Reflections and recessions - Episode 53 - The Knitmore Girls

Listen here:


This week's episode has been sponsored by:

New this week: Elemental Effects and Judith MacKenzie McCuin offer a 100% American-grown Shetland fingering weight. Also from Elemental Effects, 2 ounce bumps of glorious Romney wool roving.


All new subscribers receive a free gift from Eucalan as our way of saying thanks for supporting Verena Knitting!
Use subscription code: KNITMG

Events: (00:35)
6/6/2009 - Spinning at the Retzlaff Winery
6/13/2009- WorldWide Knit in Public Day
(Jasmin will be at Santana Row, look for the pink hair. Gigi will be knitting in Los Angeles, details will be posted later.)
On the Needles: (5:47)

Gigi is working on her Carli again! Jasmin's Katarina is languishing a bit. Jasmin is on a shawl kick. She is working on her Aran Pocket Shawl as well as the Wool Peddler's Shawl.

Gigi is blocking her way through a mountain of UFOs. Carli got blocked, Marta got blocked, Katarina has been blocked.

Gigi has turned the heel on her Par 5 socks.
Mother Knows Best: (15:33)

Gigi and Jasmin discuss the virtues of stashing, and how a healthy stash can make your knitting recession-proof.

When Knitting Attacks: (22:17)

Jasmin is having trust issues with the chart on the Wool Peddler's shawl. Gigi sews her sweater together more creatively than normal.

Review: (25:42)

This week, Gigi and Jasmin review "The Friday Night Knitting Club" by Kate Jacobs. They liked it fine, but have some small criticisms.

Bring it On! (33:27)

Podcasts we like!

BarkNKnit - knitting and dog training.
CogKNITive - knitting, spinning, and Cognitive Behavioral strategies!
Stitch-It! - spinning, knitting, "My faaaaaaavorite thing".
Knaked Knits
Knitting Rose
Cast-On - Brenda is a real mensch. She's thoughtful, articulate, supportive, and has a voice like butter!
CraftLit- classic novels and lit chat.
Gives Good Knit - books, knitting, spinning, and Tika.
Brass Needles - knitting, fashion, and science fiction.
High Fiber Diet
Sticks and String - nice voice, great essays.
Fadenfreude - a German knitting podcast.
Changeling's Knit and Stitch
Faery Knitting
Knitlark Lane
The Manic Purl
KnitTherapy
She-Knits
Y-Knit
Sweaters for Dragons

Spinning (51:02)

Jasmin has been spinning some mango-colored 80 Merino/20 silk from Redfish Dyeworks.

The Wrath of Yaaaarn! - Episode 52 - The Knitmore Girls

Listen here:


This week's episode has been sponsored by:

Orders over $100 receive free shipping!


New this week: Knitting bags by Lexie Barnes, Della Q, Lantern Moon, Amy Butler, and the new Zuca bag- a knitting bag on wheels. Will ship anywhere in the world!



All new subscribers receive a free gift from Eucalan as our way of saying thanks for supporting Verena Knitting!
Use subscription code: KNITMG

The Knitmore Girls remind you to call your mother!

On the Needles: (1:50)

Jasmin and Andrew took Gigi to see the new Star Trek movie at the IMAX theater. They talk about the sheep on Vulcan and knits in the movie.

Gigi works on the Katarina sweater. They discuss the Knit(more)-a-long. Jasmin talks about her Aran Pocket Wrap (from Folk Shawls), which she is knitting out of sport weight Jade Sapphire cashmere.

Jasmin is seeking inspiration in weird ways. She has finished her first sock out of the Abstract Fiber supersock in "Newport". Jasmin wanted to knit lace, and cast on the Theatrical Lace shawl Shawls and Scarves) in Malabrigo Lace.

Jasmin decided to finish a pair of Gentleman's Fancy Socks for Andrew (from Knitting Vintage Socks), but some insulation got into the knitting bag, so Jasmin is looking for solutions on how to get insulation out of knitting.

Mother Knows Best: (21:15)

Gigi discusses blocking. Jasmin mentions Yarn Dogs' event to support their Avon Walk for Breast Cancer team, Knitters for Knockers.

