Commuter Knitter Podcast

This week I continue tallying the WIP count, review Silver Spun yarn and put snow tires on the Party Bus.  Enjoy! You've Arrived At Your Destination Monkey Socks for Me Halloween Socks for Carlos Drive Dad's Hat Sorin  by  IrishGirlieKnits  in  Dragonfly Fibers Corgi Sorin Fingerless Gloves 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. During the Blizzard I posted a review of Feel Good Yarn Company's Silver Spun The Party Bus - complete with snow tires! Celebrating 3 years of podcasting with a month-long giveaway! Dragonfly Fibers Cooperative Press Aila Grace Shawl from Jennifer Lassonde Traffic Report Congrats to Ravelry for reaching 5 million registered users! I mention that I have been listening to the back catalogue of Cast On ...

This week I chat about the right side to place buttons, test out a luxury yarn, and review Sock Architecture.  Enjoy! Drive Exploding Vanilla TARDIS  socks in  Little Mount Yarn Co Wanderer Sock Zigzagular Socks  by Susie White of the  Prairie Girls Knit and Spin  in a  One Twisted Tree bag  by Susie's co-host Danie.  I used Megan Williams' OMG heel Picked up stitches for Ginny's Cardigan button bands. Test knit - more to come when the pattern is released Test driving Zealana AIR Marle yarn in a pair of Fingerless Mitts .  Thank you to Zealana and Yarn Sisters for providing a ball of this luxury yarn for my review.  You can find a detailed review, with photos on the blog . Finish-Along until the end of 2014 - #ckfal2014 Road Maps In light of ALL the socks I have on the needles that I discussed last week, I thought it appropriate to review Sock Architecture by Lara Neel of Math4Knit...

I often talk about trying new things, stepping outside my comfort zone, going outside the box.  When presented with the opportunity to try Zealana's AIR Marle for review, I could not resist.  (Disclaimer - I received the ball of yarn for free for review. As always, opinions are my own.) This yarn, part of Zealana's   Luxuria series , consists of (are you ready for it?) 40% cashmere (yum!), 20% silk (also yum!), and 40% brushtail possum down (yu… what!?).  My thoughts exactly when I first heard about this yarn awhile back.  However, after learning a bit more about this invasive species and its impact on the environment in New Zealand, I was intrigued. AIR Marle is a double knit weight yarn, made up of three strands of the lace-weight AIR, which according to the label is pill-resistant, durable, and lighter & warmer than 100% cashmere.  As for the specifications, the yarn comes in 50 gram balls at 116 meters or 127 yards that knits up at 21-24 sti...

It's Sweater Weather (at least for now!) Drive Zigzagular Socks  by Susie White of the  Prairie Girls Knit and Spin  in a  One Twisted Tree bag  by Susie's co-host Danie.  I used Megan Williams' OMG heel Monkey Socks Two Lane Highway Rage  by  Sarah Stevens  of  Oh! Loops  yarn & Fiber By Design podcast in  Voolenvine Yarns  (and it's Blitzed Fingering, not Glitz - oops) by  Kristin  from  YarnGasm podcast Actually Knitting  PALKAL - the official dates are July 1 - October 1, 2014 Test knit - more to come when the pattern is released Finish-Along until the end of 2014 - #ckfal2014 I think I need to make some lists like I did for Stash Dash - one for this and one for the  Down Cellar Studio   PigSkinParty .  Thank you to cozycapecottage for posting about the FAL on her blog . Party Bus Exploding Vanilla TARDIS  socks i...

Do you remember in Episode 76 when I said that I probably will not be picking up my crochet hook for a long time after finishing the Mario Blanket?  Well, thanks to Stacey Trock of Fresh Stitches  and her adorable new book, I may have to eat my words. Photo courtesy of Martingale and Brent Kane Earlier this year, Stacey published her third book, Modern Baby Crochet - Patterns for Decorating, Playing, and Snuggling .  This book is available from Martingale for $22.99 for the Print + eBook or $14.99 for the eBook through their website.  I would like to thank Martingale for kindly providing a sample eBook copy for my review. Before diving into the patterns, the Getting Started section contains useful information for choosing yarns (machine washable yarns are best!), gauge, and other supplies.  The Anatomy of a Stitch section goes beyond the basic "how to crochet" and discusses the different stitches and why you would want them constructed in a certain w...

You've Arrived At Your Destination Hitofude  out of  Madelinetosh Tosh Merino Light  in Volga for Camp Loopy Project 2 Mario Bedspread TheKnitGirllls   Stash Dash 2014 Drive Camp Loopy 2014  Ginny's Cardigan Purloining my own show notes from last year when I talked about subbing a different yarn that is not the same gauge: How to substitute yarn of a different gauge in a pattern.  A little bit of math is involved, but it's not too difficult. Pattern gauge - 4 sts per inch Personal gauge - 4.5 - 5 sts per inch Stitches at the bust to get desired size, which in this case for me is 34: x sts/34" = 5sts/1" x = 34*5 x = 170 sts This will be the number of stitches needed across bust to get the desired 34" bust measurement. Next, look through the pattern to find which size gives that number of stitches at the bust.  Use the numbers for that size in order to get the size I want. Rearview Mir...

Since I normally record the podcast in the car, I do not have the convenience of having a copy of the book I am reviewing or extensive notes in front of me for reference.  Therefore, I have decided to take a different approach with my review process by moving to written posts here on the blog to give you additional information, and to ensure that I have covered all that I want to mention.  I will still give an overview of the titles, products, or other review items within the podcast episodes, but I want to be sure to give these items proper attention as they are often provided to me from the companies free of charge.  As always, all opinions are my own.  I hope you find this new review format useful. © Cooperative Press Today I will be reviewing Mystic Shawls by Anna Dalvi.  This title is available from Cooperative Press for $26.95 for the print and eBook or $16.95 for the eBook.  Thank you to Cooperative Press for providing an eBook copy for my ...

Since I normally record the podcast in the car, I do not have the convenience of having a copy of the book I am reviewing or extensive notes in front of me for reference.  Therefore, I have decided to take a different approach with my review process by moving to written posts here on the blog to give you additional information, and to ensure that I have covered all that I want to mention.  I will still give an overview of the titles, products, or other review items within the podcast episodes, but I want to be sure to give these items proper attention as they are often provided to me from the companies free of charge.  As always, all opinions are my own.  I hope you find this new review format useful. Up for review today is Big Book of Crochet Stitches  by the late Jean Leinhauser and Rita Weiss.  An electronic sample copy of this book was graciously provided by Martingale for my review.  The book is available through ShopMartingle.com in print...

Drive Bayside Pullover  by Hannah Fettig - Camp Loopy Project Number 3 Cascade Heritage Silk  in Strawberry Creme Road Maps  Swatching in the Round - the cheater's way Your Mileage May Vary The Rhinebeck Sweater - share your thoughts and opinions about the tradition of knitting a Rhinebeck (or other festival) Sweater over in the Ravelry Group . Round the Twist episode where Carin shares her "Rhinebeck Sweater Tale of Woe". Traffic Report  Congrats to John and Dave for reaching their Kickstarter Campaign goal - can't wait to see what they have in store for Wooly 2.0 ! Martine of the iMake podcast and blog released her first issue of the iMake Magazine - available from her Etsy and Craftsy shops Deborah Tomasello of Colorworks by Debi released her first book - Wrapped in Color Stranded Knitting for the 21st Century available as a Ravelry download . Vote for Y...