YarnCraft Episode 88 :: 11 Stories of Why We Knit & Crochet

29 Mar

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For this episode of YarnCraft, we asked you–our listeners–why you knit & crochet, what it means to you, how you identify as a yarncrafter, and other questions about the reasons you’ve incorporated these crafts into your lives. The results are heartwarming, funny, and wonderful. Liz & Zontee share their own stories, as well as listeners’ stories. (Be sure to hop on YarnCraft’s Ravelry group and the previous blog post here to see all of the responses.)

Zontee interviews Michelle Edwards, contributor to Lion Brand’s Weekly Stitch newsletter and author of A Knitter’s Home Companion, about how she started to knit and what she thinks has lead to the more common identity of being a “knitter” or “crocheter.”

We also share an interview with Judy Sumner, author of Knitting Socks East and West, who Zontee interviewed at January’s Vogue Knitting Live, in front of a live audience of YarnCraft fans.

Liz & Zontee also answer a question from a listener on what projects sock yarns can be used for, other than socks. Click here for a blog post on the Lion Brand Notebook about some of these projects.

On Stash This: Ideas for Your Crafting Life, Liz & Zontee talk about 5 kinds of spring-friendly projects. Patterns discussed include:

Join us again in two weeks, when we discuss garments that fit and flatter. We’re joined by Lisa Shroyer, editor of Knitscene magazine and author of Knitting Plus. As always, we want to hear from you — what you’re working on, your questions, and your comments. Post a message on the blog or email us at yarncraft [at] lionbrand [dot] com! You can also call in and leave a message at 774-452-YARN–that’s 774-452-9276.

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Join our group or add us as a friend on Ravelry.com!

Theme music is “Boy with a Coin” by Iron and Wine, from the PodSafe Music Network.

Show Notes:
00:12 Intro & welcome
01:39 Listener question
04:24 Why We Knit & Crochet
17:13 Interview with Michelle Edwards
21:36 Interview with Judy Sumner
29:01 Stash This: Ideas for Your Crafting Life
35:20 Thanks to our listeners and guests

  • Monica

    Why is this episode not in iTunes? I’ve been trying to download it since Tuesday and it’s not there… I’ll download or listen on line, but it was really nice to have it download directly to my iPod every other Tuesday.

  • http://yarncraft.lionbrand.com YarnCraft Podcast

    iTunes should automatically pick up the podcast (and in the last few months, they disabled the feature allowing podcasters to update their own podcast feeds on iTunes, so we can’t control when they update their feed), so the only thing we can recommend is that you use the help link or “report a problem” link to let iTunes know that you’re having problems with it. Hope that helps. Sorry for the inconvenience!

  • LizS

    Liz said something that really struck me. What DO people who don’t craft do with their hands? I’ve been wondering that for my whole life growing up with a mom who crochets and my step dad who works in the garden and wood working. I would have no life satisfaction without crafting. At first my boyfriend didn’t understand why I’m always knitting or crocheting then he tried to get me to sit still without it. Not gonna happen!! Wonderful podcast thank you as always!

  • YarnYenta

    it is so good to hear your voices :0)
    we miss you. you should come to california.

    Heatherly and the girls

  • http://yarncraft.lionbrand.com YarnCraft Podcast

    Hi Heatherly & daughters! Miss you too! What’s the next yarn event on the west coast? Maybe I can find an excuse to make it out there…

  • Giovonnia

    Dear Yarncraft Podcast:

    I enjoyed this week’s show very much. It made me feel connected to so many knitters. One of the things that I love about knitting is that it taught me so much. In the beginning, I was a simpler knitter, nothing beyond stockingnette or garter stitich. One day I deceied to push myself and and try more complex patterns. There was alot of ripping out and nail bitting. I learned that in knitting as well in life you just have to push yourself. You never know what you are capable of unless you try. I went on further to to learn how to knit socks. I enjoy sock knitting because evry pattern is a challenge. It has relate to my life to go out and pursue opportunies in my career and life long learning. It has made my bain so happy!

  • http://yarncraft.lionbrand.com YarnCraft Podcast

    Thanks for sharing, Giovonnia!

  • Kfantasmico7

    I just found your podcast through KnitPurlGurl’s blog. I have enjoyed this show particularly because I was reminded of the time my mother discovered her talent for knitting late in life and tried in vain to teach me so we could yarn together, as she called it. Alas, I couldn’t get the hang of it but we did enjoy shopping for her supplies. She died 10 years ago this month. Interestingly enough, I just this year attempted to crochet and found that I can do that! It’s great because now I can understand better the joy she had knitting. Thank you for your wonderful podcast.

  • Dee bee

    We live in such an automated and electronic world that it is so nice to be able to knit, crochet or do other tactile crafts.The repetition and rhythm are so relaxing.

  • Pingback: YarnCraft Episode 117 :: Becoming a Professional Yarncrafter: 3 Stories; Plus 6 Ways to Make a Custom Afghan | YarnCraft