Stash grooming - Episode 182 - The Knitmore Girls

Listen here:


This week's episode is sponsored by:

 So we’ve addressed the issue of dry, cracked, angry hands. The unparalleled Lo-Lo Bar by Bar Maids does a great job healing and protecting skin and making sure we feel pampered. But even the most amazing moisturizers need a helper sometimes. Cuticle Intensive by Bar Maids is like the jelly to Lo-Lo Bar’s peanut butter! The applicator is so easy to use that you can literally put it on while sitting at a traffic light. The tube last longer than it takes to make a brioche bedspread!  This incredibly effective cuticle cream takes your irritated cuticles, infuses them with sorely needed moisture, and solves the issue of peeling, sore fingers in a snap! Simple application, no rubbing necessary, no problem! Fingers rejoice!  

Entangled Magazine is a magazine for all fibrecrafters and brings you inspirational stories from around the world. If you enjoy the in-depth thoughtful discussions the Knitmore girls have about fibre, you will enjoy the articles in entangled. Entangled is independently published and you can help make their story a success. This week is the final week of their indiegogo campaign, where they are offering amazing rewards in return for your donations. Check out the indiegogo page to find links to free articles and our free preview issue!

Purlescence Yarns is the Bay Area's destination yarn shop. From the best in spinning and weaving equipment to luxurious yarns and fibers, we have what you need to make your fibery dreams a reality. We're always happy to provide mail order service for Knitmore Girls listeners. Call us today, it'll be on its way! 

Stash is the Willamette Valley's newest boutique yarn shop, located in
beautiful downtown Corvallis, Oregon. We feature high quality yarn and fiber from
the Pacific Northwest, as well as a variety of knitting and spinning
classes. This June, Stash is pleased to welcome the one and only Brenda Dayne of
Cast-On to our shop.  Brenda will be teaching her amazing toe-up sock
recipe, which features the best-looking, absolutely easiest, short-row
method for toes and heels ever invented. (Brenda would know; she’s tried
them all.)  Join us afterward for a book signing event from 5-7pm.
Last but not least, come sample our local wares at Black Sheep Gathering in building 2, booth #12.

On The Needles:(0:37)

Gigi hast cast on the Sister Joan Lace Shawl by Sivia Harding, from the Abstract Fiber One Skein/Two Skein club. Jasmin has finished the garter wrap baby kimono out of Skinny Bugga. Gigi cast on the Maria sweater by Cocoknits out of Shibui Silk Cloud. Jasmin is also working on the cabled raglan baby sweater, an Interweave Knits freebee from Knitting Daily, out of Abstract Fiber Miro. Gigi has started the cuff on her second Houdini sock, and is knitting tube socks for Genevieve. Jasmin is also working on her Daybreak.

Events:(10:26)

- June 2nd: Spinning at the Retzlaff Winery, in Livermore, CA
     - Bring a chair, sun screen, cash, checkbook, spinning, something for the potluck, and a hat
     - Shari from Morro Fleece Works will be there
- June 9: World Wide Knit In Public Day, we will be in front of the Ainsley House in Campbell, CA
     - Bring a chair, hat, sunscreen, snack and/or cash


Contest:(12:52)
Spring Cleaning Contest, ends July 2nd. Read the thread on the board and get ideas and contribute your own! Jasmin is upping the ante- for each extra 50 entries we are adding a new prize.

For the first 200 entries, we have THREE prize packs from the Bar Maids that each include:
- A Lo-lo to go bar
- A Lo-lo body bar
- A cuticle intensive stick
- An O' For Feets Sake

And our fourth prize is a subscription to Entangled Magazine



Mother Knows Best:(17:08)

Advice for this week:  Read the Manual!

When Knitting Attacks:(21:01)

Gigi was attacked by the decreases on her Mishke sweater.

Purloined:(25:06)

This week we are stealing : Stashbust Army  from the Yarngasm podcast, hosted by Voolenvine. We are talking about stash grooming instead of stash busting. We mention A Verb for Keeping Warm.

