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Well, hello again! We're back and thrilled to launch Season 4 of the Rumpel and the Frog Show with our awesome new theme:Move Over For Making. We know it's been a while, but truth be told we really needed to take deep--and at last unmasked!--breath in order to get some perspective.  In the time away we've explored what truly motivates us, what sparks our creativity, and what it takes to make objects joyfully at this point the pandemic. In this episode, we'll talk about the new jobs, work spaces, plans, and craft forms we have discovered in the past few months. Plus, we will explain that while we remain rooted in fiber crafts and folklore, we have also grown beautiful new branches in printmaking, embroidery, drawing and more. Most importantly, we believe we have our priorities in good order as makers, moms, and podcasters. So, join us this season to hear how we're clearing our minds and our desks of the clutter that was blocking our creativity. It's all about our maker-lives this season. So outta the way, you obstacles, and MOVE over for making! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/no353l5/message

In this episode we wrap up our season for you, just like a holiday present!  We begin with agreeing on the delights of mulled wines--'tis the season after all--before moving on to mull over the year. We reflect on our favorite finished objects, fibers, and techniques from 2021.  Plus, we revisit last year's Fiber Resolutions!  Tune in to see if we stuck to those or not.  We also share a new set of Fiber Resolutions to guide our intentions and our making in 2022. Oh and yes, we also did do our homework to provide some 30-minute or less projects and resources for you last-minute holiday crafters out there! Most importantly, we thank you all, dear listeners, for your continued engagement with the Rumpel and the Frog Show. We will be hibernating a bit this winter, but we'll be back soon with more stories and more stitching in Season 5 of 2022!  --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/no353l5/message

In this episode, we forage for some itty, bitty, crafty cuties! Need some gift ideas or embellishments? Ornaments or wreath decor? Gift tags or stocking stuffers? Or,  maybe it's just that your December-brain can only handle the teeniest dose of crafty creativity?  Tune in to hear all about Rumpel's tiny crochet and Frog's micro-knits.  We found some amazing collections of patterns to inspire you in small, hour-long doses of stash-busting stitching. So, grab your hooks and needles and find an hour or less to make some little delights with us this season.  Plus, we tried our hand at a few of these and have much to share about our process and our results in both knit and crochet! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/no353l5/message

In this final episode of the Witches and Stitches series, we are delighted to really dig in and share our WIP'S and FO's.  It's been a while since we've had such a good long talk about our fiber-y processes! Next, Rumpel shares her newfound familiarity with familiars, or witches' spirit companions.  Tune in to hear about their origins from Classical Antiquity and their evolution throughout time. Plus, Froggie shares a little lesson she calls "Connecticut Witch Trials 101," in which we learn some choice bits about the long and troubling history of witch trials and witch panic right in our own backyard.  It turns out that the events in Salem are just one chapter in a much longer tale; a tale that our own state of Connecticut begins and ends.  Well, how 'bout that! Finally, we have a teaser for the micro-series planned for two episodes in December. Listen to the very end of the episode to hear all about it! It will definitely be a little bit of fun! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/no353l5/message

In this episode, we explore the association of the broom, and flying upon one, with witches.  But even more importantly, we interview a modern broom maker, Paskalini Savopoulos, who works right here in our region. Want to learn some broom-ish vocabulary words, hear from a passionate maker, and discover the modern status of this age-old craft and its community?  Curious about the not-too-distant leap from other fiber arts to the art of tying brooms? Then please tune in as we dig into some sweeping generalizations and make future, crafty plans with the proprietor of Vagabond Spun. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/no353l5/message

In this episode, we continue to play word games, share WIPs, celebrate FO's, and explore more stitches and witches! We begin with a Rhinebeck review from Rumpel, who returned from her fiber-y pilgrimage to Dutchess County with quite the haul of books, tools, fiber and more. Then, Frog explores her next question about witch iconography:  what is the point of that black pointy hat? Tune in to hear what she learned about pointy toppers and their appearance throughout history on mummies, nobility, sorcerers, outcasts, and more.  Plus, this time we suggest some last-minute, spooky projects to crochet in a jiffy to make your Halloween look jaunty!  We hope you are stitching and find this bewitching! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/no353l5/message

Hold on to your pointy hats! A whole series on witches, witch craft, fiber, and folklore!  What more could you ask for this Fall?  Here at the Rumpel and the Frog Show we have some burning questions at stake (see what I did there?) about everything we ever wanted to know about witches, their craft, and how it might relate to ours.  We plan to take these questions wherever they lead us throughout the whole season. Rumpel begins with a historical overview of good witches and bad witches:  which witch was it? Tune in to to find out!  Next, Frog explores the iconography associated with witches, too.  Plus, we warm up this episode with our WIP's, a fun game of word-association, and some swooning over the yarns we've been stitching with.  So, here's to a season full of witches and stitches!   --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/no353l5/message

