a knitting podcast from two yarn and needle junkies who just happen to be men

Y Knit Guys

WonderMike
Stephen hizKNITS

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

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.

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)
Direct download: YKNT012.mp3
Category: podcasts -- posted at: 3:24 PM
Comments[70]

Episode 11: Man Camp (35:27)
Yknit #11, "Man Camp"

This one time at Man Camp, I saw men knitting and spinning and having the time of their lives. The first-ever Men's Spring Knitting Retreat (MSKR) was the event of the year for those who attended. If you don't believe us, read some of the recaps from Ted, Joe, Paddy, Kenny, Mel, Sean and Guido. You can also see the fevered pitch discussions on Ravelry archived thread (last count 416 posts).

QueerJoe and KnitterGuyTed had a vision for a decidedly masculine gathering of fiber-heads. This historic happening was hosted at the idylic and picturesque Easton Mountain Retreat in upstate New York, not too far away from historic Woodstock (well, it's actually closer to the less-pop-culturey-historic Albany).

Stephen bit the bullet for Team YKNIT and traveled to the OTHER coast where he interviewed, taught and met online friends offine. In addition to Joe and Ted, he spoke with cotton-spinning master VTknitboy Chris.

It takes a village of fiber enablers to make super sweet schwag bag. A big thanks to the generous sponsors of the MSKR. If you like to see men knitting and spinning, please patronize these fine establishments:

A Men's Fall Knitting Retreat (MFKR) (Ravelry link), is being brainstormed right now. Momentum is swirling around one in Oregon. For more information or to volunteer to help, contact GrandfatherKnits on Ravelry.

 

Contest - ENDED ON AUGUST 16, 2008

The kind folks from The Unique Sheep sent a lovely skein of their yarn, just like the yarn for the The Ram Club for Men. It's 334 yards of sport weight superwash merino in Grey Streets colorway.

To enter, tell us your story of teaching a Y-Chromosome (man or boy) how to knit or spin OR how you're planning to do so in the near future. Post your story the comments below or on the YKNIT Ravelry forum. One winner will be randomly selected from the eligible entries. DEADLINE: August 16, 2008.

Yknit and spin? It's MAN-tastic!

We used snippets of the following songs in this episode:

  • "Where the Boys Are" by Connie Francis (single) (MGM, 1960)
  • "Where the Boys Are (demo)" by Neil Sedaka from Neil Sedaka: The Definitive Collection (Razor & Tie, 2007)
  • "Johnny Are You Queer?" by Hotbox from Blowin' Our Cover (Roach Coach, 2007)
  • "Hot for Teacher" by Richard Cheese from Tuxicity (Surfdog Records, 2003)
  • "The Boys are Back in Town" by Thin Lizzy from Jailbreak (Mercury, 1976)
  • "Boys Don't Cry" by The Cure from Boys Don't Cry (Fiction, 1979)
  • "Cottontail" by Oscar Peterson from JATP '53 (Jazz at the Philharmonic) (Verve, 1953)
  • "Simple Man" by Klaus Nomi from Simple Man (RCA, 1982)
  • "Boy" by Book of Love from Book of Love (Sire, 1985)

SPECIAL NOTE: If you are having problems leaving a comment on the Yknit.com show notes, try to enter the anti-spam confirmation text with no spaces (i.e. run the two words together). It's very odd that this problem is occurring and we've reported it to LibSyn (the host). So sorry for any inconvenience.

Direct download: YKNT011.mp3
Category: podcasts -- posted at: 1:35 AM
Comments[12]

Episode 10: Public Displays of Creation (37:20)

Yknit Episode 10, Public Displays of Creation

Do you do it in public? Are you a voyeur or exhibitionist? Are you out and proud?

Y Knit hits the streets and investigates PDC (public displays of creation) all over the Bay Area.

Back in May, we headed down to the 3rd annual Maker Faire. Put on by the peeps behind CRAFT and MAKE magazines, the Maker Faire is a physical manifestation and celebration of all things DIY. Drawn down by the Yarn Harlot's appearance (sounds like the knitter's version of the Virgin of Guadalupe), we were overwhelmed by the sheer volume of creativity. Natalie Zee Drieu, senior editor of CRAFT magazine, tells us all about it.

