Two Ewes Fiber Adventures: A Podcast About Knitting, Spinning, Weaving, Crochet, Dyeing-- All The Ways To Play With Yarn And

In this episode Kelly and Marsha give updates on projects and the goals we set for ourselves that was suppose to be two weeks but ended up being a month. Kelly has been walking but Marsha hasn't, but she has a great excuse! :-) It has been raining like crazy in Seattle and she is on puppy duty. Enzo is now almost twelve weeks old and can be crated for 2-3 hours, so Marsha has no more excuses! Kelly finished a Storm Trooper and is now waiting for more safety eyes in order to continue with other characters. First on the list is Darth Vader! The pattern designer, Lucy Collin, has a great Flickr page with photos of all her Star Wars creations (including some that aren't in the pattern book).  She also has a blog post where she talks about the pattern book project and another where she lists all the yarn colors she used. Kelly has been spinning like crazy on her mother's Pebble Substitute.  The Bourbon Socks got some work over the Stitches West weekend and are close to finished.  (Got finished between recording an

Kelly and Marsha talk about Kelly's recent weekend at Stitches West!  One of the year's biggest West Coast yarn events was more than a shopping trip, it was a chance to meet listeners, podcasters, and other yarny friends.  The conversation ranges from the items on the sales floor to tattoos, from purchases to civil war era yarn, and from starstruck silliness to the appeal of the collaborative business model. No show notes for this special episode.  Links and photos will be included in show notes for our next regular episode, due out soon.  http://twoewesfiber.com

Marsha and Kelly catch you up on all the things that have been going on with them over that last month.  New projects, new goals, new items in the Ravelry queue, new excuses pets family members, and new realizations about time management!  Press play and listen as we talk about our fiber adventures!  Kelly has one newly finished project,  Toddler hats that she made for Robert's co-worker's daughter.  One is plain stockinette with some embroidered flowers and the other has a texture pattern.  Neither was made using a pattern, but information about them is on Kelly's Ravelry page. She also has a newly started project.  She made Yoda from the Star Wars Crochet kit.  The designer is Lucy Collin and between her blog and the Flickr account she has with all the different Star Wars figures (some not in the kit) there are enough ideas for an entire galaxy of figures! Two other projects got significant activity over the last month. The Sheep to sweater project and the Big Sur Bourbon Socks Speaking of Big Sur, Kelly me

Knitting, some spinning, lots of yarn project planning, and some fiber processing are the highlights of this episode. Kelly and Marsha do some goal setting with two-week goals and discussion of long-term projects. Kelly happily finished two projects that have been on the needles 9 months or more. First, the Hoarfrost sock pattern by Louise Tillbrook was used to make the Frosty Mint Julep socks. Second, Kelly finished the Niebling Doily Herbert Niebling lace patterns have an Arts and Crafts era style that is very distinctive. The Doily Head blog has a great collection of Niebling eye candy for your enjoyment! Kelly started her doily on Christmas day 2014 and finished it just over a year later. It was a fun and challenging project and there will definitely be another Niebling on the needles at some point. Most of Marsha's projects have not seen much progress since she has been working almost exclusively on her Mystery Wool Cardigan (#241 Neck Down V Neck Shaped Cardigan) by Diane Soucy. The body is almost finis

Marsha and Kelly celebrate New Year's Eve with some finished projects, some newly started projects and by announcing the winners of the Two Ewes Crochet Along!  Due to the quick turnaround of this episode, there are few show notes.  However, there are two important items: Information and and links for Syllabub can be found at Kelly's old blog.  The Johnny Cash song that Marsha was thinking of can be found on YouTube here.  And the song that Kelly was talking about was Hurt. Have a Happy 2016 everyone!

