The Yarniacs: A Knitting Podcast

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The Yarniacs Episode 95: Knitting, Knots and Yarn Put-Ups Aug 21, 2015

Show notes

First, the length--this episode is longer than usual. If this is the first time you are joining us, please know we generally keep the episodes at about 60 minutes and this is an aberration. Bear with us, apparently we had a lot to say on the topic in our feature section. We surprised ourselves, having thought we wouldn't have so much to say about yarn put-ups, knots, and such. But most knitters have something to say about knots, especially when they come from the manufacturer in that fresh new yarn. We asked a number of sources, and hope the discussion is informative and thought provoking. If you want to chat, have some knotty experiences or preferences in how your yarn is wound and sold, please visit us in our group on Ravelry. It is a friendly place, and we welcome your comments and discussion. What are we wearing? Imagine When by Joji Locatelli Meadow by The Fiber Company What are we stalking? Apres Surf Hoodie by Connie Chinchio Gayle's Apres Surf Hoodie RYC Cashcotton yarn (discontinued) Hoodie Shawl Cardigan by Susanne Sommer Shawl Shirt by Susanne Sommer Shawl Shrug by Susanne Sommer Yellow Wall Cardigan by Judi Brien TextureTide by Judy Brien Cosi by Judy Brien Armande by Andi Satterlund What are we knitting? Test shawl for Elizabeth Doherty Polaris by Hiroku Fukatsu Easy Folded Poncho by Churchmouse Yarns and Teas Longfellow by Michele Wang Learn to Knit a Log Cabin by Staci Perry Therapy by Laura Aylor What have we finished? Deep Breath Sweater by Kirsten Hipsky Peanut Warmer by Taiga Hilliard Designs Handbrake by Kay Jones Razzle by Allie Coffey Gayle's Razzle

The Yarniacs Episode 94: Knitting Top Down Aug 07, 2015

Show notes

In episode 94, I recount that someone recently said to me, "You only knit sweaters from the top-down." For me, nothing could be farther from the truth. When I started knitting, I knit sweaters from contemporary patterns, which had me dutifully knit my fronts, back, and sleeves, and stitch them all together. But patterns, like clothing styles, evolve and change, and new designs caught my eye that involved new techniques. Being a sucker for innovative constructions, it wasn't long before I was stitching top-down sweaters, bottom-up sweaters, sideways sweaters, and currently I am enjoying the new creative techniques that designers are using to knit top-down sweaters with a variety of sleeve constructions. This new contemporary takes the fitted style many sweater wearers love, turns it upside-down, and introduces innovative constructive techniques enabling us to use knitting to its advantage. We aren't merely piecing together clothing as one would when creating a garment from an already woven piece of fabric, we are finding new ways to use our ability to create fabric while making fitted garments previously knit in pieces. While I adore my raglan-sleeved sweaters, I equally love trying out new construction techniques. More than one finished sweater in my closet has been knit because of the techniques employed by the pattern as much as for the style of the finished garment. Elizabeth Doherty's new book Top Down: Reimagining Set-in Sleeve Design is exciting to me because it takes the set-in sleeve sweater style, turns it upside down, and teaches us how and why we can knit sweaters in this direction, create fitted sleeves, and why we benefit from the exercise. I know Elizabeth personally and I will tell you that she is smart, thoughtful, and funny. This book takes Elizabeth's voice, combines it with the beautiful photography, yarns, and skilled knitting of Elizabeth's sample knitters (Hi Erin from Doubleknit!) and takes off running for the win. Lest you be afraid you won't understand the technical bits, the technique is supported by 6 classic patterns that are simple, yet elegant. I personally would love to get three of them on the needles. :) Needless to say, Gayle and I are both fans of this book, and hope you will be too. - Sharlene What are we wearing? Since we aren't wearing too many knitted garments this August, we talked about knitted items we have been using, including knit washcloths, and crochet bath scrubbies. Echoes of Color by Joji Locatelli Gayle's Echoes of Friendship What are we stalking? Breezeway Pullover by Kirsten Hipskey Edie by Isabel Kraemer Whippet by Ankestrick Color Affection by Veera Valimaki Miss Babs' Yet Manzanita Tee by Rosemary Hill Neoma's Shawl by Rosemary Hill Little City Tee by Rosemary Hill Universal Yarn Cotton Supreme Splash Peanut Warmer by Taiga Hilliard Designs What are we knitting? Easy Folded Poncho by Churchmouse Yarns and Teas Polaris by Hiroku Fukatsu a new shawl from Elizabeth Doherty Razzle by Allie Coffey Deep Breath Sweater by Kirsten Hipskey What have we finished? Pagona by Stephen West Gayle's Advent calender Smittens

