Tangled twists - Episode 122 - The Knitmore Girls

Listen here:


This week's episode has been sponsored by:

Abstract Fiber is headed to SOAR! Spin-Off’s Autumn Retreat is the last week of October in southern Wisconsin, just outside of Chicago. We’re bringing crimpy, easy to spin cashmere, Polwarth, and BFL/Silk as our featured fibers, plus Hedonism, our luxury yarn available only direct from us. We’ll have our regular yarns and fibers too. If you can’t make it to SOAR check out AbstractFiber.com to find a local retailer or shop online. The market will be open to the public on Thursday, October 28, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, Friday, October 29, 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm, Saturday, October 30, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.


Everything's coming up Cassidy at Purlescence Yarns! Join us for our fabulous fall Cassidy Knit-Along, featuring Chic Knit's wonderful cabled cardigan pattern. We're loving this piece knit in Manos Rittenhouse Merino 5-Ply, Cascade Venezia & Eco Wool, Lorna's Laces Green Line Worsted & Shepherd Worsted, to name but a few. Mention the Knitmore Girls when you place your order for 10% off your yarn purchase for the KAL through the end of October. And don't forget, Amy Singer is coming November 2 to teach her Non-Wool Socks Class. Seats in this class are limited, so sign up early!



Take your knitting skills to new levels with instruction from the country’s top knit designers at STITCHES ETC on November 1 and 2. Work one-on-one with Isager, Mondragon, Bortner, Duvekot, Slicer-Smith, Brown-Reinsel, and Bush. Learn to build on classic designs, master one-yarn intarsia, and enter the world of entrelac…plus much, much more! This 2-day experience begins immediately following STITCHES EAST Knitting Expo at the Marriott Hartford Downtown and Connecticut Convention Center. STITCHES EAST Knitting Expo is October 28 through 31. Easy registration for STITCHES ETC and STITCHES EAST Knitting Expo classes are available online at knittinguniverse.com.

The More You Know: (00:32)

- The Spin Control Podcast feed has changed! The RSS feed is: http://www.itunes.com/podcast?id=398083952 and you can find our tutorial on updating Podcast feeds in iTunes here.
- The Knit Sibs Podcast is back!
- Welcome back, ChrissytheGreat! (Go and download the new episode of the Manic Purl!)

On the Needles: (3:20)

Jasmin is a little forlorn about missing Rhinebeck this year. Jasmin loves Rachel's (of the Knit Cents Podcast) sweater forecast. Gigi gives a short synopsis of the Pacific International Quilt Festival. We talk about our incredibly wild and wooly weekend. Jasmin is working on Meghan's Sweater Swap 2010 Twist Cardigan. Gigi dug out some old projects for Finishing Friday; she wove in all the ends on her Katarina cardigan.

Jasmin had a knitting crisis, and couldn't find the skein of Abstract Fiber Temptation (in Snapdragon) or the socks she had started for Andrew out of the Creatively Dyed J'ouvert in "Cake". Gigi has worked on her Aeolian shawl. Jasmin is still working on her Supernatural socks, and was tempted by the new Supernatural colorways from Damselfly Yarns. Gigi has dusted off her sewing machine!

Join our Knit-A-Long! Gigi is knitting the Cassidy cardigan out of Manos Rittenhouse, and Jasmin is knitting the Cece Cardigan. You can find the Cassidy KAL thread here, and the Cece KAL thread here.

Mother Knows Best: (21:56)

We talk about converting sweater patterns from 5 separate pieces to three-piece sweaters (Body and two sleeves).

When Knitting Attacks: (30:46)

Meghan's Twist Cardigan is attacked by the Dark Chocolate episode of the Knit Wits podcast. Gigi suggested just fixing the cable, and Jasmin describes how she fixed it. Gigi knows best, duh.

Straw into Gold: (37:27)

Jasmin has finished plying the "Oh Pretty Woman" Superwash merino from Crown Mountain Farms. She talks about how different drafting technique yields different color display, and the Vineyard superwash merino from Abstract Fiber.

Hot glue - Episode 121 - The Knitmore Girls

Listen here:


This week's episode has been sponsored by:

Abstract Fiber is headed to SOAR! Spin-Off’s Autumn Retreat is the last week of October in southern Wisconsin, just outside of Chicago. We’re bringing crimpy, easy to spin cashmere, Polwarth, and BFL/Silk as our featured fibers, plus Hedonism, our luxury yarn available only direct from us. We’ll have our regular yarns and fibers too. If you can’t make it to SOAR check out AbstractFiber.com to find a local retailer or shop online. For folks in Northern California, Susan will be doing trunk shows at Purlescence Yarns on Thursday, Oct 14th from 6-9, Piedmont Yarn and Apparel on Friday the 15th from 5-8, and the Yarn Boutique in Lafayette on Sunday the 17th from 1-3PM.


