Episode 7 Show Notes!
Watch the Episode here!

Check out my friend Jen’s blog – www.thesensiblesheep.com – she’s a new member of our Ravelry group!

OFF MY NEEDLES
Strawberries and Cream Frappe Socks by JavaPurl Designs/C.C. Almon from “Coffee with C.C.”
Yarn: Unplanned Peacock Studio Twinkle Twist – “Candy Apple”

I am so excited to finally announce the official release of my latest two designs:

The Anchored Shawl

The It Is Well Cowl

“In order to realize the worth of the anchor, we need to feel the stress of the storm.”
– Corrie Ten Boom

     10 years ago I experienced sexual assault.  It is shocking and saddening to know how many people also experience this trauma, and even more devastating to know how many never come forward and get the help they need.  Too often we attempt to weather storms alone.  Life sends each of us storms, often furiously and without any warning.  The only way to keep from being completely blown off course is to have something to anchor us, whether that be something like faith, meditation, exercise, or even a favorite hobby.  The anchors I have had in place over the last 10 years are what allow me to now say that I am not just surviving in the wake of sexual assault, but I am thriving.  I wanted to design something as a testament to how far I’ve come, but to also be an inspiration to others who are experiencing life’s storms.  These pieces both have strong anchor motifs to be outer reminders of the inner strength we all have.  They represent to me that it is possible to come out as better people on the other side of whatever storms we face.

     The Anchored Shawl is a crescent-shawl with a centered anchor design created from simple cables.  It is worked flat from the top down in a DK weight yarn and knits up into a beautiful, light accessory for cooler temperatures.

     The It Is Well Cowl’s three anchors are made from simple cables and worked in the round from the bottom up.  Using worsted weight yarn creates a comforting, warm accessory to be worn all winter.

I am offering a special coupon code for the rest of September that allows you to purchase one of these patterns and get the second at half price!  *Note: You do not need to be a member of Ravelry to purchase!  Here’s how!

1. Visit my Ravelry Store and click on the name of either the Anchored Shawl or the It Is Well Cowl.  On the right hand of the screen click to Add To Cart.  *Note: Do NOT click to “buy now” and do NOT click on the price link – only click on the name of the pattern to take you to the pattern page!
2. In the pop up box click “View all available items” and click on the name of the other one.   On the right hand of the screen click to Add To Cart.
3. In the pop up box click “Use a coupon code”.  Type in 10year and click “apply”.
4. Make sure that the total represents a $2.50 discount BEFORE clicking “Checkout now” and proceeding through the checkout process.  If you do NOT see the discount represented at this step please cancel your order and contact me before proceeding.

*Note:  I am not able to refund any purchases made after checkout goes through!  So please double check that the coupon code discount applies BEFORE completing the checkout process!
*Note:  The discount only applies if you have both items in your cart.  Make sure both items are in your cart before entering the coupon code.
*Note:  The coupon code is active from September 25th, 2016 until midnight on September 30th, 2016, EST.  Starting October 1st, you can purchase both items at regular cost.

These designs mean so much to me and I have enjoyed creating them for you!  I hope they bring you the same hope and encouragement that they have brought to me.

When sorrows like sea billows roll…it is well, it is well with my soul.
– Horatio Spafford in his hymn “It Is Well With My Soul”

Show Notes for Episode 6!
Watch the episode HERE!

OFF MY NEEDLES
Coffee Date Shawl by JavaPurl Designs/C.C. Almon from “Coffee with C.C.”
Yarn: Unplanned Peacock Studio Kinky Sock – “Kitty”; Manos Del Uruguay Alegria – “Zaino”; Madeline Tosh Twist Light – “Antler”

I Love You More Than Pumpkin Spice Socks by JavaPurl Designs/C.C. Almon from “Coffee with C.C.”
Yarn: Zauberball (Schoppel-Wolle) – “1784 Gebrannte Mandeln”

ON MY NEEDLES
Strawberries and Cream Frappe Socks by JavaPurl Designs/C.C. Almon from “Coffee with C.C.”
Yarn: Unplanned Peacock Studio Twinkle Twist – “Candy Apple”

Initiate Knit Design Challenge Project
Yarn: Frabjous Fibers Wonderland Yarns Cheshire Cat Fingering – “With What Porpoise?”

