Book Talk starts at 38:27

 

This episode was recorded on December 19, 2014.

 

The Sweater KAL is ongoing!  Get your sweaters finished and post your FO picture here to be eligible to win one of three great prize packages.

 

Our Next KAL – the Alana-Along!  You can knit any accessory or garment pattern by Alana Dakos of Never Not Knitting, starting February 1, 2015 and finishing by April 1 (we may extend the deadline if we have lots of people knitting sweaters).  You can knit multiple NNK designs, but we will be allowing only one entry per knitter for this KAL.  Start thinking about what you’d like to make, and gathering your materials!

Barb recommends the Stitch Party Podcast (audio), with host flyingmuse.

She also recommends the video podcast The Knitting Den with Denise.

Events:

Barb will be attending the South Bay Knitting Retreat January 2-4, 2015 in San Juan Bautista.

Stitches West 2015, in Santa Clara California February 19 - 22, 2015.

The Northern California Knitting Retreat, in San Juan Bautista, California April 17 - 19, 2015.  We still have 1 spot open!  Email Tracie at 2knitlitchicks@gmail.com for a registration form.

 

For those of you attending The Northern California Knitting Retreat, please join the NorCal Knitting Retreat Ravelry Group to stay up-to-date on all the information.

 

KNITTING

 

Barb has finished:

 

• The Eilonwy Cardigan by Carol Feller, using Berroco Weekend DK in a light blue and a pink color way.
• Another Irish Hiking Scarf, using Plymouth Yarn Encore Tweed in the Hunter colorway.
• Rivercat Socks by Brenda Patipa, using KnitFit Knitting Jazzy in the Blue Sea colorway.
• Moira's Legwarmers by Lisa Beth Couchins using Cascade 220 Superwash in a blue-green color way

 

Tracie has finished:

• Two pair of socks, using the Fish Lips Kiss Heel by Sox Therapist for both.  One was for a friend, and used Color Notes Claremont Sock in the Green Stone colorway.  The other was for Tracie's niece and used Knit Picks Stroll Glimmer in the Runway colorway.

• a set of 4 Garter Coaster Beer Cozies by Jessica Landers in Knitting Rose Yarns Blossom Sock in the Girl on Fire colorway and Knit Picks Chroma in Grey, both leftover from other projects, with help from

                Subversive Socks from Cooperative Press

                Fornicating Deer Chart by Ann Rutten

                And The Horse You Rode In On fingerless mittens by Karin Aida

                Beer Lovers’ Mitts by Natalia Moreva

 

 

• Fast and Easy Fingerless Mitts by Lisa Beamer, using Baa! Sonoma in the Sapphire and Mystique colorways.

 

Tracie is currently working on:

• Panel Jacket by Carol Lapin in Berocco Vintage and Tess Designer Yarns Superwash Merino
• Canyonlands Shawl by verybusymonkey, using Blue Heron Rayon Metallic in the Deep Blue Sea colorway.

 

Tracie has cast on:

• Alewives Cowl by Elizabeth Doherty, using Blue Heron Cotton Rayon Flax Metallic in the Sage colorway.
• Tracie is swatching for the Victoria Cardigan by Lori Versace, using Ella Rae Silkience in a brown colorway.

Brenda Castiel's Hanging Gauge Swatch tutorial 

 

Book Talk starts at 48:00

Our Next KAL – the Alana-Along!  You can knit any accessory or garment pattern by Alana Dakos of Never Not Knitting, starting February 1, 2015 and finishing by April 1 (we may extend the deadline if we have lots of people knitting sweaters).  You can knit multiple NNK designs, but we will be allowing only one entry per knitter for this KAL.  Start thinking about what you’d like to make, and gathering your materials!

 

Can’t get enough of the Serial podcast?  Check out Slate’s Serial Spoilers Specials – a podcast about a podcast!

 

The Yarnit – coming soon to the Leading Men Fiber Arts store

 

Barb has finished

·      The Irish Hiking Scarf by Adrian Bizilla using Cascade 220 worsted in a dark gray colorway

·      Malabrigo Hand Thingies by Anne Sahakian, using leftover Malabrigo Rios in the lotus colorway – a free pattern on Ravelry.  Theses were supposed to be for her granddaughter Rachel, but they came out very small so she gave them to her manicurist instead.

·      Fast & Easy Fingerless Mitts by Lisa Beamer, using Malabrigo Rios in the Lotus colorway –a free pattern on Ravelry.  These are for Rachel, but Barb likes them so much that she plans to make a pair for herself!

·      A Raspberry hat, using the 0-966 Sweet Pumpkin by DROPS design

 

Tracie has finished her Shalom Cardigan by Meghan McFarlane, made from Araucania Tepa in the 1788 colorway.  It fit perfectly, but then it grew!  So she will have to frog and reknit it in the original small/medium size.

 

Barb cast on a pair of socks using Fishknits MCN Opulence in the Weathered colorway.

 

She continues to work on:

·      Rivercat Socks by Brenda Patipa in some really old yarn that I won at the first CFR I went to – Knit Fit Knitting Jazzy in a Sea Blue colorway.

·      CustomFit Featherweight Cardigan by Hannah Fettig, using Must Stash Yarns Helluva Skein (750 – 822 yards) light fingering in the Pauo’le colorway.

·      Jet Set Cowl by Paulina Popiolek using Miss Babs Yummy 2-ply in the Deep Sea Jellyfish colorway. 

·      Eilonwy Junior by Carol Feller using Berroco Weekend DK in 2 colors – a light blue and a pink.  $5.95 download on Rav.

 

Tracie has cast on:

Two pairs of socks, using Fish Lips Kiss Heel by Sox Therapist for both

For her friend Sue’s birthday, in Color Notes Claremont Sock in the Green stone colorway.  One sock done!

For niece Lexi, who requested a pair of pink sparkly socks, in Knit Picks Stroll Glimmer in the  Runway colorway.  One sock almost done.

 

Alewives Cowl by Elizabeth Doherty in Ella Rae Silkience in brown

 

She continues to work on:

For her brother-in-law’s Christmas gift, a set of 4 Garter Coaster Beer Cozies by Jessica Landers with help from

Subversive Socks from Cooperative Press

Fornicating Deer Chart by Ann Rutten

And The Horse You Rode In On fingerless mittens by Karin Aida

Beer Lovers’ Mitts by Natalia Moreva

She is using Knitting Rose Yarns Blossom Sock in the Girl on Fire colorway and Knit Picks Chroma in Grey, both leftover from other projects.  Three of four beer cozies completed!

and

Canyonlands Shawl by verybusymonkey/Blue Heron Rayon Metallic in the Deep Blue Sea colorway

 

Knitvent 2014 by Helen Stewart

4 patterns in the ebook, available on Ravelry for 9.80 GBP (about $15). 

Enter to win a copy here

 

Tracie liked

The Position by Meg Wolitzer

and

The Good Nurse: A True Story of Medicine, Madness or Murder by  Charles Graber

but did not finish

Dorothy Must Die by Danielle Paige

 

She is currently listening to

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain

and reading

What Matters In Jane Austen?  Twenty Crucial Puzzles Solved by John Mullan

 

Barb highly recommends In the Garden of Beasts by Erik Larson

 

She has finished

Reconstructing Amelia by Kimberly McCrieght

The Harrowing by Alexandra Sokoloff

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

 

She is currently reading

Herland by Charlotte Perkins Gilman

The Last Life by Claire Messud

A Life in Stitches:  Knitting My Way through Love, Loss, and Laughter by Rachael Herron

Apple Tree Yard by Louise Doughty

Book Talk starts at 36:45

 

This episode was recorded on November 20, 2014

 

Barb and Tracie were guests on the Yarn Thing with Marly Bird podcast on November 20th.

 

Our Sweater KAL/CAL is ongoing until January 15, 2015.  We currently have over 30 sweaters completely in our Sweater KAL FO thread.  Come on in and join us!

 

Thank you for your iTunes Reviews!

 

Win an autographed copy of The Bone Clocks by David Mitchell.  Enter to win via this thread on our Ravelry Forum.  Contest ends on December 1st.  Thank you to JanaNav for this donated prize!

 

Win this project bag, generously donated by Daisy50 of the Art Institchtute of Chicago etsy shop.  Be sure to check out her shop now for her Halloween/ Day of the Dead project bag sale!

 

Go to our blog to enter.  This contest will end on December 1, 2014.

 

 

 

 

Barb recommends 3 podcasts:

1.  The Minerva Turkey video podcast, hosted by minervaturkey (Shannon).  Available on YouTube and iTunes

2.  The Two Ewes Fiber Adventures audio podcast, hosted by 1hundredprojects (Kelly) and mfuesel (Marsha).

3.  The Serial Podcast.

 

Events:

Barb and Tracie will be attending:

Stitches West 2015, in Santa Clara California February 19 - 22, 2015.

