'Twas the week before Christmas - Episode 80 - The Knitmore Girls

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This week's episode has been sponsored by:

Happy Holidays from Purlescence Yarns! Our shelves are stocked with great gifts to give and to get. Whether it's a wheel or a loom or a last minute hat to knit for someone on your list, we have what you need to make your days merry and bright. And be sure to check out the new fibers and sock yarns from Abstract Fiber, now in stock!

Podcast promos included in this week's episode:

Family Knits
Fiber Beat
Knaked Knits
Knitting Rose

On the Needles: (00:30)

Gigi continues to work on her Dishcloth Baby Blanket and Sam's second watch cap. Jasmin continues to work on her second Suzie Q sock and the Tweedy Pie Coat for Boo. Jasmin has been hit by the Inspiration Mac Truck. First, the new Knitty and then, Julia Mueller's patterns! Jasmin especially liked the Bitterroot Shawl by Rosemary Hill (which she'll be knitting with the dark blue alpaca/silk from Abstract Fiber) and the Quadrat Sweater by Beautia Dew.

We had a great time at the holiday sing-along at Purlescence. Gigi won a mock croc knitting bag, Andrew won a bump of Abstract Fiber Superwash Merino in "Vineyard". Gigi is surprised with a Knitmore Girls mug! (You can find the "bucket sized one" here.)

Contest: (17:40)

Participate in our "Do Some Good" contest! The contest closes on January 6th.

Mother Knows Best: (19:11)

This week, we talk about New Year's resolutions, Jasmin 2010, and the upcoming Ravelympics. You can find Team Knitmore here, and if you love knitting podcasts but don't want to limit yourself to one show, you can find Team Sasquatch here.

Holidays with the Knitmores: (28:59)

We talk about prioritizing holiday knitting.

When Knitting Attacks! (36:46)

Gigi attacks Jasmin's knitting. Gigi runs out of yarn.

Straw into Gold: (44:41)

Jasmin talks about plying the Abstract Fiber Alpaca/Silk and the Vermillion II from A Verb For Keeping Warm and the Woolee Winder. She also talks about the fleece to sweater creative process. Jasmin's Rhinebeck fleeces have arrived!

The Emperor's New Silk - Episode 79 - The Knitmore Girls

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This week's episode has been sponsored by:

Want to be part of a great adventure in 2010? Become a member of Crown Mountain Farms fiber or yarn clubs. The clubs have free shipping worldwide. The "Fiber Of The Month" club and the "Knitting For Fun" club both offer different colorways you can play with and you may choose different yarns or fibers. Discounts of 5% or 10% are available on purchases during 2010 on our website depending on the duration of your subscription. If you love sock hop yarn and were used to buy it through our website this option will no longer be available. We created the "Sock Hop Yarn" club and only members of this club will be able to purchase the sock hop yarn in 2010. Go to our homepage, click on the CLUBS button and take the journey from there.

Happy Holidays from Purlescence Yarns! Have you been extra good this year? Whether its knitting, spinning, or weaving, make sure you mark them down on your wish list and let your loved ones know that we’re here to help. Sock yarn and notions make great stocking stuffers, and every spinner can always use extra bobbins! We have a great selection of books, ranging from patterns to techniques to new skills, so if you want it, there’s a good chance we’ve got it. If you can’t think if what you want, we also offer gift certificates- the perfect one-size-fits-all gift. Wishing you a warm and fiber-filled holiday season from Purlescence yarns.

On the needles: (00:31)

Gigi is continuing to work on the dishcloth baby blanket. Jasmin is working on the Tweedy Pie coat for Boo. Gigi is working on a stocking cap for Sam to match the alien scarf she knit a few years ago. Jasmin has finished her first Suzie Q sock. You can see the sock template here.

Mother Knows Best: (12:13)

Customizing knits, part 3: Converting sweaters and steeking. We talk about the folks from Philosopher's Wool, and the Color Your Own sweater.

When Knitting Attacks! (21:54)

Jasmin invents the wrong way of executing attached iCord. We discuss the merits of blanket stitch.

Holidays with the Knitmores: (28:20)

This week we encourage full family participation during holiday prep. This includes decoration, cooking, and gift wrapping.

Straw into Gold: (36:20)

Jasmin talks about the Emperor's New Silk, and the merits of filling bobbins the same way every time.

Make it yours - Episode 78 - The Knitmore Girls

Listen here:


This week's episode has been sponsored by:

Want to be part of a great adventure in 2010? Become a member of Crown Mountain Farms fiber or yarn clubs. The clubs have free shipping worldwide. The "Fiber Of The Month" club and the "Knitting For Fun" club both offer different colorways you can play with and you may choose different yarns or fibers. Discounts of 5% or 10% are available on purchases during 2010 on our website depending on the duration of your subscription. If you love sock hop yarn and were used to buy it through our website this option will no longer be available. We created the "Sock Hop Yarn" club and only members of this club will be able to purchase the sock hop yarn in 2010. Go to our homepage, click on the CLUBS button and take the journey from there.

