Episodes
Friday Jun 10, 2022
111 Wearing the Summer Handknits
Friday Jun 10, 2022
Friday Jun 10, 2022
Ep 111 recorded 6/8/22
Segments this week include: Wearables, FO, 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.
Wearbles
It’s been gorgeously warm here, even insanely hot 2 days, so I’ve worn summer handknits.
No Day But Today
Linen Butterflies
Watermelon Shawl
Strawberry Blossoms
Lotus Mandala shawls
FOs
48-st sock for E in red sock yarn, finished the first sock. Allegro by Wisdom Yarns, distributed by Universal Yarns. May be discontinued.
WIPs
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. Nearing the end of Clue 3! This shawl is sooooo much fun to knit.
48-st sock for E in red sock yarn, started toe of 2nd sock on US 2s. Allegro by Wisdom Yarns, distributed by Universal Yarns. May be discontinued.
Mermaid Skirt by Concept Creative, a Ukranian designer. It’s a wonderful pattern and very easy to follow, even for an advanved beginner like me. It looks super fancy but the photos and inks to video tutorials makes it really easy. It’s charted and written out.
Juliana top by Linda’s Craftique, for once worked in the called-for yarn – Neve by Juniper Moon Farms. This pattern is bottom-up. I finished the ribbing and am starting up the body.
Hitchhiker in Lion Brand Shawl In a Ball
Spinning
I’m spinning handspun yarn for the winner of my drawing for the Knitathon. Spun a bit more this week. Fiber is 90’s School Supplies cotton from Hipstrings.
Out and About
Vogue Knitting Live Virtual and June 9-12.
GGKCS podcast started their annual Summer craft-a-long, visit their FB page for more details.
Splash Pad Party with Down Cellar Studio
Stitches at Home Stitches at Home June 11/12 & 18/19, Expo at Home July 8-10. Coming up in person, Stitches So Cal in Pasadena, California November 10-13.
If you have any events you’d like me to share please email me windsweptmonique@gmail.com
I’ve Got Sunshine
Knit in public day is Saturday! Check your local yarn shop. I'll be at March for our Lives in Washington DC while knitting
Sunday Nov 14, 2021
98: Wear all the knits
Sunday Nov 14, 2021
Sunday Nov 14, 2021
Ep 98 recorded 11/12/21
Housekeeping
Calling all test knitters! I have a sleeveless top test knit that starts today. It knits up FAST as it’s a DK gauge. I’m looking for some testknitters to use 2 fingering weight yarns held double and some to use 1 strand of DK that gets gauge. I will be starting up a few testknits soon, all for sleeveless tops. Visit https://www.yarnpond.com/pattern_tests/2615 to learn more and sign up to test knit.
If you’re interested in future test knits 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.
FOs
Purse Socks! Finished the 2nd sock! Bamboo Pop Sock in the Sunset colorway
WIPs
Three new pattern samples, can’t talk about them yet.
Started 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!
Knights who say Knit by LyricalKnits aka Mary Annarella.
Wearables
I have been wearing so much knitting and crochet recently. I forgot to include this segment last week so I’ll cover the last 2-3 weeks here.
the Priestess Coat stitched Rhinebeck– by Morale Fiber in Lion Brand Shawl in a Ball. I’m using the Feng Shui colorway, a grey-to white gradient, for the body of the coat and a variety of jewel tones for the inserts and hood.
Tuesday was quite warm and I wore my Southwoods top (Ravelry) by River Road Knits, I love this top so much. The lace inset at the back is just gorgeous.
We’ve also had colder days and I’ve work the Line Where the Sky Meets the Sea (Ravelry) and Send Me That Horizon (Ravelry) shawls.
I wore the Wenlock sweater (Ravelry) designed by Tin Can Knits which I knit last year in some ancient stash, the discontinued Feza Yarns Cayenne and a variety of scraps for the multi-colored collar.
