Needles at the Ready: Episode 123

[@markthebassplayr9235]

Ray, the sweater you did for your niece is beautiful! I absolutely must knit one for my granddaughter. The work and time you guys spent to help a child and the researchers trying to eradicate an illness shows all the love in your hearts. You both are the greatest!

[@leighclark8185]

I really enjoy the length of your episodes. They are the perfect background watching when I'm sewing. I can't tell how much I get done watching/listening to your podcast, they keep me focused. Thanks!

[@kaysimmons9243]

Kevin, that shawl is stunning! Wow! I had the great pleasure of visiting Stephen and Penelope, Stephen West’s yarn shop, in Amsterdam recently. Stephen was there and was such fun to visit with! Really great guy! Ray, love the sweater for your niece. She’s going to love it and it will be perfect for her dance outfit.

[@cclark1273]

You guys help me stay sane in this Topsy tervy world!! Thank you!

[@kathleengray7681]

Kevin, I feel your shawl has an Owl watching me. I love it!

[@Meredith36]

Kim Harrison is a fantastic writer, and I LOVE “Dead Witch Walking.” I’ve read the series twice. And at least the series is complete. Both of your knits are stunning. Kevin, your shawl is just breathtaking. Ray, what an accomplishment for a second sweater. Blown away by you two. Happy knitting 💚🧶💚

[@KimClinger]

You guys are great, fun to watch, great projects, drive, competitive, great senses of humor. Thanks for all of the podcasts!

[@fjellrosastrikkepodcast]

Drops is Norwegian, and have alot affordable yarns. I love the blow yarn Air , and sock yarn Fabel. Many are loving Nepal and Lima , i did use alot Karisma before , now i do t do non superwash that much , but you have to try AIR❤❤❤❤

[@24567423ify]

I’m halfway through the last section of my All About That Brioche shawl. It’s my first brioche project. Love it so much.

[@marianraecrochetknit1199]

Kevin, I ❤ your shawl. You are a Green Bay Packers fan and don't even realize it. Lol. Ray, I ❤ your "sweatshirt." Tarquin❤

[@crystalblue38883]

Ray LOVE your hoodie sweater. Hard to believe your second sweater - yes do it again! And Kevin that shawl is stunning......I personally would pick lower contrast but on you looks great.

[@Mary.P77]

Hi, from Oregon, guys! I was under the impression that today was Friday. I was cruising through my favorite podcasts and, Low & Behold, there you were! Imagine my surprise and happiness! I thought I had to wait for one more day to hang out with you😊. I was 5 hours late, but here we are! Today’s weather was 51 degrees, mostly sunshine, a little breezy and skimpy rain sprinkles. That predicted Bomb Tornado never got to us, but slammed Seattle. Wind damage, 700K without power and unfortunately, there were two deaths. Very sad. I’m passing my days knitting the sleeves on my top-down cardigan (was in a time-out) in Kevin’s yarn. Druid’s Glen(?). I’m loving this yarn, so soft and gorgeous green. Have a great day tomorrow…. ((Hugs))

[@alisonbainbridge1735]

Wow... this is almost 2 hours... such a treat..... Sunday late afternoon here in Australia. I have. been busy all day running our local market.... sooooo tired so resting my very sore ankles and watching you...knitting my Arne and Carlos Christmas stocking... I have kept up this year and should be finished in the next couple of days. Going to attempt my first after thought heal.

[@Viennagirl1120]

Kevin, your shawl reminds me of a very mature version of the Emerald City and the Yellow Brick Road from The Wizard of Oz, very appropriate with Wicked coming out this weekend.

[@katiepasay2347]

I said the same thing! Great minds. 😂

[@leslienelson1751]

Just love your podcast. Beautiful knits. Hope to see you both at skeins soon.

[@isabelwear4158]

Beautiful yarns, amazing colours, the coffee brick, I think you said….so beautiful….The shawl looks super….And we loved slow horses, as well as the Lincoln lawyer….another good one, in my opinion, the new version of The jackal.

[@DonnaCabot]

Can’t wait to see that fiber spun. It is beautiful!!

[@heathermclaughlin8991]

Yes Kevin! Andrea’s GTCO is the only one I understood too. I could not get the other tutorials for love or money.

[@rylomom]

Love your podcast...I'm slowly working thru the back episodes when I need knitting company....got a little teary with you today, I had just seen Tarquin in prior episode. I think it's a lovely idea to use his special colorway for a gift for your niece

[@katrinaknits08]

Ray, I do my German Twisted cast on the same as you. Love you guys. The Love Notes for your nieces are beautiful. Makes me want to make one for my daughter.

