Actually Knitting Episode 33: Work Gets In the Way

Actually Knitting

Knitting Segments Thanks for the new iTunes reviews and for the lovely mentions on The 2 Knit Lit Chicks podcast, The Knotty Girls Knit Cast and The Knitmore Girls. Show Ready Knits

Mug Cozy

Pattern: The Mug Sleeve by Brook Croley

Yarn: Knit Picks Swish Worsted

Needles: Size 6 Knitter's Pride Karbonz

Listen up to hear my review of the Karbonz Interchangeable Needles!

Vanilla Socks

I am one row away from the bind-off, so I'm saving this for #stashdash2015 as well.

Yarn: Wisdom Yarns Saki Bamboo in the Garnet Ridge colorway

Needles: US 1.5 Addi Lace fixed circular needles

I mentioned my LYS, Yarn House, which you should definitely check out if you are in the area.

I also talked about a way to organize your projects on Ravelry.

Knits in Rehearsal

Viajante by Martina Behm

No real updates here. I hope to finish this by the time I take my trip with my best friend this summer. It would be a great amount of yardage for #stashdash2015.

Yarn: Miss Babs Kilimanjaro in the Believable color way

Needles: US Size 3 and US Size 4 Signature Convertibles

Tre o Molti by Anthony Casalena

Yarn: Madeline Tosh Tosh Merino Light in Flashdance (purple), Antique Lace (cream) and Vanilla Bean (variegated with creams, purples, browns)

Needles: US 7/4.5 mm

I am really loving this project and I'll be using it for the Around Your Neck Kal that is happening with Dianne of the Suburban Stitcher Video Podcast and Stacy of Must Stash Yarns and Podcast.

Vanilla Socks

I started a new pair of self-striping socks while I was camping last weekend.

Yarn: Berry Colorful Yarnings Saturated Sock in the Shades of Grey colorway

Needles: Size 1 Addi Turbo circular needles

Make it Work by Allie Coffey

Yarn: Bijou Basin Ranch Lhasa Wilderness from the Outlandish Collection in the Culloden colorway. (I'll review this yarn in depth on episode 34).

Needles: Knitter's Pride Nova Platina in size 4 and 6 (I'll also be reviewing these needles in episode 34)

Long Tail Cast On

Here's the document I found to help estimate the inches of yarn needed to do a Long Tail Cast On.

Knitting News, Notes and Events

The Fix-A-Stitch contest ended on May31. Listen up to see if you are the lucky winner!

The Gleener giveaway is going through May 15th, see the Ravelry group for details.

All the Kals I'm doing this summer:

There are so many awesome KALS happening now or starting very soon. If you like knitting along with others you are sure to find something you'd like to participate in. Double, triple or quadruple dipping is encouraged by the Actually Knitting Podcast.

Stash Dash is a KAL sponsored by the Knit Girllls. Be sure to check them out for more information. I think I will enter the 5k option this year. I talk about my current wips and where I stand for yardage if I finish them all!

Around Your Neck is a KAL sponsored by Dianne of Suburban Stitcher Stacy of Must Stash Yarns and Podcast .

Cardi, Tank or Tee is being sponsored by the 2 Knit Lit Chicks. I am working on my Astonish Top for this KAL.

The Great Outdoors KAL is sponsored by Emily of the Knitting Butterflies podcast. She wants you to be inspired to knit in or for the great outdoors this summer.

PALKAL 2015

PalKal is happening starting June 1st! I answer a few questions I've been asked on the boards, but feel free to ask anything that you think of. The most important update is that I've decided that you can use Wips for the PALKAL. Please use #palkal2015 on Instagram. I can't wait to see what you decide to do!

This is the biggest KAL of the year for Actually Knitting!

The Podcast Along Knit Along will start officially on June 1st, but let’s start our plotting and planning now!

Here are the rules:

Cast on: June 1

Bind off: September 1

The basic idea is to support a podcaster you listen to or watch by knitting one of their patterns and/or using their yarns for your project. You can also use a project bag by a podcaster!

1. The design, yarn/fiber and/or project bag must be from a knitting/crochet/fiber podcaster. (Not all 3, just one of those to qualify)

2. Use the chatter thread for discussion. Make suggestions. There are TONS of podcasts out there and almost no one knows about all of them, so if you know of a podcaster designer/yarnie/bag maker, feel free to share with us!

