Today we welcome a special guest to our podcast, Kim Voldseth. Kim, along with Heather Cabanas, together market their yarn as Western Sky Knits. If you've listened to the podcast since Stitches West 2012, you may remember that is when we first met Kim and Heather and their brightly dyed skeins. We've become fans and hope you will enjoy our chat.
What are we stalking?
Nested by AliciaPlum
Toujours by Joji Locatelli
Julissa by Vanessa Smith
Cape Cod by Baby Cocktails
Afterlight by Amy Herzog
Askew by Lisa Mutch
What are we knitting?
Balmy by Alicia Plummer
Basic Sock Pattern by Ann Budd
Barnwood Hat by Alicia Plumer
Neon by Joji Locatelli
Summer Dawn by Andrea Black
Visit Western Sky Knits here.
Kim's Etsy shop.
Heather's Etsy shop.
Friday, May 17, 2013
Saturday, May 4, 2013
Episode 35
It's been our usual two week break between episodes, but for both of us it has been a long two weeks apparently! We both come to the microphone feeling like a month has gone by. No matter, we jump right in and get to our usual segments this episode. We hope you enjoy!
What are we wearing?
Coraline by Ysolda Teague
Gayle's Coraline
Sharlene was representing the Golden State Warriors!
What are we stalking?
Aislinn by Amy Herzog
Toujours by Joji Locatelli
Window to My Soul by Joji Locatelli
What are we knitting?
In the Moment by Joji Locatelli
Sharlene's Moment
Gayle's Moment
Neon by Joji Locatelli
Sharlene's Neon
What are we wearing?
Coraline by Ysolda Teague
Gayle's Coraline
Sharlene was representing the Golden State Warriors!
What are we stalking?
Aislinn by Amy Herzog
Toujours by Joji Locatelli
Window to My Soul by Joji Locatelli
What are we knitting?
In the Moment by Joji Locatelli
Sharlene's Moment
Gayle's Moment
Neon by Joji Locatelli
Sharlene's Neon
Gilet Valèrie by Carole Francone
Gayle's Mon Gilet
Summer Dawn by Andrea Black
What have we finished?
Dinner in the Eiffel Tower Shawl by Jessie Dodington
Sharlene's Tower Shawl
Rainbow Ridge Beanie by Allison Britt
Sharlene's Rainbow Beanie
Walpole by Hannah Fettig
Sharlene's Walpole
Sola by Julia Trice
Gayle's Springy Sola
A Book Review
A book review: Connect the Shapes Crochet Motifs
In episode 35, we reviewed the wonderful book Connect the Shapes Crochet Motifs by Edie Eckman, published by Storey Publishing. Please go give it a listen! (audio file link)
Two years ago, Sharlene took a crochet class from Edie at the January TNNA show in Long Beach. (I mistakenly say June in the podcast review.) Edie was a patient, knowledgeable, and fun teacher. I recommend taking a class from her if you ever get the chance. Bring your crochet questions!
We both think this book will be great for all crochet skill levels. There is enough information here to get you started if you have never crocheted before, but also enough to keep you interested as you learn, or are coming to the book to learn motifs but already have basic crochet knowledge.
On first glance, the feature you notice about this book is the spiral binding and the quality of the cover. The spiral binding enables the book to lie flat while you are working from the pages.
The "Get started" section includes charts, how to read charts, weaving in ends, how to arrange the shapes, choosing colors and yarns, and how to work with variegated yarns.
"Get it together" discusses joining motifs as you finish, joining as you go, continuous motifs, edges and finishing.
The third section contains 101 patterns for different motifs. The photography is excellent. Each motif includes written out instructions, the motif charted out, and a photograph in the same orientation as the chart. If you know how to follow either written crochet instructions or graphed/charted crochet instructions but want to learn the other way of reading patterns, this book is optimal for following both written and charted instructions so you can compare one instruction to the other and learn as you go.
The inside back cover has a stitch key showing each chart symbol used in the book and what they mean. If you have ever looked at Japanese or other international crochet patterns that only include charted instructions, this is a great way to teach yourself to read these charts.
There is a photographic index of each motif located in the back of the book. You can mix and match motifs for projects easily seeing all the available choices at once.
Eleven patterns are included in the book for a place mat, shawl, afghans, a pillow, garland, pin cushion, vest, skirt, and a lampshade.
The Yarniacs give this publication two hooks up!
Amazon link here.
Two years ago, Sharlene took a crochet class from Edie at the January TNNA show in Long Beach. (I mistakenly say June in the podcast review.) Edie was a patient, knowledgeable, and fun teacher. I recommend taking a class from her if you ever get the chance. Bring your crochet questions!
We both think this book will be great for all crochet skill levels. There is enough information here to get you started if you have never crocheted before, but also enough to keep you interested as you learn, or are coming to the book to learn motifs but already have basic crochet knowledge.
On first glance, the feature you notice about this book is the spiral binding and the quality of the cover. The spiral binding enables the book to lie flat while you are working from the pages.
The "Get started" section includes charts, how to read charts, weaving in ends, how to arrange the shapes, choosing colors and yarns, and how to work with variegated yarns.
"Get it together" discusses joining motifs as you finish, joining as you go, continuous motifs, edges and finishing.
The third section contains 101 patterns for different motifs. The photography is excellent. Each motif includes written out instructions, the motif charted out, and a photograph in the same orientation as the chart. If you know how to follow either written crochet instructions or graphed/charted crochet instructions but want to learn the other way of reading patterns, this book is optimal for following both written and charted instructions so you can compare one instruction to the other and learn as you go.
The inside back cover has a stitch key showing each chart symbol used in the book and what they mean. If you have ever looked at Japanese or other international crochet patterns that only include charted instructions, this is a great way to teach yourself to read these charts.
