Sun, 8 April 2012
Fiber Beat, Episode 27: "The Manly Art of Retreat" featuring Jon McCoy & Doug Upchurch  There's a million crafters in Fiber City and we've all got a yarn to spin.  This episode of Fiber Beat is made possible with the support of Entangled magazine, our brand new sponsor from New Zealand! Entangled is a new digital only, quarterly fibercraft publication. Issue Four featuring Stella Lange, Rosalind Aymes, Jacey Boggs and Donna Druchunas is out now and available through Zinio This year marks the 5th year of the Men's Knitting Retreat events. The spring retreat will be happening in upstate New York this coming May while the Men's Fall Knitting retreat will return to dreamy WA state in early September. Other retreats across the US and even around the globe, while not as established as the spring & fall retreats, are gaining popularity and promise to continue this worthwhile practice.  In September 2011, the 4th annual Men's Fall Knitting Retreat was host to two very special gentlemen & entrepreneurs: Jon McCoy of Pocket Wheel & Doug Upchurch from White Bear Fibers. Jon was a guest lecturer & workshop leader, while Doug was attending his very first Men's Knitting Retreat. I spoke with both them during breaks in the manly activities of the event. You know, I met both of these gentlemen at a Men's Knitting Retreat and I cannot stress enough what an enriching experience it is for men to come together and celebrate their creativity. This year we are very fortunate to be able to offer a scholarship to attend the Men's Fall Knitting Retreat this September over Labor Day Weekend. If you know a male knitter whom you'd like to nominate - even if it's yourself - do so on the Men's Knitting Retreat site or send me, WonderMike, a private message on Ravelry. I recently ordered some yarn from Doug called Texas Wild Flowers and it's such a great name and a fabulous colorway. If you haven't seen or heard about White Bear Fibers, do we have a special treat for you. Check out the contest for this episode and see what cool yarn from White Bear Fibers you can win for yourself! Details below.  The following people, places & things are mentioned in this episode:
Fiber Beat CONTEST for Episode No. 27 Doug has generously offered 4 skeins of White Bear Fibers' Northern Silk Sock (BFL & Silk) in a custom dyed colorway chosen by one lucky winner. This is an incredibly generous offer from Doug and we're excited to be able to offer it as prizing. In addition to this, I'm going to offer the two spindles that yours truly made during Jon's "Make Your Own Spindle" workshop. I'd like to give a tip of the hat to wheelsmith Jon McCoy and a big bear hug to Doug Upchurch for allowing me to interview them at last year's MFKR. Big shout out to Fiber Beat sponsor, Entangled magazine. Finally, the most manly embrace to all of you, our loyal and patient listeners, for downloading and listening to our first THIRTY FOUR episodes (audio/video) of Fiber Beat! If you like what we do, please consider leaving a review on iTunes. We used snippets of all the songs below in this episode. If you like the music, please support the artists (links provided for your convenience):
My name is WonderMike and I'll see you at the Men's Spring Knitting Retreat and the Men's Rocky Mountain Retreat & the Men's Fall Knitting Retreat AND on the Fiber Beat!!
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Sun, 4 March 2012
Fiber Beat, Episode 26: "Red Hot" featuring Ysolda Teague  There's a million crafters in Fiber City and we've all got a yarn to spin. This episode of Fiber Beat is made possible with the support of Entangled magazine, our brand new sponsor from New Zealand! Entangled is a new digital only, quarterly fibercraft publication. Issue Four featuring Stella Lange, Rosalind Aymes, Jacey Boggs and Donna Druchunas is out now and available through Zinio Just the mention of Ysolda Teague sets many a knitter's heart to fluttering. She's new to the scene but already firmly established. Ysolda has impressed her fans with clever and classic designs that enhance the figure but never compromise on style. Most people will know her from one of her very first designs, a lovely shawl called Ishbel, but others have fallen under the spell of the Whimsical Little Knits series and her contributions to books such as My Grandmother's Knitting & Brave New Knits.  If you've listened to the previous episode of Fiber Beat, "Fiber Best 2011" you already know that my favorite e-Book from 2011 is Ysolda's Little Red In the City. And, there's a funny RELATED story behind why this episode has taken a bit of time to actually come to fruition. The following people, places & things are mentioned in this episode:
Fiber Beat CONTEST for Episode No. 26 Now, for this episode's contest, we've got a signed copy of her book - her tour de force - Little Red in the City. Included with this hard copy (and, in fact, with all hard copies) is a code for a PDF version of the book. It is storable in your Ravelry library and compatible mobile devices. A whimsical little hug to Ysolda, Kristine & Aday for performing the opening Little Red Sketch. Big shout out to Fiber Beat sponsor, Entangled magazine. Finally, the most fairy-tale revivifying kiss to all of you, our loyal and patient listeners, for downloading and listening to our first THIRTY THREE episodes (audio/video) of Fiber Beat! If you like what we do, please consider leaving a review on iTunes. We used snippets of all the songs below in this episode. If you like the music, please support the artists (links provided for your convenience):
My name is WonderMike and I'll EAT you, er, see you on the Fiber Beat!!
