A Short Trip, a Big Birthday and a Long Sock // Casual Friday S5E12

[@mmccamant]

A few years ago, Catholic Charities in Chicago started and supported a storefront organization called Loom, specifically to be a place for refugee and immigrant women (from everywhere, but mostly from Syria, Afghanistan, Iran at the time) to practice and sell their needlework. I'm a member of a charitable knitting and crochet group that donated yarn, needles, and hooks from our donated stash of materials. The lesson that we comfortable Americans learned, of course, is that when you're fleeing from your home to save your family's lives, you don't bring your craft supplies. I'm afraid that Loom did not survive the isolation Covid necessitated.

[@joannsteinly5325]

Happy belated birthday, Roxanne! I loved your tidbit about the Czech knitters helping refugees. I've told several people about it. I admit, I cried. I also love that Katanji Brown Jackson is also a fiber artist! Thank you so much for all you do! I'm looking forward to hearing more about your sewing machine. It's so exciting to get something special for yourself. Thanks again!

[@lindarose712]

Fabulous fabulous socks! Happy birthday to you, dear teacher and maker friend🌱💕🥰🌻✨

[@elaineenstone6834]

Happy birthday Roxanne. So glad you were able to celebrate in style. For my 60th I flew from the UK to stay with friends in St Louis, Mo. Visited yarn shops and quilt groups and celebrated in style. I agree it is so important to be able to access machines and tools easily otherwise the urge and time to sew etc is gone before you can start. Enjoy the new machine. 🇬🇧

[@aroundtheworldfibers]

Happy Birthday! Glad you had time off to enjoy. I was just at a surprise birthday in Vancouver for my brother who turned 60 April 1st (I follow next year - hard to believe). I made him a knitted Ram that he loves. He'll get socks next. He's particularly fussy about socks. I finally found some very fine yarn and will knit on tiny 1.5mm needles. Sounds like your brother is talented too and I'm sure that sewing table will be perfect. Probably worth a few more socks, and sweaters 🙂

[@Richard_Szobi]

Rox many thanks for the publication of tipbit I sent. You have presented with love. Thank you and Happy birthday and all the best. Richard

[@christinevalentine3373]

Many Happy Returns of your birthday. I am very grateful for your knowledge, your ability to communicate your knowledge so simply and your amazing enthusiasm to learn. Thank you, thank you, thank you. Have more holidays. I am a newish knitter about to enter the next decade above you and I selfishly want to have you accompany me for a long time. Bless you for your empathy for knitters, I was very touched by your understanding of the simple but heartfelt response to a knitters need to just perform the act of ‘knitting.’ I love your sewing machine selection process. I chose for the leg lift, auto threader, and embroidery function (mostly). There are so many other wonderful features the machine makes life so much easier. Happy Birthday

[@sueaitkin8030]

Another interesting video! Thanks! Great you took a special week off, very good for us to get away from normal every once in a while. You are a busy creative woman! Enjoy!

[@marileabramer2115]

Happy Birthday, Roxanne! Your new sewing machine sounds awesome. I appreciate your explanation of how you would wait until the new knitters you were teaching had the muscle memory down before you talked to them about how to fix mistakes-that makes so much sense to me. I think it’s so great that you and your brother craft for each other.

[@maryannc7223]

Happy birthday, Roxanne! I love that you get yourself a birthday treat and especially love that it’s fiber arts related. I’m also excited about the sewing table your brother is making. It’s so nice that your hobbies complement each other! The Turtlepurl yarn looks gorgeous!

[@carolfolk4602]

Happy Birthday, Roxanne! Welcome to the "60's" group. :)

[@AnneBeamish]

Happy belated birthday Roxanne. Your sewing cabinet is going to be amazing! Also, you grand-niece is such a little sweetie. I hope her condition is resolved soon.

