Stitches West episode!   Recorded on March 3 - 5 2023   Vendors mentioned in this episode  Alpenglow Industries  Pam Powers Knits Porter Wool Co.  Fiber Lady  Seattle Sky Dyeworks  Knit Baah Purl  Greenwood Fibers Anzula  Madelinetosh  Oink Pigments  Carpool Indiemade yarn  Great Yarns!   Tracie attended Sandy Peters' class, Intro to Stacked Stitches. Barb attended Lorilee Beltman's class, Transform you Knitting with the Magic Cast On.       

Episode 263: Stitches West 2023 Recap

Barb (the mom) and Tracie (the daughter) are obsessed knitters and avid readers. We love to talk about our current knitting projects and favorite books to read or listen to - we also review the occasional knitting book. Come join us!

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Design

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Visual Arts

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Books

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Recorded on April 15, 2024 Book talk starts at 25:36  Our Summer Tops KAL has begun and goes until to June 1, 2024.  It needs to be an adult-sized top that you consider to be appropriate for use in the summer, and we will leave the parameters of that to you!  Come chat with us about summer tops on our KAL thread, and check out our Summer Tops bundle for pattern ideas!   Virtual Knitting Group via Zoom     EVENTS  Tracie and Barb will    NoCKRs - April 25-28, 2024 at the St Francis Retreat Center in San Juan Bautista, CA  The 2024 retreat is full, but please contact Tracie at 2knitlitchicks@gmail.com to be informed about registration for the 2025 event when registration begins in the fall  Fiber Frolic - June 1 at the Soul Food Farm outside Vacaville, CA      Tracie and Barb talked about the new swifts availabile from Alpenglow Yarn!  Barb has one and Tracie has ordered one also.     KNITTING  Tracie finished:  2 Knitted Knockers  PSL Mitts by Susanna Curtis by Canon Hand Dyes William Merino Fingering in the Waterworld colorway  Barb Finished: 2 Knitted Knockers    Tracie is continuing to work on:    Fiddly Bits cowl #11 by Jana Pihota  Knitted Knockers   Elorie by Elizabeth Doherty in Berroco Remix in Artichoke  Tracie has frogged:  Dawning Top by Ainur Berkimbayeva in Zealana Performa KIWI Fingering    Barb is working on:    Rock It Tee #2 by Tanis Lavallee, using Knit Picks Lindy Chain, in the colors Clarity, Rouge, and U Blue  Knitted Knockers  Pinnacles Beanie by Nancy Bates, from the Knitting the National Parks by Nancy Bates, using a kit   BOOKS  Tracie read:    Forever Home by Graham Norton - 4 starsBecoming Clark Rockefeller: Murder, Love, Decpetion, and the Con Man Behind it All by Frank C. Girardot Jr. - 2 stars   Jennifer, Hecate, Macbeth, William Mckinley and Me, Elizabeth - 3 stars   Barb read:    A Mother Would Know by Amber Garza - 3 stars   Watching You by Lisa Jewell - 3 stars   The Sleepwalker by Chris Bohjialian - 4 stars   The House Across the Lake by Riley Sager - 2.5 stars     Tracie also recommends:  The Supet Inflatable Dog Cone Collar Alternative.  Sally agrees with this recommendation  The Man Enough Podcast explores what it means to be a man today and how rigid gender roles have affected all people. The show creates a safe environment for a range of perspectives to meet and stay at the table, exploring how the messages of masculinity show up in relationships, body image, privilege, fatherhood, sex, success, mental health and so much more. Instead of polarizing and demonizing men and masculinity, it invites all humans to participate and thrive in the world. This Webby-nominated podcast is hosted by filmmaker, actor & author Justin Baldoni, author & journalist Liz Plank, and President of Wayfarer Studios & award winning music producer Jamey Heath. It’s currently in Season 2 and is in the top 1% of most followed and shared podcasts on Spotify, beloved by men, women and people of all genders.      

