Knitting On The Run (WindsweptMonique)
Explore every episode of Knitting On The Run
| Pub. Date | Title | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 07 Mar 2021 | 92 - Drained | 00:08:42 | |
Knitting and fitness in 30 min or less. Shownotes can be found at windsweptknits.com. You can find me on IG and Ravelry as WindsweptMonique and on Facebook and Twitter as WindsweptKnits. Ep 92 recorded 3/5/21 Segments this week include: Be A Helper Craftalaong, FOs, Wips, Out and About Virtually, On the Run, and I’ve Got Sunshine Note on Ravelry – all links to Ravelry are clearly labelled as such. So it’s been a month. I was intending to record every other week, as has become my new normal, but we’ve had some family stuff going on here and I have just been completely mentally, emotionally and physically exhausted. I’ve hardly knit anything in the last month. But the end is in sight, and Spring is trying really hard to arrive here in New England, so while I have a few spoons left in my jar I am recording this episode. Be A Helper Craft-a-long Update Deadline extended to 5/1/21 to make up for my lack of participation. New prizes! Jennifer Lassonde from Down Cellar Studio podcast has graciously donated 2 patterns to the winners of Be A Helper Craftalong! A huge thank you to Jen for her generosity in supporting us again this year. Short reminder on the rules
Link to submit your Finished Object/blood donation: https://forms.gle/QdJuQUSr8uM7GoiF6 FOs Galliatt (Ravelry) by JimiKnits – Knitting is done! I finished it just in time for the end of the pigskin party – literally the last night - I just need to add the decorative buttons on the sides. WIPs Slice of Summer – my New Year’s caston using BaH yarns watermelon shawl ball. I’m nearly done with the pink and on the white/green at the start of the watermelon rind. Pull Me Over sweater – did a little more of the collar Boxy – a tweaked Joji Locatelli pattern worked in hand dyed laceweight bamboo from Spinaway Farm. I finished the front and am now up to the shoulders on the back. Tunisian Express – I’m learning Tunisian Crochet and practicing using this pattern. It’s simple and easy to memorize and also includes a great tutorial with photos. I’m using leftover yarn from my Belle blanket and the boys’ dragon blankets. I’ve added a few rows. And that’s all I’ve done in an entire month. Out and About Virtually Lots of fiber events happening online this winter Vogue Knitting Live Upcoming Vogue Knitting Live @ Home Mar18-21. Stitches At Home this weekend, Mar 13,14, 20 & 21 Fiberworld is running an online march madness event, visit their website to vote. If you have any events you’d like me to share please email me windsweptmonique@gmail.com On the Run I am back in physical therapy and learned a lot about how your brain reacts to pain. It's fascinating.
I’ve Got Sunshine Happy news this week is that I stopped composting right around the last episode 3 weeks ago. The happy part isn’t that I’ve stopped composting, it’s that I didn’t have to stop composting until February! | |||
| 24 Sep 2021 | 95 - To the Sea | 00:16:48 | |
Ep 95 recorded 9/24/21 Segments this week include: WindsweptKnits, Wips, Stash, Out and About, and I’ve Got Sunshine Note on Ravelry – all links to Ravelry in the show notes are clearly labelled as such. All yarn links are directly to the manufacturer or dyer’s website. Windswept Knits Very excited to announce the launch of Line Where The Sky Meets the Sea, my latest shawl pattern. Some people feel the call of the Sea. Open water, no land in sight, that is where your heart lies. I know this feeling well. I grew up near the North Atlantic and I love being on a boat offshore, wondering what lies just over the horizon. When I first watched the film “Moana” and I heard her sing “There’s a line where the sky meets the sea and it calls me” I knew exactly what she meant. To my fellow knitters who also hear the sea’s siren call, I present this shawl. Shawl is available on LoveCrafts, PayHip and Ravelry (link to all 3 in the shownotes) and if you purchase through PayHip or Ravelry, use code PODCAST to get 25% the regular price. WIPs Priestess Coat – by Morale Fiber in Lion Brand Shawl in a Ball. Another design sample is in progress, a tank top made with HiKoo Popcycle! It’s a 50/50 bamboo/polyester blend and every skein uses 2 recycled plastic bottles Purse Socks! These are for a dear friend for Christmas who loves handknits. It’s in a new-to-me sock yarn Bamboo Pop Sock in the Sunset colorway. Stash
Toasty Alpaca Silk Linen, a DK yarn from Tina’s Toasty toes 50% baby alpaca, 25% silk, s5% linen, 273 yards to 100g. 2 skeins from Five Wise Owls, one of her fingering Tencel in the space cadet colorway which is black with blots of purple. The other color is Avocado and that is on her Pima DK base. Last up is a prize I won from Maridee of the Yarnover Truck out in California, and I won 2 skeins of Dragonfly Fibers Djinni in Kaleidoscope. Out and About Virtually NY Sheep and Wool currently still happening in Rhinebeck, NY Oct 16 & 17. At the moment I’m 50/50 about going. I have tickets and my husband and I and our parents are all vaccinated, but my kids are too young to get vaccinated and the Delta variant has me nervous. I’ll be making that decision at the last minute, I think. Vogue Knitting Live Vogue Knitting Live @ Home this weekend Oct 7-10. GGKCS podcast is having their annual Autumnal AL, visit their FB page for more details. Down Cellar Studio’s Pigskin party is up and running. You can participate on Instagram or on Ravelry and I’m linking to Boston Jen’s website which has the details and the signup page. I am both a sponsor and a participant again this year and it’s lots of fun. Stitches Expo at home Oct 8-10 – online classes, workshops and a virtual marketplace | |||
| 25 Sep 2020 | 82: Laptop = Podcast! | 00:25:25 | |
I'm back!!! I have a new laptop so now I can record!!! Ep 82 Knitting and running in 30 minutes or less Segments this week include: FOs, Wips, Out and About, On the Run Shownotes originally written in early August when my laptop died! I just got a new laptop and so the podcast is back! Not sure if it will be weekly or bi-weekly, it depends on my kid’s school schedules. They are both hybrid at the moment but if things go sideways that could change at a moment’s notice. I live outside Boston and after getting hit hard at first we’ve kept our numbers down. Most people are behaving sensibly, wearing masks, staying 6 feet apart and trying hard to prevent the spread of COVID.
Note on Ravelry – all rav project links in the show notes are labelled. Links to yarn are directly to manufacturer’s pages and should be safe for those still having rav accessibility issues. Now that I have a laptop I can start getting my patterns on PayHip – they are already available on LoveCrafts so there is already a Ravelry alternative. FO empower People (Ravelry) cowl/handband – I knit my purple cowl/handband to encourage folks to vote. I used a discontinued bamboo yarn that was dyed in South Africa by women paid a fair wage. Goldberry (Ravelry) - first crochet shawl is complete! I’m about to start a 2nd lol both will/are crocheted in Feza Baby Handdyed WIPs Laceweight Boxy (Ravelry) – I split for the shoulders! So excited. Haven’t worked on it in at least a month so it won’t be ready to wear this fall, but it will be for Spring. Using handdyed lace-weight bamboo yarn from Spinnaway Farms that I bought at Rhinebeck years ago. Papillon (Ravelry) – About 1/3 way through 2nd section. Using Berroco Medina that I bought at The Yarn Patch in Crossville, TN last year and a gold Tencel yarn from Artisinal Yarns that I bought at Rhinebeck 2 years ago. Triyang (Ravelry) – an old WIP that I started as SSK in 2017, I tend to keep this pattern for travelling and since we have 2 small kids we don’t travel much anymore. Now with COVID19 we’re not traveling at all, so I’m pulling this project back into rotation because I really enjoy this pattern. I’m knitting it up in Araucania Yumbrel, a discontinued lace-weight cotton variegated yarn. When done it’ll have around 2000 yards, probably won’t finish until next year. Star Wars scarf (Ravelry) for Thing 1 – Just finished the Light Side, which is /3 of the shawl. Center section has Millenium Flacon and Death Star, then it’ll be the Dark Side. I’ve switched to new hexagonal needles I ordered from Indian Lake Artisans and I find it much easier on my hands so I can knit more rows on it. For some reason with double knitting, my left had has a death grip on the needles, but the wooden hex needles hold the slippery bamboo better. I’m using Truboo by Lion Brand, a 100% bamboo yarn. Thing 2 hitchiker (Ravelry) – a DK hitchhiker scarf for Thing 2, since I;m knitting a scarf for Thing 1. It’s in a variegated yarn from a big box store in purple, yellow, green and tan. This is now my car knitting. It’s getting a little love daily at school drop off and pick up, because of course my kid’s schedules are different. Thing 2 Dragon Blanket (Ravelry) – almost done with this crochet blanket in purple (his favorite color) and green. I literally just need to assemble it. It’s for Thing 2 for Christmas, it’s a blanket with a hood, spines and claws that you can wear. Yes I’ll be making one in red for Thing 1 too. These blankets are/will be in deep acrylic stash, some much older than my kids! Ankle socks (Ravelry) – I’m now on the 2nd sock. It’s living in my purse but since we rarely leave the house it doesn’t see a lot of love. Socks knit in CoBaSi by Hikoo, a wool-free sock yarn made of cotton, bamboo, silk and nylon, in a variegated turquoise and blue colorway. I started these on the cruise back before the pandemic started because this yarn reminded me of beautiful Caribbean waters. Out and About Pigskin Party 6:05 Saturday – Down Cellar Studio website, Ravelry Group FiberWorld back in August, so much fun! Tour de Fleece just ended, 2 Sat, Aug 29, 2020 – Sun, Sep 20, 2020 Vogue Knitting Live, Oct 8-11 – I think this is the 3rd online vogue live? I have not attended personally but know several who have and loved it. I might get tickets to this one as obviously January in NYC is not going to happen. If you have any events you’d like me to share please email me windsweptmonique@gmail.com
On the Run Well, I’ve definitely put on the COVID 19 so I’m trying to get back in shape | |||
| 17 Sep 2021 | 94 - I‘m back | 00:17:08 | |
Knitting and fun in 30 min or less. Shownotes can be found at windsweptknits.com. You can find me on IG and Ravelry as WindsweptMonique and on Facebook and Twitter as WindsweptKnits. Ep 94 recorded 9/17/21 Segments this week include: Deep Thoughts, FOs, Wips, Out and About, and I’ve Got Sunshine Note on Ravelry – all links to Ravelry in the show notes are clearly labelled as such. All yarn links are directly to the manufacturer or dyer’s website. FOs I honestly don’t remember all the stuff I’ve finished in 6 months, so I’m just going to highlight a few things. Slice of Summer - Ravelry – my New Year’s caston using BaH yarns watermelon shawl ball (wool bases available as of today – cotton/bamboo currently out of stock). I finished 2 new design samples, can’t talk much about them yet, but I am very excited at what is coming. Crocheted water balloons WIPs Priestess Coat – by Morale Fiber in Lion Brand Shawl in a Ball. I’m using the Feng Shui colorway, a grey-to white gradient. Another design sample is in progress, a tank top made with HiKoo Popcycle! It’s a 50/50 bamboo/polyester blend and every skein uses 2 recycled plastic bottles and you know me, I love recycled and reclaimed fibers. New socks! These are for a dear friend for Christmas who loves handknits. It’s in a new-to-me sock yarn Bamboo Pop Sock in the Sunset colorway. Diamond Painting If you’ve never done diamond painting before, think of it like paint by number or cross stitch, only faster and sparklier. You get a canvas with a chart on it, covered in a tacky glue-like substance with a protective plastic cover and packages of multi-faceted resin pieces, either square or round, and they’re called either drills or diamonds. Peel back the protective cover and use the included diamond pen to place the colored on the matching spot on the chart. Some drills are pearlescent and really sparkle, some are glow-in-the-dark, it’s lots of fun. I’m currently about 60% through one called Bubble Bubble Chocolate Trouble. This is based on a painting by Randal Spangler and made by Diamond Art Club. This painting is so cute, it’s two little green dragons wearing witches hats and stirring a giant cauldron full of hot chocolate, with a haunted house in the background and packages of cocoa and marshamallows on the side. Stash Just this week I bought 3 skeins of Go For Faux Thick and Quick from Lion Brand. This fake-fur yarn will be the cuff and hood edging for my Priestess Coat mentioned earlier. Shameless Self Promotion In a week I’ll be launching a new pattern, a shawl named Line Where The Sky Meets the Sea launching on Friday, September 24 and it will be available on Ravelry, LoveCrafts and Payhip and to my loyal listeners, listen to the podcast for the coupon code. Out and About Virtually NY Sheep and Wool currently still happening in Rhinebeck, NY Oct 16 & 17. Vogue Knitting Live Vogue Knitting Live @ Home this weekend Oct 7-10. GGKCS podcast is having their annual Autumnal AL, visit their FB page for more details. Down Cellar Studio’s Pigskin party is up and running. You can participate on Instagram or on Ravelry and I’m linking to Boston Jen’s website Stitches Expo at home Oct 8-10 If you have any events you’d like me to share please email me windsweptmonique@gmail.com I’ve Got Sunshine Both my kids are at the same school this year, first time ever, and this summer my kindergartener learned to buckle his seatbelt by himself! | |||
| 29 Jun 2023 | 118 She Told Me To Knit More | 00:10:00 | |
Ep 118 recorded 6/29/23 I can knit! I can even Purl! FOs Pride Shawl I finished it about 20 minutes ago. Pattern is Willowbrook by Brenda Castiel. WIPs Hitchhiker #8? 9? In Lion Briand Shawl in a Ball (discontinued). This is a simple garter stitch shawl by Martina Behm. Snowflake Sweater Scarf designed by Knitatude using Big Twist Heather in Grey bought at Joann’s On the Run I’m very excited that my wrist is healing nicely and I’ll be back in ballet class next week! I’ve Got Sunshine Date night in Boston! | |||
| 23 Jan 2020 | 72 - All The Tangents | 00:22:55 | |
Episode 72 1/22/20 Be a helper, wips, knitting fail, wearables, pattern stalking, out and about Be a Helper Craftalong 4th Be A Helper Craft-a-long has begun! We keep the rules simple.
One more new prize to announce, a pattern from Jennifer Lassonde of Down Cellar Studio! Thanks so much, Jen! Wips – lots these last 2 weeks! Preemie hat – about half way through my first for the year. Aggregate Shawl – I’ve reached the end of the shawl as written, but I have more yarn left. I’m continuing in the pattern as established until I run out of yarn. Matchy Socks – nearly to the cuff Dress – The handmade dress I’ve been working on is coming along nicely. I’ve split for armholes and I’m nearly done with the front left strap. South Woods – started a new sweater for myself, South Woods by River Road Knits . I’m using some old stash yarn for the lace underlayer and my handspun for the main body of the sweater, which leads me to… Kitting Fail Be careful not to twist! Wearables My birthday weekend was incredibly warm, topping out at 74F (23C) whereas our highs should hover right around freezing. So I wore lots of warm-weather handknits, like one of my Mommy’s Tunic samples and the Lace Sweater 01 from Vogue Knitting Magazine designed by Brooke Nico. Knit this in a cone of 5/2 bamboo from Webs years ago. The pattern is a lace coat, nearly knee-length, and I wore it as a jacket out for my birthday dinner. Since then, it’s been COLD. I’ve also worn Frosted sweater by Paper Daisy Creations and lots of shawls, including Changing Staircases, Pont du Marais and Use Your Stash Shawls, both designed by me. Also my boys and I have all worn some handknit socks, all made using the Fish Lips Kiss Heel. I;m wearing my Twist and Shout had by Michele duNaier nearly every day. My youngest has worn the Monomoy Sweater several times and wears his Bermuda Hat every day. And I’ve worn the Dancing Dragons Coat – it makes a great indoor layer on super cold days. Pattern Stalking Thing 2 want’s a new sweater, another hat, Halloween socks and Christmas socks and I keep thinking about knitting another Hitofude. Out and About Wayland Winter Farmers Market Fiber Days – Jan 26 & Mar 1 Boston Farm & fiber Fest – Feb 9 Stitches United - March 26-29, 2020 | |||
| 07 Mar 2022 | 104 - wow | 00:12:07 | |
Ep 104 recorded 3/2/22 Segments this week include: Be A Helper Craft A Long, FOs, Wips, Out and About, and I’ve Got Sunshine. A note on showlinks – all links to Ravelry are clearly labelled as such and all links for yarn are directly to the dyer’s website. Be A Helper Craftalong 2 weeks to go – please note Ukrainian charities do not need goods or handmade items from the USA. It takes too much effort and cost to ship them to Ukraine. If you can, please donate instead to vetted charities. There are several with boots on the ground such as World Central Kitchen, Save the Children, Doctors Without B orders, Ukrainian Red Cross, Nova Ukraine. 6th Be A Helper Craft-a-long has begun! We keep the rules simple.
One change this year – due to ongoing accessibility issues on Ravelry, I’ll hold this event both on and off Ravelry. Last year we just used a Google Form and that was hard for some folks, so this year there will be a chat thread and an FO thread on Rav, and for non-Rav users I’ll have a google form where you can link to your IG/FB/Twitter post showing your FO. Link to submit your Finished Object/blood donation: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf08z2uqelVGeUBkm0fofQGveThChBBZzaMvNsRdlPlMzhbgA/viewform?usp=sf_link FOs Knights Who Say Knit by Mary Annarella of Lyrical Knits – finished, finished, finished. I brought it to my stitching night and wove in most of the ends, finishing the next day. Bloxking could be a problem with one yarn that ran when blocking. Color catcher? Lotus Mandala Vest by Morale Fiber, crochet vest. A round vest with armholes. I’m using scraps of Lion Brand Truboo, Berroco Modern Cotton and the discontinued Kertzer Down To Earth Cotton WIPs Recalibrate Top by Shana Lines using Nomad Yarn’s hand dyed cotton/rayon Gelato yarn. This has been my stress knitting since Russia invaded Ukraine so I’ve gotten a LOT on this done. Finished left side and joined with “sleeve”, started right side – more in Knitting Fail. Earthrise, a new pattern of mine inspired by the famous Nasa photo when the astronauts first circled behind the moon and came around back towards earth and photographed the earth rising over the surface of the moon. It’s an awe-inspiring photo. I started a second Lotus Mandala during the Knitathon in sparkly leftovers from the Priestess Coat I crocheted last year. Papillon/Butterfly shawl by MarinJa Knits, I finished section 19 As you Wish MKAL by Mary Annarella of Lyrical Knits. This is a Princess Bride themed mystery knitalong that will eventually result in a rectangular shawl. Winona by Brenda Castiel in handspun from Hipstrings I’ve started spinning handspun yarn for the winner of my drawing for the Knitathon. Cranky knees mean slow going, but I’m putting in about 15 minutes a day in 5-min segments. Knitting Fail Recalibrate top – issues! Issues with me, not the pattern. Out and About Vogue Knitting Live Vogue Knitting Live @ Home Mar 17-20. GGKCS podcast is having their annual Sheepy Spring AL, visit their FB page for more details. Stitches at Home Stitches West in person Mar 3-6 2022. CT Sheep and Wool April 30, 2022 NH Sheep and Wool May 14 & 15, 2022 If you have any events you’d like me to share please email me windsweptmonique@gmail.com I’ve Got Sunshine There’s no I’ve got Sunshine this week, just a plea to please help your fellow humans. | |||
| 10 Jun 2022 | 111 Wearing the Summer Handknits | 00:10:45 | |
Ep 111 recorded 6/8/22 Segments this week include: Wearables, FO, Wips, Out and About, and I’ve Got Sunshine. A note on showlinks – all links to Ravelry are clearly labelled as such and all links for yarn are directly to the dyer’s website. Wearbles It’s been gorgeously warm here, even insanely hot 2 days, so I’ve worn summer handknits. No Day But Today Linen Butterflies Watermelon Shawl Strawberry Blossoms Lotus Mandala shawls FOs 48-st sock for E in red sock yarn, finished the first sock. Allegro by Wisdom Yarns, distributed by Universal Yarns. May be discontinued. WIPs As You Wish MKAL by Mary Annarella of Lyrical Knits. This is a Princess Bride themed mystery knitalong that will eventually result in a rectangular shawl. Nearing the end of Clue 3! This shawl is sooooo much fun to knit. 48-st sock for E in red sock yarn, started toe of 2nd sock on US 2s. Allegro by Wisdom Yarns, distributed by Universal Yarns. May be discontinued. Mermaid Skirt by Concept Creative, a Ukranian designer. It’s a wonderful pattern and very easy to follow, even for an advanved beginner like me. It looks super fancy but the photos and inks to video tutorials makes it really easy. It’s charted and written out. Juliana top by Linda’s Craftique, for once worked in the called-for yarn – Neve by Juniper Moon Farms. This pattern is bottom-up. I finished the ribbing and am starting up the body. Hitchhiker in Lion Brand Shawl In a Ball Spinning I’m spinning handspun yarn for the winner of my drawing for the Knitathon. Spun a bit more this week. Fiber is 90’s School Supplies cotton from Hipstrings. Out and About Vogue Knitting Live Virtual and June 9-12. GGKCS podcast started their annual Summer craft-a-long, visit their FB page for more details. Splash Pad Party with Down Cellar Studio Stitches at Home Stitches at Home June 11/12 & 18/19, Expo at Home July 8-10. Coming up in person, Stitches So Cal in Pasadena, California November 10-13. If you have any events you’d like me to share please email me windsweptmonique@gmail.com I’ve Got Sunshine Knit in public day is Saturday! Check your local yarn shop. I'll be at March for our Lives in Washington DC while knitting | |||
| 02 Oct 2020 | 83-Will Wonders Never Cease? | 00:18:46 | |
Ep 83 Knitting and running in 30 minutes or less because even in a pandemic we’re all still busy I’m titling this one “Will Wonders Never Cease?” because I have actually recorded 2 weeks in a row! Once upon a time I had a regular recording schedule, but then my youngest son stopped napping and it’s been chaos ever since lol Note on Ravelry – all links to Ravelry are clearly labelled as such – if a link does not say Ravelry, it does not go to Ravelry. Links to yarn are directly to manufacturer’s pages and should be safe for those still having rav accessibility issues. WIPs Dissent Cowl (Ravelry) – my homage to Ruth Bader Ginsburg, pattern by Carissa Browning and together we’ve raised over 30,000 through this pattern for the ACLU. Nice work knitters! I’m using ancient stash yarn. Over halfway through the necklace portion Star Wars scarf (Ravelry) for Thing 1 – started the center panel – the center section has weird alien fonts, the Millenium Flacon and the Death Star, then it’ll be the Dark Side. Still loving the new hexagonal needles from Indian Lake Artisans. I’m using Truboo by Lion Brand, a 100% bamboo yarn. Thing 2 hitchiker (Ravelry) – a DK hitchhiker scarf for Thing 2, out of big box store cotton yarn from Michaels. It’s not my favorite yarn, but it’s machine washable and Thing 2 is 5. It’s still my car knitting and getting a little love most days. Thing 2 Dragon Blanket (Ravelry) – almost done with this crochet blanket in purple (his favorite color) and green. I literally just need to assemble it. Ankle socks (Ravelry) – Still on the 2nd sock. It lives in my purse so I’ve worked on this a few times waiting in lines. Pigskin Party Castons: Tan House Brook Shawl (Ravelry) - in the Sekhment base, an alpaca/silk/linen yarn from A Hundred Ravens in the Nevertheless She Persisted colorway that I bought during the virtual Maryland Sheep and Wool. I first knit the Tan House Brook shawl a few years back and really enjoyed it, but the shawl disappeared a few months later 😩 so I’m now finally getting around to making another. Willowbrook Shawl (Ravelry) – by Brenda Castiel in my own handspun cotton. I spun this yarn with fiber from fiber from Hipstrings with this shawl in mind last June during Pride month. It’s my very first chain ply, so I could maintain the rainbow gradient. Since it’s my first chainply, it’s definitely not my best yarn but this shawl is in garter stitch which should hide the worst of my mistakes! Stash I attended the virtual FiberWorld festival and made a few purchases Nomad Yarns Gelato hand dyed cotton/rayon blend in pastel icecream-inspired colorways – sooooo gorgeous! Planning to make a lace crochet top with this.. Watermelon Shawl Ball – Brenda and Heather Yarns - You may be asking, what on earth is a shawl ball? It’s a gradient skein that’s purposely dyed so each color looks visually as large as the others. BaH Yarns shawl balls have more of the outer color so that your shawl will visually balance! I think I’m going to save this skein for my annual Christmas or Birthday caston and a knit a shawl as special treat for myself once the gift knitting is done. I bought their bamboo base, but Brenda and Heather dye both wool and plant fibers and their colorways are FNATASTIC! Needles from Indian Lake Artisans – these needles are hexagonal wood and I find them very easy to grip – which is great since I have arthritis in 2 fingers. And one awesome thing on their interchangeables is, the cable join swivels on the cord so when you twist your needles, they don’t come unscrewed! A Great Yarn in Chatham closing, then sold 6 skeins of Universal Yarns Universe Cotton 41%/Linen 42%/Polyamide 8%/Glitter 9% laceweight. I got 3 skeins of Tin, a charcoal gray and 3 skeins of Paper which is a burgundy/Cabernet color. Also picked up a prize for the Be A Helper Craftalong.
Out and About Lots of fiber events happening online this fall Pigskin Party now through the Superbowl Ravelry Group I’m sponsoring for the 3rd year and also participating. Stitches @ Home – put on by the folks XRX the folks who to Stitches East/West/South etc. Oct 3,4, 10 and 11. Virtual Rhinebeck – Oct 15-18 I’ve signed up for 2 classes on crochet to improve my skills and learn how to read a pattern better because the charts are definitely harder to read than knitting charts. Indie Untangled Everywhere – the popular Rhinebeck-adjacent event for independent dyers is also going digital this year, more than 40 vendors plus access to zoom calls with designers. Vogue Knitting Live, Oct 8-11 now open for registration. Upcoming Vogue Knitting Live events will be Nov 12-15, Dec 10-13, and Jan 14-17. I almost always attend Vogue Live NYC every January, it’s usually a birthday present from my family as it’s often right around my birthday weekend. This year it’s the weekend after so I’ll probably attend the January event. If you have any events you’d like me to share please email me windsweptmonique@gmail.com
On the Run Knee injury. Lovely. | |||
| 04 Apr 2023 | 114 KnitAThon Done | 00:19:30 | |
Ep 114 recorded 3/31/23 Suddenly it’s April and wow, where has this year gone already? Knitathon update - $340,000!!!! That’s $85,000 each to Meals on Wheels, No Kid Hungry, World Central Kitchen and Feeding America. FOs Socks for Thing 2 – his Christmas socks - I unraveled the leg on both and I started re-doing the legs in 2x2 ribbing. The first sock is done! WIPs Socks for Thing 1 – I knit socks for him for Christmas and already they don’t fit. Socks for Thing 2 – 2nd sock leg restarted Songe d’été – Ravelry Link (Summer Dreams) designed by Dreaming In Chocolate Designs, knit using Linea Pura Unico yarn by Lana Grossa (discontinued) a linen/bamboo blend bought at Webs a few years ago. Davit designed for Berroco by Amy Palmer, knit using Silk Noir by Great Adirondack Yarn Co bought at Rhinebeck last year. Summer Happiness Crochet Top designed by Concept Creative in Scheepjes Whirl in the color Sherbert Rainbow, a pastel rainbow from pink to blue. Find Your Fade designed by Andrea Mowry, knit in Midori Bamboo from The Fiber Lady in a discontinued colorway, plus cotton/bamboo sportweight from Great Adirondack Yarn Co. I’m fading on my own schedule and not on the one written in the pattern. Frog Princess Dress Blanket designed by Carol Hladik, a Princess Tiana-inspired blanket crocheted using Joann’s Big Twist acrylic yarn. Making this for a local charity to raffle off this fall. On the Run Walking in warm weather – saw a housefire! Family and dogs are fine. Out and About – upcoming Fiber Events around New England Stitches @ Home – April 1&2 – this weekend! CT Sheep and Wool - April 29 NH Sheep and Wool – May 13 & 14 MA Sheep and Woolcraft Fair - May 27-28, Memorial Day Weekend Maine Fiber Frolic – June 3 & 4 I’ve Got Sunshine Seed starting with my youngest. He’s my gardener. 10 days ago we transplanted 20 lettuce seedlings then started 184 herbs, veggies and greens. | |||
| 15 May 2022 | 109 - The one with COVID | 00:11:57 | |
Ep 109 recorded 5/11/22 Segments this week include: FOs, Wips, Spinning, Out and About, and I’ve Got Sunshine. A note on showlinks – all links to Ravelry are clearly labelled as such and all links for yarn are directly to the dyer’s website. Lots of knitting this week, as COVID invaded our house. FOs – FO 2 weeks in a row, weird! 48-st socks for J. First sock done. Bamboo Pop Sock in Sunset Colorway. WIPs As You Wish MKAL by Mary Annarella of Lyrical Knits. This is a Princess Bride themed mystery knitalong that will eventually result in a rectangular shawl. I’m in Clue 3! This shawl is sooooo much fun to knit. Winona by Brenda Castiel in handspun from Hipstrings. 48-st socks for J, finished toe of 2nd sock. Bamboo Pop Sock in Sunset Colorway. 52-st sock for E in red sock yarn. Allegro by Wisdom Yarns, correction: distributed by Universal Yarns, not made by Universal Yarns. May be discontinued. Swatching for 2 new projects, Green Crochet Dress by Krinichka and Mermaid Skirt by Concept Creative, both are Ukranian designers. Juliana top by Linda’s Craftique, for once worked in the called-for yarn – Neve by Juniper Moon Farms. This pattern is bottom-up. I finished the ribbing and am starting up the body. Spinning I’m spinning handspun yarn for the winner of my drawing for the Knitathon. Fiber is 90’s School Supplies cotton from Hipstrings. Out and About Vogue Knitting Live Virtual May 12-15 and June 9-12. GGKCS podcast is having their annual Sheepy Spring AL, visit their FB page for more details. Stitches at Home Stitches Expo at Home May 13-15, Stitches at Home June 11/12 & 18/19, Expo at Home 8-10. Coming up in person, Stitchs So Cal in Pasadena, California November 10-13. NH Sheep and Wool May 14 & 15, 2022 – I probably won’t make it. If you have any events you’d like me to share please email me windsweptmonique@gmail.com I’ve Got Sunshine Libraries are great, and library apps are keeping me sane | |||
| 12 Apr 2022 | 107 Short and Sweet | 00:11:56 | |
Ep 107 recorded 4/6/22 Segments this week include: FOs, Wips, Out and About, and I’ve Got Sunshine. A note on showlinks – all links to Ravelry are clearly labelled as such and all links for yarn are directly to the dyer’s website. FOs Last night I finished the Earthrise shawl and got that to my tech editor today. WIPs My second Lotus Mandala Vest is growing! As You Wish MKAL by Mary Annarella of Lyrical Knits. Winona by Brenda Castiel in handspun from Hipstrings. Spinning I’ve spinning handspun yarn for the winner of my drawing for the Knitathon. I’m also spinning some plain cotton once or twice a week, because I don’t have enough handspun to finish the As You Wish shawl. Out and About Vogue Knitting Live Live in Seattle April 8-10, Virtual May 12-15 and June 9-12. GGKCS podcast is having their annual Sheepy Spring AL, visit their FB page for more details. Stitches at Home April 2 & 3; 9 & 10, 2022 CT Sheep and Wool April 30, 2022 – I will be attending! At least for the morning. I plan to get there when it opens at 9 and stay until around lunchtime, give or take. A trip to this festival and to Webs is my Mother’s Day gift from my family. NH Sheep and Wool May 14 & 15, 2022 – I probably won’t make it. If you have any events you’d like me to share please email me windsweptmonique@gmail.com
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| 23 Mar 2020 | 75 - Stress Knitting | 00:23:00 | |
Welcome to the Knitting On the Run Podcast I want your input - should we extend the Be A Helper Craftalong? Listen for my plan and let me know what you think. Wips Ankle Socks Stress Ways to deal with the cray stress we're all feeling right now. And remember it’s OK to not be OK right now. The whole world is topsy turvy and we are just figuring out how to handle all the changes. It’s OK to be upset, or sad, or angry. But if you feel like it’s all too much and you can’t handle what’s going on, please talk to a mental help professional. Call your therapist, call your doctor to get a referral or visit mentalhealth.gov for links and numbers to services that can help you. If you need help right now text the Crisis Text Line. In the US its 741741, in Canada text 686868 or 741741 and in the UK 85258. | |||
| 09 May 2022 | 108 - Day Off | 00:09:16 | |
Ep 108 recorded 5/4/22 Segments this week include: FOs, Wips, Spinning, Out and About, and I’ve Got Sunshine. A note on showlinks – all links to Ravelry are clearly labelled as such and all links for yarn are directly to the dyer’s website. FOs Recalibrate by Shana Lines is done! My second Lotus Mandala Vest is done! I’m finished spinning some plain cotton to finish the As You Wish shawl. WIPs As You Wish MKAL by Mary Annarella of Lyrical Knits. Winona by Brenda Castiel in handspun from Hipstrings. 48-st socks for J in Bamboo Pop Sock in Sunset Colorway. Papillon/Butterfly Shawl (Ravelry) – I’m on section 22 of 31 in the shawl. I’m getting close!!! Swatching for 2 new projects, Green Crochet Dress by Krinichka and Mermaid Skirt by Concept Creative, both are Ukranian designers. Spinning I’m spinning handspun yarn for the winner of my drawing for the Knitathon. Fiber is 90’s School Supplies cotton from Hipstrings. Out and About Vogue Knitting Live Virtual May 12-15 and June 9-12. GGKCS podcast is having their annual Sheepy Spring AL, visit their FB page for more details. Stitches at Home Stitches Expo at Home May 13-15, Stitches at Home June 11/12 & 18/19, Expo at Home 8-10. Coming up in person, Stitchs So Cal in Pasadena, California November 10-13. NH Sheep and Wool May 14 & 15, 2022 – I probably won’t make it. If you have any events you’d like me to share please email me windsweptmonique@gmail.com I’ve Got Sunshine I had my mother’s day gift last weekend, and it was a day off. In short, I did all the stuff that I love to do that my family does not enjoy. And it was glorious! | |||
| 28 Apr 2018 | 37: The One With No Knitting | 00:10:11 | |
Episode 37 - 4/27/18 – The One With No Knitting
As you may have guessed from the title this week, I have no knitting to talk about! I went to the doctor just after the last recording and I got good news and bad news. The good news: I do NOT have arthritis. The bad news? No knitting for two weeks. It has been a rather frustrating few weeks but I have not cheated, not even once. I’ve done some spindling and I taught myself to drop-spindle ply with my other hand, which helped. I’ve also picked up some old cross stitch projects, and I’ll talk about all that in Wips. Also, I should add that knitting is my stress relief so Mama’s been a little on edge the last two weeks but by some miracle I have not throttled or defenestrated any family members. They are all still alive, lol. No episode next week because I still cannot knit. FOs I finished spinning my very first 2oz braid! It’s a cotton sliver in the colorway Skies Over Pittsburgh from Hipstrings and to my great surprise I ended up with a whopping 654 yards! I was guestimating I’d end up with 300-400 yards. Boy was I wrong! The first half of the plied yarn is unfortunately chock full of knots. The first single I spun was not done well – it was alternatingly over spun and underspun, then that was one of the singles I used to learn to ply with my non-dominant hand and that was a bad combination. But the second half turned out well and definitely usable.
