Hi Everyone!

This week, Gwen Bortner joins Marly on the posdcast!

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.

Franklin Habit, the latest on Marly’s All Male Revue!

Franklin and Marly had a spirited discussion on Franklin’s love for the history of knitting, Franklin’s other habit of choice, photography, and how he loves to enter twine the two whenever he can.  They also discussed his latest Craftsy.com class, Heirloom Lace Edgings and gave away a class on the show!

In true Marly fashion there is a giveaway via the blog as well.  Make sure you leave a comment with the keyword in it, and be entered to win Franklin’s Craftsy class!

Franklin also is going on a cruise with Melissa Leapman closer to Christmas time!  Check out the details here!

You can find Franklin on Facebook, Twitter, Ravelry and on his blog!  Franklin’s book “It Itches” is available on Amazon here.

Up next week: Daniel Yuhas!

• 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 did Marly and Franklin talk about?

So here’s the thing… Marly and Franklin had a really great chat about his love for knitting history and photography. He even likes to combine those two passions! They also talked about his Craftsy class, Heirloom Lace Edgings.

How can I win Franklin’s Craftsy class?

Honestly… you can enter to win by leaving a comment on the blog post with a specific keyword. Keep an eye out for details on how to do that!

Where can I find Franklin Habit online?

Yes! You can find Franklin on Facebook, Ravelry, and his blog. He’s also on Twitter, so definitely check him out there too!

I’m new to lace knitting, what’s a good starting point?

Oh, you’re in luck! Franklin’s Craftsy class, Heirloom Lace Edgings, sounds like a perfect place to start. It’s a great way to dive into lace edgings, and you might even learn about charts too!

What else is coming up with Franklin?

Well, besides his Craftsy class, Franklin is also going on a cruise with Melissa Leapman closer to Christmas time… how fun does that sound?!

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!

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.

Today’s podcast was all about Tot Toppers and When I Grow Up, all designed by Marly’s friend, Kate Oates!

Kate Oates is the designer for Tot Toppers & When I Grow Up and the author of a brand new book, Knitting Clothes Kids Love.

She enjoys designing hats and garments for babies and children in particular, these projects often reflect a whimsical spirit. Kate’s When I Grow Up line is for those of us who are not tots, featuring a modern classic style.

Kate also strives to add specifically to the growing body of knits for boys as she has three of her own and one on the way! You can find her patterns at your local yarn store or online. She also does freelance work for a variety of publications.

Congrats to today’s lucky call in winner of Kate’s new book!

Kate will be at Stitches next week, so if you want to get your copy of her new book autographed, make sure you find her in her booth at the show!

How to find Kate: Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, Ravelry, Craftsy, Etsy

A couple of Marly/YarnThing notes!

• 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 Kate Oates and what does she design?

So here’s the thing… Kate Oates is a designer friend of Marly’s who designs Tot Toppers and When I Grow Up patterns. She especially loves designing hats and garments for babies and children, often with a whimsical feel!

What’s the difference between Tot Toppers and When I Grow Up?

Honestly… Tot Toppers are designed for little ones, of course! The When I Grow Up line is for those of us who are a bit older, featuring a more modern classic style.

Does Kate design for boys too?

Yes! Kate is passionate about adding to the collection of knits for boys… she has three of her own and another on the way!

Where can I find Kate Oates’ patterns?

You can find her patterns at your local yarn store or online. She also does freelance work for lots of different publications, and you can find her on Etsy too!

Will Kate Oates be at Stitches?

You bet! Kate will be at Stitches next week, so if you want to get your copy of her new book autographed, make sure to stop by her booth!