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In this episode I provide the details of the #yogisockskal taking place during the month of June.  Want to join in and knit a pair of yoga socks for yourself or a friend?  The directions will unfold on my Ravelry project page over the course of the month.  Post on IG using the hashtag and help me raise funds for Soul Fire Farm’s mission to end racism and injustice in the food system.

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The Back Porch

• Zarah Necklace by Ambah O’Brien

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The Front Porch 

I’m contemplating two designs for 1,200 of linen yarn I purchased to knit a 100% linen tee shirt.  In the meantime, I have soaked and thwacked my linen skeins to soften them up.

• Summer by Ankestrick
• Niamh by Isabell Kraemer

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And Sew Forth

Here’s the #youcanhackit version of Cal Patch’s A-line skirt with invisible side zip and pockets + the mitered side slits of Allie Olson’s Highlands Wrap Dress.  I love it and I’m planning another, with slits shifted to the front and back of a a maxi-length skirt.

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So many crafty adventures have happened in the month of May. It’s taken me awhile to get a new episode together, but I have been posting quite faithfully on IG using  #memademay and providing the details of my mostly handmade wardrobe.  In this episode, I talk about two finished knits and one finished garment.  There’s also a quick review of MDSW and a sewing weekend with Cal Patch.

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The Back Porch

Finished yoga socks in yarn from Misha’s Obsessions.  I incorporated some design features that I really like and will be working to write up this pattern during the month of June.

Another finished knit is Summer by Ankestrick.  No photos yet, but I’ll be incorporating this t-shirt like sweater into an outfit before the end of May.

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MarieWallinKAL

Emily and I are working on our Marie Wallin sweaters at MDSW.  In this episode, I dedicate a little time to talking about how I go about making color choices for MW knits.  I’ve also sorted some prizes for the knit along.  Check out the Ravelry thread for photographs and to join in the conversation as we knit along.

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Maryland Sheep & Wool

First of all, don’t Emily and I look adorable in our twin Iris shrugs? And I love the way Jaime includes his boots in our photo.

I scored not one but two Jacob fleeces, as well as some beautiful Monhonk light yarn from Jill Draper and this amazing woven mobius shawl from Kathy Dinsmore of The Wandering Vine.

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And Sew Forth

I couldn’t be more pleased with my raw silk version of the Highlands Wrap Dress by Allie Olson. In this episode, I give an extensive review of this project and list the three adjustments I made as I cut the pattern.

It was a great weekend of sewing and stitching with Cal Patch when she visited The Wool School at Hope’s Favorite Things to teach a skirt-making class and an embroidery workshop.  If you have the opportunity to take a class with Cal, don’t hesitate.  And if you are near Richmond, PA, check out the classes coming up at The Wool School.

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Off the Shelf

“Famous” by Naomi Shihab Nye

Videopoems version: a short film incorporating the lines of the poem

 

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THE FRONT PORCH

• Summer by Ankestrick
• Yoga Socks by Jennifer Wang
• Yell by Marie Wallin

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MARIE WALLIN KNITALONG

Use #mariewallinkall on IG and post photos, questions, progress notes to the Ravelry thread.  I’ll be giving away prizes based on participation on RAV and IG.  If you would like to contribute a prize, please send me a PM via either of these platforms.

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YARN LOVER AT LARGE

Knit Local Getaway & Washington County Farm and Fiber Tour

LINK to more information about the Hudson Valley Textile Project.

KNIT LOCAL

• Middle Brook Fiberworks Farm & Studio Tour June 30

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OFF THE SHELF

• Women Rowing North by Mary Pipher [link to interview with Terry Gross]

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AND SEW FORTH

• Highlands Wrap Dress by Allie Olsen
• Fancy Tiger raw silk noil

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Don’t obsess over your weight; eat like a heroine; exercise intuitively and renew through nature — sound advice and ‘elegant strategies’ that can be extracted from Jane Austen’s novels and applied to contemporary life.  In this episode I read an excerpt from Byran Kozlowski’s recent article, talk about completed projects and new cast ons, and discuss three updates I made when sewing Grainline Studio’s Farrow dress for the second time.

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The Back Porch

• The Clincher by Ash Kearns
• Ursa by Jacqueline Cieslak

The Front Porch

• Simple Yoga Socks by Jennifer Wang
• Yell by Marie Wallin

Off the Shelf

• Jane Austen’s health advice: article by Bryan Kozlowski

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And Sew Forth

• Farrow Dress by Grainline Studio

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DISTELFINK, my new design for a colorwork beanie in fingering weight yarn, will be available on Ravelry April 15th.

I adore Meghan of Distelfink Fiber, and was so proud to deliver a booth sample and copies of my pattern to her booth at the Allentown Fiber Festival.  Visit Meghan, and her parents, Sean and Coleen of Mulberry Hill Farm, at Maryland Sheep & Wool.

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There was some shopping and visiting this weekend when I met up with LauraKnitsPA at the Merchant Mall in Allentown.  I selected yarn for several planned projects.

• Spencer Hill Yarn
• Fibernymph Dye Works

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The Front Porch

• Ursa by Jacqueline Cieslak (Photos on Rav soon!)

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Review

• Boody Shaper Bra and Padded Shaper Bra

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And Sew Forth

• New Look 6397

I wore my just-finished New Look unlined jacket in 100% European linen to my student Avni’s Ethical Fashion Night lecture and clothing swap.

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Off the Shelf

• “Words are Birds” by Francisco X. Alarcón

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This episode is a primer for getaway participants, and includes an overview of the retreat, information about lodging, dining and activities, plus tips for packing.  The details will be sent to all retreat participants in the form of an email. Two great places to find out more are the home page of the Farm & Fiber Tour and the Ravelry thread for our getaway.