Black Sheep 2011 Recap - Episode 158 - The Knitmore Girls

Listen here:



This week's episode has been sponsored by:

We're seeing the occasional ray of sun at the Abstract Fiber studio in Portland  The weather is finally warming and lace knitting season has arrived!  We love using MightySock for lace. 50% Tencel makes it drape beautifully, and gives it sheen.  MightySock comes in any of our solids or colorways to suit your project. Give MightySock a try in your next lace project.  You're gonna love it!  Check AbstractFiber.com for a list of retailers or shop online anytime

At Purlescence Yarns we're head over heels for weaving. From rigid heddle looms like Jasmin's favorite Schacht Cricket to table and floor looms for weaving beautiful textures, Purlescence Yarns is your resource for the best in weaving equipment and supplies. Call today to order your loom!

Discover jacket mastery: see how easy it is to get the fit, confirm it as you knit, and know that every jacket will fit on Opening Day with Jean Frost. Take classes from the most talented designers in the Knitting Universe. Shop-till-you-drop in the largest fiber market in the Midwest. See the hottest new knit designs at the Fashion Show or take to the runway yourself -- showing off your knits during the Student Banquet. If you love knitting, YOU CAN'T MISS THIS! Go to KnittingUniverse.com/Events for all the details. If it has to do with knitting, you will find it here. STITCHES Midwest is open to the general public August 25th-28th. For more information please join us online at http://KnittingUniverse.com/Events/ or call 1-800-237-7099.

Black Sheep Gathering recap:



We announced the winners of the Three Bites Contest.

Part 2 of our recommended list of podcasts:

Fluffy Fiber Podcast
Happy Crafter 207
Knitting Psychos
Manic Purl
Miss Elle Knits
Outlier
Sassy Pants Knitter
Savvy Girls Podcast
Spin Control
Spindoctor
Spinning Jenny
Stash and Burn
Sticks and String
Stitch It
Stringchronicity
Subway Knits
Weave Cast
Well Knitted Life
Yarngasm
Yarnings
Yarnspinners Tales

Wednesday: (00:29)
Drive to Oregon with Laura, The Joy of Cooking Fairy.
Dinner at Marche.

Thursday:  (12:35)

Breakfast at Off the Waffle, who offer regular, vegan, and gluten free waffle options.  Browsing at Tsunami Books.   Home away from home at the Courtesy Inn.  We played "How many podcasters can you stuff into a little hotel room?". Dinner at Poppi's Anatolia, who had an amazing, allergen coded menu.

 Friday: (18:51)

Breakfast at Off the Waffle.  We attended the annual fleece judging, sadly not done by Judith MacKenzie McCuin  this year.  The judge was very charming, but he was more concerned with not hurting anyone's feeling than with an objective verdict.  So he said everything was nice, even tender fleeces, that were not nice, and really not suitable for handspinning.  And not worth $20/lb.  Jasmin talked about what a good judging should look like.

Meet and Greet at the Abstract Fiber Booth was a lot of fun, and we got to meet a lot of old and new listeners.  Lunch at the fairgrounds.  We ran into Sasha and Mr. Spin Doctor.
Second Meet and Greet at the Barmaids Booth.  Afterwards, Jasmin sat and spun, I was misbehaving while Jasmin was not keeping a close eye on me.

Dinner at the Pizza Research Institute was lovely, interesting and had unexpected ingredients.  The fancy jalapeno poppers were very tasty.  And the two piece band was totally unexpected, and surprisingly good. 

Saturday: (37:24)

Breakfast at Off the Waffle. Hanging out with sheep and goats at the fairgrounds.  Visiting with George from Skaska Designs, and Klaus from Crown Mountain Farms, who had a ton of new, delicious colors. We stood in line to secure our spot for the fleece viewing and buying, which gets rather competitive.  Jasmin and company scored a number of outstanding fleeces.  While in line we met the awesome Sultana, who spins sweater quantities of yarn on her drop spindle. 

Lunch at the fairgrounds.  The ravelry meet up was very short, they gave away prizes for the bingo, but there was not a whole lot of meeting. Dinner at Marche.  Food was outstanding, as was the company.

