The Yarniacs: A Knitting Podcast

What will you be knitting for the Self-Indulgent Knit-a-long ? The  Self-Indulgent KAL  is your opportunity to knit something fun, whether for yourself or someone else. Knit something that will make you happy, whether the pleasure is derived from the finished object, the lovely yarn you are using, or simply the process of creating. Discuss all the possibilities  here  in our Ravelry group, and sha...

  This week we bring you our usual segments, some prizes to share, and a link to a funny internet game show that includes the Yarniacs. Gayle and I were quite tickled upon listening to this feature and hope you will get a laugh out of it too. The fact that there were groans and possible Yarniacs in the audience just makes us smile! (See warning below! While the website page is family friendly, the...

  I call this time of year "the slippery slope." Once Halloween is over, there is unabashed Christmas and winter holiday advertising in stores and in the media. Yes, I know there is some advertising before Halloween, but before Halloween they try to sneak it to us, as if really ashamed to be doing it, but just can't help themselves. Post Halloween we get the real deal snowmen and elves and wrapped...

I mention Halloween because I happen to own the quintessential Halloween advertising animal, a black cat. When we adopted Boo, we were told by the shelter staff that black cats and dogs are the least adopted color at most animal shelters. Boo was the last adopted kitten from his litter, also the only all-black kitten in the litter. Folks want cats with some color or markings we were told. Previous...

  Gayle and I were guest speakers this week at two meetings of the Santa Cruz Knitting Guild. We enjoyed ourselves immensely and were impressed with the range of knowledge and the service that the guild organizes in our community. It just affirmed our belief that knitters are wonderful folks and reminded us that kind knitters can be found everywhere. If you have the opportunity to visit a guild in...

What are we wearing? Laika  by Ysolda Teague Sharlene's  Laika yarnosaurus'  Laika one ,  Laika two ,  Laika three ,  Laika four ,  Laika five , and  Laika six Hitofude Cardigan  by Hiroku Fukatsu What are we stalking? Fickle Heart  by Justyna Lorkowska Abuku  by Olga Buraya-Kefelian Ink Ripples  by Elena Fedotova Kaweah Hat  by Veronica Parsons Hat Season  by Joji Locatelli Axis  (mitts) by Saman...

What are we wearing? Literally Over the Top by Megan Williams Sharlene's Over the Top Lindy Chain yarn Jeweled Cowl by Sachiko Uemura Dragonfly Fibers Pixie yarn What are we stalking? Ravelry's popular blanket pattern list Watercourse by Carina Spencer Krydda by Madeleine Nilsson Diary by Ankestrick Monomania by Ann Weaver Neighborhood Fiber Company Rustic Fingering Skiff by Jared Flood Daughter A...

Sometimes I overhear my kids and their friends teasing each other ,  using the phrase "Hashtag epic fail." If you've been around the internet, you know they mean #epicfail as used in social media like Twitter or Instagram.   This week Gayle and I co-opt their phrase to share a little bit of our knitting history, and some projects that we categorize as "hashtag epic fails." Gayle and I knit a lot,...

Often Gayle and I find out we have been stalking the same pattern, project, designer, or technique. We always laugh and roll our eyes. Now we have come to expect it. This week we have both experienced numerous crochet references, so we decided to share a little bit about crochet. We both started out as crocheters and both continue to crochet. I get occasional hand/arm pain and have found that croc...

I am back from my family vacation and jumping right back into the podcast. What are we wearing? Imagine When  by Joji Locatelli Sharlene's  Imagine When Boxy  by Joji Locatelli Gayle's  Boxy What are we stalking? crazy stripes tee  by atelier alfa cdncarol's  tee Arrowbite  by Larissa Brown Puck  by Boo Knits Obsidian  by Lisa Mutch What are we knitting? Fingering weight leftovers shawl Inner Peac...

  As I was listening to this episode before we released it (yes, Gayle and I both listen before we release them!) I realized my bird is chirping and squawking in the background. The interesting fact is, I didn't even notice her chiming in when we recorded. She is just such a part of my life that I am used to having her chatting away along with us. You've heard a lot about my pets because we record...

Thanks to those of you who have sent your well-wishes for my recovery. Things are going well and I would like to thank my podcast co-host Gayle for picking up the slack on this episode. :) I was a bit low-energy, though Gayle claims things were fine, but I definitely felt weary by the end of the recording. Boo (Sharlene's former kitten now cat pictured left) joins us during the review segment.  If...

