Episode 28: 50 Shades of ….. Quince and Co!

Listen here!

We had 2 special guests for this episode: Christine and Laura. Both are knitters and residents of Kris’s Boston neighborhood, Roslindale (Rozzie for short!) We had a great time – a veritable lovefest for Quince and Co patterns and yarn. We love the grays — all the grays — but managed to work in some brights as well!

Much of the Quince and Co yarn was bought during a visit by Laura, Christine, and Kris to Knit Wit in Portland, ME:

Off the Needles:

Kris finished her Pipers Journey and so did Laura! Both worked in Quince and Co Chickadee.

Kris’ In Threes is also done and almost ready to send off to baby Elason.

Susan finished Reixa from Quince and Co’s Scarves etc 2013.

Christine has been doing a lot of knitting and finished a baby hat and socks, a dinosaur, and some great ribbed wristers.

On the Needles:

Speaking of Scarves etc 2013…. Christine and Kris have the Netty Cowl on their needles, both in different, but equally gorgeous, colorways (Christine = River and Egret and Kris = Clay and Iceland)!

Christine is also working on the Tea with Jam and Bread pullover in Quince’s Lark — Frost, Storm, and Carrie’s Yellow.

Susan has Strathcona on her needles, from Jane Richmond’s book Island.  Knit in M & K linen, this is so wearable! Kris is working on Strathcona as well in Hempathy.

Susan knitting Strathcona overlooking Mt Vesuvius!

Laura is working on the Vanilla Bean Socks with Stray Cat Socks Self-Striping yarn (Peacock) and a Nympheas Scarf by Mimi Hill with Knitcircus Aerialist Sock (OOAK Sherwood Forest).

Queue:

Always more things queued than time to make them!

Christine is looking at Ribbit and Cupcake Pincushion (both adorable free patterns by Susan B. Anderson), a friendly Monster and Demoiselle Arc-en-ciel.

Kris is looking for a cardigan to make with her Valley Yarns DK bought at Webs — Brynna? Que Sera? Gemma? Peasy? Pomme de pin?

Stash:

Kris added to her stash during trips to Loop and to Webs (time to go back on the yarn fast!)

Christine has acquired some Cascade 220 in Christmas Green, Citron, White, and Concord Grape and some Blue Sky Alpaca sport weight in red.

Susan visited Italy for an anniversary trip, and followed Nikky Epstein’s “Florence Yarn Crawl” suggestions from Knitting in Tuscany and scored some Linen and Hemp at Campolini Roberto Filati .

800 m of Italian Hemp!

800 m of Italian Linen!

Reading/Watching:

Susan and Kris are intrigued with Bletchley Circle, a three-part thriller on PBS, which is set in the 50′s in post-war Britain.

Susan is reading The Lifeboat by Charlotte Rogan and Juliet by Anne Fortier.

On Laura’s bedside table is The Tiger’s Wife by Téa Obreht and on Christine’s, both J.M. Barrie’s Peter Pan and the somewhat controversial Lean In.

Episode 27: So Many Bloomin’ WIP’s!

Listen Here:

The Ladies Of The Knit are experiencing crazy spring schedules, (and nasty spring colds) hence yet another podcast skyped together. We are hoping to gather in person next month, with some special guests, after Susan returns from Italy. In the meantime, we have lots of bits and bobs on and off the needles.

Off The Needles:

Both Susan and Sally have finished their Mainlines. Kris is quite close, but has paused to think about how she wants to handle her yarn shortage issues. Susan has also completed a pair of Rathtrevor mitts by Jane Richmond.

Rathtrevor mitts

Susan’s Mainline

On The Needles:

Kris has cast on a slew of projects. Piper’s Journey out of some nice Chickadee in the Kittiwake colorway, a Netty , the polka dot scarf from Quince and Co. in Clay and Iceland Chickadee, and In Threes, a beautiful baby sweater she’s knitting out of Spud and Chloe Sweater for her precious great-niece.