3. You are encouraged to take advantage of the coupon codes offered by our sponsors, but you are not limited to those podcasters for the KAL. Sponsors and coupon codes will be announced in an upcoming episode.

4. Please post finished objects in the non-chatter thread and include a link to the podcaster you are supporting.

5. Enter as many projects as you like. Each project gets a separate post in the non-chatter thread.

6. A note about project bags: a project bag may only be entered into the contest one time for an entry. (You can’t just keep using a podcaster project bag over and over and entering the contest that way).

7. You must be a member of the Actually Knitting Podcast Group to win.

8. Have fun supporting a podcaster designer or yarnie!

9. Please do not chatter in the non-chatter thread. It makes it more difficult to draw a winner!

10. Use the tag PALKAL2015 on Ravelry and #palkal2015 on Instagram

In addition, I've decided that you can use WIPS for this KAL. Yay!

We have some great sponsors and wonderful prizes that I can’t wait to share with you all! Let’s make some plans for summer knitting!

The coupon codes will be listed on the podcast and are available here as well:

Dianne from Suburban Stitcher, use code PALKAL2015 for 10% off of any order May 25th through July 31st

Jennifer from the Down Cellar Studio Podcast, use code PALKAL15 for 30% off through June 15th

Alana Dakos from Never Not Knitting, use PALKAL for 25% off of any PDF pattern (not books)

Megan from Stockinette Zombies, use ActuallyKnittingPalKal for 30% off through the end of July

Anne from the Carolina Fiber Girls, use PALKAL50 for 50% off any of her patterns

Elizabeth Green Musselman from Dark Matter Knits, use the code PalKal15 for 20% off of any of her self-published patterns, through September 1st.

Allie Coffey from Caffeinated Knitting Video Podcast, use the code PALKAL2015 for 50% off of her patterns.

Daniela from Caffeinated Knitting Video Podcast, use the code ACTUALLYCAFFEINATED for 50% off her patterns through September 1.

Angela from the Revelations of a Delusional Knitter Podcast, use the code PALKAL2015 for 25% off of her patterns.

New this Episode:

Christina from A Knitter's Life Video Podcast, use the code PALKAL2015 for 1$ off of her patterns, through September 1.

Today for the first time I mention the prizes! So far we have 15 prizes for some lucky listeners. Thanks so much to the sponsors below for their donations!

Suburban Stitcher/Dianne

1 sock size draw string bag of winner's choice from her Etsy Shop.

Danie from The Prarie Girls Knit and Spin podcast and One Twisted Tree

1 skein of her Prime Sock Yarn in the Hinky Punk colorway

Mel from With Mel Video Podcast

3 patterns from her Ravelry Store

Stacie/Must Stash Yarns and Video Podcast

1 skein of her Extended Play Version of Darkside of the Moon

Emily/Fibretown

1 skein of yarn

Megan Williams/Stockinette Zombies

Sock Pattern kit that includes yarn, pattern and a bag

Anne/Carolina Fiber Girls

1 sock pattern

Estela/One More Row Please (blog/designer)

2 patterns from her Ravelry Store

Laura/Gynx Yarns

1 skein of

Brenda Castiel/designer

3 patterns from her Ravelry store

Other Events:

World Wide Knit in Public Day is June 13, 2015. If you are local or Semi-local, please join us at Heist Brewery in Noda, Charlotte, NC. Details can be found on the Ravelry board or on the brand new Actually Knitting Podcast Facebook page! We will be joined by the Carolina Fiber Girls, Ann and Janis, and tons of lovely knitters!

Mini-Skein Swap Group

Stitches Midwest:

I'll be at this event August 6-9, 2015 and I cannot wait! If you are going be sure to let me know!

Knitting TalkBack: Caring for your Knits Listen up as I share some listener comments about how they care for their knits. I also review Allure Fiber Wash by Bijou Basin Ranch. Non-Knitting Segments Love it or Leave it Love it: Meditation App called Breathe I mentioned learning a little bit about meditation from the Teaching Your Brain to Knit Podcast. Leave it: Fear of sunburn is now dominating my life! Other News and Notes I am still reading The Martian by Andy Weir I mentioned some new to me podcasts, including Stitched in Sweden with Maria and New Hampshire Knits with Claire. I also mentioned reading The Red Tent by Anita Diamant and Top Secret 21 by Janet Evanovich. (Oops, I accidentally called this book Takedown 21!) I officially start my 1/2 Marathon training on June 6th! Thank you so much for listening!