Knitting Pipeline

Episode 77 Short Rows and Spirals

2012-02-10T17:29:00.001-06:00

Listen here or use the Flash Player on this site.

Be sure to leave a comment below to enter the drawing for a skein of Dowager Countess from Roman Hills. If you have problems leaving a comment try being "anonymous" but be sure to leave contact information of some kind!

This show is sponsored by Quince & Co, Peddler’s Way Quilt Co, and The Fiber Universe.

The folks at Quince & Co believe that businesses can be good citizens—should be good citizens—without making too much a fuss about it. So, they have created a line of thoughtfully conceived yarns spun from American wool or sourced from overseas suppliers who grow plants, raise animals, or manufacture a yarn in as earth- and labor-friendly a way as possible. Find them at www.quinceandco.com and while you are there, sign up for their free e-newsletter.

Peddler’s Way Quilt Shop is a sponsor of our show and our knitting Pipeline Retreat, March 2-3, 2012 in Washington IL. The shop is located just about a mile from our retreat location just off the historic Washington Square. Peddler’s Way Quilt Shop is practically at the back door of those of you staying at The Cornerstone Inn Bed and Breakfast. On the second floor of this 6,000 sq ft store is a fiber corner with an array of fine quality yarns, books, and needles.

The Fiber Universe in Peoria IL provides quality products, service and instruction for fiber enthusiasts. They stock yarn from Cascade, Plymouth, Skacel, Three Irish Girls, Kauni, Jojoland, Claudia Handpaints, and more. Fibers for spinning and felting are available from local farms. The Fiber Universe accepts orders over the phone and offers free shipping on orders over $50. Check out their website, www.thefiberuniverse.com or give them a call today at 309.673.5659.

I enjoy your feedback, comments on the blog, and questions. Feel free to write to me at Paulaef@aol.com or on Ravelry as PrairiePiper.

Knitting Pipeline Retreat!

Bronwyn the Brave is keeping a list of those registered for the retreat. The list is posted on our Knitting Pipeline Group on Ravelry.

March 2-3, 2012 (Friday night and all day Saturday)

Crossroads United Methodist Church, 1420 N Main St., Washington IL 61571

$50 for all or $40 for Sat only. Includes Fri nite meal, light breakfast on Sat, and Saturday lunch

Make check payable to Paula Emons-Fuessle: Mail to: Knitting Pipeline Retreat, PO Box 549, Washington IL 61571

Pipeliner Notes

Dorothy’s letter last week struck a chord with many listeners.

Chris left a message about her sighting of a barn owl.

Karebot has a great conversation starter. What would you do during a zombie apocalypse?

A correction from last week’s show: (Thank you spinsjal!) Joshua Tucker is a massage therapist, NOT a physical therapist. Read Wendy’s note on our board with another side to the issue.

Nature Notes

Last Friday we awoke to dense fog which was not an auspicious beginning to our Snowy Owl Expedition. Well, maybe it was. We made it to the Emiquon Wetland Preserve and saw quite a few American Bald Eagles. We also saw Snow Geese! There were thousands of them flying in ribbons as far as we could see down the waterway.

Funky and Aizome did see Snowy Owls in Minnesota! I have not given up yet and there is always next year.

Featured Nature writer: John Madson Where the Sky Began: Land of the Tallgrass Prairie. 1982

Poem found in the front of John Madson's book...

To make a prairie it takes a clover and one bee,

One clover, and a bee,

And revery.

The revery alone will do

If bees are few.

Emily Dickinson

Needle Notes

Yarn recommendations for socks (that will wear well).

Traci (4 girls) Lorna’s Laces Shepherd Sock, Woolen Rabbit Harmony, Opal

Prairiepoet: Blue Moon Fiber Lightweight Socks that Rock

For the record, I have tried duplicate stitch (Swiss Darning) and do not like it for the tight gauge of socks.

I read a letter from JudyBee who is knitting Kevlar into her bullet proof socks! Even Charlene Schurch was impressed!

Ten Stitch Twist by Frankie Brown took a little over a month to knit using stash yarn.

May I say how much I love my joins?

Spirals are soothing and relaxing even when there are short rows involved. Project notes are here.

Blanket measures 42” across and I figure it is about a sweater’s worth of worsted weight yarn.

The Blethering Room

Article about Pam Allen

Piper’s Journey KAL begins! The pattern is available at Quince & Co. in the Scarves, etc. The whole collection is stunning! Tag your Piper's Journey shawls for the KAL as pipersjourneykal. Thank you for your support of my first published design!

In the Pipeline

Oops from last week! I have done more cowls than I thought. Kilkenny Cowl by Pam Allen is one of Emily’s favorites.

Spectra by Stephen West. 2 Knit Lit Chicks KAL

Watching…

Downtown Abbey…we have a giveaway from Roman Hills! They have a stunning and very clever Downton Abbey Line with colorways named for the characters. Leave a comment below to be entered into a drawing for a skein of the Dowager Countess. What is a weekend? Thank you, Roman Hills! You have until Feb 21 to leave a comment.

Listening:

The Paris Wife by Paula MacClain. I’m falling behind in podcast listening.

Reading:

Finished Zombies Don’t Cry: Book One in a Living Dead Love Story. By Rusty Fischer Last week I said it was funny. Right after that it was not so funny. It was sad.

Birds of a Feather by Jacqueline Winspear Book 2 in Maisie Dobbs series.

Goat Song: A Seasonal Life, A Short History of Herding, and the Art of Making Cheese. Recommended by Alisonc.

Bob Dylan was inspired by the Robert Burns tune featured at the end of this episode. It is sung by Shira Kammen from A Celebration of Robert Burns. www.magnatune.com

O my Luve's like a red, red rose
That’s newly sprung in June;
O my Luve's like the melodie
That’s sweetly play'd in tune.

As fair art thou, my bonnie lass,
So deep in luve am I:
And I will luve thee still, my dear,
Till a’ the seas gang dry:

Till a’ the seas gang dry, my dear,
And the rocks melt wi’ the sun:
I will luve thee still, my dear,
While the sands o’ life shall run.

And fare thee well, my only Luve
And fare thee well, a while!
And I will come again, my Luve,
Tho’ it were ten thousand mile.

Thanks for listening! Haste ye back!

Remember to leave contact information (Ravelry name, email, blog) in your comment so you are eligible for the drawing of the Dowager Countess from Roman Hills!

Episode 76 Save our Socks!

2012-02-03T16:11:00.000-06:00

Listen here or use the Flash Player on this site for current and past episodes.

This episode is sponsored by Quince & Co and The Fiber Universe.

The folks at Quince & Co believe that businesses can be good citizens—should be good citizens—without making too much a fuss about it. So, they have combined efforts to create a line of thoughtfully conceived yarns spun from American wool or sourced from overseas suppliers who grow plants, raise animals, or manufacture a yarn in as earth- and labor-friendly a way as possible. Find them at www.quinceandco.com and while you are there, sign up for their free e-newsletter.

The Fiber Universe provides quality products, service and instruction for fiber enthusiasts. They stock yarn from Cascade, Plymouth, Skacel, Three Irish Girls, Kauni, Jojoland, Claudia Handpaints, and more. Fibers for spinning and felting are available from local farms. The Fiber Universe accepts orders over the phone and offers free shipping on orders over $50. Check out their website, www.thefiberuniverse.com or give them a call today at 309.673.5659.

Knitting Pipeline Retreat!

We still have room for you!

March 2-3, 2012 (Friday night and all day Saturday)

Crossroads United Methodist Church, 1420 N Main St., Washington IL 61571

$50 for all or $40 for Sat only. Includes Fri nite meal, light breakfast on Sat, and Saturday lunch.

Make check payable to Paula Emons-Fuessle

Mail to:

Knitting Pipeline Retreat

PO Box 549

Washington IL 61571

Pipeliner Notes

I read a letter from Dorothy about her wonderful mother and how she knitted until her recent death.

Nature Notes

Stitch Markers from Kim Ogle. www.ogledesign.etsy.com

Karin says that Bertie the Bat is back!

I’m still on the watch for the snowy owl. Thanks to everyone who has sent me information. There was a clip on the NBC evening news onWed Feb 1.

Tomorrow I may be going on a snowy owl expedition to Emiquon. I think time is running out.

Needle Notes

I’ve been proactive about my sock knitting lately.

Choose yarn that will wear well. What are your favorite hard wearing sock yarns?
Knit to a tight gauge
Close fit (negative ease)
Smooth skin (bring on the lotion!)
Pre-darning

Tips from Clara Parkes in Vogue:

Look at your socks. See what areas are wearing out. When you come to these areas in your knitting go down a needle size.
Turn socks inside out. Thread a blunt needle with your sock yarn and run it through the purl bumps on the wrong side. I took this a step further by making horizontal rows with mohair-silk blend.

Inside of sock showing pre-darned area.

Crafting with Carpal Tunnel Group

First thread is sticky. Do this one thing for your wrist pain.

Joshua Tucker specializes in the elimination of carpal tunnel pain and symptoms.

The Blethering Room

Piper’s Journey KAL

We will start as soon as the pattern is released by Quince & Co. I hope this will be in the next week!

In the Pipeline

Designed a cowl in 2 yarn weights and going for a 3^rd. I enjoy wearing it.

On the Home Stretch on Ten Stitch Twist by Frankie Brown.

Spectra by Stephen West with 2 Knit Lit Chicks Podcast.

I bought bulky yarn to make Lee Bernstein’s OhSo Hat

Watching:

Downtown Abbey! Now has its own thread on our Knitting Pipeline Ravelry Group

My Life So Far

Filmed on location in Scotland (Argyll), kilts, kilt hose, Scottish Country Dancing, pipe music, a knitted shawl, Fair Isle Vests, and Colin Firth!

Listening

The Paris Wife by Paula McClain

Reading

Zombies Don’t Cry: Book One in a Living Dead Love Story. By Rusty Fischer Yes, my first zombie teen fiction.

The February sunshine steeps your boughs and tints the buds and swells the leaves within. William C. Bryant

I didn't have time to get music on the show this week. I am looking for snowy owls!

Haste ye back!

Episode 75 Casting on and Other Beginnings

2012-01-27T16:50:00.002-06:00

Listen here or use the Flash Player on this site for current and past episodes.

This episode is sponsored by Quince & Co and Peddler’sWay Quilt Shop.

If you are looking to support American goods, then you can start with Quince & Co with their beautiful and reasonably priced wools sourced in the US. Check out Finch, their new fingering weight in colors inspired by nature.

Peddler’s Way Quilt Shop is a new sponsor of our show and our knitting Pipeline Retreat, March 2-3, 2012 in Washington IL. The shop is located just about a mile from our retreat location just off the historic Washington Square. Peddler’s Way Quilt Shop is practically at the back door of those of you staying at The Cornerstone Inn Bed and Breakfast. On the second floor of this 6,000 sq ft store is a fiber section with an array of fine quality yarns, books, and needles.

Pipeliner Notes

I read letters from Peg and Dana.

Fundraiser for Autism Speaks: Erin of Mommy Needs Yarn has designed a sock pattern! No More Tears. All of the proceeds from its $5 sale will go to Autism Speaks. Erin is hosting a KAL/Knitalong in February.

