When my Mom was staying with us while there house was being worked on, she commented on how I wasn’t knitting. Crazy - not like there is a shortage of yarn in my house! - but I just didn’t seem to have it in me. But I packed yarn and needles when we went to Germany, and while sitting at the Hofbrauhaus in Munich, watching Mike enjoy his mass of beer, I cast on for my Fruit Loop Socks. I finished the first one on the train on the way to the airport to fly home, after working on it in Salzburg, Berchtesgaden, more in Munich, Wurzburg, Rothenberg, and Havert. I immediately cast on for number two while I was still on the train headed towards Amsterdam. I worked on it for most of the flight home, and off and on the rest of this week.

They will have an afterthought heel inserted once I finish the second sock and decide what colors to use for the heel. I’m using my US 000 needles, Magic Loop style. The yarn is Opal Feelings (wowowo Feeeeeeeeeeeeeelings), color #1701. It is made in Germany, but I purchased it in the US from the Knitting Zone. It is 64 stitches around. Plain Vanilla sock, since the yarn obviously needs no competition.

I should note that I purchased no yarn in Germany, even though I had the opportunity at least 2 times. I considered some sock yarn (the new Kaffe Regia yarn), but decided I could buy the same yarn in the US, and put it back down. The dollar is weak, the euro is strong, and my stash is really too big. Until I make more of a dent in it - and get the new lens I need before my fall wedding season begins - a yarn purchase didn’t make sense. Instead, I’ll have the memories knit into my Fruit Loop sock, and I’m perfectly happy with that.

You can find my knits on Ravelry - I’m “Christine” there - and I’m adding them slowly but surely. I created a PointySticks group too, so please join it if you’re interested!

Now for part 1 of the rest of the story:
We (Mac & I) got up crazy early this morning, headed out the door by 6am (5am Houston time, so really early for my body clock), went to pick up Dell from her hotel, stopped off at the Dunkin’ Donuts - something we don’t have in Houston - and hit the road to head down to Maryland Sheep & Wool.

Somewhere around 8:45am, we arrived, and headed to The Fold, to get some of the infamous Socks That Rock yarn. After we stood in a long line to pick out colors, and a second long line to purchase the yarn, I sorted through all the yarns that I had taken to the line and picked out one to buy and passed the rest out to others in the first line standing by me. I was strong and resisted getting 5 skeins or something crazy like that, reminding myself that I could order it online. After getting through the line we saw Wendy for a few minutes, and discovered that there was no Koigu mill ends to be had. Unfortunately, one of the people of the Koigu team broke her foot the other day and they had to cancel their trip. Bummer, but we found other yarns to make up for it.

We then went to shop a whole bunch. We saw a lot of people - ironically, many from Texas! (I’m too tired and all the “outdoor” allergies are attacking me right now. Links & names later.) We saw more people. Animals. Crowds. Long lines and crazy tight booths. I left the Tess booth empty-handed because there was no WAY I could handle that craziness. I also left the Brooks Farm booth empty-handed, not because of the crowds so much as because Mike had told me that it was wrong to go all the way to Maryland to buy yarn that is from Texas. I also still have a stash of the Brooks Farm still waiting for me, so it was ok. I gave everything a nice loving squeeze, but my purchases stopped at lunchtime. I was rather proud of that resistance.

Then, after I spent some time bonding with Brooks Farm, we drove home. We were tired. The temperature had dropped and it was somewhat nippy. We fought a good battle, and we survived. I can now happily mark the Maryland Sheep & Wool festival off of my “things I must do someday” list. It was fun, but if you go - go early. The crowds get a bit crazy by mid-day. Bring lunch. Bring a blanket. Enjoy yourself and the people around you. It really is a good time. I have been informed that I should make sure I go to Rhinebeck too someday. I have definitely taken it under advisement.

Pictures, purchase list, links to products and links to people to come! (First, I need to go find some allergy meds and get some rest!)

I’ve tried not to let it stress me out too much that there hasn’t been a podcast for awhile. I feel bad about it, but life is currently in the way and I can’t do much about it. But this weekend? I leave in the morning to visit Philly with Mac, hooking up with other knitters (hopefully including Wendy, Krista, Sarah, and who knows who else! Maybe you?), meeting up with Dell, and heading over to Maryland Sheep & Wool (whoo hoo!), getting happy on fiber fumes, photographing goats & sheep, and maybe even buying some yarn! Then on Monday, I head up to NYC for a newborn baby portrait session, visit with more people there, including staying with Kayla and maybe even a meetup with Cara! (She’ll be in Philly when I’m in Maryland. How is that for irony?) Somewhere in there I’m sure there will be more yarn. I return to Philly for one last night, and then head back to Houston next week.

The iRiver is coming with me. I’ll be at the blogger gathering for lunch - hooking up with the Texas contingent, and hopefully also meeting Cat of Knit2Together at 4pm at the same spot - although I must continue my tradition of not being on video, so I am going to have to try to avoid the camera! Throughout the day, I am hoping to talk with others that are there, and record my thoughts on the day. So there WILL be a podcast in the not too distant future! Whoo hoo! If you’re at MDSW, look for me! I’ll be wearing my “bat-shit crazy” shirt. I’m so psyched!

So hang tight. Another show is coming. And I’ll try *really hard* to return to Houston with minimal stash. I wonder how I’ll do?

But it all has its rewards. Last week, I ordered and received my brand new fancypants lens for my camera. (A Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM Standard Zoom Lens, in case you were curious.) Tonight I booked my tickets to fly to Philly in May, hook up with Mac and Adelle and head on over to Maryland Sheep and Wool!

In the Philly area? Or are you going to Maryland Sheep & Wool? Really, we MUST hook up! Let me know!

- We went to Austin, Texas and I attended the Saturday night knitfest coordinated by Julia at Hill Country Weavers. Staci & I both attended the Sunday “Meet the Bloggers” event that HCW hosted, and had the chance to meet Rhonda Bell of the Knitting News Cast, Stephen, Harold, and Jenny of the Stash & Burn podcast. We had a great time meeting them and hanging out with the fabulous Austin knitters!

- Staci finished up the Dale of Norway baby knits and her Chevron Scarf, and is now working on the Knitty sweater, making test swatches with Moda Dea wool, and test knitting a crochet purse from Hearthsong. For the record, the Crochet Dude & I could probably be in the same room at the same time - it just has never happened yet!

- Check back here for links to help you jump into the internet community if you haven’t already.

- Yarn Shops mentioned on the show: Hill Country Weavers (Austin, Texas), Yarntopia (Katy, Texas - Houston area), and Twisted Yarns (Spring, Texas - Houston area).

- Upcoming Fiber Fests: DFW Fiber Festival from April 13-15, 2007 and Maryland Sheep and Wool in May, 2007.

- To help support these adventures, to help with the “get a fancy mic” fund, and just because the saying cracks us up to no end, I’ve set up an online store to buy “I can go bat-shit crazy, or I can knit. Your choice.” t-shirts, along with other items - including toddler and baby “Future Knitter” items! Check them out!

- The above photo of “Dancing Lou” will be for sale on the Fresh Photography site soon, with the option to purchase a print and help out Basenji Rescue. I love Lou!

It is a good thing we recorded yesterday, because I’ve managed to talk so much in the past 3 days that I am losing my voice now. Eep!

- The knit geeks got their knit on at Hill Country Weavers on Saturday night. We returned and met up with the Austin knitters (some were there both nights) on Sunday. Thank you, Hill Country Weavers!

- On Saturday, before we met up at HCW, I attended a panel which featured Vickie Howell and other amazing, creative women. Vickie Howell, for the record, is as adorably cute in person as she is on TV and in print. I will be setting up a date in the near future to interview her for Pointy Sticks. The purpose of the panel that Vickie was a part of was discussing women in the crafty business. It was full of great tips that anyone in business - man or woman - should hear. Especially if you are running your own business. Never, ever forget the value of your worth.

- Also on Saturday, I got to meet Cinnamon of Poise. Her bags, in one word? AMAZING. Beautiful, well constructed, fabulous. I must get one of her knitting bags. (I have my eye on the blue and brown one. Surprising, huh?) They are all so lovely, check them out!

- I met up with a member of the team at Scrapblog and finally learned what it is all about. Let me tell you, it is COOL. I take a lot of photos, and I’ve always wanted to scrapbook with them. I just have never gotten around to it. Scrapblog might finally give me a way to scrapbook my photographs, with the ease of Flickr included. You can take your photos, make a layout, and then print them as a book. How cool is that? There are other cool things you can do - check out their site.