Sunday

Breakfast at Studio One Cafe.  Lots of interesting movie memorabilia and satisfying food.  Last minute yarn purchases from Huckleberry's. Laura and I picked sparkly yarn, Jasmin bought yarn because of the cool, Battle Star Galactica name.  And she the bought the uncented Plain Jane LoLo Bar, so she won't smell delicious in yoga class.

We picked up some frozen waffles from Off the Waffle to take home and have later.

We think that the Black Sheep Gathering has wonderful stuff, interesting critters, and Eugene has the most amazing food.

Knitmore Girls Podcast reached a million downloads.  Yeay!

Tour de Fleece training:

Find your spinning support group.

Thanks for listening!  Leave glowing reviews for the podcasts you like.  See you in September!

A foot long - Episode 157 - The Knitmore Girls

Listen here:


This week's episode has been sponsored by:

We're seeing the occasional ray of sun at the Abstract Fiber studio in Portland  The weather is finally warming and lace knitting season has arrived!  We love using MightySock for lace. 50% Tencel makes it drape beautifully, and gives it sheen.  MightySock comes in any of our solids or colorways to suit your project. Give MightySock a try in your next lace project.  You're gonna love it!  Check AbstractFiber.com for a list of retailers or shop online anytime



At Purlescence Yarns we're head over heels for weaving. From rigid heddle looms like Jasmin's favorite Schacht Cricket to table and floor looms for weaving beautiful textures, Purlescence Yarns is your resource for the best in weaving equipment and supplies. Call today to order your loom!





Discover jacket mastery: see how easy it is to get the fit, confirm it as you knit, and know that every jacket will fit on Opening Day with Jean Frost. Take classes from the most talented designers in the Knitting Universe. Shop-till-you-drop in the largest fiber market in the Midwest. See the hottest new knit designs at the Fashion Show or take to the runway yourself -- showing off your knits during the Student Banquet. If you love knitting, YOU CAN'T MISS THIS! Go to KnittingUniverse.com/Events for all the details. If it has to do with knitting, you will find it here. STITCHES Midwest is open to the general public August 25th-28th. For more information please join us online at http://KnittingUniverse.com/Events/ or call 1-800-237-7099.

On the needles: (00:35)

Gigi has nearly completed the Hobbit Socks for Mr. Knitmore. Jasmin continues to work on the Unloved Andrew socks. Jasmin is stalled on Hugo for no good reason. Gigi is working on vanilla socks and preemie hats. Jasmin mentions an episode of In Plain Sight ("Something Amish") and asks why did/do you join a knitting group?

Gigi does some mending, and works on a "glued" quilt with Janice. We do a short recap of the Retzlaff winery event.

We will be going on hiatus, starting after our 6/27 episode and we'll be back on 9/5.

Events: (23:25)

- June 24-26: Black Sheep Gathering. We're staying at the Courtesy Inn in Eugene, OR.
     Meet and Greets:
          - Friday, June 24, 12-1 Abstract Fiber booth (just us)
          - Friday, June 24, 3-4, Bar Maids booth (podcaster meetup EXTRAVAGANZA!)


Contest: (25:36)

The Three Bites contest continues! Try something new, anything, and tell us about it! The contest closes Monday 6/27/2011. Fabulous prizes include:


- A 1-year subscription to Knitter's Magazine
- A drop spindle kit from Schacht Spindle Co.
- A Pagewood Farm Tinkerbell Needle Felted Silk Scarf Kit


Mother Knows Best: (30:14)

This week, we answer a question from the "What do you want to hear about?" thread about organizing patterns from magazines.


When Knitting Attacks: (37:48)


Gigi's Petra attacks.


Review: (39:50)


This week we review "Seamless (or Nearly Seamless) Knits" by Andra Knight-Bowman. It has a good range of sizes. Unfortunately, most of the garments are drop shoulders, which is not a flattering style on most people. Photos are blurry, and garments are styled in a strange way. We suggest giving this book a "pass".


Tour de Fleece Training: (48:41)


Week 5: Clean your wheel. 

Details on how Jasmin washes her Matchless:


- Use a soft side of a kitchen sponge, using a solution of water and Murphy's Oil Soap
- Dry
- Apply Wood Beams, allow to sit for an hour or so
- Buff off Wood Beams. Enjoy!


