IN THIS EPISODE:  Box O' Sox KAL announcementWhat I'm KnittingSpinning Vogue Knitting Live re-capTreat Yourself Shop UpdateBlather NEW-TO-ME PODCASTS The Yarn Geek is a brand new podast hosted by Denise, who I met at the Plucky Knitter trunk show at Gauge + Tension, and also hung out with the past weekend at Vogue Knitting LIVE. This week I also seem to have re-discovered audio podcasts!I've been binge-listening to the Sweet Georgia Show (recommended by Tiny Paper Foxes podcast), hosted by Felicia Lo or Sweet Georgia Yarns. Through the previous podcast, I also started watching the BOX O' SOX KAL Knit at least 12 pairs of socks in 1 year — the more the merrier! The idea is to fill a box (big or small) … with lovely hand knit socks! This way, come 2017, you’ll have a whole box of lovely socks, ready to wear … Or admire. Start Date: Jan. 1, 2016. I will close this thread on January 1, 2017 and draw prizes (still TBD). In the meantime, please post in the official Ravelry thread for general chatter, questions, sharing pix, and progress. Please use #BoxOsoxKAL for sharing pix on Instagram Can’t wait to see all your gorgeous socks! Just for fun ... the briefcase scene from Pulp Fiction Melinda (Yarnder Woman) mentioned ... (Skip to 3:30 mark) WARNING: this video is explicit and violent. If you are sensitive, please DO NOT watch.   WHAT I'M KNITTING Socks Regia, Arne & Carlos, "Summer Night" Project bag by Mina MakesVerdure Shawl, by Fluffy Fibers Voolenvine Yarns, Blitzed, "Succulents"My own shawl design Voolenivne Yarns, Narwhal, "Venus Fly Trap" SPINNING This week I unloaded a bobbin of singles using Gourmet Stash "Broken Ornaments" fiber. I navajo plied the singles, which resulted in 108 yds DK. Did a little spinning on my Lendrum. Fiber is Loop, in the "Ohm" colorway.  I'm not sure what I was thinking, but I didn't bring knitting with me to VKL. But I did bring my small Subterranean Woodworks Turkish spindle and a rolag, from Adrian of the Freakish Lemon Podcast.  VOGUE KNITTING LIVE RECAP  / TREAT YOURSELF  Chiagu One Geek to Craft Them All VKL Podcaster Posse Gabby Once Upon a Corgi Jennie and Devon from Tiny Paper Foxes Eric from Sticks + Twine Denise from Yarn Geek Mina from the Knitting Expat Podcast Jackie from Brooklyn Knitfolk Tonya from Knitting Spring Carlene from Made with Carlenergy Dragonfly Fibers Gradient Set, Dragon Sock, "Titania" Narwhal Needlework Spinning Fiber, 100% Polwarth Wool, "Glacier" Manos Del Uruguay Alegria, "Dragon" Hedgehog Fibres Twist Sock, "Birthday Cake" Subscribe to this blog.

OFF THE NEEDLES Sock HO: Little Bobbin's Christmas Eve Cast On KAL Socks Gynx Yarns, Power Sock "Gingerbread House" Knit Picks Stroll, "Dogwood Heather" Using US 1.5, 2.5mm Knitter's Pride Cubics dpns ON THE NEEDLES Aisling Shawl, by Justyna Lorkowska O Wool, O Wash Fingering, "Barn Owl" Gynx Yarns, "Howl's Castle" Stonecutter Pullover, by Michele Wang Quince & Co. Lark, "Damson" Jaffrey Hat, by Michele Wang Brooklyn Tweed LOFT, "Hayloft" SPINNING Respect the Spindle by Abby Franquemont Link to video on Interweave TREAT YOURSELF Jimmy Beans Wool- Arne & Carlos "Fall Night" - Large Bryson Sock Blockers Lellabella  - Soft Cashmere Exclusive for Lellabella, 316 - Sesia Baby Minstral, 262 Baerenwolle, BaerenFLUFF, "Pond" ASK AWAY  Niddy-Noddy video by The Woolery Subscribe to this blog.

