Book Talk starts at 27:50

 

Recorded on May 27, 2015

 

Come join us in the Cardi, Tank or Tee KAL/CAL!  You have until July 1 to complete your project. 

 

Barb recommends listening to Teaching Your Brain to Knit: Episode 16: Knitting and the Need for Novelty to find out more about why most of us have multiple projects on the needles at any one time and why we feel the need to switch projects.

 

Tracie will be attending Spinning at the Winery June 6, 2015 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

 

KNITTING

 

Barb has finished:

Her Alder Wrap by Kaffe Fassett using 12 colors of Rowan Kidsilk Haze.

 

Her Featherweight Cardigan by Hannah Fettig, using Must Stash Yarns Helluva Skein in the Pau'ole colorway.

Mother Bear #53

 

Tracie has finished her spinning her Redfish Dyeworks Fiber that she has had on the spindle for 2 years!

 

Barb is currently working on:

The Radiance Shawl by Helen Stewart, using Highland Handmades Mountain Laurel Lace in the White Brook colorway.

Crackerjack Cowl by Stacy Simpson Duke, using 4 colors of Plymouth Yarn DK Merino Superwash.

Yowza Weigh-It Shawl #1 by Susan B. Anderson, using 1 skein of Miss Babs Yowza - Whatta Skein! in the Believable color way.

Vanilla Socks using Undead Yarns Vamphyri in the Autism Awareness colorway.

 

Barb has frogged the Vesper Tee.

 

Tracie is currently working on:

Pause by Norah Gaughan, using Berroco Mixer.

The Gilda scarf by Twisted Sisters, using Fiesta Yarns Linnette in the Clematis colorway.  She had to order more beads for this project and was very impressed with the customer service at Bead Biz!

Vanilla socks using Lisa Souza Dyeworks Deluxe Socks in the Flahrida color way.

The Soubrette cardigan by Mary Annarella, using Madelinetosh Lace in the Georgia O'Keefe colorway.

Vanilla Socks for Will using Berroco Sox.

The Wanda Estelle poncho using Kollage Yarns Fantastic.

 

Barb has cast-on:

The Woodfords cardigan by Elizabeth Doherty, using Cascade Yarns Heritage Sock in a camel colorway.

A Woobie Monkey by Kris Carlson, using Knit Picks Brava Sport in both brown and white colorways.

 

 

Tracie talked about a very special project that she is currently knitting for her friend Sacha Laurin's Kombucha Couture Collection, which she will be debuting at Paris Fashion Week this coming fall.  You can contribute to her Indiegogo campaign here.

 

BOOKS

 

Barb has finished:

The Slap by Christos Tsiolkas.  Barb does NOT recommend this book, unless you enjoy in-depth descriptions of male genetalia in your in-the-bedroom scenes.

Unintended Consequences by Marti Green - Barb recommends this as a good solid mystery read.

The Borden Tragedy: A Memoir of the Infamous Double Murder at Falls River, Mass  by Rick Geary - this was Barb's first graphic novel and she enjoyed it!

 

 

 

Tracie has finished:

King Dork Approximately by Frank Portman - Tracie recommends the first book in this series, King Dork over this one.

Dark Rooms by Lili Anolik - Tracie does NOT recommend this book.  Don't believe the hype.

And Then She Was Gone by Rosalind Noonan - Tracie felt this story was obviously based on the Jaycee Dugard case.

The Wives of Los Alamos by TaraShea Nexbit - Tracie recommends this book as a glimpse into a little-known portion of American history.

 

 

The Spellman Files by Lisa Lutz - Tracie recommends it!

Isabel Spellman's Guide to Etiquette: What is Wrong with you People? by Lisa Lutz - more of a short story...

 

Barb is currently reading:

Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen through the Craftlit Podcast.

The Joy of Less, A Minimalist Living Guide: How to DeClutter, Organize and Complify Your Life by Francine Joy

Dead Wake: The Last Crossing of the Lusitania by Eric Larson

Second Glance by Jodi Piccolt

 

 

Tracie is currently reading:

Someone You Know: Part Three by Brian McGilloway

 

 

The Winter People by Jennifer McMahon

Book Talk starts at 51:20

 

Recorded on May 13, 2015

 

Come join the Cardi/Tank or Tee KAL/CAL!  Knit any cardigan, tank or tee (adult or child size) between May 1 - July 1.  If you have a project less than 50% done on May 1st, that will work too.  See the FO thread for the prizes we have so far.

