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Andi Smith

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On today's show: Andi Smith and her new book: Big Foot Knits!
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Andi Smith is a knitter, crocheter, embroiderer and can now add designer/author to that list.  She is originally from Yorkshire, England, but has lived in the US for over 20 years.  She is a mom and special needs advocate volunteer.  Her first book, Big Foot Knits has just been released by Cooperative Press. Available in both paperback and e-book.
Comment here to be entered to win an e-book of Andi's book as well as a skein of super yummy yarn!!
Leave your comment here, and make sure you use the code word that Andi gave on the podcast!
You can find Andi on Ravelry, Facebook, and Twitter, as well as on her blog.  You can purchase Big Foot Knits here:  https://www.cooperativepress.com/products-page/books/big-foot-knits-2/
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Other business:  Marly is starting something new!  For all of our loyal listeners, Marly is giving you a weekly pattern deal!  Marke sure you listen to the podcast for Marly's weekly coupon code, which you can use for one week, for 50% off any pattern in Marly's Ravelry pattern store.  The coupon code will not be listed on the blog, you can only get it if and when you listen!  Did you get this week's coupon code?
See y'all next week!
  • Like this podcast? Be sure to leave a comment/review on iTunes to let other know about it!
  • Stay up to date with the Yarn Thing podcast with the App available on iTunes and for Droid.
  • Find our more about Marly at www.MarlyBird.com or follow her on facebook at www.facebook.com/marlybird

This podcast is sponsored by: Knitter’s Magazine, Craftsy.com, Fiesta Yarns, Decades by Drew Emborsky, Love of Knitting, Love of Crochet and Bijou Basin Ranch.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Andi Smith and what is her new book about?

So here's the thing… Andi Smith is a knitter, crocheter, embroiderer, designer, and author. She's originally from England but has lived in the US for over 20 years. Her brand new book is called *Big Foot Knits*, and it's all about knitting socks! It's available in paperback and e-book.

I'm new to knitting socks and have trouble with fit… can Andi's book help me?

Honestly… yes! Several listeners mentioned having trouble with sock fit, whether it's due to cankles, large calves, wide feet, or narrow heels. Andi's book sounds like it's specifically designed to help crafters figure out how to make socks fit perfectly, no matter your foot or leg shape.

What's this about a “cankle” mystery word and a giveaway?

Yes! In the podcast, Andi shared a fun “mystery word” which was “cankle,” and a lot of listeners found it hilarious! There was also a chance to win an e-book of Andi's book and a skein of yarn if you left a comment and used the secret code word from the podcast. Keep an ear out for those codes!

What else is happening on the podcast or blog?

Well, Marly is starting a super cool weekly pattern deal just for loyal listeners! You have to listen to the podcast to get a special coupon code that gives you 50% off any pattern in Marly's Ravelry store for one week. Make sure you check for that code!

Where can I find Andi Smith online?

You can totally connect with Andi on Ravelry, Facebook, and Twitter. She also has her own blog where you can probably find even more about her designs and her amazing book, *Big Foot Knits*!

The Art of Seamless Knitting

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Hi all!

This past episode was so fun, talking about The Art of Seamless Knitting with Simona Merchant-Dest and Faina Goberstein!

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These ladies are such sweet friends of mine, and I was so excited to talk to them about their new collaboration.  So many fun designs that you have the opportunity to tweak just a little bit here and there to make the pattern be something that fits you, which is one of my favorite things about their book.

Simona and Faina have such distinct and amazing styling and designs, I am so excited to share their amazing book with you, my wonderful listeners!

How to find Simona online:  Facebook, Twitter, Ravelry, her blog!

How to find Faina online:  Facebook, Twitter, Ravelry, her Ravelry group, and her blog!

As always, here we go with our super fun giveaway!  If you go and comment on my facebook page, you will be entered to win Faina's Craftsy class, Sizing Knitwear Patterns. (Who doesn't need a fresh new Craftsy class??)  If you leave a comment here, using the key word, you will be entered for a copy of this beautiful book!

  • Like this podcast? Be sure to leave a comment/review on iTunes to let other know about it!
  • Stay up to date with the Yarn Thing podcast with the App available on iTunes and for Droid.
  • Find our more about Marly at www.MarlyBird.com or follow her on facebook at www.facebook.com/marlybird

This podcast is sponsored by: Knitter’s Magazine, Craftsy.com, Fiesta Yarns, Kollage Yarns, Decades by Drew Emborsky, Love of Knitting, Love of Crochet and Bijou Basin Ranch.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What's this book about, Marly?

So here's the thing… This book, “The Art of Seamless Knitting,” is all about creating beautiful knitted items with Simona Merchant-Dest and Faina Goberstein! They have such amazing designs, and what I really love is how you can tweak them just a little bit to make them fit you perfectly.

