Sunday, January 31, 2016

Episode 237: All Together Now


This week's WIPs include Jeck socks, toe up socks, Cache Cache Cowl and the Indigo Frost poncho. WIPs include one toe up sock, vanilla style. Featured Baubles and Bling from Vintage Fairie LLC and a viewer donation. We review Amazing Lace by Sharon Mooney and Cheryl Potter, printed by Cooperative Press. Check out our Ravelry group to win a copy!!

 SHOW NOTES

Shout Outs:

Jan/Feb KAL/CAL will be to finish works in progress!  Get those old projects off the needles and start the new year off right.

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.  More details in the Ravelry group.

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 colorway

Indigo 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:

Vanilla toe-up socks in a BMFA Mill End

Rate Your Date:

Sheila finished:

One toe up BMFA sock.

Whirlwind Romance:

Nothing

Future Dates:

Sheila will knit socks in Patons Kroy.

Wendy needs to finish her other projects, and then will knit This Way That Way Socks by Mina Phillips.

Baubles & Bling:

Sheila received:

Vintage Fairie LLC donated a needle holder and fairy stitch marker for the BMFA KAL/CAL prizes.

We also received a huge box of yarn to use as prizes.  Sheila picked BMFA BFL Superwash in the On The Vine colorway and STR lightweight in the Mad as a March Hare colorway to give as prizes at the end of the BMFA KAL/CAL.

Gossip & Innuendo:

BOOK REVIEW:

This week we reviewed Amazing Lace by Sharon Mooney and Cheryl Potter, printed by Cooperative Press.  It is available for purchase on Amazon and Ravelry (pdf version).

We both really liked the concept of this book.  It features a series of lace projects that range from a simple lace edging to more complex all over lace designs.  It also features "lessons" on various techniques following each pattern.  Some lesson examples include choosing yarn, increases and decreases, nupps and beading.  The combination of the technique lessons and the wide range of lace projects would make this book ideal for a beginner lace knitter, but still relevant to a more advanced knitter.  We liked that it showed projects in fingering weight, variegated, and striping yarns.

We both felt that the photography did not do justice to the beautiful patterns shown and the many techniques demonstrated.  We found the photography lighting to be very dark, making it difficult in some photographs to see the details that are important if you have questions about the project.  The lighting also affected some of the tutorial photos, where it is so important to see exactly what the yarn and needles are doing.  We also wished there were more shots of some projects to show items worn on a model for size reference.

We would definitely recommend this book for advanced lace knitters and new knitters wanting to learn more about lace knitting.  The tutorials alone would make this a great book for learning techniques and the many pretty patterns are just the icing on the cake.

Come to our Ravelry group and tell us which pattern in the book is your favorite in our contest thread.  A winner will be chosen in Episode 239!

Fiber Events


NETA Spa Weekend Feb 26-28, Hilton Garden Inn Freeport Downtown, Freeport, ME

Connecticut Sheep and Wool Apr 30, Tolland Agricultural Center, Vernon/Rockville, CT

Gore Place Sheep Shearing Festival Apr 30, Gore Place, Waltham MA

Maryland Sheep and Wool May 7-8, Howard County Fairgrounds, West Friendship, MD

New Hampshire Sheep and Wool May 14-15, Deerfield Fairgrounds, Deerfield, NH

Rhode Island Wool and Fiber Festival May 16, Coggeshall Farm Museum, Bristol, RI

Webs Annual Tent Sale May 14-15, Webs, Northampton, MA

Massachusetts Sheep and Woolcraft Fair May 28-29, Cummington Fairgrounds, Cummington, MA

Maine Fiber Frolic Jun 6-7, Windsor Fairgrounds, Windsor, ME


Finger Lakes Fiber Festival Sep 17-18, Hemlock Fairgrounds, Hemlock ME

Southern Adirondack Fiber Festival Sep 24-25, Washington County Fairgrounds, Greenwich, NY

Vermont Sheep and Wool Festival Oct 1-2, Tunbridge Fairgrounds, Tunbridge, VT

New York Sheep and Wool Oct 15-16, Dutchess County Fairgrounds, Rhinebeck, NY

Fiber Festival of New England Nov 5-6, Eastern States Exhibition, Springfield, MA








Monday, January 25, 2016

Episode 236: Frog in my Throat

Quick placeholder show this week as Sheila was unavailable and I am sick. WIPs include Jeck socks and Cache Cache Cowl. Nothing much else is going on. Don't forget to join the current Cast Iron, Cast On contest!!

