Episodes
Tuesday Mar 23, 2021
93 - Mother Nature Whiplash
Tuesday Mar 23, 2021
Tuesday Mar 23, 2021
Knitting and fitness in 30 min or less. Shownotes can be found at windsweptknits.com. You can find me on IG and Ravelry as WindsweptMonique and on Facebook and Twitter as WindsweptKnits.
Ep 93 recorded 3/19/21
Segments this week include: FOs, Wips, Out and About Virtually, On the Run, and I’ve Got Sunshine
Note on Ravelry – all links to Ravelry are clearly labelled as such.
Mother Nature whiplash!
Be A Helper Craft-a-long Quick Update
Deadline extended to 5/1/21 to make up for my lack of participation. We have pattern and yarn prizes.
Short reminder on the rules
- Anything you make for any charity counts, doesn’t have to be knit/crochet/woven or spun. ANYthing you make for ANY charity.
• One FO submission of the Google Form https://forms.gle/QdJuQUSr8uM7GoiF6
• Donating blood counts too
• Wips are welcome
Link to submit your Finished Object/blood donation: https://forms.gle/QdJuQUSr8uM7GoiF6
FOs
Boxy – a tweaked Joji Locatelli pattern worked in hand dyed laceweight bamboo from Spinaway Farm. I finished the front and am now up to the shoulders on the back.
WIPs
Slice of Summer – my New Year’s caston using BaH yarns watermelon shawl ball. I’m on the watermelon rind. This is my purse knitting so it gets a round or 2 most days with school pickup, etc.
Tunisian Express – I’m learning Tunisian Crochet and practicing using this pattern. It’s simple and easy to memorize and also includes a great tutorial with photos. I’m using leftover yarn from my Belle blanket and the boys’ dragon blankets. I’ve added a few rows.
I’ve started 2 new design samples, can’t talk much about them yet, but I am very excited at what is coming.
Stash
I got 9 skeins of Lion Brand Shawl In A Ball to make the Priestess Coat by Morale Fiber. I’m using the grey-to white for the body of the coat and a variety of jewel tones for the inserts and hood. This will be my Rhinebeck “sweater” whenever it’s safe to have Rhinebeck again.
Got yarn for some new patterns, I’m excited to work with HiKoo Popcycle! It’s a 50/50 bamboo/polyester blend and every skein uses 2 recycled plastic bottles and you know me, I love recycled and reclaimed fibers. On that note I also got some more Berroco Remix Light which is 100% recycled fibers and made in France. Remix is 30% Nylon, 27% Cotton, 24% Acrylic, 10% Silk, 9% Linen It’s got a slightly tweedy look/texture and makes great sweaters. Remix is worsted weight, Remix Light is sport/DK. And lastly, Valley Yarns Southwick which I’ve only knit a hat out of, this will be my first garment in it. It is so smooth and silky and soft, it’ll make a super comfy top.
Out and About Virtually
Lots of fiber events happening online this winter
Vogue Knitting Live Vogue Knitting Live @ Home this weekend Mar18-21.
Stitches At Home this weekend, is the 2nd weekend Mar 13,14, 20 & 21
Fiberworld is running an online march madness event, visit their website to vote.
GGKCS podcast is having their annual Sheepy Spring AL, visit their FB page for more details.
If you have any events you’d like me to share please email me windsweptmonique@gmail.com
On the Run
More knee problems -I’ve injured the other knee. PT wants me to get back in the pool.
I’ve Got Sunshine
Dropkick Murphy’s concert, 2nd year in a row St Paddy’s day online show. Lots of fun. Not safe to gather in large groups yet, but Dropkick Murphy’s has now put on 3 free shows and raised over $750,000 for charity during the pandemic. They’re a local Boston band and Shipping Up To Boston is a bit of a local anthem around here. We let the boys stay up late to watch the show and it was a fun way to spend the evening – the grownups with a pint in hand.
Sunday Mar 07, 2021
92 - Drained
Sunday Mar 07, 2021
Sunday Mar 07, 2021
Knitting and fitness in 30 min or less. Shownotes can be found at windsweptknits.com. You can find me on IG and Ravelry as WindsweptMonique and on Facebook and Twitter as WindsweptKnits.
Ep 92 recorded 3/5/21
Segments this week include: Be A Helper Craftalaong, FOs, Wips, Out and About Virtually, On the Run, and I’ve Got Sunshine
Note on Ravelry – all links to Ravelry are clearly labelled as such.
So it’s been a month. I was intending to record every other week, as has become my new normal, but we’ve had some family stuff going on here and I have just been completely mentally, emotionally and physically exhausted. I’ve hardly knit anything in the last month. But the end is in sight, and Spring is trying really hard to arrive here in New England, so while I have a few spoons left in my jar I am recording this episode.
Be A Helper Craft-a-long Update
Deadline extended to 5/1/21 to make up for my lack of participation.
New prizes! Jennifer Lassonde from Down Cellar Studio podcast has graciously donated 2 patterns to the winners of Be A Helper Craftalong! A huge thank you to Jen for her generosity in supporting us again this year.
