snappy stitches

Episode 126 | Show Notes | Shawls, Club Fiber, Design I finally picked up a new knitting charting program, Stitch Mastery, to replace the free option I had been using, Stitch Fiddle Charting Software.  Stitch Fiddle was ok, but Stitch Mastery is AH-MAY-ZING!!  I also headed out to the library to grab a couple of design books, and talk about three knitwear design books on my wishlist. I made huge progress on a braid of Superwash Merino/Nylon in the Cousteau colorway from Kinfolk Yarn & Fibre.  Just one bobbin left to go before I'm ready to start plying!  Stay tuned for more details on a huge giveaway that's going to be coming up near the beginning of October! I won a new niddy noddy from the Plied Together Videocast with Annie, an awesome spinning (and knitting) podcast you should all be watching! Spoilers for the August 2016 Nest Fiber Club and July 2016 Northbound Knitting Classic Fiber Club. I also show off a beautiful braid of extra fine merino/bamboo/cashmere I won from Homestead Hobbiest, a prize from Team Bosworth for the Tour de Fleece this year. Don't forget to put the Spinzilla signups on your calendar! September 1, 2016. I have two new sock patterns out! Both are free for a limited time, so grab them as a free Ravelry download quick! They are both cuff down, heel flap socks written in multiple sizes. Gingell is written in 5 sizes, and Grace is written in 3 sizes! Gingell Socks Grace Socks The hat that is currently with test knitters is called the River District Hat and will be released shortly.  It is written for 5 sizes - baby to adult large in Malabrigo Arroyo (sport weight) yarn. The best way to express interest in test knitting for me is to sign up for my email list below. I will send out an email to let you know which pattern is ready for test knitting and you can either respond and let me know you're interested, or just ignore the email if you aren't interested in test knitting that particular design. Over the next couple of months, I will be sending out an email every week sometimes, to every couple of weeks, but after clearing a backlog of patterns I've written, you can expect to hear from me about once a month. The next pattern coming up for testing is my new DK weight Mata Shawl, so get yourself on the list! Sign up to receive an email when I have a new test knitting opportunity available.

Episode 125 is live! I tried to record a few vlog-type posts this past week, but when it boiled down to it, it worked best to share in a podcast. I talk knitting, spinning, the Spin In 2016 at the Historic Stewart Farm in South Surrey, BC, a bit of crochet, and oh my, the stash!! Lots of goodies to talk about this time, including several gorgeous braids of fiber from Kinfolk Yarn & Fibre - a local to me Vancouver dyer who is absolutely lovely, as well as a super talented. You can find Kylan's instagram account here - she also dyes yarn in multiple weights and spins gorgeous handspun for sale.  I also mention the Spinning Box and Ply Magazine. Here's the picture that made me fall in love with the Cirque colourway. Peace Arch Weaver's & Spinner's Guild on Instagram. Wee Fox Crochet Pattern Wee Bits Basic Crochet Body Pattern Amigurumi To Go by Sharon Ojala. Sharon's YouTube Channel. West Coast Colour & Carding Tin Can Knits Antler Cardigan Stovepipe Hat Nest Fiber Club (looks like there is a waitlist again) Touch Yarns from New Zealand. My new pattern is called the Gingell Socks, but has not been released yet. Keep an eye out on my social media channels, and I'll also mention it on the podcast when it is released. Same goes for my Grace Socks pattern - an updated cuff down vanilla sock in three sizes.

It's been almost two months exactly, since I recorded what I thought would be the very last episode of Snappy Stitches. We're here, so clearly it wasn't actually the last. Over the last two months, I've been blogging and vlogging over at mamaloveswool.com, and it has actually been really great for me, but I've missed the podcast. We're knitting here, spinning too. No reason that my goodbye can't be turned into an aloha after the fact, right? I wanted to sit down and chat with you today, so I did. Aloha. I chatted about my Tour de Fleece 2016 progress, and how I'll be plying with gold thread, one finished toddler sock, and how I made the heel work even though the sock is a bit big (purposely), stash - OH THE STASH! Nest June 2016 fiber club, Yarn Ink June 2016 sock yarn club, sale yarn (someday I'll knit another POP Blanket). I would encourage you to check out my new home at Mama Loves Wool and bookmark/subscribe there and my YouTube Channel. I'll be keeping this site going (since I use it to get the show to iTunes), but in a more limited capacity.

