Ep 76- 2 Out of 3 Aint Bad

Listen Here!!
~Welcome/ Intro/ Thanks!
~Sponsors:
  -Audible: Download a FREE audiobook of your choice by following the link!
  -Bar-Maids: Follow the link (and your nose) to their site where you can check out all their amazing skin care products and scents!
~Contest:
September winner announced, you'll have to listen to find out!
October Contest:
Pumpkin!  Share your favorite use for pumpkin!!!
~Sweater Forecast:
Mid 50s, low 40s.  LAYERS LAYERS LAYERS!!
~ Knitting/ Spinning:
Finished knitting the Age of Kreplits and Rainbows Shawl in about 4 days! YAY for instant gratification!! I did it as a SAL/KAL with Amy Toadyjoe of the Outlier Podcast! See hers here!
Also, I started spinning for Aaron's sweater! I'm using a modified long draw to keep the yarn lofty, but make it a little denser so that is shows off the cables in the pattern! I'm so excited!
~Sustainable Knowledge
The US spends less on food and more on medicine than any other country in the world.  On average, Americans spend about 10% of their income on food, while on average Europeans spend about 30%!
~Sales!
- RoyalYarns has TONS of yarns, books, and accessories on sale! Scroll to the bottom side bar and check out the "sort by price" category!
 - Sears has chest freezers on sale! Buy in bulk, stock up for the winter!
~Tip of the Week:
Know where your food comes from! Go visit a farm or farmer's market and meet some farmers!! Buy directly from them so that there is less markup for the "middle man" and the farmer gets a higher percentage of what they worked so hard to grow!
~ Worth It!
Continuous Cables by Melissa Leapman


Things I love: I love the tutorials on cabling with and without a cable needle, I love the design workshop tutorials, I love the chart reading tutorials!!  I also love the stitch dictionary!  I am not excited about the patterns so much.  I encourage you to check out the book from your local library!!
~Contact Me!
Email: Cleverroue (at) gmail (dot) com
Ravelry: Roue
Twitter: Roue0824
Please leave a review on iTunes, or feel free to donate!! You guys rock!
Use your KnitCents!

Ep 66- Missed you!

~Welcome/ Intro/ Thanks!
~Sponsors:
Audible: Click the link for a free 2 week trial and a free audiobook download!
Bar-Maids: OMG Check out the NEW Lo-Lo Bar with Zinc Oxide and Hempseed Oil!
~Sweater Forecast:
Its iffy- sometimes rain, sometimes beautiful sunny 70 degree!
~ Knitting/ Spinning:
Nothing new, but lots of progress!
~ Free Entertainment:
The KnitKnacks Podcast!
~ Garden Update!
We planted things! Carrots, radishes, endives and cucumbers!
~ Sales!
Knitting-Loop Shipping from the UK on yarns for less than $1 per skein!!!
Abundant Yarns Stash sale! save $$ on yarns you know and love!
RetailMeNot Search for online coupon codes for 90,000 stores!
~Events:
I'll be at Black Sheep Gathering, will you? Weekend of June 24-26! Eugene OR! Be there, or be missing out!
~ Tip of the Week:
Think outside the box!
We used some Vistaprint business cards to make the drink tickets for our wedding! They were free!! We only paid for the shipping!
~How We Saved the Week:
We bought some awesome All-In-One invitations for the wedding through
www.costco.com!  They are awesome, they'll save us money on postage and they are super adorable!!!!! Plus, postcard return means less envelopes and paper waste!
~ Worth It!
New Lo-Lo Bar! OMG! AMAZING! I didn't think the LoLo bar could get any better but the Bar Maids have outdone themselves! Wowza!!!  GO GET ONE (or 5)!
~Contact Info:
Email: cleverroue (at) gmail (dot) com
Twitter: Roue0824
Ravelry: Roue
Please leave me a review on iTunes OR send me a donation! Any donation of $5 or more will earn you an awesome KnitCents button!

