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 007-Knit Along With Us!

Listen to the full seventh Episode!

Click here to listen on iTunes!

Click here to listen on PodBean!

Introduction

Today’s stash hiding space was shared MarySK on Ravelry.  Thank you, Mary!

General Announcements

1. Please share where you “store” your stash in our Ravelry group for a chance to be featured on an upcoming episode.  We are out of spaces and need your help!
2. Our podcast will continue to air once every three weeks.  Our goal is to have a bi-weekly podcast beginning in January
3. Knit-Along/Crochet-Along Announcement!

• First Knit Along!  #TooMuchCandyKAL
• September 15- November 1st  (that means it is happening right now!)
• Knit something Halloween related.
• Sign up and share photos in the Misadventures in Knitting Ravelry Group and on Instagram with the hashtag TooMuchCandyKAL
• Prizes will be awarded! 1 drawing via Ravelry and 1 drawing via Instagram using the random number generator.
• Prizes will include a handmade project bag and halloween themed hand dyed yarn!
• Only US addresses for prizes.

Imaginary Knitting

Tara’s imaginary knitting is the World’s Simplest Mittens by Tin Can Knits.  She will use this pattern for a class at Woolworks.  She wants to make a garland of mittens for the 12 days of Christmas and has Jill Draper Hudson, Neighborhood Fiber Company Studio Worsted, and Madeline Tosh Vintage scraps set aside

Ashley wants to make the Wishmaker Mitts by Erica Heussler and the Bobble Cowl by Joji Locatelli.  She also has an imaginary project that she think would be better classified as a Sad Knitting Tragedy!

Hot Off the Needles

Tara finished the Caragh Sweater by Laura Nelkin.  The sweater is knit side-to-side, has a boxy fit, side cable panels, and an optional cabled cowl.  Tara tested this pattern and found it to be clearly written and interesting to knit.  Here is a link to Tara’s project page.

 

What We Are Working On

Ashley is working on the Brighton Plaid by Eclectic Gipsyland.  She feels a break is needed because of the shift in weather.

Ashley swatched for the Campside Cardigan.

Ashley started the Festive Sheep Ornament by Jennifer Dickerson, which is a free crochet pattern on Ravelry.  She was inspired by Aquilla da Hun, of the Lefty Knitter Podcast. She finished all of the pieces and just needs to sew them together.

Finally, Ashley has joined the underarms of the Children’s Neck Down Cardigan.

Tara is knitting the Exploration Station by Stephen West using Yarn Hygge by Lis Barsuglia-Madsen.

Tara is knitting the Barley Hat by Tin Can Knits for an upcoming class at Woolworks.  She is using  Madeline Tosh Vintage.

Misadventures

Tara purchased the new Chirstmas colorway by Gynx Yarn!  “Cheers” is a green self-striping sock yarn with different colors representing holiday beverages.

Ashley loves themes and self-striping yarn!  Freckled Whimsy had a Stranger Things themed self-striping yarn update and Ashley was able to snag a skein!

Ashley also purchased a 2 ply BFL yarn from Brooke of Fully Spun, who recently had a trunk show at Woolworks.  This yarn has a hand-spun look.

Sad Knitting Tragedies

Moths found their way into Tara’s finished sweaters!  Oh no!  Her plan is to wash, block, store in plastic baggies, and expose to both cold and heat to prevent further contamination.

Ashley has a serious case of startosis and has spent many evenings winding yarn!  She wound yarn for the Koi Pond Shawl by Casapinka but has not yet cast on.  The yarn looks at her every night, waiting.

Ashley cast on the Whitman Hat with Woolfolk SNO but found this yarn was not a good match for the pattern.

Question of the Day

Q:  “How do you become a test-knitter?”

A:  When a designer has an item to be tested, they will often ask for help on Instagram or in their Ravelry group.  “Testing Pool” and “Free Pattern Testers” are two Ravelry groups specifically for designers to find testers.  Designers will often post a sneak-peak picture, a supply list, a deadline and a questionairre about the pattern.  Designers like to see that you take pictures of your finished objects and share on Ravelry and Instagram.  As you work through the pattern, you update the designer on your progress and if there are any errors or concerns about the pattern.  Some designers encourage a lot of chatter too, which is always fun.  Testing is generally unpaid and done for the love of knitting and the desire to support a particular designer.