show notes | episode 123Join me today for some discussion about my current works in progress, spinning, a little bit of design talk, and a review of the awesome DPN and Circular Needle Case from Della-Q! And of course a little bit of talk about some newly acquired stash and a little bit of swatching! This month marks 4 years of the Snappy Stitches podcast, and 8 years of me podcasting about knitting and spinning.  It's been a great experience, but like anything, it can't go on forever, and this will be my final episode. My life has seen some enormous changes over the last 8 years, and over the last 2 in particular with my growing family.  I am finding it more and more difficult to juggle both the production of the podcast/content and my family life.  This is not a decision I have come to easily or lightly.    Thank you to everyone, whether you have stuck through with me since the beginning or have joined me more recently.  Your encouragement, friendship and support have kept the show going as long as it has, and the back-episodes on YouTube will continue to be available. I would love to keep up with you through my accounts on Twitter and Instagram, and of course Ravelry.  I do plan to continue blogging (and knitting and spinning), but I'm not sure exactly where I will be doing that yet. Once I have a more permanent online home, I will get the word out through social media and the Snappy Stitches Ravelry group. WIPs -  Fledgeling Featherweight in Manos Marina. Gingell Socks (pattern is coming soon!) Spinning - Hedgehog Fibres Merino/Silk/Flax on my Hansen Mini Spinner Review -  Della-Q DPN and Circular Needle Case in Seafoam.  Guys, seriously, this is such an unbelievably luxe little needle case, and it holds a ton!  Check Della-Q out on YouTube and her website here. She even has a men's line!

show notes | episode 121 I grabbed a little bit of time in the evening to record this week while the rest of the family was out for a walk.  I'm not used to recording at this time of day, so my white balance is waaaay off! Sorry. I have works in progress, a finished object and quite a bit of spinning.  I also take a closer look at Marina, a beautiful lace weight single from Manos Del Uruguay (tune into the WIPs segment for all the details). I mention my current two favourite video podcasts, Two Tangled Skeins and Make Things Club. spinning I show you a combo spin I've been working on out of some bits and pieces of Sweet Georgia fiber in various fibers and colourways.  I'm saving it to ply during the next Sweets Off The Wheel Ply Days, coming up this weekend.  I've just started on the Hedgehog Fibres Merino/Silk/Flax blend, and I talk about how I'm prepping this one for the most pleasant spinning experience. This time I opted to cross lace the Hansen Mini Spinner Lace Flyer for super light take-up. My end goal for this one is to make a 2-ply lace weight yarn and knit up a little summer lace shawl. wips + review I'm working on the Fledgling Featherweight by Hannah Fettig of Knitbot, out of Manos Del Uruguay Marina in the Ciruela colourway and loving it! We take a closer look at Manos Marina, a lovely lace weight single yarn, made from superwash merino wool. I'm using a 3.35 mm (US 3) 24" Knitter's Pride Dreamz fixed circular needle.  The colour of the blue needle and the Ciruela colourway are so pretty to look at together! I mentioned a giveaway that Manos Del Uruguay is running, here's the link to enter. Thank you to Stitchcraft Marketing and Manos Del Uruguay for providing this skein of Marina for me to take a look at and share with you! It is a really nice yarn and like I said on the show, I'm already planning out a Featherweight using Marina for myself. fo I finished my handspun corriedale socks! This was from yarn I received in the Spunky Eclectic Fiber Club in September 2015, and spun it up during Spinzilla 2015 (it was actually the only thing I spun, thanks to being 39.5 weeks pregnant at the time. The socks were knit on 3mm needles, toe up, using the Fish Lips Kiss Heel.  Seriously, why don't I knit heavier weight socks more often? I love them! Looking for links to the Sewn Bind Off or Miraculous Elastic Bind Off? goodies I briefly show what I received in the Wish You Were Here Swap from Sarah, so I skipped this segment this time.  Sarah included some pretty local to her yarn from the Periwinkle Sheep!  I mentioned the Striped Cowl, which is a free pattern by Matilde Skår. Don't worry, it'll be back again next time...I already have some bright happy sock yarn to show you! in the kitch' We talk marshmallows this week!!  I found this recipe from The Kitchn and followed it exactly for perfect results. Next time I'm going to try to swirl in some blackberry jam! watch

show notes | episode 120   This week, I finished my Moon Shawl using the kit from Skeino, and do a review of the kit.  I flash some Easter sewing I did for the kids, show the crazy progress I've made on my handspun socks, and we talk yogurt!   Did I mention I've also been dyeing?!  It's been a while since I've done much dyeing since it's much more challenging with the kids around, but I carved out a little time for it this weekend. Cheviot Combed Top | I've been playing with the dye pots again! I hope everyone is having a great spring so far! I can't wait to start planning some warm weather projects.  I see lots of socks in my future!      spinning Nothing! I did dye up some spinning fiber though! wips Handspun socks | Spunky Eclectic September 2015 Club colourway | 2 strands of chain plyed yarn held together. fo + review My official FO is the lovely, fluffy Moon Shawl from Skeino. I also show some finished sewing I did for my kiddos for Easter. I used this pattern from Melly Sews and whipped up a couple of cute little bunnies out of some scrap fabric I had on hand. You can get the pattern for free if you sign up for her newsletter. in the kitch' Substituting yogurt in cakes | Dorie Greenspan's Mediterranean Yogurt Cake goodies Into The Whirled February 2016 Classic Club Fiber | Falkland | '24 1/2th Century' Into The Whirled March 2016 Classic Club Fiber | BFL | Madame Vastra Spunky Eclectic February 2016 Fibre Club | Farmer's BFL | Aspens tunes Royalty free music courtesy of Bensound Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ watch

