Episode with Beth Brown-Reinsel

So, I have been busy and couldn’t seem to fit in the time to do the blog.  But finally, here we go.

So, we started talking about what we have finished, or in my case what we have not finished.  I am STILL working on the Delphyne Thigh highs that I have been working on forever and ever.  I have also been working on a Highlands Cow out of the Edward’s Menagerie book.  I love the designs in there.  I also have been working on a test knit for Sarah from Orange Jellyfish Dreams yarn.  Other than knitting and crocheting, I have been documenting all of my stash and books on ravelry.  In doing so, I ran into all of my beautiful yarns that I love so much.  I decided to join my own yarn club.  I picked a projects worth of stash yarn for each month and a pattern to go with it.  I put them all into brown paper bags and labeled them each with a different month.  Now, each month, I can open a bag and get excited all over again.  I am going to start a MKAL with Never Not Knitting and a sweater to knit along with A Yarn Crossing.  I also bought the MAster Knitter’s Program.  I am pretty stoked to do it.

Tina has also not finished anything else.  She did not really talk much about anything she is working on.

And then, the  meat of the program.  We interviewed Beth Brown-Reinsel.  I will not tell you a whole lot of her story on here, but if you listen to the interview, you will not be disappointed.  Here is a link for Sanquhar Glove exhibit that she talked about. http://sanquhargloves.centerforknitandcrochet.org/ .  Her website is http://www.knittingtraditions.com/ , make sure you check it out.  Sign up for her newsletter.  It is such a nice thing to find in your inbox. http://www.knittingtraditions.com/news/newsletter/   She also talked about twined knitting and other workshops that she has been finishing up.  http://www.knittingtraditions.com/workshops/calendar/  If you would like more information about her, please check out her website first.  All of the ways to connect with her are listed on there.  But one other link where you can find her would be ravelry  http://www.ravelry.com/people/bethbrknits .  The charities she talked about was Amnesty International.  You can find more information about this organization here.  https://www.amnesty.org/en/  The other charity was the SIDS Foundation.  Please check them out here.  https://www.amnesty.org/en/  Beth also designed a dress pattern that you can find on her website and all proceeds go to the SIDS Foundation.  Please go here to find it.  http://www.knittingtraditions.com/product-pattern/2010/01/chloes-dress-pattern/

IT was great to talk to Beth.  We had a small laugh about Tina tumbling down the stairs and landing on her pizza.  I also shared that sometimes I forget that my head is where it is and I run it into inanimate objects a lot.  Tina talked a little about some of the gaming she has been doing.  I mentioned that she might want to check out the Yarnings podcast.  I mentioned that instead of a New Year’s resolution, I chose the word declutter to focus on throughout the year.  The big one is my wardrobe.  I am going through it and getting rid of absolutely everything that I did not wear last year.  I am trying to get to the point where I have a “uniform” and then I can just add in handmade items for a focal piece.  I just recently finished a tunic from the Simplicity 1080 pattern.  Other that that, I think we are finished.  Please listen in

Episode with Kate Atherley

So, we started talking about the shop, A Yarn Crossing, and how busy it has been over the holiday season.  We also talked about the sweater kal you can join us for on the ravelry group for the shop.  You can find it here, http://www.ravelry.com/groups/a-yarn-crossing .  There aren’t any rules, just come join us.  I, Kim, then talked a little about the Harry Potter House Cup group that I joined on Ravelry.  I think it will be a great bit of fun.  Tina and I have both been super busy getting things finished for Christmas and have struggled through it because of silly little injuries.  Tina has been struggling with some carpal tunnel and I have been pushing through some pretty severe tendonitis in my left elbow.  Doctors say the dangedest things.  No knitting for two weeks.  Yeah right.  Tina finished a baby hat and then another hat that looks like Yoda.  And she worked on some Rasta Cowls, but had to put them on hold just as she had to with her Putting on the Glitz dress.  She only has to finish the straps, and she will be finito.  I finished a whole lot of stuff.  I made a fair isle hat with a fornicating deer chart.  http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/fornicating-deer-chart  I used a gray alpaca yarn for the main part of the hat and a hot pink handspun of my own for the charted part.  I also crocheted a pair of fingerless mitts and a headband out of some mustard colored handspun for my lovely sister-in-law.  I finished several amigurumi’s.  The first one was from the Edward’s Menagerie book.  http://www.thetoftalpacashop.co.uk/PD.aspx?product=PATTERNS/toys/-Edwards_Menagerie_Book_by_Kerry_Lord  I made a panda.  The other two were of my own design.  I made a Bob the Minion and a T-Rex.  I made a pair of shark slippers http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/funny-shark-slippers .  I also made two cell phone cases to hang from my niece and my step daughters necks.  I also finished a balaclava that I made my own pattern for for my nephew.  And last, but not least.  I finished the Secret Garden shawl by Alana Dakos, http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/secret-garden-13.  It was my mom’s favorite gift.  I also did a little bit of sewing.  I made my mom a reversible tote bag out of a Secret Garden fabric and a hydrangea fabric.  It turned out awesome.  I took a free class on craftsy to learn how.  You can find it on Craftsy.  It is Kristin Link’s Bag making basics.  She is a great instructor.