Review:(31:59)

This week we review two books:
Cool Knitters Finish in Style, by Lucy Neatby. We also mention Lucy's instructional DVDs.
And
Finishing School: A Master Class for Knitters by Deborah Newton

And Sew On:(47:28)

Jasmin has sewn a sack gown for Genevieve on her new Baby Lock Evolution serger!

Sisyphus - Episode 181 - The Knitmore Girls

 

Listen here:

This week's episode is sponsored by:

Abstract Fiber would like to invite you to join our first yarn club!  We are excited to offer a 6 issue yarn club we’re calling One Skein/Two Skein.  Every other month we’ll send you a new exclusive yarn color and pattern.  We’ll do some solid colors, some colorways and will introduce some new luxurious yarns too. Each pattern will have flexibility for expansion, for example companion pieces, or multiple size and style options.  You’ll have the option to buy extra skeins just when you want them.  Spinners, we’ll have a fiber option for you too!  We’re working with some of our favorite designers, starting out in February with a beautiful shawl by Sivia Harding.  Check out all the details at AbstractFiber.com


Nobody has perfect feet. Nobody. We put so much pressure on them with all our walking, shopping, working out, etc., not to mention expecting them to wear horrible footwear that looks great but could be more, um, ergonomic? Sandals in the summer, wool socks in the winter – those dogs of ours are under assault all year, and we have to care for them. They are family, after all! Oh For Feet Sake by Bar Maids can turn your little piggies from a source of shame to a claim to fame in two weeks or less. Those tootsies deserve better. Let Bar Maids give them some love, boys and girls! Infused with Tea Tree oil and natural moisturizers, it’s healing and protection that your feet can feel. If your trotters are REALLY feeling the strain, go to www.Bar-Maids.com for the simple Bar Maids Tootsie Rx recipe. Show those babies some love and attention, because, let’s be honest, you’re never gonna stop walking all over your feet.


Entangled Magazine focuses on any craft that starts with fiber: spinning, weaving, sewing, dyeing, knitting, crochet, fibery animals, etcetera. We’ve been getting rave reviews and recent subscribers are seeking out the back issues to complete their collection. If it starts as fiber you’ll read about it in Entangled! If you’re new to Entangled, your timing is perfect! During the month of May, Entangled is gearing up for its audacious growth plan. You can buy a single issue or subscription, and choose a free gift for yourself! All the details on the magazine, the fundraiser, and a free preview issue for you to download, can be found at Entangledmagazine.com


Purlescence Yarns is the Bay Area's destination yarn shop. From the best in spinning and weaving equipment to luxurious yarns and fibers, we have what you need to make your fibery dreams a reality. We're always happy to provide mail order service for Knitmore Girls listeners. Call us today, it'll be on its way!

On the Needles:(00:30)

Gigi is knitting socks for Genevieve out of leftovers from her latest projects. Jasmin is still working on Andrew's second Houdini sock.  Also she has almost finished the garter wrap baby kimono. The body is done, and the finishing details are left. Gigi has finished a pair of socks for Genevieve. Jasmin is still working on her Daybreak.  Gigi finished knitting the Morehouse Dragon. Gigi is also working on the Mishke sweater from Cocoknits Studio, and plugging away on the fringe of the Kleio shawl by Romi Hill. We have been listening to podcasts, some new including:

Down Cellar Studio
Commuter Knitter Podcast
CogKNITive
Savvy Girls
Electric Sheep
Two Knit Lit Chicks
The Knit Girllls
Sassypants Knitter
His and Hers Knitting podcast
Die Urbane Spinstube
Susanne macht Sachen
Madi's Blog
Twinneedle
Essen, Stricken, Lesen
Fiber and Fabric Podcast

Happy fourth podcast-iversary to us!

We are listening to vintage knitting music recorded by Melanie Gall (Knitting All the Day). We like it a lot.


Events:(17:55)

- June 2nd: Spinning at the Retzlaff Winery, in Livermore, CA
     - Bring a chair, sun screen, cash, checkbook, spinning, something for the potluck, and a hat
- June 9: World Wide Knit In Public Day, we will be in front of the Ainsley House in Campbell, CA
     - Bring a chair, hat, sunscreen, snack and/or cash


Contest:(19:30)

Spring Cleaning Contest, ends July 2nd. Read the thread on the board and get ideas and contribute your own! Jasmin is upping the ante- for each extra 50 entries we are adding a new prize.

