Episode 26: That DIY/ Mixtape/ Zine Ethos

This is where I record the eleventy billionth knitting podcast.

Find me 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=
and my Ravelry group: https://www.ravelry.com/groups/my-so-called-handmade-life

My Question for you:
What are the most interesting DIY/ cheap hacks you've made? They don't have to be knitting related.

Stuff I mention in Episode 26: 

Noro Garden Sock yarn: https://www.ravelry.com/yarns/library/noro-silk-garden-sock

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

Cottage Hat by Dawn Henderson: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/cottage-hat-2

Kia Socks KAL: https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/kiasockskal/

Smooth Operator Socks by Susan B. Anderson: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/smooth-operator-socks

knit in Gynx Yarns Gingerbread colorway (discontinued)

Mockingbird Fiber Co yarn in Monica colorway: https://www.mockingbirdfiberco.com

Check out FOs in the WingIt KAL in the Ravelry group: https://www.ravelry.com/discuss/my-so-called-handmade-life/3866229/301-325#309

Persistence is Key by Amanda Woeger: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/persistence-is-key

Affordable yarns:

Holst Yarn as an affordable yarn option: https://holstgarn.dk/en/

Airy Wrap-Around Lace Sweater by Stefanie Japel: https://www.ravelry.com/projects/mamatronic/airy-wrap-around-lace-sweater

knit in Patons Lacette, discontinued but an example of big box store yarn: https://www.ravelry.com/yarns/library/patons-lacette

Fitted Knits by Stefanie Japel: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/sources/fitted-knits-25-designs-for-the-fashionable-knitter/patterns

The Drunk Knitter talking affordable yarns: https://www.ravelry.com/yarns/library/yarn-bee-mimosa

Mimosa by Yarn Bee: https://www.ravelry.com/yarns/library/yarn-bee-mimosa

Cropped and fitted sweaters cost less like Andi Satterlund's designs: https://www.ravelry.com/designers/andi-satterlund

and Poisongrrls: https://www.ravelry.com/designers/amy-appel

Shifty by Andrea Mowry: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/shifty-2

I'll knit in the Calypso, Trainling Vines, and Seascape colorways of Elann Tarantella: https://international.elann.com/elann-shop/elann-tarantella-yarn-5-ball-bag/

and destashed Knit Picks Chroma Twist Fingering in Lakeside: https://www.ravelry.com/yarns/library/knit-picks-chroma-twist-fingering

also Stonehedge Fiber Mills Crazy skeins are an option: https://www.ravelry.com/yarns/library/stonehedge-fiber-mill-crazy

or Fully Spun skeins: https://fullyspun.com 

Quote from Stitch N Bitch by Debbie Stoller: https://www.amazon.com/Stitch-n-Bitch-Knitters-Handbook/dp/0761128182

My WingItKAL project- Plaidster: https://www.ravelry.com/projects/mamatronic/plaidster

Strathcona by Tara-Lynn Morrison: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/strathcona-sweater

Affordable super bulky recommendations: 

accessibility post by Caroline Dick, she continues her thoughts into the comments: https://www.instagram.com/p/Bttpqw2lgAC/

Dana's color blocked Carlisle Cardigan by Tara-Lynn Morrison and her super-bulky recommendations: https://www.instagram.com/p/BuL4UbYFY1X/

Lion Brand Thick and Quick: http://www.lionbrand.com/wool-ease-thick-and-quick-yarn.html

Wool and the Gang at Joann: https://www.joann.com/wool-and-the-gang-cuddle-me-softly-yarn/zprd_16287781a.html#q=the%2Bgang%2Byarn&start=1

Queensland Air: https://www.ravelry.com/yarns/library/queensland-collection-air

Wool of the Andes Bulky: https://www.knitpicks.com/yarns/Wool_of_the_Andes_Bulky_Yarn__D5420155.html

Michael's Loops and Threads Yarn:  https://www.michaels.com/free-spirit-yarn-by-loops-and-threads/10530918.html?cm_mmc=PLASearch-_-google-_-MICH_National_PLA_Shopping_Null_Null_Knitting+%26+Crochet_Goal+Optimized-_-Knitting+%26+Crochet&&cm_mmc=PLASearch-_-google-_-MICH_National_PLA_Shopping_Null_Null_Knitting+%26+Crochet_Goal+Optimized-_-Knitting+%26+Crochet&gclid=Cj0KCQiAwc7jBRD8ARIsAKSUBHJiJ39_rw6TSphc4ECmVRz0BIsmiIx6qSvl_Shl7rFzAtxP_8l06d8aAoM9EALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

Drops Andes: https://www.garnstudio.com/yarn.php?show=drops-andes&cid=17

Phildar Sport, held double: https://www.ravelry.com/yarns/library/phildar-sport-n6

and DIY giant circular needles: http://www.myso-calledhandmadelife.com/2013/05/diy-circulars-and-double-points.html

for Karate Sweater by Wenlan Chia: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/karate-sweater

Kid's Chain Mail by Kim Brody Salazar: https://www.ravelry.com/projects/mamatronic/kids-chainmail-coif-and-hauberk-chain-mail

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

@iamfullyspun: https://www.instagram.com/iamfullyspun/

Fully Spun Yarns: https://fullyspun.com
Stonehedge Crazy Skeins:

Chroma Twist Bulky: https://www.knitpicks.com/yarns/Chroma_Twist_Bulky__D5420231.html

Chroma Twist Fingering (look in destash): https://www.ravelry.com/yarns/library/knit-picks-chroma-twist-fingering

Elann Tarantella: https://international.elann.com/elann-shop/elann-tarantella-yarn-5-ball-bag/

for Shifty by Andrea Mowry: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/shifty-2

Big Twist Yarn: https://www.joann.com/big-twist-natural-blend-yarn/zprd_14369987a.html#q=big%2Btwist&start=1

Lion Brand Thick and Quick, Fossil and Raisen: https://www.joann.com/lion-brand-wool-ease-thick-and-quick-yarn/prd12018.html#q=thick%2Band%2Bquick&start=1

Rose Cardigan Kit by Sweet Sparrow Yarns: https://www.etsy.com/listing/629639253/rose-cardigan-kit-greens-robin-8020?ref=shop_home_active_5

Rose Cardigan by Andrea Mowry: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/rose-74

Kapsel by Shannon Cook: https://www.ravelry.com/projects/mamatronic/kapsel

knit in Patons Classic Wool, Natural Mix color: https://www.joann.com/patons-classic-wool-yarn/prd24730.html

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

Our projects so far: https://www.ravelry.com/projects/search#photo=yes&sort=started&topic=3866229&view=thumbs

Super Bulky knits:

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

Strathcona by Tara-Lynn Morrison: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/strathcona-sweater

Durand Cowl by Tara-Lynn Morrison: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/durand-cowl

Meri by Joanna Hietala: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/meri-4

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

Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00S52M350/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1

Michelle Colorway by Lovebird Lane Yarns: https://www.lovebirdlane.com

Kapsel

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)