Captain Marvel shawl
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
Friday Jun 26, 2020
For Spacious Skies
Friday Jun 26, 2020
Friday Jun 26, 2020
Episode 81 - Recorded Thursday, June 26th 2020
New pattern, end of be-a-helper kal, wips, knitting fail, spinning, wearables, out and about and if we have time I’ll do an on the run segment.
New Pattern alert!
As of the time you’re hearing this, I have a new pattern available through Knotions Magazine! The pattern is named For Spacious Skies and is knit using a gorgeous muted red, blue and white colorway from Birdies Knits named Old Glory and a small amount of white yarn for the star.
I found this yarn and this indie dyer at the very first Stitches United in Hartford, CT several years ago. I was so excited – I’d never met a hand-dyer who worked in anything other than wool. Being highly allergic to sheep, wool is not an option for me. This colorway reminded me of 4th of July parades with my grandparents and great-grandmother, of summer beach days and Friday night band concerts at the local park all summer with my family.
The star is worked first, from the center out, then short rows make the circle into a square. The remainder of the top is worked top-down – the bust area is worked back-and forth to the underarm, then the whole piece is joined in the round.
Recommend -1 to -3 inches of ease (negative ease). This means if you’re targeting a 38 bust, that you should choose a 36 (38-2). Bust: 32 - 60” , [81.5 - 152.5) cm]
Be-A-Helper KAL
Last 2 prize winners announced!
WIPs
Laceweight Boxy – Now about 16” long
Papillon – Started 2nd section. Using Berroco Medina that I bought at The Yarn Patch in Crossville, TN last year and a gold Tencel yarn from Artisinal Yarns that I bought at Rhinebeck 2 years ago.
Goldberry – I started a new crochet pattern this week.
Triyang – an old WIP that I started as SSK in 2017, I tend to keep this pattern for travelling and since we have 2 small kids we don’t travel much anymore.
Star Wars scarf for Thing 2 – I’m still working on the Blasters section of the Light Side section.
Ozone Sweater – worked a little on the Ozone Sweater, a crochet sweater, which leads me to…
Knitting Fail
I tried to work on this last Thursday during my stitching group, but apparently I cannot join crochet and talk at the same time. The medallions are linked in 5 places along one side, and I screwed it up 3 times. At the end of 1:45 I had completed (and successfully joined) 1 medallion and started the center of a second. That’s all. In nearly 2 hours.
Spinning
I finished my Pride Month spin! I pulled apart 2 braids from Hipstring’s cotton club from 2019, and spun them color by color to make a rainbow. Then two nights ago I started to learn to chain ply, which I finished yesterday. It’s not my best yarn ever, since it’s my first-ever chain ply, but I’m proud nonetheless.
Wearbles
It’s tank top season finally here in MA so I’ve recently wore my Out Tonight pattern, which is a sleeveless top inspired by the musical Rent. We had a cold windy day last weekend and I wore the Taking Flight shawl, a pattern by Katherine Belisle and inspired by Captain Marvel.
I recently wore my Strawberry Blossoms top, which I still love, but I’ve noticed after washing that the CoBaSi yarn tends to stretch more sideways than vertically when knit in garments. I have an extra skein of the yellow left, so I’m considering pulling out the turned hem, knitting a few extra inches, then re-doing the hem. I’ll let you know if I decide to go ahead with it.
On the Run
No exercise this week, poison ivy sucks
Out and About
Tour de Fleece 1 Sat Jun 27 – Sun Jul 19
Tour de Fleece 2 Sat, Aug 29, 2020 – Sun, Sep 20, 2020
Here in MA we’re slowly opening back up while keeping our new cases of COVID19 low, and I went to a yarn shop! This is my first visit to a LYS since January. I visited @agreatyarn in Chatham, MA, a store I love to visit.
