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

Episode 189 audio

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Episode 188 - Stalking skirts at Stitches!

Our podcast was mentioned in a couple of places in the past month. First, CBS Sunday Morning "The Golden Age of Podcasts"
and second,
The Knitter Magazine posted this article here (Instagram link)

What are we wearing?
Weekender by Andrea Mowry
Sharlene's Weekender
Kline Shawl byJennifer Dassau
Sharlene's Kline
Papa by Junko Okamoto

What are we stalking?
Honey Hat by Kelly McClure
Jaunty by Ririko
A Little Flare Skirt by Violet
Canon Hand Dyes Amy's skirt
Party Top by AbbyeKnits
Fallen Leaf Shell by Rosemary Hill
Manzanita Tee by Rosemary Hill



Thank-you Fix-A-Stitch for sponsoring this episode!

What are we knitting?
O'Keeffe by Bristol Ivy
Zweig by Caitlin Hunter
Sockhead Slouch Hat by Kelly McClure
Bits and Bobs by Kay F. Jones
Viajante by Martina Behm
Ranunculus by Midori Hirose
Maisonette from Neighborhood Fiber Company
Western Sky Knits mohair

What have we finished?
Donner by Elizabeth Doherty
Sharlene's Donner 3
Cormo Fingering from Sincere Sheep
Cooperish Cowl by Katy Carroll
Sharlene's Cooperish Cowl
Papa by Junko Okamoto
Gayle's Papa
Clementine by Kate Burge and Rachel Price 🐸

Some prizes for the Self-Indulgent KAL include:
Build Your Own Barnyard Jumper by Owl Croft Designs
Go with the Flo by Jennifer Lassonde
Your Favorite Brew Shawl by Jenn Sheelen

Episode 188 audio

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Episode 187 - I spy colorwork!

We're back from Stitches West 2019 and ready to share what we saw! We hope you will enjoy our little recap. :)


What are we wearing?
Dragonflies Jumper by Joji Locatelli
Sharlene's Dragonflies
Merino Stretch from Schoeller+Stahl (discontinued)
Outing Shawl by Irene Lin
Gayle's Outing Shawl
MM Sport from Madelinetosh
Tracie Too from Imperial Yarn

What are we knitting?
O'Keeffe by Bristol Ivy
Cooperish Cowl by Katy Carroll
Donner by Elizabeth Doherty
Cormo Fingering from Sincere Sheep
Papa by Junko Okamoto
Sockhead Slouch Hat by Kelly McClure

What have we finished?
Graham by Jennifer Adams
Ponytail Hat by Knikki Knits



Thank-you Fix-A-Stitch for sponsoring this episode!

What did we stalk at Stitches West 2019?

Day 1
Ondawah by Michele Wang
Evening in Edinburgh by Casapinka
Traveller from Dragonfly Fibers
Front Row Center by Mary Annarella
Dance Rustic Silk from Dragonfly Fibers

Day 2
Edisto Top by Kate Oates
Clio by Elizabeth Doherty
Little Bird by Veera Välimäki
Kim's Little Bird

Day 3
Leaving by Anne Hanson
Graphica by Casapinka
All Points South by Casapinka

Overall
Zweig by Caitlin Hunter
Gayle's Zweig
Weekender by Andrea Mowry
Sharlene's Weekender