Episode 230: Cyclops

This week's WIPs include Sheila's Baa-ble Hat, her Jackyl and Hyde face maks and Wendy's self-designed Rhinebeck Cowl. FOs include Sheila's finished Vanilla Socks from a hand-dyed sock blank and Wendy's finished Ribbon Candy Socks. No Baubles and Bling this week.

 SHOW NOTES

October and November KAL/CAL:  Hats.  Let's all get ready for winter!

BONUS Baa-ble Hat KAL:  Knit Baa-ble Hat by Donna Smith along with us!  You can enter it both in this thread and the general hat thread!

Shout Outs:

We received four books to review from Cooperative Press!  Yay!  Cooperative Press Books are available on Amazon and electronically through Ravelry's pattern store.  Our first review is of River Ganseys by Penelope Lister Hemingway.  We will be giving away a copy of this book in Episode 231, so make sure to check out the contest thread in our Ravelry group.

On The Dance Card:

Wendy is working on:

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

Sheila is working on:

Baa-ble Hat by Donna Smith from stash yarns.

Jackyll and Hyde by Saskia de Feijter in stash yarns

Rate Your Date:

Wendy finished:

Ribbon Candy Socks (designed by Wendy) in Must Stash Yarn self-striping in the Nutcracker Candy colorway.

Sheila finished:

Vanilla toe-up socks knit from a doubled, hand-dyed Knit Picks sock blank.

Whirlwind Romance:

Nothing

Future Dates:

Wendy will knit Baa-ble Hat by Donna Smith from stash yarns and start a pair of socks with some White Birch Yarns in "You Know Nothing, John Snow."  Sheila will knit socks.

Baubles & Bling:

Nothing this week.

Gossip & Innuendo:

Don't forget to enter the contest for River Ganseys by Penelope Lister Hemingway, published by Cooperative Press.

2015 Fiber Events

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

Episode 229: Bursting With Socks Appeal

This week's WIPs include Sheila's vanilla toe up socks from a sock blank, her Edison shawl and Wendy's new design, Ribbon Candy socks. FOs include Sheila's finished modified Rye Socks in her custom Turtlepurl colorway "Superfriends." Wendy has a PHD of one Ribbon Candy Sock. Featured Baubles and Bling include a gift from a viewer of Hobby Lobby yarn and a dishcloth knitting book. We review River Ganseys, a new book from Cooperative Press, and draw a winner of the View from the Charles pattern contest.

 SHOW NOTES

October and November KAL/CAL:  Hats.  Let's all get ready for winter!

BONUS Baa-ble Hat KAL:  Knit Baa-ble Hat by Donna Smith along with us!  You can enter it both in this thread and the general hat thread!

Shout Outs:

We received four books to review from Cooperative Press!  Yay!  Cooperative Press Books are available on Amazon and electronically through Ravelry's pattern store.  Our first review is of River Ganseys by Penelope Lister Hemingway (see Gossip & Innuendo for a summary of our review).  We will be giving away a copy of this book in Episode 231, so make sure to check out the contest thread in our Ravelry group.

On The Dance Card:

Wendy is working on:

Ribbon Candy Socks (designed by Wendy) in Must Stash Yarn self-striping in the Nutcracker Candy colorway.

Sheila is working on:

Vanilla toe-up socks knit from a doubled, hand-dyed Knit Picks sock blank.

Edison by Lynn Di Cristina in String Theory Fiber Arts Caper Sock, Blue Moon Fiber Arts Socks That Rock medium weight, and Handmaiden Casbah.

Rate Your Date:

Wendy finished:

One Ribbon Candy Sock.

Sheila finished:

Modified Rye Sock by Tincanknits.

Whirlwind Romance:

Nothing

Future Dates:

Wendy will knit a cowl inspired by Fall Together, using the Oak Leaf pattern from the October Leaves Sock by Mary Hennigen and Into the Whirled sock yarn with a paintbox gradient set from Fiber Optic Yarns.

