Episode 4: Short Rows

Thank you to Shannon at Knitcentric for a very kind review of my podcast. She said the name put her off at first, since she had any affection for math kicked out of her when she was in school, but that she listened anyway and liked my show. That is the whole point for me of doing this -- taking the fear out of math.

The music this week is “A fog” by Furious Ball. I found it at Podsafe Audio. This has no hidden or double meaning, I just liked the music.

This week I’m talking about short-rows, a shaping technique which can make your sweaters fit better or allow you to make 3-D shapes with just 2 needles. Also, short-row socks and heels. Thanks to Carrie Shanks for suggesting this.

The short-row hat thing is not my original idea. It has cropped up in many places over the years. I first saw it in the Knitlist’s 199 gift exchange. It is here. The most fantastic and lovely version I have seen, using elongated triangle wedges and great color is by Brooke T. Higgins in Knitty’s summer of 2005 issue. It’s called Tychus. It’s beautiful.

Download Episode Four

In response to a comment left on Episode 2

First of all, thank you for all of the comments! It is the only way I know you are out there (if you don't e-mail me).

Just so that I can tell you all my answer to this insightful question, here it is:
Is it ok to use a gauge swatch as "insurance" to finish a project if it has been washed?

My answer:
I have used a washed gauge swatch as knitting insurance. It made the neck of the sweater I posted pictures of with episode 3. I think if you were doing lace or something that you had severely blocked, you might want to wind the unraveled yarn into hanks, wash it and let it dry before using it to finish your project.
(I also saw the commenters website and deeply admire her lovely lace and cute children)

Episode 3: Waist Shaping

It's not a waste. (sorry, had to) Perform some simple arithmatic and you can have the kind of waist shaping you want, where you want, on any sweater. The opening music is the same as my promo.

Download Episode Three

Here are some photos of what I'm talking about:


The whole sweater.


The right side, showing the curve and that the sweater needs to be washed and de-pilled after a week of hard wear.


This is just the decreases, the sweater has been folded to put the "seam" stitches in the center of the picture.


From the same angle, showing the shaping from beginning to end.

Episode 2: The Gauge Swatch

This is starting from the beginning. The care and feeding of gauge swatches. What to do with them afterwards. How they can rescue you. Also, Knittunes.

Music: Devin Anderson. This is the first movement of a piece called "Music Monster Symphony".

I found him at Podsafe Audio.

If you are looking for an outlet for your superwash gauge swatches, please have a look at Woolwork's charity page.

Download Episode 2

Next Episode's Topic

The mother of all, the all-important, the all-knowing, the Gauge Swatch. Needles do matter. The wider the better. What to do with them afterwards? They have more purposes than you think, including the ability to SAVE your sweater. One saved mine, not too long ago. And this episode will be longer. :)

MORH

Small moment of ritual humiliation: I, being the careful person I am, managed to write "An Promo for Math4Knitters". Very nice.

First Episode Up

As promised, math tips, the shaping of hats, my current projects, and a question: What do you do when you feel a knitted gift of yours has not been well received?

Download here

Promo

Promo is up. I'll be recording a real episode later today. The music and scream audio files are from Partners in Rhyme at http://www.musicloops.com/.

Download here

Listed on iTunes

My podcast is now listed on iTunes.

It Lives!

My 23-second intro is up and running. Please have a listen. One of my co-workers said, "You sound so calm and soothing." I was just trying not to cough. The first episode will come next week (I hope). It will be about the shaping of hats, what I'm currently knitting and a question of knitterly karma. Also, thank you thank you thank you to all of the other knitting podcasters out there that have made me brave enough to try this, especially Brenda Dayne of Cast-On.