 SHOW NOTES

Shout Outs:

Jan/Feb KAL/CAL will be to finish works in progress!  Get those old projects off the needles and start the new year off right.

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.  More details in the Ravelry group.

Don't forget to enter the Cast Iron Cast On contest!  A winner will be drawn in the next episode.

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 colorway

Rate Your Date:

None

Whirlwind Romance:

Nothing

Future Dates:

Wendy will knit the Indigo Frost Poncho by Isabell Kraemer in Dream in Color Classy In Vino Veritas colorway

Baubles & Bling:

None

Gossip & Innuendo:

Fiber Events


NETA Spa Weekend Feb 26-28, Hilton Garden Inn Freeport Downtown, Freeport, ME

Connecticut Sheep and Wool Apr 30, Tolland Agricultural Center, Vernon/Rockville, CT

Gore Place Sheep Shearing Festival Apr 30, Gore Place, Waltham MA

Maryland Sheep and Wool May 7-8, Howard County Fairgrounds, West Friendship, MD

New Hampshire Sheep and Wool May 14-15, Deerfield Fairgrounds, Deerfield, NH

Rhode Island Wool and Fiber Festival May 16, Coggeshall Farm Museum, Bristol, RI

Webs Annual Tent Sale May 14-15, Webs, Northampton, MA

Massachusetts Sheep and Woolcraft Fair May 28-29, Cummington Fairgrounds, Cummington, MA

Maine Fiber Frolic Jun 6-7, Windsor Fairgrounds, Windsor, ME


Finger Lakes Fiber Festival Sep 17-18, Hemlock Fairgrounds, Hemlock ME

Southern Adirondack Fiber Festival Sep 24-25, Washington County Fairgrounds, Greenwich, NY

Vermont Sheep and Wool Festival Oct 1-2, Tunbridge Fairgrounds, Tunbridge, VT

New York Sheep and Wool Oct 15-16, Dutchess County Fairgrounds, Rhinebeck, NY

Fiber Festival of New England Nov 5-6, Eastern States Exhibition, Springfield, MA








Sunday, January 17, 2016

Episode 235: Fresh Out of Titles

This week we resume our series of Cooperative Press Reviews with A review of Cast Iron Cast On. WIPs include Cache Cache cowl, Jeck socks, and vanilla Toe-up socks. FO this week was the Kebnekaise socks in BMFA mill ends. Featured Baubles and Bling include a present from 4KittiesHaveI, This Way That Way sock pattern from Mommasee and a Christmas themed bag from Knittingsmybag.

 SHOW NOTES

Shout Outs:

Jan/Feb KAL/CAL will be to finish works in progress!  Get those old projects off the needles and start the new year off right.

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.  More details in the Ravelry group.

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 colorway

Sheila is working on:

Vanilla toe-up socks in a BMFA Mill End

Gradient mitts to match her gradient cowl and hat.

Edison Shawl by Lynn Di Cristina in Blue Moon Fiber Arts, String Theory Fiber Arts and Handmaiden Casbah.

Rate Your Date:

Sheila finished:

Kebnekaise Socks by Frida Åberg in Blue Moon Fiber Arts Socks That Rock mill end.

Whirlwind Romance:

Nothing

Future Dates:

Sheila will knit socks.

Wendy will knit mittens for her daughter and the Indigo Frost Poncho by Isabell Kraemer

Baubles & Bling:

We both received:

Present from viewer 4KittiesHaveI.  Thanks, Melanie!!

Wendy purchased:

Project Bag from Knittingsmybag

Wendy received:

This Way That Way Socks by Mina Phillips

Gossip & Innuendo:

BOOK REVIEW:

This week we reviewed Cast Iron, Cast On:  Cooking Through the Seasons by Becky Herrick and Calley Hastings, published by Cooperative Press.  This book is available for purchase in book and pdf format at Amazon and on Ravelry.

We both really liked the unique concept of mixing seasonal knitting patterns with seasonal recipes.  You might knit a few of the patterns once in a knitting book, but recipes can be used again and again each time you cook.  The food photography was very well done and the recipes sound delicious (we were both interested in the goat cheese stuffed burger).