The Yarniacs Episode 93: Knitting Summer Style Jul 24, 2015

Show notes

This episode we catch up on each other's projects and review what we've been working on during the past month. Because of summer travels and schedules, it has been a month since we recorded an episode with our usual segments. There is lots of summer stalking and discussion of summer knitting and yarns. We both acknowledge that even though fall will be here soon, during these warm months it is sometimes hard to knit a big heavier-weight project. Lighter sweaters and garments and shawls are on the needles now and taking up most of our stalking time. Despite the summer heat, the Yarniacs Colors of Fall 2015 #yarniacscolors2015 KAL is going strong with many participants and many of us thinking of Fall outfits. This photo was taken during recording. Boo helped himself to Gayle's felted laptop bag, aka Boo's felted cat bed. All the different variations of purple made us smile. :) So pretty and so predictable, LOL. - Sharlene What are we wearing? Drifting by Cecily Glowik MacDonald Sharlene's Drifting Sharlene's Drifting 2 A Hint of Summer by Isabell Kraemer Gayle's Hint of Summer madelinetosh Prairie Pagewood Farms U-Knitted Nations Artesana What are we stalking? Sunny by Ewelina Murach Ruth's Tee by Rachel Ivy Clarke Sharlene's Ruth's Tee Talavera by Amanda Collins Mesange's Talavera Itty Bitty Bear Cubs by Carolyn Ingram Slanted by atelia alfa Soubrette by Mary Annarella Spring in her Path by Mary Annarella Yellow Wall Cardigan by Judy Brien Bonny by Tincanknits Deep Breath Sweater by Kirsten Hipsky Thorne Cowl by Laura Aylor What are we knitting? Easy Folded Poncho by Churchmouse Yarns and Teas Miss Babs Isadora yarn Pagona by Stephen West Longfellow by Michele Wang Smitten by Emily Ivey Rose City Rollers by Mara Bryner Candy Skein Yummy Fingering Superwash Sock Therapy Shawl by Laura Aylor What have we finished? Bug Warmer by Taiga Hilliard Designs Sharlene's Bug Warmer 2 Heverly by Julia Farwell-Clay Dragonfly Fibers Pixie Sharlene's Heverly 3 Color Cashmere Cowl by Joji Locatelli

