Thursday on the YarnThing Podcast with Marly Bird: knitting expert Kristina McGowan!

Listen in below top hear Marly and Kristina talk about how she started knitting, designing, writing knitting books, Barbara Walker and her knitting books, and much much more!

Kristina McGowan has been knitting for most of her life.  She was determined to learn so she taught herself to knit by checking out books from the library.  It has always been a part of her life and she love to make things for family and friends.  Eventually she found herself working at a publishing company and teaching many of her co-workers how to knit.  Soon after, she decided to write her own book (she had been designing for herself for years already).

Kristina has a bit of an obsession with Barbara Walker (she even tracked her down and visited her) and her top-down knitting philosophy.  Barbara (of the Treasury fame, link to all her books below) doesn't really like sewing and didn't like that a lot of knitting patterns required her to sew.  In addition to her stitch pattern books, she wrote Knitting from the Top, a complete reference for how to make any garment from the top down, even pants!  She gives 13 templates for 13 types of garments and how to make them fit you.  For her first book, Kristina took that theme and made garments and accessories from her favorite templates.  That book, Modern Top-Down Knitting, came out in 2010 and was a big hit.  Because she didn't work with several of the templates from Barbara's original book, Kristina chose to do two patterns for each template for her follow up book.  That book, More Modern Top-Down Knitting just came out last year and is full of great patterns, including pants and the awesome intarsia fox (both shown below).

Important links related to this show:

• Kristana McGowan's designer page on Ravelry
• Modern Top Down Knitting on Amazon
• More Modern Top Down Knitting on Amazon
• Barbara Walker's books on Amazon
• Schoolhouse Press website

And we can't forget the Giveaway!  Leave a comment below for your own copy of Kristina's newest book More Modern Top-Down Knitting!

Let’s give some love to our sponsors!
Craftsy.com/yarnthing
Indian  Lake Artisans
Fiesta Yarns
Drew Emborsky
Bijou Basin Ranch
Buffalo Wool Co.
Green Mountain Spinnery
KnitCrate

Frequently Asked Questions

How did Kristina McGowan get into knitting?

So here's the thing… Kristina taught herself to knit using books from the library! She's been knitting for most of her life and loves making things for her family and friends.

What's so special about top-down knitting?

Honestly… Kristina is a big fan of Barbara Walker's top-down philosophy because it means less sewing! Plus, it lets you try things on as you go to make sure they fit just right.

Can you tell me about Kristina's books?

Yes! Her first book, *Modern Top-Down Knitting*, came out in 2010 and was a hit. Her follow-up, *More Modern Top-Down Knitting*, has even more great patterns, including pants and a super cool intarsia fox!

Where can I find Kristina McGowan's books and patterns?

You can find links to her books on Amazon and her designer page on Ravelry in the post above. It's always fun to check out what other designers are up to!

What's the connection between kindness and knitting mentioned in the comments?

Isn't it sweet? Lots of people in the comments mentioned how kindness is such a big part of the knitting community. It seems like fiber artists are some of the kindest folks around!

Tuesday on the YarnThing Podcast with Marly Bird: Indian Lake Artisans Hexagonal Needles!

Pam and Mark, owners and founders of Indian Lake Artisans, join Marly to talk about their hexagonal knitting needles, the new one to come out, and much more! Listen in below to hear all about it!

Pam is a lifelong artist and always valued quality tools.  She and her husband, Mark, came up with the idea to make a new shape other than round and the hexagonal needle was born!  The hexagonal shape is really great because it is easier on your hands than standard needles and the shape and the wood help the yarn stay on the needles.  Their original straight needles are still being made and still have the cutest nature themed copper ends.  (Julie's favorite is the owl on the size 7).  In the beginning, their smallest size was a US 10 (6 mm) because their equipment just couldn't go smaller.  Since then, they have improved their equipment with sharper blades and can now go down to a size 3 with walnut and cheery wood needles and, just coming out how, size 2 in maple!  In addition to the straight needles, Pam and Mark also make double points and circular needles, cable needles, shawl pins (which also have the nature themed tops), and their own design of yarn bowls.  Most of the needles, as mentioned, come in your choice of three woods (walnut, cheery, and maple) and come in different needle lengths. (Marly really likes the longer needle barrels on the circulars as they feel good in her hands).  Pam and Mark are also totally willing to do custom orders and usually don't charge any extra as they hand make everything.  They are wonderful people and make an exceptional product they guarantee will last, check out their website IndianLakeArtisans.com to see all their awesome products!

And we can't forget the Giveaway today!  Leave a comment on this entry with Pam and Mark's keyword for your chance to win a set of their double point needles in your choice of wood and size!

Let’s give some love to our sponsors!
XRX Books, Knitter’s Magazine, STITCHES Expos
Craftsy.com/yarnthing
Indian  Lake Artisans
Fiesta Yarns
Drew Emborsky
Bijou Basin Ranch
Buffalo Wool Co.
Green Mountain Spinnery
KnitCrate

Frequently Asked Questions

What's so special about these hexagonal needles?