Short reminder on the rules
- Anything you make for any charity counts, doesn’t have to be knit/crochet/woven or spun. ANYthing you make for ANY charity.
• One FO submission of the Google Form https://forms.gle/QdJuQUSr8uM7GoiF6
• Donating blood counts too
• Wips are welcome
Link to submit your Finished Object/blood donation: https://forms.gle/QdJuQUSr8uM7GoiF6
FOs
Galliatt (Ravelry) by JimiKnits – Knitting is done! I finished it just in time for the end of the pigskin party – literally the last night - I just need to add the decorative buttons on the sides.
WIPs
Slice of Summer – my New Year’s caston using BaH yarns watermelon shawl ball. I’m nearly done with the pink and on the white/green at the start of the watermelon rind.
Pull Me Over sweater – did a little more of the collar
Boxy – a tweaked Joji Locatelli pattern worked in hand dyed laceweight bamboo from Spinaway Farm. I finished the front and am now up to the shoulders on the back.
Tunisian Express – I’m learning Tunisian Crochet and practicing using this pattern. It’s simple and easy to memorize and also includes a great tutorial with photos. I’m using leftover yarn from my Belle blanket and the boys’ dragon blankets. I’ve added a few rows.
And that’s all I’ve done in an entire month.
Out and About Virtually
Lots of fiber events happening online this winter
Vogue Knitting Live Upcoming Vogue Knitting Live @ Home Mar18-21.
Stitches At Home this weekend, Mar 13,14, 20 & 21
Fiberworld is running an online march madness event, visit their website to vote.
If you have any events you’d like me to share please email me windsweptmonique@gmail.com
On the Run
I am back in physical therapy and learned a lot about how your brain reacts to pain. It's fascinating.
I’ve Got Sunshine
Happy news this week is that I stopped composting right around the last episode 3 weeks ago. The happy part isn’t that I’ve stopped composting, it’s that I didn’t have to stop composting until February!
Sunday Feb 07, 2021
91- I've Got Sunshine
Sunday Feb 07, 2021
Sunday Feb 07, 2021
Knitting and fitness in 30 min or less. Shownotes can be found at windsweptknits.com. You can find me on IG and Ravelry as WindsweptMonique and on Facebook and Twitter as WindsweptKnits.
Ep 91 recorded 2/5/21
Segments this week include: Be A Helper Craftalaong, FOs, Wips, Stash, Spinning, Out and About Virtually, On the Run, and a new segment, I’ve Got Sunshine
Note on Ravelry – all links to Ravelry are clearly labelled as such.
Be A Helper Craft-a-long
Short reminder on the rules
- Anything you make for any charity counts, doesn’t have to be knit/crochet/woven or spun. ANYthing you make for ANY charity.
• One FO submission of the Google Form https://forms.gle/QdJuQUSr8uM7GoiF6
• Donating blood counts too
• Wips are welcome
Link to submit your Finished Object/blood donation: https://forms.gle/QdJuQUSr8uM7GoiF6
Prizes:
3 prizes
1 skein of Cascade Yarns Anchor Bay, that’s a wool-cotton blned that’s on the border between DK and worsted, in color #28, a sage green color.
1 skein of The Fiber Co’s Arranmore Donegal Heritage. It’s a merino-cashmere-silk blend that is so soft and squishy. This is an Aran/bulky weight yarn in the Orla colorway, a burnt-siera/dark orange
I am donating a pattern of your choice from my self-published patterns. I can gift this to you via Ravelry or email the PDF directly.
FOs
Wenlock (Ravelery) from Tin Can Knits. Knitting done. Need to weave in ends
WIPs
Galliatt (Ravelry) by JimiKnits – I’m seaming the shoulders, then I just have to knit the turtleneck collar and the side edging. Nearly done!
Willowbrook Shawl (Ravelry) – pattern by Brenda Castiel in my own handspun cotton. Fiber from HipStrings. I used 2 braids, pulled apart the colors, spun them in rainbow order then chain-plied it to maintain the rainbow. I am nearing the end of orange – there’s a lot of orange.
Slice of Summer – my New Year’s cast on using BaH yarns shawl ball. I’m probably 2/3 through the pink.
Ozone crochet top – restarted it now that my crochet skills are better; already through the band of hexies that go around your ribcage. Using Scheepjes Coton 8
Pull Me Over sweater – This was my Christmas Day cast on, though I haven’t picked it up at all since then! Pattern by Andrea Black, using leftover Universal Yarns cotton that are leftovers from knitting my husband a sweater many, many years ago.
Spinning
Buchanan gradient spin – started the 5th and last color of the gradient. This gradient spin goes from malachite green to a beautiful true blue. I can’t wait to knit with it!
Out and About Virtually
Lots of fiber events happening online this winter
Pigskin Party now through the Superbowl Ravelry Group I’m sponsoring for the 3rd year and also participating.