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Wed, 1 February 2012
Fiber Beat, Episode 25: "Fiber Best 2011" featuring my media faves of 2011  There's a million crafters in Fiber City and we've all got a yarn to spin. This episode of Fiber Beat is made possible with the support of Entangled magazine, our brand new sponsor from New Zealand! Entangled is a new digital only, quarterly fibercraft publication. Issue Three featuring Margot Selby, Rachel Lawrence, Jacey Boggs and Donna Druchunas is out now and available through Zinio Hello everyone and Happy New Year! As the title of this episode suggests - today Iʼll be doing an overview of the books, ebooks and DVDʼs that I thought were standouts this past year. My top books (from number 10 to number 1) are:
My top E-books from (number 10 to number 1):
My top DVDs & Multimedia (in no particular order):
If I had to choose the one publication that simply slayed me, it would definitely be the Fleece & Fiber Sourcebook paired with the Handspinning Rare Wools DVD. Both of these gems were the product of a massive amount of research and writing from Deb Robson (F&FS/HRW) & Carol Ekarius (F&FS only). If you have the opportunity to acquire any of these pieces for your personal library, you will be most pleased. I encourage you to explore the book section of your local yarn store. If they don't have them, I bet they can order them for you. You might pay a bit more than ordering them online from a certain discount seller, but you'll be supporting a local economy & quite possibly make some new fiber friends in your own backyard. Fiber Beat CONTEST for Episode No. 25 For this episode we've got an awesome contest for amazing prizes. I've got (1) a signed copy of Stephen West's WestKnits Book One & Two, (2) a copy of 10 Secrets of Laidback Knitters by Lisa Souza and Vickie Steifel, (3) a copy of Knitter's Life List by Gwen Steege, (4) a copy of Maggie Casey's Getting Started on a Drop Spindle DVD AND (5) a copy of Beth Brown Reinsel's Knitting Ganseys DVD. All you have to do to enter is answer the following question. What are YOUR favorite media picks for 2011? They can be print, digital or video. You can give me as little or as much information as you like but be sure to include authors and/or publishers so we can get our own copies. You can leave your answer on fiberbeat.com or on the Fiber Beat Ravelry forum. One unique winner for each of the five prizes will be randomly selected from all the entries. DEADLINE FOR ENTERING IS FEBRUARY 22, 2012. A warm hug to Rodrigo for letting me use some of his photographs from the "Ornaments & Patterns found in Iceland" book. Big shout out to Fiber Beat sponsor, Entangled magazine. Finally, the most rejuvenating hug to all of you, our loyal and patient listeners, for downloading and listening to our first THIRTY TWO episodes (audio/video) of Fiber Beat! If you like what we do, please consider leaving a review on iTunes. We used snippets of all the songs below in this episode. If you like the music, please support the artists (links provided for your convenience):
My name is WonderMike and I'll see you on the Fiber Beat!!
