Episode 12: A Christmas Knitting Miracle!

Leslie travels down the mountain, leaving snow and ice and a closed shop behind to enjoy slightly warmer weather at What's Needlin' Ewe? in Mount Airy. Finishing Christmas projects seems miraculous and there is much talk of selfish knitting and spinning.



Natalie is continuing the Wonderful Wallaby and Bella's Mitts, and making great progress on the "pod sock". More pictures and projects at Natalie's blog. Other details available at KnitFitKnitter's Ravelry page.


Leslie is sticking with her plans, for the most part, and working on a pattern from Stitch 'n Bitch Nation for-what-else? Fingerless mitts. She's also planning to start a crochet project with wonderful yarn from Woolybuns in Connecticut. More pictures of other projects discussed in the podcast at Leslie's blog. More details available at Greenberry's Ravelry page.

Show Links:

Larkspur Wrap by Ellen Gormley
Woolybuns
Blue Moon Fiber Arts
Emerald Isle Cardigan
Bella's Mittens by Subliminal Rabbit
Wonderful Wallaby
Gales Arts
Slip Stitch Studio
Hap Blanket
Mitten Blockers by 7 Yaks Designs
Yarn Pirate (on Hiatus)
A. K. Traditions
A Year in Yarn Calendar

Don't forget about the drawing/contest!

If you are interested in having any of your products reviewed, drop us a line or mail your item to one of the addresses on the sidebar. We'd love to talk about your stuff and can give the experienced knitter viewpoint, the inexperienced knitter, the experienced crocheter and the savvy spinner's opinion!

Our Sponsors:

Knit Fit Knitting
What's needlin' Ewe?
Greenberry House

Episode 11: Christmas Knitting Countdown

Natalie's unique sock and over dyed yarn for new baby project. More pictures and projects at Natalie's blog. Other details available at KnitFitKnitter's Ravelry page.


Leslie is still pretty much knitting nothing but Christmas presents but she has big plans for spinning and knitting after the big day. More pictures of other projects discussed in the podcast at Leslie's blog. More details available at Greenberry's Ravelry page. Above is pictured lovely roving from Fiber Monster and the spinning disaster at right.

Newbie knitting question involved blocking and strayed into setting the twist of handspun yarns.

Tons of links in this episode:

Cornrow Mittens by Anne Hanson
Just Enough Ruffles to be done in Malabrego
Sloochie by Woolie Wormhead, who has a fun blog
Themis Really lovely cowl
Ripple by Lynne Vogel
Tiny Triangle Fingerless Gloves, also by Lynne Vogel
Celtic Moonrise Mittens, the perfect cable for Natalie
Little Red Riding Hood by Petite Purls, too cute!
My Vampire Boyfriend Socks *Wicked*
Bella's Mittens by Subliminal Rabbit
Knitty Winter 2009
Kindly Sheep from Knittyspin
Wonderful Wallaby
Productive Spindling
Gales Arts
Fiber Monster
Ferradiddledumday

*Contest* *Contest* *Contest*

Listen to the podcast and put your responses in our comments section here, on Facebook or send us an email! Prizes will include yarn from Knit Fit Knitting, a book from Greenberry House and possibly some other goodies when we come up with them!

If you are interested in having any of your products reviewed, drop us a line or mail your item to one of the addresses on the sidebar. We'd love to talk about your stuff and can give the experienced knitter viewpoint, the inexperienced knitter and the experienced crocheter!

Our Sponsors:

Knit Fit Knitting
What's needlin' Ewe?
Greenberry House

Episode 10: Double Digits

First snow in Meadows of Dan, December 5, 2009

Once again Natalie travels up Squirrel Spur Road to record, and sees beautiful sunlight for a change and lovely snow on the ground!

Leslie is unusually chatty about her spinning and offers resources on-line for how to use a drum carder well. Links are:

http://louet.com/spinning-weaving/carding.shtml - click the link for the .pdf how-to
Check out Rexenne's channel on You Tube. She has great drum carder information and lots of other fiber instruction that is fantastic.

Christmas presents are taking up more and more of the girls' time, but Leslie finally came up with a finished object:



Moss Fern Wrap by Kimberly K. McAlindin, from Interweave Crochet, Fall 2009. Crocheted with Unplanned Peacock's Quail colorway in merino/silk laceweight.



Leslie also discovered cables! and loves them. Pictured is her first cable project, which is the Cornflower mitts from Interweave Knits Accessories 2009. More pictures of other projects discussed in the podcast at Leslie's blog. There are also pictures on the blog of the spinning project discussed above. More details available at Greenberry's Ravelry page.

Also pictured above are two skeins of Miss Babs lovely yarns, and the beautiful Woolybuns yarn for her next crochet project.



