Running downhill - Episode 167 - The Knitmore Girls

Listen here:


This week's episode has been sponsored by:

Here at Abstract Fiber we've got some fabulous new colors including Summit, Lagoon, SOAR, The Gorge.  The next best thing to being at SOAR is our SOAR colorway, the color of Autumn leaves. Available now at abstractfiber.com .


Meet Lo-Lo by Bar-Maids, "The Hottest Natural Moisturizers in the Fiber World". Bar-Maids handcrafts head-to-toe moisturizers for people who wish to proactively protect, defend, and restore their skin to baby bottom soft. Bar-Maids uses only the finest local ingredients available creating non-greasy, non-sticky, non-flaky combinations that penetrate multiple layers of the skin working to soften and nourish.  Once applied, the moisturizer remains where you put it and is not washed down the drain.  With over 38 scents (that smell wonderful), and 8 lip balm flavors that taste yummy, it's hard to choose just one.  Find out how you can keep your hands moisturized and beautiful while knitting up a storm at www.bar-maids.com  Fair shipping practices, cruelty free, and fast turn around times are just icing on the cake.

Lisa Souza has a brand new lace yarn for your pleasure. Grace is a beautiful combination of 80% merino with 20% silk for just the right amount of sheen and handle. We have been putting the yarn through its paces and love the results, as will you. Grace is put up in 4 ounce/744 yard skeins and comes in at $24, which is a great price point, making for some serious stash enhancement for you or the other lace lovers in your circle. Now, which color to choose? Come by the website at www.lisaknit.com and just try to decide.

Purlescence Yarns is the Bay Area's destination yarn shop. From the best in spinning and weaving equipment to luxurious yarns and fibers, we have what you need to make your fibery dreams a reality. We're always happy to provide mail order service for Knitmore Girls listeners. Call us today, it'll be on its way!

On the Needles:( 0:32)

We will be taking an indefinite break starting on January 1st.  We will leave you with a list of podcasts to listen to.

Gigi is working on the Katriel in Cascade Venezia Sport, by Robin Ulrich, the designer of the Sothia. She has also started the Kleio, by Romi Hill.  Her Rocky Coast Cardigan has been swatched out of Cascade Ecological Wool.  She is also working on the Katje, a hooded, top down cardigan, by Coco Knits and is worried about running out of the Venezia Bulky.  The Odelia, by Cocoknits, out of Silk and Wool, by Tess Yarns,  is coming along nicely,

Jasmin is working on her Daybreak. She is also working on her Rocky Coast Cardigan.
She asked for creative input from voolenvine who suggested a garter stitch baby kimono, in a lovely red Skinny Bugga from The Sanguine Gryphon. Her mini blue streak cardigan is almost done.

Mother Knows Best: ( 25:31)

We answered a questions about:
- Blocking or weaving ends first, where to switch from one balls of yarn
- We NEVER use glue for knitting or sewing.
- Fraycheck for microfiber ribbon is a good idea though.
- How to sew in ends.  Joining pieces. 

We referenced Lucy Neatby, Kaffe Fassett, and mentioned Paula from the Knitting Pipeline Podcast.

When Knitting Attacks: (36:56)

Gigi needs to make notes of what project she is ordering yarn for, especially when it is a whole bag of Chunky Baby Alpaca.  Jasmin's stash is refusing to give up its secrets. She is sure she has a bag of navy blue Malabrigo, as well as some gray  Ceallach yarn which is also evading capture in her stash.

Review: (44:16)

This week we review Knit Local by Tanis Gray.

Straw Into Gold:( 51:57)

Jasmin thinks that having a minispinner would be handy.  She is spinning up the last bit of the fiber for the 10 year sweater.   She mentions a conflict over knitted items on True Blood.  She needs to take more breaks while she is spinning.

She answered a question about spinning airy worsted weight yarn, and discussed Cascade 220 vs the heavier Miro by Abstract fiber. She mentioned the Butter by Nadia dresses, which are heavy and feel expensive.  We also mention Haagen Dazs Ice cream.  Which relates to swatching and drape of knitted fabric.

We mention Jasmin's Fulling Yak video.

