl is Another Word for Hug


Lots of prizes drawn this week! Watch the Gossip and Innuendo section of our show to see if you are a winner! This week's FOs include Sheila's improvised toe up sock and one fish hat by Wendy. This wee's WIPs include a fake duotone cowl, a baby blanket and another fish hat! Baubles and bling include Knitter's Pride Nove Platina interchangeable needles and the August 2014 Hello Yarn fiber club offering. We announce some upcoming contests, a fun Rhinebeck giveaway challenge from Knittingsmybag, and a USO dress drive by Milltown Ink!


SHOW NOTES

KAL/CAL:  We opened a September/October combined Stash Busters thread.  Post a pic of your finished project made from yarn purchased at least 6 months ago in the thread and get that stash under control!  Two winners will be drawn at the end of October.

We drew 11 Prizes today, people!  Check out all the winners at the end of the show.

On The Dance Card:

Wendy is working on:

Fish Hat by Thelma Egberts (free on Rav) in Araucania Nature Wool and Cascade 220.

Sheila is working on:

Improvised toe-up socks in two colors of Miss Babs (Denim and an unidentified color way from the Podcaster Challenge).

Diagonal Comfort Blanket by Lion Brand in kitchen cotton.

Duotone Cowl by Orange Flower Yarn.  She is calling it "fake" duotone because she is using Sknitches self-striping sock yarn.

Rate Your Date:

Wendy finished:

Fish Hat by Thelma Egberts (free on Rav) in red and blue Araucania Nature Wool.

Sheila finished one sock.

Whirlwind Romance:

No progress this week.

Future Dates:

Wendy will frog her Semele and her improvised socks in Play At Life Socky Maki.

Sheila will be casting on something in Socks that Rock.

Baubles & Bling:

Both ladies received a set of interchangeable Knitter's Pride Nova Platina needles from a lovely viewer and friend.

Wendy purchased the August 2014 Hello Yarn club offering:  Widdershins on Shetland.  She has decided not to re-up the club.

Gossip & Innuendo:

Contests:

Charity Comfort Shawl KAL/CAL:  We announced ALL the winners!  If you won a prize that needs to be mailed, please contact Sheilad37 with your address on Rav!!


Buried in Stash Calendar by Debi Tomasello and lots of lovely knitters!  We drew a winner!  Please contact Sheilad37 with your address!

We will also drew winners for the Knits that Breathe PDF and Big Foot Knits (a new winner) from Cooperative Press!  You will be receiving your prize soon.

Announcements:

Knittingsmybag Rhinebeck Contest! 25 lucky people can win a $5 coupon for the Knittingsmybag Store if you see her at Rhinebeck and show her your Knittingsmybag bag.  She will probably be with us, so don't miss out!!

Milltown Ink Dress Drive:  Our friend Stitched by Jessalu asked us to pass on this information.  Her friend is trying to find 10 dresses for military (and affiliated) ladies in need.  Send your gently used formal dresses to:

Operation: Lovemydress
c/o Milltown Ink
3033 Main Street
P.O. Box 1354
Bondsville, MA 01009

Upcoming fiber events in our area:

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.








Saturday, September 6, 2014

Episode 175: The Show With No Name


Once again, Wendy forgot to name the show on the title page. Oops. This week's WIPs include a generic toe-up sock, fish hat and a cotton baby blanket. FOs include a Lalylala Rita the Rabbit and a Voodoo You Love Me doll. Baubles and bling includes a fabulous prize donation from designer Angeleah McGarrah and a new bag from Knittingsmybag. We closed the Shawl Charity KAL this week and will draw those prizes and all the other contests next week so we have enough time.


SHOW NOTES

KAL/CAL:  We will draw prizes for the Stash Busting KAL/CAL for the month of August next week.

We will open a September Stash Busters thread.  Post a pic of your finished project made from yarn purchased at least 6 months ago in the September Stash Busters Thread and get that stash under control!  A winner will be drawn at the end of the month.

We closed the Donate a Shawl Charity KAL/CAL. We will announce the prize winners next week!

We will be closing and drawing for the Knits that Breathe and Buried in Stash calendars next week, too!!!

Big shout out and thanks to designer (and friend) Angelea McGarrah for an amazing prize donation.

On The Dance Card:

Wendy is working on:

Fish Hat by Thelma Egberts (free on Rav) in Araucania Nature Wool.

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

Sheila is working on:

Improvised toe-up socks in two colors of Miss Babs (Denim and an unidentified color way from the Podcaster Challenge).

Diagonal Comfort Blanket by Lion Brand in kitchen cotton.

Rate Your Date:

Wendy finished:

Rita the Rabbit by Lydia Tresselt in Caron Simply Soft Light

Voodoo You Love Me? by Susan Claudino in Malabrigo Sock

Whirlwind Romance:

No progress this week.

Future Dates:

Wendy needs to finish all of her WIPs and maybe have a little Frog It or Finish It session.

Sheila will be casting on something in Socks that Rock.

Baubles & Bling:

Wendy purchased a new bag from Knittingsmybag

Gossip & Innuendo:

Contests:

Charity Comfort Shawl KAL/CAL:  We closed the thread and drew winners after we recorded this week, so we will be announcing the winners next week (Episode 176)!!


