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Monday, September 26, 2011

UFO diving - Episode 162 - The Knitmore Girls

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Listen here:


This week's episode has been sponsored by:

abstractbanner-1

Here at Abstract Fiber we’re busy getting ready for OFFF and SOAR. We’ve got some fabulous new colors including Summit, Lagoon, SOAR, The Gorge.  The next best thing to being at SOAR is our SOAR colorway, the color of Autumn leaves. Available now at abstractfiber.com .

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Purlescence Yarns is the Bay Area's destination yarn shop. From the best in spinning and weaving equipment to luxurious yarns and fibers, we have what you need to make your fibery dreams a reality. We're always happy to provide mail order service for Knitmore Girls listeners. Call us today, it'll be on its way!

EcolusciousSkinCare_zps0936c17e

Meet Lo-Lo by Bar-Maids, "The Hottest Natural Moisturizers in the Fiber World”. Bar-Maids handcrafts head-to-toe moisturizers for people who wish to proactively protect, defend, and restore their skin to baby bottom soft. Bar-Maids uses only the finest local ingredients available creating non-greasy, non-sticky, non-flaky combinations that penetrate multiple layers of the skin working to soften and nourish.  Once applied, the moisturizer remains where you put it and is not washed down the drain.  With over 38 scents (that smell wonderful), and 8 lip balm flavors that taste yummy, it's hard to choose just one.  Find out how you can keep your hands moisturized and beautiful while knitting up a storm at www.bar-maids.com  Fair shipping practices, cruelty free, and fast turn around times are just icing on the cake.


On the Needles: (00:30)

Jasmin is working on projects out of her UFO bin.  She is making tracks on the Garter Yolk Cardigan.  It needs buttons and button bands, and she will pick up some grosgrain ribbon for finishing it.  Also, the baby sweater for Logan needs ribbon.  She worked on her Sothia with a number of different needles.  She used some from Jenkins, that have nice points, she then moved to CocoBolo needles from Asciano, and then moved to Chia-goo needles, and finished up with Addi Turbos.

She has also dredged up her Cassidy out of her UFO bin, that she is knitting out of Miro in the colorway Rosewood from Abstract Fiber, while she was watching Alien Resurrection.  Also, she is occasionally working on the Prairie Blanket by Oat Couture.  And she is also occasionally working on the Vanilla sock out of Trekking in her purse.

Gigi is working on her second Ophidian out of green Heritage, and is not liking her needles as much as the Chia-goo needles.   She is also working on the garter stitch section of the Sothia, and there are a lot of stitches. She is knitting it out of Abstract Fiber's Mighty Socks in Silver and Little Black Dress.
She is also very excited about the prospect of downloading patterns from the Burda website.

Gigi and Jasmin attended the stash swap at Purlescence, and Jasmin came back with a good haul.

Mother Knows Best : ( 25:31)

We answered a question as to where to get advice and where to order from. Jasmin has ordered from Eat, Sleep, Knit, also Webs and Abstract Fiber, as well as Purlescence with good results.  She is not fond of Patternworks.  Here we shop at Purlescence, Bobbin's Nest and Yarn Dogs

As to getting help and advice for knitting problems, and building a knitting group, Jasmin would make friends with people at the yarn store and build a knitting group that way.  She suggested finding people by sitting at a coffee shop and knitting there and waiting for knitters to approach.  Panera Restaurants seem to be very knitter friendly.  Meetup.com seems to be a good place to find knitters.  Also: find the local knitters through ravelry groups, and making yourself approachable in a public place.

Gigi suggested taking knitting to the kids' school functions and catching other knitters there.   Check the bulletin board at your local knit store. 
We also mentioned the Monkey Business Episode.

Review:  (37:33)  

This week, we review the Stitch Light by Buffy Ann Designs

Jasmin got dirty looks using it at a bar at Stitches.  We were using them watching The Good Guys in the backyard and using the lights.  Gigi couldn't get it to work hanging it from her neck.  Then she strapped it on her head and nearly blinded Jasmin when she turned to her.  It has a very strong light.  Jasmin dangled it from her neck, and the lens got really hot.

Andrew bought a head lamp from REI that works much better. We didn't find it comfortable, and we couldn't make it work for us. We do not recommend it.


Straw into Gold: (43:25)

Jasmin ran 9 ounces short on the yarn she is spinning for Andrew's sweater, because she didn't do the math right. So she has to spin more.

We also took advantage of the nice weather and cleaned two spinning wheels, Jasmin's Schacht Reeves and a friends Schacht Matchless.  They used Murphy's Oil Soap to clean the wheels and after drying the wheels polished them with Wood Beams.  After letting the wheels sit in the sun for a while and cure, the wheels got wiped off and buffed and now they both look glorious.



