Category: Book Review

Episode 8 – Apology Tea
Book Review · crochet · knitting · podcast

Episode 8 – Apology Tea

Northern Knits PodcastLeave a comment

[Archived to YouTube]

What’s in Our Cups

Jocelyn has apology tea, Teavana’s Passion Tango iced tea. Diana was drinking poorly made Nabob Guatemala but replaced it with a cappuccino from Little Sister Coffee Maker.

Cool Threads

Diana’s mom wore really old fingerless gloves, bamboo socks, and Susie Roger’s Reading Mitts.

Jocelyn’s niece wore her Rainbow Scarf.

Diana wore her Lindsay Slouch and Rainbowside Shawl.

Woolly Workings

Diana has been working on 365 Granny Squares, her dad’s socks, and the Bellrose Shawl. She wound yarn for the Distinction Shawl, and washed and blocked the swatch for the Wedding Shawl. She mentions #30daysofhairstyles on Instagram.

Jocelyn has been working on 365 Granny Squares, the Boneyard Shawl, and Happy Hands Fingerless Mitts.

Jocelyn has finished finished finished the Coffee Shop Wrap and Grandmother’s Favorite Dishcloth. She mentions the Nova Platina needles.

Yarn on the Go

Jocelyn took her Coffee Shop Wrap (in progress) to her doctor’s appointment, and out shopping and to the library. She mentions the Stash2Go app.

Diana took her sock to the Assiniboine Park Conservatory to book her wedding venue. She also learned that she can walk and do basic knitting.

Theoretical Spinning

Diana finally got her Electric Eel Wheel 5! She mentions the Jupiter’s Eye roving from Hilori’s Magical Yarnorium.

Fiber Flubs

Diana missed 4 stitches on one of her 365 Squares.

Events

We went to a yarn tasting/Amano trunk show at our LYS, Wolsley Wool. Diana mentions the other LYS, Ram Wools. Jocelyn mentions Hedgehog Fibres, Ancient Arts, and Addi EasyKnit needles. Diana mentions the Karbonz and Cubics needles. They mention the amazing Summer Silk yarn and Wollmeise. Jocelyn really liked the Apu yarn. Jocelyn bought some Really Seriously Annoyed Grapes.

Jocelyn is going to talk to some school kids about visual impairment.

Red Heart Textured Triangle Shawl KAL – May 1

Stash Dash (that’s the 2016 page), May 27-August 15? Jocelyn wants to go for 5K, Diana a more introductory 3K.

World Wide Knit in Public Day, June 10.

Ai-Kon – July 21-23

Diana is going to BSides (July 25-26) and DefCon (July 27-30).

Manitoba Fiber Festival, September 15-16.

C4 – October 27-29

Book Review

Faith, Hope, Love, Knitting by Lorna Miser.

Diana is planning to stream some knitting at twitch.tv/firewaterandfiber.

Episode 7 – Mr. B and the Ice Cream Machine
Book Review · knitting · podcast

Episode 7 – Mr. B and the Ice Cream Machine

Northern Knits PodcastLeave a comment

[Archived to YouTube]

We’d like your help renaming our “what we’re currently working on” segment. Check out the thread on our Ravelry group.

What’s in our Cups

Diana is drinking Ethical Bean Lush blend coffee. Jocelyn is drinking decaf Vanilla Chai tea from Stash.

PHD Works

Diana worked on some finger weaving samples for the book review, finished the swatch for her Wedding Shawl, worked on the Bellrose Shawl from the Strickmich! Club, her dad’s sock, and did a single square for the 365 Days of Granny Squares.

Jocelyn worked on the Coffee Shop Wrap, Boneyard Shawl, and 365 Days of Granny Squares, and started the Distinction Shawl, Grandmother’s Favorite Dishcloth, Reyna Shawl, and Happy Hands Fingerless Mitts.

Jocelyn mentions Murdoch Mysteries, and her book review blog.

Yarn on the Go

Jocelyn took her knitting to the mall and Walmart. She is still loving the Stash2Go app.

Diana took her knitting to the lake on the weekend. Her Electric Eel Wheel 5 is “in Canada.” Still. She is considering buying some (expensive) blue stitch markers for use on her Wedding Shawl.

