Episode 76 Save Our Socks!

Published: Feb. 3, 2012, 9:53 p.m.

Tips for long lasting knits

\n

This episode is sponsored by Quince & Co and The Fiber Universe.

\n

The folks at Quince & Co believe that businesses can be good citizens\u2014should be good citizens\u2014without making too much a fuss about it. So, they have combined efforts to create a line of thoughtfully conceived yarns spun from American wool or sourced from overseas suppliers who grow plants, raise animals, or manufacture a yarn in as earth- and labor-friendly a way as possible. Find them at www.quinceandco.comand while you are there, sign up for their free e-newsletter.

\n

The Fiber Universe provides quality products, service and instruction for fiber enthusiasts. They stock yarn from Cascade, Plymouth, Skacel, Three Irish Girls, Kauni, Jojoland, Claudia Handpaints, and more. Fibers for spinning and felting are available from local farms. The Fiber Universe accepts orders over the phone and offers free shipping on orders over $50. Check out their website, www.thefiberuniverse.com or give them a call today at 309.673.5659.

\n

Our retreat! We still have room for you!\xa0\xa0 March 2-3, 2012 (Friday night and all day Saturday)

\n

$50 for all or $40 for Sat only. Includes Fri nite meal, light breakfast on Sat, and Saturday lunch.

\n

Details on show blog www.knittingpipeline.com.

\n

\n

Nature Notes

\n

Stitch Markers from Kim Ogle. www.ogledesign.etsy.com

\n

Karin says that Bertie the Bat is back!

\n

I\u2019m still on the watch for the snowy owl. Thanks to everyone who has sent me information. There was a clip on the NBC evening news onWed Feb 1.\xa0

\n

Needle Notes

\n

I\u2019ve been proactive about my sock knitting lately.

\n
    \n
  1. \nChoose yarn that will wear well. What are your favorite hard wearing sock yarns?\n
  2. \n
  3. \nKnit to a tight gauge\n
  4. \n
  5. \nClose fit (negative ease)\n
  6. \n
  7. \nSmooth skin (bring on the lotion!)\n
  8. \n
  9. \nPre-darning\n
  10. \n
\n

Tips from Clara Parkes in Vogue:

\n
    \n
  1. \nLook at your socks. See what areas are wearing out. When you come to these areas in your knitting go down a needle size.\n
  2. \n
  3. \nTurn socks inside out. Thread a blunt needle with your sock yarn and run it through the purl bumps on the wrong side. I took this a step further by making horizontal rows with mohair-silk blend.\n
  4. \n
\n

Crafting with Carpal Tunnel Group

\n

First thread is sticky. Do this one thing for your wrist pain.

\n

Joshua Tucker specializes in the elimination of carpal tunnel pain and symptoms.

\n

\n

The Blethering Room

\n

Piper\u2019s Journey KAL

\n

We will start as soon as the pattern is released by Quince& Co. I hope this will be in the next week!

\n

In the Pipeline

\n

Designed a cowl in 2 yarn weights and going for a 3rd. I enjoy wearing it.

\n

On the Home Stretch on Ten Stitch Twist by Frankie Brown.

\n

Spectra by Stephen West with 2 Knit Lit Chicks Podcast.

\n

I bought bulky yarn to make Lee Bernstein\u2019s OhSo Hat

\n

Downtown Abbey! Now has its own thread on our Knitting Pipeline Ravelry Group

\n

My Life So Far\xa0 Filmed on location in Scotland (Argyll), kilts, kilt hose, Scottish Country Dancing, pipe music, a knitted shawl, Fair Isle Vests, and Colin Firth!

\n

The Paris Wife by Paula McClain

\n

Zombies Don\u2019t Cry: Book One in a Living Dead Love Story. By Rusty Fischer Yes, my first zombie teen fiction.

\n

The February sunshine steeps your boughs and tints the buds and swells the leaves within. William C. Bryant

\n

I didn't have time to get music on the show this week. I am looking for snowy owls!

\n

Haste ye back!