Episode 49 Chat with Sir Willie and Jose McVean

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This show is sponsored by my Longaberger home business and Quince & Co.  Visit Quince & Co for nature inspired yarns spun from American wool.  Sign up for their free weekly e-newsletter.  www.quinceandco.com 

Welcome to New Pipeliners!

Larry, Jill, Marie, Sarah, Kathy, Mina, Charissa, Erin, Deb, Shelly, and Missy.  If you are a new Pipeliner, do let me know so I can recognize you on the show!

Thanks to wv kelly and mamaorga for the iTunes reviews!

Marie, who is also Sopaipillas left a review on the German iTunes.  Marie, thanks for letting me know.  If you do leave a review on your own country’s iTunes, do let me know, as these do not show up on the U.S. iTunes. 

Pipeliner Notes

 Thank you to everyone who has written to me and left messages on the board.  About the word “skirl” as in “the skirling of the pipes, Louise of the Caithness CraftCollective podcast said that it can be used to illustrate the sound of a screaming of a bairn such as,  She is fair skirlin’.  What’s wrong?  

I read notes from Shelly in Atlanta and knitternurse.   A tip regarding using two needles of different sizes:  Knitternurse wrote that only the right needle needs to be the proper size.    

Moz wrote about my wool label on Bob’s Norwegian Setesdal Sweater.  To stabilize the label while writing on it with a parker, iron freezer paper to the backside before writing on it. 

I tell a funny story about Bob correcting me when I used the term "spit join". 

Nature Notes

Plant a tree if you can.  Trees are important for all wildlife.  Trees can keep your house cooler in the summer.

I read a (rather long, sorry!) poem.  Plant a Tree by Lucy Larcom.   "He who plants a tree, plants a hope."  I love that!

PLANT A TREE

He who plants a tree

Plants a hope.

Rootlets up through fibres blindly

grope;

Leaves unfold into horizons free.

So man's life must climb

From the clods of time

Unto heavens sublime.

Canst thou prophesy, thou little tree,

What the glory of thy boughs shall

be? He who plants a tree

Plants a joy;

Plants a comfort that will never cloy;

Every day a fresh reality,

Beautiful and strong,

To whose shelter throng

Creatures blithe with song.

If thou couldst but know, thou happy tree,

Of the bliss that shall inhabit thee!

He who plants a tree,--

He plants peace.

Under its green curtains jargons cease.

Leaf and zephyr murmur soothingly;

Shadows soft with sleep

Down tired eyelids creep,

Balm of slumber deep.

Never hast thou dreamed, thou blessed tree,

Of the benediction thou shalt be.

He who plants a tree,--

He plants youth;

Vigor won for centuries in sooth;

Life of time, that hints eternity!

Boughs their strength uprear;

New shoots, every year,

On old growths appear;

Thou shalt teach the ages, sturdy tree,

Youth of soul is immortality.

He who plants a tree,--

He plants love,

Tents of coolness spreading out above

Wayfarers he may not live to see.

Gifts that grow are best;

Hands that bless are blest;

Plant! life does the rest!

Heaven and earth help him who plants a tree,

And his work its own reward shall be.

by Lucy Larcom Born March 5, 1824; Died April 27, 1893

  

Events 

• Sock Summit  July 26 through 31
• Stitches Midwest 25-26
• Knitting Pipeline Retreat.  March 2-3 Washington IL  (near Peoria) Send email to Paulaef@aol.com so I can create a mailing list. 

In The Piping Circle

I chat with Willie and Jose McVean about The Netherlands, Dutch Pipes and Drums, Willie's home country of Scotland, his recent knighthood distinction, and some knitting!  Jose's mother knitted kilt hose for the entire pipe band.  (photo of hose coming soon!)

Jose ("Yo-say") McVean and Sir Willie McVean at Chicago Highland Games

Happy Birthday, Jose!

  

I said that the fastest knitter in the world is from The Netherlands. That was Miriam Tegels.  I think this lady is now claim to the title (she won the competition).  Look at her gorgeous Fair Isle!

STV: Scottish Lady is World's Fastest Knitter.  (Sorry I cannot embed in blog but they disabled the code.)

Thanks to Dutch Pipes and Drums for permission to play their music on Knitting Pipeline.  You may purchase CD's and DVD's at www.dutchpipesanddrums.nl.  This week's selection is "Arrival" which is Track 2 on In Concert.

Haste ye back!