Events

We are going/went to our first yarn tasting at one of our local yarn stores. Jocelyn mentions the Children’s Hospital Book Sale.

Red Heart Textured Triangle Shawl KAL – May 1

Stash Dash (that’s the 2016 page), May 27-August 20? Jocelyn wants to go for 5K, Diana a more introductory 3K.

World Wide Knit in Public Day, June 19.

Ai-Kon – July 21-23

Diana is going to BSides (July 25-26) and DefCon (July 27-30).

Manitoba Fiber Festival, September 15-16.

C4 – October 27-29

Fiber Flubs

Jocelyn flubbed the mesh section of the Reyna Shawl. It got frogged and restarted, now with lifelines. The Distinction Shawl has been restarted 4 times.

Diana had “help” with her finger weaving.

Book Review

Sprang Unsprung: An Illustrated Guide to Interlinking, Interlacing, and Intertwining by Carol James. It is from the library. It’s so local that Diana formerly worked at the company that did the designs and our partners’ mother has met the author.

Episode 6 – Cooking with Oil
Book Review · crochet · knitting · podcast

Episode 6 – Cooking with Oil

Northern Knits PodcastLeave a comment

[Archived to YouTube]

What’s in Our Cups?

Diana has coffee from Little Sister Coffee Maker. Jocelyn has lemon ginger Yerba Mate tea from Mate Factor, available at Vita Health.

Cool Threads

Diana wore her Lindsay Slouch and Rainbowside Shawl to her job interview. Her mom was wearing her socks and fingerless gloves during a visit.

PHD Works

Diana has been working on the Bellrose Shawl and her dad’s socks.

Jocelyn finished the Misti Diagonal Rib Shawl. She has been working on 365 Days of Granny Squares, the Boneyard Shawl, the Coffee Shop Wrap, a (frogged) dishcloth, and the Distinction Shawl.

Yarn on the Go

Diana sent and received yarn for the Reddit Yarn Exchange.

Jocelyn has been compiling patterns for gift knitting, and eyeballing a joint Miss Babs order.

Theoretical Spinning

Diana’s spinning wheel (Electric Eel Wheel 5) has crossed the border into Canada.

Sew Little Time

Jocelyn has been organizing and cutting fabric for bags to sell in her eventual Etsy shop.

Events

Diana briefly mentions #30daysofhairstyles, totally unrelated to yarn.

Stash Dash (that’s the 2016 page), May 27-August 20? Jocelyn wants to go for 5K, Diana a more introductory 3K.

Red Heart Textured Triangle Shawl KAL – May 1

World Wide Knit in Public Day, June 19.

Ai-Kon – July 21-23

C4 – October 27-29

Diana is going to BSides (July 25-26) and DefCon (July 27-30).

Manitoba Fiber Festival, September 15-16.

Book Review

Reclaimed: Autumn 2013 Collection by Knit Picks, from Diana’s personal collection.

Episode 5 – We’re getting really better at that
Book Review · knitting · podcast

Episode 5 – We’re getting really better at that

Northern Knits PodcastLeave a comment

[Archived to YouTube]

What We’re Drinking

Diana has a dark roast from Starbucks with cinnamon and nutmeg.

Jocelyn has Decaf Vanilla Chai from Stash.

Cool Threads

Diana wore her Lindsay Slouch, Sockhead Hat, and San Francisco Shallows scarf.

PHD Works

Jocelyn has been working on her Misti Diagonal Rib Shawl, Boneyard Shawl, and Coffee Shop Wrap. She has started the Distinction shawl.

Diana has been working on her 365 Granny Squares, Bellrose Shawl, and a sock.

Yarn on the Go

Jocelyn worked on the Boneyard Shawl at the hospital.

Diana took the Bellrose Shawl to the lake. She read Count to Ten and Blue Hat, Green Hat a lot. Her sock came to a job interview.

Knitting Attacks

Jocelyn started the Boneyard Shawl for the 9th time. She wants to buy the Winter Honey pattern, but the machine gremlins won’t allow it.

Diana had a small disagreement with the Bellrose Shawl.

Events

World Wide Knit in Public Day, June 19.

Manitoba Fiber Festival, September 15-16.