Everything's coming up Cassidy at Purlescence Yarns! Join us for our fabulous fall Cassidy Knit-Along, featuring Chic Knit's wonderful cabled cardigan pattern. We're loving this piece knit in Manos Rittenhouse Merino 5-Ply, Cascade Venezia & Eco Wool, Lorna's Laces Green Line Worsted & Shepherd Worsted, to name but a few. Mention the Knitmore Girls when you place your order for 10% off your yarn purchase for the KAL through the end of October. And don't forget, Amy Singer is coming November 2 to teach her Non-Wool Socks Class. Seats in this class are limited, so sign up early!



Take your knitting skills to new levels with instruction from the country’s top knit designers at STITCHES ETC on November 1 and 2. Work one-on-one with Isager, Mondragon, Bortner, Duvekot, Slicer-Smith, Brown-Reinsel, and Bush. Learn to build on classic designs, master one-yarn intarsia, and enter the world of entrelac…plus much, much more! This 2-day experience begins immediately following STITCHES EAST Knitting Expo at the Marriott Hartford Downtown and Connecticut Convention Center. STITCHES EAST Knitting Expo is October 28 through 31. Easy registration for STITCHES ETC and STITCHES EAST Knitting Expo classes are available online at knittinguniverse.com.

On the needles: (00:33)

Gigi has been churning out anklets for our intern. Jasmin floods her garage and discovers UFOs. Gigi is working on finishing Miss Kalendar's Tangled Yoke Cardigan. We work together to finish a wedding shawl for our friend Lisa (the Madli shawl from Knitted Lace of Estonia by Nancy Bush). We used the Knitter's Blocks and blocking wires from Handworks.

We discuss the fall Cables and Lace KAL! Gigi will be knitting Cassidy (by Bonne Marie Burns) out of Manos Rittenhouse, and Jasmin will be knitting Cece. We'll be casting on October 25th, join us!

Jasmin has been working on Meghan's Sweater Swap 2010 Twist Cardigan.

Mother knows best: (18:50)

We discuss what makes an optimal sock yarn. Gigi mentions Fancy Image Yarns. Jasmin mentions the BFL sock yarn from Lisa Souza and from Abstract Fiber.

When Knitting Attacks: (30:53)

Gigi is foiled by anklets.

Review: (34:24)

We review Modern Top-Down Knitting by Kristina McGowan, which is based on Knitting from the Top by Barbara Walker.

Straw into Gold: (42:09)

Jasmin has been finishing! She finished the Superwash Merino in the Vineyard colorway from Abstract Fiber, and the Oh Pretty Woman from Crown Mountain Farms. Jasmin talks briefly about photography and lighting for taking pictures of handspun yarn. Jasmin mentions her low-light lens. Click the links to find next year's fiber of the month club and the exotic fiber club.

Food, Fiber, Friends - Episode 120 - The Knitmore Girls

Listen here:


This week's episode has been sponsored by:

Abstract Fiber has a back to school special! Our Jasmine makes the very clever and pretty Flatbox Knitting bags to help pay for her college expenses. It’s time to buy books, so she’s offering a limited time special 10% discount on her bags when you buy them from AbstractFiber.com Check out AbstractFiber.com for a store near you or shop online and receive free shipping on orders over $100.


Everything's coming up Cassidy at Purlescence Yarns! Join us for our fabulous fall Cassidy Knit-Along, featuring Chic Knit's wonderful cabled cardigan pattern. We're loving this piece knit in Manos Rittenhouse Merino 5-Ply, Cascade Venezia & Eco Wool, Lorna's Laces Green Line Worsted & Shepherd Worsted, to name but a few. Mention the Knitmore Girls when you place your order for 10% off your yarn purchase for the KAL through the end of October. And don't forget, Amy Singer is coming November 2 to teach her Non-Wool Socks Class. Seats in this class are limited, so sign up early!