Thanks so much for watching! Below are some talking points and links to just about everything I talk about in this week's episode. If I missed anything, feel free to ask me about it in the YarnGasm Ravelry Group!  OFF THE NEEDLES Stonecutter by Michele Wang Quince & Co, Lark, "Damson" Little Bobbins' Christmas Eve Cast On Socks Knit Picks, Stroll, "Dogwood Heather" Gynx Yarns, Power Sock, "Gingerbread House" ON THE NEEDLES Socks Regia, Arne and Carlos, "Summer Night" Verdure Shawl by Fluffy Fibers Voolenvine Yarns, Blitzed, "Succulents" TREAT YOURSELF Yarn Fortress version 2.0! IKEA, KALLAX — inspired by Andi from the Andre Sue Knits podcast ASK AWAY Wolffowna on Ravelry asks ... Hello, Kristin! I love your colorways! I wanted to ask how many colors of dyes do you regularly use? Do you have only a couple of colors and you mix them a lot to get what you want or do you have a lot of colors and use them as they are? (For example do you have a green dye or do you mix yellow and blue for that? What about purples etc.?). Thanks! DharmaTrading.com CraftyLynetteR on Ravelry asks ... Hi Kristin, I’m a new knitter so my question is - what piece of advice would you give to a new knitter? Thanks for the great podcast. SHOP UPDATE Next Update: Friday, January 15th @ 7pm EST Valentine's Day Colorways are here! BLATHER Knitting Resolutions:  - Finish Verdure & Lumpy Space - Knit larger garments ... maybe only knitting one pair of socks at a time. - Design a new pattern - Knit Dennis a sweater - Knit 2 sweaters for myself - Keep a knitting journal   Subscribe to this blog.

OFF THE NEEDLES Sock Regia 4-ply, Arne & Carlos, Summer Night Knitter's Pride, Cubics, US1, 2.5mm dpns   ON THE NEEDLES Stonecutter Pullover by Michele Wang Quince & Co. Lark, Damson Finished knitting and blocking the back and frontCurrently knitting the first sleeveVictoria Street by the Zealous Knitter TREAT YOURSELF Hobbledehoy Battlings Gauge + Tension Cormo Adrian of the Freakish Lemon Podcast’s holiday gift Knit Picks Stroll & FeliciStroll: Black, Dove Heather, Dogwood Heather, White Felici: Tea Party ASK AWAY TheCedarBox on Ravelry Asks … Have you ever been a test-knitter? What’s the protocol? Are there knitter-in-the-know rules? SHOP UPDATE Tuesday, December 22nd, 6pm ESTSubscribe to this blog.

I'm using a new microphone this week (Blue Spark). But after taking it for a spin, I realize it's better for audio podcasts. So, unfortunately, it will be going back to the store.  OFF THE NEEDLES Barley Hat by Tin Can KnitsGynx Yarns, Merino Worsted, "Fantasy"  Socks for Dennis Skein, Top Drawer Sock, "Savannah" ON THE NEEDLES Stonecutter by Michele Wang Quince & Co., Lark, "Damson" Stonecutter KAL co-hosting with The Fawn Knits podcast Join the Junk Yarn Podcast Cable-a-long and triple-dip for prizes! Ornament-a-long KALKnit ornaments during the month of December. Post FOs in the Ravelry thread. On January 1st, 2016, I will close the thread a draw prizes.  Grayling Mittens by Tin Can Knits Isager, Alpaca Merino  SPINNING No spinning this week, but I did receive my replacement Snyder Turkish Spindle arm ... the one with the narwhals! STASH ACQUISITIONS Knitter's Pride Cubics Dpns US 1.5, 2.5mm Knitter's Pride Karbonz 16" 40cm circulars Bryspun Sock Blockers Medium SEWING Jalie Mens' and Boy's Boxer Shorts I learned to sew a buttonhole, using the buttonhole foot for my sewing machine. This is also my first time sewing with flannel. ASK AWAY ThisPianoGirl on Ravelry asks ... I have heard about many podcasters including you talk about frogging, or ripping back a project. I was curious if there is a ” proper ” way to do this? YULE LOG VIDEOS If you don't have a real fireplace, these are fun to stream to your TV, during the holidays ... or whenever! Nick Offerman Yule Log Lil Bub's Magical Yule Log  Outlander Yule Log   Subscribe to this blog.

