Episode 6

In this episode I show my finished object--my skywalker shawl--yay!

For tutorial on how to make this shawl click here.

I am currently working on a shrug by Lily Chin, "Five Ways Cabled Shrug," knit in Classic Elite Lush, in Lilac. I bought it here, and I don't know if they have lilac color anymore, as I got it on sale. The pattern can be found by searching on www.ravelry.com, or you can find it in Lily Chin's book, "Power Cables."

I am also working on simple fingerless gloves from Ann Budd's book, "The Knitter's Handy Book of Patterns: Basic Designs in Multiple Sizes and Gauges." I am using a yarn I bought at my lys.

Review of iPad app: KnitCompanion

I reviewed the iPad app, KnitCompanion, available in the iTunes store (also available for iPod). Click here for tutorials to see if KnitCompanion works for you.

Please, if any of you have a link to a tutorial about how to close the thumb gap on fingerless gloves, please leave a link in the comments box. Thanks!

Happy Knitting!

Episode 5

I'm so sorry I haven't posted a podcast in the last two weeks. I was sick the first part of February, and then we went on holiday to Wales. This episode is a bit longer than I'd like, but I talk about my Wales trip, and some of the things I learned.

Here are some of the links to things I talked about in this episode:

Velvety Newborn Cocoon, made with Patons Bohemian yarn.

I'm almost finished with the "Skywalker Shawl." I have been learning how to lace knit from the Craftsy.com, "Mastering Lace Shawls" class by Laura Nelkin

Knitting Book: Stitch London, by Lauren O'Farrell

Also, see her website, www.knitthepigeon.com

Liverpool's "Superlambbanana"

Wales' unusual paper: "Sheepoopaper" (Some of the description of their products are quite "punny")

National Wool Museum of Wales

Until next time, "Happy Knitting!"

I'm on Holiday

Hi, all!

I am currently sitting in a pizzaria in Liverpool. I can see the Beetles museum from where I am sitting. Earlier we took a tour of that museum, and before that we went to the Maritime museum. After lunch we are heading over to the large cathedral, one of the largest in the world.

I meant to catch up on knitting on our four-hour drive yesterday, but if anyone has ever traveled through England, you know how crazy it can be to get around. Needless to say, I felt myself getting motion sick, so I opted to watch other knitting podcasts instead. Even though England is smaller in size than my home country, it is more difficult to travel here. There are frequent roundabouts if you are not traveling on a major motorway. But, the views are beautiful, even in winter. We drove through the Moors, which are barren and brown, and many herds of sheep can be seen from the road. I was tempted to buy a set a sheers, and a spinning wheel, but the cold made me resist! The barrenness has to be beautiful in the summer, when the heather is in bloom. Fields and fields of purple flowers! I wish I could see it now. It's been a long winter.

Tomorrow we are headed to Northern Wales, and then we will be going to Swansea and Cardiff on the southern coast of Wales this weekend. I am so excited. I hope to find some great wool shops. After all, there are about 11 million sheep and only 3 million people in Wales. They have to have some wool! My friend in Swansea said she would try to set an appointment up with a lady she knows who sells wool out of her home. My birthday is this Friday, and I told my hubby I wanted wool. So he's off the hook. Other plans include seeing the places where my ancestors were from. I have ancestors from areas near Swansea, and they immigrated to the United States in 1855.

I promise I will record another episode when I get back. My goal is to do 2-3 podcasts a month.

Well, gotta eat dessert and run! Have a fabulous week, and happy knitting!

Wannabe Knitter Episode 4

In this episode I show off my very first lace project. I also talk about wool translation (British vs. American names for wool), and what frogs and lace have in common

Next week I will be going to Wales for my birthday! Yeah!! Did you know there are about 3 million people in Wales and 11 million sheep? I will be on the lookout for wool shops. I'll try to take photos that I can share with you!

Because I will be gone, I will not have a podcast up until the following week. My goal is to do a minimum of two podcasts a month. So join me next time when I return from my holiday.

Wannabe Knitter is Now on iTunes!

I finally was able to load my podcast onto iTunes so now anyone can subscribe and download them to their various devices.

Thank you for watching!

Dana

Episode 3

Here is episode 3 of Wannabe Knitter. In this episode I talk about what my kids are doing with yarn, my mishap with trying to knit a gauge with lace yarn, and my new WPI (or "whoop-i") tool. About the WPI tool--you could also just use a ruler to measure the WPI, and forgo making one out of cardboard or a pencil.

Like the fireplace? Well, I actually had it there because our boiler was broken, and my house was FREEEEEZZZZIIIINNNGGG. But, I thought it added a nice touch, don't you?

Episode 2

Here is episode 2 of Wannabe Knitter. In this episode I discuss progress I have made, new projects, how I organize my projects, my accessory bag, and my knitting cards. I also talk about why I am thankful for my hands, and talk about the "Knitting Lady."

Also, I have started a group on Ravelry.com called "Wannabe Knitter." If you have any questions, ideas, suggestions, advice, please leave a comment below, or email me at wannabe knitter@gmail.com.

Please be patient as I get it up and running in iTunes. We are still working on the technical side of things. Thanks for watching!