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

Sunday, April 7, 2013

Episode 33 - Spring Break

Coming to you live from spring break, Gayle and Sharlene need to record this episode in the car! There is some ambient noise, other cars driving by and some distant outside noises. It doesn't interfere with hearing what we say, but thought I should let you know what we were up to. :)

What are we wearing?
Ballet Wrap Cardigan by Katy Ryan
Sharlene's Ballet Wrap Cardigan
Fuse by Veronik Avery
Gayle's Fuse

What are we stalking?
Daybreak by Stephen West
Hedgehog knitting needle holder
Imagine When by Joji Locatelli
Ruisseaux by Hanna Maciejewska 
Marion by Andi Satterlund

What are we knitting?
Entangled Vines cardigan by Alana Dakos
Walpole by Hannah Fettig
Drops Alpaca yarn
Gilet Valèrie by Carole Francone
Autumn's End by Alana Fettig
Boxy by Joji Locatelli
Rustic Fingering by Neighborhood Fiber Company

What have we finished?
TGV by Susan Ashcroft
Sharlene's TGV
Alewives Cowl by Elizabeth Doherty
Gayle's Alewives Cowl
Lucy Hat by Carina Spencer
Gayle's Lucy Hat
Poppy by Justine Turner
Gayle's Poppy

We discuss how we use a scale to weigh our yarn and how we use that information in our projects. Please don't hesitate to join our discussion group on Ravelry if you want to chat about weighing your yarn and how you use that information or anything else you've heard about on this episode.

Gayle encouraged me to share our family's recent basketball adventures. That game winning shot can be seen here. :) I didn't shoot the video so the audio you hear is one of the team dads.
 Enjoy!

- Sharlene




Thursday, March 28, 2013

Behold, the sock drawer!

Since some of you  have asked about my sock knitting, I thought I would share this. I shared this photo on Twitter and Instagram a few days ago and I encourage you to share your sock drawers too! I go through phases of sock knitting. Right now my sock drawer is full. That means I am knitting other things. But as these pairs get worn I will get to replace them! So... what does your sock drawer look like?
- Sharlene

Friday, March 22, 2013

Episode 32 - Botanical Knits

In addition to our usual segments, we share our impressions of Botanical Knits by Alana Dakos. If you haven't checked out these lovely designs, please click on the link above and do so! We also announce the winners of the Self-indulgent KAL. Congrats to our winners and to everyone who made themselves something lovely to start the new year. Wear it with pride! I am still getting over a cold and coughing a bit. If my voice sounds like a frog, that is why!
- Sharlene

What are we wearing?
Roza's Socks by Grumperina
Sharlene's Roza de verde
We are also both wearing our KAL sweaters. See the links below!

What are we stalking?
Sharlene is stalking 2-color shawls for her Miss Babbs Yummy sock yarn
Westport Wrap by Laura Aylor
Pendulum shawl by Amy Miller
Diving In by Mam'zelle Flo
Sola by Julia Trice
Projects for Gayle's Ceallach Yarns Superboo
Vanadium by Lisa Mutch

What are we knitting?
TGV shawl by Susan Ashcroft
Entangled Vines by Alana Dakos***
Drops Alpaca yarn
Boxy by Joji Locatelli
Alewives Cowl by Elizabeth Doherty
Autumn's End pullover by Alana Dakos

What have we finished?
Tangled Yoke Cardigan by Eunny Jang
Sharlene's Tangled Yoke
Halo hat 2
Halo hat 3
Oranje by Ann Weaver
Gayle's Oranje
alibi cowl by tshep
Gayle's alibi
Alisha Mitts by Erin Birnel
Gayle's Alisha Mitts

Ambient noises this week courtesy of my bird and the wind! After we recorded I realized my front window was indeed open, and that was causing the curtains to move!

***After recording I noticed that the Entangled Vines Cardigan does indeed have slight shaping for the hips, adding a few stitches in one increase row.

Friday, March 8, 2013

Episode 31 - Post STITCHES Chat

Happy March everyone! Gayle and I are happily reunited post-STITCHESWest bliss. We have a few stories to tell and some knitting to catch up on. We try to share a few STITCHES anecdotes and purchases along the way, getting a little tongue-tied when we talk about the kindness and friendship of knitters. It was the highlight of the expo for both of us.

Links for what we are knitting and wearing can be found below. Hopefully I have included everything. Please don't hesitate to leave a comment or join the discussion in our group at Ravelry. You are all welcome to join us!

-Sharlene

What are we wearing?
February Lady Sweater by Pamela Wynne
Sharlene's February Lady
Cowl Neck Vest by Cecily Glowik MacDonald

What are we stalking?
Alewives Cowl by Elizabeth Doherty
Ravelry recommended patterns
Neon cardigan by Joji Locatelli
Western Sky Knits
Practice Yoga Wrap by Celia Cahill
Daizies shawl by Marisa Hernandez

What am I knitting?
Sharlene's "No pattern" hat
Tangled Yoke Cardiga by Eunny Jang
Entangled Vines by Alana Dakos
Boxy pullover by Joji Locatelli
Alibi cowl by tshep
Autumn's End pullover sweater by Alana Dakos

What have I finished?
Forest Floor hat by Alana Dakos
Marsan Watchcap by Staceyjoy Elkin
Honey Cowl
Oak Trail hat by Alana Dakos
Pressed Leaves hat by Alana Dakos
Chunky Circle Scarf by Lindsy