Warming up for Stitches! - Episode 38 - The Knitmore Girls

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This week's episode has been sponsored by:

On the Needles: (00:32)

Gigi has a bunch of vanilla socks on the needles. Gigi wasn't happy with her progress on her "On the Vine" scarf, so she has been sitting and doing a repeat every day after lunch, which is working well for her.

Jasmin has started Ene's Scarf (which she isn't sure of the pronunciation of) from Scarf Style out of Artyarns Cashmere 1. (This was part of her half-off cashmere haul.) She has knit the first eight rows so far. This project has taught her that the rubber Bryson Stitch markers and the Addi lace needles do not mix.

Gigi is still working with the Brown Eyed Girl handspun socks. They're not dyeing this color anymore, but if you call Klaus (at Crown Mountain Farms) and ask him for a color that is close, he'll help you out. (Tell him we sent you!)

Jasmin has finished spinning 1 oz of Merry Meadows cormo and silk (in spring green). She has spun it very fine, so she's working on Black Magic Woman from Crown Mountain Farms.

Gigi has started the Bulky Boot Socks from the Little Box of Socks. Gigi has also started the Scandanavian Sock pattern (also from the LBoS). They discuss the two-handed fair isle technique that Ann and Eugene Bourgeois (of Philosopher's Wool) teach.

Jasmin has finished knitting the Santa Fe Wrap. Gigi unearthed an UFO made of Rowan Ribbon Twist (in black/pink), which is now becoming a sweater for Jasmin.

While listening to Cast-On, Jasmin was inspired to knit a Modern Quilt Wrap in Noro Kureyon Sock. (Jasmin is knitting hers in color S188.) Jasmin is knitting hers on size 4 US/3.5mm needles. Jasmin is knitting it at a tighter gauge and will block it to size for aesthetic reasons. (Jasmin downloaded it from knittingdaily.com .)

Mother Knows Best: (26:55)

Stitches West tips!

1- Determine your budget.
2- Stick to your budget.

Strategies: (A note to Dr. Gemma from CogKNITive- our strategies are less helpful than yours for real life.)
- Make your wishlist. (Jasmin's includes one of Lisa Souza's batts, some wensleydale, and some polwarth. The polwarth is Meghan's, of Stitch-it fame, fault.)
- Gigi will be buying some sock yarn.
- Jasmin encourages you to take your list on a post-it.
- Go through your stash so you don't replicate colors that you have a lot of in your stash.
- Always buy more yarn, rather than less.

Tips for shopping the market:
- Gigi walks through the market the first time with the vendor catalog. If she sees something she likes, she makes a note. She does zero purchasing on the first round. (Jasmin is the same, but will purchase if she comes across something on her wishlist.)
- On Gigi's second walkthrough, she eliminates items that she's not in love with.
- On Gigi's third walkthrough, she starts making purchases. If it was meant to be, it will still be there.
- First time attendees: Go with someone who has gone before.
- Eat a good breakfast.
- Wear good shoes.
- Pack a healthy lunch and bring a bottle of water. (Jasmin recommends getting a BPA-free Nalgene bottle and clipping it to your bag with a carabiner.)
- Make sure to sit. And socialize!
- Shop from vendors who are out of your normal area.
- Don't buy yarns that you have access to at your LYS. Hold off on those purchases until the month AFTER Stitches.

Holidays with the Knitmores: (43:28)

Valentine's Day gift suggestions for knitters/spinners:

- A Netflix subscription and/or a Roku box
- A bouquet of handpainted sock yarns.
- Beautiful knitting/spinning tools
- Unusual/beautiful drop spindles. (Jasmin is especially fond of the Golding drop spindles.)
- Fiber!
- A class
- A gift certificate for time to knit, uninterrupted.
- Really good quality chocolate.
- A lovely mug, and possibly a mug warmer.
- A trip to an out-of-town fiber festival.

When Knitting Attacks! (49:01)

Gigi installs an enclosed zipper BEAUTIFULLY. And backwards.

The Crown Mountain Superwash Merino (in Black Magic Woman) is so lovely, even Hana (the Akita puppy) wanted some.

(Public Service Announcement: Do not leave fiber or yarn out where your pets can get to it. Ingested yarn or roving can cause obstructions which can be fatal to your pet.)

Events: (51:47)

Go give Tika's podcast, Gives Good Knit, a listen!

Come meet us at Stitches West on Saturday, February 28th from 2-4PM in the Purlescence booth!