Knitting Pipeline is sponsored by my Longaberger home businessn and Quince & Co.

Knitting Pipeline is sponsored by Quince & Co. and Knitcircus Yarns

Friday, January 27, 2012

Episode 75 Casting on and Other Beginnings

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 12th

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

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

Friday, January 20, 2012

Episode 74 Hitchhiking Out of the Dog House

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
 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

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: 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
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!

Friday, January 13, 2012

Episode 73 A Gift for Georgia

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!
 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
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. 



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.

Friday, January 6, 2012

Episode 72 Black-Eyed Peas

Listen here or use the Flash Player on this site.

Thank you to our show sponsors!
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

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
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.

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


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.


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



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

About Me

My photo
I play the Great Highland Pipes, knit, observe nature, and read. My name on Ravelry is PrairiePiper. Find me on Instagram as KnittingPipeline.