Rumpel and the Frog (Rumpel and the Frog)

In this episode we journey into Fiber Space!  We discuss some wonderful examples of Rumpel's online shopping and explore the functionalities of Ravelry which Frog is considering. We even include some lore from the the digital universe.  Are you interested in publishing your content digitally on Ravelry?  Do you want to hear about some amazing rewards programs through a fabulous online LYS? Are your curious to hear our WIP report, some belly laughing, and some tips and tricks for great finishes to your knitted work?  Grab your stitching and tune in for all this and more. 

In this episode…we can’t escape our fate!  We must have been destined to explore sets of three, and the most famous fiber-trio is of course the Greco-Roman Fates, also known as the Scandinavian Norns.  Tune in to hear about how these weaving ladies spin, measure, and cut the threads that make the fabric of your life! Plus, we have some spinning of our own to share, since Rumpel has Navajo (chain) plied some beautiful handspun, 3-ply yarn of her own!  Meanwhile, Frog explains the inescapable nature of fate, which is measured in Zeus’s golden scales throughout scenes of the Trojan War.  And both Rumpel and Frog have amazing, adorable finds in their foraging for patterns, designs, and projects in sets of three or related to that magic number.  Want to knit a three-toed sloth, anyone?  Of course you do!  It’s in the fates!

We are hopping all about in this conversation about hoopy crafting!  You'll hear about Frog's beginner dive into embroidery and punch needle, not to mention a revisit to cross stitching.  Rumpel jumps through all kinds of hoops --not really--to share some amazing resources to supply your embroidery crafts: everything from online shopping, virtual classes, gorgeous books, and more.  Ready to get that beginner kit to get hyped up on hoops?  Ready to advance your skills with Rumpel's resources and advice?  Come sit and stitch along with us as we share our explorations in hoop-crafts.

Rumpel and the Frog are preparing for a road trip!  Tune in to hear all about our preparations for the New York Sheep and Wool Festival at the Duchess County Fairgrounds in Rhinebeck, NY. Rumpel "The Returnee" knows the ropes! And so, she has lots of tips, tricks, advice, and wool festival hacks for First-timer Frog.  Where to park?  What to eat?  How to buy? We answer these questions and so much more as we prepare to hit the road and burn some cash on new stash!  Grab your knitting or hit play on your way to New York.  Better yet, press play as soon as you can because you will want to incorporate this advice into your advance preparation for the best festival experience possible. We are so excited that after a year of waiting we are finally en route to Rhinebeck!

In this episode, we continue to play word games, share WIPs, celebrate FO's, and explore more stitches and witches! We begin with a Rhinebeck review from Rumpel, who returned from her fiber-y pilgrimage to Dutchess County with quite the haul of books, tools, fiber and more. Then, Frog explores her next question about witch iconography:  what is the point of that black pointy hat? Tune in to hear what she learned about pointy toppers and their appearance throughout history on mummies, nobility, sorcerers, outcasts, and more.  Plus, this time we suggest some last-minute, spooky projects to crochet in a jiffy to make your Halloween look jaunty!  We hope you are stitching and find this bewitching!

Sure we love natural history & mythology,  folklore & fairytales, but what we love to discuss even more are our WIPs (works in progress). Find out what projects are on our knitting needles, what's sitting in timeout, and what patterns we are shopping, swatching, and dyeing for.  Do you love Andrea Mowry's "Weekender" or have a case of "second sock syndrome"? Want to hear about frogging lots of knitting and rumpeling those threads? Tune in as Rumpel encourages Frog to finish that second sock at long last. Plus Frog swoons over Rumpel's swatches galore and shares a pattern with nifty new construction to explore.  Who doesn't love some summer evening chatter over knitting?  We've even got summer crickets and frog songs we didn't edit out for added ambiance. Enjoy!

In this final episode of the Witches and Stitches series, we are delighted to really dig in and share our WIP'S and FO's.  It's been a while since we've had such a good long talk about our fiber-y processes! Next, Rumpel shares her newfound familiarity with familiars, or witches' spirit companions.  Tune in to hear about their origins from Classical Antiquity and their evolution throughout time. Plus, Froggie shares a little lesson she calls "Connecticut Witch Trials 101," in which we learn some choice bits about the long and troubling history of witch trials and witch panic right in our own backyard.  It turns out that the events in Salem are just one chapter in a much longer tale; a tale that our own state of Connecticut begins and ends.  Well, how 'bout that! Finally, we have a teaser for the micro-series planned for two episodes in December. Listen to the very end of the episode to hear all about it! It will definitely be a little bit of fun!

