Episode 83 Captivating Cats

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

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 earth friendly overseas suppliers. Find them at www.quinceandco.com and while you are there, sign up for their free e-newsletter.

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 longaberger.com/paula

Thank you to everyone who left 5 star reviews on iTunes, commented on the show blog, participated in the Knitting Pipeline Group on Ravelry, and send good vibes my way.  Our group on Ravelry is very friendly and I invite you to join us.  We have over 1586 members!

Pipeliner Notes

I read a note from Nancy.  Her husband is going to build owl houses.  Does anyone have experience with these?  Please let me know.

Nature Notes

Pileated woodpecker, spring peepers, and a fox runs past as I record the show.

Spring Beauty  Claytonia virginica

Native Americans ate the bulbs of this plant.  Euell Gibbons called it Fairy Spuds.

The first day of spring is one thing, and the first spring day is another. The difference between them is sometimes as great as a month. ~Henry Van Dyke

Needle Notes

Follow up on Purl Tension.  Cat Bordhi.  Video shared by offherneedles.  How to tighten your purl stitches.

The next two cats are Greta theCaptivating Cat by Rebecca Danger.  Inspired by Diane of Knitabulls.

Greta The First wanted a bow.  I used Malabrigo.

3 needle bind off was used to close the top.  Getting it turned inside out was painful.  I felt sorry for the cat.

Greta the Second I used kitchener stitch at the top of the head.  Had added stitches to the opening but still very small.

Greta the Second did not want a bow.  I used Jojoland Melody.

 

I use DMC Cotton Perle for the facial features.  You have to get it right or all the knitting is for naught.

Stuffing:  Always takes more than you think it will.

Piper’s Journey KAL

Not much to say about this KAL and I guess that is a good thing. 

Lorix5 has a lovely Piper's Journey!  I loved her photos and asked whether I might post them here for you to see.

The Blethering Room

I explain where The Blethering Room originated, with a group of friends who met online and met face to face in Virginia in 1999. “Blether” is the Scottish word for blather.

Book Notes

The Knitter’s Life List by Gwen W. Steege. Highly recommended.

In the Piping Circle

St. Patrick's Day Recap

I did a little yarn shop visit during the pub crawl.  I visited with Erin and Melinda at The Fiber Universe.  I wanted to stay and knit but the piping must go on!  I am wearing our special Celtic Cross Pipes and Drums St. Patrick's Day shirts.

Paula and Erin St. Patrick's Day 2012

Kevin and Heather with Bishop Daniel Jenky of the Peoria Diocese.

Music from Musica Pacifica.  Kid on the Mountain and Mountain Rose. www.magnatune.com
Haste ye back!

Episode 55 Leafprints Shawlette & Westknits Mystery KAL

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Thank you to Quince & Co for sponsoring this show.  Visit their web site and sign up for blog and pattern updates. 

I am taking a week off so the next podcast will be released after Stitches Midwest.

Pipeliner Notes

I heard from new pipeliners: Nancy in Alabama, AuntTea/Ellen, Abbysknits, Julia, MaggieGrl, Cheryl, and Helen.

New iTunes reviews from GuruNam and Listening in the Adirondacks made me happy!  Thank you.

Nature Notes 

The Barred Owls are very busy these days, or really these nights.  

Louise of the Caithness Craft Collective Podcast noticed that I talked a lot more about butterflies last year than I have this year.  She is absolutely correct.  It hasn’t been the best summer for butterflies. 

Needle Notes

Leafprints Shawlette by Anne Hanson. 

Review of Creamy by Kollage. Creamy is a blend of milk and cotton. 80/20 .  A little slippery but it is a lovely material.

Westknits Mystery KAL

Intarsia has not killed me....yet.

Quince & Co Tern in Barnacle, Driftwood, and Seagrass.

Don't worry if you are a few stitches off.  I don't think it will matter.
Intarsia has not killed me yet.  In fact, I'm enjoying it!  (But know better than to overdo it.)

Events 

Stitches Midwest is August 25-28.  I will be there on the 25^th and 26^th.  There will be a Pipeliner Meet and Greet on Friday August 26 starting at 11 AM in the Concession area of the Market.  I will be sitting there with my knitting and I hope you can join me. 

Betty Hay asked questions about attending big knitting events such as Sock Summit and Stitches.  Betty, I apologize for not answering sooner. 