How can I make a pattern “mine”?

Honestly… it's all about those little tweaks! The book and the designers encourage you to customize patterns to fit your vision. So if you love a sweater but want to change the sleeves or neckline, this is the book to help you do it with confidence!

Can I win something from this episode?

Yes! If you leave a comment here on the blog using a special keyword, you'll be entered to win a copy of this beautiful book. How fun is that?!

Where can I find Simona and Faina online?

You can totally connect with them online! Simona has a Facebook, Twitter, and Ravelry, plus her own blog. Faina is also on Facebook, Twitter, and Ravelry, and she even has a Ravelry group and her own blog. So many ways to connect with these talented ladies!

Is this book good for beginners who want to customize?

Oh, absolutely! Even if you're not a super advanced knitter, this book is meant to give you the confidence to alter designs. It's perfect for making one-of-a-kind sweaters that are uniquely yours!

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Love of Knitting and Love of Crochet Magazines -…

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Hi all!

This week, Marly was on location in Golden at the offices for Love of Knitting and Love of Crochet, and spoke with their wonderful editor-in-chief Jennifer Burt.

Jennifer was so wonderful to sit down and talk with Marly about all the ins and outs of things at the Love of Knitting and Love of Crochet offices and what it takes for them to put out these magazines every year.  So many different aspects were discussed, what goes into putting the magazine(s) together, what steps are involved in choosing submissions and Marly is doing everything in her power to make her way into the offices for “naming day” to watch how chosen patterns are named for each magazine.

Currently going on for the Love of Knitting/Love of Crochet folks, the summer issues of their magazines are currently out, and then coming up for the magazines are the fall and winter issues as well as two special issues!  One being a special issue for wedding related projects in mid-June, and another weekend crochet issue in mid-July.  In the weekend crochet issue, they have a side by side comparison of knitting projects vs crochet projects to debunk the myth that crochet uses double the yarn that a knit project does, and that it goes twice as fast.  (Hint: it does go faster, but that double number is about to be changed!)

You can pick up the current issues of Love of Knitting and Love of Crochet in your local craft stores, including JoAnn Fabrics, Michael's, Hobby Lobby, as well as local big bookstores.

Now, if you'd rather have a subscription to their wonderful magazine(s), you are a lucky listener!  There are THREE different ways to enter for a chance to win a subscription to their magazines!

  • As usual, leaving a comment here on the blog with the key word/phrase given by Jen, and that winner will be announced next week.
  • Comment on Love of Knitting or Love of Crochet's Facebook pages, also using the same key word/phrase.
  • Comment on Marly's Facebook page, and be entered to win, and if you enter on this page, Marly will draw a name THIS Friday (May 24th).

www.loveofknitting.com is their website, and there is a link in the upper right hand corner for the Love of Crochet links as well.

Next Week on the podcast: Kristin Omdahl!

  • Like this podcast? Be sure to leave a comment/review on iTunes to let other know about it!
  • Stay up to date with the Yarn Thing podcast with the App available on iTunes and for Droid.
  • Find our more about Marly at www.MarlyBird.com or follow her on facebook at www.facebook.com/marlybird

This podcast is sponsored by: Knitter’s Magazine, Craftsy.com, Fiesta Yarns, Kollage Yarns, Decades by Drew Emborsky, Love of Knitting, Love of Crochet and Bijou Basin Ranch.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the new issues coming out for Love of Knitting and Love of Crochet?

Honestly… the summer issues are out now! They also have the fall and winter issues on the way, plus two special issues… one for wedding projects coming mid-June, and a special weekend crochet issue in mid-July.

Where can I get these magazines?

So here's the thing… you can find them in your local craft stores like JoAnn Fabrics, Michael's, and Hobby Lobby. They're also usually available at big bookstores!

How can I win a subscription to the magazines?

Yes! There are three ways to enter… you can leave a comment here on the blog with a special keyword, comment on the Love of Knitting or Love of Crochet Facebook pages with the keyword, or comment on Marly's Facebook page!

Will crochet really use double the yarn compared to knitting?

The magazines did a comparison to debunk that myth! While crochet does go faster… that “double the yarn” idea is about to be changed!

What kind of content is in Love of Knitting and Love of Crochet?

They discuss all the ins and outs of putting the magazines together and what goes into choosing submissions. Marly is even trying to get in for “naming day” to see how patterns get their names!

Gwen Bortner

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Hi Everyone!

This week, Gwen Bortner joins Marly on the posdcast!

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Gwen has a new class on Craftsy.com, “How to Teach It” and is here to tell us more!  Not only can her class apply to crafty teaching, but applies to many different aspects of teaching something in general!