Happy Holidays from Purlescence Yarns! Have you been extra good this year? Whether its knitting, spinning, or weaving, make sure you mark them down on your wish list and let your loved ones know that we’re here to help. Sock yarn and notions make great stocking stuffers, and every spinner can always use extra bobbins! We have a great selection of books, ranging from patterns to techniques to new skills, so if you want it, there’s a good chance we’ve got it. If you can’t think if what you want, we also offer gift certificates- the perfect one-size-fits-all gift. Wishing you a warm and fiber-filled holiday season from Purlescence yarns.

On the needles:

Jasmin has finished her Aqualung socks. Gigi is still working on her Ellina shawl out of the Dream in Color Baby (color: Purple Rain). Jasmin is making good progress on her Suzie Q handspun socks. Gigi is still working on her dishcloth baby blanket out of Cascade 220 superwash handpaint. Jasmin is working on the Tweedy Pie Jacket for Boo, with some changes to the pattern.

Contest: (18:37)

Join our "Do Some Good" contest! We'll be announcing the prizes in episode 79.

Mother Knows Best: (20:17)

Customizing Knits, part 2. Using ratios and proportions to substitute different weights of yarns in simple knits.

When Knitting Attacks: (23:29)

Gigi's Ellina Shawl has developed some extra stitches. Jasmin has had an equipment malfunction, but is saved by her stash.

Holidays with the Knitmores: (27:52)

We recommend having a wish list at your LYS. Also, if you will be out shopping this season, make sure you have knitting for lines.

Straw Into Gold: (31:11)

We discuss selecting fiber/yarn clubs.

Stash Saturation - Episode 77 - The Knitmore Girls

Listen here:


This week's episode has been sponsored by:

Want to be part of a great adventure in 2010? Become a member of Crown Mountain Farms fiber or yarn clubs. Registration is now in it's second week. The clubs have free shipping worldwide. The "Fiber Of The Month" club and the "Knitting For Fun" club both offer different
colorways you can play with and you may choose different yarns or fibers. Discounts of 5% or 10% are available on purchases during 2010 on our website depending on the duration of your membership.
If you love sock hop yarn and were used to buy it through our website this option will no longer be available. We created the "Sock Hop Yarn" club and only members of this club will be able to purchase the sock hop yarn in 2010. One good reason to join the "Sock Hop Yarn" club! Click the logo above to go to our homepage, click on the CLUBS button, and begin your journey there.

Happy holidays from Purlescence Yarns! We're in full-blown holiday mode, knitting and weaving gifts for our loved ones. Are you set with yours? Our new favorite yarn is Cascade's 128 Superwash, a chunky Merino that knits up into beautiful gifts in no time at all. We've got a gorgeous color selection in the shop with more set to arrive this week!

On the Needles: (00:31)

Jasmin has finished the Albatross socks for Andrew, and cast on socks out of her Aqualung handspun and her Suzie Q handspun (both out of the Crown Mountain Farms superwash merino). Gigi is working on a dishcloth baby blanket. They discuss the Pajama Jammie Jam, and enabling.

We discuss the Ravelympics, Team Knitmore and Team Sasquatch.

Contest! (17:01)

We talk about our Do Some Good contest (running through 1/6/2010), and some of our favorites from last year.

Mother Knows Best: ( 19:03)

This week, we discuss the first part of modifying patterns to suit your personal style, specifically, adding elements.

When Knitting Attacks! (26:30)

Gigi suffers from not practicing what she preaches! She has neglected to label her lace projects.

Straw into Gold: (28:11)

We discuss troubleshooting wheels.

Better. Faster. Knitter! - Episode 76 - The Knitmore Girls

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This week's episode has been sponsored by:

Crown Mountain Farms' Fiber of the Month Club will feature a different fiber each month, predrafted and hand dyed for your spinning pleasure! The fibers will include Falkland Top, Finn Top, Shetland Top, Wensleydale Top, Targhee Top, Lincoln Top, Merino Top, Masham Top, Welsh Top, Corriedale Top, Norwegian Top and Blue Face Leicester Top. The fiber will be available in a 4oz hanks for $15.00 with free shipping! Club members can choose a colorway out of our 59 existing colorways or may opt for a new colorway which we will create for each month. Discounts of 5% or 10% available for purchases throughout 2010 on our website when signing up for the 6 or 12 month fiber club.