Take your knitting skills to new levels with instruction from the country’s top knit designers at STITCHES ETC on November 1 and 2. Work one-on-one with Isager, Mondragon, Bortner, Duvekot, Slicer-Smith, Brown-Reinsel, and Bush. Learn to build on classic designs, master one-yarn intarsia, and enter the world of entrelac…plus much, much more! This 2-day experience begins immediately following STITCHES EAST Knitting Expo at the Marriott Hartford Downtown and Connecticut Convention Center. STITCHES EAST Knitting Expo is October 28 through 31. Easy registration for STITCHES ETC and STITCHES EAST Knitting Expo classes are available online at knittinguniverse.com.

Discount codes for the Cables and Lace KAL (10/4-10/8):

Cassidy- knitmorecassidy
Cece- knitmorecece

Show notes for this week's episode will be delayed.

Episode 119 - The Knitmore Girls

Listen here:




This week's episode has been sponsored by:

Abstract Fiber has a back to school special! Our Jasmine makes the very clever and pretty Flatbox Knitting bags to help pay for her college expenses. It’s time to buy books, so she’s offering a limited time special 10% discount on her bags when you buy them from AbstractFiber.com Check out AbstractFiber.com for a store near you or shop online and receive free shipping on orders over $100.


Everything's coming up Cassidy at Purlescence Yarns! Join us for our fabulous fall Cassidy Knit-Along, featuring Chic Knit's wonderful cabled cardigan pattern. We're loving this piece knit in Manos Rittenhouse Merino 5-Ply, Cascade Venezia & Eco Wool, Lorna's Laces Green Line Worsted & Shepherd Worsted, to name but a few. Mention the Knitmore Girls when you place your order for 10% off your yarn purchase for the KAL through the end of September. And don't forget, Amy Singer is coming November 2 to teach her Non-Wool Socks Class. Seats in this class are limited, so sign up early!



Take your knitting skills to new levels with instruction from the country’s top knit designers at STITCHES ETC on November 1 and 2. Work one-on-one with Isager, Mondragon, Bortner, Duvekot, Slicer-Smith, Brown-Reinsel, and Bush. Learn to build on classic designs, master one-yarn intarsia, and enter the world of entrelac…plus much, much more! This 2-day experience begins immediately following STITCHES EAST Knitting Expo at the Marriott Hartford Downtown and Connecticut Convention Center. STITCHES EAST Knitting Expo is October 28 through 31. Easy registration for STITCHES ETC and STITCHES EAST Knitting Expo classes are available online at knittinguniverse.com.

Show notes will be posted by 10/05

Chaotic - Episode 118 - The Knitmore Girls

Listen here:



This week's episode has been sponsored by:

Abstract Fiber has a back to school special! Our Jasmine makes the very clever and pretty Flatbox Knitting bags to help pay for her college expenses. It’s time to buy books, so she’s offering a limited time special 10% discount on her bags when you buy them from AbstractFiber.com Check out AbstractFiber.com for a store near you or shop online and receive free shipping on orders over $100.


Everything's coming up Cassidy at Purlescence Yarns! Join us for our fabulous fall Cassidy Knit-Along, featuring Chic Knit's wonderful cabled cardigan pattern. We're loving this piece knit in Manos Rittenhouse Merino 5-Ply, Cascade Venezia & Eco Wool, Lorna's Laces Green Line Worsted & Shepherd Worsted, to name but a few. Mention the Knitmore Girls when you place your order for 10% off your yarn purchase for the KAL through the end of September. And don't forget, Amy Singer is coming November 2 to teach her Non-Wool Socks Class. Seats in this class are limited, so sign up early!



Take your knitting skills to new levels with instruction from the country’s top knit designers at STITCHES ETC on November 1 and 2. Work one-on-one with Isager, Mondragon, Bortner, Duvekot, Slicer-Smith, Brown-Reinsel, and Bush. Learn to build on classic designs, master one-yarn intarsia, and enter the world of entrelac…plus much, much more! This 2-day experience begins immediately following STITCHES EAST Knitting Expo at the Marriott Hartford Downtown and Connecticut Convention Center. STITCHES EAST Knitting Expo is October 28 through 31. Easy registration for STITCHES ETC and STITCHES EAST Knitting Expo classes are available online at knittinguniverse.com.

On the needles: (00:31)

Gigi has been working on Vanilla socks and vanilla preemie hats. Jasmin has been working on the Twist Cardigan for Meghan. Jasmin is going to get buttons for it at the Button Emporium in Portland, OR. Gigi has done the finishing on Jasmin's Tempestuous cardigan. We discuss backing buttons from Cleaner's Supply (the box, and the package of one size). Jasmin mentions her Supernatural socks.

