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

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

Monday, November 23, 2015

#1 Knitting Pipeline Video Supplement

I recorded a short (13 min) video today to enhance the audio podcast. I am considering doing this occasionally if you enjoy watching. I will include more of my quilting projects as well as showing projects that I've already talked about on the audio. I'm not going to do show notes because all of the projects are in Ravelry. When I show quilts I will include notes and links. Let me know if you enjoy watching.



Thursday, November 19, 2015

Episode 231 Pink and Blue

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 Quince & Co, where you will find 100% American wool yarn and responsibly grown plant fibers. Quince has recently introduced five new beautiful colors into their wool line: Boreal, Fox, Shell, Sage, and Nightshade. Find them at www.quinceandco.com.
Elmer Blanket and Arlo

I am also a Craftsy Affiliate. This means that if you click from the Craftsy ad on my website and purchase a class or supplies, I receive credit for it. It is an easy way to support the show. Thank you!

You can also find me here:
  • Ravelry: PrairiePiper Feel free to include me in your friends.
Events

2016 Knitting Pipeline Spring Retreat Information Download HERE. Registration begins by mail on Dec 1, 2015.

Or copy and paste in your browser: https://app.box.com/s/u2tslxnguzxkcgt7ef1hbxbt6foo9h5l

Feb 26-27, 2016 (Fri 2 PM to Sat 4 PM)
with optional Yarn Crawl/Workshop Fun Day on Thursday Feb 25, 2016
Crossroads United Methodist Church
1420 N Main St, Washington IL, 61571 (corner of N Main and Rt 24)

  • Friday, Feb 26th Doors open at 2 PM. Dinner at 6 PM
  • Saturday, Feb 27th               Doors open at 8 AM. Retreat hours: 9 AM to 4 PM

Thursday Feb 25th            Yarn Crawl and Workshop Fun Day

Thursday Workshops require separate registration. See Workshop Registration


Cornerstone Inn and Sleep Inn have room blocks.


Do not book online as you cannot access the block of rooms. Call directly and ask for a room in the Knitting Pipeline Block. We have 40 rooms reserved.

Pipeliner Notes

Meadowlark Yarns-- New shop in Cheyenne WY

Question from Susan B Anderson on the Eurosteam iron I reviewed in the last episode.
I ordered my new iron!! My old iron leaks all over, I think it has been dropped quite a few times and well, it’s just getting really old. I can’t wait.

I have a question for you about blocking the shawl with the iron. How exactly did you do that? I’m curious.
Answer: I did not steam the garter stitch portion. I used the burst of steam feature and pressed along the lace section. (I refer to Perfect Retreat Shawl by Susan B Anderson.)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dear Paula,

with mixed feelings I had to establish that I’ve run out of back episodes of your podcast, and that I now have to settle for one per week like everybody else. Of course this will give me time to catch up on other things - like audio books - but as I’ve now put it in my three (US, Swedish and Swiss) iTunes reviews…
I’d also like to add that I like your chuckle - and of course the pure laugh fests that sometimes occur when Bronwyn and Sarah visit...
I know the saying goes, “if you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t”, but after all I did have a lot nice to say, so I hope you don’t take it so much as a reproach, as maybe a friendly reminder, when I tell you that there’s only one way you’ve ever managed to ruffle my feathers the wrong way. That’s when you’ve said things like “all patterns in this collection, but the tunic with ruffles, is suitable for both boys and girls” or “all but such and such colors out of this line are unisex”. It makes me wonder if you’ve never heard of and felt for any boys who wanted to wear for example a purple tunic, or in my mind even worse, if you wouldn’t approve. I don’t have kids myself - only nephews, one of whom happens to love pink - but I’ve seen and heard plenty of stories like this, some of which of course have had tragic outcomes, when the child in question wasn’t met with love and compassion. As I think you come across as a friendly and open minded person, I just thought maybe you’d want to consider that there might be other listeners out there who feel saddened that their children aren’t considered normal according to such stereotypes. Maybe it’s my Scandinavian side being radical about this, but this blog post pretty much describes where I’m coming from with this remark. 

