Due to technical difficulties with our scheduled podcast, we’re doing something a little different this time; a short interview with pattern and handbag designer Jordana Paige. Since this was our first time recording an interview, there were a few technical difficulties with this one as well, so cast your mind back in time and pretend that it’s still October!

Next time, the girls will be back to their usual antics, with tips, book and yarn reviews and plenty of opinions…

You can find Jordana Paige at http://www.jordanapaige.com/.

The girls talk about their recent experiences destashing, the upcoming retreat on April 14th, the centered double decrease, and a whole bevy of awesome yarns.

Mentioned this episode:

• 75 Seashells, Fish, Coral & Colorful Marine Life to Knit & Crochet by Jessica Polka
• California Revival Knits by Stephannie Tallent
• Knit Local by Tanis Gray
• Knitting with Two Colors by Meg Swansen and Amy Detjen
• Malabrigo Twist
• Spud & Cloë Sweater
• Rocky Mountain Dyeworks Stag Ranch Aran
• Oink Pigments
• Sandraline Sweater by Jessamyn Leib

In this episode, Jaala and Amy discuss their holiday traditions, both unusual and useful. And if you are down to the wire, they mention a few projects you could bust out in an afternoon or evening.  There's a rundown of upcoming and past events, and then the gals discuss bread-and-butter yarns.

Mentioned this week:

• Teeny-Tiny Mochimochi http://mochimochiland.com/shop/teeny-tiny-mochimochi/
• Laura Nelkin Designs http://nelkindesigns.com
• Wintertide cowl http://viewer.zmags.com/publication/14fb2b66#/14fb2b66/58
• Geodesic Cardigan by Connie Chang Chinchio http://www.interweavestore.com/Knitting/Patterns/Geodesic-Cardigan.html
• Textured Stitches by Connie Chang Chinchio http://www.interweavestore.com/Knitting/Books/Textured-Stitches.html
• Knitted Dinosaurs by Tina Barrett http://www.abramsbooks.com/Books/Knitted_Dinosaurs-9781584799702.html
• Mandie Harrington's Speshul Snowflake Yarn Club http://www.sheepytimeknits.com/shop/club.htm
• Interweave Knitting Lab http://www.interweave.com/Events/
• Knitting with Two Colors by Meg Swansen and Amy Detjen http://www.schoolhousepress.com/newbooks.htm
• 200 Fair Isle Motifs by Mary Jane Mucklestone http://www.interweavestore.com/Knitting/Books/200-Fair-Isle-Motifs.html
• Fair Isle Basics and Beyond by House of White Birches http://www.anniesattic.com/detail.html?code=121062
• Feral Knitter http://feralknitter.typepad.com/
• Cascade 220 http://cascadeyarns.com/cascade-220.asp
• Ella Rae Classic Wool http://www.knittingfever.com/c/yarn/ella-rae-classic-wool/
• Jamison & Smith Shetland Jumper Weight http://www.schoolhousepress.com/Jumperweight.htm
• Berroco Vintage http://berroco.com/shade_cards/vintage_sh.html
• Berroco Ultra Alpaca http://www.berroco.com/shade_cards/ultra_alpaca_sh.html
• Brown Sheep Lamb's Pride http://brownsheep.com/yarns/lamb-pride?view=category

Today our lovely hosts discuss some of the recent events in the knitting universe, and what glorious discoveries they have made there.

Many things were mentioned:

• New York Sheep and Wool Festival (Rhinebeck)  http://www.sheepandwool.com/
• Stitches East http://www.knittinguniverse.com/STITCHES
• Interweave Knitting Lab (San Mateo) http://www.cvent.com/events/interweave-knitting-lab-2011/event-summary-27b8e163705e481498c9e199e0796b0d.aspx
• Alice Starmore http://www.alicestarmore.com/home.html
• Cat Bordhi http://catbordhi.com/
• Susan B. Anderson http://susanbanderson.blogspot.com/
• 200 Fair Isle Motifs, by Mary Jane Mucklestone http://www.interweavestore.com/Knitting/Books/200-Fair-Isle-Motifs.html
• Knitting with Two Colors, by Meg Swansen and Amy Detjen http://www.schoolhousepress.com/newbooks.htm
• Knits to Give: 30 Knitted Gifts Made with Love, by Debbie Bliss http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/knits-to-give-debbie-bliss/1101742198
• Best of Knitscene Magazine, by Interweave Press http://www.interweavestore.com/Knitting/Books/Best-of-Knitscene.html
• 55 Christmas Balls to Knit, by Arne and Carlos http://www.trafalgarbooks.com/55CHBA.html
• Handwerks 100% cashmere sock (whoops, sorry, that limited-edition is all gone). But check out the lovely colorways on the MCN sock here: http://handwerkstextiles.com/sosoftsock.html
• Sun Valley Fiber Farm single-ply

In this short little update from the gals, we get a story about Amy from Vogue Knitting Live, Jaala's adventures at YarnCon, and the right way to keep a long tail cast on loose.

Mentioned in this episode:

• The Principles of Knitting by June Hemmons Hiatt
• The Wool Dispensary
• Happy Fuzzy Yarn
• Teeny Tiny Mochimochi by Anna Hrachovec
• Stitch London, the book from the group of the same name

In this episode, our expert knitters explain a few provisional cast-ons, discuss the events they've been to recently or will attend soon, and review a useful yarn and a lustworthy needle line.

Mentioned within:

• STITCHES Midwest
• Fickle Knitter Design Volume 1: Leaves
• Loop: Art Fibers for Fiber Artists
• Dragonfly Fibers
• Sunday Knits
• Jenny the Potter
• Yarn Love
• Jamieson's Shetland 2-ply Spindrift
• Jamison and Smith Shetland Jumperweight
• Signature Needles

In the discussion of Signature Needles, Jaala and Amy mention that they were replacing some of the first series of circular needles.  However, please note that Signature Needle Arts will only replace needles with a manufacturing defect.

In Memory of Joyce Williams

Amy talks about the history of Knitting Camp and Jaala dishes about her exploits at Sock Summit; they review What Would Madame Defarge Knit by Heather Ordover; the great sock needle debate carries on; and the Amy reminds us how awesome it is to be able to rip back. Listen to Jaala and Amy come to blows over 9 inch circs!

Amy Detjen and Jaala Spiro talk about their adventures at The National Needlearts Association's summer trade show; the new book from Schoolhouse Press, Knit One Knit All; upcoming events in the yarny world; and Wisconsin's take on the pronunciation of "Oregon".