Viajante by Martina Behm

It's finally finished! Listen up to hear all about it!

Yarn: Miss Babs Kilimanjaro in the Believable color way

Needles: US Size 3 and US Size 4 Signature Convertibles

I've been working on a homework assignment for the class I'm taking next week at Stitches Midwest!

I'll be taking a class with Franklin Habit on steeks and zippers.

I mentioned I'm using Wool of the Andes for this homework project.

Whiz Bang Socks by Sarah Shoo

Sarah is half of the lovely duo behind the In a Sknit Video Podcast. 

Yarn: Yarn Ink Sparkle Fingering in Oblivion

Needles: Size 1 Karbonz Fixed Circulars

Vanilla Socks

Yarn: Berry Colorful Yarnings Saturated Sock in the Shades of Grey colorway

Needles: Size 1 Addi Turbo circular needles

I've been looking for some knitting patterns to solve a common knitting problem. 

Wrist Yarn Holder by Teresa Murphy

Ball Sack by Jennifer Sugarman

I also may have to knit a toy in the near future: 

Egg to Owl Reversible Toy by Susan B Anderson

Stash Dash is still going strong! Check out The Knit Girlls for more information.

The Around Your Neck Kal is happening with Dianne of the Suburban Stitcher Video Podcast and Stacy of Must Stash Yarns and Podcast.

Stitches Midwest is August 6-9. I'll be there, will you?

PalKal 2015

This is the biggest KAL of the year for Actually Knitting! 

Here are the rules:

Cast on: June 1

Bind off: September 1

The basic idea is to support a podcaster you listen to or watch by knitting one of their patterns and/or using their yarns for your project. You can also use a project bag by a podcaster!

The design, yarn/fiber and/or project bag must be from a knitting/crochet/fiber podcaster. (Not all 3, just one of those to qualify)

Use the chatter thread for discussion. Make suggestions. There are TONS of podcasts out there and almost no one knows about all of them, so if you know of a podcaster designer/yarnie/bag maker, feel free to share with us!

You are encouraged to take advantage of the coupon codes offered by our sponsors, but you are not limited to those podcasters for the KAL. Sponsors and coupon codes will be announced in an upcoming episode.

Please post finished objects in the non-chatter thread and include a link to the podcaster you are supporting.

Enter as many projects as you like. Each project gets a separate post in the non-chatter thread.

A note about project bags: a project bag may only be entered into the contest one time for an entry. (You can’t just keep using a podcaster project bag over and over and entering the contest that way).

You must be a member of the Actually Knitting Podcast Group to win.

Have fun supporting a podcaster designer or yarnie!

Please do not chatter in the non-chatter thread. It makes it more difficult to draw a winner!

Use the tag PALKAL2015 on Ravelry and #palkal2015 on Instagram

In addition, I've decided that you can use WIPS for this KAL. Yay! 

We have some great sponsors and wonderful prizes that I can’t wait to share with you all! Let’s make some plans for summer knitting! 

The coupon codes will be listed on the podcast and are available here as well:

Alana Dakos from Never Not Knitting, use PALKAL for 25% off of any PDF pattern (not books)

Megan from Stockinette Zombies, use ActuallyKnittingPalKal for 30% off through the end of July

Elizabeth Green Musselman from Dark Matter Knits, use the code PalKal15 for 20% off of any of her self-published patterns, through September 1st.

Daniela from Caffeinated Knitting Video Podcast, use the code ACTUALLYCAFFEINATED for 50% off her patterns through September 1. 

Angela from the Revelations of a Delusional Knitter Podcast, use the code PALKAL2015 for 25% off of her patterns.

Sarah Shoo from In a Sknit is offering her new pattern, Whiz Bang Socks, for $1.50 with the code ActuallyKnitting15

Christina from A Knitter's Life Video Podcast, use the code PALKAL2015 for 1$ off of her patterns, through September 1.

Gina from Brownie Knits Podcast, use the code palkal25 for 25% off your entire order.

Thanks also for the generous (now expired) coupon codes from:

Jennifer Lassonde from Down Cellar Studio

Emily from Fibertown Knits

Anne from the Carolina Fiber Girls

Allie from Caffeinated Knitting

Dianne from Suburban Stitcher

Prizes: 

Jan B. Smiley

1 project bag

Suburban Stitcher/Dianne

1 sock size draw string bag of winner's choice from her Etsy Shop.

Danie from The Prarie Girls Knit and Spin podcast and One Twisted Tree

1 skein of her Prime Sock Yarn in the Hinky Punk colorway

Mel from With Mel Video Podcast

3 patterns from her Ravelry Store

Stacie/Must Stash Yarns and Video Podcast

1 skein of her Extended Play Version of Darkside of the Moon

Emily/Fibretown

1 skein of yarn

Megan Williams/Stockinette Zombies

Sock Pattern kit that includes yarn, pattern and a bag

Anne/Carolina Fiber Girls

1 sock pattern

Estela/One More Row Please (blog/designer)

2 patterns from her Ravelry Store

Laura/Gynx Yarns

1 skein of yarn

Brenda Castiel/designer

3 patterns from her Ravelry store

Maria/Stitched in Sweden

A pattern from her Ravelry Store

Jennifer from the Down Cellar Studio Podcast,

Trickle Shawl Kit from Infinite Twist

I went into what I do personally to get ready to go to a yarn festival or retreat, touching on the following topics:

Budget

Patterns/Project Shopping List

Snacks

Water Bottle 

Clothing/Knitwear to pack and wear

Knitting Projects to pack to work on. 

What do you do when preparing to attend something like that? 

Crock Pot Buffalo Chicken 

Love it: New Yarn Storage! 

Here is where you can find the fabric bins. 

Leave it: Cooking Injuries

Being a cooking goddess is most definitely not in my future! 

I've started week 8 of my 1/2 marathon training program. I ran 6 miles on the day I recorded and I can't believe how far I've come in just over a year!

I finished reading Shopaholic to the Stars by Sophie Kinsella. It was just...ok.