Episode 83 Captivating Cats

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

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 77 Short Rows and Spirals

Listen here or use the Flash Player on this site.

Be sure to leave a comment below to enter the drawing for a skein of Dowager Countess from Roman Hills.  If you have problems leaving a comment try being "anonymous" but be sure to leave contact information of some kind!

This show is sponsored by Quince & Co, Peddler’s Way Quilt Co, and The Fiber Universe.

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 overseas suppliers who grow plants, raise animals, or manufacture a yarn in as earth- and labor-friendly a way as possible. Find them at www.quinceandco.com and while you are there, sign up for their free e-newsletter.

Peddler’s Way Quilt Shop is a 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 corner with an array of fine quality yarns, books, and needles. 

The Fiber Universe in Peoria IL  provides quality products, service and instruction for fiber enthusiasts. They stock yarn from Cascade, Plymouth, Skacel, Three Irish Girls, Kauni, Jojoland, Claudia Handpaints, and more.  Fibers for spinning and felting are available from local farms.  The Fiber Universe accepts orders over the phone and offers free shipping on orders over $50.  Check out their website, www.thefiberuniverse.com or give them a call today at 309.673.5659.

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.

Knitting Pipeline Retreat!

Bronwyn the Brave is keeping a list of those registered for the retreat.  The list is posted on our Knitting Pipeline Group on Ravelry.

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

Pipeliner Notes

Dorothy’s letter last week struck a chord with many listeners. 

Chris left a message about her sighting of a barn owl.

Karebot has a great conversation starter.  What would you do during a zombie apocalypse? 

A correction from last week’s show: (Thank you spinsjal!)  Joshua Tucker is a massage therapist, NOT a physical therapist.  Read Wendy’s note on our board with another side to the issue.

Nature Notes

Last Friday we awoke to dense fog which was not an auspicious beginning to our Snowy Owl Expedition.  Well, maybe it was.  We made it to the Emiquon Wetland Preserve and saw quite a few American Bald Eagles.  We also saw Snow Geese!  There were thousands of them flying in ribbons as far as we could see down the waterway.

Funky and Aizome did see Snowy Owls in Minnesota!  I have not given up yet and there is always next year.

Featured Nature writer: John Madson Where the Sky Began: Land of the Tallgrass Prairie. 1982

Poem found in the front of John Madson's book...

To make a prairie it takes a clover and one bee,

 One clover, and a bee,

And revery.

The revery alone will do

 If bees are few.

Emily Dickinson

Needle Notes

Yarn recommendations for socks (that will wear well).

Traci (4 girls) Lorna’s Laces Shepherd Sock, Woolen Rabbit Harmony, Opal

Prairiepoet:  Blue Moon Fiber Lightweight Socks that Rock

For the record, I have tried duplicate stitch (Swiss Darning) and do not like it for the tight gauge of socks.

I read a letter from JudyBee who is knitting Kevlar into her bullet proof socks!  Even Charlene Schurch was impressed!

Ten Stitch Twist by Frankie Brown took a little over a month to knit using stash yarn.

May I say how much I love my joins?

Spirals are soothing and relaxing even when there are short rows involved. Project notes are here.

Blanket measures 42” across and I figure it is about a sweater’s worth of worsted weight yarn.

The Blethering Room

Article about Pam Allen 

Piper’s Journey KAL begins!  The pattern is available at Quince & Co. in the Scarves, etc.  The whole collection is stunning!  Tag your Piper's Journey shawls for the KAL as pipersjourneykal.  Thank you for your support of my first published design!

In the Pipeline

Oops from last week!  I have done more cowls than I thought.  Kilkenny Cowl by Pam Allen is one of Emily’s favorites. 

Spectra by Stephen West.  2 Knit Lit Chicks KAL

Watching…

Downtown Abbey…we have a giveaway from Roman Hills!  They have a stunning and very clever Downton Abbey Line with colorways named for the characters.  Leave a comment below to be entered into a drawing for a skein of the Dowager Countess.  What is a weekend?  Thank you, Roman Hills!  You have until Feb 21 to leave a comment.

Listening:

The Paris Wife by Paula MacClain.  I’m falling behind in podcast listening.

Reading:

Finished Zombies Don’t Cry: Book One in a Living Dead Love Story.  By Rusty Fischer  Last week I said it was funny.  Right after that it was not so funny.  It was sad.

Birds of a Feather by Jacqueline Winspear Book 2 in Maisie Dobbs series.