Gwen is also known as the Entrelac Queen, and has a book out regarding this as well as another Craftsy.com class, called “Entrelac Knitting“.

Gwen Bortner is a Craft Yarn Council Certified Teacher, teaches knitting and business classes at venues throughout the country, has been published in a variety of knitting magazines and is the lead designer for her business, Knitability, LLC.

Education is probably the most important component of the Knitability business plan as all efforts focus on the company motto of “Taking Knitters to the Next Level”. Gwen's passion is teaching and enjoys every opportunity she has to share her love of knitting with others. Whether teaching through the local community education program or at a national knitting convention, meeting new people and sharing the love of knitting is one of her greatest joys.

In recent years, Gwen has combined her previous work experience as a business consultant for Ernst and Young, LLP and her passion for teaching by offering business classes for members of the crafting industry. Her most recent endeavor was converting her class “Share Your Passion, Teach!” into an online offering via Craftsy called “How to Teach It”

Gwen’s teaching philosophy can be summed up in the following quote, “My job is to make the students’ (in this case other teachers’) toolbox bigger.  If all you own is a hammer, everything looks like a nail! In the process of providing options, more skills are developed and a better teacher is the result. Handcraft skills are rarely passed down between relatives anymore. Good teachers of all handcrafts are critical to ensuring these creative skills continue to be practiced.”

You can find Gwen on Facebook, Twitter, Ravelry, Craftsy and her website!

As you know, Marly loves her listeners who listen after the live show, so leave a comment with the keyword, and be entered to win Gwen's Crafty class, “How To Teach It”!

Happy rest of the week y'all!

  • Like this podcast? Be sure to leave a comment/review on iTunes to let other know about it!
  • Stay up to date with the Yarn Thing podcast with the App available on iTunes and for Droid.
  • Find our more about Marly at www.MarlyBird.com or follow her on facebook at www.facebook.com/marlybird

This podcast is sponsored by: Knitter’s Magazine, Craftsy.com, Fiesta Yarns, Kollage Yarns, Decades by Drew Emborsky, Love of Knitting, Love of Crochet and Bijou Basin Ranch.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Gwen Bortner?

Honestly… Gwen Bortner is a Craft Yarn Council Certified Teacher and a lead designer for Knitability, LLC. She teaches knitting and business classes and has been published in knitting magazines. She's also known as the Entrelac Queen!

What is Gwen's new class about?

So here's the thing… Gwen has a new class on Craftsy.com called “How to Teach It”. It's all about teaching, not just for crafty things but for teaching in general! She even converted her “Share Your Passion, Teach!” class into this online offering.

What is Gwen's teaching philosophy?

Yes! Gwen believes her job is to expand the “toolbox” for students, giving them more options and skills to become better teachers. She feels it's super important to have good teachers for all handcrafts because sadly, these skills aren't always passed down in families anymore.

Where can I find Gwen online?

You can totally connect with Gwen on Facebook, Twitter, Ravelry, and her website! She's got a whole presence out there to share her love of knitting and teaching.

How can I win Gwen's class?

Here's the scoop… if you leave a comment on the Marly Bird podcast page with a specific keyword, you can be entered to win Gwen's Craftsy class, “How To Teach It”! It's a great way to get her awesome teaching knowledge.

Stephen West of WestKnits

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Marly's All Male Revue continues with Stephen West of WestKnits!

Stephen joined Marly from right here in Denver, however due to our crazy  spring weather, they missed doing the interview face to face.  (Bummer!)  However, a super fun time was had by all!

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Stephen West is originally from Tulsa, Oklahoma. After moving to the Chicago area, he caught the knitting bug and started designing patterns while epic amounts of wool infiltrated into his life. There was no looking back.

He moved to Amsterdam two years ago to study Choreography at the School for New Dance Development and he travels frequently teaching knitting workshops throughout the United States and Europe. He creates his own series of popular self-published pattern collections and also designs for Malabrigo Yarns and knitty.com.

You can find Stephen on his website, Twitter, Ravelry and his Facebook.

This week, Stephen and Marly gave away a copy of one of Stephen's books as well as an advanced copy of his Craftsy.com class, coming out in about a month or so!  Now, if you listen to Marly's show at all, you know that there aren't just on the air giveaways, there are post show giveaways, and this week is no exception!  Leave a comment in the thread below, and you will be entered to win a free e-book from Stephen!  Don't forget that keyword!

Up next week: Franklin Habit!

