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Sunday, May 31, 2009

Knitworking - Episode 55 - The Knitmore Girls

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This week's episode has been sponsored by:

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This week: Purlescence Yarns carries many of the yarns used in Cookie A’s “Sock Innovation” including Louet Gems, Mountain Colors Barefoot, Lorna’s Laces Shepherd Sock, Colinette Jitterbug, and Dream in Color Smooshy. Worldwide shipping is available.

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All new subscribers receive a free gift from Eucalan as our way of saying thanks for supporting Verena Knitting!
Use subscription code: KNITMG

Events: (00:28)
6/6/2009 - Spinning at the Retzlaff winery. (Take at least $5 in cash, folding chairs, sunscreen, a dish to share, cash/checks/credit cards.)
6/13/2009- World Wide Knit in Public Day. Jasmin will be at Santana Row (in San Jose), Gigi will be with the Fiber Collective in Los Angeles.
8/6-9/2009 - The Sock Summit in Portland, Oregon.

On the Needles: (4:38)

Gigi is working on the Riverbed sock (from Cat Bordhi's New Pathways in Knitting) in Abstract Fiber's Supersock (colorway: Lady Macbeth).

Jasmin is participating in the Brass Needles' Cabletini sock KAL. Jasmin is using Dream in Color Smooshy (in Midnight Derby) from her (someday) Tulip Baby Sweater kit.

Jasmin finished her Wool Peddler's Shawl. She put some Swarovski crystals in the edge to add a little glitter and weight to the shawl.

Jasmin is knitting a pair of Sunshine Socks (from Cookie A's Sock Innovation) out of Dream in Color Smooshy (in Into the Mystic). Jasmin has stated that the Sunshine socks will be the next Monkey. (Jasmin compares following a designer the way she follows authors. She talks about Vicki Lewis Thomspon's "Nerd" series.)

Gretchdragon was kind enough to give Jasmin a Mandala Lace shawl.

Mother Knows Best: (19:06)

Using your knitting to network and job-hunt. Jasmin talks about the Silicon Valley "Side door".

Gigi and Jasmin discuss some minor points of knitting/ networking / job hunting etiquette.

When Knitting Attacks: (30:36)

Gigi's sad, misshapen Coriolis socks got frogged. A knitting needle was collateral damage.

Jasmin talks about her Cabletini socks. She compares the beginning of the sock to the witches' feet (in the film, The Witches). They have been ripped out and re-started.

Jasmin talks about her Sunshine socks, and the changes she's made.

Bring it On: (43:36)

We discuss how to avoid knitting mistakes, and solve others.

1- Read all of the directions before you start knitting. Twice. (Jasmin is often defeated by "At the same time", "at each end".)
2- Swatch. Wash it.
3- Don't rip prematurely.

- When knitting lace, use lifelines.
- Make a photocopy of your pattern (for your personal use). Make notes in the margin. Keep it with your project.
- Keep all of the yarn for your project together.
- Jasmin mounts her charts on cardstock (Pound o' Paper)

Sunday, May 24, 2009

Shawls, Sweaters, and Socks! - Episode 54 - The Knitmore Girls

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This week's episode has been sponsored by:


abstract fiber
New this week: rosy pinks, deep, dark reds, hot tropicals, deep green, a brown, and a foggy grey. For spinners: a blend of yak and merino, and soon will have pure silk for summer spinning. As always, Abstract Fiber offers free domestic shipping on orders over $100.

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This week: A beautiful selection of hand-dyed silk lace yarn from Blue Moon Fiber Arts and Claudia Hand Painted Yarns, as well as wool, alpaca, and cashmere lace blends for summer lace shawl knitting.

verena logo
All new subscribers receive a free gift from Eucalan as our way of saying thanks for supporting Verena Knitting!
Use subscription code: KNITMG

Congrats on graduating, Tika!!!
On the Needles: (1:33)
Gigi has finished knitting Carli. She'll be photographing them with the pins from Romi.

Summer means lace knitting for Jasmin. She is working on her Wool Peddler's Shawl. Jasmin admits objecting to the seemingly exponential growth of triangular shawls.

