The Yarniacs: A Knitting Podcast

Our regular recording time is sometimes bumped by one of our work schedules, which was the case this week. So it was a surprise to me when Gayle texted me the afternoon of our regular recording day to find out if I could meet later that evening. Though it meant finding an impromptu spot to record in the car, we quickly decided to give it a try. It was dark, so we drove down to the harbor in hopes...

What are we wearing? Cupido Cowl  by Hiroku Fukatsu Sharlene's  Cupido See You There  by Joji Locatelli Gayle's  See You There Trickster  by Elizabeth Doherty Gayle's  Trickster What are we stalking? Knit It Black  by Alex Tinsley Indie Gift-a-Long  group on Ravelry Trickster  by Elizabeth Doherty Mom's Favorite Color  by Paige Reisenfeld Zirkus  by Lisa Hannes Elf Baby Hat  by Robin Weldon Lilli...

The beginning of November has finally brought us the beginning of sweater weather, and as we delightfully exclaim this episode "When you're cold, you're cold." No apologies for putting on sweaters as the thermometer dips below 68º this episode! In fact, we are rather gleeful to pull our old friends out of storage and welcome them back into our wardrobe rotation. (In fact, though I didn't mention i...

Episode 100 is something a little different. Amongst the knitting chat, we've included some Q & A that you, our lovely listeners, submitted over the past few weeks on our Ravelry board. Thanks so much for that! We took the bait and shared a little bit about the origins of both our friendship and the podcast. While neither are at all mysterious, Gayle and I do normally stay on topic with the knitti...

Gayle and I had planned to record at the seashore, with the sound of waves crashing delightfully in the background. Planned. But the noon time sun and lack of shade forced us to relocate to a less picturesque, but more conducive-to-recording-audio spot about a block off the beach underneath some eucalyptus trees. We'll try another beach-side episode when the weather is more cooperative. We both lo...

It is said that first babies see movement, and soon can distinguish shades of blacks and whites, with other colors eventually becoming recognizable. As children grow, color often seems to play a role in their definition of self. "My favorite color is red," or "What's your favorite color?" are oft-heard conversation starters with the "under 10" set. Working in a yarn store, I commonly see shoppers...

I often think that Gayle and I talk too much about the weather. Really, on a knitting podcast, who wants to hear about the California drought? But it is undeniable, the weather, the drought and other external factors affect the items we knit. September and October are often the warmest months of the year for us, with temps peaking at 100°F but dipping at night into the 40s. This past summer was so...

This episode takes the prize for most tongue-tied moments, restarts, retakes, and redos. I am not proud of saying that, and offer it not as an excuse, but rather a hope that you will laugh with Gayle and I as we can laugh at ourselves. As I listened to the final edit of the episode, there is a point where Gayle asks me how to describe the color of a yarn and the pause was so long that I had time t...

First, the length--this episode is longer than usual. If this is the first time you are joining us, please know we generally keep the episodes at about 60 minutes and this is an aberration. Bear with us, apparently we had a lot to say on the topic in our feature section. We surprised ourselves, having thought we wouldn't have so much to say about yarn put-ups, knots, and such. But most knitters ha...

In episode 94, I recount that someone recently said to me, "You only knit sweaters from the top-down." For me, nothing could be farther from the truth. When I started knitting, I knit sweaters from contemporary patterns, which had me dutifully knit my fronts, back, and sleeves, and stitch them all together. But patterns, like clothing styles, evolve and change, and new designs caught my eye that i...

  This episode we catch up on each other's projects and review what we've been working on during the past month. Because of summer travels and schedules, it has been a month since we recorded an episode with our usual segments. There is lots of summer stalking and discussion of summer knitting and yarns. We both acknowledge that even though fall will be here soon, during these warm months it is so...

What are we wearing? Literally Over the Top  by Megan Williams Coronado  by Toluca Knit What are we knitting? Easy Folded Poncho  by Churchmouse Yarns and Teas A Hint of Summer  by Isabel Kraemer In episode 92 we wrap-up the second quarter (Q2) of our "Love your stash" movement. We want to change the culture of stash and empower knitters to take charge of what yarns make you feel good as a knitter...

This week, Gayle and I hit the road and we record in the redwood forest of Santa Cruz. We found a quiet location and the wildlife was all around us--some of which you will hear on the recording. You will likely hear the ravens and crows, like the ones pictured here . We have an abundance of both ravens and crows and both were nearby. The Steller's Jays are another common sighting. There was a mule...