A beautiful day in the neighborhood - Episode 166 - The Knitmore Girls

Listen here:


This week's episode has been sponsored by:

Here at Abstract Fiber we've got some fabulous new colors including Summit, Lagoon, SOAR, The Gorge.  The next best thing to being at SOAR is our SOAR colorway, the color of Autumn leaves. Available now at abstractfiber.com .


Meet Lo-Lo by Bar-Maids, "The Hottest Natural Moisturizers in the Fiber World". Bar-Maids handcrafts head-to-toe moisturizers for people who wish to proactively protect, defend, and restore their skin to baby bottom soft. Bar-Maids uses only the finest local ingredients available creating non-greasy, non-sticky, non-flaky combinations that penetrate multiple layers of the skin working to soften and nourish.  Once applied, the moisturizer remains where you put it and is not washed down the drain.  With over 38 scents (that smell wonderful), and 8 lip balm flavors that taste yummy, it's hard to choose just one.  Find out how you can keep your hands moisturized and beautiful while knitting up a storm at www.bar-maids.com  Fair shipping practices, cruelty free, and fast turn around times are just icing on the cake.

Have you picked up your copy of Lisa Souza and Vicki Stiefel's book, "10 Secrets of the LaidBack Knitters"? It is a great read with stories, profiles of interesting fiber folk that you may or may not already know as well as 28 great patterns of all shapes and sizes for both knitting and crochet. If you're a seasoned spinner or a newbie, there is a chapter on this fiber art that includes patterns to show off your own handspun yarn. The book is available at all of the usual sources but if you purchase one through Lisa Souza's website, she will sign and personalize it just for you OR for the people on your holiday gift list. Find it a www.lisaknit.com.


Purlescence Yarns is the Bay Area's destination yarn shop. From the best in spinning and weaving equipment to luxurious yarns and fibers, we have what you need to make your fibery dreams a reality. We're always happy to provide mail order service for Knitmore Girls listeners. Call us today, it'll be on its way!

On the needles: ( 0:33)

We had lots of fun with Abby from the Knit Knit Cafe podcast. We went to Bobbin's Nest, Abby got a Schacht Sidekick,  and we caught a show at Rooster T. Feathers.  Gigi was smitten by Cascade Venizia Sport in Burnt Pumpkin and Espresso and is ready to start the Katriel by Robin Ulrich.

Gigi is working on the Celaeno shawl by Romi Hill, with matte beads. She has also started the Kleio, from The 7 Muses, by Romi Hill,  out of Jitterbug.  She picked some Cascade Eco for her Rocky Coast Cardigan from Coastal Knits.  Knit along!

Jasmin is working on the Daybreak out of Froebe Fiber in Midory Sour and Hurricane.  She finished her Rainbow  (Vanilla) socks.  She over-dyed some poison green Malabrigo and started her Rocky Coast cardigan

Mother Knows Best: (16:56)

We answered a question about overdyeing yarn and talked about dyeing safely and and overview of how to do it,  and how  she over dyed her Malabrigo, and she mentioned learning about art theory in Art Vista. 


When Knitting Attacks: (29:16)

Gigi is attacked by her Odelia.

Jasmin found herself attacked by lack of knitting while we were waiting at the comedy club.  She also was attacked by her Rocky Coast cardigan.

Review: (34:01)

Nicky Epstein's Signature Scarves, by Nicky Epstein.

Gigi is very excited about the exuberant scarves, which remind her of the fun clothing from the 70s and 80s. There are a lot of interesting techniques, some felting and lot of embellishing.  Funny, whimsical very artsy pieces.

Jasmin found the scarves to artsy, and suggested different techniques for a similar effect, and prefers more elegant scarves. Both of us like the scarf tying tutorials and the different fringe options. Thai Silk was mentioned for buying silk.

Straw into Gold: ( 44:08)

Gigi seems to have adopted a Louet Julia that needed a new home and is having a great time spinning on it.

Jasmin finished the last of her Crown Mountain Material Girl and finished her spinning for Andrew's sweater. We also worked on some Merino that was processed by Sherri from Morro Fleece Works.

Jazz hands - Episode 165 - The Knitmore Girls

Listen here:


This week's episode has been sponsored by:

Here at Abstract Fiber we've     got some fabulous new colors including Summit, Lagoon, SOAR, The Gorge.  The next best thing to being at SOAR is our SOAR colorway, the color of Autumn leaves. Available now at abstractfiber.com .


