Episode 77 Short Rows and Spirals

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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 75 Casting on and Other Beginnings

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

This episode is sponsored by Quince & Co and Peddler’sWay Quilt Shop.

 If you are looking to support American goods, then you can start with Quince & Co with their beautiful and reasonably priced wools sourced in the US.  Check out Finch, their new fingering weight in colors inspired by nature.

Peddler’s Way Quilt Shop is a new sponsor of our show and our knitting Pipeline Retreat, March 2-3, 2012 in Washington IL.  The shop is located just about a mile from our retreat location just off the historic Washington Square.  Peddler’s Way Quilt Shop is practically at the back door of those of you staying at The Cornerstone Inn Bed and Breakfast.  On the second floor of this 6,000 sq ft store is a fiber section with an array of fine quality yarns, books, and needles.

  

Pipeliner Notes

 I read letters from Peg and Dana. 

Fundraiser for Autism Speaks: Erin of Mommy Needs Yarn has designed a sock pattern! No More Tears.  All of the proceeds from its $5 sale will go to Autism Speaks.  Erin is hosting a KAL/Knitalong in February. 

Knitting Pipeline Retreat!

  We still have room for you! 

March 2-3, 2012 (Friday night and all day Saturday)

Crossroads United Methodist Church, 1420 N Main St., Washington IL 61571

$50 for all or $40 for Sat only.  Includes Fri nite meal, light breakfast on Sat, and Saturday lunch.

Make check payable to Paula Emons-Fuessle

Mail to: Knitting Pipeline Retreat

PO Box 549

Washington IL 61571

Nature Notes

A Naturalist Buys an Old Farm by Edwin Way Teale c 1974.

 Trail Wood Landand house donated to Connecticut Audubon Society.

Every bit of this book is a gem, to be read slowly, as one might walk a favorite trail in the woods.

James Gates Percival  b 1795

Oddly enough, this man has fallen into near obscurity and it is now my personal mission to elevate his position.  Not really.

1835 accepted appt by Gov of CT to conduct a geological survey of the state of CT.

~James Gates Percival The work will wait while you show the child the rainbow, but the rainbow won't wait while you do the work.

Needle Notes

Sarah’s Make Up Yarn from Episode 74.  Kathy in Switzerland wrote to me about Schulana Wolle.

This is what Sarah made with the ball of Schulana...and it only took 35 minutes to knit. 

 "Twistin' the Night Away" by Susan Menashe  

Mildred Mitts is up on Ravelry as a free pattern. Test knitted by Mildred and some of the knitters in my class at The Blend. 

Fabric Labels for your knitting

Annabel Babe Cardigan and At First Sight by Laura Linnemann went to St.Louis to a baby shower.  I have this way of crashing baby showers.  I send gifts even when I am not invited.

The label is sewn inside near the bottom of the sweater.

The new mom is a knitter and knows her wool.

I stitched up a bag to send it off in!

I used Aizome’s method for labels.  Quick and easy!  I like the looks of it.  I used Calibri font in pt 12. 

FO:  Piper’s Journey #2 is finished.

Cost to knit this shawl in Quince & Co Chickadee is about $21  ($6.90 per 50 g skein)  Other yarn weights will work.  Bronwyn used fingering weight and reserved half the skein for the border.

Charr, Bronwyn, and Sarah in my kitchen.

Charr and Bronwyn wearing their Piper's Journey Shawls.  Charr's is in Quince & Co Chickadee in the Delft colorway.  Bronwyn's is in fingering weight.

My Piper’s Journey #2 is in Split Pea. photo coming later.

Do as I say not as I do.  On the edging do not slip first stitch on the outside of the border.  I thought I could get away with it even though I wrote the pattern and said not to do it. 

Piper’s Journey KAL will start as soon as the pattern is released.  Pipersjourneykal tag

In the Pipeline 

Ten Stitch Twist by Frankie Brown. 

Upcoming KALs:

Spectra by Stephen West hosted by 2 Knit Lit Chicks

Laura Linnemann’s Mystery Mitten KAL starts Feb 12^th

Listening to new podcasts: 

Lavender Bear’s Tea Time.  Video cast.  Just watched introductory episode so far. 

TVknittingpodcast by StitchMistress (audio) 

Knitting Brooklyn by Jessica jpeled (audio)

 The Blethering Room 

Knitting Classes coming along.  Students are excited about ribbing!

Tammy of The Proverbial Knitter has a tutorial on Long Tail Cast on in Rib.  Tammy is a fantastic teacher.  I am going to copy her way of explaining how to do the long tail cast-on. 