Natalie is still working on Wicked in that lovely Malabrigo colorway, finishing up the lovely little sweater for Parker and making a mitten scarf for Brooks. More pictures and projects at Natalie's blog. Other details available at KnitFitKnitter's Ravelry page. There are also lovely goodies: Knit Fit Knitting Yarn, Gale's Art roving, and Yarn Pirate treasures!

The newbie question involved a knotty problem, getting what you pay for, and what kind of fiber a busy mom really likes her gifts made from!

Show links:

Wicked
Fetching
Spin A Yarn
Miss Babs
Chiaogoo Needles
Gale's Art
Yarn Pirate
Barnes & Noble: look for the "Gimble"

If you are interested in having any of your products reviewed, drop us a line or mail your item to one of the addresses on the sidebar. We'd love to talk about your stuff and can give the experienced knitter viewpoint, the inexperienced knitter and the experienced crocheter!

Our Sponsors:

Knit Fit Knitting
What's needlin' Ewe?
Greenberry House

Episode 9: Rain, Rain, Go Away!

Natalie's current projects: the doll for the little guy (note the great facial features she's forming) Wicked, a soaker and her offering to the Fingerless Mitt revolution, Fetching. More pictures and projects at Natalie's blog. Other details available at KnitFitKnitter's Ravelry page.




Leslie is still working on her Moss Fern Wrap and lots of Christmas gifts. More pictures of other projects discussed in the podcast at Leslie's blog. More details available at Greenberry's Ravelry page. The yarns pictured above are new at Greenberry House; gorgeous handspun by Claudia Hurt.

Newbie question this week centered on choosing needles for projects and types of yarn. Reviews: Spin-Off Winter 2009 and Interweave Knits Winter 2009.

Name the kitty contest:

The winning name of the contest, chosen by an independent panel of judges, was Paisley, suggested by Marian H. Marian has her choice of either two skeins of yarn from Knit Fit Knitting and Greenberry House or a pair of hand knit fingerless mitts. Thanks to all the participants for some fantastic suggestions...it was a difficult decision! Keep an eye out for our next contest.

Show links:

Wicked
Fetching


Our Sponsors:

Knit Fit Knitting
What's needlin' Ewe?
Greenberry House

Episode 8: The Projects

And the project bags. Natalie visits Greenberry House again with her Christmas knitting, lots of lovely bags with a host of great projects she's working on for the kids, for Christmas and more.

Natalie's current projects, featuring the Vanilla Sock, the sweaters for the boys and a gorgeous skein of Natalie's handspun yarn. Anyone care to try to talk her out of it? More pictures and projects at Natalie's blog. Other details available at KnitFitKnitter's Ravelry page.

Leslie is still working on Christmas presents and the Moss Fern Wrap, newly dubbed the Endless Shawl. She has also been plying lots of yarn. More pictures of other projects discussed in the podcast at Leslie's blog. More details available at Greenberry's Ravelry page.

Newbie questions centered on gauge this week.

Show Links:

Jeff Little
Trans-Siberian Orchestra
Twist Collective

The Name the Kitty Contest continues...prizes offered are two skeins of yarn for the knitters, weavers and crocheters or a pair of hand-knitted mitts by Leslie for those that aren't yarnies!

Our Sponsors:

Knit Fit Knitting
What's needlin' Ewe?
Greenberry House

Episode 7: We're Regular

Natalie treks back up the mountain to record the podcast on a beautiful November day.

Projects:

Natalie's Vanilla sock, the beginning of the Tudor Grace Scarf and the Emergency Knitting bag talked about in the last episode. More pictures and projects at Natalie's blog, along with pictures of SAFF purchases. Other details available at KnitFitKnitter's Ravelry page.


Leslie's Je Suis Jolie mitts in her farm raised angora blend hand dyed yarn. More pictures of other projects discussed in the podcast at Leslie's blog. More details available at Greenberry's Ravelry page.

The girls add a new section to the show: Newbie questions. Leslie hasn't been knitting long and Natalie doesn't do a lot of crocheting. Leslie has some really basic questions and Natalie has terrific answers! If listeners have questions they'd like to have answered about knitting, crocheting or spinning, please leave a comment or send an email!

Show Links:

Tudor Grace Scarf: Knitting Patterns Knitspot
Video Podcast: Round the Twist with Carin
PolarKnit Stitch Dots Stitch Markers: Dreamweaver Yarns
Podcast: Lime & Violet including reference to The Crooked Road
Tammy's great review of Personal Footprints for Insouciant* Sock Knitters
Itty-Bitty Toys by Susan Anderson

Name the Kitty Contest!!!!!!

