Episode 016–Stash Talk

Welcome to Episode 16 of the Misadventures in Knitting Podcast.

Listen to Episode 16 on iTunes!

Listen to Episode 16 on PodBean!

Today’s topics include:

•  Come Visit Us
• The Knitters Book Club Wrap Up
• Hot off the Needles
• What we are Working on
• Sad Knitting Tragedies
• and, Cozy Home

Today’s stash hiding space was shared by LWT1 on Ravelry.  This knitter is currently hiding a stash of beautiful yarn in a sweater!  Thanks for sharing with us, Lori!

Come Visit Us

The Charm City Yarn Crawl will take place April 6th-15th.  Come visit Ashley and Tara at Woolworks on Sunday, April 8th from 12-4 PM.  See CharmCityYarnCrawl.com for more information about participating stores, discounts, special prizes, and driving routes.

The Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival will take place Saturday and Sunday May 5th and 6th at the Howard County Fairgrounds.  Tara will attend on Saturday.  A podcaster meetup will take place in the small show ring in Barn 7/8 around 1 o’clock.

The Knitters Book Club Wrap Up

Photo from Clara’s website: claraparkes.com

Over the past three months, we read A Stash of One’s Own by Clara Parkes.  During our second Google Hangout, Clara Parkes joined us for an hour long discussion about her book.  It was a fun night despite some minor hiccups with technology.  Clara, if you are reading this, THANK YOU SO MUCH!  YOU ARE AWESOME!  Learn more about Clara on her website and at Knitters Review!

During the hangout, we talked about books we are currently reading.  Clara was reading Migraine by Oliver Sacks and No Time to Spare by Ursula Le Guin.  Other books mentioned were The Road to Oxiana by Robert Byron, More Home Cooking by Laurie Colwin, and The Power by Naomi Alderman.

The final Google Hangout will take place Friday, April 6th at 8 PM Eastern Standard Time.  See our Ravelry group for more information, including the link.

Hot Off the Needles

Tara finished the Flax sweater by TinCanKnits in the size 8-10.  She used Madeline Tosh Vintage and Jill Draper Hudson in a variety of colors.

Tara finished the Adult S/M Rosewater Beret by TinCanKnits.  She used Woolfolk Tov DK.

Tara finished one Stepping Stone Sock by Clara Parkes, which is a free pattern on Ravelry.  She used Malabrigo Rios.  The single sock is a shop sample at Woolworks.

Ashley finished the March Square (cables) of her River Knits Afghan Along.

What We Are Working On

Tara is working on the Amulet Shawl by Helen Stewart.  She is using Old Maiden Aunt Superwash 4 ply sock yarn in the colorway Buttermint and size 5 triangular beads, which she purchased from Lovelyarns.  Tara is using the Super Floss method to add the beads.  See this video by Laura Nelkin for more information!

Ashley is working on the Vintage Fairy Lights Socks by Helen Stewart.  She is using the Madeline Tosh Twist Light in the Holi Festival Colorway.

Ashley casted on the Easy Peasy Socks for First Timers by Stacey Trock.  She is using Cascade Wave 220 Superwash.

Sad Knitting Tragedies

Ashley lost a special knitting bag, her Addi size 1 needles and her casted on sock in a parking lot . . . WAAHHHH!  😦

Cozy Home

This is a new section for the podcast.  We want to share how we make our own homes cozy!

Tara shared her favorite herbal teas.

• Tulsi Cinnamon Rose by Organic India
• Apple Chai Spice Red Bush Tea by Eastern Shore Tea Company
• Chai Rooibos by Yogi Teas
• Gingerbread Spice by Celestial Seasonings

Ashley talked about the love affair with her CrockPot.  She makes soup, oatmeal, yogurt, and whole chickens in her CrockPot!  She mentioned Jamie Oliver’s Milk Chicken, find the recipe here.

Episode 015–We Have a Winner!

Listen to Episode 15 on iTunes!

Listen to Episode 15 on Pod Bean!

Today’s topics include:

• General Announcements
• Knitting for Children
• Hot Off the Needles
• What We are Working On
• Listener Contribution
• and, New Years Resolution Update

Today’s stash hiding space was shared by HockeyRachel on Ravelry.  Thank you for contributing to our podcast, Rachel!

Listners, please tell us where you store your stash by visiting the Misadventures in Knitting Ravelry group where you will find a thread titled, “where do you hide your stash?”  Share your story and you may be featured on an upcoming episode!

General Announcements

As discussed in Episode 14, we promised to give away a skein of Gynx Yarn to one lucky Ravelry Group member.  We used Random Number generator and are pleased to announce Emkubokirs is our lucky winner.  Congratulations, Emilia!  Thank you all for joining the group and thus, participating in the contest.  We now have over 125 members and are thrilled.