Vogue Knitting Live Upcoming Vogue Knitting Live @ Home Feb 11-14, Mar18-21.
Stitches At Home this weekend, Feb 5-7
GGKCS podcast is running their annual winter craftaong starting now through the end of Feb 2021, more details on their Facebook page.
Spa 2021 is virtual, sign up for their mailing list for further details.
If you have any events you’d like me to share please email me windsweptmonique@gmail.com
On the Run
Up until now, we’ve had an abnormally warm winter, but as of 2 weeks ago it’s now just plain cold. No more walking outside for me until it warms up and the ice t.
I’ve Got Sunshine
This is a new segment I’m adding, a short segment, but I want to end the podcast on an uplifting note. After living through a global pandemic for nearly a year, I find that any good news gets lost in all the bad news and I want to change that. I may share personal stories, or something I’ve found from halfway around the planet, we’ll see how this plays out. This week I’m starting with a new shoe designed by Nike to be completely hands free. I’m not talking a sandal, I mean a sneaker-type shoe. “Called the Flyease Go, it is the first totally hands-free shoe, enveloping and releasing your feet solely through natural motion—a bit like Tony Stark putting on his Iron Man suit.
The revolutionary shoe is perfect, says a top Nike designer, for pregnant women in their third trimester, arthritis patients, or those who have lost some or all of the use of their arms—such as stroke victims or injured military veterans.” You get in and out of the shoe by using the “kickstand tab” at the back of the shoe which opens the hinge mid-foot and allows you to slip the shoe off. Picture what you do when you take a shoe off without untying it – only these shoes are designed to release the foot easily when you do that. This is awesome! For anyone with hand or arm injuries, this could be a game changer. During my first pregnancy I pulled a muscle in my lower abdomen and could barely lift my legs to walk let a lone put shoes on in October – a shoe like this, well, I probably would have given a kidney for it easily lol
Friday Jan 22, 2021
90 - Be A Helper 2021
Friday Jan 22, 2021
Friday Jan 22, 2021
Knitting and fitness in 30 min or less. Shownotes can be found at windsweptknits.com. You can find me on IG and Ravelry as WindsweptMonique and on Facebook and Twitter as WindsweptKnits.
Ep 90 recorded 1/22/21
Segments this week include: Be A Helper Craftalaong, FOs, Wips, Stash, Spinning, Out and About Virtually, On the Run
Note on Ravelry – all links to Ravelry are clearly labelled as such – if a link does not say Ravelry, it does not go to Ravelry. Links to yarn are directly to manufacturer’s pages and should be safe for those still having rav accessibility issues.
So it’s been a month since I last recorded and what a month it’s been. 2021 definitely told 2020, “hey hold my beer”. With all the craziness happening the last few weeks here in the US and the terror attacks on the Capitol Building I had thought of skipping the Be A Helper Craft-a-long this year because my anxiety levels were hovering around vibrating-chihuahua-on-espresso for a while there, but after some reflection I think that we need it now more than ever.
Welcome to our 5th annual craftalong! Inspired by the famous Mr Rogers quote that in times of trouble you should look for the helpers, I'm encouraging folks to BE the helpers.
Be A Helper Craftalong
5th Be A Helper Craft-a-long has begun! We keep the rules simple.
• Anything you make for any charity counts, doesn’t have to be knit/crochet/woven or spun. ANYthing you make for ANY charity.
• One FO submission of the Google Form https://forms.gle/QdJuQUSr8uM7GoiF6
• Donating blood counts too
• Google Form closes when I wake up April 15th.
• Wips are welcome
One change this year - due to the ongoing accessibility issues at Ravelry, finished objects can be submitted via a Google Form. I have pages set up to share your beautiful work on Ravelry, but if you want to win a prize, please submit the Google Form. I will link to the Google Form repeatedly over the net few months here in the shownotes, on Ravelry, on IG, on FB and anywhere else I can think to post so you'll be able to find the link when you're ready to submit.
Link to submit your Finished Object/blood donation: https://forms.gle/QdJuQUSr8uM7GoiF6
FOs
Tan House Brook Shawl (Ravelry) – this is a pattern by Jennifer Lassonde of Down Cellar Studios in the Sekhment base, an alpaca/silk/linen yarn from A Hundred Ravens in the Nevertheless She Persisted colorway that I bought during the virtual Maryland Sheep and Wool. I’m doing a few rows each week
The Opposite of Strict (Ravelry) hat by That Metzbower Girl Designs and it’s a ponytail hat designed to use scraps. I used up the leftovers from the two RBG Dissent Cowls I made earlier this fall.
Princess Blanket by Carol Hladik – wearable crochet blanket.
WIPs
Wenlock (Ravelery) from Tin Can Knits. Knitting done. Need to weave in ends
Galliatt (Ravelry) by JimiKnits – pattern also available on LoveCrafts, using discontinued Longmeadow by Webs. I finished the front and am about 7” in to the back
Willowbrook Shawl (Ravelry) – pattern by Brenda Castiel in my own handspun cotton. Fiber from HipStrings. I used 2 braids, pulled apart the colors, spun them in rainbow order then chainplied it to maintain the rainbow. I am nearing the end of orange – there’s a lot of orange.
