Knitting Pipeline

Organizing your queue, Charr and Bronwyn visit

This show by sponsored by my Longaberger Home Business and Quince & Co. Wool 3 has just been released with gorgeous new designs!

Show notes at www.knittingpipeline.com 

A special welcome to new listeners from A Playful Day Podcast.  Thank you Green Triangle Girl for the interview and for sending new listeners my way.

Charr and Bronwyn are joining me today in The Blethering Room.  We had some faulty brain synapses and we are blaming that on our Post Camp KIP Let Down.  Also I had the mic too close to the computer so there is some background noise today that I normally don’t have. 

Grosbeaks are back and also the White Throated Sparrow! Franklin the Wild Turkey is pecking on the windows.

Camp KIP organized by Jackie of the Positively Overcommitted Podcast

Good Reader $4.99 app Thank you, Dorothy, for the tutorial!

Brenda Castiel aka Goodstuff gave a talk on designing.

Paula’s projects at Camp:

Breezy by Hannah Fettig Quince & Co Tern Boothbay Blue. KnitBot Essentials by Hannah Fettig  (We are giving away a copy of the book signed by Hannah Fettig and Pam Allen…details coming soon!) Skyp Ribbed Socks by Adrienne Ku

McHenry Hat by Susan B Anderson Interweave Knits Holiday Gifts 2011 and $5.50 individual pattern.  KathieR very nicely told me that the patterns are separate $5.50 each or the e-mag is $7.49 from Interweave.

Paula inspired by Effortless Cardigan knitted by Astrid Purls (link to Angela’s project page); Wingspan by maylin Tri'Coterie Designs;

Beaded Pi Shawl by Karen Woolen Warrior and Mary/KnitAdmin’s Pi Shawl; Liesl by Ysolda Teague.  I’ve knitted two of these but I liked Allison’s version in longer length with long sleeves; Koigu Beaded Beret by Church Mouse Yarns and Teas knitted and worn by Angela of Fleur de Fiber.  Great way to use left-over sock yarn is it calls for 175 yds; Haruni by Emily Ross



Bronwyn’s Projects at Camp: In Pursuit of an Illusion by Woolly Thoughts; Gratitude Shawl by me.  KAL with The Fat Squirrel Speaks Podcast

Bronwyn’s Camp Inspiration: Glenda Wrapped in Stars by Mary aka KnitAdmin; Royale by Glenna C. worn by Gretchen aka maplemom 

Charr’s Projects at Camp: Piper’s Journey by Paula Emons-Fuessle; Simple Skyp Socks by Adrienne Ku

Charr’s door prize fiber was from The Thylacine and the spindle is unmarked (no wonder she couldn’t remember the name!) so we assume it is from them also.

Charr's inspiration: Sock Yarn Blanket by Shelley Kang, Capitol Knits by Tanis Gray

We talk about organizing your queue on Ravelry.  Thank you, Thumperina/Tracy!

Direct download: Episode_88_Camp_KIP_Memories.mp3
Category:Hobbies -- posted at: 12:59pm CDT

McHenry, Skyp Ribbed Socks

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

complete show notes at www.knittingpipeline.com

Thank you for your iTunes reviews and star ratings! When I checked today there were exactly 400 star reviews.  That is a lot and I appreciate each one!

A Playful Day with Green Triangle Girl  4/15/2012  Thank you!

The Fat Squirrel Speaks with Amy Beth.  Thanks for the nice shout out and EZ love fest.

Nature Notes

Happy Earth Day April 22nd.  Spring Clean Up is in our town on Saturday.

My bench in the woods.  The view changes every day, but I change too. 

The Backyard Birds Newsletter by www.birdwatchersdigest.com

Backyard Notes  Diane Cooledge Porter  

Needle Notes

Reasons to Love Simple Skyp Socks  One more reason…I knit the first sock in 24 hours!

Skyp Ribbed Socks by Adrienne Ku  Knit Picks Stroll Tonal Springtime

 McHenry by Susan B Anderson  Interweave Knits Holiday Gifts 2011 and $5.50 individual pattern.

Tip:  Keeping track of rows with contrasting yarn. 