- Speaking of making books, after seeing Lulu and Blurb book samples in person, I now know for a fact that the publishing industry is about to be turned on its head. You can make your very own HIGH QUALITY books and much more. You can do it, without waiting for a publisher. This just makes my head swirl with the possibilities.

- Got computer files you need to move around when you are on the go? Want a super cute designer flash drive? Check out the Mimobots! Goodness, these are just the CUTEST piece of hardware EVER. Seriously. They made me giddy every time I saw them, and the owners of the company? Fabulous. Great people to share your fried pickles with late on a Tuesday night at Katz’s on 6th Street in Austin. The One Love sticker will be on my laptop by tonight, and I really want to get one to tote my files around. (You can pre-order the Star Wars series of Mimobots, which I have seen in person. Good things!)

- More good stuff? Make and Craft magazine. I met them at their booth in the trade show, and learned about the upcoming Makers Faire that will be next fall in Austin, Texas. October 20 & 21, 2007 at the Travis County Fairgrounds. For those of you on the West Coast, there is one in the Bay Area on May 19 & 20, 2007.

Maker Faire is a newfangled fair that brings together science, art, craft and engineering in a fun, energized, and exciting public forum. The aim is to inspire people of all ages to roll up their sleeves and become makers. This family-friendly event showcases the amazing work of all kinds of makers–anyone who is embracing DIY and wants to share their accomplishments with an appreciative audience.

There will be a new podcast online in the next few days. My voice needs a chance to recover from 6 days of nearly non-stop talking. I learned so much and I have so much that I can not WAIT to share with you! (I was so focused on the panels and taking notes, I got absolutely no knitting done. Can you believe it? Sad, but true. More knitting this weekend.)

Oh goodness. I laughed so hard I cried. It is fabulous from the first scene. Props to Knitters Review for the link.

If you’re in Austin, there are several events that you could choose from!
- Saturday morning SnB at Cafe Caffeine. (Thanks, Julia, for the URL!) Knit from 10-12.

- Saturday evening, 6:30pm at Hill Country Weavers, right after the SXSW panel with Vickie Howell! (I’m going to be mere feet away from Vickie Howell at a panel. I might faint. Or squeal like I did when I met the Yarn Harlot. I’m just warning you.)

Here are the details (you can RSVP at Upcoming.org):
Are you are a knitter, a knit blogger, a friend of knit bloggers, a knit blog lurker, a crafter who feels kinship with knitters, or a yarn fetishist? Will you be in Austin during SXSW?

Planned snugly between the Boss Lady panel (with Vickie Howell from knitty gritty) and the serious evening parties - Suzanne from Hill Country Weavers has kindly offered up a place for us to get a little stitchin’ and bitchin’ done. Other crafters and knitters-to-be welcome as well!

There is a van that will kindly provide transport between the convention center and the LYS.

So if you’d to hobnob with some friendly faces, and get the inside scoop on the Austin knitting scene - we hope this will be a nice cross section of locals and out of towners alike!

Please spread the word!

- Sunday afternoon, Hill Country Weavers Knit & Knosh from 11am - 1pm - meet the bloggers!

So, will you be there?

I also talked about Zabet’s stickers! I bought mine at ReBelle Girls in Lexington, Kentucky - but you can now buy them online! (She mentioned something about me being a bully. Hey, I was just trying to be helpful!) Pick up some of her stickers - they are truly amusing.

(There are going to be photos and links here later on. A sick cat is crying for me right now, so that trumps everything else. Plus there is an art show tomorrow, and I have prints that must be ready!)

Staci & I chatted about a whole variety of things. It started off with the Big President Heads (photo will be inserted here later) and Glenwood Cemetary (again, photo). I had taken photographs earlier in the day of Staci with the big boys and my loverboy, Lou. My giant camera was used to take those shots, with the cranberry relish bowl on top (you’re waiting for more photos here).

We talked about upcoming events, including how the Yarnharlot has herself again underestimated the knitters. (It is still wrong of everyone else to be so dismissive of the power of the knitters, but she is allowed to underestimate.) You can go to New York City at the end of March to see her. You can also come to Hill Country Weavers in Austin, Texas on March 11th (during SxSWi) to meet the bloggers. I’ll be there - will you? The Dallas/Fort Worth Fiber Festival is also coming up in April, and how could you possibly resist anything that has both fiber & festival in the name? If you want to go to the big show, you might want to consider making it out to Maryland Sheep & Wool. I’m working out plans to go with Mac if the airlines are willing to sell me a ticket to Philly at a really good price. Hey! Vet bills are expensive! The fiber diet is helping though, so I might be able to swing it. Normally, Mac has gone with the bus from Rosie’s Yarn Cellar.

We moved on to talking about yarn, projects, and other various goodies. There is the Wrap Style capelet that I resisted buying yarn for - Katy Blogless is making one, and our friend Ann wears hers all the time. It was hard to resist. I was unable to completely give up my Collinette Jitterbug, exchanging the Toscana instead of returning it, and coming home with a skein of the Bright Charcoal Jitterbug instead. I really need to think about this though, as the sock stash really is huge (another photo!)

Staci & I have had some overlap lately in addition to the Jitterbug purchase. She is already making the Chevron Scarf using two skeins of Koigu that really don’t go together at all normally. They make a lovely scarf, and we were both inspired by other knitters who have made them. I’m planning on starting mine soon. We also both have a set of the Sox Stix now, which I adore but am afraid of at the same time. I think I’m going to have to buy some short Addi Turbo DPNs from Nancy Bush so I don’t have to worry about breaking them.

Staci knit an adorable Baby Ski Sweater for her future niece or nephew. (I still think neice.) Now she is working on the most boring knit ever, Baby Ski Pants. (Since we recorded the show she has taken a break from the pants to make the first mitten.) It is a Dale of Norway pattern, and she is using Dale of Norway Baby Ull to knit it. I love that yarn. I am still working on the Cambridge Jacket from Interweave Knits and have started working on the P-sock again out of Koigu. Mike has finished his first hat, and he is really happy with it! The pattern came from Never Knit Your Man a Sweater (Unless You Have the Ring).

If you are in Houston and you want to be bitchy with us, we try to show up at the Central Houston Stitch & Bitch. Ok, we’re not really bitchy. We would love to meet you though. I am also usually at Twisted Yarns on Fridays from 11-2:30 or so. If I’m lucky, Staci will design a allergy mask cover for me at SnB sometime. Wouldn’t that be fashionable?

I’m planning on getting a back from 2CheekyMonkeys made from a Monkees album. Ha! I didn’t catch that before now! How funny - a Monkees bag from 2CheekyMonkeys! Ha! Ok, ok, focus… (I’ll share a photo of the album that I bought.) Staci has nicely organized DPNs thanks to the Organized Knitter. The bags are really well made, and I highly recommend them!

At the end of the very long show (sorry about that!), I talked about Favorite Socks: 25 Timeless Designs from Interweave. Originally, I didn’t think I wanted this book. I have the majority of patterns in separate magazines. Now? I’m really glad I got this book. I love having the patterns all in one place. As a bonus, they are having a Knit-along! You can join the Interweave School of Socks! I am all about advancing in a master study of sock knitting. You can learn more about it on their site if you haven’t signed up already.

A first in Pointy Sticks history, there is no closing music. The show was long enough as it was! The opening song, Poke You in the Eye, is by the Flying Fish Sailors and they have generously allowed me to use it for this show. Support the artists that support the podcast and buy their CDs!

So he got extra love last night and this morning, which he demanded. LOUDLY.

Now the podcast is turning into an mp3, and then it will be uploaded to the server and the post will show up right here. Soon! Very soon! (Like give me another hour or so soon.)

So the above photo seems to have nothing to do with knitting - but it does, in fact, have a lot to do with the podcast. I went to Staci’s house yesterday, and we recorded another knit chat! Well, first we played with the dogs. And I photographed the dogs. And I photographed Staci with the dogs. I particularly like this photo of her, Ike and Gus. (Although Lou is my loverboy. But I love them all.)

Today I had a bit of a panic attack, but I think it will all work out ok. I’ve been talking with Interweave about the new book by Amy Singer (aka Queen of Knitty), “No Sheep for You”. They offered to coordinate an interview with Amy, and I said that would be fantastic. I gave them some black-out dates when I won’t be available in a few weeks. They wrote back and asked if this Friday would work for me.

