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

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

Wednesday, April 24, 2013

Episode 128 To Knit Knots or to Not Knit Knots

Listen here or use the Flash Player on this site for current and past episodes. Flash Player is not compatible with Internet Explorer.  Try a different browser like Safari.  Or jaunt on over to iTunes to find the show there.

This episode is sponsored by my Quince & Co, Peddler’s Way Quilt Co, and The Blend.

Owl is the newest addition to the Quince and Co family. Squishy, lofty, plump, little Owl is made from a blend of American alpaca and wool. It is spun and dyed in New England and knits up between 4 ½ to 5 stitches per inch, the perfect weight for just about everything. Find it and the other Quince fibers at www.quinceandco.com. See all 7 colors of Little Owl at the Knitting Pipeline Retreat along with the other Quince colors.

Peddler’s Way Quilt Co is a sponsor of our show and our knitting Pipeline Retreat.  The shop is located just about a mile from our retreat location just off the historic Washington Square.  Peddler’s Way Quilt Co 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.  http://www.peddlersway.com

The Blend Café is an independent coffee shop in Washington IL  The Blend's slogan, “Where coffee and community come together,” is more than just a catchy phrase to us - It is our passion! Our desire is to provide a comfortable place for those in our community to gather together and enjoy good company along with GREAT coffee. If coffee is not YET your beverage of choice, come anyway - we serve wonderful teas, smoothies, and ice cream drinks to go along with our fresh baked goods, desserts, and sandwiches. http://www.blendbeans.com/

Pipeliner Notes

Thank you so much for the star ratings and reviews on iTunes.  There was a new review by MNmtneedle.  Thank you so much for both the written reviews and star ratings.

This Piperliner Note made me laugh out loud!
Hi Paula,
A friend on Ravelry recommended your podcast, and I just wanted to say how much I’m enjoying it.
I’ve been working my way through from the beginning, and loving it all. Like many people I started by listening to the episodes with EZ in the titles.
A story you might appreciate: my husband took my car to go to the shops the other day. He came home and said, ‘The knitters are taking over! The whole time I was out the radio was playing a woman talking about Estonian Lace and nupps!’ I had to explain that I’d left my phone in the car, connected to the stereo, and that it was you, and not the radio :)
Thank you so much - I’m really looking forward to listening more.

Rachel

PS - I LOVE Bob’s math bits

Events:

Retreat Tip: Please refrain from wearing perfumes or any kind of fragrance as there are usually people with allergies in a group like this.

When we recorded last week Bronwyn, Sarah, and I did not know that the Illinois River was expected to reach flood stage and not only that, our own Fiber Universe had to vacate their shop with all their inventory due to rising floodwaters.  This is a record flood, the highest since 1943.  We will keep you retreat attendees posted as best we can about The Fiber Universe whether they have a temporary location next week or what the situation is. I’m sure we will all support them wherever they are.  UPDATE:  The shop is not open for the Yarn Crawl.  Shop from the Fiber Universe at the retreat!

 Twitter #kpretreat
I’m actually trying to tweet at least a photo every day for this month.
Current Retreat Sponsors
Ewe-nique Yarns Morton IL
The Fiber Universe in Peoria IL
Klose Knit in Urbana IL
Peddler’s Way Quilt Co in Washington IL
The Blend Cafe in Washington IL

Last week for Gill’s Rock KAL

Gill’s Rock by Paula Emons-Fuessle

Gill’s Rock KAL  March 9 through April 9.

Dianne of Knitabulls March 8th through April 30th. 

Nature Notes

It is now April 18th and we are seeing a tint of green in the woods.  We’ve just had 24 hours of rain and storms which has not stopped yet.  Oak Creek has picked up its pace with the waters muddy and swirling in the ravine below.  The banks have overflowed and are still high.  I didn’t think I had much to say about the birds today.  I came downstairs to write my nature notes about 2 PM and I heard the unusual call of the Pileated Woodpecker.  I made it to the window just in time to see its white and black wings outspread, flying through the woods, that bright flash of a red crest so fine and bright.  This is the first pileated sighting of the year.  Usually we see them pecking on the woodpile or on the snags not far from the house.  Our goldfinches are hopping about on the wet ground.  Their feathers, now vivid yellow after their late winter moult, are a bright contrast against their own black markings and the fresh green grass. It is no wonder that these birds are often called wild canaries and are favorites among many backyard birders.