And if you want to learn more about Kate Atherley, you will have ot listen to the podcast, but you can find her on Ravelry here, http://www.ravelry.com/people/kateatherley .  One thing we did really enjoy talking about, other than her career and all of the fun stuff she has been up to, was her favorite charity, the ASPCA.  You can find more information about them here, https://www.aspca.org/ .  This is a charity that sings to my heart as well.  I loved talking to Kate and can’t wait for the opportunity to meet her in person.

So, I love the holidays in thought, but due to social anxiety I really struggle through the festivities.  I had a great Christmas, but am glad that it is over.  I got a new flute and a new computer.  That is very exciting.  I have picked up the flute again and am catching on pretty quickly.  Tina’s was pretty hectic too.  She had to put off her shopping until last minute because of all of the working she had to do.  She got to go see her family up in Ohio.  She got to see her little nephew, Joseph, and at one week old he had to have open heart surgery.  He is nine weeks old and like 7 or 8 pounds.  He was definitely the best part of Tina’s Christmas. My nephew, Timmy was the best part of mine.  I also talked a little about how my husband and I are looking to buy an RV and hit the road.  We are avidly researching the best way to go about that.  If you all have any feedback, please let me know.

Don’t forget to comment on the Ravelry forum on what patterns you would like to make from Alana Dakos.  Also we will let you know during the next podcast who gets to win the skein of yarn from my stash for knitting the most knitted knockers.  Join us for the sweater kal with A Yarn Crossing.

Episode with Mary Jane Hall

I am so sorry for the delay on the show notes.  With the holidays everything was kind of fast paced and I could barely keep up. But here are the long awaited show notes.

We discussed the shop, A Yarn Crossing and how they are preparing for the holidays.  Please check the shop out here: http://www.ayarncrossing.com/  I love my local yarn store and I hope that you all help support your local stores as well.  The shops one year anniversary/birthday was a hit and a success.  We also had tons of fun at the knitting guild.  It was a small intimate gathering.

Tina finished a pair of Knitted Knockers.  http://www.knittedknockers.org/  She also finished a color tip scarf by PurlSoho out of Karabella. http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/color-tipped-scarf  She is working on a pretty red dress named Putting on the Glitz out of Madeline Tosh Pashmina in the tart colorway. http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/putting-on-the-glitz-lace-hem-evening-dress  The pattern was not sized high enough to start with, but the designer wrote back to Tina and helped her size it timmediately.

Kim, me, crocheted a self-written pattern for a bauble hat out of some Expression fiber arts in the superwash dewy dk in the tree frost colorway.  I also made two pairs of slipper boots, Audrey boots, www..com/patterns/library/audrey-bootsravelry.  I made a knitted fairisle phone case to hang around a nieces neck. She is 11 and said she needed something to hold her phone and her credit cards.  She is 11.  Credit cards?  STILL working on the Delphyne thigh highs.  I have also been working on the Secret Gardaen Shawl by Alana Dakos.  I am using Cascade Heritage to knit this up. http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/secret-garden-13

We were able to interview Mary Jane Hall, the author of several books, including Colorful Crochet Lace. You will have to listen to hear more information on Mary Jane, but you can also find her in all of these places:

Blog: http://positivelycrochet.blogspot.com/

Ravery: http://www.ravelry.com/people/maryjane2

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/maryjane.perryhall

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/maryjanedesign/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/maryjanecrochet