  When Gayle and I first started podcasting, we had lots of ideas about what we wanted to share with our listeners. One of those ideas was to chat with our favorite designers, and share why we love knitting their designs. Joji Locatelli was one of the names that came up again and again. Not only because we have both knit many of her patterns, but because through her blog , Twitter , and Instagram...

What are we wearing? Ribby Pulli  by Bonne Marie Burns Liesl  by Cocoknits Gayle's  Liesl What are we stalking? Inner Peace  by Joji Locatelli Surry Hills  by Maria Magnusson ...hint of summer  by Isabell Kraemer Painted Pixels Blanket  by Susan Carlson Waikiki Wildflower Blanket  by Susan Carlson Wrap around crochet bracelet  by Yuli Nilssen Mudra Cuff  by Laura Nelkin Kable Kuff  by Laura Nelkin...

We are back at the beach with this episode. Unfortunately that means there is a bit of ambient noises from a variety of sources. Hopefully it won't be too distracting as we catch up on what we have been knitting and doing the past month. Details below and at the end of the episode about our second colors of fall KAL, using the  Colors of Fall 2014 from Pantone. We hope this will give us all time a...

It has been slightly longer than usual between our recording of episodes and we have a bit of catch up to do! We've finished some projects, stalked a few new things, and rediscovered sock knitting. We also add a little more to the inspirations discussion. We talk about fiber, and if we are inspired by the fiber to make the projects we do, or if the pattern inspires us to pick the fiber and project...

In addition to our usual segments, Gayle and I talk about inspiration. What kinds of things inspire you to choose projects? Colors? Fibers? Patterns? Photographs? We get inspiration from many places. Our surroundings, websites, color and fiber swatches and other knitters all provide fuel for the inspiration fire. We are both looking forward to the discussion about everyones' inspirations and hope...

Spring break was this week, and my computer and knitting time has been extremely limited. As I was getting my show notes together I realized I hadn't been doing much pattern stalking and my wips haven't seen much action. Gayle has been traveling and though she has had the luxury of airport and airplane knitting, she hasn't been doing much stalking either. But we do have a few tidbits to share with...

Spring has sprung and is traditionally the season for renewal, flowers, rain showers, and of course, spring cleaning! Gayle and I have both been organizing, putting projects into bags, straightening our knitting corners in our houses, and putting together little notions bags or boxes to carry with our projects. For us, I think it has been more a function of the post-Stitches West mad dash towards...

Gayle and I have both been overwhelmed! At Stitches West 2014 we saw so many new and interesting sweaters and patterns, and so much colorful and wonderful yarn, that neither of us have quite known what to knit or what to start this past week. Not that we needed to start anything new. :) But that new yarn smell does tempt you away from those works-in-progress sometimes, doesn't it? - Sharlene What...

We recorded episode 56 at the beach. Sometimes evening recording calls for inventive recording locations but we always enjoy the views. This time we were lucky again to spy some dolphins swimming in the bay. No matter how many times I see dolphins frolicking, they still bring a smile to my face. Gayle and I are attending a local fiber industry event called Stitches West this week. We will be there...

It is no secret that both Gayle and I are fans of Imperial Stock Ranch yarns. I love the fact that in a global wool economy, the yarn I purchase from Imperial is comparatively "local." I love the fact that the ranch is a family-owned business. I love that I can talk to the person who raises the sheep, knows the history of all the buildings on the ranch, pays the bills, and selects new colors for t...

In our second episode of January, we remember and recognize that it is our second anniversary of producing this podcast. As we enter year 3 of podcasting, we have one small request. Would you give us an  iTunes rating ? You can do this in two ways, either by clicking to give us a "star" rating, or by writing a review. We hate to ask, really we do, but it would be nice to see our podcast appear in...

The new year is upon us and we are so happy to be back with a regular episode for you. The start of the new year has been busy, but as always, we come back to the knitting. There are lots of new patterns to see, events to anticipate, projects to finish and plan. We wish you all a wonderful 2014. What are we wearing? Ease by Alicia Plummer Audrey in Unst by Gudrun Johnston What are we stalking? Eli...

In this episode we welcome Brooke Sinnes, Fiber Artist & Proprietor of  Sincere Sheep . Sincere Sheep specializes in "naturally beautiful yarns & fibers" including breed specific yarns and yarns that are farm specific. You can read about Brooke and Sincere Sheep  here , and find her shop  here . Brooke has an incredible amount of knowledge to share with us in the episode. I hope it is helpful and...