Monday, September 19, 2011

See one, do one, teach one - Episode 161- The Knitmore Girls

Sharks hat for Logan


Listen here:


This week's episode has been sponsored by:

abstractbanner-1
Here at Abstract Fiber we’re busy getting ready for OFFF and SOAR. We’ve got some fabulous new colors including Summit, Lagoon, SOAR, The Gorge.  The next best thing to being at SOAR is our SOAR colorway, the color of Autumn leaves. Available now at abstractfiber.com .

Page-01_zpsdwbinjs4
Purlescence Yarns is the Bay Area's destination yarn shop. From the best in spinning and weaving equipment to luxurious yarns and fibers, we have what you need to make your fibery dreams a reality. We're always happy to provide mail order service for Knitmore Girls listeners. Call us today, it'll be on its way!

EcolusciousSkinCare_zps0936c17e
Meet Lo-Lo by Bar-Maids, "The Hottest Natural Moisturizers in the Fiber World”. Bar-Maids handcrafts head-to-toe moisturizers for people who wish to proactively protect, defend, and restore their skin to baby bottom soft. Bar-Maids uses only the finest local ingredients available creating non-greasy, non-sticky, non-flaky combinations that penetrate multiple layers of the skin working to soften and nourish.  Once applied, the moisturizer remains where you put it and is not washed down the drain.  With over 38 scents (that smell wonderful), and 8 lip balm flavors that taste yummy, it's hard to choose just one.  Find out how you can keep your hands moisturized and beautiful while knitting up a storm at www.bar-maids.com  Fair shipping practices, cruelty free, and fast turn around times are just icing on the cake.

On the Needles:(00:31)

Jasmin is working on the KAANTINEN Reverible Rib Cap, re-engineered to fit a baby. 
She finished the interminable ruffle on her Sothia. Jasmin has finished the knitting the Baby Blueberry Cardigan out of Claudia Handpaint and Cascade 220 sport. Only the handsewing remains. The Oat Couture Prairie Blanket is coming along nicely.  The Garter Yoke cardigan out of Jasmin's hand spun ( Susan's Spinning Bunny is BFL color blue jeans, and Lorna's laces, Merino, color jeans) is progressing nicely.

Gigi has finished Romi Hill's Taygete. The knitting is finished but it hasn't been documented.  We learned a new acronym: POIDH  Picture or it didn't happen.
She is also working on her second Ophidian by Sivia Harding and complaining because the needles she is using aren't as sharp as the Chia-goo needles she used on her last project.  She is also working on the Sothia, out of Abstract Fiber in Mighty Sock. And a non-descript vanilla sock.

Mother Knows Best: (17:41)

The question we answered from the thread is :How to improve and add to skills as a knitter.   Pick whatever skill interests you most and go for it.  The See One, Do One, Teach One technique was discussed and recommended.  We mentioned the Market Squares Bag from Knitter's Magazine.

And Sew On: (25:52)

Gigi is sewing a quilt our of Dr Seuss fabric from Beverly's with the Contra Dance pattern from Quilt Woman.com Designs.  She is using a seasonal table cloth with a flannel lining as a design wall.

Review:  ( 33:53)

Entrelac: The Essential Guide to Interlace Knitting by Rosemary Drysdale.  We liked the swatches and the photography.  We would have liked more photos of the garments.  (We really like the Lady Eleanor, and Entrelac Baby Blanket from Knitter's magazine better.) Jasmin liked the poncho and Gigi liked the wrap with angora.  We liked the swatches, the garments not so much.

Straw into Gold:(46:44)

Jasmin has been plying her singles for the Ten Year Sweater. She uses her Woolly Winder exclusively for plying because it packs the yarn tightly.  She also uses the Fricky Skein winder, because it measures yardage.  When she is done skeining her yarn, she ordered cards from Vista Print to label her handspun.

Monday, September 12, 2011

Hypotenuse - Episode 160 - The Knitmore Girls


Listen here:


This episode has been sponsored by:

abstractbanner-1
Here at Abstract Fiber we’re busy getting ready for OFFF and SOAR. We’ve got some fabulous new colors including Summit, Lagoon, SOAR, The Gorge.  The next best thing to being at SOAR is our SOAR colorway, the color of Autumn leaves. Available now at abstractfiber.com .

Page-01_zpsdwbinjs4
Purlescence Yarns is the Bay Area's destination yarn shop. From the best in spinning and weaving equipment to luxurious yarns and fibers, we have what you need to make your fibery dreams a reality. We're always happy to provide mail order service for Knitmore Girls listeners. Call us today, it'll be on its way!

3fates
Three Fates Yarns is getting ready for the fall with new bold, semi-solid colorways. Perfect for all of your fingering weight projects, eponymous sock is a two-ply, high twist superwash merino. Also, check out the new Selene Sock, the ultimate luxury sock yarn. You'll adore using this stunning combination of Blue Faced Leicester, Silk and Cashmere! Three Fates Yarns can be found at threefatesknitting.etsy.com.

