Thursday, July 28, 2016

The Rain in Spain - Episode 387 - The Knitmore Girls

Untitled
Listen here:

This episode has been sponsored by:
EcolusciousSkinCare_zps0936c17e
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT!  We have been talking about the Bar-Maids House Special: Knitmore Girls #2 lately. The Bar-Maids, the Knitmore Girls, and some amazing indies have collaborated to make an amazing, exclusive collection! There are only seven left, so don’t miss out. The contents are priceless; the cost less than $99.00
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Since 2012, Black Trillium Fibres has been formulating unique and original gradient yarns ranging from neutral to neon.  Of course, our exclusively milled yarn substrates aren’t just for gradient kits.  With over 300 hand-dyed repeatable colors, you can always find something different and fun at each of our amazing retailers.  It’s all at blacktrilliumfibres.com - in-stock yarns including gradients, exclusive patterns and a list of retailers.  Please remember to use the “Knitmore” discount code at checkout.
InfiniteTwistSoftGold_zps2937a47a
Infinite Twist produces unique and luxurious hand-spun yarns that are crafted in a socially responsible way. Spun from hand-painted roving and hand-blended batts, our hand-spun yarns are a tactile delight for knitters. We also offer project kits that take the guess-work out of yarn and color selection, and hand-dyed mill-spun yarns in striking semi-solid colors. Find out more by visiting infinitetwist.com, or find us on Ravelry and Instagram as infinitetwist. Sign up for our newsletter for a free knitting pattern every month, and don’t forget to use offer code “knitmore”!
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Miss Babs dyes an incredible variety of colors. From subtle to vibrant, monochromatic to uniquely variegated, there’s sure to be a color for you. Miss Babs also offers gorgeous gradients and hand-picked color combinations for multicolored projects. Try their newest yarn, Caroline, a merino-cashmere-nylon blend, for soft and beautiful accessories, or try Hot Shot for your next pair of socks. Find a fantastic yarn for your next project from Miss Babs. Hand dyed yarns - inspired by nature.
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Purlescence Yarns is Silicon Valley's destination fiber arts shop.  Our yarns are selected for both their beauty and sustainability.  Choose the perfect yarn and our Custom Fit service to help you make the perfect sweater.
Create your own perfect yarns and fabrics with our extensive selection of spinning and weaving equipment, classes, and full service maintenance.
 We're always happy to provide mail order service for Knitmore Girls listeners. Call us today, it'll be on its way!

On The Needles:(0:31)

Jasmin thinks that Emily will probably win Stash Dash.
The Spock sweater needs two seams and an I-cord away from being done, but the kids have other ideas. She has been working on her Gone Astray cardigan, and has ordered pearls from Shipwreck Beads. She mentions the new sweater bag from Erin Lane. #stashdash2016 #teamcuteknitter

Gigi laments not having enough diverse knitting. She has finished the knitting on a pair of Vanilla socks, another pair of Vanilla socks is at the toe decrease.  One sock for Sam now has a 60% afterthought heel.

Jasmin is singing the praises of Susan B. Anderson's newest sock the Smooth Operator Sock.

Jasmin swatched the Love is Love colorway for sweaters for the kids, and Jasmin's head exploded with all the amazing technique she got from Annetarsia and the Craftsy! class.

The dye bled on a swatch she knitted. She mentions the Knitted Wit , the customer service experience, and the importance of swatching and washing your swatch.

Gigi used the spin cycle on the washing machine on the freshly soaked Daybreak shawl that she was blocking for Jasmin.

Jasmin cast on the Anna cardigan, because she needed some easy knitting. This is a mash-up of several sweater patterns from The Handy Book of Sweater Patterns, out of Lisa Souza's  Supersport Merino.

Contest:(23:59)

Operation Sockdrawer will be on hiatus until after Tour de Fleece.
Parameters for participating in the #operationsockdrawer contest:

Participants: post a picture to the ravelry forum, or to instagram with the #operationsockdrawer, have your ravelry name on your instagram profile. Feel free to double dip your projects.

Projects will be judged on originality and general delightfulness.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
#elizalong #project sweater chest. This is the sweater equivalent of #operationsockdrawer.

Mother Knows Best:(29:33)

This week we answer a question out of the "What do you want to hear about?" thread on the Knitmore Girls forum, about books by knitting addicts.

We mention a great number of knitters whose writing is also delightful.

Clara Parkes  (particularly Knitlandia), The Yarn Harlot, Franklin Habit's blog, Rachel Herron, (the Songbird Trilogy and the Cypress Hollow Trilogy), Correction: we said trilogy, but there are four books in the series. I think Jasmin also mentioned Firefighters.

We watched a Periscope by Laura from a the Knit Girllls, Gigi likes Hunter Hammersen's Violently Domestic blog, Susan B. Anderson's blog, the Knittyblog , Alana Dakos's blog.