Episode 48 A Soothing Shawlette

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Thank you to Quince & Co for sponsoring this episode of Knitting Pipeline.  10% off your order ($20 min) with code KP62011 through June 30, 2011!

Welcome to New Pipeliners 

Sally from Cleveland, Susan, Beverly, Leislknits, Jeri, Arlene, MontanaSue, and Kathy Green! 

Thanks to knitstersusan for the Thumbs Up iTunes Reviews!

I found out that I need to change my country on iTunes to see reviews from outside the U.S.  A big thanks to Canadian Pipeliners: Djdee, Debbie, Clementine 22, and KnittingJane.

KnittingJane wrote in her review:  My dad was born in Edinburgh and the skirl of the pipes always sends a shiver down my spine. 

I wonder about the word skirl since it I have only heard it used in relation to bagpipes.  Do any other musical instruments have words that describe their sound exclusively?   That is a question for Martha and Grant of A Way with Words.  Check out this show/podcast!  It is fantastic!

 Pipeliner News

Joy (nitiram on Ravelry) started Kevin Fan Club on our board.  Kevin is our good friend and the announcer on the podcast.  I will get him on the show soon!

Anna Lena's Evenstar Shawl won a Blue Ribbon at the County Fair. Well done! (Pattern by Susan Pandorf)

I read notes from Pipeliners Maggie H and Shanna about going into Squirrel Mode when packing for a trip.  Patti/Wombat knitter links to podcasts on Facebook as she listens.  Great idea! I’m going to do that also.  JanMarie’s note was so clever.  She thinks that I’d better watch out since my husband suggested the ruffle on LaLa’s Simple Shawl…he might be turning into the next Stephen West.  I love reading your notes!

Ravelry Notes

Michele from the Quad Cities friended me today and I responded that I thought we already were friends. Lately I’ve been friended by people on Ravelry and I am fairly certain we were already friends.  Maybe we’ve just corresponded enough that I felt we were.  Michele wrote, “I’m curious how people use their “friends” on Ravelry.  I figure this is a work in progress.”

On an earlier episode I told you how I use the friends feature on Ravelry but what about you?  Share your ways of using the friends feature and I will share your tips on the show.

Giveaway Notes

This week’s giveaway is a skein of Simply Fine in your choice of color from Green Mountain Spinnery.  Many of you wrote that you loved the color I had and hope to get the same.  The color that I reviewed is "Variegated".

The winner is Jeri who is Patternwhisperer on Ravelry. Jeri, please contact me and I will let you know how to claim your beautiful skein of Simply Fine.

Nature Notes

After a big thunderstorm early one morning I encountered a baby robin on the sidewalk.  The nest was too high to reach and the mother bird was sitting on the nest.  The bird was close to death.  At moments like these I remind myself that nature does account for such accidents of nature.  It sounds a bit callous but there is consolation in knowing that a bird lays a sufficient number of eggs to ensure survival.  The main factor that nature cannot control is mankind.  We need to do what we can to minimize damage.

Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on grass under trees on a summer's day, listening to the murmur of the water, or watching the clouds float across the sky, is by no means a waste of time. 

 --J. Lubbock.  British Statesman 1834-1913

Needle Notes

I finished my second And So Are You Shawlette by Rose Beck of RosyPosy Designs.   I love this cuddly shawl.  Finished measurements are 15" deep, 50" across and an astounding 11 ft from tip to tip along the outside border edge.

I used 30% of the total yardage for the border, which is 2".  The yarn is delicious Opulence from The Woolen Rabbit.  Colorway: Iris.

Tip

Take a load off your circular needles when you have so many stitches.  I was using Knit Picks Options Needles so I turned the one circular needle into two very long needles with the purple stoppers at one end of each needle. If you do not have interchangeable needles try using two circular needles even if one is not exactly the same size. Twist a rubber band around the non-working end of the needle. For a border such as this a slight difference in needle size would not make much difference and would probably be indetectable.

I continue knitting Triangular Summer Shawl by Nancy Bush.  I am getting pretty good at nupps now!

I started Stripe Study Shawl by Veera Valimaki.  The yarn is Quince & Co Tern in Stonington and Oyster.  Tern is a blend of merino wool and tussah silk.  So soft and wonderful to work with. Garter stitch goodness and a stripes are a combination I can hardly resist!

Ready to begin a new project!

Quince & Co Tern in Stonington and Oyster

Yes, the design is assymetrical.

