Hi, Knitters,
Well, I'm back after an unexpected leave of absence. I am having troublesome technology issues that involve a complete meltdown of my laptop and the permanent loss of years of data. There were failed back-ups and computer insides. Anyway, that's all that will be said about that. It's sad and upsetting to lose work that can't be retrieved but I always try my best to keep things in perspective and move on.
On to happier topics, I have randomly selected a winner for the Dropcloth Sampler Subscription from the last blog post. And the winner is....... Anni! Congratulations to Anni! I have already contacted both Rebecca Ringquist and Anni to pass on the good news.
I mentioned in my last video podcast that I am having an unofficially official self-proclaimed Summer of Paula. I am talking about my friend and knitting cohort Paula Emons-Fuessle, host of the wildly popular Knitting Pipeline podcast. I am definitely following through with the Paula theme so far. Any of you are free to join in with me if you are interested. Here are the two simple things that The Summer of Paula includes:
1. Knitting as many Paula Emons-Fuessle shawls as you can squeeze in. I have now knit four of Paula's shawls and I have three more to go before I can say I am caught up. I know I won't finish her shawl patterns this summer but I will just keep working at it as the season changes to the fall.
2. Listening to Paula's fantastic audio podcast, The Knitting Pipeline, starting from Episode 1 and working my way back up to the current episode. I spend a lot of time outside running and hiking. Each day when I am out doing these activities I listen to at least a couple of back episodes. There are 177 Episodes and I am up to Episode 36.
Repeat 1 and 2 until you are caught up!
Now, I have to say that the Knitting Pipeline is a podcast that over the years I have gone back to listen to older episodes again and again. It is the ONLY podcast where I repeatedly listen to old episodes. I have never done repeat listening in an organized way as I am doing now. It is really fun.
What I find is that it is even better when you go back for the second, third or fourth time. Paula is funny, you have to listen closely to her side remarks, she slips them in. She is also smart, informative and interesting on all sorts of topics. There is so much that I have forgotten in these old episodes.... bb guns in a closet (her son's), Paula's likening herself to squirrels going splat after falling and jumping right up and running away (I loved this so much I had to stop and laugh on my run), Paula's sincere love of basil, her lime-basil butter recipe (I'm making it today), a salmon rub recipe (coming up this weekend at my house), pattern discussions and recommendations, quotes, crows remembering human faces (I guess it's true! I told my kids this and they were creeped out.), nature information of all sorts, book recommendations - both knitting and non-knitting (I have read so many fiction books at Paula's advice and have loved them all), and much more. Paula's the real deal and you are missing out if you don't follow along with her.
I especially love hearing Paula read Elizabeth Zimmermann's old letters to her. Boy, could that Elizabeth write, even in casual correspondence. It's amazing to hear her personality come through the written words. Her descriptions and tone set a scene like no one else. It really makes me sad to think that letter writing is such a lost art. No one is going to pull up old emails to read years later. Listening to these letters from Elizabeth makes me want to do some letter writing.... and to read Elizabeth's books again, I have them all.
I know I'll be writing more about The Summer of Paula. Let me know if you are joining in somehow. I'd love to hear about it.
Here are some Paula related links for you to check out:
Now for my first finished Paula shawl of the summer. This shawl is called Hyla Brook. It is fast, fun and simple. I added a beaded bind off just like the one in my shawl pattern the Quaker Ridge Shawlette. I love the beads on a ruffled edge. It adds just the right amount of weight to the shawl. I wore my new Hyla Brook all day yesterday as it was chilly around here, strange as it is for July.
Here is the information about my Hyla Brook:
Yarn: Quince & Co. Finch in the Storm colorway I added a couple of repeats so I ran out of yarn on the bind off. I added in some other Quince Finch I had to complete the bind off. It isn't exactly the same shade, it is one of the heathered grays, but you can't see it at all.
US size 6 needles, 32-inch circulars
Size 6 beads, clear with a silver lining, applied using a flosser (There are YouTube videos on how to do this.) I applied the beads to every other stitch on the bind off. It was really fun and I love the finished effect.
Click here for the exact beads I used ~ two tubes required. I have many left over.
I love the yarn, it is light as air. The wool blocks out beautifully and easily. I used 2 pins to block the shawl. It was so simple. Paula has video tutorials on blocking shawls just like this one, and much more.
(photo by Kelsey Kobik for Quince & Co.)
Paula is hosting a Sister Bay Knitalong right now. It is not too late to join. Click here for more information.
Click here to find out more about the pattern Sister Bay!
I love this shawl so much. It is very wearable. I love the two colors in the design but I have 5 skeins of Chickadee from Quince & Co. sitting in my stash in the Nasturtium color way. I can't remember why I purchased it. It is enough to make the larger size of Sister Bay. I may just do this shawl in one color. I think it would be a perfect use of the yarn I already have! Even better.
Okay, so I'm back here blogging away. I hope you are back, too! Summer love and kisses to you all. I'll be back soon with more.
best, susie
p.s. Did you all see this pattern collection by one of my faves? I am crazy for all of it.