Episode 285: We're Just Wearing Our Most Luscious Sweaters Today

 Listen Recorded on Saturday, March 30, 2024 Book talk starts at 20:45 Our Summer Tops KAL has begun and goes until to June 1, 2024.  It needs to be an adult-sized top that you consider to be appropriate for use in the summer, and we will leave the parameters of that to you!  Come chat with us about summer tops on our KAL thread, and check out our Summer Tops bundle for pattern ideas!    Virtual Knitting Group via Zoom   EVENTS   Tracie and Barb will   NoCKRs - April 25-28, 2024 at the St Francis Retreat Center in San Juan Bautista, CA.  The retreat is full, but please contact Tracie at 2knitlitchicks@gmail.com to be informed about registration for the 2025 event when registration begins in the fall Fiber Frolic - June 1 at the Soul Food Farm outside Vacaville, CA    KNITTING   Tracie finished:  3 Knitted Knockers Bee Beautiful tee by Pia Trans in Carpool Cotton Bamboo in Copper Scraps Chaps puppy by Barbara Prime in Plymouth Encore - this is the pattern I will be teaching in a making knitted toys class this summer at Rumpelstiltskin    Barb Finished:  2 Knitted Knockers CAPROCK tee by Yamagara using Araucania Ollagua  Emotional Support Chicken by Annette Corsino, using leftover worsted weight colors from my stash.      Out of hibernation: Dawning Top by Ainur Berkimbayeva in  Zealana Performa KIWI Fingering   Cast on: Elorie by Elizabeth Doherty in Berroco Remix in Artichoke   Working On:  Fiddly Bits cowl #11 by Jana Pihota Knitted Knockers    Barb is working on:  Knitted Knockers Rock It Tee #2 by Tanis Lavallee, using Knit Picks Lindy Chain, in the colors Clarity, Rouge, and U Blue Pinnacles Beanie by Nancy Bates, from the Knitting the National Parks by Nancy Bates, using a kit    BOOKS   Tracie read:  Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid - 5 stars Where Monsters Hide: Sex, Murder and Madness in the Midwest by M. William Phelps - 3 stars  Happy People Are Annoying by Josh Peck - 3.5 stars California Golden by Melanie Benjamin - 3 stars    Barb read:   Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano - 3.5 stars  Blood Test by Jonathan Kellerman - 3 stars    Tracie and Barb both recommend the documentary  Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV with the warning to be aware that it discusses sexual abuse and is just generally pretty grim.

Episode 284: They Go to the Dumpster Behind the McDonalds

Recorded on March 14, 2024 Book talk begins at 21:00 Our Summer Tops KAL has begun and goes until to June 1, 2024.  It needs to be an adult-sized top that you consider to be appropriate for use in the summer, and we will leave the parameters of that to you!  Come chat with us about summer tops on our KAL thread, and check out our Summer Tops bundle for pattern ideas!      Virtual Knitting Group via Zoom     EVENTS  Tracie and Barb will   NoCKRs - April 25-28, 2024 at the St Francis Retreat Center in San Juan Bautista, CA Fiber Frolic - June 1 at the Soul Food Farm outside Vacaville, CA   KNITTING  Barb Finished:  2 Knitted Knockers     Tracie finished:    Tracie's Fresh Favorite Tee by Christen Clement Designs in Queen City Yarn Coleman in the Maple colorway  Tracie's Pixie Dust  by Dani Sunshine in Berroco Vintage Handpaintsin a light blue/pale green/purple colorway 1 Knitted Knocker  Tracie's Emotional Support Chicken by Annette Corsino, using Hayfield Spirit Chunky    Barb is working on:   CAPROCK tee by Yamagata using Araucania Ollagua Knitted Knockers  Rock It Tee #2 by Tanis Lavallee, using Knit Picks Lindy Chain, in the colors Clarity, Rouge, and U Blue Pinnacles Beanie by Nancy Bates, from the Knitting the National Parks by Nancy Bates, using a kit   Barb has cast on:   Barb's Emotional Support Chicken by Annette Corsino, using worsted weight leftovers   Tracie cast on:   Bee Beautiful Tee by Pia Trans in  in Carpool Cotton Bamboo in the Copper colorway   She continues to work on:   Fiddly Bits Cowl by Jana Pihota using fingering scraps       If you would like to make Knitted Knockers, here is some useful info -  From the Knitted Knockers.org website:  “Knitted Knockers are special handmade breast prostheses for women who have had breast cancer and undergone mastectomy or lumpectomy. Traditional breast prosthetics can be hot, heavy and sticky. They typically require special bras or camisoles with pockets and can’t be worn for weeks after surgery. Knitted Knockers are soft, comfortable, beautiful and when placed in a regular bra they take the shape and feel of a real breast. They are adjustable, washable and can even be worn while swimming. Our special volunteer knitters provide these FREE to those requesting them”  Please visit the Knitted Knockers website, Knitted Knockers Homepage for all the information that you need.    This webpage is especially helpful for information on approved yarns and color information: Yarns and colors  Very Important: Please note that neutral colors are preferred.  If you want, you can use bright colors on the bottom of your knocker, but the top of it needs to be in a neutral color.   Patterns: So many choices!  Please go to this section to pick and download your (free) pattern: Knitted Knockers Patterns.   Hint:  The Bottoms Up Knocker for Double Point Needles pattern works great with magic loop too…and has the easiest “start” to your knocker!      BOOKS  Barb  read:   If It Bleeds by Stephen King - 5 stars  The Mystery Guest (Molly the Maid #2) - 3 stars  Tracie read:     Forever... by Judy Blume - 4 stars  I'll Take Care of You by Caitlin Rother - 4.5 stars  The Bone Jar by S.W. Kane - 3 stars     Info from Tracie's "Thumbs Up" about the sweater shaver: The Substack article about pilling is here The excellent sweater shaver can be purchased  here

