Fiber Beat

Thu, 7 January 2010

Episode 4: Skacel-ebrate! (featuring Karin Skacel and Brian Kohler)

Episode 4: Skacel-ebrate! (featuring Karin Skacel)
Media Link: Skacel-ebrate! (32:11)

There's a million crafters in Fiber City and we've all got a yarn to spin.

Skacel Knitting is a family-owned business that has been going strong for over two decades. They introduced Addi Turbo needles to the United States but they also distribute a range of fine yarns, patterns and tools for knitting, crocheting and, now, felting.

This episode I talked with Karin Skacel, the current chief of Skacel Knitting at Stitches West in the spring of 2009. I also spoke with Brian Kohler on the telephone about an ambitious sock knitting project he has begun with a specially designed Addi Turbo circular needle.

A bit of trivia for the active listeners. Near the end of the interview, I ask Karin a somewhat odd question about what makes Skacel "delightful". The reason for this construction was that I originally conceived of the new podcast being named "Fiber Delight" (like Rapper's Delight, my first 12" single AND where I took my online/Ravelry name). But, I decided to go with a more film noir name, "Fiber Beat" and the idea of asking the "delightful" question fell away. In this instance, I really liked Karin's answer because it speaks to her business philosophy which I personally find.... delightful. So, I kept it in the final edit. I hope you like it!

The following people, places and things were mentioned:

Principles of Knitting by June Hemmons Hiatt
Addi Click interchangeable needle system
Artfelt
Sock Summit 2009
Skacel Blog
Melissa Leapman
Cat Bordhi and her new sock book, Personal Footprints
Hansigurumi, incredible knitted toy patterns by Hansi Singh

The WINNER of our third Fiber Beat CONTEST is Kristin and she receives 1 oz. of delicious Bison fiber from Judith Mackenzie McCuin's company, Buffalo Gals. We also did another Twitter promotional contest for the podcast. Our two winners for the contest were Shannon and Jenny. Shannon receives a batt of Faerie Mountain Fibres and Jenny receives my handspun from a batt of Faerie Mountain Fibres. CONGRATULATIONS to our three winners and thank you to all who entered.

Fiber Beat CONTEST for Episode No. 4

I have 1 bag (enough for a full sweater) of Zitron Unisono. It has been generously donated by Skacel Knitting for this episode's contest. All you need to do is tell us your most ambitious project (can be any level/fiber medium). Be sure to include pictures or links to your Ravelry project page, Flickr, etc.

To enter, please leave your comment on fiberbeat.com or on the Fiber Beat Ravelry forum. The winner will be randomly selected from all the entries. DEADLINE FOR ENTERING IS JANUARY 21, 2010.

A MASSIVE thank you to everyone who downloaded and listened to the first five episodes (audio/video) of Fiber Beat. Let me know what you think and leave a review on iTunes!

A very special thanks to our bedtime story actors: Kristine, Adrienne, Debbi, Becca, Karen, Nam, and Anthony!

We used snippets of the songs below in this episode. If you like the music, please support the artists (links provided for your convenience):

"Bohemian Rhapsody", "Another One Bites the Dust" and "We Are the Champions" performed by Rockabye Baby! from Rockabye Baby!: Lullaby Renditions of QueenRockabye Baby!: Lullaby Renditions of Queen (Rockabye Baby! Music , 2009)
"Auld Lang Syne" performed by The Kings Of Dixieland from Kings Of Dixieland Vol. 7 (Crown, 1989)
"Fortissimo" performed by Robert Goulet from Robert Goulet's Greatest Hits (Columbia, 1969)
"Dynamo" performed by Les Houbeaux from Great British Rock n Roll (Smith & Co Sound & Vision, 1958)
"The Click Song" performed by Miriam Makeba & The Belafonte Folk Singers from Belafonte Returns To Carnegie Hall (RCA Victor, 1962)
"Hans and Franz" performed by Dana Carvey and Kevin Nealon from Saturday Night Live: The Best of Dana Carvey (Lions Gate, 2005)
"Teacher I Need You" performed by Elton John from Don't Shoot Me I'm Only the Piano Player (DJM. 1973)
"A-Roving" performed by Alan Mills and the Four Shipmates from Songs of the Sea (Smithsonian Folkways, 1957)
"The Life of Brian" performed by Monty Python's Flying Circus from The Life of Brian (Handmade Films, 1979)
"Turbo Charge" performed by Nitty Gritty from Turbo Charged/Trouble Again (Greensleeves Records, 1986)
"14 Sox" performed by Anthony Bonet, exclusive to Fiber Beat (Fiber Beat, 2010)
"Theme from MacGyver" performed by Randy Edelman from Macgyver - The Complete Series (Paramount, 1985)
"Bedtime Story (Orbital Mix)" performed by Madonna from Bedtime Story (Single) (Maverick/Sire, 1995)

My name is Michel de Merveille and I'll see YOU on the Fiber Beat!!