[@kathleenmccrory7166]

Happy Birthday and love your videos. Congratulations on the new sewing machine! Invested in a new one several years back now, such a game changer! Can really appreciate the need for Ukrainian knitters to knit. 🙏

[@jenniferrich5292]

How refreshing to have a video-free week! Good for you for taking it🥰 I am sitting here knitting with Turtlepurl yarn in the Crushed colorway😳 It’s beautiful, and with contrast heels and toes I can get two pairs; a regular length one for winter and some shorties for summer. And thanks to your plentiful sock tutorials, I have a pattern for myself that fits every time.

[@moiradrennan7521]

Many Happy Returns from Scotland 💕 I so appreciate your informative and knowledgeable podcasts

[@juliaturney7017]

Happy Birthday! A new sewing machine is a wonderful present. I purchased a very basic Janome a few years ago and it was a great upgrade from my old 1971 Wards model.

[@kathleengerwien845]

Happy 60th! I am 60 this year as well. I know you will enjoy your new machine, particularly the automatic threader. I sewed face masks for the pandemic and struggled to thread the machine. With a bit of practice and lots of light, I am getting better at threading my machine! I wish you a very Happy Birthday!

[@RoxanneRichardson]

Yes, I'm very happy with the automatic threader! I had tried using a hand held one with my old machine and I could never get it to work reliably, but this one works much better. :-)

[@xbaczewska4197]

Happy Birthday! At 73, i fondly remember the big 6-Oh! But age is just a numbah! Keep on keepin' on. All your gifts to us are much appreciated.

[@ileagz]

Happy Birthday Roxanne!! Thank you for all the knowledge you share with us... Wish you all the best!!

[@jannaolsen3557]

Happy Birthday Roxanne!! I really love all your videos. Your knowledge and skill in knitting leaves me awestruck. Thank you so much for sharing it in an intelligent, honest and informative style. I will turn 60 in May and my first "self" gift was joining TKGA this week. I am going to start the Basics course and hope to gain insight only experience can give. You truly are an inspiration!

[@janiceparsons1000]

Happy birthday to you! Lovely to hear that you did something nice for you!

[@bratsmom6749]

Happy Birthday, Roxanne! Glad you got the sewing machine that you love! On my birthday some years ago, I treated myself to a set of Signature circular needles. I hope you enjoy your sewing machine for many happy years to come!😊😊😊🎂🍧🧁

[@RoxanneRichardson]

I got a set of Signatures one year! It's a wonderful gift :-)

[@karinberryman2009]

Happy birthday Roxanne! You can allow others to celebrate your birthday - taking you out, if you get time - for the rest of the year! You just helped me heaps by saying you weren’t sure how to thread your new sewing machine. I’ve felt stupid for decades because I didn’t know how to thread my 30 yr old Janome. I’m going to tackle this hurdle determinedly now and get on top of it.

[@RoxanneRichardson]

If you can't figure it out, take it in to your local dealer. I'm sure they would be happy to show you how to do it. Most machines are very similar up to a point, and then there might be some little difference. Once I figured it out, I practiced over and over, and then I made sure to do it every day for a few days. It's like learning to CO in knitting: it's all muscle memory!

[@sandygrogg1203]

Oh my goodness… I LOVE that purple striped sock yarn…I don;t knit socks… but thst ysrn is gorgeous.. The blue is wonderful..

[@assiabrill1944]

Very Happy Birthday and thank you for as usual very interesting podcast! Swing cabinet is a very useful piece of furniture. When we were buying a new Brother sewing machine we bought a Horn cabinet for it. The funny thing was that the cabinet was more expensive than the advanced sewing machine! But it worth it. For me the best future is an automatic threading - no more endless attempts to aim the needle... Hope you'll enjoy your new machine and patron making!

[@RoxanneRichardson]

If I bought a cabinet like the one my brother is going to make me, it would cost twice as much as the sewing machine cost, for sure. The cabinet will be expensive for him to make, as well, but I will treasure it!