For the first 200 entries, we have THREE prize packs from the Bar Maids that each include:
- A Lo-lo to go bar
- A Lo-lo body bar
- A cuticle intensive stick
- An O' For Feets Sake

Look on Pinterest for good organizing ideas.


Mother Knows Best:(27:33)

Learn something new! Check out a tutorial in a magazine, blog, video

Jasmin learned how to do mitered corners on blankets from the tutorial in the July/August 2003 issue of Piecework magazine. And she sewed piping on a blanket using the instructions in Fantastic Finishes from Rodale's Successful Quilting Library. Gigi learned how to do the knitted graft from the Knitting Daily.

The Knitmore Girls have posted a tutorial on how to sew on buttons and how to attach grosgrain ribbon to the button band of a cardigan. (Links in sidebar.)

Purloined:(31:57)

This week we are stealing "Today's Sweater" from Cast On hosted by Brenda Dayne.


Review:(36:51)

This week we are reviewing Weaving Made Easy, by Liz Gipson. Published by Interweave Press
Jasmin also mentions the The Handweaver's Pattern Directory

And Sew On:(49:36)

Jasmin is sewing blankets for Genevieve, using different edge treatments. And sewing piping, rick rack, and mitered corners is not hard.

Straw Into Gold:(53:48)

Jasmin has been spinning for her SPAKAL.  Her totals are 5 oz on the wheel and 5oz on spindles.  She has switched from spinning on the KCL woods spindle to the more economical Ol'Lars spindle (425-255-3073). We also heard that Abby from the Knit Knit Cafe podcast has finished her SPAKAL spinning.
  
Join Team Sasquatch for the Tour de Fleece!

Westward, ho! - Episode 180 - The Knitmore Girls

Listen here:



This week's episode is sponsored by:

We’re excited to be introducing to you, our discerning  listeners, the newest Bar-Maids collection, the Almost Everything.  This uber-moisturizing whole body kit includes a luxurious Lo-Lo Body Bar, a deliciously tingly O’For Feet Sake foot moisturizer, a handy Cuticle Intensive stick, and a silky smooth Lo- Lo Lips Lip Balm.  It’s the perfect way to ensure that your whole body is soft, sensual, and ready for spring.  It’s almost everything Bar-Maids has to offer at a great price.  This is a great gift for the mom who never stops, your fellow friends in fiber that make your hobby a lifestyle, or for anyone in your life who deserves a little pampering. I think my mom definitely deserves some Lo-Lo love this Mothers Day – doesn’t yours?

Purlescence Yarns is the Bay Area's destination yarn shop. From the best in spinning and weaving equipment to luxurious yarns and fibers, we have what you need to make your fibery dreams a reality. We're always happy to provide mail order service for Knitmore Girls listeners. Call us today, it'll be on its way! 

On the Needles:(0:33)

Gigi has finally started the Mishke, by Cocoknits out of Donegal Tweed. Jasmin finished her sideways Baby Wrap Sweater out of Froebe Fiber yarn. She is almost finished with the garter wrap kimono cardigan for Genevieve out of Skinny Bugga.

Gigi has been blocking away! She blocked her Pogona shawl and her second Citron shawl (knit out of sparkly yarn from Huckleberry's). Jasmin is redoing the edge on her Pogona shawl (knit out of A Verb for Keeping Warm Metamorphosis). We talk about going to A Verb for Keeping Warm to meet Stephen West.

Events:(24:32)

May 18-20: CNCH in Oakland, CA, at the convention center
June 2nd: Spinning at the Retzlaff Winery, in Livermore, CA
June 9: World Wide Knit In Public Day, we will be in front of the Ainsley House in Campbell, CA
June 22-24: Black Sheep Gathering in Eugene, OR. Not attending this year.

Contest:

Spring Cleaning Contest, ends July 2nd. Read the thread on the board and get ideas and contribute your own!

Mother Knows Best: (27:12)

We discuss how to determine how much yarn to buy for sweater knitting.

