Bronwyn shares handmade ideas. Myth or Truth: Is it necessary to read through a knitting pattern before knitting it?  

Thank you to show sponsors Quince & Co and my Longaberger Home business.

Thanks for listening and haste ye back!

Does crochet use more yarn than knitting? Herbivore by Westknits, my Kindness of Knitters blanket update, and other blether.

sponsored by Quince & Co and my Longaberger Home Business.

complete show notes are at www.knittingpipeline.com

Elowen Shawl by Judy Marples, Gibbous Moon, Pomegranates, tribute to KnitPurlGurl

Thank you to show sponsors Quince & Co and my Longaberger Home Business

show notes at www.knittingpipeline.com

Haste ye back!

Bronwyn and I tackle Myth #2 and discuss Myth #1 a bit more.  We share our crazy stories.  I start on a crazy project: the sock blankie.  Actually two crazy projects.

Thank you to show sponsor Quince & Co and my Longaberger Home Business.

Haste yet back!

Have you heard the statement that a pair of socks is as much knitting as a sweater? Not true! Also, a finished shawl, Little Colonnade by Stephen West, wild turkey talk, and why I am boycotting the buying of e-books, at least for a while.

show notes at www.knittingpipeline.com

Thank you to show sponsor Quince & Co and my Longaberger Home Business!

Thank you to sponsor Quince & Co and my Longaberger Home Business.

show notes and photos at www.knittingpipeline.com

Haste ye back!

Two Shawls are bound off.  Two books to review, both on casting on and binding off. 

Thanks to show sponsor Quince & Co and my Longaberger Home Business.

Stephen West trunk show and workshop, KALs are out of control.

Congratulations to winners of the Hyla Brook KAL!  First prize is Quince & Co yarn!  

Thank you to show sponsors Quince & Co and my Longaberger Home Business.

complete show notes with lots of photos are at www.knittingpipeline.com.

Haste ye back!

Trip to The Netherlands to play pipes with The Dutch Pipes and Drums in the National Military Tattoo in Rotterdam.

Show sponsors Quince & Co and my Longaberger Home Business.

complete show notes with lots of photos at www.knittingpipeline.com.

Thanks for listening!

Increases for shawls, lifelines, In The Pipeline.

Hyla Brook Knit along continues with tips for shawl knitting.

Thanks for listening!  Haste ye back!

Hyla Brook KAL, yarn substituting

shows notes at www.knittingpipeline.com

Hyla Brook by Paula Emons-Fuessle available at Quince & Co

Thank you to show sponsors Quince & Co and my Longaberger Home Business.

The Dutch Pipes and Drums

Thanks for listening and haste ye back!

Random Number chat with Bob; 2 book reviews; My Hope Shawl; and Sideways Shawlette.

Thank you to sponsors Quince & Co and my Longaberger Home Business

The Hyla Brook Shawl Knit Along starts on Sept 1, 2012 on our Ravelry Group.

Show notes and photos at www.knittingpipeline.com

Bronwyn visits today to share our experiences at Stitches.

Thanks to show sponsors Quince & Co and my Longaberger Home Business.

Complete show notes are at www.knittingpipeline.com

Haste ye back!

Elizabeth Zimmermann letters; thoughts on how she influenced modern knitting.

There are lots of photos on the show blog this week.  These include photos of Elizabeth Zimmermann and Meg Swansen at their Knitting Camp in 1977.  www.knittingpipeline.com

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

Haste ye back!

Memories of Knitting Camp with EZ and Meg

Visit the show blog for complete show notes. www.knittingpipeline.com

Thank you to Quince & Co for sponsoring this episode!

My Longaberger Home business also helps support the show.  www.longaberger.com/paula

Pi Shawls, Math Lesson on Pi, more on nupps.

Complete show notes at www.knittingpipeline.com

Thank you to show sponsor Quince & Co and my Longaberger home Business.

Haste ye back!

Note from Elizabeth Zimmermann, Finch Sweater

sponsored by Quince & Co and my Longaberger Home Business.

Note was written to me by Elizabeth Zimmermann on September 4, 1980.  Show notes at www.knittingpipeline.com.

Thanks for lsitening.  Haste ye back!

SSK, lace tips, a recipe

show notes are at www.knittingpipeline.com. Thanks for listening and haste ye back!

sponsored by Quince & Co. and my Longaberger Home Business

Our son Pete is hiking The Colorado Trail.  In Episode 93 he talked about his journey and in this episode he answers questions from listeners.  We will be back to knitting content in the next episode.