Susan is working on a Reixa cowl and is casting on a Kara. This is another lovely sweater designed by Cecily Glowik MacDonald.

Sally is stymied after completing Mainline.

In The Queue:

Strathcona, a linen scarf designed by Jane Richmond.   Zombie ViXen Mitts by Susan Claudino and Kujeillen mitts by Tiina Kuu (all free Ravelry downloads). G’Day Boomerang scarf by Susan Ashcroft of  TGV fame (should be available in May). The Holey Square Shawl (another free download), and Susan wants to cast on for another Pinkerton. Susan  also mentioned the Lisa Mutch Askew?    And  Cecily Glowik’s  Mia cardigan?

In The Stash

Kris went to Loop in Philadelphia and scored: one skein of Madeline Tosh Pashmina for Ellipses and two skeins of Shibui Cima for who knows what!

Susan bought a copy of Knitting In Tuscany by Nicky Epstein to accompany her on her trip. She is saving room in her suitcase for YARN!

On The Bookshelf:

Sally and Kris are dawdling through Speaking From Among The Bones by Alan Bradley — the latest Flavia DeLuce mystery. As usual: perfect.

Susan started reading Murder Below Montparnasse by Cara Black .

Episode 26: Mainlining !

Listen Here!

We’ve titled this episode Mainlining because we are all casting on for Mainline — the gorgeous new shawlette/scarf pattern from Quince &Co. If you’d like to join our KAL please jump in. You don’t even have to be knitting Mainline, join in with any WIP, or cast on for something new. We are starting a KAL thread on The Ladies Of The Knit Ravelry Forum, so stop by!

OFF THE NEEDLES

Kris finished Oxbow. This small shawl/ scarf is a great instant gratification project made out of Cascade Magnum. It will be nice worn over a coat with a pin, and it knits up quickly for a great last minute gift.

Susan finished Graham, a slouchy hat for her son, Dylan. This is a free Ravelry download that was exactly what he wanted. She also finished her Hunter St. Cowl

Hunter St. Cowl

and some fingerless mitts made from 75 yards of Malabrigo Worsted. An excellent use for scraps in the stash.

Sally finished yet another 22.5 degree scarf by Martina Behm out of some Madelinetosh Sock in the Oxblood colorway. This is a go to pattern for relaxing TV knitting with a great end product. She is not taking it off until the weather reliably reaches 60 degrees. She also finished a Victory Wrap by Erica Flory out of some beautiful Hilltop Handspun hand dyed alpacca. This is a special project for a neighbor who will be soon taking a victory lap.

ON THE NEEDLES

Susan is still working on her Trillian scarf ( a project that seems to linger) and a Marin by Ysolda Teague. She loves using JKNIT to keep track of the rows.

Kris is experiencing some startitis this month and is working on her Lace Back Fingerless Gloves from Churchmouse Yarns and Teas and a Piper’s Journey in Chickadee in the Kittiwake colorway. She has also cast on for Smidgeon from Hunter Hammersen. More info to follow.

Sally is loving making a baby hat out of some soft, soft hand dyed angora from (where else?) HilltopHandspun.

QUEUE
Sally still wants to make Kate Davies’s Peerie Fleurs. We are also waiting impatiently for Shetland (based on the Anne Cleeves Shetland Quartet) to air in the US. This little tam is featured in the series. We love it when knitwear makes it to the screen!

We have all queued Carol Feller’s Stolen Stitches Spring 2013 Collection, and are searching our stashes for something to make a Huevos from.

We had a lively discussion about the value of buying an e-book vs. the individual patterns.   Susan can’t resist having both the hard copy and e-book; pre-ordering the print copy of  Botanical Knits and getting the e-book for free; and debating about ordering Jane Richmond’s Island in Print and also getting the ebook for free. But we agree that purchasing an entire collection vs. individual patterns really depends on how many designs you actually want to knit.

STASH

We went to the JP Knit & Stitch birthday party and indulged in cupcakes and YARN.

