Two Ewes Fiber Adventures

Latest Episodes:

Ep 107: Rules? Ha! Feb 03, 2019

Show notes

A little knitting and a lot of permission to break spinning and knitting rules. Wait--there are no rules! The Ewes share anti-racism resources, plus, listener questions and feedback to round out the show. Full notes with photos and links can be found in the podcast section of our shop website: TwoEwesFiberAdventures.com. Join the community on Ravelry or email us with your thoughts. twoewes@twoewesfiberadventures.com is our email address or you click contact us on our website.

Project Updates

Marsha continues to work on her Cloud Cover cardigan by Heidi Kirrmaier. She is almost done with the collar and then will weave in the ends and block. She has been spinning her Wensleydale x Cormo x Merino fleece. It has been slow but steady progress but Kelly gives her permission to break some rules!

Marsha is also planning her next project. She plans to use Imperial Ranch Columbia, a mulespun worsted weight yarn in the colorway Juniper Green. What is "mulespun"? Below are two links with for information:

https://www.marrhaven.com/faq.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spinning_mule

She is also thinking about starting her Snowflower by Heidi Kirrmaier using worsted yarn from Thirteen Mile Lamb and Wool.

Kelly is continuing the Mystery Knit Along with Cozy Up Knits using the Two Ewes Replenish Rambouillet. She made only a little progress in the last two weeks but still plans to finish by the February 14th deadline. She is dreaming of her next sweater, perhaps the Koru by Aroha Knits.

The Ewes share some anti-racism resources recommended through the discussion about racism in the yarn community.

The Ravelry Thread Racism and Inclusion in the Fiber Community
#diversknitty and other hashtags on Instagram where the discussion started and continues
Me and White Supremacy, a workbook by Layla F. Saad
White Fragility by Robin di Angelo
Seeing White, a series on the podcast Scene on Radio

Although there was only a little knitting progress, listeners saved the day with some great questions and feedback. Momdiggity asked Marsha about how she splits braids for a combo spin so Marsha talks about that in the episode. The Ewes also had some feedback from the southern hemisphere. Leanne from South Africa shared with us about Knit-a-Square South Africa and the 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day project. Aimee from New Zealand listens on her commute and was finishing up an epic project, her crocheted blanket. Meanwhile, back on the California coast, Stella provided an interesting article by Jilian Moreno about how your knitting style affects your gauge.

Events

We will be having a Thank You Patrons episode in March. We have reached a milestone and we'll have our second quarterly drawing, this time for two winners. Patreon terms of service don't allow us to advertise drawings for patron levels on our Patreon page so that information will be revised on the page. However, we'll have quarterly Thank You episodes on the show and we can recognize our patrons there.

Other Events

Ep 106: Schemes and Dreams for 2019 Jan 21, 2019

Show notes

Scheming and dreaming about all the yarn and fleece projects for 2019. Did you know Marsha and Kelly both love the smell of fleece? Have you heard about the woven ruana and the sheep tea cozy a few too many times? What does it mean to raise your default level? It's all in this episode. Full notes with photos and links can be found in the podcast section of our shop website: TwoEwesFiberAdventures.com. Join the community on Ravelry or email us with your thoughts. Email us at twoewes@twoewesfiberadventures.com We'd love to hear your 2019 Dreams and Schemes!

Project Updates

Marsha continues to work on Cloud Cover by Heidi Kirrmaier. It has an unusual construction. Knit yoke, then sleeves, then body, then collar. Marsha is hoping she doesn't run out of yarn before that big shawl collar is done.

Marsha has carded a bunch of Wensleydale x Corriedale x Merino fleece and has been spinning it. This fleece is a gorgeous dark espresso color! More spinning is in Marsha's plans for 2019.

Kelly has also been mostly monogamous on the knit front with the Mystery Knit Along with Cozy Up Knits. She's using the Two Ewes Replenish Rambouillet and loving the feel of the yarn. The shawl pattern is interesting and will result in a 3 color shawl in 5 weeks. No pictures of the full project because it's a mystery!