In closing, a big and heartfelt thank you for having taken the time and effort to put out your precious podcasts - not to mention blog posts tutorials. I look forward to many more!
Best wishes,
Janicke



The History of Pink and Blue (Gender Spectrum Weekly)

·        Now that most people know the gender of the baby prior to birth gender specific clothing is even more prevalent.

·        Would I knit a pink sweater for a boy? If asked, yes. If not asked, no.

·        Gender neutral knitted baby items have not gone over that well in my experience.

Nature Notes

We have had rain for 2 solid days…one of them was the 2 year anniversary of the Nov 17 2013 tornado in our town. If you drive through Washington IL today you would scarcely notice that there had been such widespread damage. On Sunday afternoon we were invited to the new home of good friends who lost their home and belongings in the tornado. They built on the same lot with the same basic house footprint but with a more modern home—and first floor master bedroom. So there are some good things. Although we just keep telling ourselves “It’s just another day” we can’t help but remember some of the terrifying moments and yet we remember the blessings too.

Needle Notes



Mae

Wool Baby by Melissa LaBarre $12
2 cardigans, a bonnet with lace, and textured blanket all in Quince yarn.

  • Arlo, a buttoned baby cardigan, Lark in Parsley
  • Aziza, a lace baby bonnet, Lark in Carrie’s Yellow
  • Elmer, a cozy baby blanket, Osprey in Apricot
  • Mae, an open-front cropped cardi, Chickadee in Belize  
Beautiful palette, beautifully photographed with old quilt as background.

Can’t wait to start knitting these!
Quince & Co is giving away one copy of the e-book. Post in the prize thread telling us which design you would knit first and perhaps the Quince color you would choose.


Some of my favorite Quince and Quince-friendly patterns:

Cradle Cardigan by Hannah Fettig from Mabel’s Closet-- also the beret from this collection.


Camilla Babe by Carrie Bostick Hoge. Garter Stitch with lace panel down front. Pullover. Quince & Co Lark.


Baby Kelpie by Pam Allen in Willet (Cleaner Cotton)

Little Willet by Dawn Catanzaro


Leila Babe Cap by Carrie Bostick Hoge (not published by Quince) in Tern (fingering weight)


In the Pipeline

15% off the Knitvent 2015 collection with KPKnitvent15 good until November 30th 2015.

Haste ye back!

Monday, November 16, 2015

Episode 230 Spring Retreat 2016 Information

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 Quince & Co, where you will find 100% American wool yarn and responsibly grown plant fibers. Quince has recently introduced five new beautiful colors into their wool line: Boreal, Fox, Shell, Sage, and Nightshade. Find them at www.quinceandco.com.

I am also a Craftsy Affiliate. This means that if you click from the Craftsy ad on my website and purchase a class or supplies, I receive credit for it. It is an easy way to support the show. Thank you!

You can also find me here:

Ravelry: PrairiePiper Feel free to include me in your friends.

Instagram: knittingpipeline

Twitter: knittingline





2016 Knitting Pipeline Spring Retreat Information Download HERE

Or copy and paste in your browser: https://app.box.com/s/u2tslxnguzxkcgt7ef1hbxbt6foo9h5l



Feb 26-27, 2016 (Fri 2 PM to Sat 4 PM)

with optional Yarn Crawl/Workshop Fun Day on Thursday Feb 25, 2016


Crossroads United Methodist Church    1420 N Main St, Washington IL, 61571 (corner of N Main and Rt 24)

·        Friday, Feb 26th Doors open at 2 PM. Dinner at 6 PM

·        Saturday, Feb 27th               Doors open at 8 AM. Retreat hours: 9 AM to 4 PM

Thursday Feb 25th    Yarn Crawl and Workshop Fun Day

Thursday Workshops require separate registration. See Workshop Registration

Lodging

You may sleep for free at Crossroads on Friday night. Bring what you would need for camping: bedding, pillow, towels, etc. The floor is concrete slab and it gets cold. A cot or heated pad/blanket is recommended. Bronwyn the Brave is our Camp Counselor!


There are 7 rooms. 309-267-1878

Sleep Inn ..1101 N Cummings Lane, Washington IL 61571 (309) 481-0450

Do not book online as you cannot access the block of rooms. Call directly and ask for a room in the Knitting Pipeline Block. We have 40 rooms reserved. There are some suites available that are not in the block but you can request. These have refrigerators and other amenities.

