Episode 16: WNC Yarn Crawl!

I have a VERY special guest in my closet: my youngest daughter Raleigh! She talks about her STEAM fair project, including materials and process.

Welcome back to the closet! It's been a year... literally! I talk about how my goals for 2023 went, what I'm working on now, and a couple plans for 2024. Links: Ripple Bralette by Jessie Maed Designs A Hundred Ravens Felicitous Shawl by Aly⁠ssa Coffey A Whimsical Wood Yarn Co. Needle Minder Lair Cross Stitching Lovers

This week, I invite my friend Chrissy into the closet to talk about the cool things that she works on!

Solo episode time! Today I talk about the goals I made for last year, and goals I've made for this year.  Last year's list: stash dive; fiber related tattoo; make something Animal Crossing related; cross stitch something; read books about other makers; start The Artist's Way; sew a needle case; work slowly and for my own pleasure. This year's list: fiber related tattoo; see the eye doctor; more handmade holiday decor; work through the Seasonal Soul book; keep working through my stash; Third Love bra. Things I talk about in the episode: Hobbii Rainbow Cotton yarn Sockhead Slouch Hat Women In Clothes Bullet Journal Method Homemade decor Pinterest board The Seasonal Soul Third Love MeUndies

Today, I talk with Amanda in the closet! We talk about what projects we've been working on, crafting for the holidays and giving gifts, and the new show she is working on, Calendar Girls. Here are the important links to check out: Sockhead Slouch Hat by Kelly McClure. Last year, my mom and my sister picked out a skein of yarn each for me to make them one. They were supposed to get them last year, but... they had a Christmas present this year instead! My sister chose a beautiful superwash merino and Tencel blend in blues with a little bit of darker teal. It's Wonderland Mad Hatter Yarn, in an old colorway. It was so nice to work with, although the Tencel was different than what I normally use. It has this really subtle but beautiful sheen to it that I don't see with merino and nylon blends. My mom chose a skein from Yarn Experiments, with every gemstone color imaginable in it! It really suits her though, because she wears all kinds of colors year round. My mom is pretty small, so I ended up making hers a teen size, as opposed to the adult small that I made my sister. My sister-in-law and mother-in-law also got to pick out a skein each from my stash, and I started on a hat for each of them, as well. SIL chose a grey and white/speckled large stripe skein by Daydream Dyeworks, in the color Sunset Cloudbreak. I bought this yarn a few years ago during a trip to Sun Dragon in Brevard, but it looks like the owner isn't selling anymore. My MIL chose a skein from Three Irish Girls Yarn Inc. in the Kaleidoscope color. It's a cream base, with lots of bright green, yellow, pink, and blue scattered throughout. I've already finished my SIL's hat, and I'm totally jealous! It turned out gorgeous! Be sure to check out Amanda's IG account, Beauty Truly Blent. She shows off her Ric Flair embroidery, as well as her Beard Bae series. She also takes custom orders! If you're local to WNC, be sure to look up Amanda and her shows!  Thanks for listening, and we will see you next time!

Today I talk with Amanda about her time spent on the show The Little Prince, put on by the Montford Park Players in Asheville NC. The girls and I went to see the show, and it was fantastic! Montford Park is an outdoor venue, which can both have a lot of setbacks, but also give a lot of creative freedom. I'm sorry it took me so long to get this out, Amanda!

It was SAFF!! My favorite time of year to buy yarn! I did a lot of shopping ya'll! Click on the links to see who I supported this year! A Whimsical Wood Yarn Co Miss Babs Hand-Dyed Yarns Figment Sock – Deep Dyed Yarns Balsam Fingering Yarn | Twist Fiber Studio (square.site) All Yarn – Rock and String Creations Bewitched Pigments Shirsty Cat Designs Oink Pigments I also talked about my basic doll pattern on Etsy. If you're looking for an easy amigurumi doll pattern, check out mine! I sold them well at two of the three shows I did between August and last weekend. Doll Crochet Pattern Basic Body Basic Doll Crochet Crochet - Etsy I'm starting a new business! Not only am I working part time while the girls are in school, I'm putting my passion for decluttering, organizing, crafting, and neurodivergency to work as a declutter and organizing coach, for Bright Home Declutter and Organizing Coaching (or Bright Home DOC). I have already been working with clients to help them declutter and organize their homes using all the different strategies I have learned and loved along the way. If you are interested in a consultation or Zoom/FaceTime meeting, please get in touch with me! I have missed being with you on a more regular basis, but I'm working my way through the holiday season before I commit to more time. I hope to get back to a "regular" schedule after the new year!

The past few weeks have been pretty tough around here!  Yarn Crawl (not tough!); locked knee; covid; herniated disk and sciatica pain; summer vacation with lots of extra girls and babysitting! I hope to update again this summer, but no promises! Once the girls get back to school, I'll be making more episodes on the same schedule. Check out the photos and links to the things I'm working on at knitsewcraft.wordpress.com and on Instagram at @knitsewcraftpodcast.

Moira, Amanda, and Brooke went on the WNC Yarn Crawl this weekend! Join us as we talk about each of the LYSs we visited, what we bought, and how much we love fiber! Here are links to the stores we visited: Purl's Yarn Emporium Black Mountain Yarn Shop Friends and Fiberworks Sun Dragon Art and Fiber Plus, a special shout out to CGCG Yarns! We had a fantabulous time talking with Renee, who was having a trunk show at BMYS.

This week has been a tough one! Lots of self-doubt, and a family sickness have knocked me down. I've been working on a shawl pattern called Wild At Heart Stripe, available for free on Ravelry. I'm using a yarn from A Whimsical Wood Yarn Co. and one from Yarn Experiments called Cohaire. This weekend is the WNC Yarn Crawl! I'm heading across western North Carolina with my fiber friends, Amanda and Moira. We will be recording after each stop, so it will feel like you get to come with us! If you are in the area, or are doing the Yarn Crawl also, let me know! I've been working on cleaning and decluttering my studio space, and it has been much improved! You can find photos of my progress on Instagram at @knitsewcraftpodcast. And most exciting! I published my first amigurumi pattern! I'd be ever so grateful if you would take a look at it, and favorite it! You can find it right HERE.