In this episode, Rumpel and the Frog establish some friendly rules for a handmade holiday gift exchange planned for later this month. Moving from nice to naughty, they then shed some new light on two well known Christmas connivers:  Krampus and the Grinch.  Tune in to learn the lighter side of Krampus--was he really all that bad as he sought to punish naughty children on a December night?  And what about the real Grinch?  Did you know that  Boris Karloff, the famed voice of the 1966 Grinch, had south-Asian roots, was well known for his roles in horror films, and played a jolly Santa to hospitalized children year after year?  Plus, we recommend an entire book of Christmas crafts made with the humble but versatile pom pom! Tune in to hear all of this and more!

In this episode, we cool things off with a fascinating exploration of the Yeti, Iceman, and Gunnister Man, all of whom have important connections to frigid temperatures and frozen extremes. Are you intrigued by Buddhist rituals, ancient stomach contents, or costume history? We've got you covered. We are so excited to share what we've learned about these old and even ancient clues from the frigid past.  Hint:  it involves knitwear! Tune in to hear about progress on blanket knitting, sweaters, spinning, and one very important COMPLETED pair of socks.  Plus, Frog recommends her second-favorite fiber-related podcast (Can you guess her first-favorite?) while Rumpel forages for some abominably cute project ideas for you Yeti-lovers out there.  Watch out!  We have an avalanche of frosty fun for you in this one!

The second in a three-part mini-series about real-life giants, in this episode we take a trip back in time to explore dire wolves. Where and when did these super-sized wolves live? How did they meet their extinction? How are they featured in pop culture (Game of Thrones, anyone?) today? Rumpel shares all the fascinating tidbits she’s learned about the remains of dire wolves found in the La Brae tar pits, and Frog has gone foraging for some excellent wolfish projects to stitch. One amazing project just might be designed by the amazing Rumpel herself! Tune in to hear about the Capitoline Wolf, too, and the legendary she-wolf who helped to raise Romulus, the founder and namesake of ancient Rome. Rumpel also has some glorious hand-spun victories to share, meanwhile Frog is obsessed with her Cowl-O-Ween knit-along. Dire Wolves may have have been buried in tar pits, but at least they were enjoying their prey. To this we say, “Bury me with my stash!”

Join us from New Haven, CT to Putney, VT this summer as we tour and preview ALL NINE shops participating in this year's 1-91 Shop Hop! In part 1 of this 4-part series, we look at two wonderful CT shops north of Hartford: Marji's Yarncrafts of Granby and Ewe and You Fiber Arts of Windsor.  We did our research on the ground, folks.  Wearing our own hand knits, of course, we cruised the fiber aisles, tried the tools, and ooohed & aahed at the notions and other delights each store had to offer. This episode supports our belief that every yarn shop has so much more than just yarn to offer.  Tune in to hear about what we wore and what we hauled away.  Plus, we've included interviews with both shop owners so you can hear directly from them about what they have on offer and how they are engaging in the HOP.  We also have some local lore to tie into the convo of course.  Enjoy!  First stop....CT shops! Let's hop!

In this episode, Rumpel and the Frog discuss all things solstice-y! After a quick celebration of some recently finished objects, Rumpel shares what she's learned about Kachina dolls and the Soyal Solstice Ceremony of the indigenous peoples of the American Southwest. Next up, Frog shares some fun facts about the solar and lunar calendar, including some of the history and mythology surrounding our modern-day names for the days of the week and months of the year.  Tune in to hear about the pagan Roman tradition of Saturnalia, too! Of course, the episode closes with some lovely projects to knit and stitch, thanks to the foraging of Rumpel and the Frog! Enjoy!

In this episode you’ll hear about variations in Sleeping Beauty’s tale.  How does one even prick herself on a spindle anyway?  Splinter or spindle? You’ll find out about some logistical issues and some interesting thematic elements concerning this dreaming damsel. Tune in for some fiber-related history, etymology, the true cause of the Trojan War, and the true cause of Beauty’s long beauty-rest. We think we figured it out, and we also have lots of interesting tidbits about the craft of spinning.  Not only do we include a detailed review on some summer-weight fibers and projects, but this episode will also feature our first-ever project kit giveaway.  So listen in to find out how to enter your name in our drawing.

Tune in to hear about our holiday stocking-along progress. Plus, Rumpel shares what she discovered about the tradition of hanging stockings.   We also do a fun  "show & tell" to celebrate another Handmade Monday of recording together. Plus, have you ever been on a strict yarn diet or cheated on one?  We certainly have! Listen in to hear all about yarn-dieting attempts and recent cheating.  We just had to buy more yarn for blanket projects and commissioned knits. We just can't resist yarn!  Why diet when you can dye it?

Find the Show Notes for this episode here!

Join us for our season closer as the Summer sun sets on Season 2. In this episode we wrap up the Summer and this season with a works in progress report. Hear about all of our yarn-y and fiber-y adventures in crochet, printmaking, embroidery, knitting, dyeing, and doll-making! We have so much to share with you, and we aim to inspire every type of stitcher. Curious about Tunisian crochet, wool felt stuffies, remarkably intentional yarn dyeing, slugs versus snails (whaaa?), or spinning & plying? Grab your projects and your ear buds, come sit and stitch, and tune in while we tell you more!