Other options are Super 8 in Washington or a number of hotels near the I-74 exit in Morton IL.

How to Register
Please mail in your registration form on or after Dec 1, 2015. Workshop registration is separate. We will post your name on Ravelry as we receive and process your registration. Checks will not be deposited until Feb 1, 2016.

Vendor Registration form is here.

Thursday, November 12, 2015

Episode 229 Summertide Shawl and Quince Kid-along

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 Quince & Co, where you will find 100% American wool yarn and responsibly grown plant fibers. Quince has recently introduced five new beautiful colors into their wool line: Boreal, Fox, Shell, Sage, and Nightshade. Find them at www.quinceandco.com.

I am also a Craftsy Affiliate. This means that if you click from the Craftsy ad on my website and purchase a class or supplies, I receive credit for it. It is an easy way to support the show. Thank you!







from Wool Baby by Melissa LeBarre


You can also find me here:

Ravelry: PrairiePiper Feel free to include me in your friends.

Instagram: knittingpipeline

Twitter: knittingline




Events

I should have the registration ready soon for the Spring Retreat which is February 26-27, 2016 in Washington IL. The optional Workshop and Yarn Crawl Fun Day starts on Feb 25.

The registration will work like the other retreats. You will get the information about 2 weeks before the earliest postmark date which will be Dec 1. That’s after Thanksgiving here in the US and everyone should have time to get the information, fill out a registration and send it in by US mail. I will put that out in a separate podcast episode which will say clearly in the subject line that it is for Spring Retreat. Links to the registration materials will be on the website and in both Ravelry groups. As we receive registrations your name will go up on Ravelry in the thread and you will be ear-burned; i.e., you will receive a personal message. Last year everyone who wanted to come got in but that doesn’t mean you should wait around too long just to be on the safe side.

Cornerstone Inn and Sleep Inn have room blocks.


Do not book online as you cannot access the block of rooms. Call directly and ask for a room in the Knitting Pipeline Block. We have 40 rooms reserved.


Pipeliner Notes
Charity Opportunity

Hello Paula

I love your podcast. I would like to know if you could mention on your podcast a charity that a friend of mine has for children with Down Syndrome. My friend has a 16 month old son with DS named Christian. We live in the Chicagoland area she is donating yellow and grey hats for newborns diagnosed with DS. The Facebook link is below with more information. I am
Knittergurl on Ravelry and anyone can send me a message and I will give them my address. Please tag the hat with your name and city/ state. Thank you in advance. We can use as many hats as possible.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Peggy has left a new comment on your post "Episode 221 Chat with Designer, Elizabeth Doherty":

Paula, I really enjoy your podcast and have since the beginning. The interview with Elizabeth is lovely. I have a comment though, about the new book. I am not a designer, just a knitter, so maybe I don't understand. I don't wear pullover sweaters, I find I'm too hot. I love cardigans. I love only one cardigan from Elizabeth's book and I would have to purchase the whole book for that one pattern which I don't want to do. Is there a reason why patterns cannot be released individually? Maybe you could talk about this sometime on your podcast. 

Thanks a lot,

Peggy Poellot 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hi Paula,

I hope this finds you rested after your wonderful Cornerstone Retreat!  It looked like great fun! 

I brought back quite a bit (understatement.  It was like puppies at the pound.  I couldn’t leave it behind!) of yarn from Maine.  When I got home, I moved around some things on our bookshelves and put some of it there and also in a basket, where I could see and enjoy it.  But my LYS lady told me that it wasn’t good to store yarn that way — that bugs (especially silverfish, she said) can get in it.  I have always stored mine in ziplock bags, so I put it all up.  And I started wondering how you store yours and if you have ever addressed this subject in your podcast.  I think I remembered seeing yarn stored in baskets in one of Susan’s video podcasts.  I realize that you two live in the north and may not have as many “critters” as we do in the south.  Any information or thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

Still basking in the glow of Maine!

Kathie

PS.  My LYS ladies are very careful with their yarn, moving it around every January and July (at which times all is 20% off!!).  They have a huge inventory, so I know yarn care is something they are very, very careful about.  They could lose their whole inventory to bugs.  But I’m wondering if this is necessary for an individual.