The Market:

• Set a budget and perhaps some goals.  I try to think ahead of time what I am looking for.
• Take cash for the Market.
• If you are wavering on a purchase then think about it for a while.  Come back later.  Sometimes you have more perspective.  

I take easy project to work on so I can chat with people easily.

Take some business cards with your Ravelry information, your blog if you have one, to exchange with people you meet.

Keeping up energy among a lot of people:  Are you and introvert or an extrovert?  A definition is that an introvert gathers energy from being along and an extrovert gathers energy from being with others.

The Blethering Room

AJ 's favorite dishcloth is Chinese Waves by Margaret Radcliffe.  Join in our discussion on Episode 54 on dishcloths and natural cleaning.

I knitted two Chinese Waves Dishcloths.  I know, I thought I was done but I needed the palate cleanser of knitting.  Thanks, Angela!

Check out 1to1's Dishcloth Binge of over 100!

In the Piping Circle

Field Marshall Montgomery Pipe Band won The World Pipe Band Championship Games!   

BBC Scotland Coverage

Haste ye back!

Episode 47 The Day a Knight Came to Dinner

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Sign up for the free e-newsletter from Quince & Co.  Your name will be entered into a drawing for a Quince tote with 10 skeins of yarn of your choice!  Drawing will be held on Sunday June 19th.  Those who are already signed up for the newsletter are already in the drawing!
The Quince Sale for Pipeliners has been extended to July 1, 2011!  Enjoy 10% off your order of $20 or more!  Use the promo code KP62011 at checkout.

This week's giveaway sponsor is Green Mountain Spinnery.  Leave a comment (with your contact information or link to your blog) below and your name will go into a drawing for a skein of Simply Fine in your choice of color!  (The color I reviewed is the gray on the far right in photo.  yum)  The drawing will be held at noon on Thursday June 23 CDT.

Simply Fine Yarn by Green Mountain Spinnery

Pipeliner Notes 

Welcome to New Pipeliners: Sarahapple, Jo, Tink, zknits, Jennie, duBedaare, Lizzy B, Erica, Lisa, Terri, Kimberly, and Scarhandpiper!
Thanks for the iTunes reviews: mtk3, angelluna20, DCknitter, silverpennies, PostLeslie, and twinsetjan!

Thanks for your feedback on the Kate's Shawl episode.  I think I see I lot of ruffles in the future of Pipeliners.
I read a funny note from Kathleen Kibblehouse.  She cracks me up.

Giveaway Notes

There are four winners this week! When you contact me let me know which pattern you prefer or whether it makes no difference.  We have 3 copies of Esther Budd's HRH Kate's Shawl and one copy of another pattern from me.  I thought another designer had agreed to donate a pattern but I was mistaken.  I have taken care of this by purchasing the pattern for the winner.  Thank you, Esther!

Congratulations to our winnners!

• sabafartash (Sabine)
• Kei
• Carla (1to1)
• Caitlin

 If I don't hear from you within a week I will contact you with the good news!

Nature Notes

I bought the iBird app for the Midwest U.S.A.  I found it useful in the field in trying to identify a bird.
I tell a story about my husband defending himself with a tennis racket in the face of a wild blue jay.

Earth's crammed with heaven,

And every common bush afire with God:

But only he who sees, takes off his shoes,

The rest sit round it and pluck blackberries.

--Elizabeth Barrett Browning

Needle Notes

LaLa's Simple Shawl:  I added a ruffle in garter stitch, a suggestion from my husband.  He's quite pleased with himself and I think it's cute.  I used all but about 8 yds of the 2 skeins of Plymouth Happy Feet.

I finished my first And So Are You by Rose Beck from the Be Mine Collection.

Again, foiled by a pleated border!  I told you these ruffles and pleats are yarn hogs and I wasn't kidding!  I thought I had about 200-250 yds for the border and yet I had to leave out the last increase and a few rows.  The pattern did not specify what kind of bind off to use but it did say to "bind off in pattern".  You can bind off in pattern using the Russian Bind Off, my current favorite.  See video tutorial.  I love the color of this shawl and the pleated border.

I started on Triangular Summer Shawl from Estonian Lace by Nancy Bush.  Laceweight yarn by Knit Picks.  This bit represents an estimated 15 hours of knitting.

The Blethering Room

Romi aka Rosemary Hill is starting a new series of shawls.  Seven Small Shawls Year Two: The Muses.  $20.  If you purchased the first book you should have received a coupon code so you can purchase the new collection for $16.  Use it by June 30th.  The patterns will be released as Romi completes them.