Ep. 32- Self Preservation

~Welcome/ Intro/ Thank you!
   I had an awesome birthday! Thanks for all the birthday messages!
~Sponsors/ Contests!  
Check them all out in previous posts from this month! 
   Visit audiblepodcast.com/knitcents to download a free audiobook of your choice and sign up for a free 2 week trial!
~Knitting/ Spinning:
  I've been working on my Simple Knitted Bodice again!  I'm almost finished with the first sleeve, and the second one won't take long either!  (since is short sleeved!)  I've also almost finished Aaron's first TDTU sock!  Haven't done any spinning :(  I did however, buy a Schacht Cricket rigid heddle loom with some birthday money!
~Free Entertainment:
 NPR Sunday Puzzle!  Check it out on iTunes!
~Garden Update:
   Tomatoes are still going crazy, and I got some canning supplies for my birthday so we are going to make dilly beans and pickles this week!  Yay!
~Sales!
  -Joann has a really amazing deal on fine crochet thread!! 1.19 for a spool of of 400 yards of fine crochet thread! Great to use as a lifeline!
  -CrystalCreekFibers has awesome prices on fibers, including 4oz of hand dyed mulberry silk top for only $17!
  - Lion Brand Yarn Co. has Schacht Cricket looms on sale, 15% off! I got mine there!
~Tip of the Week:
  Self Preservation!  Can, freeze, dry or pickle fresh foods now!  Buy them fresh in bulk and preserve them to have all year! Bulk foods are way cheaper, and they are even more of a steal when they are in season!!!
~ How I Saved the Week:
   - Everything I bought with my birthday money was on sale except for a skein of yarn and a couple sets of needle tips!  I win!  Also, I bought some gross yogurt (because I wasn't at my favorite grocery store and the terrible store I was at didn't have ANY good yogurt!!) so I made frozen fruit yogurt popsicles out of them!!
~Worth It!
Put 'Em Up! by Sherri Brooks Vinton
  $19.95 retail, 300 pages!
This book is amazing!  It teaches you really easily how to preserve your own food without using special equipment!  Dry foods in your oven or air dry, freeze, can in a large soup pot and pickle using vinegar!  The book is laid out by main ingredient, so if you find yourself saying "what am I ever going to do with x pounds of x?" you can flip to that section!  I made dilly beans and pickles, and also some bruiseberry vinegar!!
SO WORTH IT!!!
~Contact Info:
Email ME!
Ravelry: Roue
Twitter: Roue0824
Leave a review on iTunes or click that fancypants button over there!

Episode 26- Its All About Etsy!

~ Intro/ Welcome/ Thank You!
 Check out the new banner!  Thanks Kristine!  Buttons coming soon!
~ Sponsor: 
Trickle Creek Farm and Fiber is donating some of their wonderful goat's milk soap and some bubblin' bath salts!  They also have angora fiber for spinning!  Check them out!
~ Contest:
Come play with us in le Tour de Sheep! Post progress photos on the Ravelry page and be entered to win!
~ Knitting/ Spinning: 

Still working on the "Top down- Toe Up socks" and I LOVE IT!  This might be the new standard for sock knitting for me.  I ripped out the Brandywine that I started last week and restarted it with some yarn that is behaving much better.  I'm also working on a SUPER SECRET project for someone who listens to this podcast.  As for spinning, I've finished all the polwarth and its awesome!  Little bits of barber poleyness, and some bits of solid colors!  I think it will make something super squishy and nice!  I've got 3 bobbins full of 2 ply, but no clue on the yardage yet!  I think this will make me very happy to knit with come wintery cold time!  I also started spinning some cormo that I got from SpinPygora at Black Sheep!  CORMO IS THE BEST!  It is spinning up so fine and nice!  I think I'm going for a 3 ply sock weight!  We'll see what happens!

~Free Entertainment: I've been watching a lot of free Pokemon.  Don't make fun.

~Sales!!

 -NeoTigress on Etsy has undyed corriedale top and MEGA CUTE stitch markers for sale in her shop!  If you use the coupon code "KnitCents" in the checkout message box, she will give you free shipping on your first order!  Also, after you've bought 4 pounds of fiber from her, she will send you your 5th pound free!  Awesome deals, especially if you like dyeing your own fiber!

-Old Sheep on Etsy is having a Buy 3 get 1 free sale in their shop!  They have lovely handdyed batts for sale, and everything is included in the sale! Check it out!

- AJoyfulGirlHandmade on Etsy sells SUPER RAD market bags and knitting project bags!  She's got several knitting project bags on sale in her shop right now for less than $6!  That is an awesome deal!  (this is Shilo from the Spin Control Podcast's shop- if you don't already listen to her show you should!)

~Tip of the Week:

Listen to lots of podcasts! I learn so much from listening to people talk all week!  The reason we podcast is because we have a lot to say, and most of it is pretty smart! (I'm of course talking about other people, we all know my rambling isn't always the smartest thing) Haha!  Anyways, I think that the global knowledge pool is growing every day because of awesome podcasters!