Jasmin mentions the Oregon Flock and Fiber thread. Gigi mentions "On the Road with Austin & Santino" and "Project Runway".

Events: (16:26)
- 9/24-26: Oregon Flock and Fiber Festival. We'll be staying at the Days Inn and Suites Wilsonville.
- MEET AND GREET! We'll be doing our meet and greet on Saturday September 25th, from 11:30-12:30 in the Abstract Fiber booth, then we'll be joining Rachel (from KnitCents) and Erin (from The Anatomy of Knitting) in the BarMaids booth from 12:30-1. You can RSVP here.
APP EXTRA: Stitches East market coupon.

When Knitting Attacks: (18:15)

Gigi's Maia shawl is troubled.

Review: (21:31)

This week we review Knit One Below by Elise Duvekot. We like the fashion drawings and the use of the new techniques. We're a little lukewarm on the patterns, but we really liked:

Parisienne
Yin Yang Cardigan
Gossamer Square

Straw into Gold: (40:38)

Jasmin has finished the singles out of the Three Bags Full ("Crimson Shadows") fiber for Gigi's Sunrise Circle Cardigan.

The Golden Fleece - Episode 117 - The Knitmore Girls

Listen here:


This week's episode has been sponsored by:

Abstract Fiber has a back to school special! Our Jasmine makes the very clever and pretty Flatbox Knitting bags to help pay for her college expenses. It’s time to buy books, so she’s offering a limited time special 10% discount on her bags when you buy them from AbstractFiber.com Check out AbstractFiber.com for a store near you or shop online and receive free shipping on orders over $100.


Everything's coming up Cassidy at Purlescence Yarns! Join us for our fabulous fall Cassidy Knit-Along, featuring Chic Knit's wonderful cabled cardigan pattern. We're loving this piece knit in Manos Rittenhouse Merino 5-Ply, Cascade Venezia & Eco Wool, Lorna's Laces Green Line Worsted & Shepherd Worsted, to name but a few. Mention the Knitmore Girls when you place your order for 10% off your yarn purchase for the KAL through the end of September. And don't forget, Amy Singer is coming November 2 to teach her Non-Wool Socks Class. Seats in this class are limited, so sign up early!



Take your knitting skills to new levels with instruction from the country’s top knit designers at STITCHES ETC on November 1 and 2. Work one-on-one with Isager, Mondragon, Bortner, Duvekot, Slicer-Smith, Brown-Reinsel, and Bush. Learn to build on classic designs, master one-yarn intarsia, and enter the world of entrelac…plus much, much more! This 2-day experience begins immediately following STITCHES EAST Knitting Expo at the Marriott Hartford Downtown and Connecticut Convention Center. STITCHES EAST Knitting Expo is October 28 through 31. Easy registration for STITCHES ETC and STITCHES EAST Knitting Expo classes are available online at knittinguniverse.com.

On the Needles: (00:35)

Gigi has been working on Vanilla preemie hats and vanilla socks. Gigi mentions Cat Bordhi's Houdini socks, and performing reconstructive sock surgery. Gigi wove in ends for Finishing Friday. Jasmin is working on a Twist Cardigan for Meghan from the Stitch It! podcast (for Sweater Swap 2010). Jasmin's poison green Twist Cardigan is mentioned. Jasmin has started the sleeves on her Cabled Yoke Tunic. We talk about the Monterey Wool Auction. Breeds that we mentions: Rambouillet, Cormo, CVM. We mention Shari, from Morro Fleece Works.

Contest: (25:45)

We announce the winners of our Head to Toe Contest! You can see the winning submissions here. Thanks to the folks to sent us prizes:

Bags by Loumms
XRX/Knitter's Magazine
Abstract Fiber
Chrissy Gardener
Martingale Publishing
Janel Laidman
Knitfitknitting.com
Flatbox Bag
Winter Mountain Fibers
Vegan Craftastic

Events: (33:00)
- 9/24-26: Oregon Flock and Fiber Festival. We'll be staying at the Days Inn and Suites Wilsonville.
- MEET AND GREET! We'll be doing our meet and greet on Saturday September 25th, from 11:30-12:30 in the Abstract Fiber booth, then we'll be joining Rachel (from KnitCents) in the BarMaids booth from 12:30-1.
APP EXTRA: Stitches East market coupon.

When Knitting Attacks: (34:29)

Gigi has been attacked by her Aeolian shawl. Gigi mentions Oral B Superfloss.

Ask an Intern: (36:08)

Katrina is hooked on afterthought heels.