 

Win a pattern of your choice by Debbi Stone!  Go to the contest thread on our Ravelry group and tell us which pattern you would like to win.  We will pick the winner when we podcast Episode 92

 

Barb talked about and recommended 2 audio podcasts:

1.  ACTUally KNITting podcast, hosted by ACTually KNITting (Michelle)

2.  Teaching Your Brain to Knit, hosted by Margaret924 (Margaret) and MagicWombat (Catherine)

 

 

Tracie talked about The Yarnit.  She and Barb both have one and really like this tool.

 

Events:

Tracie will be attending Spinning at the Winery, AKA Food, Fleeces and Fun! at the Retzlaff Winery in Livermore, CA. on June 6, 10 - 4 pm.

 

Barb will be going on a motorhome trip up through Oregon, Washington, British Columbia, Yukon Territory and Alaska.  She will be leaving 5/25 and will be gone about 6 weeks.  She would love to meet up with anyone along the way - PM her on Ravelry!

 

 

Tracie talked about how much she is enjoying her bag from the Etsy shop, Silver Shed USA.  Note the clear pocket in the front; it's an add-on you can custom pick at the time you order!

 

 

KNITTING

 

Tracie has finished:

 

 

Twigs and Willows Mitts by Alana Dakos, usiang Unwind Yarn Company Twinkle Sock in the Labordite colorway.

 

Tracie has Cast-On:

The Gilda scarf, using Fiesta Yarns Linnette in the Clematis colorway.

 

Tracie has frogged the Skew Socks by Lana Holden...she's just not feelin' it right now.  She is re-purposing the Lisa Souza Dyeworks Delux Sock in a vanilla sock right now.

 

Tracie is continuing to work on:

* Red Fish Dyeworks fiber on her spindle

* The Soubrette cardigan. using Madelinietosh Lace in the Georgia O'Keefe colorway.

* The Wanda Estelle poncho, using Kollage Yarns Fantastic in the Slate Green colorway.

* Vanilla Socks for Will, using Berroco Sox.

 

Barb has finished:

 

 

* A pair of Vanilla Socks, using Zwerger Garn Opal Schafpate  in the 8120 colorway.

* A Multidirectional Diagonal Scarf by Karen Baumer using Plymouth Yarn Gina in colorway 15.

 

 

Barb has Cast-On:

* A pair of Vanilla socks using Undead Yarn fingering weight in the Autism Awareness colorway.

* The Vesper tee by Heidi Kirrmaier, using Berroco Weekend DK in the 2972 (raspberry) colorway.

 

                                                                                                               

 

Barb is continuing to work on:

 

* The Crackerjack Cowl by Stacy Simpson Duke, using 4 colors (orange, black, grey and white) of Plymouth Yarn DK Merino Superwash.  It is happily living in her SF Giants project bag, made by Front Range Bags!

* The Alder Wrap by Kaffe Fassett, using 12 colors of  Rowan Kidsilk Haze.

* The Radiance Shawl by Helen Stewart, using Highland Handmades Mountain Laurel Lace in the White Brook colorway.

* The Featherweight Cardigan by Hannah Fettig, using Must Stash Yarns Helluva Skein in the Pauo'le colorway.

* The original Yowza Weigh-It Shawl by Susan B. Anderson, using Miss Babs Yowza- Whatta Skein in the Believable colorway.

 

 

 

 

Barb and Tracie discussed the recently- released scarf pattern, Last Frost by designer Julia Trice.  They both want to knit this gorgeous pattern!

 

 

MAGAZINE REVIEW

 

Cooperative Press sent Barb and Tracie digital copies of Knit Edge Magazine, Issue 7 to review.  Both of them found many quality articles and several favorite patterns in this issue.

 

You can win a digital copy of this issue - go over to the Ravelry thread and answer the question to be entered.  This contest will end when Episode 92 is recorded.

 

BOOKS

 

Tracie has finished:

*  Me Again by Keith Cronin.  She recommends this book.

*  Wreckage by Emily Bleeker.  She does NOT recommend this book.

