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Ep 117 recorded  6/5/23 Back from break, had wrist surgery WIPs Socks for Thing 1 – turned the heel (again!) Davit finished the body and blocked!  I need to seam the shoulders and hopefully I’ll be able to knit sleeves soon because I am SOOOO CLOSE Find Your Fade designed by Andrea Mowry, knit in Midori Bamboo from The Fiber Lady in a discontinued colorway, plus cotton/bamboo sportweight from Great Adirondack Yarn Co.   I’m nearly back to the 2nd lace section after the Knitting Fail from last episode Tanwen cowl (Ravelry)– designed by Thayer Preece Parker.  I finished the knitting and blocked it! I have tried a tiny bit of knitting since the surgery.  I’ve knit a total of 3 rows on my latest Hitchhiker in Lion Brand Shawl in a Ball.  It’s a fuzzy yarn in a garter stitch pattern, so gauge does not matter.  Which is good, because I’m not getting gauge at all ha ha Knitting Fail More drama with Thing 1’s socks – I was on the third version of these blasted socks.   Spinning Finished spinning the green fiber from Buchanan Fiber after the surgery.  Orders were to move my fingers 10 times per hour so I decided to be productive.  Plied on my Lendrum to give that wrist a break and have 933 yards 3-ply heavy fingering. Startes some old, cheap cotton.  Not my favorite to spin, but it spins thicker than most cottons, so I’m planning a 4-ply DK and I’m going yo dye it.  1 bobbin done, bought several new bobbins from Etsy Started purple silk that I bought at Wayland Farm and Fiber Days Started bamboo/faux cashmere blend bought from the now-closed Maine Top Mill On the Run Finally started exercising again this past week.  Went for a 1.5 mile walk around the block and really enjoyed it.   I’ve Got Sunshine Rain on the Nova Scotia fires!

Ep 115 recorded  4/30/23 All the Fails WIPs Socks for Thing 1 – I turned the heel and ran into trouble, more on that later. Davit designed for Berroco by Amy Palmer, knit using Silk Noir by Great Adirondack Yarn Co bought at Rhinebeck last year. I finished one side’s short rows and all I have left to do is the other side’s short rows and sew the back edges to the shoulders.  So close! Find Your Fade designed by Andrea Mowry, knit in Midori Bamboo from The Fiber Lady in a discontinued colorway, plus cotton/bamboo sportweight from Great Adirondack Yarn Co.  Tanwen cowl (Ravelry)– designed by Thayer Preece Parker.  This is the prize for the Knit For Food Knitathon winner.  I’m working it up in Lana Grossa Elastico, a plant-based yarn with elastic in it so it works cables beautifully.   Summer Happiness Crochet Top designed by Concept Creative in Scheepjes Whirl in the color Sherbert Rainbow, a pastel rainbow from pink to blue.   Knitting Fail Thing 1’s socks -so proud of myself turning the heel walking from the Washington Monument to the Capitol Building when I realized the sock didn’t look right.  I’d grabbed the wrong needles!  I meant to use US 2 (2.75mm) but I grabbed US 1s (2.25mm).   Tanwen – I worked on this a lot riding the DC Metro and while driving with friends to the Air and Space Museum out at Dulles, the one with Space Shuttle Discovery.  This pattern is an 8-row repeat that is easy to memorize, but the cable pattern is tight.  It’s easy to think, oh, the next right side row is the cable row, it doesn’t need a cable yet.  Wrong, it is the cable row, rip it back. Summer Happiness – I’m on the 3rd of 4 repeats that make up this top and at this point the rows are getting long.  And while on the train to DC I finished one row and got nearly to the end of a second when I realized that I had screwed up way back near the beginning of the previous row.  And it wasn’t a mistake I could fudge around, there weren’t enough holes in the resulting fabric to place all the next row’s stitches.  So I had to rip back alllllll my work.  Grrrrr.  Spinning More progress on my current spin, some beautiful green lightly-speckled cotton from Buchanan Fiber. I brought my Nano2 on the trian on our visit to DC. It worked like a charm!  I finished the 2nd bobbin and as of today I’m nearly done with the 3rd.  I hope to finish it this week. On the Run We walked soooooooo many miles in Washington DC – 9 miles alone our first full day!   Out and About – upcoming Fiber Events around New England NH Sheep and Wool – May 13 & 14 MA Sheep and Woolcraft Fair - May 27-28, Memorial Day Weekend Maine Fiber Frolic – June 3 & 4 I’ve Got Sunshine As I’ve mentioned several times, we went to Washington DC last week for school vacation.  What I didn’t say is that one of my childhood besties lives down there.  We got to hang out at least a little every day and it was marvelous.  She and I even snuck away for dinner one night, leaving all the kids with our husbands, and we got a little girl time in

Ep 115 recorded  4/28/23 FOs Socks for Thing 2, the second sock is done! Crochet square for Liberty Crochet Mural.  Today I mailed my square to Vermont.  WIPs Socks for Thing 1 – I knit socks for him for Christmas and already they don’t fit.   Songe d’été – Ravelry Link (Summer Dreams) designed by Dreaming In Chocolate Designs, knit using Linea Pura Unico yarn by Lana Grossa (discontinued)  Davit designed for Berroco by Amy Palmer, knit using Silk Noir by Great Adirondack Yarn Co bought at Rhinebeck last year. I’ve reached the short rows for the back, I’m nearly done! Find Your Fade designed by Andrea Mowry, knit in Midori Bamboo from The Fiber Lady in a discontinued colorway, plus cotton/bamboo sportweight from Great Adirondack Yarn Co.   Knitting Fail About ½ an inch down I’d missed the dropped YO and that made a corner I didn’t want.   Spinning More progress on my current spin, some beautiful green lightly-speckled cotton from Buchanan Fiber.  On the Run Not much fitness this week.  I pulled a muscle.  Did you know you have muscles in between each of your ribs?  I totally didn’t.   Out and About – upcoming Fiber Events around New England CT Sheep and Wool - April 29 NH Sheep and Wool – May 13 & 14 MA Sheep and Woolcraft Fair - May 27-28, Memorial Day Weekend Maine Fiber Frolic – June 3 & 4 I’ve Got Sunshine We’ve had lovely weather the last few weeks, so I pulled out my deck planters early and put a few pansies in them and it’s really cheered me up.