The Yarniacs Episode 92: Love Your Stash Q2 Summary Jul 11, 2015

Show notes

What are we wearing? Literally Over the Top by Megan Williams Coronado by Toluca Knit What are we knitting? Easy Folded Poncho by Churchmouse Yarns and Teas A Hint of Summer by Isabel Kraemer In episode 92 we wrap-up the second quarter (Q2) of our "Love your stash" movement. We want to change the culture of stash and empower knitters to take charge of what yarns make you feel good as a knitter and a stasher, and to cut loose those yarns that add clutter and negativity! At the Northern California Knitting Retreat, we talked to fellow attendees, and gave them the opportunity to share something about their stash. Erin and Monica tell us about the oldest yarns in their stashes. Erin - aka ErinB on Ravelry, one of the hostesses of the Doubleknit Podcast Monica - aka KirbyMo on Ravlery Sharlene's oldest stash is some Elann Sock It To Me Gayle's oldest stash is Kidsilk Haze Gayle plans to make Ice Queen by Rosemary Hill or Wisp by Cheryl Niamath Lorrian - aka Meowlam on Ravelry Lorrian tells us about her stashing enhancements and online shopping. If you have collected yarn for many years, you are well aware that there are yarn trends. What is popular this year will be replaced by something new in a year or two. Like a clothes closet, if you fill your stash with this year's popular offering, will it still be trendy by the time you get around to knitting with it? Or are you choosing classic yarns that will always be in style? The internet has brought so many new shopping opportunities. Some folks love to shop online--while others have been disappointed, or like me, are just too picky to purchase "sight unseen." Kelly and Marsha, the hostesses of Two Ewes Fiber Adventures, tell us about yarns that they cannot resist, especially "orphan yarns." Kelly - aka 1hundredprojects Marsha - aka mfuesal Kelly likes combining orphans yarns into new and interesting fabrics. Kelly, from the Shorty's Sutures podcast tells us about lessons she has learned from stashing. Kelly - aka ShortysSutures "What are we stalking?" is often a favorite segment for listeners because we highlight new patterns, projects, or yarns that have caught our eye. One of the lessons I have learned from stalking is that I have stalked many, many patterns that I did not cast on or never want to knit. There are patterns I want to knit for myself or someone else and then there are patterns that I like to look at, or like to look at the projects. Stalking for eye-candy's sake only. I think that distinction is important. Not everything you stalk is necessarily something you want to make. You can be an appreciative fan of a certain pattern, or of a certain knitting skill--think fair isle or intarsia--but not necessarily want to knit the item yourself. This is perfectly valid. :) Julia Trice is a knitwear designer. Julia shares with us a little of her stash handling techniques, specifically how she handles "personal" stash and "business" stash. Julia - aka mindofwinter on Ravelry If you keep stash, having a pleasing and efficient way to store your yarns is very important, and will influence how you feel about your stash. Do you feel pleasure or dread when you need to find that one skein of sock yarn that you purchased two years ago? Do you like keeping your stash in moth-proof boxes away from the light or out in the open for inspiration? In addition to curating stash, having an organized and useful system for storing and finding things is important. Gayle and I both rely on the basics--boxes, cabinets, and drawers. We both have loose organizational systems that seem to work for us and help us find yarns when needed. We hope you enjoyed this episode and as always, thanks for listening and happy knitting! Wildlife sightings: I wanted to add that while recording I observed a woodpecker, and when Gayle and I were driving home we saw many deer, including a fawn with spots! We tried to get a photo, but I couldn't get one worth publishing. Just know that the little guy was very cute!

The Yarniacs Episode 91: Knitting in the Redwoods Jun 26, 2015

Show notes

This week, Gayle and I hit the road and we record in the redwood forest of Santa Cruz. We found a quiet location and the wildlife was all around us--some of which you will hear on the recording. You will likely hear the ravens and crows, like the ones pictured here. We have an abundance of both ravens and crows and both were nearby. The Steller's Jays are another common sighting. There was a mule deer wandering around the brush as we recorded too. Mountain lions sightings are commonplace in this area as well, there being an abundance of prey animals. Near the end of the recording, I hear California Quail, and mention that I hope to see some quail chicks. Not a minute later the family of quail came walking across the parking lot! Needless to say the podcast was instantly derailed as we observed the teeny-tiny chicks and watched the parents herd them into the underbrush. The chicks we saw were about this big. Really adorable! In preparation for casting on for the Yarniacs Colors of Fall 2015 KAL (#yarnaicscolors2015) we researched Fall clothing trends and share some of the information we found. Of particular interest were capes, and ribbed knits. If you follow the Thursday Tips over on Ravelry, you may recall the Ravelry team posting about the abundance of beautiful capes they saw on display while at the June TNNA show. The ribbed knits pictured online varied from sweaters with all-over ribbing to garments made with ribbed knit fabric, such as ribbed knit cotton jersey.We will probably see a lot of both these trends in the upcoming months. I hope you enjoy a little taste of our redwood forests in addition to our usual knitting segments! - Sharlene What are we wearing? Woodfords by Elizabeth Doherty tosh merino light by madelinetosh Sharlene's Woodfords Liesl by Julie Weisenberger Gayle's Liesl Coronado (fingering weight cotton) by Toluca Knits What are we stalking? Aureed by Meiju K-P Color Bomb by Melanie Mielinger Therapy by Laura Aylor What are we knitting? Heverly by Julia Farwell-Clay Bug Warmer by Taiga Hilliard Designs Sockhead Hat Kelly McClure Longfellow by Michele Wang Eyre light by madelinetosh 3 Color Cashmere Cowl by Joji Locatelli What have we finished? Alcea Cowl by Hannah Meier Sharlene's Alcea 198 yds. of Heaven by Christy Verity Sharlene'e 198 yards Bug Warmer by Taiga Hilliard Designs Sharlene's Bug Verdure Shawlette by Fluffy Fibers Snug too by Hinke Rios by Malabrigo Gayle's Snug Too Focus Dress by Meiju K-P Gayle's Focus Western Sky Knits Magnolia Sock