Wendy and Sheila will knit Baa-ble Hat by Donna Smith from stash yarns.

Baubles & Bling:

We received an awesome package from a viewer that included "I Love This Cotton Yarn" from Hobby Lobby, a dishcloth pattern book and a knitted dishcloth, as well as some sweet treats and a note pad!

Gossip & Innuendo:

We drew a winner of the View from the Charles giveaway!

BOOK REVIEW:

This week, we reviewed River Ganseys by Penelope Lister Hemingway, published by Cooperative Press.  This book is more of a history of River Ganseys with some patterns, than a pattern book.  Wendy and Sheila both loved the detailed photos and information about knitting with sheaths and belts, spinning for gansey yarn, and the myths and facts of the gansey patterns.  The book is filled with photographs of people wearing their ganseys, and all of the historical information is backed up by careful research.  The author weaves in a family history and it makes the book fascinating and fun to read.  The River Gansey patterns at the end are beautiful, with options for men, women and children.  There is plenty of information about how they were knit and the construction of the sleeves, and several charted designs which can be used in one of the patterns, or to develop your own gansey design.  The charts also include two different alphabets so that you can add initials to your sweater, and a blank chart for you to create your own motif.  This book will be perfect for history buffs, gansey knitters, and knitters who want to add some beautiful textured motifs to their library.

2015 Fiber Events

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

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

Episode 228: Babble about Baa-ble

This week's WIPs include Sheila's modified Rye socks and Wendy's new design, Ribbon Candy socks. FOs include Wendy's finished Geek Socks in her custom Turtlepurl colorway "Superfriends." We announced that we are opening a special thread for anyone who wants to knit a Baa-ble Hat as a part of the Hat KAL/CAL, as we both plan on making one ourselves. Wendy also plans to knit a gradient cowl using a color work leaf design from a free sock pattern as a motif.

 SHOW NOTES

October and November KAL/CAL:  Hats.  Let's all get ready for winter!

BONUS Baa-ble Hat KAL:  Knit Baa-ble Hat by Donna Smith along with us!  You can enter it both in this thread and the general hat thread!

Shout Outs:

Don't forget to enter the pattern contest for View From The Charles by Jennifer Lassonde!  Just tell us which yarns you would use to knit this lovely shawl, which comes in a DK and Fingering version! A winner will be drawn next week in Episode 229.

On The Dance Card:

Wendy is working on:

Ribbon Candy Socks (designed by Wendy) in Must Stash Yarn self-striping in the Nutcracker Candy colorway.

Sheila is working on:

Modified Rye Sock by Tincanknits.

Rate Your Date:

Wendy finished:

Geek Socks by Wei S. Long in Turtlepurl Yarns self striping sock in the custom Super Friends colorway.

Whirlwind Romance:

Nothing

Future Dates:

Wendy will knit a cowl inspired by Fall Together, using the Oak Leaf pattern from the October Leaves Sock by Mary Hennigen and Into the Whirled sock yarn with a paintbox gradient set from Fiber Optic Yarns.

Wendy and Sheila will knit Baa-ble Hat by Donna Smith from stash yarns.

Baubles & Bling:

None this week.

Gossip & Innuendo:

2015 Fiber Events

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

Episode 227: The Boringest Show That Ever Boringed

This week, Wendy and Sheila are both knitting socks out of the same yarn, and that's all they have on the needles. Lots of FOs and PHDs, though, including the Waking Tide Sweater, two pairs of socks and two sock PHDs. We also have lots of Baubles and Bling from our weekend at Rhinebeck, including Miss Babs, White Birch Yarn, Fiber Optic Yarn and Into The Whirled Yarn. We also announce a new pattern contest!

 SHOW NOTES

October and November KAL/CAL:  Hats.  Let's all get ready for winter!

NEW CONTEST

The lovely Jennifer Lassonde of the Down Cellar Podcast is sponsoring a give-away of her newest pattern, View From The Charles!  Just tell us which yarns you would use to knit this lovely shawl, which comes in a DK and Fingering version!  A winner will be drawn in Episode 229.