Instagram – https://instagram.com/maryjane.hall/

Tumbr – http://maryjanehall.tumblr.com

Google+  https://plus.google.com/107516222355797139475

My Amazon Author Page – http://www.amazon.com/Mary-Jane-Hall/e/B001JSB7CW/ref=dp_byline_cont_book_1

My Designer Fan Group – http://www.ravelry.com/groups/positively-crochet-and-crochet-that-fits-the-designs-of-mary-jane-hall

Flickr – https://www.flickr.com/cameraroll

The charity that Mary Jane talked about was a free clothing store that she runs in her town.  Anyone can go in and get help.  United Voluntary Service is the name of the shop, UVS.  They could use some volunteers to help out if you are in the area.  (937)-372-1101 in Green County Ohio.

So, we also discussed some things we have been doing.  Tina survived the Zombie scenario.  She is alive, not undead. I also celebrated ten years of no drugs and alcohol.  What a miracle, to tell you the truth.  I have been listening to Unraveling with Greg and Joey.  Great podcast, make sure you all check it out.

Check out the ravelry forum and join the conversation on the Alana giveaway.  We are going to be drawing names around the 15th of January.  Knitted Knockers KAL is still going until the end of December.  And then join us with  A Yarn Crossing on our sweater KAL.  It is going to start in January.  No real rules.  If you need yarn, go to ayarncrossing.com  I am going to start one by Alana and Tina is going to make a Kate Davies sweater.

Episode with Alano Dakos

Hey there you guys, how are you all?

I have been unbelievably busy with life, work, Christmas gifts, Thanksgiving, etc, etc, etc…But excuses aside, here are the show notes for the Alana Dakos show that went live on 11/20/2015

Unfortunately I did not get this up in time to tell you about small business saturday specials at A Yarn Crossing, but you can go online and shop there now.  Go to ayarncrossing.com and check them out.  Also, please come join us at the shop for their 1 year anniversary on 12/12/15.  They will be having door prizes throughout the day and there will be cake.  Make sure you call and sing to them…heeheehee. And then on the second Thursday of the month will be our Knitting Guild meeting.  We are doing a Secret Santa thingy.  Bring some yarn, a $20 value, wrapped and we will all exchange gifts.  Please join us.

Tina has been knitting on a Drop Leaf Scarf by Grace McEwen and can be found here: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/drop-leaf-scarf . She is also starting on a dress that she called the “butterfly dress” but I cant find it on Ravelry.  She is making it out of Malabrigo Baby Silk Paca in Ravelry Red.

I, Kim, am knitting the Delphine stockings: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/drop-leaf-scarf in Wisdom Yarns Poem Sock in the Narnia colorway.  I am making them for a really great friend, Griffin, for watching my wonderful pitbull when we went on vacation. I also  crocheted some things.  I made a spider pillow for my niece.  I used fun fur for the legs and thought that it was miserable.  I also made up a crocheted pair of mitts and an earwarmer for my mom out of a handspun that I got at the Kentucky Fleece and Fiber Festival.  I got it from a wonderful lady named Erin Call from “Call Us Crazy” Alpace Farm.  It was a blend of silk, bamboo, and wool, I believe.  They turned out lovely.  And I finished some BFL dyed a beautiful autumnal gold.  I got about 600 yards of a 2 ply.  I got it from a de-stash.  And I cast on for Alan Dakos’ pattern Secret Garden. Here is the pattern: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/secret-garden-13 .

And then there was the epic interview.  I went a little stupid fan girl on Alana, but hopefully you all enjoy the interview as much as I did.  We talked about so very much, including but not limited to: her books Botanical Knits 1 & 2, Coastal Knits, Annie and the Swiss Cheese Scarf; the new book with kiddo sized pieces that are inspired by the pieces you can find in the Botanical books; her brick and mortar store; NNK Press; and the Secret Garden Shawl.  We talked about so much more.  So, please check out the interview.  You can find Alana here: http://www.ravelry.com/designers/alana-dakos , http://www.ravelry.com/people/nevernotknitting , and http://www.nevernotknitting.com/ .  Please check her out and help us support a great designer.  The two charities that she mentioned are Doctors without Border, which you can find here: http://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/ .  The other on she talked about is the Ronald McDonald Houses, which you can find here: http://www.rmhc.org/ .  I will write another post in the next couple days where I highlight all of the charities that our guests have talked about.