Gigi's Marta is nearing completion, as are her Par 5 socks in Malabrigo Sock. Jasmin is still working on her Aran Pocket Shawl. Gigi is working on the Riverbed sock out of the Abstract Fiber SuperSock in "Macbeth". Jasmin is working on a sock out of the Abstract Fiber Supersock in "Newport".

Gigi is going on a blocking binge! She's blocking her Chic Pulli in Cascade Venezia. Jasmin is planning on pulling two UFO triangular lace shawls (the Icarus and the Adamas Shawls).

Jasmin and Gigi agree that the Waterfall shell (from the Spring issue of Verena Knitting) would be fantastic for the Tess Microfiber Ribbon. Jasmin also thinks the Aleita Shell (from Interweave Knits, Spring 2008) would be a great use of the Tess Ribbon. Jasmin is also excited about the Sandrine sweater.
Bring it On! (18:12)

Jasmin is on an organization binge. She is using the comforter bags (seen on the sockpr0n blog) to separate fleeces, and yarns by dyer.
Mother Knows Best: (23:05)

Gigi talks about blocking using cardboard cutting boards in conjunction with Knitter's Blocks.

Events: (27:17)

- Saturday, June 6th: Spinning at the Retzlaff winery. There's a $5 entry fee, and a potluck lunch.
- Saturday, June 13th: WorldWide Knit in Public day. Jasmin will be at Santana Row (between Cohiba and Sunglasses on the Row), Gigi will be in Los Angeles.
- August 6-9: Sock Summit in Portland, Oregon. We will be staying at the Mariott Courtyard in Portland. We'll be doing a meet-and-greet with goodie bags!

Straw into Gold: (31:03)

The last of Jasmin's fleeces from Booneville arrived, processed and beautiful from Shari at Morro Fleece Works. Jasmin talks about Duchess, a 1/2 blood, blue/gray fleece from Jean Near.

Jasmin plied the cashmere/silk from Abstract Fiber this week, and discovered some issues with her WooLee Winder. Jasmin needs help- she needs the directions on how to disassemble/reassemble hers.

Sunday, May 17, 2009

Reflections and recessions - Episode 53 - The Knitmore Girls

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This week's episode has been sponsored by:

purl logoNew this week: Elemental Effects and Judith MacKenzie McCuin offer a 100% American-grown Shetland fingering weight. Also from Elemental Effects, 2 ounce bumps of glorious Romney wool roving.

verena logo
All new subscribers receive a free gift from Eucalan as our way of saying thanks for supporting Verena Knitting!
Use subscription code: KNITMG

Events: (00:35)
6/6/2009 - Spinning at the Retzlaff Winery
6/13/2009- WorldWide Knit in Public Day
(Jasmin will be at Santana Row, look for the pink hair. Gigi will be knitting in Los Angeles, details will be posted later.)
On the Needles: (5:47)

Gigi is working on her Carli again! Jasmin's Katarina is languishing a bit. Jasmin is on a shawl kick. She is working on her Aran Pocket Shawl as well as the Wool Peddler's Shawl.

Gigi is blocking her way through a mountain of UFOs. Carli got blocked, Marta got blocked, Katarina has been blocked.

Gigi has turned the heel on her Par 5 socks.
Mother Knows Best: (15:33)

Gigi and Jasmin discuss the virtues of stashing, and how a healthy stash can make your knitting recession-proof.

When Knitting Attacks: (22:17)

Jasmin is having trust issues with the chart on the Wool Peddler's shawl. Gigi sews her sweater together more creatively than normal.

Review: (25:42)

This week, Gigi and Jasmin review "The Friday Night Knitting Club" by Kate Jacobs. They liked it fine, but have some small criticisms.

Bring it On! (33:27)

Podcasts we like!

BarkNKnit - knitting and dog training.
CogKNITive - knitting, spinning, and Cognitive Behavioral strategies!
Stitch-It! - spinning, knitting, "My faaaaaaavorite thing".
Knaked Knits
Knitting Rose
Cast-On - Brenda is a real mensch. She's thoughtful, articulate, supportive, and has a voice like butter!
CraftLit- classic novels and lit chat.
Gives Good Knit - books, knitting, spinning, and Tika.
Brass Needles - knitting, fashion, and science fiction.
High Fiber Diet
Sticks and String - nice voice, great essays.
Fadenfreude - a German knitting podcast.
Changeling's Knit and Stitch
Faery Knitting
Knitlark Lane
The Manic Purl
KnitTherapy
She-Knits
Y-Knit
Sweaters for Dragons

Spinning (51:02)

Jasmin has been spinning some mango-colored 80 Merino/20 silk from Redfish Dyeworks.