 
 

How does a big healthy fat earthworm make it onto the carpet in our basement and halfway down the hall?  I ask you.  I nearly stepped on him because I thought it was a scrap of yarn.  Oh well.  That does not happen often.  I’m not afraid of earthworms but do not welcome them into the home.  I carried him outside and laid him in the grass.  Please stay outside, Worm.

April 20th.  The skies have cleared and although it is cold we have sunshine.  Yesterday, April 19th, we actually had snow flurries which was astounding for April in central Illinois.  This afternoon I was sitting on the sunporch and listened to my favorite of all bird sounds, the song of the white throated sparrow.  The call can be described as “Old Sam Peabody Peabody Peabody” or my favorite “Pure Sweet Canada, Canada, Canada. 

White Throated Sparrow
April 22  Happy Earth Day!  On Saturday a group of friends from Crossroads joined in Take Pride in Washington Day. 


This morning a Great Blue Heron helped me celebrate Earth Day by spreading his massive wings and settling down on the muddy banks of the creek.  He was too obscured by trees and branches, and a bit too far away, for a decent photo.  I put on my rubber boots and quietly walked down the hill in the woods with my eyes scanning the creek bed.  Suddenly the Great Blue rose up in a flash of gray blue and white, said goodbye, and flew downstream.

Needle Notes

Blue Moon Socks that Rock.  I did not realize that this yarn does not have any nylon in it so we will see how it wears.  From all reports it should be excellent.

3 in one rib; Classic heel, extended slip stitch onto the bottom of the foot for better wear, Star toe

Twinkle Twinkle Blanket by Helen Stewart
My first baby blankets were constructed in this manner back in the 70’s.  EZ tradition.  Knitter’s Almanac.  I’ve done many variations and this felt like coming home. I like the lace border and that it is a little fancy but still suitable for a boy.

Only modification is that I used Judy’s Magic CO to start it.

 

There is a bit of a bubble in the middle.  Knitted in wool this would probably work itself out a little better.  Improved after going through the washer and dryer.  Doesn’t really bother me as babies are little lumps themselves so it is not going to matter much.

Cradle Cardigan by Hannah Fettig Collection Mabel’s Closet.  3+ skeins 156g.  only 10 g left from both projects.  Less than 2% of total weight.

 

Back onto my Peerie Flooers by Kate Davies.  Moving up one needle size on the ribbing and two sizes on the body.  May start with provisional cast on and will do the ribbing after and I could fudge a bit with the colors.

Myth or Truth

From Cori/Irocnits

How about the “myth,” never, ever use knots in your knitting. I was taught this adamently by my knitting mentor years ago and then ran across a prominent knitter at a large knitting convention who said - sometimes it is just better to tie and knot and move on. Comments from others please!

Did I teach you to knit, Cori?  Seriously, I have said this many times to beginner knitters and I believe the great EZ herself taught it to me.  I thought this would be an easy myth to answer but it is not. I’ve been doing extensive knot research in my knot laboratory and what I have found is…I honestly never thought I would be saying this… I like knots. If I cannot use a felted join then it is a knot. To say that my conversion to knots was a Damascus Road experience would be an overstatement but only because it happened gradually and with a lot of skepticism.!

With that said, I do not trust a knot that is found in the yarn.  It might not be strong enough.  Test it.  I would cut it and reknot it myself.

I’ve been using the Double Knot as taught by Jane Richmond in a You Tube video.  No ends to weave in. Practically invisible.  There is also a weaver’s knot but I haven’t gotten the hang of that one yet.
 

Tested on Kindness of Knitters blanket, Acer Cardigan, aforementioned Twinkle Twinkle Blanket, and the cradle Cardigan. 

