Episode 11- Socks Rock!

~Welcome/ Intro:  I was sick and lost my voice last week so I'm still working on not sounding like a 13 year old boy...
~Contest:  The March contest thread is now locked, so go vote for your favorite!  Winner will be announced next week!
~ April Sock KAL
  You have 4 more days to get your materials and pattern picked out and swatched for the KAL for April!  Knit any pair of socks in any yarn and any size during the month of April and you will automatically be entered for a chance to win our mystery prize!  (I'll announce it next week in episode 12!)  FYI: JoAnn Fabrics has all their sock yarn on sale, buy one get one half off, and Knitpicks has all their Stroll Kettle Dyed sock yarn, 100g balls for only $6.99!  You only need one ball of that for an awesome pair of socks!
~Knitting:
   -Finished the Cheshire Cat Legwarmers and Hat for my niece!

   - Finished my Purple Cabled Socks!

  I'm still working on the Wedding Shawl, and I started knitting a Sack Boy from Little Big Planet (I hate it).  I also cut my first successful steek, thanks to Itsjustmeghan from the Stitch It Podcast and her awesome tutorial!

~ Spinning: Still working on the merino/tencel and the corriedale for my cardi!

~Free Entertainment!
Some folks have asked what podcasts and podiobooks I listen to, so here is a list!
  - Stitch It Podcast (Meghan)
  - Kiping It Real (Jackie)
  - The Knitmore Girls (Jasmin and Gigi)
  - The High Fiber Diet Podcast (CoggieTM)
  - Fiber Beat (WonderMike)
  - BarkNKnit (Gnat)
  - KnitAJourney (Susan)
  - CogKnitive (Dr. Gemma)
  - Electric Sheep (Hoxton Handmade)
  - This American Life Podcast
Others I want to listen to:
  - Its A Purl, Man
  - Knit Misadventures
  - Savvy Girls Podcast
  - Sticks and String Podcast
Podiobooks I've listened to, enjoyed and recommend:
  - Nina Kimberly the Merciless by Christiana Ellis
  - Space Casey by Christiana Ellis
  - Ravenwood by Nathan Lowell
  - Shadowmagic by John Lenahan
  - How to Disappear Completely by Myke Bartlett  (Still listening to this one)
~Sales!
  http://www.handknitting.com has Fortissima Socka 100g balls for $9~
  http://www.simplysockyarn.com has sots of deals from 25% - 50% off socks yarns in all sizes and colors!
  - Elsewhere:
Snapfish is a free photo sharing site with unlimited photo storage, and if you sign up right now, you get 50 free photo prints with your first upload!
~Tip of the Week:
  Bring Your Own Bag: Lots of places give discounts, and some places charge if you don't!  Bring reusable bags when you are shopping to save the earth and save your money!
~How I saved the week:
  - Made 10 servings of chicken tortilla/ taco soup for about $10.
  - Signed up for Amazon Prime.  $80 yearly fee, but you get free, 2 day shipping on anything from Amazon.com  I spend over $100 a year on shipping from Amazon anyway, so I'll be saving!
~ DIY: Make your own sock blockers!  Check out an awesome tutorial here!
~Worth It!
#1:  The Little Box of Socks by Charlene Schurch and Beth Parrott
Retail: $19.95, 20 pattern cards
Pros:
  - Patterns are written clearly
  - Beautiful color photos of each sock
  - Patterns are on easy cards to take along!
  - Lots of different styles!  Something for everyone!
  - Patterns use all ranges of skill and yarn size!
Cons:
  - Sealed box, so you can't browse the patterns first to make sure you like them all.
  - For me, there are only about 4 patterns I want to make.
Overall: Worth it if a group of people went in together, because there really is something for everyone, for me though, not worth it because I don't want to knit most of the patterns in the box. (that might change, who knows?)

#2: Sock Innovation by Cookie A.
Retail: $22.95, 143 pages with 15 patterns
Pros:
  - Beautiful color photos of each pattern from many angles
  - First 55 pages are all comprehensive instructions and tips on designing your own socks and patterns!
  - Great instructions on making socks that fit the foot they are for.
  - In my opinion, every pattern in beautiful and intriguing.
  - Patterns are well written and clear.
Cons:
  - Not a beginner book.
  - Can be overwhelming for beginners, and even non- beginners!
Overall: for beginners, not worth it. For anyone who wants to design, or wants to get more involved with knitting socks and writing patterns,  totally worth it!  For me, yes because I want to knit every pattern in this book!

