Episodes
Friday Sep 25, 2020
82: Laptop = Podcast!
Friday Sep 25, 2020
Friday Sep 25, 2020
I'm back!!! I have a new laptop so now I can record!!!
Ep 82 Knitting and running in 30 minutes or less
Segments this week include: FOs, Wips, Out and About, On the Run
Shownotes originally written in early August when my laptop died! I just got a new laptop and so the podcast is back! Not sure if it will be weekly or bi-weekly, it depends on my kid’s school schedules. They are both hybrid at the moment but if things go sideways that could change at a moment’s notice. I live outside Boston and after getting hit hard at first we’ve kept our numbers down. Most people are behaving sensibly, wearing masks, staying 6 feet apart and trying hard to prevent the spread of COVID.
Note on Ravelry – all rav project links in the show notes are labelled. Links to yarn are directly to manufacturer’s pages and should be safe for those still having rav accessibility issues. Now that I have a laptop I can start getting my patterns on PayHip – they are already available on LoveCrafts so there is already a Ravelry alternative.
FO
empower People (Ravelry) cowl/handband – I knit my purple cowl/handband to encourage folks to vote. I used a discontinued bamboo yarn that was dyed in South Africa by women paid a fair wage.
Goldberry (Ravelry) - first crochet shawl is complete! I’m about to start a 2nd lol both will/are crocheted in Feza Baby Handdyed
WIPs
Laceweight Boxy (Ravelry) – I split for the shoulders! So excited. Haven’t worked on it in at least a month so it won’t be ready to wear this fall, but it will be for Spring. Using handdyed lace-weight bamboo yarn from Spinnaway Farms that I bought at Rhinebeck years ago.
Papillon (Ravelry) – About 1/3 way through 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.
Triyang (Ravelry) – 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. Now with COVID19 we’re not traveling at all, so I’m pulling this project back into rotation because I really enjoy this pattern. I’m knitting it up in Araucania Yumbrel, a discontinued lace-weight cotton variegated yarn. When done it’ll have around 2000 yards, probably won’t finish until next year.
Star Wars scarf (Ravelry) for Thing 1 – Just finished the Light Side, which is /3 of the shawl. Center section has Millenium Flacon and Death Star, then it’ll be the Dark Side. I’ve switched to new hexagonal needles I ordered from Indian Lake Artisans and I find it much easier on my hands so I can knit more rows on it. For some reason with double knitting, my left had has a death grip on the needles, but the wooden hex needles hold the slippery bamboo better. I’m using Truboo by Lion Brand, a 100% bamboo yarn.
Thing 2 hitchiker (Ravelry) – a DK hitchhiker scarf for Thing 2, since I;m knitting a scarf for Thing 1. It’s in a variegated yarn from a big box store in purple, yellow, green and tan. This is now my car knitting. It’s getting a little love daily at school drop off and pick up, because of course my kid’s schedules are different.
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. It’s for Thing 2 for Christmas, it’s a blanket with a hood, spines and claws that you can wear. Yes I’ll be making one in red for Thing 1 too. These blankets are/will be in deep acrylic stash, some much older than my kids!
Ankle socks (Ravelry) – I’m now on the 2nd sock. It’s living in my purse but since we rarely leave the house it doesn’t see a lot of love. Socks knit in CoBaSi by Hikoo, a wool-free sock yarn made of cotton, bamboo, silk and nylon, in a variegated turquoise and blue colorway. I started these on the cruise back before the pandemic started because this yarn reminded me of beautiful Caribbean waters.
Out and About
Pigskin Party 6:05 Saturday – Down Cellar Studio website, Ravelry Group
FiberWorld back in August, so much fun!
Tour de Fleece just ended, 2 Sat, Aug 29, 2020 – Sun, Sep 20, 2020
Vogue Knitting Live, Oct 8-11 – I think this is the 3rd online vogue live? I have not attended personally but know several who have and loved it. I might get tickets to this one as obviously January in NYC is not going to happen.
If you have any events you’d like me to share please email me windsweptmonique@gmail.com
On the Run
Well, I’ve definitely put on the COVID 19 so I’m trying to get back in shape
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.
Wednesday Jun 10, 2020
80 - Let's Be Real
Wednesday Jun 10, 2020
Wednesday Jun 10, 2020
Recorded Wednesday 6/10/20
Let’s start with the basics: black live matter. Black people should matter just as much as any other person but the fact is, in American society, they do not.
