Thursday, October 29, 2015

Do Not Agitate - Episode 349 - The Knitmore Girls

Untitled
Listen here:

This weeks episode is sponsored by:
 EcolusciousSkinCare_zps0936c17e
You probably attend an event at least once a year.  Whether you stay pretty close to home or travel across the country, come rain or shine we love to connect with you!
Sometimes events are all about shopping, but more often than not, events are a combination of shopping and education. When attending a show that combines classes and market place, shopping literally becomes dashes between classes. Time is short so my dash plan includes the necessary pit stop and (keeping my fingers crossed for short lines) visits to my favorite or new vendor spot.

As a vendor, we do our best to bring the right amount of scents and products. We are thrilled when we have the product or scent you are looking for, but sometimes the unexpected happens, like there is a sudden run on "fill in your favorite scent or product here" and the person in front of you just bought the last one. Being left wanting after waiting just sucks!
It's awesome when a product or scent become wildly popular but we are crushed when we have to serve disappointment because there is no more. 

Wait and want no more because we've created the Easy Peasy Product Reservation. It's so simple, even a two year old German Shepard can do it! (OK.  Maybe not.)

Step One: Go to our web site: www.Bar-Maids.com
Step Two: Click on the, "Events," tab
Step Three: A pop up asking if you would like to reserve product may appear, or click on "Easy Peasy Reservation Reserve in Advance or Take a Chance"
Step Four: You are taken to an awesome world of, "Survey Monkey" and all you have to do is make your reservation.  Done.
We'll even text you a reminder during the event!
erinLane_logo_512px_zpsc0dd1208
Erin.Lane Bags presents the 2016 Indie Yarn Carnival. If you’ve ever missed the opportunity to see your favorite indie yarn dyers at a show, then this is the club for you. Erin.Lane has assembled a cavalcade of the most popular and sought after indie yarns from all over the country, and they are bringing it all to your door throughout 2016.

Featuring the indie dyed yarns of Buffalo Wool Company, Lydia Yarns, Knit Circus, Must Stash, Miss Babs and Miss Crosby, the Indie Yarn Carnival is a must have collection of special kits that you won’t find anywhere else. And each kit comes with a custom matched Erin.Lane Project Bag.

Sign up is quick and easy, and the 12 month subscription payment for the club makes it painless to enroll. Visit erinlanebags.com before December 1 to sign up and get your ticket to the finest indie yarn show you’ll see all year!
knitcircus_zps61570f31
Knitcircus Yarns is pleased as punch to present the Gradient Yoke Sweater Pattern, designed by Amy Detjen. This sweater gives you an exciting and unusual construction; a top-down v-neck raglan. Designed to make the most of a self-striping handpaint, the yoke uses just one skein of gradient yarn, surrounded by coordinating kettle dyes for the body and sleeves. Let our yarn do the color changes for you!
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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:(0:33)

Gigi has been working on her Braidsmaid by Martina Behm, out of Abstract Fiber in Lima in the Hibiscus colorway, and is worried about running out of yarn.

Jasmin mentions that Knitty had a lovely Brioche cowl  and she has it queued. She mentioned New Lace Knitting, by Romi Hill that we reviewed last week. Also, Miss Babs just came out with a Polydactyl (not Pterodactyl) kit.  She also mentions the gradient kits she bought from Black Trillium Fiber.

Gigi has her next Braidsmaid lined up, with yarn from Sarah of the former Cephalopod Yarns.
Jasmin is working on installing the zipper on her Elsa Sweater and is using finishing  books for  reference. She is looking at Big Book of Knitting, Nancy Wiseman's The Knitter's Book of Finishing Techniques, and Lucy Neatby's Cool Knitters Finish in Style.


Gigi  is churning out preemie hats assembly line style.
Jasmin is making progress on her Bifrost Scarf and she mentions two cowls she knit out of Canon Hand Dyes, the Striped Cowl and the Rainbow Dots Cowl.

We talk about the meditative aspect of knitting. Jasmin thinks we should ask Dr Gemma of the Cognitive Podcast about knitting as meditation.

Jasmin loves cutting her knitting for steeking. Gigi is working on a sock yarn blanket out of leftover sock yarn.

Jasmin has started a new cardigan for Genevieve, the Gingersnap cardigan. Gigi is going to knit an Olivia cardigan out of this pattern for Genevieve.

