Episode 30: It's Knitting Men

On the Needles
Getting out of my knitting funk by finally casting on for the Downton Abbey Swap - it is not the Scroll Lace Scarf by Ysolda Teague because my brain was not working at 8 in the morning, but it is out of Fibre Company Road to China Light in Blue Tourmaline. So luxe and so delicious to knit with.

Also making the Owlings mitts out of Patons wool in a trade with a friend who is crocheting the Queen Anne's lace scarf for me. I got the yarn and the needles when I was in a knitting emergency - I forgot my knitting at home, and had class that night.

Knitting Finds
DellaQ partners with Ziploc for the latest in project bags.
Mr. Yarn announces a partnership with Matsumura Yam Co (and now carries SweetGeorgia!)
Clara Parkes talks about the latest in lace yarn...dental floss!!
There is another Downton Abbey shawl called the Yorkshire Shawl, inspired by the trees at Highclere Castle, the filming location for the show.
Locally made yarn in the form of a CSA from Juniper Moon Farm, and now the new Heirloom line from Fancy Tiger Crafts (neon pink and navy blue and electric yellow!).


Stitching the Past
More information about Arans in the form of a FAQ section.
It's Raining Knitting Men in the form of an article from Knitty that discusses the Top Ten Men in KNitting, and most didn't even knit! If I were to update this, I would definitely add Jared Flood and Stephen West to the list.

Swatch & Learn
The three regulars in my small knitting club reached a milestone this week - they started their first projects! Two are knitting the Meret by Wooly Wormhead and the third is knitting Wingpsan by Maylin Tan. They even want to come 2 times per week, so I have to get permission for that.

Review

Noni Flowers: 40 Exquisite Knitted Flowers by Nora Bellows.

Swap and QAL Update
Thanks to those who compiled all of the amazing questions in the Downton Abbey Stalking thread over in the group! It's helped me and everyone else learn more about each other.

Don't forget: Roman Hills is offering a 15% discount for swappers and listeners of the podcast up until April 23 with the coupon code SKDA15.

Lots of people are finishing projects that have been languishing in their queues and they look great! Don't forget - all projects must have been queued before February 1, 2012.

There are lots of great prizes from  Sweatshop of Love, Knit Girl in Idaho and Piddleloop Sewing Team,  and Allyson Dykhuizen is offering listeners a 30% discount on her patterns with the code SKQAL30 up until April 30, which is the last day to submit things to the QAL FOs thread.

Thanks for listening!
Closing Song: "It's Raining Men" by Geri Halliwell (cover of The Weather Girls)