I thought I was going to have to get a bag and do some deep breathing.

I realized that with the Yale Street Market coming up this Saturday, and the prep work I need to do to make sure my photographs are ready for the show, I would be insane to try to interview Amy Singer at the same time. Amy deserves more.

So expect that an interview with Amy will be coming soon. Very soon. Tomorrow will be Episode 15, as long as we don’t get bad news from the vet in the morning. (I just don’t have a good vibe at all about that. Hopefully I am wrong.)

Speaking of changes, CrochetCast is back, and better than ever! If you haven’t listened, be sure to check it out! Jeanne is just as cute as a button, and even though I don’t crochet I love her show! (She is a knitter too, so that does manage to get mixed in!)

I actually worked on the Cambridge Jacket today! Progress! I’ll post some photos of it next week, but I really must post the sock yarn pile photos first. That was just scary. (If you listened to the podcast, you would know what I mean. If you haven’t, you will get it when you see the photos.)

If you’re having problems with iTunes, please feel free to send me an e-mail - podcast at pointysticks (er, at this URL, obviously.) I’ll do whatever I can to help you out! Meanwhile - I’ll keep you posted on the feed situation!

UPDATE: It seems that the problem was that my feed only showed a limited number of posts. So now I have increased the feed to show a lot more posts, which should allow everyone who was unable to get the episodes before #13 to be able to download them too. They are finally all showing up in iTunes for me on this end, so it should be all fixed!

I may still have to split up the feeds though, so that iTunes can continue to serve all the shows while you can subscribe to the feed for the other posts. Mmmmm… Feeds. Good things!

It was amazing to me how many people participated in the Podcastiversary contest! Simply fabulous - and several people won cool prizes as a result! Please be sure to check out all of the sponsors and the great things they offer in their stores. Here is a list of all the prize sponsors and the winners; congratulations to everyone!

- A Lyra mp3 Player - won by Beth
- Scout’s Swag fingering weight yarn in a color of her choice from the gallery - won by Lain
- Brook’s Farm new Solana Yarn - won by Cindy
- Sockfish bag pattern by Kimberly - won by Kori
- Fresh Photography angora goat photo - won by Valarie
- Yarn 4 Socks skein of sock yarn, winner’s choice - won by Jennifer
- Scotts Mountain Crafts hand-forged shawl pin - won by Knitting Bandit
- SplitYarn needle case - won by Lois
- SplitYarn card cases - won by Sally and Cecilia

Thank you again for the Podcastiversary wishes from Brenda of Cast-On, Guido of It’s a Purl, Man, Faith of The Knitting Cook, David of Sticks & String, Syne of WeaveCast, and Jessica of Over the Fiber Moon. HUGE APOLOGIES to Rosemary of the CraftBorg, as I knew I was missing one and I just realized a few seconds ago whose it was! (I’m so sorry, Rosemary!) I’ll include it in the next show, because I always feel celebrations should go on all month long!

I shared a number of different comments on sock knitting, and I will have to come back later and add all the appropriate links to the show notes. My brain is fried right now, seriously fried. By the way, I did NOT record this episode while sitting in a tin can, but it sure sounds like it. Since it was my second take, I couldn’t do a third one and instead spent several hours editing it to get it to a good level. I’m still not happy about it, but sometimes you just have to roll with it.

The book that I reviewed - well, sort of - in this podcast is Knitting Vintage Socks by Nancy Bush. I will post photos of Nancy and the socks themselves in the next day or so. She truly is amazing teacher and I think everyone should have an opportunity to learn from her. If you can’t see her in person, be sure to pick up her books. The are WONDERFUL.

I also talked about how I finally gave in and knit with Sox Stix by Lantern Moon. They are smooth, short, and in my opinion? Swell! I actually like knitting with DPNs when it comes to these. My fear of breaking them is making me consider buying short Addi Turbos instead though - Nancy Bush sells them through her shop.

As always, the opening song is by The Flying Fish Sailors (who have live shows coming soon! Go see them in person if you are in the Houston area!). The closing song for this episode is King of the Rollerama by Dierdre Flint, and it makes me giggle like a 12 year old girl every time I listen to it. Mmm… Jean Nate and Jordache Jeans! Please buy their albums and support the artists that support the podcast!

Thanks again to everyone for listening and for making the past year simply fabulous! Big plans ahead for 2007, including interviews with Scout, Nancy Bush and the Yarn Harlot! Who knows what else the year has in store for us all?

We have waited awhile for the painter we wanted to use to help redecorate the kitchen to be available. All of the sudden last Tuesday I got a call to let me know he could start painting on Thursday.

My world was suddenly turned upside down.

We almost painted the room green, but instead we went with red. If you look through my yarn stash, you would find a lot of yarn in similar tones to what we now have on the wall. Isn’t it amazing how we drift to the same colors over & over again? The whole saga about it is over on BigPinkCookie, along with my decorating idea posts.

I haven’t knit in over a week, and I’m starting to twitch a bit because of it!

We did have one more addition to the prizes for the Podcastiversary Contest! *squee!* Caro of SplitYarn is donating one of her fantastic needle holder cases and two card holders for prizes. The needle case is perfect for DPNs, and I have one of the card cases that I use for my business cards and I *love* it. To the point that I even showed it off to the Yarn Harlot when I saw her in Austin, because Caro just gave it to me that day. Yes, I am a dork - I actually showed it to everyone. Now you might win one too!

Winners will be listed tonight. The podcast will be posted in the morning. Now that the painting is done, I’m working on more interviews for the show - 2007 is going to be a GREAT year!

I think I’m going to have to scratch that plan, since the yarn has made my eyes itchy, my lips numb in an odd way, and I just feel like scratching my neck now. Strange, as the yarn is really, really soft. I have limited alpaca experience, but the last time I knit with it the reaction was pretty similar. I think the alpaca just makes me itchy.

I’m working on a destash pile. I think this is going over there. Bummer.

And as an added bonus, we have another prize for those of you who entered the contest! (Man, there were a LOT of you. I have to work on getting everything ready for the drawing before I record the show!) Chris has offered one of her hand forged shawl pins - these things are BEAUTIFUL! You can check them out at her Etsy store. Simply stunning - thanks so much, Chris!

I’ve still got a minimal voice. Over the weekend it was so bad that when we met up with Guido, he questioned if I was really me, since I didn’t sound like myself. I think I passed the test though, and after lunch at a great little restaurant he dropped us off on the corner to meet up with Grumperina at a coffee shop. We got there early, but I fortunately recognized the hat in her hands when she came in, and we chatted while we knit and Guido eventually returned to join us. It was FANTASTIC to get to meet them both, and they are really wonderful people. If you’re in the Boston area, I highly recommend looking them up. Mike was mesmerized by watching Grumperina work the stranded colorwork magic on her latest hat, and Guido shared the lovely story of sweaters knit for him and his pumpkin by family in South America. It was a good time. Diana joined us towards the end, and it was great to meet another knitter too! I’m so sorry we had to leave so soon - the pharmacy had a prescription waiting for me, and they were about to close. We made it there just in time to pick it up!

We then drove around the North End of Boston, missing a right turn to get us to Regina’s pizza for round 2 of delicious pizza heaven. Guido took us to Mike’s Pastry though, and a quick (free!) cab ride later - after Mike bought a cannolli - we were at Regina’s. YUM. We settled into the hotel room afterwards, and Mike watched the end of the Super Bowl while I slept. Yes, he gave up the Super Bowl for knitting and a second trip to Regina’s for me. He is that fabulous.

You can tell that I was much more under the weather than even I realized by the fact that there is absolutely NO photographs to mark our visit with Guido and Grumperina, even though I brought my camera along for the ride out there. I regret not snapping a few shots, but I’ll just have to return for another visit now!

The podcast is going to be delayed, but just for a day or so. Really, you guys don’t want to hear me squeaking like I currently am - it would be painful for us all! I’ll be posting updates here, including possibly MORE prizes, so keep an eye out! It is too late to enter (I have to do the drawing today!) but it isn’t too late to win if you already entered!

Happy Podcastiversary day! Thank you again to EVERYONE for the fantastic entries!

Instead, I’ll work on getting together the Podcastiversary episode. Maybe there will be a Part I & a Part II, both published next week? We’ll see. I already have a good chunk of the show content ready, so it may work out that way. (Winners of the Podcastiversary contest will still be announced in the show on February 8th, and the deadline is still February 6th at midnight. Make sure you comment here or send a trackback ping if you post on your blog so I find your post, m’kay?)