The Blethering Room

I'm moving along on the Stash Dash 5K with The Knit Girllls.  My total yardage is now 2,354.  I will post over there soon.
I do not recommend knitting laceweight yarn on a small needle to try to use up stash!

In the Piping Circle

Singing Happy Birthday to Jose.

Celtic Cross Pipes and Drums competed in the Chicago Highland Games.  We were fortunate to have The Pipe Major of Dutch Pipes and Drums, Willie McVean, and his wife Jose (Yo-say) with us.  It was Happy Birthday to Jose at our band tents!  I gave her the Merope Shawl from Romi's Seven Small Shawls knitted with Woolen Rabbit Harmony in the Chiquita colorway.

Massed Bands after a long day at the Games.

Aren't these little tenor drummers the cutest things ever?
The two on the left have curly red hair with a red ribbon braided through their plaits.

In Piping our lifelines are our fellow bandmates, the other pipers and drummers.  When one piper falters another will pick up the slack.  We play as a team, just as a team in sporting events.

Remember to share how you use the Friend Feature on Ravelry.  Do you "drive by" friend?   Do you group your friends?  Share with me and I'll share your tips on an upcoming episode.

The tune is Morgan's Magan by Turlough O'Carolan performed by Healing Muses on the CD Dolce Musica.  www.magnatune.com

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 46 Kate's Shawl and other Ruffles

Listen here or use the Flash Player here for all episodes.

Thank you to Quince &  Co for sponsoring this episode of Knitting Pipeline.

From June 1 through June 15 you may enjoy 10% off your orders of $20 or more from Quince & Co.  Use the promo code KP62011 at checkout!

Leave a comment below to enter a drawing for Kate Shawl patterns donated by Esther Budd.

Pipeliner Notes

Socksticks likes the iBirdPro app also.  She recommended Julie Zickefoose's Blog which I found exceptionally interesting.  Great for dog lovers as some of the posts are written in the voice of her Boston Terrier.  I was laughing out loud.  Her web site is here.  She is married to Bill Thompson III, editor of Bird Digest who also has a podcast on iTunes.
Dawna sent me an article from The Seattle Times.  Naturalists Fear Overuse of Birdcall Apps.  Basically, if you have a bird app do use responsibly.  Birds can get confused.

Nature Notes

The Blue Jay has a bad reputation, which is mostly undeserved. Blue Jays only occasionally eat the eggs of other birds but mostly they are seed and nut eaters.  Their favorite food is acorns, which they will hold between their feet to crack with their beaks.  They also dine on caterpillars, grubs, and other insects.  They are the Sentinels at the Feeder with their warning calls to other birds and wildlife of impending danger.

Kate's Shawl

Shortly after the wedding, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, ran out to the market to stock the royal pantry.  She was seen wearing a green, triangular shawl, with a ruffle on all sides. 
People Mag article
In Style
Minnie Rose Ruffle Shawl on Amazon.  Currently sold out.  But no matter, you can knit your own!


 Kate's Shawl and All  Group on Ravelry.  Esther Budd's blog is here.  On the Ravelry Group there is a thread with patterns for Kate's Shawl and others that are similar.  There is a Crochet/Knit KAL with PRIZES!

Milk Run Shawl by Cat Wong,  Free pattern. Worsted weight.
HRH Kate's Shawl by Esther Budd.  Fingering weight.  Sm, Med, LG sizes
CopyKat Shawl by Rose Beck.   Sport weight.

Other patterns mentioned:
Mara by MadeleineTosh
Citron by Hilary Smith Callis
Tea Leaves Cardigan by Melissa LaBarre

Ruffles and Pleats are yarn hogs so make sure you have plenty of yardage to complete the project.  If you have a generous ruffle or pleat it can take up half of your yardage. 

Design your own version of Kate's Shawl by using a basic formular for a triangular shawl and adding a ruffle or pleat.  Check out your stitch dictionaries.  I found several ruffles and pleats in A Second Treasury of Knitting Patterns by Barbara Walker. 

 More Needle Notes

I finished the Estelle Cardigan by Melissa LaBarre. My project notes are here.  It was so fun to be knitting this along with other Pipeliners in the KAL/Knit Along.  If you are just starting your Estelle, rest assured that I will be following the thread and knitting with you in spirit.  My next Quince project (I think) is the Kilkenny Cowl in Chickadee in the colorway Clay.  Yummy.

Estelle Happy Dance

I lowered the ribbing a little...I hope not too much!