Shout Outs:

Please consider donating unwanted needles/circulars (sized US 7, 8, 9 or 10) and/or yarn (DK, Worsted or Aran, acrylic or wool) to assist our friend Emily Milliman with her art therapy group. More information on this in our group thread.  Donations can be sent to:

Emily Milliman
2827 SW Illinois St.
Portland, OR 97239

On The Dance Card:

Wendy is working on:

Geek Socks by Wei S. Long in Turtlepurl Yarns self striping sock in the custom Super Friends colorway.

Sheila is working on:

Modified Rye Sock by Tincanknits.

Rate Your Date:

Wendy finished:

Dalekanium Socks by Dena Stelly in Vesper Yarn "Bride of Socktober."

Waking Tide Pullover by Courtney Spainhower in Dyeabolical Yarn worsted, Polar Vortex color way

Sheila finished:

Generic toe up sock on commission in Patons Kroy Rose Marl colorway.

One modified Rye Sock by Tincanknits.

Whirlwind Romance:

Nothing

Future Dates:

Wendy will knit a cowl inspired by Fall Together, using the Oak Leaf pattern from the October Leaves Sock by Mary Hennigen and Into the Whirled sock yarn with a paintbox gradient set from Fiber Optic Yarns.

Wendy and Sheila will knit Baa-ble Hat by Donna Smith from stash yarns.

Baubles & Bling:

Wendy purchased:

White Birch Fiber Arts self striping yarn in "Nothing Says Screw You Like a Rainbow" and "You Know Nothing, John Snow."

Fiber Optioc Yarns Paintbox Gradient set in Autumn Harvest

Into The Whirled Gloucester sock in Lorelei

Birthstone stacking ring set from Chloe and Isabel in Amethyst, Ruby and Opal

Sheila purchased:

Miss Babs Yowza in the Rhinebeck 2015 colorway

Gossip & Innuendo:

2015 Fiber Events

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

Episode 226: Made In Maine

This week we record in Maine with Lois (Knittingsmybag) and Denise (Madaboutmatisse). Lots of WIPs, including socks, a sweater and shawls, and a couple of sock FOs. Baubles and Bling include Miss Babs Yowza, Quince and Co yarn, and a birthday surprise! We are looking forward to our time at Rhinebeck, and will be wearing our Rhinebeck 2015 socks on Saturday. We also draw prizes for the monthly KAL/CAL and the shawl charity!

 SHOW NOTES

October and November KAL/CAL:  Hats.  Let's all get ready for winter!

Shout Outs:

Please consider donating unwanted needles/circulars (sized US 7, 8, 9 or 10) and/or yarn (DK, Worsted or Aran, acrylic or wool) to assist our friend Emily Milliman with her art therapy group. More information on this in our group thread.  Donations can be sent to:

Emily Milliman
2827 SW Illinois St.

Portland, OR 97239

On The Dance Card:

Wendy is working on:

Dalekanium Socks by Dena Stelly in Vesper Yarn "Bride of Socktober."

Waking Tide Pullover by Courtney Spainhower in Dyeabolical Yarn worsted, Polar Vortex color way

Sheila is working on:

Edison by Lynn Di Cristina.  She has given up on Happy Street.  She will use the Socks That Rock, String Theory Fiber Arts and Handmaiden Casbah sock.

Generic toe up sock on commission in Patons Kroy Rose Marl colorway.

Lois is working on:

Vanilla sock in Dancing Dog Dyeworks "Boo" colorway

Dunlap Cowl by Erika Flory in Quince and Co (three colorways)

Denise is working on:

Yowza Weight It Shawl #1 by Susan B. Anderson in Miss Babs Yowza in the Perfectly Wreckless colorway.

Rose City Roller Socks by Mara Catherine Bryner in Perfect Day Yarn (discontinued)

Rate Your Date:

Wendy finished one Dalekanium sock

Sheila finished one of a pair of commissioned generic toe up socks.