Wips Today while getting the car worked on I started spinning another 2oz braid of cottom from Hipstrings in the A New Beginning colorway which is one of the first colors from their new Cotton Club (highly recommend!) Lady and the Unicorm: The Lady and the Unicorn is the modern title given to a series of six tapestries woven in Flanders from wool and silk circa 1500. The set of 6 tapestries is on display in the Musée de Cluny in Paris Five of the tapestries depict the five senses – taste, hearing, sight, smell, and touch. The sixth hasthe words "À mon seul désir" or "to my only desire" and the project I am working on is based on this last one. The pattern is from Golden Kite and when it's done it will look like this: Golden Kite is a husband and wife team from Europe who specialize in making cross stitch patterns out of works of art in the public domain. They have everything from Van Gogh to Kadinsky to Edmund Blair Leighton to the cieling of the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican.
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| 15 May 2018 | 38 - Knitting Is Back! | 00:20:38 | |
Episode 38 – 5/15/18 - Knitting and Running in 30 minutes or less WindsweptMonique on Ravelry and Instagram, windsweptmonique@gmail.com. Visit my new website at WindsweptKnits.com and stream the podcast or read shownotes. Thanks so much for listening! There are 1000’s of podcasts for you to choose from and I am honored you take time out of your busy life to listen to mine. Segments this week include: Stash Acquisition, Wips, KALs, Running Stash Acquisition I held off recording last week because I had no knew knitting and also I knew what I’d be getting for Mother’s Day which is… a spinning wheel! My finger still isn’t healed yet so I’m in a finger brace part-time and still can’t knit nearly as much as I want to, so my boys bought me a Lendrum! They also got the Very Fast Flyer so I can spin cotton. I am SUPER excited and slightly daunted. I’ve tried using it a few times and I’m horrible at the moment. I hold my fiber too close to the wheel to get a good spin in the cotton. Also, I’m used to having the fiber not move while I’m drafting. So balancing the spin with the pullup on to the bobbin is challenging. Luckily, I know exactly what I’m looking for in the spun cotton so a few times I’ve managed to get a small amount of decently spun single on the bobbin. And I cannot tell you how excited I am to have a tensioned lazy kate and the plying head to I don’t have to ply on a drop spindle! Spinning I’ve been working on a new spinning project using Hipstring’s A Beautiful Day cotton colorway. This is from the first shipment of her Cotton Club, which I highly recommend. I’ve only gotten a little bit done but it is coming along beautifully. Jill’s cotton is a joy to spin. Wips Lady and the Unicorn, as I mentioned last week, this is part of a series of medieval tapestries held at the Musee de Cluny. In particular, the one I am stitching is based on the one labelled “A Mon Seul Desir” and a few days ago I finished working on the current chart page! I’m pretty sure I started that page at least 5 years ago. And I’m heading to stitching group tonight so I get to stitch some more. I’ve put a row or 2 onto my Changing Staircases shawl by Jenga Knits. This is a shawl inspired by the Harry Potter books, the way the stiarcases are constantly changing and I’m working on it in Mousou a 100% bamboo yarn from The FiberLady. I’ve also put a few rows on my 52-stitch sock, which is using the Fish Lips Kiss heel and Cobasi by Hikoo, which is a bamboo, cotton, silk and nylon blend. Last but not least – I have a new cast on! I cast on a shawl on Mother’s Day! I’m joining the Addition By Subtraction Mystery Knit A Long, albeit a few weeks late. This is a “mystery” mystery knit along – a murder mystery knit a long to be exact. I love a good murder mystery novel – Agatha Christie is one of my favorite authors – so even though the story is more of a film noire type it’s still right up my alley. I’m on the first clue and I’m having a blast playing a long. I did have to rip back a few rows because my 4th color wasn’t quite working right with the others, but luckily I had another good colorway on hand. This pattern was designed and released along with the LYS day so I chose stash I had on hand from my yarn store that closed, one from another localish yarn store and ordered one skein from an indie dyer that I love, Birdie’s Knits from Florida. Her hand dyed organic cotton is to die for (har har!). The pattern calls for a light color, a dark color, a slightly zany color and a color to tie it all together, all in fingering weight. For the light color I’m using Ito Yarn’s Washi in the Crocus colorway, a pale purple. This is a Japanese style paper yarn, laceweight, and ‘m holding it double. The dark is Ito Yarn’s Kinu, a laceweight silk in the Grey colorway and I’m holding it double. The zany is Your Crazy is Showing from Birdie’s Knits and it is a crazy combination of every color you can imagine but it looks beautiful. Lastly I’m using another Kinu, the Plum colorway which is actually a dark pastel pink, not purple as the name might imply. Knit A Longs Geeky Girls Sheepy Spring AL runs through May 31st and I am a sponsor. TheKnitGirllls’ Stash Dash is an annual WIP-finish KAL. Compete against yourself to see how much yardage you can complete from May 25th to August 27th. Can you knit 1000m? Maybe a whole 5k? The bonus here is that if you knit a row on a project you can cound ALL the yardage for the project. Also, spinning counts, where last year you could count the length of all the singles so a 200m 3-ply yarn would count as 600m. I should note, there are rule changes up for voting at the moment so take that last spinning rule with a grain of salt. In A Sknit’s Batter Up KAL has begun – knit your way through baseball season! I’m a sponsor for this one, too. There are many opportunities for prizes across the season including at the All Star break and during the World Series. Last but not least – My Summer 2018 Be A Helper KAL. I will run this in tandem with Stash Dash because I know a lot of you will be trying to use up every last scrap of yarn for those 3 months and preemie hats and Knitted Knockers are perfect stash-busting projects. Project rules will be the same as last winter – ANYTHING you knit, crochet, weave or spin for ANY charity counts. One entry per FO – you can enter 10 preemie hats will count as 10 entries. Also, donating blood counts as 1 entry, just post a photo of yourself either in the chair, or with the bandaid, or selfie sipping your OJ afterwards. If you would like to offer a prize for this KAL, please PM me on Ravelry or email me at WindsweptMonique@gmail.com, any prizes would be greatly appreciated! I will be offering two skeins from my own stash, the first is a skein from FishKnits Yarn in the At Sixes and Sevens colorway, a self-striping Merino-nylon sock yarn. The other one will be a non-wool yarn TBD; I’m currently debating between a silk yarn, a Japanese paper-style yarn, or a plant-based yarn. If you have any thoughts on which I should offer, please let me know!
Running My running training is going well so far. I’m walking my son home from school most days, so that’s 1.5 miles each afternoon. Some days I run, and some it’s just a lazy stroll as an “active rest day”. Yesterday I did my first 4-miler since before I was pregnant with my youngest son, who’s almost 3, and it felt great! Historically, the 4-6 mile area was my least favorite distance but I wonder if that will change since I haven’t tackled that distance in years. I’ve been lax about strength training the last few weeks because of the brace on my finger, but now that I’m only wearing the brace part time I’m going to start strength training twice a week. I need to listen to my own advice eh? Keep strength training!
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| 25 May 2018 | 39 - Be A Helper & Knitting Charity Ideas | 00:18:54 | |
Episode39 – 5/25/18 – Knitting and Running in 30 minutes or less Today’s segments include Be A Helper Craft-a-long, including Prizes and some Charity Ideas, Wips, Spinning, Running and today’s Knitting Talk will answer the question – “Why did you start a podcast?” Be A Helper Summer 2018 As I mentioned last week, the Be A Helper KAL is back for the summer. We went over most of the details but I’ll go over a few updates quickly today and a few addendums (thanks to those who reached out with some questions!)
Prizes – So far we have three prizes , one skein of FishKnits Yarn in the At Sixes and Sevens colorway, a self-striping Merino-nylon sock yarn, one skein on non-wool yarn of my choosing though I’d love to hear any input for you folks – anything you’ve been tempted to knit with? And lastly a huge thanks to Tiffany from The Project Bag who is offering a free project bag and matching notions pouch and she will ship it anywhere in the world! Tiffany sent over an example photo and I’m posting it in the Ravelry group. The prize won’t be the exact fabric pattern shown, but the bags will coordinate and her photo will give you an idea of her gorgeous handiwork.
Charity Ideas If you don’t have a charity you currently craft for, I’m going to talk about a few here that may be of interest to you:
Do you have a charity craft idea that you think others would like to hear about? Let me know and I’ll talk about it on a future episode. Send me a PM on Ravelry, I’m WindsweptMonique, or email me at windsweptMonique@gmail.com WIPS I’ve put a couple of rows onto my Changing Staircases shawl by Jenga Knits. This is a shawl inspired by the Harry Potter books, the way the staircases are constantly changing and I’m working on it in Mousou a 100% bamboo yarn from The FiberLady. I turned the heel on my 52-stitch sock, which is using the Fish Lips Kiss heel and Cobasi by Hikoo, which is a bamboo, cotton, silk and nylon blend. Those of you who’ve used that pattern will understand why I can be so precise about the 1/3! The Addition By Subtraction Mystery Knit A Long, I am 1/3 of the way through Clue #2. I am working on this in 4 colors of 3 different yarns. For the light color I’m using Ito Yarn’s Washi in the Crocus colorway, a pale purple. This is a Japanese style paper yarn, laceweight, and I‘m holding it double. The dark is Ito Yarn’s Kinu, a laceweight silk in the Grey colorway and I’m holding it double. The zany is Your Crazy is Showing from Birdie’s Knits and it is a crazy combination of every color you can imagine but it looks beautiful. Lastly I’m using another Kinu, the Plum colorway which is actually a dark pastel pink, not purple as the name might imply. There is a slipped stitch section which caused me a little bit of a headache given that silk and paper yarns have absolutely no stretch to them, but I’ve learned how to knit that section more loosely than normal and it’s actually working out nicely. Spinning Still practicing on my wheel. Don’t quite have the hang of it yet. Tried spinning the bamboo sample I got from The Fiber Lady at stitches United and boy was that easier! I now understand why long staple fibers are much preferred! But I am going to keep trying. My problem seems to be getting that first bit twisted and onto the bobbin. Once I have it I can sustain it for a little while, but getting started is not my forte!
Knitting Talk I was recently asked, why did I start a podcast? As I’ve now passed my 1st podaversary, I decided to tackle that question here. First off, I LOVE podcasts. I started listening back in 2005 and currently on my phone I am subscribed to 109 podcasts, 12 of which are for my kids. Some are weekly, some put out 15-20 a year and some are like Serial and every now and then you get 10 in a row. So it’s not quite as insane as it sounds. No, I do not keep up do date with all of them – I am still far behind after going to FL for 10 days in February but I’m slowly catching up while driving, cooking, cleaning, etc. I also listen at 1.5x which makes a 60 minute podcast take only about 40 minutes so that helps. Back to this particular podcast – I had been considering starting a podcast for about 2-3 years and kept putting it off because of family, kids, lack of time, etc. I was super stressed and a bit down in the dumps and I finally decided to take on a project just for me. I’d just gotten in to SSK a few weeks before and then listening to the Just One More Row podcast, Dana was talking about exactly that, getting lost in motherhood and the doldrums of thousands of thankless tasks and how taking time for herself and doing projects just for herself was really helping. That was the lightbulb moment I needed and I decided to just go out and do it. I bought a microphone, downloaded Audacity and released the first episode on March 14th, 2017. The sound quality was horrible, and I was so incredibly nervous, but I did it. And I’m so glad I did! Now more than a year on, I have met so many wonderful people because of this podcast. It’s been a joy. Running How long should your shoes last? “Experts” say 300-500 miles, depending on how much wear and tear they get. But if you see any damage, change shoes right away! Also, if you see uneven wear on the bottom of your shoe, (e.g., more wear on the inside edge than the outside edge, or vice versa) then be SURE to go to a running store (and bring your current shoes!). They can help you find the right type of shoe to stop that and help prevent injuries down the road.
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| 16 Nov 2020 | 87- Stress Knitting | 00:15:27 | |
Knitting and Running in 30 min or less. Shownotes can be found at windsweptknits.com. You can find me on IG and Ravelry as WindsweptMonique and on Facebook and Twitter as WindsweptKnits. Ep 87 recorded 11/13/20 Segments this week include: FOs, Wips, Spinning, Out and About, On the Run Note on Ravelry – all links to Ravelry are clearly labelled as such – if a link does not say Ravelry, it does not go to Ravelry. Links to yarn are directly to manufacturer’s pages and should be safe for those still having rav accessibility issues. Lots of stress knitting the last week, so I have MULTIPLE FOs! FOs Dumpster Fire ornament 1 (Ravelry) & ornament 2 (Ravelry) both made in CoBaSi by Hikoo, a blend of cotton, silk, bamboo and nylon. It’s arguably my favorite fingering weight yarn – makes great socks and tank tops. Pattern by Mary Hull of Kino Knits. Thing 2 hitchiker (Ravelry) – a DK hitchhiker scarf for Thing 2, out of big box store cotton yarn from Michaels. It’s done and blocked and I accidentally left it out after photographing it and Thing 2 told me how much he LOVED the yarn lol. Good kid, it’s for you! Dissent Cowl 2 (Ravelry) – this is a Christmas gift for a very knitworthy friend. I’m using some ancient stash and I’ve about halfway through the necklace portion of the cowl. WIPs New WIP, what I am calling the Acadian Shawl (Ravelry), a Christmas gift for my mom in the approximate colors of the Acadian Flag (nous sommes fiere d’etre Acadienne!) I’m using the Goldberry crochet pattern and working it in blue, white and red with accents of yellow. I’ve put a photo of the Acadian flag in the shownotes so you can see it. Star Wars scarf (Ravelry) for Thing 1 – more than halfway through the last chart! I’m about 7/8 of the way through. Still loving the new hexagonal needles from Indian Lake Artisans. I’m using Truboo by Lion Brand, a 100% bamboo yarn in white and dark gray. Pattern is a series of free charts by Jessica Goddard. Tan House Brook Shawl (Ravelry) - in the Sekhment base, an alpaca/silk/linen yarn from A Hundred Ravens in the Nevertheless She Persisted colorway that I bought during the virtual Maryland Sheep and Wool. I’m on the 2nd set of eyelet rows, almost to the 2nd set of textured stitches. Thing 1 Dragon Blanket (Ravelry) – the second Christmas Snap The Dragon Blanket, this one from my older son. Using deep stash acrylic. Knitting Fail I still have a hard time reading crochet. Spinning Still no success at a distaff, but I have spun a little more of the Tussah Silk from Pinestar Studios in Maine on my Akerworks drop spindle. Started the last color of my gradient spin so I can count it towards the Pigskin party Out and About Lots of fiber events happening online this fall Pigskin Party now through the Superbowl Ravelry Group I’m sponsoring for the 3rd year and also participating. Vogue Knitting Live Upcoming Vogue Knitting Live events will be Nov 12-15, Dec 10-13, and Jan 14-17. I almost always attend Vogue Live NYC every January, it’s usually a birthday present from my family as it’s often right around my birthday weekend. This year it’s the weekend after so I’ll probably attend the January event. Stitches At Home December 5,6,12,13. If you have any events you’d like me to share please email me windsweptmonique@gmail.com
On the Run Still not running, but I’m biking! | |||
| 13 Jun 2018 | 40: Sick Days | 00:15:03 | |
Episode 40 – Knitting and Running in 30 min or less – 6/12/18 Segments this week include Thank Yous, Wips, FOs, Spinning, and On The Run Thank you SOOOO much for your patience with our wonky recording schedule the past few weeks. Our house has been wiped out by a virus or two. We are down to 1 toddler with conjunctivitis and that is an improvement! Those of you who have ever tried to wrestle medicine into a toddler’s eye truly understand what I mean when I say this is an improvement! Lol Also, I want to say a HUGE thanks to Tracie and Barb for mentioning my show on their podcast, 2 Knit Lit Chicks. I’ve been a listener for years and being an introvert I’m a lurker on their boards on Ravelry. I love, love, love, books so I always look forward to hearing what they are reading. If you love reading and knitting, please go subscribe right now. Also, thank you to Tracie and Barb for enabling my love of True Crime. My husband doesn’t get it but you lovely ladies do. Although after all I’ve read I’m seriously debating some karate or defense lessons! FOs Thanks to my long recording delay I have 3! The Addition By Subtraction Mystery Knit A Long, I am done! I used Ito Yarn’s Washi in the Crocus colorway, a pale purple. This is a Japanese style paper yarn, laceweight, and I held it double. The dark is Ito Yarn’s Kinu, a laceweight silk in the Grey colorway and I held it double. And the pink was Ito Yarn’s Kinu in the Plum colorway (I don’t know why it was named plum – are plums in Japan pink? The ones we grew as kids were a deep purple) The zany color is a fingering weight cotton, Your Crazy is Showing from Birdie’s Knits. Total Stash Dash so far is 3137m (more on the rest later) I finished the first sock of my 52-st vanilla sock! I used the Fish Lips Kiss Heel and so far it seems to be the best fitting sock I’ve knit. I can’t wait till the 2nd is done and I can wear these around a bit and make sure they fit! I finished spinning 4oz of EZ Spin cotton I ended up with 518 yards of fingering weight so with the “orifice” rule that gives me 1423.2 m for Stash Dash.
Wips Lots of wips despite the sickness Here be Dragons! The Green Dragons Sweater is back - I pulled out the Dancing Dragons Coat by Heike Campbell which I haven’t worked on since my finger injury derailed me for over a month. Knit in Be Sweet’s Bamboo Changing Staircases shawl by Jenga Knits. This is a shawl inspired by the Harry Potter books, the way the staircases are constantly changing and I’m working on it in Mousou a 100% bamboo yarn from The FiberLady. I’m about 75% done so I’m hoping to finish soon.
Blue Dahlia pattern by Brenda York. Garter stitch to stockinette colorwork. Juniper Moon Farms Neve in Lagoon colorway from my LYS that closed. 52 st sock – 2nd sock I’m working on the foot Spinning Lots of spinning! I finally figured out my wheel, yay!!! I also started spinning 2oz of one of my Cotton Club Shipments from Hipstrings. I think this one is named Dewdrops – can’t find the card. Jill used melting snow to make this colorway unique and it really is. White blues and purples with drops of green-ish yellow in spurts throughout. I’m halfway through and I will be making a 2-ply yarn out os this. Next up I’ll be trying a 3-ply yarn to see what my knitting preference is before embarking on spinning for a garment. Running Running has pretty much disappeared the last 10 days. We all got sick. Will I do the Chatham Harbor Run in 2 weeks or not? | |||
| 13 Jul 2018 | 41: July Crept Up On Me | 00:18:19 | |
Segments this week include: FOs, Wips, Spinning Well, it’s nice to be back finally! How is it July?!? FOs Not a lot of knitting the last few weeks. I’ve been re-staining the deck and my finger has been hurting again so I haven’t gotten nearly as far in my Wips as I’d hoped. I finished my 52-st sock! They’re not finished-finished, I still need to weave in ends, but the knitting is done. Haven’t tried them on yet as it’s been HOT up in Boston recently, but they look good. Wips I’ve put a lots more rows onto my Changing Staircases shawl by Jenga Knits. This is a shawl inspired by the Harry Potter books, the way the staircases are constantly changing and I’m working on it in Mousou a 100% bamboo yarn from The FiberLady. I said last time that I was about 75% but I totally misjudged – I was about 66% complete and I’m on the last section, so probably 95% complete. Blue Dahlia pattern by Brenda York for Berroco Yarns. Finished garter stitch and am about 1/3 way through the stockinette colorwork section. Blue body is Juniper Moon Farms Neve in Lagoon colorway from my LYS that closed. Red is Cascade Ultra Pima Fine in the Cranberry colorway held double, yellow is Berroco Modern Cotton in the Del colorway. Green is also Modern Cotton in the Breakers colorway New 52-st sock in Plymouth yarns Diversity in the Fruity colorway, which is white with stripes of green, yellow, orange, pink and purple. Also been doing some design work again for the first time in ages and it feels so good to be creating again. Can’t talk about the designs yet but hopefully I will be able to soon! Spinning Lots of spinning thanks to my sore finger Finished multiple braids of cotton from Hipstrings Cotton Club. Johnny Jump Up – 2 ply sport weight – white, navy, dark purple and drops of yellow-green Break Of Day – 3 ply on the border between fingering and sport, blue with the golds and pale oranges of sunrise A Different Time – my first true 3-ply fingering weight yarn. White, Navy and dark purple On my first Tour de Fleece. Goal is to finish spinning 16oz of sustainable cotton I bought from the Woolery so I can get reliable enough to justify buying a sweater lot of fiber from Hipstrings. So far ‘ve only spun 2 days (womp womp) but I have made a dent in the first 8-oz braid.
Running I have not run at all since my last recording, so I’m back to the drawing board in terms of fitness. That brings my half marathon training to a screeching halt. But it turns out I may have some upcoming projects that I need to be more all-around fit for so I’m going to focus on 5ks for running and also getting back in the pool more and on the rowing machine at our local YMCA. Running Talk Why is cross training so important? Aside from overuse injuries, it turns out that cross training also affects your DNA in a positive way – but only in the body parts you’re actually using. This Study from 2014 talks about epigenetics, which just means how what we do to & with our bodies affects our genes. | |||
| 19 Jul 2023 | 119 Tour de Fleece 2023 | 00:11:44 | |
Ep 119 recorded 7/14/23 - Tour de Fleece FOs Tanwen cowl for my neighbor, the winner of my prize drawing for all the Knit For Food Knitathon donators WIPs Hitchhiker #8? 9? In Lion Briand Shawl in a Ball (discontinued). This is a simple garter stitch shawl by Martina Behm. Snowflake Sweater Scarf using Big Twist Heather in Grey bought at Joann’s, I’m onto the 3rd section Davit designed for Berroco by Amy Palmer, knit using Silk Noir by Great Adirondack Yarn Co bought at Rhinebeck last year. This was a project from before my wrist surgery. Spinning Tour de Fleece is in full swing and I’m on my 4th bobbin of some old, cheap cotton that I bought 1 pound of (just under half a kilo) at a festival many years ago. On the Run Ballet class got delayed but started up again last week I’ve Got Sunshine Cheers to finding a new veterinarian. | |||
| 23 Jul 2018 | 42 - Knit and Runner's Knee | 00:16:14 | |
Episode 42 – 7/20/18 As always its knitting and running in 30 minutes or less. WindsweptMonique on Instagram and Ravelry or WindsweptKnits on Twitter and at WindsweptKnits.com FOs I finished the Changing Staircases shawl by Jenga Knits. This is a shawl inspired by the Harry Potter books, the way the staircases are constantly changing and I’m working on it in Mousou a 100% bamboo yarn from The FiberLady. It’s done and ready to wear to a wedding next weekend! WIPS Cast on a new Hitchhiker shawl in ancient stash, Deborah Norville’s Serenity Garden Yarn in the Gems colorway. 52-st sock in Plymouth yarns Diversity in the Fruity colorway, which is white with stripes of green, yellow, orange, pink and purple. Turned heel on first sock which leads me to… Knitting Fail Turns out the 52-st sock is really 50 sts… Spinning Tour de Fleece – not going to make my 16oz goal but having fun. Am roughly 10oz in and have 3 bobbins of cotton full and ready to ply! Hoping to make at least a dent in the last 6 oz tonight and tomorrow, but we’ll see if time allows. Running No running, but I have been doing a lot of cross training and fitness. Been in the pool twice since last recording. Also, hopped on rowing machine twice trying to get back in shape to kayak later this summer. Lots of walking. Planning hiking with my boys next week, now that my little guy’s legs are a long enough. He did a 1.3 mile (roughly 2k) hike a few weeks ago with my parents and I and he did great and LOVED it! Gonna try taking both my boys to a local, mostly flat trail near our home this week. Running Talk Runners and Knees The myth that runners destroy there knees is just that – a myth. Analysis of people who run for decades show that runners who run a moderate amount have very healthy knees. Now, people who run a LOT and professional runners often do cause knee damage, but for average folks like you and I we are unlikely to completely destroy our knees.
Some do get Runner's Knee: exercises for combatting Runner's Knee: Leg lifts Good old fashioned leg lifts are great. You can lie on your back and lift a leg up to work the quads & front of your thigh. Lie on your side and lift the top leg to work the abductors. Lie on your side and lift the bottom leg to work your adductors. Lie on your stomach and lift your leg to work the hamstring and glutes. Boom, you just worked most of the soft tissue around your knees. Clam shells Lie on your side. Bend your knees to a 90-degree angle and bring them slightly in front of you. Now lift the top leg while keeping your feet touching. Your top leg is acting like an opening and closing clam shell.
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| 02 Aug 2018 | 43- No Knitting Police | 00:16:49 | |
Episode 43: 7/31/18 – Knitting and Running in 30 min or less WIPS Dahlia - pattern by Brenda York for Berroco Yarns. Finished garter stitch and am about 1/3 way through the stockinette colorwork section. Blue body is Juniper Moon Farms Neve in Lagoon colorway from my LYS that closed. Red is Cascade Ultra Pima Fine in the Cranberry colorway held double, yellow is Berroco Modern Cotton in the Del colorway. Green is also Modern Cotton in the Breakers colorway. 50-st sock in Plymouth yarns Diversity in the Fruity colorway, which is white with stripes of green, yellow, orange, pink and purple.
Spinning Finished my Tour de Fleece spin! 1lb of cotton became roughly 950 yards of 3-ply sport weight yarn. I am soooooo glad I participated in TdF for the first time. Spinning that much over about 3 weeks really helped me become more consistent in my spinning and by the end I was generating some good yarn! Out And About Was out in western MA last weekend for a friend’s wedding and was lucky enough to meet up with Shelley, aka Knitting Travels (hello Shelley! It was lovely to meet you! Northampton Wools - Great shop; Good selection of wool-less yarns! Old favorites like Penzance, Diversity Sock. New to me yarns too! Came home with 2 skeins of 365 Yak from Lana Grossa Upcoming: Aug 11th – Fiber Revival at the Spencer Little Farm in Newbury, MA, coast north of Boston Oct 20th – Rhinebeck. Current plan is to take the Webs bus on Saturday Nov 3rd & 4th – Fiber Festival of New England at the Big E – not 100% sure I’m going, but thinking about it. Knitting Talk Bringing this older segment back. “cheating” at knitting – I’ve heard a couple people recently talk about how they feel using stitch markers for repeats or using a lifeline is cheating and that’s something I wanted to address here. There are NO knitting police. On the Run Actually went for a run today! Running Talk This is a re-visit of a topic we discussed a year ago or so and that is shoes. Short version: get a gait analysis from a professional. | |||
| 04 Sep 2018 | 44 - Regular Schedules Commence | 00:16:46 | |
Episode 44 – 9/4/18 – Autumn means schedules! Knitting & running in 30 min or less. Summer is over, kids are back to school and life is finally scheduled again! This means I should be able to start recording on a regular basis again, huzzah! FOs Dahlia - pattern by Brenda York for Berroco Yarns is finally done! Whole shawl is from stash. Blue body is Juniper Moon Farms Neve in Lagoon colorway from my LYS that closed. Red is Cascade Ultra Pima Fine in the Cranberry colorway held double, yellow & green is Berroco Modern Cotton in the Del & Breakers colorways. Purple is some ancient Plymouth Yarns Covington. 50-st sock – both are complete thought it’s been too hot to wear 44-st sock for Thing 1 – worked on this while on our cruise to Bermuda last week finished both!
