Episode 173 - Winding yarn

In this episode, Gayle and I talk about a task that some knitters seem to have a fear of taking on... winding their yarn! Why the fear? I am not sure, but working in a yarn store, I meet many knitters who tell me they aren't smart or patient enough to wind their own yarn. Hmm. I don't think winding yarn takes superhero brain powers or a large dose of patience. I think it does take a bit of practice, and a familiarity with the tools you have at your disposal. Whether you are winding by hand from the back of a chair or winding yarn on a well crafted wooden ball winder, winding your yarn affords the opportunity for the knitter to learn something about their yarn. This is a good thing! You have the chance to learn if you like the way the yarn feels as it slips through your fingers; you will learn if perhaps this blend dries out your skin; you'll find out if this particular skein has a knot five yards from the end. All good things.

Of course there will always be times when you don't want or can't wind your own yarn; or perhaps you have an injury or physical limitations. But it behooves us all as masters of our craft to at least know how to perform this function, and to know how best to utilize the tools we have at our disposal. Wind on, my knitters!
- Sharlene


What are we wearing?
Donner by Elizabeth Doherty
Sharlene's Donner
Free Your Fade by Andrea Mowry
Gayle's Fade

What are we stalking?
Hinagiku by Eri
Tinos by Hilary Smith Callis
Slow Curves by Joji Locatelli
Pom Pom Quarterly Autumn 2018
Baby Sweater on Two Needles by Elizabeth Zimmermann
Kiss Me Romper by Kate Oates
Rocky by tincanknits
Gramps Cardigan by Tot Toppers
Gramps Cardigan (adult) by Kate Oates
Weekender by Andrea Mowry

What are we knitting?
Jessica Jones by Sminé
Winterfell Cardigan by Katrin Schneider
Bits and Bobs by Kay Jones
Latitude by Elizabeth Doherty

What have we finished?
Wonder Woman Wrap by Carissa Browning
Sharlene's Wonder Woman Wrap

Thank-you Infinite Twist for sponsoring this episode!

Episode 173 audio

Click here for episode 173 audio.

Remember, depending on your browser and connection speed, the audio may take a few minutes to fully load.

Episode 172 - Knit-a-long catch up

What are we wearing?
The Easy One by Joji Locatelli
Sharlene's Easy One
Confetti by Veera Valimaki
Gayle's Confetti

What are we stalking?
Baby Sophisticate by Linden Down
Easy Baby Cardigan by Diane Soucy
Marettimo by Caitlin Hunter
Slow Curves by Joji Locatelli
Rocky by tincanknits

Thank-you Infinite Twist for sponsoring this episode!

What are we knitting?
Wonder Woman Wrap by Carissa Browning
Jessica Jones by Sminé
Bits and Bobs by Kay Jones

What have we finished?
Latitude by Elizabeth Doherty
Sharlene's Latitude
Slade by Michele Wang
Baby Sweater on Two Needles (February) by Elizabeth Zimmermann

Episode 172 - audio

Click here for episode 172 audio.

Remember, depending on your browser and connection speed, the audio may take a few minutes to fully load.

Episode 171 - Knitting for The Baby

What are we wearing?
Little Bird by Veera Valimaki
Sharlene's Little Bird
Jujuy by Joji Locatelli
Gayle's Jujuy

What are we stalking?
Washed Out by Joji Locatelli
Clara by Karin Vestergaard Mathiesen
Simple newborn hat with a touch of lace by Ginny Sheller


Thank-you Dragonfly Fibers for sponsoring this episode!

What are we knitting?
Jessica Jones by Sminé
Latitude by Elizabeth Doherty
Slade by Michele Wang
Viajante by Martina Behm
Baby Sweater on Two Needles by Elizabeth Zimmermann

What have we finished?
The Easy One by Joji Locatelli
Westbound by Elizabeth Doherty
Sharlene's Westbound

Episode 171 audio

Click here for episode 171 audio.

Remember, depending on your browser and connection speed, the audio may take a few minutes to fully load.

Episode 170 - Knitting Tech Tips

What are we wearing?
Divvy by JumperCables
Sharlene's Divvy
Gayle's Divvy

What are we stalking?
Picnic Point Beanie by Fairlight Fibers
Little Scallops by Maria Carlander
Beekeeper Cardigan by Marie Green
Wool & Honey by Andrea Mowry


Thank-you Dragonfly Fibers for sponsoring this episode!

What are we knitting?
The Easy One by Joji Locatelli
Westbound by Elizabeth Doherty
Latitude by Elizabeth Doherty
Slade by Michele Wang

What have we finished?
Sharlene's kitchen scrubbie
Jujuy by Joji Locatelli
Little Coffee Bean by Elizabeth Smith
Maine Baby Hat by Fiber of Maine

In this episode we share our "Yarniacs Tech Tips" segment. In the past, we've sprinkled tips, tricks, and helpful hints throughout the podcast, but going forward, we will try to bunch them together as an occasional segment. This should make things easier to find!

This episode we discuss how to remember make one left and make one right; Sharlene's technique to "close the gap" on circular bind-offs; and using stitch markers to assist when casting on a large number of stitches.