Howdy, listeners! Saddle on up for a wild ride with everyone's favorite knitting Canadian!

The Yarn Harlot is back again with another thoughtful AND humorous look at her close friends from the fiber world and beyond! Michael spoke with her (in his trusty mobile recording studio) back in October during her book tour for Free Range Knitter: The Yarn Harlot Writes Again. They talked about Kinnearing, writing (not knitting) deadlines and the politics of immigrating to Canada.

The following people, places and things were mentioned:

• Stephen King
• Barbara Kingsolver
• Miriam Toews
• Kinnearing
• Jacey Boggs, aka Insubordinate new fabulous art-yarn spinning DVD, Sit and Spin
• Citizenship and Immigration Canada, just in case you're interested.

 

Our big evolutionary and educational announcements are:

Stephen is teaching at Sock Summit and at 2009 Men's Spring Knitting Retreat!!!

Michael is teaching at Article Pract and A Verb for Keeping Warm!!!

Michael is leaving Yknit to pursue other fiber disciplines. This was a difficult decision to make, but it really does make sense because his interests are going all over the fibersphere and he'd like the freedom to explore and report about all of it. He's also excited about doing video work and instructional pieces which don't really fall under the scope of Yknit. Rest assured that Stephen is carrying the Yknit torch onwards and upwards. AND they will both be active on Ravelry and in the world of fiber! A great big virtual hug and kiss to all of our lovely listeners. Keep your eyes and ears tuned.

 

Free Range Knitter CONTEST

We have three (count 'em) THREE copies of Free Range Knitter by the Yarn Harlot to give away. All you need to do is tell us what is MISSING from the world of fiber and craft instruction? What would help you free up your range of learning? Hmmm.

To enter, please leave a comment on Yknit.com or on Ravelry the Y KNIT group discussion. Three winners will be randomly selected from all the entries. DEADLINE FOR ENTERING IS MAY 15, 2009. We look forward to seeing what everyone has to say!

AVFKW Contest Winners
Episode #18, Natural ReVerberations!: Our randomly selected winners from the entries are:

• ChrisFixedKitty (Ravelry). Chris won naturally dyed Verb fiber for spinning and the Shaped Arch sock pattern by Marlowe Crawford.
• Cath (blog: Changeling Things). Cath won naturally dyed Verb sock yarn and the Slipstream sock pattern by Marlowe Crawford.

Congratulations to our two winners and thanks to everyone who participated!

As always, a HUGE thank you to everyone who downloads and listens to Y KNIT. Evolution is real!

YKnit? It's Darwin-ic!

We used snippets of the following songs in this episode:

• "Main Theme from "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly" " performed by Ennio Morricone from A Fistful of Film Music (Rhino Records, 1995)
• "Man with a Harmonica" performed by Ennio Morricone from A Fistful of Film Music (Rhino Records, 1995)
• "Home on the Range" performed by Julie Andrews and Robert Preston from Victor, Victoria (MGM/UA, 1982)
• "Free Range" performed by The Fall from Free Range, CD Single (Phonogram, 1992)
• "A Man Could Get Arrested" performed by Pet Shop Boys from Please (Remastered) (Parlophone, 2001)
• "Brideshead Revisited" performed by Jeremy Irons from Brideshead Revisited (Granada TV, 1981)
• "Martian Hop" performed by The Ran-Dells from Brain in a Box (Rhino Records, 2000)
• "Dear Mr. President" performed by Resident Genius and Howard Zinn from You Can't Blow Up A Social Relationship (Thick Records , 2005)
• "Humming Chorus" performed by William Orbit from Hello, Waveforms (Sanctuary, 2006)
• "A Case of You" performed by Joni Mitchell from Blue (Reprise, 1971)
• "We'll Meet Again" performed by Vera Lynn from We'll Meet Again: The Best of Vera Lynn (ASV Living Era, 1995)
• "Don't Fence Me In" performed by David Byrne from Red, Hot and Blue (Chrysalis, 1990)

 

Hello Fiber Friends and Yknit Listeners,

My friend, Kyle Kunnecke, is working on project about men who knit. Part of said project is a survey that will take you around 10-15 minutes maximum to complete.