Join us for our season closer as the Summer sun sets on Season 2. In this episode we wrap up the Summer and this season with a works in progress report. Hear about all of our yarn-y and fiber-y adventures in crochet, printmaking, embroidery, knitting, dyeing, and doll-making! We have so much to share with you, and we aim to inspire every type of stitcher. Curious about Tunisian crochet, wool felt stuffies, remarkably intentional yarn dyeing, slugs versus snails (whaaa?), or spinning & plying? Grab your projects and your ear buds, come sit and stitch, and tune in while we tell you more! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/no353l5/message

Join us for three --count 'em THREE-- lovely yarn shops in the Nutmeg State, our very own Connecticut.  In this episode we visit the Yarn Barn, Village Wool, and Knit New Haven.  As ever, each shop presents us with amazing selections of yarn, notions, tools, gift ideas, and more.  We love the dk weights and American-sourced yarns in New Haven, the gorgeous and inspiring samples in Glastonbury, and the treasure trove of crewel wool and vintage books in Woodbridge. Along the way we met the amazing owners themselves, plus some indie dyers and designers, too.  Also, we close this episode with two very big reveals.  First, we share the winner of our instagram giveaway.  Woot woot! And, we share our shop-hop-hacks for those planning to join in the fun in the coming weeks.  How did we do it, you ask?  Tune in to find out how to plan your adventure like Rumpel and the Frog! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/no353l5/message

In this episode we take in the vistas of the Green Mountains while cruising 1-91 and Routes 9 and 100 in lovely, verdant Vermont! It was the perfect day for a short road trip with a delicious yarn crawl! Our first stop in Putney takes us to The Green Mountain Spinnery, a cooperatively owned and operated mill producing the perfect line of locally sourced yarns in a surprisingly generous range of fibers, blends, weights and colors. Our host for the morning, Larisa, shared with us her passion for design, yarn production, responsible partnerships, sustainable production, and everything good that goes with the idea of "knit local." For Frog, this thoughtful, bold entrepreneur truly was an inspiration! Just a few miles down the road in Brattleboro we meet with Beth, the one-woman show behind Hand Knits. In this shop we find Beth to be an experienced, welcoming, generous, and very knowledgable shopkeep. Rumpel noticed that she sure keeps an eye on those up and coming fiber trends! Want to check out some new recycled fiber yarn from Berocco or a small batch yarn line from Scotland? Interested in local Vermont dyers or American-milled yarns? Beth is carrying them! Not to mention the ways she keeps her generous storefront fresh by turning over that inventory with regular sales! Tune in to hear about both shops, what we wore, plus a very special side trip. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/no353l5/message

Our second stop on 1-91 Shop Hop takes us on the road north to Massachusetts. Join us on a walk through the vibrant streets of Northampton, MA as we take in all the fiber-y delights of the Paradise City! You’ll hear about the vast, deep, and wonderfully overwhelming experience of Webs America's Yarn Store. First-timer Rumpel takes in what she can in this short visit with a promise to return soon, and frequent-shopper Frog just goes on (and on and on) about the many and diverse classes and educational opportunities she has enjoyed at Webs. Tune in also to meet Bonnie Lemme, Webs Store Manager, to hear the secrets behind the customer-based success of Webs. Next up (and after an ice cream stop at Herrell's, of course) we meander up the street to Northampton Wools for a massively different but equally amazing experience. From amazing fiber finds to a fantastic shop keeper, this place makes for a charming and fulfilling visit for any knitter or crocheter. Contemporary mags, fresh patterns, unique yarns, and in-house designs are just some of what you can expect. Tune in to meet Linda Daniels, the owner of Northampton Wools, and hear what it takes to share a zip code with Webs for such a long time with such great success. Next stop...? Vermont! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/no353l5/message

Join us from New Haven, CT to Putney, VT this summer as we tour and preview ALL NINE shops participating in this year's 1-91 Shop Hop! In part 1 of this 4-part series, we look at two wonderful CT shops north of Hartford: Marji's Yarncrafts of Granby and Ewe and You Fiber Arts of Windsor.  We did our research on the ground, folks.  Wearing our own hand knits, of course, we cruised the fiber aisles, tried the tools, and ooohed & aahed at the notions and other delights each store had to offer. This episode supports our belief that every yarn shop has so much more than just yarn to offer.  Tune in to hear about what we wore and what we hauled away.  Plus, we've included interviews with both shop owners so you can hear directly from them about what they have on offer and how they are engaging in the HOP.  We also have some local lore to tie into the convo of course.  Enjoy!  First stop....CT shops! Let's hop! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/no353l5/message