The Zen of Making Clothes Moths: How to Save Your Yarn Stash, Fabric, Wardrobe, and Sanity During an Infestation  (read comments also)




Nature Notes

Indian Summer is here. We are having nights when the temperature dips down to below 32 deg F and then by 11 AM you can go out comfortably in shirt sleeves or a light sweater or jacket. Today, Tuesday Nov 10, is bright and sunny. Our woods is looking undressed. The oaks are still clinging to their leathery brown leaves. The maples have let go of most of their leaves with only a few thin ones hanging on. There is still some green foliage in the underbrush, mostly the invasive honeysuckle shrubs. We can see all the way down to the creek at the bottom of the ravine and it will be that way now until April.

Last week my husband called me to the window while he was eating breakfast to say, “Look, the juncos are back.” There they were… the little gray and white birds hopping along the ground below the feeder. The unassuming dark eyed junco is a sure sign that winter is nearly here. We’ve had our fireplace burning on a few evenings to take the chill off. During night we hear the calls of the barred owls and the howling of coyotes. Bob disassembled the flower pot water fountain that attracts the birds. I miss that fountain outside of the window here as I often see so many birds and squirrels drinking from it. Until the spring they will have to go to the creek for fresh water.

Silver by Walter de la Mare 1873-1956

Needle Notes
Summertide Shawl by Helen Stewart


Summertide Shawl MKAL by Helen Stewart


Product Notes



(I purchased Eurosteam at Stitches Midwest for $200)
Pros
·        No auto shut off

·        Put directly on fabric

·        Great for blocking shawls and other knitted items

·        Press multiple layers

·        Fewer steam burned fingers

·        Gets the wrinkles out in one press

·        No temperature control

Cons

·        May leak if chamber collects condensation. Need to drain after each use.

·        If you just want to quickly press one thing you still have to fill the boiler tank.
The Rowenta is a good iron too but I can't say too much about it because 90% of the time I use the Eurosteam. I haven't tried putting water in the Rowenta.
In The Pipeline
Next week I will review Wool Baby by Melissa LeBarre. It's a beautiful collection for the wee ones. There will be a giveaway so be sure to listen to Episode 230.



Details:
For this KAL, pick any
Quince Baby/kid pattern, grab your Quince yarn (non-Quince yarn will not qualify for a prize, sorry!), and get knitting.

Tell us what you plan to make and in what color! This is the chatty thread, please post your FOs for this KAL in the FOs thread.

Official dates: Starts Monday, November 9th, 2015, ends Monday, January 4th, 2016 (end of day).

Prizes: We’re shaking things up this time around! (Translation: we’ll have more prizes to offer, and they won’t be specific to posting finished projects at the end of the KAL!). More specifics on this soon as the KAL gets off the ground.

Week 1: To kick off this week, we’ll be giving away 10% off your next order at Quince & Co. Woohoo!

  • To enter: From Monday, November 9, until Sunday, November 15, post a pic of your project to this thread. Since we’re just beginning, photos of your project skeins are allowable. ;) There is a limit of one entry per person—you’re welcome (and encouraged) to continue posting more photos throughout the week, but only one gets you entered.

To win: We were originally going to pick one lucky winner for this week. But then we decided it would be more fun if everyone who posts a pic of their project receives a discount code. So post a pic this week, and you’ve won. We’ll send your code to you next Monday, November 16, when we also announce next week’s giveaway.

We would love to share our favorite photos from the KAL on our blog at quinceandco.com.

Also…tagging! Instagram users, go ahead and use this tag for this KAL: #quinceKAL; for Rav, tag your projects with quinceKAL.

15% off the Knitvent 2015 collection with KPKnitvent15 good until November 30th 2015.

In The Piping Circle
Paula and Kevin at the Heyworth Parade


Sorry I couldn't get a photo of the Kenny Rodgers Snowman.

Haste ye back!


Thursday, November 5, 2015

Episode 228 Voices from Cornerstone 2015


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 Quince & Co, where you will find 100% American wool yarn and responsibly grown plant fibers. Quince’s newest addition is Willet, responsibly grown ©Cleaner Cotton. Find them at www.quinceandco.com.

I am also a Craftsy Affiliate. This means that if you click from the Craftsy ad and purchase a class or supplies, I receive credit for it. It is an easy way to support the show. Thank you!

