Episode 94 Summer Solstice Knits

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

The folks at Quince &  Co have created a line of thoughtfully conceived yarns spun from American wool or sourced from earth friendly overseas suppliers. Their newest addition are colors in Sparrow, 100% organic linen, grown in Belgium.  Still the same lovely hand and drape as the original Sparrow.  Perfect in all  Sparrow patterns.  See Sparrow and all the beautiful Quince yarns at www.quinceandco.com

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.  My business site is www.longaberger.com/paula

Thanks to everyone for your wonderfully supportive comments about the last show with my son Pete!  Pete recorded answers to your questions before he left and I will try to edit and get that audio up next week before I leave for SSK.

Bob, Pete, Nils, Paula

Pipeliner Notes

I read Pipeliner Notes from Faith the Vampire Slayer, Melinda, Nicole, Diane, and Larry.

Question from Diane/Citronlady

With all the topdown sweaters i've knitted (not many (3)) i always have trouble with the back being shorter than the front- If i put short rows in, where should i do it? On the back or when i pick up and do the collar/front band? Would i do the short rows consecutively or 3 or 4 rows apart?

I use Elizabeth Zimmermann’s method of placing the short rows about an inch apart up the back of the sweater.  You want about an extra inch to an inch and a half in the back to keep the back from riding up.

Nicole has had success with owl boxes and says they are to face east to keep them cooler in the afternoons.

Wisconsin Magazine of History Winter 2011-2012  Thank you, Larry!

Tip for interchangeable needles.  Use a 2” square of rubber gripper fabric (as in jar openers) to secure the join and to remove it.

Nature Notes

Summer in full swing and we just passed the summer solstice. The wild turkeys kept their distance when Pete’s dog was here and for about a week after the dog left. Red headed woodpeckers and rose breasted grosbeaks this summer at feeder. I saw a Cecropia moth.

Whenever the pressure of our complex city life thins my blood and numbs my brain, I seek relief in the trail; and when I hear the coyote wailing to the yellow dawn, my cares fall from me - I am happy.
Hamlin Garland

Needle Notes

My nephew who was married last October and his wife are expecting their first baby in October 2012 and our family is very excited!  This is the first baby in our family in nearly 30 years!

Trying to mark patterns in my books and then put them in my Ravelry queue so I don’t forget I have them or why I bought the book.

Greetings from Knit Café

Judy’s Grandmother’s Baby Sweater by Judy Spector

Sweater can be worn front to back or back to front. Pattern clear and nice schematic with measurements. Finished with 3 needle bind off so there is a seam but no seaming.

Honeycomb Stitch too bulky so I changed to garter in some places.

Dawna Rego Designs

Beni Bebe Hat 

Cute hat with an old world look to it.

Beni Bebe Booties

Beni Bebe Blankie

In the Pipeline

Knitting

Summer Solstice Mystery KAL by Wendy D Johnson. 

Ribbed Baby Jacket by Debbie Bliss

My First Finch Cardigan.  I’m using EZ’s Percentage System. Saddle Shoulder.

In the Frogpond: Lily of the Valley Stole

Listening

Down Cellar Studio Podcast with BostonJen  (8 episodes out currently)

Great voice and a natural at podcasting.  Lots of knitting content.  My favorite segment is Life in Focus when she talks about photography.

Watching

Sittin’ and Knittin’ Podcast by Dianna who is Hishandmaid on Ravelry

Singlehandedknits by Melissa

Lives in Hawaii and most are shot outdoors so you can take a little virtual beach vacation.  Charming lady and absolutely amazing.  An accident damaged her dominant arm over a year ago and she has taught herself to knit with one hand.  I get to meet her at SSK next week!  Piper’s Journey Shawl was her first (episode 3 maybe). Put a stripe in it which gave it a contemporary look. Now doing a Piper’s Journey KAL in her group. 

The Blethering Room

I blether about pocket neighborhoods and what I would call streets if I developed a residential area.  I would use the breeds of sheep. You can visit me on Scottish Blackface Lane.

I know way more about wool and spinning now that I did back in the 70’s when I got a spinning wheel I had no idea what kind of wool I got.  I don’t think most people did.  We were just so thrilled to find wool that could be spun that you could call it whatever you wanted.

Book Notes

Greetings from Knit Café by Suzan Mischer

Visiting my brother in West Hollywood with my parents and we visited the shop.  Next year it was closed because rents had gotten so high.

Healing Muses: Garden of Healing

The Gardener’s Barn Dance Online Music, Music Downloads, Streaming Music from Magnatune

Haste ye back!