and, How to Have Fun Over Rhinebeck Weekend When You are not Actually in Rhinebeck!
Thank you, HockeyRachel, for sharing your numerous projects with us!
Google Hang Out Recap
Thank you to Jackie and Heather for participating in our last Google Hang Out!
Julgran Knitalong
We are doing our first ever sweater KAL right no! The Julgran is a worsted weight pullover designed by Andi Satterlund. This design features a large pine tree, achieved by increasing, decreasing and cables, that can be either left plain or decorated to look like a Christmas tree. This KAL will run until January 1st, 2019. Yes, there will be prizes! See our Ravelry thread for more information!
Tara is having some difficulty with the Tecumseh. She needs to rip out some of the fair isle and use a larger needle for the colorwork to avoid puckering.
You may have noticed that we changed our intro prompt. Now that we are officially in our second year, our question to you all is: “how many projects do you have on the needles?” This includes WIPS, UFOs, and all of your most recent cast ons. Don’t be shy! Share with us in our Ravelry thread and we may feature you on an upcoming podcast episode.
Today’s topics include:
One Year Anniversary Celebration and Special Giveaways!
Maryland Sheep and Wool Wrap Up!
Hot off the Needles
What we are Working on
One Year Celebration and Special Giveaways
To celebrate the conclusion of our first year of podcasting, we have two special giveaways to tell you about.
Giveaway #1: Yarn Set from Wooly Hues
Three Skeins of 80/20 Superwash Merino/Nylon. Each skein is 467 yards/100 grams. Country Strong Gradient Set. $75.00.
To win this BEAUTIFUL yarn set, you must:
1.) Follow Aleaness on Instagram. (Aleaness is the dyer of Wooly Hues Yarn)
3.) Find the photo of the Wooly Hues Yarn on our Instagram page and in our Ravelry Group and answer the question: “What would you make with this yarn?” If you answer on both Instagram and Ravelry, you will have two entries.
(A note to Ann: Thank you SOOO much for the yarn!!! We love it and really appreciate your generosity.)
Giveaway #2: Splendid Soles
Splendid Soles book; published by Knit Picks in 2018. Paperback. Retails for $29.99. 16 Socks in the collection.
Book was gifted to us by Lori Wagner who has a pattern in the book, the “Textured Lace Socks” pattern. (Thank you, Lori!)
Tara’s Review:
16 patterns for experienced sock knitters.
All varieties of socks: lace, cables, and mosaics.
Collection of patterns by independent designers. Designer emails are included with each pattern for support or questions.
Brief introductions written by each designer.
Crisp, clear photography with large photos; many photos are full page.
Photos are just of socks, nothing else to distract the reader.
Large, very easy-to-read charts.
Socks are knitted in a variety of ways, top-down, bottom-up, with DPNs, magic-loop or two-circulars.
All styles of heels (traditional to short rows).
Features KnitPicks yarn.
You can see patterns on Ravelry or on the KnitPicks website.
Ashley’s Review:
Ashley also likes the large photos.
Ashley wishes it had a lay-flat binding. She recommends taking it to a copy shop and having it spiral bound.
Ashley thought the textured stitch patterns ranged from easy to difficult.
3.) Post a picture of your favorite pair of socks that you have knit OR a picture of some sock yarn that you cannot wait to use for a pair of socks. Be sure to tag us and use #SplendidSolesGiveaway
Both of these contests have a deadline of June 17th!
We will choose a winner and announce on the following episode.
While Tara was getting high on yarn fumes (ha!), Ashley was running around Pittsburgh (literally) with her family. Congratulations to Ashley on finishing the 1/2 portion of the marathon! Way to go! She mentioned the fabric store called Loom and the Pittsburgh Incline. She had a great weekend. She thanks KnitReannaKnit for travel advice.
Hot Off the Needles
Tara finished the Thick and Thin Shawlette designed by Lis Barsuglia-Madsen. This pattern uses Yarn Hygge DK Singles and Lace Silk/Mohair.
Ashley finished a pair of socks which she will use for her beginning sock class at Woolworks. She used Cascade Wave.
What We are Working On
Tara has been working on a secret test knit for Lori Wagner, a beautiful crescent shaped lace shawl. Tara decided to place beads even though the pattern does not specify to do so. She used A Verb for Keeping Warm Annapurna Cashmere Sport Weight.
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!)
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.
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 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!
Are you interested in sponsoring our podcast? We would love to hear from you! Please email us at misadventuresinknitting@gmail.com
——
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.
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.)
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:
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!
(mis)adventures in knitting 