Stash Dash (that’s the 2016 page), May 27-August 20?

Book Review

Knits for Nerds: 30 Projects: Science Fiction, Comic Books, Fantasy by Toni Carr. It is from both Diana’s collection and Jocelyn’s library stash.

Episode 4 – Live Studio Audience
Book Review · crochet · knitting · podcast

Episode 4 – Live Studio Audience

Northern Knits PodcastLeave a comment

[Archived to YouTube]

What We’re Drinking

Diana is drinking Twinings Ultra Spice Chai, stolen from Jocelyn’s tea stash. Jocelyn is drinking Tetley Warmth Cinnamon Spice.

Cool Threads

Diana has been wearing her Lindsay Slouch and her San Francisco Shallows Scarf

Jocelyn’s niece has been wearing her rainbow scarf and her poncho.

PHD Works

Diana has (theoretically) been working on her 365 Granny Squares, and her Wedding Shawl. She has actually worked on her sock and the Bellrose Shawl.

Jocelyn finished her mom’s afghan. She has been working on her Boneyard Shawl, the Misti Diagonal Rib Shawl, and is up to date on her 365 Granny Squares. She has started the Coffee Shop Wrap and plans to start the Winter Honey Shawl.

Yarn on the Go

We went yarn shopping duh duh DUUUUUHHHHHH!!!

Diana is participating in the Reddit Yarn Exchange.

Jocelyn bought fiber to learn how to spin, using a Turkish spindle.

Jocelyn mentions the book 55 Christmas Balls to Knit: Colorful Festive Ornaments, Tree Decorations, Centerpieces, Wreaths, Window Dressings by Arne Nerjordet and Carlos Zachrison.

Knitting Attacks

Jocelyn has started the Boneyard Shawl. Again. For the 8th time.

Events

World Wide Knit in Public Day, June 19.

Manitoba Fiber Festival, September 15-16.

Book Review

This week we reviewed Knits of Tomorrow: Toys and Accessories for Your Retro-Future Needs by Sue Culligan, from Diana’s personal collection.

Episode 3 – Super Popular on the Fruit Front
Book Review · crochet · knitting · podcast

Episode 3 – Super Popular on the Fruit Front

Northern Knits PodcastLeave a comment

[Archived to YouTube]

We begin with an apology for Diana’s illness. Jocelyn mentions John and Hank Green.

What’s In Our Cups

Diana is drinking a Vanilla Bean Latte from Second Cup. Jocelyn has a large half coffee, half Vanilla Bean Hot Chocolate beverage.

Cool Threads

Diana has been wearing her Rainbowside Shawl, Sockhead Hat, green cabled scarf, and Lindsay Slouch.

Jocelyn has worn her Kit Kat Hat and Lightning Fast Mittens.

PHD Works

Diana has been working on her Bellrose Shawl.

Jocelyn has worked on her mom’s afghan, 365 Days of Granny Squares, Misti Diagonal Rib Shawl, and her Boneyard Shawl.

Yarn on the Go

Jocelyn talks about her Ravelry queue. She mentions the podcast Actually Knitting and doing the Winter Honey Shawl for the Mowry KAL.

Knitting Attacks

Jocelyn has been attacked by her Boneyard Shawl. Repeatedly.

Events

We will be attending the Manitoba Fiber Festival on September 15-16 at the Red River Exhibition Grounds. We are also doing Knit in Public Day on June 10.

Sew Little Time

Jocelyn has been sewing purses and bags in preparation for starting an Etsy shop.

Diana mentions that she backed the Electric Eel Wheel 5.

Book Review

This week we reviewed Vintage Modern Knits: Contemporary Designs Using Classic Techniques by Kate Gagnon Osborn & Courtney Kelley. Jocelyn took it out of the library.

We really like it and think you should take a look.

Episode 2 – Pie is Not Cake
Book Review · crochet · knitting · podcast

Episode 2 – Pie is Not Cake

Northern Knits PodcastLeave a comment

What’s in Our Cups

We’re both drinking Second Cup Blueberry Holiday Blend. Jocelyn has her ubiquitous Canada Dry gingerale. Diana is into her second pitcher of iced Sweet Asian Pear, which was a  birthday present from Miss D (thefunkykitchen) at Knit Club.

