Another one bites the dust - Episode 33 - The Knitmore Girls

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This week's episode is sponsored by:

We would like to thank Gregory for substituting for Jasmin this week, who has lost her voice.

On the needles:

Gregory is working on a baby blanket (the baby was born three weeks ago). It is corner-to-corner, and has a few cables on it out of Baby Genius superwash wool.

Gigi is working on the second red Regia Saturn sock. She is close to finishing the second sleeve tonight.

Jasmin has cast on the Melon Lace shawl out of Victorian Lace Today out of the Tess' Yarns Superwash Merino Lace in "Mimosa Yellow". She has finished the spinning on the black and gold batt, and should be plying it tonight. With any luck, Gigi will be able to cast it on this week.

Congrats to gnat (of the BarkNKnit podcast) on her recent nuptuals!

They discuss the closure of Commuknity, which is the fifth LYS in our area to close this year. They discuss some of the ongoings in the related thread on Ravelry.

Contest!

The last day to participate in our "Do some good" contest is January 1st. Prizes include three signed copies of Stephanie Pearl-McPhee's "Free Range Knitter" and two skeins of Malabrigo sock yarn. For ideas on how you can do some good, you can take a peek on our Ravelry board. (Or you can help Stephanie meet her goal of raising one million dollars for Doctor's Without Borders!)

Mother Knows Best:

Gigi and Greg discuss various blocking techniques. This includes, specifically, Galina Khmeleva's technique that is used on Orenburg Lace Shawls.

When Knitting Attacks:

Gigi runs into a forgetful snag during Saturday Social Knitting.

Holidays with the Knitmores:

We talk about the best gifts that we gave for Christmas. Gigi suggests taking notes now as to who appreciated which gifts to put in with your holiday acoutrements (a holiday knitting time capsule, if you will), so you will remember next Christmas.

Gigi talks about giving her Wise Woman's Shawl by Bollweaver Yarns to Colleen's mom.

Have a merry Knitmore Christmas! - Episode 32 - The Knitmore Girls

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This episode has been sponsored by:

On the needles:

Gigi is working on her second Honeycomb sock. She is also working on a pair of vanilla socks in the "Argyle Socks" colorway, which she bought at the Pajamma Jammie Jam sale at Purlescence.

Jasmin laments not finishing anything, and is getting ready to finish stuff. Jasmin continues to plug along on her Santa Fe Wrap.

The Knitmore Girls discuss re-purposing non-knitting items as tools.

Jasmin is still working on her pink Yucatan Orchid Socks.

Jasmin made AMAZING muffins (they had coffee, kahlua, and chocolate). You can find the recipe here. If you make them as muffins instead of as a cake, bake them for 20 mins at 350 degrees Fahrenheit, and garnish them with a chocolate-dipped espresso bean.

Jasmin is nearly done spinning the black and gold batt from Crystal Creek Fibers. Her birthday gift (half of the dozen new colors of roving from Crown Mountain Farms- the other half are being given on Christmas).

Gigi is working on the Regia Jet Set socks, in a vanilla sock. She is also on the first sleeve of the neckdown wrap cardigan in Cascade Venezia.

Jasmin bought a cloche from the Mad Hattress in Los Gatos. She admits that she has never deliberately knit an item for the sole purpose of felting, but is now inspired to knit and felt a cloche. (Probably this cloche.)

Gigi is working on her Crystal Cove Pullover out of the Araucania. Gigi is also working on the On the Vine pattern out of the Buffalo Gals yarn.

Mother Knows Best:

Gigi is working on two skills: knitting without looking and knitting faster.

When Knitting Attacks:

Gigi decided to fuss with the On the Vine pattern - the first time she knit it. Jasmin points out that the unique constructions that are Brenda Patipa's stylistic trademark make it a little challenging to change her patterns- especially on the first go.

Jasmin talks about her knitting related injury from working on the Henry scarf.

Holidays with the Knitmores:

Jasmin and Gigi get into the holiday spirit! They attended the Sing-along night at Purlescence and had a BLAST!

Jasmin talks about her "holiday mix". This includes the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Carols for a Cure, and the Brian Setzer Holiday CD.

Please continue to participate in our "Do some good" contest- which ends January 1st. (Winners will be announced in Episode 34.)

