Behind the Skeins

Join me this week for a look Behind the Skeins and into the daily life of a yarn dyer. We are prepping, dying, and pressing. It is full speed ahead to kick start the holidays. Let's take a look!

🧶 Read our blog: https://southernskeins.com/blogs/news

🎧 Watch us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@southernskeins

📩 Join our mailing list & get a free knitting pattern: https://southernskeins.com/pages/be-the-first-to-know

🛍️ Shop Hand-Dyed Yarn & Subscribe to the Southern Stitch Box: 👉 www.southernskeins.com

Follow the podcast so you never miss an episode! Rate, review, and share if you loved today’s fiber-filled conversation!

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Join me this week for a look Behind the Skeins. Dave is building a table, the dogs went to a luau, and we are testing dyes to find the perfect depth of color for you.

🧶 Read our blog: https://southernskeins.com/blogs/news

🎧 Watch us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@southernskeins

📩 Join our mailing list & get a free knitting pattern: https://southernskeins.com/pages/be-the-first-to-know

🛍️ Shop Hand-Dyed Yarn & Subscribe to the Southern Stitch Box: 👉 www.southernskeins.com

Follow the podcast so you never miss an episode! Rate, review, and share if you loved today’s fiber-filled conversation!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join me this week for a look Behind the Skeins and into the daily life of a yarn dyer. It's all here: yarn, knitting, shipping, and car confessions.

🧶 Read our blog: https://southernskeins.com/blogs/news

🎧 Watch us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@southernskeins

📩 Join our mailing list & get a free knitting pattern: https://southernskeins.com/pages/be-the-first-to-know

🛍️ Shop Hand-Dyed Yarn & Subscribe to the Southern Stitch Box: 👉 www.southernskeins.com

Follow the podcast so you never miss an episode! Rate, review, and share if you loved today’s fiber-filled conversation!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The inspiration this month is found in the Florida sky. You know, that time of the year when the weather is just right and the evening sky turns into a beautiful play of dark blues that melt into purple and pink. Breathtaking! 

Now let's try to capture that in yarn to share with all of our wonderful subscribers. 

✨Mentioned Items:

Southern Stitch Yarn Subscription

https://southernskeins.com/products/southern-stitch-yarn-subscription

🧶 Read our blog: https://southernskeins.com/blogs/news

🎧 Watch us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@southernskeins

📩 Join our mailing list & get a free knitting pattern: https://southernskeins.com/pages/be-the-first-to-know

🛍️ Shop Hand-Dyed Yarn & Subscribe to the Southern Stitch Box: 👉 www.southernskeins.com

Follow the podcast so you never miss an episode! Rate, review, and share if you loved today’s fiber-filled conversation!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Have you ever wondered how we make those beautiful shawl cuff you see in our shop? Wonder no more! In this special episode of Behind the Skeins Dave is going to talk you step though step how he makes each and every one of the shawl cuffs we sell.

From a flat sheet of leather, to shaping, to snaps. It's all here!

To see the man himself at work, please check out our YouTube channel or blog post listed below.

Get your very own shawl cuff here: https://southernskeins.com/products/handmade-leather-shawl-cuff?_pos=1&_sid=9c521ac2b&_ss=r

🧶 Read our blog: https://southernskeins.com/blogs/news

🎧 Watch us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@southernskeins

📩 Join our mailing list & get a free knitting pattern: https://southernskeins.com/pages/be-the-first-to-know

🛍️ Shop Hand-Dyed Yarn & Subscribe to the Southern Stitch Box: 👉 www.southernskeins.com

Follow the podcast so you never miss an episode! Rate, review, and share if you loved today’s fiber-filled conversation!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ever find yourself wondering: “Should I knit my socks cuff-down or toe-up?” If so, you are NOT alone. This is hands-down one of the biggest questions I get from knitters—whether they’re just starting out or are seasoned sock makers looking to shake things up.

In this ultimate guide, we’re diving deep into the two most popular sock constructions: Cuff-Down (aka top-down) and Toe-Up. We’ll cover what they are, the pros and cons of each, my personal tips (plus a few fun stories), and my best advice to help YOU choose which one to knit next.

Whether you’re a die-hard cuff-down fan or curious about toe-up magic, let’s break it all down—step by step.

In this week's episode learn:

🧶 Cuff-Down Construction

🧶 Toe-Up Construction

🧶 Pros and Cons of Each

🧶 Pro Tips for Picking Your Next Pattern

✨Mentioned Items:

Cuff-Down pattern- https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/dk-weight-vanilla-socks

Kitchener tool-

Slap bracelet sock ruler-

🧶 Read our blog: https://southernskeins.com/blogs/news

🎧 Watch us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@southernskeins

📩 Join our mailing list & get a free knitting pattern: https://southernskeins.com/pages/be-the-first-to-know

🛍️ Shop Hand-Dyed Yarn & Subscribe to the Southern Stitch Box: 👉 www.southernskeins.com

Follow the podcast so you never miss an episode! Rate, review, and share if you loved today’s fiber-filled conversation!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sock SOS: Fixing the Top 5 Sock Knitting Problems

Dropped stitches, gusset holes, socks that don’t fit right… sound familiar? 😬 This week on Behind the Skeins, I’m diving into the 5 most common sock knitting problems—and exactly how to fix them. Whether you're battling ladders, loose stitches, or worn-out heels, you’ll leave this episode ready to tackle anything sock-related with confidence. 🧦

PLUS: Grab your FREE Troubleshooting Checklist for quick-reference fixes every sock knitter should have handy!