~How I Saved the Week:

I took short lunches all week instead of using up my paid time off for my Drs appt, and I taught my parents how to use PayPal in exchange for some fiber! Yay!

~Review:

The Knitter's Almanac by Elizabeth Zimmerman

$7.95 (less if you get it used!)

Elizabeth Zimmerman is a genius.  I think I raved about her a couple episodes ago, but when I bought this book, I read it from cover to cover because she is such a genius.  Her logical way of thinking about knitting really shines in this book, and because the book is small and portable, you can take her genius in your knitting bag all year long! Overall: WORTH IT!

~Contact Info

Email Me!

Ravelry: Roue

Twitter: Roue0824

If you are enjoying the show, please leave a review on iTunes or click that fancy button!

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Episode 20- Summer Is Coming!

~Intro/ Welcome/ Thank you!
~ Sponsor: Laura's Organics has donated a jar of her Hand Cream!  SO WONDERFUL!
~Contest: LAL!  Last week to teach yourself something new that will help save you some money!  Share info by leaving a comment, posting on the Ravelry Thread or send me an email!
~ EVENT:  I'm going to the Black Sheep Gathering in Eugene OR!  June 18-20th, I'll be there!  I'll be doing a meetup including loads of hugs and high-fives on Saturday from 12-1 with Erin from The Anatomy of Knitting Podcast!  Info on where we will be next week!  If you'll be there, let me know so we can meet!
~ Knitting: My sweater is almost done!  I'm just doing the bottom of the body now, and the sleeves are only elbow length and they are already halfway done (because of the raglan) so I'm almost done!  Yay!
  Regia socks: FInished the first one, haven't cast on the second one yet.
  Toe Up Socks: I need to rip back and try a different heel.  I don't like the way the W&T short row heel turned out.
~Spinning: Not much, just a little on the merino/tencel on my spindle!
~Sales!
Yarnish sales
  -Fabric.com actually sells yarn!  They have good prices, but really good deals on buttons and of course fabric!  Also, free shipping on orders over $35!
  -DBNY has AMAZING prices by the bag!  Bags that would normally cost $110 only cost $40!  Check it out!
Elsewhereish
 -Check out all the post Memorial Day sales!  A lot of places will stock up, and then keep the inventory on sale to make room for other stuff!
~Garden Update:
My seeds are sprouting and they are getting really big!  Beans and peas are almost 2" already!  Yay!
~Tip of the week: Use your email!  Or set up a spare email to give out to mailing lists and websites.  They will send you coupons, advanced notice of sales and they will let you know when they are running contests!  Its free and easy, just take a few minutes to go through it and you'll find lots of great stuff!
~How I Saved the Week:  Clearance racks and secondhand stores!  I bought a $3 sweater vest from the little boy's section at Target and I totally rock it!
~DIY:
Best BBQ Burgers EVER!!!
1 lb of ground beef or turkey (if you use turkey, also add about 2 T of flour to the mix)
1/2 c. of bread crumbs (I like the Progresso Italian crumbs)
1 egg
1 T of Worchestershire sauce OR 1 tsp of liquid smoke
1/2 c. of your favorite cheese, shredded
3-4 crimini mushrooms, chopped finely
about 2 T of ketchup
garlic salt, black pepper to taste
Rolls or buns
your favorite burger toppings

Mix all ingredients but toppings and buns in a large bowl and mix with your hands!  Mix it all together really well!  Divide evenly (4-6 patties depending on size) and press into patties.  Cook until done all the way through, then serve on the roll with your favorite toppings!  Enjoy!  YUM!
~Worth It!
Start Spinning by Maggie Casey
Retail $21.95 115 pages
Maggie does an amazing job explaining each piece of spinning so you understand it before you start doing it!  She explains all the different skills and teaches really well to all learning styles.  Each technique is accompanied by a full color photo showing exactly how it should be done!
OVERALL: WORTH IT!
~Contact Info:
Email me!
Twitter: Roue0824
Ravelry: Roue
If you like the show, please leave a review on iTunes or click that shiny button below!
Thank you for listening!!

Episode 16- Surprise!!!