Plus, this will give me time to gather my thoughts so I can gush appropriately about the newly found appreciation that I have for knitting vintage patterns.

While I wasn’t recording today, thanks to the sexy “I can’t breathe” voice, I worked instead on creating designs for t-shirts and other goodies that I will link to soon. (I know, I’m such a tease.)

Since there isn’t going to be a show today, this will give you more time instead to think about Project Spectrum II! Are you participating? What are you going to make for the first two months? I’m going to bring my other sweater’s worth of Brooks Farm FourPlay out of “time out” and start knitting it up. I have the pattern and everything already, so I am psyched! The yarn is the perfect colors too - blue, gray & white! (It sort of matches the Fresh Photography site!)

Off to pack, and maybe sleep. I’m still taking Dayquil, so I may be awake for days. We’ll see. Hopefully my head won’t explode during the flight - that could be messy.

OH! FIRST! PODCASTIVERSARY Contest updates! (Have YOU entered? Share your sock story, win a prize!)
- NEW! Yarn 4 Socks is donating one skein of sock yarn, winner’s choice!
- NEW! I am donating an 8×10 print of the angora goat.
- A Lyra mp3 player
- A skein of Scout’s Swag fingering weight yarn, color your choice from the color gallery.
- A skein of Brooks Farm Solana yarn.
- A sockfish bag pattern from The Giving Flower

The angora goat is the producer of mohair fiber, something all know, and those of us that love wool often also love. I visited Koenig Farm in Kentucky in the summer of 2005, and this was one of the many goats that greeted me while I was there. Almost all of their yarn is spun from their flock, so we had the treat of seeing it go from goat to fiber to yarn all at once. It was amazing! I went back this winter, but still need to process the photos from that trip.

I’ve been very busy this week - once I came home from the retreat, I dived right into working on the Fresh Photography site. (This site is going to get an overhaul soon too, but not this week!) The above photograph, along with many others, is now for sale there. (You can find the goat right here if you are interested.)

This work, of course, means that my sweater won’t be done when I get on the flight tomorrow morning. I’m making progress on the left front, but it is nowhere close to being finished. I’m not going to push it today, since I took DAYquil at about 10pm last night and ended up staying up past 4am. Seriously, it says DAY on the packaging for a reason. 5 hours of sleep? Not a good time to knit. I’m wide awake now, but my head still feels like it is going to explode. More meds, and I will wrap up Episode 14 before I head out in the morning.

More prizes are coming in for the Podcastiversary contest - so stay tuned! A print of the above goat is going to be one of them, along with more yarn. Whee!

*Yeah, I’m a dork. The Dayquil doesn’t help. Now I’m singing “Don’t mock the goat! Don’t tip the goat over!” repeatedly in my mind. Glad I could share.

Also, Kimberly of The Giving Flower has generously donated a Sockfish bag pattern, because she is another lover of sock knitting! And have you seen her stitch markers? WOW. I had come across them before, but I was speechless again tonight as I looked at them. They are amazing!

So now you have a chance to win:
- A Lyra mp3 player
- A skein of Scout’s Swag fingering weight yarn, color your choice from the color gallery.
- A skein of Brooks Farm Solana yarn.
- A sockfish bag pattern from The Giving Flower

Thank you to everyone for their generosity! Have you entered yet? It is pretty easy to do - just read on for details.

Seriously, how cool is that? Thank you, Scout! Be sure to enter so you have a chance to win! The “Grand Prize” is a Lyra mp3 player, although this prize is pretty darn grand if you ask me!

Also, I realized this weekend that I need more ways to get the word out. So here is the scoop and all the ways you can be entered in the drawings:

1. Leave a comment and you will be entered once. (I will assign each entry a number, and the random number selector will pick the numbers for me.)
2. Leave an Odeo comment - link over in the sidebar - and you will be entered twice!
3. Write a post on your blog including a link to this site - you will be entered twice!

The focus of the posts, comments & recordings should be on socks; why you love to knit socks, why you hate to knit socks, what sock yarn or patterns you love, your latest sock find, your favorite sock method, a neat sock trick that you have learned, why you just don’t get why people knit socks because you don’t. Whatever. I’m just counting up the sock related ones, as that is the theme of the contest, so tell me all about your socks.

I’m working on a few more prizes too, so you definitely want in on this! I’ll keep posting about it as I add to the list. Please, please help spread the word about the show!

If you are interested in donating a prize for the Podcastiversary, feel free to leave a comment here or contact me via e-mail (podcast at this domain) and we will work out the details!

Oh, and Nancy Bush? She ROCKS. If you find a class that you can attend that she is teaching - take it. Don’t hesitate.

Ok, fun, aside from my surgery on February 12th. That part? Probably not so fun.

This episode is a fun one! So fun, I recorded the intro portion twice! (Audacity ate the first one. Thank goodness for good notes!)

This show contains: the excitement leading up to meeting Nancy Bush, plans for the retreat with Sara, details about the latest CONTEST! Socks, socks, socks - listen to the show for all the details, and the deadline is midnight on February 6th to enter (leave an Odeo comment to increase your chances to win! Or type a comment here), and details about the upcoming podcast 1 year anniversary show! You could win an mp3 player!

If you are in the Boston area, let me know if you want to meet up for knitting on Superbowl Sunday. I can’t wait to knit on the east coast!

Thanks again to Staci for being such a gracious guest. We will definitely have to do this again, and hopefully coordinating it won’t be so crazy next time! And I slip up in the middle - Staci was looking for knitting tattoos and spotted Julia’s - not the other way around. Sorry, Julia!

I haven’t forgotten about your “Favorite Things” Odeo comments. Coming up in future shows we will have those, along with (hopefully) an interview with Nancy Bush, details about my trip to Koenig Farms in Kentucky, interviews with other knitters, and so much more, I can’t even think of it all!

Links to books and people from the chat with Staci:
- Stahman’s Shawls and Scarves: Lace Faroese-Shaped Shaws from the Neck Down & Seamen’s Scarves
- Classic Elite Yarns
- American Textile History Museum

Music in this episode:
- Poke You in the Eye by the Flying Fish Sailors (Amazon)
- My Sweetest Vice by the Joel Lightman Band from the Podsafe Music Network.

Tomorrow? Tomorrow I get to go to Galveston for a knitting retreat at the fabulous Tremont House. The same hotel where we had our wedding reception, so I love that place. But the BIG part of the retreat? Our classes on Saturday & Sunday are being taught by NANCY BUSH!

NANCY BUSH!!!

(Author of Knitting Vintage Socks: New Twists on Classic Patterns and Knitting on the Road. In case you wondered.)

I’m so giddy already - and it hasn’t even started yet. On top of meeting and learning from Nancy Bush, I am going to hopefully interview her too! Wheeee!

And a bonus? I’m sharing a hotel room with Sara of Let Me ExplaiKnit. At the hotel with the BEST rooms I have ever stayed in, with the most comfortable beds. And luscious pillows and sheets.

Oh yeah, it is going to be a SWEET weekend. But first I need to finish the podcast editing.

While I am gone this weekend, you can start thinking of your contest entries for the 1 Year Anniversary show that is coming up! The topic? Sock knitting! Tell me why you like to knit socks, why you don’t like to knit socks, what your favorite sock patterns are, what socks you dream of knitting someday, what sock yarns make you swoon. Anything and everything related to socks. I’ll post more contest details soon.

The Faith Jacket, lounging on my sofa. I can’t get a good photo of me in it to save my life. I will try again, or maybe when I see Staci tomorrow for our podcast interview, I can talk Anne Bolyn (sp?) to model it for me. She is the perfect model - stands still, never complains, doesn’t flinch. (She is a dress form. No head, thus the name.)

I liked knitting this - it was perfect travel knitting, I even worked on it in the dark. It is just strips of garter stitch, like scarves. Only problem is, I think I should have knit it on larger needles. I liked the gauge I was getting, but I didn’t think about it making a dense fabric, which doesn’t drape and flow as much as I would like. I’ve already threatened to frog it at the end of the winter season to knit it looser or to use the yarn for something else.