Pull Me Over sweater – This was my Christmas Day cast on, though I haven’t picked it up at all since then! Pattern by Andrea Black, using leftover Universal Yarns cotton that are leftovers from knitting my husband a sweater many, many years ago.
Slice of Summer (Ravelry) – my New Year’s caston using BaH yarns shawl ball
Ozone crochet top (Ravelry) – restarted it now that my crochet skills are better; already half way through the band of hexies that go around your ribcage
Stash
My family got me a subscription to Hipstrings Cotton Club! I am so happy to be a member again, I looooove her colorways. I got 2 2-oz braids (technically it was the December shipment) that are beautiful blends of purple, blue, brown, mauve and brown called Moody and On the Horizon. I’m thinking of pulling these 2 apart and making a chain ply, but not sure.
For Christmas I got 3 colors of Nomad Yarn’s hand-dyed Gelato series. This time I got the green, blue and purple to go with the pink, orange and yellow that I bought during a virtual fiber event last summer. Now I have a whole gorgeous rainbow and I need to decide what to do with it!
Spinning
Buchanan Fiber gradient spin – the 4th color is done and plied I’ve been spinning 10 min a day
Out and About Virtually
Lots of fiber events happening online this winter
Pigskin Party now through the Superbowl Ravelry Group I’m sponsoring for the 3rd year and also participating.
Vogue Knitting Live Upcoming Vogue Knitting Live @ Home Feb 11-14, Mar18-21. I got tickets for my birthday am taking classes with Bristol Ivy and Alisdair Post-Quinn and I’m very excited.
Stitches At Home Feb 5-7
GGKCS podcast is running their annual winter craftaong starting now through the end of Feb 2021, more details on their Facebook page.
Spa 2021 is virtual, sign up for their mailing list for further details.
If you have any events you’d like me to share please email me windsweptmonique@gmail.com
On the Run
We took our annual New Year’s Day hike. It’s normally a big group event in our town – groups of 30-ish people led by a guide on trails in our town. Of course it was a bit different this year. We hiked by ourselves on a new-to-us trail behind our local agricultural high school. Lovely trail plus the kids loved seeing the cows and horses. Other people on the trail but everyone maintained a safe distance and wore masks.
Belly dancing - great for bad knees and so much fun!
Thursday Dec 03, 2020
89 - Christmas Knitting Done
Thursday Dec 03, 2020
Thursday Dec 03, 2020
Knitting and Running in 30 min or less. Shownotes can be found at windsweptknits.com. You can find me on IG and Ravelry as WindsweptMonique and on Facebook and Twitter as WindsweptKnits.
Ep 89 recorded 12/3/20
Segments this week include: FOs, Wips, Out and About Virtually, On the Run
Note on Ravelry – all links to Ravelry are clearly labelled as such – if a link does not say Ravelry, it does not go to Ravelry. Links to yarn are directly to manufacturer’s pages and should be safe for those still having rav accessibility issues.
FOs
I ended up with lots of FOs this week because I finished my Christmas gift knitting!
The Acadian Shawl (Ravelry), a Christmas gift for my mom in the approximate colors of the Acadian Flag (nous sommes fiere d’etre Acadienne!) I’m using the Goldberry crochet pattern and working it in blue, white and red with accents of yellow. I’ve put a photo of the Acadian flag in the shownotes so you can see it.
Star Wars scarf (Ravelry) for Thing 1 – One section left, plan to finish later today. Still loving the new hexagonal needles from Indian Lake Artisans. I’m using Truboo by Lion Brand, a 100% bamboo yarn in white and dark gray. Pattern is a series of free charts by Jessica Goddard.
Thing 1 Dragon Blanket (Ravelry) – all the pieces are finished, I just need to assemble it.
WIPs
Tan House Brook Shawl (Ravelry) – this is a pattern by Jennifer Lassonde of Down Cellar Studios in the Sekhment base, an alpaca/silk/linen yarn from A Hundred Ravens in the Nevertheless She Persisted colorway that I bought during the virtual Maryland Sheep and Wool. I’m doing a few rows each week
Wenlock (Ravelery) from Tin Can Knits. I used a bunch of scraps in pink, white and yellow for the star pattern at the top, now I’m on to the body and I’ve using a variegated yarn, Cayenne by Feza Yarns, in cool-toned peach-pink-green variegated colorway.
Started a new winter tunic for myself, Galliatt (Ravelry) by JimiKnits – pattern also available on LoveCrafts
Started a new hat as part of the Fasten Off YAL (more on that a little later), the hat is The Opposite of Strict (Ravelry) by That Metzbower Girl Designs and it’s a ponytail hat designed to use scraps. I’m using up the leftovers from the two RBG Dissent Cowls I made earlier this fall.