Buried in Stash Calendar by Debi Tomasello and lots of lovely knitters!  We preview a copy of the calendar (it includes 2 colorwork patterns), which will be given away in Episode 176 - check out the contest in our group.  If you are interested in purchasing the calendar for yourself (or a friend!), you can find purchase information through the link, which is to Debi's group.

We will also draw a winner for the Knits that Breathe PDF from Cooperative Press in episode 176!

Upcoming fiber events in our area:

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.








Monday, September 1, 2014

Episode 174: Sleight of Hand


Sheila is back this week and both ladies have FOs, including Sheila's MadTosh cowl and Wendy's handspun mittens. WIPs include a cotton baby blanket, generic toe-up socks, the beaded lace shawl that never ends and the nearly finished Rita the Rabbit. No baubles and bling featured this week, but we review Knits that Breathe, give away a copy of Big Foot Knits and feature the Buried in Stash calendar, which will be offered as a prize! Check out all the contests in our thread on Rav.

SHOW NOTES

KAL/CAL:  We are hosting a Stash Busting KAL/CAL for the month of August.  Post a pic of your finished project made from yarn purchased at least 6 months ago in the August 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 Donate a Shawl Charity KAL/CAL. This week, we show off TWO new prizes!  Three skeins of Jojoland Melody from viewer Emilia, and a bag, stitch markers and yarn from Sam of Knitrundig on etsy.  She has a podcast too!  Get your donations in because the contest ends this week.

On The Dance Card:

Wendy is working on:

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

Rita the Rabbit by Lydia Tresselt in Caron Simply Soft Light

Sheila is working on:

Improvised toe-up socks in two colors of Miss Babs (Denim and an unidentified color way from the Podcaster Challenge).

Diagonal Comfort Blanket by Lion Brand in kitchen cotton.

Rate Your Date:

Wendy finished:

Deathflake Mittens by Sissel KB, using her warm/cool color experiment in Portfiber Polwarth (4oz) in the Prickly Pear color way

Sheila finished:

City Creek Cowl by Susan Lawrence in Madelinetosh Vintage

Whirlwind Romance:

No progress this week.

Future Dates:

Wendy needs to finish all of her WIPs and maybe have a little Frog It or Finish It session.

Sheila will be casting on something in Socks that Rock.

Baubles & Bling:

Nothing this week.

Gossip & Innuendo:

Book Review:  This week, we reviewed Knits that Breathe by Julie Turjomen, and published by Cooperative Press.  This book brings you 12 patterns that are flowy, drapey, light-weight garments knit in summery fibers with plenty of ease and in flattering shapes.  We both really liked this book for a number of reasons.  First, we love that some of the models are older women (closer to our own age demographic).  It really helps us to visualize ourselves in these sweaters!  Second, most of the sweaters are designed to flatter any size and shape, and come in larger sizes.  Third, there is a great table with the qualities of the lighter fibers (drape, etc) which we both thought was really interesting and helpful.  This is a beautifully photographed and styled book, with designs for all levels of knitting skill (as long as you can do basic stitches and yarn overs).  If you are looking for light weight knits (especially those who live in warmer climates and can't knit garments out of wools), this is an excellent book for you!

We will draw a winner for this book in Episode 176, when we will also review another fabulous Cooperative Press book!

Contests:

Buried in Stash Calendar by Debi Tomasello and lots of lovely knitters!  We preview a copy of the calendar (it includes 2 colorwork patterns), which will be given away in Episode 176 - check out the contest in our group.  If you are interested in purchasing the calendar for yourself (or a friend!), you can find purchase information through the link, which is to Debi's group.

 We drew a winner for the Big Foot Knits PDF from Cooperative Press!


Charity Comfort Shawl KAL/CAL:  This is a new contest organized by our friend Lise from Webs! She organizes donated comfort shawls for people in her church community, but she has recently lost a few of her helpers.  If you donate hand knitted or crocheted shawls to her effort, you can be eligible to win a $50 gift certificate to Webs (one prize will be drawn), a skein of Webs anniversary yarn custom dyed by Lorna's Laces yarn (two prizes will be drawn), a pattern of your choice from KNitDesigns, or a skein of Wollmeise donated by our amazing viewer, Katluvz2knit, a bag, yarn and stitch markers donated by the lovely Samantha Boggia of Knitrundig, or a skein of BFL/Nylon sock yarn from ITW in the "What's This?" color way.

The contest will run until August 31, 2014.  Shawls should be sent to:

Webs Warehouse
ATTN:  Lise Gill
6 Industrial Parkway
Easthampton, MA 01027

(Note:  The earlier address will still work, but this is the much more direct mailing address which Wendy should have used the first time.  Oops!)

You can knit or crochet shawls specifically for this charity event OR go through your stash and give away some shawls to a good home.  There is no specific fiber content required - they can be machine washable or handwash only.  There is no specific pattern or size.  Lise will make sure your donations go to people in nursing homes, hospice care, new mothers or other people that need a comfort shawl.

You may post a picture of your donation (one picture per shawl - make sure to post them separately to get multiple chances at the prize) in our Contest Thread.

Upcoming fiber events in our area:

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.