The Northern California Knitting Retreat, in San Juan Bautista, California April 17 - 19, 2015.  We still have 1 spot open!  Email Tracie at 2knitlitchicks@gmail.com for a registration form.

 

KNITTING

 

 

Barb has finished:

1.  Woobie Giraffe #2, using different colors of Knit Picks Brava Sport in various colors.  This pattern is from the Woobie Pattern Collection, Series 1 by Kris Carlson.

 

2.  Brooke's Column of Leaves scarf by Brooke Nelson, using Cascade 220 Worsted in the Mystic Purple colorway.

 

3.  Bootstrap Socks by Lara Neel (from the Sock Architecture book) using GnomeAcres House Gnome in the Betelgeuse colorway.  Barb does not recommend using such a highly variegated yarn for this pattern as it doesn't let the pattern shine...

 

 

 

 

 

Tracie has finished:

 

1.  Her 2nd Ethan the Aviator hat, by Gabrielle Danskknit using Cascade Yarns Bentley.  How cute is baby Dominic in this hat?!!

 

2.  Cleito by Susan Mills, using Mirasol Yarns Ilaris in a plum color way, and Nashua Handkints Creative Focus Cotton DK in a yellow colorway.

 

3.  The Doodie hat by Woolly Wormed using Ella Pompe in a pink colorway.

 

4.  Opposite socks (Tracie's own pattern) using Anzula Nebula in the Kale colorway and Unwind Yarn Company Twinkle Sock in Laborite.  It took Tracie less than 2 weeks to knit up these socks!

 

5.  Basic Peanut Body by Rebecca Danger (from 50 Yards of Fun by Rebecca Danger.

 

Barb is working on:

1.  Rivercat Socks by Brenda Patipa, using Knit Fit Knitting Jazzy in the Sea Blue Colorway

2.  CustomFit Featherweight Cardigan by Hannah Fetig, using Must Stash Yarn Helluva Skein in the Pauo'le colorway.

 

Barb has cast-on:

1.  Jet Set Cowl by Paulina Popiolek, using Miss Babs Yummy 2-ply in the Deep Sea Jellyfish colorway.

2. Eilonwy Junior cardigan by Carol Feller, using Berroco Weekend DK in a light blue and a pink colorway.

3.  Irish Hiking Scarf by Adrian Bizilla, using Cascade 220 Worsted in a dark gray colorway.

 

Tracie is working on:

1.  Shalom Cardigan by Meghan McFarlane, using Araucania Tepa in the 1788 colorway.

2.  Canyonlands Shawl by verybusymonkey, using Blue Heron Rayon Mettalic in the Deep Blue Sea colorway.

 

Tracie has cast-on:

1.  A set of 4 or 6 cozies using the  Garter Coaster Beer Cozy pattern by Jessica Landers for her BIL.  She is color working rude sayings onto the cozies with help from:

     *  Subversive Socks from Cooperative Press

     *  Fornicating Deer Chart by Ann Rutten

     *  And the Horse You Rode in on by Karin Aida

     *  Beer Lovers' Mitts by Natalia Moreva

All using leftover yarns!

 

BOOKS

 

Barb has finished:

1.  Don't Look Now: and Other Stories by Daphne du Maurier - Barb recommends this short story collection.

2.  Night Film by Marisha Pessl - Barb recommends this book with reservations - don't expect a horror story...

 

 

Tracie has finished:

1.  Bitch in a Bonnet: Reclaiming Jane Austen From the Stiffs, the Snobs, the Simps and the Saps, Volume 2 by Robert Rodi - Tracie recommends this for any reader who is a Jane Austen enthusiast!

2.  The Weight of Blood by Laura McHugh - Tracie recommends this book

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tracie and Barb have both finished and enthusiastically recommend:  The House We Grew Up In by Lisa Jewell.  Two THUMBS UP!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Barb is currently reading:

1.  Reconstructing Amelia by Kimberly McCreight

2.  In the Garden of Beasts: Love, Terror, and an American Family in Hitler's Berlin by Erik Larson

 

 

 

 

 

Tracie is currently reading:

1.  The Position by Meg Wolitzer

2.  Dorothy Must Die by Danielle Paige

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Book Talk begins at 35:05

 

Recorded on October 27, 2014

 

Our Sweater KAL/CAL is ongoing until January 15, 2015.  Information can be found here.  You can post pictures of your finished sweater here.

 

Lambtown vendors that were mentioned:

Invictus Yarns

Fishknits

DurenDyeWorks

 

Barb and Tracie have been asked to be on The Yarn Thing Podcast with Marly Bird on November 20, 2014.  If you listen live (9 am Mountain Time 11/20/14) you can participate in a live give-away!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

New Contest!  We are giving away a signed copy of the book, The Bone Clocks by David Mitchell.  Please go to our Ravelry Group and answer the question in the contest thread. 

 

Thank you to JanaNav for donating this book to the podcast!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Barb recommends the video podcast Undead Yarn with KnittyGirl (Heidi).

Barb also recommends the audio podcast Kitchen Stitches, with Someryarns (Somer).

 

Upcoming Events:

Stitches West, February19 - 22, 2015 in Santa Clara, CA.  We will be hosting an informal meetup in the Lobby Bar, on Saturday, February 21 from 2-5 p.m.  Come join us if you can!

Northern California Knitting Retreat (NoCKrs), April 17 - 19, 2015 in San Juan Bautista, CA.

 

KNITTING

 

Tracie has finished:

 

Ethan the Aviator hat by Gabrielle Danskknit, using Cascade Bentley yarn

 

Mystik Spiral Socks by Josh Ryks, using Invictus Yarns Master of My Feet in the Aradia Self-Striping colorway.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Barb has finished:

 

 

 

The Hitofude cardigan by Hiroku Fukatsu, using Madelinetosh Tosh Merino Light in the Jasper colorway.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tracie has Cast-On:

 

 

 

 

The Doodie hat by Woolly Wormhead, using Ella Rae Pompe in the pink color way.  Check out this yarn - it's pretty wild!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tracie continues to work on:

The Shalom Cardigan by Medgan McFarlan, using araucania Tepa in the 1788 colorway.

Canyonlands Shawl by verybusymonkey, using Blue Heron Rayon Metallic in the Deep Blue Sea colorway.

The Cleito by Susan Mills, using Nashua Handknits Creative Focus Cotton DK in yellow, and Mirasol Yan Illaris in 111 (plum).  She is happy to report that this project is almost done!

 

Barb has Cast-On:

 

Rivercat Socks by Brenda Patipa, using VERY OLD STASH yarn, Knit Fit Knitting Jazzy in the Sea Blue colorway.

The Featherweight Cardigan by Hannah Fettig, which is now available using Amy Herzog's CustomFit program!  She is using Must Stash yarns Helluva Skein in the Pauo'le colorway.

 

Barb is continuing to work on:

Brooke's Column of Leaves Scarf by Brooke Nelson, using Cascade 220 Worsted in the Mystic Purple colorway.

Bootstrap Socks by Lara Neel (from the Sock Architecture book), using GnomeAcres House Gnome in the Betelguise colorway.

 

BOOKS

 

Barb mentions the discussion on book groups on the  Books on the Nightstand podcast, Episode 301.

 

Tracie has finished:

 

 

600 Hours of Edward by Craig Lancaster - she gives it an enthusiastic thumbs up!

 

The Birth Order Book: Why You Are the Way You Are by Kevin Lehman

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Barb has finished:

 

The Minor Adjustment Beauty Salon by Alexander McCall Smith

 

He's Gone by Deb Caletti

 

North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tracie has given up on, and will not finish These Things Hidden by Heather Dudenkauf

 

Tracie is currently reading:

Bitch in a Bonnet: Recaliming Jane Austen From the Stiffs, the Snobs, the Simps and the Saps, Volume 2 by Robert Rodi

 

Barb and Tracie are both currently reading:

 

The House We Grew Up In by Lisa Jewell and are both really enjoying it!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Barb is currently reading:

Don't Look Now and Other Stories by Daphne du Maurier

Night Film by Marisha Pessl

 

Tracie would like your help in figuring out some kind of a knit gift for her brother-in law.  It must be 1. Obnoxious and/or sarcastic, and 2.  quick to knit!

Book Talk begins at 25:42

 

 

 

Book Talk starts at 33:55

 

This episode was recorded on September 30, 2014.

 

The Northern California Knitting Retreat (NoCKRs!) will be held April 17 - 19, 2015 in San Juan Bautista, CA.  If you are interested in attending, please go here for all the information.