UPCOMING PROJECTS
WestKnits Mystery Shawl KAL 2016

Painted Windows by Casapinka

READING/WATCHING
Alexander Hamilton by Ron Chernow
Raging Heat by Richard Castle
House of Mirth by Edith Wharton
Travelogue of the Interior by Karen Dabaghian

Blacklist
Person of Interest
New Girl
Hell’s Kitchen
Once Upon A Time
**We also watched This is Us and LOVED IT!!! I’ll try to remember to talk about it next episode!”

SIGN LANGUAGE
“Knitting”
“Fall/Autumn”
“Anchor”

DESIGN RELEASE
Check back for a special post about the design release with all the background info, links, and discount explanation!

PODCASTS MENTIONED
Geeky Girls Knit
The Knitting Broomstick
The Grocery Girls

ETSY SHOP SHOUTOUTS
JanBSmiley
That Clever Clementine

 

 

Show notes for Episode 5!
View the episode here!
Thanks for watching, and I hope you enjoyed it!

OFF MY NEEDLES
Elfe Sweater by Astrid Schramm
Yarn: Malabrigo Sock – “Caribeno”; Cascade Heritage Silk – “5682”

ON MY NEEDLES
Coffee Date Shawl by JavaPurl Designs/C.C. Almon from “Coffee with C.C.”
Yarn: Unplanned Peacock Studio Kinky Sock – “Kitty”; Manos Del Uruguay Alegria – “Zaino”; Madeline Tosh Twist Light – “Antler”

UPCOMING PROJECTS
I Love You More Than Pumpkin Spice Socks and Strawberries and Cream Frappe Socks by JavaPurl Designs/C.C. Almon from “Coffee with C.C.”

WestKnits Mystery Shawl KAL 2016

Painted Windows by Casapinka

Tabitha Cardigan by Rae Blackledge from Willow Yarns

READING/WATCHING
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child by JK Rowling, Jack Thorne, and John Tiffany
Raging Heat by Richard Castle

Blacklist
Inspector Morse

SIGN LANGUAGE:
“Alexander Hamilton” lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda

How does a bastard, orphan, son of a whore and a Scotsman, dropped in the middle of a forgotten
spot in the Caribbean by Providence impoverished in squalor
grow up to be a hero and a scholar?

The Ten dollar, founding father without a father
got a lot farther by working a lot harder
by being a lot smarter by being a self-starter
by fourteen, they placed him in charge of a trading charter

And every day while slaves were being slaughtered and carted away
across the waves he struggled and kept his guard up
Inside he was longing for something to be a part of
the brother was ready to beg steal borrow or barter

Then a hurricane came and devastation rained
our man saw his future drip-dripping down the drain
put a pencil to his temple connected it to his brain
and he wrote his first refrain a testament to his pain

Well the word got around they said this kid is insane man
took up a collection just to send him to the mainland
Get your education don’t forget from whence you came. And the world is gonna know your name.
What’s ya name, man?

Alexander Hamilton.
My name is Alexander Hamilton.
And there’s a million things I haven’t done.
But just you wait, just you, wait.

When he was 10, his father split
Full of it, debt-ridden
Two years later, see Alex and his mother, bed-ridden
Half-dead, sittin’ in their own sick, the scent thick
And Alex got better but his mother went quick

Moved in with a cousin, the cousin committed suicide
Left him with nothin’ but ruined pride
Somethin’ new inside
A voice saying Alex, you gotta fend for yourself
He started retreatin’ and readin’ every treatise on the shelf

There would’ve been nothin’ left to do
For someone less astute
He would’ve been dead and destitute
Without a cent of restitution
Started workin’, clerkin’ for his late mother’s landlord
Tradin’ sugar cane and rum and other things he can’t afford

Scannin’ for every book he can get his hands on
Plannin’ for the future, see him now as he stands on
The bow of a ship headed for a new land
In New York you can be a new man (x4) In New York (New York) Just you wait (x3)

