"Smile Out Loud"

Listen To Episode 23 Here!

Thank you, everyone for 100,000 downloads!!  This is quite a milestone for us after less than 6 months of podcasts.  You're AWESOME!

IN OUR WINEGLASS:

Sofia Blanc de Blanc 2009 from Frances Coppola is a real treat in our house.  Two thumbs up!!

Daily Fibers Mixed BFL - Gorgeous!!

And here is my attempt at Entrelac.  I can see how this could be addicting.










This is the yarn I received from my Valentine.  Shi Bui Sock yarn












The Magnus Drudik spindle which was gifted to me by Anne from Oregon (Otterknitter).

Thank you to those of our friends who have sent special things to Rick and I over the past few months.  Every little thing brings a smile.  It's so heart-warming to know how much you care. :)

The Mason Dixon class was so much fun!  If you ever get a chance to take a class from Ann Shayne and Kay Gardner, don't miss it!

I was WRONG!  I said that Rick sounded like Grover from Sesame Street when in fact, he sounded like the Cookie Monster!

SOCKS AROUND THE WORLD:

Our first sock is underway using Barking Dog Yarns Opposites Attract in the Arthur and Guinevere colorway.  This sock will be a size 8.

Our second Sock Around The World  has been finalized using Lorna's Laces Sock Yarn in the Buck's Bar colorway. This will be a size 10.

And a third Socks Around the World is just about ready to go. It will be a size 6.

ON MY NEEDLES:
February Lady Sweater is coming along.  I still have a ways to go but I'm just enjoying taking my time on this.

Here are the gloves made out of my handspun...

which are being made from the leftovers of the socks I made for Angelina.

I recieved my Majacraft Skeiner this week.  What a wonderful Christmas present!!

Thank you Nancy of Machine Knitting To Dye For for the awesome letter you sent.  I'm so glad our listeners were able to help your small business.

As promised, here is his official pageant photo.  Everyone welcome... Mr. Florida.  Note the moutain of chocolate covered strawberries made by his own hands and laid at my feet.  Princess Knit Carin was definitely in her glory. Haha



















TRADING POST:

Thank you to all of our friends who listen faithfully every week and for those who are able to donate, another big thank you!  We love our listeners!

Casual Socks

Listen to Episode 22 Here!

If you please, a positive review on ITunes would be so nice in helping to cover some of the bad reviews that are poking us in the eyes. :)

SOCK AROUND THE WORLD:

We've come up with what I think will be a really fun and exciting undertaking.  We will be sending a out 2 skeins of  Barking Dog Yarns Opposites Attract in the Arthur and Guinevere colorway to be made into a pair of socks by 10 of our listeners.   The first 10 people to volunteer in our Ravelry group under the Socks Around The World thread, will get to be a part.  We will be dividing the sock up into five parts: ribbing, leg, heel, foot and toe.  When you sign up, please pick the part of the sock you want to knit.  We will choose 2 knitters for each sock part.  Participants may choose whatever pattern they wish to knit, any type ribbing or edging,  any type heel, etc.  These socks will be a hodgepodge, a representation of 10 different knitters.  And when they are done, the will be raffled off. 
Knitters who wish to participate must be willing to include some of your favorite chocolate for the next knitter on the list and be willing to pay postage to the next knitter.

This should be so much fun and I can't WAIT to see the amazing socks our listeners will create!

SPEAKING OF SOCKS:

Thank you to Janice (Catspawlace) for offering to knit the feet on the Tardis Socks I'm knitting for my sister.  I have knit the legs and they are ready to be shipped off to Janice for the finishing.

Do any of you remember playing Jacob's Ladder with a string?

Thank you to Diane (Meshuggaknitter) for gifting me with the lovely Walk Now sock pattern. A portion of the proceeds for this pattern goes to Autism Speaks.  I hope you will check it out and consider purchasing it.

And finally, I cast on a pair of my handspun 3-ply worsted weight toe-up socks for my 7 yo and she is thrilled to have her first pair of hand-knit socks.  I just love the colors!

KAL Part II

Don't forget to use stitch markers between your 7-stitch lace repeats.  It will make your life easier. :)

If you want an easier way to try on your sweater, you won't be disappointed with Try It On Tubing.  Zips in, zips out!  Much faster than waste yarn.  You'll love it!

And for those who don't wish to tinker with the SSK, don't forget that the K2tbl (Knit Two Through Back Loop) is a very close second and is much faster and less fiddly.  Give it a try and see what I mean.

TRADING POST:

Up for trade:  Trader's choice of either 8oz. of prepared Mohair roving

Or a full Mohair fleece (approx. 4 lbs.)













IN OUR WINEGLASS:

Hob Nob Pinot Noir 2009   Two Thumbs way up!!  We both loved the lightness of this great sipping wine with hints of black cherry.

Thank you to everyone who listens, comments, reviews and donates!!  We love you all!!!

Knit-A-Long Little Dogies

Listen To Episode 21 Here!

I wanted to share a few pictures of some of the sweet gifts our listeners have given us.

These sweet doll sized February Lady Sweaters from AmyDe (Amy) were met with squeals from my daughters.

Yarn and chocolate from CraftPuppy (Allie).  It doesn't get much better.

FEBRUARY LADY SWEATER KNIT-A-LONG

Here are some helpful links:

This is the increase I used and which Elizabeth Zimmerman suggests using in the Knitters Almanac. It is virtually invisible. But feel free to use your favorite increase.

Backward Loop Cast-On also called Make One Towards on KnittingHelp.com

Buttonholes: Here are three suggestions but feel free to use your own.

1. One Row Buttonhole
2. Tulip Buttonhole
3. Reversible One-Row Buttonhole (This one is my favorite and the one suggested in the pattern.)

Even spacing of your Yarn Overs on your Eyelet Row.

Knitting Calculator

Don’t forget to use those stitch markers between your Gull Lace repeats and before and after your garter border.

Have fun!

ON MY NEEDLES:

Tardis Sock - I LOVED knitting this cuff.

ON MY SUZIE:

Truly Scrumptious waiting to be plied.

TRADING POST:

Up for trade:

EITHER approx. 4lbs of Mohair Fleece from one of DeeMarie28's own Angora goats.

OR 8 oz. of prepared Mohair roving also from her goats.













IN OUR WINEGLASS:

Toasted Head Chardonnay 2009  Two thumbs up on the taste.  A nice dinner wine. 

Thank you to all of our amazing listeners!  And thank you to all who donate in whatever form that takes.