Sunday, April 25, 2010

When in doubt, redo - Episode 98 - The Knitmore Girls

polwarth singles

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This week's episode has been sponsored by:


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Have you tried Tencel? Abstract Fiber has merino/ Tencel blend yarn and fibers. With warm weather coming, Tencel blends are just right. They're cooler than pure wool and have a smooth sleek surface. MightySock makes a great warp yarn for lightweight woven scarves perfect for spring days and cool summer evenings. The drape of Tencel shows lace off beautifully. Check AbstractFiber.com to puchase merino/tencel blends online or for a list of stores near you.

purllogolarge
The Purlescence Purl Girls are "bobbin" and weaving this spring! From spinning wheels and rigid heddle looms, to floor loom, we're stocked and ready to set you up for your own fiber art adventures. Check out our full lines of spinning and weaving supplies from Schacht and Ashford. As always, we're happy to ship to you no matter where you are!





Think Outside the SOX , the latest from XRX Books, features over 60 winning designs from the Knitter’s Magazine contest. This ultimate sock book highlights many design processes, innovative constructions and updates on traditional techniques and just plain beautiful socks. Extensive charts and diagrams, illustrated explanations, and detailed photographs all round out this how-to for everything socks. There’s no better time to be a sock knitter! You can find us on the web at http://KnittingUniverse.com/SOX/ or call 800-232-5648.




On the needles: (00:33)

Gigi is on a finishing kick! She has finished her first Gull Wing Sock, and is coming to a rapid close on the second. Jasmin has finished her Mondo Cable Cardi. Gigi has finished her Mondo Cable Pulli. Jasmin pulled her Carli out of the UFO bin.

Gigi is knitting an adaptation of the Annie Modesitt Ruffled Rose scarf. Jasmin continues to work on the Creatively Dyed J'ouvert Socks for Andrew (colorway "Cake"). Jasmin has started her Tempest cardigan! Gigi sewed a zipper in Miss Kalendar (from Brass Needles)'s Ribbi Cardi.

We forgot our two-year podcastiversary!

Events: (22:00)

- Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival: 5/1-2. Meet and greet will be happening on Saturday, 5/1 from 11-1pm.
- Please RSVP here.
- The meet and greet will be located at the Columbia Sip N Knit hospitality area (to the left of the main gate, outside the main gate). You can meet the Savvy Girls in the same spot on Sunday at 10:30.

- Spinning at the Retzlaff Winery: 6/5

Contest: (24:15)
The Project Runway inspired contest! Use your imagination, and post to the contest thread. We'll be closing the contest on 5/8, and announcing the winners in the 5/9 episode.

Mother knows best: (27:54)

When in doubt, redo.

When knitting attacks! (36:01)

Gigi has a fringe attack while working on her Lady Eleanor! (You can find the pattern for the Lady Eleanor in Scarf Style.) Jasmin re-does her armhole bind-off a million times.

Straw into Gold: (46:06)

Jasmin talks about spinning the Wensleydale from the Crown Mountain Fiber Club (color "Sunrise over Kachanjunga").

Sunday, April 18, 2010

Centsible - Episode 97 - The Knitmore Girls

corrrrrrmo

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This week's episode has been sponsored by:


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Have you ever spun blue faced leicester blended with silk? Soft, sparkly, airy, very easy to spin. Abstract Fiber has a blend of 75% BFL and 25% tussah silk that spins like a dream. Our eye-catching colors just glow with some silk in the mix. Available in nearly all our brillian Abstract Fiber colorways. Check it online or at our next show. Free shipping for orders over $100 at AbstractFiber.com

purllogolarge
In honor of Earth Day Purlescence Yarns is pleased to bring you Lorna's Laces Green Line at a 40% discount. We have both the Green Line Worsted which knits at 4 1/2 sts per inch and Green Line DK which knits at 5 1/2 sts per inch in stock. Lorna's Laces Green Line is 100% organic merino wool. We have lots of other green yarns, too! Rowan British Sheep Breeds both the Aran and DK are specialty yarns grown from heritage breeds and brought to you in all their undyed glory. Rowan Revive is a beautiful tweedy yarn made up of recycled silk, cotton and viscose. Manos del Uruguay Rittenhouse Merino 5-ply and Silk Blend come from a certified Fair Trade Company dedicated to helping the communities in which its yarns are produced!



