Fleece & Harmony Knitting - Ep 4 - Substituting Yarn, Swatching Tips!

[@thoughtsofawindowgirl2112]

At almost 70, I’m ashamed to say I learn something every episode gals! I adore you guys.

[@FleeceHarmonyPodcast]

We are happy when people learn things from the episodes. Thanks for still watching!

[@mommaloulouis2455]

Jen You make me smile and feel right at home. Somehow adventures just find us! A sense of humor is essential. So glad to find you both!

[@FleeceHarmonyPodcast]

Thank you! We are glad you found us too!

[@sunrhyze]

Your opening is great. As soon as I hear the music and see the sheep faces my body just automatically does a big relaxing breath. Also really enjoying the behind the scenes on how the yarn is made.

[@FleeceHarmonyPodcast]

Oh that’s so nice!!!

[@Dollyknowsbest6x5]

I’m thoroughly enjoying watching old episodes while knitting away in quarantine!

[@FleeceHarmonyPodcast]

Wonderful! We are honoured to keep you company!

[@knitnkitten]

🌈'He who has water wins'💧 🌸Thank you for sharing about the negative effects of nylon in your mill. I will remember that when I make future purchases🌿

[@FleeceHarmonyPodcast]

little.kitten great! Mohair is a great alternative!!

[@RosannaRiondato]

I started rewatching your episodes from the beginning. I am so enjoying them! Love the banter, Kim's giggle in the background, and the yarn of course (I have a wish list). I laughed out loud when Jennifer said: "I almost lost my car door down there one day," when describing how windy Point Prim is during the launch of the new Point Prim socks and the decision to name it after one of its most characteristic (and windy!) points of the island. Warm greetings from Italy. :)

[@FleeceHarmonyPodcast]

Hi Rosanna! ♥️

[@kristiebarsugli1454]

You lady’s are a joy to watch! I have been wanting to knit a pair of socks without nylon. You have answered many questions I have had. I would knit the socks for myself and my hubby. Although we live in Southern California,we have a house in the mountains and it gets quite cold there. Thank you for a lovely podcast. Kristie

[@karenjordan1822]

Catching up on older episodes! Love your ideas and projects.

[@FleeceHarmonyPodcast]

Thanks so much!

[@nadine6388]

I am watching all of your podcasts and just love how much info you share about your farm, your knitting, sheep and wool!!! Thank you!!! I just ordered your yarn to make the After The Rain shawl So beautiful!!!

[@FleeceHarmonyPodcast]

Yay! Thanks for watching.

[@beckyapplebee6368]

Just finding you ladies! So interesting and informative. I am really enjoying listening to you during this long dark winter here on the other side of the continent in Alaska. I am drooling over the patterns and the new possibilities as I sit and knit Christmas hats and mitts for kids. Thanks so much for your informative and entertaining series.

[@FleeceHarmonyPodcast]

Alaska!!! Love it!!!

[@TrickyNight24]

Warmest part of ur house being outback n downwind 😂🤣 too funny!

[@FleeceHarmonyPodcast]

It’s actually true some days!!

[@lorrainekidman7087]

I just love your podcast. It's great to see canadian content,both with yarn and patterns.You to are a joy to watch.

[@darlydulion4256]

I found your podcast when you were mentioned yesterday. I’ve started with #1 and binge watching. I’m enjoying what you have to share about your sheep and the process, your makes are lovely, and I look forward to making something in your yarn. In my opinion there is nothing you’ve said or done to warrant a thumbs down so carry on with your wonderful selves 😍

[@FleeceHarmonyPodcast]

Darly Dulion ha ha ha! Thank you so much! We are used to the thumbs now!!! 😉

[@suestamm3190]

I love you two! I came upon your podcast recently and have been binge watching. Your lives on PEI are so interesting. Can't wait to try your yarn sometime!

[@FleeceHarmonyPodcast]

Sue Stamm great! Welcome!!!

[@carolynmclaughlin8405]

Jennifer, your excitement regarding your Knitting is infectious! Love watching and listening to you both....as well as your guests! I usually knit socks in my size but they often end up as gifts.....such a common size😉.