Ep 114 recorded  3/31/23 Suddenly it’s April and wow, where has this year gone already?  Knitathon update - $340,000!!!! That’s $85,000 each to Meals on Wheels, No Kid Hungry, World Central Kitchen and Feeding America. FOs Socks for Thing 2 – his Christmas socks -  I unraveled the leg on both and I started re-doing the legs in 2x2 ribbing.  The first sock is done! WIPs Socks for Thing 1 – I knit socks for him for Christmas and already they don’t fit.   Socks for Thing 2 – 2nd sock leg restarted Songe d’été – Ravelry Link (Summer Dreams) designed by Dreaming In Chocolate Designs, knit using Linea Pura Unico yarn by Lana Grossa (discontinued) a linen/bamboo blend bought at Webs a few years ago.   Davit designed for Berroco by Amy Palmer, knit using Silk Noir by Great Adirondack Yarn Co bought at Rhinebeck last year.  Summer Happiness Crochet Top designed by Concept Creative in Scheepjes Whirl in the color Sherbert Rainbow, a pastel rainbow from pink to blue.   Find Your Fade designed by Andrea Mowry, knit in Midori Bamboo from The Fiber Lady in a discontinued colorway, plus cotton/bamboo sportweight from Great Adirondack Yarn Co.  I’m fading on my own schedule and not on the one written in the pattern.   Frog Princess Dress Blanket designed by Carol Hladik, a Princess Tiana-inspired  blanket crocheted using Joann’s Big Twist acrylic yarn.  Making this for a local charity to raffle off this fall.   On the Run Walking in warm weather – saw a housefire!  Family and dogs are fine. Out and About – upcoming Fiber Events around New England Stitches @ Home – April 1&2 – this weekend! CT Sheep and Wool - April 29 NH Sheep and Wool – May 13 & 14 MA Sheep and Woolcraft Fair - May 27-28, Memorial Day Weekend Maine Fiber Frolic – June 3 & 4 I’ve Got Sunshine Seed starting with my youngest.  He’s my gardener.  10 days ago we transplanted 20 lettuce seedlings then started 184 herbs, veggies and greens.  

Ep 113 recorded  3/16/23 Marching On Welcome back!  I just had a statistic pop up telling me that 2 days ago was my 6th podiversary.  Wow! Knit For Food Knitathon I’m back for a 3rd year – can you please donate $5? No one deserves to be hungry. WIPs Songe d’été – Ravelry Link (Summer Dreams) designed by Dreaming In Chocolate Designs, knit using Linea Pura Unico yarn by Lana Grossa (discontinued). Davit designed for Berroco by Amy Palmer, knit using Silk Noir by Great Adirondack Yarn Co  Summer Happiness Crochet Top designed by Concept Creative in Scheepjes Whirl in the color Sherbert Rainbow Find Your Fade designed by Andrea Mowry, knit in Midori Bamboo from The Fiber Lady in a discontinued colorway, plus cotton/bamboo sportweight from Great Adirondack Yarn Co.   Knitting Fail Really, a crochet fail.  My brain has been a sieve and I kept screwing up the Summer Happiness top.  It’s a problem with me, not with the pattern.   Spinning More progress on my current spin, some beautiful green lightly-speckled cotton from Buchanan Fiber. Unfortunately, Buchanan Fiber closed a year or two ago which is sad because I love their cotton slivers. On the Run Adult ballet class, so much fun.  Students from 30 to 84! Out and About – upcoming Fiber Events around New England CT Sheep and Wool - April 29 NH Sheep and Wool – May 13 & 14 MA Sheep and Woolcraft Fair - May 27-28, Memorial Day Weekend Stitches @ Home – April 1&2 Maine Fiber Frolic – June 3 & 4 I’ve Got Sunshine I bought ballet slippers for class and it was the same store I shopped at as a kid in the 1990s.  So excited to find them still open and doing business.  Shout out to Dancer’s Drawer in Attleboro, MA.

Ep 112 recorded  3/1/23 Back from a Break Hey all, long time no talk.  I’d planned to take a few weeks off and it just… stretched.  The truth is I’d lost my mojo, not in podcasting but in knitting, and it’s really hard to run a knitting podcast when you’re hardly knitting.  WIPs Songe d’été – Ravelry Link (Summer Dreams) designed by Dreaming In Chocolate Designs, knit using Linea Pura Unico yarn by Lana Grossa (discontinued)  Davit designed for Berroco by Amy Palmer, knit using Silk Noir by Great Adirondack Yarn Co  Frog Princess Dress Blanket by Carol Hladik, a Princess Tiana-inspired  blanket crocheted using Joann’s Big Twist acrylic yarn.   Summer Happiness Crochet Top designed by Concept Creative in Scheepjes Whirl in the color Sherbert Rainbow Knitting Fail Summer Dreams had a big setback while I was in Florida.   Spinning I brought my Nano 2 from Dreaming Robots to Florida with me.  I love it! On the Run I hit a major milestone on Monday, I swam MORE than 1/3 of a mile!  I swam 650 yards (594m).  Out and About – upcoming Fiber Events around New England Farm and Fiber Days at Wayland Winter Farmer’s Market is March 5, this Sunday at Russell’s Garden Center in Wayland, MA. CT Sheep and Wool - April 29 NH Sheep and Wool – May 13 & 14 MA Sheep and Woolcraft Fair - May 27-28, Memorial Day Weekend Stitches @ Home – April 1&2 Maine Fiber Frolic – June 3 & 4   Knit For Food Knitathon I’m back for a 3rd year – can you please donate $5? No one deserves to be hungry. I’ve Got Sunshine We went to Florida last week for school vacation and basically spent the week hanging out at my in-law’s pool and playing board games  It was super relaxing and the rest we all needed. 