STITCHES South offers something for everyone. This 4-day event brings thousands together in Atlanta, GA for workshops, demonstrations, author signings, and door prizes. It showcases beautiful yarn, books, gadgets, patterns, & buttons in a market full of retailers from across the country. If it has to do with knitting, you will find it here. STITCHES South is open to the general public April 23rd-25th. For more information please join us online at http://KnittingUniverse.com/Events/ or call 1-800-237-7099.



On the needles: (00:33)

Jasmin is on the home stretch of her Mondo Cable Cardi. Gigi has finished the knitting on her Mondo Cable Pulli. Gigi has input a bunch of projects on her Ravelry page. (Tutorial?) We talk about learning "in bulk". Jasmin mentions the Knitter's Companion (but calls it the Knitter's Handbook). Jasmin has cast on a pair of Creatively Dyed "J'ouvert" in "Cake" for Andrew.

Gigi has cast on a pair of Gull Wing Socks in the Serendipitous Ewe "Chance Sock" in "White Birch". Jasmin is casting on a pair of Meilenweit Multi Jacquard socks for Andrew (color 508). Jasmin has done her plying swatches for her Tempest cardigan. Jasmin refers to this post by the Yarn Harlot.

Events: (20:23)

- Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival: 5/1-2. Meet and greet will be happening on Saturday, 5/1 from 11-1pm. The meet and greet will be located at the Columbia Sip N Knit hospitality area (to the left of the main gate, outside the main gate). (Jasmin refers to Episode 39 of KIPing it Real for the whole scoop on the meet'n'greet.)
- Spinning at the Retzlaff Winery: 6/5

Contest! (24:18)

The Project Runway inspired contest! Use your imagination, and post to the contest thread. We'll be closing the contest on 5/8, and announcing the winners in the 5/9 episode.

Mother knows best: (26:54)

We talk about knitting on a budget. Some tips:

- Knit lace/fine gauge projects.
- Finish one project, buy one project.
- Yarn swaps!
- Trade (babysitting for yarn)
- Knit samples for yarn companies/designers
- Comparison shop
- Give KnitCents a listen!

When knitting attacks! (37:31)

Gigi gets her Frost Flowers Stole in a twist. Jasmin knits her sleeves too long. Gigi makes a pair of enormous entrelac socks (out of Socks, Socks, Socks).

Review! (42:25)

This week, we review the Serendipitous Ewe's "Chance Sock" yarn (four *tentative* thumbs up), and Toe-Up! Patterns and Worksheets to Whip Your Sock Knitting Into Shape by Chrissy Gardener (four enthusiastic thumbs up). Jasmin compares it to Nancy Bush's Folk Socks.

Monday, April 12, 2010

Intermittant knittin' - Episode 96 - The Knitmore Girls

citruscardicu

Listen here:
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This week's episode has been sponsored by:


abstractbanner
Have you ever spun Blue Faced Leicester blended with silk? Soft, sparkly, airy, very easy to spin. Abstract Fiber has a blend of 75% BFL and 25% tussah silk that spins like a dream. Our eye-catching colors just glow with some silk in the mix. Available in nearly all our brilliant Abstract Fiber colorways. Check it online or at our next show. Free shipping for orders over $100 at AbstractFiber.com

purllogolarge
Luscious Lo-Lo bars have landed at Purlescence Yarns. What is a Lo-Lo Bar, you ask? Bar-Maids brings us these wonderful lotion bars, super moisturizing & great for popping into your knitting bag to keep your hands soft and smooth, especially great when knitting or spinning silk. You can even use it to scrunch in your hair for frizz-free shine. They come in wonderful scents like Red Clover Tea (our favorite), Blackberry Sage, Cool Citrus Basil, to name but a few. Plain Jane is scent free. Grab your Lo-Lo To Go!