My currents WIPS are LaLa's Simple Shawl, and two And So Are You by Rose Beck.  The shawl And So Are You has a lovely pleated border.  Why not try this for your Kate's Shawl?

In the Piping Circle

The Memorial Day Parade in our town was enhanced with over 500 flags.  Here are a few of them flying on the town square.

Main St U. S. A.

Celtic Cross Pipes and Drums Schedule

June 4 Milwaukee Highland Games, Wauwatosa WI
June 13 Tremont Turkey Festival Parade (possible Franklin sighting)
June 18 Chicago Highland Games

Music

Aff the Cuff  www. affthecuff.org.uk.  Subscri be to them on iTunes!

Episode 45 The Felted Join

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Thank you to Quince & Co for sponsoring Knitting Pipeline.

Luscious Quince wool.

Pipeliner Specials!

10% off your order at Quince & Co (min $25) from June 1 through June 15

Promo Code KP62011

Three Bags Full still has FREE Shipping through May 31, 2011.  Promo code "piper".

The Winners!

Thanks to designers Brenna Kotar (Hoot Cardigan) and Rose Beck for two copies of the wonderful  Be Mine Collection of Shawlettes.

The winners are:
Judiuni for both Hoot Cardigan and Be Mine
Redsknits for Be Mine

Congratulations!  Please contact me!

Pipeliner Notes

More owl info:  Getting Wise to the Owl article from NYT. Shared by Jaykay.

Nature Notes

Recent sightings in our woods are Indigo Buntings and Scarlet Tanagers. The Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, which are indeed in the sparrow family, are still visiting the feeder.  We hope they are nesting in our woods.  House wrens are raising a brood in one of our birdhouses.  I love waking up in the morning to the house wren's bubbly song. 

To sit in the shade on a fine day and look upon verdure is the most perfect refreshment. 

--Jane Austen.

Needle Notes

Estelle Cardigan by Melissa LaBarre. Despite my prediction that the sleeves on my Estelle would be smooth sailing, I have had a few challenges.  They were a little tight in the upper arms and then I overcompensated and I made them too large.  One sleeve is finished but may be a little short.  See my project notes here.  I felt it necessary to take a little break from Estelle so I cast on for And So Are You, a crescent-shaped shawl from the Be Mine Collection by Rose Beck.  I am using Opulence (silk and wool) from The Woolen Rabbit.

The Felted Join

I have been using The Felted Join in Estelle and the Norwegian Setesdal Sweater.  To be more civilized I  have refined the name and the technique.  This is often referred to as "the Spit Join".  Instead of using your own saliva (which still works in a pinch) I use boiling water and then make myself a cup of tea to drink while I admire my handiwork. 

Advantages of the Felted Join are that the ends are dealt with while knitting so there is less finishing work; the joins are practically indetectable; and if you frog (unravel) your project then you will have one giant ball of yarn.  You must use wool or another feltable fiber (on your own here.)

Video Tutorial of The Felted Join

The Blethering Room

A couple of questions about e-readers were addressed. 

I answered Judiuni's question about using lifelines.

I am joining The Knit Girllls in the Stash Dash 5K!  The goal is to knit 5K (5,468 yd) of your stash between May 27 and August 15, 2011.  Cheating is allowed.  Projects that you started prior to May 27 count if you finish knitting them during the time frame.  You may add to your stash during this event (remember that nice offer from Quince & CO for 10% off?)

How to unravel your knitting and get the stitches back on the needles

Book  Notes

Charts Made Simple: Understanding Knitting Charts Visually by J.C. Briar.  Glass Iris Publications. 

 c 2010.  $17.95

J.C. Briar's website is here.

In the Piping Circle

Celtic Cross Pipes and Drums competed in the St. Andrew's Highland Games in Chatham IL on May 21. 

Kevin and Paula at the Celtic Cross "camp".  Kevin is the big voice you hear at the beginning of the podcast.

Visit my Longaberger shop for special offers through Monday May 30th.  There are always specials and sales!

Coming soon!
Video Tutorial on Meghan's method of picking up stitches after unraveling your work.

Music

All Shall be Well  from the album Sabbath Day's Journey by Lydia McCauley.
http://www.magnatune.com/

Haste ye back!

Episode 44 Fans and Feathers

Listen here or use the Flash Player to listen directly from this site.  All past episodes are available on the Flash Player.

Thank you to Quince & Co for sponsoring the podcast!  Sign up for their free e-newsletter at http://www.quinceandco.com/.

A Winner!