Ep 111 recorded  6/8/22  Segments this week include: Wearables, FO, Wips, Out and About, and I’ve Got Sunshine.  A note on showlinks – all links to Ravelry are clearly labelled as such and all links for yarn are directly to the dyer’s website. Wearbles It’s been gorgeously warm here, even insanely hot 2 days, so I’ve worn summer handknits.  No Day But Today Linen Butterflies Watermelon Shawl Strawberry Blossoms Lotus Mandala shawls FOs 48-st sock for E in red sock yarn, finished the first sock.  Allegro by Wisdom Yarns, distributed by Universal Yarns.  May be discontinued. WIPs As You Wish MKAL by Mary Annarella of Lyrical Knits.  This is a Princess Bride themed mystery knitalong that will eventually result in a rectangular shawl.  Nearing the end of Clue 3!  This shawl is sooooo much fun to knit.  48-st sock for E in red sock yarn, started toe of 2nd sock on US 2s.  Allegro by Wisdom Yarns, distributed by Universal Yarns.  May be discontinued. Mermaid Skirt by Concept Creative, a Ukranian designer.  It’s a wonderful pattern and very easy to follow, even for an advanved beginner like me.  It looks super fancy but the photos and inks to video tutorials makes it really easy.  It’s charted and written out. Juliana top by Linda’s Craftique, for once worked in the called-for yarn – Neve  by Juniper Moon Farms.  This pattern is bottom-up.  I finished the ribbing and am starting up the body. Hitchhiker in Lion Brand Shawl In a Ball Spinning I’m spinning handspun yarn for the winner of my drawing for the Knitathon.  Spun a bit more this week.  Fiber is 90’s School Supplies cotton from Hipstrings. Out and About Vogue Knitting Live Virtual and June 9-12.  GGKCS podcast started their annual Summer craft-a-long, visit their FB page for more details. Splash Pad Party with Down Cellar Studio Stitches at Home Stitches at Home June 11/12 & 18/19, Expo at Home July 8-10.  Coming up in person, Stitches So Cal in Pasadena, California November 10-13. If you have any events you’d like me to share please email me windsweptmonique@gmail.com I’ve Got Sunshine Knit in public day is Saturday!  Check your local yarn shop.  I'll be at March for our Lives in Washington DC while knitting

Ep 110 recorded 5/18/22 Segments this week include: Wips, Knitting Fail, Out and About, and I’ve Got Sunshine.  A note on showlinks – all links to Ravelry are clearly labelled as such and all links for yarn are directly to the dyer’s website.   WIPs As You Wish MKAL by Mary Annarella of Lyrical Knits.  This is a Princess Bride themed mystery knitalong that will eventually result in a rectangular shawl.   Winona by Brenda Castiel in handspun from Hipstrings.  48-st socks for J, working toe-up, on foot of 2nd sock.  Bamboo Pop Sock in Sunset Colorway.  Bamboo cotton, PBT blend 52-st sock for E in red sock yarn, turned the heel .  Allegro by Wisdom Yarns, distributed by Universal Yarns.  May be discontinued.  More on this in Knitting Fail Started Mermaid Skirt by Concept Creative, a Ukranian designers. Juliana top by Linda’s Craftique, for once worked in the called-for yarn – Neve  by Juniper Moon Farms.   Knitting Fail Use the right needles. Spinning I’m spinning handspun yarn for the winner of my drawing for the Knitathon.   Out and About Vogue Knitting Live Virtual and June 9-12.  GGKCS podcast is having their annual Sheepy Spring AL, visit their FB page for more details. Stitches at Home Stitches at Home June 11/12 & 18/19, Expo at Home July 8-10.  Coming up in person, Stitches So Cal in Pasadena, California November 10-13. If you have any events you’d like me to share please email me windsweptmonique@gmail.com I’ve Got Sunshine Kids and Pets

Ep 109 recorded 5/11/22 Segments this week include: FOs, Wips, Spinning, Out and About, and I’ve Got Sunshine.  A note on showlinks – all links to Ravelry are clearly labelled as such and all links for yarn are directly to the dyer’s website. Lots of knitting this week, as COVID invaded our house.   FOs – FO 2 weeks in a row, weird! 48-st socks for J.   First sock done.  Bamboo Pop Sock in Sunset Colorway. WIPs As You Wish MKAL by Mary Annarella of Lyrical Knits.  This is a Princess Bride themed mystery knitalong that will eventually result in a rectangular shawl.  I’m in Clue 3!  This shawl is sooooo much fun to knit.  Winona by Brenda Castiel in handspun from Hipstrings.   48-st socks for J, finished toe of 2nd sock.  Bamboo Pop Sock in Sunset Colorway. 52-st sock for E in red sock yarn.  Allegro by Wisdom Yarns, correction: distributed by Universal Yarns, not made by Universal Yarns.  May be discontinued. Swatching for 2 new projects, Green Crochet Dress by Krinichka and Mermaid Skirt by Concept Creative, both are Ukranian designers. Juliana top by Linda’s Craftique, for once worked in the called-for yarn – Neve  by Juniper Moon Farms.  This pattern is bottom-up.  I finished the ribbing and am starting up the body. Spinning I’m spinning handspun yarn for the winner of my drawing for the Knitathon.  Fiber is 90’s School Supplies cotton from Hipstrings. Out and About Vogue Knitting Live Virtual May 12-15 and June 9-12.  GGKCS podcast is having their annual Sheepy Spring AL, visit their FB page for more details. Stitches at Home Stitches Expo at Home May 13-15, Stitches at Home June 11/12 & 18/19, Expo at Home 8-10.  Coming up in person, Stitchs So Cal in Pasadena, California November 10-13. NH Sheep and Wool May 14 & 15, 2022 – I probably won’t make it. If you have any events you’d like me to share please email me windsweptmonique@gmail.com I’ve Got Sunshine Libraries are great, and library apps are keeping me sane