 

Our Mother Bear KAL/CAL is over and all the prizes have been claimed.

 

 

Our Sweater KAL/CAL is continuing until January 15, 2015, so get busy!  Please check out the chatter thread for all the information you need to participate.

 

 

 

 

 

The winner of the Hallowe'en project bag from the Art Institchtute etsy shop is announced at the end of this podcast.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You have until October 15th to enter the drawing for the ebook Sock Architecture by Lara Neel.  Go here to enter.

 

Barb highly recommends the Badass Survivors Podcast hosted by Melanie.  This is a podcast about dealing with breast cancer.  Melanie hopes to make it a gathering place for women with breast cancer, survivors of the disease, and those with loved ones going through the process.   Check out Melanie's blog for more information on dealing with breast cancer.  Warning:  Language!

 

Upcoming events:

Lambtown - October 4 & 5, 2015 in Dixon, CA.

The CogKNITive Fiber Retreat in Tehachapi, CA, October 11.

Stitches West in Santa Clara, CA, February 19-22, 2015.

 

KNITTING

 

Barb has finished:

Mother Bear #49

 

Rose Garden Shawl by Vera Sanon, using Cascade Yarn Ultra Pima in a teal colorway

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tracie has finished:

Mother Bear #49

Impunity Hat by Amana Schwabe, using Gnome Acres House Gnome in the Hulk Smash color way.

 

Barb has cast on:

Brooke's Column of Leaves scarf by Brooke Nelson, using Cascade Yarns 220 Worsted in the Mystic Purple color way.

 

Barb is continuing to knit:

The Hitofude cardigan by Hiroku Fakatsu, using Madelinietosh Tosh Merino Light in the Jasper colorway.

Mini-Landing Cardi by Vera Sanon, using Knit Picks Stroll Tonal in the Summer Blooms colorway.

Upstairs/Downstairs: A Cowl in Three Sizes by Paula Emons-Fuseli, using Dizzy Blonde Studios Dirty Blonde DK in the Nichole colorway.

Mystik Spiral Socks by Josh Ryks, using Desert Vista Dyeworks Viso in the Dia de los Muertos colorway.

 

Tracie has cast on:

Canyonlands Shawl by verybusymonkey using Blue Heron Rayon Metallic in the Deep Blue Sea colorway.

The Propeller hat by Woolly Wormhead, using The Yarns of Rhichard Devrieze 100% Merino Worsted Superwash in the Kimberley colorway.

 

Tracie is still working on:

A second Vitamin D cardigan by Heidi Kirrmaier, using Knitting Rose Blossom Sock in the Girl on Fire colorway.

Mystik Spiral Socks by Josh Ryks, using Invictus Yarns Master of My Feet in the Aradia Self-striping colorway.

 

BOOKS

 

Barb has finished:

A Place at the Table by Susan Rebecca White

 

 

 

The Qualities of Wood by Mary Vensel White

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tracie has finished:

Reality Boy by A.S. King

Life After Life by Kate Atkinson

 

 

 

 

 

Apple Tree Yard by Louise Doughty

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Barb is currently reading:

North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell

Don't Look Now and Other Stories by Daphne du Maurier

 

 

 

 

Stoner by John Edward Williams

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tracie is currently reading:

 

 

The Birth Order Book: Why You are the Way You Are by Kevin Lehman

 

Tracie also mentions the Stuff Mom Never Told You Episode, Middle Child Syndrome

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Choir of Ill Children by Tom Piccirilli

The Shining by Stephen King

 

Tracie mentions the website IMDB for all things trivia related to The Shining film.  She also recommends Room 237, an exploration of various interpretations of the movie, The Shining.

 

Barb mentions the current IRS Phone Scam.  Please go here to the IRS page on how to deal with these pervasive phone scams.

Book Talk Starts at 41:20

 

OUR BIG NEWS! The Northern California Knitting Retreat will take place Friday, April 17 through Sunday, April 19, 2015 at the St. Francis Retreat Center in San Juan Bautista, California. The retreat is organized by a committee of friends brought together by their love of fiber craft and knitting from Northern California and by The 2 Knit Lit Chicks and The Yarniacs podcasts.

 

Cost of the retreat is $265 per person.  This includes sleeping accommodations in a double (shared) room for the nights of Friday, April 17 and Saturday, April 18, six meals, and use of common rooms and facilities.  Please note that all rooms are shared.  Special dietary needs can be accommodated.

 

SPACE IS LIMITED, and it is our desire to make things as fair as is humanly possible.   If you would like to attend:

 

Email Tracie Bezerra at 2knitlitchicks@gmail.com to obtain the application. 

 

Mail the application with your payment beginning October 15, 2015.  Please note: No applications with a postmark date before October 15, 2015 will be accepted.

 

If you would like to attend and room with a friend, please send your applications and payments together in one envelope.  No more than two applications per envelope, please.

 

If more applications are received than retreat spaces are available, attendees will be chosen by lottery.  If your application is not chosen in the lottery, you will have the option to either be placed on a waiting list or have your check shredded.  We will hold the checks sent by those on the waiting list until it is determined whether they have a space at the retreat.

 

Our Sweater KAL/CAL has begun!  It will run from September 15 to January 15, and it must be an adult-sized sweater with some kind of sleeves to qualify for the prize drawing.  If you’ve never knit a sweater before, this is the time to give it a try!  We will have a list of some patterns that would work well for beginners on our Sweater KAL Chat thread.

 

Daisy, who sells everything from cool fabric to vintage ties to wonderful project bags in her Artinstitchtute etsy shop, will be sending this Alexander Henry fabric project bag (a $32 value) to one lucky winner!  Go over to our Ravelry group to enter to win.  And take a look at Daisy's shop; you can get a 20% discount using the coupon code endofsummer2014.

 

Mean Girls Yarn Club from Dizzy Blonde Studios

 

Barb and Tracie will both be attending the following events:
Lambtown in Dixon, CA, October 4 & 5.  We will be attending on Sunday, the 4th.
CogKNITive Fiber Retreat in Tehachapi, CA, October 11.
Stitches West in Santa Clara, CA, February 19 - 22, 2015.

Northern California Knitting Retreat – April 17-19, 2015 in San Juan Bautista, CA

 

Barb has Finished:

Mother Bear #48

 

Cabled Hot Water BottleCover by Vivianne Kacal, using Plymouth Encore in the Hunter Green colorway

 

Tracie Has Finished:

Mother Bears 47 and 48

 

Autumn Whirlpool Hat with Earflaps by Natalie Pelykh/ Gnome Acres Fingering Sock in the Hulk Smash colorway

 

Ripples by Annelie Wallbom/Becoming Art Cielo Fingering in the True Love colorway. 

 

She lined her 2^nd Infamous Hobo Bag

 

Barb is working on:

Hitofude cardigan by Hirolu Fulatsu, using Madelinetosh Tosh Merino Light in the Jasper color way

 

Rose Garden Shawl by Vera Sanon, using Cascade Yarns Ultra Pima in a teal colorway

 

Mini-Landing Cardi, by Vera Sanon, using Knit Picks Stroll Tonal in the Summer Blooms colorway.

 

Upstairs Downstairs Cowl by Paula Emons-Fuesli in the Small, using Dizzy Blonde Studios Dirty Blonde DKin the Nichole colorway.

 

Mystik Spiral Socks by Josh Ryks using Desert Vista Dyeworks Viso in the Dia de los Muertos colorway.

 

Tracie is working on:

A second Vitamin D by Heidi Kirrmaier in Knitting Rose Yarns Blossom Sock in the Girl on Fire colorway.  

 

Mystic Spiral Socks by Josh Ryks in Invictus Yarns Master of my Feet in the Aradia Self Striping colorway.  

 

Review: Sock Architectureby Lara Neel

 

Enter to win a copy here

 

BOOKS:

As She Left It by Catriona McPherson

The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey

Prayers for the Dying by Suzanne Jenkins

The Magicians by Lev Grossman

The Husband’s Secret by Liane Moriarty

Here’s the Story: Surviving Marcia Brady and Finding My True Voice by Maureen McCormick

Still Life by Louise Penny

North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell

A Place at the Table by Susan Rebecca White

The Qualities of Wood by Mary Vensel White

 

Reality Boy by A.S. King

 

If you haven't yet heard "Weird Al" Yancovic's brilliant "Word Crimes" song, here is the video:

Thank you to our listeners for their patience during the last several weeks as we changed to a new hosting site and required everyone to un-subscribe and re-subscribe (information and directions are here).  You may have noticed old episodes popping up looking like "new" episodes…this is because we are uploading all of our previous episodes to Libsyn and iTunes.  Information on that is here!