It did teach me about the wonders of wool the other day though. I wore it while we were out on a photo hunt and it was raining. I didn’t even think to bring a different coat, so I was stuck wearing the Faith Jacket in the rain. Doh! I haven’t blocked it yet though, so I figured no loss - I would just block it out when I got home if needed. It wasn’t until the end of the day - when we had been in drizzling rain for an hour - that I realized that it was hardly wet at all, and I was completely dry and warm underneath. Thanks to my jacket, a wool scarf, and wool (Trekking) socks, I was quite comfortable while everyone else complained of being cold. A wool hat would have helped some, so I’ll have to work on making one of those too.

And yes, it is almost the exact same color as my Cambridge Jacket. I didn’t realize it when I bought this yarn (purchased after the other one), but it is amusing every time I see them together.

In addition to the sweater I’m already working on.

The lace was fiddly and slow, and I really want to wear that sweater. I think I have finally decided that the wrap that I bought to go with the dress will work just fine. No need to knit lace in less than 2 weeks. Especially not when I’m already over 1/3rd of the way done with the sweater.

So no sweater progress photos yet - I’m only a few inches into the fronts. I’m knitting them both at the same time right now, but I might change that. It just feels faster when you knit them separately!

I have just a few more inches to go and then the back of the sweater will be done and I will cast on for the sides. I will probably do both sleeves at the same time, but I’m not doing both sides at the same time. That just hurts my head a little bit too much.

I love the Brooks Farm yarn so much, I actually started a group for Brooks Farm photos over on Flickr. Feel free to join!

The above stitch markers are ones that Caro sent me last September for my birthday. I love them! She sells them in her Etsy store, and they are really well made. I love that she sent me a “P” and a “S” for PointySticks!

Stats:
Pattern: Cambridge Jacket from Interweave Knits
Started: Sunday, January 14, 2007
Yarn: Brooks Farm Four Play
Needles: Size 6 US, Knitpicks Options

I should note that it was in the 70s and 80s last Thursday and Friday though. So a 40-50 degree temperature change? A big difference. No wonder I have that scratchy throat feeling!

Ok, enough with the weather rant. To help me keep warm with the big freeze, I’ve been a very busy knitter. Friday night, we went to EJ & Sherry’s house to watch Clerks 2 (the adults watched the movie, not the kids - they were upstairs playing video games) and I swatched for Elaine’s Tempting sweater. I’m knitting it in the Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran and the size 7 US needle got perfect gauge. Now I’m all set to cast on.

However, on Saturday I realized that if I knit really fast, I could have a sweater to wear in New England when we go there for a wedding in 3 weeks, so I started swatching with the Brooks Farm 4-Play for the Cambridge Jacket (the men’s sweater in the IK summer ‘06 issue - the one with the Icarus shawl in it) and I’m over halfway done with the back. I’m using one of their nearly solid colors in a dark green, and ended up having to go down to a size 6 needle. Even then, I’m still not getting gauge. I’m getting close to a stitch per inch less than the pattern calls for - so if it calls for 20 stitches over 4 inches, I’m getting 16 stitches over 4 inches. That makes for a too big sweater, so I opted to go down a size and knit the 44″ instead of the 48″ that I would have originally made. So far, it is right on the mark when I compare the measurements to a favorite *cough*store-bought*cough* sweater that I have. Sweet! On top of that, if I keep up the pace, I should have it done with time to get the zipper in before we head north in early February.

Thank you to everyone for delurking, and I will be back online more tomorrow. For now, I really want to try to finish the back of the sweater. Just one more row? (The cry of all knitters when we really want to get something done!)

The big news around here? I will be having shoulder surgery in the next month or so. Yes, the fun never ends. Hopefully the burning pain in my shoulder will finally end though!

On to the various things mentioned in the show:

Charity Knitting:
The Red Scarf Project is in full swing and you can still send in your scarves! For more information, visit Orphan.org’s site and read about it at Interweave Press too. Interweave also has a free pattern for you to use designed by Ann Budd.

Other Knit News:
- Have an unfinished project that you would like to see be a part of a theater piece? Here is your chance! For more info on Kristina Wong. For submission guidelines, email: k [at] kristinasherylwong [dot] com

On the needles:
- Tonight I will finish up the Faith Jacket - found in Sally Melville’s The Knitting Experience: Book 3: Color. Much more adorable in person than in the photos; I’m knitting mine out of the Queensland Collection Kathmandu Aran. I hope to wear it tomorrow.
- The Forest Canopy shawl that I haven’t touched in over a month now is going to be frogged. US 4 is simply too small of a needle for my taste with this yarn, so I must go up a size or two.
- I have started the second front panel of the Noro Kochoran Lucy Jacket! I can only knit on it until I sneeze though. Then I must put it away.
- I cast on and finished the Argosy scarf in just 3 days. It is lovely! But damn Noro and those knots!
- I also made a scarf from Silkwood’s Contessa (thick & thin) yarn. It still needs to be photographed.
- Mike is working on a wallet from the book, “Knitting at with Balls”.
- I am participating in the Stashalong 2007. Someone hold me please while I resist the urge to buy more yarn.

Winter Holiday Notes:
- If you are in or near Lexington, Kentucky, visit the fabulous new yarn shop there, ReBelle Girls! I can not say enough good things about that shop and all of the goodies that they carry.
- Tap into your inner rebel with The AntiCraft. Renee is really nice, but I only got to meet her in passing. Zabet, meanwhile, can make you laugh until you cry. Seriously. (I’m pretty sure Renee has the same powers. I hope to see more of her next time I visit Lexington!)

Favorite Things:
- The lucky number for the “Favorite Things” contest winner was #8! Joy will be the lucky recipient of the infamous Ear Light, DPN holder, and highlighter tape. I used the Random Number Generator to “draw” the number after making a document listing every comment, including Odeo ones, in order.
- Speaking of Odeo comments - feel free to use the button over there at any time! I *love* to hear from you. The Odeo comments left for the Favorite Things contest will be included in the next show.
- My latest favorite thing? The KnitPicks Options needle set. I will probably never use my Denise needles again, and my Addi Turbos are even gathering dust. Yes, I love them that much.

Coming Up:
- How to survive without a stash - an interview with stashless knitter S t a c i.
- A visit to Koenig Farm
- More personal blogging here between episodes!

Music in this episode:
- Poke You in the Eye by the Flying Fish Sailors (Amazon)
- Schoolhouse Rock Medley by the Lager Rhythms, from the Strange Charm CD

Visiting the LYS is my favorite thing to do while on holiday, and I discovered a true gem when I walked into ReBelle Girls here in Lexington, Kentucky. The greeting was as warm as the shop, Mike and I both found things to knit, and as an added perk we discovered that the brains behind The AntiCraft are locals. I scored and interview with Zabet on Christmas Eve (aka Sunday) at ReBelle after some sit & knit time. It was great fun, and as soon as I get the rest of the show put together around it tomorrow, it will be here.

Good times, good times. I can’t wait to share!

I rambled through the opening. And the rest of the show. I think I have all of the links ready though for the show notes. Here are some of the things you might be looking for:

- Faith Jacket - found in Sally Melville’s The Knitting Experience: Book 3: Color. Much more adorable in person than in the photos; I’m knitting mine out of the Queensland Collection Kathmandu Aran.
- The Forest Canopy shawl that I haven’t touched in two weeks is being knit out of Schaeffer Anne.
- I still plan to make 3 pairs of Fetchings in Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran.
- Also going in the car for the road trip, the Mountain Colors Bearfoot socks for my mother.
- I have finished the first front panel of the Noro Kochoran Lucy Jacket! At last!
- Ariann is lovely and swoonworthy - now I just need to lose a few inches so it will fit. I’m ok with that plan. Who is going to join me?
- The Kid & Ewe and Llamas Too fiber festival is held in Boerne, TX in November of each year. We had such a good time - I am definitely hoping to be back next year!

- We had a large potluck dinner, and we gave out door prizes from the following:
Discount Yarn Sale - Hill Country Sock yarn!
Fancy Stitcher - embroidered sock knitting bag
Hockett Would Work - handcarved drop spindle
Split Yarns - card holders, needle case
Brooks Farm - yummy Riata yarn!

- Katy Blogless, Amy & Kelly said, “No wheel!” (To avoid carrying one back to Houston on their lap.) Jeanne and Staci were kind enough to offer to let me send it back to Houston with them. I resisted the temptation.
- Other vendors of note: Heritage Arts, Jojoland and Perfect Buttons
- Personal highlight? Meeting Michael of WormSpit.com!

Don’t forget to enter the contest on Episode 10! It isn’t too late!