Direct download: fba004.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 6:02 AM

Comments[15]

My most ambitious project to date is either the Must Have Cardi I knit for myself (I knitted oh so many cables, worked on my finishing techniques, and swatched extensively for this) OR the Bada Bing sweater I just finished for my partner (which I started from a generic raglan pattern but modified extensively for fit - a new horizon for me). Rav links http://www.ravelry.com/projects/JLWinPA/must-have-cardigan and http://www.ravelry.com/projects/JLWinPA/incredible-custom-fit-raglan

posted by: Janelle on 2010-01-07 16:22:00

My most ambitious project was definitely Little Birds, by Ysolda Teague. It was my first large-scale colorwork project, my first steek, and I had to do a lot of scaling to lengthen the body and sleeves properly. It took a while, but I\'m pleased with how it turned out. :)

Rav link: http://www.ravelry.com/projects/ClumsyKnitter/little-birds

posted by: Clumsy Knitter on 2010-01-07 21:25:00

I\'m a beginning knitter, and my most ambitious project so far was a pair of Tidal Wave socks. I\'d never knitted using a yarn over before and it took me several tries before I finally got the pattern working correctly. I\'m so proud of my socks. You can see them here:
http://www.ravelry.com/projects/savannagal/tidal-wave-socks
Those socks really boosted my confidence and I\'m ready to try anything now. Thanks for a great podcast.

posted by: Savannagal on 2010-01-08 12:32:00

Our most ambitious project so far is the one we are in the middle of right now. Jason is a drop spindler and he is spinning enough fiber for me to create a rather large piece of crochet. While we are happy with the results thus far, it is obvious that spinning that much fiber using his drop spindle is a bigger challenge than we first conceived.
So far? The yarn he spins is gorgeous and tests of the pattern are working perfectly. No idea how long this is going to take… *fingers crossed*

posted by: Shibaguyz on 2010-01-08 19:37:00

Wait, Skacel is someone\'s last name? I have now learned something new--thanks, Michel!

posted by: Heather on 2010-01-10 12:08:00

My most ambitious project to date was the Wrap Me Up Shawl, picture here on Ravelry: http://www.ravelry.com/projects/BLH/wrap-me-up

I learned lots of new skills while completing this project, and I\'m proud that I finished it.

posted by: Becky on 2010-01-10 23:55:00

My most ambitious project completed so far was the kilt hose I made for my husband. I had made a pair of slippers before and some Christmas ornaments but never a real sock-gauge pair of socks. He has very long legs and of course I had to invent my own cable design. With all the re-starts and fittings, they took almost exactly a year. I\\\'m proud to say he wears them constantly! They came out even better than I hoped. The pattern is being test-knit now and I hope to find a publisher. Here\\\'s the ironic bit - they are made of Fortissima Socka! I had no idea it was a Skacel product - I bought it at my LYS.

My newest ambitious project: A giant pictorial lace shawl with a Roman theme. :)

posted by: Sharon Rose on 2010-01-11 22:36:00

My most ambitious project is the Hanami shawl-I was inspired by Adrienne\'s smaller version when I saw it at A Verb\'s booth last year. Being it IS my most ambitious project, I only got so far as purchasing the yarn (A Verb for Keeping Warm, of course!) and pattern. No pics; to Rav link.

But as for projects on Rav, it would probably be my Secret of the Stole III, which was so ambitious that it is currently hibernating! But here\'s the pic: http://www.ravelry.com/projects/tapmouse2/secret-of-the-stole-iii--estes-park

My first beaded stole and first use of Blue Moon Fiber Arts Laci which is absolutely fabulous! Soft, lofty, strong-and I love the Motley Hue colorway!

