Director's Cut - Rachael Herron

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This Director's Cut has been sponsored by:

We chat with Rachael Herron, author of "How to Knit a Love Song". You can find her calendar here.

Things we talk about:

NaNoWriMo
Agentquery.com
Elizabeth Zimmerman's "Knitting Without Tears"
Mills College
Cade's Sweater
The Sweater Curse

Let resting swatches lie - Episode 91 - The Knitmore Girls

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This week's episode has been sponsored by:

CNCH is coming to Santa Clara April 9-11 and Abstract Fiber will be there. Not a weaver? CNCH has something for all fiber enthusiasts! We'll have yarns for knitting and weaving, plus lots of fiber. We'll have some new fibers too, including Polwarth!!! You can also shop online anytime by clicking above.

We love listen to the Knitmore Girls while putting the magazine together; our free Spring Issue, the magazine's digital debut, is live! Please check out the interviews, reviews, articles, recipes and pattern previews; if you like what you see, you can purchase all 20 patterns in the Spring Collection for only $7.50 US. For Knitmore Girls fans, if you purchase a year's subscription to the Pattern Collection, we'll give you an extra issue!


Thank you, Knitmore Girls listeners for rocking Stitches West with us in the Purlescence Yarns booth. To thank you, we're offering a special just for you. Call us with your mail order or come into the shop between Thursday, March 4 and Monday, March 15 and receive a Purlescence Yarns ChicoBag with your purchase of $50 or more, while supplies last. Be sure to mention the Knitmore Girls!

On the needles: (00:32)

Jasmin is monogamously knitting away at her Mondo Cable Cardi, knit out of Cascade Quatro. We discuss using zippers on knits, and in current fashion. Gigi is working on her Mondo Cable Pulli out of Brown Sheep Nature Spun (color "Cranberry Fog"). We gush about how much we enjoy the details of the Chic Knits patterns and garments. We mention the KAL thread, which is a great place to go for help.

Gigi has put one repeat on her Color Your Own sweater by Philosopher's Wool. Gigi has picked up her Origami Pullover again for social knitting. Jasmin is working on a pair of Crocodile Walk handspun socks, and will likely cast on a pair of socks for Andrew out of the Creatively Dyed Yarn he picked up at Stitches.

Mother Knows Best: (19:52)

We discuss the truthfulness of swatches. We talk about the Great Adirondack Rayon, which seems to lend itself better to weaving than knitting.

Review: (28:37)

We review How to Knit a Love Song, by Rachael Herron. (We'll be airing the interview with her later this week.) We LOVE it!

Straw into Gold: (39:07)

Jasmin is spinning some cormo roving from Sue Reuser for a Tempest.

Stitches West 2010 Recap - Episode 90 - The Knitmore Girls

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This week's episode has been sponsored by:

Stitches west was a big success thanks to all the Knitmore Girls fans who came to visit. We'd love it if you would share photos of your projects in our Ravelry group, Aaabsolutely Abstract Fiber.
We will be back in California in April for CNCH. Meanwhile we have just received a big supply of Picasso, our baby alpaca DK weight yarn. Super soft and a little fuzzy, Picasso takes dye beautifully. Check it out online at AbstractFiber.com where skeins have no knots and shipping is free for orders over $100 in the US.


From now until midnight March 5, 2010, use the code "MCcardi" or "MCpulli" in the Chic Knits shopping cart when purchasing your Mondo Cable Cardi or Pulli pattern to get a 20% discount on your purchase! Rock the needles with the Mondo Cable KAL!


Thank you, Knitmore Girls listeners for rocking Stitches West with us in the Purlescence Yarns booth. To thank you, we're offering a special just for you. Call us with your mail order or come into the shop between Thursday, March 4 and Monday, March 15 and receive a Purlescence Yarns ChicoBag with your purchase of $50 or more, while supplies last. Be sure to mention the Knitmore Girls!

Show notes will be posted 3/3.

In lieu of regular segments, we do our Stitches West recap!

Jasmin cuts it close, but has finished her Seneca Sweater! Gigi mentions the platinum medal incident, and that she hasn't met her goal. We launch the Mondo Cable KAL! Jasmin went stashdiving, and will be knitting her Mondo Cable Cardi out of Cascade Quatro (in orange).