Music in this episode (some from the PodSafe Music Network):
- Poke You in the Eye by the Flying Fish Sailors (Amazon)
- When I’m 25 or 64 by Jonathan Coulton
- American Woman by the Flying Fish Sailors, from the Loch Ness Monster CD
- Love the One You’re With by the Lager Rhythms, from the Band Gap CD
- I Drank Too Much at the Office Christmas Party by The Alice Project

(File updated on 12/18, since I left a song out!)

Don’t forget to enter the contest! Listen to the show for details!

Currently Knitting:
- Forest Canopy Shawl by Susan Lawrence in Schaeffer Anne yarn.
- Fetchings in Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran.
- Cable Twist Socks with my heel modification in Mountain Colors Bearfoot.
- Mountain Colors Basic Pullover in Brooks Farm 4-Play.

Favorite Things:
- Ear Light from the Discovery Store
- DPN Holder
- 3M Highlighter Tape

If you are interested, you can purchase my prints at Fresh Photography. The angora goat (mohair!) will be online within the next day or so. The shopping cart isn’t ready yet, but you can order via e-mail and pay via PayPal or with a credit card.

Music in this episode:
- Poke You in the Eye by the Flying Fish Sailors
- Moonshine by Jupiter and Teardrop
- How’d I Get So Lucky by Cassandra Kubinski
- Favorite Things by Stuckey & Murray (Not safe for work! Or for children!)
- The Christmas Season by Sudden Death

Don’t forget to enter the contest! Listen to the show for details!

I’m thinking of doing a “refer a friend” contest. I might just have to go through the stash, which is way too huge, and find some prize yarn. Hmmm…

Be sure to catch the complete slip-up that cracks me up in the middle of the show! Also, if you listen close, you can hear Chloe’s tags jingle in the background as she walks around, and you might even hear her sneeze.

- My new laptop is a Dell Latitude. I love it. I have a new microphone too, so let me know how the show sounds.
- Kid & Ewe is coming up! Texas *does* have a wool and fiber festival, November 10-12, 2006. Join us there for lunch on November 11th - post to the wiki to let us know if you are coming.
- Caro makes fabulous goods - have you seen my business card case? Check out her Etsy shop.
- Figure out the right number for your heels. Props to Donna for another great link. (Check out her alway changing sidebar!)
- Thanks to Caro, I now know how to make budget sock blockers and Julia clued me in on how to make a nice blocking board.
- Participate in the Red Scarf Project 2007. Visit Now Norma Knits for details.
- Sponsor Deb in the Light the Night walk.
- Thanks to Knitty D & The City, I am an honorary Yarn Slut.
- I am knitting the Babies’ & Bears Sweater for Grown-ups still out of 4-Play by Brooks Farm Yarn. I dream of knitting “Cable Vision” from Family Circle Easy Plus-Size Knits. I also want to knit the Lucy jacket from Naturally Noro, and the Fetching wrist covers from Knitty.
- I love my Hill Country Yarns Sweet Feet Sock Yarn.
- The gals at Mason-Dixon Knitting make me swoon a little, and not only do I want to knit washclothes, I want to knit my very own Swiffer cover!
- Thank you to Sara in Wisconsin for sharing her essay. She does not have a blog, but feel free to leave her props or questions here if you want. (If you want to share something on the show, post a comment and let me know!)
- Thank you again to Knitty D & The City, along with Cast-On, Lime & Violet and Its a Purl, Man for helping to spread the word that the show is back!
- Feel free to take the button in the sidebar, post it to your site, and spread the word about the podcast!

Thank you again to the wonderful musicians for sharing their talents; please support them by buying their music!

- “Poke You in the Eye” by the Flying Fish Sailors (Amazon)
- “A Laptop Like You” by Jonathon Coulton
- “Haul U-Haul Haul” by the Flying Fish Sailors

Now the family have left our side of town, the tests are all out of the way (a 95 on my Trig test!) and the laptop is all set up at last for recording. With that, this afternoon will be the first podcast from the new laptop. It will be online as soon as the editing is complete.

So, what do you think? More music or less music? Do you listen to the music and check out the artists, or so you just fastforward through that part?

Watch this space - Episode 9, coming soon!

I sold one company, and I’m starting something in a completely new direction with photography. Our first show is the first Saturday of November at the Yale Street Market in the Houston Heights. Speaking of photography, please check out Boobiethon and flash your *other* stash for breast cancer. Help Deb raise money to fight leukemia, the Dracula Blood. (Her daughter is looking for sponsors too!)

Join me every week for Finish It Friday! Be sure to post or e-mail photos - I want to hear about your finishing! It is a great time to weave in ends, attach sleeves, knit up a neckband. Your projects need your love. I am finishing my Clapotis, and the never-ending Baby Blanket is all done. I started socks that I am worried are going to be too small - again. I am knitting a sweater finally, and I LOVE Brooks Farm Yarn’s 4-Play! It is the BEST.

I review Knit Fix, which I really liked. It is full of way to fix the mistakes you make as quickly and painlessly as possible. You can follow the book tour online at several sites. (I’ll add the link list tomorrow, but I think Brenda Dayne has it listed on her site if you don’t want to wait.)

My first trip to Austin this summer involved Knit Flix night at Jo’s on S. Congress, organized by Susan of YarnBar. I’m so glad that Julia invited me - she is the best hostess! (Ok, she let me invite myself. Whatever.) I’ll add a link in for Sarah’s fabulous Longhorn Intarsia sweater. I met Caro, and I forgot to tell you all about her when I talked about the Harlot! Eep! (Next episode!)

I meant to visit Tara for just a night, but I refused to leave. When I did, thanks to the inspiration of Domino Magazine and Tara’s really helpful wisdom on finding an inspiration piece, I redecorated my bedroom. Ikea played a big roll in the makeover.

At the end of the month I returned to Austin to see The HARLOT! I sound like a goof babbling about her, but that was how she made me feel that day so I left it alone.

Thanks to Chris for the suggestion on naming the mp3 file. Also, be sure to check out the ability to listen to the show online.

Yes, I said it. I’m a comment whore. Leave one here, send an e-mail to podcast@ the domain, or record one using the Odeo link on the sidebar. Oh, and if you want to contribute to the show, there is a donation button, and I’m always happy to share essays, poetry, music or anything else you want to share.

Thank you again to the wonderful musicians for sharing their talents; please support them by buying their music!

- “Poke You in the Eye” by the Flying Fish Sailors (Amazon)
- “Better Days to Come” by Marc Doiron
- “Ikea” by Jonathon Coulton
- “Absolutely Fabulous” by Allison Tartalia

Links (more coming soon!)
- UFO August
- Jeannie
- Ann
- Loop
- Angel Knits
- Nikki
- My Trek Along Post - with photos!
- London Walks
- Beating Retreat
- St. Paul’s Cathedral
- Liberty
- Brenda
- Lakeland (Ordering not available for the US. Just a warning before you try to shop there.)
- Salad & Go (Buy it in the US here. Thanks Christine/cpurl for finding the link!)
- William Morris
- Stash

Thank you again to the generous artists who make their music available through the Podsafe Music Network or who have granted special permission for their music to be played on the show. Like their work? Support them by buying their CDs!

- Poke You in the Eye by the Flying Fish Sailors (Amazon)
- Take Me Home by Adama
- Darkness (Leave the Light On) by David Gielan (CDBaby, iTunes)

Leave a comment and no one gets hurt…

For those that haven’t been following along on my regular blog, it has been a busy summer for me, full of many wonderful things. Most of which were unplanned when the summer began, which made it even more wonderful in the surprises that life brings.

I had the opportunity to travel a lot more than I thought I would this summer - including trips to London, Wales, three trips to Austin, and the Ozarks. I visited yarn shops, I met famous knitters, I spent time with knitters that should be famous or will be someday soon, I learned about the World Cup, I took hundreds of photographs, I knit a sock in rather unusual places, I laughed for hours on end with girlfriends, redecorated my bedroom (a major task), and most importantly, I spent time relaxing and enjoying my family. My son started high school this week, and I think this was an important summer for us for many reasons.

I’ll recap more about it all in the upcoming shows. Soon, very soon.

(Ignore this part - I just need to claim My Odeo Channel. By the way, you can leave me a message at any time using the Odeo link over there on the sidebar. Just in case you want to be heard.)

While the squeaky nature of my voice would be annoying for you to listen to, the raspy quality might make it more like listening to one of those stars of the silver screen from the 40s. Nah, probably not. But it is almost tempting to test it out just to see how it sounds! (I know better though - talking for close to an hour would put me far behind in the recovery process!)

