Shawl Together Now - Episode 56

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Latte: Ben is still knitting Daybreak and the Java socks. Abby is still knitting the Intrepid Traveller socks, the Strata-Sphere sweater, Lisianthus shawl and a pair of original socks.

Grande: Ben blocks his shawl, and we walk you through it, in great detail!

Bitter Cup: Ben's first try at a bow tie didn't turn out exactly as he'd hoped. He's ready to try again.

Chai: We knit on the subway; nobody noticed. Then we visited the Lion Brand Studio, where we got to test knit cashmere and other exotic yarns that are available only at the Lion Brand Studio or online. We then went to the Kinokuniya Bookstore, where we lost ourselves in the knitting, sewing and fashion books and periodicals. You can find more information about Japanese knitting stitches here.

Closeup of Ben's Bitterroot Shawl on the blocking boards.

Get Effusive - Episode 55

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Latte: On Abby's needles: Strata Sphere sweater, Intrepid Traveler socks, Lisianthus shawl. On Ben's needles: Daybreak, Java socks.
Bitter Cup: Ben and Abby peek at the spoilers for the Westknits Knitalong
Grande: Abby finished the Clandestine socks.
Brewing: Abby unvented a vertical buttonhole, after looking at the Tulips Buttonhole from TECHknitting.
Chai: Abby visited Knitty City and the Peacefood Cafe. And she's sharing a recipe for ginger-ade. Ben visited Infinite Yarns Inc. and picked out yarn with a five year old.
Bite: Ben's Challenge has now become a contest!
Taste: Ben and Abby flip through Knit Noro.
Demi Tasse: We rediscover Patricia Roberts.
Tip Jar: Now you can follow Abby and Ben on Google+

Out of the Comfort Zone - Episode 54

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Latte: On Abby's needles: Clandestine socks, Intrepid Traveler socks, Lisianthus shawl. On Ben's needles: Daybreak, Java socks.

Brewing: Ben is designing a bow tie, using techniques he learned from Cookie A at Sock Summit. In the eighties, Patricia Roberts designed several sweaters with dimensional bows in the design. Abby is unhappy with the buttonholes on her Cassidy and is trying to figure out a better way. Abby is also swatching for Strata Sphere in Noro Silk Garden. 

Chai: New York City is always full of surprises. This week, the basement of her building has bee turned into a home theatre, inexplicably sporting two humidifiers...
Caffeinated: Ben is excited about new clothing which breaks out of his typical style. Included in his new acquisitions are: Derby shoes, a bow tie, and some very LOUD suspenders! Abby is excited about the return of Doctor Who, and the Signature Needles she tried out at Sock Summit.
Tip Jar: Ben says: pick s yarn that is out of your comfort zone: make something from it! Abby reminds you that you can enlarge charts and make notes on patterns to make things easier to see.

Ish - Episode 53

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Latte: Ben is working on the Java socks, Abby is working on Clandestine, a "Frankenstein" Rockin' Sock Club sock combining the two March patterns and a sock of her own divising. Abby also started Lisianthus, a lovely shawl by Romi Hill.
Bitter Cup: Ben started Daybreak but had to frog it and will start over. Abby had a disaster with Vonica, which is now in Time Out and may remain there a long, long time.
Brewing: We discuss the pros and cons of toe-up and top-down socks, and discuss other knitting dichotomies. Ben mentioned the Hat Heel Socks as another unconventional construction. Ben is planning a knitted plaid project and we talked about various ways to create plaid in knitting.
Chai: We talk about some more of our Portland adventures at: Burgerville, The Peoples' Sandwich, Voodoo Doughnut and Portland's lovely Rose Garden.
Tip Jar: Abby says: buy yarn! so that you can swatch generously. Ben says to draw inspiration from non-knitting sources and from such things as tree bark patterns, architecture and more.

Sock Summit Summary - Episode 52

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Wow, Ben and I had the best time at Sock Summit! We abandon our usual format (but it will return next week).
Latte: Ben is knitting Java socks and Herringbone Mitts. Abby is knitting Vonica and Clandestine Socks.
Grande: Ben finished two knitted ties!  if you'd like to make a knitted tie like the one Ben is wearing above, you can download the pattern and chart here.
We had an amazing time meeting listeners and taking classes from the likes of Cat Bordhi, Cookie A, Anne Hanson, Franklin Habit, Amy Singer and more!

The Big Five Oh - Episode 50

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Latte: Ben is knitting another tie, Abby started Cookie A's Clandestine socks. Teri-knits suggested a tie in linen stitch, and Ben is going to try that with sock weight yarn.

Grande: Ben finished Bitterroot, but hadn't blocked it yet. 

Brewing: Abby wants to knit a Kindle cozy, and is thinking of Argyle. Ben suggests using cotton so that fibers don't migrate into the Kindle's various ports.

Take a Bite: We begin our discussion of blocking with info and advice about blocking lace shawls.

Chai: Abby has had a few "New York Challenges" this week, from a dead mouse who apparently has relatives, to air conditioning woes and a stolen welcome mat.

Next week we'll be at the Sock Summit. If you want to me us along with many other podcasters, please go to the Bar-Maids booth #400 on Saturday between noon and 1:30 p.m. We look forward to meeting you!


Finally, if you want to to know more about us, check out our interviews with Susan at knitajourney. We recommend listening to Ben's first, since Susan interviewed him before she interviewed Abby. Enjoy!

Blame it on the Yarn - Episode 49

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Latte: Abby doesn't have much on the needles other than Vonica and Pretty Twisted. Ben is still knitting Bitterroot.

Grande: Abby finished the Transition Point socks.

Bitter Cup: Ben tried to knit the Angelus Tie, but his yarn was too thick. Abby had another mishap trying to make a wedding shawl for her friend; she might blame this on the yarn, or else on the distraction of Duck Soup. She also stabbed herself repeatedly with knitting needles. Ouch!

Stir: For this year's Tour de Fleece, Abby's going for quality rather than quantity. Please join us on Team Sasquatch.

Demi Tasse: Abby recommends Adaptor, a free video format converter for Mac. Ben has come up with a book recommendation in the field of economics: Filthy Lucre by Joseph Heath. If you're not quite ready for that, try starting with Freakonomics. 

Bite: Ben mentioned an article in Slate magazine about how ravelry is "better than facebook". We ask you what community you would like to see with a super-functional website, and how you envision that site. 

Caffeinated: Lots of excitement this week. Ben has discovered Put This On, a cool site for men's fashion. Abby is (finally) knitting Cat Bordhi's "Sweet Tomato Heel". You can get the ebook here. Both Abby and Ben are excited about Google Plus. Try it, you might like it!

Chai: Abby has mice, yes, again. She recommends various Hudson River Parks as respite from the summer heat, and for their lovely vistas. Ben went bouldering at Smith Rock in Oregon (see photo above).

When you have listened to the episode, go have a look at this video. Enjoy!

Finally, we will be participating in a Podcaster Meet-up/ Meet and Greet at Sock Summit. Stay tuned for the details!