Ep 108 recorded 5/4/22 Segments this week include: FOs, Wips, Spinning, Out and About, and I’ve Got Sunshine.  A note on showlinks – all links to Ravelry are clearly labelled as such and all links for yarn are directly to the dyer’s website. FOs Recalibrate by Shana Lines is done! My second Lotus Mandala Vest is done!   I’m finished spinning some plain cotton to finish the As You Wish shawl. WIPs As You Wish MKAL by Mary Annarella of Lyrical Knits.   Winona by Brenda Castiel in handspun from Hipstrings.  48-st socks for J in  Bamboo Pop Sock in Sunset Colorway. Papillon/Butterfly Shawl (Ravelry) – I’m on section 22 of 31 in the shawl.  I’m getting close!!! Swatching for 2 new projects, Green Crochet Dress by Krinichka and Mermaid Skirt by Concept Creative, both are Ukranian designers. Spinning I’m spinning handspun yarn for the winner of my drawing for the Knitathon.   Fiber is 90’s School Supplies cotton from Hipstrings. Out and About Vogue Knitting Live Virtual May 12-15 and June 9-12.  GGKCS podcast is having their annual Sheepy Spring AL, visit their FB page for more details. Stitches at Home Stitches Expo at Home May 13-15, Stitches at Home June 11/12 & 18/19, Expo at Home 8-10.  Coming up in person, Stitchs So Cal in Pasadena, California November 10-13. NH Sheep and Wool May 14 & 15, 2022 – I probably won’t make it. If you have any events you’d like me to share please email me windsweptmonique@gmail.com I’ve Got Sunshine I had my mother’s day gift last weekend, and it was a day off.  In short, I did all the stuff that I love to do that my family does not enjoy.  And it was glorious!  

Ep 107 recorded 4/6/22 Segments this week include: FOs, Wips, Out and About, and I’ve Got Sunshine.  A note on showlinks – all links to Ravelry are clearly labelled as such and all links for yarn are directly to the dyer’s website. FOs Last night I finished the Earthrise shawl and got that to my tech editor today.   WIPs My second Lotus Mandala Vest is growing!   As You Wish MKAL by Mary Annarella of Lyrical Knits.   Winona by Brenda Castiel in handspun from Hipstrings.   Spinning I’ve spinning handspun yarn for the winner of my drawing for the Knitathon.  I’m also spinning some plain cotton once or twice a week, because I don’t have enough handspun to finish the As You Wish shawl. Out and About Vogue Knitting Live Live in Seattle April 8-10, Virtual May 12-15 and June 9-12.  GGKCS podcast is having their annual Sheepy Spring AL, visit their FB page for more details. Stitches at Home April 2 & 3; 9 & 10, 2022 CT Sheep and Wool April 30, 2022 – I will be attending!  At least for the morning.  I plan to get there when it opens at 9 and stay until around lunchtime, give or take.  A trip to this festival and to Webs is my Mother’s Day gift from my family. NH Sheep and Wool May 14 & 15, 2022 – I probably won’t make it. If you have any events you’d like me to share please email me windsweptmonique@gmail.com  

Ep 106 recorded 3/23/22 Segments this week include: Be A Helper Craft A Long, FOs, Wips, Out and About, and I’ve Got Sunshine.  A note on showlinks – all links to Ravelry are clearly labelled as such and all links for yarn are directly to the dyer’s website. Be A Helper Craftalong has ended.  Prizes! FOs Lots of crochet cleansing pads.  Not using a pattern, made up my own. WIPs Earthrise, I've started the last skein of yarn. My second Lotus Mandala Vest is growing!  Most of it uses sparkly leftovers of Lion Brand Shawl in A Ball in the Prism colorway from the Priestess Coat I crocheted last year.  I finished all those scraps and started a full skein of Shawl In A Ball in the colorway Healing Teal As You Wish MKAL by Mary Annarella of Lyrical Knits.  This is a Princess Bride themed mystery knitalong that will eventually result in a rectangular shawl.  I’m nearing the end of Clue 1!  This shawl is sooooo much fun to knit. Winona by Brenda Castiel in handspun from Hipstrings.  This is an L-shaped shawl and I’ve reached the corner of the L which is worked like an applied-edging. Spinning I’ve spinning handspun yarn for the winner of my drawing for the Knitathon.  Cranky knees mean slow going, but I’m putting in about 15 minutes a day in 5-min segments.  I’m also spinning some plain cotton once or twice a week, because I don’t have enough handspun to finish the As You Wish shawl. Out and About Vogue Knitting Live Live in Seattle April 8-10, Virtual May 12-15 and June 9-12.  GGKCS podcast is having their annual Sheepy Spring AL, visit their FB page for more details. Stitches at Home April 2 & 3; 9 & 10, 2022 CT Sheep and Wool April 30, 2022 – I will be attending!   NH Sheep and Wool May 14 & 15, 2022 – I probably won’t make it. If you have any events you’d like me to share please email me windsweptmonique@gmail.com I’ve Got Sunshine Warmth!

