Episode 57 – Swatch Like a Champ!
What’s On/Off My Sticks –

Austermann Step Socks
The Austermann Step socks are done, and I’ve started swatching for my Ravelympics project. I’m going to be knitting the Faverolle pullover.
News –
2nd Annual Stitch & Spin in Athens, New York
Fibers West is Coming to Abbotsford, BC – March 26-27, 2010.
Ravelympics Update –
Ravelympics Village Map is your guide to everything Ravelympics!
The official Ravelympics 2010 Ravatar can be found here.
Team Manic Purl Ravelympics prizes can be found here.
Special Feature – More on Ergonomics -
More on prevention can be found here.
DVD: Yoga for Knitters & Sitters.
Online Finds –
Berroco Knitbits Newsletter
Berroco Vintage Family Pattern Booklet
Today’s Music:
Acres and Acres perform The Polar Bear Song.
Episode 56 – Ergonomics of Knitting
What’s On/Off My Sticks –

Milkweed Shawl Completed
News -
Nancy Bush is teaching at Webs on March 12-13, 2010.
Knitters Contribute over a million to Doctors Without Borders!
Ravelympics Update -
It’s not too late to join Team Manic Purl!
Timezone Calculator – don’t forget the mass cast on is February 12, 2010 at 6:00pm PST.
Special Feature -
Stretching exercises for knitters
Online Finds –
Wolles Yarn Creations Etsy Shop
Okay Knits Etsy Shop
Spun Out –
Joy of Handspinning website
Me flicking Corriedale locks
Today’s music is Summer State of Mind by David Homyk.
Episode 55 – Double Your Decrease, Double Your Fun!
What’s On/Off My Sticks –

Milkweed Shawl - BMFA STR Light Weight in Jade
Milkweed Shawl
Austermann Step Vanilla Socks
News –
Mother Bear KAL/CAL on the CogKNITive Podcast
Blue Moon Fiber Arts has released new colorways!
Check out these patterns – portions of their profits are being donated to the relief efforts in Haiti.
Ravelympics Update –
The 2010 Ravelympic Events have been listed!
Online Finds –
Madelinetosh Prairie Lace weight singles
Spun Out –

March 2008 - My First Time Spinning On a Wheel (sorry for the horrid picture)
This week’s song is called DIY by A Band Called Quinn.
Episode 54 – Functional Knitwear
On/Off My Sticks -

Trekking Pro Natura Socks
Squidge Dishcloth
Revisiting my Shetland Triangle from 2005.
News –
Juniper Moon Farm CSA Shares are available!
Cat Bordhi is coming to Wool & Wicker in Steveston, BC Feb 19-21, 2010! Classes have been announced!
Carolina Fiber Frolic will be happening near Charleston, South Carolina from February 25-28, 2010. Find more details here or on the Carolina Fiber Frolic Ravelry group.
Ravelympics Update -
Events will be finalized this week!
Can you believe it’s only 26 more days until we cast on?!?
Don’t forget to share pictures of your project swatches on the Manic Purl Ravelry group. Feel free to let us know what you’ll be working on.
Online Finds –
Woolen Mill St Yarns Etsy Shop
Sheepish Creations’ Etsy Shop
Waterloo Wools’ Etsy Shop
Spun Out –
Check out the All Spun Up Ravelry Group to see pictures of the January/February 2010 Spin Along fiber.
Today’s music is Time Sure Flies by Allen Mayes.
Episode 53 – Casting On For 2010
What’s On/Off My Sticks
Still working on the plain vanilla socks. I *heart* Trekking Pro Natura!
News
Madrona Fiber Arts Festival – February 11-14, 2010
Ravelry Group – 2010 Lace Sampler Mystery KAL
Ravelry Group – Fifty-Two in Fifty-Two 2010
Ravelry Group – Mission: Dehibernation 2010
Ravelry Group – 2010 Pair A Month KAL & CAL
Ravelry Group – Knit A Sweater A Month Challenge!
Secret Pal 15
Ravelympics Update
Official Ravelympic Rules
Mini Red Mitten Pattern
Goat For Gold Program
Online Finds (Goodies)
Springtree Road’s Etsy Shop
See Jayne Knit Yarns’ Etsy Shop
Artric’s Etsy Shop
Spun Out – The Segment on Spinning