In this episode Kelly takes over the beginning of the podcast to throw Marsha a surprise virtual birthday party!  After some fiber adventuring friends send along Birthday wishes, the episode resumes with our knitting, spinning and yarny adventures, including finished objects, current projects, and a fun trip to Portland for Marsha.  Additional show notes and pictures will follow soon at our show notes blog

This week Kelly has two finished projects! She finished her Crochet-Along project, the Happy Hippopotamus by Heidi Bears. This was an excellent pattern and the finished hippo is soooooooo darling! Also finished (but not yet blocked or worn) is the Color Affection, a shawl designed by Veera Valimaki. Kelly had a skein of heavy fingering and 4 skeins of DK and used them all, creating a shawl that is ENORMOUS! It will be a challenge to figure out how to wear it or where to put it once out of the cold :-) The colors are great together and it used some 5+ year old stash, so it is a clear win! Kelly's current projects all require some knitting repair, so let's not talk about those. ;-) Marsha isn't finished with her Lanata Cardigan, but she is close. Once sleeve cuffs are on, it's done. She is very happy with the sweater's design (by Amy Christoffers) and with the fabric she got from the German yarn that she used. She also continues to work on her brother Mark's Crazy Scarf from the Stonehedge Crazy yarn. She is al

Welcome new listeners from the Shorty's Sutures and Libsyn Feed podcasts! Welcome also to our listeners from outside the US (including Brazil, Mexico, Sweden, and Norway)! Marsha and Kelly announce the winners in the Front Range Bags giveaway.  Thanks again to Nancy for offering one of her bags for a prize!  If you aren't the winner, don't despair.  She has generously offered a coupon code for 15% off to Two Ewes listeners!  Listen to the podcast or visit our Ravelry Group for details.  Then go shop for a Front Range Bag! Marsha had quite a bit of knitting time while at the hospital with her son.  Ben had a bad bicycle accident, but is now doing much better.  While at the trauma center she made lots of progress on the Mark's Crazy Scarf out of Stonehedge Crazy (mill ends).  She has also been working on the Stripe Study Shawl by Veera Valimaki.  She is using the yarn she created at Yarnia in Portland.  Despite all the knitting time, she has no finished projects this time. Kelly is still working on her Color A

The Two Ewes continue to shine a spotlight on Front Range Bags by Nancy Totten.  Nancy has generously offered a project bag from her shop to a lucky Two Ewes listener.  Kelly has one of her bags in SF Giants fabric and it's great!  High quality, nice and roomy, and lots of handy features. It was the perfect bag for the Crackerjack Cowl project during baseball season. To enter, take a look in the Front Range Bags shop and report back to the contest thread in the Ravelry group.  Tell us which bag you like best (exclusive of the custom orders) and let us know about your favorite features in the project bags you use. A winner will randomly selected during our podcast episode 30.  Thank you Nancy!  We appreciate the opportunity to spotlight your bags and your shop! This week Marsha and Kelly record separately due to busy schedules.  Marsha has finished her Crochet-Along project, the Virus Shawl.  Marsha also finished her son's Tricolor Socks made of her handspun from last winter.  He turned 18 earlier this month s

The Two Ewes want to shine a spotlight on Front Range Bags by Nancy Totten. Nancy has generously offered a project bag from her shop to a lucky Two Ewes listener. Kelly has one of her bags in SF Giants fabric and it's great! High quality, nice and roomy, and lots of handy features. It was the perfect bag for the Crackerjack Cowl project during baseball season. To enter, take a look in the Front Range Bags shop and report back to the contest thread in the Ravelry group. Tell us which bag you like best (exclusive of the custom orders) and let us know about your favorite features in the project bags you use. A winner will randomly selected during our podcast episode 30. Thank you Nancy! We appreciate the opportunity to spotlight your bags and your shop! Marsha finished her Antarktis Shawl by Janina Kallio. The color is brighter than any photo can show! Marsha continues to work on her Lanata Cardigan by Amy Christoffers and her Virus Shawl for the Two Ewes Crochet Along. Kelly is continuing her crochet along pro

In this bonus episode Marsha and Kelly talk about fleece washing.  Kelly runs through the steps she uses and does a little myth busting about the delicacy of wool fleece and fabric. Here are some links that you may find useful; Spinderella's Fiber Mill washing instructions U.S. GSA Technical Procedures for Historic Preservation:  Types of Cleaning Detergents A method that doesn't use the washing machine