We also liked the variety of knitting projects in this book.  Each pattern lists the skills you will need, making it ideal for knitters of any skill level.  The range of projects was good, from small items like mitts or a hat, all the way up to sweaters.  There is definitely something for every knitter to like in this book.  We particularly liked the Puncia shawl, which is simple but beautiful.  The garment patterns in this book all seemed well suited to a range of body shapes and sizes, which is always a plus!  We just wished there were more detailed photographs of some of the projects, particularly where there were unique details, like the thumb holes in the Cervus sweater.  Fortunately for Ravelry users, there are great pictures of all the projects on the Ravelry pattern page so if you want to see more photos or detail shots, you can check them out there.

We would recommend this book for anyone who likes to cook, and for knitters of any skill level.

If you would like to win a pdf copy of this book, tell us which month you liked best for patterns and recipes in our contest thread!  Winner will be chosen in Episode 237.

Fiber Events


NETA Spa Weekend Feb 26-28, Hilton Garden Inn Freeport Downtown, Freeport, ME

Connecticut Sheep and Wool Apr 30, Tolland Agricultural Center, Vernon/Rockville, CT

Gore Place Sheep Shearing Festival Apr 30, Gore Place, Waltham MA

Maryland Sheep and Wool May 7-8, Howard County Fairgrounds, West Friendship, MD

New Hampshire Sheep and Wool May 14-15, Deerfield Fairgrounds, Deerfield, NH

Rhode Island Wool and Fiber Festival May 16, Coggeshall Farm Museum, Bristol, RI

Webs Annual Tent Sale May 14-15, Webs, Northampton, MA

Massachusetts Sheep and Woolcraft Fair May 28-29, Cummington Fairgrounds, Cummington, MA

Maine Fiber Frolic Jun 6-7, Windsor Fairgrounds, Windsor, ME


Finger Lakes Fiber Festival Sep 17-18, Hemlock Fairgrounds, Hemlock ME

Southern Adirondack Fiber Festival Sep 24-25, Washington County Fairgrounds, Greenwich, NY

Vermont Sheep and Wool Festival Oct 1-2, Tunbridge Fairgrounds, Tunbridge, VT

New York Sheep and Wool Oct 15-16, Dutchess County Fairgrounds, Rhinebeck, NY

Fiber Festival of New England Nov 5-6, Eastern States Exhibition, Springfield, MA








Saturday, January 9, 2016

Episode 234: Take 2.5

So...Wendy accidentally deleted the original episode 234. Oops! We finally re-recorded! WIPs include gradient fingerless mitts, Edison shawl, Kebnekaise socks, Jeck socks, Cache Cache cowl and Rhinebeck cowl. FOs include Sinusoida socks. Featured Baubles and Bling include Gypsy Girl Creations yarn, STR Sock Club final installment, Gnomes, Gnome mittens, knitted face cloths, and a Twig & Horn swatch gauge and needle sizer. We will resume our Cooperative Press reviews next week!

 SHOW NOTES

Shout Outs:

Jan/Feb KAL/CAL will be to finish works in progress!  Get those old projects off the needles and start the new year off right.

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.  More details in the Ravelry group.

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 colorway

Rhinebeck Cowl (personal design) in Into the Whirled sock yarn with a paintbox gradient set from Fiber Optic Yarns.

Sheila is working on:

Gradient mitts to match her gradient cowl and hat.

Edison Shawl by Lynn Di Cristina in Blue Moon Fiber Arts, String Theory Fiber Arts and Handmaiden Casbah.

Kebnekaise Socks by Frida Åberg in Blue Moon Fiber Arts Socks That Rock mill end.

Rate Your Date:

Wendy finished:

Sinusoida Socks by Louisa Sisson in White Birch Fiber Arts sock in the "You Know Nothing, John Snow" colorway

Sheila finished one Kebnekaise Sock.

Whirlwind Romance:

Nothing

Future Dates:

Sheila will knit socks.

Wendy will knit mittens for her daughter and the Indigo Frost Poncho by Isabell Kraemer

Baubles & Bling:

We both received:

Presents from viewer Alison (Thanks, Allison!)

Sheila purchased/received:

Socks That Rock Club final shipment in the All About the Bark colorway

Gypsy Girl Creations Transitions yarn in Cherry Blossom

Custom bag and notions pouch from Knittingsmybag

Wendy received:

Twig & Horn Swatch Gauge

Gnome Mittens knit by Lois (Knittingsmybag)

Handknit face cloths to match the bathroom (with a gift card and soap)

Going Gnome Sunflower gnomes

Gleener

Gossip & Innuendo:

We will return to our series of Cooperative Press book reviews next week!  Stay tuned!

Fiber Events

We will post a new list of events in January 2016.  Stay tuned!