Out and About Virtually
Lots of fiber events happening online this winter
The first-ever Fasten Off YAL is going on right now. It’s an inclusive yarn-a-long for anyone to join. It is NOT being run on Ravelry so it’s safe to join for those of you having issues with the new site. There’s a website, a Facebook group, a Discord server to chat on and you can post on IG with the hashtag #fastenoffyal More than 90 knit and crochet designers from around the globe are participating. All the included designs are 25% off through 12/5 using code FO2020 and the crafalong portion runs through 12/31/20.
Pigskin Party now through the Superbowl Ravelry Group I’m sponsoring for the 3rd year and also participating.
Vogue Knitting Live Upcoming Vogue Knitting Live @ Home events will be Dec 10-13, and Jan 14-17. I will be attending the January VKL
Stitches At Home December 5,6,12,13.
GGKCS podcast is running their annual winter craftaong starting now through the end of Feb 2021, more details on their Facebook page.
If you have any events you’d like me to share please email me windsweptmonique@gmail.com
On the Run
I was doing really well then I tweaked my knee again last Saturday. Meh. Lots of icing and ibuprofen and I’m staying off it as much as possible. It’s starting to be less cranky.
Sunday Nov 22, 2020
88 Happy Thanksgiving
Sunday Nov 22, 2020
Sunday Nov 22, 2020
Knitting and Running in 30 min or less. Shownotes can be found at windsweptknits.com. You can find me on IG and Ravelry as WindsweptMonique and on Facebook and Twitter as WindsweptKnits.
Ep 88 recorded 11/20/20
Segments this week include: FOs, Wips, Spinning, Out and About, On the Run
Note on Ravelry – all links to Ravelry are clearly labelled as such – if a link does not say Ravelry, it does not go to Ravelry. Links to yarn are directly to manufacturer’s pages and should be safe for those still having rav accessibility issues.
WIPs
The Acadian Shawl (Ravelry), a Christmas gift for my mom in the approximate colors of the Acadian Flag (nous sommes fiere d’etre Acadienne!) I’m using the Goldberry crochet pattern and working it in blue, white and red with accents of yellow. I’ve put a photo of the Acadian flag in the shownotes so you can see it.
Star Wars scarf (Ravelry) for Thing 1 – One section left, plan to finish later today. Still loving the new hexagonal needles from Indian Lake Artisans. I’m using Truboo by Lion Brand, a 100% bamboo yarn in white and dark gray. Pattern is a series of free charts by Jessica Goddard.
Tan House Brook Shawl (Ravelry) - in the Sekhment base, an alpaca/silk/linen yarn from A Hundred Ravens in the Nevertheless She Persisted colorway that I bought during the virtual Maryland Sheep and Wool. I’m doing a few rows each week
Thing 1 Dragon Blanket (Ravelry) – all the pieces are finished, I just need to assemble it.
Ankle socks (Ravelry) – just about to the heel turn. Knitting in CoBaSi by Hikoo.
New WIP, Wenlock (Ravelery) from Tin Can Knits. I used a bunch of scraps in pink, white and yellow for the star pattern at the top, now I’m on to the body and I’ve using a variegated yarn, Cayenne by Feza Yarns, in cool-toned peach-pink-green variegated colorway.
Spinning
Continuing on the last color of my gradient spin so I can count it towards the Pigskin party. I’m spinning 5 minutes a day, or every other day. Slow and steady getting back to using the injured leg.
Out and About
Lots of fiber events happening online this fall
Pigskin Party now through the Superbowl Ravelry Group I’m sponsoring for the 3rd year and also participating.
Vogue Knitting Live Upcoming Vogue Knitting Live events will be Dec 10-13, and Jan 14-17. I almost always attend Vogue Live NYC every January, it’s usually a birthday present from my family as it’s often right around my birthday weekend. This year it’s the weekend after so I’ll probably attend the January event.
Stitches At Home December 5,6,12,13.
If you have any events you’d like me to share please email me windsweptmonique@gmail.com
On the Run
Still not running, but I am biking regularly!
Monday Nov 16, 2020
87- Stress Knitting
Monday Nov 16, 2020
Monday Nov 16, 2020
Knitting and Running in 30 min or less. Shownotes can be found at windsweptknits.com. You can find me on IG and Ravelry as WindsweptMonique and on Facebook and Twitter as WindsweptKnits.
Ep 87 recorded 11/13/20
Segments this week include: FOs, Wips, Spinning, Out and About, On the Run
Note on Ravelry – all links to Ravelry are clearly labelled as such – if a link does not say Ravelry, it does not go to Ravelry. Links to yarn are directly to manufacturer’s pages and should be safe for those still having rav accessibility issues.
Lots of stress knitting the last week, so I have MULTIPLE FOs!
FOs
Dumpster Fire ornament 1 (Ravelry) & ornament 2 (Ravelry) both made in CoBaSi by Hikoo, a blend of cotton, silk, bamboo and nylon. It’s arguably my favorite fingering weight yarn – makes great socks and tank tops. Pattern by Mary Hull of Kino Knits.
