S-n-P Podcast Episode 16

Hi everyone!  Thought I would do a little video to show you some of the knitting goodies I have gotten lately, and of course the magazines I have waiting to be read.  Also a couple of projects that I am working on right now, both of which I plan to do tutorials on and offer free patterns.

If you didn't know, I recently put up a few tutorials on the blog:

Pom Poms with a pom pom maker, and Pom Poms without a pom pom maker (make your own as opposed to buying one)
Making Tassels
Making Beaded Tassels

All of the magazines I show you have a link up in the Magazine Tab at the top of the blog, if you are interested in subscribing or buying single issues, both current and back issues.

Today is the last day for the Interweave Hurt Book Sale.  I got some great deals on a few books, and none of them were hurt in any way.  Not that I would mind if they were a bit hurt, it's going to happen any how :0)  If you miss the sale this time around, I am sure they will do it again next year.  It really is a chance to get amazing deals on a lot of different books - ebooks are available also!

I grabbed four hanks of Madelinetosh Tosh Merino DK Onsies from Jimmy Beans.  I got two each of Dusk and Rose.  I plan to use these for a top down shawl.  I love Madelinetosh yarn!  Nice and soft and very easy to work with, and it has great stitch definition.  I used Madelinetosh yarn in my Star Struck Hat pattern that was part of the tutorial on converting stitch patterns to use in the round.

And, from one of, if not THE best online yarn shop, Knitty Noddy, I got the new addi Long Tip Lace Clicks, along with some Hand Maiden Silk Maiden yarn.  A yummy blend of 50/50 silk and wool.  Very nice and soft, and the colors are beautiful.

And the projects I am working on - two wraps.  One is done in the scribble lace or scribble knitting technique, and the other is an entrelac wrap.  So, tutorials on both and free patterns.  Those will be up as soon as I finish knitting.  Close to being done on both!

I think that about covers it.  Until next time, Happy Knitting!

S-n-P Podcast Episode 15

Hi everyone!  It's certainly been quite a while since I did a show.  Now that the weather is warmer, I can sit outside to record.

Here are the things I talk about in this episode, in no particular order

Magazines (you can find links to each of these in the Magazine tab at the top of the blog)
Filati Handknitting - Home
Filati Pocket
The Knitter
Simply Knitting - free gift - wooden purse handles
Knit Today - free gift - some really sheep shaped yarn bobbins
Knitscene

Hobby Lobby Visit
I recently went to Hobby Lobby for the first time.  I loved their selection of knitting books, and while I typically do not knit with acrylic yarn, they did have some nice yarn also.  There were a few I liked, but in the end only got a few skeins of Andes Alpaca by Yarn Bee, in the color Camino.  I have decided to make my first top down shawl with this yarn.  I also got two pairs of rosewood needles - one having an inlay of mother of pearl on the top.  As you all know, I love my Addi Turbo neeldes, but am quickly becoming fond of the rosewood needles!


Autumn Acorn Cowl
This is my latest pattern, which is available for purchase on Craftsy.  This is a quick knit, using Lighthouse Waves yarn featuring the Acorn Cable stitch.  Even if you have never knit cables before, this is an easy stitch.  There is also a video tutorial of the stitch incase you need help with it.  I know the weather is beginning to warm up, and probably the last thing on your mind is making something to keep you warm.  The mornings and evenings are still rather chilly, and a little warmth around your neck can help keep away the chill.  Also, a lot of offices crank up the AC in the summer, and a cowl is nice to help keep the air off your neck.  And of course, if you make it now, you can have it ready to go when autumn/winter returns.

Project Bags
I've told you before about using those nifty little plastic bags that bras and bed sheets come in to take along a small project when you go on a trip, etc.  I recently purchased some sheets which came in a nice little cloth bag.  The extra pillow cases also come in little bags, which are perfect for a small project, needles, a few notions, and a copy of your pattern.  I love these!  They are soft, pretty and just the right size for carrying along where ever you go!  I got mine at Walmart, but I am sure you can find them in any store that sells sheets.

Longer Stitch Videos
You asked, and now you will receive!  An overwhelming majority of you voted to have longer videos demonstrating cable and lace stitches.  I will still be doing the shorter, less complicated stitch videos, but now will also be including longer videos too.  You can find all of the stitch videos over on The Weekly Stitch.

That is going to wrap it up for now.  You can find me on Facebook and Twitter.  Mostly on Facebook, Twitter is just for when I put up a new video or pattern mostly.  Feel free to send any questions, comments or suggestions to sapphiresnpurls at gmail dot com.

Until next time, Happy Knitting!

Sapphires-N-Purls Podcast: Episode 9: Now and Then

Finally, I've had time to get all of my notes together, and get this done!  Below are links and a brief of everything I talk about in this episode.  And, for some reason I thought this was Episode 10.... that may be because this was done at 2:30 in the morning.  Episode 9!!! I apologize for the less than stellar performance; like I said, it was 2:30 am....

A review of Vogue Knitting Fall 2003 issue, by me and a review of the Fall 2010 issue by my sister  (She has her own crafty blog called Stitches N Purls).  A link to Vogue Knitting can be found at the top of the blog - you can subscribe as well as purchase back issues.  Be sure to sign up for the news letter too!

There is a super neat new app for the iPod Touch and iPhone called Knit-n-Count.  I decided to splurge and pay the $1.99 to download this app.  It counts rows as well as pattern repeats, and you can even set an alarm to go off to remind you to do a certain stitch at a particular point in the pattern.  If you need to frog a few rows, no problem; the app will help you keep track of that also.  You can enter up to 10 different projects at a time, along with the name of the project and any notes you might want to jot down.  Great for designing your own patterns, IMHO.  Here is an article about the app.