Goat Song: A Seasonal Life, A  Short History of Herding, and the Art of Making Cheese.  Recommended by Alisonc.

Bob Dylan was inspired by the Robert Burns tune featured at the end of this episode.  It is sung by Shira Kammen from A Celebration of Robert Burns.  www.magnatune.com

O my Luve's like a red, red rose
That’s newly sprung in June;
O my Luve's like the melodie
That’s sweetly play'd in tune.

As fair art thou, my bonnie lass,
So deep in luve am I:
And I will luve thee still, my dear,
Till a’ the seas gang dry:

Till a’ the seas gang dry, my dear,
And the rocks melt wi’ the sun:
I will luve thee still, my dear,
While the sands o’ life shall run.

And fare thee well, my only Luve
And fare thee well, a while!
And I will come again, my Luve,
Tho’ it were ten thousand mile.

Thanks for listening!  Haste ye back! Remember to leave contact information (Ravelry name, email, blog) in your comment so you are eligible for the drawing of the Dowager Countess from Roman Hills!

Episode 76 Save our Socks!

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

This episode is sponsored by Quince & Co and The Fiber Universe.

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 combined efforts to create a line of thoughtfully conceived yarns spun from American wool or sourced from overseas suppliers who grow plants, raise animals, or manufacture a yarn in as earth- and labor-friendly a way as possible. Find them at www.quinceandco.com and while you are there, sign up for their free e-newsletter.

The Fiber Universe provides quality products, service and instruction for fiber enthusiasts. They stock yarn from Cascade, Plymouth, Skacel, Three Irish Girls, Kauni, Jojoland, Claudia Handpaints, and more.  Fibers for spinning and felting are available from local farms.  The Fiber Universe accepts orders over the phone and offers free shipping on orders over $50.  Check out their website, www.thefiberuniverse.com or give them a call today at 309.673.5659.

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

Pipeliner Notes

I read a letter from Dorothy about her wonderful mother and how she knitted until her recent death.

Nature Notes

Stitch Markers from Kim Ogle.  www.ogledesign.etsy.com

Karin says that Bertie the Bat is back!

I’m still on the watch for the snowy owl.  Thanks to everyone who has sent me information.  There was a clip on the NBC evening news onWed Feb 1. 

Tomorrow I may be going on a snowy owl expedition to Emiquon.  I think time is running out.

Needle Notes

I’ve been proactive about my sock knitting lately.

1. Choose yarn that will wear well.  What are your favorite hard wearing sock yarns?
2. Knit to a tight gauge
3. Close fit (negative ease)
4. Smooth skin (bring on the lotion!)
5. Pre-darning

Tips from Clara Parkes in Vogue:

1. Look at your socks.  See what areas are wearing out.  When you come to these areas in your knitting go down a needle size.
2. Turn socks inside out. Thread a blunt needle with your sock yarn and run it through the purl bumps on the wrong side.  I took this a step further by making horizontal rows with mohair-silk blend.

Inside of sock showing pre-darned area.

Crafting with Carpal Tunnel Group

First thread is sticky.  Do this one thing for your wrist pain.

Joshua Tucker specializes in the elimination of carpal tunnel pain and symptoms.   

The Blethering Room

Piper’s Journey KAL

We will start as soon as the pattern is released by Quince & Co.  I hope this will be in the next week!

In the Pipeline

Designed a cowl in 2 yarn weights and going for a 3^rd.  I enjoy wearing it.

On the Home Stretch on Ten Stitch Twist by Frankie Brown.

Spectra by Stephen West with 2 Knit Lit Chicks Podcast.

I bought bulky yarn to make Lee Bernstein’s OhSo Hat

Watching:

Downtown Abbey!  Now has its own thread on our Knitting Pipeline Ravelry Group

My Life So Far

Filmed on location in Scotland (Argyll), kilts, kilt hose, Scottish Country Dancing, pipe music, a knitted shawl, Fair Isle Vests, and Colin Firth!

Listening

The Paris Wife by Paula McClain  

Reading

Zombies Don’t Cry: Book One in a Living Dead Love Story.  By Rusty Fischer  Yes, my first zombie teen fiction. 

The February sunshine steeps your boughs and tints the buds and swells the leaves within.  William C. Bryant

I didn't have time to get music on the show this week. I am looking for snowy owls!

Haste ye back!

Episode 72 Black-Eyed Peas

Listen here or use the Flash Player on this site.

