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

Milkweed Shawl

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 –

Dream Spin Spinning Retreat

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 –

The Fiber Fix

Madelinetosh Prairie Lace weight singles

Alabama Fiber Dreams

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’s Etsy Shop

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!!

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

Garter Rib Socks

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!