When packing my knitting for vacation I went into Squirrel Mode, stashing balls of yarn in nooks and crannies of my bags.  What was I thinking?  I didn't even have time to start on the Kilkenny Cowl by Pam Allen.  I have Chickadee in the Clay colorway set aside for this project. 

 Book and Yarn Notes

Thank you to Green Mountain Spinnery for sending these products for review.

Simply Fine is as close to handspun as you can find in a machine spun wool.  60% merino and 40% kid mohair.  It has a clean sheep smell and feels delicious.  I LOVE IT!  Highly recommended.  450 yds per 100 gr skein. One skein will be enough for a small shawl or a pair of socks.

The book contains a history of the working coop, a day in the life of Green Mountain Spinnery, 36 original patterns by various designers, some techniques, and a nifty thumbnail photo index of the patterns.  Charts are large and easy to read.  Nice large font.  Good layout and photos. About half the patterns are sweaters/vests and the rest include socks, shawls/scarves, baby and children items, hats, mittens, and even an entrelac afghan.  The working coop is environmentally conscious and an all-round good business to support.  They use local sheep and other fiber sources when available.  Recommended.

In The Piping Circle

The band competed in the Milwaukee Highland Games.  I'm the shortest piper in the band, behind the tenor drummer twirling the sticks when we are standing in the circle.  On June 18th we compete in the Chicago Highland Games in Itasca IL.

My band mates, Rob and Deb, have friends from The Dutch Pipes and Drums visiting them this week.  I invited them all over for dinner.  Willie is the Pipe Major for The Dutch Pipes and Drums and Jose (pronounced Josay or Yosay) is a piper also.  Then Rob told me that Willie has been knighted, hence the title of the podcast.  I didn't know that when I invited them but it didn't make any difference.  I was going to use my crock pot anyway.  It was a perfect evening but I forgot to take photos!

You can read about Willie receiving his knighthood title here on the May 2, 2011 entry.  He was bestowed the decoration of "Knight of the Order of Oranje Nassau".  Am I impressed?  Yes!

There are photos of Willie and Jose at our band rehearsal on my personal blog A Piper Knits.  Here's one photo of the 3 of us before we started playing.

Willie, Paula, and Jose

In honor of Willie and Jose I have included a selection from The Dutch Pipes and Drums after the theme music.  This is Track 1 which is Meeting of The Waters and The Badge of Scotland.

Purchase the CD In Concert here.  Thank you to Willie and The Dutch Pipes and Drums for permission to share their music on the podcast!

Haste ye back!

Episode 37 A Startling Shawl Discovery

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Come forth into the light of things. Let Nature be your teacher.  --William Wordsworth

Quince & Co offers a line of thoughtfully conceived yarns spun from American wool.  Leave a comment in the show blog to enter the contest for your choice of 3 patterns and the Tern yarn to make it.  Choose from Sabrina Mitts, Abbey Road Socks, and Barcelona Scarflet.

Pipeliner Notes

I read a letter from Elseline about seeing a large number of Short Toed Eagles.  She sent me this link as well as photos.  The Short Toed Eagle is probably a descendent of the old world vulture. 




Elseline's photo of a Short-toed Eagle.  Note the beautiful markings.

 I got to meet Jen when she visited Celtic Cross Pipes and Drums rehearsal.  I also met Kathleen!

Paula, Jen, and Kevin.

Nature Notes

My friend Mr. Fox on his way to the bird feeder.

A busy Fox Sparrow.

Visit Pileated Woodpecker Central, a site solely dedicated to this woodpecker.
Our resident Red Fox visits daily and he is very shy.  A flock/den of Fox Sparrows entertained me with their scratching in the leaves at the edge of the wood.  Fox Sparrows are the largest of our sparrows.

Panthers in Illinois

Needle Notes


Blethering Room

I finished a ribbed stocking cap that is too small for all the men in my family.  This will go to charity.
Sewing in the ends on a piece of ribbing is like magic if you know where to put it.



Find the row of bumps where a line of knit stitches meets a line of purl stitches.  I call it "the gutter". 



You sometimes have to spread the fabric a bit to see the row of bumps that is nestled in here.

Run your threaded blunt needle through the bumps for about 3 inches.

See it?