The giveaway for Episode 43 was donated by designer Susan B. Anderson:  Hoot Hat and newly released pattern Owl Babies.  Visit Susan's blog to keep up with her amazing designs!

Owl Baby by Susan B. Anderson. 

The winner is Chris!  Chris was the 51st comment left on May 18, 2011 at 11:29 a.m.  Chris, please contact me with your information so Susan can get your new patterns to you!

Two Winners Next Week!

This week's Giveaway is a copy of Hoot Cardigan by Brenna Kotar and 2 copies of Be Mine by Rose Beck.  Winner #1 will receive the cardigan pattern and the shawl book and Winner #2 will receive the Be Mine Shawl Collection!  Please remember to  leave your contact information (blog link, Ravelry name, email) along with your comment below. 

Pipeliner Notes

Aquilterknits shared the IBird Explorer App for $9.99.  There is a free lite version.

Stringplay reminded me of a favorite poem from my childhood, Song of Hiawathea by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.  This excerpt is from Chapter 3, Hiawatha's Childhood.  I read from the book  Favorite Poems Old and New.  edited for boys and girls by Helen Ferris. c. 1957  received from my grandparents for my birthday.

When he heard the owls at midnight,

Hooting, laughing in the forest,
'What is that?" he cried in terror,
"What is that," he said, "Nokomis?"
And the good Nokomis answered:
"That is but the owl and owlet,

Talking in their native language,

Talking, scolding at each other."

Then the little Hiawatha
Learned of every bird its language,
Learned their names and all their secrets,
How they built their nests in Summer,
Where they hid themselves in Winter,
Talked with them whene'er he met them,
Called them "Hiawatha's Chickens."

More Owl Patterns

Barn Owl by Cassidy Clark aka Doodlenoodle
Who's Hungry Bib by Bronwyn Hahn

Needle Notes

I continue knitting on my Estelle for the Estelle KAL.  I am finished with the body and working on the first sleeve.  It seems like duck soup from here on out.

Tips for working Feather and Fan or other lace projects

Estelle Cardigan Progress

• Markers will help you learn to read your lace.  Reading your lace means that you can see what needs to be done next.
• Put markers between each repeat set.  Learn to notice the "line" where the sets of decreases meet in Feather and Fan.  I prefer yarn markers so I do not waste time slipping from one needle to the other.  The end of the marker can move up each row with the bottom part still in the lower rows.  The yarn markers will help train your eye to read your knitting.
• Count!  On the return row, or after doing a section of the lace row, count between the markers to make sure you have the required number for each repeat.  Occasionally lace rows will not have the same number of stitches per row but usually the pattern will tell you this.

The Blethering Room

A tip I learned from Meghan on the Stitch It Podcast on taking your knitting back to a mistake and getting it back on the needles.  Brilliant!

Book Notes

I have a Kindle and a Nook so I compare them and also tell why I enjoy having an e-reader.  Both the Kindle and the Nook are great e-readers.   I prefer the buttons on The Kindle over the touchy touch screen of The Nook.  The reason I bought The Nook was the night screen which enables me in read in bed and other low-light situations.

Music is All in a Garden Green from the album Dolce Musica by Healing Muses.  http://www.magnatune.com/

Haste ye back! 

Episode 43 Owls: Mystical, Magical, and Knittable

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Thank you to Quince & Co for sponsoring this episode of Knitting Pipeline. Sign up for their free newsletter.

Thank you to everyone for your kind words and condolences.

A Winner!

The winner of the Owl Sweater Project Bag is Hybridgirl!  Thank you to Three Bags Full for 5 beautiful handcrafted project bags.  You can still get FREE shipping through May 31, 2011 by using the promo code "piper" at check out.

Leave a comment below to enter the drawing for two owl patterns by Susan B. Anderson.  One is Hoot Hat and the other is just being released!  I've been following Susan's blog for a long time.  Check it out!

Pipeliner Tip

Tracy is knitting Those Mitts by Leslie Friend for high school graduation gifts.  She is using the colors of the college of their choice in the mitts. 

Owls

People have been fascinated by owls since before recorded history. Prehistoric man painted owls on cave walls. Owls are a part of folklore and mythology. Owls have represented good, they have represented evil. Owls have been the portent of death and the messenger of birth. They have been associated with goddesses, witches, wise men, and prophets. Possibly no other bird has been so feared, loved, despised and revered. There are 133 species of owls world wide and they are found on every continent except Antarctica. They live in snowy landscapes and in deserts and everything in between. When I looked at the many species of owls I was amazed at the variety…and yet each one does look like an owl. The flat beak and the large eyes embedded in spherical discs are two characteristics that stand out among the majority of owl species.