Kris got some Spud and Chloe Sweater in a beautiful bright pink for an in threes baby sweater for a brand new great-niece. She also purchased some Majestic Tweed for some One Cable Mitts.

Susan snagged some Malabrigo sock in the Prima Vera colorway for a yet to be determined impulse knit.

Sally splurged on some Blue Sky Alpacca’s worsted weight cotton in a bright red for a long anticipated Liesl, by Ysolda Teague.

BOOKSHELF

Sally loved Crossing Places by Elly Griffiths (another ace recommendation from Kris).
Susan enjoyed Quicksand and has purchased an ebook of patterns for one skein of Rasta. We can’t wait to take a peak.

Next episode — Portland adventures and guests….

That’s all for now. Knit on, and on, and on,

The Ladies Of The Knit

Episode 25: Digging In, Digging Out and Casting On!

Listen Here!

We skyped this episode because our plans to gather got scratched due to the Blizzard of 2013. We taped this after we’d had time to dig out of our homes and put our needles down.

We started the podcast with some shout outs to forum members who have shared some really great projects on our page. If you have a minute to look at the projects you will find  inspiration and such an interesting range of things being tackled. Sally pointed out: Helspurlz “Khailea’s Pink sparkle”,Teal’s “Lots Of Hearts”, Goldybear’s “Cranberry Sauce”, MaggieH’s “Spicy Paprika” and Knittincarri’s “Pole”. Hats off!

Off the needles:
Susan finished her Boxy sweater in Madeline Tosh Sock and a Gaptastic Cowl in Manos Wool Classica.

Finally Finished!

Another one…

Sally finished some Leaf Earrings designed by Romi Hill (so much fun to make)
A heart Ball (More fun with Arne & Carlos)
Some improvised Boot Toppers, and a Claudia Hat. The big news of the month (other than the snowstorm which gave us more knitting and browsing patterns time) was jknit. Sally has been using the free app and loves it.

On The Needles:
Kris travelled to Seattle and made a pilgrimage to Bainbridge Island and Churchmouse Yarns and Teas. She is in the middle of several new projects: an Opul Scarf by Megan Goodacre, Piper’s Journey in Chickadee (kittiwake colorway), and a pair of Churchmouse Lace Back Fingerless Gloves out of some Debbie Bliss Cashmerino.
Susan has cast on for a Hunter St. Cowl and Marin, by Ysolda Teague.

Queue:
We all like Circles and Dots (new from Quince & Co.). Sally and Kris are eyeing the Effervescence Cardigan. Sally has also queued Ola (not just because of the handsome, naked model.) and the Victory Wrap shawl for a neighbor undergoing chemo. Kris has been admiring the new Wool People 4 collection from Brooklyn Tweed. She is thinking about casting on a Snowflake Stole  in Loft. She is also looking at Pei using Loft yarn from Churchmouse and at Annabelle’s Cowl using beautiful Hand Maiden yarn also from Churchmouse. Perusing new patterns, Susan really likes the new Strata and Line ebook with designs by Bristol Ivy and Leah B. Thibault.

In The Stash:
Susan went to Knitwit in Portland, ME and bought some Finch in Pomegranite and some Tern, in the Oyster colorway. Then she snagged some Malabrigio Lace in the Ophelia colorway from JP Knit And Stitch for a Jeweled Cowl. (Beautiful).

Surfing The Web:
Kris discovered two magazines. the Pom Pom Quarterly out of England, and Amarisu out of Japan. Susan came across Sock Report and Skein Theory (what a great title!) at The Stitch House.

Upcoming Events:
The Common Cod Fiber Guild presents Heather Ordover on May 10.

On The Bookshelf:
The Leftovers by Tom Perrota. This is an interesting book to pair with The Age Of Miracles. Kind of quirky and thought provoking in a weird sort of way.

And yes, Sal’s surprise present from ALA Mid-Winter was indeed a reader’s copy of the newest Flavia de Luce mystery.