I left a little tail sticking up so you could see where the tail is threaded through.  Pretty nifty, eh?  This is the wrong side of the hat so you are essentially making a ribbed hat reversible by hiding the ends so well.

Is anyone interested in a KAL?  I have to knit this cardigan!
Estelle by Melissa LaBarre

The Leila Cap by Carrie Bostick Hoge reminds me of Flower Fairies.  I also mention Annabel Babe Cardigan because when I talked about it last week I did not say the name.

Book Notes

Knitting Traditions  Winter 2011 on display until 5/15/11  $14.99
Color, Texture, Lace:  45 Projects frm around the world
Special edition of Piecework by Interweave Knits.  Contents comprised of articles selected from Piecework's 17 year archive, favorite Interweave Books, and new stories and projects.

How could I resist with this beautiful pair of mittens on the cover?

Highly recommended for those who enjoy historical knitting, traditional knitting, folk traditions, and colorwork. 

Music is from Celtic Cross Pipes and Drums, recorded at our rehearsal on Thursday March 25, 2011.

Here another photo of the band in the St. Patrick's Day.

Episode 27 Knitting is my Passion!

To view a Longaberger January Sale flyer visit www.longaberger.com/flyer.  To save on shipping contact me by email or phone.  With an order of $150 you may choose an additional item at 1/ price!

A contest winner is announced for the 3 patterns donated by Stephen West of Westknits!  Thank you to Stephen West!

Thank you to all the Pipeliners who contributed comments on the previous topics of whether ponchos are in fashion and shawl wearing for men.

Designs mentioned in this segment:

• Hypoteneuse by Anne Hanson is a shawl appropriate for both men and women.
• Textured Shawl Recipe by Orlane
• A Very Harlot Poncho by Stephanie Pearl-McPhee

Nature Notes

The best viewing for American Bald Eagles is the winter months in the upper Midwest, along bodies of water.  Choose a cold winter day when there is ice on the water.  Places where the ice is broken are spots where eagles tend to gather for food.  Dams, harbors, under bridges, or barge trails are possibilities.  The best times of day are around 10 AM and 3 PM although you can find them anytime during daylight hours.

The American Bald Eagle

• Takes 5 years to attain full mature plumage.
• Mates for life.
• Can see a target from up to a mile away.
• Flies up to 30 mph

In the 1960's there were only 400 pairs of nesting Bald Eagles in the U.S.
After the ban of the pesticide DDT in 1973, Bald Eagles (and other wildlife) began making a comeback.
2007--Removed from Endangered Species List and are now a Protected Species.

Needle Notes

I finished my Citron which I began in October.  It was published in Knitty Winter 2009 and was designed by Hilary Smith Callis.  I added beads on the bottom ruffle.  See my project notes for details.  I then used a crocheted bead border from Lorna Miser's book Faith, Hope, Love, Knitting.  Tedious but definitely worth it.  It took several days to finish the bind off because I could only accomplish it while sitting at a table.

This is the crochet bead bind off video for the shawl.

After talking about my Citron I tell a story about a friend's reaction to the shawl.  She told me in no uncertain terms, "You need to get a life!"  Thank you to my friend, Mary, who came to my rescue with, "She HAS a life and it is knitting!"  We all should have a passion in life outside of our family and work.  Fortunately,  I have more than one.

Time is our most precious commodity.  As knitters we make the most of little bits of it.

In the Blethering Room

From our discussion of "No Purl Patterns" the following were added to the list by Pipeliners.

• Lacy Baktus with eyelets, a variation of Baktus (free pattern)
• Hitchhiker by Martina Behm
• Galisteo Jacket by Carol Lapin
• Carol's Clever Little Shawl by Carol Sanders (historic pattern and free)
• Wildflower Lace Scarf by Evelyn A. Clark
• Oscilloscope Shawl by Kate Gagnon Osborn.   Knitscene (print publication) Fall 2010

Book Notes

Faith, Hope, Love, Knitting

Celebrating the Gift of Knitting with 24 Beautiful Patterns

by Lorna Miser

2009   $24.95

Lorna's web site is Lorna Miser Designs.  The book is available here or on the usual channels.
Highly recommended especially for those who like to read knitting books.  Each pattern has a story with it which makes it very personal.  The author has put a lot of herself into the book. There is a wide range of patterns, several that I have tagged to knit.  The patterns are rated for difficulty level.  Patterns include Grandmother's Lace Shawl (with Helen's Loopy Bind-Off that I used on my Citron), Sweet Baby Sweater, Lace Vest, Heart Pillow, Socks, Slippers, Lap Throw, Homemade Knitting Needles, Square a Day Blanket, Child's Poncho, and more. The instructions are clear and constructions methods make sense.  I am very glad this book is in my knitting library.