So what makes owls different from other birds and why do people over centuries love them and fear them?
Owls are nocturnal birds and although we often hear them we seldom see them. This nocturnal activity makes them more mysterious than a bird that hops about on the ground or flies during the day. Nighttime is often associated with evil and the unknown. Their large somewhat human eyes and their keen sense of hearing and seeing also makes us think they know something that we don’t know. Although they are nocturnal it is not true that they cannot see during the day. The fact is that their sight is very good in the daylight but their prey is usually active at night.

Like humans, owls have binocular vision. The vision from each eye overlaps. Most birds have monocular vision which is why you see a robin cocking its head to look downward. They cannot see as well straight ahead.

Owls eyes are sometimes as large as human eyes but of course owls are much smaller. Even the largest owls are only a little over 2 ¼ feet long. Their eyeballs are not round like ours though. They are tubular; therefore, an owl cannot look to the side without turning its head.

Wise Old Owl

A wise old owl sat upon an oak;

The more he saw the less he spoke;

The less he spoke the more he heard;

Why aren't we like that wise old bird? 

    ~~Edward Hersey Richards

The Bat that flits at close of Eve

Has left the Brain that won't believe.

The Owl that calls upon the Night

Speaks the Unbeliever's fright.

~~William Blake

Needle Notes

Owls (Sweater) by Kate Davies knitted by 12 Pipeliners
Owlet (Child Sweater) by Kate Davies knitted by 7 Pipeliners
Who? (Hat) a Free pattern by Sara Amoroso.  knitted by 10 Pipeliners
Give a Hoot (Mittens) knitted by 5 Pipeliners
Owlie Sleep Sack and Owlie Hat by Teresa Cole  Free knitted by 2 Pipeliners
Hoot! (Hair Accessory) by Ysolda Teague knitted by 3 Pipeliners
Hoot Cardigan by Brenna Kotar
Owl Baby Vest by Jodi Haraldson (Free) by 4 Pipeliners
Hoot Hat by Susan B. Anderson
Tooley Owl by Amanda Berry
Birdie Backpack by Alison Stewart-Guinee

Book Notes

The Owl and The Pussycat by Edward Lear

The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin by Beatrix Potter

Mother West Wind Tales by Thornton W.  Burgess

Harry Potter Books by J.K. Rowling (who studied the classics at University, quite possibly the owl connection from Greek Mythology)

I Heard the Owl Call my Name by Margaret Craven

Winnie The Pooh by A.A. Milne.  Owl could spell Tuesday.

In Greek mythology, the goddess Athene had a Little Owl.  Owls were a sign of victory if one flew over troops in battle.  Owls are on ancient Greek coins.  Many owls inhabited the Acropolis and were protected there.

Owls announced the death of Julius Caesar and Agrippa.

The Blethering Room

Estelle KAL update.  Quite a few of us started over because our gauge was off.  Pipeliners Goldybear, Redbird1, and JanMarie met for an evening of Estelle KAL Knitting in Public.

From left, Goldybear, Redbird1, and JanMarie.  I am so happy that our Estelle KAL brought these three together.

A pair of Barn Owls had fans from all over the world when they raised their owlets on a webcam.

Molly's Blog

Activity TV has an origami owl-shaped bookmark.  There is video instruction and written instructions.

Owl Bookmarks

Owl Bookmark in action.

Turkey eavesdropping on podcast.

Nature Notes

The four main owls in our area of Central Illinois.

Great Horned Owl  largest owl in our area.  yellow eyes and ear tufts.
Barred Owl: an owl of deciduous woodlands. Known as Eight-Hooter because of its call:  . "Who, who, who cooks for yooooooouuuuu?"
Screech Owl  Smallest owl in our area.  Sounds like a cell phone.
Barn Owl  light in color.  heart-shaped face and long legs.  Somewhat endangered due to dwindling number of habitats.

In the Piping Circle

We are begining our competition season!  Celtic Cross Pipes and Drums will be competing at the St. Andrew Highland Games in Springfield Il on May 21, 2011.

Music is from Garden of Healing by Healing Music from http://www.magnatune.com/.  The tune is Her Bright Smile Haunts Me Still, an American folk tune.

Haste ye back and hold your knitting close!