Review Notes

Iknit Needle Sizer  

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

Knit Handy 

Knit Handy helps estimate how much yarn you need for a project.  Wonderful tool!  Definitely worth the price!  Easy to use.

One of the Last poems written by Robert Burns: 

Oh Wert Thou in the Cauld Blast

by Robert Burns
(1759-1796)  

Oh wert thou in the cauld blast,
On yonder lea, on yonder lea,
My plaidie to the angry airt,
I'd shelter thee, I'd shelter thee;
Or did misfortune's bitter storms
Around thee blaw, around thee blaw,
Thy bield should be my bosom,
To share it a', to share it a'.

Or were I in the wildest waste,
Sae black and bare, sae black and bare,
The desart were a paradise,
If thou wert there, if thou wert there.
Or were I monarch o' the globe,
Wi' thee to reign, wi' thee to reign,
The brightest jewel in my crown
Wad be my queen, wad be my queen.

Thanks for listening and haste ye back!

Episode 63 O' Hushed October

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(Link will work after 8 PM CDT 10/20/11)
This episode is sponsored by my Longaberger Home Business.  Always at home in your home.  www.longaberger.com/paula  Sign up for my newsletter for sales and specials by sending an email to Paulaef@aol.com. 

DC Unraveled is a new podcast!  Check it out.

Our Woods today

Nature Notes

October

By Robert Frost 1874–1963

 

O hushed October morning mild,

Thy leaves have ripened to the fall;

Tomorrow’s wind, if it be wild,

Should waste them all.

The crows above the forest call;

Tomorrow they may form and go.

O hushed October morning mild,

Begin the hours of this day slow.

Make the day seem to us less brief.

Hearts not averse to being beguiled,

Beguile us in the way you know.

Release one leaf at break of day;

At noon release another leaf;

One from our trees, one far away.

Retard the sun with gentle mist;

Enchant the land with amethyst.

Slow, slow!

For the grapes’ sake, if they were all,

Whose leaves already are burnt with frost,

Whose clustered fruit must else be lost—

For the grapes’ sake along the wall.

Tip from Pipeliner

Cat suggested using teflon tape for interchangeable needles that tend to come unscrewed.  Use a very small amount on the threaded part of the join.

Needle Notes

Radiance Shawl by Helen Stewart  760 stitches with Picot Purgatory

My project notes on Ravelry are here.

Semi circular shawl in laceweight.

Double in size with blocking.

Easy knit with panels of stockinette, garter, mesh, and spiral lace.  Lace patterns very easy and increases are at the end/beginning of each section so within the section you don’t have to deal with increases.

One of the best written patterns!  Includes a checklist.

At First Sight by Laura Linneman

My project notes are here.

Laura has donated 3 copies of the pattern to Pipeliners! Leave a comment below to enter the drawing.  Please include contact information...email address or Ravelry ID.  Thanks!

Magrathea...I finally took better photos.  If it isn't wrapped properly I could trip on it!

 In The  Pipeline

• Afterthought Heel Socks using pattern by Laura Linneman
• Nellie by Donna Higgins  (Rip Van Winkle Challenge for both yarn and pattern)
• Seamless Yoked Baby Sweater by Carole Barenys  (Rip Van Winkle Challenge for both yarn and pattern)

Shaelyn KAL (Knitalong) continues in The Pipeline.

Piecework Magazine Sept/October 2011  Literary issue.  8 literary inspired projects. Knit Hans Brinker’s Mittens.  Rowan Pure Wool DK  adult medium.

Did you knit an Estelle Cardigan?  We are making a photo collage! Email a photo of you in your Estelle to marthajhealy@gmail.com

Rip Van Winkle Challenge  October 1 through November 30th

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.  In your Ravelry queue you can see when you put projects in your queue. 

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. 

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.  All lower case.  

 Product Review

Sock it To Me  available at Knit Picks

Music

www.magnatune.com

Waiting by Benji Goodrich.  Track 2 Oceans Apart.

Remember to leave contact information with your comment to enter the drawing!  The winners will be chosen when I do the podcast the last week of October,

If you send me an email to sign up for my Longaberger customer e-list please include name, address, and phone for my records.  Thanks!  The system likes to have this information with your name.  Your information will not be shared.  Thanks.  Send request to Paulaef at aol dot com 

Haste ye back!

View from my window today.  October 20, 2011.

Episode 61 Let the Shaelyn KAL Begin!

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Thank you to Quince & Co for sponsoring this podcast episode.