If you're a knitter (and I suspect quite a few of you are!!), please consider taking the survey. Women and men are wanted!

All other questions about the rest of the project can be found on the FAQ.

Thx!

~wonderMike

Perhaps you found your way here from the Sock Summit site or the Yarn Harlot's blog. Welcome to our podcast!

It's true, Stephen will be teaching at Sock Summit 2009 in Portland, OR, August 6-9. It's going to be an unbelievable event, for new sock-heads and advanced sock-stars alike. The teacher line-up boggles the mind, but just wait until they announce the classes!

If this is your first time to Y KNIT, have a listen (or 18!). Just click on an episode's title or the POD graphic next to it to download the .mp3 file. You can also subscribe to the show using iTunes, Zune Marketplace or any RSS reader. We'll be talking about Sock Summit in future episodes, and hopefully recording bits and pieces of this historic event for posterity.

Yknit SOCKs? There are so many reasons, we can't SUMMIT up.

A Verb for Keeping Warm, as well as its founder and owner Kristine Vejar, transcends a simple definition. A business that sells naturally-dyed yarns and fibers and all manner of tools to use those fibers (spindles, wheels, looms, knitting patterns), it's also creating its own unique community (in the Bay Area and online) through education and celebration of traditions and textiles for knitters, crocheters, spinners, weavers, dyers and all people who do labor-intensive work with their hands. Hear how Kristine's childhood connection to sewing and quilting took her to India and the origin of Verb's inspiration.

The following people and topics were mentioned:

• A Verb for Keeping Warm online store
• Adrienne's Garden Blog. Adrienne is the master builder who created the Workshop and who makes all things online and digital for AVFKW.
• Aija aka sockpr0n's blog. Aija handcrafts the Zero stitch markers that are available at the Verb Store.
• Earthues Natural Dyes
• Krista and Pigeon Roof Studios
• Stitches West, in Santa Clara 2/26 - 3/1 (where you can meet WonderMike in person!)
• Slipstream and Shaped Arch sock knitting patterns by Marlowe Crawford
• A Verb for Keeping Warm Ravelry Group
• Cleo (nee Cleopatra), the cutest dachshund, evah, and the first of two Verb mascots!
• Marcel, the cutest French Angora bunny, evah, and the second of two Verb mascots!
• Kris' (aka Bockstark Knits handspun) that hizKNITS is using for the Boyfriend Socks.

 

For all you bookworms, the following books are recommended by Kristine (get ready to Google!):

Books about Women, Textile History & Culture (including the origin of Verb's name):

• Women's Work by Elizabeth Wayland Barber

Books about Natural Dyeing:

• A Dyer's Garden by Rita Buchanan
• The Craft of Natural Dyeing by Jenny Dean
• Indigo by Jenny Balfour

Books about Fiber and Spinning:

• The Intentional Spinner by Judith MacKenzie McCuin
• Beautiful Sheep: Portraits of Champion Breeds by Kathryn Dun
• The Natural Knitter: How to Choose, Use, and Knit Natural Fibers from Alpaca to Yak by Barbara Albright
• A Fine Fleece by Lisa Lloyd

Books about Weaving:

• Weaving Made Easy: 17 Projects Using a Simple Loom by Liz Gipson
• Hands on Rigid Heddle Weaving by Betty Linn Davenport
• Textures and Patterns for the Rigid Heddle Loom by Betty Linn Davenport

 

A VERB FOR KEEPING WARM CONTEST

The first contest is for the Shaped Arch Sock Pattern by Marlowe Craword and the fiber to spin for the socks. All you need to do is tell us your favorite VERB FOR KEEPING WARM.

The second contest is for the Slipstream Sock Pattern and the Verb sock yarn to knit the pattern. All you have to do is tell us your FAVORITE color in Kristine's colorways.

To enter either contest, please leave a comment on Yknit.com or on Ravelry under the Y KNIT group discussion. One winner will be randomly selected from all the entries. DEADLINE FOR ENTERING IS MARCH 15, 2009. We look forward to seeing what everyone has to say!