Leslie has a new kitten. This little girl, pictured above in the middle of Leslie's work table, was found abandoned and needed a home. That's a niddy-noddy she's using as a pillow. Leslie provided the home, despite mild objections from the currently resident animals, and now she wants YOU to provide the name. Send an email to knittingintheround@gmail.com, leave a comment here or on the new Knitting in the Round Facebook page.

Leslie's offering a prize to the winning name. A panel of independent judges will decide on the winning submission on Thanksgiving, and we'll announce the winner on the podcast of the following week!

Episode 6: Catching Up!

Natalie and Leslie do some much needed catching up, since October is a very busy month for both of them. Natalie talks about her SAFF adventures while Leslie tells about the great yarn shop she visited. They're both working on some cool projects:

Natalie's Kawkzwesque Sock in a Snitches Limited Edition Christmas yarn. More pictures and projects at Natalie's blog, along with pictures of SAFF purchases. Other details available at KnitFitKnitter's Ravelry page.

Leslie's Wine and Roses Mitt in SWTC's TOFUsies. More pictures of other projects discussed in the podcast at Leslie's blog. More details available at Greenberry's Ravelry page.

The girls also discussed other knitting and spinning projects and what is new at What's Needlin' Ewe? and Greenberry House. Leslie, a newbie to podcasts, has been obsessively listening and has discovered why anyone would be interested in what she is knitting!

Other links from the show:

http://www.foxholler.com
http://www.saffsite.org
http://www.blackhillswoolies.com
http://www.fireantranch.com
http://www.gailsart.com
http://www.brassneedles.com
http://manicpurl.blogspot.com/
http://knitmoregirls.blogspot.com/
http://www.hoxtonhandmade.com/

Natalie is scheduled to climb the mountain next Monday to record, and the idea is to podcast weekly. Keep an eye out!

Episode 5: Alpaca of a Different Color

Really sorry to be so late in posting...October happened!

Natalie and Leslie took a trip to Atlantic Breeze Alpacas to interview Sandra Buckery and find out everything you'll ever need to know about alpacas, their fiber and the wonder of alpaca farming.

Natalie took pictures at the farm but technical difficulties have prevented us from being able to post them.

Leslie took pictures at the Atlantic Breeze shop:


Stole made from the rug yarn discussed on the podcast


Beautiful alpaca clothing


Alpaca fleece

When the girls returned to Greenberry House to finish recording, the discussion turned to projects, of course, and then to reviewing project bags.


Knit, purl, sew bag

Links mentioned in the podcast:

Atlantic Breeze Alpacas
Alpaca 101
Round the Mountain

What's Needling Ewe?
Greenberry House
www.jannysgirl.etsy.com
Knit, Purl, sew, what?
Slip Stitch Studio
Lawre's Laine
Namaste

Episode 4: Round the Mountain...

Miss Babs Hand Dyed Fiber at Greenberry House

Natalie traveled back up the mountain this week to record the podcast at Greenberry House. She showed off a fantastic new bag and had lots of projects, as always to talk about.

Projects:


Dog hair singles yarn

Leslie is still spinning the Komodor dog hair for her customer and still liking the process. She is also spinning Corriedale on another wheel when she gets the time, plus spindling some Miss Babs roving once in awhile.

Leslie and Natalie talked about the importance of blocking to turn this funny little twisted bag from this:



To this:



And Leslie started a new knitting project, but she's not really happy with it. Drop us a line in the comments to say whether she should continue this lace project in this particular yarn:



Special Fiber Interview:

Natalie and Leslie talked about Greenberry House, Leslie's shop in Meadows of Dan. the shop is located just off the Blue Ridge Parkway in the beautiful mountains of Virginia. Leslie described the locally produced yarns and spinning fibers in her shop, and talked about her often unrecognized partner, who is an expert on vintage books and the Civil War, also a part of the business.


Woolma, the official Greenberry House "greeter"

Reviews:



Leslie and Natalie both had lots to say about the new Interweave Knits Weekend 2009, and Leslie is working on the Seine Scarf from the issue, by Ann Budd.

Next time Natalie will trek back up the mountain and both Leslie and Natalie are looking forward to interviewing Sandra Buckery of Atlantic Breeze Alpacas.

Episode 3: Heading Down the Mountain!

What's Needlin' Ewe, Mount Airy, North Carolina

This time it was Leslie's turn to travel during Episode 3 of Knitting in the Round, to visit with Natalie in Mount Airy to talk about yet another exciting new project! We were a little late getting this episode recorded because of all the work Natalie has been doing, and because Leslie caught a late summer cold! Leslie has been really excited about all the great things that have been happening "below the mountain" and couldn't wait to get down and see what was going on!