Twinkle Twinkle Blanket really sold me on the knot.  There was no good way to hide ends in that blanket.  Could not felt join.  Russian join would have been more obvious. You cannot see where the knots are.  I had at least 7 joins and you cannot see them.  I can’t even find them.

Have you ever had to join in a new thread on a bind off?  I did.  You cannot see it!

June Hemmons-Hiatt The Principles of Knitting p 594

Conclusion:  As long as you really know how to do a proper knot it is a good way to join in a new strand of yarn. 

Ravelry Note

From Carey Babyboxermom

I’m putting pictures of my yarn in my stash. I’ve notices that some of my yarn is “all used up” so I’m thinkin if I don’t have any more of it why keep a record of it in my stash. Thoughts?

There is a way to keep the record but take it out of your current stash. If you use the drop down menu to edit there is “all used up” as an option. Click on this and it will sort the yarn into a tab, taking it out of “in stash”.

Tabs are In Stash, Used Up, Trade or Sell, Handspun, Traded/Sold/Gifted

The Blethering Room with Bronwyn and Sarah

·        McCallum Bagpipes.  They actually gave me the blowstick stock.

·        Louise’s sewing group in Caithness.  The Great Tapestry of Scotland.  Brainchild of author Alexander McCall Smith. 150 panels depicting over 12,000 years of Scottish history.

Tapestry detail
 
Sewing ladies in Wick
Daisy

·        Robin Smith.  Diaries of an Adventure Queen: an American in Scotland.  Kindle 1.99.

·        Bronwyn’s super hot coffee mug! Zojirushi SM-KA48BA 16-Ounce/0.48-Liter Stainless Mug, Black

 

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

 

Thursday, April 18, 2013

Episode 127 Retreat Tips and More


Yarn Crawl Fun PDF

Listen here or use the Flash Player on this site for current and past episodes.
This episode is sponsored by Quince & Co, Peddler’s Way Quilt Co, and Knit 4 Together.
Owl is the newest addition to the Quince and Co family. Squishy, lofty, plump, little Owl is made from a blend of American alpaca and wool.  It's spun and dyed in New England and knits up between 4 ½ to 5 stitches per inch, the perfect weight for just about everything. Find it and the other Quince fibers at www.quinceandco.com.  See all 7 colors of Little Owl at the Knitting Pipeline Retreat along with the other Quince colors.
 
Peddler’s Way Quilt Co is a sponsor of our show and our Knitting Pipeline Retreat.  The shop is located just about a mile from our retreat location just off the historic Washington Square. Peddler’s Way Quilt Co 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.  http://www.peddlersway.com
Knit 4 Together is a knitting and fiber shop in Dunlap IL just north of Peoria IL.  We are a cozy, friendly yarn shop with wall to wall fiber, especially natural fiber and specialty yarn. Knit 4 Together has unique yarn bowls made by our own pottery artist.  All the notions you will need for your project are here too. 
You can find my Longaberger Home Business at www.longaberger.com/paula.  Please contact me if you would like to be on my preferred customer email list.

Bronwyn, Sarah and I share tips for attending fiber events and retreats along with some specifics about our retreat and yarn crawl.  There is a great outtake at the end.
Dinner after retreat last year.
 
Knitting Pipeline Retreat
  April 26-27, 2013 with Yarn Crawl Fun Day on April 25th.
Friday April 26 2:00 PM to 9:00 PM or ?
Saturday April 27 Doors open at 8:00 AM.  Retreat ends at 4:00 PM.

Retreat attendees should have received an email with a PDF with details of the Yarn Crawl, retreat sponsors and special offers, and other pertinent information.

Aizome and Funky are going to collect Mother Bears to take back to Minnesota.  $3 per bear.
Sarah is knitting Netty Cowl by Ien Sie  Quince & Co Scarves Etc 2013.
Thank you to our Spring Retreat Sponsors!