Wips New 52-st sock for me in Plymouth Diversity in the Deep Sea colorway Sock for Thing 2 – he previously asked for the Deep Sea colorwat but after seeing me knit his brother’s socs in the Pizazz colorway, he changed his mind and wants red socks too Stash 1 skein of Goshen from Valley Yarns in the Plum colorway from The Black Purl in Bermuda – more about Bermuda later. 2 skeins on Ito Yarn’s Kinu 100% silk this is going to be used for the Ixchel sweater from the latest issue of Pom Pom, the one with the phases of the moon in the sweater 1 skein of Plymouth Yarn’s Diversity that my mom picked out for her Christmas socks Both these last two are from A Great Yarn which is a lovely Yarn and Book shop in Chatham, Cape Cod, Massachusetts
Spinning A braid of cotton from Hipstrings, the Midseason Clifhanger colorway. Learned how to re-align the wheel of my Lendrum - super easy Out and About Fiber Revival at the Spencer Little Farm in Newbury, MA
Last week we took a cruise from Boston to Bermuda and it was so lovely. Go swm at the Blue Hole if you ever get the chance. Upcoming: Oct 20th – Rhinebeck. Taking the Webs bus on Saturday Nov 3rd & 4th – Fiber Festival of New England at the Big E – not 100% sure I’m going, but thinking about it.
Running 1 short run since the last time I recorded; nothing to write home about. Hoping to get a few shorter runs in next week. Slow and steady Fitness Talk
What can a personal trainer do for you? | |||
| 12 Sep 2018 | 46 - 20 Rows of Cables Down | 00:09:52 | |
Episode 46 – 9/11/18 Knitting and Running in 30 min or less Thank you for listening! Be A Helper Craft A Long I've learned my lesson - don't end a Craft A Long during Back To School! But my chaos is your gain - the Craft A Long has been extended to September 30th. Enter your FOs here: https://www.ravelry.com/discuss/knitting-on-the-run---windswept-designs/3788284/ FOs First 52-st sock – Plymouth Yarn Diversity in the Deep Sea colorway Wips 2nd 52-st sock Dancing Dragons Coat – finished the back started the left front
Knitting Fail Last weekend we headed to CT for the day – realized I’d made a mistake 20 rows down, in the cabled pattern (ack!!!) Stash Got my first hand carders! Can’t wait to try them out. Also got 2oz of cashmere which I’m going to blend with 16oz of cotton to make a super-soft sweater Spinning Started spinning again over the weekend for the first time about a month! Working on a braid of cotton from Hipstrings Pattern Stalking Ixchel Sweater from the Autumn 2018 PomPom Quarterly | |||
| 26 Sep 2018 | 47: Off The Cuff | 00:11:44 | |
No show notes for this one because I literally didn't get a chance to write them up this week. See you in Rhinebeck on the Saturday :) | |||
| 11 Oct 2018 | 48 - When Dragons Attack | 00:26:44 | |
Episode 48 – 10/9/18 - When Dragons Attack Thanks for listening! Segments this week include FOs, Wips, Knitting Fail, Pattern Stalking, On the Run and the wrap up of our Be A Helper craft a long! FOs 3 doll sweaters from my Super Simple Fuzzy Sweater pattern, all knit in Plymouth Yarn’s Adore in red, orange, and a green and gray multi-colored yarn What I’m now calling my Hamilton Socks, 52-st socks in Plymouth Yarn’s Diversity in the Deep Sea colorway
Wips Another doll sweater, this one in pink Dancing Dragons Coat by Heike Campbell in Be Sweet Yarn’s Bamboo in the Sea Green colorway, a malachite-green, but a little lighter than true malachite. About 50% done but… Knitting Fail Dancing Dragons Coat – I realized I was going to run out of yarn!! Wearables Empire Top by Lily Go – wore this to Hamilton I wore my Changing Staircases shawl several times, knit up in Fibre Lady’s Mousou Bamboo Mommy’s Tunic, a pattern I designed a few years back – short sleeve A-line tunic with a cabled band under the bust. This one is knit up in Juniper Moon Farm’s Neve in a lovely shade of cobalt blue Dahlia – the colorwork shawl I knit this summer has been worn at least once Linen Butterflies – I wore the short sleeve version of this this morning over a tank top before the heat arrived, which I knit in Euroflax Sport 100% linen in their Straw colorway, is a lovely shade of gold, over a tank top one warm day.
Pattern Stalking Over the past few weeks I’ve realized how many red long-sleeved shirts and sweaters I have, but none of my shawls go with red. I really need to knit a grey, or black, or even royal blue shawl to go with them. There’s a gradient cake yarn I’ve been eyeing a year or so that goes from black, through many shades of gray, to white. If you have a shawl suggestion that would look good in grey gradients I would love to hear about it! On The Run Had a great few runs these last few weeks, including a 2.5 miler a week ago. My knee was a little cranky after that last one, but it felt good at the time. I’ve got a 5k fundraiser race for my son’s school coming up this weekend. First whole-family race
Be A Helper Craft A Long wrap-up A huge thank-you to everyone who participated! I have 3 prizes to award and all 3 need to be mailed. If you hear your name, please contact me with your mailing address. You can reach me at windsweptmonique@gmail.com, or as WindsweptMonique both on Ravelry and on Instagram. | |||
| 17 Oct 2018 | 49- Help Me Choose A Shawl | 00:15:45 | |
Episode 49 – 10/17/18 - Knitting and running in 30 min or less Wips Thing 2’s Christmas Socks - in Plymouth Yarns DIversity in the Pizazz colorway Mom’s Christmas Socks - in Plymouth Yarns DIversity in the Stormy Skies colorway Pattern Stalking Asked last week about a Gray Shawl, especially something that would work with gray gradients. Heard from several people Influence Shawl by Kelene Kinnersly, off-center triangle, kind of thin, mostly garter st with an eyelet lace edging. Tea House Brooke Shawl by Jennifer Lassonde, aka BostonJen, triangular shawl starting with stockinette and working through different simple textures to keep it interesting Curious Collective 2014 by Curious Handmade, aka Helen Stewart, half-circle shawl alternative garter st and lace Crossflower Shawl by Katinka Designs, new larger version for gradients. Garter st and lace columns, large off-center triangle Ilumine by Num Teasdale – gorgeous lace, but not sure I have the brain power for it just now Wearables Mommy’s Tunic – I wore my sample out of Be Sweet Bamboo fibers and promptly spilled something down the front. I think I wore it for 2 hours total. Soaked and washed it, it’s fine. Still kicking myself. Linen Butterflies – the ¾ sleeve version Addition By Subtraction Shawl – an mkal pattern by TryStitchual Designs Changing Staircases in FIber Lady's Mousou bamboo yarn On the Run I ran a 5k! All 4 of us ran a race :) Out and About Rhinebeck on Saturday! I'm on the Webs Bus. Orleans, Cape Cod craft fair, Nov 3
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| 10 Jun 2020 | 80 - Let's Be Real | 00:19:08 | |
Recorded Wednesday 6/10/20 Let’s start with the basics: black live matter. Black people should matter just as much as any other person but the fact is, in American society, they do not. If you have any doubts about that I am including a link to an old video of Jane Elliot that you should watch. I think all white folks should watch it, it’s only 1 minute and I wager a few of you have seen the clip before. But it speaks volumes. The fight is not over. We still have work to. Vote, support businesses, make donations if you can, write to your lawmakers, sign petitions. Not all of us are able to attend protests but there’s a lot we can do. Most importantly educate yourself. Listen. I will be donating 50% of the profits from my self-published patterns for the month of June to the Southern Poverty Law Center who work to combat racism across the country. I also personally donated to Black Girls Code, a group who supports black women in computer science. Many of you may know that my background is in computer science, I have a BS in computer science from St Michael’s College and a MSc in Computing and Internet Studies from King’s College London, UK. My field really, really needs diversification. For undergrad I was one of two girls in my grade in my major and there were no black folks at all. I know it’s changed some in the past 15 years, but our field needs to change more, so I’m putting my money where my mouth is. Also you may have noticed sound quality has changed. My husband surprised me with a new podcast mic for mother’s day, it arrived a few weeks after and I am finally recording with it today. Also Cally the deaf cat is here. FOs South Woods - pattern by River Road Knits. First handspun sweater complete! So proud of it. Great fit. I want to make a sleeveless version of this. Aggregate 2 – Pattern by JimiKnits. Knit in Tencel yarn by Artisinal yarns. Kinda want to start another already. Love this pattern. Go With the Flo shawl – pattern by Jennifer Lassonde Designs, knit in handspun.
WIPs Sassy Wrapitude – Part of the Wrapitude collection by Megan Williams, Just Run Knit. Using yellow CoBaSi by Hikoo and bamboo/cotton blend dyed in peachy oranges with speckles of pink and yellow from Great Adirondack Yarn that I bought at Rhinebeck. On section 8, lace. Laceweight Boxy – Now about 14” long Papillon – Started 2nd section. Using Berroco Medina that I bought at The Yarn Patch in Crossville, TN last year and a gold Tencel yarn from Artisinal Yarns that I bought at Rhinebeck 2 years ago. Ankle socks – using Fish Lips Kiss heel and 52 sts, finished the first sock, just finished toe of second sock.
Out and About Rhinebeck officially cancelled for 2020. “After much deliberation, the DCSWGA board and festival planning committee have decided to cancel the in-person 2020 NYS Sheep & Wool Festival. In its place, we will host a virtual festival online. More details on that to come. If you have any questions, please contact our Festival Manager, Nena Johnson at festivalinfo at sheepandwool dot com”
Be a Helper Craftalong I will close the FO thread on June 20th. Thank you SOOOOO much for your participation. | |||
| 01 Nov 2018 | 50-Rhinebeck Recap | 00:24:40 | |
Episode 50 – Rhinebeck Recap – 11/1/18 Happy Halloween – a day late! Tried to record yesterday but we have a family birthday on Halloween, which makes everything that much more insane! Segments include FOs, Wips, Knitting Fail, Out and About at Rhinbeck, Pattern Stalking and On the Run. FOs 12 hats since Rhinebeck for upcoming craft fairs Wips Another craft fair hat, this one is turqouise Find Your Fade shawl. I’m on section 3, the 2nd garter section and still in color #1, the raspberry-dyed handspun cotton that I’ve mentioned in past episodes Changing Staircases shawl in a cotton/bamboo blend from Great Adirondack Yarns – more on that soon because it’s yarn I bought at Rhinebeck Knitting Fail Sometimes your brain doesn't work right. Find Your Fade is a simple pattern and I'm still screwing it up! Out and About 2 weekends ago was Rhinebeck and I attended on Saturday via the Webs bus Craft Fair in Orleans, Cape Cod on Nov 3 Pattern Stalking Shawls – now that it’s getting cold all I want to do is knit shawls. Which is really funny because up until a year or so ago I usually avoided shawls. Tell me about your favorite shawls to wear On the Run Have not run at all since Rhinebeck. The day after Rhinebeck my son jumped and landed with all his weight on one bone in the middle-side of my foot. Holy moly that hurt. | |||
| 18 Apr 2023 | 115 Multiple FOs | 00:08:01 | |
Ep 115 recorded 4/28/23 FOs Socks for Thing 2, the second sock is done! Crochet square for Liberty Crochet Mural. Today I mailed my square to Vermont. WIPs Socks for Thing 1 – I knit socks for him for Christmas and already they don’t fit. Songe d’été – Ravelry Link (Summer Dreams) designed by Dreaming In Chocolate Designs, knit using Linea Pura Unico yarn by Lana Grossa (discontinued) Davit designed for Berroco by Amy Palmer, knit using Silk Noir by Great Adirondack Yarn Co bought at Rhinebeck last year. I’ve reached the short rows for the back, I’m nearly done! Find Your Fade designed by Andrea Mowry, knit in Midori Bamboo from The Fiber Lady in a discontinued colorway, plus cotton/bamboo sportweight from Great Adirondack Yarn Co. Knitting Fail About ½ an inch down I’d missed the dropped YO and that made a corner I didn’t want. Spinning More progress on my current spin, some beautiful green lightly-speckled cotton from Buchanan Fiber. On the Run Not much fitness this week. I pulled a muscle. Did you know you have muscles in between each of your ribs? I totally didn’t. Out and About – upcoming Fiber Events around New England CT Sheep and Wool - April 29 NH Sheep and Wool – May 13 & 14 MA Sheep and Woolcraft Fair - May 27-28, Memorial Day Weekend Maine Fiber Frolic – June 3 & 4 I’ve Got Sunshine We’ve had lovely weather the last few weeks, so I pulled out my deck planters early and put a few pansies in them and it’s really cheered me up. | |||
| 22 Nov 2021 | 99 - 6 Inches Earlier | 00:12:37 | |
Ep 99 recorded 11/19/21 Segments this week include: Housekeeping, FOs, Wips, Stash, Out and About, and I’ve Got Sunshine. A note on showlinks – all links to Ravelry are clearly labelled as such and all links for yarn are directly to the dyer’s website. Housekeeping Still looking for testknitters! I have a sleeveless top test knit. It knits up FAST as it’s a DK gauge. I’m looking for some testknitters to use 2 fingering weight yarns held double and some to use 1 strand of DK that gets gauge. I will be starting up a few testknits soon, all for sleeveless tops. Visit https://www.yarnpond.com/pattern_tests/2615 to learn more and sign up to test knit. If you’re interested in future test knits please join my test knitter mailing list at http://www.windsweptknits.com/testknitters/ - if on this list you will only get emails related to test knitting, nothing else. I’ll be having 3 or 4 test knits starting up in the next few months with yarn ranging from fingering to DK and I’d love to have you join. WIPs Three new pattern samples, can’t talk about them yet. Recalibrate Top by Shana Lines using Nomad Yarn’s hand dyed cotton/rayon Gelato yarn. I’m nearing the top of the front panel in the yellow Gelato. Star Wars scarf for Thing 2 – I’m over halfway! I’m nearly done with the Death Star! Unfortunately I’m falling behind a bit on this one, so I need to work on it more each day after taking most of the last week off. Knights who say Knit by LyricalKnits aka Mary Annarella. On section 2 or 3 of Clue 4, the last clue. I really love how this shawl is turning out and I can’t wait to finish it. Knitting Fail I had two this week. I just wish I’d thought of it 6 inches and one cast on ago. Wearables the Priestess Coat stitched Rhinebeck– by Morale Fiber in Lion Brand Shawl in a Ball. the Line Where the Sky Meets the Sea (Ravelry) and Send Me That Horizon (Ravelry) shawls really keep my neck warm from my wet hair and that my wet hair doesn’t hurt the yarn at all. Out and About Virtually Indie Design GAL (Ravelry) starts Nov 23rd Fasten Off YAL – off Ravelry event starts Nov 30th Vogue Knitting Live Vogue Knitting Live @ Home Dec 9-12, Jan 20-23. Dec open for registration. Vogue Knitting Live in person in NYC is cancelled for 2022 but will be back Feb 9-12 2023 GGKCS podcast is having their annual Autumnal AL, visit their FB page for more details. Down Cellar Studio’s Pigskin party is up and running. You can participate on Instagram or on Ravelry and I’m linking to Boston Jen’s website which has the details and the signup page. I am both a sponsor and a participant again this year and it’s lots of fun. Stitches at Home Jan 7-9, Stitches West in person Mar 3-6 2022. If you have any events you’d like me to share please email me windsweptmonique@gmail.com I’ve Got Sunshine I’ve been doing Instagram Lives every Wednesday at lunch time local to me because I’ve been hearing from so many people that they just feel overwhelmed and like life is swirling about the them. I started it for others, so they could listen or join, or play later that day and stop, and just breath or knit or sip a cup of tea for 2 minutes. But I find that they’re really helping me too. Making myself stop and breath for 2 minutes each Wednesday is super helpful, just letting myself be. If you want to join us, this Wednesday 11/24 it will be at 12pm EST on Instagram come along with me and take 2 minutes for yourself. | |||
| 09 Nov 2018 | 51 - Craft Fair Season | 00:10:52 | |
Episode 51 – 11/8/18 – Craft Fair Season FOs, Wips, Spinning, Out and About, On the Run and Be a Helper 3 – I need your feedback FOs 3 Fun Fur Hats 2 Doll sweaters 5 doll hats – these are all knit on US 10 needles so they knit up very quickly 1 kippah, pattern by PAKnitWit, with all proceeds going to Tree of Life Synogogue which was attacked last week and 11 members were murdered by a white nationalist. On Ravelry, some folks are collecting hand-made kippot to give to the Tree of Life community, so that is where I will send mine.
Wips 2nd Kippah, same pattern Another Fun Fur hat Rhinebeck Shawl – the Changing Staircases made with the yarn I just bought at Rhinebeck Spinning I’ve actually spun recently! Not much, but a little. I’m working on a cotton sliver from Hipstrings in the Recurrent Theme colorway which is dark jewel tones of blue, aqua, green, purple and burgundy. It’ll be gorgeous!
Out and About I worked the Nauset Craft Fair last weekend held at the Nauset Middle School in Orleans, Cape Cod, MA. It was my first time there and I had a good time. Despite a huge storm in the morning with biblical-type rain and wind, people came out to support the vendors. My shoes were soaked unloading my car in the morning, starting around 8am. I had spare clothes, but no spare shows with me, so my feet were soaked until I got home at 6:30 that night!
On The Run I want to talk today about the myth that running is bad for your knees. Yes you heard me, the myth. Multiple studies including one released in 2016 from Brigham Young University and published European Journal of Applied Physiology can help us understand this.
Be a Helper 3 – I need your feedback Here are my thoughts – I can’t run a craft-along that ends in August, my family’s schedule is nuts and we’ll have family visiting from overseas next August so it’ll just be bonker balls. The first Be A Helper was during the winter. More people seem to knit in the winter anyways, so I’m thinking of moving it back to winter. What do you all think? Should we run it in conjunction with the holiday season so people who like to knit for charity during Hannukah and Christmas can participate? Or after the holiday season so gift knitters can participate? Or maybe start in December and end in February to give everyone more flexibility?
Let me know what you think.
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| 16 Nov 2018 | 52-Happy Thanksgiving | 00:14:40 | |
Episode 52 – 11/15/18 - Happy Thanksgiving FOs 2 kippot, 1 from handspun –more on that in a minute 5 dishcloths 5 Christmas ornaments 1 kid’s hat 1st sock from Thing 2’s Christmas socks Wips 1 handspun kippah, yarn from Hipstrings Cotton Club. This finally occurred to me after making 2 other kippot, that I had beautiful handspun yarn made with fiber dyed in Pittsburgh, so I knew I had to make some kippot with this yarn. I tweaked Sarah Jordan’s To Life pattern to work with sport-weight yarn and it works perfectly. Changing Staircases shawl in 50/50 cotton/bamboo blend from Great Adirondack Yarn in the Hydrangea colorway blue, turquoise and purple Mom’s Christmas socks, knit in Plymouth Yarn Diversity in the Stormy Sky colorway, medium blue with areas of grey, light blue and khaki 2 Christmas ornaments in progress
Knitting Talk Current & upcoming knitalongs that I'm participating in Down Cellar Studio Pigskin Party Knitmore Girl’s Grinchalong Indie Designer Gift-a-long sale starts Nov 23 at 8pm Eastern and ends Nov 29 at 11:59opm Eastern
Out and About In Tyngsboro, MA for the annual Greater Lowell Technical School craft fair. If you happen to be north of Boston on Sunday the 17th come say hello! On December 1st, craft fair at Norwood Adult Day Health Center On December 8th, 31st Annual Framingham Auxiliary Police Craft Fair
No show next week - Happy Thanksgiving! | |||
| 29 Nov 2018 | 53-Indie GAL 2018 | 00:26:58 | |
Episode 53 – 11/29/18 – Indie Gift-a-long Wips FOs, Wips – lots, Knitting Fail, Spinning, Knitting Talk, Wearables, On the Run, Out and About
FOs Mom’s Christmas socks – both are done; Plymouth Yarn Diversity in Deep Sea Thing 2’s Christmas socks – both are done; Plymouth Yarn Diversity in Pizazz Wips Icon Dress by Kari-Helene Rane in some very old stash that I want to get rid of. New hat for Thing 2 (not xmas gift) – in Valley Yarn’s Southwick that he chose while we were on holiday in Bermuda. Find Your Fade shawl. I’m on section 3, the 2nd garter section and still in color #1, the raspberry-dyed handspun cotton that I’ve mentioned in past episodes Changing Staircases shawl in 50/50 cotton/bamboo blend from Great Adirondack Yarn in the Hydrangea colorway blue, turquoise and purple 1 handspun kippah, yarn from Hipstrings Cotton Club in some beautiful handspun yarn made with fiber dyed in Pittsburgh. Pattern is To Life by Sarah Jordan (all proceeds to Tree of Life Synagogue). Spinning I finished spinning the Midseason Replacement and Recurrent Theme, both 2oz cotton sliver from Hipstrings. Roughly 400 yards total together and they’ll be paired beautifully in a shawl, I expect. Started spinning new fiber Knitting Talk I was able to take some time to get back into design work this week and it felt sooooo good. Garment design is my favorite, and I am working on 2 new patterns. But I’m also trying to branch out and design some accessories that I want to wear. This is all long term, likely coming in 2019 or beyond, but I am really excited by the what’s coming on the horizon! Down Cellar Studio Pigskin Party Knitmore’s Grinchalong Indie Designer Gift-a-long sale ends Nov 29 at 11:59opm Eastern Be A Helper 3 will run from December 3 to February 15th Wearables Oh so many! Pattern Stalking Harry Potter and the Strange Persistent Font by Mary Annarella Don’t Panic by Nim Teasdale (nimble knits) Willowbrook Shawl by Brenda Castiel – use my handspun Heroes of Yarnia RPG scarf with draogns and castles that my son would adore, could be done in double knitting or stranded colorwork On the Run Until yesterday I hadn’t done a blasted thing since I last recorded. I lost my fitbit about a month ago and I’ve been a lazy bum ever since. Out and About December 1st - Norwood Adult Day Health Center, a community VNA December 8th, 31st Framingham Auxilliary Police Fair, my 4th or 5th time there | |||
| 18 Dec 2018 | 54- Be A Helper Craft-a-long 3 | 00:20:15 | |
Episode 54 – 12/5/18 Knittin & Running in 30 min or less I am WindsweptMonique and today’s segments include: Be A Helper KAL, FOs, Wips, Pattern Stalking, Wearables, On the Run and Running Talk about wearable fitness trackers and accuracy. Be A Helper KAL Started on December 5th but I didn’t record last week because Christmas shopping (had to buy all presents by last Saturday – long story) and laryngitis. If you finished a WIP for charity on or after December 5th go ahead and enter it.
Prizes
FOs Kippah made from handspun cotton from Hipstrings, in the Break Of Day colorway, blues and orange using the To Life pattern by Sarah Jordan, aka PAKnitWit Wips Tan House Brooke Shawl by Jennifer Lassonde of Down Cellar Studio in my most recent handspun, Midseason Cliffhanger and Recurrent Theme cotton slivers, from fiber from Hipstrings Icon Dress by Kari-Helene Rane in some very old stash that I want to get rid of. Reached 6th set of decreases in Front of dress New hat for Thing 2 (not xmas gift) – in Valley Yarn’s Southwick. I’m using the green as the contrast ribbed brim, then the purple that Thing 2 chose as the body of the hat. No pattern, just knitting to his head size. Folded brim so it will grow with him. About 3/4 way through folded ribbing Find Your Fade shawl. I’m on section , the 2nd lace section and still in color #1, the raspberry-dyed handspun cotton that I’ve mentioned in past episodes New socks, these are an un-Christmas gift that I will mail to Maura in January. I’m knitting these up in CoBaSi, which is a cotton, bamboo, silk, nylon blend that is super stretchy and breathes beautifully on sweaty feet. The toes, cuffs and heels are a blue/gray blend called Wave Caps, and the foot and leg in a gray named Seattle Sky. Pattern Stalking I bought 4 patterns during the Indie Designers Gift-a-long sale: Tan House Brooke, mentioned above by Jennifer Lassonde Willowbrooke shawl by Brenda Castiel Heroes of Yarnia RPG Scarf from last year’s MKAL by Tania Richter Harry Potter and the Strange Persistent Font by Mary Annarella Wearables Twist and Shout cabled hat by Michelle DuNaier Frosted sweater by Paper Daisy Creations Changing Staircases by Dragon Hoard Designs in Fiber Lady’s Mousou bamboo Dahlia by Brenda York for Berocco Yarns On The Run I’ve run a few times in the last 2 weeks. I’ve also gone for a few swims and boy do I need a swimming cap! Last time I went swimming it was 25F out (-4C) and that is just too cold to have soaking wet, long hair. Running Talk – Fitbits and other trackers On my last episode I mentioned that I like having a fitbit because it keeps me honest and a listener, Marie, wrote in saying she’d heard that the data isn’t accurate and wanted to know how I used it.
Thanks very much for writing in Marie. If you have a question about fitness, running, knitting, patterns, GALs or anything else feel free to write in. You can reach on Ravelery or Instagram as WIndsweptMonique or email me at WindsweptMonique@gmail.com. My website is windsweptknits.com and you can find this podcast and shownotes there as well as all my designs and a few other fun projects I’ve worked on, like how to make the R2-D2 sweater I knit for my son last year. | |||
| 28 Dec 2018 | 55-Live from Florida with a Special Guest | 00:12:59 | |
After a conversation with a certain special someone at breakfast yesterday, we decided to record a quick episode live from my parent’s house with him as a very special guest. Apologies for the sound quality, we recorded on a lanai and I don’t have all my regular software here to edit, but this opportunity was too good to pass up 😍 | |||
| 07 Jan 2019 | 56 - Happy New Year | 00:14:01 | |
Episode 56 – 1/4/19 Knitting and Running in 30 minutes or less. You can find me as WindsweptMonique on Ravelry and Instagram or as Windswept Knits on Facebook and Twitter. Shownotes can be found on my website at WindsweptKnits.com FOs First of the Un-Christmas Socks - knitting these up in CoBaSi, which is a cotton, bamboo, silk, nylon blend that is super stretchy and breathes beautifully on sweaty feet. The toes, cuffs and heels are a blue/gray blend called Wave Caps, and the foot and leg in a gray named Seattle Sky. Thing 2’s hat – finished last night and he hasn’t stopped wearing since I put it on his head this morning. in Valley Yarn’s Southwick. I’m using the green as the contrast ribbed brim, then the purple that Thing 2 chose as the body of the hat. No pattern, just knitting to his head size. Wips 2nd sock started for Un-Christmas socks. Finished toe and started foot. Boxy by Joji Locatelli. Using Bamboo Laceweight from Spinaway Farms that I picked up in Rhinebeck 2 years ago. Variegated cool blues from nearly white to nearly navy. Changing Staircases shawl in 50/50 cotton/bamboo blend from Great Adirondack Yarn in the Hydrangea colorway blue, turquoise and purple Knitting Fail There are dangers to knitting in dark theme park lines… Life and stuff 40 before 40? Roughly based on Gretchen Ruben’s happiness project, 18 in 2018. Still not 100% sure I’m going to do this but… Run 5k, 10k, half marathon. Increase muscle mass. Swim one mile in one day. Release 6 patterns. Submit to more knitting magazines. Improve my Spanish or Russian, or learn Arabic (know folks who speak all of these). Out and about Florida – late flight – Legoland – to the in-laws – horseback riding and swimming – early morning flight On the Run No running but lots of walking, incl. a hike at the Disney Wilderness Preserve one afternoon with Thing 1, my husband Chris and my dad. It’s run by the Nature Conservancy and has a few really nice trails with lots of wildlife – just south of Orlando, definitely recommend it. Swam ¼ mile this morning for the first time ever!
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| 21 Feb 2019 | 59 - Monty Python Illness | 00:18:04 | |
Episode 59 - Monty Python Illness - Knitting and running in 30 min or less Hello! Yes, I am still alive! My house has been incredibly ill since Christmas. Nothing particularly serious, but at least one person in our house has been sick since Christmas – unfortunately, that counted me over the last 4 weeks. I’ve had 2 viruses and strep throat. Fun times! Thanks kids. No pod-faded, I’m back Be A Helper KAL Extended to Feb 28 Racism in knitting We have work to do. You are welcome here. My 1 rule is be kind to others. FOs 3 preemie hats, 2 from CC Almon’s free pattern, 1 from Sarah Jordan’s Itty Bitty Kitty Sample for new pattern, a sleeveless top in sizes 34”-52” currently at tech editor. Worked in DK, will be looking for test knitters soon
Wips 2 more preemie hats, 1 from each pattern mentioned earlier Changing Staircases shawl New socks for me On the Run Not much running, but some walking and a little swimming. Record in the pool is ½ mile, but after illness I dropped back to ¼ mile and swam 1/3 mile today. Slowly ans steadily getting back up there. Fitness Debating doing a local triathalon in June.