What are we wearing? Raiun  by Kirstin Johnstone Sharlene's  Raiun Echoes of Color  by Joji Locatelli Gayle's  Echoes What are we stalking? Summertime Shawl  by Michele Meadows Madelinetosh  Dandelion  yarn Spring in Her Path  by Mary Annarella Times Square  by Norah Gaughan Norah Gaughan for The Fibre Company:  Oporto Novel Construction Silver Lines  by Andrea Hallasi Designer  Jana Huck Mix It U...

When life is crazy and I am pulled in many directions, my knitting time decreases and my projects and productivity suffers. Sadly, during the crazy time is when I need the quiet comfort of my knitting to keep me sane. Quiet stockinette to sooth the nerves! The season is changing, spring is moving on to summer, and many of us experience some subtle shift in our routine at this time of year. Here's...

One of our favorite podcast segments (and we hope yours too!) has always been "What are we stalking?" Project planning and choosing yarns are often one of the highlights of a new project. At that point, it is still a knitting fantasy, and every knitter has an active knitting fantasy life. If you have a Ravelry queue the grows weekly, then yes, you too have an active knitting fantasy life! But some...

The Northern California Knitting Retreat--which Gayle and I have been working on behind the scenes for the past year--was a retreat in the true sense of the word. We got away from our normal day-to-day lives, spent time doing enjoyable activities such as knitting and visiting with friends, we laughed and relaxed. It was a first retreat experience for both of us and we enjoyed our little weekend kn...

What are we wearing? Heaven and Space  by Martina Behm Zephyr Cove  by Rosemary Hill We talk about shawl hangers. Gayle's version is from The Container Store, link  here .  Sharlene has a version from IKEA, link  here . What are we stalking? Naima  by Ankestrick Rachel  by Josee Paquin Sunray Shawl  by dunkelgrun Scrappy Hearts Hat  by Sonja Otto Swingback Hoodie  by Amy Gunderson Aurelia Cowl  by...

This week Gayle and I recorded in a different location and there might be a few spots in the recording where you can hear the whirr of the local surfboard business. Just a little local flavor as you can't go very far in Santa Cruz without passing a surf shop, or a taqueria, or a yoga studio. Sometimes all three in our casual beach town. :) We discuss the first quarter (Q1) of our #loveyourstash mo...

This week, in keeping with the "love the yarn you own" movement in our  Ravelry group , Gayle and I talk stash. This week we focus on how we feel about our stashes and stashing in general. A well-curated stash that we are happy to own is important to every knitter and crocheter. Is something about your stash making you unhappy? Too much of one type of yarn, too little of your favorite color? Not e...

  This episode we share some of our experiences, observations, purchases and sights from the StitchesWest 2015 expo. It was fun, educational, entertaining and exhausting. You'll be hearing about some of the new yarns as they become works-in-progress. Please welcome Robbie (aka Photoknitgal ) as a moderator to our Ravelry group. Both Gayle and I have days when we can't get to Ravelry to check out t...

What are we wearing? Campside  by Alicia Plummer Yowza Weigh It Shawl  by Susan B. Anderson Western Sky Knits  Twinkle Sock   What are we stalking? Newsom  by Bristol Ivy 30 Hearts Cowl  by Alexandra Ecuador  by Joji Locatelli Meridien  by Joji Locatelli And She Was  by Yelena Dasher   What are we knitting? Seacoast  by Joji Locatelli Heaven and Space  by Martina Behm Traveller Tunic  by Joji Loca...

  Sharlene's self-indulgent yarn from Western Sky Knits As I sit here finishing these show notes, my eyes are drawn to the window, and the slight promise of rain. If you've been following California news at all, you know that while the rest of the country is experiencing a white winter, in our neck of the woods January passed without a drop of moisture falling from the sky. Extreme drought indeed....

This 80th episode of The Yarniacs launches us into our 4th year of this podcasting adventure. What an adventure it has been! We have learned about wool, about yarn, about designing, about technique, and of course, about community. The community we have formed on Ravelry with our fellow yarniacs has been the most fulfilling and wonderful part of podcasting. We can't thank you all enough for listeni...

Happy New Year everyone! Wishing you all health, happiness, and yarny goodness in all you do. This month we start our annual Self-Indulgent KAL. What is self-indulgent knitting? We believe any knitting that brings you happiness is self-indulgent. Maybe you like to knit for yourself, maybe you like to knit for others. Maybe you are finally going to use that gorgeous yarn that has been waiting patie...