Close to my Heart

Almost an FO

The Long Weekend started with my Pinwheel Sweater being VERY close to being completed.  My intention was that I'd finish it early in the weekend, block it, and start the work week with a new sweater.  Turns out I got very distracted by my new Spindle, was busy all Sunday volunteering at our local Canada Day Celebration, and didn't really pick it up until Monday night.  Late that night, I finished off the crochet edge of the second sleeve, tried it on over my flannel nightgown (sadly, the weather here has still required flannel) and pronounced it to be a successful project.  I do however still need to wind in the ends and give it a good block.  The forecast says that we are actually getting some warm temps beginning tomorrow so it would be too warm to wear this week anyway (do you think completing a knitted sweater has made the Weather Gods mock me and thus send some warm weather our way?).  I will work on winding in the ends during the evenings this week, and the block party can happen this coming weekend.  I do have pictures to show you, but the official modeled shots will happen after it's blocked.

The Front:

The Back:

The colour is more accurate in the first picture.  I'll save the pattern and yarn details for the official post- blocking pictures.

Podcasts:
I've added several more podcasts to my sidebar in the last few weeks.  With many podcasts taking summer breaks, as well as the endless reruns on television, I was needing to find more to keep me occupied while knitting.  I found some awesome newish podcasts that I wanted to mention here.  One of my favourites is Yarn Thing. Marly is a very enthusiastic, entertaining podcaster.  She often includes friends on her podcasts, and I really feel like I'm sitting with friends knitting when I listen to Yarn Thing.  A second new favourite is She Knits.  Sharon is a Mom of SEVEN who makes use of her time waiting for kids and watching their activities by pulling out her pointy sticks.  Another very interesting podcast.  And my third new favourite podcast is  Subknit.  This podcast is a little different in that Juliette combines knitting with her involvement in the Kink lifestyle.  I find this one interesting from a cultural perspective, regular readers will know how I am fascinated by culture.  So pick up your knitting and go give these podcasts a listen.

I have an extra day off today, and am going to go do some spinning here shortly.  I haven't spun the last two days and am going through withdrawal!

On Vox: QotD: On Podcasts

 

   
   

Do you listen to podcasts?  Are there any you'd recommend?  Inspired by Alex.

   

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Podcast Knitting

One of my favourite things to do on a Saturday:

If you haven't listened to this Podcast, I encourage you do do so, it's one of the best; I look forward to the new episode every weekend.  Click on the button to go to the show's blog.

While listening, I knit on the Marble Cardi.  The back and both front pieces are now knit and blocking on the kitchen table:

I'll be spending a good portion of what remains of this weekend on sleeve island.  I also plan to cast on for another pair of socks using April Project Spectrum colours.  I finished the Sockapaloooza socks today too (while listening to a different podcast), picture coming soon.

Knitting and Listening

I've been listening to one or two podcasts for some time now, but lately, it seems like more and more knitting podcasts (and even one crocheting one) are springing up.  I needed a relaxing knitting therapy day today, so rather than watch crap on television (sure wish I could read while knitting), I thought I'd listen to some podcasts.  It was a very enjoyable way to spend a good majority of the day.  I've not yet listened to all the knitting related podcasts, and there's some non-knitting shows I'd like to hear at some point too.  Here's some links to the ones that I've enjoyed so far:

Cast On
CrochetCast
KnitCast
Musings of a Peaceful Knitter
Pointy Sticks
Time2Knit

I'll add to the list as I have others to recommend, and may even list them on my sidebar.  I highly recommend giving the podcasts a try.  You don't need an Ipod (I don't have one, but admit to greatly coveting), I've been playing them right on my computer.

And here's the knitting progress made while listening, I finished the back of the Marble Cardi:

The colours are a little more muted than they look in this picture, and I'm very happy with how it is turning out.  For some reason, I had a bit of trouble getting gauge originally.  I'm a very loose knitter and always have to go down a couple needle sizes.  In the end, I did get gauge (on the second try) with the size needle I normally use for dk weight yarn (which is what this is) and have been able to keep said gauge consistently (I've checked several times).