23 comments:
I'm right there with you on Paula and The Knitting Pipeline. I adore all things Paula--I've listened to all the podcasts, knitted all the patterns, read all the blog posts, watched all the YouTube videos and will be attending my second Cornerstone Retreat in October, even though I live in California! In addition to what you said, one of the things that strikes me about Paula is her kindness, both to humans and all creatures great and small.
Tamara
So sorry to hear of your computer woes. That's a major bummer. Glad you're back up and running...been missing your posts!
I knit the Piper's Journey shawl, too, and loved it. I'm considering Paula's new Sister Bay, as well. It's gorgeous! I can't knit fast enough, as I try to keep up with all these projects!
I am so sorry about your computer problems. I have a great recommendation - Carbonite. It is the best $50 I spend a year to know my data is always backed up off site. Try it for free. You are the best and I always knit what you are knitting. I am going to knit another Hyla Brook. I love Paula's designs and I love you!
So happy to see your post. I was beginning to worry :)! The Hyla Brook is beautiful - another one to add to my "fav" list.
Ann
As was said, I was getting worried too. Good ol' technology! Glad that you're back. Ditto on the letter writing. Very sad that hardly anyone does it anymore.
I've just ordered the Sister Bay shawl pattern and my first order of Chickadee in the Winesap. If it's anything like the Piper's Journey, I'll live it. That is the only shawl I have made 3 times! Love it. Love you too!
It is so disappointing when technology hits you with that kind of whammee! Love all of your knitting and the shawl patterns. Keep those needles clicking!
So sorry about the tech death! It happens and you will recover ........ because we need you to! Ha - how's that for selfish!!!
So sorry about your computer, how terrible. Have you tried UW DoIT? They saved the baby pictures after my daughter poured soda on our laptop.
Sorry to hear of your tech problems. I've been wrestling for days with my email and erased thousands of messages before it was repaired. Then I decided if I really needed any of those emails and attachments they'd show up another way (download, from message sent to a friend, etc). I actually decides I needed to religiously save important things on a remote server and throw the rest away. I didn't like depending on all that. I, too, love Paula's podcasts and have listened to all of them. You're so right, she is the real thing.
So sorry about your computer problems. Love your positive attitude, and your passion for knitting!
Such a bummer when a computer crashes, especially when you lose precious data that can't be retrieved. It's happened to most of us at least once. I keep so many backups, but haven't moved to THE CLOUD yet. THE CLOUD is a mysterious thing, but might be a good idea for data that's not too personal. At least we have all your precious posts and patterns online for safekeeping. Remember that the best backup system is in your head and heart.
Love your shawl. Glad you're back. I'm a hiker too.
Hugs, Kimmy
Love the Sister Bay Shawl. I am going to have to make it for my sister in law she is always so appreciative of the knits that I give her and best of all she lives in Sister Bay!!
Wow I love that Finch yarn in the birds egg? blue bird egg? something egg... lol regardless it is going to my wish list. I love the yarn in the bamboo thing. I am sad to say I have no idea what they are called but I would love to win it! :)
Computer troubles are the worst. I know the heartache. :(
Hi,
Would you please tell me what kind of bind off you use when you add a bead at the end of a shawl project? Thank you.
Alice
Computers can be sooo frustrating and.... enough said. Glad you are back! Your shawl is beautiful! I've been going to listen to Paula, but summer is too busy right now. Will look forward to having time to listen. Take care!
Piper's Journey is the only one of Paula's designs
I've knit
However, I'm knitting my third PJ.
Love it!
Sorry about your 'technical difficulty' :-(
Hugs
beautiful, kisses
I have knit "Piper's Journey" and I am looking forward to knitting Sister Bay for the KAL...sort of reminds me of tourist season on the DC peninsula, in its popularity. I love that you're having a summer of Paula! In your listening, hope you give pause and chuckle when you hear Paula say she's not a shawl designer. It's in an episode with her husband, perhaps the discussion on Fibonacci sequence. It's one of the podcasts my family hears and recognizes. She just feels like an aunt.
Your attitude amazes me - not letting that computer stuff totally get to you! I guess that's why we all love you so much!
You have enabled me once again: I cast on for Paula's Magic Ball Ruffle Shawl two nights ago and am loving it. Now I can see that I'll have to get busy on knit the Hyla soon, as yours is gorgeous!
I listen to Paula's podcasts and agree with you - she is fantastic!
Happy Summer!
xxoo
Catching up on your blog and just got to this one.... Your Hyla Brook is so pretty! That pattern is now in my queue - and another reason to finally try Quince & Comapny yarn!
Love Paula's podcast and love your blog. Putting your podcast in my queue too!
I'm also a long time listener to the Knitting Pipeline podcast, and have knit several Piper's Journeys. I have finished one Sister Bay shawl, and am about 1/3 of the way through knitting the border on a second, this time with beads. Going back through the podcast episodes is a great idea, and I've been enjoying them while knitting her pattern.
Sylvia
I had never listened to Paula before, but I started on your recommendation and just finished my first of her shawls! Piper's Journey was a joy to knit- thank you for the recommendation.
Juniperjane on Ravelry
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