Episode 54 - Button, button, who's got the button?

In our second episode of January, we remember and recognize that it is our second anniversary of producing this podcast. As we enter year 3 of podcasting, we have one small request. Would you give us an iTunes rating? You can do this in two ways, either by clicking to give us a "star" rating, or by writing a review. We hate to ask, really we do, but it would be nice to see our podcast appear in some of the lists and recommendations. If you feel so inclined, we would appreciate it.

Gayle and I end the podcast this week with a fun discussion about buttons and how to use buttons to enhance our garments as knitters and crocheters. It is fun and hopefully will inspire you to search for the perfect button for your fiber creations.

What are we wearing?
Bianca's Jacket by Michelle Rose Orne
Sharlene's jacket
Easy Folded Poncho by Churchmouse Yarns and Teas
Gayle's poncho

What are we stalking?
Hermione's Everyday Socks by Erica Lueder
Owlie Socks by Julie Elswick Suchomel
Nightfall by Cecily Glowik MacDonald
Barley hat by tincanknits
Braid Hills by Kate Davies
Lipstick by Joji Locatelli

What are we knitting?
Hitofude Cardigan by Hiroku Fukatsu
Seamless Salomas Slippers by Megan Williams
Learn to Knit a Log Cabin Blanket by Staci Perry
Summer Festival by Georgie Hallam
Brickless by Martina Behm

What have we finished?
Hogwarts Express by Susan Ashcroft
Sharlene's Hogwarts
Sharlene hat for Halos of Hope
Solstice Cardigan by Cecily Glowik MacDonald
Gayle's Solstice
Tidal Sands by Anne Hanson
Gayle's Tidal Sands

We have a brief chat about buttons, our button choices, and how we personally choose buttons. We mention a few things to be aware of when button shopping. We hope you have something to add to the button discussion. Join us over on Ravelry!

The buttons pictured here are from my mom's button jar and particular favorites with which I loved to play as a child. I have memories of sorting by color, counting, and making up games with buttons. I had favorite buttons that I would search for again and again. The button jar was a favorite amusement of mine.
- Sharlene

Episode 54 Audio link

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Episode 53 - Happy 2014!

The new year is upon us and we are so happy to be back with a regular episode for you. The start of the new year has been busy, but as always, we come back to the knitting. There are lots of new patterns to see, events to anticipate, projects to finish and plan. We wish you all a wonderful 2014.

What are we wearing?
Ease by Alicia Plummer
Audrey in Unst by Gudrun Johnston

What are we stalking?
Elizabeth Zimmermann Coat SPP #51 from Schoolhouse Press
Carrie by Josee Paquin
Red Robin Shawl by Helen Stewart
Secrecy by Hanna Maciejewska

What we we knitting?
Sharlene's hats for Halos of Hope
Hitofude Cardigan by Hiroko Fukatsu
Western Sky Knits Single ply fingering Merino
Tidal Sands cowl by Anne Hanson
Sunna from Spirit Trail Fiberworks
Learn To Knit a Log Cabin Blanket by Staci Perry
Summer Festival by Georgie Hallam
Brickless shawl by Martina Behm
Yowza - Whatta Skein! from Miss Babs

What have we finished?
10 pairs of Seamless Salomas Slippers
Sharlene's slippers
Ease by Alicia Plummer
Sharlene's Ease
Beans the Cat Knitting Pattern by Linda Dawkins
Gayle's cat
Opie by Erica Jackofsky
Gayle's Opie
Gayle's Stripey Mitts
Audrey in Unst by Gudrun Johnston
Gayle's Audrey in Unst
Hogwart's Express by Susan Ashcroft
Estee Necklace and Earings by Kristin Omdahl

What are we swatching?
Western Sky Knits Rodeo BFL Aran

Episode 53 - Audio link

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Episode 52 - Brooke Sinnes from Sincere Sheep

In this episode we welcome Brooke Sinnes, Fiber Artist & Proprietor of Sincere Sheep. Sincere Sheep specializes in "naturally beautiful yarns & fibers" including breed specific yarns and yarns that are farm specific. You can read about Brooke and Sincere Sheep here, and find her shop here. Brooke has an incredible amount of knowledge to share with us in the episode. I hope it is helpful and interesting. I've listened a couple of times and I still don't think I caught everything. This was recorded a couple of weeks ago, so if our projects seem a little out of order, that is why. You can hear Brooke's little cockatiel in the background in a few places. The little guy wanted to join our chat.
We recorded a brief update to the current KAL which was recorded in a bustling yarn shop. Happy ambient knitting noise can be enjoyed in the background. As always, bring any questions you have to our group on Ravelry and join in the discussion. Enjoy and Happy New Year to all!

What are we knitting?
Welcome to the Flock by Julia Farwell-Clay
Aislinn by Amy Herzogg
Alewives Cowl by Elizabeth Doherty
Hogwart's Express by Susan Ashcroft
Shasta Daisy Knits yarns
Alpenglow yarns

What are we stalking?
Brooke is always stalking new sources for her yarns.
Sharlene is stalking the slipper category on Ravelry.
Gayle is stalking the hat category on Ravelry.

The Sincere Sheep Ravelry group can be found here. 

Episode 52 - Audio link

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Episode 51 - Very merry & low key

I am recovering from a cold both as I write this, and on the day we recorded. Thus, it was a very merry low-key episode for me. I mentioned to Gayle that I felt she had to carry the episode and that I had several long pauses while my brain s-l-o-w-l-y cranked into gear. She thought not at all. So there you have it. :)

I do know that we had to pause while recording several times. I had to check on various animals throughout the house and Boo (the cat) makes a jingly appearance that you will hear while we stalk patterns. At one point there is a banging coming from another room. While recording I didn't know what was going on, but post-recording I found Boo was opening some drawers in the bathroom, making mischief!

We hope you enjoy!
- Sharlene

What are we wearing?
Walpole by Hannah Fettig
Sharlene's Walpole
Aniron by Luise O'Neill
Gayle's Aniron

What are we stalking?
Miranda by Josée Paquin
Lempster by Norah Gaughan
Dylan's Beanie by Wooly Wornhead
Beans the Cat by Linda Dawkins
Estee Becklace and Earrings by Kristin Omdahl

What are we knitting?
Seamless Saloma Slippers by Megan Williams
Ease by Alicia Plummer
Thrummed Booties by Katie Startzman (pattern from The Knitted Slipper Book we reviewed in episode 48)
Audrey in Unst by Gudron Johnston
Hogwart's Express by Susan Ashcroft

What have we finished?
Halo hat 14
Alewives Cowl by Elizabeth Doherty
Sharlene's Alewives Cowl
Seamless Salomas Slippers by Megan Williams
Slippers 1, 2, 3, and 4

What are we swatching?
Sincere Sheep Equity Sport

Other mentions:
Nuzzle cowl by Kelly Brooker
Armonika cowl by Rustat Design