In this bonus episode, you'll meet Gail Callahan, also known as the Kangaroo Dyer.  Gail is a lifetime fiber and textile artist, and most recently she served as the dyer for Webs America’s Yarn Store in Northampton, Massachusetts. The Frog and Kangaroo first met a few summers back when Frog took a weekend workshop on color theory with Kangaroo.  That’s when Frog was first introduced to the Kangaroo’s amazing book Hand Dyeing Fleece and Yarn and her unique tool, The Original Color Grid.  Listen in to hear more about these resources and to get to know a bit more about Gail. Gail has also generously sponsored Rumpel and Frog’s next giveaway, so if you are interested in winning Gail’s book and template, be sure to tune in to the next full episode for details! After hearing this, we’re sure you’ll want your chance to win!

Welcome to Season 2! We kick off February with a flaming hot episode on the Phoenix, the Firebird, and some fire-y fibers. Tune in to hear about progress on sweaters, socks STILL in timeout (argh), the benefits and drawbacks of circular needle sets, and Rumpel’s amazing release of her critters back into the wilds of Ravelry and Etsy! We dive into the colorful lore of mythical birds from Egypt to Eastern Europe and Russia. And of course, we have some fantastic stitching kits, patterns, and designers to suggest that we think are equally en fuego! Enjoy!

Our second stop on 1-91 Shop Hop takes us on the road north to Massachusetts. Join us on a walk through the vibrant streets of Northampton, MA as we take in all the fiber-y delights of the Paradise City! You’ll hear about the vast, deep, and wonderfully overwhelming experience of Webs America's Yarn Store. First-timer Rumpel takes in what she can in this short visit with a promise to return soon, and frequent-shopper Frog just goes on (and on and on) about the many and diverse classes and educational opportunities she has enjoyed at Webs. Tune in also to meet Bonnie Lemme, Webs Store Manager, to hear the secrets behind the customer-based success of Webs. Next up (and after an ice cream stop at Herrell's, of course) we meander up the street to Northampton Wools for a massively different but equally amazing experience. From amazing fiber finds to a fantastic shop keeper, this place makes for a charming and fulfilling visit for any knitter or crocheter. Contemporary mags, fresh patterns, unique yarns, and in-house designs are just some of what you can expect. Tune in to meet Linda Daniels, the owner of Northampton Wools, and hear what it takes to share a zip code with Webs for such a long time with such great success. Next stop...? Vermont!

In this episode, Rumpel and the Frog debrief their experiences knitting outdoors in the company of a local flock of Shetland sheep.  Listen in to hear our fleecy friends chomping and wrestling down some pumpkin snacks in the hay! Rumpel and Frog also discuss in detail their works in progress, their plans for wintry knitting, and the patterns & yarns that will shine creative light on those dark winter nights! Plus, ever wonder why the black sheep of the flock is both revered and rejected in certain cultures? Rumpel tells us why and more!

Find the Show Notes for this episode HERE!

In this episode, we have a bad (or good!) case of double vision.  Tune in for a geometry lesson and some swatches that test Frog's hypothesis for anticipating a new stitch gauge and yardage when holding a yarn doubly!  Hint:  We'll get to the (square) root of this question once and for all. Also, will holding your yarn double cost twice more than simply buying a thicker-weight yarn?  Tune in to find out!  Meanwhile, Rumpel gets really excited about some examples of polycephaly when she shares her exploration into two-headed creatures! Lastly, want to knit with yarns held double, try some ambidextrous color-work knitting, or fold up a two-headed dragon in origami?  We've got you covered.  Our foraging is sure to delight you this time with double the opportunities for double the fun. Special thanks also to Ewe and You Fiber Arts, the site of our recent, covid-safe play date.  We give this little shop a rave review.  Tune in to hear all that and more!

In this episode, Rumpel and Frog explore some local lore from the hills of their hometowns in Connecticut. Rumpel does some research on the Makiawisug (aka Little People).  Meanwhile, Frog tells some local legends about a vagabond called Leather Man and the infamous Farmington resident (from back in the day) Will Warren. If you love hiking the local trails and exploring the many trap-rock dens that Connecticut River Valley has to offer, you will love hearing about these two unusual men who were said to inhabit those spaces.  After our storytelling, we turn our attention to all the tastes and treats of this bountiful season.  Rather than forage for stitching patterns, this time we look into indigenous recipes, local farms, and heirloom flavors to celebrate the season in true locavore fashion.  Bon Appetit!