show notes | episode 119   Look for a new episode next Friday!   I recap DAY TWO of Fibres West, and talk about a new project, a finished object, deviating from my usual stretchy bind off in favour of EZ's Sewn Bind Off, and way more goodies than anyone should acquire in the span of 2 hours.  Plus, I snag something I've been thinking about since I first saw it at Knit City last fall! Goodies!! You'll also want to tune in for a review on Ancient Arts Yarns' new base, Reinvent! Clicking through my affiliate links is always much appreciated.  As well, if you purchase something after hearing about it on the show, please mention that you heard about it here!    spinning Into The Whirled | December 2015 Fiber Club | Superwash Merino | FINISHED SINGLES!! wips Skeino | Moon Shawl | Don't forget we have a coupon code!  Find it here (good until May 1, 2016).  Keep an eye out for a review of this kit next week! fo + a review I finished a pair of Fish Lips Kiss Heel socks and did a review on the lovely yarn I used, Ancient Arts Reinvent (in the Kismet colourway)!   Ancient Arts | Reinvent | more info on this base.   in the kitch' Pick a perfect pear | The Kitchn goodies Fibres West DAY TWO | Chaotic Fibres | Kinfolk Yarn + Fibre | Penelope Fibre Arts | Sweet Spun | Valley Yarns | Northbound Knitting (NBK) | Sweetheart Socks tunes Royalty free music courtesy of Bensound Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ watch

show notes | episode 118   Look for a new episode next Friday!  Fibres West recap (part 1), an update on my hand spinning project I've been working on with the Hansen Mini Spinner, a couple of works in progress I've been knitting, and a lot of new goodies being added to the stash. I also do a review of Eucalan's wonderful wool wash! Handspun Corriedale Sock Progress  Clicking through my affiliate links is always much appreciated.  As well, if you purchase something after hearing about it on the show, please mention that you heard about it here!    spinning Into The Whirled | Superwash Merino | December 2015 Club Colourway Sweets Off The Wheel Group | Ply Days wips Handspun socks from the September 2015 Spunky Eclectic Club colourway Fish Lips Kiss Heel Socks from Ancient Arts Reinvent in Kismet (watch for a review of this yarn on the next show)! review + giveaway Eucalan has generously offered one of their fantastic gift packs (which contains all 5 of their scents).  Watch the show for a review, and then enter the giveaway through Rafflecopter right here!   recipesourdough french toast | delicious! Sourdough French Toast | Tastes Lovely goodies My haul from DAY ONE of Fibres West! Chaotic Fibres | Birkeland Bros | Sweet Fiber | Kinfolk Yarn and Fibre. tunes Royalty free music courtesy of Bensound Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ watch

show notes | episode 117    Welcome to another episode of the Snappy Stitches Podcast!  Glad to have you joining me this week. I recorded a little earlier in the week this week, and I'm glad I did, because I've almost completely lost my voice since then! This has been a tough week for us; everyone's been quite sick.  I continue to grab little bits of knitting time here and there.  I was really surprised how quickly my socks have been knitting up. Swap matches have been sent out as of this evening, and I'm really looking forward to starting my shopping! Wolf River Pullover | Cascade Ecological Wool  Clicking through my affiliate links is always much appreciated.  As well, if you purchase something after hearing about it on the show, please mention that you heard about it here!    spinning Into The Whirled | Classic Fiber Club | December 2015 | Superwash Merino Upcoming - Hedgehog Fibers | Merino/Silk/Linen Blend | planning a Citron Grand Shawl. I also mention the Stitch Addiction podcast with Kate, without actually remembering to tell you what her show is called.  Oh man, what a week. wips Wolf River Pullover Fish Lips Kiss Heel Socks fo none this week!   recipe Farmhouse Vegetable Barley Soup | America's Test Kitchen goodies Into The Whirled | Classic Fiber Club | January 2016 | MCN tunes Royalty free music courtesy of Bensound Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ watch

show notes | episode 116   Look for a new episode next Friday!   A new WIP on the needles this week is keeping me clicking along.  I can't wait to start making some good progress on this one and start to see the bulky weight lace start to materialize.  I'm starting to plan sweaters for next fall already.   If you haven't had a chance to join the Wish You Were Here Swap, head over here for details! Sign ups are open until the end of the day on February 29th! cascade ecological wool | twisted rib  Clicking through my affiliate links is always much appreciated.  As well, if you purchase something after hearing about it on the show, please mention that you heard about it here!  spinning Into The Whirled | Godric's Hollow | December 2015 Club | Superwash Merino wips Wolf River Pullover | Balsam Ridge Pullover | Melissa Schaschwary | Dandelion Girl Designs on Facebook fo Sailor Top from Fancy Tiger   recipe Easy Chicken Stock | Jamie Oliver goodies Spunky Eclectic | January 2016 Fiber Club | Snow Lightening on Targhee giveaway!!She Is Sew Whimsical | enter here | winner will be drawn on Episode 118 tunes Royalty free music courtesy of Bensound Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ watch