Tips, Baby Wrap Sweater, Baby Hat

This show by sponsored by my Longaberger Home Business and Quince & Co.  show notes at www.knittingpipeline.com

Tip for interchangeable needles.  Use a 2” square of rubber gripper fabric (as in jar openers) to secure the join and to remove it.

Whenever the pressure of our complex city life thins my blood and numbs my brain, I seek relief in the trail; and when I hear the coyote wailing to the yellow dawn, my cares fall from me - I am happy.
Hamlin Garland

Needle Notes

My nephew who was married last October and his wife are expecting their first baby in October 2012 and our family is very excited!  This is the first baby in our family in nearly 30 years!

Judy’s Grandmother’s Baby Sweater by Judy Spector

Beni Bebe Hat

Cute hat with an old world look to it. 

In the Pipeline

Summer Solstice Mystery KAL by Wendy D Johnson. 

Ribbed Baby Jacket by Debbie Bliss

My First Finch Cardigan.  I’m using EZ’s Percentage System. Saddle Shoulder.

In the Frogpond: Lily of the Valley Stole

Listening Down Cellar Studio Podcast with BostonJen  (8 episodes out currently)

Watching Sittin’ and Knittin’ Podcast by Dianna who is Hishandmaid on Ravelry

Singlehandedknits by Melissa  Lives in Hawaii and most are shot outdoors so you can take a little virtual beach vacation.    Piper’s Journey Shawl was her first. Now doing a Piper’s Journey KAL in her group. 

The Blethering Room: I blether about pocket neighborhoods and what I would call streets if I developed a residential area.  I would use the breeds of sheep. You can visit me on Scottish Blackface Lane.

Book Notes Greetings from Knit Café by Suzan Mischer

Healing Muses: Garden of Healing

Our son is going to hike The Colorado Trail.  I talk to him about his upcoming trip and preparations for it.

show notes and photos at www.knittingpipeline.com

Thank you to sponsor www.quinceandco.com  and my Longaberger Home Business.

Haste ye back!

Natural Moth Repellants, Care of Woolens

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

complete show notes at www.knittingpipeline.com

Rita Buchanan Spin Off June 1986

Competition on Saturday in Milwaukee at Hart Park.  Milwaukee Highland Games.  June 2, 2012

Lydia McCauley: Entrances

It seems the words to this song were appropriate after the outpouring of support for Bronwyn.

Traveling Moorland, is a unity song ("we all come from different places, but we are the same") with a Scottish Blessing:

"safe and whole may you return home".

Haste ye back!

Comfort Shawl, Variegated yarn terms

complete show notes are at www.knittingpipeline.com.

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

The winner of KnitBot Essentials by Hannah Fettig...and signed by Hannah Fettig and Pam Allen is announced! 

There is an outtake on today’s show after the theme music for those who like a little extra laughter and chatter.



Melanie Gall Knitting All the Day CD

Bronwyn is having surgery. Desmoid Tumor Research Foundation--overview of what they are.  If you want to participate in a surprise for Bronwyn send an email to me.  See show blog for address for cards.

Pipeliner Notes  Prairiegl: Hiya Hiya has some free patterns on their site

Needle Notes  Bronwyn FO’s Woobie Puppy and Lotus Scarf, Crinkle squares and Gratitude Shawl

We want to rename Amy Beth of The Fat Squirrel Speaks.  To us she is The Foxy Squirrel.

Memphisholli  responded to my challenge of finding a suitable design for the yarn from Camp KIP and asked a question Is it variegated or self-striping? In a broader sense perhaps you could talk about different colored yarns and how you know how to describe the color, variegated, gradient, self-striping, etc. and things to look for in a pattern to handle those color variations.

We use the term variegated for any multi-colored yarn.  Within this wide category are many smaller subsets.  The Knitter’s Guide to Hand-Dyed and Variegated Yarn by Lorna Miser.

Product Notes

Podcatcher apps

Podcaster (Brownyn uses) .99

Downcast is $1.99 Downcast has great features.  Easier to add podcasts to your subscribe list.

Instacast used to be a great app but has not worked well since they updated it.  I was happy with it until the upgrade and have now deleted it and switched to Downcast.

