010: A Hodgepodge of Yarn

Released June 18, 2019

In this episode, Anne still needs to catch up on her Master Hand Knitting work. She shares a few podcasts that also relate to the MHK Program and talks about the effect of a stash-gone-awry. Plus, there’s more about Harriet’s Hat, a giveaway of some summery yarn, and music from one of Anne’s favorite artists!

Winner-winner!

Congratulations to OnTheMove222 from Instagram for winning the episode 9 giveaway! Roxie won by sharing the post to her Instagram stories!

Thank you to everyone who entered by spreading the word about the last episode!

A Few Good Podcasts

Anne continues to not work on her swatches. It’s an issue. Instead, she shares a few other podcasts that relate to the program.

The first is Mastering the Knits, another podcast that specifically exists to talk about going through the Master Knitter program. It’s informative, with insight into the program and the occasional interview. Natalie, the host, is a kind spirit and a joy to listen to. Give her a listen!

The other is a specific episode of the Knit Picks podcast, a podcast Anne found while listening to historic knitting podcasts. The KP Podcast has been around since 2006 and recently published their 300th episode. Anne is only to episode 22, but so far, most of the episodes are informative and evergreen–and not just commercials for their yarns. In episode 16, Ann Budd shared a very frank opinion on the Master Hand Knitter Program that everyone who is thinking about starting it should listen to.

Progress on the Master Hand Knitter Program

Lalalalala… I can’t hear you…

Stash or Hoard?

A photo that went viral in the knitting community on Instagram this week got Anne thinking about how much is too much.

An online yarn store provides an option at check out for customers to select if they need the company to include a message congratulating them on winning the yarn in a giveaway. Many people have already piped in about their feelings about the implication that women can’t be trusted to make good financial decisions. Anne adds her voice as someone who was raised by a woman who really did have a shopping problem.

If elements of her experience struck a nerve, help is available. Our compulsions do not need to control us.

Anne wants to reiterate something she said in the podcast: Part of my role as a podcaster is reviewing yarn, notions, and books. All information is meant to inform you so that you can make wise purchases for your treasured hobby and is not intended to prod you to spend more than you can afford, house, or use.

Harriet’s Hat Knit-along

The Minnesota Knitter’s Guild is hosting a knit-along for Harriet’s Hat on their Ravelry group that started on June 8, 2019, Worldwide Knit in Public Day. Harriet’s Hat is a hat pattern that is being sold to raise money for the Shetland MRI Scanner Appeal. Already, sales of the pattern alone have raised over £10,000!

Anne cast on on June 8 and has already made some “design choices” that make the hat her own. First, she worked the brim colors in the wrong order. Oops. Then, she accidentally increased every 8 stitches instead of 8 stitches total. This wasn’t caught until nearly 2″ further into the hat, so she had a rip back and rework a couple of the charts.

These sorts of things are half the fun of knitting, though, right? Please say yes.

Anne needs the reassurance.

As of the time this airs, there is still time to cast on and qualify for a completion prize. Visit the link above to the Ravelry Group for details. You’ll need to buy the pattern to join in, but you can stash dive for the yarn. Or, if you need yarn, The Woolly Thistle is selling kits at a discount and donating the proceeds to the cause.

There are more details in the episode and at the Ravelry thread for the KAL.

Worldwide Knit in Public Day

Anne spent Worldwide Knit in Public Day at an event in Longmeadow, Massachusetts. The group who hosted it set up under a tree on the town commons, and people came from as far as the Boston area to knit together and enjoy the lovely weather. Prizes were donated by Knitting Criations, Northampton Wools, and Webs yarn stores, as well as by a local knitting group and Michaels.

Thank you to Maryann and Carole to organizing the event!

Giveaway

The giveaway for episode 10 is three balls of Bristol Yarn Gallery’s Somerset in a lovely, summery yellow shade, and a set of stitch markers. The yarn is 85% pima cotton and 15% silk and would make a lovely light garment or accessory for summer!

This giveaway is only open to people with a mailing address in the USA. To enter, visit @IThoughtIKnewHow on Instagram and find the post for Episode 10, or visit the group on Ravelry and find the post for Episode 10 there. In the comments, share something you’re most looking forward to about summer. It could be a trip, an aspect of the season, whatever! Let’s get in a summery mood. 🙂

The winner will be chosen with a random number generator on June 28, 2019 and announced in Episode 11 of the podcast on July 2, 2019.

Featured Music

Anne’s brother pointed her to The Suitcase Junket a few months ago and she’s been listening to him obsessively ever since.

The first song is “So, No,” written by Matthew Lorenz, performed by The Suitcase Junket on the album Make Time, produced by Matt Lorenz and Justin Pizzoferrato (ASCAP). Used by permission of the artist.

The second song is “Everything I Like,” written by Matthew Lorenz, performed by The Suitcase Junket on the album Mean Dog, Trampoline, Signature Sounds Recording (ASCAP). Used by permission of the artist.

Check out his tour dates, and if you happen to go see him at the Green River Festival, let Anne know! (He tours internationally from time to time, so be sure to click through even if you aren’t in the US!)

If you are a musician who would like a song featured on the program, or if you have comments or feedback, please contact the show at anne@familypodcasts.com.