2019 Dreams and Schemes

Kelly and Marsha are both training for distance walking this year. Kelly will be walking the Big Sur 21-Miler in April with her Dad who will turn 79 in March. Marsha got a copy of her training schedule and plans to follow the training, but not do the event. Join in the Ravelry group discussion if you have a fitness goal for 2019 and want some structure and encouragement or want a place to brag!

Events

Northwest Regional Spinners Association

Fleeber Farms

Twisted Straight Fibers

Whidbey Weavers Guild

Stitches West

Black Sheep Gathering

Ep 105: Ringing in the N-Ewe Year 2019 Jan 06, 2019

Show notes

Ringing in the New Year with lace knitting, a vegetable terrine, lots of project planning, and a geographic survey of our listeners. Full notes with photos and links can be found in the podcast section of our shop website: TwoEwesFiberAdventures.com. Join the community on Ravelry or email us with your thoughts. twoewes@twoewesfiberadventures.com is our email address. We'd love to hear from you!

Project Updates

Marsha continues to work on Slack Tide by Poststitch and is making steady progress. The yarn is Concentric by Hikoo, which is singles that are not pied. It's very "splitty" and difficult to knit with especially on knit two together, but it's beautiful fabric.

Marsha is waiting for a day to herself to work uninterrupted on Rabbit by Claire Garland. Marsha is also knitting Cloud Cover by Heidi Kirrmaier. It has an unusual construction. Knit yoke, then sleeves, then body, then collar. Marsha has finished first sleeve and started second.

She's still planning for SnowFlower by Heidi Kirrmaier The natural yarn arrived and she's been thinking about colors. The "snowflower" will be the natural color but the CC can be anything!

Marsha has carded a bunch of Wensleydale x Corriedale x Merino cross and has been spinning it. This fleece is a gorgeous dark espresso color!

Kelly joined in the Mystery Knit Along with Cozy Up Knits. She'll be using the Two Ewes Replenish Rambouillet for a 3 color shawl in 5 weeks. She is also participating in the 2019 Herbert Niebling KAL and the Yarniacs Self Indulgent Knit Along with some Niebling lace patterns. Her Glocklein is finished and she is planning for two more of these fun lace patterns.

2018 Statistics of Interest

Kelly: 31 projects including 8 pair of socks (4 argyles, 3 slipper socks) and 3 weaving projects

Marsha: 13 projects including 5 sweaters and 3 pair of socks.

Most popular podcast episodes of 2018:

Fiber Adventures in Scotland

Ep 86: Events, Knitting Tips, and Bee Talk

Ep 92: Sweaters and Blankets in Summer

Ep 89: Spirit Dress Forms and Uncanny Coincidences

Bonus! Argyle Socks and Edinburgh Sights

Ep 85: A Two-Ply of Joy and Sorrow

Ep 91: Project, Color, and Design Ideas from Listeners

Ep 90: Naughty Knits and Combo Spinning

Ep 93: Gathering Together

Most popular episodes from previous years

Ep 83: One Ewe's Year in Rev-EWE (12/31/17)

Ep 20 a: Textiles on My Travels seriesPart 1

Part 2

Part 3

Ep 1: Who Are Ewe and What Are Ewe Doing Here? (2014)

Geographic location of listeners--top ten countries

United States

Canada

United Kingdom

Australia

Sweden

Denmark

Netherlands

Germany

New Zealand

Other interesting and surprising locations!

The Two Ewes have listeners in places around the world, including the Isle of Man, Uzbekistan, Latvia, Peru, Jamaica, South Africa, and Singapore.

Events:

Author Stephany Wilkes has a book event at Books Inc. in Berkeley, California on January 8, 2019 at 7 pm. In February she will be speaking at the Treadles to Threads guild meeting February 27 in Contra Costa.

Stitches West! Thursday, February 21 through Sunday, February 24. Marsha and Kelly will be attending the meet-up hosted by Yarniacs and 2 Knit Lit Chicks on Saturday afternoon in the lobby bar area.