Gigi will be (surprisingly) knitting her Mondo Cable Pulli out of something Red. Gigi has finished her dishcloth baby blanket AND has assembled Boo's Sweater. Gigi went on a blocking spree before Stitches. She blocked her Fichu, Swallowtail shawl, Icarus, and Peacock Feathers Shawl. Jasmin is plugging away at her handspun Crocodile Walk socks.

The Stitches West recap:

Thursday:

We did interviews, and hung out with Dr. Gemma (from the CogKNITive Podcast). The motto of the weekend was "We can sleep when we're dead." We wandered through the market preview, then went home and stuffed goodie bags!

Friday:

Meet'n'greet in the Abstract Fiber booth! Interviews! The folks at XRX were incredibly fantastic to work with. Our intrepid reporter, Laura is doing a Director's Cut episode covering the fashion show.

Saturday:

Gigi buys lace yarn from Skaska, and some leafy colored worsted from the Royal Hare to knit the Deciduous wrap with. Jasmin bought some gorgeous sock yarn from Femme Fatale fibers/ Little Red Bicycle, and Andrew bought sock yarn from Creatively Dyed Yarns. Jasmin bought the "Windy Valley Muskox Cabled Cowl"- very fashion forward. Jasmin bought an un-kit, in red, and a roll of knitting graph paper.

Jasmin gets a tip on how to un-bend her CocoKnits knitter's blocks. We sit down with Maggie Jackson (author of Maggie's Ireland).

Meet'n'greet in the Purlescence booth!

Sunday:

We chatted with Anna Zilboorg! We get a wicked great deal on two Namaste bags.

Olympic FEVER - Episode 89 - The Knitmore Girls

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This episode has been sponsored by:

Abstract Fiber will be at Stitches West in booth 642! We've got Hedonism in a very limited supply of gorgeous jewel tones. Plus new colors in every fiber, our new lace yarn Hepburn, and chocolate candy for when you need a little pick-me-up. There's seating nearby, so come hang out with us and see what goodies we've brought you. See you at Booth 642!

From now until midnight March 5, 2010, use the code "MCcardi" or "MCpulli" in the Chic Knits shopping cart when purchasing your Mondo Cable Cardi or Pulli pattern to get a 20% discount on your purchase! Rock the needles with the Mondo Cable KAL!


Stitches West is less than a week away! We at Purlescence Yarns are making our final preparations for a wonderful Stitches weekend. Be sure to come by our booth for the Meet & Greet with the Knitmore Girls on Saturday and check out the Chic Knits patterns, new designs for the show, loads of beautiful Cascade Yarns - including the Venezia Worsted Gigi raves about - many perfect choices for the Mondo Cable KAL!

On the needles: (0:32)

Jasmin has been plowing her way through her Seneca sweater. We get approached (a la KIPing it Real) a ton at Saturday Knitting. Gigi is still working on her dishcloth baby blanket. Jasmin is resolving her issues over back twisting cables, probably because of her Leslie Wind Cable needle.

Gigi's "Color Your Own" cardigan is moving slowly, but progressing nicely. Gigi is already planning her next Philosopher's sweatter (the Kilim). Jasmin has finished her Hey Jude socks. Gigi is assembling the Boo Sweater. Jasmin has cast on a sock out of her Crocodile Walk

We will be interviewing Galina again! Please post your questions for Galina here. Our chat with Susan (from the Knitajourney podcast) has gone live!

handspun.Events: (20:46)

Stitches West! February 25-28th.

FRIDAY: Abstract Fiber, 12-1, booth 642.

SATURDAY: Purlescence Yarns, 12-1, booths 830/832/834/836. (It’s one big booth.)

Contest: (23:09)

We will be running our UFO Finish-a-long contest through the end of March.

Mother Knows Best: (24:03)

We dip into the "what do you want to hear about" thread, and talk about shoulder seams. Gigi mentions the Cocoknits bias bind-off technique.