Contest Winner
Episode #17, Go West, Young Man!: Our randomly selected winner from the entries is Chris Bogs, Chimakwa on Ravelry. His prize is already on its way to Philly. Congratulations to our winner and thanks to everyone who participated! The world WOULD be a better place if more men knit.

YSpin? It's where yarn comes from!

As always, a HUGE thank you to everyone who downloads and listens to Y KNIT. You hear us. You REALLY hear us!

We used snippets of the following songs in this episode:

• "Theme from Jeopardy" performed by The Gamers from Game Show Favorites (Essential Media Group, 2007)
• "Lunchdate" performed by The Sisterhood of Convoluted Thinkers from Ume Sour (Darla, 2001)
• "Speaking My Language" performed by Leslie Tucker from In This Room (Compass Records, 1995)
• "Sandhya Raga" performed by Ravi Shankar from Inside the Kremlin (Private Music, 2004)
• "Toxic" performed by Britney Spears from In the Zone (Zomba Recordings, 2003)
• "Textile Lunch on Moody Street" performed by the Flanagan/Ingham Quartet from Textile Lunch (33 Jazz, 1999)
• "Secret Garden" performed by Depeche Mode from A Broken Frame (Mute, 1982)
• "Weave Me the Sunshine" performed by Noel Paul Stookey from One Night Stand (Warner Brothers, 1973)
• "Introduction" from Star Trek: The Original Series (Paramount, 1966)
• "De Colores" by Connie Bieberach from Arco Iris Musicál (CD Baby, 2004)

 

Episode 17: Go West, Young Man (33:49)

The very first Men's Knitting Retreat was held in the Spring of 2008 and featured the hard work of QueerJoe and KnitterGuyTed. The Fall 2008 event was held at the Point Bonita YMCA in the Marin Headlands and the manly magic was in full effect. The event was November 7-9, 2008 and this audio features interviews with two of the instructors: Brian Kohler (professional designer with Skacel), and Harry Wells (President of Humboldt Handweavers and Spinners Guild). But we start things off by chatting with Ted Myatt aka KnitterGuy (organizer and co-creator along with Joe Wilcox aka QueerJoe of the Men's Knitting Retreats).

The Men's Fall Knitting Retreat 2008 was blown away by the extraordinary swag we received from the following folks: Article Pract, A Verb for Keeping Warm, Briar Rose Fibers, BrooklynTweed, Danny Oulette Designs, Hansigurumi, HelloYarn, KnitSonya, Knotty Naomi, Oceanwind Knits, Perchance to Knit, Schoolhouse Press, Shelridge Farms, Spinning Loft, Tactile Fiber Arts, Unique Sheep, Wild Geese Fibers, and Yarn Nerd. We're so not worthy!!!

If you're interested in attending the Men's Spring Knitting Retreat 2009, give QueerJoe a shout.

Contest
Skacel has given us a handsome entrelac scarf pattern designed by Brian Kohler, MFKR attendee and instructor. The prizing includes 3 balls of Skacel's new felted yarn called Loft. To enter, simply tell us how the world would be a better place if more guys knit. A winner will be randomly selected from all entrants.
DEADLINE FOR ENTERING IS JANUARY 31, 2009.

Contest Winners
Congratulations to our winner from episode 16 with Linda Cortright of Wild Fibers magazine, Tyler Macek. He receives a year subscription to WF courtesy of Linda! Thanks to everyone who entered and shared their fiber adventure stories.

A big thank you to everyone who listens, reviews, recommends and responds to YKNIT! Without you, we're nothing.

YKnit with guys? It's MANdatory!