After a long, long day of knitting, steampunk outfits, Diet Coke and Mentos fountains, hanging with the Harlot, fire sculptures, rockets, motorized cupcakes, hackers, crafters and a few friends (PuNk rAwK pUrL and Knit Sonya), we can't wait to go back. The next Maker Faire is in Austin, TX, October 18-19. If you are in the area, don't miss it!

Next up, Michael ran all over the Bay Area to check out World Wide Knit in Public Day 2008 events. Sile Convery from KnitOneOne and Elaine Kim of KimChiCrafts hosted the Berkeley event and Laurie (Trumom) hosted the Albany event. Then, it was across the Bay on BART to Union Square for the San Francisco event.

In addition to interviewing the many attendees, Michael was seen spinning in public with his favorite new toy, a Golding Tsunami Ringspindle. Stephen spent the day with his synchronized swimming team, not spinning.

Contest Winners

Episode 7: Blue Moon Fiber Arts special edition Knitters Without Borders. Our winner made a donation to KWB (aka Knitters/Doctors Without Borders) and requested that they remain anonymous.

Episode 8: A signed copy of Cat Bordhi's New Pathways for Sock Knitters: Book One was won by Yarnbird (Verena).

Episode 9: 3 signed copies of Stephanie Pearl-McPhee's Things I Learned from Knitting (Whether I Wanted To or Not) were won by Orange (JenniferP), Seamless (Sharon), and Soo (Soo).

Congratulations to our winners and thanks to everyone who participated!

We used snippets of the following songs in this episode:

  • Power to the People by John Lennon from Working Class Hero (EMI, 2006)
  • Happy, Happy, Joy, Joy by Stinky Weaselteats from Ren and Stimpy TV show created by John Kricfalusi and Billy West (Nickleodeon, 1991)
  • Le "manine" di primavera by Nino Rota from Amarcord (CAM, 1999)
  • Robots by Flight of the Conchords from The Distant Future (SubPop, 2007)
  • Scarborough Fair/Canticle by Simon and Garfunkel from Parsley, Sage, Rosemary & Thyme (Columbia, 1967)
  • Girls Guitar Club Theme by Karen Kilgariff and Mary Lynn Rajskub from the short film Girls Guitar Club directed by Ruben Fleischer (Ruben.FM, 2001)
  • Chocolate (Mr. Gone's Club Sandwich) by Afro Elements from Nude Dimensions 2 (Naked Music, 2001)
  • Who's That Woman by Phyllis Newman from Follies (TVT, 1998)
  • The Limit by Lovebirds from Nude Dimensions 2 (Naked Music, 2001)

Lastly, a HUGE thank you to everyone who downloads and listens to Y KNIT. We're honored that you choose to spend 30 (or so) minutes of your time with us every few weeks. Here we are at 10 episodes, and we've got over 3000 new friends!

Yknit in public? It's genetic!

Direct download: YKNT010.mp3
Category: podcasts -- posted at: 1:41 PM
Comments[4]

Episode 9: Hot for Harlot (28:11)

YKnit Episode 9, "Hot for Harlot"
Does Stephanie Pearl-McPhee, The Yarn Harlot, need an introduction? Author of five books (so far). Founder of the Knitting Olympics and Tricoteuses Sans Frontières/Knitters Without Borders (who have raised over $430,000 for Médecins Sans Frontières/ Doctors Without Borders since 2004). And, perhaps the most-read of the knitting bloggerati. If you don't already know her, stop reading this right now and run over to yarnharlot.ca to catch up. We'll wait here.

Lucky for you, dear listeners, we have, not one, but two conversations with Stephanie. In April, she and Stephen sat down on the last night of BMFA's sock camp to talk about (what else?) knitting. More recently, she gave Mike and Stephen an exclusive and very exciting announcement.

Contest
We have two signed copies of the Harlot's latest book, Things I Learned from Knitting (Whether I Wanted To or Not). Tell us what you're doing on Worldwide Knit In Public Day, June 14. (It's also Stephanie's 40th birthday!) From the submissions, we'll randomly choose two winners.

Y Knit? C'est fantastique!