That’s about it for now, keep calm and knit on.

The Ladies Of The Knit

Episode 24: Unresolved!

Episode 24: Unresolved!

Listen Here!

In appreciation of our listeners we had a drawing to celebrate rounding the one hundred members mark on our Ravelry forum page. Raveler sarahjanie of Waynesboro, PA was randomly selected by a random number generator. Congratulations! We will be sending you a skein of Hilltop Handspun Hand Dyed yarn ASAP.
New Year’s Resolutions? Do you have any knitting ones, or do you have any non-resolutions to add to the conversation? Join into the discussion on our forum page on Ravelry, or add a comment here. Knitter Goldybear reopened this topic which  generated our discussion in this episode. It is fun to think about intentions as the year begins.

Off The Needles:
Susan finished two Gaptastic Cowls one from 220 Cascade Heathers, and one from some Manos. Then she knit two Gray Loop Cowls, a Happa Hat by Yoko Johnstone, and finally she whipped up a beautiful set of knitted wire napkin rings from a pattern by Erika Knight.

Beaded Napkin Rings

Sally finished another Knotty hat, three more Christmas balls, and a last minute catnip mouse. Two out of three of the hats have received raves from the gifted, and three out of four of the Christmas balls were happily unwrapped too. Maybe it’s time to go back to Franklin Habit’s When To Knit A Gift flow chart.

On The Needles:
Kris is happily knitting away on her Color Affection which looks great. Susan has quite the array of projects in the works: a Trillium by Martina Behm, and Boxy sweater by Joji Locatelli in some beautiful Madeline Tosh Sock in the Whiskers colorway.

In The Queue:
Susan is all set to cast on for the Downton Abbey Mystery KAL. Sally is searching boot Topper patterns (know any good ones?) and Kris is contemplating buying Knit With Me by Gudrun Johnston, and Wool People 4. These are beautiful collections and we want to knit everything in them.

On the Desktop (New Apps we’ve started looking into):
Knitpoint.com
JKnit
Yarma

On The bookshelf:
Beneath the Abbey Wall, by A.D. Scott
Sydney Chambers And The Chamber Of Death by James Runcie
Round House and The Master Butcher’s Singing Club, by Louise Erdritch
The Age Of Miracles
My Green Manifesto

Happy 2013 knitting friends,
And remember, Stay calm and knit on!
The Ladies of the Knit

Episode 23: We Join Sally’s ‘ Arne & Carlos Fan Club’!

Listen here!

We started off with some shout outs to our listeners and Ravelry forum members that have shared projects with us.  We love Scitcher’s Sweater Ornaments and Helspurls Mrs. Snowlady. If you visit the forum site check out these great holiday ornaments. They are inspirational. And please keep posting those projects. It’s fun to see what you’re working on.

Off The Needles:

Sally has finished a Christmas Pig from the Arne & Carlos book 55 Christmas Balls To Knit. She is already cranking on more and has to order more yarn to satisfy the urge. She is smitten by Arne & Carlos and has visited their website in order to gawk and giggle. she has also finished another Knotty. 

On The Needles:
Susan is knitting, knitting, knitting along on her Edge Hoodie. It has become an official obsession. It is also getting in the way of her christmas knitting. Good thing it is so gorgeous.

Namaste! Edge Hoodie

Kris is working on her Color Affection from some Plucky Knitter yarn.
Sally is making more balls. Sorry friends and family. Practical gifts are probably out this year. Everyone gets balls. And she is putting together a special car knitting bag for the felted mittens that are absolutely putting her to sleep.

In The Stash:
Susan went to Imagine on Black Friday and scored Madeline Tosh light in both the Garden Party and Fragrant colorways.

Madtosh Fragrant!

She also scored a skein of Cascade Eco Duo2 (so soft). At The Black Sheep knitting company she chose some Mad Tosh sock in the lovely Whiskers colorway, and from JP Knit and Stitch she scored some Manos silkblend in the Abalone colorway.
Sally went to Webs and got Valley Yarns Amherst for the Christmas balls, and contemplated moving in.
Kris stayed strong.