In Stitches:(26:33)

Gigi has worn her Flamingo Feathers, and her Swallowtail. And sparkly socks.
Genevieve wore her Duck Sweater, Jasmin found more duck buttons at Affordable Treasures, and she found an afterthought buttonhole in one of Elizabeth Zimmerman's books (Knitting Without Tears). (Jasmin did, not Genevieve). She wore the Quin hat and the Molly hat that KnittyBarb made for her.

Rex wore his Little Baby Sweater, and a Pumpkin hat that one of the knitting aunties made.
We have an etiquette question, whether an internet picture with a note is acceptable instead of a handwritten thank you note.

Contest:

We have a winner for the beautiful skein of FabFunkyFibres in the colorway The Big One is
Andodie!

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.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

New contest: #GrinchBomb
Mastering The Knits, a podcast hosted by Alicia, and Natalie of the former Bark'n Knit podcast are hosting a #ElvesWorkshopAlong. We are hosting another Grinch-Along this year. 

Post your holiday gift knitting to instagram with both the #elvesworkshopalong AND the #grinchbomb hashtag (and add a grinch somewhere in the photo, if you can, like this:


Untitled


The four prizes for the #grinchbomb contest are (so far) three Grinch project bags (sewn by us, never for sale) paired with some lovely Coloring Book Yarn, and a Bifrost kit (from Infinite Twist) with a bigger project bag.

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The Grinch-along. Starting date December 1st.

There are only two rule:

1. Cease and desist all holiday gift knitting! #grinchalong.
2. What you *do* knit, must bring you joy.

Take pictures and post them in the ravelry group thread and/or on Instagram.

Prizes will be Grinchy knitting bags sewn in the "Sweatshop Of Love"(Lovingly purloined from Sweatshop Of Love) by the Knitmore Girls out of Grinchy fabric. Let us know what fun holiday things you are doing instead of gift knitting. Do multiple dipping with as many contests as you can.
Pinterest link to the tutorial we used.  
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Mother Knows Best:(36:18) 

This week we answer a question from the "What do you want to hear about?" thread in the forum
about what to do with leftover yarn.Gigi mentions the leftover sock yarn pattern.
 
Also, she mentions NICUs looking for preemie blankets the size of an 8.5x11 size of paper. Let us  know what you do with left over yarn.

When Knitting Attacks:(41:00)

Gigi knitted with some leftover swap yarn that squeaked at her.

Jasmin was working on the Elsa cardigan and didn't like her hand sewing.

Review:(43:58)

This week we review the 2015 Fall Brooklyn Tweed Collection

Jasmin mentions her Einstein coat.
We reference Lilly Chin's book Reversible Cables by Lily Chin

And Sew On:(1:00:57)

Genevieve finally got the summer dress Gigi made for her, just in time for fall. Jasmin wants to recreate the idea of a nursing shirt that has a matching undershirt for more modesty, by Milkstars nursing shirts. She is using her Evolution serger
Also, we are very fond of Thimble-It Finger Pads.


Thursday, October 22, 2015

Re-Inventing the Wheel - Episode 348 - The Knitmore Girls

Untitled
Listen here:
This week's episode is sponsored by:

EcolusciousSkinCare_zps0936c17e
You probably attend an event at least once a year.  Whether you stay pretty close to home or travel across the country, come rain or shine we love to connect with you!
Sometimes events are all about shopping, but more often than not, events are a combination of shopping and education. When attending a show that combines classes and market place, shopping literally becomes dashes between classes. Time is short so my dash plan includes the necessary pit stop and (keeping my fingers crossed for short lines) visits to my favorite or new vendor spot.

As a vendor, we do our best to bring the right amount of scents and products. We are thrilled when we have the product or scent you are looking for, but sometimes the unexpected happens, like there is a sudden run on "fill in your favorite scent or product here" and the person in front of you just bought the last one. Being left wanting after waiting just sucks!
It's awesome when a product or scent become wildly popular but we are crushed when we have to serve disappointment because there is no more. 

Wait and want no more because we've created the Easy Peasy Product Reservation. It's so simple, even a two year old German Shepard can do it! (OK.  Maybe not.)

Step One: Go to our web site: www.Bar-Maids.com
Step Two: Click on the, "Events," tab
Step Three: A pop up asking if you would like to reserve product may appear, or click on "Easy Peasy Reservation Reserve in Advance or Take a Chance"
Step Four: You are taken to an awesome world of, "Survey Monkey" and all you have to do is make your reservation.  Done.

We'll even text you a reminder during the event!