[@daliamcclintock1491]

Happy Birthday Roxanne!!!

[@theastewart6721]

Happy Birthday Roxanne! I’m happy to hear all about your sewing machine. I finally have my mom’s on her craft table in my home. I’m trying to create a craft area in my lower level. What a project! I, like you need to be able to access what I’m looking for easily and right now it’s a hot mess! It seems like yesterday that I turned 60. I also buy myself something special. For that birthday I bought a set of Addi interchangeable knitting needles for projects where I want a blunt tip. This year I am turning 65 and am thinking about what my treat will be this year. It’s a big one for me, lol. My thoughts and prayers are with you on your mom’s health. Having lost both of my parents within the last 2 years I can relate. On a happier note, thanks for all the interesting tidbits! The Czech/ Ukrainian one in particular is very moving. Your sock is beautiful! Have a nice week!

[@RoxanneRichardson]

It takes me a while to figure out what works and what doesn't. After I organized this room last year and decided how to store the spinning and sewing stuff, the first time I had to take any of it out, I realized it would have to change. I needed to use the space for a while before I could figure out what would work better. It's easy to see the problem, but harder to find a good solution!

[@theastewart6721]

I’ll have to keep that in mind! Thanks!😊

[@mariehansen2534]

Happy Birthday lovely lady, I am pleased that you have a new sewing machine and are enjoying it. Thank you for sharing your wonderful knowledge and podcast. Catch up next week, take care and stay safe.

[@vikkizoo1]

Happy Birthday! I turn 55 in July and am doing a photo shoot with a photographer friend. A young woman my oldest son went to school with is doing my hair and makeup (She turned 22 this year and started her own business). I’m doing a 70’s theme with all me made items. For my 50th I was at a rental with the Sheriff evicting a tenant from hades. 😂 So 55 is going to make up for that. I love getting older.🌈🌈🦋🦋

[@jillyb9995]

Belated happy 60th birthday, Roxanne🎂🎉 You're going to have so much fun with your new sewing machine🎁💜 Jill, Cumbria, UK

[@beanaasz4069]

Happy birthday. Yours is a day before mine,but I have had quite a few more. I enjoy your videos. I think it is because of the variety of your content. I may look into a Janome machine. You had me with the magnifier.

[@alenemazzuca5118]

knee lifts are great, strips of light that stick anywhere ( cut to fit) are cheap and fabulous, also holding a white piece of paper behind the needle when threading. However, with all of your new features you won't need any of that, yes to a sewing table and happy 60th!

[@nothingbutknit24]

Thank you for all the research on the Janome 5300 QDC. I bit; and love my new sewing machine!

[@arrowwishes8766]

I know what you're saying about the whole knitting to relieve stress. My nephew was diagnosed with cancer, and so I went ahead and knit him a Afghan in only two days last weekend. I could not stop thinking about him so I just had to do something for him.

[@71Siddy]

Happy Birthday! Thanks for yet another great episode. It was lovely to hear that you enjoyed your week off and your time with your brother and his family. I suspect visiting your mom must have been difficault though. I am so excited to see what your brother will make for you and your sewingmashine. I once was heading for becomming a cabinetmaker/carpenter, so I love the thought of combining crafts and crafts people to get to a great solution. (sorry for my bad English, it's not my native lagnuage). ~ Sigridur

[@RoxanneRichardson]

Thank you Sigridur! I think my brother is as excited about making that sewing cabinet as I am about receiving it. :-)

[@audreyh3809]

Happy Birthday! 🥳🎂🎈 Great video ❤️

[@goswamigeeta]

Liked your long socks concept of knitting with a good fit. Your videos are a really a source of improving our skills and better understanding. Thank you.

[@diannasaylor6778]

Love your podcast and Turtlepurl yarn!

[@enacrt]

"Traje" in Spanish means clothing. "Museo de Traje" is the Museum of Clothing.

