Episode 16: Clear The Way

This episode is a mini-podcast, sharing quickly about Sharing Lunches, an outreach in which I hope to involve a variety of friends. If you listen and are interested in more info the link is here: http://www.6bitsstorybooks.com/sharinglunch/ Regular podcast episodes to begin airing in July!

This week is all about *Love of Linen*. With warmer weather on its way, it is a great time to consider linen. Listen in as Melissa shares ideas on how to slowly ease in to working with linen blends, some simple helpful steps she takes to prepare for knitting with linen as well as an offer for a downloadable booklet on Quince and Co. Kestrel linen. Text 20LINEN to 44222 for the download gift or visit www.6bitstorybooks.com and download it directly from the Episode 20 post. Remember if you leave an iTunes review you will be entered in the monthly yarn giveaway. February's winner was announced in Episode 19 so be sure to see if it was you.

This episode shares 3 observations Melissa has noticed are her norm when starting a new knitting project. Are they very different from yours? Also in this episode: •Winner of free skein announced for February. Mahalo to Space Cadet Yarn for sharing a lovely bundle for our winner! Anyone who leaves an iTunes review is automatically entered. •Connect and share your thoughts written, emailed or voice recorded! To email things be sure to send them to [email protected] For snail mail: 6 Bits Storybooks PO Box 297 Holly Ridge, NC 28445 •Hannah's Courage is now available on Ravelry with all proceedes given to our team member Hannah, who you may have seen on our website, cover of issue 2: DWELL, as well as throughout the issue in front of and behind the camera. Hannah has just had brain surgery. In addition to the pattern, we are collecting #HatsForHannah through March.

(This podcast is entitled 18.1 not because You missed anything, but because our podcast platform was experiencing gremlins... Carry on!) ALOHA & WELCOME! The wise and thoughtful team behind Fern Fiber sat down with me to share about their enthusiasm for botanicals. Maria and Nikki really do know their plants! They spend time taking with us about natural dyeing, how to coax out the colour you want, and when to just accept what nature gives you. They have even created an educational tool for listeners to enjoy. So have a listen! Our sponsor for this week's podcast is Infinite Twist. Cate Carter-Evans has created a something special in her part of the world! Amazing fiber, incredible colour and love for the knitting community are just some of the things Infinite Twist is known for! Money saving, beautifully curated kits are another. Be sure to visit http://infinitetwist.com/shop/ today and thank them for making this program possible!

Melody joins Melissa to chat about work they created for the newest 6 Bits Storybook issue. They share tips and ideas for knitters as well as considerations for projects. This episode is made possible by 6 Bits. If you are interested in learning more about the newest issue visit www.6bitsstorybooks.com

Ever felt that you can't start being creative because there is so much clutter? Or maybe you want to finally carve out your own space to be a maker? Our special guest this week is Deborah Moebes and she shares a few easy to enact steps in order to get yourself on the path to owning your place for crafty pursuits! Deborah also shares with us a special video on how to decide what sewing machine is right for you.

This week Melissa happily spends time with you chatting about ways to get out of your comfort zone with creative projects...and maybe just how to flip our thinking in general. This podcast is made possible because of the amazing support of Infinite Twist--beautiful yarn kits that allow you to create incredible projects AND listen to the 6 Bits Podcast! Show your support by following Infinite Twist's beautiful moments on Instagram (@infinitetwist) or head over to the shop and grab yourself a kit and begin some selfish knitting! Worth mentioning: The newest issue of 6 Bits Storybooks for Knitters is releasing late January! This issue id packed with knits for Fellas and the Femmes, Newbies and Seasoned knitters, big projects and small(er) as well as our FIRST SEWING PATTERN! And lets not forget the awesome stories waiting for you! So hop over to www.6bitsstorybooks.com and have a look! Already support us? How about tell others about us? We can help you do that in a fun way! Head here to get more info: http://eepurl.com/bMMapz

Today's episode is not the norm! You won't hear the lovely intro and outtro music, there isn't a lot of editing...Melissa made this over the holiday and while it is filled with lots of aloha it also is filled with room for improvement! But moving beyond the rough edges, you will find time spent in this episode hearing and learning from Melissa's favourite Non-Knitter. Enjoy today's episode as a reminder that your craft and love of your craft resonates with people, even those that are not participating in them! (you simply need listen to Dennis go on and on about the spinning wheel!) Links worth sharing: • Interested in Collaboration: text Sponsorship to 44222 or head here: https://hellomelissa.leadpages.co/sponsorship/ • Today's helpful download are Mel's productive tools! Text 6BitsEpisode13 to 44222 or visit http://www.6bitsstorybooks.com/podcast/ • Want to learn all about the spinning wheel we went on and on about? http://infinitetwist.com/shop/artisan-spinning-wheel-by-acadia-wheel-and-loom-1 OR you can watch the video (talk about a throw-back to my single handed knits days!) and the wheel is shown right at the start! https://vimeo.com/93480816 Today we chat about: What it is like from the perspective of being a non-knitter in a family of knitters Spinning wheels Stash (and that one should judge another's stash) Also announced: Winner of December's free skein of yarn!

Episode 12 shares letters from listeners and time together with Melissa and Melody. Listeners can steal away for a few minutes with their knitting and enjoy time listening to friends discussing knitting projects, yarns, reflections from the past and this week's free download: helpful ideas when gifting hand knits! ***PLEASE NOTE: The code to text for delivery was incorrectly announced. It is OHWOW12 text to 44222 Or Visit: http://www.6bitsstorybooks.com/podcast/ and look for the Episode 12 show notes!

Today we spend time learning from our guest what goes in to publishing and self-publishing a book. She should know as she now has 8 books under her belt! More on her in a moment! I would like to thank our sponsor for this episode: Space Monster Club from Space Cadet Yarn: There is nothing in the whole world like a skein of lovely, smooshy, thick yarn to make you want to pick it up, squish it… dive right into it! As a member of the SpaceMonsters Mega Club, you receive: •A fantastic parcel delivered to their door every other month, containing a beautiful skein of SpaceCadet® yarn in worsted or bulky weight •The SpaceCadet’s Log exploring the inspiration for each colourway. •A fantastic SpaceMonsters gift tucked into every third parcel! Membership is open only until 20 Dec 2015 and space is limited. Head here to save yourself a place http://spacecadetyarn.com/the-spacemonster-mega-yarn-club/ Now today we spend time learning what goes in to publishing. Be it a single stand alone pattern, or an entire book our "Violently Domestic" author can share lots of stories about her experience with both---and from the perspectives of being published and self publishing. I know listening to Hunter Hammersen share some deeper stories about her newest book Fine Things for Plain Occasions is going to be a treat, but in the spirit of aloha and going the extra mile, she shares with you a free pattern! You can text FINETHINGS to 44222 and have it delivered to your inbox right now, or visit our shownotes at http://www.6bitsstorybooks.com/podcast/ and click on Episode 11 And if you have the beautiful new book Fine Things for Plain Occasions have it on hand as we chat! It will make the fun of this week more interactive! As always if you like what you hear share us with your friends! Growing our story only makes it better! And if you really love what you hear be sure to leave us an iTunes review for an opportunity to win free yarn every month!