 

Our Mother Bear KAL/CAL is over!  We drew for prizes, and the winners are listed at the bottom of this post.  Thanks to all of you who generously knitted and crocheted bears for this wonderful organization.

 

You knit and crocheted 125 bears this year.  Thank you so much to tmkr who is donating $1 per bear to the Mother Bear Organization!

 

Be sure and mail your completed bears (along with $3 per bear to cover shipping to their final destination!) to the Mother Bear Organization to this address:

Mother Bear Organization

P.O. Box 62188

Minneapolis, MN 55426

 

Our upcoming Sweater KAL/CAL will be starting September 15, 2014 and will run until January 15, 2015.  Start thinking about what you want to knit!

 

New Giveaway!

Daisy, who sells everything from cool fabric to vintage ties to wonderful project bags in her Artinstitchtute etsy shop, will be sending this Alexander Henry fabric project bag (a $32 value) to one lucky winner!  Go over to our Ravelry group to enter to win.  And take a look at Daisy's shop; you can get a 15% discount using the coupon code endofsummer2014.

 

Barb recommends the new video podcast, Yarnder Woman, available on YouTube here!

 

Barb and Tracie will both be attending the following events:

Lambtown in Dixon, CA, October 4 & 5.  We will be attending on Sunday, the 4th.

CogKNITive Fiber Retreat in Tehachapi, CA, October 11.

Stitches West in Santa Clara, CA, February 19 - 22, 2015.

 

Barb and Tracie are both on Instagram now!  Barb is KnittyBarb, and Tracie is alittleposy.  Come follow us!

 

KNITTING

 

Barb has finished:

* Another Autumn Whirlpool with Earflaps Hat by Pelykh Natalie, using Knit Picks Stroll Tonal Fingering in the Summer Blooms color way

* HGV (High Speed Knitting) shawl by Susan Ashcroft, using FishKnits Divine in the Tea Rose Hybrid Full Gradient color way

* Mother Bear #47

* Vanilla Ragg Socks, using Patons Kroy in the Blue Stripe Ragg colorway

*Vonica cardigan by Bonne Marie Burns, using Highland Handmades Butternut DK, in the charcoal colorway.

 

Tracie has finished:

* Mother Bears 45 & 46

 

Tracie has cast-on:

* Autumn Whirlpool with Earflaps Hat by Pelykh Natalie, using GnomeAcres House Gnome in the Hulk Smash colorway

 

Tracie is still working on:

* Her second Vitamin D cardigan by Heidi Kirrmaier, using Knitting Rose Blossom Sock in the Girl on Fire colorway

* Mystik Spiral socks, using Invictus Yarns Master of My Feet in he Aradia Self-Striping colorway

* Ripples shawl by Annelie Wallbom, using Becoming Art Cielo Fingering in the True Love colorway

* Cleito sleeveless top by Susan Mills, using Nashua Handknits Creative Focus Cotton DK in yellow, and Mirasol Yarn Illaris in 111 (plum)

* Far East of Eden bag by Myra Wood, using way too many yarns to list!

 

Barb has cast-on:

* Hitofude cardigan by Hirolu Fulatsu, using Madelinetosh Tosh Merino Light in the Jasper colorway

* Rose Garden Shawl by Vera Sanon, using Cascade Yarns Ultra Pima in a teal colorway

* Cabled Hot Water Bottle Cover/Cozy by Vivianne Kacal, using Plymouth Encore in the Hunter Green colorway

 

BOOKS

 

Barb has finished:

* Astonish Me by Maggie Shipstead

* The Absence of Mercy by John Burley

* The Magpies by John Burley

 

Tracie has finished:

*Endless Love by Scott Spencer

*Court TV Presents: Murder in Room 103 by Harriet Ryan

*Tilt-a-Whirl by Chris Grabenstein

 

Download the Akinator app, a 20-questions style game that is fun

for the whole family.  Unfortunately, Tracie was completely wrong - it is not free :-(

 

Here is what the CDC has to say about preventing mosquito bites and therefore avoiding the West Nile Virus

We still have some unclaimed prizes from our Prize-A-Palooza giveaway (to celebrate 2000 members in our Ravelry Group).  Please check our Episode 66 Blogpost to see if you won.

Our Mother Bear KAL/CAL will officially begin July 1.  You will have until August 31 to post pictures of any bears completed in 2014 to our FO thread to be eligible to win some great prizes.  Please go to the Mother Bear Website to purchase your knitted or crocheted bear pattern.

• A big THANK-YOU to tmkr for her planned generous donation of $1 per bear to the Mother Bear Project for each bear completed for our KAL!  
• Jan in British Columbia, Canada gifted a Mother Bear pattern to an 83-year-old knitter friend.  This friend has since knitted 55 bears since January!  Wow.  
• We have received prize donations from Brenda Castiel (goodstuff on Ravelry) Designs and Estella Haines (onemorerowplease on Ravelry) designs for the KAL.

 

You have until June 15th to enter to win this skein of Dream in Color Jilly.  You can enter here.
















Tracie will be attending Spinning at the Winery at the Retzlaff Winery in Livermore, CA on June 7th.  Rumor has it that DH Ryan will be attending this event with her.

KNITTING

Barb's FO's
Afternoon Tea shawl by Helen Stewart, using Dream in Color Jilly in the Shy colorway

Stitch Surfers #1 by Louise Roberts, using Becoming Art Cielo Fingering in the Midnight Mountain colorway and  Becoming Art Jolie Sport in the Looking Glass colorway.













Simple Skyp Socks #2 by Adrianne Ku, using Lana Grossa Meilenweit 100 Fantasy Sock Yarn.
Mother Bear #36
Knitted Knockers #2 & #3

Tracie's FO's

Flash Air Tote (the Plein Air Tote by Amanda Schuezger), using Newton's Yarn Country Flash in the Green colorway















Jilly Millrace by Elizabeth Doherty, using Dream in Color Jilly in the Cloudy colorway

Barb is working on:
Foolproof cowl by Louise Zass Bangham, using Forbidden Woolery Wrath in the Lump of Coal color way and Forbidden Woolery Pride in the Darkest Emerald colorway
Rhombi Cardigan by Terri Kruse, using Neighborhood Fiber Company's Studio Sport in the Columbus Circle colorway
Socks on a Plane by Laura Linneman, using Gnome Acres House Gnome in the Tonto colorway

Tracie is working on:
Twisted Rib Neck Warmer by Michelle Johnstone, using Anzula Nebula in the Kale colorway
Coachella by Fathom Harvill, using Microfiber Ribbon by Tess Designer Yarns
Spring Showers by Joji Locatelli, using DK Superwash Merino/Nylon by Newton's Yarn Country
Victorian Birdcage Socks by Cat Bordhi, using Plymouth Yarn Happy Feet
Symbiotic Cowl by Hanna Maciejewska, using Baa! Sonoma in the Mystique and Blue Sapphire colorways

Tracie is setting aside the Knitting Rose Blossom Sock yarn in the Girl on Fire colorway until she decides for sure which cardigan she wants to knit!

Tracie is stalking the Hitofude Cardigan - she wants to make it in a silvery-gray color as a summer cardigan.  Coincidentally, Barb is also planning to knit this cardigan out of Madelinetosh Tosh Merino Light that she has in stash.

BOOKS

Barb has finished:
Criminal Damage by Margaret York
Mr. Penumbra's 24-hour Bookstore by Robin Sloan (Barb was very lukewarm about this book)

The Winter People by Jennifer McMahon (LOVED this book!)

















Tracie has finished:
Little Girl Lost by Brian McGilloway
Coming Clean by Kimberly Rae Miller
The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger (a big thank you to Pinneguri for the link to the YouTube narration!)

Barb is currently reading:
North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell
NOS4A2 by Joe Hill
A Good and Useful Hurt by Aric Davis

Tracie is currently reading:
Kind of Cruel by Sophie Hannah

I'm Down by Mishna Wolff
















Two Sisters by Mary Hogan 

Book Talk starts at 33:49

The Poncho Comeback KAL continues…

Our Colorwork KAL will continue until May 1, 2014.  Be sure to post your FO pictures in the Colorwork KAL FO thread to be eligible for 1 of our 3 great prize packages!

Be sure to listen to the end of this episode to hear all the winners from our Prize-A- Palooza celebrating 2000 members in our Ravelry Group.  List of prizes and winners is at the end of this blog post.

The previous winner announced for the ebook, California Revival Knits never contacted us, so a new winner has been drawn!  This is announced at the end of podcast.

