My So- Called Handmade Life: 2019

Saturday, May 11, 2019

Episode 31: A Little Break

Monday, April 22, 2019

Episode 30: DFW Fiber Fest Recap

Sunday, March 31, 2019

Episode 29: True to Ourselves

Saturday, March 9, 2019

Episode 28: Call of Knitting Zombies.

First of all, let me say that I've gotten a little education on Henry Ford and I think it's safe to say he was not into civil rights. Yikes. I'll talk about it briefly in Episode 29. I'd already filmed this before learning that. Yuck.

Otherwise, I'm back on track with regular podcasting and it feels nice to have more conversation going between us.

Also if you have kids around, don't watch the video after 1:11:32 . You can see a bit of my husband's Call of Duty game. It's gross.

This is where I record the eleventy billionth knitting podcast.

On my blog: www.myso-calledhandmadelife.com
On Instagram as @mysocalledhandmadelife: https://www.instagram.com/mysocalledhandmadelife/
On Ravelry as mamatronic: https://www.ravelry.com/projects/mamatronic?set=&columns=&view=thumbnail&page=&sort=status%20completed_%20status_changed_&search=
Our Ravelry group: https://www.ravelry.com/groups/my-so-called-handmade-life
And on Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/mamatronic/

My Question for you: What are some older pattern books or patterns you've been meaning to knit from, but haven't yet?

Stuff I mention in Episode 28:

Monica's apartment on friends, compare to the yarn I showed: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/256564510008923101/

The Drunk Knitter Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCklmDz1EzkWHvlP-vE7E4Pw/videos

Chris Kresser: https://chriskresser.com

The saying: "It's better to eat the wrong food with the right attitude than the right food with the wrong attitude."

The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin: https://gretchenrubin.com/books/the-happiness-project/about-the-book/

Bed of Roses: https://www.etsy.com/shop/bedofroses?ref=l2-shop-header-avatar

Atelier Sarah Jane: http://www.ateliersarahjane.com

The #WingItKAL projects on Ravelry: https://www.ravelry.com/discuss/my-so-called-handmade-life/3866229/1-25

#WingItKAL projects on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/wingitkal/

Winston Pullover by Jane Richmond: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/winston-pullover

Jane's seed stitch version: https://www.instagram.com/p/BumP4Ceh-To/

knit in Lion Brand Thick & Quick, Sea Glass colorway: https://www.ravelry.com/projects/mamatronic/winston-pullover

My Plaid sweater for the KAL on Ravelry:

Cascade 220 Sport for second version of Plaidster in Olive Oil, Navy, and Silver Gray: http://www.cascadeyarns.com/cascade-Cascade220Sport.htm

Kia Socks by Dawn Henderson: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/kia-socks

In Mockingbird Fiber Co, Monica's Apartment colorway: https://www.mockingbirdfiberco.com

Some DIY Links:

DIY Drum Carder plans: https://www.etsy.com/listing/606520943/diy-drum-carder-plans?utm_medium=SellerListingTools&utm_campaign=Share&utm_source=Raw&share_time=1523326860000&utm_term=so.slt

Bike wheel spinning wheel: http://meaterra.blogspot.com/2011/05/so-much-more-than-yarn.html

Bike spinning wheel plans: https://www.motherearthnews.com/diy/make-spinning-wheel-zmaz76mjztak

Dodec Ravelry group: https://www.ravelry.com/groups/the-dodec

Free Dodecspinning wheel plans: https://www.interweave.com/article/spinning/dodec-spinning-wheel-plans-by-porter-threads/

Dodec in action: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yvgvPW9gXAg&feature=youtu.be

Dog fur spinning!: https://modernfarmer.com/2014/06/dressed-dog/

How to make photo coasters: http://www.cardstore.com/blog/diy-photo-coasters/

Weekend Knitting book: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/sources/weekend-knitting-50-unique-projects--ideas/patterns

Feyre by Shannon Cook: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/feyre-2

Some Martin Storey pattern books on Ravelry:

Scottish Heritage Knits: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/sources/scottish-heritage-knits

Rowan Vintage Knits: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/sources/rowan-vintage-knits

Pioneer: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/sources/pioneer/patterns

Rowan Magazine 56: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/sources/rowan-56/patterns

Rowan Classic Winter: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/sources/rowan-classic-winter-book-6/patterns

Martin Storey KAL in Fruity Knitting Podcast group: https://www.ravelry.com/discuss/fruity-knitting-podcast/3893511/1-25

Knit.1 Magazine: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/sources/knit1-fall-2004

Tuesday, March 5, 2019

Episode 27: My Sweet Little Abomination

Wednesday, February 27, 2019

Episode 26: That DIY/ Mixtape/ Zine Ethos

Friday, February 15, 2019

Episode 25: Our Goals

This is where I record the eleventy billionth knitting podcast.

on my blog: https://www.myso-calledhandmadelife.com
my Ravelry group: https://www.ravelry.com/groups/my-so-called-handmade-life
on instagram as @mysocalledhandmadelife: https://www.instagram.com/mysocalledhandmadelife/
on ravelry as mamatronic: https://www.ravelry.com/projects/mamatronic?set=&columns=&view=thumbnail&page=&sort=status%20completed_%20status_changed_&search=

My question for you: 1) Would you wear am Aran oversized plaid sweater like mine? So should I bother writing out a pattern?
2) And what are some affordable super bulky yarns you use and what are you planning to knit in them?