Purloined: (31:35)

This week we steal "Worth it!" from the KnitCents podcast. This week, experiences trump stuff.

Review: (32:59)


Westknits Book 3. We love it!

And Sew On: (39:46)

Jasmin starts sewing! She worked on two-sided baby blankets this week.


Straw Into Gold: (46:54)

SPAKAL spinning continues.

Anything brûlée - Episode 179 - The Knitmore Girls

Listen here:


This week's episode has been sponsored by:

We’re excited to be introducing to you, our discerning  listeners, the newest Bar-Maids collection, the Almost Everything.  This uber-moisturizing whole body kit includes a luxurious Lo-Lo Body Bar, a deliciously tingly O’For Feet Sake foot moisturizer, a handy Cuticle Intensive stick, and a silky smooth Lo- Lo Lips Lip Balm.  It’s the perfect way to ensure that your whole body is soft, sensual, and ready for spring.  It’s almost everything Bar-Maids has to offer at a great price.  This is a great gift for the mom who never stops, your fellow friends in fiber that make your hobby a lifestyle, or for anyone in your life who deserves a little pampering. I think my mom definitely deserves some Lo-Lo love this Mothers Day – doesn’t yours?

Purlescence Yarns is the Bay Area's destination yarn shop. From the best in spinning and weaving equipment to luxurious yarns and fibers, we have what you need to make your fibery dreams a reality. We're always happy to provide mail order service for Knitmore Girls listeners. Call us today, it'll be on its way!

On the Needles:(0:33)

This week Gigi is working on the Kleio shawl by Rosemary Hill.  We mention taking knitting classes from Ann and Eugene Bourgois, of Philosopher's Wool,  and learning two handed knitting and doing knitted braids.

Gigi got pointers from Abby (from the Knit Knit Cafe Podcast).  Jasmin finished the Mini Garter Yoke Cardigan for Genevieve, which she had knit from her handspun. Gigi is working on a number of socks and has finished her first pair of Sweet Tomato Heel socks.  Jasmin is working on her second Houdini Sock.   She is also working on the Garter Wrap Cardigan for Genevieve and is almost done.

Gigi has blocked the Taygete, the Katriel, and her second Daybreak.  Gigi is planning to knit a Niebling pattern, the Goldmohn table cloth. Tour de Fleece: Training will start May 15th. Join Team Sasquatch!


Events: (21:31)

May 18-20: CNCH in Oakland, CA, at the convention center
June 2nd: Spinning at the Retzlaff Winery, in Livermore, CA
June 9: World Wide Knit In Public Day, we will be in front of the Ainsley House in Campbell, CA
June 22-24: Black Sheep Gathering in Eugene, OR. Maybe.

Contest: (22:52)

Spring Cleaning Contest, ends July 2nd. Read the thread on the board and get ideas and contribute your own!


Mother Knows Best:(26:25)

Anything worth doing is worth doing well. Especially when one is finishing hand knits.


When Knitting Attacks:(31:12)

Gigi's Odelia sweater out of 50/50 silk and merino from Tess Yarns attacked her again.

Purloined: (33:16)

This week we purloin the "Something I Really Like"  segment from the CogKNITive podcast hosted by Dr Gemma.

We talked about the brûlée technique, Creme brûlée french toast (found on Pinterest through SomebunnysLove). We also liked the Cafe Brûlée at Barefoot Coffee. Jasmin brûlée-d Peeps with a small blowtorch. We mentioned donuts from Psycho Donuts in Campbell, CA, and Voodoo Donuts in Portland, OR


Review: (38:37)

This week we review: Knitbot Essentials by Hannah Fettig. We love it!

Straw into Gold: (46:13)

Gigi's spinning for the Eadon is progressing slowly, but she is enjoying the Merino/Corriedale. She bought some Ashland Bay roving (in "Mojave"), and some Crown Mountain superwash merino roving in the colorway "Homburg" from Purlescence.  She is thinking of spinning it on her Golding spindle.

Jasmin is plying an oatmeal CVM.  She finished plying Crown Mountain cormo that has a beautiful luster.  She has started the wheel spinning for her SPAKAL sweater.  The fiber is a rambouillet cross from Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival.

