Episode 192 - Yarn management

What are we wearing?
Hood on the Moon by Katrin Schneider
Sharlene's Hood on the Moon
Gayle's Con-Fade-Ment


Thank-you Candy Skein for sponsoring this episode!

What are we stalking?
February Beanie by Veera Valimaki
Sunnydale Cowl by Katy Carroll
Soldotna Crop by Caitlin Hunter
Dianne's Soldotna
Let it fall by Matilda Kruse
Maypop Hoodie by Susanna Winter
Meadow from The Fiber Co.
Coast from Holst Garn

What are we knitting?
O'Keeffe by Bristol Ivy
Perfect Reversible Watch Cap by Nancy Elizabeth Munroe
Magical Thinking by Casapinka
Clio by Elizabeth Doherty
Like A Cloud by Joji Locatelli

What have we finished?
Beckett by Marie Green
Noble from Holst Garn
Estrella by Audrey Drysdale
Sharlene's Estrella

Gayle and I have a brief discussion about alternating skeins, yarn management, and the challenges associates with knitting with hand-dyed yarns when the skeins don't match exactly, as if often the case with beautiful hand-dyed skeins.

Episode 192 audio

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Episode 191 - Obsessive sweater storage

What are we wearing?
5200K by Suvi Simola
Sharlene's 5200K
Dragonflies Jumper by Joji Locatelli
Gayle's Dragonflies Jumper

What are we stalking?
Derecho by Alison Green
Martha's Derecho that I tried on at the retreat
Remix Light from Berroco
Ama Sweater by Maddie Harvey
Dracarys Sweater by Sonia Masegosa
Ginga Top - winter sky by Yoko Johnston
Quiet Stars by Joji Locatelli
Boho Bibe Shawl by Jamie Swiatek



Thank-you Plum Deluxe for sponsoring this episode!

What are we knitting?
O'Keeffe by Bristol Ivy
Beckett by Marie Green
Perfect Reversible Watch Cap by Nancy Elizabeth Nunroe
Clio by Elizabeth Doherty
Merino DK from Rohrspatz & Wollmeise
Like a Cloud by Joji Locatelli

What have we finished?

Cooperish Cowl by Katy Carroll
Little Bird by Veera Välimäki

4 Mil Zip Lock Recloseable Bags from ULINE

What is a mil? From the website here: A "MIL" equals one thousandth of an inch and measures the thickness of the bag.

Episode 191 audio

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Episode 190 - To swatch or not to swatch?

To swatch or not to swatch? That is often the question I am asked as a professional yarn enabler at the local yarn store where I work. Trust me, you will always learn something from swatching. If your swatch tells you the wrong thing, maybe you've asked the wrong question. Maybe you weren't listening to an answer you didn't want to hear. There are so many factors and so many possibilities. As knitters, we do the best we can. We read labels, we swatch, we pick pretty colors and stylish patterns. And yet, sometimes we still fail. Even master painters have been known to throw out a canvas or two, so really, as fiber artists, an occasional fail is bound to happen. We swatch to increase the odds, to give us more information to be successful.

Personally, I've never understood the swatch hate. I enjoy knitting swatches. I don't have to look at a pattern, I don't have to think too hard. I just sit and knit! (Okay, swatching for special stitch patterns or cables or lace is different and does require thought and attention.) Though I love my finished objects, I do enjoy the simple process of needles in hand and yarn slipping through fingers. It is the closest to zen knitting I've experienced. So there's another thought for you. Enjoy the swatching process!

Oh, and if you want to see a photo of last year's NoCKRs retreat swatch experiment, take a look at episode 164 here.
- Sharlene

What are we wearing?
5200K by Suvi Simola
Sharlene's 5200
Peasy by Heidi Kirrmeier
Gayle's Peasy
Arroyo from Malabrigo Yarn

What are we stalking?
Pescadero Waves by Heather Linebarger
Coast Old Bomuld from Holst Garn
Rusty Tuku by Susanne Sommer
Perfect Reversible Watch Cap by Nancy Elizabeth Nunroe
Candy Dot by Yelena Dasher
Bunny girl in a dotty dress by Julie Williams
Bear in a Bunny Suit by Susan Anderson
Olive Leaf Cardigan by Eri
Olive Leaf Pullover by Ririko


Thank-you Plum Deluxe for sponsoring this episode!

What are we knitting?
Cooperish Cowl by Katy Carroll
Beckett by Marie Green
Noble yarn fr Holst Garn
Like a Cloud by Joji Locatelli
tosh lace from madelinetosh
Mohair Lace from Fidalgo Yarn
Little Bird by Veera Välimäki

Clio by Elizabeth Doherty

What have we finished?

Zweig by Caitlin Hunter

Fletcher by Elizabeth Doherty

Episode 190 audio

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Episode 189 - The one where Nani speaks

There is a lot of knitting going on! Gayle and I were both energized and inspired by the many beautiful sweaters we saw last month at Stitches West. Unfortunately, that doesn't translate into faster knitting, just longer queues!

This episode, at about 33:00 minutes in, when Boo the cat enters the room, you might hear the bird say "Eek a cat!" Gayle starts laughing and of course, hilarity ensues. This is real life. We hope the guest appearance will enhance your enjoyment of the episode. :)
- Sharlene

What are we wearing?
Fading Point by Joji Locatelli
Ranunculus by Midori Hirose

What are we stalking?
Interpretations Volume 6 by Joji Locatelli and Veera Välimäki

Understated by Joji Locatelli

Ravishing Vest by Joji Locatelli

Resolute Wrap by Joji Locatelli

Community Tunic by Joji Locatelli

Frozen Fields by Veera Välimäki

Moonquake by Veera Välimäki

Moonlight Socks by Joji Locatelli

Hidden by Veera Välimäki

Evolve Shawl by Joji Locatelli

Smoke and Amber by Veera Välimäki

Candy Dot by Yelena Dasher

What are we knitting?

Cooperish Cowl by Katy Carroll

O'Keeffe by Bristol Ivy

Beckett by Marie Green

Noble from Holst Garn

Little Bird by Veera Välimäki

Clio by Elizabeth Doherty

Like a Cloud by Joji Locatelli

Mohair Lace from Fidalgo Fibers

What have we finished?

Zweig by Caitlin Hunter
Ranunculus by Hidori Hirose
Gayle's Ranunculus
Sockhead Slouch Hat by Kelly McClure
Gayle's Sockhead Slouch
Bits and Bobs by Kay F. Jones
Gayle's Bits and Bobs