The Yarniacs Episode 90: Knitting the Colors of Fall 2015 Jun 12, 2015

Show notes

What are we wearing? Raiun by Kirstin Johnstone Sharlene's Raiun Echoes of Color by Joji Locatelli Gayle's Echoes What are we stalking? Summertime Shawl by Michele Meadows Madelinetosh Dandelion yarn Spring in Her Path by Mary Annarella Times Square by Norah Gaughan Norah Gaughan for The Fibre Company: Oporto Novel Construction Silver Lines by Andrea Hallasi Designer Jana Huck Mix It Up! by Jana Huck Meritence by Jana Huck What are we knitting? Heverly by Julia Farwell-Clay Sharlene's Heverly Alcea Cowl by Hannah Maier Sharlene's Alcea Focus Dress by Meiju K-P Gayle's Focus Dress Snug too by Hinke Gayle's Snug too Verdure Shawlette by Fluffy Fibers Gayle's Verdure What have we finished? Little Sister's Dress by Tora Froseth Sharlene's Little Dress Woodfords by Elizabeth Doherty Sharlene's Woodfords Thanks to Donita aka inagaddadonita, for the cool project bags from her Etsy shop! My bag is pictured here.

The Yarniacs Episode 89: Spring Stitching May 29, 2015

Show notes

When life is crazy and I am pulled in many directions, my knitting time decreases and my projects and productivity suffers. Sadly, during the crazy time is when I need the quiet comfort of my knitting to keep me sane. Quiet stockinette to sooth the nerves! The season is changing, spring is moving on to summer, and many of us experience some subtle shift in our routine at this time of year. Here's hoping we can all find a little bit of time and space to stay connected to and through our knitting. - Sharlene What are we wearing? Striped shawl Literally Over the Top by Megan Williams Gayle's Literally Over the Top Sharlene's Literally Over the Top What are we stalking? Antler by Ankestrick Tails by Lori Versaci Spring in Her Path by Mary Annarella Kate's Poncho by Nice and Knit Snug too by Hinke What are we knitting? Woodfords by Elizabeth Doherty Little Sister's Dress by Tora Frøseth Verdure Shawlette by Fluffy Fibers Focus Dress by Meiju K-P What have we finished? Helena by Alison Green Gayle knit more of her mittens for her Advent calendar Traveller Tunic by Joji Locatelli Gayle's Traveller Tunic

The Yarniacs Episode 88: Stalking the Knits May 15, 2015

Show notes

One of our favorite podcast segments (and we hope yours too!) has always been "What are we stalking?" Project planning and choosing yarns are often one of the highlights of a new project. At that point, it is still a knitting fantasy, and every knitter has an active knitting fantasy life. If you have a Ravelry queue the grows weekly, then yes, you too have an active knitting fantasy life! But sometimes those fantasies don't turn out the way we planned. In what will probably be the first appearance of this podcast segment, Gayle and I examine some of our "stalking fails." Those projects that, for whatever reason, didn't live up to our fantasy and fell by the wayside. Please note, none of these particular stalking fails were because of a poor pattern or poor yarn, mostly because--well, take a listen to the episode and you'll find out why! Happy knitting everyone. - Sharlene What are we wearing? Let your Heart Unwind by Joji Locatelli Sharlene's Unwind Neon by Joji Locatelli Gayle's Neon Sharlene's Neon What are we stalking? Heverly by Julia Farwell-Clay Newborn Vertebrae by Kelly Brooker Handbrake by Kay Jones Longfellow by Michele Wang Focus Dress by Meiju K-P What are we knitting? Socks Woodfords by Elizabeth Doherty Sharlene's Woodfords Literally Over the Top by Megan Williams Gayle's Literally Over the Top Sharlene's Literally Over the Top Traveller Tunic by Joji Locatelli Gayle's Traveller Tunic Helena by Alison Green What have we finished? Gayle's Log Cabin squares Swirl Hat by Mandie Harrington Stalking Fails! disclaimer: Our "Stalking Fails" are our own project fails, not a problem with the pattern or yarn. Crazy Stripes Tee Breter Breton Missoni Falls Cowl Sous Sous Beatnik Armande Cece