When Knitting Attacks: (30:03)

Jasmin talks about losing the second sock (in this pair, made of Tess Yarns' Peruvian Sock) while out watching Wolverine.

Gigi's sleeves for her Katarina are too big. She is on a knitting-three-sleeves binge. Jasmin laments a troubled Monkey Sock.

Jasmin talks about over-dyeing "ugly" colors. Jasmin overdyed the Jade Sapphire "BlueBlood" (which is red) with navy blue Jacquard acid dye. It is a lovely shade of eggplant now.

Straw into Gold: (43:28)

Jasmin talks about her Tallulah swatch for Mariah; the 5-ply yields 4.5 sts/inch on a US 6/4mm needle.

Jasmin also mentions some dandruff-y cashmere that she finished. (Description of woolen spinning can be found in this episode of Stitch it!) It is going to grow up to be lace, and is being spun on the Schacht-Reeves.

Jasmin bought some qiviut fiber in Alaska last year, and is a little intimidated by it. So, she is practicing on Bison roving. (You can order the bison roving from Purlescence Yarns.)

Jasmin is spinning Lina, who is a chocolate brown hogget merino fleece (from Janet Heppler, bought at the Retzlaff Winery spinning day last year). Jasmin determines, after ordering some of the comforter bags (that Aija talks about on the sockpr0n blog), that she has a lot of fleeces.

Cheryl Oberle shares! - Episode 51 - The Knitmore Girls

Listen here:

This week's episode is sponsored by:

This week: Be sure to check out our shop looms: the Ashford Knitter's Loom, the Schacht Cricket, and Wolf Pup looms, all in stock and ready to go home with you today. We happily ship anywhere in the world!

All new subscribers receive a free gift from Eucalan as our way of saying thanks for supporting Verena Knitting!
Use subscription code: KNITMG

This week, in lieu of our normal segments, we chat with Cheryl Oberle. But, we do announce the winners of our "name the listener questions segment" contest.

Cheryl's books
The Sarah Blanche shawl
Cheryl, on Ravelry
Cheryl's knit-a-ways
Cheryl's swatching technique:
The 30 stitch gauge swatch
Cast on at least 30 stitches. Measure the entire width of the 30 sts. If you change one needle size, the width will change exactly 1/2".

From UFO to FO- Episode 50 - The Knitmore Girls

Listen Here:

This episode has been sponsored by:

New this week: Lantern Moon bags and baskets to our array of knitting accessories. $2 of the purchase for the Tote for the Cure basket goes to Living Beyond Breast Cancer. Visit our blog to see that and other wonderful styles from Lantern Moon.

All new subscribers receive a free gift from Eucalan as our way of saying thanks for supporting Verena Knitting!Use subscription code: KNITMG

This week, we're joined by Tika (host of Gives Good Knit) and Andrew.
The More You Know (00:35)

We will be announcing the winners of the "name the listener suggestions segment" contest in Episode 51.

Go and listen to Knaked Knits!
On the Needles (2:05)

Jasmin goes on a finishing binge! This week she has finished the Geoff Scarf (from the Jade Sapphire Scarves for Him kit), and her Abby. She also reunites with her Ice Queen.

Gigi has stalled out on her Carli- it needs to be blocked. Gigi is working on her Marta, knit out of the Wild Plum 3 colorway in the Brown Sheep Lamb's Pride Worsted. Look for Julie's Bias bind-off tutorial here.

Jasmin talks about her podcast sock, knit out of Abstract Fiber's sock yarn (in Newport). Gigi discusses "binge knitting", and Jasmin decides that she wants to knit her way through "Sock Innovation" (find the errata here, thanks Betty!). You can find the Cookie A group here.

Tika is knitting a pair of Shark's socks for her younger charge, and talks about having "car knitting" - a pair of socks for impromptu knitting. Tika is also knitting a scarf from Victorian Lace Today along with an old friend.

Gigi makes pom-poms for this scarf.
Mother Knows Best (21:17)

Tika and Jasmin discuss Mother's Day. Tika and her brother are pooling their resources to buy their mom a ballwinder and swift for Mother's Day. They discuss the Knitpicks ballwinder and the cost difference between those and the Royal ballwinders.