Episode 283: The Acid Green Is Not Functioning as a Neutral?

Recorded Wednesday, February 21, 2024 Book talk begins at 31:30 Our Summer Tops KAL has begun and goes until to June 1, 2024.  It needs to be an adult-sized top that you consider to be appropriate for use in the summer, and we will leave the parameters of that to you!  Come chat with us about summer tops on our  KAL thread, and check out our Summer Tops bundle for pattern ideas!  Virtual Knitting Group via Zoom Events Tracie and Barb will   NoCKRs - April 25-28, 2024 at the St Francis Retreat Center in San Juan Bautista, CA Fiber Frolic - June 1 at the Soul Food Farm outside Vacaville, CA    KNITTING Barb Finished:  Bankhead Hat #27 by Susie Gourley Velvet Pullover by Claudia Quintinella, using Serendipidye Kings Mountain Fingering in the Piccadilly colorway, Invictus Yarn Adventure in the Don’t Look  Under the Lilacs, Invictus Yarns Master of My Feet in the Adagio colorway, AND Knit Picks Palette in the Aster and Bluebells colorway. 2 Knitted Knockers    Tracie finished:  2 Soap Sacks by Haley Waxberg in Knockers yarn (And the bar shampoo and conditioner Tracie can be purchased at https://viori.com/)  Beginner’s Rainbow Rabbit by Claire Garland in sparkly periwinkle Tahki Linguine for Lauren’s 12th birthday Jen by Josée Paquin in Marianated Yarns Scrumptious HT in Sea of Glass and Indigo Bunting, Laneras Barefoot in Coral and Invictus Yarns Unconquerable Sole BFL in the Powerful colorway 1 Knitted Knocker    If you would like to make Knitted Knockers, here is some useful info -   From the Knitted Knockers.org website: “Knitted Knockers are special handmade breast prostheses for women who have had breast cancer and undergone mastectomy or lumpectomy. Traditional breast prosthetics can be hot, heavy and sticky. They typically require special bras or camisoles with pockets and can’t be worn for weeks after surgery. Knitted Knockers are soft, comfortable, beautiful and when placed in a regular bra they take the shape and feel of a real breast. They are adjustable, washable and can even be worn while swimming. Our special volunteer knitters provide these FREE to those requesting them” Please visit the Knitted Knockers website, Knitted Knockers Homepage for all the information that you need.   This webpage is especially helpful for information on approved yarns and color information:  Yarns and colors Very Important: Please note that neutral colors are preferred.  If you want, you can use bright colors on the bottom of your knocker, but the top of it needs to be in a neutral color.  Patterns: So many choices!  Please go to this section to pick and download your (free) pattern: Knitted Knockers Patterns.  