And then, what is going on in our lives?  Well, Tina went to Columbus and got locked in a room with some girlfriends and a zombie.  Sounds awful to me, but they thought it sounded like fun.  I haven’t talked to her since then.  I hope the zombie didn’t get her.  I went to Knoxville, TN for the weekend.  It was ok.  I went to Loopville.  If you are in that area, check them out or you can check them out at: http://www.loopvilleyarn.com/ .  Also, make sure that you do not stay at the America’s Best Value Inn and Suites.  It was by far the most disgusting place that I have ever stayed, keep in mind that I spent many years homeless and this was much, much worse.

One more quick thing, make sure that you get some knitted knockers made up.  There are lots of women that could use them.

 

 

 

show notes for 11/11/15: Orange Jellyfish Dream, Sarah Raasch

Hey there you guys!!!

So we have another show ready for you.  And here are the notes.  We began by talking about A Yarn Crossing. http://www.ayarncrossing.com/  It is coming close to the one year anniversary and we are going to celebrate.  On December 12th there will be a birthday party at the shop.  For those that come to the shop on that day there will be door prizes and such.  So, please come join us.  Also, this coming thursday (and every second thursday of the month) we are having our Louisville Knitting Guild meeting at the shop from 6:30-8.  This month we are going to be discussing the upcoming year and what we would like to see go on at the meetings.  It is also our four year anniversary and there will be a drawing for the gift.

What have we been knitting on?  Well, since you asked… Tina knit up the Silk-n-Scribbles Shawl by StevenBe http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/silk-n-scribbles.  She used Freia Ombre Super Bulky in the fuschia colorway, ITO Rinu and ITO Sensai both in the prune colorway.  It turned out wonderful.  She also started the Drachenschwingen, it is a Game of Thrones inspired sock pattern by Julia Rotfeder.  http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/drachenschwingen  She is using Malabrigo Sock yarn in the Aguas colorway.  I, Kim, finished the Nefertem shawl by Kirsten Kapur. http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/nefertem  That was in the Socks that Rocks in the Gandalf the Grey colorway.  Oh how it turned out beautiful.  I had to do a citric acid soak on the shawl because when I was knitting with it it bled all over my hands.  I also finished my own cuff and mitts pattern for a friend of mine.  I used a local yarn from Lynn Brooke Farm.  It is an Alpaca Cormo blend in the dynamite blue jeans colorway and the emerald lace colorway.

And then we bring you the phenomenal dyer, Sarah Raasch, the mastermind behind Orange Jellyfish Dream.  http://www.ravelry.com/projects/OrangeJellyfish and https://www.etsy.com/shop/OrangeJellyfishDream?ref=shop_sugg  are a couple places you can find her.

Oh my God, look at those colors.  They are spectacular.  And here are a coupole more of my favorites

And so, I am not going to tell her story.  You will have to listen to the show to find our more about her.  But I do want to tell you that the charities that mean the most to her are charities dealing with autism.  I will actually, later this month do another write up specifically about some of the charities we are highlighting this month and I will touch on a whole lot of different autism charities.

I also wanted to thank A Yarnspinners Tales, http://www.ravelry.com/projects/Yarnspinnerstales and Twinset Designs, http://www.ravelry.com/groups/twinset-designs-podcast for mentioning our podcast on their shows.

Not a whole lot of exciting things going on in our lives right now.  Tina is enjoying older Star Wars and looking forward to the new one.  She also received a whole box of Vintage Craft Magazines.  They are super cool.  I helped celebrate my mothe-in-laws birthday and also got the most amazing swap package from a beautiful lady named Erika, she is also a designer and you can find her here: http://www.ravelry.com/people/ErikaShmerika

We have three winners so far for the Knitted Knockers KAL.  Leighannh2 and Foolish Yarns and Yarnspinnerstales…please PM me, kimschroeder1203 on ravelry.  We will get the yarn out to you.

Also, remember to keep knitting on your knockers, get some hats and scarves to us for the homeless in Louisville or get them out in your communities, and help our friend Tiffany raise some money for her adoption.  We are trying to get as many crafting projects together for her so that she can sell them at an auction and give her little girl a wonderful home.

