We asked for YOUR questions and you sent them in. In this episode, Liz and Zontee along with two other Lion Brand staffers Kristy and Jackie, answer your questions and share suggestions on all sorts of projects and techniques. We may not be able to tell you the meaning of life, but we DO explain techniques like SW (slip-and-wrap) and more.
Find out about using the Lion Brand support line (800-705-8636; Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST) and e-mail (support [at] lionbrand [dot] com). Learn about using our FAQ section and our new blog, the Lion Brand Notebook. Join the knit-along as Corinna works on the Tree of Life afghan.
Discover techniques for working with specific yarns; get advice about blocking; hear what Liz has to say about socks; and learn more about the Lion Brand offices.
Jackie joins us to talk about finding the right gauge and the 5 issues you can solve by correcting your gauge. Learn to get gauge whether you knit or crochet.
Stash This: Ideas for Your Crafting Life – Liz and Zontee share ideas perfect for prom, weddings, and other formal events:
- Lacy Stole
- Lace Wrap
- Knit Sparkling Shrug
- Spring Fresh Shrug
- Bronze Evening Bag
- Springtime Clutch
- 1-Ball Purse
- Glittery Evening Bag
Zontee and Liz also suggest making boutonnières (for a man’s lapel) or corsages with basic flowers like our felted flowers or our daffodil pencil pattern.
For more patterns, visit our Pattern Finder.
To share your comments and thoughts, post a message on the blog, email to yarncraft [at] lionbrand [dot] com, or call 206-350-3957 and leave us a message! Tell us what you’re working on!
Look for YarnCraft on Blubrry.com.
And also look for us on Ravelry.com!
Theme music is “Boy with a Coin” by Iron and Wine, from the PodSafe Music Network.
Show Notes:
00:07 Intro and welcome
01:23 What’s on Liz & Zontee’s hooks & needles?
03:37 We answer your questions
18:34 Jackie talks about gauge
23:23 Stash This
31:57 Thanks to our guests
May 8th, 2008 at 11:14 am
Liz mentioned the new Lion Brand LB 1878 wool yarn on the podcast. I just ordered a cone to make a shawl for the “afghans for Afghans” project. I really don’t know much about it…there’s not even much about it on Ravelry - no finished projects yet. I would like you to do a feature about it on your podcast. (or on the Notebook) Thanks and I love the podcasts.
May 9th, 2008 at 2:58 pm
[…] After doing a quick swatch, the the gauge worked out perfectly, with 18sts to every 4 inches, so I’m off to a pretty good start. (For more information on gauge, listen to this week’s YarnCraft podcast episode.) […]
May 9th, 2008 at 5:06 pm
Sorry to say this, but I cannot stand Liz and Zontee’s voices. I think Liz has the more nasally voice, with a lot of “likes,” and “y’knows” in it. Neither one sounds particularly polished or poised.
And the fact that the podcast is really just an ad for Lion Brand is annoying too, but at least the interviews are sometimes interesting. There you have it.
May 9th, 2008 at 6:22 pm
The podcast mechanism is annoying. If you stop in the middle, you have to start again from the beginning and listen to the first part all over again! Please fix this so you can fast forward.
Zontee says: Hi Nina, if you hit the double-bar “pause” button and then the arrow that appears, it should actually continue at the same spot that you paused at. To fast forward using the Adobe player we use on the blog, you slide the tracker bar backwards and forwards. If you have trouble with the Adobe player, you can always download the podcast to your computer (using the “Direct Download” link at the bottom of each post) or through iTunes and play it with the device of your choice. Hope that helps!
May 9th, 2008 at 8:19 pm
Love this blog. It’s actually my first experience with blogs—i’m electronically challenged. I’m looking forward to the knit-along.
It’s exciting to log on and get helpful advice, tip and all those free patterns. I can save a bundle to spend on yarns. Thanks girls. Thanks Lion Brand!
May 9th, 2008 at 9:33 pm
Can you put a link to the “leave a comment” on the blog page? I always have a hard time getting to this part.
I love the podcasts - I agree that a fast forward would be helpful.
As for the Lion Brand website, I have submitted two requests for pattern help in the past week, and have had no response. Is someone on vacation?
