Saturday, March 28, 2015

Episode 202: HATE-ofude


This week's WIPs include the Hitofude cardigan, Retiarius cowl, No Purl monkey socks and cuff down vanilla socks in Patons yarn. No FOs this week, folks! Featured baubles and bling include an awsome care package of Socks That Rock and Fishknits yarn for Sheila, some Patons self-striping for Wendy, and an awesome package from Dyeabolical yarn of sweet smells and yarny goodness! We will be giving some of those goodies away next week!

SHOW NOTES

KAL/CAL:  Patterns that are well-loved (more than 1000 projects listed).  A winner will be drawn in April.

Shout Outs:

Don't forget to join in the contest to win a Knittingsmybag bag and coordinating skein of yarn!

Check out the fabulous new knitting news website:  KnitCliks!  The brainchild of designers Carolyn Noyes and Cathy Carron, you can find news about fashion trends, new patterns, podcasts and MORE!
On The Dance Card:

Wendy is working on:

No Purl Monkeys by Cookie A in Knitpicks Felici (Sorbet colorway)

Hitofude Cardigan by Hiroko Fukatsu in Enchanted Knoll Farms sock

Retiarius in Spunky Eclectic Mammoth Yarn in the Rock Lobster colorway

Sheila is working on:

A vanilla cuff down sock in Patons, Spring Leaf Stripes colorway

Rate Your Date:

Nothing this week

Whirlwind Romance:

Wendy showed progess on the Loop Batt she is spinning in the Strobe color way.

Future Dates:

Wendy has to finish Hitofude before she can start her Rhinebeck Sweater.  Sheila will probably use Cascade Fixation to make a baby hat and booties.

Baubles & Bling:

Wendy purchased:

Patons sock in Brambles Stripes and Spring Leaf Stripes.

Sheila received:

Socks That Rock Heavyweight in "Christmas Balls," Socks That Rock Medium Weight in "Grayple," and Fishknits Sock in "Fuji Fight Like A Girl," which we decided to rename as "We Run on Recycled Parts" in honor of Sheila's son's liver transplants.

We both received:

A big box of goodies from Dyeabolical Yarns including a sample of her Superwash Worsted in "Polar Vortex," a skein of Squishy Sport Single in "Okie Dokie Artichokie," a skein of sock in "Fred," Perfume in the "That's Nice (What Is It?)" and "Sandalwood Vanilla" scents and soap in Dreamsicle and Lavender and Basil.  Some of these goodies will be up as prizes next week!

Gossip & Innuendo:

CONTEST:

Want to win a beautiful Knittingsmybag bag and some coordinating yarn?  Tell us what you would knit with the yarn that matches the bag.  This months Bag/Yarn combo includes Numma Numma yarn!  Check out the contest thread in our group for a photograph of the prize and more info.  A winner will be chosen in Episode 203.

2015 Fiber Events


Connecticut Sheep Wool & Fiber Festival, Vernon CT, Saturday Apr 25, 2015

Gore Place Sheep Shearing Festival, Waltham, MA, Sat Apr 25, 2015

Maryland Sheep and Wool, West Friendship, MD Saturday May 2 - Sunday May 3, 2015

New Hampshire Sheep & Wool Festival, Deerfield NH, Saturday 
May 9 - Sunday May 10, 2015

Rhode Island Wool & Fiber Festival, Coggeshall Farm Museum, Bristol RI Saturday 
May 16, 2015

Webs Annual Tent Sale, Northampton, MA Saturday May 16 - Sunday May 17, 2015

Massachusetts Sheep & Woolcraft Fair, Cummington MA Saturday 
May 23 - Sunday May 24, 2015

Maine Fiber Frolic, Windsor ME, Saturday Jun 6 - Sunday Jun 7, 2015

Fiber Revival, Newburyport, MA TBA Aug 2015

Finger Lakes Fiber Arts Festival, Hemlock NY Sat Sep19 - Sun Sep 20, 2015

Southern Adirondack Fiber Festival, Greenwich NY Sat 
Sep 26 - Sun Sep 27, 2015

Vermont Sheep & Wool Festival, Tunbridge VT Sat 
Oct 3 - Sun Oct 4, 2015

New York State Sheep & Wool Festival, Rhinebeck NY Saturday 
Oct 17 - Sunday Oct 18, 2015

Fiber Festival of New England, West Springfield MA Saturday 
Nov 7 - Sunday Nov 8, 2015






Sunday, March 22, 2015

Episode 201: Knit Like Iron

This week's WIPs include socks, Hitofude cardigan and the Retiarius cowl. FOs include Sheila's No-Purl Monkeys. Featured Babules and Bling include two Knittingsmybag bags. We drew a winner for the Socks for Jeans book and announced a fabulous Knittingmybag Bag and Yarn contest!