[@Creative_Yarnoholic]

I love your socks Ray! Kevin I can’t do the thumb thing either, I also use the same way to cast on like you do. I use this cast on for everything.

[@enida7377]

Lol I do the thumb move also. Kevin I love your shawl. ❤

[@ericadavan6952]

Hello! I get Drops yarn from wool warehouse in England. It arrives very quickly. They often have sales :) love it!

[@paulettemcguinness6469]

Hi guys… so excited I sent you the grocery girls yarn! So happy it came into use… ❤️🧶❤️

[@Nome98712]

Ray, I love your hooded sweater! Kevin, your shawl is gorgeous! I haven't tried brioche yet, but I'm looking forward to giving it a go soon.

[@LindaC1957]

Holy cow!! That shawl is BEAUTIFUL!!!

[@shebeesstitchyworld]

The shawl is beautiful. I did not see the triangles until you pointed them out, awesome. The black sweater is going to be so cute for your niece. Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!

[@demiefraggle]

Ply magazine and the spinning guild are both awesome! Your shawls both look so good!!

[@ColoradoKnitter]

You two are the nicest! ❤ I am also having withdrawals! Let’s plan to hang out again soon ❤❤❤

[@OldeThymeKnits]

Love the shawl Kevin!! Beautiful! I still haven't ventured to Brioche but may have to try it after hearing you say it isn't hard! Enjoyed spinning along to your podcast!

[@katieembrey-farquhar1116]

Kevin, if you want to do two color brioche using your handspun, you could use a commercial or hand-dyed solid or semi-solid for the contrast color. I’m doing that with some of my handspun at the moment and am loving the outcome. I’m knitting Andrea Mowry’s Attune Shawl using a hand dyed DK weight yarn for the MC and my handspun (sport-DK) for the CC.

[@dianevachon]

Kevin, your shawl is so beautiful!

[@24567423ify]

I do the thumb way for German twisted cast on and I learned it from watching crazy sock lady. Maybe that’s where Ray got it.

[@cynthiaspear-duncan7661]

Kevin, that shawl is stunning. I love Denise. I would love to all you guys...but over here in Indiana.

[@CelticPurl]

Both of your knits you are wearing are stunning!

[@suemount6042]

Some of heartstopper was filmed in my home town so great to see joe doing so well

[@KittenWAW]

HEY YOU GUYS!! Kevin: "In my early days of yarn buying ... " sounds like a good knitter's drinking game, along the lines of "Never have I ever ... ". If you do your sleeves 2 at a time, working from both ends of the skeins, you won't have to worry about weighing them or that there's a little less of the grey. It's a bit fiddly, but if I can handle it, you for sure can. Is it just me, or do Coffee Break and Honeyed Glow look like a good match? Ray: Congrats on getting thru a black sweater, especially lace. I bet it gets a lot of use outside ballet class, too. Honey, even if it is rude (I say it's not), you just go ahead and split up those sock sets! "In my early days of crochet pattern buying" I bought a book that had a beautiful Stained Glass afghan pattern in it. Turned out to be Tunisian Crochet, 30 or more color intarsia and embroidery. I wish I could find it now, I'd be willing to try to convert it to knitting. Uh huh. HEY FUTURE WINNER OF PROECT 9 BAG: Congrats!!

[@adrienneoliver3825]

"Nothing succeeds like a budgie without teeth"-Benny Hill

[@klz4377]

Kevin, your spinning is going great! Ray, please don't use the special skein of Tarquin, save it . ❤️. Ray, green is your color and your sweater looks great 👍

[@katiepasay2347]

Kevin your shawl reminds me of the yellow brick road and the Emerald city. Perfect timing for the movie! It's definitely something the wizard of Oz would wear. Love it.

[@AlwaysYarnFirst]

I also do the German Twisted cast on from Andrea Mowry. I also do not move my thumb.

[@barbh7789]

If you want to use the blown yarn, you can use pantyhose inside the chicken to stuff, so the stuffing doesn't come out

[@brittfox9038]

I love long videos, more time to knit.

[@janetjroberson2581]

Hello Kevin and Ray, from Swansea, Illinois. ❤❤❤❤❤

[@cclark1273]

I love Lincoln Lawyer!!!!