Thursday Jan 23, 2020
72 - All The Tangents
Thursday Jan 23, 2020
Thursday Jan 23, 2020
Episode 72 1/22/20
Be a helper, wips, knitting fail, wearables, pattern stalking, out and about
Be a Helper Craftalong
4th 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 photo in the FO thread
- Donating blood counts too - post a photo of your bandaid or of you drinking OJ afterwards, something like that.
- FO Thread closes when I wake up April 1st.
- Wips are welcome
One more new prize to announce, a pattern from Jennifer Lassonde of Down Cellar Studio! Thanks so much, Jen!
Wips – lots these last 2 weeks!
Preemie hat – about half way through my first for the year.
Aggregate Shawl – I’ve reached the end of the shawl as written, but I have more yarn left. I’m continuing in the pattern as established until I run out of yarn.
Matchy Socks – nearly to the cuff
Dress – The handmade dress I’ve been working on is coming along nicely. I’ve split for armholes and I’m nearly done with the front left strap.
South Woods – started a new sweater for myself, South Woods by River Road Knits . I’m using some old stash yarn for the lace underlayer and my handspun for the main body of the sweater, which leads me to…
Kitting Fail
Be careful not to twist!
Wearables
My birthday weekend was incredibly warm, topping out at 74F (23C) whereas our highs should hover right around freezing. So I wore lots of warm-weather handknits, like one of my Mommy’s Tunic samples and the Lace Sweater 01 from Vogue Knitting Magazine designed by Brooke Nico. Knit this in a cone of 5/2 bamboo from Webs years ago. The pattern is a lace coat, nearly knee-length, and I wore it as a jacket out for my birthday dinner.
Since then, it’s been COLD. I’ve also worn Frosted sweater by Paper Daisy Creations and lots of shawls, including Changing Staircases, Pont du Marais and Use Your Stash Shawls, both designed by me. Also my boys and I have all worn some handknit socks, all made using the Fish Lips Kiss Heel. I;m wearing my Twist and Shout had by Michele duNaier nearly every day. My youngest has worn the Monomoy Sweater several times and wears his Bermuda Hat every day. And I’ve worn the Dancing Dragons Coat – it makes a great indoor layer on super cold days.
Pattern Stalking
Thing 2 want’s a new sweater, another hat, Halloween socks and Christmas socks and I keep thinking about knitting another Hitofude.
Out and About
Wayland Winter Farmers Market Fiber Days – Jan 26 & Mar 1
Boston Farm & fiber Fest – Feb 9
Stitches United - March 26-29, 2020
Wednesday Jan 08, 2020
4th Be A Helper Craftalong
Wednesday Jan 08, 2020
Wednesday Jan 08, 2020
Episode 71 – Be A Helper Craftalong – we’ll go over the (simple) rules and some ideas for what you can make.
Be A Helper Craftalong
4th Be A Helper Craftalong 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 photo in the FO thread
- Donating blood counts too - post a photo of your bandaid or of you drinking OJ afterwards, something like that.
- FO Thread closes when I wake up April 1st.
- Wips are welcome
Prizes
- 1 skein of Sock Yarn from A Great Yarn in Chatham, MA dyed exclusively for them by Hauteknits in the Finest Hours colorway, 75% merino, 25% nylon
- 1 25g skein of Lorna’s Laces Shepherd Sock plus a mini skein of handspun
- Spun to order handspun, by me. I have 2 or 3 colorways that I’ll let the winner choose for me to spin up.
Need some ideas? Check out these charities:
- Preemie Hats – check with your local hospital for yarn requirements. These need to be washed in an industrial strength washing machine so there may be limits, many only accept acrylic/nylon. If your local hospital isn’t accepting hats, Dana from the Unwind Yarn Company collects them from her retreat attendees in the fall and I’ll be happy to collect them and mail them to her with my own in September. Greg, aka Knitting Daddy of the Unraveling podcast also has accepted mailed hats in the past for his local hospital.
