Commuter Knitter Podcast

Greetings from Western Connecticut where the Blizzard of 2015 has blanketed much of the northeast.  All told, we probably had about 8-10 inches here, and the further east and north you travel, those amounts are double that or more!  We had a travel ban here in the state, so it was a work-from-home day, which did allow for some knitting time earlier today and this evening.  It's amazing how much more time there is in a day when you aren't spending so much of it in the car! Anyway, as you may recall, back in Episode 84 I mentioned that I was planning to knit myself a pair of Connectivity Gloves by Mari Chiba from Knitty Deep Fall 2014.  The generous folks over at Feel Good Yarn Company had sent me a skein of their Silver Spun yarn to try out, and this is one of the patterns that features this unique yarn.  (As with all reviews appearing on the podcast or here on the blog, opinions are my own).  The SilverSpun is a sport weight yarn made of 87% American...

This week I keep tally of my WIPs, mention some beach-inspired yarn, and recap Vogue Knitting Live 2015 - enjoy! You've Arrived At Your Destination Your Heart is Full of Unwashed Socks -  You're a Mean One socks Straight as an Arrow Hat in Unwind Yarn Company Touring DK I mention Club Dragonfly Drive Dad's Hat Sorin by IrishGirlieKnits  in Dragonfly Fibers Corgi Evergreen Socks by Madeline Gannon of The Little Mount Yarn Company   The hashtag is #EvergreenSocksKAL on Instagram.  I am knitting these out of Three Irish Girls Adorn Sock in Giving Tree King of the Forest Cross Stitch pattern  for Carlos's Valentine's Day gift Road Maps Be sure to keep an eye on the blog for reviews and other posts coming out on a more regular basis. Last week, I reviewed A Good Yarn Sarasota 's Exclusive Yarn from Lorna's Laces Road Trips Vogue Knitting Live  - Seamless Knit Doll class with  Susan B....

The first episode of 2015 recorded from the comfort of my living room.  I mention that I am wearing my Dark & Stormy to keep warm You've Arrived At Your Destination Your Heart is Full of Unwashed Socks - You're a Mean One socks Spacious OMG Heel by Megan Williams from the Expanding CommuKnitty socks.  I couldn't find a free-standing pattern for this version of the OMG heel, but if there is one, please let me know. Judy's Magic Cast On Jeny's Surprisingly Stretchy Bind Off Drive Dad's Hat WIPs, WIPs, and more WIPs - #WIPcrackin15 and #WIPknitdown2015 I mention Sarah from In a sKnit and Amy from Stockinette Zombies Needle Inventory: Trip Planner King of the Forest Cross Stitch pattern for Carlos's Valentine's Day gift Commuter Knitter Finish-along - winners announced Wollmeise from my stash Cargo Annual Airing Out of the Stash: All put away: My Yarn Stash March 2007: Flash You...

As I am writing this post, winter has not quite set in her in New England (50*F on Christmas Eve!) but the calendar tells me it's coming. (There is some sort of Game of Thrones reference in there that goes over the head of this gal who doesn't watch the show…)  Eventually when those cold temperatures set in, wouldn't it be nice to dream of some place warm and sunny?**  Well A Good Yarn Sarasota has just the solution to those winter blues!  The yarn shop has teamed up with several yarn companies to create color ways exclusive to A Good Yarn inspired by the oceanfront lifestyle of western Florida.  I was fortunate enough to receive a lovely skein of Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock in Grape Jelly from A Good Yarn for review.  As long-time listeners of the podcast and readers of the blog know, all opinions are my own. There are currently a dozen or so exclusive color ways available on the newly revamped shop site.  Reading those inspiration descriptions and see...

A retrospective of my 2014 yarn crafting adventures and a look ahead to 2015.  Recorded on Monday, December 29th, 2014.  Released January 1, 2015 - Happy New Year! You've Arrived At Your Destination 2014 Finished Objects  (no, you cannot do the same organizing in the stash page that you can in the project page and queue) 4 pairs of socks - 3 for me, 1 for Carlos 2 sweaters - Hitofude and Ginny's Cardigan 3 kids' sweaters 1 hat 1 cowl 1 bedspread I mention The Knit Girllls Stash Dash, the Prairie Girls Knit & Spin podcast and their "Legend-Prairie" project. Drive 14 WIPs started in 2014 Oranje Elfe Pomme de pin 6 pairs Socks, socks and more socks 2 hats 1 Kids' sweater 1 pair mitts 1 shawl Rearview Mirror - 2014 Goals Bring back old WIPs - of the 12 FOs this year, 3 were old WIPs, but the Mario Blanket should count for quite a few! More socks for me - 3 new pairs added to the sock drawer Thoughtf...

After a bit of a bumpy fall, I am glad to be back here on the blog to share with you another beautiful yarn that I was sent for review.  Today, I bring you Manos Lace, a 70% baby alpaca, 25% silk, 5% cashmere blend lace weight yarn from Manos del Uruguay .  How is that for decadence after the holidays?  I'd like to thank Manos' US Distributor,  Fairmount Fibers, LTD , for sending me this skein of yarn for review.  As always, opinions stated here are my own. Before I dive into the yarn itself, I wanted to tell you a bit more about Manos del Uruguay .  Whenever I receive a skein of yarn, needles, books, etc. from a company with which I have not worked before, I always like to dig deeper to find out more about that company - what is their story?   And Manos' story is quite the fascinating one.  The label gives you a bit of background, but I encourage you to read more about Manos (which means hands in Spanish) on their website as well as th...