KNITTING

Barbs has finished:

• The Bristlecone Cowl by Elizabeth Doherty of Blue Bee Studios using Quince & Co. Osprey in the Delft color way

• Breaking Hearts Socks by Christi Brockaway, using Knitting Rose Yarns Budding Sock Yarn in the Stormy color way.
• Whispers Pullover by Veera Valimaki using Madelinetosh Tosh Merino Light in the Jasper color way. Barb doesn't like it on her, so she will be frogging it and re-purposing the yarn.
• The Claudia Hat by MJ Kim, using Berroco Comfort in the Grey color way.

Tracie has finished:

• The Gilda Scarf by Twisted Sisters, using Mirage Hand Paints in a blue-green color way
• POP! Baby Cardigan by Rachel Atkinson, using Lion Brand Pound of Love in Pink
• Kiddy Shoulder Bag by Christel Bayer, using Newton's Country Yarn Flash
• Birdie's Mitts by Julia Davies, using Bee Mice Elf Merino Nylon Sock in the Apple a Day color way
• Tracie's High-Speed Gnome Lake (TGV)  shawl by Susan Ashcroft, using Gnome Acres Sparkle Gnome Fingering in the Gnome of the Lake color way

Download | Duration: 00:42:38

Download | Duration: 01:03:21

Download | Duration: 00:59:30

Come join our Ravelry group!  When we reach 2,000 members, we're planning a PRIZE-A-PALOOZA!!

Subversive Socks eBook Giveaway ends on January 31st - get your entry in now

The "unofficial" Poncho Comeback KAL continues on…come join us!

Kickstarter Campaign to bring knitCompanion to Android!  To donate, click here.  To find out more about what knitCompanion is, click here.  Barb and Tracie use and love knitCompanion and want to spread the joy of this fabulous program to all knitters!

Ravellenic Games Ravelry Group.  Team Sasquatch Ravelry Group

Stitches West 2014 is coming right up!  The dates are February 20 - 23, 2014 in Santa Clara, CA.  Barb and Tracie will be attending.

• Meet-up - come join us in the Hyatt Lobby Bar 1-4 p.m. on Saturday, February 22nd
• Barb and Tracie will also be in the "Team Awesome" booth - housing Cephalopod Yarns, Neighborhood Fiber Company, and Dragonfly Fibers on Sunday, February 23rd from 2-3 p.m.  Come by and say "hi"!

 

Barb's FOs:
2 Halos of Hope hats:  The Gridiron Hat by Johnny Vasquez, and Robin's Egg Blue Hat by Robin Iufer.  Both were knit out of Ella Rae Seasons
GAP-tastic Cowl by Jen Geigley out of Plymouth Baby Alpaca Grande Tweed

Tracie's FOs:
Echo Reversible Drop-Stitch Moebius caplet by Kristin Omdahl out of Plymouth Baby Alpaca Grande
Swirl Hat by Mandie Harrington out of Baby Ull
It's My Party Hat by Emily Williams, using Red Heart Baby TLC Multies
Marian Cowl by Jane Richmond out of Sirdar Big Softie

Barb's WIPs:

Zebra Woobie by Kris Carlson, using various colors of Knit Picks Brava Sport





Vanilla Socks out of Gnome Acres House Gnome fingering weight in the Gnome of the Lake color way
Easy Folded Poncho by Churchmouse Yarns and Tea using Anzula Cricket
Woodstove Season Cardigan by Alicia Plummer out of Plymouth Encore Tweed
Greenwillow Cowl by Elizabeth Doherty, using Becoming Art Agave Sport (new blend)

Tracie's WIPs:
TGV (High-Speed Knitting) shawl by Susan Ashcraft out of Gnome Acres Sparkle Gnome  fingering Sock in the Gnome of the Lake colorway
Socks for Will:  Using Paton's Kroy Socks and doing a Sweet Tomato Heel by Cat Bordhi
Owlie Mitts byJulie Elswick, using Knit Picks Stroll Glimmer
Entangled Vines Cardigan by Alana Dakos, using Invictus Yarns Captain SW in the "Beth" colorway
Tracie is performing major surgery on her Charleston Tea Hoodie!

BOOKS
Barb is currently reading:
A Widow's Story by Joyce Carol Oates
Quiet by Susan Cain
The Silent Wife by A.S.A. Harrison

Tracie is currely reading:
A Drink Before the War (Kenzie & Gennaro, #1) by Dennis Lehane
The Brief Wonderous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Diaz
Quiet by Susan Cain

Barb has finished:
The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton
Dark Summit: The True Story of Everest's Most Controversial Season by Nick Heil
The Age of Miracles by Karen Walker Thompson

Tracie has finished:
Cartwheel by Jennifer duBois

Hyperbole and a Half: Unfortunate Situations, Flawed Coping Mechanisms, Mayhem and Other Things That Have Happened by Allie Brosh













Barb recommends Everest: Beyond the Limit, available on Netflix Watch Instantly

Download | Duration: 01:00:25

Come join our Ravelry Group!  When we get to 2000 members, we will be giving away some great prizes.

You have until December 31, 2013 to enter the prize giveaway for an ebook copy of Head-To-Toe: Kids' Knit Accessories by Katya Frankel.

The Poncho Comeback KAL.  No deadline, no prizes, just relaxed fun!

How cute is this picture?  This is Ryan's cousin's son Isaac in the hat Tracie knit for him.  It's obvious that he loves it since he needs to wear it to eat his Cheerios!











Barb recommends Curious Handmade with Helen Stewart audio podcast.  She is offering a coupon code (knitventchicks) for 20% off the price of her latest pattern collection, KnitVent 2013.  The code is good December 26, 2013 - January 6, 2013.

Barb and Tracie will be going to Stitches West 2014 in Santa Clara, CA February 20 - 23, 2014.  Come join us!

KNITTING

Barb's Finished Projects:
After a year of knitting, the Reversible Cable Scarf by Bruce Weinstein out of Madelinetosh Merino Light in the Fig color way for Barb's husband is finally done!

Jayla's Cheviot Hills Mitts out of KnitPicks Brava Sport in the Lady Slipper color way.

Brooklyn's Farm Beanie out of Cascade Yarns Cherub Kaleidoscope DK.

Transitioning to Winter shawl by Tina Robbins, knit in Wollmeise 100% Superwash Merino.








Tracie's Finished Projects:
Cool Breezes Cowl by Christy Becker in the Bee Mice/Elf SW Merino/Nylon fingering weight in the Apple a Day color way.

The Infamous Hobo Bag by Katie Rose, using ArtFibers ZouZou.

Zuzu's Petals by Carina Spencer out of Becoming Art Agave Worsted in the Warming Earth color way.

Barb is currently working on:
The Tenaya  cardigan, using Malabrigo Arroyo in the Azules color way.

The Easy Folded Poncho by Churchmouse Yarns and Tea, using Anzula Cricket in the Navy color way.

One more Farm Beanie byAllison Britt.  Love this pattern!

Tracie is currently working on:
Echo Reversible Drop-Stitch Modius by Kristin Omdahl using Plymouth Baby Alpaca Grande.

Those Mitts by Leslie Friend, using some leftover Miss Babs Youza Whatta Skein in the Blue Ridge colorway.

Swirl Hat by Amanda Harrinton using Baby Ull.

More Toe-Up Socks with a Difference by Wendy D. Johnson, using KnitPicks Felici in the Minty color way.

Shore Shawl by Derya Davenport, using Desert Vista Dyeworks Voir in the Spring Dragon gardient color way.

BOOKS

Tracie has finished:
Pilgrim's Wilderness: A True Story of Faith and Madness on the Alaska Frontier by Tom Kizzia

Swish: A Quest by Joel Derfner

I Don't Care About Your Band by Julie Klausner

The Valley of Amazement by Amy Tan

Barb has finished:
The Widower's Tale by Julia Glass

Ghost Story by Peter Straub


Tracie is currently reading:
Orange is the New Black: My Year in a Women's Prison by Piper Kerman

Orange Crush by Tim Dorsey

Barb is currently reading:
Listening to The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton via the  Craft-Lit Podcast

Harbor by John Lindquist

The Racketeer by John Grisham

Our next Read-Along book is Quiet:  The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking by Susan Cain.  4+ stars, on Goodreads.  It is available in paperback, hardcover, on Kindle (only $2.99 through Amazon!) and in audio book form. 

We will start reading on January 15, 2014.  C'mon, you know you want to read it with us!

 

Happy Hallowe'en!  As promised in this episode, here is a picture of Tracie's son Will dressed up as a Hawaiian Tourist Zombie!







Our Sweater KAL/CAL is ongoing.  As of this recording, YOU have about 50 sweaters completed!  You have until December 1, 2013 to complete any adult sweater.

We mention our upcoming Read-Along which will start in January, 2014.  It will be a non-fiction book.  Details to come...