Kensington Keyfolio Pro

Kensington KeyFolio Pro 2 Removable Keyboard, Case and Stand for iPad 2 and New iPad (K39512US) $67.99 (was $59.99)  Case and keyboard combo.  Great value since cases alone run at least $40. Bluetooth, Long battery life, Nice touch to the keys.

Could have a better manual but we both highly recommend getting this for your iPad.

High Note/Low Note  Paula High Note:  Frequent Flyer Miles Low Note: June Bug

Bronwyn  Low Note: Poor customer service. High Note: Support of friends and family.

Haste ye back!

Pipeliner tips, Needle Review Update

show notes at www.knittingpipeline.com

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

Leave a comment on the show blog under Episode 89 or 90 by May 23 to be in a chance to win a copy of Knitbot Essentials, signed by designer Hannah Fettig and Quince owner and renown knitter/designer Pam Allen.  KnitBot Essentials by Hannah Fettig 

Thank you for your iTunes reviews and star ratings! A wonderful review showed up this week from desertflower105.  Thank you so much for your encouragement.

 

Pipeliner Notes  Thanks for the wonderful tips!  These are found on the show blog.

Nature Notes 

Many of you wrote about your sightings of black squirrels which appear to have populations scattered across the country.  They are a variant of the gray squirrel so they behave the same way. A marauding band of four teen male turkeys attacked our windows.

10^th Annual Potholes and Prairie Birding Festival:  The Chieftain Hotel and Conference Center  June 13-17 Carrington ND  Fly into Fargo or Bismarck or and easy hop from Mpls (2 hours).  Bill Thompson, Julie Zickafoose and other expert guides.  Visit www.birdingdrives.com

Martha/Goldybear wrote on the board that experts think it will be a good year for butterflies.  We are not experts but judging from what we have seen so far this year we have made the same observation.  During our Sunday hike in Forest Park Nature Preserve we saw Red Admirals (lots!), Eastern Comma, Mourning Cloaks, Spring Azures, and random Skippers.

Needle Notes  Leaaline asked, Paula, what is your FAVORITE quince and co. Yarn? Answer: I love them all but have a special fondness for Chickadee and Tern because I more often knit with lighter weight yarns.

Hyla Brook will be released in June.  Calls for 2 skeins of Quince & Co Tern which is a fingering weight wool/silk blend.  442 yds fingering weight.  This shawl is completely reversible and has no purl stitches!

Lil Bit by Laura Linneman.  

Koigu Beaded Beret by Churchmouse Yarns and Teas  I am not thrilled with the end result but I had a ball knitting it!



The Blethering Room A new rule for buying yarn: sweaters worth or one more skein than first impulse.

If I don’t like the yarn enough to commit to more than one or two skeins then maybe I don’t like it enough to buy it.  (please feel free to quote me on this, especially if you see me buying yarn somewhere!)

Vodka Lemonade by Thea Colman/Baby Cocktails

Stockinette Zombies

HiyaHiya Size 5 16” circular had a card for knitting a hat in sizes from baby to adult large. 

Chiagoo Red Lace Circular Needles.  I buy HiyaHiya and Chiagoo at Ewe-nique Yarns in Morton IL.  They are happy to ship your order.  309.266.9398

High Note Talking to the Sun: An Illustrated Anthology of Poems for Young People Metropolitan Museum of Art c. 1985

Shira Kammen Wild Mountain Thyme Music of Waters  www.magnatune.com

Haste ye back!

Breezy Cardigan, The Russian Join

Sponsored by Quince & Co and my Longaberger home business. 

complete show notes at www.knittingpipeline.com

To enter the giveaway for Knitbot Essentials, signed by Hannah Fettig and Pam Allen, please leave a comment on the show blog.

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!

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!

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

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!

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!

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

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!

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!

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 1^st 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.

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!

Good tips for attending knitting retreats.

These wonderful businesses are sponsors of our retreat and this episode: Quince & Co, Ewe-nique Yarns, Peddler’s Way Quilt Co, TheFiber Universe, The Blend, and Knit4Together in Dunlap IL (north Peoria suburb)…and of course, my Longaberger Home business. Their sponsorship helped keep the cost of the retreat down so we hope you will support them as best you can.

complete show notes at www.knittingpipeline.com

I would like to thank the wonderful knitters who tested my first shawl design, Piper’s Journey. It was released last week and thanks to all of you it has gotten a lot of attention. The Knit Along is piping right along too. A big round of applause for test knitters Molly, Amy, Bronwyn, Charr, Judy, Louise, Meghan, Nancy, Sarah, Deb, Mimi, and tomatkatgreen.