Rumpel and Frog chat about their WIPs, celebrate some finished objects, and discuss the amazing summer sun.  We explore the solstice, Midsummer festivals, and the mythology of the movements of the heavens.  Ever wonder which one is the Dog Star or why these sultry days are called the dog days of summer?  Frog fills us in on these details! We're soaking up some summer lovin' too as we flip through PomPom Quarterly's latest issue "Summer Shapes" and share with you some heart-warming finds from Ravelry. Tune in to hear all about our fiber-finds, sky-gazing, and folklore explorations! 

In this episode, we reconnect with Brandie June, author of Gold Spun and its recently released sequel, Curse Undone. Tune in to hear about the continuing adventures of Nor, Pel, and Prince Casper. Spoiler Alert:  We do ask some questions about the tantalizing end of Gold Spun, the evolving love triangle of the main characters, and the new world that Brandie builds so beautifully for part 2 of this duology. Brandie shares her writing and editing process, her recent in-person book tour, and upcoming events that feature Brandie and celebrate the art of storytelling. Truly, it was a lovely reunion with Brandie, and we can't wait to share the conversation with you.  So, grab your stitching and join us in the world of Brandie June!

In this episode, we explore all things "Rumpel!"  After discussing some "rumpels" in our own craft, by which we mean recovering from our mistakes with beautiful results, we share some WIPs and also a Tunisian crocheted FO. Next, Rumpel recaps the tale of her namesake, Rumpelstiltskin.  She explores the importance of our names, the role of identity in fairytales, and the various descriptions of this famous spinning imp!  Finally, Frog forages for a few projects that fit the theme.  Tune in to hear about a brand new design collection that is sure to rumpel your yarn stash. These patterns are sure to stash-bust through your bins and closets and make something new and multi-dimensional out of that leftover yardage.  Come turn your straw into gold with us!

That’s right, we’re all about the mermaids this week, but not that mermaid. In this episode Frog & I serve up some fascinating tales about the possible origins of mermaids, creatures that you’re likely to see in the wild who’ve been mistaken for merfolk and a good helping of Japanese mere-lore. We’ve also got some knitting, crochet and dyeing adventures to share too! Interested in working up some mer-inspired projects? We’ve got you covered there! Oh, and we announce the winner of the Feza Gradient Kit right off the bat… and end with announcing another giveaway!

In this episode we're crossing over to crochet! Hear all about Frog's journey as a beginner crocheter.  She'll tell you all the ways in which it was both a struggle and a success to approach crochet from a longtime knitter's perspective. She'll also share the many happy byproducts of this journey: tutorials uncovered online,  great beginner project suggestions, and even an accidental review of about, well, a half dozen types of crochet hooks. Sheesh! Plus, Frog attempts to stump the Rump with some questions regarding tension, blocking, and cotton fibers. Meanwhile, resident crochet expert Rumpel shares her recent forays into research and designing in 3-dimensional shapes. Cool!  We even have a podcast episode and a newly released crochet pattern book to share with you.  Are you ready to cross over to crochet? Join us!

Mirror, mirror, on the wall… ohh, oops, wrong tale… Anyways, this Mirror, Mirror, Mini-Cast explores one version of the Sleeping Beauty fairytale as re-told by Rumpel. All ages can gather ‘round to listen to this re-telling of Briar Rose, originally from “Household Stories Collected by The Brothers Grimm, Volume 1”. Some liberties were taken in Rumpel’s interpretation and delivery of this Sleeping Beauty tale, but it stays on track to the overall story. If you’d like to read the original text it was inspired by, you can do that here! So, tune in!  When is the last time you took 15 minutes out of your day to be enchanted by some story time!

Welcome to the kickoff of our March Multiples Miniseries! To start, it's all about the one and on-lies, the singletons, and the truly unique in this episode. We swatched some single-ply yarns to test the strength and behavior of those glorious, energetic singles. We also talk about some bachelorette babes of mythology who strove to stay single with varying degrees of success. Warning: Not all of these ladies quite escaped their desirous suitors, and the attempted sexual assault is why we marked this episode explicit. And finally, what episode on one-of-a-kind things wouldn't include a major study of unicorns? As ever, we share what we're working on and forage for the perfect projects to work in singles yarns. Want to explore a fiber fantasy land? We have project ideas that pay homage to unicorns, too! It's a big one, so grab your stitching, settle in, and enjoy this episode. We're sure that it's the only one of its kind!

* Heads up, we tagged this episode as explicit due to the very brief mentioning of adult content.

In this episode, we explore two amazing types of transformation.  First, we investigate and practice the process of fulling:  intentionally shrinking cloth for a thicker, denser result.  Rumpel has the most amazing swatches and processes to share. So many, in fact, that you may want to keep your show notes open in order to see all the before-and-after images that she discusses.  Plus, Frog tells some Greco-Roman flower myths.  Did you know that the Daffodil, Crocus, and Hyacinths that you love to see blooming this time of year are all that remain of youth and beauty attributed to some famous young men of Greek myth?  Tune in to explore these tales of transformation, our works in progress, the projects that are providing us with springtime inspiration, and so much more.