The Chicks will be attending Stitches West in Santa Clara, California - February 21 - 24, 2014. 

BLIP TV and video podcasts hint:  If some of your favorite podcasts are no longer available on Blip TV but you still want to watch them on your home TV, do you have a Roku box?  If so, you can add the iTunes Channel to your list of Roku channels! 

KNITTING

Barb's FOs

 

Completed the Woobie Puppy and the Woobie Giraffe from Kris Carlson's Woobie Pattern Collection Series 1.  Really fun to make, but check out my notes on the Puppy for a MUCH easier way to make the outside hem.  Thank you to Bronwyndp for her advice.







Fire Socks
Lycaena Socks
Hyla Brook
Podcast Throwdown Hat #1 for Halos of Hope - Team Knotty Girls

Vitamin D Cardigan by Heidi Kirrmaier out of Cascade 220 Superwash Sport - LOVE IT!

Dreambird by Nadita Swings











Barb's current WIPs
Tenaya Cardigan by Elizabeth Doherty, using Malabrigo Arroyo in the Azules colorway
Another Chemo Hat for Team Knotty Girls
Sock Scrap Blanket

Tracie's FOs
Mother Bear #33
Downtown Cowl by Christy Becker
Buzzbee  hat by Woolly Wormhead

Tracie wearing her completed Featherweight Cardigan!



Tracie's WIPs
Shore Shawl by Derya Davenport
Charleston Tea hoodie by Thea Coleman
The Infamous Hobo Bag by Katie Rose

Review of Hitch: Patterns Inspired by the Films of Alfred Hitchcock edited by Stephanie Tallent.  For a in-depth review of this book, please go to Knitting Blooms' video review of Hitch.  Also - go to the thread "Win Hitch" in our Ravelry group to win an e-book; contest closes on November 15, 2013.

Also mentioned: Another Cooperative Press book,  California Revival Knits by Stephanie Tallent.  Check it out!

















BOOKS
Barb's Finished Books
Sybil Exposed: the Extraordinary Story Behind the Famous Multiple Personality Case by Debbie Nathan
Switching Time: A Doctor's Harrowing Story of Treating a Woman with 17 Personalities by Richard Baer
Flight Behavior by Barbara Kingsolver
V is for Vengeance by Sue Grafton
The People in the Trees by Hanya Yanagihara

Barb's Current Books
The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton via the CraftLit Podcast
Tell the Wolves I'm Home by Carol Rifka Brunt
More Twisted: Collected Stories Vol. II by Jeffrey Deaver

Tracie's Finished Books
A Clash of Kings: A Song of Ice & Fire: Book Two by George R.R. Martin
A Storm of Swords: A song of Ice 7 Fire: Book Three by George R.R. Martin
The Wicked Girls by Alex Marwood

Tracie's Current Books
A Feast for Crows: A Song of ice & Fire: Book Four by George R.R. Martin
Great Expectations by Charles Dickens
Broadway Nights: A Romp of Life, Love & Musical Theatre by Seth Rudetsky

Thumbs Up/Thumbs Down

Tracie - Up: Hallowe'en
              Down:  Jury Duty

Barb:  Up:  Beverage Infusion Pitcher - I have been filling the center section with sliced lemons and cucumbers - love the flavored water!
            Down:  losing my FitBit on vacation :>(

 

Come join our SWEATER KAL/CAL!!  You have until December 1, 2013 to create something wonderful for you or another adult.











The Click for Babies KAL/CAL has started with Katie (jetgirl1313) of the Knittin' on the Fly Videocast.  Please go here to find out all about it.  This is a wonderful charity program that gives out handmade purple baby hats to parents of newborns to promote the education of normal crying patterns for babies.

Our Mother Bear KAL/CAL is over!  We had over 160 bears completed.  Please go to the end of this thread to see the winners of our fabulous prizes!  Thank you to everyone who participated.  Make sure you send the completed bears to the Mother Bear Organization so they can find a child to love...

Barb will be in Washington DC 9/23 - 9/27.  She will be at Looped Yarn Works with Colleen (DCKnitter) and Jill (Jillsey) at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, 9/25/13 - stop by and say hi!  She will also be in Bethany Beach, DE 9/28 - 10/4 and planning on meeting up with Christina4365 at some point during that week.  If you would like to get together, please let her know.

Tracie is having a "mini-contest".  While in Bath, she picked up some Jane Austen items - The History of England by a Parial, Prejudiced & Ignorant Historian by Jane Austen, a "Keep Calm and Read Jane Austen" tote bag from the Jane Austen Centre in Bath, and a Jane bookmark.  Please go to the We Love Jane Austen thread on our forum and answer a question to be eligible to win this Jane Austen prize!  This contest ends on September 15th.

Some podcasters will be participating in a "Podcaster Throw-down" to encourage their listeners to knit or crochet hats for the Halos of Hope and turn them in at Stitches West in February.  We are not a participating podcast, but you can read more about it via the Knotty Girls Knit Cast if you would like to participate.  The Knitmore Girls will also be participating.

Upcoming Events:
October 5 & 6, 2013 - Lambtown in Dixon California.  Tracie will be attending this, probably on Sunday, the 6th.
October 11 & 12, 2013 - Cognitive Fiber Retreat in Tehachapi, California.  Barb and Tracie will be attending.
February 20 - 23, 2013 - Stitches West 2014 in Santa Clara, California.  Barb and Tracie will be attending and hope to have a very casual meet-up again.

New podcast!  Paprika Purls Video Podcast with kaitlinh.


KNITTING

Tracie has finished:
Hatfield Scarf by Lauren Sanchez out of Forbidden Woolery Wrath in the Plum Lovin' colorway.
Grape Shortie Socks for Rachel, using the Toe-Up Socks with a Difference pattern by Wendy D. Johnson.

 Cloud Chaser vest by Amy Swenson out of Debbie Bliss Cashmerino DK

Belgique Infinity Cowl by Brenda Lavell out of Shaggy Bear Farms Blue Faced Liecester Sportweight.















Tracie is currently knitting:

Hitchhiker by Martina Behm out of Lisa Souza Hardtwist Merino Petite  in the Flahriddah colorway.
Featherweight Cardigan by Hannah Fettig out of Tosh Merino Light in the Stargazing colorway.
Charleston Tea by Thea Coleman out of Blue Moon Fiber Arts Woobu in the Pining 4 Ewe colorway.
Struan Hat by Ysolda Teague, using a mystery black acrylic yarn.
Panoramic Stole by Hannah Fettig, using Nebo Rock Kid Mohair

Barb is currently knitting:
Sock Yarn Blanket by Shelley Kang
Hyla Brook Shawl by Paula Emons-Fuessle using Quince & Co. Tern in the Boothbay Blue colorway.
Reversible Cable Scarf by Bruce Weinstein using Tosh Merino Light in the Fig colorway.
Dreambird by Nadita Swings using Spud & Cloe Fine in the Sidewalk colorway, and Lang yarns Jawoll Magic Degrade  in a blue and purple colorway.
Vitamin D by Heidi Kirrmaier using Cascade 220 Superwash Sport in the Raspberry colorway.
Colorado Spring shawl by Wendy D. Johnson using Ella Rae Seasons in the Tan/Sand colorway.
Lycaena virgaurae Socks out of Cakewalk Yarns Footsie in the Edisto colorway.
Purple hats for the Click for Babies charity
Song of the Sea Cowl out of Madtosh Tosh Merino Light in the Betty Drapers' Blues colorway.

BOOKS

Tracie has finished:
The Beginner's Goodbye by Anne Tyler
What Alice Forgot by Liane Moriarty

Barb has finished:

At the Villa of Reduced Circumstances by Alexander McCall Smith
Crazy People: the Crazy for You Stories by Jennifer Crusie

Tracie is currently reading:
Game of Thrones: A Clash of Kings Book 2 by George R. R. Martin
Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman
The Cradle in the Grave by Sophie Hannah
I Want it Now! A Memoir of Life on the Set of Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory by Julie Dawn Cole

Barb is currently reading:
The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton via the CraftLit Podcast
The People in the Trees by Hanya Yanagihara
The Good Nurse: a True Story of Medicine, Madness and Murder by Charles Graeber

Thumbs Up/Thumbs Down
Tracie - Up:  Sunday Night Anti-Hero TV Double-Feature:  Breaking Bad and Dexter
              Down:  People stressing and naval-gazing about things they have no control over
Barb - Up:  a stranger paying for my coffee at Starbucks
           Down:  My Twitter account was hacked

On another note, Barb has recently started watching the Orange is the New Black TV series on Netflix and she finally succumbed and can't get enough of the series The Walking Dead.

All of these bears were made by Jan (itsinc on Rav) - way to go Jan!