Ewe-nique Yarns Morton IL

The Fiber Universe in Peoria IL

Klose Knit in Urbana IL

Peddler’s Way Quilt Co in Washington IL


The Blend Cafe in Washington IL

General Tips for Retreats

Bring:
  • Easy Knitting: Socks, Piper’s Journey, Boneyard, or any design with lots of garter or stockinette with little shaping.
  • Business Cards with your Ravelry name, email address, blog address…
  • Camera:  Take photos for inspiration.  Remember most have a camera on phone and video also.
  • Wear your knitwear no matter what the temperature.
  • Susan B Anderson will be signing books.

Shopping:
  • Go through your queue and look for projects that you do not have yarn for.  Write these down.
  • Maybe allow a few wild card purchases.
  • Set a budget.  Cash in envelopes is an option.
Specific to our Retreat:
  • Bring a mug to cut down on dishes at church/save on paper goods.
  • Our cook, Nikki, will be selling snacks. Proceeds go to a good cause.
  • Feel free to bring your own snacks.
 
Scenes from Knitting  Pipeline Retreat 2012:





Friday, April 12, 2013

Episode 126 A Piper’s Journey to Scotland

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

This episode is sponsored by my Quince & Co, Ewe-nique Yarns, and Knit 4 Together.
The folks at Quince & Co produce a line of thoughtfully conceived yarns in their historic spinnery in New England.  Their wool comes from domestic sheep and other fibers come from earth friendly suppliers.  You will find that Quince & Co 100% wool is a living fiber, beautiful, practical, sustainable, and affordable. Find them at 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. 
Knit 4 Together is a knitting and fiber shop in Dunlap IL just north of Peoria IL.  We are a cozy, friendly yarn shop with wall to wall fiber, especially natural fiber and specialty yarn. Knit 4 Together has unique yarn bowls made by our own pottery artist.  All the notions you will need for your project are here too.  You can find us at www.knit4together.com or call 309.243.9499

You can find my Longaberger Home Business at www.longaberger.com/paula.  Please contact me if you would like to be on my preferred customer email list.

Events:

Just through April 15th 2013 you can get the book for only $19.00.

Discount code for Paula J Ward’s e book Easy Knitting Design: the Basic Sweater. (regular $49.95)


Knitting Pipeline Retreat  April 26-27, 2013 with Yarn Crawl Fun Day on April 25th.

  • Retreat attendees will be receiving an email with a PDF with details of the Yarn Crawl, retreat sponsors and special offers, and other pertinent information.  Look for this in your email soon.
  • Remember to bring a mug with you if you can so we can cut down on washing dishes and using paper products.
  • Aizome and Funky are going to collect Mother Bears to take back to Minnesota.  $3 per bear.

Current Retreat Sponsors

Ewe-nique Yarns Morton IL
The Fiber Universe in Peoria IL
Klose Knit in Urbana IL
Peddler’s Way Quilt Co in Washington IL
The Blend Cafe in Washington IL

 Knit Along!
Gill’s Rock by Paula Emons-Fuessle
Gill’s Rock KAL  March 9 through April 9.
Dianne of Knitabulls March 8th through April 30th.

Wave 1 March 8 through April 30th.
Wave 2 April 8 through April 30th.
Prizes!  Quince & Co yarn.

Trip Summary
Since coming home I have felt like the seal that Louise and I saw in the harbor at John O’Groats.  I just came up to breath and then submerged myself to process my trip.
 
Paula, Allison, Ella

Marsie and Paula

View from Scott's restaurant where we had dinner.

Ella with WIP Piper's Journey!

Back at Marsie's house for tea.
 
 

Nature Notes

I left Illinois in winter weather and returned to spring. On March 24th we broke weather records with 8”of wet snow.  I wondered how much of Spring I would miss on my 10 day journey. On the flight home I could see that the woods and fields of Illinois were still gray with no signs of leafing trees.  The grass might have been a little greener but I was somewhat relieved that I had not missed much for spring is my favorite time for observing nature. The best welcome note is that the spring peepers have emerged from their dark damp places in the creek bed that runs through the woods. Their chorus was faint at first, but just a few days after my return it has swelled to become the true lullaby of spring evenings.