I hope everyone had a happy Thanksgiving! FOs Barley Hat by Tin Can Knits Gynx Yarns, Merino Worsted, “Fantasy” Seahorse Ornament WIPS Socks For Dennis Skein, Top Drawer Sock, “Savannah” Stonecutter by Michele WangQuince & Co., Lark, "Damson"  Co-Hosting a Stonecutter KAL with the Fawn Knits PodcastTriple-dip for prizes by joining Junk Yarn's Cable-a-long KAL I'm Giving up on the 34th & 8th Mittens for Dennis. The pattern is sized for an average woman's hands, only. So, I cast on using a US 2 needle (one size larger than the pattern calls for) hoping to get a slightly larger gauge. Unfortunately, it was knitting up a smidge too large. So I frogged it and cast on using US 1s ... but at that point, I had lost steam. Nothing to do with the pattern ... I'm just realizing that I'm not a huge fan of knitting with Brooklyn Tweed Yarns. The hand isn't my favorite, and I don't like that the fiber it's so fragile. I know I promised myself to lay off the sock-knitting in 2016 ... but I was watching Lara from the Fawn Knits podcast, who is knitting a pair of socks using Gynx Yarns Gingerbread House ... with contrasting heels and toes. I happen to have the same skein and really want to cast on a pair. In fact, Dani (Little Bobbins) and Isabelle (Fluffy Fibers) are both knitting socks with contrasting heels ... and I want in on the fun! Count Down to Winter (Featherweight Cardigan) KAL  I will be closing the Ravelry thread December 22nd and will announce prize winners in the folloiwng podcast episode. STASH ACQUISITIONS Enisa (aka KittyLovesBlue on Ravelry) sent me a lovely holiday package. She also has the LunaBear Likes Yarn podcast. I've also been taking part in some "Woolpiggery", as Jennie from the Tiny Paper Foxes podcast likes to call it. For some reason, during the holidays I think its OK for me to go a little crazy and buy more yarn and fiber. The stuff I ordered online is still in transit, but I should have lots of shiny new things to share with you next week. SPINNING Fancy Cop-Winding Tutorial (via SimplyNotable.com) ASK AWAY TatieStars on Ravelry asks ... Hi Kristin, I’d love to hear more about how you got into sewing and what you’d consider “starter supplies.” I have a sewing machine and have attempted a few projects, but then so much time goes by I forget how to use it. I want to get started and not be intimidated for once! (I answer this question in Episode 172) ALSO -- I think I’ve heard you mention a few times that you drink wine! What is your favorite or go-to wine? I’m a big wine drinker and always looking to try new ones. Thanks! A: I'm a huge fan of white wines, especially Sauvignon Blanc — the dryer the better! When it comes to red wine, I love Malbec and Syrah, which can be spicy, and smokey.   SHOP UPDATE Trunk Show at Gauge + TensionSaturday, Dec. 12 — Sunday, Dec. 13, 2015 The last update of 2015 will be Monday, December 21st.   BLATHER Thanksgiving / Philly Recap Mütter Museum The Barnes Foundation The Smitten Kitchen - Apple Cranberry Crisp recipe Subscribe to this blog.

Thanksgiving is this week and unfortunately, I won't have time to record a full episode. But I thought I'd share a quick video of how I knit and purl, since many of you have been asking. In the video, I'm knitting with worsted weight yarn, which can be a little fiddly for me. Honestly, I think I'm quicker, (and a little more graceful) with fingering. ;) Enjoy! What yarn am I using? Gynx Yarns, Merino Worsted, "Fantasy" What pattern am I knitting? Barley Hat by Tincan Knits (free)Subscribe to this blog.