[@pattigolden1]

Wow!!! Has it really been 5 years!?!?! I can remember Kevin's very shy first (solo) episode!! I love how your confidence has grown! I've not missed one podcast (ok, I missed a couple lives, sometimes cleaning gets in the way). Your shawl came out great! I didn't participate, absolutely no FOMO! 😂 I might be odd person out, but I use Chinese Waitress (cast-on and cast-off).. sometimes it's called double chain.. it's very pretty AND stretchy. When I do German twisted, I do the thumb thingy too. 😉 Oooooooooooo "coffee break" is gorgeous!! How funny, I purchased "Deadpool and Wolverine", I STILL haven't just sat down and watched it!!! I barely make it through a podcast without getting up a few times....I heard you really need to just sit down and watch. 🤷🏻‍♀️ Have an amazing fortnight!! It's time for me to watch my FAVORITE TV program.... Yes, I'm happy I can pause live TV!! 😂🤣😂🤣

[@ericadavan6952]

Awww, beautiful Tarquin ❤

[@ceciliatallent5779]

Hi to you both.

[@lesliefuson7026]

I move my thumb....lol, love the podcast gentlemen!

[@kima9181]

Love you both in green! And, if you are too busy to gift knit for me before the holidays, no worries --- early 2025 is ok by me ;)

[@beatricebaker6180]

Hi everyone, from Kells Ireland ❤

[@JenniferMateer-t7i]

The half moons in your shawl look like owl eyes.

[@sisterstephanie2557]

I'm not a fan of Stephen West shawls, but I really like this one.

[@TK-cx8ve]

I just bought the last two skeins of coffee break🎉. Kevin, that shawl is beautiful! Ray, love the hooded sweater. The colors are perfect on you. Happy Thanksgiving🦃

[@demiefraggle]

I don't do the thumb down thing either but it actually works out to be the same thing...we are doing the twist with the needle not the thumb. I do not remember the video I got it from...it has been sooo long!!

[@cclark1273]

cool class!

[@darrickwhite1986]

I have to listen in 2.0 speed, so I can relate 😂

[@janecornell4890]

123 or simple as do re mi or easy as abc 123 abc baby you and me! Sorry. I couldn't resist! I saw the group picture of you at the yarn event. I still can't get over how Ray is taller than Kevin! Are you sitting on a booster seat? 🤣 I would be a midget next to Ray! So, don't feel bad. Sorry again but I can't believe that you Kevin are not the tallest! After making the Arne and Carlos Christmas stocking I am wondering. Did you ever make Christmas stockings for the nieces and nephews? That would be fun too. Just think of all the cute things you can put inside. It is a lovely keepsake to be used time after time and bring you into their celebration too. Another song inspiration...Tiny Dancer! Your tiny dancer is going to love that sweater. Her friends will be so envious! I know I am! Does anyone have any tips on how to weave in a million tails? That is what I am doing as I listen to you. I am enjoying seeing your projects and listening to your thoughts. Seriously think about the Norwegian Christmas stockings. Arne and Carlos stocking patterns are on sale and the knit along one is free until December 1. It's a gorgeous stocking! Think of all the cute little kiddie gifts can go inside or coal maybe. We did that to our daughter as a gag. It was the real deal and probably more valuable than what was in the stocking for real! Another thought. Could you knit/crochet a ballerina doll for her bed? That would be cute!

[@deborahhawe4432]

Kevin where did you purchase that gorgeous purple and green fiber? I’m in love!

[@amanda31429]

Did anyone else see pyramids in the triangles? It blew my mind a little.

[@saraw8503]

I do German twisted like Kevin does it.

[@joannescollard1015]

Another great show. Thanks! Do you use enough audible credits to get an annual membership? $230 for 24 credits, so < $10 a book.

[@saraw8503]

Ray, what is the little tool holder you showed in the chalk bag pocket?

[@demiefraggle]

Ray, does your library do Libby? I do most of my audiobooks through that because I go through them so fast...my budget could not keep up with the rate I listen 😂

[@ericas986]

Hoopla is also an amazing audio book app through the library, with no waiting. If they have it, you can borrow it immediately

[@demiefraggle]

@ericas986 Agreed! I also have multiple libraries in Ohio that I can borrow from by using my phone number. As long as you have an Ohio area code. I am not sure if other states do this though!

[@Itsreallyme571]

First!! Big hello from Belfast Northern Ireland x

[@LindaNixon-ws4ge]

And hello from Belfast Maine USA