Madrona Fiber Arts Thursday, February 14 through Sunday, February 17 in Tacoma Washington. Marsha will be there with Kim aka KMDesigns.

Ep 104: Flurry of Finishing and Starting Dec 21, 2018

Show notes

Lots of finished knitting, a fleece processing and spinning project, and a new warp are all on the show this week. We also pull two winners for Stephany Wilkes' book, Raw Material. Full notes with photos and links can be found in the podcast section of our shop website: TwoEwesFiberAdventures.com. Join the community on Ravelry and discuss the episode, or contact us with your thoughts. twoewes@twoewesfiberadventures.com is our email address. We'd love to hear from you.

Kelly finished the Unice Unicorn Hood for her grandniece. She also finished a second pair of Jo's Perfect Slipper Socks. They are in one of the Western Sky Knits merino cashmere sport weight skeins that she has used for criss-cross colors in argyle socks. This is a perfect gift knit!

The bulky-weight, 6-shaft weaving is finished, too. It turned out a little too narrow to be a loom bench cushion so it is now out in the cat's house as a warm and comfy sleeping pad. It was a great way to sample bulky weaving and the 6-shaft draft and to get used to the Macomber loom.

The argyle socks are almost finished. The knitting is done and now the ends need to be woven in and the back of the leg and sides of the foot need to be seamed.

Kelly wound warp to make a new weaving project for the 4-shaft table loom. The yarns are fairly thin and the sett will be 24 ends per inch. She plans to use this to warp back to front for the first time as part of the Winter Weave Along. Join in the weaving fun in our weaving discussion on Ravelry. She made a video (click here for part 1 and here for part 2) showing her stash and selection process.

Marsha hasn't made any progress on her scarf, Slack Tide - Poststitch or her Rabbit - Claire Garland. But she has been busy working on her cardigan, Cloud Cover - Heidi Kirrmaier and her "vanilla" socks with Austerman Step with heels and toes in Knit Picks Stroll.

Marsha also pulled out a fleece she bought two years ago at the Black Sheep Gathering. It is a 6 pound Wensleydale x Corriedale x Merino cross she split with Kelly. The color is a beautiful dark chocolate espresso bean. Marsha talks about carding the fiber and using her diz for the first time.

Marsha also talks about her planning for her next sweater, SnowFlower, a pullover with colorwork and plans for dyeing the contrasting colors.

Kelly is planning to join in the Mystery Knit Along with Cozy Up Knits. She'll be using the Two Ewes Replenish Rambouillet for a 3 color shawl in 5 weeks.

Stephany Wilkes has donated a copy of her book Raw Material: Working Wool in the West and the Ewes donated a second. We've chosen winners. Check out the episode to see who won! Stephany has another book event at Books Inc. in Berkeley, California on January 8, 2019 at 7 pm. In February she will be speaking at the Treadles to Threads guild meeting February 27 in Contra Costa.

Ep 103: Tired of/from Learning? Dec 08, 2018

Show notes

The Learn Along has people doing everything from brioche socks to knitting with a Shetland knitting belt. Marsha talks about learning agility and piano and Kelly is getting close to the end of a semester of learning.

Full notes with photos and links can be found in the podcast section of our shop website: TwoEwesFiberAdventures.com. Join the community on Ravelry and discuss the episode, or contact us with your thoughts at twoewes@twoewesfiberadventures.com

Kelly's Projects

Kelly finished the Running Water cardigan and has worn it three times. The fit is great and it is so soft and warm.

Since the last episode she started and finished a pair of Jo's Perfect Slipper Socks. Two strands of fingering weight. From Cozy Up knits. Found out about it from the Cozy Up Knits youtube show. Four Canadian Prairie sisters who knit and design patterns.

Kelly has also started a gift knit. She's making the Unice Unicorn Hood for her grandniece. The hood is done, she is now putting on the fringe that makes the mane. She is making it as a horse and not putting on the unicorn horn.

Marsha's Projects

Marsha has made very little progress on her existing projects.