 Ep 105 recorded 3/9/22   Be A Helper Craftalong - ends March 15! One change this year – due to ongoing accessibility issues on Ravelry, I’ll hold this event both on and off Ravelry.  Last year we just used a  Google Form and that was hard for some folks, so this year there will be a chat thread and an FO thread on Rav, and for non-Rav users I’ll have a google form where you can link to your IG/FB/Twitter post showing your FO Ravelry Link - click here to visit Ravelry. Link to submit your Finished Object/blood donation: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf08z2uqelVGeUBkm0fofQGveThChBBZzaMvNsRdlPlMzhbgA/viewform?usp=sf_link FOs Lots of crochet cleansing pads.  Not using a pattern, made up my own. A crochet bag to hold dirty cleansing pads in my bathroom – also just made up a pattern. WIPs Recalibrate Top by Shana Lines using Nomad Yarn’s hand dyed cotton/rayon Gelato yarn.  I’m using 6 colors, strawberry, orange, lemon, pistachio, blueberry and lavender.  This has been my stress knitting since Russia invaded Ukraine so I’ve gotten a LOT on this done. The right side is growing steadily. Earthrise, a new pattern of mine inspired by the famous Nasa photo when the astronauts first circled behind the moon and came around back towards earth and photographed the earth rising over the surface of the moon.  It’s an awe-inspiring photo.   I’m working on the sample, it’s a simple circular shawl, a great first circular shawl.  There’s a little very easy lace but nothing complicated.  If you can YO and K2tog you can knit this easily.  I’m using silk and silkblend yarn that is so soft on my fingers but still affordable.  This pattern seems rather appropriate to be knitting right now My second Lotus Mandala using sparkly leftovers from the Priestess Coat I crocheted last year.  At the moment I plan to use all scraps of Lion Brand Shawl In A Ball.  I’m nearly to the armholes. As you Wish MKAL by Mary Annarella of Lyrical Knits.  This is a Princess Bride themed mystery knitalong that will eventually result in a rectangular shawl.  I’m nearly halfway through Clue 1. Winona by Brenda Castiel in handspun from Hipstrings.  This is an L-shaped shawl and I’ve reached the corner of the L which is worked like an applied-edging. Spinning I’ve spinning handspun yarn for the winner of my drawing for the Knitathon.  Cranky knees mean slow going, but I’m putting in about 15 minutes a day in 5-min segments.  I’m also spinning some plain cotton once or twice a week, because I don’t have enough handspun to finish the As You Wish shawl. Out and About Vogue Knitting Live Vogue Knitting Live @ Home Mar 17-20.  GGKCS podcast is having their annual Sheepy Spring AL, visit their FB page for more details. Stitches at Home April 2 & 3; 9 & 10, 2022 CT Sheep and Wool April 30, 2022 – I will be attending!  At least for the morning.  I plan to get there when it opens at 9 and stay until around lunchtime, give or take.  A trip to this festival and to Webs is my Mother’s Day gift from my family. NH Sheep and Wool May 14 & 15, 2022 – I probably won’t make it. If you have any events you’d like me to share please email me windsweptmonique@gmail.com I’ve Got Sunshine Took J to Ukranian support rally

Ep 104 recorded 3/2/22 Segments this week include: Be A Helper Craft A Long, FOs, Wips, Out and About, and I’ve Got Sunshine.  A note on showlinks – all links to Ravelry are clearly labelled as such and all links for yarn are directly to the dyer’s website. Be A Helper Craftalong 2 weeks to go – please note Ukrainian charities do not need goods or handmade items from the USA.  It takes too much effort and cost to ship them to Ukraine.  If you can, please donate instead to vetted charities.  There are several with boots on the ground such as World Central Kitchen, Save the Children, Doctors Without B orders, Ukrainian Red Cross, Nova Ukraine. 6th Be A Helper Craft-a-long has begun! We keep the rules simple. Anything you make for any charity counts, doesn’t have to be knit/crochet/woven or spun. ANYthing you make for ANY charity. One FO per submission Donating blood counts too! Contest ends when I wake up March 15 and close the form/thread. Wips are always welcome Partial FOs count, for example if you make a blanket strip and your local yarn shop sews them together to make full blankets, count your blanket strip. One change this year – due to ongoing accessibility issues on Ravelry, I’ll hold this event both on and off Ravelry.  Last year we just used a  Google Form and that was hard for some folks, so this year there will be a chat thread and an FO thread on Rav, and for non-Rav users I’ll have a google form where you can link to your IG/FB/Twitter post showing your FO. Link to submit your Finished Object/blood donation: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf08z2uqelVGeUBkm0fofQGveThChBBZzaMvNsRdlPlMzhbgA/viewform?usp=sf_link FOs Knights Who Say Knit by Mary Annarella of Lyrical Knits – finished, finished, finished.  I brought it to my stitching night and wove in most of the ends, finishing the next day.  Bloxking could be a problem with one yarn that ran when blocking.  Color catcher? Lotus Mandala Vest by Morale Fiber, crochet vest.  A round vest with armholes.  I’m using scraps of Lion Brand Truboo, Berroco Modern Cotton and the discontinued Kertzer Down To Earth Cotton WIPs Recalibrate Top by Shana Lines using Nomad Yarn’s hand dyed cotton/rayon Gelato yarn.  This has been my stress knitting since Russia invaded Ukraine so I’ve gotten a LOT on this done. Finished left side and joined with “sleeve”, started right side – more in Knitting Fail.  Earthrise, a new pattern of mine inspired by the famous Nasa photo when the astronauts first circled behind the moon and came around back towards earth and photographed the earth rising over the surface of the moon.  It’s an awe-inspiring photo.    I started a second Lotus Mandala during the Knitathon in sparkly leftovers from the Priestess Coat I crocheted last year.   Papillon/Butterfly shawl by MarinJa Knits, I finished section 19 As you Wish MKAL by Mary Annarella of Lyrical Knits.  This is a Princess Bride themed mystery knitalong that will eventually result in a rectangular shawl.   Winona by Brenda Castiel in handspun from Hipstrings I’ve started spinning handspun yarn for the winner of my drawing for the Knitathon.  Cranky knees mean slow going, but I’m putting in about 15 minutes a day in 5-min segments. Knitting Fail Recalibrate top – issues!  Issues with me, not the pattern.  Out and About Vogue Knitting Live Vogue Knitting Live @ Home Mar 17-20.  GGKCS podcast is having their annual Sheepy Spring AL, visit their FB page for more details. Stitches at Home Stitches West in person Mar 3-6 2022. CT Sheep and Wool April 30, 2022 NH Sheep and Wool May 14 & 15, 2022 If you have any events you’d like me to share please email me windsweptmonique@gmail.com I’ve Got Sunshine There’s no I’ve got Sunshine this week, just a plea to please help your fellow humans.