Piper’s Journey KAL

  At Home by Bill Bryson.  String aka yarn is a marvelous invention.

In the Pipeline  Camp KIP—no show next week as I will be gone.

Swing Knitting?

Effortless Cardigan  Quince & Co Tern Boothbay Blue  KnitBot Essentials by Hannah Fettig

McHenry Hats

After finishing At Home I am ready for some fiction.  Lots of good suggestions on our Good Reads thread started by Choosejoy.

Listening to The Hunger Games.  Almost done

Watching  Lilyhammer

An early-morning walk is a blessing for the whole day.
Henry David Thoreau

Thanks for listening and haste ye back!

Direct download: Episode_87_Knit_That_Puppy.mp3
Category:Hobbies -- posted at: 3:45pm CDT

Skyp Socks, Slipped Stitch Patterns

Complete show notes at www.knittingpipeline.com

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

Nature Notes

Garlic Mustard Day



Woodland Flower is the Common Violet  Viola sororia sororia State Flower of Illinois since 1908

A Midsummer Night’s Dream  Act 2 Scene 1  William Shakespeare

I know a bank where the wild thyme blows,
Where oxlips and the nodding violet grows,
Quite over-canopied with luscious woodbine,
With sweet musk-roses and with eglantine:
 Needle Notes

Main Needle Choices for Socks or other small items knitted in the round.

Socks Soar on 2 Circular Needles by Cat Bordhi

The Magic Loop by Bev Galeskas January 2002 

KarenE1969 started the SimpleSkyp Sock Wave at the Knitting Pipeline Retreat.  Simple Skyp Socks by Adrienne Ku

Cakewalk Yarns Stash  colorway Vernon  80/10/10

Reasons to Love Simple Skype Socks

1.      6 + 2 rib is super stretchy so the sock fits well.

2.      Easy to memorize, only 2 rows and one is simple rib.  Skyp comes from the main stitch Slip one, knit 1 YO, PSSO

3.      Wonderful for variegated yarns.  Pop of color and texture.

4.      Unisex-usually a YO in a man’s sock is the death knoll but it works here because of the pass over.

Piper’s Journey KAL  Welcome to newbies who are joining the KAL!

The Blethering Room I tell the story of how a Snowy Owl was in our town for two days and I didn’t know about it.

In the Pipeline   KnitBot Essentials by Hannah Fettig

Interrupting Cow Socks by Laura Linnemann  $4.00 Ravelry Download
Blue Monday Set a free design by Thea Colman www.spudandchloe.com  Beewing linked to it on our board.  Hat and mitten pattern with stranded slip stitch colorwork. 

Skyp Ribbed Socks by Adrienne Ku

Claire by Adrienne Ku top down, unisex, ribbed  $5

If I like a free pattern by a designer then I try to purchase one of her/his patterns as a thank you.

Joy in the Congo.  60 minutes April 8, 2012   Amazing Story

Sock Knitting Master Class: Innovative Techniques and Patterns from Top Designers by Ann Budd

Direct download: Episode_86_Skyp_Sock_Wave.mp3
Category:Hobbies -- posted at: 1:51pm CDT

Short Row Heel, Cabling, Magic Loop   This show by sponsored by my Longaberger Home Business and Quince & Co.  Show notes at www.knittingpipeline.com

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.

Nature Notes  We’ve gone from very hot weather to much cooler, which I am enjoying.  An Eastern Phoebe, or pair of phoebes, is building a nest on our gutter outside the bedroom window. May Apples and Sweet William are adding to the color of the woodland floor. "Every spring is the only spring - a perpetual astonishment."-Ellis Peters

Needle Notes Low Note: Proactive Star Toe Socks: Pico Accuardi Dyeworks. Accidental Felting despite not going into dryer.

Plain Socks:   Used Austermann Step with Aloe and Jojoba. Two knots in skein. Great yardage. A little on the thin side.

