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!

Tour de Freakout - Episode 48

Listen here. (BTW, there is always a link to the podcasts on the right of this page.)

Latte: Abby continues to work on the Transition Point socks; Ben continues to work on Bitterroot.
Grande: Abby finished the Orchid Thief Shawlette, which you can see here.
Bitter Cup: Abby had issues with the Swing Set socks and they are now in time out. Vonica had a few burps too, but is now on track.
Demi Tasse: Ben had some thoughts on how to recruit more (especially male) knitters. One answer: knit in public!
Taste: Abby reviewed Knit, Swirl!, a book of amazing new sweaters by Sandra McIver. These gorgeous, drapy inventions are unlike anything we've ever seen before.
Bite Back: Ben reveals that he is studying for two degrees; one in History and another in Economics. Abby will reveal what she's studying in her Knitajourney interview with Susan, but invites you to guess!
Stir: Tour de Fleece has been a steep learning curve for Abby, but after much trial and error, and a great deal of help from Judith Mackenzie's The Intentional Spinner, by George, she thinks she's got it!

Tip Jar: Try to see colors in natural light and trust yourself!

Heel Obsession - Episode 47

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Taste: We reviewed some of the patterns in the new Knitty.
Caffeinated: Abby has gotten hooked on the TV show Breaking Bad; Ben is watching Oz.
Stir: Please join Team Sasquatch for the Tour de Fleece!
Bite: Our question for you: What is your learning style? Who or what are your teachers?
Bite Back: We talked about how you can measure how much yarn remains from a partially used skein. Abby mentioned the McMorran balance as a handy tool in this process.
Tip Jar: Abby talked about the TKGA Master Handknitter's Course, Level 1, which she took several years ago.

Tour de Orchid Thief - Episode 46

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Latte: Ben continues to work on the Bitterroot shawl, and has picked up his Paraphernalia socks again. Abby is knitting the Transition Point socks, Swing Set socks and is closing in on the end of the Orchid Thief shawlette.

Grande: Abby finished the Marilinda socks (see photo above).

Brewing: Ben is looking for some new classroom knitting and would like to make some gloves out of sock yarn. Abby recommended patterns by Julia Mueller, which might be called the glove equivalent of Cookie A's socks. Ben also wants to find a way to support or stiffen a knitted brim on a hat. Abby mentioned Debbie New's book Unexpected Knitting which features, among other things, a seaworthy knitted boat, as a place to find unconventional textures and "hands" in knitting.

Stir: We invite you all to join Team Sasquatch. The dates for Tour de Fleece are July 2nd through the 24th. In preparation, everyone should pick a goal/project, prepare your fiber (if necessary), spin a one ounce sample, if applicable, and make sure all of your equipment is in good working order and accessible.  Abby also recommended her favorite timer app, Kitchen Timer for Android. When time is up, you hear a rooster crow!

Taste: Abby raves about Teva Durham's new book Loop-d-Loop Lace. If you have any interest in knitting lace, run, don't walk, and get your hands on this book!

Caffeinated: Ben has been playing a "table top RPG" based on the Dresden Files books. Tonight he (with help from his girlfriend) is preparing a sumptuous Southwestern themed meal including nachos, meat and vegetarian fajitas and for dessert: flan!

News: Abby and Ben will be featured in a future interview episode of the Knitajourney podcast with the amazing Susan. If you don't listen to this podcast yet, you should!