Mother Bear KAL/CAL ends on August 31, 2013.  Get your finished bear pictures posted in the FO thread to be eligible to win some great prizes!  Don't forget the following shop coupon codes that are good until August 31st also:

Cattail Knits - 10% off anything in her shop with the coupon code KNITLIT
Sweet Serendipity 37 - 10% off anything in her shop for those who post in the Mother Bear FO thread!  Use the coupon code KnitLit.

Knit along with us in our Sweater KAL/CAL!  You have plenty of time since it goes until December 1, 2013.  You know you want to...thank you to Katie (jetgirl1313 on Ravelry) for her prize donation of a Shawl Gem from the Tix Trinkets Etsy Shop, and to Lori (lemtaz on Ravelry) for her prize donation of the book, Cardigans by Louise Harding.

Congratulations to Suzanne Jenkins (UZO on Ravelry) on the birth of her beautiful new granddaughter!

Tracie's daughter Rachel has started working at Pride Industries.

Tracie talked about her wonderful trip to England!  She especially enjoyed meeting:

Caroline (Carotrike on Ravelry) and her husband
in Bath

Elly (elspeth81 on Ravelry) and her family at their home in Exeter

Jenny (Frenny on Ravelry) and her boyfriend in London...where they enjoyed Gin and Tonic floats!











Tracie is having a "mini-contest".  While in Bath, she picked up some Jane Austen items - The History of England by a Parial, Prejudiced & Ignorant Historian by Jane Austen, a "Keep Calm and Read Jane Austen" tote bag from the Jane Austen Centre in Bath, and a Jane bookmark.  Please go to the We Love Jane Austen thread on our forum and answer a question to be eligible to win this Jane Austen prize!

Barb will be in Washington DC 9/23 - 9/27, and Bethany Beach, Deaware  9/28 - 10/4.  If you want to meet up, let her know via PM on Ravelry.

The Click for Babies KAL/CAL has started with Katie (jetgirl1313) of the Knittin' on the Fly Videocast.  Please go here to find out all about it.  This is a wonderful charity program that gives out handmade purple baby hats to parents of newborns to promote the education of normal crying patterns for babies.

Barb recommends listening to the Fiber Hooligan Blog Talk Radio Podcast, and suggests you might want to start with the 8/19/2013 episode featuring an interview with author and designer Susan B. Anderson.  And be sure to visit Susan's Blog!

KNITTING

Both Barb and Tracie completed their 31st Mother Bears!

Tracie's Mother Bear #31

Barb's Mother Bear #31
















Barb also finished knitting her Cloud Chaser vest by Amy Swenson...but it's not blocked yet!

Tracie is currently working on:
Hitchhiker by Martina Behm out of Lisa Souza Hardtwist Merino Petite in the Flahriddah colorway.
Featherweight Cardigan by Hannah Fettig out of Tosh Merino Light in the Stargazing colorway.
Hatfield Scarf by Lauren Sanchez out of Forbidden Woolery Wrath in the Plum Lovin' colorway.
Charleston Tea by Thea Coleman out of Blue Moon Fiber Arts Woobu in the Pining 4 Ewe colorway.
Grape Shortie Socks for Rachel, using the Toe-Up Socks with a Difference pattern by Wendy D. Johnson.

Barb is currently working on:
Belgique Infinity Cowl by Brenda Lavell out of Shaggy Bear Farms Blue Faced Liecester Sportweight.
Sock Yarn Blanket by Shelley Kang
Hyla Brook Shawl by Paula Emons-Fuessle using Quince & Co. Tern in the Boothbay Blue colorway.
Reversible Cable Scarf by Bruce Weinstein using Tosh Merino Light in the Fig colorway.
Dreambird by Nadita Swings using Spud & Cloe Fine in the Sidewalk colorway, and Lang yarns Jawoll Magic Degrade  in a blue and purple colorway.
Vitamin D by Heidi Kirrmaier using Cascade 220 Superwash Sport in the Raspberry colorway.
Colorado Spring shawl by Wendy D. Johnson using Ella Rae Seasons in the Tan/Sand colorway.


BOOKS

Tracie has finished:
Game of Thrones: a Song of Ice and Fire, Book 1 by George R. R. Martin.  Thumbs up!
Dark Places: A Novel by Gillian Flynn

Tracie is currently reading:
Game of Thrones: A Clash of Kings Book 2 by George R. R. Martin
The Beginner's Goodbye by Anne Tyler
Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman

Barb has finished:
The Postmistress by Sarah Blake
The Unfinished Work of Elizabeth D by Nichole Bernier
The Wife by Meg Wolitzer

Barb is currently reading:
The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton via the CraftLit Podcast
At the Villa of Reduced Circumstances by Alexander McCall Smith
Crazy People: the Crazy for You Stories by Jennifer Crusie

Thumbs Up/Thumbs Down
Tracie:
Thumbs Up - the The London Tube System
Thumbs Down - being behind in so many podcasts!
Barb:
Thumbs Up - podcasts that teach us about dyeing yarn and fiber.  These are the ones that I watch (Video )podcasts:  90% Knitting, The Dyer's Notebook, Watcha Swatchin' Podcast, Gnome Acres Podcast, Knit Me Happy, Sockbunny Knit and Fit, Fiberista Files, and The Fat Squirrel Speaks.  Audio podcasts I enjoy that focus on dyeing yarn and fiber are: Just One More Row, Knitting Rose, Knotty Girls Knitcast, and Dramatic Knits.
Thumbs Down - people talking on cell phones while driving (heads up - it's AGAINST THE LAW here in California!).

• Crosswords at the Coffee Shop shawl by Karrie Steinmetz
• Customisable Gadget Case by Coranda Berry
• Bunny Blanket Buddy by Lion Brand
• Holden Shawl by Mindy Wilkes

• Daybreak by Stephen West
• Mother Bear #30 (and friends!)
• Secret project!

 

Rachel's High School Graduation in Davis, California.  It was the hottest day of the year, but she got it done anyway!







The Mother Bear KAL/CAL thread for chatter and FO's will run 7/1 - 8/31/13.  Get your pattern here and start your bears!  You may post ANY BEARS YOU HAVE FINISHED IN 2013 in the FO thread to be eligible to win a prize.

Tracie would love to meet up with UK listener Chicks when she travels to the UK this summer.  All the details and dates are here, so let her know if you want to meet up.

Barb will be in the Washington DC area 9/23 - 9/27/13 and would also like to arrange to meet any listener Chicks at that time.  Share any ideas you might have!

Episode 30 of the Literary Disco podcast - listen to it if you would enjoy a humerous discussion on V.C. Andrews Flowers in the Attic.  Warning:  language!

Podcast Shout Outs:
Tapgurl On the Go podcast

Ellys knit (in')sanity podcast

KNITTING TALK

Barb's FOs:
The Old Man and the Sea by Mel Ski out of Blue Moon fiber Arts Woobu in the Neptune colorway:

Dunes shawl by Rose Beck out of Becoming Art Cielo Sport in the New Moon colorway
The Breezy Cardigan by Hannah Fettig out of Knit Picks Stroll Tonal in the Stonewashed colorway

Tracie's FOs:
Freeform Purse - started by Tracie in her class with Myra Wood at Stitches West, 2013:

Barb's Current Projects:
Daybreak by Stephen West using Knit Picks Chroma Fingering in the Fossil colorway, and Knit Picks Pallete in the Verdent Heather colorway.  She is copying afreespirit's Daybreak!
Cloud Chaser vest by Amy Swenson, using Debbie Bliss Cashmerino DK in a gray colorway.  Thanks Knittinwolf for the inspiration
Aurora Borealis Socks by Kimberly Pacini (Sockbunny)
Belgique Infinity Scarf by Brenda Lavell

Tracie's Current Projects:
The Old Man and the Sea by Mel Ski out of Universal Yarn Pace Step in the Coral colorway
Hatfield Scarf by Lauren Sanchez, using Forbidden Woolery Wrath in the Plum Lovin' colorway
TGV High Speed Knitting by Susan Ashcroft, using Desert Vista Dyeworks Vista in the Aquamarine colorway
Holden Shawlette by Mindy Wilkes out of Malabrigo Lace Silkpaca  in the Arco Iris colorway

Knitting Needles Discussed:
Knit Picks Interchangables and Fixed Circulars
Chia Goo Interchangables and Fixed Circulars
Hiya Hiya Interchangables and Fixed Circulars
Denise Interchangable Needles
Signature Needle Arts
Clover (Takumi) Needles

Hiya Hiya Interchangable Needle Grips

BOOK TALK

Tracie has finished and HIGHLY recommends:  Flight Behavior by Barbara Kingsolver
Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen

Barb has finished:
The Power of One by Bryce Courtenay - recommended!
Strange Fits of Passion by Anita Shreve - recommended for a good summer read
Cheer by Leslie Gordon - recommended!
Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway

Ernest Hemingway's 1923 passport photo!  Now, we can all understand why Hadley was smitten....