One holiday request: please write us a review on iTunes! (You can get there by clicking into the iTunes Store, search "knitmore girls" and click "write a review".)

Unearthing UFOs - Episode 31 - The Knitmore Girls

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This episode has been sponsored by:

On the needles:

Jasmin and Gigi have pulled some UFOs out of the closet! Jasmin picked up her Lady Eleanor again. Gigi knit one in 2006 out of SWTC's Karaoke, which she bought at Carolina Homespun. This is the project that got Gigi and Jasmin knitting backwards (the preferred method for knitting entrelac). Gigi is planning on knitting some entrelac socks out of Jasmin's handspun (the Freestone Firecracker). Jasmin's Lady Eleanor is knit out of the Paton's Soy Wool Stripes.

Jasmin thinks that that WEBS still has the Noro Silk Chunky on sale. (Wrong, but it's still a good value.) This would make a FABULOUS Lady Eleanor.

Jasmin was listening to Episode 20 of the Manic Purl podcast, and recommends it. It's about why we shop.

Jasmin has finished the body of her Pride sweater. The pattern has some math problems, but it's basic.

Gigi has unearthed her Neckdown Wrap Cardigan, which she is finishing for Jasmin.

Jasmin found the Crystal Creek Batt that she was spinning for Gigi (the black and gold), so she's working on that.

Gigi is working on a pair of Regia Galaxy socks, she's working on the Honeycomb socks from the Little Box of Socks (out of Black Wildfoote and Day-Glo Opal). Gigi has completed the Sharks watch cap for Sam.

Jasmin is working on her Yucatan Orchid socks. Woo!

Contest!

The "Do some good" contest. Give what you can to who you can. The deadline for this contest is January 1st. Please let us know what you've done- either in our Ravelry group, or send us and e-mail. Prizes include three signed copies of Free Range Knitter by Stephanie Pearl-McPhee and two skeins of Malabrigo sock yarn.

Mother Knows Best:

Our friend Teresa used to choose each project based on learning a new skill with each one. Gigi has decided to "do better". Gigi is practicing knitting without looking. Jasmin talks about some ways to start knitting in the dark.

When Knitting Attacks:

Jasmin apologizes for any misconceptions about the issue with the Knitpicks cable. They have phenomenal customer service. If you have experienced a problem with your Knitpicks needles, you can find their contact information here.

Gigi accidentally bought duplicate sock yarn at the Pajamma Jammie Jam. (Jasmin blames this on the early hour and 35% discount.)

Jasmin was on the hunt for needles. Apparently, the whole world is knitting with US size 3 and 4 Addi lace needles in the 60" length. (Jasmin needed these sizes/lengths to complete her Pride sweater, knitting two sleeves in the round at once using the Magic Loop technique.) Jasmin got excellent customer service at Commuknity!

Gigi has a "when spending attacks", where she bought Jasmin all of the new colors of the Crown Mountain Superwash roving for her birthday/Christmas gifts.

Holidays with the Knitmores:

Jasmin and Gigi have been reading Stephanie Pearl-McPhee's and Franklin Habit's blogs, and have noticed that they're stressing over holiday knitting. Deny that urge to knit a last-minute holiday gift.

(Check out the DROPS advents calendar!)

Knitting by Twilight- Episode 30 - The Knitmore Girls

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This episode is sponsored by:

On the Needles:

Gigi is working on the Honeycomb Socks (from the Little Box of Socks) with Day-Glo Opal and Black Wildfoote. She's also working on a snickerdoodle sock.

Jasmin continues to work on the items she started last week. This week, Jasmin finished Pair #5 of the Black Sock Project for Andrew. Jasmin has cast on another pair of vintage Lisa Souza socks in the colorway "Mahogany", in Serrano. Jasmin continues to work on her Pride Sweater. She's also plugging along on her Mesmer socks.

Gigi is stumbling on her knitting progress in favor of reading the Twilight series. Gigi, Jasmin, Tika, and their entourage went to see Twilight tonight, and Jasmin finished sock #1 of the Yucatan Orchid socks.

Jasmin has been working on her Santa Fe wrap. She has also finished spinning and plying her "Atlantis" sock yarn, from Crown Mountain. Jasmin has also been making some progress on the Maude vest.