Two wound skeins of Quince & Co Chickadee Carrie's Yellow.  Ready for Shaelyn Cast on!

Nature Notes

 

Tracks & Trails Newsletter of Forest Park Nature Center in Peoria IL Fall Migration Challenge which gave me some things to think about. Here are some of the ways that we humans can help birds and other animals.

• Turn off outdoor lights when possible to avoid confusing the birds.
• Provide birdfeeders, birdbaths, and nestboxes.  Due to land development there are not as many natural sources for animals.  We starting feeding in all our feeders about a week ago despite the chipmunks.
• Plant native plants.
• Reduce litter.
• Reduce toxic pesticides and herbicides.
• Help birds avoid window collisions with stickers, decals, window birdfeeders, or curtains.

Whooping Cranes in Florida Class of 2011 Whooping Crane Chicklets will be making their first migration with the help of an ultralight.  Migration starts on October 8, 2011.

No spring nor summer beauty hath such grace

As I have seen in one autumnal face.

~John Donne

My path to the compost bin.  Isn't it lovely?

In my Pipeline

•  Radiance Shawl by Helen Stewart
• Magrathea by Martina Behm
• Afterthought Heel Hiking Socks using pattern by Laura Linneman
• Shaelyn by Leila Raabe

JanMarie suggested I overdye the socks with too much yellow, idea which had crossed my mind.

Needle Notes

 Fawl Shawl KAWL for AWL update

Tag for your project:  knittingpipelinekal2011

Name of Project  Fawl Shawl KAWL for Awl  or Fall Shawl KAL for All

Shaelyn by Leila Raabe 

Most successful KAL we’ve had so far.  It’s not too late to jump in.

330 yds IS enough sport weight.  My cost to knit Shaelyn in Quince & Co Chickadee is $14.00.  A bargain!

Beginning of Shaelyn.  Fun!  Color is Carrie's Yellow.  It is richer than the photos indicate.

Marker shows beginning of lace pattern.  I explained on the thread on the board how to read your lace so you know when to start another band of lace (without counting rows.)

I did a video tutorial of the garter tab cast on.  I forgot to mention in last week's episode on Garter Tab CO to use two double pointed needles.  This tip seemed to help a lot of knitters.

Lifeline Tip from Twinsetjan:

Instead of a thread for a lifeline use a long circular needle in a very small size.  Advantages are that if you have to frog (unravel) the stitches will already be on a needle.  Plus stitch markers do not get caught up in the lifeline.

I tried this method and I wasn't real fond of it (although I am fond of Twinsetjan!) but encourage you to try it for yourself!  I prefer using a blunt needle and fine crochet cotton for now.

The Blethering Room

 Wore my A Shawl Like Kate’s (Milk Run Shawl by Cat Wong) to the grocery store (Aldi).  Interesting experiences. 

Quince & Co has new colors.  Gray heathery colors called Iceland, kumlien’s gull, kittywake, sabine…in chickadee, lark, osprey, and lark.

Estelle Cardigan Update

October 15 is Wear Your Estelle Day.

Take a photo of yourself in your own town, workplace, home, etc.

We (Bronwyn) are going to make a photo collage.

For those of you who have not finished your Estelle please join us in the fun! Take a photo of yourself knitting on your Estelle and we will include it in the collage. 

Movie    The Big Year starring Steve Martin, Owen Wilson, Jack Black  release date Oct 14, 2011

Knitting Pipeline Retreat

March 2-3 Washington IL 

New development for the adventuresome knitters:  you may camp out at the facility!  Bring your own sleeping gear, towels, etc.  More info coming soon. 

October Rip Van Winkle Challenge 

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.  In your Ravelry queue you can see when you put projects in your queue.

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. 

Product Review

Vogue Knitting Knitopedia: the Ultimate A to Z Guide

Sixth and Spring Books  2011  $34.95 US $41.95 CA

Comprehensive scope.  Oversize book.  Maybe not for every knitter's library but still an excellent book.

In the Piping Circle

Greg, Kevin, Paula

Paula, Kevin, Greg

Greg and Heather in foreground.  Tuning before the Walk.

Heather, Rob, Paula, Kevin in the tuning circle.

Music

Dutch Pipes and Drums.  In Harmony.  Track 8 

Salute to Royal Fendersmith, Corkhill, The Banjo Breakdown.

Thank you to our friends from Dutch Pipes and Drums!

Haste ye back!

Sign up for my Longaberger e-news!  www.longaberger.com/paula
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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!