Episode 28: C'Mon, Vogue

On the Needles
Larch Cardigan - finally finished the 4 inches of stockinette!
Darjeeling Socks - my first toe ups. I read online through knitty how to do Judy's Magic Cast on, but this video helped me alot. The jury is still out on whether I am a complete toe-up convert.

Knitting Finds 
Nike uses knitting for running shoes. Once I get into the regular habit of running and wear out my current pair, I'd like to try these out!
For the knitting scientists - sheep breeding and genomes.
Someone finally got around to busting the myth of whether or not crochet eats up more yarn than knitting.
Knitting Travels
I was in South Carolina this week and that meant meeting up with Mary Beth again. This time we didn't go to Hobby Lobby but rather checked out The Needle Tree which is in Greenville, SC about an hour away from my in-laws. The owner was wearing a beautiful knit dress out of a tonal brown Madtosh Pashmina. I think its the Vali pattern from Rowan.

 In fact, I did go to a Hobby Lobby as one opened up less than 5 minutes away from my in-laws new house but I walked away EMPTYHANDED. Shocker. The one thing I purchased knit-wise were buttons.

After The Needle tree we walked around Greenville and had really good tacos and cheese quesadillas at Chicora Alley. We saw a sign for a place called Brew & Ewe - we thought it was a place that had yarn and beer, but turns out it was a coffee shop that had a small space dedicated to handknit crafts. There were no skeins of yarn to be had which was a bit of a disappointment.

Mel and I did spend a morning at Nintey Six Historical Site which was a colonial settlement and site of a siege during the American revolution.

Other than that its been a week of relaxing, knitting and reading.
 Review
Entangled Issue 4 came out this week. My photos of Franklin Habit's talk at Lion Brand Yarn Studio and Vogue Knitting live were featured in the "One Day In...Manhattan" article - so honored! It was alot of fun. That being said, this is one of their best issues yet - as I mentioned before, this is the one magazine I actually subscribe to. Great source of information. The founder, Genny Stevens was recently featured in her hometown newspaper.
Announcements
The Downton Abbey Swap sign-ups are closed! Someone at Vogue Knitting got wind of it and the response just exploded - which is something Sharon (stitchmistress) over at the TVKnitting Podcast and I just did not anticipate. We loved the response and the enthusiasm for the swap and we are definitely hoping that if this swap goes well, to do another round that is concurrent with season 3 of Downton Abbey.

Minimum Requirements for the Package

• 1 Small Knitted Item (fingerless mitts, gloves, cowl, shawlette, hat) that is inspired by Edwardian/Victorian Design. Essentially it should answer one or both of the following questions: Would one of the characters wear it in the show? Or, would a modern-day version of the character wear it? Think lace, cloches, small shawls, picot. It does not have to be complex - if you have any questions or are stuck on trying to find a pattern, please contact one of the hosts!
• 1 Skein of Yarn
• Tea or the swappee’s drink of choice (tea preferably since that IS what the Downton ladies always drank but to be fair there are hot chocolate and/or coffee drinkers.)
• Small sweet/food goodie to go with said beverage of choice for a proper tea.

Cost
 
Between $20 and $40 (various budgets hence the price range, but this excludes the cost of the yarn used to create the knitted item and excluding shipping).

If there are any questions or problems, please contact either me or stitchmistress ASAP.)

We are currently placing everyone up on a spreadsheet and pairing up people and hope to get that done by the end of the weekend or Monday at the latest.

In addition, Lisa and Amy of the amazing Roman Hills have generously offered a special discount to Downton Abbey Swappers and listeners of the Subway Knits podcast!

From now until April 23, 2012 (the mailing deadline for the Downton Abbey Swap), you can get 15% off yarn by using the coupon code SKDA15.
 

Special thank you to everyone who has contacted me about donating to the knitting club I am starting up at my middle school! 

Just discovered a new podcast: The Foodie Knitter. Her voice is great and its very engaging. It also involves food. Yum.

Thanks for listening!
Closing Song: "Vogue" by Madonna