[@madeingunsa]

And its located in Madrid

[@nicolelafontaine1720]

I can so much understand the gift of yarn and needles, it is quite touching. Lovely knee socks !!! Happy birthday Roxanne ! Isn't a week off the best birthday gift ?

[@RoxanneRichardson]

It really is!

[@judithallison2]

Happy belated birthday! What a grand birthday present you gave yourself, it sounds like a brilliant machine. I wish you many years of joy while using it.

[@xxxxxx-sv8mj]

Ginny, I Love your relationships in your family.The sewing machine cabinet story is very impressive. Happy Birthday.

[@oreganoh4094]

Thank you for the information about the knee socks! I have been thinking about how to do them and what you described was exactly what I needed.

[@53mags]

Belated Happy 60th Birthday greetings! Glad you enjoyed tour week off and got to see a new arrival, as well as your mum.

[@TheMetatronGirl]

I’ve just started learning to spin this year. I’ve been working on spindles, and was starting to shop for a wheel when I was given an antique wheel in excellent condition. It’s a 125 year old Swedish wheel my teenage son has named Brunhilde, Hildie for short. 🤣 She still needs some TLC before spinning wool, again, but it won’t be long before she’s up and running! I’ll have to try some BFL Silk! Happy Belated Birthday!!

[@lynnmcrae6659]

You are remarkable thank you for sharing your knowledge 💕

[@Loyal-cat]

Happy belated birthday. As always a great video and I especially liked your thoughts on evaluating sewing machine. You can use the knee lift for curves and fidgety fabrics.

[@jenniferkesler7934]

Happy Birthday! And good luck on your sewing endeavors! I’m almost sure your familiar, but have you listened to Brenda Daynes audio podcast “cast on”? She’s been doing a lot research, muslins, and methodical testing to create her perfect skirt form, and eventually trousers. You may find it interesting and relatable!

[@cjrichmond6102]

Happy Birthday. Loved this weeks show... always love you shows.

[@bgummeson]

HaPpY BiRthDaY! Your sewing machine sounds amazing, and I’m looking forward to seeing your adventures with it. My eyes were really unhappy with progressive bifocals while crafting, because the magnification area is so small. I talked to our optician, and she recommended a 35mm flat top bifocal for knitting while watching TV. I also have the top of the bifocal sitting a bit higher in the frame than most folks, because much to the optician’s consternation, I prefer my glasses to rest a bit below the bridge of my nose. This has been a great solution for my particular situation. Glad you have the built-in magnification on your machine. 🙂

[@newmoonjlp]

Happy birthday! Fantastic kneesocks!

[@pn1918]

Happy birthday Roxanne! Thank you so much for your hard work! I love the podcast and learn so much from you :)

[@skyartsmanagement]

Good sock! I am going to buy some of that slightly heavier sock yarn as well. Thanks for the tip.

[@bobbieburrs2506]

Happy Birthday, Roxanne! So happy to hear about your new sewing machine! I'm also in the market for a new machine to replace my 27-year-old Bernina, which is, actually, still going strong, and has been serviced regularly. You're young, as my sister and I are 70!

[@kbjazzfan]

Happy belated birthday! A bright light and magnifying glass out to be standard on all models. Annoying they save those for the more expensive models.

[@RoxanneRichardson]

The three models are very similar, in terms of features. It's the addition of the magnifying lenses, knee lift, and brighter light that *makes* it more expensive.

[@krislind7094]

Yay for time off... everyone needs it and you deserve it!!

[@debrariley2057]

I actually think buying a new item is thought so many things to consider. It took me ages to buy my new machine, but I have always been happy with my decision… I used highlighters to chose just like you. Great vlog. Penblwydd Hapus…. ( Happy Birthday in Welsh.)