Sincerely,

Lo-Lo
erinLane_logo_512px_zpsc0dd1208
Erin.Lane Bags presents the 2016 Indie Yarn Carnival. If you’ve ever missed the opportunity to see your favorite indie yarn dyers at a show, then this is the club for you. Erin.Lane has assembled a cavalcade of the most popular and sought after indie yarns from all over the country, and they are bringing it all to your door throughout 2016.

Featuring the indie dyed yarns of Buffalo Wool Company, Lydia Yarns, Knit Circus, Must Stash, Miss Babs and Miss Crosby, the Indie Yarn Carnival is a must have collection of special kits that you won’t find anywhere else. And each kit comes with a custom matched Erin.Lane Project Bag.

Sign up is quick and easy, and the 12 month subscription payment for the club makes it painless to enroll. Visit erinlanebags.com before December 1 to sign up and get your ticket to the finest indie yarn show you’ll see all year!  
Page-01_zpsdwbinjs4
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!

sheepspot_zps278fcd83
Sheepspot is a different kind of yarn and fiber company. Every breed-specific yarn and fiber we sell comes from ethically-raised sheep, and most of our yarns and fibers are sustainably grown and processed in right here in North America.
Check us out at sheepspot.com to learn more, and don't forget to sign up for the newsletter and get a free six-part e-course on choosing and using breed-specific yarns. Sheepspot: for those craving sustainable stash from happy sheep!

This weeks episode is sponsored by
Erin Lane Bags, The Bar Maids, Purlescence Yarns and Sheepspot.

On The Needles:(0:34)

Jasmin finished the ruffle on the Elsa sweater out of yarn by Lisa Souza. Everything is written in excrutiating detail on her project page.

Gigi is working on the Braidsmaid by Martina Behm, out of Abstract Fiber in Lima in the Hibiscus colorway.

Jasmin will occasionally talk about knitting with babies, it will not be its own segment.
 She is currently on her  Bifrost scarf by Infinite Twist. and mentioned #expertenablers Jasmin mentions the Weaving Join (Clasped Weft Join) She raves about the Boppy

Gigi made some Bilingual Preemie hats, a knitted body with a crochet flower. Jasmin mentions books by Nicky Epstein. Gigi mentions the  Knit Girllls podcast.
One of our friends had success with a sewn buttonhole from the Vogue Knitting Book.

Events:(23:37)

Gigi had a lot of fun at Pacific International Quilt Fest.  This year, the many portraits were noticiable.
She mentions fusible, gridded interfacing for a postage stamp quilt.

The next event we will be attending is going to be Stitches West 2016.

In Stitches:(29:35)

Gigi wore her gray Citron and a pair of sparkly socks. She will be wearing shawls when she is sitting in bed.

Genevieve has been wearing her original Playful Stripes cardigan, Rex's blue Playful Stripes, little Oak cardigan, the Duck Sweater and the hat from the cover of Knit Hats!

Rex tried his Pumpkin hat on and he wore his Little Baby Sweater, and the Wee Envelope Pullover. Jasmin thinks she maybe should also finish her Calligraphy sweater.

Contest:(34:36)

New prize, generously donated by Fab Funky Fibres: The Big One Gradient.
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.
We mention Susan B. Anderson's podcast
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

New contest: #GrinchBomb
Mastering The Knits, a podcast hosted by Alicia, and Natalie of the former Bark'n Knit podcast are hosting a #ElvesWorkshopAlong. We are hosting another Grinch-Along this year. 

Post your holiday gift knitting to instagram with both the #elvesworkshopalong AND the #grinchbomb hashtag (and add a grinch somewhere in the photo, if you can, like this:



The four prizes for the #grinchbomb contest are (so far) three Grinch project bags (sewn by us, never for sale) paired with some lovely Coloring Book Yarn, and a Bifrost kit (from Infinite Twist) with a bigger project bag.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Untitled

Mother Knows Best:(39:43)

This week we answer a question from the "What do you want to hear about?" thread in the forum
about labeling handspun. Jasmin uses Tyvek wristbands. We also use a yarn counter. Jasmin mentions Gusler Designs for tags.

When Knitting Attacks:(44:02)

The Elsa sweater may not fit.

Gigi attacked her Braidsmaid shawl an frogged a whole repeat. unnecessarily. Also, she bought a pattern at PIQF and does not like the instructions. She will try and find a pattern she likes more.