On the Needles:(0:36)

We are recommending the Knitajourney podcast, especially the latest "Knitajourney Girls" podcast.  We also played the promos for the 2Knitlit Chicks, and Geek Girl Crafts

Jasmin is working on the Baby Blueberry Cardigan out of Claudia Handpaint and Cascade 220 sport.  She is also working on Sothia's never ending ruffle.  She also referred to the
David after dentist video.  And she is almost half done with the Oat Couture Prairie Blanket.

Gigi is working on Romi Hill's Taygete, putting on the edging, a pair of Vanilla socks with an afterthought heel, a premie hat out of leftover sock yarn, her second Ophidian by Sivia Harding, in Cascade Heritage.

Mother Knows Best: (12:07)
Answering how to fit knitware into daily wardrobe. More solid colors are easier to match.  Knitwear is supposed to be the show piece, so the wardrobe needs to be edited to show off the knitting.

When Knitting Attacks: (22:10)
Gigi forgets to read her instructions and had to pull out most of the stitches she had picked up for the edging.  Also, she managed to spill beads for the Ophidian all over the couch. 

Review: ( 24:57)

A Life in Stitches by Rachel Herron.  Not a romance novel but about the love of yarn, and knitting and people.  Jasmin has been reading her blog, for years.  Some parts are sad. 
We liked it.

And Sew On: (32:04)

Jasmin is working on a tablecloth and napkins out of linen from Mood. She is working on straightening the edges and hemming.  Her 1975 Singer Touch and Sew is disagreable, and  challenging.  Gigi confessed that she is running a halfway house for wayward sewing machines.  Fabric needs to be cut on the straight of grain so garments hang straight.  To compensate for shrinkage and straightening loss, one needs to purchase a bit more fabric.  They are thinking about doing pulled thread hems for the napkins by hand.


Straw Into Gold: (44:35) 

Jasmin is working on plying yarn for Andrew's 10 year sweater.  Gigi will be spinning soon on a borrowed spinning wheel.

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

We're back! - Episode 159 - The Knitmore Girls

Sothia

Listen here:

One Minute Update:

Jasmin is pregnant and expecting a little girl.  More baby talk will be posted on her blog  "Better than Yarn".  We will be talking a baby break of undetermined length when the baby is born.

 On the Needles: ( 0:29)

Gigi has finished another Citron out of sparkly Huckleberry with a beaded bind-off.

Jasmin finished a UFO:  the Oat Couture Prairie Blanket.  She is also working on a Sothia Shawl out or her own left over handspun, but the ruffle feels like it will never end.  She also is working on a pair of vanilla socks out of Trekking.  Also, she finished a Zoom baby sweater out of Tess Yarns Superwash Merino.

Gigi finished one Daybreak out of Conjoined Creation Flatfeet with navy blue contrast in Cascade Heritage, and another one out of Claudia's Handpaints in the San Jose Sharks colorway with some black Cascade 220 Sport for contrast.

Also , we mentioned Project Runway.  One of the Designers wore a scarf that looked like the Morehouse Mouse scarf.   He said he designed it himself.  We are impressed by Anya.

Mother Knows Best:  ( 22:48)

We talked about buying yarn for the stash.  Gigi has been trying to organize her knitting, sewing and quilting stash.  And she has reached SABLE.  Advice :  buy enough to finish a project, and maybe some extra balls as to not run short.  Beware of trendy yarns:  eylash, bulky, fun fur.

We discussed the Bobbin's Nest stash sale.   

When Knitting Attacks: ( 36:18)

Gigi has been working on the Taygete by Romi Hill, and has problems reading lace.  Lots of stitch markers and using the charts instead of the written directions help.

Jasmin had an amazingly pretty day and was buying a bunch of circular needles, and somehow managed to put back the needles she had picked and instead take the needles she didn't need to the cash register.   

Review :  (42:06)

Knitting Beyond the Edge, by Nicki Epstein.
Wonderful finishes and flourishes for plain knitting.   We liked it a lot, and enthusiastically recommend it.   

Straw into Gold: (46:08)

Tour de Fleece:  Epic Fail for Gigi.  Jasmin failed Team Sasquatch, and didn't realize her goal of spinning a Goodale's (sweaters) worth of yarn, but her woolen spinning improved.  Now she is working on plying the yarn she spun for knitting Andrew's sweater, the Baseball Sweater from Knits Men Want.

She is enjoying spinning Crown Mountain Farms Superwash Merino in "Material Girl" on her new travel wheel, the Sidekick, the new folding wheel by Schacht.  Andrew was impressed and Jasmin really likes it.

Jasmin attended the Monterey Wool Auction.  She dropped off some fleeces with Sherri for Morro Fleece Works, and learned about alpaca fleeces.
Miss Kalendar scored four fleeces, Jasmin came home without any, she liked some but they were bid up higher than she was willing to pay for.  This year the highest fleece was bid up to over $40 per pound.