Listening back to an Episode and I heard myself say that I didn’t like having two pair of socks going at the same time. Why? Erin of MommyNeedsYarn No MoreTears for Autism Speaks. Started project on March 23, Finished April 1, 2012. Learned:

1. I will not collapse if I have more than one pair of socks in progress 2. Magic Loop…getting into the groove.  3. Had a gutter where the loop came out. First stitch on each needle was a purl stitch. Cat Bordhi video with alternative way to purl. At this point my head was beginning to spin but I decided to 4. Cable without a needle. Knittinghelp.com  5. Short Row Heel First do a series of decreasing short rows with wrapped stitches and then a series of increasing short rows with wrapped stitches 6. New way of concealing wraps Cat Bordhi video

Piper’s Journey KAL: Will probably unsticky the thread at the end of the month

Upcoming Pattern: Hyla Brook Will use 2 skeins of Quince & Co Tern (wool/silk blend)

Knitting McHenry by Susan B Anderson, Simple Skyp Socks by Adrienne Ku

Watching: The Fat Squirrel Speaksby Amy Beth. Fantastic video cast! Go watch it!

Reading: At Home by Bill Bryson

Listening: The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Bird Decals from Duncraft

Thanks for listening!

Direct download: Episode_85_Sock_Songs.mp3
Category:Hobbies -- posted at: 2:02pm CDT

Slipped Stitches, Mystery Mittens, determining yarn weight

show notes at www.knittingpipeline.com

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

Nature Notes: Shepherd’s Purse is the flower/weed of the week. Botanical: Capsella bursa-pastoris

The Flowers by Robert Louis Stevenson

All the names I know from nurse:Gardener's garters, Shepherd's purse...

 

Needle Notes  Mystery Mittens for Me by Laura Linneman

Shetland wool fingering weight fromSchoolhouse Press.

Knit Stitch is like the good well behaved child. Purl is rather like the black sheep of the family, in some circles anyway. The Slip Stitch is like the forgotten wall flower or perhaps the one we wouldn’t miss until it was gone.

I talk about some of the ways that the slip stitch is used in knitting. Edges, SSK and other decreases, colorwork patterns, texture patterns, slipped stitch heel flap, brioche, and mosaic knitting are some of the occasions when slipped stitches are essential.  Barbara Walker is probably the Queen of Slipped Stitches with her invention of Mosaic Knitting. If you are doing stripes you can decide to slip a stitch at regular intervals and it looks a bit like stranded work. On the next round, try purling your slipped stitch for a completely different effect. It is fun to play around with color and slipped stitches.

The Blethering Room  Story about neglected wildflowers Bastard Toadflax and Hoary Puccoon

In the Pipeline  Watching  Phantom of the Opera and Les Miserables

Reading Maisie Dobbs #3 and #4 Pardonable Lies and Messenger of Truth

Listening Louise Penny Still Life

Knitting Socks, Cardigan (in the planning stages)

Music Lydia McCauley, Hawthorn from Quieting  www.magnatune.com

Haste ye back!

Direct download: Episode_84_Slip_An_Unsung_Hero_final.mp3
Category:Hobbies -- posted at: 11:25am CDT

Three Needle Bind Off, Knitter’s Life List Review

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

complete show notes and photos at www.knittingpipeline.com

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. Ourgroup 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. How to tighten your purl stitches.

Greta theCaptivating Cat by Rebecca Danger.  3 needle bind off was used to close the top. Getting it turned inside out was painful.

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

Faces: Use DMC cotton perle 5 You have to get it right.  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.

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

Direct download: Episode_83_Captivating_Cats.mp3
Category:Hobbies -- posted at: 10:54am CDT

Purl Stitch Tension, The Principles of Knitting, Knots in my socks.

Complete show notes at www.knittingpipeline.com

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 www.longaberger.com/paula

BostenJen has a new podcast called Down Cellar StudioPodcast.

Erin, MommyNeedsYarn has video from the Knitting Pipeline Retreat on her show. Episode 48 RetreatRecovery Thank you, Erin!

Pipeliner Notes

Bronwyn wrote on the group thread: I guess we’re all spun from the same sheep, knit from the same skein.

Nature Notes

80 degrees the past few days; Why a warm winter does not mean more insects in summer.

Spring Visitors: Pileated Woodpecker, Franklin the Wild Turkey, Spring Peepers, and huge flocks of blackbirds.