Mother Knows Best:

Jasmin decided to knit on her Maude vest while watching a local production of The Nutcracker. This segment is about knitting stripes in the dark.

Contest!

The "Do some good" contest- make the world a better place. Give a little of your time or resources, let us know, and become eligible to win one of three signed copies of Stephanie Pearl-McPhee's "Free Range Knitter". We're also including two skeins of the new Malabrigo sock yarn in the bucket of prizes.

When Knitting Attacks:

Gigi's Snickerdoodle socks bite back.

Holidays with the Knitmore Girls:

Gigi wants to knit miniature versions of the year's projects as ornaments for her tree. Jasmin prefers a simpler way - putting odds and ends of yarn into glass ornaments. Leftover yarn can be used to make decorative tamari balls.

Jasmin reminisces about knitting baby booties out of 50 Baby Booties to Knit and using them as decorative tree ornaments.

Knitting extravaganza! - Episode 29 - The Knitmore Girls

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This episode is sponsored by:

On the needles:

The Knitmore Girls went to the Pajama Jammie Jam at Purlescence, and Gigi bought a bunch of Regia sock yarn, 2 skeins of the Franklin's Panopticon colorway of the Lorna's Laces shephard sock, 2 skeins of Argyle Socks (by Claudia's Handpainted yarns), and some Buffalo Gals yarnBrenda Patipa's "On the Vine" scarf. Jasmin bought 2 skeins of the the Panopticon colorway, 1 skein of Creatively Dyed "Ocean", and a JUMBO Ball winder.

Jasmin thinks she wants to weave because she saw this thread on the Lisa Souza board on Ravelry. She's contemplating selling the giant loom in order to buy a smaller loom that is more size appropriate to her house.

Jasmin finished her The Sea socks (out of the vintage Lisa Souza yarn)! She's also finished the Mesh Back Cardigan for Sandi. Jasmin cast on a pair of socks in the Schaefer "Anne" in the "Sarah" colorway. Inspired by Stephanie, Jasmin cast on the "Santa Fe Wrap" from Simply Shetland 3. She's knitting it in Noro Kureyon Sock (Color S185) and Jamieson Shetland Spindrift 2-ply in Purple Heather. She's also knitting the Maude Vest (from Simply Shetland 2) in Kauni (in W-EQ and W-EL). She's also cast on a pair of Mesmer socks in Ginger Cinnabar (Colinette Jitterbug).

Gigi likes to put the date of purchase on her yarn. On Saturday, Gigi cast on the Regia Galaxy (in Saturn) with a Cobblestone cuff. Gigi finished her Upstream Socks. Gigi also bought some Araucania at Green Planet Yarns, which is going the be the Crystal Cove Pullover by Jill Vosburg.

Jasmin is having a bout of seriously awesome knitting mojo. Jasmin is also knitting some Yucatan Orchid (mmmm... cashmere!) socks in hot pink.

Contest!

Give to charity, let us know, be eligible to win one of three signed copies of Stephanie Pearl-McPhee's "Free Range Knitter". Jasmin was listening to cogKNITive, and Dr. Gemma talked about Caps to the Capital, and how baby hats drastically decrease the incidence of infant mortality. Contest ends January 1st!

Mother Knows Best:

Picking colors. You can get your colors "done" (like in the 80's). Look at the colors against your skin, in natural sunlight. Also, a good LYS will have employees who will give you good advice on colors. Take a friend with you- the brutally honest one - to help you.

Listener Margaret told us about the Simply Socks Yarn Co, and how they send samples of sock yarn on little, business card-sized pieces of paper with a couple of slashes. It's a fantastic detail to add to a gift, and one could get 250 custom(ish) business cards from VistaPrint for the cost of shipping. (It's the same weight as our permission slip/business cards. Nice, heavy cardstock.)

Also, the Knitmore Girls have personalized labels from Charm woven Labels. They're a brilliant finishing touch.

When Knitting Attacks:

Jasmin was at the Firefly/Serenity convention in Burbank, CA last weekend, and packed her Pride sweater to work on. During one of the speakers, the tip of her circular needle came off. The cable detached from the needle. Jasmin and Ally harassed all the knitters they saw in the vendor hall, and a nearby gentleman gave them turn-by-turn directions to Unwind. (Thanks, Viva Scrapper!)

