The Yarniacs: A Knitting Podcast

In addition to our usual segments, we share our impressions of Botanical Knits by Alana Dakos. If you haven't checked out these lovely designs, please click on the link above and do so! We also announce the winners of the Self-indulgent KAL. Congrats to our winners and to everyone who made themselves something lovely to start the new year. Wear it with pride! I am still getting over a cold and coughing a bit. If my voice sounds like a frog, that is why! - Sharlene What are we wearing? Roza's Socks by Grumperina Sharlene's Roza de verde We are also both wearing our KAL sweaters. See the links below! What are we stalking? Sharlene is stalking 2-color shawls for her Miss Babbs Yummy sock yarn Westport Wrap by Laura Aylor Pendulum shawl by Amy Miller Diving In by Mam'zelle Flo Sola by Julia Trice Projects for Gayle's Ceallach Yarns Superboo Vanadium by Lisa Mutch What are we knitting? TGV shawl by Susan Ashcroft Entangled Vines by Alana Dakos*** Drops Alpaca yarn Boxy by Joji Locatelli Alewives Cowl by Elizabeth Doherty Autumn's End pullover by Alana Dakos What have we finished? Tangled Yoke Cardigan by Eunny Jang Sharlene's Tangled Yoke Halo hat 2 Halo hat 3 Oranje by Ann Weaver Gayle's Oranje alibi cowl by tshep Gayle's alibi Alisha Mitts by Erin Birnel Gayle's Alisha Mitts Ambient noises this week courtesy of my bird and the wind! After we recorded I realized my front window was indeed open, and that was causing the curtains to move! ***After recording I noticed that the Entangled Vines Cardigan does indeed have slight shaping for the hips, adding a few stitches in one increase row.

Greetings fellow Yarniacs! This episode Gayle and I welcome a special guest to the podcast. We are thrilled to share a chat with Benjamin Levisay. Benjamin Levisay is the CEO of XRX, Inc., the family-owned business that brings us Knitter's Magazine, XRX Books, and the STITCHES Expos. Benjamin shares the humble beginnings of the family yarn shop and his memories of weaving on his dad's looms, to how during a family outing at a local pizza joint his uncle suggested the family start their own magazine. Because really, how hard could that be? And so, a new chapter of the family business was born. If you have attended a STITCHES Expo, cracked open an XRX book, or studied the pages of Knitter's Magazine, you will appreciate the care and attention to detail XRX places on each pattern, each page, each Expo attendee. We are preparing our shopping lists and expectations for attending the upcoming STITCHES West 2013 and hope this brief chat will enlighten and hopefully inspire you to check out the magazine, a new book, or the Expos from XRX. - Sharlene XRX general website STITCHES West STITCHES West 2013 show book K100 Knitter's Magazine free issue Note: This one issue is free, you will need to register with Zinio to access.

The Yarniacs are cruising into February and getting ready for Stitches West. Listen for some giggles and background entertainment provided by Boo the kitten. :) Just regular segments this week, though we have some educational discussions in the works! Stay tuned and enjoy! What are we wearing? Ribby Cardi by Bonne Marie Burns Zucca Cowl by Julia Trice Neon by Joji Locatelli What are we stalking? Meridien by Joji Locatelli Boxy by Joji Locatelli Wingspan by Julia Trice Chunky Circle Scarf by Lindsi Twice Born shawl by Magdalena Kubatek What are we knitting? Tangled Yoke Cardigan by Eunny Jang Forrest Floor hat by Alana Dakos Sharlene started ripping out her Hoodie Sweatshirt by Judith Swartz Oranje by Anne Weaver Cowl Neck Vest by Cecily Glowik MacDonald Sharlene's Cowl Neck Vest Gayle's first Cowl Neck Vest Pressed Leaves beret by Alana Dakos What have we finished? Arbutus by Jane Richmond Sharlene's Arbutus Lemongrass by Joji Locatelli Gayle's Lemongrass Autumn Blush shawl by Joji Locatelli Gayle's Autumn Blush

Gayle has been sick and I have been spending time in waiting rooms. We were so happy to get together today and record. Gayle is really on the mend, though she still sounds a bit hoarse. I have had a lot of unexpected knitting time and now need (!) to get something new on the needles. Need! Really. :) I hope the new year finds all of you doing well and knitting away on something fun and self-indulgent. If you haven't already, please visit and join our Ravelry discussion group here. We'd love to have you come out and play! This episode features our regular segments and two book reviews. Hopefully we remembered everything! Enjoy. What are we wearing? Audrey by Kim Hargreaves Sharlene's Audrey One skein boot toppers by Shireen Nadir Gayle's Boot toppers #07 Gathered Cardi by Cathy Carron What are we stalking? Grace by Jane Richmond Poplar Cowl by Kelbourne Woolens Design Team Kerry by Martin Storey Ease by Alicia Plummer What are we knitting? Tangled Yoke Cardigan by Eunny Jang Lemongrass by Joji Locatelli Autumn Blush by Joji Locatelli What have we finished? Pull Me Over by Andrea Black Sharlene's Pull Me Over Rustic I Cord Wrap Bracelet by Elizabeth Murphy Sharlene's Bracelet Marshmallow mitts by tincanknits Sharlene's Marshmallow mitts Zucca Cowl by Julia Trice Sharlene's Zucca Cowl Brambles Beret by Amanda Muscha Gayle's Brambles Beret Little Scallops by Maria Carlander Gayle's Little Scallops Aurora Australis by Melinda Vermeer Gayle's Aurora Australis Snapdragon flip tops by Ysolda Teague Gayle's Snapdragons Book Reviews French Girl Knits Accessories by Kristeen Griffin Grimes Northern Knits Gifts by Lucinda Guy Other patterns mentioned: Cora by Andrea Black Madison by Andrea Black