In the days before my departure Scotland was having unusual weather.  Snow covered many parts of Scotland, which is unusual for winter and especially March.  Several times when I have been in Scotland at Easter it was quite warm.  Marsie remembered that last year at Easter it was warm enough to sunbathe. This year parts of the country were without electricity.  My friend lives in Troon, in Ayrshire.  Troon often has more clement weather than other parts of Scotland, a sort of microclimate. The hills of Arran are visible from the coast of Troon.  For the first time I saw these hills covered with snow.  The entire island was without electricity for a week. Although it was chilly in Troon we only saw a few snowflakes.  Daffodils were bravely blooming despite the chilly wind, cool temperatures, and occasional snowflakes.
Daffodils blooming outside the window of The Tee Room in Troon.  We still call it by it's former name "The Tudor".
On Easter Monday I boarded the train in Troon to visit Louise in Caithness.  Caithness is a county in the northern part of Scotland. I took the train from Troon to Glasgow, went from Glasgow Central to Glasgow Queen Street station, and boarded the train for Inverness.  Louise was driving down to Inverness to pick me up at the station.
The Bairns and dog run along the path while Louise and I walk.
On our way along the A9 we stopped at a preserve so the carsick doggie and the bairns could go for a run and some fresh air.  On the side of a conifer we saw a Coal Tit which is nearly the same as our Black Capped Chickadee.  A bird similar to our American Goldfinch perched on the feeder nearby. In Caithness Louise pointed out birds that I had never seen before.  Oyster Catchers are shore birds with orange beaks.  Louise had instructed the Greylag Geese to stay in the area until I got there and the geese obeyed.  Waterfowl are not my forte.  As far as I’m concerned anything white that flies near the water is probably a seagull and I don’t care much whether it is a Tern, a gull, or a gannet. Nonetheless we saw quite a few of these as we were never far from the sea. Herons flew overhead occasionally.  What struck me as unusual are the number of crows and crows’ nests, not only in Caithness but also south in Troon.  We have crows here but I never really notice their nests.  In the town of Wick there were groves of tall trees framing the downtown area.  Crows nests dotted these trees in large numbers.  I didn’t count them but on one side of a parking lot there were probably twenty nests in the trees and the same on the other side.  Crows were flying in and out.  Do not go to Scotland if you have Crow Phobia.

Sunset in Caithness
Back home there has been no sign of green in the woods until today, April 10.  After light thunderstorms and rain through the night and most of the day there are very small green leaves on a few shrubs in the undergrowth.  The trees have not flowered or budded just yet.  Every day this month will be a revelation of new green leaves, budding flowers, migrating birds and their songs.  Spring!

Our nature quote is by one of my most favorite of all historic Scottish figures, John Muir.

The mountains are calling and I must go. John Muir
Photo taken from train while traveling to Inverness.
Needle Notes

Only took one pair of socks and one needle with me to Scotland!  What was I thinking???? 

Blue Moon Socks that Rock


Twinkle Twinkle Blanket by Helen Stewart

Cradle Cardigan by Hannah Fettig Collection Mabel’s Closet


Peerie Flooers by Kate Davies

Sorry this is sideways.  Blogger keeps rotating the photo despite my protests.
The Blethering Room

Emily’s Blog Stinky Tofu

Trip Highlights

·        Pipeliner Meet up

·        Easter School Program

·        Easter Week Service

·        McCallum Bagpipes

 High Note Low Note

Low Note  Ant Invasion

If you walked into my kitchen right now you might be surprised to see tea bags hanging on my bottom dishwasher handle.  Good Earth Original Caffeine Free smells like cinnamon.  Ants do not like cinnamon.  Ants are cool but not in my house.

High Note:  Scottish Blend Tea
The Dram on the left and the tea towl were gifts from Louise.
Women are like teabags. We don't know our true strength until we are in hot water! Eleanor Roosevelt 

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

Among the Lasses, songs of Robert Burns (1759-1796) by Susan Rode Morris
Green Grow The Rashes O’ by Robert Burns
Treats from Ella

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.