When Knitting Attacks: (32:05)

Gigi rethinks lining the Boo Sweater. Jasmin, in her Olympic Fever, forgets to mention the Mondo Cable KAL. (Abstract Fiber and Purlescence Yarns are offering 10% off of KAL materials, ChicKnits has a 20% off discount code - "MCcardi" or "MCpulli", through March 5th.) We'll be casting on March 1st. Gigi has a blocking mishap with her Icarus shawl.

Straw into Gold: (45:39)

Jasmin talks about what she does with leftover fleece.

Director's Cut- Sivia Harding

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This director's cut has been sponsored by:

You can find Sivia's blog here, and her calendar here. You can also find Sivia on Ravelry.

Other things that we mention:
Sivia's legwarmer pattern (Continuum)
Diamond Fantasy Shawl
Phoenix Rising Shawl, made from the Cashmere/Silk blend from SweetGeorgia Yarns.
Sivia's pattern in the 2009 Summer Twist Collective- Aphrodite.
Sivia's Winter pattern in the Twist Collective- Dryad.
The Wanda tool, available at Carolina Homespun.
Wasonga by Curious Creek
Sweet Georgia 100% Superwash Sock
Smooshy
Koigu
Harmonia's Rings Cowl

Nightstand Knitting - Episode 88 - The Knitmore Girls

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This week's episode has been sponsored by:

Stitches West is right around the corner! We're crazy busy getting ready,
dyeing up tons of yarn and fiber. Stop by booth 642 and see the new solids
including gold, silver, bronze, and copper! Oooh, and then there's
turquoise, orchid, blue, teal... And Hedonism...


Stitches is coming! Stitches is coming! The Purlescence Purl Girls are furiously knitting away on new designs to debut at Stitches West in the Friday night fashion show. Look for five new patterns showcasing Cascade's beautiful yarns: 220 Superwash Paints, Venezia Worsted, Ultra Pima, Heritage Paints, and Cash Vero. We will simultaneously release all the patterns on Ravelry for downloadable purchase. Check under designers Nathania Apple and Sandi Luck for information. Happy Stitches!


Serendipitous Ewe offers something for every knitter and fiber enthusiast through their luscious yarns and fibers dyed in unique colorways. We specialize in a variety of dye techniques that create beautiful colorways, like our “Stained Glass” semi-solids, “Tonal/Subtle” self-stripings, and “Mosaic Watercolor” variegated yarns. Look for our new naturally dyed “Gradient” yarns this spring. 

Serendipitous Ewe's yarns can be found in several US local yarn stores, online retailers, and at east coast festivals.
Click the logo above to find their whole line of fiberlicious goods.

On the Needles: (00:33)

Jasmin is working on the sleeves for her Carli (from the first Knit(more)-A-Long). Jasmin is also SOOOO close to finishing her "Hey Jude" handspun socks. Gigi is working on the Color Your Own cardigan (by Philosopher's Wool), in the "Fall" colorway. Jasmin is working on her olympic sweater (the Seneca Sweater, by Jared Flood, from Made in Brooklyn). Jasmin compares it to her Tangled Yoke cardigan.

We discuss the RavChat during the lighting ceremony. Gigi admits to (perhaps) biting off more than she can chew. Jasmin loves the smell of her sweater - it's from a sheep named "Duchess" from Jean Near (processed by Morro Fleece Works).

Stay tuned for the Mondo Cable KAL! Gigi will be knitting the pulli and Jasmin will be knitting the cardi. We're casting on 3/1/2010.

Events: (15:33)

Stitches West- February 25th-28th. We will be doing a meet and greet in the Abstract Fiber booth from 12-1 on Friday and in the Purlescence booth from 12-1 on Saturday. Come and say hi!

Contest: ( 16:50)

We're extending the UFO finish-a-long contest through March!

Mother Knows Best: (19:18)

Strategies for Stitches! We talk about going through our stash, and having standard quantities for projects in your notes. We also talk about avoiding repetitive stress injuries during the Ravelympics. (The shows we talk about are Leverage and Supernatural.) Jasmin talks about using comforter bags to re-organize her stash.