Bumper crop - Episode 178- The Knitmore Girls

Listen here:



This week's episode has been sponsored by:

  

Abstract Fiber would like to invite you to join our first yarn club!  We are excited to offer a 6 issue yarn club we’re calling One Skein/Two Skein.  Every other month we’ll send you a new exclusive yarn color and pattern.  We’ll do some solid colors, some colorways and will introduce some new luxurious yarns too. Each pattern will have flexibility for expansion, for example companion pieces, or multiple size and style options.  You’ll have the option to buy extra skeins just when you want them.  Spinners, we’ll have a fiber option for you too!  We’re working with some of our favorite designers, starting out in February with a beautiful shawl by Sivia Harding.  Check out all the details at AbstractFiber.com

We’re excited to be introducing to you, our discerning  listeners, the newest Bar-Maids collection, the Almost Everything.  This uber-moisturizing whole body kit includes a luxurious Lo-Lo Body Bar, a deliciously tingly O’For Feet Sake foot moisturizer, a handy Cuticle Intensive stick, and a silky smooth Lo- Lo Lips Lip Balm.  It’s the perfect way to ensure that your whole body is soft, sensual, and ready for spring.  It’s almost everything Bar-Maids has to offer at a great price.  This is a great gift for the mom who never stops, your fellow friends in fiber that make your hobby a lifestyle, or for anyone in your life who deserves a little pampering. I think my mom definitely deserves some Lo-Lo love this Mothers Day – doesn’t yours?

Purlescence Yarns is the Bay Area's destination yarn shop. From the best in spinning and weaving equipment to luxurious yarns and fibers, we have what you need to make your fibery dreams a reality. We're always happy to provide mail order service for Knitmore Girls listeners. Call us today, it'll be on its way!

On the needles: (:34)

Gigi is making progress on her Odelia sweater. Jasmin has made some excellent progress on the Houdini socks for Andrew. We mention Laura, the Joy of Cooking Fairy. Gigi is knitting a bumper crop of sweet tomato heeled socks. Gigi is also knitting a pair of Houdini socks.

Jasmin is also working on wedges, hers are in the shape of the Roxbury Pond Shawl by Christine Burchard, out of Handmaiden Casbah.  Gigi is working on the Kleio by Rosemary Hill.

Jasmin is excited about sewing, we talk about the clothing in "Mad Men", and we would love to sew clothes from that era. Also, Gigi has blocked two Ophidian shawls by Sivia Harding, and a Heart to Heart Scarf (also by Sivia Harding).

Events: (17:05)

May 18-20: CNCH in Oakland, CA, at the convention center
June 2nd: Spinning at the Retzlaff Winery, in Livermore, CA
June 9: World Wide Knit In Public Day, we will be in front of the Ainsley House in Campbell, CA
June 22-24: Black Sheep Gathering in Eugene, OR. Maybe.  Registration for classes has started.


Contest: (19:32)

Spring Cleaning Contest!

Clean, organize, streamline something.  Jasmin has sold two fleeces that she has spun sweaters from already. Gigi has repurposed an old filing cabinet and used it for very organized sewing pattern storage. Share your ideas and projects in this thread!


Mother Knows Best:(24:37)

Work with the best you can afford.  When you can't afford to spend money, make due with what you have, and MacGuyver something until you can afford the tool you want to have.

Sew Painful:(28:07)

Gigi was attacked by her mending.


Purloined:(31:54)

We are purloining the "Munch, Burp, Slurp" segment from A Playful Day podcast by greentrianglegirl.  Jasmin talks about making Chewy Oatmeal cookies with browned butter. Recipe from The Smitten Kitchen blog. Also, follow Somebunnyslove's food board on Pinterest, she has some very interesting food pinned.


Review:(36:36)

This week, we are reviewing Noni Flowers by Nora Bellows. We also mentioned Nicky Epstein's Knitted Flowers.

Straw into Gold:(43:08)

Gigi isn't spinning as fast as she thought she would.  Jasmin is plying like it's going out of style; Jasmin has been plying the Crown Mountain Farms Material Girl singles and the oatmeal-colored CVM for a Hannah Fettig sweater.

