We’re at ground zero of our 20 mile radius this week, with mince pies, sloe gin, knitting lessons from a 14th century logician. Let it snow, baby! I’ve got my love (and a new scarf) to keep me warm.
The polworth scarf was knit using Stephanie Pearl Mcphee’s (brilliant) One Row Scarf pattern.
I’m putting my 2009 Sweater Fails behind me, and am looking ahead to Selfish Knitting Month. The shortlist, so far, includes:
Victorian Lace Today (any of the red ones, really); or Annie Modesitt’s Twisted Float Shrug, which can be worn upside down or downside up; or the one by Norah Gaughan, in Reversible Knitting, by Lynn Barr, which can be worn inside outside upside downside; or Something Fabulous that I just know you’ll leave a link to in the comments. (Thanks.)
This weeks’ Audible Pick is The Little Stranger, by Sarah Waters, read by Simon Vance.
The puck stops here. (Sorry. Couldn’t resist.) Fiber artist ice hockey fans (those are five words I never thought I’d use collectively) are invited to mix, mingle, support the Blue Jackets, and maybe win fabulous prizes at Sticks and Stitches. (Did I say Blue Jays? I meant Blue Jackets.)
Is there a way to keep a Scottish painting of Welsh knitters in the UK? Read the story, see the painting, and if you think you can help, please get in touch. Thanks.
Craftlit is crossing the pond! Join Heather Ordover, Amy Singer (and me!) for a grand tour. Details here.
Technical issues with the pattern for Driving Miss Daisy have been resolved. It will be available from the Krafti-Kit website from January 18th. My sincere apologies for any inconvenience this has caused.
- KniTunes were provided by and used with the permission of:
- Sunshine Collective – Winter Wonderland US/UK
- Taken By Trees – Sweet Child O Mine US/UK
- Kati Mac – Aulde Lang Syne US/UK
Additional music: Watercolor Winter by Emile Menasche
Fry with the sinners or knit with the saints in Brother Amos' Hellfire Lace Socks. Now available for purchase on 
"Bring the car around, Jeeves." Driving Miss Daisy finglerless glove pattern, in teal, black or white, available exclusively through 
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Hi Charles, It’s spelled Lagenlook. My favorite label is OSKA.
That scarf is TRULY gorgeous. I enjoyed this episode so much, partly because I haven’t heard anyone mention “Occam’s razor” since I was studying computer science. There is a parallel programming language named Occam, so that was the context. But, it is good to know that it applies to knitting, as well.
I liked hearing about your sweater fails, and also the whole design process you went through with the handspun Polworth yarn. I go through these kinds of problems all the time, and feel like such a loser, sometimes. It’s good to know that other knitters go through this, as well. But when you are spinning and sometimes even dyeing the fiber yourself, it is not going to fit into just any pattern. It’s good to remember that.
I’m so glad the sloe gin turned out well. What a great tradition!
about your turning 50 this year. . . fear not. It’s not about accepting and wallowing in that. It’s accepting and reveling in that. Knowing who you are and expanding from there, learning new things, new adventures!
i began learning to play the cello when i turned 50 and am learning Finnish and Italian, Your fifties can be a wonder adventure! enjoy!!! PS. I did wear a Tiara the entire day!
I think that you could donate your knitting fail sweater to a women’s shelter or a charity thrift shop. Set it free to find someone whom it will fit and keep warm.
I’m a relatively new listener and love your podcast.
Hi Brenda,
Happy New Year! I enjoyed #89 so much that I listened to it *twice*.
RE: the painting: I think it’s a great juxtaposition of Scots and Welsh that should be picked up by the Prince of Wales, and added to his library — or perhaps, to a cozy “lady’s” sitting room at Balmoral, where he and the Duchess of Cornwall can enjoy it. Perhaps she knows how to knit, which would make it even more appropriate…
You inspire me, Brenda. You’re smart, articulate, funny, and thoughtful. Even when I don’t feel good, your ruminations and illuminations uplift me. Thank you.
Brenda,
I just wanted to tell you that this weekend, at Fiber Camp Boston, I bought a zauberball from one of the vendors. It’s the screaming purple and pink and orange one. It was only in my head because of you.
I Love, Love, LOVE Norah Gaughan’s work…..They’re beautiful!!!!! I went nuts when surfing ravelry a few weeks ago and discovered her for the first time, I was giddy like a child! I want to make it all! I think about half of my “Favorites” on Ravelry is Norah…
Lovely scarf, lovely podcast, lovely you! I just got back from my morning walk in suburban Cleveland, slip-sliding on frosty sidewalks and listening to all the talk of winter and scarves and colors. Thanks for another great one! Continue to enjoy your winter, and happy Selfish Knitting month! I’m thinking about the “Bird in Hand” mittens by Kate Gilbert, either now or for the knitting Olympics: http://www.kategilbert.com/ms_birdinhand.html.
First a story: Shortly after I turned 50, I whined to my mother about how I didn’t have the energy I’d had when I was younger and everything took so much longer and on and on and on I complained. My mother listened to me patiently and didn’t say anything until I’d finished my rant. Then she sighed and said, very quietly, “Oh! To be 50 again!”
I’ve just recently turned 60. In the past 10 years I gone back to school and earned a master’s degree in library science and archival studies. I’ve made presentations at conferences all over the U.S., earned awards and scholarships, met brilliant and kind people, and learned so much and now work at a university library and archives part time. It’s true I don’t have the energy I had when I was younger, but I’ve learned to pace myself and use my time wisely. Next? I have a list of 100 things I want to do before I die. Whenever I cross one thing off, I add another. They include traveling to China, riding a roller coaster for the first time, and learning how to play the violin. I plan to die when I’m a 100 years old and I hope I still have 100 things left on my list when I do.
Thanks for your podcasts, Brenda.
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