Episodes
Sunday Mar 13, 2022
105 Lots of WIPs
Sunday Mar 13, 2022
Sunday Mar 13, 2022
Ep 105 recorded 3/9/22
Be A Helper Craftalong - ends March 15!
One change this year – due to ongoing accessibility issues on Ravelry, I’ll hold this event both on and off Ravelry. Last year we just used a Google Form and that was hard for some folks, so this year there will be a chat thread and an FO thread on Rav, and for non-Rav users I’ll have a google form where you can link to your IG/FB/Twitter post showing your FO
Ravelry Link - click here to visit Ravelry.
Link to submit your Finished Object/blood donation: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf08z2uqelVGeUBkm0fofQGveThChBBZzaMvNsRdlPlMzhbgA/viewform?usp=sf_link
FOs
Lots of crochet cleansing pads. Not using a pattern, made up my own.
A crochet bag to hold dirty cleansing pads in my bathroom – also just made up a pattern.
WIPs
Recalibrate Top by Shana Lines using Nomad Yarn’s hand dyed cotton/rayon Gelato yarn. I’m using 6 colors, strawberry, orange, lemon, pistachio, blueberry and lavender. This has been my stress knitting since Russia invaded Ukraine so I’ve gotten a LOT on this done. The right side is growing steadily.
Earthrise, a new pattern of mine inspired by the famous Nasa photo when the astronauts first circled behind the moon and came around back towards earth and photographed the earth rising over the surface of the moon. It’s an awe-inspiring photo. I’m working on the sample, it’s a simple circular shawl, a great first circular shawl. There’s a little very easy lace but nothing complicated. If you can YO and K2tog you can knit this easily. I’m using silk and silkblend yarn that is so soft on my fingers but still affordable. This pattern seems rather appropriate to be knitting right now
My second Lotus Mandala using sparkly leftovers from the Priestess Coat I crocheted last year. At the moment I plan to use all scraps of Lion Brand Shawl In A Ball. I’m nearly to the armholes.
As you Wish MKAL by Mary Annarella of Lyrical Knits. This is a Princess Bride themed mystery knitalong that will eventually result in a rectangular shawl. I’m nearly halfway through Clue 1.
Winona by Brenda Castiel in handspun from Hipstrings. This is an L-shaped shawl and I’ve reached the corner of the L which is worked like an applied-edging.
Spinning
I’ve spinning handspun yarn for the winner of my drawing for the Knitathon. Cranky knees mean slow going, but I’m putting in about 15 minutes a day in 5-min segments.
I’m also spinning some plain cotton once or twice a week, because I don’t have enough handspun to finish the As You Wish shawl.
Out and About
Vogue Knitting Live Vogue Knitting Live @ Home Mar 17-20.
GGKCS podcast is having their annual Sheepy Spring AL, visit their FB page for more details.
Stitches at Home April 2 & 3; 9 & 10, 2022
CT Sheep and Wool April 30, 2022 – I will be attending! At least for the morning. I plan to get there when it opens at 9 and stay until around lunchtime, give or take. A trip to this festival and to Webs is my Mother’s Day gift from my family.
NH Sheep and Wool May 14 & 15, 2022 – I probably won’t make it.
If you have any events you’d like me to share please email me windsweptmonique@gmail.com
I’ve Got Sunshine
Took J to Ukranian support rally
Monday Mar 07, 2022
104 - wow
Monday Mar 07, 2022
Monday Mar 07, 2022
Ep 104 recorded 3/2/22
Segments this week include: Be A Helper Craft A Long, FOs, Wips, Out and About, and I’ve Got Sunshine. A note on showlinks – all links to Ravelry are clearly labelled as such and all links for yarn are directly to the dyer’s website.
Be A Helper Craftalong
2 weeks to go – please note Ukrainian charities do not need goods or handmade items from the USA. It takes too much effort and cost to ship them to Ukraine. If you can, please donate instead to vetted charities. There are several with boots on the ground such as World Central Kitchen, Save the Children, Doctors Without B orders, Ukrainian Red Cross, Nova Ukraine.