Jasmin has been making some progress on her Spindle SPAKAL Targhee X. She has chosen a black Rambouillet X (from Iris Eppley) which she split with Meghan (formerly of the Stitch It! Podcast) for her wheelspun SPAKAL sweater.

Small bites - Episode 177 - The Knitmore Girls

Listen here:



This week's episode has been brought to you by:

We’re excited to be introducing to you, our discerning  listeners, the newest Bar-Maids collection, the Almost Everything.  This uber-moisturizing whole body kit includes a luxurious Lo-Lo Body Bar, a deliciously tingly O’For Feet Sake foot moisturizer, a handy Cuticle Intensive stick, and a silky smooth Lo- Lo Lips Lip Balm.  It’s the perfect way to ensure that your whole body is soft, sensual, and ready for spring.  It’s almost everything Bar-Maids has to offer at a great price.  This is a great gift for the mom who never stops, your fellow friends in fiber that make your hobby a lifestyle, or for anyone in your life who deserves a little pampering. I think my mom definitely deserves some Lo-Lo love this Mothers Day – doesn’t yours?

Purlescence Yarns is the Bay Area's destination yarn shop. From the best in spinning and weaving equipment to luxurious yarns and fibers, we have what you need to make your fibery dreams a reality. We're always happy to provide mail order service for Knitmore Girls listeners. Call us today, it'll be on its way!

On the needles: (00:32)

Jasmin is inspired to knit a Houdini sock for Andrew, with some improvements. We mention the New Pathways class by Cat Bordhi. Gigi is working on a sock with a Sweet Tomato heel. We also mention Lucy Neatby's Cool Socks for Warm Feet and Nancy Bush's Folk Socks. We mention Miss Kalendar (of the Brass Needles podcast) and her love of turning short-rowed heels.

Jasmin is still working on her CampKIP KAL Daybreak Shawl. Gigi has finished her Sharks Daybreak scarf for Sam.

We officially announce the pattern for the SPAKAL: The Eadon cardigan by Susanna IC.

Mother Knows Best: (14:08)

We talk about knitting in bed. We recommend getting a backrest (Jasmin has this one, Gigi has this one), and making sure you have a good mattress.

When Knitting Attacks: (18:55)

Savvy Girl Melanie (from the Savvy Girls Podcast) comes to visit and (unintentionally) wreaks havoc on Gigi's Morehouse Merino dragon scarf. Gigi flips the colors on her Kleio shawl (by Rosemary Hill). Gigi also downloads her first (solo) pattern- the Mishke by CocoKnits, and realizes that she's short on yardage.

Purloined: (28:05)

This week, we steal the "Guess who's crazy?" segment from the (former) KIPing it Real podcast (now the Positively Over Committed podcast). Jasmin has decided to do one SPAKAL sweater on a drop spindle, and one on the wheel. Challenge ACCEPTED!

Review: (31:31)

We mention the Jimmy Beans Wool needle return/exchange policy (which is made clearer here, post-recording)

For our actual review, we review Juju's Loops. Gigi gives it an "eh", Jasmin really likes it.

Straw into Gold: (42:15)

Jasmin dusts off her Schacht-Reeves saxony wheel and spins some of the Crown Mountain Farms cormo.

Gigi picks her fleece for the SPAKAL- a medium grey merino/corriedale fleece (from Janet Heppler) from a sheep named "Banditta". We talk about measuring out (CLEAN) weight for spinning a sweater. Gigi has measured out her SPAKAL fiber into 1 oz bumps, and is trying to spin 1 oz per sitting.

Trusted and recommended sources for wool: Shari at Morro Fleece Works, Brooke from Sincere Sheep, Crown Mountain Farms, Purlescence Yarns (for Ashland Bay roving). Jasmin also mentions the 6" plastic Schacht weaving bobbins.

Jasmin is spinning her drop spindle SPAKAL sweater on a modular KCL drop spindle. You can find the thread for the SPAKAL here.

