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 008-Misadventures with Lace Knitting

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Are you interested in sponsoring our podcast?  We would love to hear from you!  Please email us at misadventuresinknitting@gmail.com

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Introduction:

Today’s stash hiding space was shared by Lil Dead Girl on Ravelry.  Thank you for contributing, Alissa!

A special nod  to Boston Jen of the Down Cellar Studio Podcast.  We love listening to your inspiring show and we look forward to meeting you in November!

The Too Much Candy Knit Along and Crochet Along!

*began Sept 15 and will run thru November 1st, 2017.

*Knit or crochet something halloween related.

*Share photos in our Ravelry group and/or on Instagram with #toomuchcandyKAL

*Enter to win awesome prizes!  Two Halloween project bags (sewn by the talented Ashley) and two skeins of halloween themed yarn are up for grabs!

*Prizes will be awarded using the random number generator.  One chosen from Instagram and the other from Ravelry.

*US addresses only for prizes.

Handmade Bag by Ashley

Miss Babs on Left and Magnolia Jen on Right

Hot Off the Needles

Tara tested the North Bend Hat by Lori Wagner.  This hat, which features a beautiful cabled panel, will be available for purchase on Ravelry in mid-November.  Lori designed this for A Yarn Less Raveled, a yarn store in Northern California.  Tara knit a size small with YOTH Father in the Poppyseed Colorway.

Tara finished three Barley Hats by Tin Can Knits.  She used this pattern to teach a “Knit Your First Hat” class at Woolworks.  Tara knit a child size (in Madeline Tosh Vintage colorway Glazed Pecan) and two adult small sizes (one in Madeline Tosh Vintage colorway Jasper and the other in Plucky Cachet Small Batch colorway #25).

Ashley finished the Plicate Hat by Hunter Hammersen using Woolfolk SNO.  Ashley found this hat to be very enjoyable and recommends the pattern and the yarn, which is incredibly soft.  Ashley warns that a swatch is necessary for success with this pattern!  Her hat will be on display at Woolworks in Baltimore, MD.

What We are Working On

Ashley is knitting the Basic Christmas Stocking by Churchmouse Yarns and Teas.  She is using Blue Sky Fibers Woolstok, one of her favorites, and this will be a shop sample for Woolworks.

Ashley is working on the Knitting Pure and Simple Children’s Neck Down Cardigan #249.

Lastly, Ashley is crocheting Outlander by Lily Go.  Ashley is learning to read a crochet chart and she finds this pattern to be very clear.  She is using Spirit Trail Fibers Sunna that she purchased at Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival.  She is using beads from Jubili Beads and Yarn in Collingswood, NJ.

In this photo, you can see the Voolenvine in the background and the Spirit Trail Fibers in the front. Ashley has decided to use the Spirit Trail Fibers for this pattern.

Tara is teaching a “Knit Your First Mitten” class at Woolworks and was inspired by The World’s Simplest Mitten pattern by Tin Can Knits.  She is making a Christmas garland using a modified infant size with Jill Draper Hudson.  She is also knitting a Child size with Cascade 220 Sport in the Punk Colorway for her son River and the Adult Small size for her son Leo using the Rainbow colorway.  (Note, this picture was taken one week after recording.)

Tara is working on the Exploration Station by Stephen West and is nearing the end!  She had a “knitting high-five!” moment when she started the final section and had exactly the number of stitches required, 455!  Yeah!  (Note, these photos are of the finished object and were taken one week after recording.)

Finally, Tara is knitting a pair of basic socks with the Fish Lips Kiss Heel for the #TooMuchCandyKAL.  She is using Lollipop Yarn Quintessential Base in the Witch Craft Colorway.

Sad Knitting Tragedies

Tara gave an update on the moth outbreak in her finished sweater bin.  She washed and reblocked five sweaters and multiple accessories.  She hopes the moths find somewhere else to live.

Totally Tubular Techniques (and not just the cast-on)!

Tara and Ashley have created a new rotating topic for the podcast called “Totally Tubular Techniques”.  Our goal for this section is to make challenging knitting techniques more accessible for all.  We hope to inspire confidence in our listeners.  Today, our topic is lace knitting but we will eventually cover other advanced techniques, such as colorwork, sweater knitting and brioche (to name a few).  Please contribute to our discussion by visiting the Misadventures in Knitting Ravelry Group.  You may have ideas that we did not address.  We would love to hear from you!

Early on, Ashley and Tara struggled with lace knitting and found it very difficult.  They both tried the Ishbel Shawl by Ysolda Teague and initially could not complete it.  So, they warmed up to lace by trying other patterns first.  Tara knit the Multnomah by Kate Ray and the Traveling Woman by Liz Abinante.  Ashley adventured into lace by completing the Monkey Sock and the Pomatomus Sock by Cookie A.  She also knit the Twisting Ladders Hat by Corinna Rogers.  Ashley’s first charted lace pattern was 198 Yards of Heaven by Christy Verity.

For success with lace, Tara and Ashley recommend you:

• Print the pattern and use a hard copy vs. a smart phone or computer screen.
• Familiarize yourself  by skimming through the pattern before casting on.
• Read through the completed projects on Ravelry to see if anyone offered tips or advice in the summary.
• Become “friends” with the chart.  Charts are actually quite easy to read once you understand how they work.  In general, you will need to:
  • Start from the bottom right hand corner and read right to left (opposite of how we normally read a book).
  • Pay close attention to the stitch symbols and read the glossary.
  • Learn about new-to-you stitches on YouTube by doing a quick search.
• Use the following knitting notions
  • highlighter tape (to keep track of where you are in the chart and the pattern)
  • stitch markers (to place in between each pattern repeat)
• Experiment with sharp needle tips.
• Start simple and then work your way into more complicated designs.
  • During the podcast, Ashley and Tara mentioned the following patterns:
    • Ara by Andrea Mowry
    • Spindrift Shawl by Helen Stewart
    • Hedera by Cookie A
    • Clover Honey Shawlette by Hannah Six

Sew, We have Another Lover

Tara is feeling challenged by her new hobby of sewing.  She is concerned about how to finish and care for her projects, such as the Farrow Dress, the Lark Tee, and the Willow Tank by Grainline Studio.

Ashley made the Grab Bag by All People Quilt, a Japanese style dumpling bag.  This pattern is free if you sign up on the website.  Ashley is giving the bag away as part of the #toomuchcandykal!  See photo above.

Ashley and her son, William, made the “Roll-it-up!” pillowcase together!  This pattern is also from All People Quilt.  William is incredibly proud of his first sewing experience!

Ashley finished the Cleo Skirt, a Made by Rae pattern.  Ashley participated in a sew-along with our awesome local fabric shop, Domesticity.

Lastly, Ashley finished Butterick B6453, a princess seamed dress.  Ashley chose a cute black-and-white polka dot fabric for the project.  This dress has a zipper and pockets.  She put in a lining and hand-stitched the hem!  Wow!