SHOW NOTES

KAL/CAL:  Patterns that are well-loved (more than 1000 projects listed).  A winner will be drawn in April.

Shout Outs:

We have a new contest:  Win a Knittingsmybag bag and coordinating skein of yarn!  Details in the contest thread in our Ravelry group.

Thank you to Netta for the knitting needles for Lily.  She loves them!  And thank you to Betty4Fiber for the donation!

We drew a winner for the Socks for Jeans eBook by Deborah Tomasello this week.

On The Dance Card:

Wendy is working on:

No Purl Monkeys by Cookie A in Knitpicks Felici (Sorbet colorway)

Hitofude Cardigan by Hiroko Fukatsu in Enchanted Knoll Farms sock

Retiarius in Spunky Eclectic Mammoth Yarn in the Rock Lobster colorway

Sheila is working on:

A vanilla toe-up sock in Patons sock, Spring Leaf Stripes colorway

Rate Your Date:

Wendy finished:

One no purl monkey.

Sheila finished:

No Purl Monkeys by Cookie A in Socks That Rock Mill End, Rare Gems Fire colorway

Whirlwind Romance:

Wendy showed the Loop Batt she is spinning in the Strobe color way

Future Dates:

Wendy might knit with her Fibernymph Lucky Cat yarn.  Both Wendy and Sheila plan on knitting some baby things.  Sheila will probably use Cascade Fixation.  Wendy may purchase something at Maryland Sheep and Wool

Baubles & Bling:

Wendy purchased:

Two Knittingsmybag bags.

Gossip & Innuendo:

NEW CONTEST:

Want to win a beautiful Knittingsmybag bag and some coordinating yarn?  Tell us what you would knit with the yarn that matches the bag.  This months Bag/Yarn combo includes Numma Numma yarn!  Check out the contest thread in our group for a photograph of the prize and more info.  A winner will be chosen in Episode 203.

We drew a winner of Socks for Jeans by Deborah Tomasello!

2015 Fiber Events


Connecticut Sheep Wool & Fiber Festival, Vernon CT, Saturday Apr 25, 2015

Gore Place Sheep Shearing Festival, Waltham, MA, Sat Apr 25, 2015

Maryland Sheep and Wool, West Friendship, MD Saturday May 2 - Sunday May 3, 2015

New Hampshire Sheep & Wool Festival, Deerfield NH, Saturday 
May 9 - Sunday May 10, 2015

Rhode Island Wool & Fiber Festival, Coggeshall Farm Museum, Bristol RI Saturday 
May 16, 2015

Webs Annual Tent Sale, Northampton, MA Saturday May 16 - Sunday May 17, 2015

Massachusetts Sheep & Woolcraft Fair, Cummington MA Saturday 
May 23 - Sunday May 24, 2015

Maine Fiber Frolic, Windsor ME, Saturday Jun 6 - Sunday Jun 7, 2015

Fiber Revival, Newburyport, MA TBA Aug 2015

Finger Lakes Fiber Arts Festival, Hemlock NY Sat Sep19 - Sun Sep 20, 2015

Southern Adirondack Fiber Festival, Greenwich NY Sat 
Sep 26 - Sun Sep 27, 2015

Vermont Sheep & Wool Festival, Tunbridge VT Sat 
Oct 3 - Sun Oct 4, 2015

New York State Sheep & Wool Festival, Rhinebeck NY Saturday 
Oct 17 - Sunday Oct 18, 2015

Fiber Festival of New England, West Springfield MA Saturday 
Nov 7 - Sunday Nov 8, 2015






Sunday, March 15, 2015

Episode 200: Going on 5 Years




SHOW NOTES

KAL/CAL:  Patterns that are well-loved (more than 1000 projects listed).  A winner will be drawn in April.