Here is one spot you can listen:

http://traffic.libsyn.com/needlejunkies/episode_3_orange_jelly_fish.mp3

or find us on iTunes at needlejunkies’s

Show notes for 11/2/15

Tina and I started talking about classes being taught at the shop, A Yarn Crossing here in Louisville, Kentucky.  She mentioned that there are several beginner classes for knitting and that there is a steeking class going on right now.  I listed the crochet classes that I teach.  The first one is a wonderful slouchy hat with a really interesting construction.  You can find information about the actual pattern at: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/adamas-slouchy-diamond-hat  The next pattern that I love to teach is a cabled cowl by Mary Jane Hall.  It can actually end up being one of seven different things (a skirt, a tube top, a cowl, a pillow, a bag, a hood, and a capelet).  You can find it here: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/cabled-cowl-6  The next one that I really love, I will probably say that about all of the patterns that I teach, is a hairpin lace scarf that I used an amazing 100% cotton yarn by ITO.  You can find it here:  http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/hairpin-crochet-bamboo-scarf   The next pattern is a cabled lace crochet pattern and it is definitely more aimed towards the more advanced.  You can find it here:  http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/water-tribe-shawl  And then, the most fun one, I think are the amigurumi patterns from Edward’s Menagerie.  Oh, if you have not checked out this book, you certainly need to.  For real!!!  You can look here for the patterns individually:  http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/search#sort=best&query=Edward%27s%20Menagerie  You can find all of the available classes on the website for the shop: http://www.ayarncrossing.com/new-page-1/

We also discussed the Southern Indiana Fiber Festival.  It was a great event and so very much fun.  I will actually do a separate blog post about all of the great people I met there.  And then you can actually look forward to hearing interviews with each of them sometime after the first of the year.

The things that we have been making recently are awesome.  I finished the beautiful Nefertim shawl by Kirsten Kapur.  http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/nefertem  I used the Blue Moon Fiber Arts in the Gandalf the Grey colorway.  I love the way it looks.  I also finished the Summertide Shawl by Helen Stewart.  http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/summertide-shawl-mkal

Tina cast off on the Aftermath Cowl by Laura Aylor.  http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/aftermath  She used the Wonderland gradient pack in the March Hare colorways and Berroco Ultra Alpaca in a white and a Cascade 220 Superwash in a gray.  She is also working on a Drop Leaf scarf by Grace Mcewen. http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/drop-leaf-scarf  She is making that for a craft along for our friend Tiffany to help her raise money for an adoption.

And then, the interview with Kirsten Kapur.  I am not going to tell you much about her, you must listen to learn more.  http://www.ravelry.com/designers/kirsten-kapur  and http://www.ravelry.com/people/throughtheloops and https://www.facebook.com/ThroughtheLoopsDesignsbyKirstenKapur/?fref=ts  and throughtheloops on Instagram.

Fisher Center for Alzheimer’s Research is Kirsten’s favorite charity.  http://www.alzinfo.org/  Dr. G’s Memory Vest is the pattern that she has designed so that when you donate to this charity, she will send you the pattern for the vest.  http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/dr-gs-memory-vest.  Also, make sure that you check out the blog post specifically about charities where I talk more about this charity.

Also remember the KAL’s going on.  We still have the knitted knockers kal on our forum.  We have a craft along to get items to sell at an auction for Tiffany to raise some money for the adoption of her baby.  Also bring your hats and scarves to the shop so that we can make sure the homeless can stay a little warmer through the winter.

I think I have covered everything.  Here is the link…

Our newest episode of the Needle Junkies Podcast is ready for your listening….

A little more on some charities

So, part of the thing we really want to do through our podcast and the blog is to highlight some of the beautiful charities that are out there. Our first interview was with Barb Demorest from The Knitted Knocker organization.  How many of us know a woman or have been the woman that has gone through breast cancer?  How many of us, our friends, and family members have had mastectomies or radiation burns.  When dealing with this heart wrenching disease, the last thing any of these ladies need is the feeling of looking different than others.  Many times, normal breast prosthetics hurt and cannot be worn for a long time after the procedure is done.  Please help us get more knitted prosthetics out there.  Check these pages out for more information.  http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/knitted-knockers or http://www.knittedknockers.org/make-a-knocker/