Knitting Pipeline Retreat!

We still have room for you!

March 2-3, 2012 (Friday night and all day Saturday)

Crossroads United Methodist Church, 1420 N Main St., Washington IL 61571

$50 for all or $40 for Sat only. Includes Fri nite meal, light breakfast on Sat, and Saturday lunch.

Make check payable to Paula Emons-Fuessle

Mail to: Knitting Pipeline Retreat

PO Box 549

Washington IL 61571

Nature Notes

A Naturalist Buys an Old Farm by Edwin Way Teale c 1974.

Trail Wood Landand house donated to Connecticut Audubon Society.

Every bit of this book is a gem, to be read slowly, as one might walk a favorite trail in the woods.

James Gates Percival b 1795

Oddly enough, this man has fallen into near obscurity and it is now my personal mission to elevate his position. Not really.

1835 accepted appt by Gov of CT to conduct a geological survey of the state of CT.

~James Gates Percival The work will wait while you show the child the rainbow, but the rainbow won't wait while you do the work.

Needle Notes

Sarah’s Make Up Yarn from Episode 74. Kathy in Switzerland wrote to me about Schulana Wolle.

This is what Sarah made with the ball of Schulana...and it only took 35 minutes to knit.

"Twistin' the Night Away" by Susan Menashe

Mildred Mitts is up on Ravelry as a free pattern. Test knitted by Mildred and some of the knitters in my class at The Blend.

Fabric Labels for your knitting

Annabel Babe Cardigan and At First Sight by Laura Linnemann went to St.Louis to a baby shower. I have this way of crashing baby showers. I send gifts even when I am not invited.

The label is sewn inside near the bottom of the sweater.

The new mom is a knitter and knows her wool.

I stitched up a bag to send it off in!

I used Aizome’s method for labels. Quick and easy! I like the looks of it. I used Calibri font in pt 12.

FO: Piper’s Journey #2 is finished.

Cost to knit this shawl in Quince & Co Chickadee is about $21 ($6.90 per 50 g skein) Other yarn weights will work. Bronwyn used fingering weight and reserved half the skein for the border.

Charr, Bronwyn, and Sarah in my kitchen.

Charr and Bronwyn wearing their Piper's Journey Shawls. Charr's is in Quince & Co Chickadee in the Delft colorway. Bronwyn's is in fingering weight.

My Piper’s Journey #2 is in Split Pea. photo coming later.

Do as I say not as I do. On the edging do not slip first stitch on the outside of the border. I thought I could get away with it even though I wrote the pattern and said not to do it.

Piper’s Journey KAL will start as soon as the pattern is released. Pipersjourneykal tag

In the Pipeline

Ten Stitch Twist by Frankie Brown.

Upcoming KALs:

Spectra by Stephen West hosted by 2 Knit Lit Chicks

Laura Linnemann’s Mystery Mitten KAL starts Feb 12^th

Listening to new podcasts:

Lavender Bear’s Tea Time. Video cast. Just watched introductory episode so far.

TVknittingpodcast by StitchMistress (audio)

Knitting Brooklyn by Jessica jpeled (audio)

The Blethering Room

Knitting Classes coming along. Students are excited about ribbing!

Tammy of The Proverbial Knitter has a tutorial on Long Tail Cast on in Rib. Tammy is a fantastic teacher. I am going to copy her way of explaining how to do the long tail cast-on.

Review Notes

Iknit Needle Sizer

.99 Not perfect but definitely useful and worth the price.

Knit Handy

Knit Handy helps estimate how much yarn you need for a project. Wonderful tool! Definitely worth the price! Easy to use.

One of the Last poems written by Robert Burns:

Oh Wert Thou in the Cauld Blast

by Robert Burns
(1759-1796)

Oh wert thou in the cauld blast,
On yonder lea, on yonder lea,
My plaidie to the angry airt,
I'd shelter thee, I'd shelter thee;
Or did misfortune's bitter storms
Around thee blaw, around thee blaw,
Thy bield should be my bosom,
To share it a', to share it a'.

Or were I in the wildest waste,
Sae black and bare, sae black and bare,
The desart were a paradise,
If thou wert there, if thou wert there.
Or were I monarch o' the globe,
Wi' thee to reign, wi' thee to reign,
The brightest jewel in my crown
Wad be my queen, wad be my queen.

Thanks for listening and haste ye back!

Episode 74 Hitchhiking Out of the Dog House

2012-01-20T12:21:00.000-06:00

Listen here or use the Flash Player on this site for current and past episodes.

This show is sponsored by Quince & Co, Ewe-nique Yarns in Morton IL, and The Fiber Universe.

Quince & Co

Ewe-nique Yarns is a full-service yarn shop located at The Field Shopping Center in Morton IL. Among the items they carry are a full line of Addi needles, Chiagoo, and Knit Picks. They also stock Malabrigo, Madelinetosh, Frog Tree. Elsabeth Lavold, Debbie Bliss, Claudia Handpainted, Louisa Harding, Rowan, Sublime and dozens more. Debbie and Jenny are happy to ship to Pipeliners.

The Fiber Universe in downtown Peoria is the newest sponsor for our Knitting Pipeline Retreat and the show. Located in the Contemporary Arts Center on Water St, The Fiber Universe is part of the revitalization of the riverfront. The Fiber Universe offers spinning wheels, carders and equipment from Ashford! In addition to a selection of yarns from Cascade, Plymouth, Universal, Skacel, Kauni, Pagewood Farms, Claudia Hand Painted Yarns, Jojoland, and Three Irish Girls The Fiber Universe is proud to offer local fibers and products. Visit their home page at www.thefiberuniverse.com

My knitting friends Bronwyn (Bronwyndp) and Sarah (MotherEarthKnits) join me in today's episode.

I enjoy your feedback, comments on the blog, and questions. Feel free to write to me at Paulaef@aol.com or on Ravelry as PrairiePiper.

Corrections from last week’s show:

I bought my Kindle2 in 2010 not 2009
Maine Morning Mitts has k2 p1 ribbing

Needle Notes and In the Pipeline

Bronwyn

FO: Maluka by Bea Schmidt

FO: Tea Bags Basket by Knitvana

FO: Touch Phone Mitts

Play Ball! by Dagny Heidig

We mention The Knit Knit Café Podcast and Abby knitting conductive thread into her mitts.

Bronwyn is test knitting Piper’s Journey. It should be published by Quince & Co around the end of January or so. And yes, we are doing a KAL on our Board! Details will be on the Knitting Pipeline Group on Ravelry.

Sarah

FO: Textural Healing Shawl by Shannon Squire

Flying Geese Blanket from Mason-Dixon Knitting

Paula

Emily wearing her Kilkenny Cowl as a shrug.

FO: Hitchhiker by Martine Behm

Ten Stitch Twist Blanket by Frankie Brown

Rebecca Danger The Big Book of Knitted Monsters

OhSo Hat: Easy, Warm, Double-Brimmed by Lee Bernstein
Shaw Hill by Alicia Plummer
The Knitting Experience Book 1 The Knit Stitch by Sally Melville

The Blethering Room

Sarah tells the story of a Make Up Skein of Yarn.

Schulana
We suggest Sarah do a Ravelry Advanced Search to find ideas for using her new ball of bulky yarn.
We answer a question from a listener, k4charlotte. When is a beginner knitter no longer a beginner? How do you know when you are an intermediate knitter or when you should back away from a pattern because you'd be in too deep?
Sarah answers part of this question with a quote from the Mason-Dixon Knitting Book.

High Notes

Bronwyn: Music Together (music classes for babies and toddlers)

Sarah: Sledding

Paula: DVR’s and the freedom of watching a show when you want to!

Low Notes

Bronwyn: Laptop power sources (failures)

Paula: when you think you have recorded a show and you haven’t

A BIG HIGH NOTE is Our retreat! We still have room for you!

Knitting Pipeline Retreat

March 2-3, 2012 (Friday night and all day Saturday)

Crossroads United Methodist Church, 1420 N Main St., Washington IL 61571

$50 for all or $40 for Sat only. Includes Fri nite meal, light breakfast on Sat, and Saturday lunch.

Just let us know if you plan to camp out at the church with head camp counselor Bronwyn. (Friday night only)

Make check payable to Paula Emons-Fuessle

Mail to:
Knitting Pipeline Retreat
PO Box 549
Washington IL 61571

Haste ye back!

Episode 73 A Gift for Georgia

2012-01-13T16:13:00.002-06:00

Listen here or use the Flash Player in the side bar for current and past episodes.

This show is sponsored by my Longaberger Home business, Quince & Co and Ewe-nique Yarns in Morton IL. Thank you to our sponsors!

Ewe-nique Yarns is a full-service yarn shop located at The Field Shopping Center in Morton IL. Among the items they carry are a full line of Addi needles, Chiagoo, and Knit Picks. They also stock Malabrigo, Madelinetosh, Frog Tree. Elsabeth Lavold, Debbie Bliss, Claudia Handpainted, Louisa Harding, Rown, Sublime and dozens more. Debbie and Jenny are happy to ship to Pipeliners.

Ravelry Tip

“Earburning” another Raveler is highlighting their Ravelry name so that it links to their profile. The person who is earburned will also get a message in their box that basically says, “Psst, we’re over here saying good things about you”.

A BIG THANK you to all the volunteers for test knitting my first to-be published design, Piper’s Journey. Thank you so very much EVERYONE for your support for the design.

Another video by my nephew, Eric.

Nature Notes

I haven’t seen any snowy owls but have seen a lot of white plastic bags that pretend to be.

We nearly broke a record for the most days without 1” of snowfall! The record is 330 in 1918.

Naturalist and writer Edwin Way Teale born Joliet IL 1899

Wandering Through Winter was first nature book to win a Pulitzer Prize for non-fiction.

“Our minds, as well as our bodies, have need of the out-of-doors. Our spirits, too, need simple things, elemental things, the sun and the wind and the rain, moonlight and starlight, sunrise and mist and mossy forest trails, the perfumes of dawn and the smell of fresh-turned earth and the ancient music of wind among the trees.”
― Edwin Way Teale

Needle Notes

Maine Morning Mitts by Clara Parkes made for Georgia.

Reprinted from The Knitter’s Book of Yarn by Clara Parkes. Now a free pattern.

Only mod is that I did simple backward loop instead of M1 R and M1 L in the thumb gusset. Noro and ribbing hide every flaw.

In the Pipeline

Hitchhiker by Martina Behm is almost done!

Ten Stitch Twist Blanket by Frankie Brown is more fun than ever!

Finished reading on my Nook. Maisie Dobbs by Jacqueline Winspear.

Recommend reading in order. Book 2 is Birds of a Feather.

Currently reading (actual paper book) Blood, Bones, and Butter by Gabrielle Hamilton. Cooking memoir. Raw, honest, well-written. Not for the faint of heart.

Watching Downton Abbey Season 2. Did not disappoint!

The Blethering Room

Knitting Classes at The Blend, our local coffee shop and hang-out.

Susan Dolph of the Knitajourney Podcast mentioned that a piece of garter stitch knitting could be sewn on the seam and turned into wristers. I've written up instructions for such and Mildred is going to test knit it along with the students in the class.