We use snippets of the following songs in this episode:

  • "Lover" Richard Marino and his Orchestra from The Magic Beat (Liberty, 1960)
  • "Nine to Five" Player Piano from Player Piano - Country Hits (Tandem Music Group, 1993)
  • "Let's Call the Whole Thing Off" The Ink Spots from Swing High! Swing Low! (Past Perfect / Finetunes, 1998)
  • "Stephanie" The Partridge Family from Come on Get Happy! The Very Best of the Partridge Family (Arista, 2005)
  • "Nitty Gritty" Jocelyne from Jocelyne (Polydor, 1965)
Direct download: YKNT009.mp3
Category: podcasts -- posted at: 10:53 AM
Comments[41]

Episode 8: The Cat's Pyjamas (23:22)
YKnit 8, featuring Cat Bordhi

Tune in, turn on, and don't drop stitches with Stephen and Cat Bordhi as she explains her journey from teddy bear artist to award-winning author and knitting designer/teacher/pied-piper.

Stephen and Cat sat on a dock over the water at Orcas Island and discussed curiosity, Möbius strips, and rethinking sock design.

Contest
Cat Bordhi has released a book on her new approach to sock knitting called New Pathways for Sock Knitters and we have a special signed copy for our "Cat's Pyjamas" contest. Who do you think is the bee's knees in the world of fiber and knitting design? Let us know in the show comments section below or on the Ravelry Yknit group. One lucky winner will be selected at random!

DEADLINE FOR ENTERING THIS CONTEST IS JUNE 20, 2008

The words from our parody of the Jabberwocky are as follows:

"Twas purling on the garter toes
with Cast-On Magic, Judy's Way
All L-Rinc-y where increases grow
And the sole craft displays!

Beware the Jabbersock, My Son!
The heels that strike, the cuffs that catch
Beware the gusset holes undone
And Coriolis spirals, natch!"

Y Knit? It's Cat-a-Tonic!

We use snippets of the following songs in this episode:

  • "White Rabbit" Jefferson Airplane from Surrealistic Pillow (Runt, 1967)
  • "White Rabbit" Enon from Don't know When I'll Be Back Again (compilation benefiting American Veterans of the Vietnam War)(TuneCore, 2007)
  • "My Favorite Things" Betty Carter from Inside Betty Carter (United Artists, 1964)
  • "One" Harry Nilsson from Aerial Ballet (RCA, 1968)
  • "I'm Free" The Rolling Stones from Out of Our Heads (London, 1965)
  • "Freedom! '90" George Michael from Ladies & Gentlemen: The Best of George Michael (Epic, 1998)
  • "What's New Pussycat" Tom Jones from Greatest Hits Live (C/F International, 2006)
Direct download: YKNT008.mp3
Category: podcasts -- posted at: 8:56 PM
Comments[27]

Episode 7: Sock Camp Survival (featuring Tina Newton) (33:23)
YKnit Episode 7: Sock Camp Survival Experience the bucolic serenity of Blue Moon Fiber Arts Camp Crow's Feet sock knitting camp.

Laugh along with the gentle Socks that Rock sock club members as they embody the mature and peaceful spirit of knitting, surrounded by the majestic Pacific Northwest on Orcas Island off the coast of Washington.

Stephen and his mother spent a week under the stern tutelage of Cat Bordhi (Insouciant Socks), Cookie A (Traveling Stitches), JC Briar (Cast-on Cornucopia), Stephanie Pearl-McPhee and BMFA dye mistress Tina Newton (Rock the Sock).

In addition to classes, there were toilet paper cozies and sock puppets. And a "talent" show. And there were monkeys. Lots and lots of mini hand-knit sock monkeys. And photos to prove it!

Campers and Sockateers share their favorite camp memories (Ravelry IDs ):

  • Jen (FurrPurls)
  • Kristin (KristinK)
  • Casey (RubyCakes)
  • Sockateer Hot Flash (HotFlash)
  • Lisa (ConvolutedString)
  • Ariel (Stariel)
  • Claire (ClaireKnits) who almost drowned
  • Sockateer Cockeyed (Cockeyed), the amazing sock monkey designer
  • Sheila of the amazing monkey calls
  • Lou (HappyStasher) donate at KnittersForKnockers.com by May 10 to enter the raffle
Tina Newton, color genius and owner of Blue Moon Fiber Arts, describes her journey from spinner to yarn dealer and the madness that is Sock Camp.