We used snippets of the following songs in this episode:

• "Morning Edition Theme" performed by BJ Leiderman (BJ Leiderman Music, 1979)
• "Indy Rides the Statue" performed by John Williams and the London Philharmonic from Raiders of the Lost Ark (The Soundtracks Collection) (DCC, 2008)
• "Boys Keep Swinging" performed by David Bowie from Lodger (RCA, 1979)
• "Richard's Joust - Medea Vita" performed by John Barry from The Lion in Winter (Motion Picture Soundtrack) (Columbia, 1968)
• "Jesus Baby" performed by Faith + 1from Southpark: The Complete Season Seven (Paramount, 2006)
• "Holiday for Strings" performed by Walter Schumann from The Voices of Walter Schumann (RCA, 1958)
• "Teacher I Need You" performed by Elton John from Don't Shoot Me, I'm Only the Piano Player album (DJM, 1973)
• "I'm Just Wild about Harry" performed by Al Jolson from Golden Years of Al Jolson (Soho, 2005)
• "The Brian Song" performed by Sonia Jones from The Life of Brian Motion Picture Soundtrack (Virgin, 1979)
• "The Penis Song" performed by Eric Idle from The Meaning of Life Motion Picture Soundtrack (MCA, 1983)
• "Go West" performed by the Pet Shop Boys from Very (Remastered) (Parlophone, 2001)

Episode 16: Talk on the Wild Side (34:00)

Do you know the story behind the fiber you're knitting, crocheting or spinning? Before it makes it to your yarn pusher, all non-plant fibers most likely belonged to a creature. Linda Cortright, editor and publisher of Wild Fibers magazine discusses the magazine and her fiber travels. Wild Fibers educates and promotes all aspects of the natural fiber industry with special emphasis on sustainable practices and responsible use of natural resources throughout the world.

While Stephen was away traveling, Michael heard Linda speak at the Spindles and Flyers guild in El Cerrito, CA about the Chantang nomads of Ladakh and their cashmere goats in northern India. Cosmically, two weeks later, the universe aligned so Stephen enjoyed seeing Linda's presentation at Rhinebeck, aka, the New York State Sheep and Wool Festival.

Other topics discussed:

• The mentioned men's pattern from the Summer 2006 issue of Wild Fibers is not available online. (Does anyone know the name of this sweater or have a photo? Let us know!)
• Wild Fibers' Breeder's Directory
• Ladakh cashmere fiber available for purchase while supplies last. Email Wild Fibers' office
• Wild Fibers writer's guidelines for submissions
• United Nations International Year of Natural Fibres 2009
• Keep the Fleece, an international competition in celebration with the United Nations International Year of Natural Fibres

Contest (and a surprise for everyone!)
Linda has given us a one-year subscription to Wild Fibers magazine to give away. Just let us know what sort of far-flung places has your fiber exploration taken you, geographically, spiritually, or emotionally? A winner will be randomly selected from all entrants.
DEADLINE FOR ENTERING THIS CONTEST IS DECEMBER 7, 2008.

For those of you who want to subscribe, Linda has offered YKNIT listeners a 10% discount rate which is applicable to subscriptions (both new and gifted), as well as back issues. Enter the promo code "Yknit" when you place your order online. This offer is valid through December 1, 2008.

Contest Winners
Congratulations to our winners from episode 14 with Brooke and Maia of Tactile Fiber Arts. The new-to-spinning winner is BeckyJean and the already-been-spinning winner is Noricum/Andrea. Thanks to everyone who entered and shared their stories. We love reading about your yarnie passions and hope you're reading them too!.

A big thank you to everyone who listens, reviews, recommends and responds to YKNIT! Without you, we're nothing.

YKnit? It's a great source of fiber!

We used snippets of the following songs in this episode:

• "Walk on the Wildside" performed by Lou Reed from Transformer (RCA, 1972)
• "Wild Thing" performed by Tone Loc from Lōc-ed After Dark (Delicious Vinyl, 1989)
• "Tree Hugger" performed by The Rugburns from Taking the World by Donkey (Manifesto, 2004)
• "Heat Wave" performed by Ethel Waters from The Incomparable Ethel Waters (Okeh/Columbia, 1933)
• "Variation on Genesis" and "Bounty Full of Crops" performed by Ravi Shankar from Genesis: Music from the Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (Milan, 1986)
• "Aïrauyqtyn Aschy Kuïi" performed by Maîtres de la Dombra from Dombra du Kazakhstan (Buda Musique / Believe Digital. 2006)
• "Joyce No. 2" performed by Johnson Mkhalali from The Indestructible Beat of Soweto - Volume One
• "Para Elisa" performed by Los Destellos from The Roots of Chicha: Psychedelic Cumbias from Peru (Barbes Records, 2007)
• "The Thing (Main Title)" by Ennio Morricone from The Thing: Music from the Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (Universal, 1982)
• "Kashmir" performed by Lez Zeppelin from Lez Zeppelin (Emanation, 2007)
• "Kashmir" performed by Rockabye Baby! from Rockabye Baby! Lullaby Renditions of Led Zeppelin (Baby Rock Records, 2006)
• "Born to Be Wild" performed by Steppenwolf from Steppenwolf Gold (ABC/Dunhill, 1971)
• "The Wild Boys" performed by Duran Duran from The Wild Boys (Capitol, 1984)