And as for spinning, my most ambitious project would be to knit a pair of socks from the Pomegranate Roving I bought from Scout ages ago and was so proud to finally have hand-spindled the whole braid! http://www.ravelry.com/people
/tapmouse2/stash/handspun-from-scouts-roving-in-pomegranate-colorway Sadly, still sitting in my stash!

I have some of the Zitron pencil roving-LOVE! The felting paper sounds intriguing-does Skacel sell this?

posted by: Leslie on 2010-01-11 23:48:00

The most ambitious project for me so far is a scarf that I made from my own hand-dyed and hand-spun. It was my first lace as well. You can see it on Ravelry: http://www.ravelry.com/projects/grandmajean/morning-surf-scarf

posted by: Grandma Jean on 2010-01-17 18:44:00

What a great episode. My most ambitious project to date is the one I am nearly finished with - the Elizabeth Zimmermann Green Sweater. It included my first steek (4!), phoney seams, facings, picking up stitches for necklines and sleeves - all things I had never tried before. It has been really satisfying with some moments of frustration when trying to figure out a new technique or skill.

posted by: jen on 2010-01-17 19:50:00

My most ambitious project was an early one - a lace entrlac shawl (http://www.ravelry.com/projects/ConvolutedString/forest-path-stole). The Forest Path Stole. My first lace project. My first entrlac project. And my first sticky mohair project. Knit while in the hospital waiting room during my father\'s open heart surgery and subsequent recovery. Two weeks before my commitment ceremony to my partner. It was sanity-saving, requiring so much concentration that I couldn\'t possibly focus on both situations - the health of my father and the panic just before a large formal affair...

posted by: LisaK aka Convoluted String on 2010-01-17 20:40:00

I've already commented on my most ambitious project on Ravelry but wanted to comment on the podcast!

Sigh. The podcasts just get better and better, so you don\'t want them to end. Great interview, esp. as it really helps us \"normal folk\" understand a little more about the fiber business. So it was great to hear that Skacel does so much distribution with family owned businesses -- a definitely plus these days, to be sure.

Loved the Xmas present knitting story and the voices -- you must have SO much fun doing the work for \"us.\" But I was totally \"soberized\" (is that a word? LOL)when I went to check out \"Principles of Knitting\" at Amazon.com -- from $125-249 ... wow. Seriously hope you didn\'t sell your book!

posted by: MaryjoO on 2010-01-19 14:17:00

My most ambitious project to date has been a Girasole shawl for my Mom (known as \"The Tablecloth\" after my significant other asked me \"What are you making? A tablecloth?\") Ravelry link with terrible pictures here:
http://www.ravelry.com/projects/jashleyslc/girasole

It was my first lace project (though I used fingering weight yarn, not laceweight) and I learned a great deal (especially when I got to the edging)...

posted by: Jean on 2010-01-19 18:59:00

My most ambitious project I ever attempted was Miriam Felton\'s Hidcote Shawl. It took me a good 9 months to finish....not because the knitting took that long but because I had to get through being bored, being overwhelmed, it being in time out, ME being in time out, and finally........running out of yarn just a few rows from the finale and having to hunt down a skein. I looked all over town, all over the internet, all over ravelry...... the only skein I found was way up in Canada and a very nice raveler agreed to send it to me. I waited and waited and it never came, got worried that it was lost - contacted the sender and we started hunting. Alas - it has gotten tucked under an item on her desk and was sitting safely in her home. When I got the yarn I whipped up those last few rows. Blocking it was another adventure as I live in a very small one-bedroom apartment with my husband, two very selfish little lapwarmer-dogs and hard wood floors. I finally had to block it by using our mattress and wrapping the wings of the shawl around the edges and down the sides of the mattress/box spring. Started this early in the morning and pointed the fans on it to make sure it was dry bed bedtime when we would need out bed back. It turned out amazing..... I later entered it in our state fair and it won a red ribbon! To date it is my \"magnum opus\"....until the next grand adventure......

http://www.ravelry.com/projects/FarrahW/hidcote-garden-shawl

posted by: Farrah Weinert on 2010-01-22 13:27:00

LOVED the interview and visit with Karin - she's an inspiration and I had no idea that so many of the companies that Skacel work with are family owned! - it made me understand and value their company even more than I already did (if that's possible!) - her mention of art felt reminded me yesterday to speak with an artist about the medium who is now considering further exploration into the materials for a future project!

posted by: Kyle Kunnecke on 2010-03-12 23:08:00

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