 

Episode 005-As one Stashes, the Other Destashes

Listen to the full fifth episode!

Click here to listen on iTunes!

Click here to listen on Pod Bean!

Where Do You Hide Your Stash?

This week’s stash hiding spot was shared by Mrs. ScubaFish on Ravelry, who knows how to turn a dropped ceiling into a secret yarn bunker!  Mrs. ScubaFish, we found your knowledge of drop ceilings to be absolutely hilarious!  Thank you for contributing to our podcast!

Listeners, please tell us where you hide your stash in the Misadventures in Knitting Ravelry group!  We may share your secret in an upcoming episode!

A Special Announcement

We are hosting our first ever knit-along, the Too Much Candy KAL!  The KAL will run from September 15th-November 1st.  The only rule is that you knit something Halloween related.  We will create a “bundle” in our Ravelry group to help generate ideas if you are feeling stuck.  “Double dipping” is allowed!  Please share progress and finished objects photos in our Ravelry Group and on Instagram using the hashtag, #TooMuchCandyKAL.  Prizes will be awarded!

Hot Off the Needles

Tara finished the Fluid Slouchy Beanie by Karen MaCall.  She used Knitty and Color’s Dubstep DK in the Supernova colorway.  This hat features a double brim and a nice slouchy fit.

Tara completed the Gearhart Hat by Lori Wagner using Neighborhood Fiber Company’s Subte Worsted (discontinued) in the Kalorama Circle colorway.  The seed stitch diamond pattern is reversible and can be worn inside out.

Tara finished the Kobuk Hat by Caitlin Hunter.  She held two strands of yarn together: Hedgehog Fiber’s DK in the Salty Tales colorway and Shibui Silk Cloud in the Tar Colorway, giving it a soft halo.  Bobbles decorate this hat.

Finally, Tara finished the Marin Shawl by Ysolda Teague.  This shawlette is knit side-to-side and features garter stitch and a unique cabled border that imitates the look of bow ties.  She used Jill Draper Makes Stuff Hoosic (discontinued) in the Raspberry Beret colorway.

Ashley has been very busy with home improvements.  Knitting had to take the back seat while she painted her entire first floor!

What We Are Working On

Ashley is chugging along on her Brighton Plaid crochet blanket by Eclectic Gipsyland. She is using Madeline Tosh Light Unicorn Tails and Neighborhood Fiber Company Rustic Fingering.   Ashley is also doing some finishing for customers at Woolworks.

Ashley took a Foundation Paper Piecing class at Domesticity Studio, our local fabric store.  She made a quilt square designed by Happy Sew Lucky on Etsy.  The quilt square features two birds in flight with the word “HOPE” between them.  This is Ashely’s new favorite thing!

Tara is working on the Exploration Station shawl by Stephen West.  She ran into trouble with the brioche section and after months of questioning, decided to rip back and redo it.  Now the shawl is up and running again!  Tara is using the Merino-Silk-Yak (60-20-20 blend from Yarn Hygge, aka Scandinavian Weave and Knit.  The finished shawl will be used as a display item at fiber festivals.

A few weeks ago, Tara took a beginning soap making class at Soap Studio Brookside in Binghamton, New York.  The class was a lot of fun and Tara hopes to continue soap making at home.  For Christmas gifts this year, Tara will give handmade soap and washcloths to her friends and family.  Tara is following the Picot-Edge Washcloth pattern by Churchmouse Yarns and Teas.

Misadventures

Tara visited Lis Barsuglia-Madsen of Yarn Hygge and Scandinavian Weave and Knit at a craft fair in Blue Mountain Lake, New York.  She purchased a beautiful hand-woven purse and enough yarn to create two Thick and Thin Shawlettes designed by Lis herself.  Tara chose a single ply merino DK weight and a Brushed Kid Mohair Silk laceweight for the shawl.

Tara took a trip to Adirondack Yarns in Lake Placid.  She bought a sweater quantity of Sprited Fibers Fingering in the Licorice colorway and a gradient set of Koigu to make the “Free Your Fade” Shawl by Andrea Mowry.  Tara had a lot of fun visiting the shop and chatting with the owner, Sue.

Ashley had much different misadventures!  Ashley is continuing her yarn diet and plans to destash some her skeins, although it is hard to make the break.

Ashley is participating in the Stash Dash challenge.  Currently, she has finished around 1200 meters.