6th 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 per submission
- Donating blood counts too!
- Contest ends when I wake up March 15 and close the form/thread.
- Wips are always welcome
- Partial FOs count, for example if you make a blanket strip and your local yarn shop sews them together to make full blankets, count your blanket strip.
One change this year – due to ongoing accessibility issues on Ravelry, I’ll hold this event both on and off Ravelry. Last year we just used a Google Form and that was hard for some folks, so this year there will be a chat thread and an FO thread on Rav, and for non-Rav users I’ll have a google form where you can link to your IG/FB/Twitter post showing your FO.
Link to submit your Finished Object/blood donation: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf08z2uqelVGeUBkm0fofQGveThChBBZzaMvNsRdlPlMzhbgA/viewform?usp=sf_link
FOs
Knights Who Say Knit by Mary Annarella of Lyrical Knits – finished, finished, finished. I brought it to my stitching night and wove in most of the ends, finishing the next day. Bloxking could be a problem with one yarn that ran when blocking. Color catcher?
Lotus Mandala Vest by Morale Fiber, crochet vest. A round vest with armholes. I’m using scraps of Lion Brand Truboo, Berroco Modern Cotton and the discontinued Kertzer Down To Earth Cotton
WIPs
Recalibrate Top by Shana Lines using Nomad Yarn’s hand dyed cotton/rayon Gelato yarn. This has been my stress knitting since Russia invaded Ukraine so I’ve gotten a LOT on this done. Finished left side and joined with “sleeve”, started right side – more in Knitting Fail.
Earthrise, a new pattern of mine inspired by the famous Nasa photo when the astronauts first circled behind the moon and came around back towards earth and photographed the earth rising over the surface of the moon. It’s an awe-inspiring photo.
I started a second Lotus Mandala during the Knitathon in sparkly leftovers from the Priestess Coat I crocheted last year.
Papillon/Butterfly shawl by MarinJa Knits, I finished section 19
As you Wish MKAL by Mary Annarella of Lyrical Knits. This is a Princess Bride themed mystery knitalong that will eventually result in a rectangular shawl.
Winona by Brenda Castiel in handspun from Hipstrings
I’ve started spinning handspun yarn for the winner of my drawing for the Knitathon. Cranky knees mean slow going, but I’m putting in about 15 minutes a day in 5-min segments.
Knitting Fail
Recalibrate top – issues! Issues with me, not the pattern.
Out and About
Vogue Knitting Live Vogue Knitting Live @ Home Mar 17-20.
GGKCS podcast is having their annual Sheepy Spring AL, visit their FB page for more details.
Stitches at Home Stitches West in person Mar 3-6 2022.
CT Sheep and Wool April 30, 2022
NH Sheep and Wool May 14 & 15, 2022
If you have any events you’d like me to share please email me windsweptmonique@gmail.com
I’ve Got Sunshine
There’s no I’ve got Sunshine this week, just a plea to please help your fellow humans.
Friday Feb 25, 2022
103 - So Many WIPs
Friday Feb 25, 2022
Friday Feb 25, 2022
Ep 103 recorded 2/16/22
A note on showlinks – all links to Ravelry are clearly labelled as such and all links for yarn are directly to the dyer’s website.
Be A Helper Craftalong
One month to go!
6th 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 per submission
- Donating blood counts too!
- Contest ends when I wake up March 15 and close the form/thread.
- Wips are always welcome
- Partial FOs count, for example if you make a blanket strip and your local yarn shop sews them together to make full blankets, count your blanket strip.
One change this year – due to ongoing accessibility issues on Ravelery, I’ll hold this event both on and off Ravelry. Last year we just used a Google Form and that was hard for some folks, so this year there will be a chat thread and an FO thread on Rav, and for non-Rav users I’ll have a google form where you can link to your IG/FB/Twitter post showing your FO.
