*swoons*

Interweave Press has added more books to the Hurt Book Sale. So in addition to the damage I did last week I just picked up several titles I REALLY wanted but were already unavailable last week when I ordered.

*dances about*
*tries to wait patiently for the 3 weeks they take to process the orders*
*cries*

And yes, this does mean more things to review in the podcast. Oh - of course I have bought another new book since the last podcast so I may have to review 2 because I love them both, but I said I was doing Favorite Socks: 25 Timeless Designs from Interweave. But I have The Knitters Book of Finishing Techniques now too. And 10 more books coming.

Smiles and happiness through knitting in public

Harry Potter night usurped our normal Friday Night Mystery Stole night, but it was worth it. SO WORTH IT. Because I worked on Tomato in the theater. Tomato now has 2 sleeves and all the tails are woven in. That means the neckline is next. Wow - this has been a fast knit. I can't wait to share it with you all!

That isn't the point of this post. The point is that Cristi and I talked to the guy and girl behind us about knitting. They started it even. YAY! I also talked to someone about teaching her knitting soon (more on that later). And I will be planning and (maybe) teaching an Intro to Lace class in September. Depends on which state I am living in then. Oh - and Dave (the new GUY we have in our Panera Knitting Group - HI DAVE! *hugs*) stopped by the shop today and we got him all patched up on his stockinette stitch, he was a happy happy knitter and left with a copy of Stitch 'N Bitch: The Knitter's Handbook which I highly recommend to new knitters and old alike. It is a great reference and it is the book I taught myself to knit from.

Anyway - spreading the joy and happiness of knitting throughout the world and doing it with smiles and happiness. That is the point of this post.

Oh - and Dave said he listened to my podcast and he was so proud. He wants to talk me into a vidoe podcast. hmmmm...twist my arm, Dave, twist my arm.

Episode 8 - No clever title here!

FO:
Dream Swatch from Knit n Tonic - there are pics and talk about the pattern a couple posts back.
Lotus Blossom Socks for the Hill Country Yarns Sock Contest

Yarn: Hill Country Yarns Instant Gratification in Hot Fuscia
Yardage: Well, I haven't weighed my yarn to figure out how much I have left, but I have a lot.
I would tell you more, but then I think they have to kill me. And you. We shall see if I even place.

WIPs:
Pinwheel Sweater
Mystery Stole 3 (which has a crazy number of people!!!)
Tomato from No Sheep for You: Knit Happy with Cotton, Silk, Linen, Hemp, Bamboo & Other Delights
There are some more, but I didn't work on them so shhhhh!

Spinning:

Finished the Gothic Queen Colorway and started Gothic Princess from the Distillery Kids - working on it for the Tour de Fleece!

Books Mentioned:

The Ultimate Sourcebook of Knitting and Crochet Stitches

Favorite Socks: 25 Timeless Designs from Interweave - the plan is to review this next time. However, I reserve the right to buy something between now and the next show that I just HAVE to talk about.

Glamour Knits: 15 Sensuous Designs to Knit and Keep Forever (Erika Knight Collectibles)

Ahhh...Fun!

Cristi and I went on a yarn tour of Ashville, NC! I put up a full post about this trip last week if you want to back up there and read all about it.

Earthguild

Purl's Yarn Emporium

Yarn Paradise (it should be called Koigu HEAVEN!)

Book Review:

I got wordy on this one. Sorry. I LOVE this book!!

Charity Crafting:

Annie Modesitt's Red Carpet Convertible Pattern. You can download the pattern and/or make a donation.

Crafting for a Cause:

1287 items donated as of yesterday!

517 in July!

Square contest is going on through the 15th.

Upcoming Events:

Southeastern Animal Fiber Festival!

If I said "I must say" one more time I think I will have to die!

Episode 6: I have a concussion from falling off the yarn diet wagon

Yeah. I bought a lot of stuff. Not much of it was yarn, but that isn't the point. It makes for a fun time of talking about all the stuff I am working on.

Yarn bought:
LimenViolet - The Cloak Maker (more this week, but I will talk about it next time
OnLine Yarns - Tondo in Mulberry ( I didn't buy it here, but it was the only place I found it with the colorway listed - woohoo)
Brown Sheep Wildefoote - Soft Jazz, Forget Me Not, Columbine
Opal Rainforest - Doktorfisch

Etsy Finds:
Poppy Flower Fibers - 20% off for all fairieknits listeners now through June 15. I got Superfreak 3 and Royal Flush
Cherry Blossom Fibers - Purple, Violet lilac, pink
macekdesigns - You have angered cthulhu, Cthulhu's Wrath
Purple Flower Designs - I have a Pink Diamond Tote

Books:
Knitting Rules!: The Yarn Harlot's Bag of Knitting Tricks
Cables Untangled: An Exploration of Cable Knitting (Review to come in future episode)
Sensational Knitted Socks (a short review of this in this episode)
No Sheep for You: Knit Happy with Cotton, Silk, Linen, Hemp, Bamboo & Other Delights (Review to come in future episode)
The Ultimate Sourcebook of Knitting and Crochet Stitches
Domiknitrix: Whip Your Knitting into Shape (Reviewed in this episode - YAY!!!)
Simply Knitting Magazine
Ashford Learn to Spin booklet

Interesting other stuff:
Lantern Moon Basket - mine is in the pink and green fabric - I LOVE IT!!!
Addi Turbos in 32" size 3

Spinning Update -
I bought a Lendrum!!! (the folding wheel)
Spinning class at The Yarn Shop by Rainy Day Creations was GREAT. They have a couple more this summer.