Shout Outs:

Don't forget to post in the contest thread and try to win the Socks for Jeans eBook by Deborah Tomasello.

We drew two special prize winners from our member list in honor of the 200th episode!

Sheila showed her Karbonz knitting needles, as people were curious about them.  She also showed her Cubics.  Both are manufactured by Knitter's Pride.

On The Dance Card:

Wendy is working on:

No Purl Monkeys by Cookie A in Knitpicks Felici (Sorbet colorway)

Hitofude Cardigan by Hiroko Fukatsu in Enchanted Knoll Farms sock

Bucilla Christmas Stocking in Red Heart Super Saver (various colors)

Sheila is working on:

A vanilla toe-up sock in Patons sock, Spring Leaf Stripes colorway

No Purl Monkeys by Cookie A in Socks That Rock, Rare Gems Fire colorway

Rate Your Date:

Wendy finished:

Traffic Island Socks by Nicola W (RedScot) in Tumbleweed Yarns Sugar Skull colorway

Sheila finished:

One of her No Purl Monkeys

Gradient Wrap Cowl (technically finished some time ago, but she added buttons)

Whirlwind Romance:

Wendy had no progress on the March installment of the Frosted Pumpkin Storytime Sampler

Future Dates:

Sheila plans to stick to socks right now, possibly Flutterby Socks by Shannon Robelino

Wendy plans to cast on Retiarius in Spunky Eclectic Mammoth Yarn in the Rock Lobster colorway

Baubles & Bling:

Wendy purchased:

Fibery Friends Sampler from The Cottage Needle

Yarn Enabler self-striping sock yarn in the Foxy Gentleman colorway

Gossip & Innuendo:

CONTEST:

Don't miss your chance to win a free copy of Socks for Jeans by Deborah Tomasello!  7 gorgeous color way sock patterns to challenge and delight you.  Just post in our contest thread telling us which of the 7 patterns is your favorite.  A winner will be drawn in Episode 201.

We drew 2 winners in celebration of our 200th episode!

2015 Fiber Events


Connecticut Sheep Wool & Fiber Festival, Vernon CT, Saturday Apr 25, 2015

Gore Place Sheep Shearing Festival, Waltham, MA, Sat Apr 25, 2015

Maryland Sheep and Wool, West Friendship, MD Saturday May 2 - Sunday May 3, 2015

New Hampshire Sheep & Wool Festival, Deerfield NH, Saturday 
May 9 - Sunday May 10, 2015

Rhode Island Wool & Fiber Festival, Coggeshall Farm Museum, Bristol RI Saturday 
May 16, 2015

Webs Annual Tent Sale, Northampton, MA Saturday May 16 - Sunday May 17, 2015

Massachusetts Sheep & Woolcraft Fair, Cummington MA Saturday 
May 23 - Sunday May 24, 2015

Maine Fiber Frolic, Windsor ME, Saturday Jun 6 - Sunday Jun 7, 2015

Fiber Revival, Newburyport, MA TBA Aug 2015

Finger Lakes Fiber Arts Festival, Hemlock NY Sat Sep19 - Sun Sep 20, 2015

Southern Adirondack Fiber Festival, Greenwich NY Sat 
Sep 26 - Sun Sep 27, 2015

Vermont Sheep & Wool Festival, Tunbridge VT Sat 
Oct 3 - Sun Oct 4, 2015

New York State Sheep & Wool Festival, Rhinebeck NY Saturday 
Oct 17 - Sunday Oct 18, 2015

Fiber Festival of New England, West Springfield MA Saturday 
Nov 7 - Sunday Nov 8, 2015






Monday, March 9, 2015

Episode 199: Grandma Hair


This week's WIPs include Monkey socks, Traffic Island socks and the Hitofude cardigan. FOs include the Urbana scarf and 1 of Sheila's Sock Blank socks. Featured Baubles and Bling include Spunky Eclectic yarn, Enchanted Knoll Farm yarn and fiber by Portfiber, as well as the book Cast On, Cast Off by Leslie Ann Bestor. We drew winners for two contests and announce a new contst to win Socks for Jeans with Deborah Tomasello

SHOW NOTES

KAL/CAL:  Patterns that are well-loved (more than 1000 projects listed).  A winner will be drawn in April.