More soon, as soon as the voice recovers!

- I’ve met up with Jeannie of Crochet Cast and experienced the wonders of Hill Country Yarns! She brought us skeins of yarn to choose from, and I brought home Sweet Feet Sock Yarn in Purple Mountain and Mountain Laurel. They are so soft and so beautiful!

- I’ve also met up with Rosemary of Craft Borg and she inspired me to want to get out all my stamps this week and finally make some scrapbook pages! (I just have to print some pictures first!) I can’t wait to see her again when she is in town for her vacation this summer.

- I met up with both of them at Yarntopia, so I got to visit with Amy and Sheryl, which was an added perk! I picked up my Yarntopia Sock Posse yarn too. (There is a blog for that, but I can’t find it right now!)

- I also got to spend a lot of time sitting and knitting and shopping at Twisted Yarns, my home away from home. I have several projects in mind for this summer, thanks to the inspiration of the Friday knitters. I’ll pick up my sock of the month club yarn on June 1st! I shopped one afternoon at Yarns 2 Ewe, where they had lots of Koigu, but I was not swayed by its power.

- Don’t forget the Second Annual WWKIPD on June 10th! (World Wide Knit in Public Day). If you are in Houston and interested in getting together for it, let me know! Houston knitters - we need to represent!

- We’re KNOT Going to Take It! is coming up on June 1st! Take part and tell the yarn companies how their knotty yarn really makes you feel!

- With the super cool ear light, you can knit ANYWHERE - no matter what size needles you are using!

- Listen close to the essay, you can hear where I start to lose it and cry. I read through it probably four times to make sure that didn’t happen, and it happened anyways. Sometimes, being the crying type is hard.

- One Skein by Leigh Radford is a fabulous new book, and I recommend it to anyone that wants to try out a new, luscious yarn or who has yarn left over from a previous project. The pictures are yummy!

- Non-knitter friends mentioned in this episode: Deb, Michael and Ginger.

New Podcasts mentioned in this episode:
- Craftborg
- KnitTunes
- Craft Sanity
- BritKnitCast
- CraftLit

Speaking of podcasts, I need your help - since I didn’t record a show for 5 or 6 weeks, some people stopped listening. Can you help get the word out about the show? Take a button (it is over in the sidebar) and spread the love!

Thank you again to the generous artists who make their music available through the Podsafe Music Network or who have granted special permission for their music to be played on the show. Like their work? Support them by buying their CDs!

- Poke You in the Eye by the Flying Fish Sailors (Amazon)
- You’ll Know What to Do by Blue Number Nine (Buy Music)
- Momma’s Song by Ezra Thomas (For a limited time, download all songs free!)
- Home in You by the Undercover Hippy
- Fare Thee Well by the Lager Rhythms (Buy the “Band Gap” CD and you will hear Mike on all the tracks!)

Now it is your turn to talk! Leave a comment!

Like the new button? Please, take one! Put it on your blog, link to the show. Share it with your friends. Spread the word about Pointy Sticks!

Show notes for Episode 5:

We’re Knot Taking Anymore! Organized by BrookeLynn of the Mosh Knit podcast and Anne of KnitSpot - June 1st. Help spread the word, and let the yarn companies know how you feel!

On and off the needles (links go to Flickr so you can see the projects):
- Half Pi Shawl from Rosie’s Yarn Cellar - done!
- Socks with afterthought heels - waiting for the heels
- Making headway on Lady Eleanor Shawl
- Trekking XXL #107 “meh” socks (56 Stitch pattern modified to be 64 stitches.)
- NEW! Clapotis! Today I’ve finished the 3rd round of Section #2; pattern available at Knitty
- Waiting for me to knit - Vesper sock yarn, color: Big Pink Cookie
- The never ending Baby Blanket
- Mike’s messenger bag

Labels are not nice sometimes, but maybe they are impossible to avoid?

New podcasts - check them out! Math4Knitters and Knitty D & The City

Mike’s Book Review - Getting Started Knitting by Jennifer Worick; with a number of patterns contributed by Grace Anna Robbins, designer of the Half Pi Shawl.

Props to Loop of Philly - they ROCK!

Go and join The Amazing Lace!

Music from this episode - many thanks to all of the artists that shared their works!
- Poke You in the Eye - Flying Fish Sailors
- Baby Blanket Blues created by April of Coffee Crazy Knitters and the Celtic Knitter.
- Things are What You Make of Them by Bishop Allen from their Charm School CD
- Run Towards the Warmth of the Sun by Orange is In.
- I Feel Fantastic (not I Feel Fine as I called it on the show - oops) by Jonathan Coulton

Thanks again for listening - now it is YOUR turn to talk back!

It is full of “uhm” and “so…” and there is even a popped “p” or two (sorry about that), but once again I think it is the best show yet. Let me know what you think.

Featured on this show:
- The Flying Fish Sailors poke you in the eye.
- Knitting Psychos, Irie Knits, It’s a Purl, Man,
- Donny is at Time2Knit and Jeanie is at Crochet Cast.
- Are you Majoring in Lace?
- Mike is the guest DJ. Yo, DJ, Kick It! I am dancing like Ellen. Hey, she is searching for a new DJ! Maybe Mike should apply?
- On the needles: Lady Eleanor, the half pi shawl from Rosie’s Yarn Cellar and coming soon - new socks and the second slipper. The Jaywalker socks are finally done, along with my latest Sophie bag and one slipper. For the entire month of April, I have commited to use what I have already in my stash.
- Mike is about to knit Satchel from Knitty. He actually got to take yarn from my stash for it. I knew it would happen.
- I got to meet Amy, and she allowed me into Yarntopia! You really should come and see the store! (This segment sounds different because the interview recorded with the iTrip and my iPod.)
- Marni leads us Along the Inca Road.
- I want some clear clogs (found thanks to Starz Above) because I’m a Sockamaniac.
- You are a sexy knitter. Now go join the Sexy Knitter Club.
- You can also join in on Secret Pal 8.
- Be sure to check out Stitch-Cast.
- Want to join us for lunch on Saturday, April 8th? Let me know!
- Today, April 5th, is Mike’s birthday!

The following artists and songs are featured on this podcast:
Flying Fish Sailors - Poke You in the Eye (Amazon)
Groove Generator - Dance Machine
Zak Winnick - Walkin’ The Beat
Brian Buckit - I Know What I Know
Hookslide - Funk Bus
Fusco Hoover Rhys-Jones - Rollin’ (Don’t Need It)

Thank you again to all of the artists for being so generous and sharing their work with the podcasting community.

Let me know if you have any feedback - you can leave a comment here or e-mail me at Podcast AT PointySticks.org.

Until next time - keep on clicking the Pointy Sticks!

The only bad thing about not getting the podcast out over the weekend is that I didn’t get to air the “Knitting for Peace manifesto” which I originally heard on Whit’s About Time podcast. In case you haven’t heard, tomorrow (March 21st) is “Knitting for Peace Day” - and you are invited to participate!

Knitting is a peaceful activity. Sheep are archetypically placid. When they cross a road that you are driving down,there is nothing to do but wait. It never crosses your mind to honk the horn or try to drive around-where I live the sheep graze in fields so rocky that you’d pierce your muffler if you tried-you just turn off your engine and admire the ungainly woolly lumps brushing past your front bumper. Knitting starts with the sheep.

I like natural yarns that are full of lanolin. That way I can feel the life of this animal that needn’t give its life to yield up this wonderful product that I use to knit. I fondle the yarn and start to rack my brains and my library for inspiration. My knitted things have no borders. I use a Swedish wool to knit mittens using a twisted Eastern stitch. The mittens turn out not to be warm enough so I knit mitten liners out of Chilean alpaca. The hat on my head is of Japanese yarn knitted from a Norwegian pattern. I knit my hat in the round from the top down and once I passed the awkward double point stage and worked onto a circular needle I slipped into the meditative state that arises when I knit stocking stitch in the round. My mind wanders, first to my work day and then to the private part of my day, my family, my friends, the wild thyme that the sheep graze on in the rocky fields up the road. I become part of a world bigger than that enclosed by the ends of the sofa where I sit knitting. My mind wanders through the world that has led to the knitting in my hands and because I am knitting, engaged in this quiet,peaceful activity that starts with the placid sheep, my mind wanders through a peaceful world.