Jasmin bought a backup project, and the necessary replacement needle. She finished the ball of heavyweight AND half a sock in the remaining day. Also, Jasmin is unenthused with the Socks that Rock heavyweight. The color is not saturated (meaning the core of the yarn is still white), and there are loads of joins in the yarn.

Hark! The Harlot! - Episode 28 - The Knitmore Girls

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This episode has been sponsored by:

Customize, customize, customize! - Episode 27 - The Knitmore Girls

(Photo courtesy of Brenda Patipa)

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This episode has been sponsored by:

On the Needles:

Gigi is knitting Sam a beanie out of Claudia's Handpaints worsted (Sharks colorway). She is also knitting a sock in Meilenweit Jacquard (vanilla sock pattern) in with different shades of blue stripes, with Cat Bordhi's star toe.

Jasmin is working on the second vintage Lisa Souza sock (in The Sea). She is SO CLOSE to finishing test knitting a sweater for Sandi (from Purlescence). It is knit in Manos silk/wool, in a lovely olive green.

The Knitmore Girls advise against knitting yourself into hand pain. It's not worth it, and it's bad for you. If you develop hand pain, please see a physician.

Jasmin has been doing a little spinning. She is spinning up some of the Crown Mountain Farms Superwash merino in "Atlantis". It's lovely. (If you're not a spinner, Crown Mountain sells handspun sock yarn. You can find it here, but know that you'll be waiting a bit if you order it. Tell Klaus we say hi!)

Contest!

We'll be running our "Do some good" contest through January 1st. Give of yourselves either on a global level, or a local level and send us an e-mail about it. (If you give to Doctors Without Borders, please CC us on the email you send to Stephanie.) We have THREE signed copies of Free-Range Knitter.

We will be airing our chat with Stephanie Pearl-McPhee (aka, The Yarn Harlot) in Episode 28, airing on 11/23/2008.

Announcements:

The Yarn Thing/Knaked Knits KAL-CAL deadline has been extended to Thanksgiving (November 27th).

Mother Knows Best:

Cast on a few "brainless" knitting projects for on-the-go knitting. (During the holidays "high bandwidth" projects seem to fall by the wayside.)

When Knitting Attacks:

Gigi recommends reading your notes. Carefully. She also recommends following directions carefully when you're executing a new technique for the first time.

Review:

Custom Knits by Wendy Bernard. This is a fabulous book. (DO NOT let anyone make a duct tape dummy of you. You've been warned.) We love it. Do yourself a favor, get your hands on a copy.

Jasmin is going to knit the "Favorite Cardigan" with the pink cashmere. (Jasmin engineered underarm gussets for the Gold Bullion Sweater and the Rugby Pinup Sweater.)

(Apologies for the squeaking in the background, Elphie decided this segment was a great time to play with her squeaky toys, and chase her tail, and we were hoping that the mics wouldn't pick it up. Niki, on the other hand, was very quiet.)

[As an aside, the awesome hair stuff Jasmin uses is "DevaCurl". They also have a line for people with straight hair called "DevaCare", but we haven't used that one.]

[Sorry, no links for the "Green Shruggy Thing". I'll look in my magazine stash and see if I can dig up the name and a picture of it in Ravelry.]

Gigi loves the "HOAX Fashion Formula" book from the '80s.

Do some good, change the world - Episode 26 - The Knitmore Girls

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This episode has been sponsored by:

On the Needles:

Gigi has finished her Zig Zag Slip Stitch Socks!

Jasmin finished her Mushroom Caps socks, and promptly cast on an Andrew-Style vanilla sock (ribbing all the way down the cuff, and the top of the foot) in a vintage Lisa Souza sock yarn in "The Sea".

Also, Jasmin had an essay in Episode 70 of Cast-on! (Go listen!)

Jasmin is still working on her Sandi sweater in the Manos silk and wool (olive green). Despite how lovely the yarn is, the knots are vexing.

Gigi is working on an Upstream sock, and a Foxglove Sock. The Upstream sock is being knit in a fall-ish colorway of Cherry Tree Hill sock yarn (missing the label, of course), and the Foxglove sock is in Blue Moon Socks that Rock in "Tiger's Eye".