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

Our retreat! We still are still accepting reservations...

March 2-3, 2012

(Friday night and all day Saturday)

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

Charr and Bronwyn are in The Blethering Room today.

Charr:  Honey Cowl and Norby by Gudrun Johnston

Bronwyn: Piper’s Journey by Paula Emons-Fuessle, A Very Good Cowl Indeed by Liz Abinante, Flurries Cowl, Cozy Worm Child’s Cowl, LTK Braided Cap by Theresa Belville

Paula started Mystery Mitten KAL with Laura Linneman

General Retreat Tips

Things to bring:

• Social knitting. Easy, autopilot.
• More than one project, possibly another weight and needle size.
• Waste yarn and needles in case you want to learn a new technique.
• Business cards. Vistaprint has low cost/free.
• Camera
• Knitting Notions

• Your handknits!
• Bring layers of clothing as facilities tend to run hot/cold and you may too.
• Be comfortable.

For those coming to our retreat please bring a mug for tea or hot drinks so we can save on paper goods.

We talk about eating and shopping in our town of Washington.

Maria's Tea Room for those with special diets or if you just like good food.

Basta O'Neills for wonderful Italian and Irish fare

Gracie's Sports Bar and Grille next to The Sleep Inn

Michael's Italian Feast. Famous for their bread. Not much atmosphere here though. Most of the locals carry out. Just so you know.

Cummin's for cafe style food, jello salad, and cottage cheese. Their breakfast special is super and is only a bit over $4.

We forgot to mention The C-Note Pub which is located in the same building as The Cornerstone Inn. They have wonderful sandwiches and THE BEST sweet potato fries. The Denhardt Baking Company is our usual place to go for breakfast after church. 

High Note/Low Note

Bronwyn’s high is Grady’s imagination. Low (very) is bending back a fingernail. Ouch!

Paula’s high is a new apple called Autumn Glory. It is has a unique taste. Low Note: mealy and mushy apples.

Charr’s highs. Seeing a bright red male cardinal outside of Paula’s window and Red Velvet Cake Doughnuts from Ron’s Bakery. 

Haste ye back!

Piper's Journey KAL begins, Ten Stitch Twist

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

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.   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

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

The Blethering Room: Article about Pam Allen

Piper's Journey KAL begins!  This is my first published pattern and I'm thrilled.  Thanks for your encouragement and support!

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 on the show blog. www.knittingpipeline.com.

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

Thanks for listening! Haste ye back! complete show notes are at www.knittingpipeline.com

Tips for long lasting knits

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.comand 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.

Our retreat! We still have room for you!   March 2-3, 2012 (Friday night and all day Saturday)

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

Details on show blog www.knittingpipeline.com.

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. 

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.

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

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!

The Paris Wife by Paula McClain

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!

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.



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

 

Knitting Pipeline Retreat

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

Crossroads United Methodist Church, 1420 N Main St., Washington IL 61571 (outside of Peoria in Central IL)

$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

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



Finished Project: Piper’s Journey #2

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.

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

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. 

Spectra by Stephen West hosted by 2 Knit Lit Chicks

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

 

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  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!

Hitchhiker, Beginner transitions to Intermediate knitter

Complete show notes at www.knittingpipeline.com.

This show is sponsored by Quince & Co, Ewe-nique Yarns in Morton IL, and The Fiber Universe.

 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.  Debbie and Jenny are happy to ship to Pipeliners. 

The Fiber Universe in downtown Peoria is the newest sponsor for our Knitting Pipeline Retreat and the show.

Sarah and Bronwyn join me for today’s episode.

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.

Needle Notes and In The Pipeline

Bronwyn FO's: Maluka by Bea Schmidt ,   Tea Bags Basket by  Knitvana,  Touch Screen Phone Mitts   

We mention Knit Knit Café Podcast and Abby knitting conductive thread into her mitts.

Bronwyn is test knitting my first published design, Piper’s Journey.  It should be published by Quince & Co around the end of January or so.  And yes, we are doing a KAL on our Board!

Sarah:  Textural Healing Shawl by Shannon Squire.  Queued: Flying Geese Blanket from Mason-Dixon Knitting

Paula: FO: Hitchhiker by Martine Behm  WIP: Ten Stitch Twist Blanket by Frankie Brown   In Pipeline: Rebecca Danger The Big Book of Knitted Monsters , OhSo Hat by Lee Bernstein, and Shaw Hill by Alicia Plummer.