Episode 10- Tiny Boxes

~Welcome/ Intro
~ Contest:  Check out the Ravelry Group Page and share your best tip for "Going Green!"  Winner will receive 2 skeins of KnitPicks Wool of the Andes in colors Green Tea Heather and Avacado.
~Cheap Sock KAL:  Get your supplies and pattern ready!  We will be doing a Sock Knit-a-long during April!  Start and finish a pair of socks in April, and post the photos on the Ravelry boards and you will be entered in a drawing to win a mystery prize!
~ Knitting:
  - Not much done on Wedding Shawl
 - Did a little work on my Purple Cable socks, I will finish them before the April Sock KAL!
 - Knitting my 7 month old niece some awesome Cheshire Cat legwarmers!  The striping idea came from Brooklyn Tweed's Turn A Square hat!  He also has a great tutorial in that pattern on how to avoid that goofy little stripe jog when you are striping in the round!
~ Spinning:
  - Spun up some Valentine (pink shades) corriedale from Sunset Fibers to use in my Cheshire Cat legwarmers!
  - I decided I want to knit a cropped, short sleeved cardi, so I'm spinning some cream corrie/ merino for that!
~ Sales!
  Yarny/ fibery
   - Fiber2Yarn has some AMAZING deals on rovings and tops!  10-40% off yarns as well!
   - Since Easter is only a few weeks away, check out your local grocery stores for sales on Easter Egg dye and use it on your yarn!  It works great!
   Other
    - SavingsNut has great tools and tips for saving money in just about every aspect of your life!  Check it out!
~ Tip of the week:

Invest in a Neti Pot!  They are an amazing little pot you use to pour saline solution through your nose to clear out your sinuses!  It helps keep allergens out of your face and clear all the goo out too!  They usually run between $12 and $25, but I recommend getting one that you can put in the dishwasher!
~How I saved the week!
 - I used free TurboTax to do my taxes!
 - I bought some awesome Tul pens from Office Max for only $.40 each!  WOOHOO!
~DIY
  ItsJustMeghan from the Stitch It! Podcast had an amazing tutorial on how to make your own Lazy Kate out of a shoebox and 6 knitting needles in her 13th episode!  Click here to see for yourself!
I made one!  Lookie!

~Worth It!

  - Debbie Stoller's Stitch Nation Full O' Sheep

Pros: Very soft and lofty, very warm, comes in lots of vibrant colors, feels pretty sturdy, and great for felting.

Cons: Not machine washable, the ball was very tangly on the inside (ball it up before you knit with it), single ply isn't always as strong as multi- ply yarns.

**Overall: Medium worth.  I would probably buy it again, but I know it won't be useful for some projects.

  - JoAnn Sensations Bamboo & Ewe

Pros: Comes in lots of colors, both solid and self patterning, nylon makes the yarn strong, bamboo makes it shiny and pretty, not knotty or splitty.

Cons: Not machine washable.

Overall: Worth it!

Contact Info:

Email me!

Ravelry: Roue

Twitter: Roue0824

If you like the show, please leave a review on iTunes!  I won't be doing a show next week, so use your knitcents while I'm gone!

Episode 9- Over 9,000!

~Welcome/ Intro:  The podcast has had over 10,000 downloads since I started! Thank you so much to everyone who has helped make that happen!  You guys rock!
~ Contest:  Connie, aka Maltesemama on Ravelry has won the February contest!
  March Contest:  Share your best tip for "Going Green."  Prize: 2 skeins of KnitPicks Wool of the Andes in colorways Green Tea Heather and Avacado.
Submit your tip by March 27, and we'll vote after that!
~ Knitting:  I finished my Ravelympics socks for my Gramma, and she LOVED them!
  I also finished my Cabled Feather Cowl, and it is on its way to Berlin right now!  Finally, I took my wedding shawl out of the time- out box, and have finished the first chart on it!
~Spinning:  I'm still working on my Merino/ Tencel-  LOVELY!  I also carded together some yak, baby alpaca, cashmere, camel and quiviut to make one wonderful uber luxury fiber!  I'm spinning on my Akha spindle, who needs a name!! Help?
~Sales!
  Yarn/ FIber
   - Pacific Wool and Fiber is offering 8 ounces of Corriedale Cross Top for $7.95!  AWESOME DEAL!
   - KnitPicks wants you to share the news about their new products!  Send an e-card from their website and they will enter you in a drawing to win a $50 gift certificate!
  Elsewhere
   - I've noticed a lot of auto repair shops are offering "tax time sales."  Since tax returns are coming back, now seems to be the best time to get any repairs needed on your vehicle!
~Tip of the Week:  Re-use your disposables!  Not everything!  Reuse salsa containers, yogurt containers and sandwich bags!  Just wash them out and let them dry!
~How I Saved the Week:  I paid off a loan, I saved $300 on airfare to Houston by knowing what airlines fly the cheapest to that airport, and I checked my "junk" email account and found a coupon for some free yogurt!  Yum!
~Worth It!
  Respect the Spindle by Abby Franquemont
This book is amazing!  Not only are all 135 pages jam packed with amazing information and beautiful photos, but there is a ton of technical information about the physics behind spinning!  All aspects of learning are addressed, so any type of learner can use this book effectively, and easily!
**Overall** WORTH IT!