 

 

Tracie is currently reading"

* King Dork Approximately by Frank Portman

* Dark Rooms by Lili Anolik

 

Barb has finished:

* As Far As You Can Go by Lesley Glaister.  She doesn't recommend this book.

* The Killer Next Door by Alex Marwood.  She recommends this book.

 

Barb is currently reading:

* Jurassic Park by Michael Crighton.  She is competely enjoying this book!

* Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen

* The Joy of Less, a Minimalist Living Guide: How to DeClutter, Organize and Simplify Your Life by Francine Joy

* The Slap by Christos Tsiolkas

 

 

Book Talk starts at 37:20

Recorded on April 29, 2015

 

Our Alana-Along is a wrap (or a sweater or a pair of mitts…)  If you entered, stay tuned till the end of the podcast to find out if you won a prize!  Thanks to all who participated

 

Our new KAL has begun - the Cardi, Tank or Tee-Along will run May 1-July 1

 

Robin Wiest raised $1489 for Autism Speaks  with her Sprig of Hope pattern, and she helped her LYS, Twist Knitting and Spinning, raise over $5000 at  their Third Annual Sheep to Shawl Benefit for Autism Speaks.  Congratulations and many kudos to them all!

 

Click for Kiley – Kiley is a high school senior doing a project collecting hats for the Click for Babies project to help inform new parents about crying and Shaken Baby Syndrome.  If you’d like to help by making a purple baby hat, visit Kiley’s Ravelry page for details.

 

Tracie will be at:

Fleeces, Food & Fun – Retzlaff Winery in Livermore California - June 6, 10-4pm

 

Barb finished:

1 Ear Bud Pouch by Mary Keenen – and she’s planning to make another!

3 newborn hats for the Click for Kiley project  Three Textured Baby Hats by Heather Tucker

 

Tracie finished

1 Knitted Knocker (for a total of four, which she turned in at NoCKRs)

and

the Sprig of Hope shawl by Robin Wiest

 

Barb worked on:

Alder Wrap by Kaffe Fassett using many different colors of Rowan Kidsilk Haze.

Radiance Shawl by Helen Stewart using Highland Handmades Mountain Laurel Lace in the White Brook colorway. 

Featherweight Cardigan by Hannah Fettig using Must Stash Yarns Helluva Skein in the Pauo’le colorway

Vanilla Socks using Opal Shafpate in the 8120 colorway

Crackerjack Cowl by Stacy Simpson Duke – using Plymouth Select Merino DK in orange, black, white and gray.

Multidirectional Diagonal Scarf by Karen Baumer, Using Plymouth Gina in colorway 15

Yowza Weigh-it Shawl #1 by Susan B. Anderson, using Miss Babs Yowza in the Believable colorway.

 

Tracie worked on:

Soubrette by Mary Annarella/madelinetosh lace (discontinued) in Georgia O’Keeffe.  Coming along…

 

Wanda Estelle by Debbi Stone/Kollage Yarns Fantastic in Slate Green

 

Twigs & Willows Mitts by Alana Dakos/Unwind Yarn Company Twinkle Sock in Laboradite.  One done!

 

And cast-on:

Vanilla Socks with the Fish Lips Kiss Heel/Berocco Sox in colorway 1494

 

Barb highly recommends

The Orphan Masters’ Son by Adam Johnston

and

A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Houseini

 

And found okay reads in

Aftershock: A Thriller by Andrew Vachss

His Other Life by Beth Thomas

 

She is currently reading:

Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen

As Far As You Can Go by Lesley Gaister

The Killer Next Door by Alex Marwood

 

Tracie Did Not Finish

Jumping In Mud Puddles: A Memoir of a Hyper, Picky Big Fat Liar by Vickie Mendenhall

 

She recommends

Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock by Matthew Quick.  The audiobook has excellent narration by Noah Galvin

 

She did not care for

The Carrier by Sophie Hannah (but if you’d like to read one of Hannah’s good thrillers, check out Hurting Distance, The Other Half Lives, or Kind of Cruel

 

And she found solid reads in

Lady Fortescue Steps Out by Marion Chesney.  First of the Poor Relations

series

 

Family Blood: The True Story of the Yom Kippur Murders: One Family’s Greed, Love & Rage by Marvin J. Wolf

 

She is currently listening to

King Dork Approximately by Frank Portman