In this week's episode learn:

🧶Ladders

🧶Gusset Holes

🧶Fit Too Tight

🧶Wear Holes

🧶Misshaped

✨ Links:

✅ Free Checklist: https://southernskeins.com/pages/be-the-first-to-know

✅Sock Mending Kit

✅Sock Log

🧶 Read our blog: https://southernskeins.com/blogs/news

🎧 Watch us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@southernskeins

📩 Join our mailing list & get a free knitting pattern: https://southernskeins.com/pages/be-the-first-to-know

🛍️ Shop Hand-Dyed Yarn & Subscribe to the Southern Stitch Box: 👉 www.southernskeins.com

Follow the podcast so you never miss an episode! Rate, review, and share if you loved today’s fiber-filled conversation!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

 Sock Yarn Matchmaking: How to Choose the Best Yarn for Your Pattern

Ever knit socks that looked AMAZING… but stretched out, sagged, or wore thin way too fast? 😬 You’re not alone! In this episode of Behind the Skeins, I’m sharing my best tips for choosing the perfect yarn for any sock pattern. We’re talking fiber blends, yarn weights, durability tricks, and how to match yarn to your pattern’s purpose—whether it’s lace, cables, or cozy house socks.

PLUS: Grab your FREE Sock Yarn Checklist to make every project a winner. 🧶

In this week's episode learn:

🧶understanding sock yarn weights

🧶fiber content

🧶sock patterns

✨ Links Mentioned:

👉 Free Checklist

🛒Knitting Planner

📝 Blog

🛒 Shop Sock Yarns

Listen now to become a total sock yarn matchmaker!

🧶 Read our blog: https://southernskeins.com/blogs/news

🎧 Watch us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@southernskeins

📩 Join our mailing list & get a free knitting pattern: https://southernskeins.com/pages/be-the-first-to-know

🛍️ Shop Hand-Dyed Yarn & Subscribe to the Southern Stitch Box: 👉 www.southernskeins.com

Follow the podcast so you never miss an episode! Rate, review, and share if you loved today’s fiber-filled conversation!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Are you dreading the sock heel turn? 😱 Don’t worry—I’ve got you! In this video, we tackle everything from the classic heel flap & gusset to my personal fave, the German Short Row Heel. Whether you’re a beginner sock knitter or looking to improve your technique, this step-by-step tutorial breaks down exactly what you need to know to knit flawless heels—without the frustration.

👉 Learn how to:

• Knit a heel flap and gusset (even if you hate gussets like me!)
• Master the German Short Row Heel (no gussets, no fuss 🙌)
• Fix common heel mistakes (like gaps & ladders)
• Use markers, tension tricks, and blocking to get a professional finish

🎁 Download your FREE Sock Heel Checklist here:

https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0561/9502/3026/files/German_Short_Row_Heel_Checklist.pdf?v=1752686900

🧶 Shop my favorite sock yarns & tools:

• ChiaoGoo needles
• Dropped stitch crochet hook
• Sock yarn

🧶 Read our blog: https://southernskeins.com/blogs/news

🎧 Watch us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@southernskeins

📩 Join our mailing list & get a free knitting pattern: https://southernskeins.com/pages/be-the-first-to-know

🛍️ Shop Hand-Dyed Yarn & Subscribe to the Southern Stitch Box: 👉 www.southernskeins.com

Follow the podcast so you never miss an episode! Rate, review, and share if you loved today’s fiber-filled conversation!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ever look at your handmade socks and think, “Why does this heel look flawless and the toe… a little wild?”

You’re not alone.

One of the most common frustrations for sock knitters—especially beginners—is uneven tension. Loose stitches here, tight spots there, and suddenly your fabric looks more like modern art than wearable coziness.

But here’s the good news: you can absolutely train your tension to be smooth, steady, and sock-ready.

In this week's episode learn what can affect your knitting tension

🧶Yarn

🧶Needles

🧶Speed

🧶and even Yourself

Tension issues are normal. They’re part of your growth as a maker. That means… be kind to yourself. Every sock is a lesson. Every swatch is a step closer to tension you’ll be proud of.

Mentioned Items:

Sock Ruler- https://southernskeins.com/products/sock-ruler?_pos=1&_sid=9f2433aca&_ss=r

Knitting Needles- https://www.knitpicks.com/needles/knitting_needles.html

🧶 Read our blog: https://southernskeins.com/blogs/news

🎧 Watch us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@southernskeins

📩 Join our mailing list & get a free knitting pattern: https://southernskeins.com/pages/be-the-first-to-know

🛍️ Shop Hand-Dyed Yarn & Subscribe to the Southern Stitch Box: 👉 www.southernskeins.com

Follow the podcast so you never miss an episode! Rate, review, and share if you loved today’s fiber-filled conversation!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.