Ep 103 recorded 2/16/22 A note on showlinks – all links to Ravelry are clearly labelled as such and all links for yarn are directly to the dyer’s website. Be A Helper Craftalong One month to go! 6th Be A Helper Craft-a-long has begun! We keep the rules simple. Anything you make for any charity counts, doesn’t have to be knit/crochet/woven or spun. ANYthing you make for ANY charity. One FO per submission Donating blood counts too! Contest ends when I wake up March 15 and close the form/thread. Wips are always welcome Partial FOs count, for example if you make a blanket strip and your local yarn shop sews them together to make full blankets, count your blanket strip. One change this year – due to ongoing accessibility issues on Ravelery, I’ll hold this event both on and off Ravelry.  Last year we just used a  Google Form and that was hard for some folks, so this year there will be a chat thread and an FO thread on Rav, and for non-Rav users I’ll have a google form where you can link to your IG/FB/Twitter post showing your FO. Link to submit your Finished Object/blood donation: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf08z2uqelVGeUBkm0fofQGveThChBBZzaMvNsRdlPlMzhbgA/viewform?usp=sf_link Prizes A set of mini skeins from Unwind Yarn Company – especially exciting as Dana does not dye anymore. Jen Lassonde of Downcellar Studio has very generously offered one of her patterns and a skein of yarn, thank you Jen! FOs Knights Who Say Knit by Mary Annarella of Lyrical Knits, a really fun Monty Python and the Holy Grail inspired pattern.  The knitting is done but I have about 100 ends to weave in.   WIPs Recalibrate Top by Shana Lines using Nomad Yarn’s hand dyed cotton/rayon Gelato yarn.  I’m half way through the back panel in the yellow Gelato. Earthrise, a new pattern of mine. Lotus Mandala Vest by Morale Fiber, crochet vest.   Started a second Lotus Mandala during the Knitathon  Papillon/Butterfly shawl by MarinJa Knits I’ve started spinning handspun yarn for the winner of my drawing for the Knitathon last weekend Out and About Vogue Knitting Live Vogue Knitting Live @ Home Feb 17-20 and Mar 17-20.  Vogue Knitting Live in person in NYC is cancelled for 2022 but will be back Feb 9-12 2023 GGKCS podcast is having their annual Winter AL, visit their FB page for more details. Stitches at Home Stitches West in person Mar 3-6 2022. CT Sheep and Wool April 30, 2022 NH Sheep and Wool May 14 & 15, 2022 If you have any events you’d like me to share please email me windsweptmonique@gmail.com I’ve Got Sunshine Last weekend I participated in the Knit For Food Knitathon last weekend – we raised over $270,000!!!  Crafters are amazing people and when we come together we can do amazing things.

Ep 102 recorded 2/9/22 Knit For Food Knitathon THIS WEEKEND https://givebutter.com/knitforfood22/moniqueleonard Update as of posting this episode - over $181,000! Please donate! Help put us over $200K Be A Helper Craftalong - Just over a month to go! 6th Be A Helper Craft-a-long has begun! We keep the rules simple. Anything you make for any charity counts, doesn’t have to be knit/crochet/woven or spun. ANYthing you make for ANY charity. One FO per submission Donating blood counts too! Contest ends when I wake up March 15 and close the form/thread. Wips are always welcome Partial FOs count, for example if you make a blanket strip and your local yarn shop sews them together to make full blankets, count your blanket strip. One change this year – due to ongoing accessibility issues on Ravelery, I’ll hold this event both on and off Ravelry.  Last year we just used a  Google Form and that was hard for some folks, so this year there will be a chat thread and an FO thread on Rav, and for non-Rav users I’ll have a google form where you can link to your IG/FB/Twitter post showing your FO. Link to submit your Finished Object/blood donation: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf08z2uqelVGeUBkm0fofQGveThChBBZzaMvNsRdlPlMzhbgA/viewform?usp=sf_link Prizes A set of mini skeins from Unwind Yarn Company – especially exciting as Dana does not dye anymore. Jen Lassonde of Downcellar Studio has very generously offered one of her patterns and a skein of yarn, thank you Jen! One skein of yarn - currently a mystery thanks to shipping delays. FOs A sample I can’t talk about, I finished it December 30th and very proud of it Star Wars scarf for Thing 2    WIPs Recalibrate Top by Shana Lines using Nomad Yarn’s hand dyed cotton/rayon Gelato yarn.  I’m half way through the back panel in the yellow Gelato. Knights Who Say Knit by Mary Annarella of Lyrical Knits, a really fun Monty Python and the Holy Grail inspired pattern. Earthrise, a new pattern of mine inspired by the famous Nasa photo Swatching for 4 new patterns, keep your ears peeled about those.  Papillon/Butterfly shawl by MarinJa Knits Out and About Virtually Vogue Knitting Live Vogue Knitting Live @ Home Feb 17-20 and Mar 17-20.  Vogue Knitting Live in person in NYC is cancelled for 2022 but will be back Feb 9-12 2023 GGKCS podcast is having their annual Winter AL, visit their FB page for more details. Down Cellar Studio’s Pigskin party is ending this weekend – be sure to get your points in. Stitches at Home Feb 12-13, Stitches West in person Mar 3-6 2022. If you have any events you’d like me to share please email me windsweptmonique@gmail.com I’ve Got Sunshine My 6-year old helped me plan the garden this year.  