Review:(47:07)

This week we review
New Lace Knitting, by Romi Hill
We also mention Designs by Romi

And Sew On:(55:20)

Gigi is thrilled about the mending she did on Sam's Shirt. She finished hand sewing the lining of Genevieve's summer dress.

Thursday, October 15, 2015

When in Doubt, Overdo - Episode 347 - The Knitmore Girls

Untitled

Listen:


This week's episode is sponsored by:
EcolusciousSkinCare_zps0936c17e
You probably attend an event at least once a year.  Whether you stay pretty close to home or travel across the country, come rain or shine we love to connect with you!
Sometimes events are all about shopping, but more often than not, events are a combination of shopping and education. When attending a show that combines classes and market place, shopping literally becomes dashes between classes. Time is short so my dash plan includes the necessary pit stop and (keeping my fingers crossed for short lines) visits to my favorite or new vendor spot.

As a vendor, we do our best to bring the right amount of scents and products. We are thrilled when we have the product or scent you are looking for, but sometimes the unexpected happens, like there is a sudden run on "fill in your favorite scent or product here" and the person in front of you just bought the last one. Being left wanting after waiting just sucks!
It's awesome when a product or scent become wildly popular but we are crushed when we have to serve disappointment because there is no more. 

Wait and want no more because we've created the Easy Peasy Product Reservation. It's so simple, even a two year old German Shepard can do it! (OK.  Maybe not.)

Step One: Go to our web site: www.Bar-Maids.com
Step Two: Click on the, "Events," tab
Step Three: A pop up asking if you would like to reserve product may appear, or click on "Easy Peasy Reservation Reserve in Advance or Take a Chance"
Step Four: You are taken to an awesome world of, "Survey Monkey" and all you have to do is make your reservation.  Done.

We'll even text you a reminder during the event!

Sincerely,

Lo-Lo
erinLane_logo_512px_zpsc0dd1208
Erin.Lane Bags and Holiday Yarns are teaming up to bring you a very special knitting club in 2016. “A Year of Winter That Ends With Christmas” is based on the beloved story, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, and brings you six project kits representing characters from the book, complete with an Erin.Lane Project Bag featuring exclusively designed fabric.

 This club is designed with everyone in mind, and the 12 automatic and equal monthly payments make the decision to sign up easy and quick. All subscribers get a special ornament mini-project and have the option to add-on an exclusive seventh project that represents the dreaded White Witch and her chilled persona.

Visit erinlanebags.com before December 15 to sign up and enjoy your year of winter that ends with Christmas.  
Page-01_zpsdwbinjs4
Sheepspot is a different kind of yarn and fiber company. Every breed-specific yarn and fiber we sell comes from ethically-raised sheep, and most of our yarns and fibers are sustainably grown and processed in right here in North America.
Check us out at sheepspot.com to learn more, and don't forget to sign up for the newsletter and get a free six-part e-course on choosing and using breed-specific yarns. Sheepspot: for those craving sustainable stash from happy sheep! 

One Minute Update: Jasmin won the Stash Dash competition with Notre Dame Jen, NDJen04 of the Commuter Knitter podcast, and two days later had her baby. Thank you so much for the Loveblanket for Rex!

On The Needles:(0:33)

Jasmin has finished objects, the finished the Dinosaur Hat, two Playful Stripes cardigans, one for Genevieve, and one for Rex.

Gigi has started 1000 Tulips by Martina Behm. She knitted a pair of Geek socks out of Neon Now. Also, she knitted a pair of Vanilla socks out of Stiletto Yarn

Jasmin has been working on the Elsa Sweater, all info and mods are on her project page.  The ruffle is lifted from Jean Moss' book Sculptured Knits. Elsa is a character from the movie Frozen. The sweater has beaded snowflakes, a rhinestone zipper, everything.

Gigi has knitted a set of Sibling Socks, out of Regia 6 Ply . She also started another Braidsmaid and ordered yarn for yet another one. So we ordered yarn from Sarah, formerly of Cephalopod Yarn, in Bugga in a lovely denim blue. Gigi thinks she is doing a personal #Behmalong.

Jasmin has finished a bunch of small sweaters: She is working on finishing a Gramps cardigan from Tot Toppers, out of Sheepspot Suffolk Worsted in the Vitamin C colorway. Jasmin soaked it in SOAK woolwash and then used hair conditioner to soften the yarn.

She has another Gramps cardigan in the works, this one by Tin Can Knits in a sock monkey adaptation, out of Cascade 220. She also has cast on a Bifrost scarf by Infinite Twist. They also sent a Fish Sock Kit for Gigi.