~Welcome/ Intro and News!
News: There is now a Donate button at the bottom of the page!  If you are interested in donating, please do!  The donations will go toward supporting the hosting fees for the show!
~ KAL April Contest!!
The winner of the KAL was announced in the show.  I don't want to spoil it here, so go listen to see if you won!!!  MUAHAHAHA teaser!!!
~ May Contest and Sponsorships
Sponsor: Laura's Organics is generously donating a jar of her AMAZING hand cream!  It soaks in really well and is soooooooo fantastic!  Whoever wins this will be totally spoiled!
Contest:  What are we doing?  We are doing a Learn-a-long! (LAL)  When I was learning about composting, I realized what this month's contest would be.  I taught myself something that is saving me money.  Now, you do the same!  It doesn't have to have anything to do with knitting, just teach yourself anything that will help you save money!  Then, share your experience with the group,  either by posting in the Ravelry group, sharing in the comments thread, sending me an email, or sending us a link to your personal blog!  Have your info all up by the show on June 5!
~Knitting/ Spinning!!

I've gotten a lot done on my Monkey Socks, out of the Knit Picks Stroll in the colorway Bordeaux, hopefully I'll finish in time for Mother's Day for my mommy!
I've also gotten some more done on my Bumbling Podcaster socks, out of the Gypsy colorway mill spun yarn from Sunset Fibers!  Finished the cuff and leg last night!
Finally, I've gotten a little more done on my Simple Knitted Bodice, by Stephanie Japel.
For spinning, sadly, I haven't gotten anything done.  If I get a lot done on my Monkeys tonight, though, I'll be spinning a bunch tomorrow!
~Free Entertainment!
2 new shows this week that I got addicted to!
- Spin Control with Shilo
 - Brass Needles with Miss Kalendar
~Sales!!!
 Fibery/Yarn sales
-Angora Valley has some awesome coned yarns, $14-$20 for 3lbs of yarn!!!
 - Paradise Fibers also has some really nice coned yarns, 1lb for $14-$35!  They also have loads of stuff in their clearance and bargain sections!
Elsewhere
 - Gurney's Seeds and Plants has really great prices and they have a deal right now which is if you buy $50 worth of plants and products, you can receive $25 worth of free product!
~Tip of the Week
Look elsewhere.  If you are shopping in a large store, try to think if there is another department you can find things in.  For example, those wonderful microfiber cleaning cloths cost about $8 for 4 cloths in the cleaning section.  If you wander over to the auto care section, you can get a bag of 20 of the SAME cloths for $8.  Another example was gardening gloves.  In the garden section, those lovely dipped gloves that are super nice cost about $12.99 for one pair, but if you go to the hardware section, you can get 3 pairs for $9.99!  Try to think if there is another area in the store that you can find your item!
~ How I Saved the Week!
I was able to find a fiddle music book on Amazon for half the price from the music shop, and it got here 5 days faster than it would have at the music shop!
~ Worth it!
Socks from the Toe Up by Wendy D Johnson
Retail: $22.99, 23 patterns
Pros:
-Beautiful color photos of each pattern
- The explanation section of how to make your socks fit is REALLY good!
- 5 different options for toes
- 3 different options for heels
 - 4 different bind-offs
 - 3 different vanilla patterns to test
 - I want to knit my way through this whole book because all the patterns are awesome.
Cons:
- Not much support for DPN users.  Only 2 patterns written specifically for DPNs without having to change math or figuring some stuff out myself.
- All the lace and cable patterns are only charted, not written out line by line, so if you aren't comfortable with charts, this might be a little more difficult.
- Some of the socks in the book would have benefitted by having photos in more than one yarn.  A few of the patterns were a little bit hard to see because the yarn was a little too busy.
Overall: Worth it!  This is the book I'll be using for my LAL!
Contact Info:
Leave me a comment at the bottom of the page, email me, follow me on Twitter: Roue0824 or find me on Ravelry, username is Roue!  While you are there, check out the KnitCents Podcast listeners group!
Please leave a review or star rating on iTunes if you like the show, and if you REALLY like the show, please leave a donation!

Tip # 5: More is less!

Buy in bulk! I know it never seems like you are saving when you pay the bill at big bulk stores, but if you buy the things you use the most of, and your non-perishable items in bulk, you will be paying less per pound or item, and it will lighten the bill for your more frequent trips. The same works for yarn wholesalers. If you just don't need 24 cans of cream of mushroom soup, or 30 skeins of cashmere silk yarn (though I can't imagine ever not needing that much cashmere silk) find a friend and split the bill! If you know several people who all want to order from the same website, put it all together and save on shipping! A lot of times too, if you order large shipments, the dsitributor will give a discount, or free shipping. Trust me, more is less!