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| 27 Jun 2020 | For Spacious Skies | 00:23:54 | |
Episode 81 - Recorded Thursday, June 26th 2020 New pattern, end of be-a-helper kal, wips, knitting fail, spinning, wearables, out and about and if we have time I’ll do an on the run segment. New Pattern alert! As of the time you’re hearing this, I have a new pattern available through Knotions Magazine! The pattern is named For Spacious Skies and is knit using a gorgeous muted red, blue and white colorway from Birdies Knits named Old Glory and a small amount of white yarn for the star. I found this yarn and this indie dyer at the very first Stitches United in Hartford, CT several years ago. I was so excited – I’d never met a hand-dyer who worked in anything other than wool. Being highly allergic to sheep, wool is not an option for me. This colorway reminded me of 4th of July parades with my grandparents and great-grandmother, of summer beach days and Friday night band concerts at the local park all summer with my family. The star is worked first, from the center out, then short rows make the circle into a square. The remainder of the top is worked top-down – the bust area is worked back-and forth to the underarm, then the whole piece is joined in the round. Recommend -1 to -3 inches of ease (negative ease). This means if you’re targeting a 38 bust, that you should choose a 36 (38-2). Bust: 32 - 60” , [81.5 - 152.5) cm] Be-A-Helper KAL Last 2 prize winners announced! WIPs Laceweight Boxy – Now about 16” long Papillon – Started 2nd section. Using Berroco Medina that I bought at The Yarn Patch in Crossville, TN last year and a gold Tencel yarn from Artisinal Yarns that I bought at Rhinebeck 2 years ago. Goldberry – I started a new crochet pattern this week. Triyang – an old WIP that I started as SSK in 2017, I tend to keep this pattern for travelling and since we have 2 small kids we don’t travel much anymore. Star Wars scarf for Thing 2 – I’m still working on the Blasters section of the Light Side section. Ozone Sweater – worked a little on the Ozone Sweater, a crochet sweater, which leads me to… Knitting Fail I tried to work on this last Thursday during my stitching group, but apparently I cannot join crochet and talk at the same time. The medallions are linked in 5 places along one side, and I screwed it up 3 times. At the end of 1:45 I had completed (and successfully joined) 1 medallion and started the center of a second. That’s all. In nearly 2 hours. Spinning I finished my Pride Month spin! I pulled apart 2 braids from Hipstring’s cotton club from 2019, and spun them color by color to make a rainbow. Then two nights ago I started to learn to chain ply, which I finished yesterday. It’s not my best yarn ever, since it’s my first-ever chain ply, but I’m proud nonetheless. Wearbles It’s tank top season finally here in MA so I’ve recently wore my Out Tonight pattern, which is a sleeveless top inspired by the musical Rent. We had a cold windy day last weekend and I wore the Taking Flight shawl, a pattern by Katherine Belisle and inspired by Captain Marvel. I recently wore my Strawberry Blossoms top, which I still love, but I’ve noticed after washing that the CoBaSi yarn tends to stretch more sideways than vertically when knit in garments. I have an extra skein of the yellow left, so I’m considering pulling out the turned hem, knitting a few extra inches, then re-doing the hem. I’ll let you know if I decide to go ahead with it. On the Run No exercise this week, poison ivy sucks Out and About Tour de Fleece 1 Sat Jun 27 – Sun Jul 19 Tour de Fleece 2 Sat, Aug 29, 2020 – Sun, Sep 20, 2020 Here in MA we’re slowly opening back up while keeping our new cases of COVID19 low, and I went to a yarn shop! This is my first visit to a LYS since January. I visited @agreatyarn in Chatham, MA, a store I love to visit. | |||
| 09 Oct 2021 | 96 Pre-Rhinebeck | 00:15:25 | |
Knitting and fun in 30 min or less. Shownotes can be found at windsweptknits.com. You can find me on IG and Ravelry as WindsweptMonique and on Facebook and Twitter as WindsweptKnits. Ep 96 recorded 10/8/21 Segments this week include: Rhinebeck, FOs, Wips, Out and About, and I’ve Got Sunshine Note on Ravelry – all links to Ravelry in the show notes are clearly labelled as such. All yarn links are directly to the manufacturer or dyer’s website. Rhinebeck Am I going? Current plan is yes, I will be there both days but I will not be there the whole time. I will be masked the entire time and I will stay until I feel uncomfortable and then I will peace out. Speaking of COVID, message from the committee: “We, as a team, are taking COVID very seriously and have been in discussions throughout the year about how to make this event happen safely amidst the ongoing pandemic. The Fairgrounds sets the policy for the events held there and they are following protocol from NYS, the Dutchess County Health Department and CDC. Their COVID information can be found by clicking here. We are navigating this challenging time the best we can - limiting attendance numbers, encouraging masking, making all barns and buildings one-way, monitoring crowds in the buildings, keeping all doors open, spacing vendors 10 feet apart (with many vendors moved outdoors). We've put workshops online and eliminated children's activities and the Skein and Garment Competition. We have also given more space to the Fleece Sale and Merritt Books' authors program. Our vendors have been given the option to vend at the Fairgrounds, to vend virtually, or to elect to wait until 2022 to vend. To put it mildly, this is a difficult time and nothing is definitive - but please know that this issue is top of mind for us as organizers of the event.” FOs Another design sample is in progress, a tank top made with HiKoo Popcycle! Purse Socks! Sock 1 done in Bamboo Pop Sock in the Sunset colorway. WIPs I’m rushing to finish the Priestess Coat before Rhinebeck– by Morale Fiber in Lion Brand Shawl in a Ball. Purse Socks! Started the 2nd sock Out and About Virtually NY Sheep and Wool in Rhinebeck, NY Oct 16 & 17. At the moment I’m 50/50 about going. Vogue Knitting Live Vogue Knitting Live @ Home this weekend Oct 7-10. GGKCS podcast is having their annual Autumnal AL, visit their FB page for more details. Down Cellar Studio’s Pigskin party is up and running. You can participate on Instagram or on Ravelry and I’m linking to Boston Jen’s website which has the details and the signup page. I am both a sponsor and a participant again this year and it’s lots of fun. Stitches Expo at home Oct 8-10 – online classes, workshops and a virtual marketplace If you have any events you’d like me to share please email me windsweptmonique@gmail.com I’ve Got Sunshine Organizing my office | |||
| 18 Mar 2019 | 60 - On The Mend (fixed) | 00:22:25 | |
Episode 60 – Thank yous, FO, Wips, Wearables, Out and About, On the Run, Fitness Talk, Knitting Talk Apologies for sound – laptop died. Recording this on travel mic in my car. Need to get an amp to get my mic to work with old laptop. Hopefully I’ll have it all sorted before next recording. Thank yous Thanks for bearing with me during this last delay. Turns out the antibiotics did not get rid of strep throat, I was sick again a week after they ended and back at the doctor to get something stronger. Feeling better now! Big thank you to my test knitters! I have one test knit winding up in the next few weeks, with pattern ready to release in early April and I’ve lucked into some amazing test knitters this time. You ladies are wonderful! Also, if you have any interest in summer knit tops, I have 2 coming out in the next 2 months, so be sure to visit WindsweptKnits.com and join my email list for access to the best discount codes. I promise to only email once or twice a month at most and to never, ever share your data with a 3rd party. No spam, no selling your data, I promise. That’s a personal pet peeve of mine. FO Rhinebeck Shawl – Changing Staircases pattern by Dragon Hoard Yarns knit up in bamboo/cotton fingering yarn from Great Adirondach Yarn Co Wips 2 preemie hats, 1 held single, 1 held double 2 new patterns, a shawl and a cowl Wearables All the shawls – Rhinebeck, murder mystery knit along, tan house brook, changing staircases, Sweaters - Frosted, Second Grace Boys wearing star wars adaptation of Nordic Yoke pullover from Patons, Thing 2 grew into Thing 1’s Monomoy Sweater, still fits in an ancient sweater I knit for Thing 1, pattern no longer exists, I forget the name. Pattern Stalking Ice Time Hat and Cowl set from Jennifer Lassonde of Down Cellar Studio. Full disclosure – Jen gifted them to me for free, but I’d seen her photos and loved this hat even before she sent it to me. Knitting Talk Fiber allergies. Out and About
On the Run Actually ran! Well, run-walk-run 1 mile Jeff Galloway-style, when the pool closed suddenly on Monday. Swam 20 laps Wednesday, a new record for me .55 miles (.88km) Fitness Talk Tennis ball used like a foam roller on deep/fleshy muscles | |||
| 05 Apr 2019 | 61 - Lots of Updates | 00:18:40 | |
Episode 61- Lots of Updates New Mic Hopefully this setup works! No more car recording if I can help it. New Pattern Strawberry Blossoms, a sleeveless tank top with cabled straps. Sign up for my email list at WindsweptKnits.com to get the best discount code. Be A Helper Prizes Listen for your name! A big thank you to everyone who participated and congratulations to the winners. FOs
Wips
Wearables All the shawls – Rhinebeck, murder mystery knit along, tan house brook, changing staircases, Out and About Not sure if I can make these, but will try to attend some of them.
On the run Back pain. PT. Ouch. | |||
| 26 Apr 2019 | 62 - Walk | 00:12:53 | |
Episode 62 – Thanks for tuning in! Trying the mic in a new location today so hopefully the sound quality will continue improving. Announcements First, new pattern launch! Last Saturday I released the new Strawberry Blossoms pattern. This pattern is very dear to me. As you may remember, I hurt my hand last year and for a while I couldn’t knit at all, let alone design knitwear. But like the wild yellow strawberries that grow in my backyard in the worlds worst soil (shady, acidic, clay) I hung on. Not just clinging to the soil, I’m back and I’m blooming! If you’re interested in this pattern listen to the episode for a special listeners-only discount code! Test Knitters Wanted Go to http://www.windsweptknits.com/patterns/test-knitters/ to subscribe to my test knitters email list – I promise to never sell your data or to spam you; you will only be contacted about upcoming test knitting opportunities. This week I will be starting a test knit for a laceweight shawl that is stockinette st and simple lace. The lace is a 4-row repeat that is very easy to remember. So easy, in fact, that this shawl became my knitting of choice for my kids’ karate and swimming lessons. Shawl was inspired by the musical Rent, which had a huge impact on me as a teen. 2nd is a laceweight cowl, heading to the tech editor today. This one has a lot of meaning too. A few years back, a dear friend was diagnosed with cancer. My then-4-year-old and I together designed this cowl for her. I pulled out all my silk yarn and let him pick the yarn. Then the two of us poured through my stitch dictionaries and he picked an arrowhead lace pattern. I knit it up and gave it to her to keep warm and strong during her treatments. Fast forward to this year and I’ve adapted that original pattern to have a second, longer size for those who like to double-wrap their cowls or wear them long. FOs 2 preemie hats, both in Berocco Comfort Sock. One held single, one held double. Wips Another preemie hats, one held single, one held double and both in Berocco Comfort Sock 2 shawl samples on the needles, can’t share too much yet. One is inspired by the swirling fog in my grandparent’s village, the other is a new use-up-your-stash shawl. Wearables Spring has fighting to warm up, but it’s not totally successful. Still wearing a lot of shawls to keep the chill away. Rhinebeck, murder mystery knit along, tan house brook, changing staircases, Out and About
Not sure yet about attending these:
Will be attending
On the Run Still in PT but lots of walking
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| 08 Dec 2021 | The Big 100 | 00:11:31 | |
Apologies for my voice, I’ve been fighting a virus for a week.
Housekeeping Still looking for testknitters! Visit https://www.yarnpond.com/pattern_tests/2615 to learn more and sign up to test knit. A second testknit for a sleeveless top in fingering weight yarn will be starting soon. If you’re interested in future test knits please join my test knitter mailing list at http://www.windsweptknits.com/testknitters/ 6th annual Be A Helper Craft A Long starts on December 15th! Next week’s episode will go over all the details, including prizes! And now for something completely different. Since this is my 100th episode I wanted to give back to other designers in our community. I put out a call to other designers in the GAL and the YAL and asked anyone who wanted to, to please answer the question “who are you, where can we find you and why do you design?” Designers You Are Hearing From Today Knit Eco Chic www.knitecochic.com payhip Ravelry Lovecrafts (loveknitting) Christelle Nihoul Here are my SM profile: On Ravelry: ChristalLittleK or Christelle Nihoul On Instagram : @christallkdesigns On FB : My page : ChristalLK And my website : www.christallk.com Artesanitarium DesignsMy instagram is: https://www.instgram.com/artesanitarium and my Ravelry page is: Ravelry: Designs by Artesanitarium Designs Nailya Plaskey My name is Nailya Plaskey, and my knit and crochet designs can be found on Ravelry and Lovecrafts under NailyaPlaskeyDesigns: https://www.ravelry.com/designers/nailya-plaskey https://www.lovecrafts.com/en-gb/user/maker/1fdc4d51-9faa-4e83-a40e-75da2ae4d6de And I enjoy creating community yarn fun on Instagram, where I am also @nailyaplaskeydesigns Sarah Dawn Designs Website: www.sarahdawnsdesigns.com IG: www.instagram.com/sarahdawnsdesigns/Twitter: https://twitter.com/Sarah_Dawns Patreon: www.patreon.com/SarahDawnsDesigns and, watch me make things live over on Twitch: www.twitch.tv/SarahDawnsDesigns | |||
| 22 Jun 2019 | 63 - All The Shawls | 00:12:56 | |
It’s good to be back! Thank you for your patience! Pattern Release My Only Goal Is Just To Be Shawl, inspired by the musical Rent. Rent came out when I was 15 and had a huge influence on me. It taught me the value of not just surviving but of truly living even through the most difficult times. Few of us control where our life takes us. Indeed, the threads of our lives often go in unexpected directions – ups and downs, maybe even sideways or along an unexpected diagonal. Inspired by lyrics from the song “No Day But Today” from the musical Rent, this shawl lets you show your story. The shawl is knit in the main color first using an easy-to-memorize lace pattern, then the thread of your life is wound through the lace in a contrasting color, showing your story. Use code PODCAST19 to get 25% off at checkout on Ravelry. Out Tonight Top FOs 3 preemie hats in a variety of sizes. Working on the larger, almost full term ones mostly New shawl, doesn’t have a name yet, inspired by the fog rolling in off the ocean in my grandmother’s village. It’s a 6-mile long thin peninsula, so the fog there is EPIC WIPS Preemie hat – full term size Preemie hat – 36 weeks preemie size New shawl pattern, based on being out in the open ocean. Another Rent shawl, this one incorporating cables and garter stitch. Hitchhiker Shawl by Martina Behm. This is my travel knitting for when we go somewhere and I’m not sure they’ll allow knitting needles. I use detachable wooden tips, which are far less scary than my normal steel-tipped Karbonz needles lol Knitting Fail Watched So You Think You Can Dance a bit too closely and screwed up my own pattern | |||
| 12 Jul 2019 | 64-Want some rope? | 00:23:47 | |
Episode 64 Segments include Tour de Fleece, Wips, Knitting Fail, On the Run, Stash Acquisition, Out & About Tour de Fleece This is my second Tour de Fleece! Wips New socks knit in Plymouth Yarn Diversity in the Violets colorways. Picked the yarn up last week at A Great Yarn in Chatham, MA. I needed something on smaller needles – I seem to be only using US 4s or 5s and it was just too much. Started the toe, but the wooden needles I bought were too sticky for this yarn. Sea-themed shawl I mentioned last week. My third Rent-themed pattern, a shawl with 2 color cables. Yes, that’s a cable using 2 different color yarns within the cable. That sounds hard, but if you learn one simple trick they are SO EASY! I can’t believe more people don’t use this technique. I would call this technique intarsia-adjacent, but much simpler than how I learned intarsia. For the record, I am not a big intarsia fan, but I do really enjoy these 2 color cables. Knitting Fail Photoshoot fail – tried to have a sunset photoshoot at the beach last Saturday and it turns out a front came through and there were 30mph winds! On The Road Spent a week at my parent’s place on Cape Cod, lots of fun, lots of beach. Thing 1’s arm is doing much, much better and while not able to swim he was able to splash in the water, build sandcastles with help, go on some flat hikes. Yesterday, I tried to take a self-care day. I’d been planning this day for months, then Thing 1 broke a bone, so he came with me. We drove an hour to a “local” yarn and fiber shop The Fiber Loft. Stash Acquisition From The Fiber Loft I got 1lb of cotton sliver that I am going to attempt dying. I also got some beautiful green speckled fiber from Buchanan Fibers and a skein of silk/linen blend in blues and purples for an upcoming shawl. And yesterday, my very first Akerworks bobbins arrived! I can’t wait to try these. I’m going to use it for my 2nd bobbin in Tour de Fleece. Out and About In August I will be spending a week in Nova Scotia, Canada visiting family and I can’t wait! September 19-22 I will be attending Into The Wool fiber retreat in Crossville, TN run by Dana from Unwind Yarn Company and Tiffany, aka The Project Bag. So looking forward to this! Rhinebeck! For the first time I will be going both Saturday and Sunday. This is my first time driving myself to the fairgrounds, that is, not being dropped off by family or taking the Webs bus, so if you have any parking tips I’d love to hear them. Not sure if I’ll be attending these next 2 but I hope to: Vermont Sheep and Wool, Oct 5 & 6 Fiber Festival of New England, Nov 2 & 3 at the Big E out near Springfield, MA | |||
| 02 Oct 2019 | 65-Summer Is Over/Into The Wool | 00:20:58 | |
Episode 65: Summer is Over Segments include: FOs, Wips, Out and About:Into The Wool edition; On The Run FOs 3 shawls! I finished 3 shawl samples since I last recorded, one of which will be launching next week keep an eye on social media for details on the Pont du Marais shawl, inspired by the fog in my grandmother’s village. WIPs Aggregate Shawl – my first piece for the BIPOCMAL2019, this pattern is designed by JimiKnits and I’m knitting it in two colors of handspun. I am nearly done, hoping to finish today. Hitchhiker – my 10th (I think?) hitchhiker, in Serenity Garden Sport yarn, some very old stash. I just started the 3rd skein – debating whether it will be 3 or 4 skeins. Another shawl sample for an upcoming pattern; my 3rd Rent inspired pattern _Into the Wool folks – this is the one with the pink and gray braid you were commenting on. I promised to keep them posted on this pattern. Triyang – by Lee Meredith - still chugging away. Laceweight on size 0 needles this is going to take forever and I am ok with that, it will be gorgeous when complete Go With The Flo – Over halfway done. May tweak this pattern. Don’t have enough yarn to make the whole thing one color. Debating making the central lace panel a different color or skipping it altogether. Spinning Continuing my first sweater spin. About 4.25 oz left. I realized I had 5 oz left and I’m trying to squeeze it onto 3 bobbins by overstuffing them. Out and About: Upcoming: Rhinebeck! Oct 19th and 20th; I’ll be there both Saturday and Sunday this year. I can’t make these, but maybe some of you can: VT Sheep and Wool – Oct 5&6 Fiber Festival of New England – Nov 2-3 Into The Wool
I’ll spare you a complete blow-by-blow of the whole weekend but I highly recommend Into The Wool. If you’ve been on the fence, or were worried about going alone to a retreat I say, go for it! These women are amazing and super welcoming. I definitely want to go back. I can’t go next year, as it starts on my 15th wedding anniversary, but in the future I will go again. On The Run We’ll save the whole fitness segment for next week, but I have been doing very well at making fitness a habit again. | |||
| 11 Oct 2019 | 66-2 weeks in a row? | 00:15:32 | |
Episode 66 Designer Notes, Wips, FOs, Spinning, Out and About, On the Run Designer Notes Pont du Marais Shawl released today, October 11! Inspired by the epic fog in my grandmother’s village and named for one of the foggiest places therein (literally, it means Bridge at the Marsh). I can’t wait to share this easy, fun pattern with you. When I first saw this skein of color-changing yarn from @wollesyarn at #VKLNYC last January I knew I wanted to make this shawl, showcasing the fog and waves that I love about Nova Scotia. Pronunciation – Nova Scotia versus France. 30% off for podcast listeners with code ONTHERUN through Friday, 10/18. Wips Taking Flight – Captain Marvel inspired shawl by Katherine Belisle. I’ve been trying to finish up the applied lace edging to I can wear this beauty to Rhinebeck because it’s beautiful! I am ¾ done. Knitting this up in discontinued Longmeadow from Webs (red and blue) and Berocco Modern Cotton (yellow). A new sleeveless top in silk, just started the sample, long ways to go. FOs Aggregate Shawl by #jimiknits Jiminez Joseph for the #BIPOCMAL2019 I love this pattern and I can already tell I’ll be knitting this one again in a thicker weight yarn for winter wear. New Rent-inspired shawl pattern. For those of you at ITW, this is the gray and pink shawl that you saw me working on. I’ll be sending it to the tech editor soon then opening it up for test knitters. Spinning I spun Alpaca for the first time. Rolags and spinning directly from the locks. First time using regular flyer I think! Out and About Rhinebeck in just over a week! I’ll be there Saturday and Sunday. Come find me and say hi! On the Run – Back Stretching edition Regular listeners will recall that I threw my back out late last winter pretty badly. It was a just a muscle pull, thankfully nothing worse. But I learned some great warm up stretches that really helped get mobility in my spine back. I still use them periodically when I feel knots in my back muscles starting to form again and they still help. | |||
| 16 Oct 2019 | 67- Getting Ready for Rhinebeck | 00:21:36 | |
Episode 67 – Get Ready for Rhinebeck Segments this week include – Wips, FOs, Knitting Fail, Wearables and Out and About – getting ready for Rhinebeck edition Quick reminder, Pont du Marais shawl is on sale for podcast listeners – use code FOG to get 30% off through Friday, 10/18 Wips Christmas socks for Thing 2 – finished 1st, turned heel this morning for 2nd. A few rows on the latest Hitchhiker – then I put it down and decided to save it for Rhinebeck Knitting. FOs Taking Flight – done and blocking, needs ends woven in Knitting Fail What happens when you finish a sock at Legoland... and have nothing to cut the yarn so you can start the 2nd? Wearables Mommy’s Tunic – one of my patterns, knit in the discontinued Be Sweet Bamboo. Wore this on a recent warm day Empire Tunic by Lily Go made in discontinued Frog Tree Picoboo, a cotton bamboo blend. ¾ sleeve tunic that crosses over the bust, perfect for the in-between fall weather and leggings Changing Staircases 2 – designed by Dragon Hoard Yarns and knit up in Great Adirondack Yarn bamboo/cotton blend that I picked up at Rhinebeck last year Changing Staircases – knit up in Fiber Lady’s Mousou 100% Bamboo Out and About Rhinebeck! New York Sheep & Wool Starts Thursday 10/17 – Sunday 10/20 at the Dutchess County Fairgrounds in Rhinebeck, NY. In a minute I’m going to go over some Tips For First Timers, but first lets do logistics. I will be there Saturday and Sunday likely almost all day both days. Feel free to stop me and say “Hi!” if you see me. On Saturday I will be at the Ravelry Meetup at noon on The Hill, and at the Podcaster meetup at 1, also on The Hill. On Sunday I will be at the Leaping Llama Contest in Bldg 34 at 11:15, and possibly at the Ravelry Meetup right afterwards, depending on timing. The rest of the time I’ll be walking around, shopping, knitting, spinning and soaking up the general awesomeness. Terminology – I’ve already used some words you might not understand if you haven’t been before
Food – lines are crazy from 11:30 to 2 – eat before or after if you can. Seating – there are lots of places to sit, scattered around. However, if you have issues with mobility, bring a chair in your car and have someone in your party go get it for you. The paths or paved, but the fairground is all small hills. Sit down if you need to, it’s not worth getting hurt. Bags – try not to bring a backpack. I made this mistake the first year, and you keep bumping into people by accident, it’s not worth it. Book Signings & Author Talks – lots of fiber authors there, check out the link in the shownotes and make a note of who you want to see. On a related note – Make A List On Paper! - Check out the list of vendors (link to searchable page) Cell phone signal is spotty. Don’t count on having it – write down what you want to do, what time it is and where it is. Speaking of spotty cell signal – it affects the vendors too. If you have cash you won’t be stuck waiting while the vendor tries to process your card – and some of the bigger vendors will have a fast Cash-Only line. What am I bringing?
What am I wearing? Haven’t decided yet, probably my Frosted sweater by Lisa K Ross or Dancing Dragons Coat by Heike Campbell over a Mommy’s Tunic or Second Grace by Bristol Ivy. I’ll probably have a shawl each day as well and maybe a hat or mitts. I’ll have layers underneath to keep warm because I am always cold. I will probably wear warm, well-loved boots the first day and sneakers the second | |||
| 20 Nov 2019 | 68 - Send Me That Rhinebeck Recap | 00:23:45 | |
Episode 68 recording on 11/20/19 today’s segments include New Patterns, Wips, FOs, Wearables and Rhinebeck Recap. Pattern Release Send Me That Horizon launched on Monday. I’ve always loved the sea. I grew up near the ocean, with both sets of grandparents living a few dozen feet from the water. Playing on the beach, listening to the waves, sailing on a boat, hiking along ocean-side cliffs – I love anything involving the sea. But nothing is the same as being far from shore with no land in sight. I love seeing the horizon taper off to meet the ocean waves; so when I first watched the original Pirates of the Caribbean movie and Captain Jack Sparrow looked into the distance and murmured “Send me that horizon” under his breath my heart sang. I know that feeling, I love that feeling, and with this shawl I want you to experience it too. While working on the waves, I wanted to create something easier than I’m perhaps known for. Yes, I realize that I’m known for patterns with complicated sections, because that’s what I like to knit. But with this pattern I wanted something that you could take on an airplane or to a retreat, or that a beginning knitter could knit and learn new skills. One of my test knitters was even a beginning knitter and he did a great job! Use code PODCAST to get 25% off the pattern on Ravelry, that’s coupon code PODCAST and that is bigger discount than the one listed in the pattern. Enjoy! Wips Just started a new pair of socks for mom for Christmas, still on the toe of the first sock. I’ve started a new project just for me. 2nd Aggregate Shawl by JimiKnits, this one in Tencel yarn from Rhinebeck 2 years ago from Artisinal Yarns. FOs 3 socks, Christmas socks for Thing 1 and Thing 2 and also a pair for my maid of honor all from Regia's Tutti Frutti II Hitchhiker by Martina Behm. Wearables All The Shawls. SO cold and wet – “Novembruary”. Both of the Changing Staircases, by Dragon Hoard Yarns, Hitchhiker by Martina Behm. At Rhinebeck I wore Frosted by Lisa K Ross with my Pont du Marais shawl, and day 2 I wore Second Grace by Bristol Ivy with my Taking Flight Captain Marvel shawl. Related – I’m mad that I can’t find my Tan House Brooke Shawl, a pattern by Jennifer Lassonde of Down Cellar Studios. I’ve looked everywhere and just cannot find it. Maybe I’ll have to knit another. Rhinebeck Recap All the fun for 2 whole days! | |||
| 03 Dec 2019 | 69 - Winter Yuck | 00:11:53 | |
Episode 69 Winter Yuck I’m sitting in my new office in the middle of a 36-hour crazy storm. Currently alternating between snow and sleet and I’m wrapped in several handknits so it’s a good time to record. I should preface this – both kids are home and the cats are awake so we’ll see how well this recording goes… Indy GAL 2019 It’s GAL time! By the time this goes live the GAL sale will be done, but the knit-a-long/crochet-a-long will be in full sweing and it runs through December 31st! There are over 200 very talented indy designers participating. Each designer has to have at least 20 self-published paid-for patterns. There are a lot of incredibly talented designers participating and looking through the threads at the patterns available has been a wonderful rabbit hole to go down. All eligble patterns click on Advanced Search then Patterns By These Designers to see the 22,000+ patterns that are eligible for the knitalong part. 4th Be A Helper Craft A Long Dec 15th – Feb 28th. Anything you make for any charity or donating blood. One FO/blood donation photo per post in the FO thread please (a photo of your bandaid or a selfie sipping OJ is fine). This year there will additional chat participation prizes! More details on the craftalong next week, but I wanted to get this info out there for you. Upcoming Test Knits 2 upcoming test knits, both for shawls. 1 is a garter st shawl with a simple cable, the second is another shawl designed to use up scraps. http://www.windsweptknits.com/testknitters/ Wips 2ndAggregate shawl in Artisinal Yarn’s 100% Tencel from Rhinebeck 2 years ago Starting the bodice of a dress. Knit part of the Evenstar circular shawl as a skirt several years ago. As part of the GAL I bought 2 bottom-up tank top patterns and I’m using one as the bodice of the dress. Christmas socks for mom in Regia Tutti Frutti 2, cotton/elastic yarn in the Watermelon colorway Making progress on my Star Wars costume – about 15 inches in out of 120. Wearables Currently wearing Changing Staircases by DragonHoard Yarns in Fiber Lady’s Mousou, 100% bamboo yarn. Wore Frosted by Paper Daisy Creations to Frozen 2 – gradient snowflakes Second Grace by Bristol Ivy, colorwork yoke all in Berocco Modern Cotton | |||
| 30 Apr 2023 | 116 - All The Fails | 00:20:52 | |
Ep 115 recorded 4/30/23 All the Fails WIPs Socks for Thing 1 – I turned the heel and ran into trouble, more on that later. Davit designed for Berroco by Amy Palmer, knit using Silk Noir by Great Adirondack Yarn Co bought at Rhinebeck last year. I finished one side’s short rows and all I have left to do is the other side’s short rows and sew the back edges to the shoulders. So close! Find Your Fade designed by Andrea Mowry, knit in Midori Bamboo from The Fiber Lady in a discontinued colorway, plus cotton/bamboo sportweight from Great Adirondack Yarn Co. Tanwen cowl (Ravelry)– designed by Thayer Preece Parker. This is the prize for the Knit For Food Knitathon winner. I’m working it up in Lana Grossa Elastico, a plant-based yarn with elastic in it so it works cables beautifully. Summer Happiness Crochet Top designed by Concept Creative in Scheepjes Whirl in the color Sherbert Rainbow, a pastel rainbow from pink to blue. Knitting Fail Thing 1’s socks -so proud of myself turning the heel walking from the Washington Monument to the Capitol Building when I realized the sock didn’t look right. I’d grabbed the wrong needles! I meant to use US 2 (2.75mm) but I grabbed US 1s (2.25mm). Tanwen – I worked on this a lot riding the DC Metro and while driving with friends to the Air and Space Museum out at Dulles, the one with Space Shuttle Discovery. This pattern is an 8-row repeat that is easy to memorize, but the cable pattern is tight. It’s easy to think, oh, the next right side row is the cable row, it doesn’t need a cable yet. Wrong, it is the cable row, rip it back. Summer Happiness – I’m on the 3rd of 4 repeats that make up this top and at this point the rows are getting long. And while on the train to DC I finished one row and got nearly to the end of a second when I realized that I had screwed up way back near the beginning of the previous row. And it wasn’t a mistake I could fudge around, there weren’t enough holes in the resulting fabric to place all the next row’s stitches. So I had to rip back alllllll my work. Grrrrr. Spinning More progress on my current spin, some beautiful green lightly-speckled cotton from Buchanan Fiber. I brought my Nano2 on the trian on our visit to DC. It worked like a charm! I finished the 2nd bobbin and as of today I’m nearly done with the 3rd. I hope to finish it this week. On the Run We walked soooooooo many miles in Washington DC – 9 miles alone our first full day! Out and About – upcoming Fiber Events around New England NH Sheep and Wool – May 13 & 14 MA Sheep and Woolcraft Fair - May 27-28, Memorial Day Weekend Maine Fiber Frolic – June 3 & 4 I’ve Got Sunshine As I’ve mentioned several times, we went to Washington DC last week for school vacation. What I didn’t say is that one of my childhood besties lives down there. We got to hang out at least a little every day and it was marvelous. She and I even snuck away for dinner one night, leaving all the kids with our husbands, and we got a little girl time in | |||
| 02 Aug 2023 | 120 - All The Fiber Festivals | 00:09:56 | |
Ep 120 recorded 8/2/23 FOs Sock for Thing 1. This is the sock I’ve reknit 4 or 5 times. I’m now making him a tube sock and I’ll measure his foot and add an afterthought heel on Christmas morning. WIPs Hitchhiker #8? 9? In Lion Briand Shawl in a Ball (discontinued). Snowflake Sweater Scarf using Big Twist Heather in Grey bought at Joann’s, by Knitatude 2nd Sock for Thing 1. Summer Happiness by Concept Creative. This is a flexible garment that can be worn as a sleeveless top or a poncho. New cast on, Vivian by Ysolda Teague knit in Lana Grossa Elastico Spinning Tour de Fleece is ove and I complteted my 4-ply yarn of some old, cheap cotton that I bought 1 pound of (just under half a kilo) at a festival many years ago. Not my favorite to spin, but it spins thicker than most cottons, so I’m made a 4-ply DK and I’m going to dye it. Out and About – upcoming Fiber events in the NE USA (and there are lots this fall) Happening now: Interweave Yarn Fest, Lancaster PA Pittsburgh creative Yarn Festival August 24-26 Pennsylvania Endless Mountains Fiber Festival Sept 9-10, New Milford, Pennsylvania NJ Sheep and Fiber Festival, Sept 9-10, Ringoes, NJ Western NY Fiber Festival, Sept 17, East Aurora, NY Vermont Sheep and Wool Sept 30-Oct 1, Tunbridge, VT Fryeburg Fair, Oct 1-8, Fryeburg Maine Rhinebeck (NY Sheep and Wool) Oct 21-22, Rhinebeck, NY Fiber Festival of New England Nov 6 & 7 at Eastern States Exhibition in Springfield, MA Maryland Alpaca and Fleece Festival, Nov 11-12, West Friendship, MD Pennsylvania Fall Fiber Festival, Nov 18-19, Leesburg PA I’ve Got Sunshine Museums! My kids are at my parent’s house and I am headed into Boston to go visit the Museum of Fine Arts all by myself! | |||
| 01 Mar 2023 | 112 Back from a Break | 00:19:29 | |
Ep 112 recorded 3/1/23 Back from a Break Hey all, long time no talk. I’d planned to take a few weeks off and it just… stretched. The truth is I’d lost my mojo, not in podcasting but in knitting, and it’s really hard to run a knitting podcast when you’re hardly knitting. WIPs Songe d’été – Ravelry Link (Summer Dreams) designed by Dreaming In Chocolate Designs, knit using Linea Pura Unico yarn by Lana Grossa (discontinued) Davit designed for Berroco by Amy Palmer, knit using Silk Noir by Great Adirondack Yarn Co Frog Princess Dress Blanket by Carol Hladik, a Princess Tiana-inspired blanket crocheted using Joann’s Big Twist acrylic yarn. Summer Happiness Crochet Top designed by Concept Creative in Scheepjes Whirl in the color Sherbert Rainbow Knitting Fail Summer Dreams had a big setback while I was in Florida. Spinning I brought my Nano 2 from Dreaming Robots to Florida with me. I love it! On the Run I hit a major milestone on Monday, I swam MORE than 1/3 of a mile! I swam 650 yards (594m). Out and About – upcoming Fiber Events around New England Farm and Fiber Days at Wayland Winter Farmer’s Market is March 5, this Sunday at Russell’s Garden Center in Wayland, MA. CT Sheep and Wool - April 29 NH Sheep and Wool – May 13 & 14 MA Sheep and Woolcraft Fair - May 27-28, Memorial Day Weekend Stitches @ Home – April 1&2 Maine Fiber Frolic – June 3 & 4
Knit For Food Knitathon I’m back for a 3rd year – can you please donate $5? No one deserves to be hungry. I’ve Got Sunshine We went to Florida last week for school vacation and basically spent the week hanging out at my in-law’s pool and playing board games It was super relaxing and the rest we all needed. | |||
| 05 Jun 2023 | 117 - Bring On The Rain | 00:13:57 | |
Ep 117 recorded 6/5/23 Back from break, had wrist surgery WIPs Socks for Thing 1 – turned the heel (again!) Davit finished the body and blocked! I need to seam the shoulders and hopefully I’ll be able to knit sleeves soon because I am SOOOO CLOSE Find Your Fade designed by Andrea Mowry, knit in Midori Bamboo from The Fiber Lady in a discontinued colorway, plus cotton/bamboo sportweight from Great Adirondack Yarn Co. I’m nearly back to the 2nd lace section after the Knitting Fail from last episode Tanwen cowl (Ravelry)– designed by Thayer Preece Parker. I finished the knitting and blocked it! I have tried a tiny bit of knitting since the surgery. I’ve knit a total of 3 rows on my latest Hitchhiker in Lion Brand Shawl in a Ball. It’s a fuzzy yarn in a garter stitch pattern, so gauge does not matter. Which is good, because I’m not getting gauge at all ha ha Knitting Fail More drama with Thing 1’s socks – I was on the third version of these blasted socks. Spinning Finished spinning the green fiber from Buchanan Fiber after the surgery. Orders were to move my fingers 10 times per hour so I decided to be productive. Plied on my Lendrum to give that wrist a break and have 933 yards 3-ply heavy fingering. Startes some old, cheap cotton. Not my favorite to spin, but it spins thicker than most cottons, so I’m planning a 4-ply DK and I’m going yo dye it. 1 bobbin done, bought several new bobbins from Etsy Started purple silk that I bought at Wayland Farm and Fiber Days Started bamboo/faux cashmere blend bought from the now-closed Maine Top Mill On the Run Finally started exercising again this past week. Went for a 1.5 mile walk around the block and really enjoyed it. I’ve Got Sunshine Rain on the Nova Scotia fires! | |||
| 07 Nov 2021 | 97 Time time time | 00:15:57 | |
Ep 97 recorded 11/5/21 Hello, life is a bit crazy. With the kids in school full times this year I’ve been taking classes and time is a little short but I needed to record an episode for you folks. Housekeeping I will be starting up a few testknits soon, all for sleeveless tops. If you’re interested please join my test knitter mailing list at http://www.windsweptknits.com/testknitters/ - if on this list you will only get emails related to test knitting, nothing else. I’ll be having 3 or 4 test knits starting up in the next few months with yarn ranging from fingering to DK and I’d love to have you join. Be A Helper Craft-a-long 6th annual craftalong is back this year! Dec 15- Feb 28. Anything you make for any charity counts, doesn’t have to be knit/crochet/woven or spun. ANYthing you make for ANY charity. • One entry per FO, submission of the Rav forum or to the google form – link coming soon. • Donating blood counts too • Google Form closes when I wake up March 1. • Wips are welcome FOs I finished the Priestess Coat before Rhinebeck– by Morale Fiber in Lion Brand Shawl in a Ball WIPs Purse Socks! 2nd sock knitting fail, but I've receovered Three new pattern samples, can’t talk about them yet. Swatched for a new sweater the Recalibrate Top by Shana Lines using Nomad Yarn’s hand dyed cotton/rayon Gelato yarn. Star Wars scarf for Thing 2 – I’m halfway! Out and About Virtually Vogue Knitting Live Vogue Knitting Live @ Home Nov 11-14. GGKCS podcast is having their annual Autumnal AL, visit their FB page for more details. Down Cellar Studio’s Pigskin party is up and running. You can participate on Instagram or on Ravelry and I’m linking to Boston Jen’s website which has the details and the signup page. I am both a sponsor and a participant again this year and it’s lots of fun. Stitches at Home Nov 6,7, 13 and 14 If you have any events you’d like me to share please email me windsweptmonique@gmail.com
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| 02 Apr 2020 | 76 - Exercise in Isolation | 00:23:47 | |
Episode 76 – 4/1/20 Segment this week include Happy Podiversary, Be A Helper Craftalong, Wips, Learn Something New, Exercise in Isolation Happy anniversary to Knitting On The Run podcast! In all the recent craziness, I forgot that last week was my podiversary! Three years down, hopefully many more to go! Be a Helper Craftalong 4th Be A Helper Craft-a-long is ongoing! We keep the rules simple.