Finally, the entire experience is summed up in the amazing camp yodel by Celia (CeliaMcC).

Contest
BMFA released a new colorway just in time for camp. Win a skein of Knitters Without Borders in Socks That Rock lightweight by donating to Doctors Without Boarders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF). Donate here and let us know how much you gave so we can share how generous Y KNIT listeners are. Email us at yknitguys [AT] gmail [D0T] com. One lucky winner will be selected at random!

If you'd like to buy one for yourself, they're available on BMFA's website and $3 from each skein goes to the invaluable work of MSF. Also, the Funky Sock Monkey pattern and kits are available for purchase.

Sock Camp cannot be contained by the mere 33 minutes of a single podcast. There were many, many, many more knitters who were interviewed, drunken late-night after-parties, and antics galore. We're sorry we couldn't fit everyone into this episode. If you want more, you'll just have to come join us next year!

Y Knit? It's Campy!

We use snippets of the following songs in this episode:

  • "Holiday for Strings" Walter Schumann from The Voices of Walter Schumann (RCA, 1958)
  • "Sabre Dance" Les Baxter and his Orchestra from Les Baxter's Wild Guitars (Capitol, 1959)
  • "Satan Takes a Holiday" Jack Malmsten from Organ Spectacular (Liberty, 1963)
  • "Saturday Night on Saturn" Les Baxter and his Orchestra from Space Escapade (1957, Capitol)
  • "Sleep Walk" Henri Rene and his Orchestra from The Swingin' 59 (Imperial, 1959)
  • "The Monkey" Yo Majesty from Yo EP (Out There Recordings, 2006)
  • "Colors" Ice-T from Colors - Original Soundtrack (Warner Brothers, 1988)
EDIT: Due to my sloppy coding, Cat Bordhi's class wasn't appearing and Cookie A's link was not working. They have been fixed and I meant no disrepect. They are geniuses (geniusi?) who inspire me daily.
Direct download: YKNT007.mp3
Category: podcasts -- posted at: 3:18 PM
Comments[10]


Episode 6: Y Love Lucy? (27:21)
Y knit, ep.6 - Y Love Lucy Lucy Neatby spins a tantalizing tale of sea-faring adventures, cinematic drama and an evil rabbit named Reggie.

Here are some of the goodies mentioned during this episode:

Y Ravelry contest winners (from episode 4)
Lapel Pins and Buttons: Tini.
Autographed Daily Dose of Fiber Tee: Kenyetta.
Autographed Ravelry Tote: Sara.

 

Y Knit? It's An Aesthetic.

We use snippets of the following songs in this episode:

  • "Socks" performed by Rebecca Parks from the album "Night Ship" (Messiah Refugees Music/CD Baby)
  • "Sailor's Hornpipe" performed by The Windjammers from the album "Shanties & Songs Of The Sea" (Really Free Music/INgrooves)
  • "O Canada" from the album "National Anthems 1" (Sonoton / BFM DIGITAL)
  • "I Love Lucy Theme" performed by Desi Arnaz Orchestra, Wilbur Hatch conductor, from the DVD "I Love Lucy: The Complete Series" (Paramount)
  • "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" performed by William Shatner from the album "The Transformed Man" (Decca)
  • "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds, Variations" performed by Anthony Bonet exclusively for Y Knit.
Direct download: YKNT006.mp3
Category: podcasts -- posted at: 8:18 PM
Comments[4]

Because you demanded it, here's the "Lace for Boyz" in single format.