White whole-wheat flour is flour milled from hard white spring wheat,^[2] rather than traditional red wheat.

Recycling Sweaters into pillows and other things.

Knitting Pipeline Retreat

March 2-3 (Friday night and all day Sat)

Washington IL 61571

$50 or $40 for Sat only

Registration form available on show blog in the side bar.

Make check payable to Paula Emons-Fuessle and mail to:

Knitting Retreat

PO Box 549

Washington IL 61571

Thine Am I by Robert Burns

Thine am I, my faithful Fair,
Thine, my lovely Nancy;
Ev'ry pulse along my veins,
Ev'ry roving fancy.
To thy bosom lay my heart,
There to throb and languish;
Tho' despair had wrung its core,
That would heal its anguish.

Take away those rosy lips,
Rich with balmy treasure;
Turn away thine eyes of love,
Lest I die with pleasure!
What is life when wanting Love?
Night without a morning:
Love's the cloudless summer sun,
Nature gay adorning.

A Celebration of Robert Burns by Shira Kammen. www.magnatune.com

Episode 72 Black-Eyed Peas

2012-01-06T15:41:00.000-06:00

Listen here or use the Flash Player on this site.

Thank you to our show sponsors!

Quince & Co

Ewe-nique Yarns is a full-service yarn shop located at The Field Shopping Center in Morton IL. Among the items they carry are a full line of Addi needles, Chiagoo, and Knit Picks. They also stock Malabrigo, Madelinetosh, Frog Tree. Elsabeth Lavod, Debbie Bliss, Claudia Handpainted, Louisa Harding, Rown, Sublime and dozens more. Debbie and Jenny are happy to ship to Pipeliners.

Thank you to everyone who helped me find a copy of Knitting Triangles by Evelyn Clarke! These Pipeliners also offered to send me a copy out of the sheer goodness of their hearts: Diane/Citronlady, Smurphy=Sarah, Nancy in Holland MI, Kimberly of the SockBunnyKnit andFit Podcast. I accepted the first offer from Diane.

I read a Pipeliner Note from Mildred, age 13. I hope to meet Mildred someday.

Nature Notes

Snowy Owl sightings in Illinois

Illinois Birdwatchers List Serve IBET

We are experiencing an irruption year in Illinois. Irruption means "to increase irregularly."

"Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man." ~ Benjamin Franklin

Needle Notes

Piper’s Journey will be published by Quince & Co. at the end of January. Piper's Journey is a crescent-shaped shawl with a not too lacy border.

Materials are 3 skeins of Quince & Co Chickadee.

I am looking for a few test knitters to try out this pattern right away. I will email pattern to you. Please contact me by email Paulaef@aol.com. The first 5 to respond will be accepted. You do not have to use the yarn that is recommended for the pattern.

Bitty Bump

Marcella’s e book by Gina Bonomo aka Skeincocaine $20 for book. $5 individual pattern.

Woodturner Pully

I forgot to put in short rows! Woe is me. This may haunt me forever.

I made a label with counted cross stitch fabric and embroidery floss. Stitched to hem on inside.

Aizome explained how she makes labels for quilts.

Ravelry Tip: You can favorite posts in discussion groups on Ravelry. I like to save posts with good information that I might want to reference later.

My nephew produced a clever video featuring the bed he made and Woodturner Pully. The house where this film was made was built by my dad in the 1960’s. The watercolor paintings on the walls are by my dad. Dad made the lamp and the small table. And yes, that’s my little mom with my nephew!

In the Pipeline:

Knitting:

Hitchhiker by Martina Behm

10 Stitch Twist by Frankie Brown

Watching:

Island at War. WWII in the Channel Islands (fictitious island for the film)

Downton Abbey

There is a group for Downton Abbey lovers on Ravelry. And a Hat in an adult and baby version! Downton Abbey Hat

Listening to:

Yarngasm Podcast by Voolenvine

Books on the Nightstand

The Blethering Room

Cocoa Blocks from King Arthur Flour site.

Tip from Jacques Torres (Mr. Chocolate)

When making hot chocolate, bring milk to a boil first to melt the chocolate and then bring it to a second boil. The second boil makes the chocolate extra rich and creamy.

Music of the Spheres Matteis: Ground after the Scotch Humour.

www.magnatune.com

A happy New Year! Grant that I
May bring no tear to any eye
When this New Year in time shall end
Let it be said I've played the friend,
Have lived and loved and labored here,
And made of it a happy year.
~Edgar Guest

Episode 71 Handmade Holidays

2011-12-22T09:45:00.000-06:00

Listen here or use the Flash Player on this site for current and past episodes.

This show is sponsored by my Longaberger home Business and Quince & Co.

Needle Notes

Love the shoulder detail. Front of sweater.

Back of Saddle Shoulder Sweater

Paula’s Projects: Woodturner’sPully. Elizabeth Zimmermann’s SaddleShoulder Sweater. After washing and blocking it measures out perfectly! Photos with nephew wearing it coming after Christmas!

Label for sweater. I tried a wool label, first ironing onto freezer paper to stiffen the fabric. Bronwyn suggested printing oncomputer. I may try backstitching on counted cross stitch fabric. Ecological Wool makes a very light but warm sweater.

Big Snowy Owl

· Free Pattern by Purl Soho

· My original estimate was about $80 and then I backed off and said it was an exaggeration. It wasn’t.

· Mine cost $10. Pronto by Sandnes was $5 per ball.

· Charted the texture pattern.

Bronwyn on Ravelry

Pinterest…ask one of us if you want an invitation.
Bbknits
Nubby Noro Mittens and Fingerless version
Palindrome
Little Turtle Knits Braided Cap by Theresa Belville

Sarah on Ravelry aka MotherEarthKnits

Those Mitts by Leslie Friend
Christmas Tree Hat and Elfin Socks
Textural Healing Shawl by Shannon Squire
Incognito (Mustache Cowl) by Mercedes Tarosovich-Clark

Handmade Holidays

Our Ravelry Thread

Just some of the great ideas:

Sarah's Homemade Granola

Bronwyn’s Sugar Scrub and Lotion Bars (Episode 68)

Summertime Neck Chillers

Paula: Whole WheatCinnamon Rolls. Partially bake them, freeze, and recipients bake them for a yummy breakfast. I used this technique from King Arthur Flour. Sarah and Bronwyn are trying them out.

Feel Free to copy and paste my instructions to include with the gift. I printed on card stock.

Paula’s Whole Wheat Cinnamon Raisin Rolls

Night before: Take buns out of the freezer and put in the refrigerator. (See note below.)

In the morning: Take them out of the refrigerator. Let them warm a bit as you preheat your oven to 350°F.

Bake for about 10 minutes, until they're a very light golden brown. Remove from the oven, brush with butter. Add streusel topping and bake another 5 min.

Enjoy!

Paula

You can also take them out of the freezer in the morning and just bake them a little longer. (They are partially baked).

In the Pipeline

Per last week’s episode, the Doc Martin second movie wasn’t good. Two stars.

Enjoyed The Pit Pony. Has piping in it.

Downton Abbey Season 1 watching again. New season Jan 8.

2KnitLitChicks

High Note Low Note

High Notes:

Paula: The Week Between Christmas and New Years
Sarah: Christmas Cards
Bronwyn: Fondue

Low Notes

Paula: Stickiness
Sarah: Accidental Felting
Bronwyn: Poorly tied skeins of yarn

Knitting Pipeline Retreat

March 2-3 2012

(Friday evening and all day Saturday)

Crossroads United Methodist Church, 1420 N Main St., Washington IL 61571

$50 or $40 for Sat only

Mail check to Knitting Pipeline, PO Box 549, Washington IL 61571

Merry Christmas! Haste ye back!

Episode 70 Postcard from Elizabeth

2011-12-16T16:05:00.000-06:00

Listen here or use the Flash Player on this site for current and past episodes. Subscribe on iTunes!

Thank you to our sponsors for this episode!

Quince & Co

Ewe-nique Yarns is a full-service yarn shop located at The Field Shopping Center in Morton IL. Among the items they carry are a full line of Addi needles, Chiagoo, and Knit Picks. They also stock Malabrigo, Madelinetosh, Frog Tree. Elsabeth Lavod, Debbie Bliss, Claudia Handpainted, Louisa Harding, Rown, Sublime and dozens more.

Debbie and Jenny are happy to ship to Pipeliners.

When you purchase from our sponsors please let them know that you listen to Knitting Pipeline!

Pipeliner Notes

There was a lot of mail this week and notes on the board in support of reading the letters from Elizabeth Zimmermann. Thank you so much for your support. I am overwhelmed.

I won’t throw away all the knitted baby things. It was a rash statement. Wool blankets that cannot be machine washed are not so practical for today’s mothers although they do seem to have superhuman strength when I see them carrying those car safety seats.

Nature Notes

At dawn on Saturday December 10 I saw the lunar eclipse and then a terrible house fire. I forgot to say on the show that no one died in the fire. Even the pets were saved.

After visiting with Charr and Bronwyn on Tuesday morning I saw a very sad event with squirrels. I will never look at a squirrel in quite the same way again.

Nature Poem

I heard a bird sing
In the dark of December
A magical thing
And sweet to remember.

'We are nearer to Spring
Than we were in September,'
I heard a bird sing
In the dark of December. - Oliver Herford, I Heard a Bird Sing

Needle Notes

My nephew Eric, turning a bowl in my dad's shop.

EZ Saddle Shoulder Sweater from Knitting Workshop by Elizabeth Zimmermann Schoolhouse Press

My project notes are here. Woodturner Pulley

Elizabeth percentage system=EPS

The spirals were inspired by woodturning.

Spiral Ribbing came from Knitting on the Edge by Nicki Epstein

Microsoft excel is useful when planning cables and ribbing

In the Pipeline

We are currently watching:

The Grand (watch instantly on Netflix)

Doc Martin the movies

The Blethering Room

Finch from Quince & Co

100% American Wool
221 yd [202 m] / 50g $7.25
9 sts /inch on size US 1 needles
7 sts / inch on size US 3 needles

Finch is a little sprite, a fingering-weight with the slightest of halos. It's soft to the touch, yet its neatly twisted plies give it a smooth, tailored finish that’s sturdy and hardwearing. It's perfectly balanced for an even stockinette stitch, and you’ll love how it shows off texture and lace patterns—perfect for Fair Isle, too.

When blocking a piece with cables and texture do not block the cables.

The Piping Circle

Celtic Cross Pipes and Drums had a Christmas Party last Thursday night

Ben and Donna's home was featured in Country Sampler Magazine November 2011

Isn't this the most cozy corner?

Celtic Cross Friends

I’ve been revamping my pipes.

Note from Elizabeth

I read a postcard from Elizabeth Zimmermann that was written to me in February 1980.

Music

Coventry Carol Magnatune Christmas. www.magnatune.com

Haste ye back!

Episode 69 A Letter from Elizabeth Zimmermann...with two n's

2011-12-09T14:51:00.000-06:00

Listen here or use the Flash Player on the show blog. Subscribe on iTunes!