- Knitted Knockers– these are prostheses for breast cancer survivors who have not had or cannot have reconstructive surgery. Knockers must be made with plant based yarn – wool is too scratchy on scar tissue – and a list of acceptable yarns is linked in the shownotes available via PDF and there are top down and bottom-up patterns on their website.
- Mother Bears– I learned of this charity from the 2 Knit Lit Chicks who run a Mother Bear KAL every year. These bears provide comfort to children who are victim of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Africa. Mother Bear will snail mail you the knitting or crochet pattern for a small fee. All they ask is that you return the finished bear with $3 to cover the shipping to Africa.
- KnitAid– has USA and UK branches. UK is currently collecting hats, mittens, blankets and water bottle covers. All items must be knit in dark-colored yarn because the recipients will not be able to wash them easily.
- CompassionKnit- Bay Area, CA charity that gives handknit items to foster kids, most of whom have very few belongings of their own. A gift knit especially for them, something a stranger took hours and hours to make just for them, is something they cherish.
- Animal Rescue Craft Guild – knit, crochet or sew Joey pouches, bat wraps, nests, possum pouches, etc for animal survivors of the devastating wildfires in Australia. Before crafting, check the announcements on the FB page (linked in the show notes) as the graphic is updated with what they do and do not need. They work closely with carers and animal rescue groups and update the graphic regularly. Please be aware they currently have plenty of koala mittens but are in need of a lot of other help.
- A Great Yarn in Chatham, MA runs an annual blanket project for the homeless population on Cape Cod. Use any washable worsted-weight yarn to make a panel 1-foot [30cm] by 6 feet [1.8 m] and drop it off or mail it to the shop, mailing address in show notes. Their goal this year is 250 blankets. A Great Yarn 894 Main Street Chatham, MA 02633
- A local homeless shelter or domestic violence shelter. Please check with them before assuming they take items, but many are happy to accept gifts of socks, hats, scarves and mittens especially in the winter.
- Do you have a charity craft idea that you think others would like to hear about? Let me know and I’ll talk about it on a future episode.
Out and About
Wayland Winter Farmers Market Fiber Days – Jan 26 & Mar 1
VKL NYC Jan 16-20
Stitches United - March 26-29, 2020
Knitting Weekend and Fiber Marketplace at Slater Mill - Jan 11 & 12
Boston Farm & fiber Fest – Feb 9
Friday Jan 03, 2020
Impromptu 2020
Friday Jan 03, 2020
Friday Jan 03, 2020
Episode 70
Segments this week include Wips, FOs, Wearables, an Extended Out and About classroom visit, Goals for 2020
Wips
Aggregate Shawl #2 deigned by JimiKnits knit up in Tencel yarn from Artisinal Yarns I bought at Rhinebeck several years ago.
Indie GAL project, turning an old skirt into a dress
A couple of designs I can't talk about
FOs
I finished 7 pairs of socks for Christmas gifts! 5 were kids, 2 grownups. I love knitting gifts but I think I need to dial it back a little next year.
Wearbles
All the hand knits! Winter has certainly arrived, I’m wearing hats daily, all the shawls, seaters such as Frosted by Lisa K Ross and Second Grace by Bristol Ivy
Out and About
Wayland Winter Farmers Market Fiber Days – Jan 26 & Mar 1
VKL NYC Jan 16-20
Stitches United - March 26-29, 2020
2nd grade class visit - teaching my son's class about how clothes are made by hand. Boy do they appreciate being able to go to a store!
Goals for 2020
More design work, submit more designs to publications also, take time to knit myself stuff
Fitness goals – realistic goals, go from 8 miles to 20 miles in the pool, eat more vegetables, hike a couple of times a month
New Years Day hike
Tuesday Dec 03, 2019
69 - Winter Yuck
Tuesday Dec 03, 2019
Tuesday Dec 03, 2019
Episode 69 Winter Yuck
I’m sitting in my new office in the middle of a 36-hour crazy storm. Currently alternating between snow and sleet and I’m wrapped in several handknits so it’s a good time to record. I should preface this – both kids are home and the cats are awake so we’ll see how well this recording goes…
Indy GAL 2019
It’s GAL time! By the time this goes live the GAL sale will be done, but the knit-a-long/crochet-a-long will be in full sweing and it runs through December 31st! There are over 200 very talented indy designers participating. Each designer has to have at least 20 self-published paid-for patterns. There are a lot of incredibly talented designers participating and looking through the threads at the patterns available has been a wonderful rabbit hole to go down.