The Misadventures in Knitting Podcast is in need of additional ratings on iTunes.  If you have a spare moment, please leave a review.  This will help the podcast become more searchable.  Thank you to everyone who has already done so!

The Misadventures in Knitting Podcast is currently hosting the Knitters Book Club.  We are reading A Stash of One’s Own by Clara Parkes and knitting a project designed by a contributor.  Our second Google Hang Out will take place Friday, March 2nd at 8 PM Easter Standard Time.  Links and more detailed information can be found in the Ravelry forum.  We are sharing pictures of our knitting on Ravelry and Instagram using #KnittersBookClubKAL .

Knitting for Children

One of the themes of A Stash of One’s Own is the parent-child relationship and how yarn can connect the generations.  This got us thinking and today we talked about knitting for children.

Tara’s children have been wearing hand knit sweaters.  River wears Angel in my Tiny Pocket and Leo wears So Faded Pint Size, even though it barely covers his belly button.  Ashley’s son, William, wears hand knit hats and a recently finished pair of socks.  Ashley’s favorite pattern was the Kinsale Sweater by Terri Kruse.

Tara mentions A Bear in a Bunny Suit by Susan B. Anderson.

Ashley recently finished a pair of mismatched Valentine’s Day socks for William using Freckled Whimsy sock yarn in the “Upside Down” color way.

Tara is working on a rainbow Flax sweater for her son, Leo, using Madeline Tosh Vintage and Jill Draper Makes Stuff Hudson.

Ashley and Tara mention Knits for Boys by Kate Oates.

Hot Off the Needles

Tara finished the Magic Toadstool socks by Stone Knits.  The main color was Spun Right Round Turbo Gypsy.

Tara also finished the Vintage Fairy Lights by Helen Stewart and used Hedgehog Fibers Sock in the Zephyr color way.

Ashley finished the Squircle Socks by General Hogbuffer.  She used Claudia’s Hand Painted Addiction and Lollipop Yarns Self Striping.

What We are Working On

The Sock Collections Tara mentioned are:

1.)  The Wanderlust Sock Club by Mina Philip

2.) The Cosy Sock Collection by Mina Philip

3.) The Sock Society by Helen Stewart

Tara casted on the Mistletoe Kisses Sock by Knitting Expat Designs and is using Gynx Self-Striping in the Heartbreaker color.  She is using the Fish Lips Kiss Heel.

Tara is using a Gale’s Art sock blank to knit the Resfeber Socks by Knitting Expat Design.  She is participating in the Knit Your Blanking Sock Blank KAL with the Elizabeth Zimmerman’s Just One N Podcast.

Tara also casted on the Winter Rose Socks by Helen Stewart.  She is using Magpie Fibers Swanky Sock.

Ashley has socks on the needles, as well!  She is knitting a vanilla sock using Yarn Love Juliet and Quaere Fibres self-striping.

Ashley is working on the February square of the River Knits Afghan Along and is using Shepherd’s Worsted yarn.

Listener Contribution

KnitWithAView wrote:  So many of the podcasts I listen to are from the west coast and they are all excited about going to Stitches West.  And, I hear a lot about Rhinebeck.  But, I live in Central Virginia.  Since you’re not too far away, in Baltimore, what can you tell me about knitting or yarn events closer to home?  I’d love to start with something that was more like a day trip.

In the Maryland Region, we have:

1.)  The Homespun Yarn Party

• Sunday, March 18th, 12-5 PM
• Historic Savage Mill in Frederick, MD

2.) Charm City Yarn Crawl

• April 6th-15th
• Various shops in the Baltimore area

3.) Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival

• Saturday May 5th and Sunday May 6th
• Howard County Fair Grounds

4.) The Knot House Pop Up

• Friday, Saturday and Sunday (May 4th, 5th and 6th)
• The Knot House in Frederick, MD

5.) Needles Up

• Friday May 4th, 2-6 PM
• 5885 Robert Oliver Place, Room 201, Columbia, MD

6.) Frederick Fiber Festival

• June 2nd and 3rd
• Frederick Fairgrounds

7.) Maryland Alpaca and Fleece Festival

• November 10-11
• Howard County Fairgrounds

Clara Parkes has collected information about events happening throughout the world here.

New Years Resolutions Update

Tara’s New Year Resolution was to knit from stash and not buy new yarn.  Update:  Tara loves yarn and has broken the “yarn diet” many times.

Ashley’s New Years resolution was to sew more and to build a new sewing table.  Update:  Ashley built the table!  Ashley has sewn more!  Ashley took a Knit Tee class at Domesticity and a Quilted Table Runner Class at the Baltimore Museum of Industry.

Ashley also resolved to become more active.  Update: Ashley signed up for several running races.  She will do the Pittsburgh 1/2 Marathon and the Baltimore B-3 Challenge.

Episode 011-“Favorite Fibery Moments of 2017!”

