Friday, September 30, 2016

Episode 59: The Sock Yarn Blanket Never Disappoints

Knitting Segments

This episode is brought to you by Never Not Knitting and Sock Ruler! 

Show-Ready Knits

Zigzagular Socks by Susie White
Quadruple Threat PalKal Project here with 4 podcasts represented:


Vanilla Socks with Scrumptious Purl Self-Striping Yarn.


Knits in Rehearsal

Astonish Top by Katy Banks.  This is now in a semi-permanent time-out!

I worked a lot recently on my Sock Yarn Blanket, Memory Blanket by Georgie Nicholson

Currently working on my 2nd (or 3rd) pair of Los Monos Locos Socks by Jennifer O'Sullivan


This episode of Actually Knitting is brought to you by the Never Not Knitting online shop where you will find unusual gifts and notions for knitters such as handcarved knitting needles, specialty buttons, and stitch marker jewelry. Check out the latest offerings at nevernotknitting.com. Looking for a new project to knit? Use the coupon code PalKal2016 to receive 50% off of a pdf pattern of your choice!


Knitting News, Notes and Events

PalKal2016 is Almost Over!  


Rules

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 or stitch marker by a podcaster!
  1. 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). Spinning also counts, just make sure it’s a finished product.
  2. 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!
  3. 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 are listed in the appropriate threads and will be listed on the podcast as well.
  4. Please post finished objects in the non-chatter thread and include a link to the podcaster you are supporting.
  5. Enter as many projects as you like! There is no minimum yardage requirement or limit to the projects you can enter.
  6. If you use more than one podcaster product/design/bag/etc on one project, you may create multiple entries for that project. For example: Knit the Zigzagular Socks by prairiegirlsusie using yarn by Oh! Loops and use a project bag by thefatsquirrel, you can enter that project into the FO thread 3 separate times, just link to each podcaster seperately in each post.
  7. 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). The same applies for stitch markers.
  8. Wips count! Just finish them between June 15 and September 15, 2016.
  9. You must be a member of the Actually Knitting Podcast Group to win.
  10. Have fun supporting a podcaster designer or yarnie! Please support as many different podcasts as you can!
  11. Please do not chatter in the non-chatter thread. It makes it more difficult to draw a winner!
  12. Use the tag PALKAL2016 here on Ravelry and #palkal2016 on Instagram.
  13. Feel free to double, triple, quadruple dip!
Today I will highlight our Cameo Sponsors who are donating prizes for the KAL. For more information, check out the threads on Ravelry in the Actually Knitting Podcast Group. 













I am also highlighting the prizes being offered by these Top Billing Sponsors. These sponsors have donated prizes as well as coupon codes. More information about all of this can be found in the threads on the Ravelry group, but today we will focus on the prizes. 

Ancient Threads Farm Etsy Shop and Website/Podcast 
      A skein of yarn, winner's choice. 


Ann of the Carolina Fiber Girls 


Brenda Castiel Designs

Daniela Richardson from A Coffee Fueled Life 
       5 Patterns from her Ravelry Store. 


Janis Ficker of the Carolina Fiber Girls
        Copy of her 10 Day Sweater Pattern  

C.C. Almon from the Geeky Girls Knit Podcast
        Copy of her ebook, Coffee with C.C. 


Jennifer Lassonde of the Down Cellar Studio Podcast
        Copy of one of her patterns from her Ravelry Store

Knitting Daddy Greg of the Unraveling Podcast
         2 copies of his Scrappy Sock Yarn Preemie Hat

Mary of the Kino Knits Podcast
         Copy of her Adrenaline Junkie Sock Pattern 

Kristine Beeson of the Yarnings Podcast
         Winner's Choice of pattern from her Ravelry Store


         5 patterns from her Ravelry store and one winner will receive a shawl quantity of yarn from Quince 
         and Co. 

         3 patterns from her Ravelry Shop

         Copy of one of her patterns from her Ravelry Shop

          Project bag of winner's choice from her Etsy Shop

           A project bag from her Etsy Shop

Julia from the Whole Lotta Craft Podcast
           Pattern from her Ravelry Shop for one lucky winner!
     
Angela from the Revelations of a Delusional Knitter Podcast
            Winner's choice of a pattern from her Ravelry Store!

Steph from the Happy Buffalo Boutique
          A skein of yarn, winner’s choice

Amy from the Stockinette Zombies Podcast
          Winner’s choice of pattern from her Ravelry Store, some yarn from her own stash and a project bag     from the SilverShedUSA!

Anne from Wooly Wonka Fiber
          As a prize, Anne is offering one lucky listener $30.00 in patterns from her Designer Store on    Ravelry. The winner will be able to pick any combination of individual patterns that suits!

Claire from New Hampshire Knits
           2 balls of West Yorkshire Spinners yarn from their Country Bird collection in the Bullfinch and             
               Cayenne Pepper color ways (so a patterned ball with a contrasting solid for heels etc). 