You can also find me here:

Ravelry: PrairiePiper Feel free to include me in your friends.

Instagram: knittingpipeline

Twitter: knittingline




Most of this episode was recorded on Friday October 23rd while the knitters from Cornerstone Fall Retreat were at my home. We enjoyed lunch, sat outside in the beautiful fall weather amongst the gorgeous colors, and later in the afternoon they came down in groups of 5 or so to record. I will warn you that there is quite a lot of ambient noise as we were downstairs and 20 were upstairs having a grand time. You get used to it after a while but if not, come back to next week’s show. I may not link all the references in the show notes because there are quite a few but if you have questions you can ask and I’ll try to find out for you.

Events

I will have the registration ready soon for the Spring Retreat which is February 26-27, 2016 in Washington IL. The optional Workshop and Yarn Crawl Fun Day starts on Feb 25.

 The information a will come out about 2 weeks before the earliest postmark date which will be Dec 1. That’s after Thanksgiving here in the US and everyone should have time to get the information, fill out a registration and send it in by US mail. I will put that out in a separate podcast episode which will say clearly in the subject line that it is for Spring Retreat. Links to the registration materials will be on the website and in both Ravelry groups.

Cornerstone Inn and Sleep Inn have room blocks.
Do not book online as you cannot access the block of rooms. Call directly and ask for a room in the Knitting Pipeline Block. We have 40 rooms reserved.

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
15% off the Knitvent 2015 collection with KPKnitvent15 good until November 30th 2015.

Knitvent 2015 by Helen Stewart of Curious Handmade
- a holiday collection of 6 delightful surprises

• The Knitvent 2015 Collection is available to buy at a special early bird price now until November 4th.
• Includes six beautiful accessory patterns, including two shawls!
• You’ll receive one pattern each week for six weeks, starting Thursday November 5th.
• The patterns will be delivered automatically, so opening your message is like peeking behind the window of an advent calendar to see what’s inside!

Just a few Cornerstone notes that did not make it into the conversation.

Mittens.  32 pair! Thanks to everyone who donated. We took them to Threads, Hope, and Love and they were thrilled to receive them.


Seven Sisters Arts mini skeins! Thank you, Karen! 

Group 1


Hope/ HopeH

Barbara/SFCMARMARA




Plymouth Happy Feet 100 Splash


Ewe-nique Yarns, Inc. Morton IL


Summertide Mystery KAL by Curioushandmade

Perfect Retreat Shawl by Susan B Anderson

Group 2


Laurie/Serenitty


Maria/Mariaeb

Sandy/angelmum3
They look so serious, but they weren't.

Dangling Conversation by Mindy Ross

Sister Bay and Cave Point by Paula Emons-Fuessle

Gnarled Oak Cardigan by Alana Dakos

Pebble Beach by Helen Stewart

Jen Lucas Designs

Jul Shawl Pins

Group 3


Susan/Guerne


Becky/hybridgirl


The following two recipes were requested by Cornerstone Retreat Attendees


Chai Spice Cake

1 white cake mix

¾ cup David Rio Tiger Spice Chai

1 ½ -2 bags Heath English Toffee Bits (without chocolate)

8 oz Cool Whip


Mix cake as directed on box (I used whole eggs ‘cause I forgot to separate the whites as directed on the box). Then fold in Chai mix and ¾ -1 bag of Toffee Bits.

Pour batter into a greased  9 x 13 pan or jelly roll pan. Bake at 350 for 25-30 minutes til toothpick comes out clean. Sprinkle a few toffee bits on top of cake after it comes out of oven if desired.

When cake is totally cool,  frost with Cool Whip and sprinkle more Toffee Bits on top of Cool Whip.

For added calories and yum factor, you might try drizzling each piece with chocolate syrup and/or caramel sauce.

Enjoy!


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


Fun times on the deck

Gathering Room Knitters

Chef Jerry photobomb of Sister Bay and Cave Point Shawls



Mittens donated to Threads Hope and Love



HopeH shows Ellison Bay



Barb, aka bsneedleman shows her The Hole Story by Michelle Hunter



FitzKnitz721 shows Susan B Anderson's Perfect Retreat Shawl





Deck knitters

Kitchen helpers Sarah and Theresa






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.