The next charity we would like to highlight is Together Rising.  Chandi, from Expression Fiber Arts, (check her out here: http://www.expressionfiberarts.com/ and http://blog.expressionfiberarts.com/) told us that this is her favorite charity.  After checking them out, I can see why.  Check out some of what they were able to do in 2014…this came straight from their website:

• $100 gift cards for 50 single moms for Valentine’s Day.
• School supplies for 150 families in need.
• Funds to a single mom of 2 boys who lost her 35 year-old husband to leukemia/lymphoma.
• Money for a military veteran single mama who lost her job and has struggled to find steady work. She was diagnosed with bladder cancer and was on the verge of being homeless.
• Funding for a group of 8th grade Girl Scouts so that they could make fleece blankets and hygiene kits for a local domestic violence center.
• Funds to the family of a little boy born with severe heart disease called Tetrology of Fallot with pulmonary atresia. He has had several surgeries and his father lost his job as a result of missing work for all of the travel.
• Money to a family who is struggling to make ends meet after the father sustained an injury and the mother has been unable to find a job. We sent them money to help them pay for a necessary car repair and their electric bill. We sent toys for their daughter’s birthday and a gift card for clothes.
• Money to help with travel costs for cancer treatment to a single mom with stage 4 inflammatory cancer, who is fighting to stay alive and raise her 5 year-old daughter.
• Funds to a mom in desperate need of providing clothes for her kids.

This definitely seems like a more than worthy charity.  Let’s check them out and help these families.  Life is hard sometimes.  It is easier when we feel a little bit of love. Check their website out please, http://togetherrising.org/

Last and most definitely not least,  we talked to Kirsten Kapur.  What a great lady.  She has lived through a struggle with watching her father struggle with dementia.  What an awful feeling to watch someone you love mentally deteriorate.  I have seen it in my own life.  Kirsten has asked everyone to check out Fisher Center for Alzheimer’s Research Foundation at http://www.alzinfo.org/  She has done something extremely cool.  She made a pattern that is in remembrance of her father.  The pattern is name Dr. G’s Memory Vest.  She just asks that we donate some money…anything you can give, even $1 and she will gift you the pattern.  You can find out more information here… http://throughtheloops.typepad.com/designs/2012/03/dr-gs-memory-vest.html  or here   http://www.ravelry.com/projects/throughtheloops/dr-gs-memory-vest

There are so many great charities out there.  But one of the ones closest to my heart is Traumatic Brain Injury Trust Fund.  My daddy has had a couple strokes.  The first time he recovered pretty well after not being able to remember my mom’s name or where he lived.  Because of TBI, my dad was able to get the treatment and rehabilitation that was necessary for him to be able to go back to work.  But more recently he had another stroke.  This one was more debilitating than the first.  It affected the right frontal lobe (which is what is affected in autistic individuals).  My dad is no longer able to hold a job.  TBI has many programs to help people struggling with this typw of injury.  Please check them out.  There are different websites for each individual state in America.

Thank you for so much of your time and attention.  Let’s reach out and help someone today.  Thanks.

Interview with the beautiful Chandi from Expression Fiber Arts

One of the most amazing things about blogging and interviewing people in the industry is that I get to talk to folks that truly inspire me.  I recently had the chance to purchase some yarn from Expression Fiber Arts.  I love the yarn I got.  I bought four skeins for my mom and one for myself.  They were not only beautiful, but they were smooshy and pleasant to rub all over my face…as I do with all yarn. That is how I judge just how much I adore the yarn.

I had asked Chandi if she would like to do an interview.  As many of us, we communicate through textile and visual means.  She asked me if we could do a written interview instead of a recorded audio file.  Absolutely…so not to keep rambling, here is our interview.

1) How and when did you get started knitting and crocheting?  Do you also do other crafts? Spin, weave, quilt, etc.?

I started crocheting at 9 years old. I remember struggling to work my first few chains stitches and thinking it was soooo frustrating. At 12, my mom bought me a few crochet hooks, some thread and some pattern books at a yard sale. I went home and began reading the patterns, making doilies and have crocheted ever since. I picked up knitting at 27 and still find it a bit more challenging than crochet, but love it just as much.

Yes, I have tried ALL the crafts, it feels like! Basket-making, yarn spinning, quilting, sewing, pottery, polymer clay, dollhouse and miniature items, painting, drawing, sculpting, etc.

2) How and when did you get started in the fiber INDUSTRY?  When did you first dip your hands into the dye pot?