Straw into Gold: (50:22)


Jasmin plied the Cold As Ice. Jasmin has pulled out a gunmetal grey Shetland fleece (named "Moses") for her Tour de Fleece project, which is spinning enough for a long-sleeved Goodale cardigan using an attenuated long draw. Three alpaca fleeces have also found there way to Jasmin.

Rumors - Episode 156 - The Knitmore Girls

Listen here:



This week's episode has been sponsored by:

We're seeing the occasional ray of sun at the Abstract Fiber studio in Portland  The weather is finally warming and lace knitting season has arrived!  We love using MightySock for lace. 50% Tencel makes it drape beautifully, and gives it sheen.  MightySock comes in any of our solids or colorways to suit your project. Give MightySock a try in your next lace project.  You're gonna love it!  Check AbstractFiber.com for a list of retailers or shop online anytime



At Purlescence Yarns we're head over heels for weaving. From rigid heddle looms like Jasmin's favorite Schacht Cricket to table and floor looms for weaving beautiful textures, Purlescence Yarns is your resource for the best in weaving equipment and supplies. Call today to order your loom!





Discover jacket mastery: see how easy it is to get the fit, confirm it as you knit, and know that every jacket will fit on Opening Day with Jean Frost. Take classes from the most talented designers in the Knitting Universe. Shop-till-you-drop in the largest fiber market in the Midwest. See the hottest new knit designs at the Fashion Show or take to the runway yourself -- showing off your knits during the Student Banquet. If you love knitting, YOU CAN'T MISS THIS! Go to KnittingUniverse.com/Events for all the details. If it has to do with knitting, you will find it here. STITCHES Midwest is open to the general public August 25th-28th. For more information please join us online at http://KnittingUniverse.com/Events/ or call 1-800-237-7099.

On the needles: (00:35)

Gigi celebrates Sewing Machine Day, and does so by mending. Jasmin has been slowly making progress on Hugo the Couch Potato Monster. Jasmin is making slow progress on the Unloved Andrew socks. Jasmin mentions that Rosemary Hill will be doing another subscriber-based eBook. We mention the Brandywine Shawl.

We will be going on hiatus, starting after our 6/27 episode and we'll be back on 9/5.

Other podcasts that we listen to and recommend:

- CogKnitive
- Craftlit
- Creativemother (in German)
- Fiber Beat
- iMake
- Knit Knit Cafe
- Knit Sibs
- Knitabulls
- KnitCents
- Knitting Pipeline
- Sticks and String
- Well Knitted Life
- Brass Needles
- Anatomy of Knitting
- APlayfulDay
- At the Kitchen Table
- Ba Ba Blacksheep
- BarkNKnit
- Belle of the Ball
- Cast On
- Craft Patience
- Electric Sheep
- KIPing it Real
- The Knit Wits
- KnitaJourney
- Knit Knacks

Events: (15:53)

- June 18th: Spinning at the Retzlaff Winery
- June 24-26: Black Sheep Gathering. We're staying at the Courtesy Inn in Eugene, OR.
     Meet and Greets:
          - Friday, June 24, 12-1 Abstract Fiber booth (just us)
          - Friday, June 24, 3-4, Bar Maids booth (podcaster meetup EXTRAVAGANZA!)


Contest: (19:56)


We announce the Three Bites contest! Try something new, anything, and tell us about it! The contest closes Monday 6/27/2011. Fabulous prizes include:


- A 1-year subscription to Knitter's Magazine
- A drop spindle kit from Schacht Spindle Co.
- A Pagewood Farm Tinkerbell Needle Felted Silk Scarf Kit

Mother Knows Best: (25:02)

This week, we answer a question from the "What do you want to hear about?" thread about how to select classes to take at a knitting event.


When Knitting Attacks: (34:12)


Gigi solos this segment, with her recalcitrant Daybreak. Gigi can't see the lace on her Taygete. Gigi's Katje is too small and gets ripped back to the yoke.


Review: (40:22)


This week, we review Vintage Modern Knits by Courtney Kelley and Kate Gagnon Osborn. It is a book full of lovely, classic garments, and a good range of different techniques. Give it a flip through, we declare it "not exciting, but not terrible".


Tour de Fleece training: (46:54)


Week 4: Check your equipment. Bobbins, driveband, oil, and a timer.