Lace For Boyz (2008)

Too Fine, Too Small
Too Fine, Too Small

WonderMike:
Yo, yo, yo, yo, hizKNITS
These big knit kids still frontin’ on us
Show them that we can do this, cuz we always knew this, HA HA HA
Yeah, boyeeeez

hizKNITS:
Lace! How long can it grow?
Last row, what a knitter throw.
Once again, back it’s the inflammable
The chart animal
The untangleable [FLEECE] knitted finery made by one

QueerJoe said, MOTHS! and I got numb
Can I tell ‘em that I really never had handspun?
But it’s the crack that the BMFA had done
Now they got me in a cell cause my needles, they swell
cause a brother like me said, well...
Lacy Knitters Guild's a posse that I think you ought to listen to
Guys who know the craft, I'm talkin' Gene and Lew.
Follow for now, power of the people, say,
Make the miracle [LACE] block the lyrical
Black is back, all in, we’re gonna win
Check it out [yeah y'all] here we go again

Chorus: Knit it up! Lace for boyz! Knit it up! Lace for boyz!

WonderMike:
Yo, yo, yo, hizKNITS
They spittin’ cuz we knittin’
Let’s show them that Yknit in da house
Yo hizKNITS, show ‘em what you can do

hizKNITS:
Never badder than bad cause the brother is madder than mad
At the stitch that's been dropped like a spindle whorl
Stole on the roll, but you treat it like soap on the rope
Cause the yarn in the shawl is so dope
Counting the stitches I'm knitting inside fabric with yarn-O's and decreases galore
They'll never care for the brothers and sisters
Now going blind, saying, "Rows? Just one more!"

We got to demonstrate [come on now]
They're gonna have to wait
Til we get it right
Victorian, Hemlock, Pi and Mystery
Swallowtail, Icarus, Shetland, and Hanami!

Chorus: Knit it up! Lace for boyz! Knit it up! Lace for boyz!

WonderMike:
Yo hizKNITS
They say boys can’t do lace
I don’t understand what they sayin’
But I got Orenburg for they face!

Yknit? It’s synthetic, athletic, aesthetic and prophetic
Yknit? It’s copacetic, energetic, not apathetic
Yknit? It’s electromagnetic
Yknit? It’s genetic!

Parody lyrics: hizKNITS (with little bits by wondermike), 2008
Respect and inspiration: Public Enemy’s “Bring The Noise?, 1988
Engineered by: Sex For Teens, 2008
Direct download: 01_Lace_for_Boyz.mp3
Category: podcasts -- posted at: 8:53 PM
Comments[4]

Stay cool!

if you can't see this, I tried to embed this video but lib syn keeps eating the code.

Category: general -- posted at: 10:54 AM
Comments[6]

Episode 5: Lace in Your Face (33:44)
Y Knit, Episode 5 "Lace In Your Face"

We chat lace with guys from all over the country:

  • Our favorite vet, Mel of Cabezalana blog was visiting from Maine (DrMel94 on Ravelry);
  • Doug, from Southern California and Troy from Belliningham, WA met on Ravelry, then met in person (and with us) in SF; and
  • Gene, from Eugene, OR and Lew from Sacramento, CA were "man-"ning the Lacy Knitters Guild booth at Stitches.
Let's let the lace do the talking. Here's the lace inspiration mentioned during this episode: hizKNITS In Da House Contest winner Art vs. Craft episode
The winner of KnitKnit Issue #7 is KatKrafty. The essay she mentioned is found at redefiningcraft.com

Thank you to everyone who took time to ponder lace with us: Mel, Troy and Doug (thanks for the gifts!), and Gene and Lew. As Michael said, I don't think this is the last time you'll hear lace discussed on Y KNIT.

And, as always, thanks for listening! Leave your thoughts on men and lace in the comments below or in the Ravelry group.

Y Knit? It's poetic!

This show features snippets of these songs:

  • "Love is Here to Stay" performed by Bill Evans from the Solo Sessions Volume 2 on Milestone Records (1963)
  • "Leather and Lace" performed by the Jolenes from the album Get It to Go on Good Fork Records / IODA (2006)
  • "Chantilly Lace" performed by the Big Bopper from Hellooooo Baby: Best of the Big Bopper on Rhino Records (1958)
  • "Lace for Boyz" performed by hizKNITS and WonderMike. Engineered by Sex14s (2008). Inspired by the genius of Public Enemy’s “Bring the Noize? from It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back on DefJam Records (1988).
Direct download: YKNT005.mp3
Category: podcasts -- posted at: 5:04 PM
Comments[20]