All eligble patterns click on Advanced Search then Patterns By These Designers to see the 22,000+ patterns that are eligible for the knitalong part.
4th Be A Helper Craft A Long
Dec 15th – Feb 28th. Anything you make for any charity or donating blood. One FO/blood donation photo per post in the FO thread please (a photo of your bandaid or a selfie sipping OJ is fine). This year there will additional chat participation prizes! More details on the craftalong next week, but I wanted to get this info out there for you.
Upcoming Test Knits
2 upcoming test knits, both for shawls. 1 is a garter st shawl with a simple cable, the second is another shawl designed to use up scraps.
http://www.windsweptknits.com/testknitters/
Wips
2ndAggregate shawl in Artisinal Yarn’s 100% Tencel from Rhinebeck 2 years ago
Starting the bodice of a dress. Knit part of the Evenstar circular shawl as a skirt several years ago. As part of the GAL I bought 2 bottom-up tank top patterns and I’m using one as the bodice of the dress.
Christmas socks for mom in Regia Tutti Frutti 2, cotton/elastic yarn in the Watermelon colorway
Making progress on my Star Wars costume – about 15 inches in out of 120.
Wearables
Currently wearing Changing Staircases by DragonHoard Yarns in Fiber Lady’s Mousou, 100% bamboo yarn.
Wore Frosted by Paper Daisy Creations to Frozen 2 – gradient snowflakes
Second Grace by Bristol Ivy, colorwork yoke all in Berocco Modern Cotton
Wednesday Nov 20, 2019
68 - Send Me That Rhinebeck Recap
Wednesday Nov 20, 2019
Wednesday Nov 20, 2019
Episode 68 recording on 11/20/19 today’s segments include New Patterns, Wips, FOs, Wearables and Rhinebeck Recap.
Pattern Release
Send Me That Horizon launched on Monday.
I’ve always loved the sea. I grew up near the ocean, with both sets of grandparents living a few dozen feet from the water. Playing on the beach, listening to the waves, sailing on a boat, hiking along ocean-side cliffs – I love anything involving the sea. But nothing is the same as being far from shore with no land in sight. I love seeing the horizon taper off to meet the ocean waves; so when I first watched the original Pirates of the Caribbean movie and Captain Jack Sparrow looked into the distance and murmured “Send me that horizon” under his breath my heart sang. I know that feeling, I love that feeling, and with this shawl I want you to experience it too.
While working on the waves, I wanted to create something easier than I’m perhaps known for. Yes, I realize that I’m known for patterns with complicated sections, because that’s what I like to knit. But with this pattern I wanted something that you could take on an airplane or to a retreat, or that a beginning knitter could knit and learn new skills. One of my test knitters was even a beginning knitter and he did a great job!
Use code PODCAST to get 25% off the pattern on Ravelry, that’s coupon code PODCAST and that is bigger discount than the one listed in the pattern. Enjoy!
Wips
Just started a new pair of socks for mom for Christmas, still on the toe of the first sock.
I’ve started a new project just for me.
2nd Aggregate Shawl by JimiKnits, this one in Tencel yarn from Rhinebeck 2 years ago from Artisinal Yarns.
FOs
3 socks, Christmas socks for Thing 1 and Thing 2 and also a pair for my maid of honor all from Regia's Tutti Frutti II
Hitchhiker by Martina Behm.
Wearables
All The Shawls. SO cold and wet – “Novembruary”.