Thank you to our show sponsors!

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 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

Snowy Owl sightings in Illinois

Illinois Birdwatchers List Serve IBET

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.

Bitty Bump

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

Woodturner Pully

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.

Aizome explained how she makes labels for quilts.

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)

Downton Abbey

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

Listening to:

Yarngasm Podcast by Voolenvine

Books on the Nightstand

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.

Music of the Spheres  Matteis: Ground after the Scotch Humour.

www.magnatune.com

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

Episode 64 Bats and Bread

Listen here or use the Flash Player on this site.  Subscribe to the podcast on iTunes!
This episode is sponsored by my Longaberger Home Business.  www.longaberger.com/paula  Sign up for my email newsletter and sale notifications by sending an email to me at Paulaef@aol.com.

3 Giveaway Winners!

At First Sight by Laura Linneman

Congratulations to Lisaknits/ lasknit2, yarnette, and stephigordon/indigodogmt!
Please PM me and I will contact Laura so she can get the pattern to you.

Nature Notes

I have been reading about bats.  Thanks for indulging my fancy!  Bats are not generally dangerous.  They will not fly into your hair.  Most bats eat insects.

A Country Year: Living the Questions by Sue Hubbell.  Great book of nature writings.
Bats   West Virginia University

Needle Notes

Group on Ravelry Organized Knitting Club

Knitting Journal Template at www.KathrynIvy.com

My Bat Shawl

Fledermaus-Tuch by Jana Albrecht

Free pattern available in German and English

I used Araucania Ranco Multy  1.5 skeins.

Added a light ruffle because it seemed a little plain and I wanted to use up more of the yarn.

Modeled by Kelli Jo

Dancy Batty by Meta Libenter is a free pattern with bats made of lace.  Diane of the Knitabulls video cast has a KAL/Knit along finishing up now. 

 In The  Pipeline 

• Afterthought Heel Hiking Socks using pattern by Laura Linneman
• Nellie by Donna Higgins  (RVW both yarn and pattern)
• Seamless Yoked Baby Sweater by Carole Barenys  (both yarn and pattern)

The Blethering Room

 I wore my Radiance Shawl to my nephew's wedding.  Someone cleaned her glasses with it.  But it wasn't any of the lovely people in this photo.  This is our immediate family: 3 sons, 1 DIL and future DIL, husband, and me.

These are our three sons who were ushers for the wedding.  I'm so proud of them.

Visit this site and if you have any macrame owls that need rescuing please send them to these wonderful ladies!   Macrame Owl

Whole Wheat Bread Baking for Zabelle in Montreal.  The tutorial and recipe is on the side bar. The original recipe came from The Vegetarian Epicure by Anna Thomas c. 1972.  (yikes!)  Now out of print but it seems there are lots of used copies out there.  But none of them probably have as many food stains as mine does.  My favorite yeast is SAF available from King Arthur Flour.  I also like the recipes on the King Arthur Flour site.  This is what the SAF Yeast looks like.  I buy the red not the gold.  A whole pound for just $5.95!

If you have never made bread before start with white bread.  You can also gradually work your way from white bread to whole wheat by slowly changing the ratio.

Don't worry, this is not turning into a food podcast.  This was just a diversion.

Rip Van Winkle Challenge

October 1 through November 30, 2011

The Concept:

Go through your Ravelry queue to find a project that has been asleep for a long time.  Or maybe you have been asleep while others have been knitting this project.   

Another mission for the overachievers out there:  go to your stash and try to find your oldest yarn and match it to an pattern in your queue.

The Rules:

In the middle of November I will start a thread for finished projects.  Please just post once on this thread.  You must finish a RVW project to be eligible for the Prize Patrol.  Prizes to be announced. 

Last chance!

KA Needle Promo from Pinkfeatherknitting!

$4 off shipping for all orders.  Shipping is normally $4 for U.S./Canada and $9 International so that means Free for some of us and $5 for others.  The offer is through October 31, 2011.  Use the promo code piper at checkout.

I forgot to mention this on the show but Knitting Retreat Registrations will be opening up within the week!  I will post on the board and here in the sidebar.

Music

My Beloved and My Friend by Benji Goodrich from Waiting.  www.magnatune.com

Have a great week!  Haste ye back!

Episode 58 Toasty Toes

Listen here or use the Flash Player on this site for current and past episodes. Subscribe on iTunes!
Thank you to Quince & Co for their continued support of this podcast.