STITCHES South offers something for everyone. This 4-day event brings thousands together in Atlanta, GA for workshops, demonstrations, author signings, and door prizes. It showcases beautiful yarn, books, gadgets, patterns, & buttons in a market full of retailers from across the country. If it has to do with knitting, you will find it here. STITCHES South is open to the general public April 23rd-25th. For more information please join us online at http://KnittingUniverse.com/Events/ or call 1-800-237-7099.

On the needles: (00:32)

Jasmin has finished the collar on her Mondo Cable Cardi. Gigi has finished a pair of Opal Vanilla Socks. Gigi has started the second sleeve of her Mondo Cable pulli. Jasmin has a (super) old UFO! Gigi is working on the Frost Flowers Stole by Charlene Schurch out of Colrain Lace. We attended CNCH, and discuss the vendors, the exhibitions, and Tien Chiu's incredible wedding outfit.

Events: (20:51)

- Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival: 5/1-2. Meet and greet will be happening on Saturday, 5/1 from 11-1pm. The meet and greet will be located at the Columbia Sip N Knit hospitality area (to the left of the main gate, outside the main gate).
- Spinning at the Retzlaff Winery: 6/5

Contest: (23:54)

The Project Runway inspired contest! Use your imagination, and post to the contest thread. We'll be closing the contest on 5/8, and announcing the winners in the 5/9 episode.

Mother knows best: (26:05)

We talk about keeping track of projects when your knittin' is intermittant.

When knitting attacks: (33:26)

Gigi is foiled by both knitting and spinning. Jasmin drops her carefully marked pattern (for the Brandywine Shawl) behind the sideboard and has to use her Hulk strength (and a broom) to retrieve it. Gigi is repeatedly attacked by her Frost Flowers stole.

Straw into Gold: (38:56)

Jasmin talked about plying the Polwarth from Crown Mountain Farms. She has started spinning some of the Abstract Fiber Superwash Merino in "Vineyard" for Andrew, and is surprised at how the colors present. Jasmin is nearly finished spinning the Cormo for her Tempest cardigan.

Sunday, April 4, 2010

Big and blingy - Episode 95 - The Knitmore Girls

boostyledsweater

Listen here:
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This week's episode has been sponsored by:
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All of us at Abstract Fiber are eager to start on our road trip to the Conference of Northern California Handweavers this week. After we fill up on In ‘n Out we’ll be in booth 416 at the Santa Clara Convention Center all weekend. We’re bringing decadent BFL/Silk in new colors including Rockstar, a vivid violet, turquoise and black, and Malefecint a super dark fiber with touches of red and purple. Polwarth will also debut in new colors along with some regular favorites. Come see us in booth 416 April 9-11.

purllogolarge
Purlescence Purl Girl Sandi Luck's Spanish Dancer shawl pattern first appeared on Knitty.com. This week, we've released a new version of the pattern for sale on Ravelry which includes instructions for the color-blended version in Purl Up & Dye. Search for Spanish Dancer II or Sandi's name. Hardcopy versions will be available in the shop later this week. We have kits in Purl Up & Dye available, too!



STITCHES South offers something for everyone. This 4-day event brings thousands together in Atlanta, GA for workshops, demonstrations, author signings, and door prizes. It showcases beautiful yarn, books, gadgets, patterns, & buttons in a market full of retailers from across the country. If it has to do with knitting, you will find it here. STITCHES South is open to the general public April 23rd-25th. For more information please join us online at http://KnittingUniverse.com/Events/ or call 1-800-237-7099.


Show notes will be posted 4/5/2010.