In this episode Kelly and Marsha have lots to talk about! So much, in fact, that part of it won't be heard here, but will be released as a bonus episode about fiber myth busting later this week. The Two Ewes Crochet-a-Long started October 1st and ends December 31st. To view the rules, check out our Ravelry Group thread. We are thrilled that our listener Wendy of Knitty Kitty Bags has donated a project bag as a prize. Check out her shop to see her beautiful stock. Contact us if you would also like to add to the prize list! Kelly talks about her crochet project, Happypotamus by Heidi Bears. Marsha reports on her beginning crochet class and her project, Virus Shawl. Both Kelly and Marsha finished their Crackerjack Cowls by Stacy Simpson Duke.  Kelly has also started a Color Affection that she is calling A Bigger Affection since she is modifying it (of course!) to use DK yarn and be as big as possible to use up some very old stash. The peacock blue and the acid green have been waiting in stash to be used together

Kelly and Marsha are knitters and spinners who are celebrating the first anniversary of the podcast! To celebrate they first talk about all their knitting, spinning, and crochet projects and plans. Then they have a conversation about the podcast and the past year. Kelly finished her Cotton/Linen Featherweight making a few modifications to the beloved pattern by Hannah Fettig.  This is her fourth completed sweater from coned yarns from the rescued weaving stash!  Last year she made the Acorn Trail cardigan and the Gala Tunic from coned wool yarns. This year she made the Featherweight and Cherry Vanilla cardigans. Work continues on the Mielie Vest, a pattern by Hillary Smith Callis. This one will be finished soon and has some modifications that can be found on the project page. Marsha continues to work on the Lanata cardigan by Amy Christoffers. Since she returned home from California, she caught up on her Mariner Crackerjack Cowl, and has continued working on the bright green Antarktis. During the last year of

In Episode 25 we discuss the purpose of Marsha's visit to Kelly....The Monterey County Fair Wool Auction!  This is a great destination for all knitters, spinners, and wool lovers!     Kelly discusses attending the judging that occurred the week prior to the auction. She explains the history of the wool auction, the judging categories and the criteria that the judge used. She also talks about how the wool is classified-the Bradford (or spinning count) system, the American blood system, and micron measurement.   Marsha and Kelly discuss what they were looking for in fleeces, how they decided what to bid on, and the stress and strategies of a live auction!   If you are interested in an upcoming wool judging, Lambtown in Dixon, California will have their judging at 10:00 on Saturday, October 3, 2015.  Mark Eidman is the judge there, too.   Don't forget about the Crochet-Along that starts on October 1.  Information is in the Ravelry group.  

We don't always record together, but when we do, we prefer giggles.  Please listen responsibly. Marsha visited Kelly over the Labor Day Weekend, and the Two Ewes have so much to discuss that this episode comes to you in two parts. This episode is ready for listening and Part 2 (Episode 25) will be uploaded in a few days. In Part 1 we announce our first ever Crochet-A-Long! The CAL starts October 1st and ends December 31st. Projects can be of any size or number. Kelly is planning to make Happypotamus the Happy Hippo by Heidi Bears that she has had in her queue for awhile now. Marsha is planning to make Virus Shawl by Julia Marquardt. Marsha has never crocheted before so is planning to take a class at her LYS to get started. During their visit Marsha completed her Pebble Beach Shawl by Helen Stewart using Stonehedge Fiber Mill Crazy. Thank you to our listener and Ravelry group member "kimbuktu7" for the recommendation. This is the first shawl Marsha has made that is crescent shaped and she loves the way th

Lot's of knitting happening here!   Kelly was away in the wilderness camping for two weeks and finished the Dorthelia tank by Corrina Ferguson (from her book Warm Days, Cool Knits).  She also made great progress on the endless cotton/linen Featherweight Cardigan and the Niebling lace doily. Marsha finished her Wispy Willow Cardigan by Cheryl Beckerich made with HiKoo CoBaSi. This is Marsha's first project with this yarn and the ewes talk about the differences and challenges in knitting with non-animal yarns. Marsha continues work on her Lanata cardigan by Amy Christoffers and has completed about 10" of the body. Plus progress is being made each game day on Marsha's Crackerjack Cowl. Go Mariners! Marsha is planning her next projects. She has sweater quantities of two yarns and is looking for suggestion of cardigans to make. The first is Imperial Yarn Tracie Too in Autumn Rust. This is a sport weight yarn and Marsha has 1,580 yards. The other yarn is from Thirteen Mile Lamb and Wool Company. It is worsted weigh