Every day that is born into the world comes like a burst of music and rings the whole day through, and you make of it a dance, a dirge, or a life march, as you will.
Thomas Carlyle

Needle Notes

SpinunLady wrote about the Purl Stitch being larger, a question Charr posed last week.

Ysolda Teague Little Red in the City

The Principles of Knitting by June Hemmons Hiatt

The Principles of Private Detection by Clovis Andersen in Alexander McCall Smith’s #1 Ladies Detective Agency. I read a short passage from Blue Shoes and Happiness.

Piper’s Journey KAL

In The Pipeline

Listening this week: CaithnessCraft Collective, Fiber Beat, Knit Knit Café, Knitting Brooklyn, Positively Overcommitted, and A Playful Day. Thanks to A Playful Day for a mentioning Knitting Pipeline on her show.

Knitting:

Socks. Austermannwool Step Classic had two knots, both of which landed on the heel and heel flap!

Hyla Brook final sample for Quince and Co.

Cardigan for me? NantucketJacket by Norah Gaughn, Paulie by Isabelle Kraemer, or EZ percentage sweater in Quince & Co Tern or Finch?

The Lady Edith by Carrie Steinmetz

Susan B Anderson toys McHenry and Fat Robin

Watching:

Watched Anatomy of Knitting. Erin is either switching to video or doing both; Lie to Me Tim Roth and Kelli Williams; The Good Wife; Project Runway All Stars; Owl Cam: The Hidden World.

The Blethering Room A Visitor surprised me when I was playing my pipes by the creek.

In The Piping Circle St. Patrick’s Day tomorrow! I will tweet.

Music Dutch Pipes and Drums In Concert

Haste ye back!

Direct download: Episode_82_That_Pesky_Purlfinal.mp3
Category:Hobbies -- posted at: 11:05am CDT

Sarah, Charr, Bronwyn join me today.  We discuss highlights of the Knitting Pipeline Retreat, designs that caught our eye, a question from a retreat attendee, and share a laugh or two.

Complete show notes are at www.knittingpipeline.com

Also on the show blog is a video of the four of us opening a box from Quince & Co with all colors of their yarn!  Thank you to show sponsor, Quince & Co.

This show is also sponsored by my Longaberger Home Business www.longaberger.com/paula

Haste ye back!

Direct download: Episode_81_Retreat_Memories.mp3
Category:Hobbies -- posted at: 4:44pm CDT

Owls, OhSoHat, Hazel Carter Story

This show by sponsored by Quince & Co, Peddler’s Way Quilt Co, and The Blend Cafe.

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. Complete show notes at www.knittingpipeline.com.

We did buy that first house we looked at because I fell in love with the front door. I could not have goats there. I made a mistake when I told you last week about the way I do the selvedges instead of slipping the first stitch. See directions in the sidebar on this site. I read a note from SpringPeeper about her fondness for goats.  Asta wrote about gjetost. It is eaten in very thin slices and not combined with meat or much else other than perhaps a dab of lingonberry jam.

Saturday morning I went on a Snowy Owl Expedition by myself. A snowy owl had been seen at Illinois Central College.  I took a walk later that day about sunset and I was looking up into the sky in a moment of complete reverie when I saw a white bird flapping its wings WAY UP HIGH. I am 90% certain it was a Snowy Owl but can’t be sure.

Alone and warming his five wits, the white owl in the belfry sits.
- Alfred, Lord Tennyson

Spectra by Stephen West

Began Gyllis by Stephen West but I frogged it. The way the pattern was written was too frustrating.

OhSo Hat by Lee Bernstein Well-written pattern and wonderful for beginners. Photos show female models but really is unisex and my husband likes it.

Piper’s Journey KAL

Wave 2 starts March 5. We started a new thread on March 1st because the other thread is getting quite long and that can be discouraging if you are just getting into it. Seasoned PJ knitters can jump in to help.

In The Pipeline

Knitting  New shawl design called Hyla Brook

Watching   Downtown Abbey is not a soap Opera. Soap operas do not make a lasting impression, they do not have costumes like this or film in castles, and they do not have Maggie Smith and Hugh Bonneville. You might say that soaps have come a long way since I last saw one in 1968 but they have not evolved THAT much.