Tika suggests taking nice photos, printing them out, and framing them nicely.
When Knitting Attacks (30:04)

Jasmin can't follow a pattern. After a year of the Ice Queen sitting aside, she realizes that she needs to read the pattern. Gigi can't count.

Tika's Seamless Yoke Sweater has a decrease issue.
Review: (34:53)

Andrew joins in to discuss the Knit Kit (CAUTION: noisy link), pros and cons. We compare it to the Clover Knit Mate Knitting Accessory Kit. You can find the Stitchminder iPod/iPhone app here.

Straw Into Gold: (50:07)

Jasmin talks about "swatching" her handspun for Mariah. She talks about how she plies her yarn. (Here's a piece by Judith on how to ply, and you should get Teach Yourself Visually Spinning.)

If you give a knitter Cookie A - Episode 49 - The Knitmore Girls

Listen here:


This week's episode has been sponsored by:

This week: Call Purlescence Yarns today to place your order for Addi Click Interchangeable needles. Also new this week: Amy Butler's knitting bags. Crafted of heavyweight home dec fabric, they feature lots of pockets and slots for your knitting tools.

All new subscribers receive a free gift from Eucalan as our way of saying thanks for supporting Verena Knitting!Use subscription code: KNITMG

On the Needles: (2:13)

Thanks for all of your feedback about the Galina interview!

Gigi has finished the first stage of her Carli. She has shortened the sleeves by an inch to compenstate for being petite. Jasmin has completed knitting the body, the first sleeve, and is nearly finished with the second sleeve of her Katarina.

Gigi and Jasmin received a special package (from Rosemary Hill) of closures for the Knit(more)-A-Long. Here's what they look like:

You can purchase them here.

Jasmin used the crocheted provisional cast-on that she learned in Lucy Neatby's class (or at Tika's knee) when she cast on the sleeves. She notices that the sleeves will need to be blocked a little more agressively. Jasmin and Steamy will work on this.

Gigi and Jasmin talk about the Knit(more)-a-long being at your own pace. Jasmin has cast on her Carli in Malabrigo "Little Lovely".

Jasmin bought one of the Jade Sapphire "Cashmere Scarf For Him" kits (in "Five O'Clock Shadow") from Bobbin's Nest. She talks about purchasing habits that have changed because of the Social Pressure Experiment. Jasmin talks about using the ChiaoGoo needles.

Gigi has completed the second ball of her Buffalo Gals yarn for the On the Vine scarf. Gigi talks about the intelligent, couture quality of the Marta sweater. (You can find the KnitScience episode that deals with couture here.) Gigi talks about a yarn acquisition that isn't red (Jo Sharp Aran Tweed in a plummy color).

Mother Knows Best: (34:03)

Gigi recommends alternating skeins of handpainted yarns to avoid color shock. Jasmin agrees that this is also a good idea for evening out handspun yarns. Jasmin talks about her handspun Ribbi Cardi, and how one sleeve has significantly more rows than the other because of the variation in handspun thickness.

When Knitting Attacks: (38:59)

Gigi miscounts on her Marta. Jasmin discovers a "bad bobbin", and it takes discussion to discover that it's not her, it's the bobbin.

Review: (44:29)

This week, Andrew joins us to review Cookie A's Sock Innovation. We give it six inspired thumbs up. Jasmin talks about Cookie's more acheivable socks (the Monkey socks, Hedera). Jasmin talks about using Dream in Color Smooshy, Regia Silk, or Tanis Fiber Arts sock yarn for these socks. Jasmin thinks this may be her "Little Box of Socks".

Straw Into Gold: (54:41)

Jasmin talks about spinning the Abstract Fiber 50% cashmere/50% silk roving (in Hydrangea). Jasmin talks about spinning both cashmere and silk at higher speeds to get it finer and tighter.

For a really excellent definition of "woolen" spinning, go give this episode of Stitch-It a listen.

To practice spinning cashmere, use cotton roving. Jasmin encourages you to spin your good stuff and not "save" it.

Jasmin is nearly done spinning Tallulah.

Galina knits behind the Iron Curtain - Episode 48 - The Knitmore Girls

Listen here:


This week's episode has been sponsored by:

Inspired to knit lace? Purlescence Yarns offers a variety of gorgeous laceweight yarns including variegated silks from Blue Moon Fiber Arts and Claudia Handpainted Yarns to alpaca from Cascade and Alpaca with a Twist. You're sure to find the perfect thing to knit any lace your heart desires. We happily ship anywhere in the world.