WIP
Candleflame Shawl - Elsebeth Levold Silky Wool
Lacey Lamb Shawl - Jade Sapphire Lacey Lamb
Pinwheel Sweater in elann.com highland peruvian wool
Jaywalkers in LnV sock yarn

FOs
Carie Cardigan in OnLine Tondo from Fitted Knits: 25 Designs for the Fashionable Knitter
Women's Lace Edge Hat from headhuggers.org
Preemie Jester Hat in Debbie Bliss merino DK from Knitting for Peace: Make the World a Better Place One Stitch at a Time (it looks like this is $3.99 at amazon.com right now!!!)
3 more eyelash scarves for the Mary Read Memorial KAL


DIYs Knitting Gritty - I learn something new even when I don't like the projects. Its worth watching.

Yarn Shop Review
TheNeedleTree - Greenville, SC

Crafting for a Cause Update
End of May - shooting for 500 - we are at 520!!!!!! I am continually impressed by the crafting community and its kindness! Thank you all for your generous donations to so many charities!
Hit the LJ Spotlight!!!
Mention on missmalaprop.com
Steve from Webs suggests The Leader for your charity projects! Its $2.29 for 220 yards - 100% SOFT acrylic (he promises)

I might do a mini-epi on Monday with Olivia, but otherwise, no new episode for 2 weeks - the boy will be here next weekend!!!

more stuff...

I bought yarn. I am weak. But it is PRETTY and I can't wait until it gets here. Today I also picked up the newest Simply Knitting magazine. Yeah, I hope to have a lot to say in the next podcast because I also bought a couple new books this time around.

The yarn diet is only because of the move. The Boy, however, told me to buy whatever I want. He doesn't care if we have to move it. YAY!!!

Episode 3: OMG I need HELP!!!

So here are the show notes I promised. We shall see if I remember everything. Luckily I have notes however they are not in the order that I really talked in. Sorry about that. And I just heard there are some sound issues. See what happens when I change mics to one that is supposed to be better and to a room that I think has less ambient noise???? *sigh* I could hear just fine when I replayed. Sorry. I suck. I will do better. Next time we will move back to the office and the other mic.

I went out to LA this week and was lucky enough to visit Unwind. Great shop and you can shop online. I bought yarn. I took Capnbob to the yarn shop with me along with some other friends. He loved the yarn. No really, he did.

Books:
I said I would review Knitting Heaven and Earth: Healing the Heart with Craft this show - but I haven't finished it. SORRY!
Victorian Lace Today by Jane Sowerby makes me VERY happy and it has Victorian Ruby (my illfated 3rd project EVER) in it - maybe I will finish it now. I really love this book. The photography is BEAUTIFUL. And there is a great section in the back about reading charts and stuff if you aren't the chart reading type but want to learn.

I taught my friend Danielle to knit while I was in LA. Turning the world tot he dark side of yarn one addict at a time.

Other Stuff:
Hill Country Yarns is having a sock design contest. If you love knitting socks - well - head on over there and throw your hat in the ring ... er...sock. $15 enters you and gets you a skein of yarn in your choice of color (they choose the weight).

The Knitoff is over for me - but still going! Congrats to the ladies who made it to the semi-finals.

WIPs:
Monkey socks in TOFUtsies
Fitted Knits: 25 Designs for the Fashionable Knitter Two-toned Ribbed Shrug in Cascade 220 (9477) and Cascade Quattro (9436)

Community Stuff:
Crafting for a Cause is up and running. We are really moving over there and we are getting a couple yarn shops to help us collect Warm Up America squares for our drive. Lots of information coming over there about it.

YARN!!!!
Oh yeah - I bought some yarn. If someone can please direct me to a 12 step program for yarn addicts, my budget would be very happy.
Midnight Sky Fibers - Caravan Monthly Yarn Club and Magic dragon box which I refered to as the Mystery surprise magic box or some such silliness.
Blue Sky Alpaca Silk in plum to knit the IK Spring 07 Clemintine Shawlette (the pics in the mag do it NO justice). It is sqooshy and makes me smile.
Artyarns Cashmere 5 ply in 130 Petal Pink Chocolate - It feels like heaven and looks like neopolitan ice cream. Enough said.
Louet Gems in black for Stitch Diva's Bellocq Stocking Collection - holy crap I was expecting good - I wasn't expecting that freaking good. And the mega plus is that The Loopy Ewe shipped it the next day!!! I love The Loopy Ewe!!

A quick shoutout to BOBBAY!!!!

I think that is just about all of it from this epi. Seriously, I need a prorgram for yarn addicts.

Books I have mentioned in the podcast

OK - there has been a request that I post information on the books I reviewed. I will start real show notes with the next show. But - here are the books I have mentioned. Or at least the ones I remember mentioning.

I really like this book. It is full of inspirational stories and paterns. I am currently working on Warm Up America squares and Project Snuggles blankets.

This is one of the best sections on fitting a knit item to your measurements that I have seen. I REALLY like it. There are several things in here that I want to knit, too.

I am afraid this one has gotten lost in the shuffle of some other books I have gotten in, but I really enjoyed what I flipped through and there are several things I will knit from this.

And now for a non-pattern book. This book has some great moments and really has a good feeling overall. I enjoyed it. Would I have bought it if I had checked it out from the library? I don't know, but I have it and I will keep it. I found that the growth of the relationships in the book made me want to finish it.



So here is the deal - if you use a link I have up then I get some sort of credit. That credit will go to the show - either to buy books, yarn or pay for hosting fees. Just thought I would let you know. If there is something you want to get and you want to support the show, let me know and I will get a link for you.