Episode 67 - Scratch That

Latte: Ben's working on Dragon Slayer Earflap Hat.

Abby mentions Wooly Wormhead's Going Straight

Ben is going to make Viking Hats.

Abby finished the knitting on Strata Sphere and has to block it

Abby is planning to swatch for the Rocky Coast Cardigan from the Coastal Knits book

We talk about Quince and Company yarns

Grande: Ben finished the Dragon earflap hat

Bitter Cup: Abby messed up the Dahlia sweater and is tinkling an inordinate number of stitches and rows.

Take a Bite: We talk about shawl shapes. Abby mentions "More than Circular" from Shawls and Scarves.

Ben talks about the advantages of seamless sweaters, and we talk about sock ribbing.

We recommend the Topdown Raglan Generator and The Knitter's Handy Book of Sweater Patterns We mention EZ's percentage system (EPS) as well.

We talk about the Old Norwegian cast on. We have posted a video that demonstrates how to do this versatile and stretch cast on.

Taste: Abby reviews Knit Noro Accessories

Abby mentioned Jared Flood's Noro Striped Scarf

Caffeinated: Ben's excited about the new album from White Denim. Abby's excited about cooking from scratch. Most recently, she made a fantastic soup from the book The Daily Soup Cookbook.

Style - Episode 66

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Latte: Ben is working on the dragon hat. Abby cast on the Dahlia sweater in Chickadee from Quince and Co.
Bitter Cup: Abby frogged her Cat Mittens when she was running low on yarn. Ben had some trouble with symmetrical charts. Abby discovered the reason for her yardage woes on Strata Sphere.
Brewing: We talk about style. References include What Not To Wear, Kendall Farr's The Pocket Stylist and Style Evolution, Advanced Style, and Jean Frost's Jackets and Custom Fit Knit Jackets.
Chai: Ben went to see Wild Flag at Neumos in Seattle.
Stir: Abby starts to spin with her new Sidekick, but had some trouble with long-draw technique.
The Tip Jar: Ben suggests that you get redundant with your patterns, Abby advises you to organize your needles, and asks for app recommendations to do so.

Imperfect - Episode 65

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Announcements: We reveal the winners of Ben's Challenge: Stripepike's Hot Pink Orchid Thief and ExecutiveKnitter's Leopard Slippers.
Latte: Ben is still knitting the magenta earflap hat. Abby is still working on the Cat Mittens. She talks about twined knitting on the Klieo shawl.
Bitter Cup: Ben accidentally donated yarn he needed. Abby bought less and more yarn than she needed for Strata Sphere, and made some mistakes on the Cat Mittens.
Brewing: Ben wants to knit a Guy Fawkes Mask with a three-dimensional mustache, inspired by the Move Your Money march. Abby contemplates stitch definition and even knitting.
Taste: Abby reviews The Knitter's Life List by Gwen Steege.
Caffeinated: Abby is excited about Project Accessory. Ben recommends The Smiths' remastered collection Complete.
The Tip Jar: Ben suggests organizing your yarn and subdividing your stash. Abby reminds you to buy extra yarn in proportion to your project.

Eureka! - Episode 64

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Announcements: Occupy Wall Street has put out a call for urgent winter donations including wool scarves and hats. See ravelry group.
Latte: Ben is working on a Seussian earflap hat using the chart from Beware of Dragons. He hasn't yet finished the Classic World War II Watch Cap. Abby is making progress on her her Strata Sphere. She's still working on the Cat Mittens, and the Klieo shawl.
Grande: Abby finished Cassidy. Again.
Chai: Ben and some friends threw together Doctor Who costumes for Halloween with mixed results, using several finished knits. Abby visits The Knitmore Girls in California. She visited Sweet Pea's Crepes, bought a Schacht Sidekick at Purlescence, and met the Jade of the Geek Girls Crafts podcast, Miss Kalendar of Brass Needles, and Laura, The Joy Of Cooking Fairy. She visited Bobbin's Nest, You can find the Knitmores' account of the trip in Episode 166.
Demi Tasse: Ben opens his yarn from Rhinebeck, Transitions from Gypsy Girl Creations.
Taste: Abby reviews Clara Parkes' The Knitter's Book of Socks.
Stir: Abby learns long draw spinning.

Llamas, Long Stories and Love - Episode 63

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Announcements: Ben's Challenge ends Halloween at 5PM EST.
Latte: Abby finished her first Cat Mitten, and started the sleeves of her Strata Sphere. She continued work on My Heart Beets 4U, and she's just cast on Klieo by Romi Hill. Ben has cast on another Classic World War II Watch Cap, this one for himself.
Grande: Ben finished his a WWII Watch Cap and an improvised hat and pair of socks for the protesters occupying Wall Street.
Bitter Cup: Abby experienced some difficulties with grosgrain ribbon on her Cassidy.
Brewing: In an unscheduled Brewing segment, Ben seeks Abby's advice on other means of strengthening button bands.
Chai: Ben teaches an impromptu knitting class in the craft section of Powell's City of Books. Abby talks Rhinebeck. She encountered the Dahlia Cardigan in the wild, on its creator. She picked up some Sunna from Spirit Trail Fiberworks. She also encountered an interesting modification of the Cardiff Coat, and met Stephen West.
Bite: We ask: Do others expect you to knit for them? Do you feel “selfish” when you knit for yourself? Do strangers assume you are knitting for someone else? What’s going on here?
Caffeinated: Abby loves her iPhone, Ben is holding out for a Galaxy Nexus. Plus, a story.
Demi Tasse: A mix-up in the mail.
The Tip Jar: Ben suggests designing or improvising hats in slices. Abby suggests checking out patterns in person.

Mystery, Surprise and Suspense! - Episode 62

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Opening: Ben is drinking Teavana's Matevana
Latte: Ben is near the end of his Classic World War II Watch Cap, shaping the crown as the show goes on. Abby is knitting Jorid Linvik's Cat Mittens and a top secret project. She's finally finishing her Cassidy in time for Rhinebeck.
Grande: Ben finished Daybreak, but hasn't blocked it yet. Abby talks about putting shawls in outfits. She's done with the Anemoi mittens, but had some blocking difficulties. She also finished knitting flowers for Miss Kalendar's wedding.


Brewing: Ben is planning a bulky cardigan. Abby contemplates spoilers and knitting.
Chai: Abby spent a day with a listener from the UK, and visited the farmer's market.
Demi Tasse: Ben sorts his stash.
Cup of Joe to Go: Abby shares stories from her knitting group at Joe: The Art of Coffee, and some pictures of swatches dyed with cake decorating colors. Ben and Nichs spot the Snapdragon Tam in the wild.


Announcements: The next two shows may be slightly delayed due to knitting-related travel. Abby will be at both days of Rhinebeck. Abby and Ben have founded a group to knit socks and hats for the demonstrators occupying Wall Street.

The Fall Line Up - Episode 61

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Latte: Ben loses the Daybreak race and casts on the Classic World War II Watch Cap for a second time. Abby is seeing structure on Strata Sphere and talks about yarn combinations for the Anemoi mittens.
Brewing: Abby plans for hat repair. Ben is planning an Ouroboros scarf and unveils his fall/winter knitting plans.
Stir: Abby wants to learn about spinning with a plan.
Caffeinated: Abby shares a recipe for Beet Salad with Chevre.
Demi Tasse: Abby has found a great new solution to her vision problems.
Tip Jar: Ben talks about knitting around different color palette, Abby talks about the properties of superwash.