Both of the Changing Staircases, by Dragon Hoard Yarns, Hitchhiker by Martina Behm. At Rhinebeck I wore Frosted by Lisa K Ross with my Pont du Marais shawl, and day 2 I wore Second Grace by Bristol Ivy with my Taking Flight Captain Marvel shawl.
Related – I’m mad that I can’t find my Tan House Brooke Shawl, a pattern by Jennifer Lassonde of Down Cellar Studios. I’ve looked everywhere and just cannot find it. Maybe I’ll have to knit another.
Rhinebeck Recap
All the fun for 2 whole days!
Wednesday Oct 16, 2019
67- Getting Ready for Rhinebeck
Wednesday Oct 16, 2019
Wednesday Oct 16, 2019
Episode 67 – Get Ready for Rhinebeck
Segments this week include – Wips, FOs, Knitting Fail, Wearables and Out and About – getting ready for Rhinebeck edition
Quick reminder, Pont du Marais shawl is on sale for podcast listeners – use code FOG to get 30% off through Friday, 10/18
Wips
Christmas socks for Thing 2 – finished 1st, turned heel this morning for 2nd.
A few rows on the latest Hitchhiker – then I put it down and decided to save it for Rhinebeck Knitting.
FOs
Taking Flight – done and blocking, needs ends woven in
Knitting Fail
What happens when you finish a sock at Legoland... and have nothing to cut the yarn so you can start the 2nd?
Wearables
Mommy’s Tunic – one of my patterns, knit in the discontinued Be Sweet Bamboo. Wore this on a recent warm day
Empire Tunic by Lily Go made in discontinued Frog Tree Picoboo, a cotton bamboo blend. ¾ sleeve tunic that crosses over the bust, perfect for the in-between fall weather and leggings
Changing Staircases 2 – designed by Dragon Hoard Yarns and knit up in Great Adirondack Yarn bamboo/cotton blend that I picked up at Rhinebeck last year
Changing Staircases – knit up in Fiber Lady’s Mousou 100% Bamboo
Out and About
Rhinebeck! New York Sheep & Wool Starts Thursday 10/17 – Sunday 10/20 at the Dutchess County Fairgrounds in Rhinebeck, NY. In a minute I’m going to go over some Tips For First Timers, but first lets do logistics. I will be there Saturday and Sunday likely almost all day both days. Feel free to stop me and say “Hi!” if you see me. On Saturday I will be at the Ravelry Meetup at noon on The Hill, and at the Podcaster meetup at 1, also on The Hill. On Sunday I will be at the Leaping Llama Contest in Bldg 34 at 11:15, and possibly at the Ravelry Meetup right afterwards, depending on timing. The rest of the time I’ll be walking around, shopping, knitting, spinning and soaking up the general awesomeness.
Terminology – I’ve already used some words you might not understand if you haven’t been before
- The Hill – there are several small hills on the property and this confused me so much the first year I went. Look at the fairgrounds map – The Hill is just above the petting zoo. It’s a wide open hillside where lots of folks can gather
- The Buildings – shorthand for Buildings A, B, C, D and 41 which is really one large building divided into sections. Sometimes also refers to Building E, the food hall
- The Barns – a group of much smaller, free standing, well, barns, on the far side from The Buildings. Building 22 has Upper and Lower levels (separate entrances), the rest are all 1 story
Food – lines are crazy from 11:30 to 2 – eat before or after if you can.
Seating – there are lots of places to sit, scattered around. However, if you have issues with mobility, bring a chair in your car and have someone in your party go get it for you. The paths or paved, but the fairground is all small hills. Sit down if you need to, it’s not worth getting hurt.
Bags – try not to bring a backpack. I made this mistake the first year, and you keep bumping into people by accident, it’s not worth it.
Book Signings & Author Talks – lots of fiber authors there, check out the link in the shownotes and make a note of who you want to see.