Jasmin loves wristers. Colleen made her a pair of Fetchings, and later, she knit a pair of the elbow-length wristers from Sally Melville's The Purl Stitch.

Jasmin bought a little yarn. She got some Woobu in "In the Navy" and a sweater's worth of Heavyweight STR in "Pride". She also got a FABULOUS cardigan pattern (The Vermont Fiber Designs "Simple Cardigan").

Also, if you're knitting socks as gifts, shoot us an e-mail and we'll be happy to send you the label template, free!

We got a cafepress order! Gigi got her 1000 Knitters shirt, and we both got Dolores 2008 and "I'm kind of a knitting superhero" mugs to inspire us.

Contests:

We have winners! (Names are not posted on show notes, but are in the podcast. Winners have been e-mailed.)

The "Do some good" contest!

We have 3 signed copies of "Free Range Knitter" by Stephanie Pearl-McPhee. Stephanie has done loads of fundraising for Doctors Without Borders. So, we're asking you to donate to Doctors Without Borders (please CC us on the e-mail you send to Stephanie), knit for charity, give canned food to your local food donation location. (We give to Second Harvest Food Bank.)

This is on your honor, so e-mail us once you've done your donating.

When Knitting Attacks:

Gigi has been flattened by her knitting. Her Knitting Pure and Simple Wrap Cardigan (out of Cascade Venezia) with shaping turned out ... wrong for her. But SO right for Jasmin!

Jasmin's yarn refuses to cooperate, despite having been perfectly well-behaved while it was being wound.

Mother Knows Best:

Gigi found a gem on the German knitting board on Ravelry - putting the information of the socks that you're working on an index card, and wrap a yard of leftover yarn around it for any future darning. Jasmin has firm plastic holders from the Japanese Stationary store that help maintain the integrity of the index card. (You can get these at Maido or Kinokuniya.)

Book Review:

The Knitting Circle by Ann Hood. Four Knitmore thumbs down.

GREAT NEWS!

Gigi has a new niece! Desiree had her baby!

Team in Training:

Our friend Mari talks about her work with Team in Training. You can read about it on her blog, or contact her on Ravelry to give.

If you're not on Ravelry, you can contact Mari for details on how to donate at shewalks2008[AT]gmail[DOT]com .

To gift or not to gift?- Episode 25 - The Knitmore Girls

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On the Needles:

Gigi finished her Icarus! Also, the Knitmore Girls need to do some serious blocking (including Gigi's "Flamingo Feathers" (really a Peacock Plumes shawl made in pink Malabrigo laceweight) and "Fischu".

Jasmin is still working on her Day-Glo sock #2 and her Mushroom Caps sock #2, and has finished the spinning for her (future) toe-up rainbow socks. Jasmin is also spinning a batt from Crystal Creek Fibers (silk and ramboullet) for Gigi. She's also finishing a sweater for Sandi (at Purlescence Yarns).

Gigi is working on her Neck Down Wrap Caridgan. She's still working on the Coriolis, Upstream socks, and the Zig Zag Slip Stitch socks.

Tika started her NaNoSweMo sweater (Selina from Rowan) out of felted tweed.

The girls decided that finishing UFOs feels good. (Jasmin's zippy UFO boxes can be found here.)

Contest!

Submit your knitting jokes/limericks by November 7th. Winners will be announced in Episode 26. The prizes are a signed copy of Cat Bordhi's New Pathways for Sock Knitting (Book One) and A Treasury of Magical Knitting.

When Knitting Attacks:

We talk about taking on too much holiday knitting, baking, and sewing.

Mother Knows Best:

Only knit for people who desperately beg for knitted gifts. If people don't beg, they won't appreciate it. (The cashmere socks were the Whitby socks from Knitting on the Road, and Jasmin used the charcoal grey Grignasco cashmere.) This year, Gigi is knitting a Sharks hat for Sam (the Knitmore Boy) out of the Claudia's Handpaint worsted in "Sharks".

Instead of giving kids knitted gifts, give them the gift of time, or books!

Announcement:

NaNoSweMo - National Sweater Knitting Month. Now is a great time to knit a first sweater, and Jasmin recommends starting with a baby sweater.
NaNoWriMo - National Novel Writing Month

If you're a US listener (who is eligible to vote) go and vote on Tuesday!