Stuff I mention in Episode 25:

This Is Us: A Fiber Friends Conversation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HvLwaANQAM4&t=2616s

Eddie Glaude Jr: https://religion.princeton.edu/people/faculty/associated-faculty/eddie-glaude/

the morning show he appeared on, fast forward to 10:40 to hear the quote: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8au4UuEAlxE

Quirky Monday Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/user/artsycalei/videos

Caroline Dick's post on inclusion: https://www.instagram.com/p/Bttpqw2lgAC/

Caroline's Grotine pattern: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/grotine

Her other designs: https://www.ravelry.com/designers/caroline-dick

Abereen: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/aberdeen-pullover

True North Aid: https://www.truenorthaid.ca

Holla Knits designs: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/sources/holla-knits/patterns

Stranded Podcast Episode 125: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rL2nQ314v_k&t=2955s

Thursday, February 14, 2019

Kapsel, by Very Shannon, was such a pleasure to knit this winter. I am so happy I was able to test knit this one because it was finished before our cold weather left. And I have found that it goes with everything.

I have to brag on Shannon for creating such a great throw-over-anything pattern. It is simple in shape, but complex enough to keep a knitter engaged. It's also the kind of knit that you can define a season by- like, "That was the year I knit Kapsel."

This sweater was featured in my Fiberuary Challenge photos for "Knitfluencer you love" because Shannon is one of those. (It's good that it worked out that the pattern was released on the same day as that prompt.) Knits like Kapsel have kept me coming back to Shannon's patterns over the years, but I think she has been an even bigger influence in my life by having such a warm, welcoming Ravelry group. Hers was one of the first Rav groups I joined and her Downton KAL was the first knit-along I remember entering (about 6 years ago, I think).

From that group I have met so many knitters around the world, many I feel confident that I could message, at the spur of the moment, and meet for coffee I were in their area. Suddenly knitting wasn't the solitary habit it had once been. My virtual world has opened up and I am grateful to those who provided the Ravelry groups that gave me this. So, I just have to say thank you, Shannon for being the gentle, sweet person you are and for providing a fun, loving group for all of us.

Now for the knitting details: I used Patons Classic in the Natural Mix color with size US 4 needles. There are two distinct stitch patterns in their cardigan and I am amazed that my size 4s worked for both. I am also amazed that I kept an even tension thru the whole thing.

Did I mention that I love it? Okay. Just checking. Here's some things I love about the pattern, besides the textural stitch that I already mentioned, is the pocket construction. There are helpful links that made it a very easy process.

In my latest podcast episode I talk about affordable yarns I use and ways I make my knits more affordable. This was a very affordable knit and the yarn I chose holds up very well for me. I also think the Natural Mix color has an interesting quality where, depending on what angle you look at it, it can look tan or kind of pinkish- gray. This kind of textured knit really looks best in a solid, to me, so you can't go wrong with a yarn like this.

By the way Shannon shared a coupon code for this pattern in her instagram feed. And so it is even more doable.

(more on ravelry, instagram, and flickr)

Tuesday, January 15, 2019

Episode 24: Still Learning

On my blog: www.myso-calledhandmadelife.com
On instagram as @mysocalledhandmadelife: https://www.instagram.com/mysocalledhandmadelife/
On Ravelry as mamatronic: https://www.ravelry.com/projects/mamatronic?set=&columns=&view=thumbnail&page=&sort=status%20completed_%20status_changed_&search=
my Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/mamatronic/albums

Join the #WingItKAL: https://www.ravelry.com/discuss/my-so-called-handmade-life/3866229/1-25

It will extend past February!

My Question for you: What are your 2019 goals? How'd you do on yours from 2018?

Stuff I mention in Episode 24:

My Ravelry group: https://www.ravelry.com/groups/my-so-called-handmade-life

Nutritious Movement: https://www.nutritiousmovement.com

Diastasis Recti by Katy Bowman: https://www.amazon.com/Diastasis-Recti-Solution-Abdominal-Separation/dp/098965396X

The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin: https://gretchenrubin.com/books/the-happiness-project/about-the-book/

Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert: https://www.amazon.com/Big-Magic-Creative-Living-Beyond/dp/1594634726

Walking Gone Wild by Dami Roelse: https://www.amazon.com/Walking-Gone-Wild-Lose-Trail-ebook/dp/B07CP29BHS/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1547495994&sr=8-1-fkmr0&keywords=dami+rotelle+walking+wild

Me and My White Supremacy Workbook by Layla F. Saad: http://laylafsaad.com

Verses on handling racism from either perspective, references only because Youtube won't let this description be too long:

Proverbs 27: 17- Iron sharpens iron, Matthew 22:39- love your neighbor as yourself, James 5:16- admit your flaws, 1 Peter 4:8-11- we can forgive and encourage someone trying to change, 1Corinthians 12: 25-27- because we're equal, if one of us suffers all of us suffers, Galatians 6:2- Carry on another's burdens, Leviticus 19:15-18- speak up or you're guilty too! and don't bear grudges, Philippians 2: 3-16- value others above yourself, Ephesians 4: 2-6- be humble, gentle, and patient with love, Romans 12:3-13- review your actions soberly, be devoted to helping others. Luke 6:27-28- bless your enemies, Genesis 1: 26- we are all made in God's image, Revelation 7: 9-10- what heaven will look like.

Instagram accounts with stories and posts on diversity in craft community:

Ocean by the Sea: https://www.instagram.com/stories/highlights/18020913880018475/

Sukrita: https://www.instagram.com/su.krita/

The Color Mustard: https://www.instagram.com/thecolormustard/

BSF International in person or online groups: https://www.bsfinternational.org

test knit for Shannon Cook: https://www.instagram.com/p/BrG3fXJFtch/