Shout Outs:

We announced a new contest this week!  You can win the Socks for Jeans eBook by Deborah Tomasello.  Details in Gossip and Innuendo.

Check out the Survey authored by Professor Amy Smith from Salem State University.  She is researching community building within fiber spaces and can use your input. There is a thread in the group linking to the survey.

Also:  We heard from a little birdie that our friend Lise from Webs could use large, warm shawls for her charity.  We aren't doing anything formal, but just wanted to let people know that if you have some gently loved shawls of this description lying around unworn, you could donate them!  Check out earlier blog posts or contest threads for her address or PM Wendy to find out how to send them.

On The Dance Card:

Wendy is working on:

Hitofude Cardigan by Hiroko Fukatsu in Enchanted Knoll Farms sock

Bucilla Christmas Stocking in Red Heart Super Saver (various colors)

Traffic Island Socks by Nicola W (RedScot) in Tumbleweed Yarns Sugar Skull colorway

Sheila is working on:

A vanilla toe-up sock in Patons sock, Spring Leaf Stripes colorway

No Purl Monkeys by Cookie A with modifications by Craftypancakes in Socks That Rock, Fire colorway

Rate Your Date:

Sheila finished:

A vanilla toe-up sock in a Knitpicks painted sock blank

Urbana by Stephen West in BMFA STR Heavyweight, Mudslide colorway

Whirlwind Romance:

Wendy shows her progress on the March installment of the Frosted Pumpkin Storytime Sampler

Future Dates:

Sheila plans to stick to socks right now, possibly Flutterby Socks by Shannon Robelino

Wendy has no plans

Baubles & Bling:

Wendy purchased:

Spunky Eclectic Mammoth Yarn in the Rock Lobster colorway and pattern Retiarius

Enchanted Knoll Farms self-striping in the Sunflowers colorway

Portfiber Yak Silk fiber in Naked

Cast On Bind Off by Leslie Ann Bestor

Gossip & Innuendo:

NEW CONTEST:

You can win a free copy of Socks for Jeans by Deborah Tomasello!  7 gorgeous color way sock patterns to challenge and delight you.  Just post in our contest thread telling us which of the 7 patterns is your favorite.  A winner will be drawn in Episode 201.

We drew winners for the monthly KAL/CAL and Snake Tracks sock pattern!

2015 Fiber Events


North Shore Yarn Crawl various stores in Massachusetts, Thursday Mar 12 - Sunday Mar 15, 2015

Connecticut Sheep Wool & Fiber Festival, Vernon CT, Saturday Apr 25, 2015

Gore Place Sheep Shearing Festival, Waltham, MA, Sat Apr 25, 2015

Maryland Sheep and Wool, West Friendship, MD Saturday May 2 - Sunday May 3, 2015

New Hampshire Sheep & Wool Festival, Deerfield NH, Saturday 
May 9 - Sunday May 10, 2015

Rhode Island Wool & Fiber Festival, Coggeshall Farm Museum, Bristol RI Saturday 
May 16, 2015

Webs Annual Tent Sale, Northampton, MA Saturday May 16 - Sunday May 17, 2015

Massachusetts Sheep & Woolcraft Fair, Cummington MA Saturday 
May 23 - Sunday May 24, 2015

Maine Fiber Frolic, Windsor ME, Saturday Jun 6 - Sunday Jun 7, 2015

Fiber Revival, Newburyport, MA TBA Aug 2015

Finger Lakes Fiber Arts Festival, Hemlock NY Sat Sep19 - Sun Sep 20, 2015

Southern Adirondack Fiber Festival, Greenwich NY Sat 
Sep 26 - Sun Sep 27, 2015

Vermont Sheep & Wool Festival, Tunbridge VT Sat 
Oct 3 - Sun Oct 4, 2015

New York State Sheep & Wool Festival, Rhinebeck NY Saturday 
Oct 17 - Sunday Oct 18, 2015

Fiber Festival of New England, West Springfield MA Saturday 
Nov 7 - Sunday Nov 8, 2015






Sunday, March 1, 2015

Episode 198: It's All About That Bass


This week's projects include Traffic Island socks, Hitofude Cardigan, Urbana and 2 pair of vanilla socks. FOs include the Qanik hat and a two color vanilla sock. Featured baubles and bling includes a Della Q needle case and Knitters Pride needles. We're off to Spa this weekend, hope to see you there.