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Mon, 26 December 2011
Hello Everybody, I wanted to take a little time today (while we’re enjoying new toys, fabulous treats and the company of loved ones) and post this message to the Fiber Beat web page. This past year has seen the Fiber Beat staff (i.e. Anthony and I) produce exactly 12 episodes so far. I was a little disappointed with our output, but considering I work full time and my editor is a full-time student at University, I think we did okay. In a more perfect world, I’d love nothing more than to produce all sorts of fiber-loving content all the live-long day, but real life sometimes intervenes. We wouldn’t have a show, if it weren’t for all of you lovely, supportive and enthusiastic listeners. Thanks for your lively discussions, your funny comments &, always, the generosity of spirit and, oftentimes, pocketbook. Hearing from you really does make all the hard work worthwhile. Of course, we also wouldn’t have exciting content without the amazing artists, dreamers & entrepeneurs who have graced our program. So, we’d like to give them some love at this time, too. MWAH!!! Anthony and I wish you all the most festive, the most loving and the most fiber-filled holidaze for the end of 2011. May your 2012 be even more dazzling than the previous year. I hope Fiber Beat can be a part of the magic. Much Love & Lots of Woolly Hugz,
Category:general
-- posted at: 1:18 AM
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Sun, 20 November 2011
Fiber Beat, Episode 24: "Haiku to Habu" featuring Takako Ueki & Darlene Hayes  There's a million crafters in Fiber City and we've all got a yarn to spin. This episode of Fiber Beat is made possible with the support of Entangled magazine, our brand new sponsor from New Zealand! Entangled is a new digital only, quarterly fibercraft publication. Issue Three featuring Margot Selby, Rachel Lawrence, Jacey Boggs and Donna Druchunas is out now and available through Zinio One of my favorite things about local yarn shops - and a big reason why I think we should all support our local fiber retailers - is the fact that they bring authors, crafts people, knitters, quilters and fiber artists from all over to our communities where we can interact with them. The fiber arts are all about community - whether it's mothers teaching their children to knit or quilting clubs making quilts for ailing friends - these are activities we share with each other. Your local yarn store is the logical place for those interactions. I am lucky inasmuch as my local yarn store - A Verb for Keeping Warm - takes this responsibility very seriously and they go out of their way to bring artisans and manufacturers from far and near to the store to show their wares.  I first came into contact with Habu yarns several years ago. When I saw a compact ball of Habu Yarn with it's butcher block paper label and black san serif type, I was immediately intrigued. Then, when I saw the fiber content of that yarn (pineapple ramie, wool and steel, cotton tape) I had to learn more about the business and the people behind it. At that time, Habu creator and owner Takako Ueki, taught a class here in the Bay Area on how to read and use Japanese knitting patterns which are really architecturally and mathematically concise illustrations. The class was lively and Takako was a fabulous instructor giving us some insight behind the Habu mystique.  One of Takako's friends and colleagues is Darlene Hayes (pictured right), whose name is familiar to you if you were a fan of Hand Jive/Nature's Palette naturally dyed yarns (sniff, sniff). Darlene helps Takako at trade shows and she was also on hand for the Habu trunk show. The following people, places and things were mentioned:
Winner of Fiber Beat CONTEST for Episode No. 23 We had a $15 gift certificate courtesy of Anne Hanson for her Knitspot pattern library. The winner is Carol. Congratulations to the winner and thanks to everyone for participating! Fiber Beat CONTEST for Episode No. 24 We have two prizes for this episode: (1) courtesy of A Verb for Keeping Warm, we have a sampler of Habu's latest yarns from the yarntasting mentioned in the episode AND (2) we have the Fameuse cardigan pattern from Knit Cook, featuring Habu yarns and a recipe for brandied cherry ice cream All you have to do to enter is answer the following question. What is YOUR favorite Habu yarn? My favorite (or one of them, at least) is the Cotton Gima: soft, delicate, but surprisingly study. An enormous thanks to Takako and Darlene for joining us on the Fiber Beat. Big shout out to Fiber Beat sponsor, Entangled magazine. Finally, the most fashionable hug to all of you, our loyal listeners, for downloading and listening to our first THIRTY ONE episodes (audio/video) of Fiber Beat! If you like what we do, please consider leaving a review on iTunes. We used snippets of all the songs below in this episode. If you like the music, please support the artists (links provided for your convenience):
My name is WonderMike and I'll see you on the Fiber Beat!!
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Mon, 12 September 2011
Fiber Beat, Episode 23: "KnitSpot On" featuring Anne Hanson  There's a million crafters in Fiber City and we've all got a yarn to spin. This episode of Fiber Beat is made possible with the support of Entangled magazine, our brand new sponsor from New Zealand! Entangled is a new digital only, quarterly fibercraft publication. Issue Two featuring Wool & the Gang, Wooly Wormhead, and Donna Druchunas is out now and available through Zinio Anne Hanson. never. stops. Those photographs she just took, will appear later on her blog. That class she just taught? She'll be teaching it again in another city in two weeks. That shawl she's wearing? It will be sold in her shop next week. And that yarn she's fawning over? It's going to be offered in her new yarn club. No rest... for the obsessed. The following people, places and things were mentioned:
Winner of Fiber Beat CONTEST for Episode No. 22 We had a rare, out of production tote bag from Ravelry for this episode's contest. It was the Fiber Animal Parade tote and it will not be made again (at least not in this fabric and by these folks)! The winner is Antony. Congratulations to him and thanks to everyone for participating! Fiber Beat CONTEST for Episode No. 23 As a prize for this knitspot episode, Anne has offered us a $15 gift certificate to her pattern shop for one lucky listener. All you have to do to enter is answer the following question. What is YOUR favorite Knitspot pattern? As I've said, there are a LOT to peruse, over 200 designs. My favorite is one her men's designs that was also a Men's Fall Knitting Retreat donation: the Longjohn Sock: rugged, manly & stylish. A prodigious remerciement to Anne for taking time from her cocktail party to be on the Fiber Beat. Big shout out to new Fiber Beat sponsor, Entangled magazine. Finally, the most industrious hug to all of you, our loyal listeners, for downloading and listening to our first THIRTY episodes (audio/video) of Fiber Beat! If you like what we do, please consider leaving a review on iTunes. We used snippets of all the songs below in this episode. If you like the music, please support the artists (links provided for your convenience):
My name is WonderMike and I'll see you on the Fiber Beat!!