I got started in the fiber industry about 4 years ago. I was restarting my life after a divorce and needed to do SOMETHING. I remember very clearly sitting on the couch in my brother’s house and asked myself what I would do if money were not part of the equation. I immediately just knew. I wanted a hand-dyed yarn company. And so Expression Fiber Arts was born. I had dabbled in yarn dyeing for a year or two prior, but began really learning all the techniques at that point.

3)What is your needle of choice? Crochet hook or knitting needle?

I love both crafts, but feel most comfortable with crochet and love the speed of it. Knitting, however, is ultra soothing and meditative for me.

4) Where do you find your inspiration?

I find my inspiration literally everywhere. Flowers, trees, the sky, the ocean, the mountains. A mud puddle. The sound of rain. A mouse scurrying across the field. City lights. Emotions. Movies. Books. Paper. Textures. Everything inspires my yarn and the colors I choose to offer.

5) Any advice for anyone just starting out in the fiber industry?

Yes, for those just starting out, I say to hold your vision. Don’t give up. Believe you have your dreams for a reason and they are meant to come to fruition or to lead you on the path to your next big thing. Please try not to stress too much! Remember the joy! And keep working, consistently and strategically, everyday.

6) Anything going on in your life that you want to let people know about? New items, new patterns, shows that are coming up?

We’ve always got new colorways popping up daily, as well as a new pattern every few weeks, new monthly yarn giveaways on our blog, new YouTube videos, etc. We like to keep busy!

7) Anything we can expect to see from you in the near future?

In the near future, I have several gorgeous knitting and crochet patterns coming out, including a coffee-inspired cowl, a chunky crochet infinity scarf, beginner’s knit and crochet scarf kits, holiday gifts, videos on making pompoms, mini yarn hat ornaments, dyeing boho doily bowls and more!

8) Where can people find you on the internet?

We can be found here:

NEWSLETTER: (Hands down the BEST way to get my updates/new product releases/new videos, etc and you get a coupon code to my yarn shop)

http://www.ExpressionFiberArts.com/Connect

SHOP:

http://www.ExpressionFiberArts.com

BLOG:

http://blog.ExpressionFiberArts.com

FACEBOOK:

http://www.facebook.com/ExpressionFiberArts

INSTAGRAM:

http://www.instagram.com/expressionfiberarts

TWITTER:

https://twitter.com/ExpressionFiber

PINTEREST:

http://www.pinterest.com/expressionfiber

TUMBLR:

http://expressionfiberarts.tumblr.com/

9) What is your favorite charity and why?

I really love Together Rising and the work they do.

http://togetherrising.org/

Please check out Chandi’s shop and her blog and show her some love.  Let her know that I sent you.

I have been so busy here lately…

I have been sending tons of emails and ravelry messages, private messages on instagram and even made some phone calls.  I am trying to get a great line-up of wonderful folks.  And I simply cannot wait to show you what I have in store for you.  Tina and I are also going to both be at the Southern Indiana Fiber Arts Festival this coming week.  I look forward to doing some mini interviews with all of the vendors at the event and bringing them to you all.  I will also set up full length interviews with them.  So, what else have I been up to?

I finished the most beautiful shawl this weekend.  I did the Summertide MKAL with the Curious Handmade Podcast and the host Helen Stewart.  She did such an amazing job writing the pattern.  I haven’t even been knitting for a full year yet and was able to knit this beautiful knitted lace shawl.  I used a yellow and light gray shade of Cascade Heritage yarn.  It was so very enjoyable.

And I have started a couple new projects.  I started a cowl for my best friend Paula out of some handspun I created and I started a new shawl named Nefertem by the brilliant designer Kirsten Kapur.  I am using a Blue Moon Fiber Arts, Sock That Rocks in the colorway Gandalf the Grey.  It is going to be stunning.  It will be a birthday gift for my Mother-In-Law.

And of course, I am starting tons of Christmas presents.

So, let’s talk enabling.  I bought some new yarn from Expression Fiber Arts.  Check Chandi out. expressionfiberarts.com I bought 4 skeins for my mom and 1 for my self.  We are both completely in love.  I also got an amazing coloring book. The Secret Garden coloring book is fascinating.  Check it out.

Well, I have to work in the morning, so to bed I shall go.  But I will be talking to you next week for sure.