Happy New Year to everyone! Our first episode for 2013 is brimming with exploits of holiday knitting and mostly successful knitted gifts. I wouldn't recommend my make-three-mitts-to-end-up-with-a-pair technique, but well, sometimes the road may be bumpy, and the gift is unique! Hopefully this doesn't sound like a long laundry list to you and you find a gem or two amongst our humble toils and stories. What are we wearing? A-line Hoodie by Diane Soucy Sharlene's A-line Hoodie Misti Alpaca Tonos Worsted Dragonflies Jumper by Joji Locatelli Gayle's Dragonflies Arbutus by Jane Richmond Gayle's Arbutus Ann Hansen pattern What are we stalking? Jenica Hoodie by Joji Locatelli Belfast Hoodie by Carrie Bostick Hoge What are we knitting? Tangled Yoke Cardigan by Eunny Jang Oranje by Ann Weaver Aurora Australis by Melinda Vermeer Brambles Beret by Amanda Muscha Alisha Goes Around - Stable of Horses Worsted Monster Hat by Froken C What have we finished? Sharlene's Elf hat Sharlene's Garter Stitch Mitts Sharlene's Mega Cowl Imperial Yarn Bulky 2-strand Marsan Watchcap by Staceyjoy Elkin A-line Hoodie by Diane Soucy Miette by Andi Sutterlund One Skein Boot Toppers by Shireen Nadir Rose Red by Ysolda Teague Arbutus by Jane Richmond Self-Indulgent KAL thread on Ravlery Also mentioned: Munchkin game Gayle's Rivendale alpaca yarn Stimpylab Warm DK

What are we wearing? Cityscape by Laura Chau Aidez by Cirilia Rose Gayle's Stripey Scarf What are we stalking? Imperial Yarn Pencil Roving Cora by Andrea Black What are we knitting? Pull Me Over by Andrea Black Poppy hat by Justine Turner Aurora Australis by Melinda Vermeer Miette by Andi Sutterland What have we finished? Easy Peasy Newborn Sock Hat by Keri McKiernan Malabrigo Sock yarn The Traveling Sweater by A. Karen Alfke Gayle's Stripey Scarf Product Review Signature Needle Arts needles Thanks to Signature Needle Arts for providing needles for us to test drive! Favorite Projects of 2012 Gayle's Emilien sweater Madelinetosh DK Twist Sharlene's Owls sweater Gayle's Laar sweater Sharlene's Fuse sweater Gayle's Jenica Hoodie sweater The Self-Indulgent KAL thread Thank-you SO much to all our listeners who have made our rookie year of podcasting such a joy and a pleasure. We wish you Happy Holidays and all the best for 2013!

What are we wearing? Cassis by Thea Colman Sharlene's Cassis Cowl Neck Vest by Cecily Glowick MacDonald Gayle's Cowl Neck Vest Madelinetosh Erin Heritage Wool Imperial Yarn Erin What are we stalking? Trefoil Cardigan by Gudrun Johnston Chickadee by Ysolda Teague Eyelet Yoke Sweater by Courtney Spainhower Samovar by Laura Chau Aurora Australis by Melinda VerMeer What are we knitting? Pull Me Over by Andrea Black The Traveling Sweater by A. Karen Alfke Miette by Andi Satterlund Gayle's Stripey Scarf What have we finished? Sharlene's Felted pot holders Sharlene's Sea Anemone kitchen scrubbie Sharlene's Gift Beanie Gayle's Hermione Hearts Ron Gayle's Tulipe hat Gayle's Lingon hat Gayle's Garter Stitch Mitts Gayle's Swap Mitts Gayle's Daphne and Delilah Gayle's Commuter Mitts Our knitting "oops" - Project "ughs" and projects we've made but don't wear Opposite Pole by Joji Locatelli Sharlene's Ribbon Shells Gayle's Amande vest Sharlene's Wrap Front Pullover Gayle's Aynia shrug Towards the end, the (gasoline) gardeners arrive next door and you can hear their loud equipment in the background. Once that happens, we wrap it up pretty quick!

In which we talk about holiday gifting, and how the upcoming holidays affect our project choices, and knitting lessons we have learned this year. What are we wearing? Dragonflies Jumper by Joji Locatelli Sharlene's Dragonflies Discontinued Merino Stretch yarn Warriston by Kate Davies Gayle's Warriston What are we stalking? Women's Hand/Wrist Warmers by Joelle Hoverson Garter Stitch Mitts by Ysolda Teague Pull Me Over by Andrea Black Burrard by Glenna C Lemongrass by Joji Locatelli February Fitted Pullover by Amy Herzog What are we knitting? Gayle's Stripey Scarf Opposite Pole by Joji Locatelli Wooly Wormhead Mystery KAL pattern What have we finished? Sharlene's first Snowball Hat Sharlene's second Snowball Hat Garter Stitch Mitts 1, 2, 3, and 4 For Good Hat by Megan Williams 2012 Knitting Lessons learned projects Kauni Wool 8/2 Effektgarn Sharlene's failed Boneyard Shawl Gayle's failed Taygete Somewhere around the 44 minute mark the neighbor's gasoline gardeners arrive and you will hear leaf blowers and mowers and other assorted gasoline-powered garden appliances. (So loud and smelly!) It isn't that bad, and I may be the only one who notices. :) If you are considering knitting something for yourself for the Self-Indulgent KAL, please come over to our Ravelry group and discuss! Knit something for yourself and kick off the new year with a new knitting project. I am now declaring that I will be knitting the Tangled Yoke Cardigan by Eunny Jang. Join us!