Jasmin mentions A Beautiful Wreck, Gigi metnions the Lord John series, and Jasmin recommends all of Elizabeth Zimmerman's books.
 

Review:(39:21)

This week we are reviewing The Baby Botanicals Bundle, by Alana Dakos
Jasmin mentions the Little Oak cardigan, the Playful stripes, and Annie and the Swiss Cheese Scarf.

Tour de Fleece:(52:19)

Gigi has so far spun up 12 of 32 oz for her project.
She is expecting to need another month to reach her goal.

Jasmin plied up some Rockstar from Abstract Fiber, and she is excited about Tyvek tags from Amazon. Also, she is spinning up fiber she bought from Dawn's Custom Carding at Black Sheep Festival last year,

She is going to make a set of Hiro sweaters that she is spinning Merino Corriedale from Janet Heppler on the Acadia wheel

And Sew On:(59:17)

 Gigi is excited about a pattern for shorts she got for Sam on Etsy. Our young friend sewed all the darts on her muslin, and is ready to press them.

Genevieve sewed on her lacing cards.


Friday, July 22, 2016

Off-label usage - Episode 386- The Knitmore Girls

Untitled

Listen here:

This episode has been sponsored by
 EcolusciousSkinCare_zps0936c17e
Breaking news! Our blend of locally sourced beeswax, organic coconut oil, hempseed oil and zinc oxide will leave you more kissable than you are now. Customers report that Lo-Lo Lips is one of the best lip balms available. Why is it that some lip balms can cause your lips to dry out if you stop using them, or if you lose them (and let’s face it, we ALL lose them), you can end up chapped and raw. Lo-Lo Lips doesn’t force you to reapply in order to maintain a healthy balanced level of moisture ideal for your beautiful lips. Ten yummy flavors, no parabens, fillers, or dyes – just a natural lip moisturizer that has everything your lips want and nothing they don’t.  The truth is, your LIPS may not get addicted, but I dare anyone to try it and not feel like an addict! Kiss me, Lo-Lo, I’m in LOVE!

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Our Summer Sale is happening now, get 20% off at checkout with discount code SUMMER16. While you’re there, check out our newest base yarn.  Chelan DK is a US grown, milled and dyed Superwash Targhee and Silk, so you can be proud to support your local dyer AND domestic wool producers. Sale ends Monday, July 25th.
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 You've been requesting it for a long time now, and Erin.Lane Bags is finally going to make all your dreams come true.
Erin.Lane Bags has just opened up its Custom Shop, a place where you can order your favorite project bags and totes in fabrics that you pick out and send in to be made into the perfect bags.
It's easy to get started on your Custom Shop order. Just visit erinlanebags.com and click on "Custom Shop" in the Menu. Following the instructions, fill out the Order Form, and send in your fabrics.
Start picking those fabrics now, and get your order in today to be the first in your knitting group with a custom Erin.Lane bag. 
babslogo_zps0uglkca3
Miss Babs dyes an incredible variety of colors. From subtle to vibrant, monochromatic to uniquely variegated, there’s sure to be a color for you. Miss Babs also offers gorgeous gradients and hand-picked color combinations for multicolored projects. Try their newest yarn, Caroline, a merino-cashmere-nylon blend, for soft and beautiful accessories, or try Hot Shot for your next pair of socks. Find a fantastic yarn for your next project from Miss Babs. Hand dyed yarns - inspired by nature.
Page-01_zpsdwbinjs4
There comes a time in any story when the arc draws down to the ending. Thus it is with Purlescence Yarns and its story. We began in 2006 with the idea of creating community around beautiful crafting supplies and teaching new skills. We feel that we have achieved that goal. It is now time for us to retire and move on to our next adventure.
On August 28, 2016 we will have our final tea and crafting in the living room. Come and join us if you can, in saying farewell to a piece of our shared history and take a tea cup to remember us.

We have been proud to support the Knitmore Girls since the beginning. We've created community together and supported wonderful things like Halos of Hope and 25,000 Tuques. Keep the magic and keep on crafting. 
With love,
Kaye and Sandi Luck


On The Needles:(0:35)
 

Gigi has been working on a pair of Vanilla socks out of Regia Silk color that need to have the toes grafted and the afterthought heels put in.

She also sewed in a label into the Coronation cardigan for Genevieve using a catch stitch that is called Hexenstich in German.  She needs to work on fine motor skills.

Jasmin has made a little progress on her Gone Astray cardigan for Genevieve. She also swatched for the Daniel Tiger cardigan, the Anna cardigan  
 
This week she swatched the Love is Love colorway, from Knitted Wit, for matchy matchy sweaters

She mentions the Spock sweater, and she wants to do Intarsia? Annetarsia! We need to watch her Craftsy! class.

We talked about teaching a class at Purlescence Yarns.

