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!