Jan Hamby of the Twinset Designs Podcast
          A Noste-Demi and Noste-Mini

Producing Sponsors offering Discounts: 


            25% off 1 regular sock ruler

             Buy 4 get one free Needle Keepers

             15% discount on yarn, excluding Qiviut and Paco-Vicuna

             25% off a pattern in her Ravelry Shop

Alana Dakos from Never Not Knitting 
             50% off a PDF pattern of your choice in her Ravery Shop
    
             Free 50 gram mini skein with purchase


In addition to those mentioned above, the following are also producing sponsors of the PalKal 2016:

Virtual Knit Night? I have scheduled one for September 6th, 2016 at 7pm Eastern time. If you are interested, here is the link to my Google Profile. Add me to your circle and then send me an email or private message telling me your email address and name so I can add you to the hangout.

Rhinebeck is October 15th and 16th, 2016. Let me know if you plan on attending!


New Knit-a-Long coming up starting October 1, 2016


The Big, Bad, Berg-a-long
We will start on October 1st and go through November 15, 2016. There will be 6 podcasts participating. Any Melanie Berg patterns will be eligible for participation. 

I am so excited to be collaborating with 5 of my favorite podcasts for this event!



We are so lucky to have the designer Melanie Berg offering our listeners a 10% discount on her patterns (self-published) starting September 15th, 2016 and ending November 2, 2016. Use the code BigBadBergAlong at checkout.

We are also going to be working with 3 Indie Dyers for this KAL.

Sun Valley Fibers
There will be Free Shipping in the US for kits and special pricing on the kits that they are making up just for this KAL. You can get the same kit as I am getting or as one of the other podcasters. More information is coming, but look for a special link "Big Bad Berg-Along" on their website. Use the code BigBadBergAlong at checkout.


Lollipop Yarns
On September 11 at 7pm Eastern there will be an update featuring Duet and Trio kits especially for Ashbury or Quicksilver patterns. She will be offering Free Shipping if you use the code BigBadBergAlong at checkout. She will have these kits up for preview starting Monday September 5th, 2016 in the Lollipop Yarn Ravelry Group as well as on her website, linked above.

Oh! And there will be a self-striping update on Sunday September 4th at 7pm.

One Twisted Tree
Danie will be offering a couple of different fall themed kits for the KAL. Check out the website for more information.


Podcast Premiere

This week I talked about a new to me podcast, the Hey Sister Podcast on Youtube.

This episode of Actually Knitting is brought to you by The Sock Ruler. 

"The Sock Ruler is an innovative measuring tool for sock knitters. Whether the sock is knit toe up or cuff down the ruler works equally well.  It is constructed of a heavy duty, yet flexible plastic and measures from the inside of the sock, allowing the sock to lie flat and ensure accurate measurements."

Visit our website, www.sockruler.com, for more information and don’t forget to use coupon code “palkal2016” for 25% off of a regular sock ruler from now until September 15th.


Non-Knitting Segments

One Pot Wonders


Love it or Leave it

Love: Healthy choices we are making at home are really starting to pay off!

Leave: I now basically work in the middle of a Construction/Destruction zone at school. 


Other News and Notes


Running Updates
I ran my longest distance ever this past weekend. 20 Miles! Who Am I??

Book Updates

Actually Knitting Episode 58: Litting with Kninen

Knitting Segments


Knits in Rehearsal

Vanilla Socks with Scrumptious Purl Self-Striping Yarn.


Zigzagular Socks by Susie White
Quadruple Threat PalKal Project here with 4 podcasts represented:
Prairie Girls Knit and Spin Podcast 
Twist Fiber Studio and the Twisted Stitcher Podcast
The Fat Squirrel Speaks
Megan Williams of the Stockinette Zombies

Here's the Ysolda Tutorial on cabling without a cable needle.


This episode of Actually Knitting is brought to you by Ancient Arts Yarn. 

At Ancient Arts Yarn, we use only the best quality custom spun yarn bases for our hand dyeing work. We draw our colour inspiration from nature, art, and stories of everyday life. In addition to our current colour palette, we are also home to the Meow and Woof collections, benefitting animal rescue. New this season is the Denim Collection which includes 3 tone-on-tone gradient sets commemorating the indigo shades we see in our beloved jeans, and six variegated denim inspired colourways so you can have some fun with them. Visit ancientartsfibre.com to learn more!


Knitting News, Notes and Events

Palkal 2016


Rules
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 or stitch marker by a podcaster!
  1. 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). Spinning also counts, just make sure it’s a finished product.
  2. 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!
  3. 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 are listed in the appropriate threads and will be listed on the podcast as well.
  4. Please post finished objects in the non-chatter thread and include a link to the podcaster you are supporting.
  5. Enter as many projects as you like! There is no minimum yardage requirement or limit to the projects you can enter.
  6. If you use more than one podcaster product/design/bag/etc on one project, you may create multiple entries for that project. For example: Knit the Zigzagular Socks by prairiegirlsusie using yarn by Oh! Loops and use a project bag by thefatsquirrel, you can enter that project into the FO thread 3 separate times, just link to each podcaster seperately in each post.
  7. 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). The same applies for stitch markers.
  8. Wips count! Just finish them between June 15 and September 15, 2016.
  9. You must be a member of the Actually Knitting Podcast Group to win.
  10. Have fun supporting a podcaster designer or yarnie! Please support as many different podcasts as you can!
  11. Please do not chatter in the non-chatter thread. It makes it more difficult to draw a winner!
  12. Use the tag PALKAL2016 here on Ravelry and #palkal2016 on Instagram.
  13. Feel free to double, triple, quadruple dip!
This week I have highlighted our Featured Performers and Top Billing Sponsors. These are the folks who have offered coupon/discount codes for the PalKal 2016!

