Episode 34: Knitting Buffet

Actually Knitting

Thank you so much to all the new and returning listeners out there, and double thanks for the lovely iTunes reviews!

Special shout-out to Elizabeth Green Musselman from Dark Matter Knits for both mentioning the podcast on her podcast and for putting information about the PalKal in her newsletter.

Knitting Segments

Show Ready Knits

Make it Work by Allie Coffey

Make it Work by Allie Coffey

Yarn: Bijou Basin Ranch Lhasa Wilderness from the Outlandish Collection in the Culloden colorway.

Needles: Knitter's Pride Nova Platina in size 4 and 6

I was also lucky enough to review both the yarn and needles I used on this project. Listen up

to hear my thoughts.

Make sure you check out the Outlandish Collection by Bijou Basin Ranch.

I also mentioned the Clara Parkes Craftsy Class if you are interested in learning more about yarn.

I also really enjoyed reviewing the Knitter's Pride Nova Platina Interchangeable Needles.

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 love this project and I'll be entering 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.

Here's the Lenny Kravitz scarf I talked about which I will most definitely NOT be knitting.

I also mentioned the

Stash Dash Update: This brings my yardage to 985 or 900.684 meters towards my goal

Knits in Rehearsal

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

I mentioned that I referenced Laura Linneman's After Thought Heel Recipe.

Astonish Top by Katy Banks

After some ripping back, I've been working on this again.

Yarn: Knit Picks Lindy Chain in Sagebrush and Honey

Needles: Size 2 Addi Lace Turbos

Whiz Bang Socks by Sarah Shoo

Sarah is half of the lovely duo behind the In a Sknit Video Podcast.

Yarn: Yarn Ink Sparkle Fingering in Oblivion

Needles: Size 1 Karbonz Fixed Circulars

I briefly mentioned my opinion about the Chiaogoo Bamboo Circular needles.

Sarah is offering a coupon code to get this pattern for $1.50. Use code ActuallyKnitting15 at checkout!

I talked about my summer knitting plans while I'm Knitting Like It's My Job.

Auditioning Knits

Sun Tea by Laura Aylor

Knitting News, Notes and Events

World Wide Knit in Public Day was a huge success! Thanks to everyone who came out! Special thanks to our sponsors:

Charlotte Yarn

Yarnhouse

Cottage Yarn

Baskets of Yarn

Another special thanks to all the individual prize donors! You helped make the day fun!

Stitches Midwest is August 6-9. I'll be there, will you?

Stash Dash is still going strong! Check out The Knit Girlls for more information.

Pal Kal Progress

Make sure to check out the Ravelry group for the pertinent threads. Thanks so much to all of our sponsors both of coupon codes and prizes.

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.

Sarah Shoo from In a Sknit is offering her new pattern, Whiz Bang Socks, for $1.50 with the code ActuallyKnitting15

Prizes:

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

Maria/Stitched in Sweden

A pattern from her Ravelry Store

Jennifer from the Down Cellar Studio Podcast,

Trickle Shawl Kit from Infinite Twist

My other plans for the Pal Kal are:

Los Monos Locos in my One Twisted Tree Prime Sock in the Disco Lemonade color way

Pump of the Volume Socks, Cool Clavicle Cover and the Seamless Saloma Slippers, all by Megan Williams.

Aila Grace Shawl by Jennifer Lassonde.

Swirl E Socks by Susie White.

Gleener Giveaway Contest ended on June 15th, listen up to see if you are the lucky winner!

Knitting Talk Back: Blocking

Listen up for some information on blocking, what my go-to tools are and a review of the Knitter's Pride Blockers.

This tutorial from Craftsy has some great information for new and experienced knitters.

Non-Knitting Segments

What a Crock

Spaghetti Squash Chow Mein

This recipe isn't truly a crockpot recipe, but I use mine to cook the spaghetti squash! Makes it really easy to get started on the rest of the recipe when you get home from work.

Love it or Leave it

Love it: Summer Break is here!

Leave it: Construction on my building

Other News and Notes

I have been able to spend some time with my family recently, which was very nice. I am still reading The Martian by Andy Weir and I actually picked up Written in my Own Heart's Blood by Diana Gabaldon again.

Running updates: nothing to share, just plugging along.

Thanks for listening!