Mansfield’s Garden Party!

In The Queue:
Kris discovered Larissa Brown’s Viking Lovesong, Six shawls and Wraps , inspired by the novel she’s writing set in Iceland. I think we may all be casting on for Litla and From The Field soon. She shouted out to listener Christine, for her lovely Oaklet shawl. Kris has also ordered Kate Davies new book, The Colors Of Shetland. There are so many beautiful things to make in this book, and so much of Shetland to ogle at that it boggles the mind.
Susan is still contemplating the Boxy sweater. It is so nice and drapey, but perhaps another fingering weight sweater will have to wait. She is also planning to cast on for the Spiral cowl that she saw at JP Knit and Stitch.

On The Bookshelf:
Sally scored a copy of Beneath the Abbey Wall by A.D. Scott from her library. Another fantastic mystery set in the Highlands of Scotland in the 1950′s.
Kris is reading Annie Lamott’s  Help, Thanks, Wow! and loves Annie Lamott fiercely.
Susan is reading Louise Erdritch’s newest: The Round House.

That’s about it for now. Keep Calm and Knit On,

The Ladies Of The Knit

Episode 22: “Still Froggin’ After All These Years”

Listen Here

In this episode Kris realized that our true theme is how much experience we have as knitters, and how many mistakes we make anyway. Here’s what we were going on about.

Off The Needles:

Susan finished a sleeve of her Edge Hoodie by Veronik Avery. This may not  count as a FO, but it was such an undertaking that she had to share.

Sweet “Starling”

Boston Area: Knitting Books and Magazines Sale

Friends of the Roslindale Branch Library Book Sale

Come browse a nice selection of knitting and other handicraft books, patterns, magazines, and yarn!

We will also have children’s books and holiday-related cookbooks for sale so create a gift package or shop for yourself!

Destash! Additional donations gratefully accepted up to December 7th at the library!

Saturday December 8  from 11am to 2pm

Roslindale Branch Library
4238 Washington St.
Roslindale, MA 02131

roslindalelibraryfriends@gmail.com

Episode 21: Phoning It In…

Episode 21: Phoning it in!

Listen Here

Why this title? Well, we thought we were being so clever to schedule our podcast recording right before our knitting group was meeting. But of course, we talked and talked, and didn’t get to finish before everyone arrived. Sooooo, we finished the very end of this episode via Skype- our first try! Not as good as being together, but as you will hear, it worked pretty well!

Off The Needles
Susan:
Bias Before And After Scarf from Tilly Thomas Sequined fingering
Soft Linen Shawl by Cecily Glowik MacDonald (This is a free pattern!!)  from Great Western Mink and Cashmere
Sally:
Putney Shawl out of Hilltop Handspun Hand dyed Fingering,
Annabel Cardigan by Carrie Bostick Hage out of Cascade Soft Spun in a buttery yellow,
and she whipped off a pair of Bijouterie earrings by Romi Hill for her daughter’s birthday.
Kris:
Bound off the  All About Love shawl as we spoke. This is a gorgeous and FREE pattern by Silvia Bo Bilvia, and both Susan and Sally want to make one.

On The Needles:
Kris:
Welted Fingerless Gloves from Churchmouse Yarns out of some lovely Spirit Trails Elysium 
Susan:
Starling by Cecily Glowik MacDonald out of Madeline Tosh Prarie in the Cathedral colorway, plus another yarn that she decided on while we spoke.

Sally:
TGV from Hilltop Handspun Hand Dyed sock yarn in the Crazy Fall Colors colorway. She loves her first TGV so much that she has to have another, and these colors make knitting soooo much fun.
Carolyn:
Beautiful and practical Standard Socks out of Cascade Heritage Paints in blues, purples, and reds. Carolyn has made over one hundred pairs of socks, and she finds it to be the best project for knitting without worry, fuss, or having to carry too much around.