This show is sponsored by Quince & CO If you are looking to support American goods, then you can start with Quince & Co with their beautiful and reasonably priced wools sourced in the US. Check out Finch, their new fingering weight in colors inspired by nature. www.quinceandco.com

Thanks for the birthday wishes last week!

Young deer that showed up during recording session for this episode.

Bereft by Robert Frost

Where had I heard this wind before
Change like this to a deeper roar?
What would it take my standing there for,
Holding open a restive door,
Looking down hill to a frothy shore?
Summer was past and the day was past.
Sombre clouds in the west were massed.
Out on the porch's sagging floor,
Leaves got up in a coil and hissed,
Blindly struck at my knee and missed.
Something sinister in the tone
Told me my secret must be known:
Word I was in the house alone
Somehow must have gotten abroad,
Word I was in my life alone,
Word I had no one left but God.

Needle Notes

Baby Sweater on Two Needles by Elizabeth Zimmermann from Knitter’s Almanac. It is better known as February Baby Sweater. I used Knitter’s Brewing Company Fingering Weight sock yarn.

The February Lady Sweater (not by EZ) is actually more popular than the FBS. Projects on Ravelry: 6675 for Baby Sweater and 11,505 for FLS by Pamela Wynne

Knitter’s Almanac by Elizabeth Zimmerman. Schoolhouse Press (February) Some Babies Things. Have knitted everything in this chapter but the bonnet with the flap over the shoulders.

Leggings. I have made at least two pair. Red and white striped ones were the cutest. Not the most practical garment for modern moms.

Blanket knitted from center out. Have done it with lace and also in a heavier yarn with texture pattern and colorwork. Was told that pioneer woman put a cream or white border on blankets so Baby would perceive this is a boundary. Per my experience, did not work.

Double knitting blanket was a carriage blanket. I used Schoolhouse Press Sheepsdown and my own handspun. May have steeked and put a zipper in it.

Blethering Room

Pete’s Socks…pulled off the colors!

Handed Down Patterns. Joy started a thread asking about knitting patterns that have been passed down. Mother’s slipper/bootie pattern she called pods. Under “Some Things Never Change…”

In The Pipeline: EZ Saddle Shoulder Sweater

Book Notes

$14.99 Interweave knits Holiday Gifts. Holiday 2011 Some of my favorites are McHenry by Susan B Anderson, Hollyberry Bonnet and Cape by Kyoko Nakyoshi, and Handwork Mitts by Julie Turjoman. Recommended.

High Note:

Whole Wheat Cinnamon Rolls/Cinnamon Raisin Bread. Used the Best Whole Wheat Bread Recipe from www.urbanhomemaker.com. Divided dough in half. One half for a loaf of bread and the other half made two pans of cinnamon rolls. Streusel: ½ c brown sugar and 2 tsp cinnamon. I use Penzey’s. Roll out dough. Spread with softened or melted butter. Sprinkle topping on and roll up. For the rolls I reserved a few Tbs topping. Took rolls out after 20 min. Brushed tops with butter and sprinkled on the streusel. Baked another 5 min.

I read a letter from Elizabeth Zimmermann from Jan 1980. There are references to Moebius and her development of the concept.

The musical selection today is The Moon of Wintertime by Lydia McCauley. I appreciate each one of you. Thanks for writing to me, thanks for participating in our Ravelry group, for leaving comments on the blog, and most of all for listening to the show.

Knitting Pipeline Retreat

March 2-3, 2012

Washington IL 61571

$50 for Fri night and Sat or $40 for just Sat

Reserve your spot now!

Haste ye back!

Episode 68 Star Toe and Christmas Knitting

2011-12-02T17:37:00.000-06:00

Listen here or use the Flash Player on this site.

This episode is sponsored by our friends at Quince & CO. If you are looking to support American goods, then you can start here with their beautiful and reasonably priced wools.

Annabel Babe Cardigan in Quince & Co Chickadee in Snap Pea and Glacier.
Cap is At First Sight by Laura Linneman in Quince & Co Lark.

Thanks to Charr and Bronwyndp for joining me on this episode!

Winners of Rip Van Winkle Challenge!

Prizes: Thin Ice Shawl by Laura Linneman (1 to each winner)
Nubby Noro Mittens by Annie's Woolens (1 to each winner)

3 skeins Soft Touch Ultra from Shelridge Farm 100 % Wool Fingering weight. 185 yd each. (from my stash) to winner #1

Grand Prize Winner: #42 Elisann

#19 Teal--wins both patterns!

#2 jpeled--wins both patterns!

Congratulations and thank you to our prize donors!

Local knitter hot spots mentioned on the show:

The Blend. Our local coffee shop and hang-out.
Ewe-nique Yarns. Morton IL a full-service yarn shop. They carry a full line of yarns and tools including Malabrigo, Madelinetosh, Elsabeth Lavold, Noro, Debbie Bliss, Sublime, KnitPicks Needles, Addi, Chia Goo, Hiya Hiya....and the people are friendly! What more can a knitter ask for?

Heart Hat by Elizabeth Zimmermann. Picot BO is my own touch.

Seamless Yoked Baby Sweater by Carol Barenys with Heart Hat

Owl Puffs by Jenna Krupar

Can you see where the gauge changed when I switched to Kollage dpn's?

Smitten Mittens by Emily Ivey

Hitchhiker by Martine Behm
Textural Healing Shawl by Shannon Squire
Holly, Ivy, and Steve Three Christmas Hooligan Ornaments by Rebecca Danger
Nubby Noro Mittens by Annie's Woolens
Annabel Babe Cardigan by Carrie Bostick Hoge
Heart Hat by Elizabeth Zimmermann
Baby Sweater on Two Needles by Elizabeth Zimmermann
Seamless Yoke Baby Sweater by Carol Barenys
Smitten(A Holiday Garland) by Emily Ivey. www.yarnmiracle.com
Big Snowy Owl by Purl Soho
The Bee Keeper's Quilt by Tiny Owl Knits aka "Hexipuffs"
Sock Blanket by Shelly Kang
Owl Puffs by Jenna Krupar
Irish Hiking Scarf by Adrian Bizilia
Palindrome: A Reversible Cable Scarf by Kristin Bellehumeur
Seamless Saddle Shoulder Pullover by Elizabeth Zimmermann
Bridge of Roses by Wendy Gaal. The Knitters' Brewing Company

Star Toe for Socks

Set up as if you are doing a common wedge toe with even numbers of stitches on 4 dpns.

Round 1 Knit to last 2 stitches on needle. Knit 2 tog.
Round 2 Knit around

Repeat above until you have half the number of stitches you started with. Then do the decrease row on all rounds until you have 8 stitches remaining. Cut yarn and run through these 8 stitches. For a simple sock formula see:
Sock Tips from Have a Yarn

Charm on Charr's Shawl

Bronwyn's Handmade Christmas:

Pie in a Jar

For these recipes Bronwyn has experimented with recipes found online and has come up with her own versions. Bronwyn's Disclaimer: I'm no expert! Try your own version and experiment. These are both fragrance free, but you can add essential or fragrance oils for scent. They also contain nut oils and butters, so be mindful when giving them as gifts.

Bronwyn's Solid Lotion Bar

2 oz beeswax pastilles

1 oz shea butter

1 oz kokum butter (or 1 oz cocoa butter)

2 oz sweet almond oil

(all measurements by weight)

Stir ingredients together in a double boiler until melted. Pour carefully into molds (soap or candy molds, recycled pudding or fruit cups, etc.). Cool for several hours. Pop out of molds and into tins for giving away. To use, rub the solid lotion bar on hands as you would soap, except with no water.

Yield depends on the size of your molds, of course.

Bronwyn's Sugar scrub

30 oz sugar

7.5 oz coconut oil

7.5 oz sweet almond oil

(all measurements by weight)

Stir ingredients together in a bowl until well combined. Pour into jars. To use, spoon a small amount of scrub into your hand and rub over palms and backs of your hands. Rinse with warm water and pat dry. Be careful not to introduce water to the jar to reduce bacteria growth. Yields about 12 half-pint wide-mouth jars. To make a smaller amount, a sugar to oil ratio of 2:1 is good.

Sources for oils and tins: http://www.mountainroseherbs.com, http://www.elementsbathandbody.com, or your local grocery or health food store, and, of course, www.amazon.com.

Podcasts/podcasters mentioned:

Diane of Knitabulls
Meghan of Stitch It! Podcast
Susan of KnitaJourney
Erin of MommyNeedsYarn
Laura and Leslie of TheKnitGirllls

Knitting Pipeline Retreat

March 2-3, 2012 (Fri night and all day Sat)

$50 or $40 for Sat only

See information in sidebar.

Mail registration to Knitting Pipeline Retreat, PO Box 549, Washington IL 61571

Haste ye back!

Episode 67 Donkey Ears and Pig Eyes

2011-11-18T17:22:00.000-06:00

Listen here or use the Flash Player on the show blog.

This show is sponsored by my Longaberger Home Business www.longaberger.com/paula . Sign up for my sale newsletters and special offers by sending an email to Paulaef@aol.com. Please include your name, address, and phone.

Nature Notes

My Life as a Turkey on PBS

For flowers that bloom about our feet;
For tender grass, so fresh, so sweet;
For song of bird, and hum of bee;
For all things fair we hear or see,
Father in heaven, we thank Thee!
~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Afterthought Heel Socks by Laura Linneman

Ginger from Mississippi found the solution for those pesky donkey ears on the corners of heels and toes that have been grafted (Kitchener) in:

Socks Soar on Two Circular Needles by Cat Bordhi

Donkey ears are for donkeys, not sock toes: To avoid those little boxy corners on your grafted toes, slip the outermost stitch on each end on each needle over its nearest neighbor, eliminating four stitches which might have gone boxy on you. Now graft.

Ginger adds:

This works great on DPNs or two circs but if you’re using magic loop the stitches should be transferred to DPNs first. I slip the first two stitches on the left needle to the right needle, then pass the first slipped stitch over as if binding off, then move the remaining stitch back to the left needle. Another way to do this is use a crochet hook to pull the second stitch on the left needle through the first stitch (dropping the first stitch) and then putting that second stitch back on the needle.

Cat Bordhi's web site and blog

Little Box of Socks by Charlene Shurch and Beth Parrott

Vogue Knitting featured Martha Stewart and her new line of yarn from LionBrand.

I have a new favorite whole wheat bread recipe. You can throw away the other one.

Before baking. These are the bread pans I bought from The Urban Homemaker.

Cooling after baking. I put a clean tea towel over the loaves, but of course, I had to take it off for the photo.

Ready to slice!

The Urban Homemaker

Best Bread Recipe

Rip Van Winkle Challenge

Enter for the prizes on our Ravelry board on the thread Prize Entries for Rip Van Winkel

The prize thread will close on Dec 1, 2011.

Nubby Noro Mittens Pattern by Annie's Woolens

Shawl Pattern by Laura Linneman Thin Ice

3 skeins Soft Touch Ultra from Shelridge Farm 100 % Wool Fingering weight. 185 yd each.

Product Review

The Best of Knitscene: a Collection of Simple, Stylish, and Spirited Knits.

by Lisa Shroyer
Highly Recommended.