 Kelly is camping in her newly painted trailer known as "The Clubhouse." It is a 10.5 foot, 1967 trailer that has been decorated in a San Francisco Giants theme.  They have camped in The Clubhouse for 3 summers, but this is the first trip after it got the new paint job, had some water damage repaired, and had the interior re-paneled. This episode includes an audio field trip to the Mt. Madonna Campground in the Santa Cruz Mountains between Watsonville and Gilroy. It is a beautiful "on location" recording studio!     In the background you may hear Steller's Jays and Acorn Woodpeckers. The Acorn Woodpeckers make holes in trees and store their acorns in them like a winter pantry. They often take one tree and completely cover it with holes. On the visit here last November all the holes in the trees near the restroom were filled with acorns from the Tan Bark Oaks. On this trip all the holes were empty.     While on the camping trip, Kelly is knitting on two projects: the Dorthelia tank by Corrina Ferguson from the

Marsha and Kelly both finished knitting their sweaters and both are big wins!  (At recording time we both had a little left to go, but now that the episode is published we are finished).  Marsha's Blue Juno sweater fits even better than she thought it would. Kelly's Purple Cherry Vanilla sweater is the perfect sweatshirt alternative and used yarn from her extensive stash of rescued weaving cones.  Double win! Marsha is planning to finish her son's tricolor socks before the month of July is over.  Inspired by others in the Warmth of Summer KAL, Marsha has started a Wispy Willow Cardigan using a spring green CoBaSi yarn from Hi-Koo.  She has also been busy spinning some of the CVM fleece that Kelly gave her to try, and is making plans to wash and card the fleece that she got from The Black Sheep Gathering. Kelly has also been spinning a bit since returning from her trip and has some plans for Tour de Fleece. But mostly she has been finishing up current projects that she brought with her--a Rikke hat, for exampl

In the episode Marsha  contributes the B side, or flip side, to Kelly's A side of our podcast. So much has been going on that Marsha feels her brain is a shaken snow globe with all her information, stories, and ideas spinning around. Marsha gives an update on her current projects and reports on her two recent advent-ewes. The first was a weekend in Bellingham, WA where she visited local yarn shops. The second was her fabulous weekend at the annual Black Sheep Gathering in Eugene, Oregon.  HEAVEN for a new spinner (or any spinner, really)!  There is knitting, spinning, fleece, yarn and all kinds of fibery goodness.  it's enough to swirl your brain! As with the 20a series this episode is unedited, due to Kelly's Washington, DC travel constraints. We recommend listening to the 20a series first and then this episode 20b. Also, new listeners might want to start with one of our more typical episodes.  Happy listening! Don't forget to visit our blog at http://twoewesdyeing.blogspot.com/

This is the third of three parts detailing Kelly's fiber adventures while she is in DC as an E. Kika de la Garza Fellow with the USDA.  She talks about what she is knitting during her travels, and she reviews the the current exhibit at the Textile Museum associated with The George Washington University.  She also talks about textiles at the Smithsonian Museum of American History.  Due to length restrictions of Garageband for iPad, her portion of the episode is broken into three parts--20a1, 20a2, and 20a3.  Marsha was also traveling for fiber adventures this week and the Two Ewes hope to be able to post "the B side" of episode 20 as well!   This series is brought to you raw and uneditied because we couldn't wait until we got home to share our adventures with you!  So if you are a new listener, first of all, welcome!  But also you may want to start with a more typical episode. Also, be sure to listen to these segments in order, starting with 20a1.  Don't forget to visit our blog at http://twoewesdyeing.blogspo