[@FleeceHarmonyPodcast]

carolyn thank you! I love knitting so much! And We love knitters! What a wonderful industry we have chosen! Kate’s socks come in 7 sizes or something, (I’m knitting the 3rd size) so these ones might not slip through your fingers quite so easily! 😘

[@margaritadeverson2098]

I just saw you on Fruity Knitting and learned pf your recently launched podcast. I am really enjoying it! You are both so informative and your enthusiasm is contagious. I appreciate that you don’t fill the time with random chatter, but have specific information you want to share. I am looking forward to trying your yarn soon.

[@FleeceHarmonyPodcast]

Margarita Deverson that’s wonderful feedback! Thank you for tuning in!

[@VTgirlandherbeagles]

I would have never thought a wool cowl would reduce fogging in my glasses! I’ll be making me one now for outdoor activities. What a wonderful bonus! Just found you ladies a few days ago and I’m totally binging until I get caught up ❤️

[@FleeceHarmonyPodcast]

I think it traps the air a bit more and wool does absorb humidity quite readily - up to 30% of its weight before feeling wet.

[@Intuitive111]

Fantastic episode ladies. I just love your podcast it is jammed packed full of interesting information and fun! I feel so relaxed listening to you both and can relate to a lot of what you mention in your podcasts. Love your updates on your yarn, can’t wait to use it in my future projects. 👍👍👍👍👍

[@FleeceHarmonyPodcast]

Tangled_ Yarney thank you SO MUCH. We like to have fun, we are so glad that comes across, and now others can join in! 💜

[@heatheranderson5668]

What a lovely podcast!! The new sock yarn and sock pattern are both delightful, and I am now dreaming of my own "Waiting for Rain" in that lace!! I guess I know what I will be spending my hirthday money on in a few months! :)

[@FleeceHarmonyPodcast]

Heather Anderson the waiting for Rain was so enjoyable! It’s also very wearable (not to repeat ourselves) but it’s a really nice investment piece to make! 💜 We are sure you will love every minute of making it, and owning it!

[@karijames381]

i wish i found you sooner!!! i would have loved to joined your mitten along. you two are great, so much fun to watch!!!

[@FleeceHarmonyPodcast]

Kari James I’m sure we will have another KAL in the Fall!! ❤️❤️❤️

[@esthervangorder3983]

I love your podcasts! You are both so enthusiastic and personable - we've not met in person (yet), but I feel like we're old friends. I am a brand new sock knitter so the information about mohair vs nylon is very timely.

[@FleeceHarmonyPodcast]

Esther that’s wonderful! We feel like our viewers are old friends too! We are learning so much from all the comments and love hearing from everyone! 💜

[@beverlybullock8960]

Oh my gracious! Your podcast come up in my recommendations, and I feel as if I found a treasure! I've wanted to visit PEI for years (because I'm a fan of everything Anne) and now I've even got more reason to want to make the trip. Your podcast was wonderful, and I plan to spend the evening going back and watching all of your episodes from the beginning. I've subscribed and am now a fan of everything Fleece & Harmony! I live way below you in Tennessee, so I don't know if I'll ever actually get there but I can hope. Thanks bunches for a delightful podcast! B-) P.S. I'd knit the socks for myself.

[@FleeceHarmonyPodcast]

Beverly! That’s so wonderful!!! We are envious of your location at the moment. It is devilishly cold still, and we are preparing for a very bad winter storm tomorrow. Our wool will protect us! We are so glad you enjoyed the podcast!

[@lucindajeffrey9047]

Hello to u both, I just came across ur Podcast on Recommended on You Tube, & I am enjoying it.

[@FleeceHarmonyPodcast]

Lucinda Hello to you! That’s great! Thank you KZbin! ❤️

[@margaretbuckley4752]

So good! Thanks for another great podcast.

[@FleeceHarmonyPodcast]

Margaret thank you!

[@concettorametta9005]

Lisa R YES! Mohair is fantastic for sock yarn ! I’ll be ordering today .thank you !

[@kiwijenniferknits]

I am really enjoying watching your podcasts! AND I would love to knit those socks for myself and probably for my grandchildren too! Thanks

[@FleeceHarmonyPodcast]

Jennifer McGrath great!!! Socks for everyone!!