Meet Lo-Lo by Bar-Maids, "The Hottest Natural Moisturizers in the Fiber World". Bar-Maids handcrafts head-to-toe moisturizers for people who wish to proactively protect, defend, and restore their skin to baby bottom soft. Bar-Maids uses only the finest local ingredients available creating non-greasy, non-sticky, non-flaky combinations that penetrate multiple layers of the skin working to soften and nourish.  Once applied, the moisturizer remains where you put it and is not washed down the drain.  With over 38 scents (that smell wonderful), and 8 lip balm flavors that taste yummy, it's hard to choose just one.  Find out how you can keep your hands moisturized and beautiful while knitting up a storm at www.bar-maids.com  Fair shipping practices, cruelty free, and fast turn around times are just icing on the cake.

Lisa Souza has a brand new lace yarn for your pleasure. Grace is a beautiful combination of 80% merino with 20% silk for just the right amount of sheen and handle. We have been putting the yarn through its paces and love the results, as will you. Grace is put up in 4 ounce/744 yard skeins and comes in at $24, which is a great price point, making for some serious stash enhancement for you or the other lace lovers in your circle. Now, which color to choose? Come by the website at www.lisaknit.com and just try to decide.

Purlescence Yarns is the Bay Area's destination yarn shop. From the best in spinning and weaving equipment to luxurious yarns and fibers, we have what you need to make your fibery dreams a reality. We're always happy to provide mail order service for Knitmore Girls listeners. Call us today, it'll be on its way!

On the Needles: (0:33)

Gigi is working on yet another preemie hat, she has finished the knitting part of the Petra, but it still needs to be finished and photographed.  And she managed a few more rows on the Sothia.

Jasmin is working on her mini garter stitch cardigan for baby Sharkbean.  She is also working on a miniature version of the Mondo Cable Cardi out of Miro, by Abstract Fiber.  She has blocked the cardigan for Baby Logan, and is planning to do the grosgrain ribbon herself. Also, the baby Wrap Cardigan needs I-cord and two seams sewn.

 Last Thursday, Gigi went to Pacific International Quilt Fest, enjoyed looking at the quilts, but did not find any treasures she had to have. We also attended the wedding of Ms. Kalendar of the Brass Needles podcast and it was a splendid affair. Congratulate her here on her forum.

Mother Knows Best: ( 11:06)

We answered the question "Where do you find inspiration?" Some sources include:

• blogstalking
• Voolenvine's project page
• One on one enabling from friends (Gnat from the BarkNKnit Podcast).

Pinterest was discussed, Gigi heard about it from greentrianglegirl, host of the A Playful Day podcast. Gigi also gets inspired by tv and movies, quilt stores.  She was lamenting the missed opportunity to visit Brightex Farbics and Jasmin consoled her with the promise of a trip to Hart's Fabric in Santa Cruz.


When Knitting Attacks: (18:46)

Jasmin was nearly attacked by her knitting near 11pm,  but had the sense to put down her knitting and carefully back away from it, and so foiled the attack that would have been imminent.

Review: ( 22:38)

Coastal Knits by Alana Dacos and Hanna Fettig.  You can find the information on the blog tour here.  We had an e-copy to review.

The visual presentation is amazing, Jasmin wants to knit just about everything in the book and wanted to go rummage through her stash on the spot to pull yarn for all the projects she wants to start from this book.  Great range of sizes.  One of the sweaters reminded her of the Lucy sweater from Rachel Herron's How to Knit a Heart back Home.  Go run out and buy the book right now.

Straw into Gold: (34:51)

Jasmin is still working on spinning yarn for Andrew's sweater, and while it was fun to spin she is ready to start knitting.  Jasmin answered the question,"What do you do to become a better spinner?"

Without a paddle - Episode 164 - The Knitmore Girls

Listen here:
This week's episode has been sponsored by:

Here at Abstract Fiber we're busy getting ready for SOAR. We've got some fabulous new colors including Summit, Lagoon, SOAR, The Gorge.  The next best thing to being at SOAR is our SOAR colorway, the color of Autumn leaves. Available now at abstractfiber.com .