Leave a comment below to enter a drawing for an autographed copy of the book, donated by the author, Lorna Miser.  Winner will be announced on January 21, 2011.

Norwegian Sweater KAL

I am still figuring out my plan for a man's sweater.  If you want to see designs I am looking at, see my Ravelry queue and search with the tag Norwegiankal.  I will probably use one of these designs as a springboard but will use Elizabeth Zimmermann's guidelines for the sweater.  Feel free to choose any Norwegian design if you want to jump in on the wintery fun!  A hat, mittens, child's sweater, or vest, are possibilities for smaller projects.

Recommended reading:

• Knitting Without Tears by Elizabeth Zimmermann
• Knitting Workshop by Elizabeth Zimmermann

Schoolhouse Press

Speaking of EZ, I think we are due for an EZ letter soon.  Don't you agree?

Episode 22 Norwegian Knitting Book Reviews and A Finished Norwegian Cap

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Norwegian Patterns for Knitting
Classic Sweaters, Hats, Vests, and Mittens by Mette Handberg
Trafalger Press 2010  $24.95

Purpose:  To reawaken interest in Norwegian knittting and push the boundaries of these traditional designs.
Highly recommended for anyone with an interest in colorwork and traditional Nordic knitting.
Favorites patterns in this book:  Wilderness (p 38), Women's Long Jacket (p 69), Man's Jacket (p 72)

Norwegian Handknits:  Heirloom Designs from Vesterheim Museum
Sue Flanders and Janine Kosel
Voyageur Press, 2009

Purpose:  Make the historical pieces in the Vesterheim Museum available for knitters today.
One of my best knitting purchases in the past 10 20 years.  Beautiful layout with bits about Norwegian culture and the immigrant experience in the U.S.  A whopping 34 patterns with large charts and plenty of white space on the page so not to make me crazy.  Many new and interesting techniques explained clearly.  Charming vintage photos from late 19th century to early 20th century of Norwegian people both in Norway and in the U.S.

Ruth's Cap.  Pompom, tassel, or leave as it is?

I knitted Ruth's Cap and found an error.  The sample cap shows a picot edge on the hem but the pattern will produce a straight purled edge.  Beware because the instructions for Ruth's Blanket will produce the same effect.  The pattern instructions should produce the sample.  Hopefully this type of error will be corrected in future printings.  And yes, I have notified the publisher.  Erratta are here but this is not yet listed.  The publisher wrote that corrections are being made to the second edition.

Our Honeymoon Backpacking Trip

After camping through Norway (mostly in the rain) we were happy to arrive in Kjelbotn to cousin Elisabeth and her husband Magnus. 

Elisabeth Ingebritsen (cousin to my MIL), Paula, and Bob.  Our honeymoon is the only time Bob has had a beard.  Although it was late June, the weather was chilly so Elisabeth loaned me one of her handknit sweaters.  This photo was taken about 10:00 PM.  We were way above the Arctic Circle so it never got dark while we were there.  They didn't sleep much either.

Voss, Norway.  June 1975

Looking grave in the Ursin family graveyard at Lille Grosnaes, north or Tromsoe in northern Norway.

Elisabeth and sheep.

Leaving Elisabeth and Magnus at the train station in Narvik.  On our way to northern Sweden!  One more month of traveling to go before we travel home to the U.S.

See that little red dot way up high on the map where it says "Hammerfest"?  Below that is Tromso.  We were just north of Tromso.  From Trondheim on up the traveling was pretty slow because the train ended in Bodo (not shown) so we had to travel by bus and ferry.

Episode 1 Vegemot, Multnomah, Kjaellingsjal, and Brandywine Shawl

A wild male turkey pays us amorous visits.

I talk about finished projects:

Vegemot published in the blog Hespetre.

Multnomah by Kate Flagg

And current projects:

Kjaellingsjal in the blog Knit Forwards..Understand Backwards.. by Mette Roerbech

Brandywine Shawl by Rosemary Hill

Woolen Rabbit Harmony Sock Yarn

I talk about how to make your own sprouts for healthful eating.

Product Review: Portable Mini Spin Dryer

by The Laundry Alternative.