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Tue, 9 August 2011
Fiber Beat, Episode 22: "Ravel-ution" featuring Jess & Casey Forbes  There's a million crafters in Fiber City and we've all got a yarn to spin. This episode of Fiber Beat is made possible with the support of Entangled magazine, our brand new sponsor from New Zealand! Entangled is a new digital only, quarterly fibercraft publication. Issue Two featuring Wool & the Gang, Wooly Wormhead, and Donna Druchunas is out now and available through Zinio I’d like you to stop for a moment and think about your fiber journey, passion, obsession, call it what you will. If you are a relatively new knitter such as me (I started in 2004), it’s hard to remember life Before Ravelry. How did we organize patterns, find errata support, show our finished projects to others & interact with our fellow fiber junkies? The following people, places and things were mentioned:
Fiber Beat CONTEST for Episode No. 22 We've got a rare, out of production tote bag from Ravelry. It's the Fiber Animal Parade tote and it will not be made again (at least not in this fabric and by these folks)! All you have to do to enter the drawing for this prize, is answer the following question: What is the thing you find most indispensable, the thing that you could NOT live without on Ravelry? My favorite tool is the user groups which enables Fiber Beat to interact with our listeners. . You can leave your answer on fiberbeat.com or on the Fiber Beat Ravelry forum. Winners will be randomly selected from all the entries. DEADLINE FOR ENTERING IS August 31, 2011. A massively organized thank you to Jess & Casey for being on the Fiber Beat. Big shout out to new Fiber Beat sponsor, Entangled magazine. Finally, the most sociable media-tastic wave to all of you, our loyal listeners, for downloading and listening to our first TWENTY-NINE episodes (audio/video) of Fiber Beat! If you like what we do, please consider leaving a review on iTunes. We used snippets of all the songs below in this episode. If you like the music, please support the artists (links provided for your convenience):
My name is WonderMike and I'll definitely see you on Ravelry... AND the Fiber Beat!!
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Sun, 24 July 2011
Fiber Beat, Episode 21: "Seduced by Bohus" featuring Susanna Hansson  There's a million crafters in Fiber City and we've all got a yarn to spin. This episode of Fiber Beat is made possible with the support of Entangled magazine, our brand new sponsor from New Zealand! Entangled is a new digital only, quarterly fibercraft publication. Issue One featuring Claudia from Wollmseise, the history of Saori weaving, and all about Angora rabbit fiber is out now and available through Zinio  This episode of Fiber Beat is also underwritten by Bobbin's Nest Studio, from Santa Clara, CA. Bobbin's Nest is a fabric and yarn store specializing in: knitting, sewing, crochet, and hand embroidery. Bobbin's nest is pleased announce the Honorary Bobbin Program, where you will enjoy limited edition patterns, special shopping days, invites to exclusive events, bonus coupons and giveaways. For more info, visit the Bobbin's Nest blog My introduction to Bohus Stickning or Bohus Knitting was through the beautiful book by Wendy Keele entitled Poems of Color from Interweave Press. In it, I learned about the Swedish design house created by Emma Jacobsson and her commitment to this vital cottage industry during World War II and after. But, what really took my breath away, were the extraordinary designs: painterly, impressionistic, architectural and perhaps most of all, stylish to this day. There were hats, gloves, scarves and sweaters that were knitted from custom-milled yarns of fine wools and angora bunny fiber. With names like Blue Shimmer, The Wild Apple, The Mists & The Swan, evoking images of the mystical, the magical and the mythological. The following people, places and things were mentioned:
Winners of Fiber Beat CONTEST for Episode No. 20 We had two copies of "Knitting It Old School", each signed by Deb, Caro, Tammy & Stephen. The winners are Knit1Eat1 & Ayla. Congratulations to all the winners and thanks to everyone for participating! Fiber Beat CONTEST for Episode No. 21 We've got the dvd documentary, "Bohus Knitting: From Relief Work to World Success" by Kjell Andersson All you have to do to enter the drawing for this prize, is answer the following question: What is your favorite Bohus design? My favorite design is the Wild Apple. I love the juxtaposition of the hunter greens, golds, and reds that make up the abstract yoke pattern. Now, it's your turn! You can peruse examples on Solsilke's site or on Ravelry. You can leave your answer on fiberbeat.com or on the Fiber Beat Ravelry forum. Winners will be randomly selected from all the entries. DEADLINE FOR ENTERING IS August 7, 2011. An huge TAK to Susanna Hansson for being on the Fiber Beat. Big hugs to new Fiber Beat sponsor, Entangled magazine and to our continuing sponsor Bobbin's Nest. Finally, the fondest embrace to all of you, our loyal listeners, for downloading and listening to our first TWENTY-EIGHT episodes (audio/video) of Fiber Beat! If you like what we do, please consider leaving a review on iTunes. We used snippets of all the songs below in this episode. If you like the music, please support the artists (links provided for your convenience):
My name is WonderMike and I'll see you on the Fiber Beat!!