Gigi is trying to work though her Area 51 and she excavated her Petra, soaked and blocked it, as well as her cowl from the #zebralong.

Contest:(15:47)

 Operation Sockdrawer will be on hiatus until after Tour de Fleece.
Parameters for participating in the #operationsockdrawer contest:

Participants: post a picture to the ravelry forum, or to instagram with the #operationsockdrawer, have your ravelry name on your instagram profile. Feel free to double dip your projects.

Projects will be judged on originality and general delightfulness.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
#elizalong #projectsweaterchest. This is the sweater equivalent of #operationsockdrawer.

Mother Knows Best:(16:38)

This week we are answering a question about how many things to knit for a childs winter wardrobe.
Jasmin mentions Genevieve's Anna sweater.
Do you supplement your children's wardrobe with your knitting? Tell us in this episode's thread!
 

When Knitting Attacks:(24:13)

Gigi had issues with the ball winder and had to redo the ball she was winding.
We mention the Schacht swift, the Nancy's Knit Knacks ball winder.
Jasmin mentions the Strauch tutorial.
 

Purloined:(28:00) 

This week we purloin:

Shameless Self Promotion from The Fat Squirrel Speaks hosted by Amy Beth

Gigi managed to spill dark chocolate on a favorite dress that she has sewn. Jasmin came to the rescue with some of the amazing Beyond Clean.

 Jasmin really liked the knit size buckets

Review:(37:59)

This week we are reviewing
The Knitters Book of Finishing Techniques, by Nancy M. Wiseman

Straw into Gold #TourdeFleece:(45:40)

Jasmin is close to finishing spinning the fiber from Dawn's Custom Carding, and then she will spin the Rockstar from Abstract Fibers

Gigi is spinning Corriedale, and feels like her spinning is improving. She is complaining about her technique still needing improvement.

Jasmin spun on one of the Akerworks spindles from the treehouse.

We have wool wash from Unicorn Fibre as prizes for #TourDeFleece . Please mention in the Team Sasquatch group if you have reached your goal in the finish line thread.

And Sew On:(50:06)

Gigi mended one of Genevieve's dress up dresses. Gigi mentioned Sew many Dresses, Sew Little Time. She is sewing with a young friend. They are using the basic dress to make a sloper, so all the patterns can be fitted from that pattern.

 Gigi's sloper bodice is ready to be fitted. #whatsasloper.

Thursday, July 14, 2016

Broccoli and Spinach - Episode 385 - The Knitmore Girls

Untitled

Listen here:


This week's episode is sponsored by:
  abstractbanner-1

We'd like you to meet two very special yarns, Lily and Lotus!  Both yarns are a luscious blend of yak, merino, and silk. They are naturally a light grey color, quite lovely as they are, but we just can't stop ourselves from putting lots of bright color on top. Overdyeing the grey mutes our brights just a little, making them richer and oh, so wearable. Lily is a worsted weight 4-ply with a very round structure that makes cables and textures pop. Lily's little sister Lotus is fingering weight with a tight twist. Perfect for socks, scarves, sweaters, or anything. Get Lily and Lotus at AbstractFiber.com
 erinLane_logo_512px_zpsc0dd1208
 You've been requesting it for a long time now, and Erin.Lane Bags is finally going to make all your dreams come true.
Erin.Lane Bags has just opened up its Custom Shop, a place where you can order your favorite project bags and totes in fabrics that you pick out and send in to be made into the perfect bags.
It's easy to get started on your Custom Shop order. Just visit erinlanebags.com and click on "Custom Shop" in the Menu. Following the instructions, fill out the Order Form, and send in your fabrics.
Start picking those fabrics now, and get your order in today to be the first in your knitting group with a custom Erin.Lane bag. 
InfiniteTwistSoftGold_zps2937a47a
Infinite Twist produces unique and luxurious hand-spun yarns that are crafted in a socially responsible way. Spun from hand-painted roving and hand-blended batts, our hand-spun yarns are a tactile delight for knitters. We also offer project kits that take the guess-work out of yarn and color selection, and hand-dyed mill-spun yarns in striking semi-solid colors. Find out more by visiting infinitetwist.com, or find us on Ravelry and Instagram as infinitetwist. Sign up for our newsletter for a free knitting pattern every month, and don’t forget to use offer code “knitmore”!
babslogo_zps0uglkca3
Miss Babs dyes an incredible variety of colors. From subtle to vibrant, monochromatic to uniquely variegated, there’s sure to be a color for you. Miss Babs also offers gorgeous gradients and hand-picked color combinations for multicolored projects. Try their newest yarn, Caroline, a merino-cashmere-nylon blend, for soft and beautiful accessories, or try Hot Shot for your next pair of socks. Find a fantastic yarn for your next project from Miss Babs. Hand dyed yarns - inspired by nature.
Page-01_zpsdwbinjs4
There comes a time in any story when the arc draws down to the ending. Thus it is with Purlescence Yarns and its story. We began in 2006 with the idea of creating community around beautiful crafting supplies and teaching new skills. We feel that we have achieved that goal. It is now time for us to retire and move on to our next adventure.
On August 28, 2016 we will have our final tea and crafting in the living room. Come and join us if you can, in saying farewell to a piece of our shared history and take a tea cup to remember us.