Click here to listen to Episode 10 on iTunes!

Click here to listen to Episode 10 on Pod Bean!

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Today’s topics include:

*Knit Along News

*What we are Working on

*the Top 17 Trends of 2017, a Countdown to Celebrate Knitting!

*Predictions for 2018

*and, our Favorite Fibery Moments of 2017

Today’s stash hiding space was shared by LongCool on Ravelry.  This raveler’s stash has grown from 1 bin to 4 and from one cabinet to two in her mudroom.  Luckily, her newly adopted mastiff is keeping the territory safe from prying eyes and intruders.  Thank you for sharing your hiding space with us, Jessica!

A few weeks ago, we were able to meet Boston Jen of the Down Cellar Studio Podcast and Mary of Kino Knits over a brunch at R House in Baltimore City.  Jen recently released the Megarow shawl, a top down, asymmetrical crescent-shaped shawl that alternates garter and a simple lace pattern.  Mary released a shawl and hat pattern in her collection Point/Counterpoint Volume 3 with Claire Devine.  We were thrilled to meet these two talented women!

 

Knit Along News

The Knitters Book Club, is scheduled to begin January 1st, 2018.  Over the course of three months, we will read “A Stash of One’s Own” by Clara Parkes and knit a project designed by one of the contributors.  We will chat about the book and gush over everyone’s knitting using Google Hang Out.  Join us for a special New Years Day Cast On Party!  Post a picture of your freshly started project on Instagram using #knittersbookclubkal.  Please see the Misadventures in Knitting Ravelry group for complete information, a bundle of potential patterns, and a chat thread.

Tara is considering the Voe Sweater by Gudrun Johnston and/or the Acer Cardigan by Amy Christoffers.  Ashley may cast on the Aestlight Shawl by Gudrun Johnston and/or the Ruche Beret by Susan B. Anderson.

What we are working on:

 

Tara finished the Suprise Party Shawl by Helen Stewart.  She used Primrose Adelaide (single ply/fingering weight) with “Don’t Fear the Reaper” as the main color.

Tara finished a pair of vanilla socks using the Fish Lips Kiss Heel.  She used Lollipop Yarn Quintessential/Gripes base in the “Witches Brew” colorway.

Tara had a boost of sock mojo and casted on two pairs of Christmas socks using a traditional heel flap.  She is using Gynx Yarn in the “Cheers” colorway and West Yorkshire Spinners in the “Holly Berry” colorway.

Ashley finished the 21 Color Slouch by Virginia Sattler-Reimer using a kit by Blue Sky Fibers.  She made a few mods for a better fit.

Ashley is working on a pair of Socks on a Plane by Laura Linneman using Two Sisters Yarn Company’s self-striping in the “Pippi to the Rescue” colorway.

Ashley decided to use her Nox Yarns Advent for the Land of Sweets Cowl by Helen Stewart.

 

Tara is working on Angel in my Tiny Pocket by Melissa Kemmerer using Jill Draper Esopus, which is discontinued.

Top 17 Trends of 2017

17.) The Fringe Field Bag with Pins

16.)  Pullovers!

Andrea Mowry,  Isabell Kraemer and Caitlin Hunter are leading this trend.

15.)  Crochet

The Lost in Time Shawl by Johanna Lindahl and the Virus Shawl by Julia Marquardt are very popular, as are the Attic 24 patterns.  

14.)  Colorwork

Caitlin Hunter’s Sunset Highway, Ninilchik Poncho, Zweig , and Birkin were mentioned. 

Gudrun Johnston and the Bousta Beanie.

13.) Accessible Knitting

Vanilla socks.  Garter stitch shawls.

12.)  Videocasting

 The Grocery Girls and Kristy Glass Knitswere mentioned.

11.)  mKALs

 Everyone has one!

10.) The Me-Made Wardrobe

 Ashley mentioned Made by Rae, Grainline Studio, and Blue Print Sewing.

9.) Indie Dyers

8.)  The Neon to Pastel Color Transition

 La Bien Amiee and Olann were mentioned.

The Panton color of 2018 is Ultra Violet.

7.)  Speckles!

6.)  Brioche

 Lesley Anne Robinson was mentioned.

5.) BATs: Big A** Tassels!

 What the Fade and Ohra Shawl were mentioned.

4.) BAPs:  Big A** Poms!!

 Faux and real fur!

3.) BASs:  Big A** Shawls!!!

 Tara mentioned the larger than life Degreenify by Josh Ryks-Robinsky.

2.) Craftivism

There is a hat for every cause!

 Pussy Hats  and the Come Together Blanket by Kat Coyle were mentioned.

1.) FADES

Thanks Andrea Mowry and Stephen West!

Predictions for 2018:

Tara thinks speckles will continue to be popular through 2018.  She also predicts domestically raised, spun, and dyed wool will grow in popularity and Cormo will be seen more often.