Brilliant designer Brenda Patipa recommends using a flash drive to store your patterns so you have them on hand during the show. Gigi mentions that the Ellina shawl pattern has incorrect yardage listed on it.

When Knitting Attacks: (33:01)

Gigi is attacked by her knitting at every turn! Gigi's Classic Slant Cardigan (out of Cascade Venezia) proves the adage that a stitch in time saves four inches. Or something like that. Gigi rethinks lining the Boo Sweater.

Knitting buffet - Episode 87 - The Knitmore Girls

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This week's episode has been sponsored by:

This week: It show time! The Abstract Fiber team is very pleased to be a vendor at the Madrona Fiber Arts Winter Retreat in Tacoma. You’ll see new yarns, patterns, knitting bags, and spinning wheels. Then, we’re off to Stitches West. We’ll be in booth 642. It looks like we’ll have tables and chairs right next to our booth, so come rest your feet and knit and spin with us! If you can’t make it to those shows, come see us online where shipping is always free for orders over $100.

If you are a spinner you might know that we carry a big assortment on outstanding natural fibers and blends next to our line of hand dyed fibers. We are aware that not everyone is a spinner - so we went the extra mile and can offer some of our exotic fibers and blends as yarn, either hand spun or locally spun here in the US by a small mill in an affordable price range. Also available are many lines of hand dyed sock yarns. See us in person during February 11th-14th at the Madrona Fiber Arts

Winter Retreat in Tacoma, WA - booth 4+5.

We're knitting green at Purlescence! This week we're hailing the arrival of spring yarns with Rowan's newest yarn, Revive. Recycled cotton, silk, and viscose are carded and then spun into a beautifully tweedy DK weight summer yarn. The resulting fabric is soft and drapey, perfect for summer tops and sweaters. There's a whole book of pattern support, too!

On the Needles: (00:34)

Gigi is still working on the Classic Slant Cardigan out of Cascade Venezia. Jasmin has finished her Looped Loop cowl! You can find the reverse kitchener stitch tutorial here. Jasmin has finished and blocked her Mondo Cable Cardi (knit out of the Abstract Fiber Miro in "Twilight"). We are starting the Mondo Cable KAL on 3/1.

While watching Leverage, Jasmin worked on her Carli's sleeves. Jasmin cast on the Shorty Tam by Lisa Ellis (from the Crown Mountain "Knit for Fun Club") out of her "We are the champions" handspun.

We chatted with Susan from the KnitaJourney Podcast! Jasmin has cast on Rosemary Hill's Brandywine shawl ($5 from each pattern goes to Haiti aid) out of Abstract Fiber Hepburn "Mousse".

Events: ( 18:59)

- Ravelympics 2010 begin Friday, February 12th at 6PM PST.
- Madrona Fiber Festival, February 11-14.
- Stitches West, February 25-28th. We will be doing a meet and greet on Friday in the Abstract Fiber booth from 12-1, and on Saturday in the Purlescence booth from 12-1.

Mother Knows Best: (21:05)

Please leave your favorite podcasters nice iTunes reviews for Valentines Day!

Stitches tip 2010: Go with a friend. (Also, you can find our episodes with Stitches tips here.)

Contest! (25:31)

Winner of the Most Welcomed Knit Gift contest is announced!

February's contest is an UFO Finish-a-long! Post your finished UFOs in the Ravelry thread (and the stories behind them). Get your submissions in by 3/6!

Ravelympics Training: (28:01)

Week 6: Find your knitting support system.

ChrissytheGreat at the Manic Purl podcast and Sherrill (Belle of the Ball) talk about the particulars of setting up project pages for the Ravelympics, rules, etc.

You can find the Ravelympics FAQ here, and Jasmin will be available for tech support in the Knitmore Girls chat and Sasquatch chat.

Jasmin emphasizes safety first, and knitting podcasts that are roughly 30 mins each:

Belle of the Ball
Brass Needles
Here's to Ewe
It's a Purl, Man
KnitaJourney

Straw into Gold: (35:52)

Jasmin plies the singles for her Seneca Sweater. She uses Zorbees/ShamWOW!s [CAUTION: both sites are noisy.] to accelerate the drying process. Jasmin loves the unscented SOAK.