Review: (39:16)

Entreé to Entrelac by Gwen Bortner. We mention other patterns, not in the book: the Market Squares bag, a lace entrelac blanket, Windfall blanket.

Straw into Gold: (47:05)

This week, Jasmin worked on Gigi's Three Bags Full Crimson Shadows yarn. Jasmin is finishing spinning her "It's not easy being green" merino/silk from Abstract Fiber for the Maia shawl. Abbyknitz, from the Knit Knit Cafe podcast, asked about spinning silk. Jasmin mentions the Crown Mountain Farms Exotic Fibers club.

High butter content- Episode 116- The Knitmore Girls

Listen here:


This week's episode has been sponsored by:

Abstract Fiber has a back to school special! Our Jasmine makes the very clever and pretty Flatbox Knitting bags to help pay for her college expenses. It’s time to buy books, so she’s offering a limited time special 10% discount on her bags when you buy them from AbstractFiber.com Check out AbstractFiber.com for a store near you or shop online and receive free shipping on orders over $100.


Everything's coming up Cassidy at Purlescence Yarns! Join us for our fabulous fall Cassidy Knit-Along, featuring Chic Knit's wonderful cabled cardigan pattern. We're loving this piece knit in Manos Rittenhouse Merino 5-Ply, Cascade Venezia & Eco Wool, Lorna's Laces Green Line Worsted & Shepherd Worsted, to name but a few. Mention the Knitmore Girls when you place your order for 10% off your yarn purchase for the KAL through the end of September. And don't forget, Amy Singer is coming November 2 to teach her Non-Wool Socks Class. Seats in this class are limited, so sign up early!



Take your knitting skills to new levels with instruction from the country’s top knit designers at STITCHES ETC on November 1 and 2. Work one-on-one with Isager, Mondragon, Bortner, Duvekot, Slicer-Smith, Brown-Reinsel, and Bush. Learn to build on classic designs, master one-yarn intarsia, and enter the world of entrelac…plus much, much more! This 2-day experience begins immediately following STITCHES EAST Knitting Expo at the Marriott Hartford Downtown and Connecticut Convention Center. STITCHES EAST Knitting Expo is October 28 through 31. Easy registration for STITCHES ETC and STITCHES EAST Knitting Expo classes are available online at knittinguniverse.com.

On the needles: (00:32)

Jasmin has been working on Meghan's Twist cardigan (for Sweater Swap 2010). Gigi is hooked on knitting preemie caps! Jasmin is working on her Demon Cloud Supernatural inspired socks. We list a bunch of podcasts, including:

Crafternoon Tea with GrannyG
Crooked Row
KnitaJourney Podcast
Knitting Pipeline
Well-knitted life
Podictionary Podcast

Jasmin also announces that we'll be starting our next KAL (tentatively) around October 1st.

Contest: (12:18)

The Head to Toe design contest has closed. Details can be found in the contest thread. The winners will be announced in episode 117. Prizes include:

• 1 Year Subscription to Knitter’s Magazine
• Think Outside the Sox
• A skein of Knitmore Sock yarn
• Little Box of Socks, with signed bookplate from Charlene Schurch.
• Toe Up! by Chrissy Gardener, with signed bookplate.
• Bags by Loumms - three ADORABLE bags!
• Barbara Walker bookplate

Events: (15:51)
- 9/6: Monterey Wool Auction (Here's the link to the Director's Cut episode about selecting fleeces.)
- 9/24-26: Oregon Flock and Fiber Festival. We'll be staying at the Days Inn and Suites Wilsonville.
- MEET AND GREET! We'll be doing our meet and greet on Saturday September 25th, from 11:30-12:30 in the Abstract Fiber booth, then we'll be joining Rachel (from KnitCents) in the BarMaids booth from 12:30-1.

APP EXTRA: Stitches East market coupon.

Mother Knows Best: (21:03)

We talk about picking alternate yarns for patterns. We mention the Craft Yarn Council's method of classifying yarn weight.

Ask an intern: (29:27)

Gigi enables Katrina into knitting socks with afterthought heels. Katrina's footlets suffered from user error.

Review: (40:14)

This week we review Knitting Under the Influence by Claire Lezebnik. We didn't care for it.

Straw into Gold: (43:18)

Jasmin recommends "In Sheep's Clothing" and "The Knitter's Book of Wool". Jasmin talks about Merino and Masham wool, courtesy of Crown Mountain Farms and their fiber of the month club.