All Spun Up Superwash Merino 3-Ply
*****
Today’s song is Spinning Wheel by Clare Dowling
Episode 52 – Knitting Resolutions
What’s On My Sticks -

Trekking Pro Natura Vanilla Socks
Planning out your knitting for 2010? Check out lotsafos10 – Lots of Finished Objects in 2010 Ravelry Group
News -
10 Shawls In 2010
Care To Knit Charity Site
Online Finds (Goodies) -
Three Waters Farm’s Etsy Shop
On The Round’s Etsy Shop
Dye Dreams Yarn Shop
Cornrows Mittens and Hat Pattern
Matterhorn Mitts, Hat and Scarf Pattern
Spun Out -
Crown Mountain Farms.
My Superwash Merino in Sunshine of Your Love
Learning to Navajo ply?
Remember to treadle very slowly while your hands get used to the new plying motion.
Check Out These YouTube Videos on Navajo Plying –
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dgNkkt5xLZI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b9GcVfnmvNQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MOVXCHzDRKM
Today’s music is brought to us by PsychoVoyager and is called Merry Christmas and a Funky New Year.
Episode 51 – Minor Knitting Miracles

Kingscot Cardigan
What’s On/Off My Sticks?
Kingscot Cardigan
Crocheted Trim – Arcade Edge
Vine Yoke Cardigan
Garter Rib Socks
Plain Vanilla Trekking Pro Natura Socks
News
Handspun Revolution —Lillehammer
LotsaFOs10 Ravelry Group
All Spun Up Jan/Feb 2010 Spin Along
Online Finds
Siege’s Etsy Shop
Knit It Up’s Etsy Shop
Yarnahoy’s Etsy Shop
Spun Out
All Spun Up Nov/Dec 2009 Falkland Spin Along 2-Ply and 3-Ply
I will be emailing the contest winners shortly. Thank you to all who entered and an extra special thank you to Uli of Creations by Uli and Li of Yarn Tamers
Like this week’s music? It’s New Year’s Eve by Maria Daines
Happy New Year!!
2009 Christmas Spectacular Prize Pictures!
Listen to Episode 49 for details on how to win these cool prizes!
From Creations by Uli
Donated by the ever talented Uli of Creations by Uli. Uli specializes in some of the most gorgeous chainmaille jewelery designs I’ve ever seen. Uli also works wonders with stitch markers, charms, metal bookmarks, and a lot more.
A big thank you to Uli for donating the following as prizes -

Creations by Uli – Sterling Silver Chainmaille Earrings

Creations by Uli – Chainmaille Keychain

Creations by Uli – Chainmaille Flower Pin

Creations by Uli – Knitter’s Bookmark

Creations by Uli – Flower Stitch Markers (set of 10)

Creations by Uli – Coffee Bean Stitch Markers (set of 6)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
From the Yarn Tamer Company
Donated by Li S., owner of the Yarn Tamer’s Company, the Manic Purl Podcast is giving away 1 Yarn Tamer!
Check out the Yarn Tamers website for more information on how this innovative new product works, including a link to a youtube video where you can see a Yarn Tamer in action!

Yarn Tamer
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I would like to extend a huge THANK YOU to Creations by Uli and the Yarn Tamer Company for your prize donations!
Episode 50 – Optimistic Knitting
On/Off My Sticks?
Skyp Socks