Link to submit your Finished Object/blood donation: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf08z2uqelVGeUBkm0fofQGveThChBBZzaMvNsRdlPlMzhbgA/viewform?usp=sf_link
Prizes
A set of mini skeins from Unwind Yarn Company – especially exciting as Dana does not dye anymore.
Jen Lassonde of Downcellar Studio has very generously offered one of her patterns and a skein of yarn, thank you Jen!
FOs
Knights Who Say Knit by Mary Annarella of Lyrical Knits, a really fun Monty Python and the Holy Grail inspired pattern. The knitting is done but I have about 100 ends to weave in.
WIPs
Recalibrate Top by Shana Lines using Nomad Yarn’s hand dyed cotton/rayon Gelato yarn. I’m half way through the back panel in the yellow Gelato.
Earthrise, a new pattern of mine.
Lotus Mandala Vest by Morale Fiber, crochet vest.
Started a second Lotus Mandala during the Knitathon
Papillon/Butterfly shawl by MarinJa Knits
I’ve started spinning handspun yarn for the winner of my drawing for the Knitathon last weekend Out and About
Vogue Knitting Live Vogue Knitting Live @ Home Feb 17-20 and Mar 17-20. Vogue Knitting Live in person in NYC is cancelled for 2022 but will be back Feb 9-12 2023
GGKCS podcast is having their annual Winter AL, visit their FB page for more details.
Stitches at Home Stitches West in person Mar 3-6 2022.
CT Sheep and Wool April 30, 2022
NH Sheep and Wool May 14 & 15, 2022
If you have any events you’d like me to share please email me windsweptmonique@gmail.com
I’ve Got Sunshine
Last weekend I participated in the Knit For Food Knitathon last weekend – we raised over $270,000!!! Crafters are amazing people and when we come together we can do amazing things. <3
Friday Feb 11, 2022
102 New Month, New Year
Friday Feb 11, 2022
Friday Feb 11, 2022
Ep 102 recorded 2/9/22
Knit For Food Knitathon THIS WEEKEND
https://givebutter.com/knitforfood22/moniqueleonard
Update as of posting this episode - over $181,000! Please donate! Help put us over $200K
Be A Helper Craftalong - Just over a month to go!
6th 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 per submission
- Donating blood counts too!
- Contest ends when I wake up March 15 and close the form/thread.
- Wips are always welcome
- Partial FOs count, for example if you make a blanket strip and your local yarn shop sews them together to make full blankets, count your blanket strip.
One change this year – due to ongoing accessibility issues on Ravelery, I’ll hold this event both on and off Ravelry. Last year we just used a Google Form and that was hard for some folks, so this year there will be a chat thread and an FO thread on Rav, and for non-Rav users I’ll have a google form where you can link to your IG/FB/Twitter post showing your FO.
Link to submit your Finished Object/blood donation: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf08z2uqelVGeUBkm0fofQGveThChBBZzaMvNsRdlPlMzhbgA/viewform?usp=sf_link
Prizes
A set of mini skeins from Unwind Yarn Company – especially exciting as Dana does not dye anymore.
Jen Lassonde of Downcellar Studio has very generously offered one of her patterns and a skein of yarn, thank you Jen!
One skein of yarn - currently a mystery thanks to shipping delays.
FOs
A sample I can’t talk about, I finished it December 30th and very proud of it
Star Wars scarf for Thing 2
WIPs
Recalibrate Top by Shana Lines using Nomad Yarn’s hand dyed cotton/rayon Gelato yarn. I’m half way through the back panel in the yellow Gelato.
Knights Who Say Knit by Mary Annarella of Lyrical Knits, a really fun Monty Python and the Holy Grail inspired pattern.
Earthrise, a new pattern of mine inspired by the famous Nasa photo
Swatching for 4 new patterns, keep your ears peeled about those.