Slack Tide - Poststitch

Rabbit - Claire Garland

Cloud Cover - Heidi Kirrmaier

She is getting "back on the horse" by knitting a pair of "vanilla" socks with Austerman Step with heels and toes in Knit Picks Stroll. Both are spirit yarns from the NoCKRs detash room.

Learn Along

Catherine Knuttson, (smallbirdworkshop on Ravelry) has donated patterns. Her website is smallbirdworkshop.com where she has yarn and patterns. Her patterns are also available on Ravelry. Marsha and I each were given a code for a pattern, too. I'm looking hard at Blue Spruce, but haven't made a decision yet. She has a collection of patterns that are good for variegated yarns. Check out her pattern page on Ravelry.

To see all the wonderful learning that people did during the Learn Along, visit the FO thread in our Ravelry group. Listen to the show to see who won the drawing!

Patron Drawing

We randomly selected a Daring Adventurer to win the drawing! If you'd like to become a patron, visit patreon.com/twoewes

One of our patrons contacted us about the Weavolution online weaving guild and website. Kelly joined but hasn't had a chance to poke around on the website yet. They have groups and patterns and classes available for purchase.

Book Giveaway ends December 16.

Stephany Wilkes has donated a copy of her book Raw Material: Working Wool in the West.

Make a comment in the thread on our Two Ewes Ravelry Group to be entered. Stephany has another book event at Books Inc. in Berkeley, California on January 8, 2019 at 7 pm. In February she will be speaking at the Treadles to Threads guild meeting February 27 in Contra Costa.

Marsha got to see Stephany in Seattle at the Eileen Fisher Renew store for a reading of her book Raw Material: Working Wool in the West and a panel discussion. Also on the panel was Kathy Hatori of Botanical Colors. Her dyes are used as overdyes for Renew. She has a studio located in Fremont neighborhood of Seattle. She sells natural dyes for designers and artists.

Eileen Fisher Renew takes back clothes with a $5 credit. They repair, overdye, reconstruct and then resell the recycled clothing online and in stores.

Marsha also talked about the New York Times article about American Giant trying to make flannel in US. The Annals of Flannel. And speaking of flannel and fabric. Kelly has sewing acquisitions! She purchased some Huston Textiles climate beneficial cloth (red), and some Vreseis brown cotton flannel. She already has natural climate beneficial cloth. A fabric stash is forming. Sally Fox, owner of Vreseis was recently interviewed on Yarn Stories Podcast by Miriam Felton.

Our email address is twoewes@twoewesfiberadventures.com We'd love to hear from you!

Ep 102: Hat Tricks and Knitting Tips Nov 25, 2018

Show notes

Finished socks, an almost finished sweater and lots of knitting tips in this episode! Full notes with photos and links are in the podcast section of our shop website:TwoEwesFiberAdventures.com. Join the community on Ravelry and be part of the conversation!

Kelly has been working to finish the Running Water cardigan. The sleeves are almost finished and then it will be finished! She hopes to have it finished by the time this episode is published.

Kelly raves about the Sockhead Cowl she made out of Tassie Merino from Carrie at Handmade Travels. The scrumptiously soft yarn is sourced from White Gum Wool in Australia. It was made in summer but she just started wearing it. Kelly discovered she could twist the cowl in the middle and fold it into a hat!

Another rave is for the Mama Stamberg cranberry relish (with onion and horseradish) that Kelly will be making for Thanksgiving. It's been a staple on her Thanksgiving table for about 20 years.

Kelly has also joined the Jane Stafford Online Weaving Guild and is excited to get back to the loom. The guild has an annual membership that gives weavers access to previous seasons of videos and also the current season of videos as they come out. At $75 Canadian it is a great value! The price will be increasing to $99 on December 7th so if you've been waffling about joining, now is the time! The Weave podcast had a really interesting interview with Jane Stafford about the online guild and how it works.

Marsha finished the afterthought socks. She is not a fan of the method of afterthought everything, but they are done and she learned a lot. She cast on a pair of her standard socks using destash Austermann Step yarn from the NoCKRs retreat.