Zontee says: Hi Mari Allen, you can always either click on the title of the post or the “8 comments” (or however many comments are currently on a post) link at the bottom of each post. See the previous comment for how to fast forward. Pattern help will generally be back to you in a day or two, but it really depends on how busy they are. If you don’t hear back within a week, send a new request to support [at] lionbrand [dot] com.
May 10th, 2008 at 12:26 am
These podcasts are wonderful. Since it isn’t TV, I don’t feel compelled to have to take my eyes off the task I am doing as I listen. Love when you go on field trips and interview the common folk like at the Mall of America trip!! The only sad thing is that I wish each episode was longer.
May 11th, 2008 at 3:02 pm
I have a question for a future “You Asked, We Answered” episode. When a new knitting design is published can I be sure all sizes have been knit or is a design usually made in one small size and then enlarged mathematically?
thanks
May 12th, 2008 at 12:11 pm
Vic -
I think it is very rude of you to insult someone on their own website. I personally love this podcast, and think that Liz and Zontee are great casters.
You are welcome to your opinion, but I don’t think here is the right forum. I doubt they go to your house and insult you. In fact, they have gone out of their way to help their listeners and answer all of their questions.
As for it being a Lion Brand “ad,” I think that by downloading a Lion Brand podcast (and they never tried to hide that it’s the company’s podcast) you lose the right to complain about them promoting Lion Brand products. In fact, I don’t think they do that very often, anyways.
Zontee and Liz, you guys are great, keep up the good work!!
May 12th, 2008 at 6:18 pm
I have a dial up connection and cannot usually download to listen. Do you have the discussion in writing?
Zontee says: Hi Eileen, we are working on transcribing the podcasts. You can find the first few by clicking “Transcripts” on the top bar of this blog.
May 13th, 2008 at 7:21 am
Wow, thanks for answering my sock question Liz!
I’m tickled that you guys mentioned my mesh stitch market bag idea on the podcast. If anyone wants to see the WIP and the stitch pattern up close, I’ve posted pics on my project page:
http://www.ravelry.com/projects/wzrdreams/market-bag
May 13th, 2008 at 4:06 pm
Thanks for answering my question about socks Liz!
Also, I posted WIP pics of my Mesh-Stitch Market Bag on Ravelry (username: wzrdreams) if anyone wants to see a close up of the mesh stitch in Lion Cotton.
The podcast and the notebook are a great source of inspiration. Thank you and keep up the great work.
May 27th, 2008 at 8:49 am
[…] podcast, our bi-weekly audio show, we cover topics from common questions to tips on gift ideas. In YarnCraft episode #15, we devoted the episode to answering questions sent in by listeners like you! My co-host Liz and I […]
June 1st, 2008 at 5:56 pm
where is the video of the SW technique mentioned in the podcast? Thanks.
June 2nd, 2008 at 9:47 am
Hi Marion,
The SW (also called w&t–wrap and turn) can be seen in several videos on YouTube. Here’s one.
~Zontee~
June 3rd, 2008 at 7:28 am
Hi Liz & Zontee,
You were my first podcast subscription after i got an ipod Nano for Xmas and I love it! You are both so friendly and I especially like the cute guitar music…
I’m currently working on 4 (yikes!) projects at the same time as farewell gifts for friends here in England pending our BIG MOVE back to the US after many years. I am really looking forward to being able to participate more directly in the yarn scene - I feel kind of disenfranchised over here…
Appreciated your lace blocking advice as am using mohair/silk blend on a lacey Wisp scarf from Knitty, and it’s tricky. Hope it will look better once blocked and finished.
I am a sock novice, LIz, with my first ever pair cast on and Ann Bud’s getting started book on my lap. I originally bought some self striping 2ply yarn but gave up as TOO TINY and am restarting with something bigger. All the mathy-y sock talk is bewildering but am hoping all will become clear once I get going…
As a former journalist, I think your podcast has a nice mix of technical and feature-y items. I liked the surfer boys crocheting in Africa, and I lOVED the piece on Etsy, which I’d never heard of. Once I get back home am going to check it out. what an amazing use of the internet.
So keep it up - I’m looking forward to the next issue! xxAmy