High Note

Meghan of Stitch It!! Podcast introduced me to:

Good Earth Original Caffeine Free Tea

(I see their packaging has changed from what I have.)

Music

Diana Rowan. Panta Rhei. Track 07 The Sea Set. www.magnatune.com

You can find me on Ravelry as PrairiePiper

Knitting Pipeline Retreat March 2-3, 2012

(Friday evening and all day Sat) in Washington IL

information on overnight accommodations is in the side bar, along with registration information.

Episode 66 Afterthoughts

2011-11-11T14:58:00.001-06:00

Listen here or use the Flash Player in the sidebar. Subscribe on iTunes!
Link to episode should work on 11.11.11. by 8 PM.

My Annual Open House is Sunday, November 20th. Contact me for details or visit www.longaberger.com/paula

Thanks to you...

Knitting Pipeline has had over 200,000 downloads since July 2010! There are over 300 star ratings on iTunes. Thanks to each one of you for listening, sharing, and being a part of the Knitting Pipeline Community.

Pipeliner Notes

I read a note from Karin ("miterwriter" on Ravelry). A little brown bat, nicknamed "Bertie", has been living on a light fixture in their garage for almost 15 years! A wonderful story of wild animals and humans coexisting peacefully.

Note on last week’s Baked Pumpkin Oatmeal: it is a good idea to refrigerate any leftovers.

Winners of J-Knit apps

JKnit HD for iPad--Moz aka enquery, Peggie aka BleedingHeart, and Marsha aka Teal

JKnit--Barbara aka blb, Monique aka georgiedean, and Sally aka svjanis

Knit Evenly--Lynne aka knittensmitten, Ròs aka scarhandpiper, and Lu aka LuciaKnits

Thank you, Bronwyn, for contacting the winners!

Nature Notes

Flying Fox (Bat). photo by Tim Jannech, husband of Kayak on Ravelry.

Thanks to Prairiegl (Leah) in OK for asking about cleaning bird feeders.

Bob joins me for Nature Notes, but only for a short time because he was grading papers.

Tips for Clean Birdfeeders

Feeder Maintenance and Hygiene (Audubon)

Non-Toxic Bird Feeder Cleaning

The one red leaf, the last of its clan,
That dances as often as dance it can,
Hanging so light, and hanging so high,
On the topmost twig that looks up at the sky.

~Samuel Taylor Coleridge

Needle Notes

Nellie by Donna Higgins

Update on the Crochet flower closure. Directions are a bit sketchy.

I watched You Tube videos and managed to crochet the flowers by myself! (Charr was out of town.)
I attached one side of the button with flower and the other side serves as a button closure.

Finished Projects

Piper’s Fancy

Celtic Cross wears ancient red flashes. Our tartan, The Flower of Scotland, has a stripe of the ancient red in it. I like my ancient red Piper's Fancy Shawl with the uniform.

Piper in the woods.

It works when I look like a normal person, too.

I needed a project that was completely mindless. This crescent shawl that has increases at the beginning of every row so it doesn’t have a wrong side.

Afterthought here is that I did not plan the border beforehand. I swatched a lot!

Nubby Noro Mittens by Annie’s Woolens

Has an afterthought thumb.

My pattern notes are here.

Love the pattern as the texture adds interest without being too fussy. Every other round is a plain round so it is easy to see where you are in the pattern.

Afterthought Heel Socks by Laura Linneman

Knit Picks Felici Sport Weight

With this type of heel how do you prevent getting “ears” on the corners where you begin and end the Kitchener Stitch? I might try decreasing at corners just before doing Kitchener.

What I did learn. Sometimes you do need to power through.

In The Pipeline

Annabel Babe Cardigan by Carrie Bostick Hoge
My Ultimate Rip Van Winkle—oldest sock yarn in my stash.

A Ravelry Note

A new feature on Ravelry is that if you have your yarn stashed and you use stash yarn for a project then a little thumbnail photo of the yarn will appear in your project notes. It’s tiny but it is there!

The Blethering Room

Registration is in progress for the Knitting Pipeline Retreat!

March 2-3, 2012 Washington IL

$50 for Fri night and all day Sat. $40 for Sat only
Registration information is in the sidebar.

My first afterthought insertion of any kind was an afterthought pocket in my Three in One Sweater by Elizabeth Zimmermann.
Rip Van Winkle Challenge

Go through your Ravelry queue to find a project that has been asleep for a long time. Or maybe you have been asleep while others have been knitting this project. In your Ravelry queue you can see when you put projects in your queue.

Another mission for the overachievers out there: go to your stash and try to find your oldest yarn and match it to an pattern in your queue.

There will be a separate thread to enter for prizes. November 15-30.

High Note

Better Homes and Gardens is kicking it up a notch! Not as traditional as it used to be. Inexpensive subscription and you get free digital editions with paid subscription! More knitting magazines should do this because knitting from a magazine is for me, very tedious.

Stockinette Zombies is a new video cast that I enjoy. Check it out!

Music

One Morning in May from Foreignlander by Lydia McCauley. www.magnatune.com

Have a great week, haste ye back, and hold your knitting close.

Episode 65 Small Sweaters

2011-11-04T14:46:00.001-05:00

Listen here or use the Flash Player on this site for current and past episodes.

Pipeliner Notes

A correction in last week’s episode. The site for rescuing macramé owls is www.macrameowl.com. The link was correct in the show notes but I made it plural when I said it on the podcast. My apologies to all macramé owls out there and their rescuers.

Deaf Smith, Laurel’s Kitchen, The Moosewood Cookbook were classic cookbooks in the 70's and 80's.

In my oven today: Whole Wheat Bread, Homemade Granola, and

Baked Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Oatmeal from the food blog Perfecting the Pairing. I substituted raisins for chocolate chips.

Nature Notes

Satu mentioned that bats carry rabies and that is true. If you see a bat behaving strangely then beware.

A hawk posed for me and I still had trouble identifying it. A Cooper's Hawk is about the size of a crow and has a rounded tail. The Sharp-shinned hawk is smaller and has a squared off tail.

3 Bird ID resources, 2 pair binoculars, and two cameras...and still not sure of the hawk. Pathetic!

Can you see him? Almost in the middle of the photo on the dead log with his back to me. I could finally see that the tail was rounded. (This was the following day.)

Sent to me by Goldybear:

Nature XXVII, Autumn

by Emily Dickinson

The morns are meeker than they were,
The nuts are getting brown;
The berry's cheek is plumper,
The rose is out of town.

The maple wears a gayer scarf,
The field a scarlet gown.
Lest I should be old-fashioned, I'll put a trinket on.

Needle Notes

Nellie by Donna Higgins. Still lacking the crochet flowers and buttons. I'm working on it. Those shoes belonged to my grandmother when she was a toddler. They are 110 years old.

Nellie by Donna Higgins
Purchase pattern at Stitches Midwest 2010 and the yarn is Knit Picks Organic Cotton.

Calls for Sublime Organic Cotton DK

The only difficult part of this sweater is the crocheted flower closure. Difficult for me, that is.
My project page is here.

I did the crochet flowers by myself! Charr is going to be proud of me! I did it a little differently than the instructions indicated and will share on the next episode.

Seamless Yoked Baby Sweater by Carole Barenys
My project page is here.

Free Pattern. Top down raglan with running strands that make a pattern on the yoke, cuffs, and bottom.

If I knit this pattern again I would probably add another button hole on the yoke and then not put buttons below that.

Heart buttons are so cute!

In The Pipeline

Afterthought Heel Hiking Socks using pattern by Laura Linneman
Nubby Noro Mittens, actually have finished.
Crescent Shawl Left to my Own devices

The Blethering Room

Knitting Pipeline Retreat! Registrations are now open.

See side bar for Registration page.

March 2-3, 2011 (Fri night and all day Sat)

Crossroads United Methodist Church, 1420 N Main, Washington IL 61571

$50 for both Fri and Sat/$40 for Sat only.
Send a check with your mailing information, email, phone, and whether you wish to stay overnight at the facility. Your check will be held for a while so don't worry if it does not clear right away.

Knitting Pipeline Retreat

PO Box 549

Washington IL 61571

Rip Van Winkle Challenge

Another mission for the overachievers out there: go to your stash and try to find your oldest yarn and match it to an pattern in your queue.

A new thread on the Knitting Pipeline Podcast Group on Ravelry will open up November 15-Nov 30 for Prize Patrol.

Product Review

The Knitter’s Book of Socks by Clara Parkes: the Yarn Lover’s Ultimate Guide to Creating Socks that fit well, Feel great, and last a lifetime.

Heartily recommended!

Music

Hint of Dawn from the album Hope by Kendra Spring. www.magnatune.com

Episode 64 Bats and Bread

2011-10-28T17:20:00.001-05:00

Listen here or use the Flash Player on this site. Subscribe to the podcast on iTunes!
This episode is sponsored by my Longaberger Home Business. www.longaberger.com/paula Sign up for my email newsletter and sale notifications by sending an email to me at Paulaef@aol.com.

3 Giveaway Winners!

At First Sight by Laura Linneman

Congratulations to Lisaknits/ lasknit2, yarnette, and stephigordon/indigodogmt!
Please PM me and I will contact Laura so she can get the pattern to you.

Nature Notes

I have been reading about bats. Thanks for indulging my fancy! Bats are not generally dangerous. They will not fly into your hair. Most bats eat insects.

A Country Year: Living the Questions by Sue Hubbell. Great book of nature writings.
Bats West Virginia University

Needle Notes

Group on Ravelry Organized Knitting Club

Knitting Journal Template at www.KathrynIvy.com

My Bat Shawl

Fledermaus-Tuch by Jana Albrecht

Free pattern available in German and English

I used Araucania Ranco Multy 1.5 skeins.

Added a light ruffle because it seemed a little plain and I wanted to use up more of the yarn.

Modeled by Kelli Jo

Dancy Batty by Meta Libenter is a free pattern with bats made of lace. Diane of the Knitabulls video cast has a KAL/Knit along finishing up now.

In The Pipeline

Afterthought Heel Hiking Socks using pattern by Laura Linneman
Nellie by Donna Higgins (RVW both yarn and pattern)
Seamless Yoked Baby Sweater by Carole Barenys (both yarn and pattern)

The Blethering Room

I wore my Radiance Shawl to my nephew's wedding. Someone cleaned her glasses with it. But it wasn't any of the lovely people in this photo. This is our immediate family: 3 sons, 1 DIL and future DIL, husband, and me.

These are our three sons who were ushers for the wedding. I'm so proud of them.

Visit this site and if you have any macrame owls that need rescuing please send them to these wonderful ladies! Macrame Owl

Whole Wheat Bread Baking for Zabelle in Montreal. The tutorial and recipe is on the side bar. The original recipe came from The Vegetarian Epicure by Anna Thomas c. 1972. (yikes!) Now out of print but it seems there are lots of used copies out there. But none of them probably have as many food stains as mine does. My favorite yeast is SAF available from King Arthur Flour. I also like the recipes on the King Arthur Flour site. This is what the SAF Yeast looks like. I buy the red not the gold. A whole pound for just $5.95!