Prizes Today:
Posts 2-34 were up through March 31st
Wips South Woods – I’m continuing to work on the body in stockinette. This has been my go-to knitting while the boys are home schooling. I think I’m up to 6 or 7 inches, haven’t measured officially. Ankle socks – a few more rows, still getting close to the 1st heal Sassy Wrapitude – cast on for the Sassy Wrap by Megan Williams, got the pattern free from attending Into the Wool. Cast on with yellow CoBaSi by Hikoo and bamboo/cotton blend from Great Adirondack Yarn that I bought at Rhinebeck. Ozone – swatching for the Colorful Sweater Ozone by Concept Creative – more on this later. New shawl, can’t say much yet. Yeah I have cast-on-it is Learn Something New About that ozone sweater I mentioned – it’s crochet not knitting! Exercise in Isolation I haven’t been great in terms of keeping up with exercise this week. I did something to my wrist so I’ve been taking it easy, but I wanted to go over what we’d been doing up until that point and what my kids are still doing. Cosmic Kids Yoga – we started this the first day of school at home, even before we got official school work. I did Cosmic Kids with my oldest when Thing 2 was born and I was so excited to find that she has kept releasing videos these last 4 years. Karate – my boys take karate and their dojo has been sending out videos for the kids to do at home. Our dojo hasn’t made them public but several have – if your kids want to try just search google or youtube and you’ll find some. Running around – at recess I kick the boys outide and give them a time when they can come back in. That gives me a few minutes alone without them and also gives them exercise as they usually run around outside. Gardening – I like to grow food and gardening is definitely exercise! Dance – I’ve done a few dance videos I’ve found online. I love Broadway musicals and several cast members have been recording video at home, workouts set to the music of their shows, and some are a lot of fun! I’ve also taken a ballet class or two.
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| 10 Oct 2020 | 84: Knitting and Injuries in 30 minutes or less | 00:11:58 | |
Ep 84 Knitting and injuries in 30 minutes or less because even in a pandemic we’re all still busy Segments this week include: FOs, Wips, Stash, Out and About, On the Run Note on Ravelry – all links to Ravelry are clearly labelled as such – if a link does not say Ravelry, it does not go to Ravelry. Links to yarn are directly to manufacturer’s pages and should be safe for those still having rav accessibility issues. FO Dissent Cowl (Ravelry) – my homage to Ruth Bader Ginsburg, pattern by Carissa Browning and together we’ve raised over 30,000 through this pattern for the ACLU. Nice work knitters! I’m using ancient stash yarn. Over halfway through the necklace portion Thing 2 Dragon Blanket (Ravelry) - I assembled it yesterday while my kids were at school. I modeled it and posted some silly photos on FB/Insta because how often do you get to wear a dragon blanket, complete with spines?!? Thing 2 is going to LOVE it WIPs Star Wars scarf (Ravelry) for Thing 1 – started the Millennium Flacon and the Death Star, then it’ll be the Dark Side and some weird alien writing, then the Dark Side is the last third. I’m trying to work 5 rows a day so it’ll be done in time for Christmas. Still loving the new hexagonal needles from Indian Lake Artisans. I’m using Truboo by Lion Brand, a 100% bamboo yarn. Thing 2 hitchiker (Ravelry) – a DK hitchhiker scarf for Thing 2, out of big box store cotton yarn from Michaels. It’s still my car knitting and knitting a row or 2 most days. Ankle socks (Ravelry) – Still on the 2nd sock. It lives in my purse so I’ve worked on this a few times waiting in lines. Pigskin Party Castons: Tan House Brook Shawl (Ravelry) - in the Sekhment base, an alpaca/silk/linen yarn from A Hundred Ravens in the Nevertheless She Persisted colorway that I bought during the virtual Maryland Sheep and Wool. I;ve started section 3. Willowbrook Shawl (Ravelry) – by Brenda Castiel in my own handspun cotton. I spun this yarn with fiber from fiber from Hipstrings with this shawl in mind last June during Pride month. Spinning New Akerworks lightweight drop spindle – started spinning silk singles again. Won’t be wheel-spinning again for a while, I have a leg injury and am currently awaiting an MRI next week. This is my first spindle from Akerworks. I love their wheel bobbins soooo much, and I had a feeling I’d like their spindles and so far I really do. Out and About Lots of fiber events happening online this fall Pigskin Party now through the Superbowl Ravelry Group I’m sponsoring for the 3rd year and also participating. Stitches @ Home – put on by the folks XRX the folks who to Stitches East/West/South etc. Continuing Oct 10 and 11. Virtual Rhinebeck – Oct 15-18 I’ve signed up for 2 classes on crochet to improve my skills and learn how to read a pattern better because the charts are definitely harder to read than knitting charts. Indie Untangled Everywhere – the popular Rhinebeck-adjacent event for independent dyers is also going digital this year, more than 40 vendors plus access to zoom calls with designers. Vogue Knitting Live Upcoming Vogue Knitting Live eve nts will be Nov 12-15, Dec 10-13, and Jan 14-17. I almost always attend Vogue Live NYC every January, it’s usually a birthday present from my family as it’s often right around my birthday weekend. This year it’s the weekend after so I’ll probably attend the January event. If you have any events you’d like me to share please email me windsweptmonique@gmail.com
On the Run I need an MRI. Damn. | |||
| 25 Mar 2022 | 106 Be A Helper Prizes | 00:12:41 | |
Ep 106 recorded 3/23/22 Segments this week include: Be A Helper Craft A Long, FOs, Wips, Out and About, and I’ve Got Sunshine. A note on showlinks – all links to Ravelry are clearly labelled as such and all links for yarn are directly to the dyer’s website. Be A Helper Craftalong has ended. Prizes! FOs Lots of crochet cleansing pads. Not using a pattern, made up my own. WIPs Earthrise, I've started the last skein of yarn. My second Lotus Mandala Vest is growing! Most of it uses sparkly leftovers of Lion Brand Shawl in A Ball in the Prism colorway from the Priestess Coat I crocheted last year. I finished all those scraps and started a full skein of Shawl In A Ball in the colorway Healing Teal As You Wish MKAL by Mary Annarella of Lyrical Knits. This is a Princess Bride themed mystery knitalong that will eventually result in a rectangular shawl. I’m nearing the end of Clue 1! This shawl is sooooo much fun to knit. Winona by Brenda Castiel in handspun from Hipstrings. This is an L-shaped shawl and I’ve reached the corner of the L which is worked like an applied-edging. Spinning I’ve spinning handspun yarn for the winner of my drawing for the Knitathon. Cranky knees mean slow going, but I’m putting in about 15 minutes a day in 5-min segments. I’m also spinning some plain cotton once or twice a week, because I don’t have enough handspun to finish the As You Wish shawl. Out and About Vogue Knitting Live Live in Seattle April 8-10, Virtual May 12-15 and June 9-12. GGKCS podcast is having their annual Sheepy Spring AL, visit their FB page for more details. Stitches at Home April 2 & 3; 9 & 10, 2022 CT Sheep and Wool April 30, 2022 – I will be attending! NH Sheep and Wool May 14 & 15, 2022 – I probably won’t make it. If you have any events you’d like me to share please email me windsweptmonique@gmail.com I’ve Got Sunshine Warmth! | |||
| 29 Apr 2020 | 78-Preparation Is For the Birds | 00:11:17 | |
Episode 78 – preparation is for the birds recorded Wednesday 4/29/20 FOs Ear savers/mask buddies – I've crocheted several more. A big, huge thanks to Lisa from Fibernymph Dyeworks for mailing me some buttons so I can finish even more! WIPS South Woods – I’ve finished the back! Sassy Wrapitude – Part of the Wrapitude collection by Megan Williams, got the pattern free from attending Into the Wool. Cast on with yellow CoBaSi by Hikoo and bamboo/cotton blend from Great Adirondack Yarn that I bought at Rhinebeck. I’m on the 7th section, which is garter ridges. Just finished interesting slipped stitch section Ozone Sweater – I finally started the actual sweater! Earth Rise – new design I’m working on, inspired by the famous photo the Apollo astronauts took the first time they came around the dark side of the room and saw the Earth rising up above the moon’s surface. Not working on it as much - my brain doesn't want to do math Laceweight Boxy – How long do you make your Boxy sweaters? I’m about 12” and trying to decide how long I want it to be. Knitting Fail You may have noticed there’s no Star Wars scarf listed here – that’s because I broke the needle. I didn’t see the green needle on the blue chair in the dark, and when I knelt on the chair to turn on the light on the wall behind, I snapped the needle right at the connector. Out and About Maryland Sheep and Wool - virtual May 2 & 3 Vogue Knitting Live - virtual May 11- 18
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| 25 Oct 2020 | 85- Prepping for Be A Helper Craftalong | 00:12:00 | |
Knitting and Running in 30 min or less. Shownotes can be found at windsweptknits.com. You can find me on IG and Ravelry as WindsweptMonique and on Facebook and Twitter as WindsweptKnits. Ep 85 recorded 10/23/20 Segments this week include: Be a Helper Craft-a-long prep, Wips, Spinning, Stash, Out and About, On the Run Note on Ravelry – all links to Ravelry are clearly labelled as such – if a link does not say Ravelry, it does not go to Ravelry. Links to yarn are directly to manufacturer’s pages and should be safe for those still having rav accessibility issues. Be a Helper Craftalong For those of you who are new to the podcast, every winter I run the Be A Helper Craftalong, inspired by famous quote from Mister Rogers, that in times of troubles to look for the helpers. This charity-focused craftalong urges people to BE the helper. The rules are very simple:
First up I’d like to talk to you all quickly about the schedule for this year’s craftalong. Secondly, I will have to adjust how I run the event and track FOs since Ravelry is not safe for everyone to use. WIPs Star Wars scarf (Ravelry) for Thing 1 – finished the Death Star and all of Chart 2! Still loving the new hexagonal needles from Indian Lake Artisans. I’m using Truboo by Lion Brand, a 100% bamboo yarn in white and dark gray. Thing 2 hitchiker (Ravelry) – a DK hitchhiker scarf for Thing 2, out of big box store cotton yarn from Michaels. It’s still my car knitting and knitting a row or 2 most days. Ankle socks (Ravelry) – Still on the 2nd sock getting closer to the heel. I’m in physical therapy and have been working on it a little before each appointment. Tan House Brook Shawl (Ravelry) - in the Sekhment base, an alpaca/silk/linen yarn from A Hundred Ravens in the Nevertheless She Persisted colorway that I bought during the virtual Maryland Sheep and Wool. I’m on the 2nd set of eyelet rows, almost to the 2nd set of textured stitches. Willowbrook Shawl (Ravelry) – by Brenda Castiel in my own handspun cotton. I spun this yarn with fiber from fiber from Hipstrings with this shawl in mind last June during Pride month. I’ve finished the pinks and am on the red in the rainbow handspun. Dissent Cowl 2 (Ravelry) – this is a Christmas gift for a very knitworthy friend. I’m using some ancient stash and I’ve finished the first dots section and have reached the color band. Spinning Still no success at a distaff, but I have spun a little more of the Tussah Silk from Pinestar Studios in Maine Out and About Virtual Rhinebeck – this past weekend. Lots of fiber events happening online this fall Pigskin Party now through the Superbowl Ravelry Group I’m sponsoring for the 3rd year and also participating. Vogue Knitting Live Upcoming Vogue Knitting Live eve nts will be Nov 12-15, Dec 10-13, and Jan 14-17. I almost always attend Vogue Live NYC every January, it’s usually a birthday present from my family as it’s often right around my birthday weekend. This year it’s the weekend after so I’ll probably attend the January event. Stitches Expo at Home – Nov 6-8 If you have any events you’d like me to share please email me windsweptmonique@gmail.com
On the Run Had an MRI, fun times. Stress fracture is healing though the knee itself is still swollen and sore. No walking for quite a while yet. But once I’m back on my feet I will continue the 100 Mile challenge I was part of. | |||
| 04 Jan 2020 | Impromptu 2020 | 00:20:05 | |
Episode 70 Segments this week include Wips, FOs, Wearables, an Extended Out and About classroom visit, Goals for 2020 Wips Aggregate Shawl #2 deigned by JimiKnits knit up in Tencel yarn from Artisinal Yarns I bought at Rhinebeck several years ago. Indie GAL project, turning an old skirt into a dress A couple of designs I can't talk about FOs I finished 7 pairs of socks for Christmas gifts! 5 were kids, 2 grownups. I love knitting gifts but I think I need to dial it back a little next year. Wearbles All the hand knits! Winter has certainly arrived, I’m wearing hats daily, all the shawls, seaters such as Frosted by Lisa K Ross and Second Grace by Bristol Ivy Out and About Wayland Winter Farmers Market Fiber Days – Jan 26 & Mar 1 VKL NYC Jan 16-20 Stitches United - March 26-29, 2020 2nd grade class visit - teaching my son's class about how clothes are made by hand. Boy do they appreciate being able to go to a store! Goals for 2020 More design work, submit more designs to publications also, take time to knit myself stuff Fitness goals – realistic goals, go from 8 miles to 20 miles in the pool, eat more vegetables, hike a couple of times a month New Years Day hike | |||
| 04 Oct 2023 | 123 - Banned Book Week | 00:10:00 | |
Ep 123 recorded 10/4/23 FOs 2 knitted knockers in Bamboo Pop from Universal yarns Ban Bigots Not Books hat. Knit in 5 colors of CobaSi, a wool-ree sock yarn – indigo, neutral, red, orange and yellow WIPs 4th knitted knocker in bamboo pop Runaway Shorties by Sarah Jordan, aka Knit/Wit designs. Summer Happiness by Concept Creative. Vivian by Ysolda Teague knit in Lana Grossa Elastico in the Dark Green colorway. Out and About – upcoming Fiber events in the NE USA (and there are lots this fall) Pigskin Party Ends after the Super Bowl in February. Fryeburg Fair, Oct 1-8, Fryeburg Maine Rhinebeck (NY Sheep and Wool) Oct 21-22, Rhinebeck, NY Vogue Knitting Virtual Oct 27-29 Fiber Festival of New England Nov 6 & 7 at Eastern States Exhibition in Springfield, MA Maryland Alpaca and Fleece Festival, Nov 11-12, West Friendship, MD Pennsylvania Fall Fiber Festival, Nov 18-19, Leesburg PA Vogue Knitting Virtual, Dec 1-3 Vogue Knitting Live, Jan 24-28 2024 Maryland Sheep and Wool May 4-5, 2024 I’ve Got Sunshine Ice Skating lessons | |||
| 08 Feb 2021 | 91- I've Got Sunshine | 00:11:57 | |
Knitting and fitness in 30 min or less. Shownotes can be found at windsweptknits.com. You can find me on IG and Ravelry as WindsweptMonique and on Facebook and Twitter as WindsweptKnits. Ep 91 recorded 2/5/21 Segments this week include: Be A Helper Craftalaong, FOs, Wips, Stash, Spinning, Out and About Virtually, On the Run, and a new segment, I’ve Got Sunshine Note on Ravelry – all links to Ravelry are clearly labelled as such. Be A Helper Craft-a-long Short reminder on the rules
Link to submit your Finished Object/blood donation: https://forms.gle/QdJuQUSr8uM7GoiF6 Prizes: 3 prizes 1 skein of Cascade Yarns Anchor Bay, that’s a wool-cotton blned that’s on the border between DK and worsted, in color #28, a sage green color. 1 skein of The Fiber Co’s Arranmore Donegal Heritage. It’s a merino-cashmere-silk blend that is so soft and squishy. This is an Aran/bulky weight yarn in the Orla colorway, a burnt-siera/dark orange I am donating a pattern of your choice from my self-published patterns. I can gift this to you via Ravelry or email the PDF directly. FOs Wenlock (Ravelery) from Tin Can Knits. Knitting done. Need to weave in ends WIPs Galliatt (Ravelry) by JimiKnits – I’m seaming the shoulders, then I just have to knit the turtleneck collar and the side edging. Nearly done! Willowbrook Shawl (Ravelry) – pattern by Brenda Castiel in my own handspun cotton. Fiber from HipStrings. I used 2 braids, pulled apart the colors, spun them in rainbow order then chain-plied it to maintain the rainbow. I am nearing the end of orange – there’s a lot of orange. Slice of Summer – my New Year’s cast on using BaH yarns shawl ball. I’m probably 2/3 through the pink. Ozone crochet top – restarted it now that my crochet skills are better; already through the band of hexies that go around your ribcage. Using Scheepjes Coton 8 Pull Me Over sweater – This was my Christmas Day cast on, though I haven’t picked it up at all since then! Pattern by Andrea Black, using leftover Universal Yarns cotton that are leftovers from knitting my husband a sweater many, many years ago. Spinning Buchanan gradient spin – started the 5th and last color of the gradient. This gradient spin goes from malachite green to a beautiful true blue. I can’t wait to knit with it! Out and About Virtually Lots of fiber events happening online this winter Pigskin Party now through the Superbowl Ravelry Group I’m sponsoring for the 3rd year and also participating. Vogue Knitting Live Upcoming Vogue Knitting Live @ Home Feb 11-14, Mar18-21. Stitches At Home this weekend, Feb 5-7 GGKCS podcast is running their annual winter craftaong starting now through the end of Feb 2021, more details on their Facebook page. Spa 2021 is virtual, sign up for their mailing list for further details. If you have any events you’d like me to share please email me windsweptmonique@gmail.com On the Run Up until now, we’ve had an abnormally warm winter, but as of 2 weeks ago it’s now just plain cold. No more walking outside for me until it warms up and the ice t. I’ve Got Sunshine This is a new segment I’m adding, a short segment, but I want to end the podcast on an uplifting note. After living through a global pandemic for nearly a year, I find that any good news gets lost in all the bad news and I want to change that. I may share personal stories, or something I’ve found from halfway around the planet, we’ll see how this plays out. This week I’m starting with a new shoe designed by Nike to be completely hands free. I’m not talking a sandal, I mean a sneaker-type shoe. “Called the Flyease Go, it is the first totally hands-free shoe, enveloping and releasing your feet solely through natural motion—a bit like Tony Stark putting on his Iron Man suit. The revolutionary shoe is perfect, says a top Nike designer, for pregnant women in their third trimester, arthritis patients, or those who have lost some or all of the use of their arms—such as stroke victims or injured military veterans.” You get in and out of the shoe by using the “kickstand tab” at the back of the shoe which opens the hinge mid-foot and allows you to slip the shoe off. Picture what you do when you take a shoe off without untying it – only these shoes are designed to release the foot easily when you do that. This is awesome! For anyone with hand or arm injuries, this could be a game changer. During my first pregnancy I pulled a muscle in my lower abdomen and could barely lift my legs to walk let a lone put shoes on in October – a shoe like this, well, I probably would have given a kidney for it easily lol | |||
| 06 Jan 2018 | Be-A-Helper KAL Delay Notice | 00:01:26 | |
As you can probably tell from the sound of my voice, or if you've seen recent social media posts, you've probably realized I'm sick. The Be-A-Helper KAL was supposed to wrap up today but I just want to go back to bed, so I'm granting an extention. I'll lock the thread on Thursday, January 11th at 7pm EST when I board my train to Vogue NYC. Thank you so much for helping to make the world a little bit better! | |||
| 03 Dec 2020 | 89 - Christmas Knitting Done | 00:15:29 | |
Knitting and Running in 30 min or less. Shownotes can be found at windsweptknits.com. You can find me on IG and Ravelry as WindsweptMonique and on Facebook and Twitter as WindsweptKnits. Ep 89 recorded 12/3/20 Segments this week include: FOs, Wips, Out and About Virtually, On the Run Note on Ravelry – all links to Ravelry are clearly labelled as such – if a link does not say Ravelry, it does not go to Ravelry. Links to yarn are directly to manufacturer’s pages and should be safe for those still having rav accessibility issues. FOs I ended up with lots of FOs this week because I finished my Christmas gift knitting! The Acadian Shawl (Ravelry), a Christmas gift for my mom in the approximate colors of the Acadian Flag (nous sommes fiere d’etre Acadienne!) I’m using the Goldberry crochet pattern and working it in blue, white and red with accents of yellow. I’ve put a photo of the Acadian flag in the shownotes so you can see it. Star Wars scarf (Ravelry) for Thing 1 – One section left, plan to finish later today. Still loving the new hexagonal needles from Indian Lake Artisans. I’m using Truboo by Lion Brand, a 100% bamboo yarn in white and dark gray. Pattern is a series of free charts by Jessica Goddard. Thing 1 Dragon Blanket (Ravelry) – all the pieces are finished, I just need to assemble it.
WIPs Tan House Brook Shawl (Ravelry) – this is a pattern by Jennifer Lassonde of Down Cellar Studios in the Sekhment base, an alpaca/silk/linen yarn from A Hundred Ravens in the Nevertheless She Persisted colorway that I bought during the virtual Maryland Sheep and Wool. I’m doing a few rows each week Wenlock (Ravelery) from Tin Can Knits. I used a bunch of scraps in pink, white and yellow for the star pattern at the top, now I’m on to the body and I’ve using a variegated yarn, Cayenne by Feza Yarns, in cool-toned peach-pink-green variegated colorway. Started a new winter tunic for myself, Galliatt (Ravelry) by JimiKnits – pattern also available on LoveCrafts Started a new hat as part of the Fasten Off YAL (more on that a little later), the hat is The Opposite of Strict (Ravelry) by That Metzbower Girl Designs and it’s a ponytail hat designed to use scraps. I’m using up the leftovers from the two RBG Dissent Cowls I made earlier this fall. Out and About Virtually Lots of fiber events happening online this winter The first-ever Fasten Off YAL is going on right now. It’s an inclusive yarn-a-long for anyone to join. It is NOT being run on Ravelry so it’s safe to join for those of you having issues with the new site. There’s a website, a Facebook group, a Discord server to chat on and you can post on IG with the hashtag #fastenoffyal More than 90 knit and crochet designers from around the globe are participating. All the included designs are 25% off through 12/5 using code FO2020 and the crafalong portion runs through 12/31/20. Pigskin Party now through the Superbowl Ravelry Group I’m sponsoring for the 3rd year and also participating. Vogue Knitting Live Upcoming Vogue Knitting Live @ Home events will be Dec 10-13, and Jan 14-17. I will be attending the January VKL Stitches At Home December 5,6,12,13. GGKCS podcast is running their annual winter craftaong starting now through the end of Feb 2021, more details on their Facebook page. If you have any events you’d like me to share please email me windsweptmonique@gmail.com
On the Run I was doing really well then I tweaked my knee again last Saturday. Meh. Lots of icing and ibuprofen and I’m staying off it as much as possible. It’s starting to be less cranky.
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| 18 Apr 2020 | 77- Total Lack of Focus | 00:21:18 | |
Episode 77 Segments include WIPs, spinning, Learn Something New, On The Run Hi everyone, how are you surviving? It’s starting to feel a bit like Groundhog Day (the movie) at our house. Wips South Woods – I’m continuing to work on the body in stockinette. This has been my go-to knitting while the boys are home schooling. I’m about to 14 inches from the bottom of the folded hem. I need at least one more inch, maybe two. Sassy Wrapitude – Part of the Wrapitude collection by Megan Williams, got the pattern free from attending Into the Wool. Cast on with yellow CoBaSi by Hikoo and bamboo/cotton blend from Great Adirondack Yarn that I bought at Rhinebeck. I’m on the 3rd section, which is garter ridges. Ozone Sweater – still swatching for the Colorful Sweater Ozone by Concept Creative – more on this later. Star Wars Scarf – doubleknit scarf that will be a Christmas gift for Thing 1, who will be 9 by that point. He’s going to love it! So far I’ve knit the rebel icon, a lightsaber, tauntauns, a large X-ray and just started to knit blasters. Earth Rise – new design I’m working on, inspired by the famous photo the Apollo astronauts took the first time they came around the dark side of the room and saw the Earth rising up above the moon’s surface. For some reason, this one is bringing me a lot of peace right now. Ear savers/mask buddies – I crocheted a few dozen ear savers for my friends who are doctors/nurses/essential personnel who now have to wear masks all day and the elastics are hurting their ears. You wear it on the back of your head and hook the mask elastic on the buttons instead of your ears. I’ve got about 10 left to sew buttons on. Ankle Socks – socks I started in FL and worked on cruise. Working now in you hear needles Laceweight Boxy – worked 3 rows this morning Spinning I did get a little spinning time in this last week. I’m probably 1/3 of the way through the 2nd malachite green portion. Learn Something New I am continuing to get better at crochet. I’ve been practicing the circles for the Ozone pattern. On the Run No running, knee isn’t that good yet, but I took a ballet class online earlier this week. And tweaked my back. Doh! | |||
| 20 Dec 2021 | 101 - Be A Helper Craftalong | 00:11:40 | |
Ep 101 recorded 12/15/21 Segments this week include: Housekeeping, Start of the Be A Helper Craft A Long, Wips, Out and About, and I’ve Got Sunshine. A note on showlinks – all links to Ravelry are clearly labelled as such and all links for yarn are directly to the dyer’s website. Housekeeping New testknit starting in a week or two, for a sleeveless top in fingering weight yarn. If you’re interested send me an email windsweptMonique@gmail.com or sign up for my test knitter mailing list at http://www.windsweptknits.com/testknitters/ - if on this list you will only get emails related to test knitting, nothing else. I’ll be having 3 or 4 test knits starting up in the next few months with yarn ranging from fingering to DK and I’d love to have you join. Be A Helper Craftalong 6th Be A Helper Craft-a-long has begun! We keep the rules simple.