Alexander Hamilton
We are waiting in the weeds for you
You could never back down
You never learned to take your time
Alexander Hamilton
America Sings for you
Do they know what you overcame
Do they know you control your name
The world will never be the same, oh

The ship is in the harbor now
See if you can spot him
Another immigrant comin’ up from the bottom
His enemies destroyed his rep, America forgot him

We, fought with him
Me, I died for him
Me, I trusted him
Me, I loved him
And me, I’m the damn fool that shot him
There’s a million things I haven’t done, but just you wait
Whats ya name man?
ALEXANDER HAMILTON
PODCASTS MENTIONED
TamsCraftyKnits
StressKnits
Geeky Girls Knit
The Knitting Broomstick

 

Show notes for Episode 4!
View the episode here.
Thanks for watching, and I hope you enjoyed it!

OFF MY NEEDLES
Espresso Macchiato Socks by JavaPurl Designs/C.C. Almon from “Coffee With C.C.”
Yarn: Turtlepurl Toes Striped Turtle Toes – “Dream Room”

Peppermint Mocha Socks by JavaPurl Designs/C.C. Almon from “Coffee With C.C.”
Yarn: Kismet Fiber Works Soul – “Michigan Cherry”; “T-Rex”

Caramel Latte Socks by JavaPurl Designs/C.C. Almon from “Coffee With C.C.”
Yarn: Plymouth Yarn Happy Feet 100 Splash – “Autumn”

Emmie’s Snowflake Hat
Yarn: Top This! Yarn – “Snowflake”

ON MY NEEDLES
Elfe Sweater by Astrid Schramm
Yarn: Malabrigo Sock – “Caribeno”; Cascade Heritage Silk – “5682”

UPCOMING PROJECTS
Coffee Date Shawl by JavaPurl Designs/C.C. Almon from “Coffee with C.C.”
Yarn: Unplanned Peacock Studio Kinky Sock – “Kitty”; Manos Del Uruguay Alegria – “Zaino”; Madeline Tosh Twist Light – “Antler”

I Love You More Than Pumpkin Spice Socks by JavaPurl Designs/C.C. Almon from “Coffee with C.C.”
Yarn: Zauberball – “1874”

READING/WATCHING
Better Than Before by Gretchen Rubin
Alexander Hamilton by Ron Chernow
The House of Mirth by Edith Wharton

Inspector Morse
The Following
Stranger Things

PODCASTS MENTIONED
Geeky Girls Knits
The Knitting Broomstick
Yarngasm

ETSY SHOP SHOUTOUT
Jan B Smiley – Check out her shop here!

 

 

 

 

Short row shaping using Wrap and Turns (or W&T as they appear in patterns) is common in various knitting patterns, especially for sock heels.  There are a few ways to do a W&T, and one of my favorites is what I call Shadow Wraps.  I’ve also heard them referred to as Mother and Daughter, or Twin Stitch wraps.  Whatever name you choose to give them, they are a quick and easy way to do W&T for short rows and I wanted to give you a quick tutorial.

Click here to watch the video tutorial!

To do this W&T on the knit side (Right Side), knit up until the stitch you want to wrap. Lift up the right leg of the stich BELOW it, and place that on the left needle.

Knit into that stich, and then place the stich back on the left needle.

You can now see the two stiches “shadowing” each other.

To do this on the purl side (Wrong Side), purl until the stitch you want to wrap, and slip that stitch purlwise onto the right needle.

Lift the stitch below it onto the left needle and purl into that stitch.

The two “shadow” stitches are now on the right needle.  Slip them both back to the left needle.

To pick up the Shadow Wraps on the knit side, simply knit both stitches together.

To pick up the wraps on the purl side, simply purl the two stitches together.

And that’s all there is to it!  Try these out the next time you’re doing short row shaping, and let me know what you think!

Here are the show notes for Episode 3!
View the Episode here.
Thanks for tuning in, and I hope you enjoyed it!