Thank you to everyone who has friended me a second time.  There is a bug on Ravelry where people are randomly dropped off my friends list.  If you see that I have dropped off your list, please friend me again.

New Pipeliners!

Katie (rnmama), Jaja in Sweden, Tamara, Laura, Sharon, Katie (gumbygoogoo), Kate (sheepsymphony, Shannon, Camille, Rachel, Carol, and Karen from Denmark.  Karen lives in the town outside of Copenhagen where I learned to knit so I was thrilled to meet her on Ravelry. 

Thank you for the iTunes Reviews! Knitloon, storybookstory, PamelaJeanToo, and Mckkvi2476. 

The Winners of Shaelyn!

Congratulations!

Nancy=Aizome

Wendy7828

Louise 

Please contact me so Laila Raabe  (pronounced "Layla Rob", my apologies!) can send the pattern to you!
Letters from Kim and Scrappydoo shared the reason that Signature and other needles offer 4" tips!  Thank you!

Have a broken needle?  Check out the Jimmy Bean's Wool Broken Needle Exchange.
Jimmy Bean's Needle Exchange. Thank you, Joyceetta!

Nature Notes

Birds are migrating through.  We put up our tube feeder with safflower seeds, which the squirrels (and hopefully chipmunks) do not like. 

I share a favorite poem from my childhood.

Autumn Fires

Robert Louis Stevenson (from A Child’s Garden of Verses, 1885)

In the other gardens And all up the vale, From the autumn bonfires See the smoke trail! Pleasant summer over And all the summer flowers, The red fire blazes, The gray smoke towers. Sing a song of seasons! Something bright in all! Flowers in the summer, Fires in the fall!

Needle Notes

AfterThought Heel Socks by Laura Linneman

I used Knit Picks Felici Sportweight and incorporated Kid Seta (mohair/silk blend) in the toes for extra warmth.

Sock Surgery 101



Sock at left has toe reinforcement.  Sock on right does not.

Surgery begins on Not-as-warm Sock.

Toe is removed.

Both socks now have mohair/silk reinforcement for extra toasty toes.

The Truly Afterthought Heel Socks were made by snipping one stitch where the heel would be added.  I did not use waste yarn.  I knit the sock as a tube and finished the toe, then tried it on and marked where my ankle meets the top of my foot.  This is were I placed the heel.

It always feels good to use up left over yarn and come out with something useful.

I should have smoothed out the heel a bit before taking the photos.  See the slip stitch pattern?

I finally took photos of Textural Healing Shawl "in action". Model is Kelli Jo.

The Blethering Room

Our Fall Shawl KAL/Knit Along will start on October 1, 2011.  Feel free to join us whether you are an experienced knitter or a relative newbie!   If you have done some knitting but have not knitted a shawl or lace, this might be a good "first" for you. The pattern is Shaelyn by Leila Raabe. 

You will need:

• 330 or more yd Sportweight yarn and needles for a slightly loose gauge.  She recommends size 9 but I will probably use a 6.

A lighter yarn such as Fingering or a heavier yarn such as worsted will also work

If this is your first lace project then I highly recommend sport weight, dk or worsted WOOL.  Superwash is ok. 

There is a wide range of suitable yarns so feel free to go stash diving for this project!

I've decided to go ahead and use my Quince & Co Chickadee in Carrie's Yello, which is on the right side of the pile.  It is darker and richer than the photo shows.  

A few suggestions for sport weight:

Quince & Co Chickadee

Cascade 220 Sport

Madeline Tosh Pashmina

Knit Picks Stroll Sport or Telemark Sport

If you decide to go with a heavier wool you would theoretically need less yardage but not that much less so I would just go for the same amount.  In fingering/sock you will need more.

In the  Piping Circle

Celtic Cross Pipes and Drums competed at the Highland Games in Waukesha WI on Sept 3.  We improved!  We also played in Henry IL at a service to mark the 10th anniversary of 9/11.  Can you believe my own town had a 9/11 service and no one thought to call me?  They played recorded pipe music!  That is a shame when they could have had a REAL piper!  (I didn't put this in the podcast)

Music

 

When you left it was so quiet here.  We feel as we do when the swallows leave for the winter; that something beautiful and happy is now away from us.

 

---from a letter in 2002

 

Swallow's Return by Lydia McCauley from ForeignLander. www.magnatune.com

Haste ye back!