[@barbarareeves9669]

Love your podcast!! So interesting and fun to watch .... Need that sock yarn ! And those mittens💕

[@FleeceHarmonyPodcast]

barbara reeves we LOVE the mittens!!!!! Kim has picked another lovely pattern called Trondheim!

[@ceclancyx]

Love watching your podcast, I try to make it to P.E.I. every summer and will have to stop into your shop to visit. Love the new sock yarn.

[@FleeceHarmonyPodcast]

ceclancyx thank you!

[@elizabethhughes1506]

Enjoy your podcast so much. Very relaxing and informative. Love the nine inch needle. If you hold it facing your right hand with the open U shape facing that way your hand won’t cramp. Have done many socks this way.

[@FleeceHarmonyPodcast]

Elizabeth we will try that! Thank you for writing!! ❤️

[@emmabutcher]

What a great podcast. I hope to buy some of your beautiful sock yarn soon, so this pattern would be perfect. I would knit them for my hubby when is so knitworthy and adores handmade socks.

[@FleeceHarmonyPodcast]

Emma sounds like a good plan! ❤️

[@tinastreasures1]

Thank you for the wonderful tips about socks❤️ I’ve been trying to figure out the ends and outs because I would like to make some. And my feet already sweat so I’ll give it a go with wool yarn I have in my stash. I’m new to your podcast and so far every episode I’ve watched has taught me something useful.

[@FleeceHarmonyPodcast]

Charlene King that’s great! We are glad you are finding it interesting and yes, wool socks are the best!!

[@lisakatharina6827]

Hi there, I have just found your Podcast and I love it! Since I'm Not native in English I have to find some words in the dictionary and I was fascinated when I found Out that you don't knit socks, mittens and everything round on five needles. I have never seen anyone doing the magic loop before and I think I'll try it soon. Go on with the great content!

[@FleeceHarmonyPodcast]

Lisa Katharina thanks for joining us! We do use magic loop, but lately we have been using short circular needles too. Chiaogoo makes some very small sizes so you can just knit around without doing the magic loop. They come in 9 inches for socks and mittens and 12 inches for hats. But truthfully everyone has their own preference for knitting small things. We have lots of customers that still prefer 5 needles.

[@michellem3899]

Just found you and enjoying it very much.

[@FleeceHarmonyPodcast]

Awesome! Welcome aboard!

[@MsStarlaughfish]

I'd really like to finally knit myself a pair of socks as I haven't done that yet! But my partner is also quite knitworthy. I'm just in Nova Scotia and look forward to the day I can visit your shop!

[@FleeceHarmonyPodcast]

Sam Read great! We’d love to see you! 💜

[@trewq9416]

Always informative! I'd love to make some socks for myself out of your yarn!

[@FleeceHarmonyPodcast]

trewq great! Thank you for watching!

[@lindastewart8853]

Love! So interesting!

[@FleeceHarmonyPodcast]

Linda Stewart thank you!

[@kathygalbraith9828]

I did my first pair of basic mitts last winter using magic loop 😳 I am looking forward to using the Chiaogoo needles and Point Prim yarn from your shop to knit my first pair of socks 😊 No more magic loop for me either ...

[@FleeceHarmonyPodcast]

Kathy Galbraith down with magic loop!!! 🤣 We just ordered them in in hat size as well!

[@brendasolanki8424]

You ladies have been reading my mind! I'm ready to cast on a new pair of socks and was wondering about all wool socks. Questions answered plus wool and pattern on offer. I learned to do 2 socks at once with Kate when I started knitting in this phase of my life (post an accident). AND, your "smitten for mittens knitalong" is exactly a pair of mittens that I've been considering. You can look for an order from me very soon! I also enjoyed listening to Amanda's adventure...not for me but what a success to know you can live that way. Oh yeah, one more thing, I wouldn't worry about the thumbs down. I suspect some people do that just to be ornery.

[@FleeceHarmonyPodcast]

Brenda Solanki thank you for writing! We are so glad you like the projects! We can’t wait to see all the mittens!!!

[@lisah8162]

Right. I’m in on the socks and the mittens!

[@FleeceHarmonyPodcast]

Lisa H wonderful!! I am starting the socks probably tomorrow, and of course the mittens on the first!