If you have never made bread before start with white bread. You can also gradually work your way from white bread to whole wheat by slowly changing the ratio.

Don't worry, this is not turning into a food podcast. This was just a diversion.

Rip Van Winkle Challenge

October 1 through November 30, 2011

The Concept:

Go through your Ravelry queue to find a project that has been asleep for a long time. Or maybe you have been asleep while others have been knitting this project.

Another mission for the overachievers out there: go to your stash and try to find your oldest yarn and match it to an pattern in your queue.

The Rules:

In the middle of November I will start a thread for finished projects. Please just post once on this thread. You must finish a RVW project to be eligible for the Prize Patrol. Prizes to be announced.

Last chance!

KA Needle Promo from Pinkfeatherknitting!

$4 off shipping for all orders. Shipping is normally $4 for U.S./Canada and $9 International so that means Free for some of us and $5 for others. The offer is through October 31, 2011. Use the promo code piper at checkout.

I forgot to mention this on the show but Knitting Retreat Registrations will be opening up within the week! I will post on the board and here in the sidebar.

Music

My Beloved and My Friend by Benji Goodrich from Waiting. www.magnatune.com

Have a great week! Haste ye back!

Episode 63 O' Hushed October

2011-10-20T16:58:00.001-05:00

Listen here or use the Flash Player on this site for current and past episodes.
(Link will work after 8 PM CDT 10/20/11)
This episode is sponsored by my Longaberger Home Business. Always at home in your home. www.longaberger.com/paula Sign up for my newsletter for sales and specials by sending an email to Paulaef@aol.com.

DC Unraveled is a new podcast! Check it out.

Our Woods today

Nature Notes

October

By Robert Frost 1874–1963

O hushed October morning mild,

Thy leaves have ripened to the fall;

Tomorrow’s wind, if it be wild,

Should waste them all.

The crows above the forest call;

Tomorrow they may form and go.

O hushed October morning mild,

Begin the hours of this day slow.

Make the day seem to us less brief.

Hearts not averse to being beguiled,

Beguile us in the way you know.

Release one leaf at break of day;

At noon release another leaf;

One from our trees, one far away.

Retard the sun with gentle mist;

Enchant the land with amethyst.

Slow, slow!

For the grapes’ sake, if they were all,

Whose leaves already are burnt with frost,

Whose clustered fruit must else be lost—

For the grapes’ sake along the wall.

Tip from Pipeliner

Cat suggested using teflon tape for interchangeable needles that tend to come unscrewed. Use a very small amount on the threaded part of the join.

Needle Notes

Radiance Shawl by Helen Stewart 760 stitches with Picot Purgatory

My project notes on Ravelry are here.

Semi circular shawl in laceweight.

Double in size with blocking.

Easy knit with panels of stockinette, garter, mesh, and spiral lace. Lace patterns very easy and increases are at the end/beginning of each section so within the section you don’t have to deal with increases.

One of the best written patterns! Includes a checklist.

At First Sight by Laura Linneman

My project notes are here.

Laura has donated 3 copies of the pattern to Pipeliners! Leave a comment below to enter the drawing. Please include contact information...email address or Ravelry ID. Thanks!

Magrathea...I finally took better photos. If it isn't wrapped properly I could trip on it!

In The Pipeline

Afterthought Heel Socks using pattern by Laura Linneman
Nellie by Donna Higgins (Rip Van Winkle Challenge for both yarn and pattern)
Seamless Yoked Baby Sweater by Carole Barenys (Rip Van Winkle Challenge for both yarn and pattern)

Shaelyn KAL (Knitalong) continues in The Pipeline.

Piecework Magazine Sept/October 2011 Literary issue. 8 literary inspired projects. Knit Hans Brinker’s Mittens. Rowan Pure Wool DK adult medium.

Did you knit an Estelle Cardigan? We are making a photo collage! Email a photo of you in your Estelle to marthajhealy@gmail.com

Rip Van Winkle Challenge October 1 through November 30th

Another mission for the overachievers out there: go to your stash and try to find your oldest yarn and match it to an pattern in your queue.

KA Needle Promo from Pinkfeatherknitting!

$4 off shipping for all orders. Shipping is normally $4 for U.S./Canada and $9 International so that means Free for some of us and $5 for others. The offer is through October 31, 2011. Use the promo code piper at checkout. All lower case.

Product Review

Sock it To Me available at Knit Picks

Music

www.magnatune.com

Waiting by Benji Goodrich. Track 2 Oceans Apart.

Remember to leave contact information with your comment to enter the drawing! The winners will be chosen when I do the podcast the last week of October,

If you send me an email to sign up for my Longaberger customer e-list please include name, address, and phone for my records. Thanks! The system likes to have this information with your name. Your information will not be shared. Thanks. Send request to Paulaef at aol dot com

Haste ye back!

View from my window today. October 20, 2011.

Episode 62 Happy Mitten Day!

2011-10-14T12:56:00.003-05:00

Listen here or use the Flash Player on this site for current and past episodes.

Quince & Co

Nature Notes Video

According to the book Norwegian Handknits: Heirloom Designs from Vesterheim Museum October 14th is Mitten Day!

Charr and Bronwyn joined me today to discuss Mitten Day, Rip Van Winkle Challenge, our Fawl Shawl KAWL for AWL (Shaelyn), Ravelry tips, and oh my, we did laugh a LOT! There is a blooper clip after the show's theme music if you want to hear our contagious laughter. Every time I listen to it I start laughing all over again. You can find them on Ravelry as Charr and Bronwyndp, and of course the are both active on our Knitting Pipeline Group on Ravelry.

Giveaway! There will be 9 winners!

Leave a comment below with your preference for one of the apps...please also list the devices you have.

JKnit Knitting Project Assistant app for iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad --

JKnit HD Knitting Project Assistant for iPad --

Knit Evenly Calculator for iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad

Patterns, Projects, and Links

Our Fawl Shawl KAWL for Awl continues! Wave 2 starts on or around October 15th. Bronwyn and Charr are still knitting Shaelyn and others are just beginning so feel free to join the fun!

I finished my Shaelyn by Leila Raabe. I used 2 skeins of Quince & Co Chickadee in the colorway Carrie's Yellow. Main Modification was that I doubled the length of the bottom lace border and added one garter ridge at the bottom of the lace. I also used a simple backward loop instead of M1's.

Correction on TwinsetJan's tip for lifelines from last podcast. Use a circular needle size 0000 or thereabouts. Also, Jan says she threads the needle through the row below after knitting back. Thanks, Jan. I may try it again after I find a needle in this teeny tiny size!
Ocean City Shawlette by Nancy Whitman

Bronwyn on the sunporch...wearing Ocean City Shawlette and knitting Shaelyn.

A Better Bucket by Amy Swenson

Greta by Cheri Christian

Kelley Petkun's Mitten Class (we forgot to talk about it, but check it out for mitten basics!)

Ravelry Guided Tips

Magrathea by Martina Behm. Intriguing pattern. Thanks to MicheleStitches for her help! My Magrathea Project page.

Magrathea being blocked. Outside edge is 11 feet!

Magrathea Lace detail

Arwen Keyhole Scarf by Tabitha's Heart Design

Nubby Noro Mittens by Annie's Woolens

Featherweight Cardigan by Hannah Fettig ( I said I had knitted this one but it really was Whisper Cardigan)

Whisper Cardigan by Hannah Fettig

Radiance Shawl by Helen Stewart

Hitchhiker by Martina Behm

Norwegian Mittens by Elizabeth Zimmermann

Leafy Mittens by Arnhild Hillesland

Victorian Inspired Mittens by Beth Morimoto

Newfoundland Mitts by Traditional Design (Free) This is a wonderful mitten pattern.

Newfoundland Mitts. Cozy and warm.

Leafy Mittens by Arnhild Hillesland

Leafy Mitten detail

Victorian Inspired Mittens by Beth Morimoto

October 15 is Wear Your Estelle Day. (Estelle KAL)

Take a photo of yourself in your own town, workplace, home, etc.

Goldybear is going to put the collage together. Thank you, Martha! Email your photos to marthajhealy@gmail.com

For those of you who have not finished your Estelle: Take a photo of yourself knitting on your Estelle and we will include it in the collage.

Rip Van Winkle Challenge through November 30, 2011

Another mission for the overachievers out there: go to your stash and try to find your oldest yarn and match it to an pattern in your queue.

KA Needle Promo from Pinkfeatherknitting!

KA Needles at Pink Feather Knitting

Visit my Longaberger site to view beautiful and practical products for your home. If your order is more than $150 be sure to place your order through me rather than the web site because you will receive an item of your choice at 1/2 price!

Haste ye back!

Episode 61 Let the Shaelyn KAL Begin!

2011-10-07T11:01:00.000-05:00

Listen here or use the Flash Player on this site.
Thank you to Quince & Co for sponsoring this podcast episode.

Two wound skeins of Quince & Co Chickadee Carrie's Yellow. Ready for Shaelyn Cast on!

Nature Notes

Tracks & Trails Newsletter of Forest Park Nature Center in Peoria IL Fall Migration Challenge which gave me some things to think about. Here are some of the ways that we humans can help birds and other animals.

Turn off outdoor lights when possible to avoid confusing the birds.
Provide birdfeeders, birdbaths, and nestboxes. Due to land development there are not as many natural sources for animals. We starting feeding in all our feeders about a week ago despite the chipmunks.
Plant native plants.
Reduce litter.
Reduce toxic pesticides and herbicides.
Help birds avoid window collisions with stickers, decals, window birdfeeders, or curtains.

Whooping Cranes in Florida Class of 2011 Whooping Crane Chicklets will be making their first migration with the help of an ultralight. Migration starts on October 8, 2011.

No spring nor summer beauty hath such grace

As I have seen in one autumnal face.

~John Donne

My path to the compost bin. Isn't it lovely?

In my Pipeline

Radiance Shawl by Helen Stewart
Magrathea by Martina Behm
Afterthought Heel Hiking Socks using pattern by Laura Linneman
Shaelyn by Leila Raabe

JanMarie suggested I overdye the socks with too much yellow, idea which had crossed my mind.

Needle Notes

Fawl Shawl KAWL for AWL update

Tag for your project: knittingpipelinekal2011

Name of Project Fawl Shawl KAWL for Awl or Fall Shawl KAL for All

Shaelyn by Leila Raabe

Most successful KAL we’ve had so far. It’s not too late to jump in.

330 yds IS enough sport weight. My cost to knit Shaelyn in Quince & Co Chickadee is $14.00. A bargain!

Beginning of Shaelyn. Fun! Color is Carrie's Yellow. It is richer than the photos indicate.

Marker shows beginning of lace pattern. I explained on the thread on the board how to read your lace so you know when to start another band of lace (without counting rows.)

I did a video tutorial of the garter tab cast on. I forgot to mention in last week's episode on Garter Tab CO to use two double pointed needles. This tip seemed to help a lot of knitters.

Lifeline Tip from Twinsetjan:

Instead of a thread for a lifeline use a long circular needle in a very small size. Advantages are that if you have to frog (unravel) the stitches will already be on a needle. Plus stitch markers do not get caught up in the lifeline.