Episode 15: "Quick, Call KnitOneOne!" (32:52)

Síle (pronounced Sheila) Convery is the hostess with the most-est, creator and Queen Bee of KnitOneOne, a nexus of crafting know-how in Berkeley, CA. More than a community organizer, Síle has catalyzed a community of learning, fun and friendship for knitters and crafters of every stripe. Sitting on the cheery studio's back patio, she shared how KnitOneOne came to be. In addition, some of the fabulous KnitOneOne instructors share their thoughts on this special place.

A few of instructors and friends of KnitOneOne:

• Jesse Loesberg, aka Yarn Boy
• Tammy George, aka PuNk rAwK pUrL
• Sonya Philip aka KnitSonya
• Kate Freeman aka Speedy Needle
• Kira, aka Kira K Designs
• Julie, aka Cocoknits Designs
• Emily Jan, timbuktu design, website designer
• Nancy Friedman", naming and tagline
• Women's Cancer Resource Center (Síle met Kate at the Yarn Divas group here)
• East Bay Poodle Rescue

CALLING ALL GUY KNITTERS!
The Men's Fall Knitting Retreat will be held during November 7-9, 2008 at the Point Bonita YMCA Center. More details can be found on Ravelry or on MenWhoKnit.com. Please tell all the crafty guys in your life to get in touch with us if they'd like to participate. And if you know any businesses who'd like to donate yarn, patterns, tools or fiber, please put them in touch with us.

Contest Winners
Episode #13, YKnitalong: GlennaC (Ravelry) won a signed tote and a signed copy of Knitalong by Larissa & Martin Brown. It has made it's way to Canadialand.

Congratulations to our winner and thanks to everyone for sharing your Knitalong spinning tales.

Always, a HUGE thank you to everyone who downloads and listens to Y KNIT.

YKnitOneOne? It's all about the shortbread, baby!

We used snippets of the following songs in this episode:

• "Turquoise" performed by Milt Buckner from Send Me Softly (Capitol, 1957)
• "John Naughton's Reel / Another Paddy Fahy Reel" performed by Martin Hayes And Dennis Cahill from The Lonesome Touch (Green Linnet, 1997)
• "Oh Sheila" performed by Ready for the World from Ready for the World (MCA, 1985)
• "She Can Knit" performed by The Clancy Brothers And Tommy Makem And Their Families from Irish Folk Songs and Airs (1994, Legacy International)
• "Do You Believe In Magic?" performed by the Lovin' Spoonful from Do You Believe In Magic? (Kama Sutra, 1965)
• "Broken Monitors" performed by B. Fleischmann from Humbucking Coil (Morr Music, 2006)
• "Ball O' Yarn" performed by Martin Carthy with Dave Swarbrick from Second Album (Topic, 1993)
• "Sheila" performed by Tommy Roe from Greatest Hits (Curb, 1970)
• "Hair" performed by the Cowsills from Painting the Day: The Angelic Psychedelia of the Cowsills (El Records, 2006)
• "Síle" performed by Reeltime from Song Of The Green Linnet (Green Linnet, 2000)
• "ONE ONE Pennie" performed by Oscar James (with digital drop-ins from Síle) from The Power of Courage (KOJ Productions, 2004)

Episode 14: "Wonder Wheels Power, ACTIVATE" (41:13)

Like a circle in a spiral, like a wheel within a wheel, never ending or beginning, I think you know just what we feel... when we're spinning... well, when WonderMike is spinning. Maia Discoe and Brooke Sinnes of Tactile Fiber Arts Studio join the Yknit guys for this episode. WonderMike chatted with these spinning divas one late night after a month-long series of spinning classes held at KnitOneOne in Berkeley, CA. They spoke of many spinning things: past, present and future.