Thing 2 hitchiker (Ravelry) – a DK hitchhiker scarf for Thing 2, out of big box store cotton yarn from Michaels. It’s done and blocked and I accidentally left it out after photographing it and Thing 2 told me how much he LOVED the yarn lol. Good kid, it’s for you!
Dissent Cowl 2 (Ravelry) – this is a Christmas gift for a very knitworthy friend. I’m using some ancient stash and I’ve about halfway through the necklace portion of the cowl.
WIPs
New WIP, what I am calling the Acadian Shawl (Ravelry), a Christmas gift for my mom in the approximate colors of the Acadian Flag (nous sommes fiere d’etre Acadienne!) I’m using the Goldberry crochet pattern and working it in blue, white and red with accents of yellow. I’ve put a photo of the Acadian flag in the shownotes so you can see it.
Star Wars scarf (Ravelry) for Thing 1 – more than halfway through the last chart! I’m about 7/8 of the way through. Still loving the new hexagonal needles from Indian Lake Artisans. I’m using Truboo by Lion Brand, a 100% bamboo yarn in white and dark gray. Pattern is a series of free charts by Jessica Goddard.
Tan House Brook Shawl (Ravelry) - in the Sekhment base, an alpaca/silk/linen yarn from A Hundred Ravens in the Nevertheless She Persisted colorway that I bought during the virtual Maryland Sheep and Wool. I’m on the 2nd set of eyelet rows, almost to the 2nd set of textured stitches.
Thing 1 Dragon Blanket (Ravelry) – the second Christmas Snap The Dragon Blanket, this one from my older son. Using deep stash acrylic.
Knitting Fail
I still have a hard time reading crochet.
Spinning
Still no success at a distaff, but I have spun a little more of the Tussah Silk from Pinestar Studios in Maine on my Akerworks drop spindle.
Started the last color of my gradient spin so I can count it towards the Pigskin party
Out and About
Lots of fiber events happening online this fall
Pigskin Party now through the Superbowl Ravelry Group I’m sponsoring for the 3rd year and also participating.
Vogue Knitting Live Upcoming Vogue Knitting Live events will be Nov 12-15, Dec 10-13, and Jan 14-17. I almost always attend Vogue Live NYC every January, it’s usually a birthday present from my family as it’s often right around my birthday weekend. This year it’s the weekend after so I’ll probably attend the January event.
Stitches At Home December 5,6,12,13.
If you have any events you’d like me to share please email me windsweptmonique@gmail.com
On the Run
Still not running, but I’m biking!
Sunday Oct 25, 2020
85- Prepping for Be A Helper Craftalong
Sunday Oct 25, 2020
Sunday Oct 25, 2020
Knitting and Running in 30 min or less. Shownotes can be found at windsweptknits.com. You can find me on IG and Ravelry as WindsweptMonique and on Facebook and Twitter as WindsweptKnits.
Ep 85 recorded 10/23/20
Segments this week include: Be a Helper Craft-a-long prep, Wips, Spinning, Stash, Out and About, On the Run
Note on Ravelry – all links to Ravelry are clearly labelled as such – if a link does not say Ravelry, it does not go to Ravelry. Links to yarn are directly to manufacturer’s pages and should be safe for those still having rav accessibility issues.
Be a Helper Craftalong
For those of you who are new to the podcast, every winter I run the Be A Helper Craftalong, inspired by famous quote from Mister Rogers, that in times of troubles to look for the helpers. This charity-focused craftalong urges people to BE the helper. The rules are very simple:
- Anything you make for any charity counts, doesn’t have to be knit/crochet. ANYthing you make for ANY charity.
- One entry per FO
- Donating blood counts too - post a photo of your bandaid or of you drinking OJ afterwards, something like that.
- Wips are welcome
First up I’d like to talk to you all quickly about the schedule for this year’s craftalong.
Secondly, I will have to adjust how I run the event and track FOs since Ravelry is not safe for everyone to use.
WIPs
Star Wars scarf (Ravelry) for Thing 1 – finished the Death Star and all of Chart 2! Still loving the new hexagonal needles from Indian Lake Artisans. I’m using Truboo by Lion Brand, a 100% bamboo yarn in white and dark gray.
Thing 2 hitchiker (Ravelry) – a DK hitchhiker scarf for Thing 2, out of big box store cotton yarn from Michaels. It’s still my car knitting and knitting a row or 2 most days.
Ankle socks (Ravelry) – Still on the 2nd sock getting closer to the heel. I’m in physical therapy and have been working on it a little before each appointment.
Tan House Brook Shawl (Ravelry) - in the Sekhment base, an alpaca/silk/linen yarn from A Hundred Ravens in the Nevertheless She Persisted colorway that I bought during the virtual Maryland Sheep and Wool. I’m on the 2nd set of eyelet rows, almost to the 2nd set of textured stitches.