Sunday, May 10, 2009

The Wrath of Yaaaarn! - Episode 52 - The Knitmore Girls

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This week's episode has been sponsored by:

abstract fiber
Orders over $100 receive free shipping!

purl logo
New this week: Knitting bags by Lexie Barnes, Della Q, Lantern Moon, Amy Butler, and the new Zuca bag- a knitting bag on wheels. Will ship anywhere in the world!


verena logo
All new subscribers receive a free gift from Eucalan as our way of saying thanks for supporting Verena Knitting!
Use subscription code: KNITMG

The Knitmore Girls remind you to call your mother!

On the Needles: (1:50)

Jasmin and Andrew took Gigi to see the new Star Trek movie at the IMAX theater. They talk about the sheep on Vulcan and knits in the movie.

Gigi works on the Katarina sweater. They discuss the Knit(more)-a-long. Jasmin talks about her Aran Pocket Wrap (from Folk Shawls), which she is knitting out of sport weight Jade Sapphire cashmere.

Jasmin is seeking inspiration in weird ways. She has finished her first sock out of the Abstract Fiber supersock in "Newport". Jasmin wanted to knit lace, and cast on the Theatrical Lace shawl Shawls and Scarves) in Malabrigo Lace.

Jasmin decided to finish a pair of Gentleman's Fancy Socks for Andrew (from Knitting Vintage Socks), but some insulation got into the knitting bag, so Jasmin is looking for solutions on how to get insulation out of knitting.

Mother Knows Best: (21:15)

Gigi discusses blocking. Jasmin mentions Yarn Dogs' event to support their Avon Walk for Breast Cancer team, Knitters for Knockers.

When Knitting Attacks: (30:03)

Jasmin talks about losing the second sock (in this pair, made of Tess Yarns' Peruvian Sock) while out watching Wolverine.

Gigi's sleeves for her Katarina are too big. She is on a knitting-three-sleeves binge. Jasmin laments a troubled Monkey Sock.

Jasmin talks about over-dyeing "ugly" colors. Jasmin overdyed the Jade Sapphire "BlueBlood" (which is red) with navy blue Jacquard acid dye. It is a lovely shade of eggplant now.

Straw into Gold: (43:28)

Jasmin talks about her Tallulah swatch for Mariah; the 5-ply yields 4.5 sts/inch on a US 6/4mm needle.

Jasmin also mentions some dandruff-y cashmere that she finished. (Description of woolen spinning can be found in this episode of Stitch it!) It is going to grow up to be lace, and is being spun on the Schacht-Reeves.

Jasmin bought some qiviut fiber in Alaska last year, and is a little intimidated by it. So, she is practicing on Bison roving. (You can order the bison roving from Purlescence Yarns.)

Jasmin is spinning Lina, who is a chocolate brown hogget merino fleece (from Janet Heppler, bought at the Retzlaff Winery spinning day last year). Jasmin determines, after ordering some of the comforter bags (that Aija talks about on the sockpr0n blog), that she has a lot of fleeces.

Sunday, May 3, 2009

Cheryl Oberle shares! - Episode 51 - The Knitmore Girls

cheryloberle

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This week's episode is sponsored by:


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This week: Be sure to check out our shop looms: the Ashford Knitter's Loom, the Schacht Cricket, and Wolf Pup looms, all in stock and ready to go home with you today. We happily ship anywhere in the world!

verena logo
All new subscribers receive a free gift from Eucalan as our way of saying thanks for supporting Verena Knitting!
Use subscription code: KNITMG

This week, in lieu of our normal segments, we chat with Cheryl Oberle. But, we do announce the winners of our "name the listener questions segment" contest.

Cheryl's books
The Sarah Blanche shawl
Cheryl, on Ravelry
Cheryl's knit-a-ways
Cheryl's swatching technique:
The 30 stitch gauge swatch
Cast on at least 30 stitches. Measure the entire width of the 30 sts. If you change one needle size, the width will change exactly 1/2".