Tracie is currently reading:
Farewell Dorothy Parker by Ellen Meister
A Game of Thrones Book 1, by George R.R. Martin


Barb is currently reading:
The Storyteller by Jodi Piccoult
Jasper Jones by Craig Silvey
Escaping the Arroyo by Joyce Nance

Tracie recommends the following HGTV programs - Property Brothers, I Hate My Kitchen, and Renovation Raiders

Book Talk Begins at 30:00

"Administrata"
2KLC Kardigan KAL/CAL continues until 5/1/2013. 
Join us for Fleeces Food and Fun (also known as "Wine and Wool" and "spinning at the Winery") at the Retzlaff Winery  in Livermore, CA on May 25, 2013, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.  Don't forget to bring:

• a chair
• sunblock
• hat
• a potluck dish to share
• your spinning and/or knitting

iTunes reviews are very much appreciated.  If you want to do something nice for us, or for any of your favorite podcast hosts, please take the time to go over to iTunes and leave a review, or a star rating.

Barb won the Sparkle Gear/Webs Giveaway with a bag, needles pattern and the yarn to knit the Pelagic Shawl!

Knitting Talk

Finished Projects:

Tracie has finished 2 Mother Bears for the Mother Bear Project.

Barb has finished 18 preemie hats for the Remembering Remy Preemie Hat Drive.

She has also finished...
her Citron 2 by Hilary Smith Callis, out of Elegant Yarns Daphne.
her Alewives Cowl by Elizabeth Doherty in King Cole Riot DK.
her Twin Leaf Loop by Alana Dakos out of Berroco Lodge.
her Vesper Stripey Socks. out of Knitterly Things Vesper Sock Yarn.
her Milanese Loop by tante ehm out of Plymouth Galway Worsted.

Current Knitting Projects:
Tracie has frogged the Burdock Cardigan and is now knitting the Rocky Coast Cardigan by Hannah Fettig.  She is using Knit Picks Full Circle yarn.
She is also making a pair of toe-up socks, using Blue Moon Fiber Arts Socks That Rock Lightweight in the Nodding Violet colorway.
She is also working on the Litchfirld Hat by Elizabeth Doherty out of Kollage Yarns Riviting in the Forest Denim colorway, and the TGV High-Speed Knitting shawl by Susan Ashcroft out of Desert Vista Dyeworks Mono Grandiant in the Aquamarine colorway.

Barb is making good progress on the Agatha Cardigan by Snowden Becker out of Knit Picks Andean Treasure in the Hot Rod Heather colorway.  She is also knitting the Pamuya Shawl by Alexandra Wiedmayer out of Wollmeise "Pure: 100% Superwash Merino in the Stella Polaris colorway.  She is making a SF Giants hat out of Vanna's Choice in black and orange - using the Pittsburgh Steelers Hat by Lorna Miser, and is also working on a pair of vanilla socks using Opal Cotton.


Book Talk

Tracie has finished:
3 Cups of Deceit: How Greg Mortenson, Humanitaian Hero, Lost His Way by Jon KrakauerI'm Not Myself These Days: a Memoir (P.S.) by Josh Kilmer-Purcell
    

 Josh Kilmer-Purcell - you may know him from the TV series, The Fabulous Beekman Boys, and as one of the winners of the 21st season of The Amazing Race.  But did you know that he also had a career as a drag queen?  Yes indeedy! 




He can go from this....

To this!  His stage name was "Aquadesiac" and yes, those are live goldfish in the breasts of the costume.  PETA sent him a letter protesting his use of the goldfish. 












Barb has finished:
Trustee From the Toolroom by Nevil Shute
What Remains: A Memoir of Fate, Friendship, and Love by Carole Radziwill
A Friend of the Family by Lauren Grodstein
The Twin's Daughter by Lauren Baratz-Logsted
And When She Was Good by Laura Lippman

Tracie is currently reading:
11-22-63 by Stephen King
Memoirs of an Imaginary Friend: A Novel by Matthew Dicks
Where'd You Go, Bernadette: A Novel by Maria Semple

Barb is currently reading:
The Dead Lie Down by Sophie Hannah
What Alice Forgot by Liane Moriarty
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte via The Craftlit Podcast
Mendocino and Other Stories by Ann Packer

Thumbs Up/Thumbs Down

Tracie - UP - her new leaf blower can suck and mulch too!
              DOWN - husband got the MLB Channel on DirectTV so now he can watch baseball 24/7 :>/

Barb - UP - T-Ball  granddaughter Jayla playing T-Ball - these tiny children are so much fun to watch.

Here she is ready to assume the catcher position!

















DOWN - husband uplugging the TV before going on a 5-week vacation...leading to none of the programs set to DVR being recorded  :>(  

Book Talk Begins at 19:45

Artful Color, Mindful Knits: The Definitive Guide to Working with Hand-dyed Yarn by Laura Bryant
Melissa Leapman
Cookie A
Blue Moon Fiber Arts Woobu
Retreating Sweater by Samantha Kirby
The Giving Flower podcast with Kimberlolly
Awareness in Ribbons & Lace shawl by Kimberly Gintar - All proceeds from this pattern go to the Dana-Fabar Cancer Institute
Becoming Art
Imaginknit
Malabrigo Silky Merino in "Bahia" colorway
Knitting Rose Yarns
Knitting Rose Blossom Sock
Knitting Rose Silk Petals laceweight
WEBS
Berocco Lodge
Twin Leaf Loop

Featherweight Cardigan
Tosh Merino Light in Stargazing colorway
Malabrigo Rios
Lisa Souza Dyeworks
Lisa Souza Hardtwist Petite in "Flahriddah" colorway
Botanical Knits by Alana Dakos 
Knit One Below by Elise Duvekot
Myra Wood

Elizabeth Doherty, Blue Bee Studio
Greenwillow cowl by Elizabeth Doherty
Christine Bylsma
Knitting Rose Budding Sock yarn
Alpenglow Bollistic Tweed
Oregon Woodworker
Tess Designer Yarns
Siesta top by Carol Feller
Quince & Company Chickadee
Charleston Tea by Thea Coleman

Allison - The Hollywood Knitter podcast
Erin - Doubleknit podcast
Gayle & Sharlene - the Yarniacs podcast
Dr. Gemma - Cogknitive podcast
Pat (DataKnitter)'s prize-winning knit top
Literary Knits
Kardigan KAL
Our Read-Along: Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter 

 

• Two baby hats in Red Heart Baby TLC –for my cousin’s twin baby boys due in November
• Hitchhiker by Martina Behm/Lisa Souza Hardtwist Merino Petite in the Flahriddah colorway – gave to my friend Kristy for her birthday
• Featherweight Cardigan by Hannah Fettig/Tosh Merino Light, in the Stargazing colorway 
• Mother Bear #32 – crocheted in a super bulky yarn – my cutest crocheted bear to date!

 

• The Infamous Hobo Bag by Katie Rose in Artfibers ZouZou
• Charleston Tea hoodie by Thea Coleman in Blue Moon Fiber Arts Woobu, Pining 4 Ewe colorway
• Panoramic Stole by Hannah Fettig, from Coastal Knits inNebo Rock Kid Mohair Mill Spun
• Buzzbee by Woolly Wormhead in Plymouth Encore

 

• Dark at the Roots by Sarah Thyre
• The Unlikely Disciple: A Sinner’s Semester at America’s Holiest University by Kevin Roose

 

• A Clash of Kings: A Song of Ice & Fire: Book Two by George R.R. Martin
• Great Expectations by Charles Dickens

 

eCarre’s George Smiley books:

• The Spy Who Came in From the Cold
• Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy
• The Honourable Schoolboy
• Smiley’s People

Fiber at the Winery at Retzlaff Winery 
Retzlaff Winery 
Tracie’s Vitamin D Cardigan 
Knit Picks Cotlin 
Cascade Ultra Pima 
Nashua Creative Focus Cotton DK 
Barb’s Helena Baby Sweater 
Barb’s Lydia Crescent Shawl 
Becoming Art Agave Fingering 
Knit Picks Felici Sock Yarn 
Blue Heron Rayon Metallic 
Hit by a Farm by Catherine Friend 
Dog Ear Audio 
Defending Jacob by William Landay 
Island of the Sequined Love Nun by Christopher Moore 
Mother Bear Project 
Black Diamond Alpacas 
Shaggy Bear Farms is not online  
Nebo Rock Textiles