  • Like this podcast? Be sure to leave a comment/review on iTunes to let other know about it!
  • Stay up to date with the Yarn Thing podcast with the App available on iTunes and for Droid.
  • Find our more about Marly at www.MarlyBird.com or follow her on facebook at www.facebook.com/marlybird

This podcast is sponsored by: Knitter’s Magazine, Craftsy.com, Fiesta Yarns, Kollage Yarns, Decades by Drew Emborsky, Love of Knitting, Love of Crochet and Bijou Basin Ranch.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Stephen West from?

So here's the thing… Stephen West is originally from Tulsa, Oklahoma. He caught the knitting bug after moving to the Chicago area and started designing patterns there.

What else does Stephen West do besides design?

Honestly… Stephen West travels frequently teaching knitting workshops throughout the United States and Europe. He also creates his own popular self-published pattern collections and designs for Malabrigo Yarns and knitty.com.

How can I find Stephen West online?

Yes! You can find Stephen on his website, Twitter, Ravelry, and his Facebook page.

What was given away on Marly's show?

Well… Stephen and Marly gave away a copy of one of Stephen's books and an advanced copy of his Craftsy.com class. Plus, listeners could leave a comment to win a free e-book from Stephen!

What's the buzz about Stephen West's designs?

Oh my goodness… many people feel Stephen West has created a movement in knitting! His designs are loved for their movement and swing, especially his shawls, and people are inspired by how he incorporates movement into his work.

Crafty Chica Kathy Cano-Murillo

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March is National Craft Month so what better way to celebrate than to have the very Crafty Chica Kathy Cano-Murillo on the show?

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Positivity through creativity!  What a great way to put it and live it!  Kathy is a crazy crafty tornado!

Since 1990, she has sold her handmade “Chicano Pop Art” crafts to hundreds of retailers including Bloomingdales, Target, and Hallmark.

From 2000-2008, she wrote a weekly syndicated Arizona Republic newspaper column for eight years, and has authored seven books including Crafty Chica's Art de la Soul andCrafty Chica's Guide to Artful Sewing.

In 2001, Kathy launched CraftyChica.com, a wildly popular web site to inspire women to brighten their lives with clever craft ideas. She had a podcast series on iTunes, a web series on LifetimeTV.com, has been profiled in The New York Times, USA Today and NPR, and now has a Crafty Chica product line.

Kathy's mission is to promote, celebrate and share in the American craft experience. Many of Kathy's designs show a love for her Mexican-American culture. As a professional crafter, she is impressed that Latinos make up a large part of the $31 billion craft industry. Her goal is to promote and motivate women of all backgrounds, ages and ethnicities to join in the art and craft movement.

When she isn't creating, she writes novels. Her “Crafty Chica Novel” series debuted in March 2010 with Waking Up in the Land of Glitter (Grand Central Publishing). Her next book, Miss Scarlet's School of Patternless Sewing was released in March, 2011.

Plus, as we all know, Marly LOVES audiobooks, and Kathy's books are also available as audiobooks here!

You can find Kathy on:

Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Pinterest, Instagram, tumblr, Audible

Don't forget to mention the secret word in your comment below, and Marly will announce the winner on next week's show!

Make sure you remember to shake your snowglobes y'all, and don't let your glitter settle!

  • Like this podcast? Be sure to leave a comment/review on iTunes to let other know about it!
  • Stay up to date with the Yarn Thing podcast with the App available on iTunes and for Droid.
  • Find our more about Marly at www.MarlyBird.com or follow her on facebook at www.facebook.com/marlybird

This podcast is sponsored by: Knitter’s Magazine, Craftsy.com, Fiesta Yarns, Kollage Yarns, Decades by Drew Emborsky, Love of Knitting, Love of Crochet and Bijou Basin Ranch.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is the Crafty Chica?

So here's the thing… the Crafty Chica is Kathy Cano-Murillo! She's been selling her amazing handmade crafts since 1990 and has written tons of books, including a whole novel series. She really wants to inspire everyone to brighten their lives with clever craft ideas.

What kind of crafts does Kathy Cano-Murillo make?

Honestly… Kathy makes what she calls “Chicano Pop Art” crafts. Her designs often show a love for her Mexican-American culture, and she's been selling them to big retailers like Target and Hallmark for ages!

How does Kathy Cano-Murillo promote creativity?

Yes! Kathy launched CraftyChica.com back in 2001 to inspire women everywhere. Her whole mission is to celebrate the American craft experience and encourage people of all backgrounds to join in the fun of art and crafting.

Can I find Kathy Cano-Murillo's books as audiobooks?

You bet! Marly mentioned that Kathy's books are available as audiobooks. You can find them through a link provided in the blog post, which is super convenient for listening while you craft!

Where can I connect with Kathy Cano-Murillo online?

Oh, she's all over the place! You can find her on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Pinterest, Instagram, and even Tumblr. Plus, her books are on Audible if you love listening!