We're taking on official sponsorship. Promote your patterns or your Etsy shop! Send us an e-mail for details.

You can see us posing for Brenda Patipa's "On the Vine" in Ravelry!

Frogging Technology - Episode 24 - The Knitmore Girls

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Announcements:

New equipment! Now we should sound as dulcet as Brenda Dayne. (Please send us any feedback you have about the sound.)

Marly (from the Yarn Thing Podcast) and Sydney (from the Knaked Knits Podcast) are hosting the Holiday KAL-CAL. (Last year's Holiday KAL-CAL podcast can be found here.)

Changelings Knit and Stitch - Go and listen!

On The Needles:

Gigi is still working on her Zig Zag Slip Stitch socks from the Little Box of Socks
Jasmin has finished her first Day-Glo sock (which is the same yarn as Gigi's contrast color for her ZZSS Socks), and started the second sock.
The Social Pressure Experiment is going well. In addition to the 25 lbs of yarn that Jasmin got rid of last weekend, she's purged another 3 big bags. Tika finished her Elphaba Knee Socks, and got wine when we went to Unwined to listen to Juanita sing with the Jack Conway Trio.
Gigi has been purging knitting bags. Jasmin likes her good bags (like the Amy Butler bag, or the Tom Bihn bag - especially the sock baggie), but noticed that she's always using the canvas bags from individual vendors.
Gigi wants to hear from you: what makes an optimal knitting bag.
Jasmin's Lily of the Valley shawl caught on the velcro in her work bag.
Jasmin is a little over halfway done with spinning the yarn for her rainbow socks.

Mother Knows Best:

Our friend, Ursula is knitting her husband a sweater with a bunch of texture, and was unsure as to whether the neck decreases would work out correctly. The solution? A neck swatch!
To do a neck swatch:
Figure out the total number of neck decreases. Add a few stitches to that. Follow directions for neck decreases. It really works.

When Knitting Attacks:

Technology attacked, and the end result? New recording equipment for the podcast.
Gigi cast on a sock out of the Tess' Yarns sock yarn (which Gigi and Jasmin both loooove!), and neglected to swatch. The sock was eeeensy weensy!
Jasmin should not do math for a Cat Bordhi sock at 11PM. When will I ever learn?!

Thanks!

Your donations help the podcast run, so thanks a MILLION!

Contest:

The Cat Bordhi knitting joke & limerick contest deadline has been extended to Friday, November 7th. Send us your limericks and jokes!

A limerick looks like this:

We host a knitting podcast,
Which normally is a real blast.
When technology fails,
Jasmin weeps and she wails,
With Gigi watching nearby, aghast.

A little loopy - Episode 23 - The Knitmore Girls

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Thank You!

October is the first month where all of our hosting fees have been covered by listener donations. Thanks! Also, thanks to Maltesemama for the hot pink Malibu Namaste knitting bag.

Contest!

In addition to knitting jokes, we'd like to give Cat Bordhi some knitting limericks. The contest deadline is extended to Friday, November 7th.

We will also be launching a contest for three signed copies of the Yarn Harlot's newest book "Free Range Knitter". Stay tuned!

On the Needles:

Gigi is working on an Upstream sock (in Trekking), and a Coriolis.
Jasmin is working on a pair of Houdini socks.
Jasmin is working on an Upstream sock out of Ellen's Half-Pint Farm sock yarn in crayon colors.
What do we get the most wear out of? Our handknit socks.
When Jasmin and Andrew got married, they had their own version of Thermostat Wars (not as hard-core as the Yarn Harlot's).
Jasmin is spinning some of the Royal Hare superwash merino in "Calistoga Calypso". Someday, they will be toe-up socks.

Mother Knows Best:

1. Keep it local.

Yarn stores are important to keeping the art alive, and while we're all for saving money, Jasmin has an idea for knitters in a troubled economy. Take the same money you'd spend online, spend it locally. It will buy you less stuff, but it will keep your money in your community. The media is sensationalizing, and they're scaring people into spending zero money locally. That extra dollar or two can make all the difference.

2. Don't buy NOTHING, just buy less.

Drastic drops in purchases (because you've been told by the media to stuff your money in mattresses) can be devastating to any local business. Buy value yarns, recognize the value in saving, but nothing? Too drastic.

3. Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Go get your mammograms done! Remind the women in your life to go and get mammograms. Guys, do a pectoral exam.

4. Get registered and VOTE!

It DOES matter who you vote for. Read up on the measures/propositions, be informed on the issues, and learn about the candidates. If you can vote, you should. It's a civic duty.

When Knitting Attacks:

Gigi is working on the Neckdown Wrap Cardigan from Knitting Pure and Simple out of Cascade Venezia. There's no shaping, and it sags and droops. She's going to rip it back and use the numbers for the Basic Chic Pulli for the shaping.

Jasmin went to the Color Fiber Festival, and came out with just one skein of sock yarn. Tika bought a great, big bag of fabulous stuff, but followed the terms of the Social Pressure Experiment. Jasmin took the stuff that she spun and knit to show to Girl on the Rocks and Pigeonroof Studios so they could see their roving all grown up. Jasmin resisted stuff from Tactile and Cellach Dyes.

Jasmin got rid of 25 lbs of yarn at the Purlescence Yarn Swap and brought back NOTHING! She was also mocked for the skein of hideous muppet pelt she brought in.

Gigi went to Pacific International Quilt Festival and bought Project Runway fabric to make sock bags out of. (Our local quilt shop is Quilter's Nest.) Gigi was not on her game in class.

Ooooh, shiny! - Episode 22 - The Knitmore Girls

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On The Needles:

Gigi is working on the Zig Zag Slip Stitch Socks (out of Black Regia and Day-Glo colored Opal), Jasmin is doing a pair of vanilla socks out of the Day-Glo colored Opal.

Jasmin is having problems getting rid of background noise in the interview with the Yarn Harlot - please send an e-mail if you're an audio whiz. Please.

Jasmin is about to finish her second footprint (a la the Houdini Sock).

Gigi is knitting Fortissima Colori (a sparkly one), using Judy's Magic Cast On (which we learned in Cat's class). Gigi is combining techniques from Cool Socks, Warm Feet and Cat's class.

Jasmin is spinning hot pink sock yarn, and Going Home from Crown Mountain Farms. She also has commitment issues when it comes to big projects- whether it's knitting or spinning.

Gigi asks, "When does a project become an 'UFO'?"

When Knitting Attacks:

Gigi has a stash full of yarn and nothing to knit.

Mother Knows Best:

Stephanie Pearl-McPhee's sock washing method. Gigi learns that generic bobbins don't work so well in her Janome sewing machine.

Events:

October 16-19 Pacific International Quilt Festival (at the Santa Clara Convention Center)
(Gigi will be there in her Red Fedora. In class on Thursday, shopping the market on Friday and Saturday.)
October 18th (Saturday) - Color Fiber Festival (in Berkeley). Jasmin will be there, with her hot pink hair.

This Cat Makes Us Purr - Episode 21 - The Knitmore Girls

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In favor of our chat with Cat Bordhi, we will be omitting our regular segments this week.

New Pathways for Sock Knitters, Book One (Book Two is in progress!). We promise these socks are simpler than they seem!

The 2009 Sock Summit. Be there ... or you know, read about it later.

Lucy Neatby's DVDs- not to be missed!

Lucy Neatby's Cool Socks for Warm Feet, and the Little Box of Socks.

The Golden Gate Fiber Institute.

Cat's novel - written in media res, like a moebius.

Some of the original sock books:

Socks- Spin-off
Folk Socks by Nancy Bush
Ethnic Socks and Stockings by Priscilla Gibson-Roberts
Fancy Feet - Anna Zilboorg

Fancy Image Yarns - Gigi's first source of sock yarn.

Blogs that inspired Jasmin's spinning resurgence:

The Yarn Harlot
The Panopticon
January One - where she found out about Crown Mountain Farms

The Yarn Boutique - Lafayette, CA

Gigi got some Kramer Yarns Sterling, Jasmin got some Kauni.

Join our contest - Cat wants knitting jokes! Submit your jokes to us at knitmoregirls@yahoo.com. Prizes include signed copies of A Treasury of Magical Knitting and New Pathways for Sock Knitters, Book One .

