podcasts

Episode 124: So Much for Science

by Sara

cover124The close of the school year is very busy and I haven’t had too much knitting time, so this episode will be low on knitting content. I have been trying some experiments with dying and mordants, however. The Eat Your Words Read-along began on June 1 and continues through August. Choose a work of food-related fiction or non-fiction and read along with us. There’s great conversation on the Ravelry thread, and one prize will be awarded each month for those who participate! We’re cooking with coconut this month and I have some recipe suggestions for you.

On the Porch

I've used up the first skein of yarn for the Paper Cranes stole and I'm about to begin the second.
I’ve used up the first skein of yarn for the Paper Cranes stole and I’m about to begin the second.

Ever-expanding Skill Set

Here's my version of Coconut Quick Bread. I used a combination of coconut water and half&half in place of the milk, added one egg, and eliminated the melted butter from the recipe.
Here’s my version of Coconut Quick Bread. I used a combination of coconut water and half&half in place of the milk, added one egg, and eliminated the melted butter from the recipe.
This was my first attempt at grilling tofu and it turned out very tasty. I smeared a piece of heavy-duty foil with coconut oil before grilling marinated sliced tofu. This is delicious with coconut rice and sautéed or grilled vegetables.
This was my first attempt at grilling tofu and it turned out very tasty. I smeared a piece of heavy-duty foil with coconut oil before grilling marinated sliced tofu. This is delicious with coconut rice and sautéed or grilled vegetables.

Sheep to Shawl

This month, my Sheep to Shawl class made dye pots with a variety of plants from the dye garden at Fiber Craft Studio. Here I am cleaning and breaking up madder root for a dye bath.
This month, my Sheep to Shawl class made dye pots with a variety of plants from the dye garden at Fiber Craft Studio. Here I am cleaning and breaking up madder root for a dye bath.
I prepared four skeins for dyeing: the two on the left were treated with an alum mordant; the two on the right with my homemade rhubarb mordant.
I prepared four skeins for dyeing: the two on the left were treated with an alum mordant; the two on the right with my homemade rhubarb mordant.
From L to R: alum mordant / madder pot; alum mordant / weld pot; rhubarb mordant / weld pot.
From L to R: alum mordant / madder pot; alum mordant / weld pot; rhubarb mordant / weld pot. My rhubarb mordant / madder pot has gone missing.

Chinwaggin’

Our Eat Your Words Read-along has three lovely sponsors. Check out their wares and look for updates.

June’s prize is a skein of American superwash merino dyed by Carole of Foster Sheep Farm.

July’s prize is a set of notecards from the KnitSpinFarm Etsy shop. JoAnna Spring takes charming photographs of her very charismatic goats, chickens and sheep.

August’s prize is a $25 gift certificate to spend at The Woolly Thistle. Proprietor Claire bridges the ocean, offering customers choice yarns from across the pond.

stash2Giveaway: The Woolly Thistle

The Woolly Thistle bridges the ocean to bring you selected yarns from The Old Country. Claire from NH Knits podcast (who is Scottish) opened her virtual doors in April with wool from West Yorkshire Spinners.

The Woolly Thistle just received its latest shipment of British yarn this time coming direct from Blacker in Cornwall, England.   She has a beautiful selection of Tamar colors in both the 4ply fingering weight and the DK. Tamar is Blacker’s latest offering where lustre, softness and strength combine to create yarn you will love to knit and wear.   You will also find unique blends such as Hebridean & Mohair for nylon-free socks and lovely West Country Tweed in DK. Let The Woolly Thistle deal with the international shipping so you don’t have to!

Enter to win a skein of Tamar 4-ply in colorway Lerryn by visiting the contest thread on Ravelry. You must be a member of the Yarns at Yin Hoo group to enter the contest.