[@jeanette6396]

Happy birthday!🎈🎂 🎊 fun to hear about your sewing machine adventure. I used to sew a lot until I took up knitting-more portable-but I have thought about a new machine. My old Bernina also has a knee lever which I like a lot. Thanks for a new video, really enjoy them.

[@karinberryman2009]

I reckon old, and good, sewing machines are worth holding on to!

[@cindymitchell6525]

Thx for your knitting information and I am excited to hear about your sewing journey and what information source helps.

[@NanZingrone]

Happy Birthday! Love that you're back and great review of your new machine. I have a 1929 Singer I'm hoping to rehabilitate (it was an anniversary present from my grandfather to my grandmother on my Dad's side -- I thought it was a wedding present until I found their marriage licence through Ancestry). I made clothes on it back in the 1980s but it's been sitting in a corner or in storage for these last 40 years so I'm thinking about getting a portable newer one. In the meantime I've been handsewing. I love those kneesocks. I have three socks on needles but am in a binge of sweater knitting that will probably be last through the summer (I have some yarn and patterns put by for summer knitting) and I think in the fall I'm going to do some knee socks. Thanks for a great episode with such a lot of great links.

[@jenntuomala6259]

Hooray! Happy birthday! Can you tell us more about the sewing table pattern? I'd love to have one someday that fits my sewing machine and serger. And thanks for showing off the knee socks! I've been wanting an excuse to order from turtlepurl and knee socks may just be it. Enjoy the new sewing machine!

[@sheryltisdale]

Happy late birthday! 68 here, glad you bought your new sewing machine, awesome!

[@ambling2]

Thanks!

[@RoxanneRichardson]

You bet!

[@Sequoya]

Great episode! Happy Birthday Rox! I’m glad you took some time off for yourself and family. :)

[@cathafloat1519]

I ❤️ Rosie

[@lynntimmer1620]

Happy Birthday! I enjoyed the episode, as always!

[@robyn3349]

Thank you! Happy Birthday!

[@alisonsmith376]

My birthday was Thursday too! 🎂

[@RoxanneRichardson]

The 24th?! Birthday twins! :-)

[@alisonsmith376]

@@RoxanneRichardson Oh geez, when you said Thursday, I assumed the 31st! So close, darn it. Happy Birthday anyway, Roxanne! 🎂

[@sherryperry67]

Happy Birthday!🌸🌸🌸

[@francesm1704]

Oh awesome! Glad you tried Turtlepurl yarn. Emily makes beautiful yarn ❤️

[@published1789]

Happy Birthday! And what a great idea for approaching birthdays. Congratulations and best wishes for your upcoming projects on your sewing machine, socks and BFL. May I ask about your sweater ... is it a commercial pattern, ravelry project or previous video blog?

[@suemercer9859]

Happy birthday and wishing you a fulfilling year. Thanks for the episode today. I learnt so much. Good info in making long socks. How to think about the set up of my craft room etc etc xox

[@andreahughes1500]

Happy birthday!

[@24567423ify]

Happy birthday! 🎂🎉. My brother turned 60 on March 28. So close to you. The cart sounds like a truly amazing gift.

[@MrMonet111]

🎂🎂🎂

[@TheSuzberry]

Happy Birthday, youngster. Your videos are a gift. I really enjoy them but want you to know that you are not obliged to create them for us. (Highly recommend books on tape while you are driving.)

[@RoxanneRichardson]

I was listening to murder podcasts and history podcasts the whole way! :-)

[@pammyers1982]

Happy birthday and enjoy your new machine! Which model did you end up with?

[@RoxanneRichardson]

The 5300QDC.

[@debmary2999]

Happy birthday- you look too young for that age! I think a sweater is in order for your brother 😅 - the cabinet sounds perfect 💟

[@tracyvision]

Happy Birthday Roxanne!!

[@bornokyo5575]

Happy Birthday 🎉🎉🎉

[@StellaLeeThreads]

Happy Birthday!

[@lmchatwin77]

Happy birthday!