The Blethering Room

Sarah tells the story of her Make Up Skein of yarn.

We answer questions from k4charlotte.  When does a beginner knitter become an intermediate knitter?  When do you know to back out of a project because you are in too deep?

High Notes: Bronwyn:  Music Together; Sarah: Sledding; Paula: DVR’s

Low Notes: Bronwyn: failed charging of laptops; Paula: when you think you have recorded a show and you haven’t

A big High Note is Our 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.

Details on show blog www.knittingpipeline.com

Make check payable to Paula Emons-Fuessle

Mail to:

Knitting Pipeline Retreat

PO Box 549

Washington IL 61571

Haste ye back!

Maine Morning Mitts

complete show notes and photos at www.knittingpipeline.com.

This show is sponsored by  my Longaberger Home Business, Quince & Co and Ewe-nique Yarns in Morton IL.

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 Lavold, Debbie Bliss, Claudia Handpainted, Louisa Harding, Rown, Sublime and dozens more. Debbie and Jenny are happy to ship to Pipeliners.

“Earburning” another Raveler is highlighting their Ravelry name so that it links to their profile. The person who is earburned will also get a message in their box that basically says, “Psst, we’re over here saying good things about you”. 



A BIG THANK you to all the volunteers for test knitting my first to-be published design, Piper’s Journey. Thank you so very much EVERYONE for your support for the design.



Nature Notes

I haven’t seen any snowy owls but have seen a lot of white plastic bags that pretend to be.

We nearly broke a record for the most days without 1” of snowfall! The record is 330 in 1918. 

Naturalist and writer Edwin Way Teale born Joliet IL 1899

Wandering Through Winterwas first nature book to win a Pulitzer Prize for non-fiction.

“Our minds, as well as our bodies, have need of the out-of-doors. Our spirits, too, need simple things, elemental things, the sun and the wind and the rain, moonlight and starlight, sunrise and mist and mossy forest trails, the perfumes of dawn and the smell of fresh-turned earth and the ancient music of wind among the trees.”
― Edwin Way Teale

Maine Morning Mitts by Clara Parkes made for Georgia.  Reprinted from The Knitters Book of Yarn by Clara Parkes.

Hitchhiker by Martina Behm is almost done!

Ten Stitch Twist Blanket by Frankie Brown is more fun than ever!

Finished reading on my Nook. Maisie Dobbs by Jacqueline Winspear.

Recommend reading in order. Book 2 is Birds of a Feather.

Currently reading (actual paper book) Blood, Bones, and Butter by Gabrielle Hamilton. Cooking memoir. Raw, honest, well-written. Not for the faint of heart.

Watching Downton Abbey Season 2. Did not disappoint!

 

Knitting Classes at The Blend, our local coffee shop and hang-out.

Recycling Sweaters into pillows and other things.

Knitting Pipeline Retreat

March 2-3 (Friday night and all day Sat)

Washington IL 61571

$50 or $40 for Sat only

Registration form available on show blog in the side bar.

Thine Am I by Robert Burns

A Celebration of Robert Burns by Shira Kammen. www.magnatune.com

Bitty Bump, Short Row Woes

Thank you to show sponsors: Quince & Co  and Ewe-nique Yarns, Morton IL 61550

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 Clark!  I accepted the first offer from Diane.  Citronlady    These Pipeliners also offered out of the sheer goodness of their hearts: Smurphy=Sarah, Nancy in Holland MI, Kimberly of the Sock Bunny  Knit and Fit Podcast.

I read a Pipeliner Note from Mildred, age 13.

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.  A crescent shaped shawl with a not too lacy border. Calls for 3 skeins of Quince & Co Chickadee.

I am looking for a few test knitters. Start asap but not necessary to use wool called for.  I will email pattern to you.  Please contact me by email Paulaef@aol.com.

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.

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.  And yes, that’s my little mom with my nephew!  http://youtu.be/6ASk8I2m5Gw

In the Pipeline:

Hitchhiker by Martine Behm

10 Stitch Twist by Frankie Brown 

Island at War

Downton Abbey  There is a group for Downton Abbey lovers on Ravelry.

Downton Abbey Hat 

Yarngasm Podcast by Voolenvine 

Books on the Nightstand

Cocoa Blocks

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

complete show notes and photos at www.knittingpipeline.com

Haste ye back!