Knitters radiate peace. When I see a stranger moving a pre-natal sock around and around a ring of double points he is engaged in creating warmth for someone he cares about,an expression of peace. When I see a friend with a lap full of grey alpaca lovingly being worked in moss stitch for her new baby, her quiet handiwork sings peace.

I would like to channel this peacefulness. On March 21 every stitch that I knit will be dedicated to peace. I would like to invite everyone who knits to join me on that day. Will it stop people from hurting and threatening and frightening each other, the antithesis of peace? Who knows. When I knit on March 21 I will be saying with each stitch that peace is possible, that human intelligence and compassion can triumph over fear and greed, that terror and war can give way to discussion and peace.

Please join Randy and Knit for Peace. Spread the word far and wide. I’ll be working on my latest shawl, hopefully coming closer to finishing it up. What will you knit?

In spite of my rambling, I think it is the best show yet. Let me know what you think.

If you can’t figure it out from the show, it is already 80 degrees here in Houston, and it is really annoying me. (Could I possibly rant about that any more?)

Featured on this show:
- The Flying Fish Sailors poke you in the eye.
- I’m missing SxSW. So I don’t get to meet Rhonda Bell of Knitting News Cast, or visit Julia who had offered me a place to stay, or see any of my geek friends at geektopia.
- New podcasts! Musings of a Peaceful Knitter, Knit Wit, Time2Knit and Crochet Cast.
- Brenda Dayne of Cast-On seriously cracks me up.
- On the needles: Lady Eleanor, the pi shawl from Rosie’s Yarn Cellar and my Jaywalker sock. I’m not speaking to my Olympic Knitting right now.
- Mike visits London, shops with Ann, buys Colinette and learns how to knit and how to purl. He better stay out of my stash!
- No links to the Knit Nazi. However, you too can knit the Booga Bag (if you haven’t already), created by Julie, owner of Black Sheep Bags.
- Boogie Knits - get your sock on.
- I’m Knitting as Fast as I Can, the Merino Stripes Mitered Shawl and the Mountain Lace KAL.
- Majoring in Lace would be easier than my current degree plan. There is also a second part that I didn’t mention in the show. Think of it as an added bonus. All you could ever want to know about lace!
- Subversive Cross Stitch for when you’re feeling especially sassy.
- Listen to Accident Hash.

The following artists and songs are featured on this podcast:
Flying Fish Sailors - Poke You in the Eye (Amazon)
Adrina Thorpe - Round the Bend (iTunes Amazon)
(Adrina. Not Adrian like I said in the show. My apologies.)
Just Plain Darin - I’ve Got it All
Kimo Watanabe - Here With You
Kelcy Mae - A Select Few
Dann Kidd - Somebody Tell Me

Thank you again to all of the artists for being so generous and sharing their work with the podcasting community.

Let me know if you have any feedback - you can leave a comment here or e-mail me at Podcast AT PointySticks.org.

Until next time - keep on clicking the Pointy Sticks!

Episode 3 will be coming later this week, but the Biology and Trig tests have to come first. I’ve been slacking on my Trig homework and it is a self-paced distance learning class, so that is not a good thing at all. If you have essays you would like to share or promos you would like played in the show, let me know! Meanwhile, happy knitting!

I jinxed myself with the last post. I didn’t lose my voice, but the sound card in the computer died. I was forced to record Episode 2 on the laptop in mono instead of stereo. My apologies if the sound quality isn’t quite as good. I will have a new sound card by Episode 3!

In this episode, we will be discussing my mistakes from the first show, my giant Olympic failure, types of knitters, and a variety of things from around the internet.

Featured on this show:
- New Frappr map - be sure to add your pin!
- Rhonda Bell of Knitting News Cast, Whit Larson of About Time, Caroline of Fibercast, and Brenda Dayne of Cast-On.
- My Knitting Olympics project, the Helen’s Lace free & easy pie shawl.
- Open Ceremonies (photos posted later today) at Twisted Yarns.
- The Knitting Olympics countdown clock.
- Koigu, Koigu, Koigu. *sigh* Koigu. And my Charlotte’s Web Shawl.
- I cheated on the Knitting Olympics with Lady Eleanor. And no, you can’t buy it at Wal-Mart.
- Hand health and hand exercises.
- Let me ExplaiKnit.
- Houston’s Knit at Night Guild.
- Whip-Up, a collaborative craft blog. Julie, owner of Black Sheep Bags, posts there.
- Rockin’ Sock Club!
- I’m My Own Best Pal!
- The Mosh Knit!
- Interested in submitting something for Pointy Sticks? Let me know.

The following artists and songs are featured on this podcast:
Jonathan Coulton - Baby Got Back
Scott Andrew and the Walkingbirds - American Thing (It was 3 years ago, not 2 like I said in the show. Oops.)
46bliss - In a Long Time
John Myers - Everybody
Jonathan Coulton - Curl

Thank you again to all of the artists for being so generous and sharing their work with the podcasting community.

Let me know if you have any feedback - you can leave a comment here or e-mail me at Podcast AT PointySticks.org.

Until next time - keep on clicking the Pointy Sticks!

I know. I said I would have it finished over the weekend, and I don’t. I did make some progress on my Olympic knitting on Friday. After that, all of my free time was devoted to writing research papers. If you haven’t done that in, oh, 16 years or so, it turns out to be more of a challenge then you originally anticipated.

As much as I want the shows to be regular, like every Friday or every other weekend, I suspect that they may be wonky until the semester ends in May. My apologies in advance. But my notes for the show are all written out (I did that while procrastinating on writing the paper) and I will make the recording time happen tomorrow. I promise. (Now watch me lose my voice or something equally dramatic just to prove me wrong.)

I also owe a lot of people e-mails, which I’ll be writing tonight. Now that all the tests are over, the projects are (almost) complete and so forth, I can finally breathe again! Whew!

I have submitted Pointy Sticks to iTunes to be listed in their podcast directory. They have an approval process that requires them to review it first, and they wouldn’t allow me to submit the RSS feed until the first podcast show was live. Within 10 minutes of making the post here, I submitted it to them, so hopefully it will be listed there soon!

In the meantime, you can add Pointy Sticks - or any other podcast - to iTunes manually. Here at the steps:
1. Launch the iTunes software.
2. Select “Advanced” from the top menu bar of items.
3. Select “Subscribe to Podcast” from the Advanced menu.
4. Enter the following URL into the dialog box that pops up: http://feeds.feedburner.com/PointySticks

That should be all! It will download the feed, and each time you launch iTunes it will check for a new episode. If there is one, it will download it for you.

Coming this weekend: “Podcasting 101: Everyone is talking about it, but what the heck is it?”

Featured on this show: KnitCast, Fibercast, Whit Larson of About-Time (I am so sorry I left the name out of the show! I’ll do better next time.), Rhonda Bell of Knitting News Cast. I am amused that Rhonda and I are both in Texas.

Mac and Donna were my knitting inspiration, and I celebrated my Knitiversary last week. 1 year with the pointy sticks.

On my needles right now are the Jaywalker socks and I am participating in the Knit-along hosted by January One. I purchased the Trekking XXL yarn that I am using for my Jaywalkers from a local shop, but I have purchased it from TheKnitter.com in the past with great success.

The Knitting Olympics start this Friday, and I’ll be at my favorite local yarn store, Twisted Yarns to kick them off.

The following artists and songs are featured on this podcast:
David Gielan - Darkness (Leave the Light On)
Samantha Murphy - I Wanna Go Home
Jonathan Coulton - Ikea
The Lascivious Biddies - Famous.

Thank you again to all of the artists for being so generous and sharing their work with the podcasting community.

I hope you enjoy the podcast! I plan on doing them at least two times a month, possibly more. Hopefully, by the next one, the slight sound spike issues will be worked out, along with the rest of the kinks. Be sure to set up a subscription through iTunes or the software of your choice and tune in! (You don’t have to have an iPod to listen - any mp3 player will do. iTunes just makes it easier to get the new shows.) Let me know if you have any feedback - you can leave a comment here or e-mail me at Podcast AT PointySticks.org.

Until next time - keep on clicking the Pointy Sticks!

Wow, I guess this means I can now officially say I've recorded a podcast. It is less than 30 seconds long, but it is available for the world to hear. Whee!

I see a trip to Fry’s Electronics in my future.

I’m a desperate woman though, and I really want to do this before the weekend is over (which is about now, since it is almost midnight).  I will be going the AudioBlog route for now, which will hopefully work without a hitch.