Purlescence Yarns will be open at 6am Friday, November 27 for our 4th Annual Pajama Jammie Jam. Get out your jammies! Grab your robe! Slip on your slippers! The Pajama Jammie Jam is coming! Every year we open super early on the day after Thanksgiving for our biggest sale of the year! Mark your calendars for 6am, Friday, November 27, and get ready to save, save, save!

Show notes will be posted by 11/30.

Cables and Cowls - Episode 75 - The Knitmore Girls Podcast

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This week's episode has been sponsored by:

Knit Purl Sew What? introduces the Knit'n Walk. This little bag allows the knitter to, hmmmm.... well, knit AND walk! Just insert the yarn, attach the bag to your wrist and knit. They are perfect for sock, scarf, and other small projects.

Crown Mountain farms is opening registration on 11/18 for THREE different 2010 clubs!
In the knitting for fun club we will do a Tam, fingerless gloves, summer lace scarf, socks,

hat and boot toppers - all patterns provided by Lisa Ellis Design. The kit (1 skein + one pattern) is available for $25.00 and free shipping.

The sock hop yarn club will have 4 shipments of 2 skeins and one pattern each in 2010. Each shipment will cost $50.00 which includes also the shipping costs. You can find additional info about this club is on our homepage by clicking on the logo!

The shop will be closed Monday, November 23 - Thursday, November 26 for the Thanksgiving holiday. We will reopen at 6am Friday, November 27 for our 4th Annual Pajama Jammie Jam. Get out your jammies! Grab your robe! Slip on your slippers! The Pajama Jammie Jam is coming! Every year we open super early on the day after Thanksgiving for our biggest sale of the year! Mark your calendars for 6am, Friday, November 27, and get ready to save, save, save!

Special thanks to Gregory, for guest co-hosting!

On the Needles: (00:32)

Gigi gives her one-minute health update. Gregory finished knitting a basketweave scarf for Sifu David. He's also working on some cabled socks out of Lisa Souza's "Autumn Leaves" sock yarn.

Jasmin has finished the Serpentine Mitts for Gigi, and is nearly finished with the matching cowl. Greg is finishing a cabled cardigan out of Honey Lane Farms alpaca.

Jasmin puts out the call for a Team Knitmore logo for the 2010 Ravelympics. Andrew and Gregory review "Never Knit Your Man a Sweater* (*Until You've Got the Ring)"

Mother Knows Best: ( 15:29)

We discuss knitting at family gatherings.

When Knitting Attacks: (22:39)

Greg's alpaca sweater is ... a bit small.

Straw into Gold: (26:37)

Jasmin is spinning "Tobacco Road" in the Crown Mountain Farms Superwash merino. Jasmin and Erin got a box from Shari (at Morro Fleece Works), full of beautiful fleece.

Rhinebeck in a nutshell - Episode 74 - The Knitmore Girls

Listen here:



This week's episode has been sponsored by:

The shop will be closed Monday, November 23 - Thursday, November 26 for the Thanksgiving holiday. We will reopen at 6am Friday, November 27 for our 4th Annual Pajama Jammie Jam. Get out your jammies! Grab your robe! Slip on your slippers! The Pajama Jammie Jam is coming! Every year we open super early on the day after Thanksgiving for our biggest sale of the year! Mark your calendars for 6am, Friday, November 27, and get ready to save, save, save!

Special thanks to Miss Kalendar (host of Brass Needles) for co-hosting this week!

On the needles: (00:25)

A one-minute Gigi health update. Erin is working on the Tangled Yoke cardigan out of Colinette Jitterbug (in green). Jasmin is working on the Serpentine Mitts (by Miriam Felton) in the Claudia's Handpaint (color: Rubies Playing). Erin has some holiday knitting on the horizon, and is knitting baby socks for the 52 pair plunge.

Jasmin has unearthed her Carli (from the first Knit(more)-a-long, which is knit it Malabrigo Little Lovely. Jasmin will be knitting another sweater for Boo (the Tweedy Pie jacket from Monkeysuits), and found the perfect vintage rhinestone buttons for it.

Jasmin does her Rhinebeck recap, and reccommends listening to Jackie and Meghan's recaps. You can watch the videos here (caution, light language), and see Jackie and Meghan's flickr streams.

The sock Knit(more)-a-long starts today! Gigi is knitting the Mesmer Sock out of Abstract Fiber's Supersock in "Bonfire", Jasmin is knitting the Uptown Girl Sock out of Lisa Souza's Superwash BFL in "Fuschia".

When Knitting Attacks: (54:05)

Erin's Tangled Yoke hits a snag. Jasmin's Serpentine mitts start with a roomy thumb gusset. Sock gnomes have absconded with some of Erin's baby socks.

Straw into Gold (1:02:00)

Jasmin and Erin get a box of fleeces back from Shari!