In today’s episode we continue exploring metamorphosis, but with a slight twist… this time, we focus on a very special theme near and dear to us: feminist fairytale retellings! This episode has a bit of its own metamorphosis as we talk with our special guest, Brandie June, author of the soon-to-be released Gold Spun - a fresh retelling of the Rumpelstiltskin tale through the miller’s daughter’s point of view. Except in this retelling, the miller’s daughter is a con artist and Rumpelstiltskin is a mysterious faerie with a dark secret. Does it get any better than this?! Brandie's new book will hit the shelves June 8, 2021, but it's the process of creating it that we are most eager to hear about. She is truly a creative: a maker, performer, writer and artist. You'll hear all about her sources of inspiration, the surprises and frustrations of her process, and what it takes to turn an idea into a published work! Tune in to hear about Gold Spun's audio version (spoiler alert - we're excited!), a giveaway, Brandie's love for dog-sweater making, and more!

Join us for three --count 'em THREE-- lovely yarn shops in the Nutmeg State, our very own Connecticut.  In this episode we visit the Yarn Barn, Village Wool, and Knit New Haven.  As ever, each shop presents us with amazing selections of yarn, notions, tools, gift ideas, and more.  We love the dk weights and American-sourced yarns in New Haven, the gorgeous and inspiring samples in Glastonbury, and the treasure trove of crewel wool and vintage books in Woodbridge. Along the way we met the amazing owners themselves, plus some indie dyers and designers, too.  Also, we close this episode with two very big reveals.  First, we share the winner of our instagram giveaway.  Woot woot! And, we share our shop-hop-hacks for those planning to join in the fun in the coming weeks.  How did we do it, you ask?  Tune in to find out how to plan your adventure like Rumpel and the Frog!

In this episode, Rumpel muddles through without her dear Froggie as she shares a bit about her creative process. Tune in to discover Rumpel’s latest creative adventure of self-discovery through a sort-of-new illustration project she’s working on. This long-term project she's pursuing is rooted in personal meaning that will also serve as a storytelling tool. Grab your stitching (or perhaps some sketching?), relax, and enjoy!

Join Rumpel and the Frog as they sit and knit!  In this episode, the promised holiday stockings are cast-on and we invite you to craft along with us. We describe our patterns, our inspiration, our materials, and the construction techniques we're using.  Our chit-chat includes an informal review of Frog's only Rhinebeck purchase, her snazzy, new Indian Lake Artisans hexagonal needles. Meanwhile, Rumpel shares progress on some Halloween craftiness involving both hand and machining sewing an amazing dragon costume for a wee one. 

Welcome to the Rumpel & the Frog Show! In this episode we introduce ourselves and tell you our very own fairy tale about coming together to create the Rumpel & the Frog Podcast. Learn about who we are, what we love (yarn!), and the stories we plan to tell.  Tune in to join a community of fellow fiber-lovers!

What’s worse than a soggy stocking left hanging at the fireplace? NO STOCKING AT ALL! That’s why we decided to host a Stocking-along! Both of us coincidentally planned to make stockings this year for our girls and thought it’d be the perfect opportunity to invite you all to join us! Listen for details about our very first “craft-along”  in this introductory mini-cast episode where we explain it all: how to find us, where to listen, what to make, when to make it, and--most importantly--how to share with the community. Plus, we have more news...  we created a Ravelry Group (whoa!) for the Rumpel & the Frog community and will have a Stocking-along discussion thread in this group! Not sure where to begin? No worries as we've foraged up an amazing list of fiber-tastic, stocking-esque projects in nearly every fiber art form you can imagine - wet felting, embroidery, punch needle, cross-stitch, sewing, weaving, rug hooking, Tunisian crochet, and more! So get ready to visit your LYS to grab your hooks, needles,  tools, and supplies!  We're so eager for you to join us and get those stockings hung in plenty of time for other holiday crafting too.  Listen for all the details and inspiration you need to cast on with us in mid-October. 

In this episode we take in the vistas of the Green Mountains while cruising 1-91 and Routes 9 and 100 in lovely, verdant Vermont! It was the perfect day for a short road trip with a delicious yarn crawl! Our first stop in Putney takes us to The Green Mountain Spinnery, a cooperatively owned and operated mill producing the perfect line of locally sourced yarns in a surprisingly generous range of fibers, blends, weights and colors. Our host for the morning, Larisa, shared with us her passion for design, yarn production, responsible partnerships, sustainable production, and everything good that goes with the idea of "knit local." For Frog, this thoughtful, bold entrepreneur truly was an inspiration! Just a few miles down the road in Brattleboro we meet with Beth, the one-woman show behind Hand Knits. In this shop we find Beth to be an experienced, welcoming, generous, and very knowledgable shopkeep. Rumpel noticed that she sure keeps an eye on those up and coming fiber trends! Want to check out some new recycled fiber yarn from Berocco or a small batch yarn line from Scotland? Interested in local Vermont dyers or American-milled yarns? Beth is carrying them! Not to mention the ways she keeps her generous storefront fresh by turning over that inventory with regular sales! Tune in to hear about both shops, what we wore, plus a very special side trip.