The following people and topics were mentioned:

• Birkenstock Shoes - Required spinner attire
• Spindlewood Spindles
• Conference of Northern California Handweavers
• California Cashmere Company
• Straw Into Gold - historical information
• Richmond Art Center
• Norwegian Purl
• Barbara Walker's Stitch Guides
• Celia Quinn
• Judith MacKenzie McCuin
• Earthues Natural Dyes
• Tactile Ravelry Group
• Aija, the scouring, spinning and knitting blog-star of sockpr0n
• Beacon Bend Alpacas
• hizKNITS farm photos from Beacon Bend Alpacas

The following books are recommended by Brooke and Maia. Please support your independent bookstores and LYS by searching for them there. Books about fiber Dyeing:

• A Dyer's Garden by Rita Buchanan
• The Craft of Natural Dyeing by Jenny Dean
• Indigo, Madder, and Marigolds by Trudy Van Stralen
• Want Natural Colour? by Jeanie Reagan
• The Art & Craft of Natural Dyeing by J. N. Liles

Books about Dyeing History:

• A Perfect Red by Amy Butler Greenfield
• Color: A Natural History of the Palatte by Victoria Finlay
• The Root of Wild Madder: Chasing the History, Mystery, and Lore of the Persian Carpet by Brian Murphy
• Mauve: How One Man Invented a Color That Changed the World by Simon Garfield

Books about Spinning:

• The Alden Amos Big Book of Handspinning by Alden Amos
• In Sheep's Clothing by Nola Fournier & Jane Fournier
• Start Spinning by Maggie Casey
• Teach Yourself Visually Handspinning by Judith MacKenzie McCuin
• Spin It by Lee Raven
• The Yarn Book by Penny Walsh

TACTILE FIBER ARTS CONTEST
We've got two prizes for you courtesy of the kind souls at Tactile.

The first prize is for the non-spinners or just-got-bit-by-the-bug folks. Tell us what drew you in. What was the thing that hooked you? Your prize is a Learn to Spin kit which contains a 2.1 oz. Schact Hi-Lo Spindle, 2 oz. of naturally dark BFL, 2 oz. of naturally dyed BFL, an organic cotton tote and "Spin It" by Lee Raven!

The second prize is for the experienced spinners. All you have to do is tell us your FAVORITE thing about spinning. That's it. Your prize is a $50 gift certificate.

To enter either contest, please leave a comment on Yknit.com or on Ravelry under the YKNIT group discussion. One winner for each prize will be randomly selected from all the entries. DEADLINE FOR ENTERING IS OCTOBER 15, 2008.

CALLING ALL GUY KNITTERS!
The Men's Fall Knitting Retreat will be held during November 7-9, 2008 at the Point Bonita YMCA Center. More details can be found on Ravelry or on MenWhoKnit.com. Please tell all the crafty guys in your life to get in touch with us if they'd like to participate. And if you know any businesses who'd like to donate yarn, patterns, tools or fiber, please put them in touch with us.

Contest Winners
Episode #12, Y Would Dye 4 U: Scout donated a skein of her glorious superwash merino sock yarn in the Marigolds colorway. Our randomly selected winner from the entries is Alex, FetchBoi40639 on Ravelry. His prize is already on its way to Missouri.

Congratulations to our winner and thanks to everyone who participated! The entries for this contest were inspiring.