Skyp Socks
Here they are all wrapped up -

Skyp Socks Ready To Give To Dad
News
Y2Knit Getaway in Wyoming
New Knitty! Winter 2009
New Petite Purls! Winter 2009
Vogue Knitting Winter 2009/2010 Fashion Preview is up!
Online Finds
Signature Sock Blocker
Turtle Purl’s Etsy Shop
Autumn Hollow Farm’s Etsy Shop
The Pat Hat – Crocheted Hat
Seagull Print Sock Knitting Bag
Whorled Peace’s Etsy Shop
Did you like today’s song? It’s called The Garland Song by Black Bar Prophecy
Episode 49 – The 2nd Annual Manic Purl Christmas Spectacular!
The Draw
If you’d like to be entered into a draw for your very own Yarn Tamer or goodies from Creations by Uli, remember to leave a comment on this post and tell us what fibery or yarny goodness is on your holiday wishlist. Contest closes at 12:00am pacific time on December 25, 2009.
Christmas Knitting
My Christmas knitting that’s still in progress includes a pair of garter rib socks, and some Skyp Socks. You’ll have to give the show a listen to hear about all that has been completed already.
Knitted Gift Ideas
French Press Felted Slippers (non-Rav)
French Press Felted Slippers (Rav link)
East Coast Mittens – thrummed mittens out of worsted weight yarn
Bamboo Soap Sweater
Deep Blue Sea Shark Mittens
Brangelina Hat – don’t let the name discourage you!
Cabled Button Toque
Roger Sock by Anne Hanson – Manly socks made from sport weight yarn.
Decorations
Amy Gaines Etsy Shop features Adorable Knitted Ornament Patterns – even little holiday penguins!
Lumpy, Rosy, & Slim Snowmen
SnoBuddy Family of Snowmen
Cookie Recipe
Mexican Wedding Cookies
Preheat oven to 400f. Bake cookies for approx 12 mins.
Ingredients:
1 c butter
1/2 c icing sugar (plus extra for rolling baked cookies in)
2c flour
2 teaspoons vanilla
1/2 cup toasted and finely chopped pecans
1 big pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg
1 pinch of salt
Beat butter in mixer, add ingredients in order, shape into balls, place on cookie sheet and bake for 12 mins or until lightly browned. Let the cookies cool a bit, so you don’t burn yourself, and roll the still warm cookies in powdered sugar. Place on wax paper, and enjoy!
10 12 Great Gifts for Knitters
1. 2010 Year In Yarn Calendar
2. Designs by Romi Pins & Lace Club
3. Knitting Charm Necklace from RJ Charms Etsy Shop
4. The Yarn Tamer this ingeneous little device will make sure you ball of yarn never falls on the floor again!
5. Creations by Uli gorgeous jewelery, stitch markers, knitting themed metal bookmarks and charms.
6. Interchangeable Knitting Needles from Knitpicks
7. Gift Certificate to Your Favorite Yarn Store or store you consider your online LYS
8. Silk Needle Case from Della Q or Lantern Moon.
9. Namaste Knitting Bag
10. A notion case, like the Namaste Buddy Case or one of the cases from Lantern Moon, or Della Q! There are also a ton of really awesome handmade notion cases on Etsy.
11. Go Knit Pouches
12. Go Knit Stitch Marker Necklace
10 Great Gifts for Spinners
1. A Spinning Wheel.
2. Woolee Winder & Bobbins.
3. Handmade/Hand-turned drop spindle, like those made by Kundert or Zebisis Designs. I’m also extremely partial to Spindles by Jesh.
4. A spinning book, like Spin Control by Amy King, or The Intentional Spinner or Teach Yourself Visually Handspinning, both by Judith MacKenzie McCuin.
5. Extra bobbins!
6. Sprouty25 (aka thechickswithsticks) is doing another fiber club! She has a keen color sense, and any spinner would be happy to have a membership to her fiber club under the tree. She also has a proven club track record.
7. Spinning Wheel Cup Holder.
8. Enough fiber to spin for a sweater and a book like A Fine Fleece by Lisa Lloyd to go with it.
9. Subscription to Spin Off Magazine.
10. Skein Winder.
Christmas Movies to Knit By
- National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation
- Home Alone I & II (not so much III & IV)
- The Santa Clause (2,3)
- Elf
- The Polar Express
- Disney’s A Christmas Carol (2009). We saw this at IMAX in 3D and it was wonderful!
- Christmas With The Cranks
- Jingle All The Way
Holiday Sales & Festivities
Drops Design Advent Calendar Find a new knitting pattern behind each door!
The Painted Sheep 20% off yarn, roving, kits until Dec 15, 2009 – use code “holiday” in the buyers notes to seller box.
Stitched by JessaLu 15% off until December 13, 2009 – use code “holiday2009″.
Spunky Eclectic Equipment & Fiber Sale until December 11, 2009.
Hooked On Ewe free shipping until December 15, 2009.
Poems & Stories
Knitters Night Before Christmas, author unknown. Read by me.
The Little Gray Lamb by Archibald Beresford Sullivan. Read for Librivox.org.
To An Old Fogey by Owen Seaman. Read for Librivox.org.
Did you like the closing song?
It’s called A Pirate Christmas by Tom Smith. More info can be found here.
Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays!