In this episode we wrap up our season for you, just like a holiday present!  We begin with agreeing on the delights of mulled wines--'tis the season after all--before moving on to mull over the year. We reflect on our favorite finished objects, fibers, and techniques from 2021.  Plus, we revisit last year's Fiber Resolutions!  Tune in to see if we stuck to those or not.  We also share a new set of Fiber Resolutions to guide our intentions and our making in 2022. Oh and yes, we also did do our homework to provide some 30-minute or less projects and resources for you last-minute holiday crafters out there! Most importantly, we thank you all, dear listeners, for your continued engagement with the Rumpel and the Frog Show. We will be hibernating a bit this winter, but we'll be back soon with more stories and more stitching in Season 5 of 2022! 

Pencil toppers and knit chain maille, anyone? Yes please! It's back to school time and we're re-living our grade-school history lessons in this episode!  Join us for a fun conversation about valorous knights and their magnificent steadfast steeds.  When pitting virtues against vices, who do you think will win? In this episode, we explore a beautiful medieval manuscript illustration, which is dripping with Christian allegory and plentiful, wonderful Latin.  Plus, ever wonder about a knight's horse (or horses?) and why they're so important?  Tune in to hear all about these aspects of medieval times.  Plus, as usual, we discuss our works in progress, the delights of sturdy cotton yarn, and some knight-inspired projects you will absolutely love to check out. 

In today’s mini-cast episode we explore all kinds of opportunities for fall knitting in communities across CT and beyond! Knit with some sheep this November, partake in the Fall Crawl in person or virtually, discover new-to-you yarn shops and celebrate the 40th anniversary of the New York Sheep and Wool Festival! Plus, we’ll remind you all about the upcoming Stocking-Along, share some special coupon codes and highlight happenings at yarn shops across CT!

Join Rumpel and the Frog for their first-ever Fiber Flight Unboxing.  This past week Noël and Amy left mystery boxes on each other's porches containing a small sampling of yummy, fiber-related items to try and share.  Just like beer, bourbon, or wine flights at your favorite tavern, these fiber-enthusiasts indulge in their own take on a fibery "tasting."  Will it be patterns, books, yarns, or tools?  Who knows?  Tune in to find out what's in store as this special fiber-show-n-tell is unboxed for your listening pleasure. Plus, there is an update on #stockingalong2020, of course. 

Hold on to your pointy hats! A whole series on witches, witch craft, fiber, and folklore!  What more could you ask for this Fall?  Here at the Rumpel and the Frog Show we have some burning questions at stake (see what I did there?) about everything we ever wanted to know about witches, their craft, and how it might relate to ours.  We plan to take these questions wherever they lead us throughout the whole season. Rumpel begins with a historical overview of good witches and bad witches:  which witch was it? Tune in to to find out!  Next, Frog explores the iconography associated with witches, too.  Plus, we warm up this episode with our WIP's, a fun game of word-association, and some swooning over the yarns we've been stitching with.  So, here's to a season full of witches and stitches!  

The first in a three-part mini-series about real-life giants, in this episode we take a deep dive to explore the Kraken.  Is this sea monster of myth and lore real, imagined, or somewhere in between?  Tune in to hear about Greco-Roman versions of this gargantuan creature, some Norse mythology, and of course, some recent scientific discoveries that turn make-believe into make-you-believe.  We also have some finished objects to celebrate (three! go us!) as well as some squid, crab, and octopus-inspired projects to share. Plus, Frog provides you with her top three Kraken-clips and an undersea documentary that will stir your soul, while Rumpel swoons over stitch-markers and more! We hope you enjoy our under sea sound effects, too!  Release the Kraken!

In this episode we get back to our favorite thing: YAAAAAARN! Rumpel shares her works in progress, some stitching and even some knitting machine set-up. Frog has a number of projects going on both knitting needles and crochet hooks to share with you, but her big focus for this episode is telling of her recent travels to Canada.  Take a trip up the South Shores of Nova Scotia, from Yarmouth to Halifax, and hear all about Frog's adventures.  Food, museums, maritime history, whales watches, and more make their way into this conversation, but the main event, of course, was a local yarn shop crawl up the beautiful Nova Scotia coastline.  Tune in to hear about local mills and fibers, sweet local yarn shops, Frog's own haul, and the souvenir gifts she has to present to her dear Rumpel. We're drinking coffee, lots, so grab yours and your stitching and join us for a road trip in Canada.