The Yarniacs Episode 87: Knitting Retreat May 01, 2015

Show notes

The Northern California Knitting Retreat--which Gayle and I have been working on behind the scenes for the past year--was a retreat in the true sense of the word. We got away from our normal day-to-day lives, spent time doing enjoyable activities such as knitting and visiting with friends, we laughed and relaxed. It was a first retreat experience for both of us and we enjoyed our little weekend knitting getaway. One of our favorite things at all knitting events, is seeing everyone's sweaters and knitting projects, and adding a few to our own queues. This weekend proved no different, and we came home wanting to match up yarns and patterns and cast-on something new. Now we are both struggling with some of our projects that have been on the needles and want to cast on those new shiny projects that have captured our attention! I am sure you, dear knitters, can relate to that new project longing! We continue our stash chat--and in the spirit of "changing the culture of stash" share a little bit about what makes a particular yarn stash-worthy. As we curate our stashes it helps to give some thought to what sorts of yarns our stash needs, and what type of yarns we utilize most in order to add yarns that will find purpose and bring us happiness. If you haven't already, please feel free to join our stash chat in our Ravelry group, and share your goals and stash adventures. - Sharlene What are we wearing? Chance of Showers by Heidi Kirrmaier Floral Opulence by Rosalyn Jung Norie by Gudrun Johnston What are we stalking? Dark Pearl by Carol Feller Paulie by Isabell Kraemer Gayle is stalking sport weight knee-high socks What are we kniting? Mia tank by Jennifer Wood Woodfords by Elizabeth Doherty tosh merino light in rainwater Vinyarnsa by Shelley Brander Learn to Knit a Log Cabin Blanket by Staci Perry Laoghaire's Mischief by Laura Ballard Literally Over the Top by Megan Williams Sharlene's Literally Over the Top What have we finished? Sharlene's bath scrubbie Special thanks to some of our #NoCKRs prize donors! Bag donors included: Front Range Bags The Silver Shed USA Buffy Ann Designs Kicks and Giggles Designer donors included: Joji Locatelli Megan Williams Monika Sirna Alana Dakos Elizabeth Doherty Julia Trice AnneLena Mattison Veera Valimaki Justyna Lorkowska Jennifer Weissman Brenda Castiel Yelena Dasher Jenn Emerson Helen Stewart

The Yarniacs Episode 86: Finished Knits Apr 17, 2015

Show notes

What are we wearing? Heaven and Space by Martina Behm Zephyr Cove by Rosemary Hill We talk about shawl hangers. Gayle's version is from The Container Store, link here. Sharlene has a version from IKEA, link here. What are we stalking? Naima by Ankestrick Rachel by Josee Paquin Sunray Shawl by dunkelgrun Scrappy Hearts Hat by Sonja Otto Swingback Hoodie by Amy Gunderson Aurelia Cowl by Hilary Smith Callis Focus Dress by Meiju K-P What are we knitting? Bath scrubbie No Fear Socks Sharlene's socks Mia by Jennifer Wood Literally Over the Top by Megan Williams Laoghaire's Mischief by Laura Ballard Vinyarnsa by Shelley Brander What have we finished? Chance of Showers by Heidi Kirrmaier Sharlene's Chance of Showers Gather Together by Joji Locatelli Sharlene's Gather Together the yarn is called Gilliat from De Rerum Natura Knitter Knocker - Crochet by Terry Neal Sharlene's Knocker Heaven and Space by Martina Behm Sharlene's Heaven and Space Tenacity from Invictus Yarns Simple Skyp Socks by Adrienne Ku Gayle's socks Be Loving by Melissa Simpson Gayle's Be Loving hat

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