Reading Finished Birds of a Feather #2 in Maisie Dobbs series by Jacqueline Winspear.  Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand by Helen Simonsen Random House 2010 Love, love, love this book! Helen Simonsen’s first novel and may she write many more. The writing reminds me so much of Alexander McCall Smith.

Listening Since finishing The Paris Wife by Paula McClain I am catching up on podcasts. Thank you to Louise of Caithness Craft Collective Podcast for her shout out for Piper’s Journey.

David Tolk. In Reverence. Title song of CD which I have purchased on iTunes. Beautiful.

Direct download: Episode_80_The_Owl_That_Might_Have_Been.mp3
Category:Hobbies -- posted at: 4:44pm CDT

Slipped stitches, goats, Piper's Journey KAL

This episode is sponsored by Quince & Co, The Blend Cafe, and Knit4Together.

complete show notes are at www.knittingpipeline.com

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.

The Blend Café is an independent coffee shop in Washington IL The Blend's slogan, “Where coffee and community come together,” is more than just a catchy phrase to them - It is their passion! Our desire is to provide a comfortable place for those in our community to gather together and enjoy good company along with GREAT coffee. If coffee is not YET your beverage of choice, come anyway - we serve wonderful teas, smoothies, and ice cream drinks to go along with our fresh baked goods, desserts, and sandwiches. I would like to congratulate Yvonne and all The Blend employess as they were recently awarded the 2012 Outstanding Business Award from the Washington Chamber of Commerce!

Knit 4 Together is an knitting and fiber shop in Dunlap IL just north of Peoria IL. Knit 4 Together Yanr Company specializes in a fine variety of fibers to meet a variety of budgets. Co-owned and run by five ladies who love to knit--and love to teach--there is a chair wiating for you. Just bring your needles...we're certain you'll find som crumptious yarn for your next project. www.knit4together.com or call 309.243.9499

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.

Prize Drawing and Pipeliner Notes: The prize is a skein of yarn from Roman Hills either Dowager Countess or Lady Sybil

The winner is #40! Congratulations Sarah aka smurphy2! Please contact me with your mailing information.

Nature Notes

February is a month of light. In the Northern Hemisphere our mornings and evening are filled with more hours of daylight. We are moving away from the short dark days of the Winter Solstice... Today I saw the red-wing blackbirds lined up along the fences that line the farm fields. I was looking for snowy owls. I saw red-wings. And that is good too, especially the first red wings of the season.

Thanks to Alisonc I just read the most fascinating book. Goat Song: A Seasonal Life. A short history of Herding and the art of making cheese by Brad Kessler. Highly recommended!

Needle Notes  Piper’s Journey KAL. Wave 2 starts on March 5, 2012.

Note that the shawl will grow considerably since you are knitting at a looser gauge than recommended for a tighter fabric.

Slipping Stitches make a cleaner edge but there are times when this is not advised. Slipping the first stitch of a row will tighten the edge, which is sometimes not what you want to do.

If a pattern says to slip a stitch and the pattern does not specify then you should slip as if to purl.

In general

  • You slip as if to purl if the stitch is not going to be worked at that time.
  • You slip as if to knit if the stitch is going to be worked.
  • The Blethering Room

I blether about a house we looked at when we first moved to this area, Norwegian Gjetost, and a few more tips on things to take to a retreat. A notebook is a good idea.

About those Autumn Glory Apples…our local market will probably be sold out by the time of our retreat. I didn’t want to be greedy and buy up the whole bin.

In the Pipeline

Knitting: Spectra by Stephen West. 2 Knit Lit Chicks KAL 60 wedges done and 25 to go! I need to figure out my retreat knitting.

Watching: Downtown Abbey is over. It is sad. Thankfully there is another season to look forward to. And to those of you who do not have television, I applaud you!

Listening: Finished The Paris Wife by Paula MacClain. This Birding Life/Bird Watcher’s Digest Bill Thompson III Snowy Owl Invasion

Music by Lydia McCauley.  Apples on the Tree from Sabbath Day.  www.magnatune.com

Haste ye back!

Direct download: Episode_79_Capricious_Slips.mp3
Category:Hobbies -- posted at: 2:16pm CDT