Papillon/Butterfly shawl by MarinJa Knits
Out and About Virtually
Vogue Knitting Live Vogue Knitting Live @ Home Feb 17-20 and Mar 17-20. Vogue Knitting Live in person in NYC is cancelled for 2022 but will be back Feb 9-12 2023
GGKCS podcast is having their annual Winter AL, visit their FB page for more details.
Down Cellar Studio’s Pigskin party is ending this weekend – be sure to get your points in.
Stitches at Home Feb 12-13, Stitches West in person Mar 3-6 2022.
If you have any events you’d like me to share please email me windsweptmonique@gmail.com
I’ve Got Sunshine
My 6-year old helped me plan the garden this year.
Wednesday Dec 08, 2021
The Big 100
Wednesday Dec 08, 2021
Wednesday Dec 08, 2021
Apologies for my voice, I’ve been fighting a virus for a week.
Housekeeping
Still looking for testknitters! Visit https://www.yarnpond.com/pattern_tests/2615 to learn more and sign up to test knit.
A second testknit for a sleeveless top in fingering weight yarn will be starting soon.
If you’re interested in future test knits please join my test knitter mailing list at http://www.windsweptknits.com/testknitters/
6th annual Be A Helper Craft A Long starts on December 15th! Next week’s episode will go over all the details, including prizes!
And now for something completely different. Since this is my 100th episode I wanted to give back to other designers in our community. I put out a call to other designers in the GAL and the YAL and asked anyone who wanted to, to please answer the question “who are you, where can we find you and why do you design?”
Designers You Are Hearing From Today
Knit Eco Chic
www.knitecochic.com
payhip
Ravelry
Lovecrafts (loveknitting)
Christelle Nihoul
Here are my SM profile:
On Ravelry: ChristalLittleK or Christelle Nihoul
On Instagram : @christallkdesigns
On FB : My page : ChristalLK
And my website : www.christallk.com
Artesanitarium Designs
My instagram is: https://www.instgram.com/artesanitarium and my Ravelry page is: Ravelry: Designs by Artesanitarium Designs
Nailya Plaskey
Sunday Nov 07, 2021
97 Time time time
Sunday Nov 07, 2021
Sunday Nov 07, 2021
Ep 97 recorded 11/5/21
Hello, life is a bit crazy. With the kids in school full times this year I’ve been taking classes and time is a little short but I needed to record an episode for you folks.
Housekeeping
I will be starting up a few testknits soon, all for sleeveless tops. If you’re interested please join my test knitter mailing list at http://www.windsweptknits.com/testknitters/ - if on this list you will only get emails related to test knitting, nothing else. I’ll be having 3 or 4 test knits starting up in the next few months with yarn ranging from fingering to DK and I’d love to have you join.
Be A Helper Craft-a-long
6th annual craftalong is back this year! Dec 15- Feb 28.
Anything you make for any charity counts, doesn’t have to be knit/crochet/woven or spun. ANYthing you make for ANY charity.
• One entry per FO, submission of the Rav forum or to the google form – link coming soon.
• Donating blood counts too
• Google Form closes when I wake up March 1.
• Wips are welcome
FOs
I finished the Priestess Coat before Rhinebeck– by Morale Fiber in Lion Brand Shawl in a Ball
WIPs
Purse Socks! 2nd sock knitting fail, but I've receovered
Three new pattern samples, can’t talk about them yet.
Swatched for a new sweater the Recalibrate Top by Shana Lines using Nomad Yarn’s hand dyed cotton/rayon Gelato yarn.
Star Wars scarf for Thing 2 – I’m halfway!
Out and About Virtually
Vogue Knitting Live Vogue Knitting Live @ Home Nov 11-14.
GGKCS podcast is having their annual Autumnal AL, visit their FB page for more details.
Down Cellar Studio’s Pigskin party is up and running. You can participate on Instagram or on Ravelry and I’m linking to Boston Jen’s website which has the details and the signup page. I am both a sponsor and a participant again this year and it’s lots of fun.
Stitches at Home Nov 6,7, 13 and 14
If you have any events you’d like me to share please email me windsweptmonique@gmail.com
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!