I tried this method and I wasn't real fond of it (although I am fond of Twinsetjan!) but encourage you to try it for yourself! I prefer using a blunt needle and fine crochet cotton for now.

The Blethering Room

Wore my A Shawl Like Kate’s (Milk Run Shawl by Cat Wong) to the grocery store (Aldi). Interesting experiences.

Quince & Co has new colors. Gray heathery colors called Iceland, kumlien’s gull, kittywake, sabine…in chickadee, lark, osprey, and lark.

Estelle Cardigan Update

October 15 is Wear Your Estelle Day.

Take a photo of yourself in your own town, workplace, home, etc.

We (Bronwyn) are going to make a photo collage.

For those of you who have not finished your Estelle please join us in the fun! Take a photo of yourself knitting on your Estelle and we will include it in the collage.

Movie The Big Year starring Steve Martin, Owen Wilson, Jack Black release date Oct 14, 2011

Knitting Pipeline Retreat

March 2-3 Washington IL

New development for the adventuresome knitters: you may camp out at the facility! Bring your own sleeping gear, towels, etc. More info coming soon.

October Rip Van Winkle Challenge

Another mission for the overachievers out there: go to your stash and try to find your oldest yarn and match it to an pattern in your queue.

Product Review

Vogue Knitting Knitopedia: the Ultimate A to Z Guide

Sixth and Spring Books 2011 $34.95 US $41.95 CA

Comprehensive scope. Oversize book. Maybe not for every knitter's library but still an excellent book.

In the Piping Circle

Greg, Kevin, Paula

Paula, Kevin, Greg

Greg and Heather in foreground. Tuning before the Walk.

Heather, Rob, Paula, Kevin in the tuning circle.

Music

Dutch Pipes and Drums. In Harmony. Track 8

Salute to Royal Fendersmith, Corkhill, The Banjo Breakdown.

Thank you to our friends from Dutch Pipes and Drums!

Haste ye back!

Sign up for my Longaberger e-news! www.longaberger.com/paula
or Paulaef@aol.com

If you missed this special then sign up for my newsletter so you will be the first to know of all the great sales!

Episode 60 Rip Van Winkle Resurrected

2011-09-30T13:00:00.002-05:00

Listen here or hop on over to the Flash Player on this site for current and past episodes.

Many thanks to Quince & Co for sponsoring this episode of Knitting Pipeline.

Thank you to everyone who was in touch with me this past week. I heard from new Pipeliners

Becky, Sheryl, Tara, Dianna, Louise, Jessica, Elsbeth, Cat, Kristen, Eloise, Kristine, Torran from Argyll, Fran, Mandy, Cian, and Lea from Shell Lake WI where I first met Elizabeth Zimmermann herself—and Meg Swansen too.

There was a glorious flurry of 5 star reviews up on iTunes this week from Carolyn Zick, Gumbygoogoo, riverknitter, Michiele, Karen E, and Hishandmaid. Thank you!

Pipeliner Notes

Thanks to Meghan of the Stitch It! Podcast for recording with me last week.

KA Needle Promo from Pinkfeatherknitting! (reviewed last week)

KA Needles

Pink Feather Knitting

Tip

Diane from Pinkfeatherknitting advises to treat your bamboo needles with household wax to keep them in good working condition.

I read a Pipeliner note from PrairiePoppins:

As I listened to the last podcast and you read your nature quote, one of my favourites leaped to mind:

Delicious autumn! My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth seeking the successive autumns. ~~George Eliot

Isn’t that something? I, too, would travel the globe for a year’s worth of crisp mornings warming to golden afternoons, for the urge to run beside the scattering leaves, for the chance to welcome while also saying farewell. Sarah aka PrairiePoppins

New podcasts I am listening to:

2 KnitLitChicks

SockBunny Knit and Fit Videocast

Nature Notes

Cardinal vine is a magnet for hummingbirds. We first found this plant Heck’s Family Tree Farm in Galesburg IL a nursery that specializes in heirloom varieties. We bought it in a pot. Not really knowing much about it we watched it grow up the side of the garage at our old house. I could literally notice where the vine was in the morning and by evening it would have added inches to its length. When the bright red flowers start blooming, usually in July, we watched hummingbirds traveling up and down the vine. The flowers close at night and open in the morning.

Cardinal Vine Flower and Foliage

Nothing Gold Can Stay

Nature’s first green is gold,

Her hardest hue to hold.

Her early leaf’s a flower;

But only so an hour.

Then leaf subsides to leaf.

So Eden sank to grief,

So dawn goes down to day.

Nothing gold can stay.

--Robert Frost 1923

Our woods, just beginning to turn yellow and gold.

Zinnias in our garden.

In my Pipeline

Radiance Shawl by Helen Stewart
Magrathea by Martina Behm
I thought both of these would be a quick knit that I would finish well before our Shaelyn KAL starts on October 1. I was wrong.
Afterthought Heel Hiking Socks using pattern by Laura Linneman

I am not sure I can get away with this yarn even for hiking socks.

My menfolk do not care for yellow. Yellow is the kiss of death.

Needle Notes

Fawl Shawl KAWL for AWL update

Tag for your project: knittingpipelinekal2011

Name of Project Fawl Shawl KAWL for Awl or Fall Shawl KAL for All

Shaelyn by Leila Raabe

Yardage: At least 330 yd sportweight

October 1, 2011 Let the KAWL begin!

We have a family threesome knitting along with us. AJ and Hannah are married and Hannah’s mother Elsbeth is also knitting along.

Provisional Cast on and Garter Tab beginning for shawls

Garter Tab start is popular because it looks good and is simple to do.

The Shaelyn pattern starts with a provisional crochet cast on of 2 stitches. That is your clue that the border is going to be two stitches. Using waste yarn crochet a chain with a few extra stitches knit into the bump on the back of the chain to make your stitches. Later you will pick out this thread…or not.

You can eliminate the Provisional Cast On if you like and it doesn’t make much difference.

This is my video tutorial for the Garter Tab Beginning for Shawls

Westknits has a Garter Tab Tutorial.

I usually knit an extra ridge than the pattern calls for to make picking up along the edge easier.

If you enjoy the Garter Tab start then you can actually convert a pattern that has a traditional long tail cast on to a garter tab. It isn’t too hard. Note how many stitches are in the border, let’s say 3. Then look at the directions and see how many stitches are needed when you are placing in stitches markers. Let’s say 9. That means you would need to pick up 3 stitches along the side and with the 3 on each end you would have 9. Cheryl Oberle’s Wool Peddler’s Shawl is one that I converted to a garter tab start.

The Blethering Room

More on how to avoid or get out of stalled projects/UFO’s

Use a marker that shows where you started that day such as safety pin or pieced of scrap wool. When you see progress it encourages you to keep going

Estelle Cardigan KAL Update

October 15 is Wear Your Estelle Day.

Take a photo of yourself in your own town, workplace, home, etc. wearing your Estelle.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Knitting Pipeline Retreat

March 2-3

Crossroads United Methodist Church

1420 N Main St., Washington IL 61571

Friday evening and all day Saturday (ends 4 PM)

(Washington IL is just east of Peoria off I-74)

We are still in the planning stages but there are some eager beavers out there who want to make overnight reservations. It is too early to actually register for the retreat but you can reserve your room if you need overnight accommodations. The registration fee will be no more than $50.

The overnight facilities are located about the same distance from Crossroads, only one is in the center of town and one is closer to Peoria.

Cornerstone Inn Bed and Breakfast 101 Washington Square, Washington IL 61571

(Denhart Baking Company and Restaurant)

This is a historic building. Located on historic Washington Square next to shops and about a mile from the facility.

All the rooms are unique, furnished with antiques.

God's World, Psalms and Garden are $125 plus tax
Presidents is $120 plus tax
Seasons, Heaven and Noah's Ark are all $90 plus tax

Annah is the Innkeeper

309.242.5678

or book online

Sleep Inn 309-481-0450

1101 N Cummings Ln, Washington IL 61571

block of rooms that have 2 Queen beds in each room $74.99

Bronwyn reminded me of the Super 8 which I have not contacted. It is probably a little cheaper but maybe not as nice as Sleep Inn. I know people who have stayed at the Sleep Inn and can vouch for it.

Rip Van Winkle Challenge Resurrected

We started this last year on October 1 so I thought it might as well be an annual event.

Rip Van Winkle is part of American folklore. Basically he fell asleep and woke up in a lot later.

Go through your Ravelry queue to find a project that has been asleep for a long time. Or maybe you have been asleep while others have been knitting this project.
Do you want an additional challenge? Go to your stash and try to find your oldest yarn and match it to a pattern in your queue.

Product Review

The Knitters Companion Deluxe Edition by Vicki Square. Interweave Knits.

With two DVD’s

ISBN 978-1-59668

Spiral bound hardcover. Small book that can be tucked in a knitting bag. Can prop up easel style.

DVD’s follow the Table of Contents and are divided so you can look up the topic.

Good Illustrations, explanations, teaching and comprehensive scope.

The only criticisms are that the audio on the DVD is not edited so you do hear lip smacks and “ums” and sometimes they choose a weird camera angle while she is demonstrating a technique, but only for a short time.

This is a good reference book for knitters of all levels. It's handy size makes it a useful tool. The price is right at $24.95 (on sale on Amazon and currently at Knit Picks for about $15.00) and that includes 2 DVDs. Recommended.

Music

I am enamored with Lydia McCauley’s ForeignLander which is inspired by the music of the Appalachian people that had roots in The British Isles. The tune is Pretty Saro. You can purchase at www.magnatune.com

Haste ye back!

Episode 59 A Visit from Meghan

2011-09-23T19:46:00.000-05:00

Listen here or use the Flash Player on this site for current and past episodes.

Quince & Co Chickadee in Bird's Egg

Thank you to Quince & Co for sponsoring Knitting Pipeline. Visit them at www.quinceandco.com

Meghan of Stitch It! Podcast came for a visit! We baked whole wheat bread, ate soup, knitted, and did a podcast episode together. We also had a Knitting on the Porch morning with Charr and Bronwyn.

Charr, Bronwyn, Paula, and honored guest, Meghan. Knitting (and spinning) on the Porch Day.

Thank you to everyone who was in touch with me this past week. I heard from new Pipeliners Simple Quiet Wisdom, Andrea, Gloria, PamelaJean, Liz, Ginger, Becky, and Sheryl.

There is a new review up on iTunes from KnitsLiketheWind. Thank you, knitslikethewind, so much for your 5 star review.

Winners of Drawings

The winners of the drawing for the Shaelyn pattern were announced last week and we actually had two people with the same name win. Designer Leila Raabe graciously donated a fourth pattern so no one would be disappointed. I will try to remember in the future to remind you to put your Ravelry name, email, or blog link in your post for the prizes so we don’t have any confusion. Thank you, Leila.

Fawl Shawl KAWL for AWL update

Shaelyn by Leila Raabe

What is a KAL/Knit Along? Sometimes you will see KAL/CAL (Crochet along)

Details vary but basically:

Choose a pattern or theme.
Set a date to start. Sometimes have an ending date.
Share excitement, photos, questions, tips.

Our Fawl Shawl Kawl for Awl starts on October 1, 2011!