One change this year – due to ongoing accessibility issues on Ravelry, I’ll hold this event both on and off Ravelry. Last year we just used a Google Form and that was hard for some folks, so this year there will be a chat thread and an FO thread on Rav, and for non-Rav users I’ll have a google form where you can link to your IG/FB/Twitter post showing your FO. Link to submit your Finished Object/blood donation: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf08z2uqelVGeUBkm0fofQGveThChBBZzaMvNsRdlPlMzhbgA/viewform?usp=sf_link Prizes A set of mini skeins from Unwind Yarn Company – especially exciting as Dana does not dye anymore. Another skein of yarn that is still in the mail and given the state of the USPS I’ll announce after it arrives, just to be safe! Jen Lassonde of Downcellar Studio has very generously offered one of her patterns and a skein of yarn, thank you Jen! Since WIPs are allowed, and given the tornado crisis in KY last week, I’m going to open up the prizes to anyone who donated blood after the tornadoes. So if you donated blood anywhere in the world on or after Dec 10, you’ve earned yourself a prize entry so go and fill out the google form or enter it in the Rav FO thread. WIPs Focusing on one pattern sample, can’t talk about it. Recalibrate Top by Shana Lines using Nomad Yarn’s hand dyed cotton/rayon Gelato yarn. I’m half way through the back panel in the yellow Gelato. Star Wars scarf for Thing 2 – I’m over ¾ done! I’m over halfway done with the Dark Side! Wearables Tan House Brook shawl by BostonJen knit up in Sekhmet, an alpaca/silk/linen blend by A Hundred Ravens Second Grace by Bristol Ivy Out and About Virtually Indie Design GAL wrapping up I 2 weeks. I’m a participating designer Fasten Off YAL – off Ravelry event, also wrapping up in 2 weeks. I’m also a participating designer. Vogue Knitting Live Vogue Knitting Live @ Home Jan 20-23. Vogue Knitting Live in person in NYC is cancelled for 2022 but will be back Feb 9-12 2023 GGKCS podcast is having their annual Winter AL, visit their FB page for more details. Down Cellar Studio’s Pigskin party is up and running. You can participate on Instagram or on Ravelry and I’m linking to Boston Jen’s website which has the details and the signup page. I am both a sponsor and a participant again this year and it’s lots of fun. Stitches at Home Jan 7-9, Stitches West in person Mar 3-6 2022. If you have any events you’d like me to share please email me windsweptmonique@gmail.com I’ve Got Sunshine For today, we are all healthy. | |||
| 18 May 2020 | 79 Backyard Birds | 00:14:53 | |
Episode 79 – recorded 5/14/20 Wips South Woods – I’ve finished the sleeves! Only a collar left; on hold for Stash Dash Sassy Wrapitude – Part of the Wrapitude collection by Megan Williams Laceweight Boxy – Now about 13” long Aggregate 2 – on last time through Right Hand Wedge Papillon – I started the butterfly/papillon shawl using Berroco Medina that I bought at The Yarn Patch in Crossville, TN last year and a gold Tencel yarn from Artisinal Yarns that I bought at Rhinebeck 2 years ago. Go With the Flo shawl – still in the center section. Spinning Finished the first color of the gradient, 2oz of malachite green. Started 2nd shade of green. On the Run I’ve been struggling to incorporate fitness since I tweaked my back a month ago. But I'm trying to plan to make success easier Out and About – Virtually Vogue Knitting Live happening RIGHT NOW through the 18th. I don’t know if any classes still have openinigs MDSW was fun 2 weeks ago. It was all virtual and the interest was so great, the server crashed! Luckily someone stepped in with a PDF with links to the vendors. I ordered silk from Tess’ Designer Yarns which arrived last weekend and is soooooo soft and squishy! Also ordered a skein of alpaca/silk/linen from A Hundred Ravens, still waiting for that to ship.
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| 04 Mar 2020 | 74- Star Wars Costume Complete | 00:19:26 | |
Episode 74 – 3/4/2020 Segments this week include tech talk, Be A Helper Craftalong, FOs, Wips, Out and About. New temporary mic. Pardon the head cold. Yes I’m sick again. Be a Helper Craftalong 4th Be A Helper Craft-a-long is ongoing! We keep the rules simple.
Prizes:
FOs Matchy Socks – At the cuff of first sock New pattern for a magazine coming out this summer – check out social media this week if you’re interested in test knitting a tank top. Rey costume – working on my Rey costume for an upcoming Star Wars Day. I’ve knit roughly 19 feet out of 10, then it’ll be time for armbands.
Wips South Woods – On second repeat of Chart 2 lace for the back. Ankle socks – started my first ever ankle socks. Out and About Stitches United - March 26-29, 2020 Got back from 12 days away – 4 days in FL at my in-laws, a week on a cruise. For the next week you’ll see images from our trip on social media, including my Rey costume on our Star Wars Day at Sea on the cruise.
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| 20 Sep 2023 | 122 - I Love Modern Medicine | 00:08:40 | |
Ep 122 recorded 9/20/23 I love modern medicine FOs Summer Happiness by Concept Creative. This is a flexible garment that can be worn as a sleeveless top or a poncho. It’s knit in two pieces then seemed. I’m using 2 rainbow gradients from Scheepjes Whirl (1 for each piece). I finished the first piece! Summer Dream (Songe d’ete) designed by Armelle Robert. Knit in Linea Pura Unico by Lana Grossa in a peachy-orange shade. 1 knitted knocker WIPs 2nd knitted knocker in bamboo pop, doing a series of these in a variety of skin tones Runaway Shorties by Sarah Jordan, aka Knit/Wit designs. I’m making these for Thing 1 in CoBaSi, a wool-free sock yarn made of cotton, bamboo, silk &Nylon and I’m using the Indigo colorway, a rich, deep blue Summer Happiness by Concept Creative. I started the 2nd piece Vivian by Ysolda Teague knit in Lana Grossa Elastico in the Dark Green colorway. Out and About – upcoming Fiber events in the NE USA (and there are lots this fall) Pigskin Party Ends after the Super Bowl in February. Vermont Sheep and Wool Sept 30-Oct 1, Tunbridge, VT Fryeburg Fair, Oct 1-8, Fryeburg Maine Rhinebeck (NY Sheep and Wool) Oct 21-22, Rhinebeck, NY Fiber Festival of New England Nov 6 & 7 at Eastern States Exhibition in Springfield, MA Maryland Alpaca and Fleece Festival, Nov 11-12, West Friendship, MD Pennsylvania Fall Fiber Festival, Nov 18-19, Leesburg PA I’ve Got Sunshine I love modern medicine!! Anaphylaxis is no fun. | |||
| 14 Feb 2020 | 73 - The One With The Headcold | 00:08:40 | |
Episode 73 – 2/12/20 Segments include Be A Helper Craftalong, Wips, Knitting Fail, Out and About Microphone cable finally arrived! Wrong cable arrived first, had to return and wait for second. Hopefully sound is better this week. Apologies for the headcold but I don’t dare wait longer to record. Be a Helper Craftalong 4th Be A Helper Craft-a-long is ongoing! We keep the rules simple.
I’ll go over prizes again in March, they are listed in the Ravelry group. Wips – lots! Rey tabard – working on my Rey costume for an upcoming Star Wars Day. I’ve knit roughly 9 feet out of 10, then it’ll be time for armbands. Preemie hat – Made progress on the preemie hat Aggregate Shawl – A few short rows on this shawl Matchy Socks – At the cuff of first sock South Woods – Finished Chart 1 of lace, started Chart 2. Blocked what I had so far so I can take it on vacation with me in a few weeks. Knitting Fail The Dress. Ugh. Ripped it back to skirt. Fabric was awful. Out and About NETA Spa – Feb 28 – Mar 1 Wayland Fiber Day Farmers Market – Mar 1 Stitches United - March 26-29, 2020
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| 22 Nov 2020 | 88 Happy Thanksgiving | 00:13:02 | |
Knitting and Running in 30 min or less. Shownotes can be found at windsweptknits.com. You can find me on IG and Ravelry as WindsweptMonique and on Facebook and Twitter as WindsweptKnits. Ep 88 recorded 11/20/20 Segments this week include: FOs, Wips, Spinning, Out and About, On the Run Note on Ravelry – all links to Ravelry are clearly labelled as such – if a link does not say Ravelry, it does not go to Ravelry. Links to yarn are directly to manufacturer’s pages and should be safe for those still having rav accessibility issues. WIPs The Acadian Shawl (Ravelry), a Christmas gift for my mom in the approximate colors of the Acadian Flag (nous sommes fiere d’etre Acadienne!) I’m using the Goldberry crochet pattern and working it in blue, white and red with accents of yellow. I’ve put a photo of the Acadian flag in the shownotes so you can see it. Star Wars scarf (Ravelry) for Thing 1 – One section left, plan to finish later today. Still loving the new hexagonal needles from Indian Lake Artisans. I’m using Truboo by Lion Brand, a 100% bamboo yarn in white and dark gray. Pattern is a series of free charts by Jessica Goddard. Tan House Brook Shawl (Ravelry) - in the Sekhment base, an alpaca/silk/linen yarn from A Hundred Ravens in the Nevertheless She Persisted colorway that I bought during the virtual Maryland Sheep and Wool. I’m doing a few rows each week Thing 1 Dragon Blanket (Ravelry) – all the pieces are finished, I just need to assemble it. Ankle socks (Ravelry) – just about to the heel turn. Knitting in CoBaSi by Hikoo. New WIP, Wenlock (Ravelery) from Tin Can Knits. I used a bunch of scraps in pink, white and yellow for the star pattern at the top, now I’m on to the body and I’ve using a variegated yarn, Cayenne by Feza Yarns, in cool-toned peach-pink-green variegated colorway. Spinning Continuing on the last color of my gradient spin so I can count it towards the Pigskin party. I’m spinning 5 minutes a day, or every other day. Slow and steady getting back to using the injured leg.
Out and About Lots of fiber events happening online this fall Pigskin Party now through the Superbowl Ravelry Group I’m sponsoring for the 3rd year and also participating. Vogue Knitting Live Upcoming Vogue Knitting Live events will be Dec 10-13, and Jan 14-17. I almost always attend Vogue Live NYC every January, it’s usually a birthday present from my family as it’s often right around my birthday weekend. This year it’s the weekend after so I’ll probably attend the January event. Stitches At Home December 5,6,12,13. If you have any events you’d like me to share please email me windsweptmonique@gmail.com
On the Run Still not running, but I am biking regularly! | |||
| 14 Nov 2021 | 98: Wear all the knits | 00:12:05 | |
Ep 98 recorded 11/12/21 Housekeeping Calling all test knitters! I have a sleeveless top test knit that starts today. It knits up FAST as it’s a DK gauge. I’m looking for some testknitters to use 2 fingering weight yarns held double and some to use 1 strand of DK that gets gauge. I will be starting up a few testknits soon, all for sleeveless tops. Visit https://www.yarnpond.com/pattern_tests/2615 to learn more and sign up to test knit. If you’re interested in future test knits please join my test knitter mailing list at http://www.windsweptknits.com/testknitters/ - if on this list you will only get emails related to test knitting, nothing else. I’ll be having 3 or 4 test knits starting up in the next few months with yarn ranging from fingering to DK and I’d love to have you join. FOs Purse Socks! Finished the 2nd sock! Bamboo Pop Sock in the Sunset colorway WIPs Three new pattern samples, can’t talk about them yet. Started the Recalibrate Top by Shana Lines using Nomad Yarn’s hand dyed cotton/rayon Gelato yarn. Star Wars scarf for Thing 2 – I’m halfway! Knights who say Knit by LyricalKnits aka Mary Annarella. Wearables I have been wearing so much knitting and crochet recently. I forgot to include this segment last week so I’ll cover the last 2-3 weeks here. the Priestess Coat stitched Rhinebeck– by Morale Fiber in Lion Brand Shawl in a Ball. I’m using the Feng Shui colorway, a grey-to white gradient, for the body of the coat and a variety of jewel tones for the inserts and hood. Tuesday was quite warm and I wore my Southwoods top (Ravelry) by River Road Knits, I love this top so much. The lace inset at the back is just gorgeous. We’ve also had colder days and I’ve work the Line Where the Sky Meets the Sea (Ravelry) and Send Me That Horizon (Ravelry) shawls. I wore the Wenlock sweater (Ravelry) designed by Tin Can Knits which I knit last year in some ancient stash, the discontinued Feza Yarns Cayenne and a variety of scraps for the multi-colored collar. Captain Marvel shawl Out and About Virtually Vogue Knitting Live Vogue Knitting Live @ Home Nov 11-14. GGKCS podcast is having their annual Autumnal AL, visit their FB page for more details. Down Cellar Studio’s Pigskin party is up and running. You can participate on Instagram or on Ravelry and I’m linking to Boston Jen’s website which has the details and the signup page. I am both a sponsor and a participant again this year and it’s lots of fun. Stitches at Home Nov 6,7, 13 and 14 If you have any events you’d like me to share please email me windsweptmonique@gmail.com | |||
| 23 Mar 2021 | 93 - Mother Nature Whiplash | 00:14:07 | |
Knitting and fitness in 30 min or less. Shownotes can be found at windsweptknits.com. You can find me on IG and Ravelry as WindsweptMonique and on Facebook and Twitter as WindsweptKnits. Ep 93 recorded 3/19/21 Segments this week include: FOs, Wips, Out and About Virtually, On the Run, and I’ve Got Sunshine Note on Ravelry – all links to Ravelry are clearly labelled as such. Mother Nature whiplash! Be A Helper Craft-a-long Quick Update Deadline extended to 5/1/21 to make up for my lack of participation. We have pattern and yarn prizes. Short reminder on the rules
Link to submit your Finished Object/blood donation: https://forms.gle/QdJuQUSr8uM7GoiF6 FOs Boxy – a tweaked Joji Locatelli pattern worked in hand dyed laceweight bamboo from Spinaway Farm. I finished the front and am now up to the shoulders on the back. WIPs Slice of Summer – my New Year’s caston using BaH yarns watermelon shawl ball. I’m on the watermelon rind. This is my purse knitting so it gets a round or 2 most days with school pickup, etc. Tunisian Express – I’m learning Tunisian Crochet and practicing using this pattern. It’s simple and easy to memorize and also includes a great tutorial with photos. I’m using leftover yarn from my Belle blanket and the boys’ dragon blankets. I’ve added a few rows. I’ve started 2 new design samples, can’t talk much about them yet, but I am very excited at what is coming. Stash I got 9 skeins of Lion Brand Shawl In A Ball to make the Priestess Coat by Morale Fiber. I’m using the grey-to white for the body of the coat and a variety of jewel tones for the inserts and hood. This will be my Rhinebeck “sweater” whenever it’s safe to have Rhinebeck again. Got yarn for some new patterns, I’m excited to work with HiKoo Popcycle! It’s a 50/50 bamboo/polyester blend and every skein uses 2 recycled plastic bottles and you know me, I love recycled and reclaimed fibers. On that note I also got some more Berroco Remix Light which is 100% recycled fibers and made in France. Remix is 30% Nylon, 27% Cotton, 24% Acrylic, 10% Silk, 9% Linen It’s got a slightly tweedy look/texture and makes great sweaters. Remix is worsted weight, Remix Light is sport/DK. And lastly, Valley Yarns Southwick which I’ve only knit a hat out of, this will be my first garment in it. It is so smooth and silky and soft, it’ll make a super comfy top. Out and About Virtually Lots of fiber events happening online this winter Vogue Knitting Live Vogue Knitting Live @ Home this weekend Mar18-21. Stitches At Home this weekend, is the 2nd weekend Mar 13,14, 20 & 21 Fiberworld is running an online march madness event, visit their website to vote. GGKCS podcast is having their annual Sheepy Spring AL, visit their FB page for more details. If you have any events you’d like me to share please email me windsweptmonique@gmail.com On the Run More knee problems -I’ve injured the other knee. PT wants me to get back in the pool.
I’ve Got Sunshine Dropkick Murphy’s concert, 2nd year in a row St Paddy’s day online show. Lots of fun. Not safe to gather in large groups yet, but Dropkick Murphy’s has now put on 3 free shows and raised over $750,000 for charity during the pandemic. They’re a local Boston band and Shipping Up To Boston is a bit of a local anthem around here. We let the boys stay up late to watch the show and it was a fun way to spend the evening – the grownups with a pint in hand. | |||
| 21 May 2022 | 110 Kids and Pets | 00:09:41 | |
Ep 110 recorded 5/18/22 Segments this week include: Wips, Knitting Fail, Out and About, and I’ve Got Sunshine. A note on showlinks – all links to Ravelry are clearly labelled as such and all links for yarn are directly to the dyer’s website.
WIPs As You Wish MKAL by Mary Annarella of Lyrical Knits. This is a Princess Bride themed mystery knitalong that will eventually result in a rectangular shawl. Winona by Brenda Castiel in handspun from Hipstrings. 48-st socks for J, working toe-up, on foot of 2nd sock. Bamboo Pop Sock in Sunset Colorway. Bamboo cotton, PBT blend 52-st sock for E in red sock yarn, turned the heel . Allegro by Wisdom Yarns, distributed by Universal Yarns. May be discontinued. More on this in Knitting Fail Started Mermaid Skirt by Concept Creative, a Ukranian designers. Juliana top by Linda’s Craftique, for once worked in the called-for yarn – Neve by Juniper Moon Farms. Knitting Fail Use the right needles. Spinning I’m spinning handspun yarn for the winner of my drawing for the Knitathon. Out and About Vogue Knitting Live Virtual and June 9-12. GGKCS podcast is having their annual Sheepy Spring AL, visit their FB page for more details. Stitches at Home Stitches at Home June 11/12 & 18/19, Expo at Home July 8-10. Coming up in person, Stitches So Cal in Pasadena, California November 10-13. If you have any events you’d like me to share please email me windsweptmonique@gmail.com I’ve Got Sunshine Kids and Pets | |||
| 16 Mar 2023 | 113 - Marching On | 00:15:00 | |
Ep 113 recorded 3/16/23 Marching On Welcome back! I just had a statistic pop up telling me that 2 days ago was my 6th podiversary. Wow! Knit For Food Knitathon I’m back for a 3rd year – can you please donate $5? No one deserves to be hungry. WIPs Songe d’été – Ravelry Link (Summer Dreams) designed by Dreaming In Chocolate Designs, knit using Linea Pura Unico yarn by Lana Grossa (discontinued). Davit designed for Berroco by Amy Palmer, knit using Silk Noir by Great Adirondack Yarn Co Summer Happiness Crochet Top designed by Concept Creative in Scheepjes Whirl in the color Sherbert Rainbow Find Your Fade designed by Andrea Mowry, knit in Midori Bamboo from The Fiber Lady in a discontinued colorway, plus cotton/bamboo sportweight from Great Adirondack Yarn Co. Knitting Fail Really, a crochet fail. My brain has been a sieve and I kept screwing up the Summer Happiness top. It’s a problem with me, not with the pattern. Spinning More progress on my current spin, some beautiful green lightly-speckled cotton from Buchanan Fiber. Unfortunately, Buchanan Fiber closed a year or two ago which is sad because I love their cotton slivers. On the Run Adult ballet class, so much fun. Students from 30 to 84! Out and About – upcoming Fiber Events around New England CT Sheep and Wool - April 29 NH Sheep and Wool – May 13 & 14 MA Sheep and Woolcraft Fair - May 27-28, Memorial Day Weekend Stitches @ Home – April 1&2 Maine Fiber Frolic – June 3 & 4 I’ve Got Sunshine I bought ballet slippers for class and it was the same store I shopped at as a kid in the 1990s. So excited to find them still open and doing business. Shout out to Dancer’s Drawer in Attleboro, MA. | |||
| 13 Mar 2022 | 105 Lots of WIPs | 00:11:52 | |
Ep 105 recorded 3/9/22
Be A Helper Craftalong - ends March 15! One change this year – due to ongoing accessibility issues on Ravelry, I’ll hold this event both on and off Ravelry. Last year we just used a Google Form and that was hard for some folks, so this year there will be a chat thread and an FO thread on Rav, and for non-Rav users I’ll have a google form where you can link to your IG/FB/Twitter post showing your FO Ravelry Link - click here to visit Ravelry. Link to submit your Finished Object/blood donation: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf08z2uqelVGeUBkm0fofQGveThChBBZzaMvNsRdlPlMzhbgA/viewform?usp=sf_link FOs Lots of crochet cleansing pads. Not using a pattern, made up my own. A crochet bag to hold dirty cleansing pads in my bathroom – also just made up a pattern. WIPs Recalibrate Top by Shana Lines using Nomad Yarn’s hand dyed cotton/rayon Gelato yarn. I’m using 6 colors, strawberry, orange, lemon, pistachio, blueberry and lavender. This has been my stress knitting since Russia invaded Ukraine so I’ve gotten a LOT on this done. The right side is growing steadily. Earthrise, a new pattern of mine inspired by the famous Nasa photo when the astronauts first circled behind the moon and came around back towards earth and photographed the earth rising over the surface of the moon. It’s an awe-inspiring photo. I’m working on the sample, it’s a simple circular shawl, a great first circular shawl. There’s a little very easy lace but nothing complicated. If you can YO and K2tog you can knit this easily. I’m using silk and silkblend yarn that is so soft on my fingers but still affordable. This pattern seems rather appropriate to be knitting right now My second Lotus Mandala using sparkly leftovers from the Priestess Coat I crocheted last year. At the moment I plan to use all scraps of Lion Brand Shawl In A Ball. I’m nearly to the armholes. As you Wish MKAL by Mary Annarella of Lyrical Knits. This is a Princess Bride themed mystery knitalong that will eventually result in a rectangular shawl. I’m nearly halfway through Clue 1. Winona by Brenda Castiel in handspun from Hipstrings. This is an L-shaped shawl and I’ve reached the corner of the L which is worked like an applied-edging. Spinning I’ve spinning handspun yarn for the winner of my drawing for the Knitathon. Cranky knees mean slow going, but I’m putting in about 15 minutes a day in 5-min segments. I’m also spinning some plain cotton once or twice a week, because I don’t have enough handspun to finish the As You Wish shawl. Out and About Vogue Knitting Live Vogue Knitting Live @ Home Mar 17-20. GGKCS podcast is having their annual Sheepy Spring AL, visit their FB page for more details. Stitches at Home April 2 & 3; 9 & 10, 2022 CT Sheep and Wool April 30, 2022 – I will be attending! At least for the morning. I plan to get there when it opens at 9 and stay until around lunchtime, give or take. A trip to this festival and to Webs is my Mother’s Day gift from my family. NH Sheep and Wool May 14 & 15, 2022 – I probably won’t make it. If you have any events you’d like me to share please email me windsweptmonique@gmail.com I’ve Got Sunshine Took J to Ukranian support rally | |||
| 11 Feb 2022 | 102 New Month, New Year | 00:15:55 | |
Ep 102 recorded 2/9/22 Knit For Food Knitathon THIS WEEKEND https://givebutter.com/knitforfood22/moniqueleonard Update as of posting this episode - over $181,000! Please donate! Help put us over $200K Be A Helper Craftalong - Just over a month to go! 6th Be A Helper Craft-a-long has begun! We keep the rules simple.
One change this year – due to ongoing accessibility issues on Ravelery, I’ll hold this event both on and off Ravelry. Last year we just used a Google Form and that was hard for some folks, so this year there will be a chat thread and an FO thread on Rav, and for non-Rav users I’ll have a google form where you can link to your IG/FB/Twitter post showing your FO. Link to submit your Finished Object/blood donation: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf08z2uqelVGeUBkm0fofQGveThChBBZzaMvNsRdlPlMzhbgA/viewform?usp=sf_link Prizes A set of mini skeins from Unwind Yarn Company – especially exciting as Dana does not dye anymore. Jen Lassonde of Downcellar Studio has very generously offered one of her patterns and a skein of yarn, thank you Jen! One skein of yarn - currently a mystery thanks to shipping delays. FOs A sample I can’t talk about, I finished it December 30th and very proud of it Star Wars scarf for Thing 2
WIPs Recalibrate Top by Shana Lines using Nomad Yarn’s hand dyed cotton/rayon Gelato yarn. I’m half way through the back panel in the yellow Gelato. Knights Who Say Knit by Mary Annarella of Lyrical Knits, a really fun Monty Python and the Holy Grail inspired pattern. Earthrise, a new pattern of mine inspired by the famous Nasa photo Swatching for 4 new patterns, keep your ears peeled about those. Papillon/Butterfly shawl by MarinJa Knits Out and About Virtually Vogue Knitting Live Vogue Knitting Live @ Home Feb 17-20 and Mar 17-20. Vogue Knitting Live in person in NYC is cancelled for 2022 but will be back Feb 9-12 2023 GGKCS podcast is having their annual Winter AL, visit their FB page for more details. Down Cellar Studio’s Pigskin party is ending this weekend – be sure to get your points in. Stitches at Home Feb 12-13, Stitches West in person Mar 3-6 2022. If you have any events you’d like me to share please email me windsweptmonique@gmail.com I’ve Got Sunshine My 6-year old helped me plan the garden this year. | |||
| 08 Jan 2020 | 4th Be A Helper Craftalong | 00:18:56 | |
Episode 71 – Be A Helper Craftalong – we’ll go over the (simple) rules and some ideas for what you can make.
Be A Helper Craftalong 4th Be A Helper Craftalong has begun! We keep the rules simple.
Prizes
Need some ideas? Check out these charities:
Out and About Wayland Winter Farmers Market Fiber Days – Jan 26 & Mar 1 VKL NYC Jan 16-20 Stitches United - March 26-29, 2020 Knitting Weekend and Fiber Marketplace at Slater Mill - Jan 11 & 12 Boston Farm & fiber Fest – Feb 9 | |||
| 18 Jan 2019 | Ep 57 - Find Help If You Need It | 00:10:51 | |
Episode 57 – 1/17/18 - Knitting and Running in 30 minutes or less. You can find me as WindsweptMonique on Ravelry and Instagram or as Windswept Knits on Facebook and Twitter. Shownotes can be found on my website at WindsweptKnits.com Apologies for the delay last week – my boys have been passing a virus back and forth! Be A Helper Craft-A-Long Still goin till Feb 15. Make ANYthing for ANY charity. Wips are awesome. Did you finish a charity project back around the holidays? That counts, the craftalong started on Dec 5th so go ahead and enter it in the FO thread. Design News Soon be starting a test knit for a sleeveless top in fingering weight yarn. More details to come soon, but if you’re interested in knitting an A-line summer top, please email me at windsweptMonique@gmail.com or PM me on Ravelry FOs 2nd sock started for Un-Christmas socks Wips Boxy by Joji Locatelli. Using Bamboo Laceweight from Spinaway Farms that I picked up in Rhinebeck 2 years ago. Variegated cool blues from nearly white to nearly navy. Find Your Fade shawl. I’m on section , the 2nd lace section (still) and still in color #1, the raspberry-dyed handspun cotton that I’ve mentioned in past episodes (and knitting fail) Another new design that I can’t talk about yet, but it’s a summer knit inspired by the musical Rent that I think a lot of you will like. Can’t wait to talk more about it later. On the Run Running and swimming and cross training, nothing special Running Talk A lesson I needed to learn: Learn to admit when you need help. | |||
| 20 Sep 2017 | Episode 22 - Accurate Measurements & Foam Rolling | 00:15:51 | |
Episode 22 - 9/20/17 Today’s topics include Wips, Knitting Fail, Knitting Chat: The Importance of Taking Measurements and On the Run: Foam Rolling Thanks for your patience this week! This is the 3rd time I’ve tried to record. Any of you who’ve ever lived with a 2-year old can appreciate why I only record when he’s asleep so you can imagine what this week has been like! And to top it off the boys had stolen my pop filter to play with – finally found it around 10pm last night buried under a blanket. Also, thanks for the kind concern about my in-laws. They are fine after Irma. Since it swung west it nearly hit them directly buy it had weakened some. They lost power for a long time and had three trees crash across their rather long driveway but they cut a path out through the worst and were able to leave the house soon after. I truly hope that you and all your loved ones are safe, be it from Irma, Harvey, Maria, the fires out west, the Mexico earthquakes, the flooding last month in Nepal and India or whatever chaos may be happening in your part of the world. Please stay safe. Wips Second Grace by Bristol Ivy in Berroco’s Modern Cotton, 99% complete. Need to weave in ends, and take some pictures. Lillesand by Monika Eckhert, working on this in some deep stash, Cascade Yarn’s Sateen in a burgundy-red color and Rozetti Yarns Soft Payette in white with a few sequins for sparkle here and there. It’s a Christmas gift for my aunt who loves true, deep reds. Emerald Deep by Romi Hill – a shawl designed for green yarn and I have some Prism Delicato Layers I bought a few years ago to make a gift for my cousin’s wife, then found out I was pregnant with baby #2 and it got put on hold. But it is sooooo perfect for this pattern. Shawl has a lace version of Celtic knotwork and I can’t wait to get to that part. I am halfway through Chart 2 and the “knotwork” is Chart 3 – so close! Itty Bitty Kitty – test knit for Sarah Jordan a new friend I met at SSK this summer and a great designer. It’s a sock-weight preemie hat and I am nearly done with the ribbing. Knitting this up in Berroco Comfort Sock which leads to my (sort of)… Knitting Fail 4:30 More of a parenting fail involving yarn, but work with me here. I started the Itty Bitty Kitty preemie had at the opposite end of a skein of yarn that has a partial 2nd sock on it. No biggie. Until my 2 year old got a hold of it. Now I have complete yarn chaos and I am now alternating between unravelling the awful mess and knitting up what I just unraveled. Knitting Chat Today I want to talk about measuring yourself. The keys to knitting a garment that fits you perfectly are 1) a good gauge swatch and 2) accurate measurements of your body. You really need someone else to help you with this. When you try to measure yourself you actually shift your body and that can affect your measurements. I can’t stress enough how important it is to have someone ELSE take your measurements. In the shownotes I am linking to an old Lion Brand Yarns blog post that has lots of great pictures showing you exactly where and how to take 14 different measurements, including bust, waist, hips, arm length and armhole depth, all of which are critical to making sure a garment fits YOUR body. So get a buddy, a tapemeasure and a piece of paper and pen and go take YOUR measurements before you knit another garment. Bust – fullest part of your bust Waist – natural waist, not where your pants sit. If you’re unsure, bend sideways and see where your body creases, that’s usually a good indicator Hips – measure around the widest part of the hips, usually around 8” [20cm] below your natural waist Armhole depth - Measure from the top outside edge of the shoulder down to the armpit. Upper arm – the widest part of your arm, above the elbow Cross back – measure from shoulder to shoulder across your back – since many of us have rounded shoulders, this will be larger than if you take the measurement in the front. And in case you’re wondering why no pattern ever seems to fit you perfectly as-written, I am also linking to Craft Yarn Council’s sizing chart so you can see what numbers designers are (often) expected to use. Womens. Mens. Kids. And because it bears repeating – get someone to help you to! On the Run Today we’re still talking about injury prevention and I want to discuss a pro-active technique you can use to help yourself: Foam Rolling. Foam rolling is a type of self-massage where you use a tool, in this case a large foam cylinder, to release knots in the muscle and tight areas in your fascia, which is like a membrane over your muscles that sort of holds you together. Foam rolling in it’s essence is quite simple. You use your own body weight and a foam roller to carefully put pressure on the knots and tight places. This helps improve blood flow and increase your range of motion when the tight places in your fascia start behaving like their normal, stretchy selves again. Foam rolling can be uncomfortable, but it should not be excruciating. I’ve been guilty of this myself - if you’re gasping in pain (for me it’s rolling out IT bands) you’re doing it wrong – lift some of your weight up off the roller or attack the knot more gently. If you are getting sharp pains, SEE A DOCTOR. Afterwards you may find some of those areas a little tender, or even itchy, this is normal. Give those spots a day or two to recover before you roll out again. Itching is actually a good sign, it’s a sign of increased blood flow. Do NOT foam roll over joints – at best it does no good, at worst you can hurt yourself. Stick to rolling out your soft tissue. If you need to roll out your back (I find this soooo helpful after hefting a 30lb toddler around every day) – make sure you angle yourself slightly so you’re rolling either one side of your back muscles or the other and do NOT roll straight up your spine. I’m linking to a recent podcast by the new Get Fit Guy, Brock Armstrong, all about foam rolling. You can read his transcript and find links to the studies he mentions which I don’t have time to get into here. I’m also linking to a Runner’s World article which has videos showing you how to foam roll different muscles properly. Lastly I’m linking to a study from the National Institutes of Health that quantified how foam rolling helped the participants. In summation, foam rolling is a technique that you can use yourself to help release tention in your muscles and fascia and prevent future injuries.