Ashley thinks the designs of Isabell Kraemer will gain even more popularity in 2018.  She also thinks heirloom quality knitting will make a come back, for example the designs of Rowan, Alice Starmore and Norah Gaughan.

 

Favorite Fibery Moments of 2017:

Tara and Ashley agree that starting the podcast will make 2017 memorable.  Ashley is also proud of sewing a dress that fits!

Episode 009-“Yarn is my favorite yarn.”

Click here to listen to Episode 9 on iTunes!

Click here to listen to Episode 9 on Pod Bean!

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Today’s stash hiding space was shared by Liz-Knitz on Ravelry.  Thank you for sharing your secret with us, Liz!

General Announcements

*  The Misadventures in Knitting podcast is looking for show sponsorship.  If you are a yarn dyer, designer, in a related business or have a unique product, please email us at misadventuresinknitting@gmail.comif you are interested in advertising on the show.

*  Ashley and Tara want to know, “what do you want to hear about?” Which topics would you like us to discuss on the show?  Ask us your knitting, crochet, or general crafting questions.  With your input, we hope to create a more informative podcast. Please find the thread on the Ravelry group.

* Much appreciation to everyone who has already reviewed our podcast on iTunes.  Reviews and ratings help a podcast become searchable.  If you listen to our podcast, please consider writing a review.  We thank you in advance!

Knit Along News

*The Too Much Candy Knit Along

By the time this episode is published, the Too Much Candy Knit Along will be finished and two lucky knitters will have won two awesome prizes.  Grand prize winners and special category honorees will be named in episode 10 that will air on November 26th.  Thank you to all who participated!

*Future Knit Along to begin in the new year!

–“The Knitter’s Book Club”

–A 3 month knit-along, read along and discussion to begin January and end in March 2018.

–We will read “A Stash of One’s Own” by Clara Parkes and knit a project designed by one of the contributers.

–We plan to host Google Hang Outs on the last Friday of each month.

–A special discussion thread will be added in our Ravelry group.

–We will create a bundle with project ideas if you should feel “stuck”.

–More information will be released with future episodes.  We are so excited and needed to share the news with you right away!

What We are Wearing

Tara has worn the Simee Dimeh shawl by Romi Hill and the Marin Shawl by Ysolda Teague.  Tara’s sons, Leo and River, have worn their Christmas in July sweaters by Tanis Lavallee and So Faded by Andrea Mowry.

Ashley wore Afternoon Tea by Helen Stewart, knit by her friend, Heather.  Ashley wore a vintage Kaffe Fassett sweater dress to the theatre.  This beautiful dress was knit by a customer of Woolworks in Baltimore, MD.  Ashley also wore Ducky Socks.

Imaginary Knitting

Tara is daydreaming about the Damejakkaloppa by Pinneguri.  Tara apologizes for mispronouncing the designer’s name!  (Sorry!)

Ashley is imaginary knitting numerous WIPs!

Hot Off the Needles

Ashley finished Churchmouse Yarn and Tea’s Basic Christmas Stocking with Woolstok yarn.  She finished The Little Pumpkin Hat in Rowan Summerlite DK.  Ashley designed this cute hat!  This time around, she upsized the pattern for a toddler.  If you are interested in these changes, check out the notes on her Ravelry project page.

Tara finished the Exploration Station by Stephen West just in time for the New York State Sheep and Wool Festival in Rhinebeck, NY.  Tara gifted this shawl to her friend, Lis, that vends at the festival under the name Heirlooms.

What We are Working On

Tara casted on the Surprise Party Shawl by Helen Stewart soon after its release.  She is using Primrose Adelaide.

Also by Helen Stewart, Tara is knitting the Spindrift Shawlette in Destination Yarn’s Postcard base in the Toes in the Sand colorway.

Finally, Tara is knitting the Wagenfeld pullover by Ankestrick using Jill Draper Empire.  She hopes this sweater will be a Christmas gift for her husband.

Ashley is knitting the Children’s Neck Down Cardigan by Knitting Pure and Simple.  She cast on the Unicorn Hat by Brittany Tyler Simmonds in Rowan Big Wool using size 15 needles!

Ashley cast on the Ninilchik Swoncho by Caitlin Hunter.  She is using Arranmore Light by the Fibre Company.

Misadventures

Both Tara and Ashley experienced a few misadventures!  Tara purchased several skeins of Domestic Worsted by Magpie Fibers.

Tara also purchased an entire sweater quantity of Periwinkle Sheep’s Bulky base in the Black/Turquoise colorway.

Ashley purchased several skeins of by Magpie Fibers, as well as a Wishmaker Mitt kit.

Ashley purchased a beautiful advent mini-skein set by Nox Yarns.  She is unsure how she will use the yarn, whether it will be for a shawl, sweater or something else entirely.  Suggestions needed!