Willowbrook Shawl (Ravelry) – by Brenda Castiel in my own handspun cotton. I spun this yarn with fiber from fiber from Hipstrings with this shawl in mind last June during Pride month. I’ve finished the pinks and am on the red in the rainbow handspun.
Dissent Cowl 2 (Ravelry) – this is a Christmas gift for a very knitworthy friend. I’m using some ancient stash and I’ve finished the first dots section and have reached the color band.
Spinning
Still no success at a distaff, but I have spun a little more of the Tussah Silk from Pinestar Studios in Maine
Out and About
Virtual Rhinebeck – this past weekend.
Lots of fiber events happening online this fall
Pigskin Party now through the Superbowl Ravelry Group I’m sponsoring for the 3rd year and also participating.
Vogue Knitting Live Upcoming Vogue Knitting Live eve nts will be Nov 12-15, Dec 10-13, and Jan 14-17. I almost always attend Vogue Live NYC every January, it’s usually a birthday present from my family as it’s often right around my birthday weekend. This year it’s the weekend after so I’ll probably attend the January event.
Stitches Expo at Home – Nov 6-8
If you have any events you’d like me to share please email me windsweptmonique@gmail.com
On the Run
Had an MRI, fun times. Stress fracture is healing though the knee itself is still swollen and sore. No walking for quite a while yet. But once I’m back on my feet I will continue the 100 Mile challenge I was part of.
Saturday Oct 10, 2020
84: Knitting and Injuries in 30 minutes or less
Saturday Oct 10, 2020
Saturday Oct 10, 2020
Ep 84 Knitting and injuries in 30 minutes or less because even in a pandemic we’re all still busy
Segments this week include: FOs, Wips, Stash, Out and About, On the Run
Note on Ravelry – all links to Ravelry are clearly labelled as such – if a link does not say Ravelry, it does not go to Ravelry. Links to yarn are directly to manufacturer’s pages and should be safe for those still having rav accessibility issues.
FO
Dissent Cowl (Ravelry) – my homage to Ruth Bader Ginsburg, pattern by Carissa Browning and together we’ve raised over 30,000 through this pattern for the ACLU. Nice work knitters! I’m using ancient stash yarn. Over halfway through the necklace portion
Thing 2 Dragon Blanket (Ravelry) - I assembled it yesterday while my kids were at school. I modeled it and posted some silly photos on FB/Insta because how often do you get to wear a dragon blanket, complete with spines?!? Thing 2 is going to LOVE it
WIPs
Star Wars scarf (Ravelry) for Thing 1 – started the Millennium Flacon and the Death Star, then it’ll be the Dark Side and some weird alien writing, then the Dark Side is the last third. I’m trying to work 5 rows a day so it’ll be done in time for Christmas. Still loving the new hexagonal needles from Indian Lake Artisans. I’m using Truboo by Lion Brand, a 100% bamboo yarn.
Thing 2 hitchiker (Ravelry) – a DK hitchhiker scarf for Thing 2, out of big box store cotton yarn from Michaels. It’s still my car knitting and knitting a row or 2 most days.
Ankle socks (Ravelry) – Still on the 2nd sock. It lives in my purse so I’ve worked on this a few times waiting in lines.
Pigskin Party Castons:
Tan House Brook Shawl (Ravelry) - in the Sekhment base, an alpaca/silk/linen yarn from A Hundred Ravens in the Nevertheless She Persisted colorway that I bought during the virtual Maryland Sheep and Wool. I;ve started section 3.
Willowbrook Shawl (Ravelry) – by Brenda Castiel in my own handspun cotton. I spun this yarn with fiber from fiber from Hipstrings with this shawl in mind last June during Pride month.
Spinning
New Akerworks lightweight drop spindle – started spinning silk singles again. Won’t be wheel-spinning again for a while, I have a leg injury and am currently awaiting an MRI next week. This is my first spindle from Akerworks. I love their wheel bobbins soooo much, and I had a feeling I’d like their spindles and so far I really do.
Out and About
Lots of fiber events happening online this fall
Pigskin Party now through the Superbowl Ravelry Group I’m sponsoring for the 3rd year and also participating.
Stitches @ Home – put on by the folks XRX the folks who to Stitches East/West/South etc. Continuing Oct 10 and 11.
Virtual Rhinebeck – Oct 15-18 I’ve signed up for 2 classes on crochet to improve my skills and learn how to read a pattern better because the charts are definitely harder to read than knitting charts.
Indie Untangled Everywhere – the popular Rhinebeck-adjacent event for independent dyers is also going digital this year, more than 40 vendors plus access to zoom calls with designers.
Vogue Knitting Live Upcoming Vogue Knitting Live eve nts will be Nov 12-15, Dec 10-13, and Jan 14-17. I almost always attend Vogue Live NYC every January, it’s usually a birthday present from my family as it’s often right around my birthday weekend. This year it’s the weekend after so I’ll probably attend the January event.
If you have any events you’d like me to share please email me windsweptmonique@gmail.com
On the Run
I need an MRI. Damn.
Friday Oct 02, 2020
83-Will Wonders Never Cease?