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| 26 Sep 2017 | Episode 23 - Wips, Ease and Increasing Mileage | 00:14:47 | |
Episode 23 – 9/25/17 Knitting and running in 30 minutes or less Topics this week include FO, Wips, Out and About, On the Run FO Itty Bitty Kitty Preemie Hat test knit from Sarah Jordan, aka Knit Wit. To fit 2-3lb baby hat worked in Berroco Comfort Sock Wips Emerald Deep by Romi Hill – finished charts B & C, started chart D. Finished that Irish-style lace section I mentioned. It was lots of fun but you have to place close attention because it’s knit lace on both sides – no rest rows. Gift for my cousin’s wife for Christmas in Prism Delicato Layers in Kale colorway Another Itty Bitty Kitty preemie hat, the same test knit pattern in the Maldvies colorway of Berroco comfort sock Lillesand cowl by Monika Eckhert, working on this in some deep stash, Cascade Yarn’s Sateen in a burgundy-red color and Rozetti Yarns Soft Payette in white with a few sequins for sparkle here and there – got a few more rows done on this cowl for my aunt for Christmas Hitchiker by Martina Behm in Ito Yarn’s Kinu, 100% silk – still plugging away at this a few rows a week. It’s my purse knitting Knitted Knocker in Cascade Ultra Pima – literally just cast this on waiting for my toddler to fall asleep so I can record this show – visit their website at www.knittedknockers.org Knitting Talk Fit and Ease Ease - how much extra room (or lack thereof) do you want in your garment? An inch or so of ease will be a fitted garment but the material will not stretch to fit you. Negative ease, where the material is actually less around than your body, will give you a very fitted garment where the material itself is stretching to fit around your body – think a typical sock. 2-3 inches of you will give you a comfortable fit without feeling fitted. 4 inches or so and we’re getting more into loose-fitting cardigans and approaching boyfriend sweater territory. Some of the huge boxy sweaters out there these days may have as much as 8 inches of ease to give you that boxy effect. Out and About Rhinebeck! I’m headed to Rhinebeck for the day via the bus from Webs. Gonna be a long day – I have a grad school reunion at the MFA in Boston the night before then I have to leave my house around 5-5:30am to drive to Webs. I cannot wait! The artichoke line was waaaay too long by the time I found it so I hope to grab one of those earlier in the day. I’ll be at the podcaster meetup, of course, and probably at the Ravelry meetup too. I’m also hoping to locate the bag check this year – missed it last year, but I’ll have a big ‘ol day pack with me for the bus and car ride. On the plus side, with a minimum of 4 hours on the bus I should get a bit of knitting done that day! On the Run After walking to school for 3 weeks today I started a Galloway-style run-walk-run on the way home and it felt good. Rolled out my quads, IT bands and solias muscles, which have been cranky with the sudden mileage increase, but they felt OK too. Will try again in a couple of days. Mileage Increases – keep it low, keep it slow As I mentioned last week, I broke one of the cardinal rules of running by suddenly drastically increasing my mileage by walking my son to kindergarten. That’s an additional 3 miles or so per day for me. Now, we mitigated this by not walking every single day – we’re averaging about 3 days a week and some days we only walk one way and not the other. But this is a huge faux pas and something even us veteran runners forget. If you’re new to running, an important rule to remember is to keep your mileage increases small, no more than 10% increase per week. This is super important because most injuries are directly linked to increasing intensity or duration of exercise too much too soon. Now, let’s unpack this statement – this does not mean you should increase your mileage by 10% every week – on the contrary if you look into the data, most folks should be increasing your mileage by a MAXIMUM of 5-10% every OTHER week. You should also be incorporating rest weeks where you run less than your baseline, or average weekly miles. The reason for all this is your body needs time to adjust to the changes your asking of it. Particularly when starting out, don’t plan on increasing mileage or speed any time soon. Listen to your body. Take more rest weeks if you need it, or put mile increases off till next week if your body is feeling off. The whole point is to start running or increase running without injury and that means giving yourself time to adapt. If you have existing injuries, then you REALLY need to take it slow. Thinking of starting a couch-to-5k program? You can plan on repeating the 1st week 3 times to give your chronic issues time to adapt slowly. Or something I did when I did my marathon training I took the marathon training plan and slowed it down by adding more rest weeks because I knew my body and knew that I had to be careful of asking too much of it too soon. To sum up – take it slow and stay injury free.
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| 03 Oct 2017 | Episode 24 - BE A Helper | 00:03:48 | |
Not a normal episode. It’s less than 36 hours since the horrific shootings in Las Vegas and as of last night I wasn’t going to record this week, I was going to put it off a week. My kindergartener just had his first lock-down drill at school and I don’t even know how what to say to him. I’ve had that stunned, frozen, deer-in-the-headlights feeling since yesterday. Heck, for the last week or two what with everything that’s been happening in the world recently. I couldn’t sleep last night and sometime around 4am I remembered that Mr Rodgers meme that goes around after every tragedy, in times of trouble look for the helpers. From the PBS website “Fred Rogers often told this story about when he was a boy and would see scary things on the news: “My mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’ To this day, especially in times of disaster, I remember my mother’s words, and I am always comforted by realizing that there are still so many helpers — so many caring people in this world.” “ I decided at 4am this morning that I am NOT going to sit here feeling helpless and afraid and frozen. I am going to help someone. I may not have a million dollars to donate to Puerto Rico or be able to drive to Vegas to donate blood, but I can knit a NICU baby a hat. I can donate blood here. I can make a knitted knocker for a breast cancer survivor. I CAN HELP. And I want you to help, too. Today I’m starting a charity KAL and I want you to join me. There is something you can do. BE A HELPER. Donate blood locally. Make a Knitted Knocker for a woman with breast cancer. Knit or weave a scarf or crochet a blanket for a homeless shelter. Knit a hat for refugees. Make a preemie hat for the local NICU. I don’t care what you do, just do something for someone else. Have another great charity idea? Wonderful! Share it in the Ravelry group in the chatter thread. Go do something for your fellow humans. Here are the knittiy gritty details: One entry per FO or photo proof of blood donation. Wips are fine. Double dipping in other KALs is fine. Knit, crochet or weave anything you want, just post a picture in the Finished Objects thread in my Knitting on The Run / Windswept Designs group on Ravelry and tell us what charity you are donating it to. I’ve already got a gradient kit from Birdies Knits and a skein of silk from Ito Yarns as prizes, and Sarah from KnitWit Designs and CC from JavaPurl designs have graciously offered pattern prizes. I will list all the prizes in detail in my next episode. Interested I donating a prize or know someone who might? PM me on Ravelry or Instagram, I’m WindsweptMonique on both. Now go out there and do some good in this world. | |||
| 16 Oct 2017 | Episode 25 - Stress Knitting | 00:16:19 | |
Segments include: Be Helper craft-a-long, FOs, Wips, Wearables, Knitting Fail and Knitting Talk Y’all knit when you’re stressed, too, right? I don’t want to get into the details but it has been a very stressful week at our house, luckily with mostly good outcomes. Let’s just say that the the least crappy thing was being a cloth diaper family and having our washing machine break. Pun intended. Because I had diapers that needed washing. The result being, I did LOTS of knitting the last 2 weeks. Also, I am getting a cold as you probably hear in my voice. I don’t want to push this recording any later since I skipped last week due to sick kids and I have a feeling this cold will be worse tomorrow… Be A Helper Craft-a-long In case you missed it, I’m hosting a charity craft a long. You can get entries by 1) donating blood or 2) making ANYthing for ANY charity. No FOs in the thread so far! I know lots of you craft for charity regularly so go ahead and enter – you do NOT need to be a member of my Ravelry group to win. I honestly don’t care if you join or not, my only goal with the KAL is to encourage others to stop feeling frozen with all the crazy, hard stuff going on in the world and give you an impetus to go out and help others. FOs Knitted knocker in Cascade Ultra Pima in ivory. I made size C using top-down magic loop pattern. Visit KnittedKnockers.org to learn more about the great work they do and see a list of approved yarns. 3 preemie hats using Java Purl Design’s Top-Down Preemie Hat pattern – free on Ravelry – in Caron Simply Soft Paints 1 preemie hat also using Java Purl’s pattern using Loops & Threads Another Itty Bitty Kitty preemie hat, the same test knit pattern in the Maldives colorway of Berroco comfort sock Wips Emerald Deep by Romi Hill – finished charts B, C & D. Halfway through E. Finished that Irish-style lace section I mentioned. It was lots of fun but you have to place close attention because it’s knit lace on both sides – no rest rows. Gift for my cousin’s wife for Christmas in Prism Delicato Layers in Kale colorway. Only 30 rows left! Lillesand cowl by Monika Eckhert, working on this in some deep stash, Cascade Yarn’s Sateen in a burgundy-red color and Rozetti Yarns Soft Payette in white with a few sequins for sparkle here and there – got a few more rows done on this cowl for my aunt for Christmas Toe-up Vanilla Socks with an afterthought heel for Thing 2 – first sock done, about to reach the heel on sock 2; looking to make 4 for him for Christmas in Plymouth Yarns Diversity Wearables Heat wave here in New England most of October! Marshes Cabled Sleeveless Shell – one of my first patterns released. Need to go grade it for larger sizes and get it re-tech edited. Will let y’all know when that happens Mommy’s Tunic – Juniper Moon Farm’s Neve in Blue Knitting Fail That sweater got shrunk in the dryer! We went a little crazy washing stuff after we got the new washing machine and my husband tossed the cotton tunic in the dryer and it shrunk. So I gave it to my LYS to model the yarn since I bought it there. Knitting Talk To design or just knit a shawl for AGC Scholarships? AGC is run by a woman I went to high school with who chnoicled her battle with infertility on her blog, later published as the book Infertility Inferschmility which you should definitely check out if infertility is something you or a loved one has been dealing with. Also - what color? Black to go with Everything? Or use their turquoise logo color? Or perhaps a gradient kit - they look so impressive to non-knitters :)
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| 21 Nov 2017 | Episode 26 - Unexpected Rhinebeck Hiatus | 00:06:16 | |
Episode 26 – 11/21/17 - Knitting and Running in 30 min or les Calling this one “Unexpected Rhinebeck Hiatus” This will be a short episode, as you can hear from my voice I’m still a little under the weather. I just wanted to record a new episode so you know I haven’t pod-faded. If you’re new to the show, I’ll be back with a regular episode, as long as my children co-operate. Which leads me to my 2-minute health update. I wasn’t planning on taking a hiatus after Rhinebeck, but since then
Quick Rhinebeck Chat I do want to say a big “thank you” to everyone I met, it was so much fun to see everyone and spend a day with some great fiber folks. I’ve had several people ask me about the Webs bus, so I will give you a quick recap. For the Webs bus to Rhinebeck this year it was $50 (if I remember correctly), they ask you to get there about 30 minutes early and they had breakfast of local apple cider donuts waiting for everyone inside the store. Once the busses arrived we all boarded three very nice coaches. One note – please don’t be late if you take a bus. En route everyone received a free skein of yarn for Lorna’s Laces. Also there were about 10-12 raffles on our bus. Prizes included stuff like yarn, project bags and several with cash for you to spend at Rhinebeck! Each bus had 2 Webs guides and ours were so much fun! We were dropped off right near the main entrance around 10ish, if I remember correctly and we had to be back aboard the bus by 3:45, so we did get most of the day at the festival. That’s all for this week, thanks for putting up with my croaky voice today. I wish all those of you in the US a very Happy Thanksgiving and I hope to be back to my normal recording schedule next week, providing my toddler naps. Bye! | |||
| 22 Dec 2017 | Episode 28- Wool Allergies | 00:21:32 | |
Episode 28 FO, Wip, Stash, Wearables, Knitting Plans, Knitting Talk – wool allergies, On the Run, Out and About FO Purple shawl in some deep stash, Queensland Sugar Rush, for myself! Also, it’s the last sample made of a new pattern that I will be releasing over the holiday weekend – keep an eye on Instagram/Facebook/Ravelry group because it will be free for the first few days as a thank you to the knitting community. This year has been amazing and a lot of it is thanks to the amazing women and men in the fiber world. I started this podcast, went to Stitches United and SSK for the first time, went back to Rhinbeck and have interacted with so many of you and this is my small way of saying thanks. Wip Only other wip I worked on was my Mahalo sock by Dana Gervais. Full disclosure, she’s my tech editor, but she’s also an amazing sock designer and I am loving this pattern. I have scrawny ankles so I tweaked the narrowest size to be a little narrower and it was easy to adjust – you could also easily adjust it bigger, and the lace pattern is memorizable after a few times through so I’ve really enjoyed working on it. Knitting it in CoBaSi by Hikoo, a cotton, bamboo, silk and nylon blended sock yarn. Stash Coming Next Week Wearables It’s been cold the last 6 weeks and I didn’t have time to put this segment in the last episode, so I’ll quikly summarize – I’ve been wearing Poema by Vera Sanon a lot. Also, I’ve been wearing my (until now) only two shawls a lot, Maris Stella by Anna Victoria and May Flowers, an old pattern of mine, over store bought sweaters to stay warm. Also I’ve been going back and forth between wearing my Hamilknit Hat by Emily Straw from Knitting Butterflies podcast and the Twist and Shout hat by Michele DuNaier which is a simple cabled hat. Knitting Plans I want to lengthen the sleeves of my Empire Tunic by Lily Go, knit in Frog Tree’s Picobo, a cotton/bamboo blend. I love this top but since I’m always cold I’ll get more wear out of this if it has long sleeves and not ¾ sleeves. Also, I want to pull out my English Garden Wedding Kimono that I knit years and years ago and finally do the embroidery. This is from the Unofficial Downton Abbey Knits from Interweave and I picked this pattern because the embroidery makes this sweater just amazing. The Firefly I got at my LYS the last few weeks are destined for that. Knitting Talk I’ve had a couple of people ask about my wool allergy recently so I thought we’d devote this section to fiber and animal allergies. I am not a medical professional, so please take what I am saying with that in mind, but I will share what I know with you. First off, yes, wool allergies are real – you can be allergic to sheep just like you can be allergic to cats and dogs. Unfortunately, I’m allergic to all 3 to varying degrees, and also to horses and goats. I just happen to get the worst physical reaction to sheep whereas I have 2 cats and all I get is a stuffy nose sometimes when they shed. You can also have a reaction to the lanolin in the wool – if that’s the case then you might be able to work with a superwash wool where all the lanolin is stripped out so they can smooth down the scales in the wool fibers. Well meaning knitters often try to tell me I’m just sensitive to lanolin. I usually just nod and smile. Lastly, your skin could just be sensitive, in which you get itchy with certain wools. This isn’t an actual allergy but a form of contact dermatitis, which is just a fancy way of saying that your skin is sensitive and something is irritating your skin. Wearing a t-shirt underneath usually solves the problem. So, how do I know I’m allergic to sheep? I found out when I was 4. My great-grandmother bought me a lovely little coat and hat set. Mom bundled me up and sent me off to pre-school and I came home covered in hives. Poor Gram felt awful, but she had no way of knowing, I just happen to have very severe allergies. A skin-prick allergy test the next year confirmed I am allergic to every animal they tested for, to varying degrees. Last time I had a major reaction was 2002 in London, England. My now-husband and I had just gotten to Europe for a 45-day backpacking trip around the continent. We went to bed very jet-lagged and I never even thought to check the content of the blanket because in the US budget hotels do not have nice blankets. It was hot and we didn’t pull it up over us. Sometime in the night I must have tucked my feet under the blanket because when I woke up in the morning my ankles had literally doubled in size. I could get 2 pairs of socks to fit, but none of the 3 pairs of shoes I brought. I finally had to un-lace my sneakers and jam my feet into them so I could leave the hotel room. It took about a week for them to shrink back to normal size – if I hadn’t been power-walking around European capitals it probably would have gotten better a bit faster but I was NOT about to miss anything, swollen ankles be damned. Out and About January – Vogue Knitting Live in NYC, if you’re coming too let me know! March – Stitches United in Hartford, CT. A quick note for any of you debating coming, Stitches United 2018 is in CT but in 2019 it will be in Georgia. Knitting Universe has announced that Stitches United will be alternating between the Northeast and the Southeast. So, if you were planning on going to CT in 2019, go this year instead. On the Run Keep on walking and strength training | |||
| 04 Jan 2018 | Episode 29 - Snow Hurricane | 00:16:08 | |
Episode 29 – Happy New Year! Wips, Knitting Fail, Pattern Acquisition, On The Run FO Mahalo Socks by Dana Gervais – on the 2nd sock in CoBaSi by Hikoo and progressing nicely Hibernatum hat by Talitha Kuomi – full disclosure, I know Talitha, we’re part of the same knitting group at our recently closed LYS and she is an amazing human being and also a very talented designer. I’ve never knit one of her patterns before, so when I stumbled upon her Hibernatum hat designed for Alpaca yarn while trying to find a hat to knit with my Criativ DK, an alpaca blend, it was too perfect not to choose! Oh, and it’s a free pattern put out by Classic Elite so go knit this yourself. It would totally work with other fibers too. I cast this hat on Christmas Eve and it’s rather potato chippy because it’s a knit row followed by a simple pattern row and I kept wanting to knit just one more row. Wips Frosted Sweater by Paper Daisy Creations, my Christmas cast on – a snowflake-patterned colorwork yoke sweater. She used a gradient mini kit so the snowflakes go from light to dark using 5 colors of a warm blue with a green tint to it on a white background. I found 2 skeins of Debbie Bliss Amalfi in Pale Blue and Denim and also a skein of Hempathy by Elsebeth Lavold in a color just between those two shades so I’m only using 3 colors and I’m hoping I might have enough to make the matching hat. Plain Vanilla sock in Berroco Comfort Sock in the Bali colorway. I started this pair of socks 2 years ago and got Second Sock Syndrome. It’s now my purse knitting so I’m hoping to finish them this winter. I’m on the second foot, going toe-up with an afterthought heel. Lush by Tin Cast Knits, my New Years Day cast on Knitting Fail Frosted Sweater – take 2. I did run into one issue with this sweater. The Medium would probably fit well if I got gauge, but I have 24 sts per 4 inches instead of 25 which gives me an extra 1.8 inches around the bust in size Medium… that’s just too much. Plus, after trying it on the collar is too wide for a New England winter. So I did the math and I’m going to knit the small but add one pattern repeat of the snowflakes which will give me an extra 12 sts around the bust which, if my gauge holds true, should give me a perfect fit, not too tight, not too loose. Had to tink back 4 rows on my second Mahalo sock – note to self, don’t start gusset increases while making dinner when boys are cranky. While the gusset increases themselves came out fine, I totally screwed up the lace pattern, by 2 rows, then dropped a stitch and had to tink back to more to fix the now-wobbly looking increases. Pattern acquisition Berroco had a pattern sale this past week – one free pattern per person and I picked up the Dahlia shawl by Brenda York, a worsted weight colorwork shawl, experienced level, by a new-to-me designer (never bought a Berroco pattern before, though I love some of their yarns). It’s gorgeous and there are no projects on Ravelry! Looking forward to making mine the first. Vanilla is the New Black by Anneh Fletcher – I’m finding purl bumps uncomfortable and I heard this pattern is reversible, so I want to give it a try! On The Run Still No running for a while – it hurts my back, but walking does not, soooo…. I’m going to train to walk a half marathon in September! I’ve set up a very gradual training plan to slowly work up to 13.1 miles over 9 months and I’m going to take you on that journey with me. I’ve found a half marathon in Salem, MA with both runner and walker divisions, so it’ll be perfect whether or not I get to start running between now and then.
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| 11 Jan 2018 | Episode 30 - Thank You | 00:11:12 | |
Episode 30 - 1/11/18 Windswept Designs on Facebook, WindsweptMonique on Instagram and Ravelry, come join Ravelry group KAL, Pattern Release, Wips, Pattern Acquisition, Spinning, Out and About, On the Run KAL – get your FOs posted ASAP! I’m going to lock the thread tonight on my way to Vogue Knitting Live Pattern Release – First off, a HUGE thank you to all of you for making 2017 an amazing year, knitwise. I started this pordcast, attended multiple festivals and conventions, including FINALLY getting in to SSK, and I even learned to spin! I’ve met such wonderful people both in person and online. The fiber community is AMAZING. So I’ve put this pattern for sale and if you use the coupon code THANKYOU you’ll get it free through January 16th. This is my thank you to you, the Use Your Stash Shawl Wips Frosted by Paper Daisy Creations, on snowflake 5 of 5 on the stranded colorwork yoke. Was planning on using 3 colors but after doing flakes 1 & 2 in color 1, then flake 2 in color 2 I decided that really they should all have been different colors. But I was not going to rip it out again, so I dug a skein out of stash, Plymouth Yarn’s Nettle Grove in colorway 42, a denim-ish color that matches the rest of the blues I’m using fairly well. Star Wars sweater for Thing 1 - Using Nordic Yoke Pullover, a free pattern from Patons, as the base and altering the charts to have Star Wars characters/spaceships/icons. I’m about 25% through the yoke collar, currently working on R2D2’s head. Body of sweater will be red as that’s his favorite color Vanilla sock in Berroco Comfort Sock in Bali colorway. Still chugging along at this 2+ year old WIP, it’s my car knitting.
Pattern Acquisition Derwentwater by Tess Young, won it during the Indie Gift-a-long KAL, forgot to mention it last week! Spinning New segment - I finally figured out this spinning thing! Working on my 2nd single in undyed cotton Out and About Off to Vogue Knitting in NYC tonight! If you’re there stop me and say hello. Just to warn you I’ve had a lot of sleepless nights recently with the kids and my husband being sick, so if I seem a little dazed or perhaps a little overly caffeinated, that’s why. But please come say hello anyways. I am really looking forward to the 2 classes I am attending on Friday. On the Run I’m on my 2nd week of my half marathon training plan, and unfortunately I am dealing with some unexpected knee pain.
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| 30 Jan 2018 | Episode 31 - Vogue and KAL | 00:19:59 | |
Episode 31 KAL, Wips, Out and About, Knitting Fail, Spinning On the Run
KAL – Thank you very much to those of you who participated! Our group may be small, but as Margaret Mead said, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.”
Should we do this again? What time of year? Wips Frosted by Paper Daisy Creations, finished the colorwork yoke on the way to/from Vogue (you get a lot done with 4 hours each way on a train), body nearly done – on the bottom ribbing. Star Wars sweater for Thing 1 - Using Nordic Yoke Pullover, a free pattern from Patons, as the base and altering the charts to have Star Wars characters/spaceships/icons. I separated for the sleeves and am working on the stockinette body Vanilla sock in Berroco Comfort Sock in Bali colorway. Still chugging along at this 2+ year old WIP, it’s my car knitting. Dahlia pattern by Brenda York from Berroco – working on this in Juniper Moon Farm’s Neve in a variety of colorways. Turquoise main body, with a mint green for the flower vines and yellow and burgundy Emerald Deep shawl – this shawl is a charity knit for AGC Scholarships, a group that raises money for families dealing with infertility or who are trying to adopt. Worked in Ito Yarn’s Kinu, 100% silk. Kinu has a colorway, Aqua, which is almost the exact color of AGC’s logo so it was too perfect not to use. The shawl will be auctioned off at AGC’s annual gala to raise money. If you or someone you love would like to learn more about AGC, visit agcscholarships.org Use Your Stash Shawl Oh my gooness you guys! Can’t thank you enough for your reaction to the Use Your Stash Shawl! Hot RIght Now on Ravelry??!!? Wow, thank you so much. Out and About – Vogue Knitting Live! NYC! I had a blast at Vogue. It’s very different than other knitting events I’ve been to, and it was soooooo much fun. I basically went for the day. I took the late train down Thursday after my husband got out of work and got to NYC around 11pm and checked into my hotel. I should have stayed onsite, I forgot just how bad the hotel I stayed at was. Remember in NYC, you get what you paid for. My room was literally 85 degrees. But it was clean, the shower worked, and the door locked. I woke up early to the sounds of NYC, had breakfast at the hotel, checked out and dropped my rollerboard at the back drop at my hotel and walked up to the Marriot Marquis. Since I signed up early, registration took about 2 minutes and I was off to class. I took the designer intensive with Josh Bennett. He’s designed sweaters for Tommy Hilfiger, Bergdorf and is currently designing hand-knit sweaters for Marvel – they were gorgeous, by the way. I’ll admit the class wasn’t what I expected but ironically it was exactly what I needed. We spent the day designing a line of patterns and presenting them. Having hours to just brainstorm, then talking with Josh one-on-one for a few minutes about my patterns was completely worth it. Then off to the market for 90 minutes before running to catch the late train home. Now that I’ve been there once, I know how I would change my plans in the future - next time I will be staying on site and spending 2 nights (or more) so I can get at least a moderate amount of sleep. Knitting Fail Not a fail in the traditional sense, but definitely a minor fail for the Emerald Deep shawl for AGC Scholarships. I thought the gala was in May and I was planning on designing a shawl and giving profits to AGC – until on Martin Luther King Jr Day I learned that the gala was in March. DOh! So, I chose the Emerald Deep by Romi Hill since I’ve worked it before and I know it would work well in the chosen yarn. Spinning I finished the second single I mentioned last episode and plied them together – I needed to find a better way to ply. Since I only had one spindle, I used a ball winder to wind each cop off the spindle into a center-pull ball and and plied them using the center pulls. I ended up with 135 yards of a two ply of the brown and white spun together. And since the white cotton was much better spun as a single, I got nearly 37 yards of a two-ply yarn out of the leftovers! And since then, I got a 2nd spindle, spun naturally greem cotton and some dyed gray cotton and plied them together using a drop spindle. Drop spindling is a completely different beast! The green is fun because if you add Washing Soda when you scour it, it changes color! We made a fund chemistry experiment with it for Thing 1. Before: After: Before: After:
On the Run – Not much new running, I’m on the 3rd week of my slow-and-steady training plan. Legs are holding up well, though I’m getting knots in my calves for some reason. My knee is also holding up, and Thing 2 and I have come to a truce – I carry him down the outside stairs and he walks up them. He’s learning numbers and I’ve made it into a counting game which he loves.
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| 16 Feb 2018 | Episode 32 - Knitting Fails and Be-A-Helper 2.0 | 00:18:01 | |
Episode 32 WindsweptMonique on Ravelry and Instagram, windsweptmonique@gmail.com. Show Notes at knittingontherun.podbean.com Stash, Wips, Knitting Fail, Out and About Before we start – planning on getting back to having knitting and running topics, now that the holidays are over and we’re starting to get healthy again (knock on wood). What do you want to hear about? I have a few topics lined up but I’d love to hear from you. Come to the Ravelry group and let me know or send me an email at windsweptmonique@gmail.com Stash Got 4 new skeins of CoBaSi by HiKoo – sock weight yarn without wool - 55% Cotton/ 16% Bamboo/ 8% Silk/ 21% Elastic – planning on using the Blarney colorway to knit JavaPurl’s Peppermint Mocha socks, and the blue-gray multi colored Wave Caps colorway to knit the Vanilla Is The New Black socks by Anneh Fletcher Also got my first shipment from HipString’s Cotton club. Got 2 coordinated 2-oz braids of sunset colors, with oranges and blues – one with lighter tones and one with darker tones. Normally I’m not a fan of orange but I have to say these two colorways are beautiful.