She also cast on Cloud Cover, an open front cardigan by Heidi Kirrmaier.

Marsha also talked about her new yarn from a local indie dyer Little Fish Stitches from Aberdeen, Washington.

Tips! While talking about Cloud Cover, Marsha shares some tips for avoiding gauge issues between flat knitting and knitting in the round. She also shares a tip for casting on in the round. Knit a few rows first, and then join in the round. Sew up the gap later. This helps to avoid twisting when joining and also alleviates some of the awkwardness of trying to join in the round with small needles and small stitches. She's doing it with a sock she just started.

The Learn Along ends November 30. Book Giveaway ends December 16.

There are now TWO Seattle book events for Raw Material: Working Wool in the West. Stephany will be at the Seward Park branch of Third Place Books for an author event on November 28 at 7 pm and on November 29 from 5-7 pm she will be at the Eileen Fisher Renew Store for a panel discussion and book signing including Kathy Hattori of Botanical Colors. Kelly first heard about Kathy's work on the Weave podcast.

Join the conversation about this episode in our Ravelry Group, or contact us with your thoughts. Our email address is twoewes@twoewesfiberadventures.com. We'd love to hear from you.

Ep 101: With Author and Sheep Shearer Stephany Wilkes Nov 15, 2018

Show notes

Joined by guest co-host Stephany Wilkes, sheep shearer, wool classer, and author of the fantastic new book Raw Material: Working Wool in the West. Order it at your local bookstore or online. Stephany is also president of the Northern California Fibershed Cooperative. She chats with the Ewes about her projects and then we discuss her book and her life as a shearer. Stephany can be found on Instagram as @ladysheepshearer.

Full notes with photos and links can be found in the podcast section of our shop website: TwoEwesFiberAdventures.com. Join the community on Ravelry where we will give away a copy of the book Raw Material: Working Wool in the West.

Kelly's Argyle adventure continues. The socks are roughly based on the pattern Men's Argyle socks #5710. She's not really using pattern that much, but she used it to create a Stitch Fiddle chart for the colorwork.

Also active this week are the Humble Bee socks. The pattern was a gift from Sara Bauer (sarapomegranate on Ravelry and host of the Yarns at Yin Hoo podcast).

Stephany is just about to bind off yet another Purl Soho Boyfriend hat, a free pattern from Purl Soho, in Lani's Lana Rambouillet twist, a black and white wool twist, undyed. It makes the PERFECT marled hat. Highly recommend it for gift and travel knitting, a simple k1, p1 rib all the way around.

Yesterday, she cast on the Anna Vest by Karen Templer of Fringe Association, and she has about 3" of the back piece done. I'm knitting it up in a heavy worsted, black, Shetland and alpaca blend. Her thoughts on this pattern? "I love it. Easy pattern to memorize, and I know I will get a ton of wear out of this vest in our coastal climate."

Marsha continues to work on the afterthought socks. The long stockinette tube is finished and she is ready to do the steeking. Meanwhile, she has started on Rabbit, a pattern by Claire Garland. The rabbit is beginning to take shape!

After project updates the three have a wide ranging conversation. Stephany shares her journey from a knitter looking for local yarn in a California yarn shop to the sheep shearing jobs she does across the state. Topics include "urban hubris," imposter syndrome, and the value of agricultural work; carbon farming and its potential to combat climate change; and the overlooked job opportunities in the world of sheep. For those in the Seattle area, Stephany will be at the Seward Park branch of Third Place Books for an author event on November 28 at 7 pm.

Join the conversation about this episode in our Ravelry Group, or contact us with your thoughts. twoewes@twoewesfiberadventures.com is our email address. We'd love to hear from you.

Ep 100: A Long Stockinette Tube Oct 28, 2018

Show notes

Creativity, productivity, and community are three big benefits we've gained from 4 years of podcasting. In our 100th episode we have our usual project updates and then we spend some time reflecting on the experience of the last four years. Come join the community on Ravelry!