We used snippets of the following songs in this episode:

• Dizzy performed by Tommy Roe from Tommy Roe's Greatest Hits (Curb, 1970)
• Fanfare for Rocky performed by Bill Conti from Rocky: Original Motion Picture Score (United Artists, 1976)
• Cinematic Snippet performed by Mark Hammil (Luke Skywalker) and James Earl Jones (Darth Vader) from Star Wars, Episode V, Empire Strikes Back (20th Century Fox, LucasFilm, 1980)
• If I Were a Carpenter performed by June Carter Cash and Johnny Cash from Ring of Fire: The Best of June Carter Cash (Dualtone, 2005)
• Comme Un Igloo performed by Etienne Daho (with digital drop-ins by Maia) from Paris ailleurs (Virgin France, 1991)
• Spinning Wheel performed by Blood, Sweat and Tears from Blood Sweat and Tears Greatest Hits (Columbia, 1971)
• Spinning Around performed by Kylie Minogue from Light Years (Emd Int'l, 2000)
• Spinning Away performed by Brian Eno and John Cale from Wrong Way Up (Opal, 1990)
• It's a Small World After All performed by The Chris Walden Big Band from No Bounds (Origin, 2006)
• Sheep performed by The Tiger Lillies from Farmyard Filth (Misery Guts, 2000)
• The Wheel performed by Rosanne Cash from The Wheel (Columbia, 1993)
• Spinning Straw into Gold performed by Barry & Holly Tashian from Straw into Gold (Rounder, 1994)
• The Windmills Of Your Mind performed by Varla Jean Merman from Enough About Me, An Unauthorized Biography (Peak Productions, 2000)

Always, a HUGE thank you to everyone who downloads and listens to Y KNIT.

YSpin? It's where it all begins!

Episode 13: Yknitalong (39:26)

You are not alone! Knitalongs (or KALs) have likely existed from the first moment two stitchers got together to kvetch and work on the same projects. Author Larissa Brown discusses her book Knitalong which provides an introductory course in online KALS, a history of knitterly communal behavior and some groovy patterns to sharpen your knitalong skills.

The following people and topics were mentioned:

• Larissa's art
• Yarnissima's Firestarter Sockalong
• Olympic Sox 2008 KAL
• Mrs. Dalloway's bookstore in Elmwood (Berkeley, CA)
• Melanie Falick (STC publishing)
• Martin Brown, Knitalong co-author, journalist and Larissa's husband
• Michael Crouser photography
• Wenlan Chia, author of Twinkle's Weekend Knits
• Heather/The A.D.D. Knitter
• Chawne/Cauchy09
• whip up - handcraft in a hectic world
• Knit a River
• Peace Knits
• Adrian Bizilia, Hello Yarn
• Sarah Gilbert
• Stumptown Coffee
• Abundant Yarn & Dyeworks
• (not mentioned on the podcast, but an oft-requested item pictured in the book) PezDiva's knitted strawberry pattern

KAL CONTEST
We've got a signed copy of Knitalong and a signed tote bag (for your KAL projects) for one lucky winner. To enter, please leave a comment about your most enjoyable KAL experience. Tell us on Yknit.com or on Ravelry under the Yknit group discussion. One winner will be randomly selected from all the entries. DEADLINE FOR ENTERING IS SEPTEMBER 15, 2008.

CALLING ALL GUY KNITTERS!
The Men's Fall Knitting Retreat will be held November 7-9, 2008 at the Point Bonita YMCA Center, just north of San Francisco, CA. More details can be found on Ravelry or on MenWhoKnit.com. Please tell all the crafty guys in your life to get in touch with us if they'd like to participate. And if you know any businesses who'd like to donate yarn, patterns, tools or fiber, put them in touch with us.

Contest Winners
Episode #11, Man Camp: Unique Sheep donated a skein of their Footprints superwash merino sock yarn in a decidedly masculine "Grey Street" colorway. Our randomly selected winner from the entries is cristinabeena on Ravelry. Her prize is already on its way to Scotland.

Congratulations to our winner and thanks to everyone who participated!