Ep 101 recorded 12/15/21 Segments this week include: Housekeeping, Start of the Be A Helper Craft A Long, Wips, Out and About, and I’ve Got Sunshine.  A note on showlinks – all links to Ravelry are clearly labelled as such and all links for yarn are directly to the dyer’s website. Housekeeping New testknit starting in a week or two, for a sleeveless top in fingering weight yarn.  If you’re interested send me an email windsweptMonique@gmail.com or sign up for my test knitter mailing list at http://www.windsweptknits.com/testknitters/ - if on this list you will only get emails related to test knitting, nothing else.  I’ll be having 3 or 4 test knits starting up in the next few months with yarn ranging from fingering to DK and I’d love to have you join. Be A Helper Craftalong 6th Be A Helper Craft-a-long has begun! We keep the rules simple. Anything you make for any charity counts, doesn’t have to be knit/crochet/woven or spun. ANYthing you make for ANY charity. One FO per submission Donating blood counts too! Contest ends when I wake up March 15 and close the form/thread. Wips are always welcome Partial FOs count, for example if you make a blanket strip and your local yarn shop sews them together to make full blankets, count your blanket strip. One change this year – due to ongoing accessibility issues on Ravelry, I’ll hold this event both on and off Ravelry.  Last year we just used a  Google Form and that was hard for some folks, so this year there will be a chat thread and an FO thread on Rav, and for non-Rav users I’ll have a google form where you can link to your IG/FB/Twitter post showing your FO. Link to submit your Finished Object/blood donation: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf08z2uqelVGeUBkm0fofQGveThChBBZzaMvNsRdlPlMzhbgA/viewform?usp=sf_link Prizes A set of mini skeins from Unwind Yarn Company – especially exciting as Dana does not dye anymore. Another skein of yarn that is still in the mail and given the state of the USPS I’ll announce after it arrives, just to be safe! Jen Lassonde of Downcellar Studio has very generously offered one of her patterns and a skein of yarn, thank you Jen! Since WIPs are allowed, and given the tornado crisis in KY last week, I’m going to open up the prizes to anyone who donated blood after the tornadoes.  So if you donated blood anywhere in the world on or after Dec 10, you’ve earned yourself a prize entry so go and fill out the google form or enter it in the Rav FO thread. WIPs Focusing on one pattern sample, can’t talk about it. Recalibrate Top by Shana Lines using Nomad Yarn’s hand dyed cotton/rayon Gelato yarn.  I’m half way through the back panel in the yellow Gelato. Star Wars scarf for Thing 2 – I’m over ¾ done!  I’m over halfway done with the Dark Side!  Wearables Tan House Brook shawl by BostonJen knit up in Sekhmet, an alpaca/silk/linen blend by A Hundred Ravens Second Grace by Bristol Ivy Out and About Virtually Indie Design GAL wrapping up I 2 weeks.  I’m a participating designer Fasten Off YAL – off Ravelry event, also wrapping up in 2 weeks.  I’m also a participating designer. Vogue Knitting Live Vogue Knitting Live @ Home Jan 20-23.  Vogue Knitting Live in person in NYC is cancelled for 2022 but will be back Feb 9-12 2023 GGKCS podcast is having their annual Winter AL, visit their FB page for more details. Down Cellar Studio’s Pigskin party is up and running.  You can participate on Instagram or on Ravelry and I’m linking to Boston Jen’s website which has the details and the signup page.  I am both a sponsor and a participant again this year and it’s lots of fun. Stitches at Home Jan 7-9, Stitches West in person Mar 3-6 2022. If you have any events you’d like me to share please email me windsweptmonique@gmail.com I’ve Got Sunshine For today, we are all healthy. 

Apologies for my voice,  I’ve been fighting a virus for a week.     Housekeeping Still looking for testknitters!   Visit https://www.yarnpond.com/pattern_tests/2615 to learn more and sign up to test knit. A second testknit for a sleeveless top in fingering weight yarn will be starting soon. If you’re interested in future test knits please join my test knitter mailing list at http://www.windsweptknits.com/testknitters/ 6th annual Be A Helper Craft A Long starts on December 15th!  Next week’s episode will go over all the details, including prizes! And now for something completely different.  Since this is my 100th episode I wanted to give back to other designers in our community.  I put out a call to other designers in the GAL and the YAL and asked anyone who wanted to, to please answer the question “who are you, where can we find you and why do you design?”   Designers You Are Hearing From Today Knit Eco Chic www.knitecochic.com  payhip Ravelry  Lovecrafts (loveknitting) Christelle Nihoul Here are my SM profile: On Ravelry: ChristalLittleK or Christelle Nihoul On Instagram : @christallkdesigns On FB : My page : ChristalLK And my website : www.christallk.com Artesanitarium Designs My instagram is: https://www.instgram.com/artesanitarium and my Ravelry page is: Ravelry: Designs by Artesanitarium Designs Nailya Plaskey My name is Nailya Plaskey, and my knit and crochet designs can be found on Ravelry and Lovecrafts under NailyaPlaskeyDesigns: https://www.ravelry.com/designers/nailya-plaskey https://www.lovecrafts.com/en-gb/user/maker/1fdc4d51-9faa-4e83-a40e-75da2ae4d6de And I enjoy creating community yarn fun on Instagram, where I am also @nailyaplaskeydesigns   Sarah Dawn Designs Website: www.sarahdawnsdesigns.com IG:  www.instagram.com/sarahdawnsdesigns/Twitter: https://twitter.com/Sarah_Dawns Patreon: www.patreon.com/SarahDawnsDesigns and, watch me make things live over on Twitch: www.twitch.tv/SarahDawnsDesigns