Meet Lo-Lo by Bar-Maids, "The Hottest Natural Moisturizers in the Fiber World." Bar-Maids handcrafts head-to-toe moisturizers for people who wish to proactively protect, defend, and restore their skin to baby bottom soft. Bar-Maids uses only the finest local ingredients available creating non-greasy, non-sticky, non-flaky combinations that penetrate multiple layers of the skin working to soften and nourish.  Once applied, the moisturizer remains where you put it and is not washed down the drain.  With over 38 scents (that smell wonderful), and 8 lip balm flavors that taste yummy, it's hard to choose just one.  Find out how you can keep your hands moisturized and beautiful while knitting up a storm at www.bar-maids.com  Fair shipping practices, cruelty free, and fast turn around times are just icing on the cake.


Here at Lisa Souza,there is an exciting and arty new garment in our pattern line-up. She has been dreamed up by The Queenie Sisters and her name is Eternity. This is a fabulous kimono style jacket that is made with two colors of our Polwarth/silk and is challenging enough for what the girls call an Enthusiastic Intermediate Knitter. The best part about Eternity, other than the fact that she is so very artsy is that she fits a very wide range of body types and is great for the full figure gal. Our sample has been made with Violet and South Pacific but I would be ever so glad to help your color vision at www.lisaknit.com

Purlescence Yarns is the Bay Area's destination yarn shop. From the best in spinning and weaving equipment to luxurious yarns and fibers, we have what you need to make your fibery dreams a reality. We're always happy to provide mail order service for Knitmore Girls listeners. Call us today, it'll be on its way!

Three Fates Yarns is getting ready for the fall with new bold, semi-solid colorways. Perfect for all of your fingering weight projects, eponymous sock is a two-ply, high twist superwash merino. Also, check out the new Selene Sock, the ultimate luxury sock yarn. You'll adore using this stunning combination of Blue Faced Leicester, Silk and Cashmere! Three Fates Yarns can be found at threefatesknitting.etsy.com.

On the Needles: (:33)

Jasmin is working on the Baby Wrap sweater, and only has the attached I cord edging to do to finish it.  Natalie, from the Bark n' Knit podcast sent Jasmin a link for a Garter Yoke baby cardigan that she has started out of leftover handspun.  She is also working on a Vanilla sock.

Gigi is working on the Petra by Coco Knits out of Dream in Color Groovy in the Purple Rain Colorway. With the help of her friend Janice, she finished weaving in ends on about 20 preemie hats. We also discuss the optimal way to deal with grosgrain ribbon and button holes.  She is also working on the Sothia, but it has slowed down.

Mother Knows Best: (22:35)

Jasmin's laptop  had issues, her hard drive was disintegrating, and she could not back it up. So back up your computer regularly.  We mentioned Chic Knits download policy.  She also had to look through her downloads from Interweave Knits Magazine .

Macservice fixed the laptop. 

When Knitting attacks: (29:07)

Gigi had a lot of knitting attacks.  The swatch for her Odelia lied and the garment turned out way to big.  She started knitting on her Celeano, without her beads and did the wrong increases, and then tried knitting without needles.  She also knit away on her Heathered Skirt from Veronique Avery's Knitting 24-7, without reading about the decreases.  Redo.  It needs to be lined eventually and that will necessitate a trip to Thai Silk, because wool is most compatible for laundering when paired with silk.

Jasmin spent a lot of time knitting while her computer was chewing information.  Her laptop is one of her important knitting tools.

Review: (40:59)

Successful Lace Knitting by Donna Druchunas.  We didn't care for it.

Straw into Gold:  (48:24)

Gigi is not spinning smoothly and is a bit frustrated.  Her yarn comes out over energized, she gets nervous and treadles faster, which makes for even more over spun yarn.  Jasmin's suggestion is to treadle every night without fiber.  We review the cormo top from Crown Mountain Farms.  The fiber was nice, extremely clean. Jasmin compares this cormo to the cormo roving from Sue Reuser, which is nice enough, but pricey for the quality.

Freaky Friday- Episode 163 - The Knitmore Girls

Listen here:


This week's episode has been sponsored by:

Here at Abstract Fiber we’re busy getting ready for SOAR. We’ve got some fabulous new colors including Summit, Lagoon, SOAR, The Gorge.  The next best thing to being at SOAR is our SOAR colorway, the color of Autumn leaves. Available now at abstractfiber.com .