Whirlwind Romance:

Nothing

Future Dates:

Wendy, Sheila and Lois will knit socks at Rhinebeck from their custom Rhinebeck colorway from Turtlepurl.

Baubles & Bling:

Sheila purchased:

Socks That Rock lightweight in the Happy Anniversary colorway (STR 10th Ann. Club offering)

Lois purchased:

Miss Babs Yowza in Beautiful Dreamer (a Babette colorway)

Denise purchased:

Quince and Co Yarn in Birds' Egg, Egret and Iceland.

Denise received:

Binkwaffle Bag in turquoise print

Biscotte et Cie Yarn self-striping in orange, turquoise and green.

Gossip & Innuendo:

We drew a winner of the monthly KAL/CAL.  The winner should contact Wendy (pennywenny on Rav) for her prize.

PRAYER/COMFORT SHAWL COLLECTION:

Thank you to everyone who donated shawls and/or prizes!  Lise reports receiving more than 150 shawls!  We drew for the yarn prizes this week, and winners should contact Sheilad37 on Rav.  You can always donate shawls to Lise outside of the contest.  If you do, shawls should be sent directly to:

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

Also, huge thanks to those who have donated yarn to Emily (see info above).  You will definitely help make her community class a success.

2015 Fiber Events

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

If you made socks from STR "It's Not an Obsession, It's a Collection," please meet up with us at 3:00 by Building C at the large tree with benches by the bathroom.  Or hashtag a picture of your socks with #K1H2RB2015 on Instagram!  We will also be at the podcaster meet up around 1:30.

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

Episode 225: We Talk About Weight Loss

This week's WIPs include more vanilla toe up socks, the Waking Tide sweater and Dalekanium socks. FOs include socks, socks, socks! Featured Baubles and Bling include Sheila's birthday presents from home, BMFA STR in the Knitty Rocks colorway, bulb pin stitch markers from Cocoknits.com, and a Detroit "You Are Here" mug! We also review a "No Touch" lotion stick from Keep On With Life, in the Lavender and Almond scents. We are keeping our contest threads open until we record, so you have a few days over the deadline to participate!!

 SHOW NOTES

August and September KAL/CAL:  Shawls!  This way, if you decide to knit a shawl for our charity effort, you can double dip!

WE ARE KEEPING ALL CONTEST THREADS OPEN UNTIL WE RECORD LATER THIS WEEK.  SO GET YOUR ENTRIES IN WHILE YOU CAN!!

Shout Outs:

DON'T FORGET:  Please participate in our charity shawl drive!  We did a great job last year, let's make it even better the second time around.  Details at the bottom of this post and in the Charity thread in our group.

ALSO:  Please consider donating unwanted needles/circulars (sized US 7, 8, 9 or 10) and/or yarn (DK, Worsted or Aran, acrylic or wool) to assist our friend Emily Milliman with her art therapy group.  More information on this in our group thread.  Donations can be sent to:

Emily Milliman
2827 SW Illinois St.

Portland, OR 97239

On The Dance Card:

Wendy is working on:

Dalekanium Socks by Dena Stelly in Vesper Yarn "Bride of Socktober."

Waking Tide Pullover by Courtney Spainhower in Dyeabolical Yarn worsted, Polar Vortex color way

Sheila is working on:

Edison by Lynn Di Cristina.  She has given up on Happy Street.  She will use the Socks That Rock, String Theory Fiber Arts and Handmaiden Casbah sock.

Generic toe up sock on commission in Patons Kroy Rose Marl colorway.

Rate Your Date:

Wendy finished one Dalekanium sock (now shown on blocker!)

Sheila finished one pair of commissioned generic toe up socks.

Whirlwind Romance:

Nothing

Future Dates:

Wendy and Sheila just want to finish what they have on the needles right now.  They both plan to knit a sock at Rhinebeck from their custom Rhinebeck colorway from Turtlepurl.