Friday Oct 02, 2020
Friday Oct 02, 2020
Ep 83 Knitting and running in 30 minutes or less because even in a pandemic we’re all still busy
I’m titling this one “Will Wonders Never Cease?” because I have actually recorded 2 weeks in a row! Once upon a time I had a regular recording schedule, but then my youngest son stopped napping and it’s been chaos ever since lol
Note on Ravelry – all links to Ravelry are clearly labelled as such – if a link does not say Ravelry, it does not go to Ravelry. Links to yarn are directly to manufacturer’s pages and should be safe for those still having rav accessibility issues.
WIPs
Dissent Cowl (Ravelry) – my homage to Ruth Bader Ginsburg, pattern by Carissa Browning and together we’ve raised over 30,000 through this pattern for the ACLU. Nice work knitters! I’m using ancient stash yarn. Over halfway through the necklace portion
Star Wars scarf (Ravelry) for Thing 1 – started the center panel – the center section has weird alien fonts, the Millenium Flacon and the Death Star, then it’ll be the Dark Side. Still loving the new hexagonal needles from Indian Lake Artisans. I’m using Truboo by Lion Brand, a 100% bamboo yarn.
Thing 2 hitchiker (Ravelry) – a DK hitchhiker scarf for Thing 2, out of big box store cotton yarn from Michaels. It’s not my favorite yarn, but it’s machine washable and Thing 2 is 5. It’s still my car knitting and getting a little love most days.
Thing 2 Dragon Blanket (Ravelry) – almost done with this crochet blanket in purple (his favorite color) and green. I literally just need to assemble it.
Ankle socks (Ravelry) – Still on the 2nd sock. It lives in my purse so I’ve worked on this a few times waiting in lines.
Pigskin Party Castons:
Tan House Brook Shawl (Ravelry) - in the Sekhment base, an alpaca/silk/linen yarn from A Hundred Ravens in the Nevertheless She Persisted colorway that I bought during the virtual Maryland Sheep and Wool. I first knit the Tan House Brook shawl a few years back and really enjoyed it, but the shawl disappeared a few months later 😩 so I’m now finally getting around to making another.
Willowbrook Shawl (Ravelry) – by Brenda Castiel in my own handspun cotton. I spun this yarn with fiber from fiber from Hipstrings with this shawl in mind last June during Pride month. It’s my very first chain ply, so I could maintain the rainbow gradient. Since it’s my first chainply, it’s definitely not my best yarn but this shawl is in garter stitch which should hide the worst of my mistakes!
Stash
I attended the virtual FiberWorld festival and made a few purchases
Nomad Yarns Gelato hand dyed cotton/rayon blend in pastel icecream-inspired colorways – sooooo gorgeous! Planning to make a lace crochet top with this..
Watermelon Shawl Ball – Brenda and Heather Yarns - You may be asking, what on earth is a shawl ball? It’s a gradient skein that’s purposely dyed so each color looks visually as large as the others. BaH Yarns shawl balls have more of the outer color so that your shawl will visually balance! I think I’m going to save this skein for my annual Christmas or Birthday caston and a knit a shawl as special treat for myself once the gift knitting is done. I bought their bamboo base, but Brenda and Heather dye both wool and plant fibers and their colorways are FNATASTIC!
Needles from Indian Lake Artisans – these needles are hexagonal wood and I find them very easy to grip – which is great since I have arthritis in 2 fingers. And one awesome thing on their interchangeables is, the cable join swivels on the cord so when you twist your needles, they don’t come unscrewed!
A Great Yarn in Chatham closing, then sold
6 skeins of Universal Yarns Universe Cotton 41%/Linen 42%/Polyamide 8%/Glitter 9% laceweight. I got 3 skeins of Tin, a charcoal gray and 3 skeins of Paper which is a burgundy/Cabernet color. Also picked up a prize for the Be A Helper Craftalong.
Out and About
Lots of fiber events happening online this fall
Pigskin Party now through the Superbowl Ravelry Group I’m sponsoring for the 3rd year and also participating.
Stitches @ Home – put on by the folks XRX the folks who to Stitches East/West/South etc. Oct 3,4, 10 and 11.
Virtual Rhinebeck – Oct 15-18 I’ve signed up for 2 classes on crochet to improve my skills and learn how to read a pattern better because the charts are definitely harder to read than knitting charts.
Indie Untangled Everywhere – the popular Rhinebeck-adjacent event for independent dyers is also going digital this year, more than 40 vendors plus access to zoom calls with designers.
Vogue Knitting Live, Oct 8-11 now open for registration. Upcoming Vogue Knitting Live events will be Nov 12-15, Dec 10-13, and Jan 14-17. I almost always attend Vogue Live NYC every January, it’s usually a birthday present from my family as it’s often right around my birthday weekend. This year it’s the weekend after so I’ll probably attend the January event.
If you have any events you’d like me to share please email me windsweptmonique@gmail.com
On the Run
Knee injury. Lovely.