Episode 019–Happy 1 Year Anniversary! And Special Giveaways, too!

Welcome to Episode 19 of the Misadventures in Knitting Podcast.

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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)

2.)  Follow Misadventures in Knitting on Instagram.

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.

To win this awesome book, you must:

1.)  Follow Knit Picks on Instagram.

2.)  Follow the Misadventures in Knitting Podcast on Instagram.

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.

Maryland Sheep and Wool Wrap-Up

Tara mentioned:  Jill Draper Makes Stuff, Heirlooms/Yarn Hygge by Lis Barsuglia-Madsen, and Bartlett Yarns.

 

JDMS Mohonk Minis!

JDMS Kingston

 

Yarn Hygge Merino DK and Mohair

Yarn Hygge Merino DK and Mohair

Yarn Hygge Sock

Yarn Hygge Merino DK and Mohair

Yarn Hygge Sock

Yarn Hygge Merino DK and Mohair

Bartlett Yarns for Apple Cider Donut

Tara was also able to meet some very friendly people, including:

• Trish of the Best Day Ever Podcast
• Liz of the Just One N Podcast
• Mary of Kino Knits

Renee and Tara

Liz, Tara, and Trish

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.

Ashley has been working on the Children’s Neck Down Cardigan by Knitting Pure and Simple.  She used Spud and Chloe Sweater.

Ashley is also working on the Impressionists MKAL by Helen Stewart.  She is now on Clue 2 with Nox Yarn.

Finally, Ashley is working on the River Knits Afghan Along.  She is on the May Square, which is highly cabled.  She is using Shepherd’s Worsted for the blanket.

Tara’s son, Leo, finished his very first scarf thanks to the Waldorf School of Baltimore.

Episode 007-Knit Along With Us!

Listen to the full seventh Episode!

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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!

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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.