If you have any doubts about that I am including a link to an old video of Jane Elliot that you should watch. I think all white folks should watch it, it’s only 1 minute and I wager a few of you have seen the clip before. But it speaks volumes.
The fight is not over. We still have work to. Vote, support businesses, make donations if you can, write to your lawmakers, sign petitions. Not all of us are able to attend protests but there’s a lot we can do. Most importantly educate yourself. Listen. I will be donating 50% of the profits from my self-published patterns for the month of June to the Southern Poverty Law Center who work to combat racism across the country. I also personally donated to Black Girls Code, a group who supports black women in computer science. Many of you may know that my background is in computer science, I have a BS in computer science from St Michael’s College and a MSc in Computing and Internet Studies from King’s College London, UK. My field really, really needs diversification. For undergrad I was one of two girls in my grade in my major and there were no black folks at all. I know it’s changed some in the past 15 years, but our field needs to change more, so I’m putting my money where my mouth is.
Also you may have noticed sound quality has changed. My husband surprised me with a new podcast mic for mother’s day, it arrived a few weeks after and I am finally recording with it today. Also Cally the deaf cat is here.
FOs
South Woods - pattern by River Road Knits. First handspun sweater complete! So proud of it. Great fit. I want to make a sleeveless version of this.
Aggregate 2 – Pattern by JimiKnits. Knit in Tencel yarn by Artisinal yarns. Kinda want to start another already. Love this pattern.
Go With the Flo shawl – pattern by Jennifer Lassonde Designs, knit in handspun.
WIPs
Sassy Wrapitude – Part of the Wrapitude collection by Megan Williams, Just Run Knit. Using yellow CoBaSi by Hikoo and bamboo/cotton blend dyed in peachy oranges with speckles of pink and yellow from Great Adirondack Yarn that I bought at Rhinebeck. On section 8, lace.
Laceweight Boxy – Now about 14” 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.
Ankle socks – using Fish Lips Kiss heel and 52 sts, finished the first sock, just finished toe of second sock.
Out and About
Rhinebeck officially cancelled for 2020.
“After much deliberation, the DCSWGA board and festival planning committee have decided to cancel the in-person 2020 NYS Sheep & Wool Festival. In its place, we will host a virtual festival online. More details on that to come.
If you have any questions, please contact our Festival Manager, Nena Johnson at festivalinfo at sheepandwool dot com”
Be a Helper Craftalong
I will close the FO thread on June 20th. Thank you SOOOOO much for your participation.
Monday May 18, 2020
79 Backyard Birds
Monday May 18, 2020
Monday May 18, 2020
Episode 79 – recorded 5/14/20
Wips
South Woods – I’ve finished the sleeves! Only a collar left; on hold for Stash Dash
Sassy Wrapitude – Part of the Wrapitude collection by Megan Williams
Laceweight Boxy – Now about 13” long
Aggregate 2 – on last time through Right Hand Wedge
Papillon – I started the butterfly/papillon shawl 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.
Go With the Flo shawl – still in the center section.
Spinning
Finished the first color of the gradient, 2oz of malachite green. Started 2nd shade of green.
On the Run
I’ve been struggling to incorporate fitness since I tweaked my back a month ago. But I'm trying to plan to make success easier
Out and About – Virtually
Vogue Knitting Live happening RIGHT NOW through the 18th. I don’t know if any classes still have openinigs
MDSW was fun 2 weeks ago. It was all virtual and the interest was so great, the server crashed! Luckily someone stepped in with a PDF with links to the vendors. I ordered silk from Tess’ Designer Yarns which arrived last weekend and is soooooo soft and squishy! Also ordered a skein of alpaca/silk/linen from A Hundred Ravens, still waiting for that to ship.
Wednesday Apr 29, 2020
78-Preparation Is For the Birds
Wednesday Apr 29, 2020
Wednesday Apr 29, 2020
Episode 78 – preparation is for the birds
recorded Wednesday 4/29/20
FOs
Ear savers/mask buddies – I've crocheted several more. A big, huge thanks to Lisa from Fibernymph Dyeworks for mailing me some buttons so I can finish even more!
WIPS
South Woods – I’ve finished the back!
Sassy Wrapitude – Part of the Wrapitude collection by Megan Williams, got the pattern free from attending Into the Wool. Cast on with yellow CoBaSi by Hikoo and bamboo/cotton blend from Great Adirondack Yarn that I bought at Rhinebeck. I’m on the 7th section, which is garter ridges. Just finished interesting slipped stitch section
Ozone Sweater – I finally started the actual sweater!