Estelle Cardigan Update

October 15 is Wear Your Estelle Day.

Take a photo of yourself in your own town, workplace, home, etc. We’re going to make a photo collage!

Tip

Tip for frogging mohair or mohair blends from Lala/Laura of The Knit Girllls.

Put in freezer for a few days beforehand. That will make the fibers less grabby and wanting to stick together.

Needle Notes

In the pipeline:

Meghan is knitting Vivian by Ysolda Teague. She's having some issues with the pattern.

I am knitting:

Radiance Shawl by Helen Stewart
Magrathea by Martina Behm

Listen to the new audio podcast! 2KnitLitChicks… Barb and Tracey

A Shawl Like Kate's

My Reading Chair with new Reading Shawl.

Milk Run Shawl by Cat Wong
Free pattern
Triangular, garter stitch with center spine and bell ruffle
Quince & Co Chickadee in Birds Egg 7 skeins. 181 yds per skein 1,267 yds. Ruffle took 400 yds.

Simplified ruffle by using simple M1.

Tip for counting stitches. This is what I often do when I have a lot of stitches on the needle.

I was aiming for 193 x 2 (two sides of triangle.)
On one side I marked off 150 stitches. (both sides are the same so I only did a rough count on one.)
There were no increases in this marked area of 150 since the increases were only on the edges and the middle.
There were 4 stitches added on every right side row so I made a count down list. (Photo is actually one from another shawl but you get the idea.) This way I don't have to count all of the stitches; only the ones on either side of the marked set of 150.

The Blethering Room

How do you get faster at knitting?

It comes with practice.
Try different methods and study knitters who are fast.
Don’t worry about it too much.

How do you get past the stalled areas of uncompleted projects?

Know your limits for WIP’s . How many can you comfortable juggle at a time?
Have safe/relief knitting when you are working on a more complicated project.
Know your limits for keeping projects going.
What is the reason for stalling in the first place? Should this be frogged?

For an analytical approach visit the blog of Executive Knitter.

ExecutiveKnitting : Project Management One WIP at a time

Product Review: KA Needles (Bamboo)

Pink Feather Knitting

What a clever business card! Diane gave these out at Sock Summit. The wee needles can be used as a shawl pin.

Made in Japan
Very smooth. Feels as if they are already broken in.
Fixed, interchangeable, Straight, double points
Swivel cable
Affordable! Fixed Circular 36” is $10

From the pinkfeatherknitting web site:

KA or Kinki Amibari premium bamboo knitting needles are made in Nara, Japan. More than 500 kinds of bamboo grows in Japan. KA uses only two of the finest, aged bamboo, that are superior in density, flexibility, color and gloss. Pinkfeather Knitting offers the full line of KA interchangeable knitting needles. Tips as small as US size 0 and as short as 2 inches. KA SWITCH system offers the widest range of options of any interchangeable...

These are the best bamboo/wooden circulars I have found so far. Meghan and I give them a 5 star rating!

Meghan likes Crystal Palace double points. She has not tried Crystal Palace Circulars.

I like Clover double points but am not impressed with the circulars.

This just in (and not on the podcast!)

Special for Knitting Pipeline Listeners at www.pinkfeatherknitting.com : Use promo code "piper" at checkout for $4 off shipping. (That means FREE shipping in the U.S. and Canada). International is usually $9 so would be $5!

Thanks to Meghan for visiting and co-hosting this episode!

Haste ye back!

Episode 58 Toasty Toes

2011-09-16T11:10:00.002-05:00

Listen here or use the Flash Player on this site for current and past episodes. Subscribe on iTunes!
Thank you to Quince & Co for their continued support of this podcast.

Thank you to everyone who has friended me a second time. There is a bug on Ravelry where people are randomly dropped off my friends list. If you see that I have dropped off your list, please friend me again.

New Pipeliners!

Katie (rnmama), Jaja in Sweden, Tamara, Laura, Sharon, Katie (gumbygoogoo), Kate (sheepsymphony, Shannon, Camille, Rachel, Carol, and Karen from Denmark. Karen lives in the town outside of Copenhagen where I learned to knit so I was thrilled to meet her on Ravelry.

Thank you for the iTunes Reviews! Knitloon, storybookstory, PamelaJeanToo, and Mckkvi2476.

The Winners of Shaelyn!

Congratulations!

Nancy=Aizome

Wendy7828

Louise

Please contact me so Laila Raabe (pronounced "Layla Rob", my apologies!) can send the pattern to you!
Letters from Kim and Scrappydoo shared the reason that Signature and other needles offer 4" tips! Thank you!

Have a broken needle? Check out the Jimmy Bean's Wool Broken Needle Exchange.
Jimmy Bean's Needle Exchange. Thank you, Joyceetta!

Nature Notes

Birds are migrating through. We put up our tube feeder with safflower seeds, which the squirrels (and hopefully chipmunks) do not like.

I share a favorite poem from my childhood.

Autumn Fires

Robert Louis Stevenson (from A Child’s Garden of Verses, 1885)

In the other gardens
And all up the vale,
From the autumn bonfires
See the smoke trail!

Pleasant summer over
And all the summer flowers,
The red fire blazes,
The gray smoke towers.

Sing a song of seasons!
Something bright in all!
Flowers in the summer,
Fires in the fall!

Needle Notes

AfterThought Heel Socks by Laura Linneman

I used Knit Picks Felici Sportweight and incorporated Kid Seta (mohair/silk blend) in the toes for extra warmth.

Sock Surgery 101

Sock at left has toe reinforcement. Sock on right does not.

Surgery begins on Not-as-warm Sock.

Toe is removed.

Both socks now have mohair/silk reinforcement for extra toasty toes.

The Truly Afterthought Heel Socks were made by snipping one stitch where the heel would be added. I did not use waste yarn. I knit the sock as a tube and finished the toe, then tried it on and marked where my ankle meets the top of my foot. This is were I placed the heel.

It always feels good to use up left over yarn and come out with something useful.

I should have smoothed out the heel a bit before taking the photos. See the slip stitch pattern?

I finally took photos of Textural Healing Shawl "in action". Model is Kelli Jo.

The Blethering Room

Our Fall Shawl KAL/Knit Along will start on October 1, 2011. Feel free to join us whether you are an experienced knitter or a relative newbie! If you have done some knitting but have not knitted a shawl or lace, this might be a good "first" for you. The pattern is Shaelyn by Leila Raabe.

You will need:

330 or more yd Sportweight yarn and needles for a slightly loose gauge. She recommends size 9 but I will probably use a 6.

A lighter yarn such as Fingering or a heavier yarn such as worsted will also work

If this is your first lace project then I highly recommend sport weight, dk or worsted WOOL. Superwash is ok.

There is a wide range of suitable yarns so feel free to go stash diving for this project!

I've decided to go ahead and use my Quince & Co Chickadee in Carrie's Yello, which is on the right side of the pile. It is darker and richer than the photo shows.

A few suggestions for sport weight:

Quince & Co Chickadee

Cascade 220 Sport

Madeline Tosh Pashmina

Knit Picks Stroll Sport or Telemark Sport

If you decide to go with a heavier wool you would theoretically need less yardage but not that much less so I would just go for the same amount. In fingering/sock you will need more.

In the Piping Circle

Celtic Cross Pipes and Drums competed at the Highland Games in Waukesha WI on Sept 3. We improved! We also played in Henry IL at a service to mark the 10th anniversary of 9/11. Can you believe my own town had a 9/11 service and no one thought to call me? They played recorded pipe music! That is a shame when they could have had a REAL piper! (I didn't put this in the podcast)

Music

When you left it was so quiet here. We feel as we do when the swallows leave for the winter; that something beautiful and happy is now away from us.

---from a letter in 2002

Swallow's Return by Lydia McCauley from ForeignLander. www.magnatune.com

Haste ye back!

Episode 57 Twist, Steek, and Shout!

2011-09-09T09:56:00.005-05:00

I apologize to those who have had trouble leaving comments on the blog. I did some research and have changed the comment form which is supposed to help. This is a glitch on Blogger and I have also reported it.

Listen here or use the Flash Player on this site for current and past episodes.

Quince & Co offers a line of thoughtfully conceived yarns spun from American wool. Sign up for their free e-newsletter. Thank you to Quince & Co for sponsored this episode.

From our friends at Green Mountain Spinnery:
Spinnery will be donating the profits from our shop and on-line retail sales made from September 3 to September 11, 2011. Proceeds will go the Vermont Disaster Relief Fund. Expenditures from the fund will be used 100% for the unmet long term needs of survivors from the Irene disaster.

If you do not need to add to your yarn and pattern collection at this time but still would like to help
Here are two places to donate:

American Red Cross – Vermont and New Hampshire Valley Chapter
To donate online visit
http://www.vermontredcross.org/

The Vermont Disaster Relief Fund to donate online, go to http://www.vermont211.org/

It's all in The Blethering Room!

Susan from Knitajourney Podcast visits me, along with my friend, Bronwyn.

Paula, Susan, and Bronwyn

My Kollage Circular Needle broke at the cable join. There is a one year warranty and I just bought it at Sock Summit. I just wanted to let you know because I still do prefer Kollage double points over most other brands but I am now cautious about the circulars. I am going to contact Kollage so stay tuned. Also, there will be wooden needles reviewed soon.

Stitches Recap. One of the highlights for me was spending time with Meghan of the Stitch It! Podcast. I also had the pleasure of meeting a good number of Pipeliners.

Wild Card Purchase. Noro at $10/skein

Miss Babbs Yummy

Bronwyn reviews a knitting app JKnit Knitting Project Assistant (same source as Knit Evenly App) Bronwyn recommends. There is also a JKnit Ravelry Group.

We discuss the question of when does a modified design become its own? An example is the February Lady Sweater which was inspired by Elizabeth Zimmermann's Baby Sweater on Two Needles in Knitter's Almanac. Feel free to leave your comments.

Twist, Steek, and Shout

Before steeking The Classic Lines Cardigan...It is a like a Straight Jacket. Bronwyn does not look happy, does she? (This was not staged.)

It worked! Bronwyn is a Happy Steeker! And the sweater fits!

(We had to reduce the file to upload to You Tube and it is not very good quality.)

Disclaimer: We do not recommend twisting your sweater but if it happens and you are 9 inches into the sweater before figuring that out (Go, Bronwyn!) then know that IT CAN BE DONE!

Textural Healing Shawling being blocked.

I used A Verb for Keeping Warm/Annapurna. The color is Filigree. One skein.

Fall Shawl KAL

Shaelyn by Leila Raabe is the #1 pick for the KAL. If you would rather do Simply Pretty, then go right ahead. It is not that different.

Here are a few Shaelyns from Pipeliners. Wow! I think we could go crazy with this shawl. It is going to be difficult to hold off until October 1!

Puffygriffinclaw has knitted 2 already but will join us for #3! This is a DK weight.

Puffygriffinclaw's project page

Isn't it stunning in laceweight? Knitted by generous-gardener on Ravelry.

Andrea's Amber Shaelyn

Remember to leave a comment on the show blog to enter the drawing. 3 copies of Shaelyn will be given away, compliments of the designer, Leila Raabe!

Haste ye back!