There is a photographic index of each motif located in the back of the book. You can mix and match motifs for projects easily seeing all the available choices at once.
Eleven patterns are included in the book for a place mat, shawl, afghans, a pillow, garland, pin cushion, vest, skirt, and a lampshade.
The Yarniacs give this publication two hooks up!
Amazon link here.
Tuesday, April 23, 2013
Devin Wristlet by Namaste Inc.
We received an eggplant Devin Wristlet from Namaste Inc. for review. You can listen to the audio review at the end of Episode 34, or you can read my review here. I have been using Namaste products for a while, and was thrilled to give the Devin a test drive.
The first feature immediately noticeable is the beautiful color. I am a purple girl, so I chose the eggplant, but there are lots of colors to satisfy your changing moods. The PVC-free vegan faux leather is slightly textured, and doesn't have a plastic feel to it in my humble opinion. All the top-stitching was finished perfectly, without any loose stitches or threads.
Inside the Devin Wristlet, there are two main compartments, separated by a large zippered security pocket. One side of the bag hosts credit card or business card sized slots and a smaller zippered security pocket. The other side has two slot pockets sized for an iPod and/or phone.
The interior fabric is gray PET microsuede which is made from recycled plastic bottles. It feels soft to the touch and has worn well on the Namaste bag that I have been using for a few months. The gray color is an attractive neutral and useful too, as I do not care for either dark or printed bag interiors, both of which make it difficult for me to see the contents of my bag. Again, the top-stitching was all finished perfectly, with no loose stitches or threads.
All three of the zippers functioned perfectly without any stickiness or loose zipper teeth. The big color-coordinated zipper that closes the bag has a nice-sized ring that you can grab easily. I found that occasionally the ring slips inside the bag and I would just poke my finger into the bag to push the zipper open without using the pull ring.
I noticed the middle security pocket is lined with a different fabric, something that seems a little more dirt resistant than the microsuede. I am guessing that this pocket would probably stand up to spot cleaning and is intended for (sometimes dirty) paper money and coins.
I think I will be using my Devin as a smaller bag to put inside of a tote when I need to carry several items like a knitting project, water bottle, etc. The Devin is the perfect size to carry in to the store or when running errands. Gayle also notes it is roomy enough to put your sunglasses in as well, making it the perfect grab-and-shop size, safely keeping credit cards, money, phone, and sunglasses in one spot.
The wrist strap is easily removable and you can always clip your keys on the external ring as well.
Overall, it is a great little bag that both of us find to be very functional, as well as pretty! Yarniac approved! :)
- Sharlene
Friday, April 19, 2013
Episode 34 - Why don't I wear this sweater?
We usually open our episodes talking about what we are wearing. What generally follows, is sharing why we are happy with our projects. This week I talk about a sweater I knit that I just don't wear. I love the yarn and in my mind I love the sweater, but for some unknown reason, I don't wear this sweater. If I don't wear it, I need to figure out a way to repurpose the yarn, or find someone who loves the sweater. But, did I mention I love the yarn? Sigh. And why do I always want to unravel the seamed sweaters? Sigh. Again.
Regular segments include:
What are we wearing?
Cable Trimmed Jacket with Hood by Lisa Myers
Boxy by Joji Locatelli
Gayle's Boxy
What are we stalking?
February Fitted Pullover by Amy Herzog
Hourglass Sweater by Joelle Hoverson
Estelle by Linden Down
Colors of Kauai by Hanna Maciejewska
Ruisseaux by Hanna Maciejewska
Yogini Bolero by Wendy Bernard
What are we knitting?
Dinner in the Eiffel Tower by Jessie Dodington
Walpole by Hannah Fettig
Daybreak shawl by Stephen West
Gilet Valèrie by Carole Francone
Sola by Julia Trice
What have we finished?
Entangled Vines by Alana Dakos
Sharlene's Entangled Vines
Autumn's End by Alana Dakos
Gayle's Autumn's End
Oops! I mistakenly refer to Dream in Color Classy yarn as Dream in Classy.
Discussion on closures we have used includes toggles w/ knit or crocheted loops; buttons; zippers; hooks & eyes; clasps/frogs; snaps; shawl pins or removable clips; belts; and ties. Did we forget anything? Probably! Join the discussion over on Ravelry and let us know.
We also review the Devin Wristlet from Namaste Inc., which I will write about in a separate post.
- Sharlene
Regular segments include:
What are we wearing?
Cable Trimmed Jacket with Hood by Lisa Myers
Boxy by Joji Locatelli
Gayle's Boxy
What are we stalking?
February Fitted Pullover by Amy Herzog
Hourglass Sweater by Joelle Hoverson
Estelle by Linden Down
Colors of Kauai by Hanna Maciejewska
Ruisseaux by Hanna Maciejewska
Yogini Bolero by Wendy Bernard
What are we knitting?
Dinner in the Eiffel Tower by Jessie Dodington
Walpole by Hannah Fettig
Daybreak shawl by Stephen West
Gilet Valèrie by Carole Francone
Sola by Julia Trice
What have we finished?
Entangled Vines by Alana Dakos
Sharlene's Entangled Vines
Autumn's End by Alana Dakos
Gayle's Autumn's End
Oops! I mistakenly refer to Dream in Color Classy yarn as Dream in Classy.
Discussion on closures we have used includes toggles w/ knit or crocheted loops; buttons; zippers; hooks & eyes; clasps/frogs; snaps; shawl pins or removable clips; belts; and ties. Did we forget anything? Probably! Join the discussion over on Ravelry and let us know.
We also review the Devin Wristlet from Namaste Inc., which I will write about in a separate post.
- Sharlene
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