Earth Rise – new design I’m working on, inspired by the famous photo the Apollo astronauts took the first time they came around the dark side of the room and saw the Earth rising up above the moon’s surface. Not working on it as much - my brain doesn't want to do math
Laceweight Boxy – How long do you make your Boxy sweaters? I’m about 12” and trying to decide how long I want it to be.
Knitting Fail
You may have noticed there’s no Star Wars scarf listed here – that’s because I broke the needle. I didn’t see the green needle on the blue chair in the dark, and when I knelt on the chair to turn on the light on the wall behind, I snapped the needle right at the connector.
Out and About
Maryland Sheep and Wool - virtual May 2 & 3
Vogue Knitting Live - virtual May 11- 18
Saturday Apr 18, 2020
77- Total Lack of Focus
Saturday Apr 18, 2020
Saturday Apr 18, 2020
Episode 77
Segments include WIPs, spinning, Learn Something New, On The Run
Hi everyone, how are you surviving? It’s starting to feel a bit like Groundhog Day (the movie) at our house.
Wips
South Woods – I’m continuing to work on the body in stockinette. This has been my go-to knitting while the boys are home schooling. I’m about to 14 inches from the bottom of the folded hem. I need at least one more inch, maybe two.
Sassy Wrapitude – Part of the Wrapitude collection by Megan Williams, got the pattern free from attending Into the Wool. Cast on with yellow CoBaSi by Hikoo and bamboo/cotton blend from Great Adirondack Yarn that I bought at Rhinebeck. I’m on the 3rd section, which is garter ridges.
Ozone Sweater – still swatching for the Colorful Sweater Ozone by Concept Creative – more on this later.
Star Wars Scarf – doubleknit scarf that will be a Christmas gift for Thing 1, who will be 9 by that point. He’s going to love it! So far I’ve knit the rebel icon, a lightsaber, tauntauns, a large X-ray and just started to knit blasters.
Earth Rise – new design I’m working on, inspired by the famous photo the Apollo astronauts took the first time they came around the dark side of the room and saw the Earth rising up above the moon’s surface. For some reason, this one is bringing me a lot of peace right now.
Ear savers/mask buddies – I crocheted a few dozen ear savers for my friends who are doctors/nurses/essential personnel who now have to wear masks all day and the elastics are hurting their ears. You wear it on the back of your head and hook the mask elastic on the buttons instead of your ears. I’ve got about 10 left to sew buttons on.
Ankle Socks – socks I started in FL and worked on cruise. Working now in you hear needles
Laceweight Boxy – worked 3 rows this morning
Spinning
I did get a little spinning time in this last week. I’m probably 1/3 of the way through the 2nd malachite green portion.
Learn Something New
I am continuing to get better at crochet. I’ve been practicing the circles for the Ozone pattern.
On the Run
No running, knee isn’t that good yet, but I took a ballet class online earlier this week. And tweaked my back. Doh!
Thursday Apr 02, 2020
76 - Exercise in Isolation
Thursday Apr 02, 2020
Thursday Apr 02, 2020
Episode 76 – 4/1/20
Segment this week include Happy Podiversary, Be A Helper Craftalong, Wips, Learn Something New, Exercise in Isolation
Happy anniversary to Knitting On The Run podcast! In all the recent craziness, I forgot that last week was my podiversary! Three years down, hopefully many more to go!
Be a Helper Craftalong
4th Be A Helper Craft-a-long is ongoing! 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 Today:
- 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
Posts 2-34 were up through March 31st
Wips
South Woods – I’m continuing to work on the body in stockinette. This has been my go-to knitting while the boys are home schooling. I think I’m up to 6 or 7 inches, haven’t measured officially.
Ankle socks – a few more rows, still getting close to the 1st heal
Sassy Wrapitude – cast on for the Sassy Wrap by Megan Williams, got the pattern free from attending Into the Wool. Cast on with yellow CoBaSi by Hikoo and bamboo/cotton blend from Great Adirondack Yarn that I bought at Rhinebeck.
Ozone – swatching for the Colorful Sweater Ozone by Concept Creative – more on this later.
New shawl, can’t say much yet. Yeah I have cast-on-it is
Learn Something New
About that ozone sweater I mentioned – it’s crochet not knitting!