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Sat, 18 June 2011
Fiber Beat, Episode 20: "Old Skool Rules!" featuring Caro Sheridan and Deb Brisson  There's a million crafters in Fiber City and we've all got a yarn to spin. This episode of Fiber Beat is made possible with the support of Entangled magazine, our brand new sponsor from New Zealand! Entangled is a new digital only, quarterly fibercraft publication. Issue One featuring Claudia from Wollmseise, the history of Saori weaving, and all about Angora rabbit fiber is out now and available through Zinio This episode of Fiber Beat is also underwritten by Bobbin's Nest Studio, from Santa Clara, CA. Bobbin's Nest is a fabric and yarn store specializing in: knitting, sewing, crochet, and hand embroidery. Episode twenty - that's got a nice ring. It’s sweet to be outta the teens, let me tell you. A nice even twenty. A twenty year old can be a diligent student working hard to get through college or it can be a deadbeat sleeping till noon, eating junk food and watching reruns all day long. Hopefully you kind listeners will think of us as the former: studious, productive, disciplined and ready to go to school! On today’s episode we do just that - as a matter of fact, we go Old Skool. After years of following their exploits on the web, I finally met and interviewed the talented Caro Sheridan (aka Splityarn) and her partner in crime, the hilarious Deb Brisson (aka Stitchy McYarnpants). Knitting It Old School is not your regular pattern book. It’s a stylish, humorous romp through the history of a select group of vintage garments totally retooled for a modern sensibility. While it may not appeal to the less adventurous, it definitely has something to delight the knitting thrill seeker, the fashionista and the retro-hipster who wants a breath of fresh air. The following people, places and things were mentioned:
Winners of Fiber Beat CONTEST for Episode No. 19 We had three great prizes to award in conjunction with the previous episode. The prizes/winners are:(1) Set of two tickets to the see the Primary Structures go to CraftyAndy & Elword; (2) Souvenir catalog of the Primary Structures show go to Ditetre; (3) Cause & Cure hat patterns (designed by Kyle Kunnecke) go to TurtleKnit, Suzanne, JudyG & Holli. Congratulations to all the winners and thanks to everyone for participating! Fiber Beat CONTEST for Episode No. 20 We've got two copies of "Knitting It Old School", each signed by Deb, Caro, Tammy & Stephen! All you have to do to enter the drawing for these prizes, is answer the following question: What vintage garment or pattern would YOU like to redesign for a modern fashionista? It can be a more well-known pattern or classic pattern (like the granny square jacket) it can be more of a silhouette (like empire waist dress). You can leave your answer on fiberbeat.com or on the Fiber Beat Ravelry forum. Winners will be randomly selected from all the entries. DEADLINE FOR ENTERING IS JULY 7, 2011. An old school & Emily-Post-approved note of gratitude to Deb & Caro for being on the Fiber Beat. A super stylish merci beaucoup to glamour pusses, Stephen & Tammy. Big hugs to new Fiber Beat sponsor, Entangled magazine. Finally, the warmest embrace to all of you, our loyal listeners, for downloading and listening to our first TWENTY-SEVEN episodes (audio/video) of Fiber Beat! If you like what we do, please consider leaving a review on iTunes. We used snippets of all the songs below in this episode. If you like the music, please support the artists (links provided for your convenience):
My name is WonderMike and I'll catch you on the FLIP SIDE on the Fiber Beat!!
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Thu, 9 June 2011
Hi Everyone,
Category:general
-- posted at: 9:11 PM
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