Marsha's Update:

I have a lot to say about my Afterthought Socks! It's a looooooooong stockinette tube and I'll be putting on cuffs, toes, and heels. We had quite a discussion about how to measure the spot for the heel. I'm sure some of our listeners can set us straight. Leave a comment here or join in the discussion in our Ravelry group.

My other active project over the past two weeks is the Slacktide Scarf. It has a nice interesting stitch--the perfect antidote to a long, boring stockinette tube. I'm also planning for the Rabbit by Claire Garland and have ordered the yarn called for in the pattern.

Kelly's Update:

I'm running out of yarn on the Running Water cardigan. I'm almost done with the collar band and then will start the sleeves. Meanwhile, I've started two new pairs of socks. One pair is using the Humble Bee pattern by Sara Bauer of the Yarns at Yin Hoo podcast. The other pair is variegated argyle socks using the chart I created on Stitch Fiddle. Start with row 71 to get 2 diamonds on the leg (one front and one back) and one diamond on the instep. All three projects are right at a part where I have to pay attention so I'm not able to knit at all during this recording.

A HUGE thank you to all our listeners! We never would have arrived at Episode 100 without you. You're feedback, encouragement, compliments, and suggestions have been so important to us. You have enabled us to create a wonderful community.

Visit the Two Ewes Shop featuring locally produced yarns, from soil to skein. Small-batch, overdyed Romney and Shetland yarns grown and processed on the west coast, and the climate beneficial Replenish Rambouillet from Bare Ranch, a northern California ranch using carbon farming practices.

Ep 99: Just Say No to Pumpkin-Spice Bourbon Oct 14, 2018

Show notes

Lambtown Sheep and Wool Festival, two sweaters, some weaving, the Fibonacci sequence, and some dog talk round out the topics for this episode. All this knitting has left us wishing fiber crafts were more aerobic! Full notes with photos and links can be found in the podcast section of our shop website: TwoEwesFiberAdventures.com Come join the community on Ravelry or become a patron and support the show on our Patreon Page.

Marsha finished her Iba cardigan by Bonne Marie Burns, well sort of finished. She discovered after blocking the sleeves now need be shortened by about an inch. Marsha loves the cardigan! It fits well and the Rambouillet yarn is so soft, silky, and plump. Marsha is also working on the picot bind off of her Elinya shawl by Ambah O'Brien.

Marsha started a scarf named Slack Tide for her brother with Concentric by HiKoo by Skacel. She purchased the yarn at a great new shop in Seabrook, WA call String Theory Yarns and Fiber. The owner, Jean Chambers, is focusing on local yarns. Marsha also bought two skeins of Lina Fine Yarns and Textiles from Montesano, WA. Marsha also started her after thought heel socks as part of our Learn Along.

Kelly was at Lambtown over the weekend. Sheep shearing, sheepdog demos, sheep to shawl competition, fiber friends and a great marketplace made for a fantastic time. She also took a class on combing wool and spinning for luster from Stephenie Gaustad.

Her knitting continues to be monogamous, with all knitting energy going to the Running Water cardigan. She is using the Fibonacci sequence for the striping on the sweater. The sweater has a tubular bind off at the hem.

The big loom has also been warped and Kelly is doing a long narrow sampler which will make a good loom bench cushion.

The Two Ewes Shop has small-batch Romney and Shetland yarns, and the climate beneficial Replenish Rambouillet, with some new fall colors. Kelly's favorite is a color called "Just Say No to Pumpkin Spice Bourbon."

Ep 98: Sloshing the Pickle Jar Sep 25, 2018

Show notes

A nasty fall has Marsha under the weather, but the knits, crochet, and weaving talk goes on. Besides a sweater project for each, the Two Ewes talk about future fiber plans, the Learn Along, and some new fall colors in the shop.

No full show notes this week, but do check out The Small Bird Workshop pattern page on Ravelry. Catherine has generously donated five patterns as prizes for the Learn Along. Her patterns are great. Take a look!

Keep on Learning!

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