[@svance1041]

Fabulous episode with so many exciting things to learn about! Will your projects be up on ravelry so we can see the needle sizes, etc. you are using with your yarn? Thanks for the great show notes. Your sock yarn colors are beautiful. Thanks so much for the inspiration!

[@rebeccamonk515]

Boot socks! Always a wonderful knitting time with Fleece and Harmony and now we can knit socks too ;-)

[@FleeceHarmonyPodcast]

Saustinvance Vance thank you! We are trying to put everything up as we finish it! I just need a picture and then Ramea will be up! I am almost done the first sleeve now!

[@svance1041]

Fleece & Harmony That's fabulous! I look forward to seeing your sweater as you go along! You must be a fast knitter!

[@concettorametta9005]

Lisa R argyles :) , cables, texture , there’s great bit of sheen .. Also, sock yarn used to be sold ( some in EU still is) with a small card of matching very fine carry along yarn for the heels of socks. It was wool , you basically just slip stitch the additional reinforcement yarn . I’ve never had a hole form if I used this method.Of course as dyers the advantage is the matching small card of finer yarn is possible KUDOS LADIES SMART WOMEN ,!

[@allnaturalnutknitting4272]

What type of yarn is best/strongest for socks? I have problems finding a non-nylon yarn that can last longer than six months.

[@FleeceHarmonyPodcast]

AllNaturalNut Knitting mohair is what we use, Bamboo might last longer but we don’t have experience with it personally. It, of course, depends on how often you wear the socks in that six months.

[@katdef100]

Another wonderful podcast--keep up the great work! And I agree that the one thumbs down you received was a mistake:-)

[@FleeceHarmonyPodcast]

katdef100 thank you! Ha ha ha re: thumbs down. We joked that it could have actually been our own mother! 🤣

[@shetlandlace]

I refuse to learn magic loop. I use dpns, but the small circulars sound very interesting.

[@FleeceHarmonyPodcast]

Yes, they are infinitely better than magic loop! I avoid it at all costs now!

[@peggyisme]

Lovely show, sometimes the thumbs down are because it was recommended to someone who has no clue what you are talking about let alone yarn. So did I miss something about the lovely fabrics between you?

[@FleeceHarmonyPodcast]

peggyisme just our impressive wool blanket collection!

[@wendypassalent4426]

Re your soak and block your swatch comment....1) can you reuse your yarn after that? I’m guessing no...since it’s now different than the rest. And2) safe to say this yardage isn’t included with the pattern? Because then you stand the chance of running short right?

[@FleeceHarmonyPodcast]

Hi Wendy - We usually do the swatch, wash and block it and measure. Then we knit the garment and if we need to unravel the swatch we do. Once you wash and block the finished garment, the part that came from the swatch just blends in. To be honest, there is usually only enough yarn in the swatch to finish some binding off, or a small section. You do need to be careful not the felt your swatch when you work with it. If it felts, you can't use it. As for is there enough yarn to complete the project, I usually buy 5 - 10% more yarn than the pattern calls for. It always amazes us when knitters want to buy the exact yardage of what the pattern says. When we do kits, we actually allow for 10% more yarn than the pattern says. This might be a great topic for our next podcast! Thanks for your question!

[@peggyisme]

Many designers include yardage for swatch. If you are making something with pockets or inserts use that part of the pattern as your swatch.

[@pennykyle9370]

I really enjoying watching you both. Would you consider sitting closer together sitting closer, and much closer to the camera. It is really difficult to see some of what you are showing.

[@FleeceHarmonyPodcast]

Penny We are still working out our ideal set up! Certainly we didn’t like this one either, we will definitely be bigger next time! 😂

[@pennykyle9370]

@@FleeceHarmonyPodcast I am really looking forward to watching your podcast for a long time. I appreciate your focus on information (teaching) as a part of the podcast. Have a great day.

[@valpoux]

I love the sock pattern Both sides and then and I would like to make a pair for my husband. With my 9" chiagoo :) Can't live without them! I love your podcasts and can't wait for the next one!

[@FleeceHarmonyPodcast]

Valérie thank you for watching! I hate started the socks and am REALLY enjoying the pattern, and the yarn! ❤️