SHOW NOTES

KAL/CAL:  Patterns that are underappreciated (less than 30 projects listed).

Shout Outs:

Don't forget to enter the contest for the Snake Tracks sock pattern!  We draw winners of that and the monthly KAL/CAL in episode 199.

Check out a new podcast hosted by designer Stephenie Tallent (she designed the amazing Wrought Iron Cardigan I knit a couple of seasons ago!)  You can learn more about her audio podcast and what she's doing on her Ravelry Group.

Also:  We heard from a little birdie that our friend Lise from Webs could use large, warm shawls for her charity.  We aren't doing anything formal, but just wanted to let people know that if you have some gently loved shawls of this description lying around unworn, you could donate them!  Check out earlier blog posts or contest threads for her address or PM Wendy to find out how to send them.

On The Dance Card:

Wendy is working on:

Hitofude Cardigan by Hiroko Fukatsu in Enchanted Knoll Farms sock

Bucilla Christmas Stocking in Red Heart Super Saver (various colors)

Traffic Island Socks by Nicola W (RedScot) in Tumbleweed Yarns Sugar Skull colorway

Sheila is working on:

A vanilla toe-up sock in Patons sock, Spring Leaf Stripes colorway
A vanilla toe-up sock in a Knitpicks painted sock blank

Urbana by Stephen West in BMFA STR Heavyweight, Mudslide colorway

Rate Your Date:

Wendy finished:

One Traffic Island sock

Quanik by Amy King in Lion Brand Felting Wool, Cascade 220 and Araucania Nature Wool.

Sheila finished:

Vanilla two color socks in Miss Babs.

Whirlwind Romance:

None.

Future Dates:

Sheila plans to stick to socks right now, possible Monkey socks by Cookie A.

Wendy plans to pull out an ancient WIP and finish it:  the Swirl Shawl by Lijuan Jing in Jojoland Melody yarn.

Baubles & Bling:

Sheila purchased:

Della Q needle case

2 sets of Knitter's Pride needles

Gossip & Innuendo:

CONTEST:

You can win a free copy of the Snake Tracks sock pattern by Angeleah McGarrah!  Just tell us which yarn you would pick to knit the design in our contest thread.  We will draw a winner in Episode 199.

2015 Fiber Events

NETA Spin and Knit Spa, Freeport ME,  Friday Feb 27 -  Sunday March 1, 2015

Connecticut Sheep Wool & Fiber Festival, Vernon CT, Saturday Apr 25, 2015

Gore Place Sheep Shearing Festival, Waltham, MA, Sat Apr 25, 2015

Maryland Sheep and Wool, West Friendship, MD Saturday May 2 - Sunday May 3, 2015

New Hampshire Sheep & Wool Festival, Deerfield NH, Saturday 
May 9 - Sunday May 10, 2015

Rhode Island Wool & Fiber Festival, Coggeshall Farm Museum, Bristol RI Saturday 
May 16, 2015

Webs Annual Tent Sale, Northampton, MA Saturday May 16 - Sunday May 17, 2015

Massachusetts Sheep & Woolcraft Fair, Cummington MA Saturday 
May 23 - Sunday May 24, 2015

Maine Fiber Frolic, Windsor ME, Saturday Jun 6 - Sunday Jun 7, 2015

Fiber Revival, Newburyport, MA TBA Aug 2015

Finger Lakes Fiber Arts Festival, Hemlock NY Sat Sep19 - Sun Sep 20, 2015

Southern Adirondack Fiber Festival, Greenwich NY Sat 
Sep 26 - Sun Sep 27, 2015

Vermont Sheep & Wool Festival, Tunbridge VT Sat 
Oct 3 - Sun Oct 4, 2015

New York State Sheep & Wool Festival, Rhinebeck NY Saturday 
Oct 17 - Sunday Oct 18, 2015

Fiber Festival of New England, West Springfield MA Saturday 
Nov 7 - Sunday Nov 8, 2015