In this episode Frog is flying solo.  She might be lonely,  but she has her lovely books to keep her company!  Tune in to hear about five great texts in her book pile which are providing color inspiration, innovative patterns, and good advice. From cross stitch to garter stitch, intarsia to quilt blocks, these books have a lot of ideas to help you "get 'yer make on" this summer.  Plus, a look at a special book on beginning knitwear design can really level up your appreciation of designers, understanding of written patterns, and your desire to maybe just get out there and publish yourself one day.  Enjoy!  Happy reading and, as ever, happy stitching!

In our first full episode learn about charms, amulets, talismans, and the etymology of these magical words!  We'll be discussing everything about luck--both the good kind and the bad kind-- including why people may carry a lucky rabbit's foot or why folks sometimes knock on wood.  We will share what's in progress on our knitting needles and what we've proudly finished.  Plus, we've included some great ideas for crocheted, knitted, beaded, or quilted projects connected to our theme of "lucky charms."  Tune in to hear about some hand crafted toys, home decor, garments, and more!  Two book reviews round out our charming show before we send you off for more stitching.

In this episode, Rumple and the Frog work on finding their balance at this hectic time of year!  Not only do we discuss the pros and cons of holiday gift knitting, we also reflect --at last!-- on our successes and challenges at this year's New York Sheep and Wool Festival in Rhinebeck, New York. And, since we were in Rhinebeck under the sign of Libra, we also decided to explore the constellation of Libra itself.  Frog shares what she’s learned about astronomy and astrology, and Rumpel has foraged for a lot of neat-o stitching projects related to Libra. So tune in, grab your stitching and join in as we ponder the age of the universe and hatch plans for future stars to explore.

Rumpel gives a wee-little peek into her home studio for this week’s Mirror, Mirror, Mini-Cast! Join her as she shares bits and pieces of what inspires her, the sorts of objects she enjoys making and a small glimpse of her work space.

It's all about pirates for this episode...and lions? Learn about pirate fashion, some Cape Cod lore, famous wrecks & ransoms and how a lion plays a role in pirate mythology! Plus, Rumpel and the Frog give updates on their works in progress as well as a few other pirate-y recommendations. Interested in amazing pirate art doll-making or a visit to a pirate museum containing real pirate treasure?  Tune in to hear about pirates and what we love the most:  YAAAAARRRRRN!

In this episode, we share our WIP's: explorations in corrugated ribbing, punch needle, and more.  Next, Rumpel shares her Sagittarius-stargazing with us. We investigate sky-objects, globular clusters, and even some great Latin root-words. Want to hear about a super massive black hole or peek through new "windows" into space? We also confirm that the Sagittarians in our houses are both creative and strong-willed. Tune in to hear all this and more, plus Frog foraged for some great patterns and gifting ideas to go with it all.  To the stars.....!

In this episode, we forage for some itty, bitty, crafty cuties! Need some gift ideas or embellishments? Ornaments or wreath decor? Gift tags or stocking stuffers? Or,  maybe it's just that your December-brain can only handle the teeniest dose of crafty creativity?  Tune in to hear all about Rumpel's tiny crochet and Frog's micro-knits.  We found some amazing collections of patterns to inspire you in small, hour-long doses of stash-busting stitching. So, grab your hooks and needles and find an hour or less to make some little delights with us this season.  Plus, we tried our hand at a few of these and have much to share about our process and our results in both knit and crochet!

In this mini cast Frog & Rumpel take you on an underwater adventure to discover the wondrous sea bounties! Learn about some surprising and truly precious marine-derived fibers and dyes. From seaweed and mollusks to cephalopods and other mysteries of the deep, come explore the last frontier with us!

Well, hello again! We're back and thrilled to launch Season 4 of the Rumpel and the Frog Show with our awesome new theme:Move Over For Making. We know it's been a while, but truth be told we really needed to take deep--and at last unmasked!--breath in order to get some perspective.  In the time away we've explored what truly motivates us, what sparks our creativity, and what it takes to make objects joyfully at this point the pandemic. In this episode, we'll talk about the new jobs, work spaces, plans, and craft forms we have discovered in the past few months. Plus, we will explain that while we remain rooted in fiber crafts and folklore, we have also grown beautiful new branches in printmaking, embroidery, drawing and more. Most importantly, we believe we have our priorities in good order as makers, moms, and podcasters. So, join us this season to hear how we're clearing our minds and our desks of the clutter that was blocking our creativity. It's all about our maker-lives this season. So outta the way, you obstacles, and MOVE over for making!

Join Frog for a leap into her book pile (book pond?). In this mini cast, Frog shares five amazing books that seem to be living on her studio desk lately.  Interested in references for knitwear design strategies, cast on and bind off techniques, or modern stitch patterns?  Want a recommendation for a wonderful encyclopedia of fabric types, fibers, and their uses for all your sewing projects?  How about a peek at a favorite Knit Picks collection for some holiday knitting fun?  Come hear what is on Frog's desk and why she is obsessing lately about modular knits, colorwork motifs, small projects for gifting, and more. 