In The Stash:
Kris is still swearing off accumulating any more yarn until she has knit down her booty. Sally is trying hard to resist, but has found herself trolling Webs emails with a project in mind.
Susan:
Fyberspates Bamboozled in the 50 Shades colorway,

and Pagoda from Island Yarns in the Silver colorway.
Carolyn:
Is bringing an empty suitcase with her on her imminent journey to Turkey to fill with yarn.

In The Queue:
Susan: Edge Hoodie by Veronik Avery, Hyla Brook by Paula Emons-Fuessle, Boxy Cardigan by Joji Lacatelli
Sally wants to make everything in the latest pattern collection from Churchmouse Yarns. And the Shalom Cardigan.

On The Bookshelf:
Susan read and liked the Beekeeper’s Apprentice. We’ve talked about it before, but it’s so worth repeating.
The Art Forger by B.A. Shapiro (Susan said ‘BD’ -oops)
Sally and Kris talked more about Broken Harbor by Tana French. This book really stays with you after you’ve put it down. And it’s an interesting trip into post-financial melt-down Ireland.

Episode 20: Just the Three of Us…..

Listen to Episode 20 here

We were so excited to be all together again after the upheaval and rush of the summer. This is what we talked about while nestled around Kris’s dining room table in her beautiful NEW home:

Off The Needles:
Sally:
Sally had only one proper FO to report.
Stephanie McPhee’s Cuteset Baby Booties –
This is a wonderful quick pattern and a neat way to use up smallish bits of fingering and sock yarn. FO’s of her teen knitters from the summers arts program included the amazing Prancing Horse and Tooley Owl (a project she discovered from Paula of Knitter’s Pipeline)
These animals reminded Kris of a new book she’s been gifted:
Knit Your Own Cat
Susan:
Susan has been almost as productive as usual. She is raving about knitting Pendulum

and the Happyfeet Shawl – with Plymouth Happy Feet yarn :

‘Happy Feet’ Shawl!

 

 

Churchmouse Yarns Bias Before and After Scarf –with Tilli Thomas Sequin Lace http://www.ravelry.com/yarns/library/tilli-tomas-sequin-lace in Atmosphere colorway. This is a gorgeous project. Can’t wait to share the FO.

On The Needles
Kris:
Kris found two WIPs while unpacking her yarn and yoga room Embellish —  with Madeline Tosh DK in Dahlia colorway, and the  Reversible Cable Neck Muffler —  with Rowan Kid Classic in a cuddly brown color. 
But both Susan and Sally wanted to cast on immediately for
All About Love — This shawl looks like knitters’ crack to us.
Sal:
Is knitting away on the Putney Shawl – with  This was a fun project with interesting construction, but she appears to be running into yarn yardage issues, which is driving her crazy. She may have to abandon ship and cast on for the
Kilkenny Tam .
In The Queue:
We got the opportunity to take a look at the New Prayer Shawl Companion from Taunton Press — this is a sweet book with some wonderful projects, which brought up a special project Susan wants to cast on for.
Sally also gave a shout out to Franklin Habit for his hilarious flow chart for deciding whether to knit or buy a gift.  The Panopticon
Susan:
Nuna in magenta colorway for Oscilloscope  or All About Love
Phydeaux Yarn   for Rosabell
Kris wants to make:
Clairette Cardigan —  – from Megan Goodacre of Tricksy Knitter 

In The Stash:
Susan has added a tiny bit to her stash:
Canopy in the Plumeria colorway

So soft Canopy Fingering in Plumeria!

And Kris is sticking by her vow not to buy more yarn.

Inspiration:
Sal loved the Shetland Lace Fence that Kate Davies blogged about during her trip to Shetland.

On The Bookshelf:
Broken Harbor By Tana French 
Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn 
The Children’s Book by A.S. Byatt 
Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand by Helen Simonson 

That’s about it for now. Knit on, and on, and on, and ….
Love,
The Ladies Of The Knit