Episode 8- Awesome!

~Welcome/ Into
   - Thank you to everyone who has sent suggestions and messages this week!
~ Contest: The contest is closed to entries, and open to voting!  Check out the Ravelry Group page to cast your vote!  I'll be closing the voting right before recording next week's show!
~ Knitting
   - I finished the Ravelympics Socks for my Gramma!  Just need to graft the second toe and weave in the ends!  Yay me!
   - I also started working on the Cabled Feather Cowl by Cindy Craig for a friend.  Knitted with KnitPicks Andean Treasure in the colorway Amethyst Heather.  This project will cost about $10 to make, as I am shortening the pattern by 2 lace repeats so that I will be able to knit it with 2 skeins instead of 3.
~Spinning:
   - I've spun up about 1/4 oz of 50/50 merino/ tencel blend from Crown Mountain Farms in colorway Heather.  2 ounces cost $16, so I'll be getting about $.50 an hour for enjoyment!  Yay!
~Sales!!!
    Yarn/ Fibery sales
    - KnitPicks is having some amazing sales on their kits!  The "Design your first Sweater" Kit is only $14.99 right now, and comes with 15 balls of Wool of the Andes yarn!  That's only $1 per skein!  Get it soon before they run out!
   - Alpaca Direct has great deals on roving, yarns and other goodies, and they have a really cool Yarn Estimator, and some great spinning videos!  Check them out!
  Elsewhere
   - PetCareRX has better deals than 1800petmeds, and way better prices than your local vet or pet shop on all your pet medicines and health needs!  Free shipping on orders over $35!  Coupon Code at Checkout: GoogleClick
~ Tip of the Week:
   - Treat your savings account like a bill that needs to be paid, either every month or every paycheck.  Don't say "I'll pay my bills and put the leftover in my savings account," because we both know that nothing will end up in there.  Treat your savings account like a bill and budget it into your monthly costs!
~How I saved the week:
   - By being patient.  I ordered a book from Amazon that was backordered for 7 weeks.  I wanted to cancel the order and just buy it at a bookstore but I knew I'd end up paying more than twice as much!  I recently got my book and I saved over half!  Yay for patience!
~Worth It!
  Bernat Sox yarn
Acryllic/ Nylon blend, comes in 50 or 100 gm skeins.  the 100gm skeins are 5.99 a ball, 425 yds and can get 2 socks out of a skein.  The only con I can even think of from my perspective is that there is no wool content, but other than that, this yarn is awesome!  Not splitty, machine washable and dryable, colors are nice, no pooling, soft and super strong!  I made Aaron a pair a year ago, and he wears them all the time!  I didn't do any reinforcements, and the socks are holding up famously!  This is an awesome yarn!
~Contact Info:
Ravelry: Roue
Twitter: Roue0824
Email Me!

Episode 7- Madrona!