Our Projects:


Leslie's Handspun Texel Yarn

Leslie finally finished the basket of Texel she was spinning. As a two-ply, it is a thick and think sport to worsted weight in pale to deep shades of blue. This yarn will be offered for sale at her shop in Meadows of Dan as soon as it is wound into skeins and measured. Her spinning wheel wasn't empty long, though. Listen as she tells about spinning a special fiber: dog hair and offers a hint on how to combat that "doggy" smell! Leslie is still spinning some wonderful Miss Babs merino/bamboo on her favorite drop spindle and trying to get time to crochet.

Natalie is discovering just how much a yarn shop owner can get done as she started one project and then has to switch to another for "shop knitting time." She talks about the Emerald Isle Cardigan she has started from the Fall 2009 Knitscene. Natalie also raves about her new spinning wheel and some luscious fiber in fall colors she found by All Spun Up.

Special Fiber Interview:


Beautiful yarns at What's Needlin' Ewe?

Although it was Labor Day Weekend, the real celebration was at What's Needlin' Ewe?, a new local yarn shop in Mount Airy, North Carolina, during the Grand Opening. Leslie gets to ask Natalie all about the shop as customers come in and out. There is plenty of yarn fondling and lots of excitement about another new yarn shop in the area. Natalie tells about the yarn lines, discoveries they've been making and some fun connections with people in the area and about a certain spinning wheel.


The "Spooner Mug" talked about during the podcast

Reviews:


Fiber Gathering by Joanne Seiff

Leslie reviewed this book about fiber festivals, an event almost as dear to every knitter and spinner's heart as the opening of a new yarn shop! She points out the patterns, descriptions and techniques and is happy to see a crochet pattern by a Colorado friend!

Natalie had several new discoveries to talk about, most of them available at the new shop in Mount Airy. Find out what's great about Kollage Square knitting needles and see why she's excited about Berroco Vintage wool..and what surprised her about this yarn! And find out who the knitting celebrity is that visited What's Needlin' Ewe? to get some of this great yarn!

In Episode 4 it's back up the mountain to find out about Greenberry House in Meadows of Dan! Join us!

Episode 2: Confessions of a Dyeaholic

Natalie came up again to the shop this week to record the podcast, Knitting in the Round, but she didn't bring the Sideshow Baby! I missed seeing the little guy but I'm sure he'll be visiting again quite soon. We had lots of exciting things to talk about: projects, new spinning wheels, books to review and a special interview with Natalie about her thriving business, Knit Fit Knitting.

Our Projects:


Corriedale Singles spun by Leslie

I demonstrate spinning at the Meadows of Dan Folk Fair, which took place this past weekend. We had a lovely crowd and a lot of people interested in seeing all the heritage demonstrations throughout the day. Great music, fantastic food, and a wonderful historical play round out a full day of events for the Folk Fair. This weekend I was hand carding and spinning a beautiful variegated Corriedale fleece from Rising Meadow Farm in Liberty, North Carolina.


Leslie's current spindling project

I've also been spinning some gorgeous merino/bamboo roving, dyed by the incomparable Miss Babs. I just had to have it when she brought it into the shop. It is selling quickly and I've asked Miss Babs for more.

Special Fiber Interview:

The main part of our show was a fabulous interview with Natalie, who "told all" about her business as an indie dyer. She has a great web site at Knit Fit Knitting and also keeps an etsy shop and a blog. Natalie's projects are numerous and fun! There are links to her Facebook pages and twitter ID on the sidebar at left and descriptions and links to her work that we discussed on her web site. Don't miss the wonderful collections we talked about!

Reviews:

I really loved the new issue of Interweave Knits...Fall 2009. Very special projects and articles! I only have a few copies left here at the shop!

Test run, or our first podcast!

Hey guys and thanks for checking us out! We hope you enjoy listening and stick with us as we learn out way around a podcast and share with you. Today we are recording from Greenberry House in beautiful Meadows of Dan, VA.


Today you can learn a little about Leslie and me (Natalie), hear about our projects, reviews and events (both recently passed and upcoming).
Here you can find some links and photos to some of the items we discussed in today's episode!
In projects:
Leslie and I are both experimenting with Texel roving. Here are just a few photos:

Natalie's beautiful dyeing job

Leslie's handspun, hand dyed Texel singles yarn

Natalie is working on the Hillflowers Stole among many other WIP's and secret projects!






























We reviewed a couple of books today, Spin Off Magazine, Vintage Baby Knits and the Eclectic Sole (both on Amazon.com or KnitPicks.com)




We discuss the Estes Wool Market as well as the upcoming Sock Summit 09 and Natalie's Dye for Glory Submission and the not so far off SAFF 09!
We appreciate you listening and hope you'll come back next time! Next time we will be interviewing a wonderful fiber lady who owns alpacas!