Cool Threads

Jocelyn has been wearing her Kit Kat Hat, Lightning Fast Mittens, and her Cowl of Squareness.

Diana has been wearing her Lindsay Slouch hat and Sockhead Slouch hat as well as her Rainbowside Shawl.

PHD Works (Projects Half Done)

Diana worked on her Bellrose Shawl  from the Strickmich! Club 2017 at Knit Club on Sunday. She also resurrected her Celtic Myths (fingering weight) shawl from hibernation and streamed some of it on her Twitch channel.

Jocelyn worked on her Misti Diagonal Rib Shawl and her 365 Days of Granny Squares mostly following the tutorials from YARNutopia. She also started the Boneyard Shawl.

Events

We will be attending the Manitoba Fiber Festival on September 15-16 at the Red River Exhibition Grounds. We are also doing Knit in Public Day on June 10.

Yarn on the Go

This week Jocelyn extols the virtues of the Stash2Go app for Android (and iOS). She mentions Miss D’s favourite fingerless glove pattern.

Book Review

Sensual Knits by Yahaira Ferreira, part of the collection of books Jocelyn took out of the library this week.

Diana liked the sweater part of the Lace Panel Twinset, the Sayuri Sweater, and the Cleopatra Wrap. Jocelyn liked the Vixen Camisole, the Betty V-Neck Vest, the Militia Coat, the Arris Beaded Dress, and the Loop Shawl. Both agree that the size range is rather narrow and will likely not make any of these for that reason.

Episode 1 – Hello World!
Book Review · crochet · knitting · podcast

Episode 1 – Hello World!

Northern Knits PodcastLeave a comment

What we’re working on

Jocelyn and Diana (along with one other member of Knit Club) are working on 365 Days of Granny Squares. Diana was away and sick for a while at the beginning of the year and is doing a lot of basic squares to try to catch up. She’s still about 20 behind. Jocelyn is trying to get ahead before her surgery at the end of March.

Diana is trying out the Fish Lips Kiss Heel from Sox Therapist on a pair of vanilla socks for her dad out of Online Supersocke in “Forest-Color.” She thinks it’s totally worth the $1 USD and the little bit of extra work with the cardboard foot.

Jocelyn is working on her Spearmint Tea Shawl by Kateryna Golovanova out of Red Heart Unforgettable in the Polo colourway.

Diana is working on her Bellrose Shawl by Martina Behm from the Strickmich! Club 2017 out of Nature’s Luxury Sheep en Soie in the club colourway “Remembering Rose.”

Jocelyn is making good progress on her Misti Diagonal Rib Shawl by Sue Conway out of Loops and Threads Cozy Wool in the Earth Tones colourway.

Jocelyn is working on a granny square afghan for her mom.

Diana is starting to work on her wedding shawl, the Evenstar by Susan Pandorf out of Forever Yarn 100% lambswool laceweight undyed.

What we’re wearing

Jocelyn has been wearing her Lighting Fast Mittens and her Kit Kat Hat.

Diana has been wearing her Lindsay Slouch hat, and Sockhead Slouch hat, which matches her socks (which have a hole and need mending). She has also been wearing her Rainbowside Shawl mostly as a scarf, as well as a green cabled scarf knit before she was on Ravelry.

Knitting Attacks

Jocelyn has been attacked repeatedly by the Spearmint Tea Shawl. She’s finding casting on a small number of stitches onto circular needles isn’t going well, so is planning on starting again on straights and transferring to circulars when the shawl gets big enough.

Diana was attacked by her Bellrose Shawl, specifically row 13. For some reason it constantly had 1 too few stitches at the end of the row.

Jocelyn was attacked by her Rittenhouse Town Wrap, specifically the pattern. There is a fancy lifted bar increase that’s being difficult.

Review

Pride & Preju-knits: Twelve Genteel Knitting Projects Inspired by Jane Austen by Trixie von Purl. This is a book out of Diana’s personal collection.

Diana and Jocelyn both need a tiny knitted armchair. Jocelyn especially wants a Mr. Darcy. Both agree this is a cute book, but the need to immediately knit anything from it is low.