We used snippets of the following songs in this episode:

• Peer Gynt, Suite No. 1, Op. 46 by Edvard Grieg performed by Neville Marriner and the Academy of St Martin in the Fields from A Portrait of Sir Neville Mariner (Philliips, 2000)
• Knit One, Purl Two performed by Glenn Miller & His Orchestra Feat. Marion Hutton & The Modernaires from The Glenn Miller Story Vol. 15-16 (AVID Entertainment, 1942)
• Vogue performed by Madonna from The Immaculate Collection (Maverick, 1990)
• I Could Write a Book performed by Dinah Washington from For Those in Love (Emarcy, 1955)
• Love is all Around performed by Sonny Curtis from Sonny Curtis (Aspirion Records, 2007)
• Love is all Around performed by Hüsker Dü from Eight Miles High (SST, 1990)
• Together performed by Joe Williams and Harry "Sweets" Edison from Together (Roulette, 1961)
• The Coffee Song performed by Frank Sinatra from Ring-a-Ding-Ding (Reprise, 1961)
• How the Grinch Stole Christmas performed by Boris Karloff from Dr. Seuss - How the Grinch Stole Christmas/Horton Hears a Who (Warner Home Video, 1966)
• Git Along Little Doggie performed by Old Town School Of Folk Music (with digital drop ins by Larissa Brown) from Songbook, Vol.2 & 3 (Old Town School Recordings, 2007)

Always, a HUGE thank you to everyone who downloads and listens to Y KNIT.

Yknitalong? It's better to do it in a throng!

Episode 12: Y Would Dye 4 U (featuring Scout) (26:42)

If you're a fan of hue, saturation, fiber and indie dyers, you probably know Scout of Scout's Swag. But if you don't, come join us for a rainbow romp with the Queen of Color herself, Ms. Scout (aka Jamie). She came to Berkeley to teach her yarn dyeing class at Knit One One. Minds were expanded, fibers were transformed and color ruled the weekend.

There's also a Y KNIT exclusive: Scout made a special announcement! You've got to listen to the episode to find out the details of how she will be making the world a brighter place in the near future.

The following tidbits were mentioned during the show.

• previous podcast interviews of Scout: Lime & Violet and Sticks & String
• the Knitty article on Kool-Aid dyeing that inspired it all
• Now Norma Knits and the Dulaan Project where that fragrant first yarn went
• further proof of her saturation obsession on Scout's Flickr stream
• the magic motivation that keeps her going (Baby Gaggia Espresso Maker)
• Marisol, loyal customer, friend and word-of-mouth maven from Purls Just Wanna Have Fun
• secret special announcement partner, STC Craft | Melanie Falick Books
• New Mexico neighbor and fellow yarn dyer Adam, aka Yarn Nerd
• her other husband John, aka Yarn Ball Boogie

Contest
What are your favorite color combinations? Leave us a comment below or on the Ravelry Y KNIT group.

One winner will be randomly selected to win a skein Scout's Swag superwash merino fingering weight yarn in the "Morning Glories" colorway. DEADLINE FOR ENTERING THIS CONTEST IS AUGUST 31, 2008.

As always, a MASSIVE thank you to everyone who downloads and listens to Y KNIT.

Y Dye? It's chromatic!

We used snippets of the following songs in this episode:

• "Pomp and Circumstance" by USAF Heritage of American Band from Ceremonial Music (Altissimo Records, 2006)
• "I Would Die 4 U" by Prince from Prince The Hits/The B-Sides (Paisley Park/Warner Brothers, 1993)
• "Java Jive" by The Ink Spots from 20th Century Masters - The Millennium Collection: The Best of The Ink Spots (MCA, 1999)
• "Bo-bo Ski Watten Totten" by The Superkids, recorded by Supermom (Scout Records, 2008)
• “I'm Just A Little Elf” by The Peter Pan Players from Christmas Classics (Peter Pan Records, 2000)
• "Choice of Colors" by Curtis Mayfield and the Impressions from The Young Mods' Forgotten Story (Curtom, 1969)
• "No Noise" by Karma Shabda from Buddha Cafe (Intentcity Records, 2003)
• “College Of Heralds March” by The Queen's Birthday Parade from Trooping Of The Colour (Legacy International, 1995)
• "Do You Dream in Colour" by Bill Nelson from Quit Dreaming and Get on the Beam (Mercury, 1981)
• "Colour My World" by Chicago from Chicago (Columbia, 1970)
• "True Colours" by Cyndi Lauper from the film For the Bible Tells Me So (First Run Features, 2006)