~Intro/ Welcome!
~ Contest: In the Ravelry Group Page, share your Favorite Date, under $10!  Check out the contest thread and don't vote until after I lock up the thread!  You have until Feb. 25 to get your entry in!
~ Knitting:
   - Finished first cabled sock, and am now about halfway through the second one.
   - Started Ravelympic Project- Finished the first leg on first sock!
   - Knitted an AWESOME Superhero Mask with Stephanie Bryant, aka Mortaine at Madrona!  She is the author/ writer for the amazing knitting superhero comic, Handknit Heroes.
~Spinning:
   - I finally finished my Sunset Fibers Corriedale sock yarn for my Ravelympics project!
   - I got a couple new spindles and some yummy fiber at Madrona, so look for some fun new spinning in near future episodes!
~Sales:
   - yarnsupply.com  40-50% off Bernat, Sugar N' Cream, and NY Yarns!  Free shipping over $75!
   - CSAs:  Community Supported Agriculture is a really cool way to get inexpensive, local produce and fiber!  Google CSA with your town name or zip code to find local farms near you!
~Tips of the week:
   - Review the "Cost per Use" factor when pondering whether to spend a little extra money on something nice.  If you spend less, and the item turns out to be poor quality, you are going to spend more overall by replacing it than you would have by spending a little more for a higher quality product in the first place!
   - Fiber Festivals:  Set yourself some rules and stick to them!  Set yourself a budget, and then use cash only, once you run out, you are done!  Also, bring a friend who might help you control yourself!  Don't bring the friend who will convince you to buy more!
~How I Saved the Week:
   - I was sick, so I didn't spend much but I got A LOT of use out of my Netflix account!  Definitely had a very low Cost per Use over the weekend when I had the plague!
~Worth It!
  - Productive Spindling by Amelia Garripoli
Pros:
 Totally comprehensive.  Whether you are a new spinner or a seasoned spinner, you will find something useful in this book!
 Lots of photos and drawings!
 Really easy to read instructions, and great descriptions of every technique
 Fun stories and anecdotes
Cons:
Some photos would be nicer in color, or larger with higher resolution
I think it would be better to come in hard bound, because I am going to get a LOT of use out of this book, and I don't want to have to replace it!
Overall: WORTH IT!
~Contact:
Email me!
Ravelry: Roue
Check out the Ravelry KnitCents Group Page
Twitter: Roue0824
If you enjoy the show, please leave a review on iTunes!  Thanks for listening!

The plague

So, I've been crazy sick all weekend. Like, fever, headache, chills, achey, stuffy head and nose, sore throat and cough. Blah. However, I've gotten a lot more done than usual in my knitting, spinning and Netflix watching.
Knitting: finished one cabled sock and have now finished the leg, turned the heel and done gusset decreases on the second.
Spinning: filled the rest of the bobbin on the wheel.
Netflix: 3 episodes of "Legend of the Seeker," the entire first season (6 episodes) of "This American Life," a documentary about child prostitution called "Very Young Girls," and so far 7 of 10 episodes of David Attenborough's "The Life of Mammals."
Overall, I would say that Netflix is worth every penny of the $9 a month I spend on it, and I'm glad I finally get to report on some progress during the next posdcast! Even if it meant I've been sick all weekend! Hopefully your weekend has been as productive as mine!

Episode 6- Jampacked!

~ Welcome/ Intro!
     -I got a bad review on iTunes!  Hehe, I think it's kind of funny...
~Knitting: Not much new, just got a little more progress on my cabled socks
~Spinning: Still working on Sunset Fibers, and Merino/ Alpaca blend!
~Contest:
   - Peg, aka IrishCorp wins the January contest!
   - February contest:  Share your best date idea for under $10!  Prize: 2 skeins of Knit Picks Gloss HW in colorway Wine.
~Sales:
   - Yarn:
     - Knitting-warehouse  Great sales on knitting accessories!
     - Paradise Fibers Amazing prices on spinning fibers in the sale section!  Less than $2 an ounce for merino top, and less than $1.50 for Corrie top!
   - Elsewhere
     - ESmartTax Free tax preparation for basic through Liberty Tax Services.
~ Tips of the Week:
   - Aaron wanted you to know that he doesn't let the water run while he's in the shower, so his water time is less than 2 minutes!
   - Tip 1:  Find your local free box!
         - Libraries, colleges/ schools, co-ops
         - Colleges at the end of the quarter are awesome!  People throw so much stuff away!
   -Tip 2:  Use your library!  You pay taxes, so use it!
   - Tip from y'all: Contest runners up: Knitdesigns and MuzzerZ: Plan meals ahead of time and pay attention to what you have in your pantry!
~How I saved the week:
   - Nothing terribly interesting, just made my lunches and brought them to work, and made a couple of big batches of soup and put them in the freezer!
~DIY:
   - Check out the thread in the Ravelry group to see how I made my Easy Knitting Project Bags!
~ Worth It!
   - Custom Knits by Wendy Bernard
   - 22 patterns, list price $27.50
This isn't really a pro/con list, but more of an overview.  This is not a beginner book.  There is no "How to make a knit stitch" section, but there are some special techniques sections.  This book teaches you how to make garments that actually fit you, and how to alter your garments to fit you physically, or to add elements to make it more stylish.  There is a really cool tutorial on how to make a dress form cast of your body with an old t-shirt and some duct tape.  All the patterns are trendy and cute.
Overall: Worth it for those who want to learn how to design or customize their knits, but not for someone who wants to follow a pattern exactly.
~Contact:
Email me!
Ravelry: My username is Roue
Ravelry Group Page
Follow me on Twitter: Roue0824
If you like the show, please leave a review on iTunes!

Thank you so much for listening!