Meet Lo-Lo by Bar-Maids, "The Hottest Natural Moisturizers in the Fiber World”. Bar-Maids handcrafts head-to-toe moisturizers for people who wish to proactively protect, defend, and restore their skin to baby bottom soft. Bar-Maids uses only the finest local ingredients available creating non-greasy, non-sticky, non-flaky combinations that penetrate multiple layers of the skin working to soften and nourish.  Once applied, the moisturizer remains where you put it and is not washed down the drain.  With over 38 scents (that smell wonderful), and 8 lip balm flavors that taste yummy, it's hard to choose just one.  Find out how you can keep your hands moisturized and beautiful while knitting up a storm at www.bar-maids.com  Fair shipping practices, cruelty free, and fast turn around times are just icing on the cake.


Have you been to the Forbidden City, Amazonia, Monte Verde or perhaps Sedona? Whether you have visited or long to go, you can knit with the colorways inspired by the great journeys that we call our Travelogue Series. Frothy Niagara or mysterious Styx will be perfect in the projects that call for something just a little MORE than a semi-solid. Try them in Polwarth/silk, cashmere or good old Blue Faced Leicester. Lisa Souza Knitwear & Dyeworks; find us at www.lisaknit.com.



Purlescence Yarns is the Bay Area's destination yarn shop. From the best in spinning and weaving equipment to luxurious yarns and fibers, we have what you need to make your fibery dreams a reality. We're always happy to provide mail order service for Knitmore Girls listeners. Call us today, it'll be on its way! 

On the needles:(00:35)

This week, Jasmin has started the Baby Wrap Sweater, a Church Mouse Design, out of Froebe Fibers, one of her treasures from Camp KIP, in Dandelion Wine and Blue Hawaiian. She is also working on the Polo Match cowl from Cowlgirls Knits in Punta Yarns.  She also has unearthed her Cassidy out of the UFO bin and is making good progress.

This week, Gigi has finished knitting the Ophidian, and is working on the Sothia, but all the garter stitch is getting to her.  She has started the Odelia by Cocoknits out of Tess Yarns Cultured Silk and Merino yarn in a dark gray.  Has also started the Celeano by Romi Hill   out of Cascade Heritage Silk in a cheerful apple green, and is using Superfloss to string the beads for this project.  Also, Gigi is sewing on the gros grain ribbon for Jasmin's Garter Yoke cardigan.


Mother Knows best:( 17:07)

Care and storage of handknits:   Wear something under your hand knits, so skin oils do not get onto the garment.  Air out items between wearings.  For between season storage make sure sweaters are washed, body oils attrack insects.

Gigi puts her hand knits in the washer on the hand wash cycle and uses a ph balanced shampoo.  Jasmin doesn't trust her washing machine with her hand knits and instead washes them by hand with Soak.  Then she puts them out on the patio onto Sweater Dryer racks.  Once the items are bone dry, she tosses them into the dryer for no more than ten minutes to firm up the knits.

For storage we quoted Paula, from Knitting Pipeline who hands her little shawlettes on hangers.  This works only for small items, because bigger knits tend to get stretched at the shoulders and get hanger bumps. Jasmin's knits live in drawers. Knits should not be kept in plastic bags, they need to be able to breathe.

For long term storage and moth prevention, we use cloves. The smell of cloves does not tend to bother people, whereas lavender sometimes bothers others.

When Knitting Attacks: (29:46)

Jasmin started the Baby Wrap Sweater twice.  She had started it out of some pinkish yarn and some pink and white and purple yarn, and even sitting in time out didn't make it more contrasting.

Review: (35:50)
Wishes and Stitchesby Rachel Herron, available 10/11/2011
The story is set in Cypress Hollow, like her previous books. This book also had a knitting pattern, this time designed by Romi Hill. It is a lace shawl. We like the book a lot and think that Rachel should write more books, fast, because we really like reading her stories.


Straw Into Gold: (44:32)
Gigi has started spinning again.  She is working on a braid of Corriedale. Jasmin is spinning some more for Andrew's sweater. Jasmin answers the question:  How to spin for a sweater without getting bored.  So she spins 1 oz at a time onto plastic bobbins.  She suggest to use a bobbin winder, either as a personal purchase or as an item for your local guild to purchase.  Living locally?  Rent time on the bobbin winder at Purlescence.