All new subscribers receive a free gift from Eucalan as our way of saying thanks for supporting Verena Knitting!
Use subscription code: KNITMG

This week, in lieu of our regular segments, we have an interview with Galina Khmeleva of Skaska Designs Limited.

In this episode, Galina discusses knitting in communist Russia, and how she ended up as an accomplished author, instructor, and historian of the Orenburg lace tradition.

Her books:
Gossamer Webs: The History and Techniques of Orenburg Lace Shawls
The Gossamer Webs Design Collection: Three Orenburg Shawls to Knit

Her workshop schedule and calendar of events can be found here.

Galina's preferred fibers for lace knitting:

1- Quiviut
2- Cashmere (longer staple)
3- Cashmere and silk. Silk helps the knitting retain it's memory.
4- Pygora

Color is our friend! - Episode 47 - The Knitmore Girls

Listen here:


This week's episode has been sponsored by:

Special this week: Cat Bordhi's specially designed stitch markers, just for sock knitters and her book, New Pathways in Sock Knitting

Subscribe using code: KNITMG

Admin: (00:36)
Knitting Rose
Knit's UP
Yarn Thing
Go listen to The Scarlet Letter over at CraftLit
On the needles: (2:42)

Gigi talks about Carli - her sweater for the Knit(more)-A-Long. Jasmin talks about her new closet from the Container Store (the Elfa storage stuff). Jasmin talks about not planning out her knitting sufficiently, and the construction of the Cocoknits hoodie (Katje).

Jasmin talks about some of the issues regarding Katarina. She used Steamy to block the sweater.

Gigi has worked a little bit on her "On the Vine" scarf. Jasmin talks about knitting her CoachellaTess Ribbon top out of.

Contest: (19:28)

We announce the winners for the "What do YOU want to hear?" contest. The "name the listener segment" contest will close at the end of April.
Mother Knows Best: (25:20)

Gigi and Jasmin discuss color theory. Jasmin likes to buy her blouses at New York and Company. Jasmin suggests using Crayola Crayons for color reference. Gigi's sewing teacher used magenta and orange fabric as coloring calibrators.

Gigi discusses blue undertones vs. yellow undertones. Quilters use a color wheel for selecting complimentary colors. Gigi picked up paint chips at a decorating store to use as complimentary color ideas, and then bought yarn in those colors.

Jasmin theorizes that we are drawn to colors that look good on us. Jasmin advises against painting your skin. Color wheels are available at art stores, quilting stores, and your LYS.

When Knitting Attacks: (37:04)

Gigi didn't notice that her Malabrigo (out of Jasmin's stash) was from different dye lots, so she had to frog a ball's worth of knitting, which was especially hard, since she had done a marvelous job splicing both ends of that ball. Also, she sometimes can't count up to four and ended up with two stitches too many in her cardigan.

Jasmin's managed to misread and miscound on her Coachella top. On the third try, she finally manages to get it right. She is enjoying the bust shortrowing.
Straw into Gold: (45:24)

Jasmin has bought more plastic bobbins. The "romney thing" is made up of one ply of each of the following: burgundy romney (from Morro Fleece Works), light silver Lincoln/Corriedale, gunmetal grey Lincoln/Corriedale, and a strand of natural black romney that Gigi is coveting.

Jasmin is planning to full this four colored yarn to make it bloom. There is a video of her doing it on YouTube. She is planning to spin this more lofty so it will be softer with a soft haze.
CORRECTION:

Jasmin misspoke. Worsted spun yarn is durable and long wearing, not woolen. She is spinning Tallulah (a merino fleece) worsted so that it can be knitted into the Mariah cardigan. Also, she is spinning Suzie Q from Crown Mountain Farms.

Jasmin's fleeces from Boonville and the Monterey Fleece Auction are arriving. Shearing season is rapidly approaching, and Jasmin will be talking about how to pick a good fleece in future episodes.

Also, next week, listen for a special "Easter Egg" for our listeners: an interview with Galina Khmeleva, author of Gossamer Webs: The History and Techniques of Orenburg Lace Shawls.