Wips Vanilla sock in Berroco Comfort Sock in Bali colorway. Still chugging along at this 2+ year old WIP, it’s my car knitting – planning on putting the heel scrap yarn for an after thought heel in today Star Wars sweater for Thing 1 – finished the main body, on the bottom colorwork. Using Nordic Yoke Pullover, a free pattern from Patons, as the base and altering the charts to have Star Wars characters/spaceships/icons. Frosted by Paper Daisy Creations - finished the first sleeve, started second sleeve. Hoping to finish the second sleeve this week and this will be my Ravellenics entry. Knitting up in some old stash, Longmeadow (discontinued) from Valley Yarns in white, and the blues are 2 old skeins of Debbie Bliss Amalfi (discontinuted), 1 color of Elsebeth Lavold Hempathy and 1 color of Nettle Grove from Plymouth Yarns. Emerald Deep shawl – took this to Karate Movie Night at my son’s Dojo and finished Chart 3 and started Chart 4. I’ll definitely have this done for the auction in March. this shawl is a charity knit for AGC Scholarships, a group that raises money for families dealing with infertility or who are trying to adopt. Worked in Ito Yarn’s Kinu, 100% silk. Kinu has a colorway, Aqua, which is almost the exact color of AGC’s logo so it was too perfect not to use. The shawl will be auctioned off at AGC’s annual gala to raise money. If you or someone you love would like to learn more about AGC, visit agcscholarships.org
Knitting Fail As mentioned a few months ago, I was planning on fading a Lush by Tin Can Knits using color-coordinated yarns I picked up at Rhinebeck in gold, gold with pink specks and pink with gold undertones. I washed the pink and gold/pink yarns to wash out extra dye – and unfortunately, it looks like the pink speckled yarn wasn’t set properly. It wasn’t just the extra dye that came out, a lot of the pink washed out of the yarn – so much so that almost looks like the gold. :( Definitely not going to fade it with the pink now, it would be a huge change in colors and not a fade at all, more like stripes. Maye I’ll “fade” the gold into the gold/pink and treat them as hand-dyed yarns and just alternate skeins. I’ll let you know what I decide to do. Very sad. 2nd knitting fail – started knitting handspun for the Ravellenics, but I have the wrong needles. Whereas the 2.5 and 2s I swatched with were too big, the 0s are too small and using magic loop is just not working. So I’m putting this homespun earband on hold until I get 16 inch US size 1s 3rd knitting fail – I’m on a roll, eh? Got to the heel of my ancient Vanilla Socks and realized I hadn’t increased for the wide par of the foot before reaching the heel. Boo! Lots of frogging there. They won’t be ready for Knit Aid’s deadline. http://www.knitaid.org/
Out and About I did not make it to Boston Fiber event – had some previous commitments that ran over. Heard from some friends that they had a great time and saw pictures if beautiful, squishy yarn. Will be away next week visiting both my parents and my in-laws, so no episode next week. But expect some Instagram posts involving pools or palm trees as we’re headed to Florida! On The Run I’m back :) I've been cross-training and strength training and even hopped in the local YMCA pool for a few laps and discovered just how out of shape I am! | |||
| 06 Mar 2018 | Episode 33 - Between Nor'Easters | 00:19:13 | |
Episode 33 – 3/6/18 WindsweptMonique on Ravelry and Instagram, windsweptmonique@gmail.com. Show Notes at knittingontherun.podbean.com FOs, Wips, Knitting Fail, Pattern Acquisition, Out and About, On the Run Thanks so much for listening! Start with a quick update. Squeezing this episode in between storms. We got home from visiting both sets of grandparents in Florida and found ourselves in the path of a record-breaking nor’easter. It was an intense storm! What is a nor’easter? A type of cyclone storm, like hurricanes and typhoons are, that occur off the shore of New England and the Canadian Maritime provinces. Gets it’s name from the winds coming out of the northeast on the back side of the storm, we get them all winter and they often dump lots of snow – feet of snow. In the northeastern US we get weather coming up the coast from Florida and also weather coming across the continent west to east. Occiaionally these two weather systems crash together and start rotating counter-clockwise and we get a nor’easter. This was an unusal nor’easter for southern new England in that it was almost al rain. The rain/snow line was quite a ways inland. Normally the rain snow line is right near the coast (I live only about 20 miles from the North Atlantic ocean and normally we’re inside the snow line for most of the storm. Instead, we got 3-4 inches of rain [7.5-10cm] out of this one storm with hurricane-force winds. Trees down everywhere, hundreds of thousands without power in Massachusetts alone. We’re still clearing up and we’re getting another nor’easter tomorrow! Tomorrow’s looks like a more traditional storm, which normally wouldn’t work people much, except we still have a lot of damage from the last storm. FOs One sock of Vanilla is the New Black by Anneh Fletcher. I have skinny ankles so I adapted this by not doing the last 2 heel increases and it fit my foot very well. Worked on this one all over Florida, even at Disney’s Magic Kingdom, and finished on the airplane on the way home. Wips Vanilla is the New Black – started the second sock Emerald Deep shawl – Started chart 5 of 5 last night! This shawl is a charity knit for AGC Scholarships, a group that raises money for families dealing with infertility or who are trying to adopt. Worked in Ito Yarn’s Kinu, 100% silk. Kinu has a colorway, Aqua, which is almost the exact color of AGC’s logo so it was too perfect not to use. The shawl will be auctioned off at AGC’s annual gala to raise money. If you or someone you love would like to learn more about AGC, visit agcscholarships.org Knitting Fail I started the Peppermint Mocha sock by CC Almon from JavaPurl designs on the planeride to Florida on my US 2 Lykke needles. When I tried it on the next day it was WAAAAY too big, so once I dig out a US 0 or 1 I’ll try again. It was my fault, not the pattern’s, as I didn’t make a gauge swatch. Pattern Acquisition Coinciding with the Ravallenics this year was the annual Middle Earth Games for the Tolkien group that I’m a part of, and I was lucky enough to win a free pattern! Since I won it from a Tolkien-based group, I chose the Dancing Dragons Coat from Heike Campbell which is a spectacular and challenging knit that I am really looking forward to! I’m hoping it’ll be my Ravelry sweater :) I’ve linked to it and included a photo in the show notes, you have to see this one appreciate it! Out and About Florida! W’re home. Had a great time. Spent half the time with my inlaws in Ocala area, and half the time with my parents outside Orlando. 1 day at Magic Kingdom last Monday, the boys behaved so well we opened and almost closed the park. The lines were horrendous – didn’t realize it was Mississippi and Louisiana school vacation week last week. Luckily we got 3 fastpasses for Space, Big Thunder and Splash mountains in the morning, which Thing 1 is tall enough to ride, and mom and dad got alternate fastpasses and took Jonathan on Buzz Lightyear and Aladdin’s carpets, etc. Then we kept getting more fastpasses for the rest of the day for rides we could all go on together and we got on 13 or 14 rides despite the crowds. Upcoming stuff: Stitches United week of March 24th – not sure if I’m going Sat or Sun yet, but I’ll be there. On The Run Training is still going well, though I skipped anything formal our week in Florida. I figure the 10 miles I walked at Magic Kingdom covered anything I missed, ha! Now that it’s getting warmer I’m starting to take Thing 2 out for walks in our jogging stroller, which he loves. My mileage is behind what I wanted to be at this point, but my body feels healthy so I’m not pushing it too much, No more injuries! | |||
| 24 Mar 2018 | Episode 34 - No Microphone | 00:01:37 | |
Ack! My microphone died! Here's a short message to assure you that I have not pod-faded. I'll be back with a regular episode once my new microphone arrives. In the meantime I'm off to Stitches United on March 24th, 2018 | |||
| 03 Apr 2018 | Episode 35 - Recording Without A Mic | 00:20:55 | |
Episode 35 – 4/3/18 – Knitting and Running in 30 minutes or less WindsweptMonique on Ravelry and Instagram, windsweptmonique@gmail.com. Show Notes at knittingontherun.podbean.com. Come join the Ravelry group! Thanks so much for listening! There are 1000’s of podcasts for you to choose from and I am so honored you chose mine. FOs, Wips, Knitting Fail, Wearables, Knitting Talk, Out and About and On The Run FOs Emerald Deep shawl –This shawl is a charity knit for AGC Scholarships, a group that raises money for families dealing with infertility or who are trying to adopt. Worked in Ito Yarn’s Kinu, 100% silk. Kinu has a colorway, Aqua, which is almost the exact color of AGC’s logo so it was too perfect not to use. The shawl will be auctioned off at AGC’s annual gala to raise money. If you or someone you love would like to learn more about AGC, visit agcscholarships.org The shawl will be auctioned off at their gala this weekend and I hope that AGC has a very successful auction on all their items and raises lots of money to help families who just want to have a family. Star Wars Sweater – Thing 1 was sooooooo excited to get his sweater. I knit it in secret while he was asleep or at school and it was a surprise for him. He insisted on wearing it to school today which made this mama very happy! Vanilla is the New Black – finished the 2nd sock last week but it’s too big! I have very narrow feet and have problem finding shoes that fit well, so I can’t say I’m surprised. WIPS Dancing Dragons Coat from Heike Campbell in Be Sweet’s Bamboo in the Sea Green colorway which is a tonal speckled green with blue undertones. It’s knit bottom up in pieces – I’m working on the back panel and I’m on my 3rd repeat of chart 2 and am nearly up to the underarms. New Hitchhiker for me out of Makimo by Fiberlady in the Scrumptious Berries colorway – goes from raspberry pink to blackberry purple. 100% bamboo Changing Staircases – pattern by Jenga Knits – Mousou by Fiberlady in the Plum colorway, light to mid-tone purples in laceweight bamboo base. 52-st sock in 2 shades of CoBaSi by Hikoo, a sock yarn made of cotton, bamboo, silk and nylon. 60sts on a US1(2.25mm) needle was too big so after some wonderful feedback from all of you on Instagram I’ve dropped down to a 52st version and I’m using the Fish Lips Kiss Heel. I’m almost to the arch of the foot and so far it’s fitting much better. Using leftovers of the raspberry colorway for heels/toes/cuffs and 1 200-yard skein of Slated, a variegated gray colorway, for the foot and ankle portions. Knitting Fail Thing 2 decided to sit, well, more like jump on one of my knitting bags when he climbed up next to me on the sofa and snapped my Lykke US size 2 circular needles. Boo!!
Wearables It’s gotten cold again here so we’re wearing LOTS of knits. I’ve worn my Frosted sweater twice and my Poema sweater. I’ve been wearing my Twist and Shout by Michele DuNaier almost every day. The kids have been sick almost the entire time since we’ve been home from FL and that hat is a machine washable cotton, so it’s my hat of choice until the viruses subside. I’ve also been wearing my Use Your Stash shawl and occasionally stealing my husband’s Hitchhiker Shawl. Thing 2 has grown so much he’s now wearing some of Thing 1’s old sweaters, like the red Monomoy sweater I made several years ago. Both boys have been wearing the socks I knit them for Christmas under their winter boots while playing in the snow. And Thing 1 has worn his new Star Wars sweater to school several times already.
Out and About Stitches United was from March 23-25. I attended on Saturday, March 24th. Come on up and say “hi!”
On The Run Training is still going and I’m making progress. I did 2.5 miles on Sunday and that’s the most I’ve done since summer 2016 and it felt sooooooo good to walk my old running routes. I still haven’t been able to get outside much with all the snow in March, but the sidewalks are now clear so I have hope. I’ve been swimming once a week as cross training and I think it’s making a difference. I feel the swimming workouts in my whole body, not just my legs and it really gets my heart pumping. Next week I’m aiming to increase to 200 yards. I have some topics I want to discuss over the next few weeks, including the myth that running ruins knees, yoga for runners, why runners need to do upper body and core workouts and incontinence in women which affects so many women, especially after childbirth, and keeps many from exercsising (spoiler alert on this last one – there is hope and help available!). But I also want to hear from you – what fitness topics would you like me to research? Come tell me in the Ravelry group or email me at WindsweptMonique@gmail.com So now I want to ask you – what are YOU doing now that it’s officially Spring? I know those of you down south have gorgeous weather this time of year while we’re still wearing mittens in the morning.
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| 13 Apr 2018 | Episode 36 - Work Your Glutes | 00:18:04 | |
Episode 36 – 4/12/18 – Knitting and Running in 30 minutes or less WindsweptMonique on Ravelry and Instagram, windsweptmonique@gmail.com. Visit my new website at WindsweptKnits.com and stream the podcast or read shownotes. Thanks so much for listening! There are 1000’s of podcasts for you to choose from and I am you take time out of your busy life to listen to mine. Segments this week include FOs, Wips, Pattern Stalking, Training Update and Running Talk FO Hitchhiker knit out of Makimo by Fiberlady in the Scrumptious Berries colorway – goes from raspberry pink to blackberry purple. 100% bamboo. I love it. I love having my own hitchhiker. I’ve worn it several times already because it’s still unseasonably cold here in New England (though theoretically that will change in the next few days!) Wips Changing Staircases - pattern by Jenga Knits – Mousou by Fiberlady in the Plum colorway, light to mid-tone purples in laceweight bamboo base. I am about 40% done and I really like it. It’s a little more brain power than a Hitchhiker, but also has more visual interest. It’s still simple enough to knit at karate, swimming, soccer, etc. 52-st sock – this is my current car knitting so I’m slowly chugging away at it. I’m knitting it in 2 shades of CoBaSi by Hikoo, a sock yarn made of cotton, bamboo, silk and nylon. KNitting this in leftover Raspberry and a skein of Slated, a gray variegated yarn. Wearables It’s still cold. Thing 1 has worn his Star Wars Sweater twice more this last week and Thing 2 has worn a very old sweater I knit for Thing 1 in the years I didn’t document much on Ravelry. It was a free pattern from Sirdar but I can’t find it online anymore! I’ve worn my Maris Stella shawl and my new Hitchhiker a few times, too.
Pattern Stalking Tisane by Maria Olson – a spring/summer coat with ¾ length sleeves cardigan/coat that buttons in front of the bust and lays open below it. The upper portion is stockinette and the lower non-buttoned section is a lovely lace pattern. Training Update Still swimming as cross training and it is finally getting easier! Last week I swam 150 yards and today I did 250! I won’t say it’s easy, per se, as my freestyle is still abysmal and I find it quite challenging. I swim freestyle in one direction, then swim the breaststroke back, which for me is an easy stroke. Running Talk Let’s talk butts. Rear Ends. Glutes. Your gluteus muscles are some of the most important muscles for walking and running but in so many of us they don’t work the way they’re supposed to. Thanks so our modern sedentary lifestyles and office jobs, many of our pelvises tilt too far forward and our butts don’t actually engage when they are meant to, leaving other muscle groups to take over the load. I’m definitely guilty of this, and of not realizing it, and I ended up with two badly sprained hamstrings during my marathon, and months of physical therapy, because of it. First we’ll cover a few tests to see if your glutes are week. Then I’ll talk about some glute strengthening exercises and how to get your glutes firing again when they’re supposed to. Tests Test 1 – chair of death “to start this test, stand in front of a chair with your feet under it and your knees touching the seat. Put your arms out in front of you. Now squat down and try not to let your knees push into the chair. If you find that your knees are hitting the chair or you are even moving the chair, your glutes are not working properly.” Test 2 – Bridge “Lie on your back with your knees up and your feet flat on the ground. Hold your arms straight out above you. Lift your hips up to make a straight bridge from shoulders to knees. Where do you feel it? If you feel stress anywhere but your butt, you aren't activating your glutes. “ Exercises – Lunges and squats are great if you have proper form. Here are a few other exercises that will help: Prone hip extension – lie on your stomach and use your glutes to lift your leg up of the floor. Bridges with weights – Lie on your back, knees bent and put a light weight or soup can on your lower abdomen. The extra weight your body isn’t used to will help make your glutes engage. Also, try lifting your butt only a few inches off the floor and work on activating your glutes, not on the height of your bridge. Deadlifts - To do this exercise, stand in front of a kettlebell or 2 dumbbells or even 2 soup cans to start. Take a hip-width to shoulder-width stance, knees slightly bent. Bend forward at the hips and grab your weights. Use your glutes and hamstrings to lift your torso and stand straight up. Now lower the weights by hinging at the hips and allowing your glutes to move backward as you keeping the weights close to our touching the fronts of your legs. the bar in contact with your legs on the way down. If you are flexible enough, let the bar touch the floor and then pull it back up. Or you can stop about mid-shin height and then raise the bar back up.
To sum up - your legs are like a fulcrum or the pendulum on a clock and your glutes power that movement. Get those glutes strong and prevent injuries down the road. Several articles you may find helpful are linked in the show notes. Articles: https://www.runnersworld.com/injury-prevention-recovery/its-all-in-the-hips https://www.menshealth.com/fitness/a19544187/5-signs-you-have-weak-glutes/ https://www.runnersworld.com/workouts/glute-strengthening-workout/slide/1
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| 22 Jan 2021 | 90 - Be A Helper 2021 | 00:20:06 | |
Knitting and fitness in 30 min or less. Shownotes can be found at windsweptknits.com. You can find me on IG and Ravelry as WindsweptMonique and on Facebook and Twitter as WindsweptKnits. Ep 90 recorded 1/22/21 Segments this week include: Be A Helper Craftalaong, FOs, Wips, Stash, Spinning, Out and About Virtually, On the Run Note on Ravelry – all links to Ravelry are clearly labelled as such – if a link does not say Ravelry, it does not go to Ravelry. Links to yarn are directly to manufacturer’s pages and should be safe for those still having rav accessibility issues. So it’s been a month since I last recorded and what a month it’s been. 2021 definitely told 2020, “hey hold my beer”. With all the craziness happening the last few weeks here in the US and the terror attacks on the Capitol Building I had thought of skipping the Be A Helper Craft-a-long this year because my anxiety levels were hovering around vibrating-chihuahua-on-espresso for a while there, but after some reflection I think that we need it now more than ever. Welcome to our 5th annual craftalong! Inspired by the famous Mr Rogers quote that in times of trouble you should look for the helpers, I'm encouraging folks to BE the helpers. Be A Helper Craftalong 5th Be A Helper Craft-a-long has begun! We keep the rules simple. • Anything you make for any charity counts, doesn’t have to be knit/crochet/woven or spun. ANYthing you make for ANY charity. • One FO submission of the Google Form https://forms.gle/QdJuQUSr8uM7GoiF6 • Donating blood counts too • Google Form closes when I wake up April 15th. • Wips are welcome One change this year - due to the ongoing accessibility issues at Ravelry, finished objects can be submitted via a Google Form. I have pages set up to share your beautiful work on Ravelry, but if you want to win a prize, please submit the Google Form. I will link to the Google Form repeatedly over the net few months here in the shownotes, on Ravelry, on IG, on FB and anywhere else I can think to post so you'll be able to find the link when you're ready to submit. Link to submit your Finished Object/blood donation: https://forms.gle/QdJuQUSr8uM7GoiF6 FOs Tan House Brook Shawl (Ravelry) – this is a pattern by Jennifer Lassonde of Down Cellar Studios in the Sekhment base, an alpaca/silk/linen yarn from A Hundred Ravens in the Nevertheless She Persisted colorway that I bought during the virtual Maryland Sheep and Wool. I’m doing a few rows each week The Opposite of Strict (Ravelry) hat by That Metzbower Girl Designs and it’s a ponytail hat designed to use scraps. I used up the leftovers from the two RBG Dissent Cowls I made earlier this fall. Princess Blanket by Carol Hladik – wearable crochet blanket.
WIPs Wenlock (Ravelery) from Tin Can Knits. Knitting done. Need to weave in ends Galliatt (Ravelry) by JimiKnits – pattern also available on LoveCrafts, using discontinued Longmeadow by Webs. I finished the front and am about 7” in to the back Willowbrook Shawl (Ravelry) – pattern by Brenda Castiel in my own handspun cotton. Fiber from HipStrings. I used 2 braids, pulled apart the colors, spun them in rainbow order then chainplied it to maintain the rainbow. I am nearing the end of orange – there’s a lot of orange. Pull Me Over sweater – This was my Christmas Day cast on, though I haven’t picked it up at all since then! Pattern by Andrea Black, using leftover Universal Yarns cotton that are leftovers from knitting my husband a sweater many, many years ago. Slice of Summer (Ravelry) – my New Year’s caston using BaH yarns shawl ball Ozone crochet top (Ravelry) – restarted it now that my crochet skills are better; already half way through the band of hexies that go around your ribcage Stash My family got me a subscription to Hipstrings Cotton Club! I am so happy to be a member again, I looooove her colorways. I got 2 2-oz braids (technically it was the December shipment) that are beautiful blends of purple, blue, brown, mauve and brown called Moody and On the Horizon. I’m thinking of pulling these 2 apart and making a chain ply, but not sure. For Christmas I got 3 colors of Nomad Yarn’s hand-dyed Gelato series. This time I got the green, blue and purple to go with the pink, orange and yellow that I bought during a virtual fiber event last summer. Now I have a whole gorgeous rainbow and I need to decide what to do with it! Spinning Buchanan Fiber gradient spin – the 4th color is done and plied I’ve been spinning 10 min a day Out and About Virtually Lots of fiber events happening online this winter Pigskin Party now through the Superbowl Ravelry Group I’m sponsoring for the 3rd year and also participating. Vogue Knitting Live Upcoming Vogue Knitting Live @ Home Feb 11-14, Mar18-21. I got tickets for my birthday am taking classes with Bristol Ivy and Alisdair Post-Quinn and I’m very excited. Stitches At Home Feb 5-7 GGKCS podcast is running their annual winter craftaong starting now through the end of Feb 2021, more details on their Facebook page. Spa 2021 is virtual, sign up for their mailing list for further details. If you have any events you’d like me to share please email me windsweptmonique@gmail.com
On the Run We took our annual New Year’s Day hike. It’s normally a big group event in our town – groups of 30-ish people led by a guide on trails in our town. Of course it was a bit different this year. We hiked by ourselves on a new-to-us trail behind our local agricultural high school. Lovely trail plus the kids loved seeing the cows and horses. Other people on the trail but everyone maintained a safe distance and wore masks. Belly dancing - great for bad knees and so much fun!
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| 25 Feb 2022 | 103 - So Many WIPs | 00:15:41 | |
Ep 103 recorded 2/16/22 A note on showlinks – all links to Ravelry are clearly labelled as such and all links for yarn are directly to the dyer’s website. Be A Helper Craftalong One month to go! 6th Be A Helper Craft-a-long has begun! We keep the rules simple.
One change this year – due to ongoing accessibility issues on Ravelery, I’ll hold this event both on and off Ravelry. Last year we just used a Google Form and that was hard for some folks, so this year there will be a chat thread and an FO thread on Rav, and for non-Rav users I’ll have a google form where you can link to your IG/FB/Twitter post showing your FO. Link to submit your Finished Object/blood donation: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf08z2uqelVGeUBkm0fofQGveThChBBZzaMvNsRdlPlMzhbgA/viewform?usp=sf_link Prizes A set of mini skeins from Unwind Yarn Company – especially exciting as Dana does not dye anymore. Jen Lassonde of Downcellar Studio has very generously offered one of her patterns and a skein of yarn, thank you Jen! FOs Knights Who Say Knit by Mary Annarella of Lyrical Knits, a really fun Monty Python and the Holy Grail inspired pattern. The knitting is done but I have about 100 ends to weave in.
WIPs Recalibrate Top by Shana Lines using Nomad Yarn’s hand dyed cotton/rayon Gelato yarn. I’m half way through the back panel in the yellow Gelato. Earthrise, a new pattern of mine. Lotus Mandala Vest by Morale Fiber, crochet vest. Started a second Lotus Mandala during the Knitathon Papillon/Butterfly shawl by MarinJa Knits I’ve started spinning handspun yarn for the winner of my drawing for the Knitathon last weekend Out and About Vogue Knitting Live Vogue Knitting Live @ Home Feb 17-20 and Mar 17-20. Vogue Knitting Live in person in NYC is cancelled for 2022 but will be back Feb 9-12 2023 GGKCS podcast is having their annual Winter AL, visit their FB page for more details. Stitches at Home Stitches West in person Mar 3-6 2022. CT Sheep and Wool April 30, 2022 NH Sheep and Wool May 14 & 15, 2022 If you have any events you’d like me to share please email me windsweptmonique@gmail.com I’ve Got Sunshine Last weekend I participated in the Knit For Food Knitathon last weekend – we raised over $270,000!!! Crafters are amazing people and when we come together we can do amazing things. | |||
| 07 Sep 2023 | 121 - Where Has Summer Gone? | 00:12:58 | |
Ep 121 written 8/29/23 recorded 9/7/23 Where did summer go? Stash I stopped at Ewe And You Fiber Arts in Windsor, CT and picked up some yarn. 3 skin-tone shades of Bamboo Pop by Universal Yarns. Knitted Knockers put out a call for knockers in D/DD in neutrals and skin tones and these three skeins will be all knitted knockers. 1 skein of Baby Alpaca Brush by Plymouth Yarns, an Alpaca/acrylic blend. 2 skeins of Araucanis Huasco Coton in the Perito Merino and Inca Del Sol colorways WIPs Hitchhiker #8? 9? In Lion Briand Shawl in a Ball (discontinued) in the purple/gray/white fade colorway. This is a simple garter stitch shawl by Martina Behm. I have less than 30% of the yarn left! Snowflake Sweater Scarf using Big Twist Heather in Grey bought at Joann’s, I’m almost to the central section 2nd Sock for Thing 1. Summer Happiness by Concept Creative. This is a flexible garment that can be worn as a sleeveless top or a poncho. Vivian by Ysolda Teague knit in Lana Grossa Elastico in a dark green color. Summer Dream (Songe d’ete) designed by Armelle Robert. Out and About – upcoming Fiber events in the NE USA (and there are lots this fall) Pigskin Party starts today! Ends after the Super Bowl in February. Pennsylvania Endless Mountains Fiber Festival Sept 9-10, New Milford, Pennsylvania NJ Sheep and Fiber Festival, Sept 9-10, Ringoes, NJ Western NY Fiber Festival, Sept 17, East Aurora, NY Vermont Sheep and Wool Sept 30-Oct 1, Tunbridge, VT Fryeburg Fair, Oct 1-8, Fryeburg Maine Rhinebeck (NY Sheep and Wool) Oct 21-22, Rhinebeck, NY Fiber Festival of New England Nov 6 & 7 at Eastern States Exhibition in Springfield, MA Maryland Alpaca and Fleece Festival, Nov 11-12, West Friendship, MD Pennsylvania Fall Fiber Festival, Nov 18-19, Leesburg PA I’ve Got Sunshine Summer’s last hurrah! | |||
| 05 Dec 2017 | Playing Catch Up | 00:26:06 | |
Episode 27 – Playing Catch Up Knitting and Running in 30 min or less Segments this week include: Fos, Wips, Stash, Out and About, On the Run and Patterns Be A Helper KAL - extended through January 6th so you can also participate in the Knitmore Girls Do Some Good KAL. FOs MIL hitchhiker shawl, pattern by Martina Behm, knit in Ito Yarn’s Kinu 100% silk Thing 2’s Christmas socks, 4 toddler vanilla socks knit in Plymouth Diversity in the Multi Blue Taube colorway which is self-striping white, taupe, aqua, navy and bright orange. Thing 1’s Christmas knee socks in Berroco Comfort Sock in Red Lillesand cowl by Monika Eckert for my aunt in some deep stash, Rozetti Yarns Soft Payette and Cascade Sateen Solids Blue baby socks for friend’s son, just a simple vanilla sock in some deep stash that I don’t remember the name of Husband’s super secret scarf in Pendenza by Plymouth Yarns. At Thanksgiving, as I was audibly working mn my LAST Christmas gift, he commented that I wasn’t making him anything for Christmas. So when mom and I went shopping on Small Business Saturday I stopped into A Great Yarn in Chatham and bought this lovely gradient yard and knit him a Hitchhiker by Martina Behm, which I knit in secret and finished yesterday. Mom’s Christmas shawl – this is my new pattern, which hasn’t been released yet and I’ll talk more about it later, but I knit it in some Bernat worsted weight Handicrafter Holida yarn that I’ve had for a while, with the white on the lace edge and red for the body Wips My 1st non-vanilla socks! – Mahalo by Dana Gervais in CoBaSi by Hikoo My 2nd non-vanilla socks – Newlin by Sarak Jordan, aka Knit/Wit Designs – Berroco Comfort Sock and I’m working these on my brand new Size 2 Lykke needles to test them out. New shawl sample, hoping to release around Christmas, knitting it in Triyang, by Lee Meredith, in Araucania’s Yumbrel, a cotton thread/laceweight yarn in Pastels colorway, which is pastel peach, pink, blue and purple. Out and About Vogue Knitting in January! It’s my birthday gift from my boys as it’s happening right around my birthday. I’ll be there on the Friday so if you see me, say hello! Probably going to Stitches United in March in Hartford, CT. Not planning on taking any classes at the moment, just enjoying the market and hanging out with people. Stash Rhinebeck: 9 skeins of bamboo dyed by Artisinal Yarns, 3 gold, 3 pink & gold blend, 3 pink with gold undertones. Think I’m going to fade a Lush by Tin Can Knits and possibly make it in the round instead of a cardigan, since I’m always cold. 2600 yards of lace-weight bamboo dyed by Spinnaway Farms (so nice, btw) Pendenza by Plymouth Yarns, bought at A Great Yarn in Chatham, MA over the Thanksgiving holiday 1 mini-skein of Lorna’s Laces Shepherd sock in “ooak” colorway 2 skeins of Elsebeth Lavold’s Hempathy in Light Denim (looks more like a light purple) 1 skein of Firefly by Classic Elite in a warm pinky-beige colorway called Delos – destined to be embroidery on a Downton Abbey themed Garden Kimono sweater I knit years ago Fiber (!) – have not started spinning any of these 16 oz Green/Mocha/White Show Special by Little Barn - a blend of 3 naturally occurring, undyed cottons, one which is tan, another greenish, and the third the traditional whitish. 2 oz Tussah Silk from Fiber Kingdom 1 oz Yak/silk blend from Liberty Ridge 1 oz camel/silk blend from Fiber Kingdom 2 oz Tencel from Fiber Kingdom 2oz Bamboo from Fiber Kingdom Patterns I bought 4 patterns during the Indie Design Gift-A-Long kal, including the 2 sock patterns I mentioned earlier, Newlin by Knit/Wit and Mahalo by Dana Gervais. I also bought Peppermint Mocha by CC Almon of Java Purl Designs the Isis Talicoat by Kari-Helene Rane (Side note for clarity – this pattern was released in 2012 before the current jihadist movement and was named after the ancient Egyptian goddess) it looks like the old fashioned Victorian women’s tailcoat but without all the frilly nonsense. It has a detailed edging but the body is stockinette and fits under the bust with a large decorative button, then the edges gently angle towards the hips. I plan to wear this with knee high boots and leggings in the spring and fall as an indoor/outdoor coat. On The Run As I mentioned last week, I threw my back out again after Rhinebeck and finally went to the doctor, the result of which is I’m now in physical therapy, again. It’s been about 4 weeks now and I am seeing definite progress. I am already stronger and I’ve been cleared to start basic exercises, within reason. No running yet, but I’m walking a few days a week and learned today that I can swim, ride my bike or even row if I take it slow and easy to start. So I am very excited to get back out there. With the PT I’ve been concentrating on strength training since my last On The Run segment, for obvious reasons, and it is definitely paying off. My shoulders and upper back are a lot stronger and I’m starting to work on the middle and lower back and transverse abdomis, which is your central core muscle, what lays under your 6-pack abs (or lack thereof, in my case) and it’s the muscle that actually holds you upright. Having a stronger core is awesome and I know will help me a lot in running once I’m cleared to start that. In the show notes I am linking to some articles on Transverse Abdominis workouts that could help you. So if you want to work your abs, focus on your transverse abdominus, NOT a 6-pack. Crunches make your tummy look pretty but it won’t make you stronger. Try exercises like planks, modified planks, side planks, wood chops, burpees, or dead bugs – and as always, please check with a medical professional if you have any pain, especially any recurring pain. I am not a medical professional, I am only trying to arm you with knowledge.
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