Baubles & Bling:

Wendy traded for:

a Detroit "You Are Here" mug from Starbucks.

Sheila received:

Various candies and a gift card for her birthday from her family

Socks That Rock mediumweight in the Knitty Rocks colorway for her birthday from Wendy

Bulb pin stitch markers from Cocoknits for her birthday from Wendy

REVIEW:

"No Touch" Solid Lotion Stick from Keep on With Life.  We tried Lavender and Almond.  We both liked how grease-free this lotion was and the scents are great!  We both immediately used it on our dry elbows.

We think it would make an excellent purse lotion because you wouldn't worry about opening and squeezing all over your stuff.  We also think this would make a terrific stocking stuffer.  Sheila will be using hers at work, since she washes her hands a lot.  Wendy plans to keep hers in her purse.

We also like the pattern Solid Lotion Cozy designed by Mel-Tran Designs.  You can make a custom pouch for your stick lotion and clip it inside your bag so you always know where it is.

Gossip & Innuendo:

PRAYER/COMFORT SHAWL COLLECTION:

Since it did so well last year, we are bringing back the shawl collection, which is organized by Lise Gill.  Lise has offered a wonderful prize for donating shawls of any shape, size or fiber.  The shawls will be distributed to people in need, including elderly patients, mourning family and women in shelters.  It's a great way to recycle shawls you may no longer use or that didn't fit your lifestyle once you knit them.  There is more info in the Charity thread in the Ravelry group on how to become eligible for the prize drawing by posting pictures of your donations.  Shawls should be sent directly to:

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

We collected so many shawls last year!  We hope you will join in giving someone who needs it a virtual hug in the form of a shawl.

2015 Fiber Events

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

Episode 224: Outer Banks Style

This week Wendy is flying solo in the Outer Banks. WIPs include the Waking Tide sweater and Dalekanium socks. One PHD this week - a single Dalekanium sock is complete. Baubles and Bling include some tape measures for Wendy's notions pouches. Don't forget the Shawl KAL/CAL and the charity shawl drive!

 SHOW NOTES

August and September KAL/CAL:  Shawls!  This way, if you decide to knit a shawl for our charity effort, you can double dip!

Shout Outs:

DON'T FORGET:  Please participate in our charity shawl drive!  We did a great job last year, let's make it even better the second time around.  Details at the bottom of this post and in the Charity thread in our group.

ALSO:  Please consider donating unwanted needles/circulars (sized US 7, 8, 9 or 10) and/or yarn (DK, Worsted or Aran, acrylic or wool) to assist our friend Emily Milliman with her art therapy group.  More information on this in our group thread.  Donations can be sent to:

Emily Milliman
2827 SW Illinois St.

Portland, OR 97239

On The Dance Card:

Wendy is working on:

Dalekanium Socks by Dena Stelly in Vesper Yarn "Bride of Socktober."

Waking Tide Pullover by Courtney Spainhower in Dyeabolical Yarn worsted, Polar Vortex color way

Rate Your Date:

Wendy finished one Dalekanium sock

Whirlwind Romance:

Nothing

Future Dates:

Nothing planned right now.

Baubles & Bling:

Wendy purchased:

3 faux leather measuring tapes at Hobby Lobby to help complete more notions kits.

Gossip & Innuendo:

PRAYER/COMFORT SHAWL COLLECTION:

Since it did so well last year, we are bringing back the shawl collection, which is organized by Lise Gill.  Lise has offered a wonderful prize for donating shawls of any shape, size or fiber.  The shawls will be distributed to people in need, including elderly patients, mourning family and women in shelters.  It's a great way to recycle shawls you may no longer use or that didn't fit your lifestyle once you knit them.  There is more info in the Charity thread in the Ravelry group on how to become eligible for the prize drawing by posting pictures of your donations.  Shawls should be sent directly to:

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

We collected so many shawls last year!  We hope you will join in giving someone who needs it a virtual hug in the form of a shawl.

2015 Fiber Events

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