Ep 99 recorded 11/19/21 Segments this week include: Housekeeping, FOs, Wips, Stash, Out and About, and I’ve Got Sunshine.  A note on showlinks – all links to Ravelry are clearly labelled as such and all links for yarn are directly to the dyer’s website. Housekeeping Still looking for testknitters!  I have a sleeveless top test knit.  It knits up FAST as it’s a DK gauge.  I’m looking for some testknitters to use 2 fingering weight yarns held double and some to use 1 strand of DK that gets gauge.  I will be starting up a few testknits soon, all for sleeveless tops.  Visit https://www.yarnpond.com/pattern_tests/2615 to learn more and sign up to test knit. If you’re interested in future test knits please join my test knitter mailing list at http://www.windsweptknits.com/testknitters/ - if on this list you will only get emails related to test knitting, nothing else.  I’ll be having 3 or 4 test knits starting up in the next few months with yarn ranging from fingering to DK and I’d love to have you join. WIPs Three new pattern samples, can’t talk about them yet. Recalibrate Top by Shana Lines using Nomad Yarn’s hand dyed cotton/rayon Gelato yarn.  I’m nearing the top of the front panel in the yellow Gelato. Star Wars scarf for Thing 2 – I’m over halfway!  I’m nearly done with the Death Star!  Unfortunately I’m falling behind a bit on this one, so I need to work on it more each day after taking most of the last week off. Knights who say Knit by LyricalKnits aka Mary Annarella.  On section 2 or 3 of Clue 4, the last clue.  I really love how this shawl is turning out and I can’t wait to finish it. Knitting Fail I had two this week.  I just wish I’d thought of it 6 inches and one cast on ago. Wearables the Priestess Coat stitched Rhinebeck– by Morale Fiber in Lion Brand Shawl in a Ball.    the Line Where the Sky Meets the Sea (Ravelry) and Send Me That Horizon (Ravelry) shawls really keep my neck warm from my wet hair and that my wet hair doesn’t hurt the yarn at all.  Out and About Virtually Indie Design GAL (Ravelry) starts Nov 23rd  Fasten Off YAL – off Ravelry event starts Nov 30th Vogue Knitting Live Vogue Knitting Live @ Home Dec 9-12, Jan 20-23.  Dec open for registration.  Vogue Knitting Live in person in NYC is cancelled for 2022 but will be back Feb 9-12 2023 GGKCS podcast is having their annual Autumnal AL, visit their FB page for more details. Down Cellar Studio’s Pigskin party is up and running.  You can participate on Instagram or on Ravelry and I’m linking to Boston Jen’s website which has the details and the signup page.  I am both a sponsor and a participant again this year and it’s lots of fun. Stitches at Home Jan 7-9, Stitches West in person Mar 3-6 2022. If you have any events you’d like me to share please email me windsweptmonique@gmail.com I’ve Got Sunshine I’ve been doing Instagram Lives every Wednesday at lunch time local to me because I’ve been hearing from so many people that they just feel overwhelmed and like life is swirling about the them.  I started it for others, so they could listen or join, or play later that day and stop, and just breath or knit or sip a cup of tea for 2 minutes.  But I find that they’re really helping me too.  Making myself stop and breath for 2 minutes each Wednesday is super helpful, just letting myself be.  If you want to join us, this Wednesday 11/24 it will be at 12pm EST on Instagram come along with me and take 2 minutes for yourself.

Ep 98 recorded 11/12/21 Housekeeping Calling all test knitters!  I have a sleeveless top test knit that starts today.  It knits up FAST as it’s a DK gauge.  I’m looking for some testknitters to use 2 fingering weight yarns held double and some to use 1 strand of DK that gets gauge.  I will be starting up a few testknits soon, all for sleeveless tops.  Visit https://www.yarnpond.com/pattern_tests/2615 to learn more and sign up to test knit. If you’re interested in future test knits please join my test knitter mailing list at http://www.windsweptknits.com/testknitters/ - if on this list you will only get emails related to test knitting, nothing else.  I’ll be having 3 or 4 test knits starting up in the next few months with yarn ranging from fingering to DK and I’d love to have you join. FOs Purse Socks! Finished the 2nd sock!  Bamboo Pop Sock in the Sunset colorway WIPs Three new pattern samples, can’t talk about them yet. Started the Recalibrate Top by Shana Lines using Nomad Yarn’s hand dyed cotton/rayon Gelato yarn. Star Wars scarf for Thing 2 – I’m halfway! Knights who say Knit by LyricalKnits aka Mary Annarella.   Wearables I have been wearing so much knitting and crochet recently.  I forgot to include this segment last week so I’ll cover the last 2-3 weeks here. the Priestess Coat stitched Rhinebeck– by Morale Fiber in Lion Brand Shawl in a Ball.  I’m using the Feng Shui colorway, a  grey-to white gradient, for the body of the coat and a variety of jewel tones for the inserts and hood.  Tuesday was quite warm and I wore my Southwoods top (Ravelry) by River Road Knits, I love this top so much.  The lace inset at the back is just gorgeous. We’ve also had colder days and I’ve work the Line Where the Sky Meets the Sea (Ravelry) and Send Me That Horizon (Ravelry) shawls.  I wore the Wenlock sweater (Ravelry) designed by Tin Can Knits which I knit last year in some ancient stash, the discontinued Feza Yarns Cayenne and a variety of scraps for the multi-colored collar. Captain Marvel shawl Out and About Virtually Vogue Knitting Live Vogue Knitting Live @ Home Nov 11-14.  GGKCS podcast is having their annual Autumnal AL, visit their FB page for more details. Down Cellar Studio’s Pigskin party is up and running.  You can participate on Instagram or on Ravelry and I’m linking to Boston Jen’s website which has the details and the signup page.  I am both a sponsor and a participant again this year and it’s lots of fun. Stitches at Home Nov 6,7, 13 and 14 If you have any events you’d like me to share please email me windsweptmonique@gmail.com