So here's the thing… these hexagonal needles from Indian Lake Artisans are designed to be easier on your hands than regular round needles. Plus, the shape and the wood help your yarn stay put while you're knitting… no more stitches sliding off!

Can I get these needles in really small sizes?

Honestly… when they first started, their smallest size was a US 10, but they've gotten new equipment. Now they can go all the way down to a size 3 in walnut and cherry wood, and they're even coming out with size 2 in maple!

Do they only make straight needles?

Nope! Pam and Mark make all sorts of things… including double-pointed needles, circular needles, cable needles, and even cute shawl pins with nature-themed tops. Oh, and their own special yarn bowls too!

Can I get these in different kinds of wood?

Yes! Most of their needles come in your choice of three beautiful woods: walnut, cherry, and maple. They also come in different lengths, and Marly personally loves the longer barrels on the circulars!

What if I need a size or type of needle that isn't listed?

You're in luck! Pam and Mark are totally willing to do custom orders, and since they hand-make everything, they usually don't charge extra. Just reach out to them on their website!

Today on the YarnThing Podcast with Marly Bird: The Kangaroo Dyer Gail Callahan and color grids!

Gail Callahan, aka the Kangaroo Dyer, does many things.  She started off as a weaver is the 80's and after her kids went to college Steve Elkin of Webs invited her to work in the shop.  After she started working in the retail store, she brought in a blanket that she and her husband bought at a craft fair.  Gail asked if they carried the yarn in the shop and they did, but it only came in white, no colors.  She wove a few blankets in white and then was talking with Barbara Elkin who suggested that she dye it (and told her she had to learn anyway because she was going to do a demo).  Then, Kathy and Steve asked her to try dying some of the Valley Yarn line at Webs and that is how she really got started dying.

Since then she has written a book about dying yarn called Hand Dyeing Yarn and Fleece from Storey publishing.  She got to write the book by chance.  A woman came into Webs with her undyed fleece and said she way scared to dye it.  Gail invited her over to her studio and after showing her how to dye, the woman (who was an editor at Storey) suggested she write a book.  Like teaching the editor, Gail is able to really show who easy dying can be.  It doesn't have to be difficult.

In addition to the book, Gail also recently came out with the Color Grid.  The Color Grid is an extension of the color choosing section of the Hand Dyeing book.  Gail likens the original color wheel concept as an analog clock and the color grid as a digital clock.  The grid seems to make more sense to many people than a color wheel.  The grid works by showing how the family's of color work together.  Gail has a nice video on the Color Grid website (link below) that explains how you use the grid.  The basic idea is that the colors are laid out in a grid.  The large circle on the template is the main color and the smaller circles around it are in the same family and would go well together.  The bar is several grid squares away and shows a good complimentary color to the main color family.  The Color Grid doesn't have to be used only for dyeing, it is great for picking out yarn for a project or paint for a painting and many other crafts.

In addition to the books, Gail also teaches at Webs and fiber events around the country.  She also sells her hand-dyed yarn on her website and on Etsy.  Her exclusive Valley Yarn colors are available from Webs.  She also does a yarn club that you should be able to sign up for soon (keep a watch on her website).

Listen in below to hear everything Marly and Gail talked about today!

Important links from today's show:

• Gail's website (you can buy yarn and books here), KangarooDyer.com
• The Color Grid website
• Gail's Etsy shop webpage
• The Kangaroo Dyer Facebook page
• The Kangaroo Dyer yarn on Webs

And we can't forget the Giveaway!!  As always, leave a comment below with Gail's keyword for your own chance to win a copy of Gail's book!

Let’s give some love to our sponsors!
XRX Books, Knitter’s Magazine, STITCHES Expos
Craftsy.com/yarnthing
Indian  Lake Artisans
Fiesta Yarns
Drew Emborsky
Bijou Basin Ranch
Buffalo Wool Co.
Green Mountain Spinnery
KnitCrate

Frequently Asked Questions

How did Gail Callahan get started with dyeing yarn?

So here's the thing… Gail started out as a weaver, and then Webs asked her to try dyeing some of their yarn line. It all kind of happened by chance after she brought in a blanket she'd woven and they only had it in white!

What is the Color Grid, and how is it different from a color wheel?

Honestly… Gail likens the color wheel to an analog clock and her Color Grid to a digital one! It lays out colors in a grid to show how families of color work together, which makes more sense to a lot of people than a traditional color wheel.

Can the Color Grid be used for crafts other than dyeing?

Yes! The Color Grid isn't just for dyeing yarn. Gail mentions it's great for picking out yarn for any kind of project, choosing paint colors for a painting, and honestly… lots of other crafts too!

Where can I find Gail Callahan's book and her hand-dyed yarn?

You can find Gail's book, “Hand Dyeing Yarn and Fleece,” and her gorgeous hand-dyed yarns on her website, KangarooDyer.com. Her exclusive Valley Yarn colors are also available from Webs, and she has an Etsy shop too!

Is hand-dyeing yarn really as easy as Gail makes it sound?

It really seems like it! Gail's whole philosophy is about showing how easy dyeing can be… it doesn't have to be difficult at all. Many listeners found her story and the Color Grid very inspiring to try it themselves!