UPDATES Just some housekeeping notes ...  Please know that if I don't accept your friendship on Facebook, it's nothing personal. I just prefer to keep my personal Facebook profile open only to family and close friends. There is a YarnGasm Podcast Facebook Page and a Voolenvine Yarns Facebook Page where I update and respond to comments quite often. Anyone is welcome to join! I am also very active on Instagram and anyone may follow me.  OFF THE NEEDLES Stonecutter (back piece) by Michele Wang Quince and Company, Lark, "Damson" ON THE NEEDLES Verdure Shawl by Fluffy Fibers Voolenvine Yarns, Blitzed, "Succulents" Socks for Dennis Skein, Top Drawer Sock, "Savannah" Cozy Memories Blanket Various mini skeins 34th and 8th Mittens by Spilly Jane Brooklyn Tweed, Loft, "Almanac" & "Fossil" SPINNING Bonus mini episode of how I spin on a drop spindle.  Lendrum Wheel Loop Bullseye Bump, "Ohm"    SEWING Dress Form Name Suggestions: Gladys Daphne Greta Ethel Maude Marilyn Margot Willamina Marie Antoinette  / Anne Boleyn Marg08 I'm torn between Margot and Marie Antoinette. ASK AWAY Q: Do you have any top shawl recommendations for one skein of your yarn?  Antarktis Whispering Pines Shawl patterns by SpinnyKnitter. My personal favorites:Ravens’ Nest   Harmony shawl   Verdure shawl by Fluffyfibers, Brandywine by Romi HillI hope some of those suggestions pique your interest! SHOP UPDATE Trunk Show @ Gauge + Tension Dec. 12 - 13 Next Shop Update Friday, November 20th @ 2pm EST BLATHER Vogue Knitting LIVE Maria's Learn to Knit In Japanese Class  Saturday, January 9am-12pm  Thanksgiving   Subscribe to this blog.

Some viewers have asked me to share how I like to spin on a drop spindle. So I thought I'd whip up a quick demo, spinning on my two current favorite spindles — a top whorl spindle by the Spanish Peacock, and a mini Turkish Spindle by Subterranean Woodwork. Though, I think it's worth mentioning that I'm not an expert — I still have a lot to learn! But I still hope you find this video interesting, helpful Fiber Mentioned:  Hobbeldehoy Fiber Wren and Ollie Excellent Drop Spindling Resources:  Respect the Spindle by Abby Franquemont (Book) Spindling: From Fluff to Stuff with Drucilla Pettibone (Craftsy) Subscribe to this blog.

UPDATES Plucky Knitter Trunk Show at Gauge + Tension Podcasts Mentioned:  Tiny Paper Foxes Made With Carlenergy Knitting Spring Knitting Expat OFF THE NEEDLES Quadri Hat by Michele Wang O Wool, Classic Worsted, “Ash” ON THE NEEDLES Stonecutter KAL Quince and Co., Lark, “Damson" Socks For Dennis Skein, Top Drawer Sock, “Savannah" SPINNING Snyder Spindles Wren & Ollie Fibers TREAT YOURSELF The Plucky Knitter - Gauge + Tension Patons Kroy - Argyle Yarn Shop Andre Sue Knits Podcast  ASK AWAY Podcasts Mentioned: Knit Picks The Electric Sheep The Knitmore Girls Essential Sewing Tools: A Sewing MachineFabric ScissorsPins Cutting Mat & Ruler (check out Fiskars.com)Rotary CutterHelpful (free!) sewing tutorials on YouTube: Crafty Gemini Missouri Star Quilt Company SHOP UPDATE Gauge + Tension Trunk Show 12/12 - 12/13 Shop Update, Friday 13th 2pm EST BLATHER We’re going to Italy! I need a name for my new sewing friend. Subscribe to this blog.