OFF MY NEEDLES
Where You Lead I Will Follow Socks by JavaPurl Designs
Yarn: Into The Whirled Handpainted Bukavu Sock – “Pamukkale”

Vanilla Cappuccino Socks by JavaPurl Designs
Yarn: Wild Hare Fiber Studio Pinnacle Fingering – “Honey Badger”

ON MY NEEDLES
Espresso Macchiato Socks by JavaPurl Designs/C.C. Almon from “Coffee With C.C.”
Yarn: Turtlepurl Toes Striped Turtle Toes – “Dream Room”

UPCOMING PROJECTS
Elfe Sweater by Astrid Schramm
Yarn: Malabrigo Sock – “Caribeno”; Cascade Heritage Silk – “5682”

Happily Sweater by Katy Banks (via KnitPicks)
Yarn: KnitPicks Palette – “Regal”, “Currant”, “Hollyberry”, “Salsa Heather”, “Cayenne”, “White”

WATCHING/READING
Person Of Interest Season 4
FINISHED Rosemary and Thyme
     Help me find a new mystery show!  Comment with any suggestions!

The Time Machine by H.G. Wells
Better Than Before by Gretchen Rubin

SIGNS TAUGHT
Patient, Wait, Olympics

PODCASTS MENTIONED
Geeky Girls Knits
The Knitting Broomstick
     (I seem to mention these every time!  I do watch other podcasts! But I guess you can tell which are my favorites…)

 

Watch Episode 2 here: Episode 02

Episode 2 is live – while I’m on vacation!  Thanks for tuning in!

OFF MY NEEDLES
10 Blocks of The Next Step Blanket by Jane Schwartz
Yarn: Rowan Pure Wool Worsted

5 Shawls In 5 Days Challenge by Aroha Knits
Yarn: Stash Leftover of Kismet Fiber Works Simple Sock  – “Lucky Penny”

ON MY NEEDLES
*Cross-stitch* – Dimensions Tall Hat Snowman Stocking

Where You Lead I Will Follow Socks by JavaPurl Designs
Yarn: Into The Whirled Handpainted Bukavu Sock – “Pamukkale”

STASH ENHANCEMENT
Wonderland Yarns: Cheshire Cat, “Down the Rabbit Hole” Off With Her Red #22
                                           Cheshire Cat, Color Morph, What What Porpoise? #36

Classic Elite Yarns: Chalet – #7475
                                          Chateau – #1458

Neighborhood Fiber Co: Studio Sock – “Olde Town East”

Miss Babs: Yummy 2-ply Fingering – “Morticia”
K2 3-ply Chunky – “Slate”

UPCOMING PROJECT
As soon as I finish the Gilmore Girls socks, I’ll be casting on C.C.’s Vanilla Cappuccino Socks by JavaPurl Designs in Wild Hare Fiber Studio Pinnacle Fingering – “Honey Badger” for the Sherlock Knit-A-Long!

BOOKS I’M READING
Alexander Hamilton by Ron Chernow
Raging Heat by Richard Castle

SIGNS TAUGHT
Mom, Dad, Daughter, Son, Sister, Brother (and Girl, Boy, Baby!)

PODCASTS MENTIONED
Geeky Girls Knits
The Knitting Broomstick

Watch the episode here:  Episode 01

Today I am celebrating my very first podcast!!  This project has been awhile in the making and it is exciting seeing it come to fruition.  So, if you tuned in, thanks for watching!

* NOTE: I worked so hard on my cute logo for section transitions and could not for the life of me get my computer to read them when I put the video together.  I will work on that and try to figure out a good solution before the next podcast!  But here are some of the images so that you can imagine what they were supposed to look like in the podcast.

   

ON MY NEEDLES
The Next Step by Jane Schwartz (Faux Quilting Stitch Pattern Block)
Yarn: Rowan Pure Wool Worsted – #4198

FINISHED OBJECTS
De Stijl Socks by Alice Yu from Socktopus
Yarn: Canon Hand Dyed Charles Merino Self-Striping – “Rhinebeck Rainbow”

Happypotamus the Happy Hippo by Heidi Bears
Yarn: Stash buster!

UP COMING PROJECT
I mentioned that next week I will be doing the 5 Shawls in 5 Days Challenge from Aroha Knits!  You can sign up for it at this website – and I highly recommend that you do!

PODCASTS MENTIONED
Geeky Girls Knits
The Knitting Broomstick