Episode 214: In Vogue

Note: There were some video technical difficulties this week. So the video is weird in a couple of places. Most of it is fine! This week's WIPs include many socks and the TGV shawlette. FOs include the Mystik Spiral Reboot socks and the Lucille baby cardi. Baubles and Bling featured this week are Knitpicks Felici sock yarn. We review the new book by Veera Välimäki "Colorwheel Knits." There will be a contest to win a free copy, with the winner drawn in Ep 216.

 SHOW NOTES

June KAL/CAL:  SOCKS!  Small socks, big socks, footie socks, knee highs... any sock that can be worn by an actual human.  We will draw a winner in Episode 215, and will keep the thread open until then.

Shout Outs:

Abby Franquemont will be teaching two spinning classes (fine spinning and spindle long draw) at Fiber Revival on Saturday, August 8.  You can read about the courses and sign up HERE.  Don't miss out!!

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:

Leyburn Socks by Minty Fresh in BMFA Socks That Rock, "It's A Collection, Not an Obsession"

Wendy is going to knit TGV (High Speed Knitting) by Susan Ashcroft in polwarth/silk handspun from CJ Kopec Creations in the "Death to Ovarian Cancer" colorway

Retiarius in Spunky Eclectic Mammoth Yarn in the Rock Lobster colorway (not shown this week)

Sheila is working on:

Generic Toe up sock out of a Ravelry Sock Blank swap item.

Rose City Rollers by Mara Catherine Bryner in a cotton blend yarn.

Rate Your Date:

Wendy finished:

Lucille cardigan by Courtney Kelley in Fiber Stash Twinkletoes sock in the Eggplant colorway

Sheila finished:

Mystik Spiral Socks by Josh Ryks in Fibernymph Dyeworks self-striping on Bounce in the Good 'n' Plenty colorway.

Whirlwind Romance:

Wendy is spinning her Abby Batt.  She will be on Team Akerworks for Tour de Fleece

Future Dates:

Wendy will knit a baby headband.

Sheila is going to knit Zigzagular and focus mainly on socks for a while.

Baubles & Bling:

Wendy purchased:

Knitpicks Felici in Wizard, Teacup and Baker Street.

Gossip & Innuendo:

Not much will be going on until Fiber Revival!  If you haven't already done it, sign up for a class by Abby Franquemont!

BOOK REVIEW:  Color Wheel Knits by Veera Valïmäki (published by Cooperative Press)

We both loved this book.  The basic concept is patterns grouped by color groups, with a short blurb about the feeling or emotion of the color group at the beginning of each section.  All of the patterns featured are knit in Sport or heavier yarn, and there is really something for everyone.  There are sweater patterns for men, women and children, hat patterns, scarf, cowl and mitten patterns.  All of the designs are typical of this designer:  fresh, interesting and modern.  She makes great use of color blocking, color work and texture in her designs, and all of the patterns are seamless - perfect for those of us who dislike construction.  Our favorite patterns were "Afloat in Red" and "Grid Plan."  The book is also beautifully photographed. We did note that not all of the sweater designs will work for larger ladies, but there were several designs that could flatter all shapes and sizes.  We definitely recommend this book for 156 pages of perfect winter knitting projects.

We will be giving away a pdf copy of this book in Episode 216.  Leave a comment in the contest thread telling us which pattern is your favorite!

2015 Fiber Events

Fiber Revival, Newburyport, MA Saturday Aug 8,  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