Please check out the threads in the Actually Knitting Podcast group on Ravelry for more information!




          15% off in Etsy Shop

Brenda Castiel Designs
        20% off in her Ravelry Shop 
        $5.00 off in her Etsy Shop 


Daniela Richardson from the Coffee Fueled Life Podcast


       50% off in Ravelry Store. 


Knitting Daddy Greg of the Unraveling Podcast
        1$ off Scrappy Sock Yarn Preemie Hat

Jennifer Lassonde of the Down Cellar Studio Podcast
        40% off of 2 or more patterns in Ravelry Store


Mary of the Kino Knits Podcast
        20% off in her Ravelry Shop 

Lynda from Ancient Threads Farm and Podcast
         20% off in her Etsy Shop

         $1.50 off in Ravelry Shop

Susie White of the Prairie Girls Knit and Spin Podcast
        25% off in her Ravelry Shop

Paula of the Knitting Pipeline Podcast
         20% off of self-published patterns in her Ravelry store 

Ann of the Carolina Fiber Girls 
         50% off her Fletcher's Falling Leaves Sock Pattern

Lisa of Zombody Knits 
         $1.00 off in Etsy Shop

Kristine Beeson of the Yarnings Podcast
          30% off in her Ravelry Store

C.C. Almon from the Geeky Girls Knit Podcast
           15% off in her Ravelry Store

Kristi from the In a Sknit Video Podcast
        25% off of her In Transit Cap and Cowl pattern 

Janis Ficker/ of the Carolina Fiber Girls
         50% off of her 10 Day Sweater Pattern

Twinset Jan from the Twinset Designs Podcast
         $2.00 off in her Ravelry Store

Julia from the Whole Lotta Craft Podcast
          15% off in her Ravelry Store

Angela from Revelations of a Dellusional Knitter Podcast
          50% off in her Ravelry Store

Stephanie from Happy Buffalo Boutique
          Free Shipping in her Etsy Shop

Anne from Wooly Wonka Fiber and podcast 
           15% off of all orders, both in stock and custom dyed

Twinset Ellen from the Twinset Designs Podcast
           50% off of one pattern in her Ravelry Shop

Claire of New Hampshire Knits
            15% off in her Etsy Shop, The Wooly Thistle 


Producing Sponsors offering Discounts: 


Sock Ruler
            25% off 1 regular sock ruler

Fiber to Fabric Magic
             Buy 4 get one free Needle Keepers

Bijou Basin Ranch
             15% discount on yarn, excluding Qiviut and Paco-Vicuna

Media Peruana Designs
             25% off a pattern in her Ravelry Shop

Alana Dakos from Never Not Knitting 
             50% off a PDF pattern of your choice in her Ravery Shop
   
Infinite Twist
             Free 50 gram mini skein with purchase


In addition to those mentioned above, the following are also producing sponsors of the PalKal 2016:

Knitter's Pride
Fix a Stitch
Eucalan
Della Q
Ancient Arts Fibre

Virtual Knit Night? I have scheduled one for August 16th at 7pm Eastern time. If you are interested, here is the link to my Google Profile. Add me to your circle and then send me an email or private message telling me your email address and name so I can add you to the hangout.

Rhinebeck is October 15th and 16th, 2016. Let me know if you plan on attending!

New Knit-a-Long coming up starting October 1, 2016

The Big, Bad, Berg-a-long
We will start on October 1st and go through November 1, 2016. There will be 6 podcasts participating. Any Melanie Berg patterns will be eligible for participation. More details coming up, but there are 3 Indie Dyers making kits just for the KAL.


Podcast Premiere


This week I watched two new to me podcasts on YouTube. 

Check out Inside Number 23 and The Knitting Type!

This episode of Actually Knitting is brought to you by Della Q. 
Della Q designs and creates project bags, totes and needle cases to keep knitters & crocheters stylishly organized. Over the past 10 years, Della has developed her product line based on feedback from both customers and retailers. Each bag is carefully hand stitched to last and comes in a variety of eye-catching colors and prints. Needle cases also include labels for each needle size! Visit your local yarn store or dellaq.com to shop online and enjoy free shipping on your order of $65 or more.


Non-Knitting Segments

Under Pressure

Delicious and healthy too! 

Love it or Leave it

Love:
The Olympics! How can you not love?

Leave:
Back to school this week!

Other News and Notes

Running Updates: 
No news is good news. I had a bad run this past weekend but I am trying to stay positive and remember that it's very hot and humid outside. 

Reading Updates: 


Finished Reading: 

Vacation Updates
Josh and I traveled to Jackson Hole, Wyoming, and we had an amazing time!