We have been proud to support the Knitmore Girls since the beginning. We've created community together and supported wonderful things like Halos of Hope and 25,000 Tuques. Keep the magic and keep on crafting. 
With love,
Kaye and Sandi Luck

We start with a one-minute health update

On The Needles:(0:34)

Gigi has been working on the Copperplate cardigan, out of Quince and Co Chickadee, and absolutely loves the hand of the yarn.

Jasmin has finished working on the Spock sweater, and set it with citric acid because when she tried to block it and it bled a bit. (Excellent, quick followup from FabFunkyFibres.)

It feels like Emily from Knitting Butterflies is trouncing Jasmin at Stashdash.
#stashdash2016 #teamcuteknitter

Gigi has been working on Sam's sock and he needs a very deep instep. She is considering making the next sock with more than 50% for the heel.

Jasmin finished putting the zipper in the Coronation cardigan. We did a Periscope on how to shorten a zipper.

She mentioned the other Periscopes we have done,,

Gigi excavated her Mishke cardigan that had been languishing in Area 51 for a year or so, and sewed in the shoulders. One of which needs to be done again.

Gigi wove in ends on four other pairs of socks that she had finished knitting earlier. #operationsockdrawer #boxosoxKAL . She also cast on a pair of socks out of Kroy. And she dug out some socks out of her UFO bin out of Regia silk color.

Jasmin has swatched for three projects: the Daniel Tiger cardigan. She got a trolley patch from the Fred Rogers Company. She also set the yarn with citric acid.

She also swatched for the Anna cardigan and did some pre-emptive citric acid soaking. She is copying the ideas from Megknitficent, from the Mostly MagKnitficent podcast .

Also, she is using some of Ann Podlesak's charts from Legendary Knits, Vol. 1.  Ann Podlesak has the Wooly Wonka Fibers podcast . Jasmin mentions the Actually Knitting podcast and her PALKAL.

Jasmin suggests our free Vanilla sock pattern and the pattern for Genevieve's tube socks, which is free if you write it down yourself or $1 if you want to get the official PDF.

Jasmin knit the Welcome to the Flock pattern for Rex and cast on the Gone Astray for Genevieve.
Also check her project pages for discounts.

#behmalong: Gigi blocked, wove in ends, and got photographs of herself in her Viajante, and  Thousand Tulips shawls.

Contest:(19:38)

 Operation Sockdrawer will be on hiatus until after Tour de Fleece.
Parameters for participating in the #operationsockdrawer contest:

Participants: post a picture to the ravelry forum, or to instagram with the #operationsockdrawer, have your ravelry name on your instagram profile. Feel free to double dip your projects.

Projects will be judged on originality and general delightfulness.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
#elizalong #projecat sweater chest. This is the sweater equivalent of #operationsockdrawer.

Jasmin contacted Unicorn Fibres, and ordered some Beyond Clean Fiberwash.
They decided to send some prizes for #projectsweaterchest and Tour de Fleece. Enter your spinning in the Finish Line thread in the Team Sasquatch Group.

Mother Knows Best:(24:25)

This week we answer a question from the "What do you want to hear about?" thread in the forum
about how to knit, spin, sew around/with very small children. We mention Abby Franquemont's Respect the Spindle

Review:(31:09)

This week we review Spin Control by Amy King

Jasmin mentions our Director's Cut episode featuring Amy King

We are intrigued by the prospect of knitting with singles.
Amy King also has a Craftsy class! (Foundations of Spinning)

Jasmin mentions the books that we like in our spinning library in our Amazon Store.

Tour de Fleece:(38:32)

Gigi has been spinning. She is not terribly pleased with how irregular her yarn is turning out.
So far she has spun six nests of fiber out of 32.

 Jasmin is feeling amazing about spinning.  She mentions listening to the Knit Girlls while spinning. She is finishing things: singles out of Abstract Fiber Rock Star. She wants to use her Woolee Winder for plying. She is breaking in the Acadia wheel. She is also working with an Akerworks bobbin on her Matchless. 

She is using fiber she bought from Aunt Janet's Wool Mill (INCORRECT, THIS IS ACTUALLY FROM Dawn's Custom Carding.)  She is spinning grey fleece to make Hiro sweaters for the family.

And she got contrast colors from Lisa Souza 
She mentions the Legend Prairie Contest, that the Prairie Girls host, where you enter the most amazing thing that you knitted that year.