Jasmin is also knitting a Playdate cardigan by Tin Can Knits out of Fibernymph DyeWorks "Star Trekkie" Also finished a Purl Soho Sweater for Rex out of Berry Colorful Yarnings.

Gigi has been cranking out preemie hats, and she has started a sock yarn blanket.

Contest:(19:37)

New prize, generously donated by Fab Funky Fibres: The Big One Gradient.
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.
We mention Susan B. Anderson's podcast
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

We announce a new contest: #GrinchBomb
Mastering The Knits, a podcast hosted by Alicia, and Natalie of the former Bark'n Knit podcast are hosting a #ElvesWorkshopAlong. We are hosting another Grinch-Along this year. 

Post your holiday gift knitting to instagram with both the #elvesworkshopalong AND the #grinchbomb hashtag (and add a grinch somewhere in the photo, if you can, like this:

Untitled

From the Mastering the Knits Ravelry forum:
Rules for the Elves Workshop:

"Welcome to our new FALL craftalong ElvesWorkshopalong! Alicia and I are so very excited to finally share this with you!
The main idea of the ElvesWorkshopAlong is to encourage us all to create handmade gifts early enough so we can enjoy our Holiday season and avoid racing to finish our gifts at the last min.
The Rules:
The ElvesWorkshopalong will begin September 1st and run until November 30th. Each project must be cast on and finished within this time frame. Crafters will be able to submit as many entries as you wish. Your entry can be any finished crafted object of your choice. Some examples of entries can include knit, crochet, sew, woodworking, modpodge, baking, etc. If it’s a handmade gift, it qualifies!
You will see a locked FO thread which will open once the along begins Sept 1st. We’ll have a form you can quickly fill out to enter each of your finished entries to win prizes! We have already had some prizes donated. Stay tuned for a sneak peek of prizes in the ravelry thread as well as discussed on the podcast!
We will pick prizes for those that post pictures on social media using the tag #elvesworkshopalong."
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The three prizes for the #grinchbomb contest are (so far) three Grinch project bags (sewn by us, never for sale) paired with some lovely Coloring Book Yarn.

Mother Knows Best:(25:25)

This week we answer a question from the "What do you want to hear about?" thread in the forum
about the Citric Acid Soak for color work. Jasmin really likes the unscented SOAK woolwash, as well as the soak from Unicorn.

She mentions her Elsa cardigan, and the Rainbow Dots cowl.
 
When Knitting Attacks:(31:47)

Gigi used smaller needles on her 1000 Tulips shawl, This changed the gauge and now the shawl isn't wide enough, so she is going to pull some of it back and knit it longer.

Jasmin sewed shanks on the backing buttons of the new Playful Stripes cardigan.

Purloined:(33:12)

This week we purloin from the Awesome Etiquette podcast hosted by Lizzy Post and Daniel Post-Senning to discuss how to politely let a podcaster know that certain things detract from the listening experience.

We also mention the Savage Love Podcast, which is not family friendly.

Jasmin mentions Emily Post's Etiquette, by Peggy Post.

Review:(44:14)
  
This week we review The Art of Slip Stitch Knitting by Faina Goberstein and Simona Merchant-Dest

We mention Jasmin's blog, Better Than Yarn

Jasmin recommends Barbara Walker's Book of Stitch Patterns

And Sew On:(54:12)

Genevieve joins us briefly to talk about her weaving, spinning, and knitting.

Gigi has been working on the turquoise summer dress she is sewing for Genevieve. She thinks she needs to work on improving her technique for lining garments.

Wednesday, October 7, 2015

Director's Cut - Charlene Schurch - The Knitmore Girls

DSC_0006
Charlene's Frost Flowers Stole

Listen here:


abstractbanner-1

This Director's Cut is brought to you without commercial interruption by Abstract Fiber, the best place to buy the most beautiful yarn and fibers ever.



Sensational Knitted Socks
More Sensational Knitted Socks
The Little Box of Socks
Mostly Mittens
A History of Hand Knitting by Richard Rutt
Hats On!
The Frost Flowers stole (photo above)
Signature Double Points
Froehlich Wolle sock yarn
Louet Fingering Weight
Jitterbug by Colinette
Schaefer Anne
Lacis

Since the interview, Charlene has published Mostly Mitterns again,  Sock Club and The Sock Knitter's Handbook

You can find Charlene's designs on Ravelry here.