Multigenerational - Episode 176 - The Knitmore Girls

Listen here:


This week's episode is sponsored by:
  

Abstract Fiber would like to invite you to join our first yarn club!  We are excited to offer a 6 issue yarn club we’re calling One Skein/Two Skein.  Every other month we’ll send you a new exclusive yarn color and pattern.  We’ll do some solid colors, some colorways and will introduce some new luxurious yarns too. Each pattern will have flexibility for expansion, for example companion pieces, or multiple size and style options.  You’ll have the option to buy extra skeins just when you want them.  Spinners, we’ll have a fiber option for you too!  We’re working with some of our favorite designers, starting out in February with a beautiful shawl by Sivia Harding.  Check out all the details at AbstractFiber.com

 

We’re excited to be introducing to you, our discerning  listeners, the newest Bar-Maids collection, the Almost Everything.  This uber-moisturizing whole body kit includes a luxurious Lo-Lo Body Bar, a deliciously tingly O’For Feet Sake foot moisturizer, a handy Cuticle Intensive stick, and a silky smooth Lo- Lo Lips Lip Balm.  It’s the perfect way to ensure that your whole body is soft, sensual, and ready for spring.  It’s almost everything Bar-Maids has to offer at a great price.  This is a great gift for the mom who never stops, your fellow friends in fiber that make your hobby a lifestyle, or for anyone in your life who deserves a little pampering. I think my mom definitely deserves some Lo-Lo love this Mothers Day – doesn’t yours?

Purlescence Yarns is the Bay Area's destination yarn shop. From the best in spinning and weaving equipment to luxurious yarns and fibers, we have what you need to make your fibery dreams a reality. We're always happy to provide mail order service for Knitmore Girls listeners. Call us today, it'll be on its way! 

On the needles: (00:30)

One minute update: SharkBean (Genevieve Danger) has been born. You can read her birth story here, you can see pictures of the love blanket here. You can follow Genevieve's adventures on twitter as @dahlingdaughter, her Flickr stream here, or on Jasmin's blog.

Gigi is working on hobbit socks for Mr. Knitmore. She made a foot form out of duct tape. Jasmin is working on a pair of socks for Andrew out of Skinny Bugga, and is considering doing a pair of Houdini socks for him. Jasmin is working on her Daybreak shawl out of Froebe Fibers yarn from Camp KIP.

Gigi is working on her Sothia shawl out of Abstract Fiber MightySock. Jasmin is working on her Breezy Cardigan (out of the baby cormo handspun). Gigi is knitting a Morehouse Merino Dragon scarf out of Malabrigo. We mention the Harry Potter house cup. Jasmin is working on the Garter Yoke Baby cardigan and the garter wrap cardigan (from Churchmouse Yarns).

Congratulations to Isabelle from the Fluffy Fibers podcast, who had her baby in February.

We talk about Stitches West, and some of our favorite vendors. This list includes:

- Little Red Bicycle
- KCL Wood
- Birch Street Clothing
- Stitch Sisterz (cashmere)

Gigi mentions Stitches ETC. Gigi took a lace repair class at the Lace Museum in Sunnyvale from Galina of Skaska.

OFFICIAL PODCAST STUFF:  We'll be recording every other week until the end of June, then we'll be weekly again starting in July.

We announce the SPAKAL! In 2012 we're going to do a SPin-Along-Knit-A-Long. Six months to spin the sweater, three months to knit the sweater.

Step 1: Think about what you want to spin your sweater out of. Brooke from The Sincere Sheep (email: sinceresheepyarns AT gmail DOT com) is happy to help you procure a fleece. Shari from Morro Fleece Works can also help you select some pindrafted roving (from a fleece).

Mother Knows Best: (29:34)

We talk about how to select teachers at fiber events. Some of our favorite teachers include:

- Jean Frost
- Judith MacKenzie McCuin
- Galina Khmeleva
- Lucy Neatby
- Cat Bordhi
- Lily Chin
- Carson Demers
- Anne & Eugene Bourgeouis
- Franklin Habit
- Fiona Ellis
- Sivia Harding

Review: (36:27)

We review the Knitter's Pride needles. While they are very pretty, we found them to be defective out of the package and the customer service to be poor.

Straw into Gold: (43:50)

Gigi's spinning is improving. Jasmin is doing a whole mess of swatching for plying.