This Cat makes us purr - Episode 21 Teaser - The Knitmore Girls

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Whole Lotta Knittin' Goin' On - Episode 20 - The Knitmore Girls

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On The Needles:

Gigi and Jasmin went to the Rosicrucian Museum and admired ancient textiles. [Our friend there was Karenzknitknacks, not Karenbynight.]

Jasmin finished her Baby Surprise Jacket, and her Sirius socks. She is casting on a new pair of handspun socks out of Pigeonroof Studios "Mushroom Caps."

Gigi is knitting a "vanilla sock" out of Lana grossa Meilenweit in color 5565 (it looks like Trekking), with a Strong Heel (from the Little Box of Socks).

Jasmin is working on a sweater for the Purlescence gals (one of their original designs) out of the Manos Silk and Wool.

Jasmin finished the spinning on her Pigeonroof Studios Superwash Blue Faced Leicester in "Violet Cherry."

Gigi is knitting the Knitting Pure and Simple Wrap Cardigan in Cascade Venezia.

When Knitting Attacks!

Jasmin had technology go terribly awry when trying to load the video of the sheep shearing onto the computer. As promised:

Gigi had killer dust bunnies (with BIG TEETH!) in her sewing machine.

Mother Knows Best:

When you're done sewing, take the little brush, and tidy up your machine. A keyboard vaccuum and compressed air also work nicely for sewing machine maintenence/clean-up. Ursula bought Gigi this magnetic light for her sewing machine!

Jasmin loves continued education, and she and Gigi will be taking a class from Cat Bordhi in Lafayette, CA on Saturday, September 27th at Yarn Boutique.

The Stitches West class catalog is up!

Events:

Saturday, September 27 & Sunday, September 28th:

Cat Bordhi's classes at Yarn Boutique!

Saturday, October 4th- The Yarn Harlot. Copperfield's Books in Santa Rosa.

Back from Boonville - Episode 19 - The Knitmore Girls

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Show notes to be posted.

Finishing up a storm! - Episode 18 - The Knitmore Girls

(No-Blog-Rachel and Jasmin with matching mohair)

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On the Needles:

Gigi has finished her Olympic Sweater and her Waves and Piers socks (from the Little Box of Socks). She has run out of UFOs!

Jasmin has finished her Hedera Socks (made of copper-colored Koigu) and her fuschia ribbon shell (made of the Tess Designer Yarns Microfiber Ribbon).

[Tess Yarns is also a mother-daughter operation!] Follow the direction on the label as to how to wind the ribbon, and use Fray-Chek to secure your end. You'll thank us later.

Jasmin suggests watching an episode of something (like Deadwood [Mature Content], Big Bang Theory, or Shark Attack in the Mediterranean) while you carefully wind the ribbon.

Jasmin has spun some day-glo colored sock yarn out of CrazyMonkey roving. It's FABULOUS and retina-searing.

Hunting for inspiration, Jasmin tripped across the Henley Perfected in Ravelry. I "favorite"d this one.

Gigi mentioned permission slips for changing patterns in Episode 17. The card is a business card on the front and reads "This grants official permission to change patterns at will." We're giving these out in person, but if you'd like one and are not a local listener, we will be happy to mail them out for a $1 donation. This covers the stamp and envelope, and gives us a little pocket change for operational costs and show-related travel. (Click the Paypal button in the sidebar and donate if you're interested in participating.)

Fleeces! Listener Mollie pointed out that Jasmin had neglected to describe the fleeces from the wool auction. Jasmin whittled it down to the six fleeces she has snippets of. It turns out, they're all different shades of grey. Shari from Morro Fleece Works is in posession of all dirty fleeces. (We love her.)

When Knitting Attacks:

Gigi's collar on her Olympic Sweater was... off. She "auf'd" it, and reknitted it. Twice. It's better now.

Jasmin's knitting is not agreeing with her. Jasmin bought the mohair pictured above (with No-Blog-Rachel) for the Cardigan to Love. After a long day, late at night, Jasmin messed up the sweater on row 5 of the lace pattern. In mohair. That now needs ripping. Jasmin went stash diving and cast on the Henley Perfected.

Events!

Jasmin and Gigi will be attending the California Wool & Fiber Festival! We will be there Friday, September 12th and Saturday, September 13th. Come and say hi! )

Wool, Wool Everywhere! - Episode 17 - The Knitmoregirls

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Show notes soon!