On a related note – Make A List On Paper! - Check out the list of vendors (link to searchable page) Cell phone signal is spotty. Don’t count on having it – write down what you want to do, what time it is and where it is. Speaking of spotty cell signal – it affects the vendors too. If you have cash you won’t be stuck waiting while the vendor tries to process your card – and some of the bigger vendors will have a fast Cash-Only line.
What am I bringing?
- Purse & 2 resuable shopping bags
- Water bottles – large one for the car, smaller one for carrying around in my purse.
- Larabars or healthy snack to combat the junkfood lol
- Cash
- Easy knitting – hitchhiker or a sock or both for walking around
- Intermediate knitting for hanging out with friends and dinner, etc
- Drop spindle and fiber
- Folding Chair
- Spinning Wheel & fiber for if I get tired and need to sit for a while
What am I wearing?
Haven’t decided yet, probably my Frosted sweater by Lisa K Ross or Dancing Dragons Coat by Heike Campbell over a Mommy’s Tunic or Second Grace by Bristol Ivy. I’ll probably have a shawl each day as well and maybe a hat or mitts. I’ll have layers underneath to keep warm because I am always cold. I will probably wear warm, well-loved boots the first day and sneakers the second
Friday Apr 26, 2019
62 - Walk
Friday Apr 26, 2019
Friday Apr 26, 2019
Episode 62 – Thanks for tuning in! Trying the mic in a new location today so hopefully the sound quality will continue improving.
Announcements
First, new pattern launch! Last Saturday I released the new Strawberry Blossoms pattern. This pattern is very dear to me. As you may remember, I hurt my hand last year and for a while I couldn’t knit at all, let alone design knitwear. But like the wild yellow strawberries that grow in my backyard in the worlds worst soil (shady, acidic, clay) I hung on. Not just clinging to the soil, I’m back and I’m blooming! If you’re interested in this pattern listen to the episode for a special listeners-only discount code!
Test Knitters Wanted
Go to http://www.windsweptknits.com/patterns/test-knitters/ to subscribe to my test knitters email list – I promise to never sell your data or to spam you; you will only be contacted about upcoming test knitting opportunities.
This week I will be starting a test knit for a laceweight shawl that is stockinette st and simple lace. The lace is a 4-row repeat that is very easy to remember. So easy, in fact, that this shawl became my knitting of choice for my kids’ karate and swimming lessons. Shawl was inspired by the musical Rent, which had a huge impact on me as a teen.
2nd is a laceweight cowl, heading to the tech editor today. This one has a lot of meaning too. A few years back, a dear friend was diagnosed with cancer. My then-4-year-old and I together designed this cowl for her. I pulled out all my silk yarn and let him pick the yarn. Then the two of us poured through my stitch dictionaries and he picked an arrowhead lace pattern. I knit it up and gave it to her to keep warm and strong during her treatments. Fast forward to this year and I’ve adapted that original pattern to have a second, longer size for those who like to double-wrap their cowls or wear them long.
FOs
2 preemie hats, both in Berocco Comfort Sock. One held single, one held double.
Wips
Another preemie hats, one held single, one held double and both in Berocco Comfort Sock
2 shawl samples on the needles, can’t share too much yet. One is inspired by the swirling fog in my grandparent’s village, the other is a new use-up-your-stash shawl.
Wearables
Spring has fighting to warm up, but it’s not totally successful. Still wearing a lot of shawls to keep the chill away. Rhinebeck, murder mystery knit along, tan house brook, changing staircases,
Out and About
- I will be at: CT sheep and wool April 27 Vernon, CT
- I will not be at: Sheepshearing festival, Gore Place, April 27th, Waltham, MA
Not sure yet about attending these:
- NH SHeel & Wool May 11-12
- Wool Days, Old Sturbridge Village, May 25-27
- MA sheep and woolcraft fair, May 25 Cummington, MA
Will be attending
- September – Into the Wool Fiber Retreat in Tennessee
On the Run
Still in PT but lots of walking