Exercise in Isolation
I haven’t been great in terms of keeping up with exercise this week. I did something to my wrist so I’ve been taking it easy, but I wanted to go over what we’d been doing up until that point and what my kids are still doing.
Cosmic Kids Yoga – we started this the first day of school at home, even before we got official school work. I did Cosmic Kids with my oldest when Thing 2 was born and I was so excited to find that she has kept releasing videos these last 4 years.
Karate – my boys take karate and their dojo has been sending out videos for the kids to do at home. Our dojo hasn’t made them public but several have – if your kids want to try just search google or youtube and you’ll find some.
Running around – at recess I kick the boys outide and give them a time when they can come back in. That gives me a few minutes alone without them and also gives them exercise as they usually run around outside.
Gardening – I like to grow food and gardening is definitely exercise!
Dance – I’ve done a few dance videos I’ve found online. I love Broadway musicals and several cast members have been recording video at home, workouts set to the music of their shows, and some are a lot of fun! I’ve also taken a ballet class or two.
Monday Mar 23, 2020
75 - Stress Knitting
Monday Mar 23, 2020
Monday Mar 23, 2020
Welcome to the Knitting On the Run Podcast
I want your input - should we extend the Be A Helper Craftalong? Listen for my plan and let me know what you think.
Wips
Ankle Socks
Stress
Ways to deal with the cray stress we're all feeling right now.
And remember it’s OK to not be OK right now. The whole world is topsy turvy and we are just figuring out how to handle all the changes. It’s OK to be upset, or sad, or angry. But if you feel like it’s all too much and you can’t handle what’s going on, please talk to a mental help professional. Call your therapist, call your doctor to get a referral or visit mentalhealth.gov for links and numbers to services that can help you. If you need help right now text the Crisis Text Line. In the US its 741741, in Canada text 686868 or 741741 and in the UK 85258.
Wednesday Mar 04, 2020
74- Star Wars Costume Complete
Wednesday Mar 04, 2020
Wednesday Mar 04, 2020
Episode 74 – 3/4/2020
Segments this week include tech talk, Be A Helper Craftalong, FOs, Wips, Out and About.
New temporary mic. Pardon the head cold. Yes I’m sick again.
Be a Helper Craftalong
4th Be A Helper Craft-a-long is ongoing! 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.
• One pattern of your choice from the Down Cellar Studio Ravelry store, courtesy of Jennifer Lassonde
FOs
Matchy Socks – At the cuff of first sock
New pattern for a magazine coming out this summer – check out social media this week if you’re interested in test knitting a tank top.
Rey costume – working on my Rey costume for an upcoming Star Wars Day. I’ve knit roughly 19 feet out of 10, then it’ll be time for armbands.
Wips
South Woods – On second repeat of Chart 2 lace for the back.
Ankle socks – started my first ever ankle socks.
Out and About
Stitches United - March 26-29, 2020
Got back from 12 days away – 4 days in FL at my in-laws, a week on a cruise. For the next week you’ll see images from our trip on social media, including my Rey costume on our Star Wars Day at Sea on the cruise.
Thursday Feb 13, 2020
73 - The One With The Headcold
Thursday Feb 13, 2020
Thursday Feb 13, 2020
Episode 73 – 2/12/20 Segments include Be A Helper Craftalong, Wips, Knitting Fail, Out and About
Microphone cable finally arrived! Wrong cable arrived first, had to return and wait for second. Hopefully sound is better this week. Apologies for the headcold but I don’t dare wait longer to record.
Be a Helper Craftalong
4th Be A Helper Craft-a-long is ongoing! 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
I’ll go over prizes again in March, they are listed in the Ravelry group.
Wips – lots!
Rey tabard – working on my Rey costume for an upcoming Star Wars Day. I’ve knit roughly 9 feet out of 10, then it’ll be time for armbands.
Preemie hat – Made progress on the preemie hat
Aggregate Shawl – A few short rows on this shawl
Matchy Socks – At the cuff of first sock
South Woods – Finished Chart 1 of lace, started Chart 2. Blocked what I had so far so I can take it on vacation with me in a few weeks.
Knitting Fail
The Dress. Ugh. Ripped it back to skirt. Fabric was awful.
Out and About
NETA Spa – Feb 28 – Mar 1
Wayland Fiber Day Farmers Market – Mar 1
Stitches United - March 26-29, 2020