Straw into Gold: (49:32)


Jasmin is finishing some Crown Mountain Superwash merino in "Cold As Ice" to be a 3-ply sock yarn. Jasmin answers a question from the "What do you want to hear about?" thread about letting singles and plied yarn rest for 24 hours.

Marshmallow menace - Episode 155 - The Knitmore Girls

Listen here:

This week's episode has been sponsored by:

We're seeing the occasional ray of sun at the Abstract Fiber studio in Portland  The weather is finally warming and lace knitting season has arrived!  We love using MightySock for lace. 50% Tencel makes it drape beautifully, and gives it sheen.  MightySock comes in any of our solids or colorways to suit your project. Give MightySock a try in your next lace project.  You're gonna love it!  Check AbstractFiber.com for a list of retailers or shop online anytime

At Purlescence Yarns we're head over heels for weaving. From rigid heddle looms like Jasmin's favorite Schacht Cricket to table and floor looms for weaving beautiful textures, Purlescence Yarns is your resource for the best in weaving equipment and supplies. Call today to order your loom!

Discover jacket mastery: see how easy it is to get the fit, confirm it as you knit, and know that every jacket will fit on Opening Day with Jean Frost. Take classes from the most talented designers in the Knitting Universe. Shop-till-you-drop in the largest fiber market in the Midwest. See the hottest new knit designs at the Fashion Show or take to the runway yourself -- showing off your knits during the Student Banquet. If you love knitting, YOU CAN'T MISS THIS! Go to KnittingUniverse.com/Events for all the details. If it has to do with knitting, you will find it here. STITCHES Midwest is open to the general public August 25th-28th. For more information please join us online at http://KnittingUniverse.com/Events/ or call 1-800-237-7099.

On the needles: (00:35)

Gigi has a vanilla sock on the needles. Jasmin has cast on a Hugo monster from the Rebecca Danger book "Big Book of Knitted Monsters".  Gigi is on the second lace chart for the Taygete. Jasmin found the second Unloved Andrew sock, hidden in a Knit Purl Sew What triangle bag, obscured by preserved lemons.

Jasmin mentions the Smitten Kitchen marshmallow recipe.

We will be going on hiatus, starting after our 6/27 episode and we'll be back on 9/5.

Events: (13:58)

- June 11th: WWKIP Day. We'll be at Santana Row, in the center section between Cohiba and Sunglass Hut.
- June 18th: Spinning at the Retzlaff Winery
- June 24-26: Black Sheep Gathering. We're staying at the Courtesy Inn in Eugene, OR.


Contest: (17:51)

We announce the Three Bites contest! Try something new, anything, and tell us about it! The contest closes Monday 6/27/2011. Fabulous prizes include:


- A 1-year subscription to Knitter's Magazine
- A drop spindle kit from Schacht Spindle Co.
- A Pagewood Farm Tinkerbell Needle Felted Silk Scarf Kit


Some favorite submissions for this week include Maria (venusfueri, from the Subway Knits Podcast) moving to the front of the room in yoga. Greentriangleknitter (from the APlayfulDay Podcast) goes back to dance after an injury.


Mother Knows Best: (23:32)


This week, we answer a question from the "What do you want to hear about?" thread about measuring gauge swatches. Jasmin references the Marta cardigan.

Our suggestions:


- Knit the swatch larger than called for. Larger sample sizes are always better.
- Look at how the garment is photographed. 
- Compare your swatch to the dimensions of the garment.
- Wash your swatch


When Knitting Attacks: (30:38)


Gigi is attacked multiple times by her Daybreak shawl.


Review: (35:37)

This week, we review Cowl Girls by Cathy Carron. The cowls make Gigi nostalgic for Boston. Gigi thinks that these are "showstopper" cowls, and that most of them are appropriate for a younger, more stylish demographic. (You can see the project pages for the cowls here.)




Tour de Fleece training: (44:43)


Yikes! We're already on week three of training, so we need to do three weeks in one. You can handle it, you're all amazing. You can find the Team Sasquatch group here.


Week 1: Pick your project/goal
Week 2: Weigh out your fiber OR wash as much fleece as you need for your project (plus a little for buffer) and start processing. Make a processing plan.
Week 3: Spin a sample (I suggest 1 oz) to test your wheel and fiber.