In this episode, we explore the association of the broom, and flying upon one, with witches.  But even more importantly, we interview a modern broom maker, Paskalini Savopoulos, who works right here in our region. Want to learn some broom-ish vocabulary words, hear from a passionate maker, and discover the modern status of this age-old craft and its community?  Curious about the not-too-distant leap from other fiber arts to the art of tying brooms? Then please tune in as we dig into some sweeping generalizations and make future, crafty plans with the proprietor of Vagabond Spun.

In this episode Rumpel and the Frog, who have mush for brains, admit that at this point in the school year they have already transformed into zombies.  But, in between working, mothering, and sometimes screaming silently to themselves, they still can knit, darn it! Tune into to consider some recommendations that may serve you well this fall if you also have mush for brains.  We have an on-the-go morning breakfast hack, a tv-knitting pattern, some yarns and patterns to recommend, and two amazing, knitting-related  "picture" books that might be the perfect alternative to actually knitting or reading right now. We know you're stuck in that carpool right now, so go ahead--press play.  We'll reconnect you to your knitting, we promise!

Join us for the final part of our three-part mini-series on real-life giants! After debriefing our online New York Sheep and Wool 2020 experiences (aka Rhinebeck), we leave the virtual for the vampiric! We'll discuss the real Dracula's historical roots, Bram Stoker's source material for Dracula, and the surprisingly adorable habits and behaviors of the modern vampire bat.  The Frog is super eager to share some wonderful literary tidbits with you about the themes, forms, and inspiration for Stoker's Gothic horror novel, as well as a few more modern reads to keep your October nights spooktacular!  Rumpel is swooning over the cuteness of bats (believe it!) at the same time that she has foraged for some neat-o ceramic tools and embroidery projects to make your crafty heart sing. And we may not have had an interview with a vampire, but we most certainly did interview a librarian for a convo about her all-time favorite vampire novel.  So tune in and check it all out!

This week Rumpel and the Frog take a different approach and chat about some of their favorite fibery things from the past year and look forward to what they’d like to accomplish in 2021. Tune in to hear about some of their favorite fibers, techniques, and finished objects. They also offer some hints as to what you can expect from the podcast in the new year as they look to add some fluffy goodness to the folklore & fairytale side of things. Want to hear about Frog’s fibery New Year’s resolutions or Rumpel’s planned re-release of patterns?  Grab your stitching and join the conversation!

In our last in the Metamorphosis Series, Frog dives right into the frog pond with a retelling of the Frog Prince tale.  This one truly has always been her favorite! We discuss some interesting cultural variants, some nerdy scholarship on the topic, and the interesting and lesser-known epilogue of the Prince's loyal servant, Iron Henry. We also discuss what's on our spinning wheels and knitting needles, of course! Plus, Rumpel forages for some totes adorbs froggy notions for all your stitching and crafting needs! Tune in to hear all this and even for a chance to win a OOAK handspun skein made by Rumpel in honor of this episode. This scrumptious magenta skein's colorway "Smooch" is named in honor of that oh-so-famous moment of disenchantment. This is our gift to you, dear listeners.  Mwah!

In this episode, Rumpel and the Frog take a fibery spin on a common sight around the holiday season:  leftovers! So, once you've enjoyed your cold turkey and cranberry sandwiches, come set your mind on a different sort of leftovers challenge. What creative endeavors can put your leftover yarn scraps and fibery bits and bobs to use? Maybe your cut ends are really just the beginning?  Tune in to hear clever and creative ideas that will brighten rooms, warm hearts, and wow your friends. Rumpel and Frog provide inspiration for all sorts of project ideas that will surely have you bagging and stashing your cut ends for future use. Tassle-octopus, clock cozy, or tree ornament, anyone?

In this episode, we have so much to share about tales of good luck and good fortune!  Definitely tune in to hear about our recent yarn hauls. We've had some really lucky encounters at local events, and we've collected some amazing fiber goodies from vendors both near and far! Rumpel also shares the Crow People's legend of Big Metal, whose ill-fated fall was caught by some generous Bighorn sheep!  WHAAA? And finally, we recommend some sheep-y patterns, books, and fortune cookie wisdom.  What is a sheep with no legs, you ask?  Tune in to find out! 

In this episode Rumpel and the Frog exchange good wishes, knitting gauge advice, and very special gifts! Tune in to hear what mysteries are uncovered in the special packages they dropped off for each other to celebrate the season. They also chat about the festivities and foods their families look forward to this year. Listen in to hear what tasty morsels they plan to make and enjoy this week!  Cookies or cake? Plus they wish you, dear listeners, a very merry, safe, cozy, and fiber-tastic season. So hopefully you will enjoy a good “sit 'n stitch” as you listen in to this special unboxing of holiday handmade gifts.