Hint:  The Bottoms Up Knocker for Double Point Needles pattern works great with magic loop too…and has the easiest “start” to your knocker! Barb working on:  Cheeky Cables Socks  by Mary Lukas using Universal Yarns Zesty Sock in the Pearl colorway CAPROCK tee by Yamagata using Araucania Ollagua Knitted Knockers    Barb has cast on:  Pinnacles Beanie by Nancy Bates, from the  Knitting the National Parks by Nancy Bates, using a kit Rock It Tee #2 by Tanis Lavallee, using Knit Picks Lindy Chain, in the colors Clarity, Rouge, and U Blue    Frogged:  Colourwheel DK 1 Ball Scarf by Sirdar, using a Sirdar Colourwheel in the Follow the Rainbow Colorway   Tracie cast on:  Pixie Dust by Dani Sunshine in  Berroco Vintage Handpaints in light blue/pale green/purple 1 Knitted Knocker    She continues to work on:  Fresh Favorite Tee by Christen Clement Designs in Queen City Yarn Coleman in the Maple colorway Fiddly Bits Cowl by Jana Pihota using fingering scraps    BOOKS   Look What You Made me Do: Confronting Heartbreak & Harassment in Big Law by Erin Gordon - 4 stars  The Loyal Wife by Natalie Barelli - 3 stars  Trail of the Lost: The Relentless Search to Bring Home the Missing Hikers of the Pacific Coast Trail by Andrea Lankford - 5 stars  The Secret Place (Dublin Murder Squad, #5) - 4 stars  Patient Care: Death and Life in the Emergency Room, by Paul Seward - 4 stars    Tracie read:  The River’s Edge (Jackman & Evans #10) by Joy Ellis - 2.5 stars for someone not familiar with the series Ill Wind (Anna Pigeon #3) by Nevada Barr - 3 1/2 stars - takes a while to get going How Lucky by Will Leitch - 3 stars.  Wanted to like it more!  But got frustrated with situation and too worried for main character American Girl by Wendy Walker - 3 stars.  Have not thought about it since I finished it Tunnel Vision: A True Story of Multiple Murder and Justice in Chaos at America's Biggest Marine Base by N.P. Simpson - 4.5 stars  The Island of Lost Girls by Alex Marwood - 4 stars Her Last Move by John Marrs - 2 stars 

Episode 282: I Used the Kit That Was the Least Expired

 Recorded Thursday, February 8, 2024       We are so excited to have Kim McBrien Evans, dyer of Indigodragonfly Yarns, designer, teacher, innovator of knitting pattern modification and all-around Textile Maven as our guest this episode!     We had a fantastic talk with her about her background, starting her yarn business, learning to modify knit patterns out of necessity and wanting to share what she’s learned about anything-but-standard sizing and as a teacher, designer and advocate for size inclusivity and a change in the way we size women’s clothing.     Coupon Codes for Our Listeners Website: https://indigodragonfly.ca Discount code for yarn and patterns:  15% off all yarn and patterns   Ravelry: https://www.ravelry.com/designers/kim-mcbrien-evans Discount code: 2KNITLIT15 15% off all patterns and ebooks    Impervious Shawl  designed to be knit with some of Kim's husband's more complex colorways           A Tale of Two Sweaters     vs       "New Representative Sizing Standards for Garments that Fit" by Kim McBrien Evans for Digits and Threads, March 9, 2022 (you can download the size chart here as well through an email sign up)    "Inclusive Sizing Is Not Impossible—We Just Have to Work Together" by Kim McBrien Evans for Digits and Threads, April 14, 2021 Digits and Threads has a lot of other Kim's articles about fit, so take a look around! Find Kim Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/Indigodragonfly Instagram: @indigodragonfly 

Episode 263: Stitches West 2023 Recap

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