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Episode 98 - Knitting in color!

It is said that first babies see movement, and soon can distinguish shades of blacks and whites, with other colors eventually becoming recognizable. As children grow, color often seems to play a role in their definition of self. "My favorite color is red," or "What's your favorite color?" are oft-heard conversation starters with the "under 10" set. Working in a yarn store, I commonly see shoppers carrying around yarns in colors that either match or complement the colors they are wearing. Some folks are surprised when I point this out. Others just smile and agree, that yes, they are always attracted to the same colors.

We are surrounded by color in design, fashion, and logos. Certain colors are appetizing, while an off-color food can spoil your appetite. School and sports team colors can inspire confidence, unity, and pride. When we dress for success, we attempt to present ourselves through style and color in a favorable way. Even the daily news is filled with stories about color related to race, gangs, and identity.

There's no denying that colors represent meaning, memories, and emotion; can affect commerce and how or where we spend our money; and influence our moods and feelings. If you've ever been unable to move forward on a project because you can't pick a color, or decided against purchasing some yarn because there wasn't a sweater quantity of that perfect color, then you too have witnessed the important role of color. In this episode Gayle and I scratch the surface on color talk and why we love our annual Colors of Fall Knit-a-long (KAL). There is a bit less knit talk this episode--an aberration for The Yarniacs if this is your first time listening--but we wanted to give color the time and space it deserves. We hope you will agree. We promise to be back next episode with our usual knit-filled segments.

And speaking of next episodes... it has come to our attention that we are nearing our centennial! There is a new thread in our Ravelry group for questions, suggestions, and comments for that special celebratory episode. We'd love to hear from you.
- Sharlene

New Converse colors
Sharlene's blues
Sharlene's reds
Sharlene's purples
Sharlene's greys
Gayle's pinks
Gayle's greys
Gayle's blues
Gayle's blue-greens

Pantone's 50 years of color

Yarniacs Colors of Fall 2015 Finished Object thread

What are we knitting?
The Secret Garden KAL
Duchess of Devonshire by Kay Jones

Episode 98 audio

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Episode 97 audio

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Episode 97 - Knitting on through fall

I often think that Gayle and I talk too much about the weather. Really, on a knitting podcast, who wants to hear about the California drought? But it is undeniable, the weather, the drought and other external factors affect the items we knit. September and October are often the warmest months of the year for us, with temps peaking at 100°F but dipping at night into the 40s. This past summer was so hot and winter is an unknown. Whether El Niño brings us needed precipitation, or even cold temperatures remains to be seen. But for now, the occasional foggy day or brief rain shower brings smiles to our faces. Stangers comment to each other about how wonderful it feels to have a chill and some moisture in the air. It's a common thread in all our lives. 

But Gayle and I? We just keep right on knitting. We are adapting our knitting plans, our yarns, and the sweaters we stalk. The thought of not knitting? No, that doesn't enter our minds. With apologies to Elizabeth Zimmermann, we knit on with confidence and hope through all types of weather. We hope you will join us!

- Sharlene

What are we wearing?
Inner Peace by Joji Locatelli
Armande by Andi Satterlund

What are we stalking?
Mithral by Carol Feller
Bonbon Shawlette by Fluffy Fibers
Lila Light by Carrie Bostick Hoge
Little Skein in the Big Wool
The Secret Garden shawl sneak peak
If you want to do a read-a-long, the book is available on Amazon in the Kindle edition for free.

What are we knitting?
Polaris by Hiroko Fukatsu
Whippet by Ankestrick
Coast by Holst Garn
Seacoast by Joji Locatelli
Rothko yarn by Abstract Fibers
Therapy by Laura Aylor

What have we finished?
Mia by Jennifer Wood
Armande by Andi Satterlund
Top Down by Elizabeth Doherty

Thanks to Lion Brand for the lovely blog post!

Some publications we mention:
Knit Edge Magazine, Issue 7 from Cooperative Press
Color Wheel Knits by Veera Valimaki
Knit, Wear, Love by Amy Herzog

Episode 96 - Tongue-tied knitting

This episode takes the prize for most tongue-tied moments, restarts, retakes, and redos. I am not proud of saying that, and offer it not as an excuse, but rather a hope that you will laugh with Gayle and I as we can laugh at ourselves. As I listened to the final edit of the episode, there is a point where Gayle asks me how to describe the color of a yarn and the pause was so long that I had time to check my iPod screen to see why the audio had stopped. Alas, the audio had not stopped, it was just another tongue-tied moment, and yes, we shortened the pause so that our listeners would not think likewise. Recording and creating a podcast--literally creating something out of nothing--can sometimes be a lot of work. We've been doing it long enough now that the acts of recording and uploading aren't mysterious. But episodes like this, occasionally pop up and mystify us, and we shake our heads and laugh. It is always good to keep a little humor in the mix.

But back to the knitting.

Thanks so much for all of the wonderful comments, discussion, and praise about our last episode. Apparently we all have a lot to say and learn about yarn put-ups and knots. In this episode, we continue our discussion to chat about the information found (or not found) on yarn labels. We may have left something out and if we have, please join the discussion on Ravelry.

I mentioned during this episode that we belong to both Craftsy and Amazon affiliate programs. This means if you purchase an item or a class using our affiliate links, a few pennies will come winging its way to our podcast. We don't ask for donations often or even remember to mention these affiliate programs, but if you are so inclined, we would appreciate either a donation or a click-through from one of our affiliate links. Now, back to your regularly scheduled podcast listening. Thanks!

Yarniacs Craftsy link
Yarniacs Amazon link 
Donate through Paypal

- Sharlene

What are we wearing?

shawl for Elizabeth Doherty
Fireflies Rising Shawlette by Helen Stewart

What are we stalking?
Playground Shawl by Justyna Lorkowska
True by Joji Locatelli
Ecuador by Joji Locatelli
Seacoast by Joji Locatelli
Darling Emma by Joji Locatelli
Majuga by Joji Locatelli
Tailwind by Clara Falkj

What are we knitting?
Polaris by Hiroku Fukatsu
Whippet by Ankestrick
Holst Garn Coast
Longfellow by Michele Wang
Rose City Rollers by Mara Catherine Bryner
Armande by Andi Satterlund

What have we finished?
shawl for Elizabeth Doherty

Yarn label discussion
Craft Yarn Council Yarn Standards
Care symbols

Episode 96 audio

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