Advertise on podcast: 2 Knit Lit Chicks

Recorded Wednesday, February 21, 2024 Book talk begins at 31:30 Our Summer Tops KAL has begun and goes until to June 1, 2024.  It needs to be an adult-sized top that you consider to be appropriate for use in the summer, and we will leave the parameters of that to you!  Come chat with us about summer tops on our KAL thread, and check out our Summer Tops bundle for pattern ideas! Virtual Knitting Group via Zoom Events Tracie and Barb will  NoCKRs - April 25-28, 2024 at the St Francis Retreat Center in San Juan Bautista, CA Fiber Frolic - June 1 at the Soul Food Farm outside Vacaville, CA   KNITTING Barb Finished: Bankhead Hat #27 by Susie Gourley Velvet Pullover by Claudia Quintinella, using Serendipidye Kings Mountain Fingering in the Piccadilly colorway, Invictus Yarn Adventure in the Don’t Look  Under the Lilacs, Invictus Yarns Master of My Feet in the Adagio colorway, AND Knit Picks Palette in the Aster and Bluebells colorway. 2 Knitted Knockers   Tracie finished: 2 Soap Sacks by Haley Waxberg in Knockers yarn (And the bar shampoo and conditioner Tracie can be purchased at https://viori.com/) Beginner’s Rainbow Rabbit by Claire Garland in sparkly periwinkle Tahki Linguine for Lauren’s 12th birthday Jen by Josée Paquin in Marianated Yarns Scrumptious HT in Sea of Glass and Indigo Bunting, Laneras Barefoot in Coral and Invictus Yarns Unconquerable Sole BFL in the Powerful colorway 1 Knitted Knocker   If you would like to make Knitted Knockers, here is some useful info -   From the Knitted Knockers.org website: “Knitted Knockers are special handmade breast prostheses for women who have had breast cancer and undergone mastectomy or lumpectomy. Traditional breast prosthetics can be hot, heavy and sticky. They typically require special bras or camisoles with pockets and can’t be worn for weeks after surgery. Knitted Knockers are soft, comfortable, beautiful and when placed in a regular bra they take the shape and feel of a real breast. They are adjustable, washable and can even be worn while swimming. Our special volunteer knitters provide these FREE to those requesting them” Please visit the Knitted Knockers website, Knitted Knockers Homepage for all the information that you need.   This webpage is especially helpful for information on approved yarns and color information: Yarns and colors Very Important: Please note that neutral colors are preferred.  If you want, you can use bright colors on the bottom of your knocker, but the top of it needs to be in a neutral color.  Patterns: So many choices!  Please go to this section to pick and download your (free) pattern: Knitted Knockers Patterns.  Hint:  The Bottoms Up Knocker for Double Point Needles pattern works great with magic loop too…and has the easiest “start” to your knocker! Barb working on: Cheeky Cables Socks  by Mary Lukas using Universal Yarns Zesty Sock in the Pearl colorway CAPROCK tee by Yamagata using Araucania Ollagua Knitted Knockers   Barb has cast on: Pinnacles Beanie by Nancy Bates, from the Knitting the National Parks by Nancy Bates, using a kit Rock It Tee #2 by Tanis Lavallee, using Knit Picks Lindy Chain, in the colors Clarity, Rouge, and U Blue   Frogged:  Colourwheel DK 1 Ball Scarf by Sirdar, using a Sirdar Colourwheel in the Follow the Rainbow Colorway   Tracie cast on: Pixie Dust by Dani Sunshine in Berroco Vintage Handpaints in light blue/pale green/purple 1 Knitted Knocker   She continues to work on: Fresh Favorite Tee by Christen Clement Designs in Queen City Yarn Coleman in the Maple colorway Fiddly Bits Cowl by Jana Pihota using fingering scraps   BOOKS Look What You Made me Do: Confronting Heartbreak & Harassment in Big Law by Erin Gordon - 4 stars The Loyal Wife by Natalie Barelli - 3 stars Trail of the Lost: The Relentless Search to Bring Home the Missing Hikers of the Pacific Coast Trail by Andrea Lankford - 5 stars The Secret Place (Du

 Recorded Thursday, February 8, 2024     We are so excited to have Kim McBrien Evans, dyer of Indigodragonfly Yarns, designer, teacher, innovator of knitting pattern modification and all-around Textile Maven as our guest this episode!   We had a fantastic talk with her about her background, starting her yarn business, learning to modify knit patterns out of necessity and wanting to share what she’s learned about anything-but-standard sizing and as a teacher, designer and advocate for size inclusivity and a change in the way we size women’s clothing.     Coupon Codes for Our Listeners Website: https://indigodragonfly.ca Discount code for yarn and patterns:  15% off all yarn and patterns   Ravelry: https://www.ravelry.com/designers/kim-mcbrien-evans Discount code: 2KNITLIT15 15% off all patterns and ebooks   Impervious Shawl  designed to be knit with some of Kim's husband's more complex colorways         A Tale of Two Sweaters   vs     "New Representative Sizing Standards for Garments that Fit" by Kim McBrien Evans for Digits and Threads, March 9, 2022 (you can download the size chart here as well through an email sign up)   "Inclusive Sizing Is Not Impossible—We Just Have to Work Together" by Kim McBrien Evans for Digits and Threads, April 14, 2021 Digits and Threads has a lot of other Kim's articles about fit, so take a look around! Find Kim Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/Indigodragonfly Instagram: @indigodragonfly 

Recorded on January 24, 2024 Book Talk starts at 19:28 Our Fall Sweater KAL has ended!  Please stayed tuned to the end of the episode to find out if you won a prize.  We had 107 completed sweaters - way to go! Our Summer Tops KAL will run February 1 to June 1, 2024.  It needs to be an adult-sized top that you consider to be appropriate for use in the summer, and we will the parameters of that to you.  Come chat with us about summer tops on our KAL thread, and check out our Summer Tops bundle for pattern ideas!   Events Tracie and Barb will  NoCKRs - April 25-28, 2024 at the St Francis Retreat Center in San Juan Bautista, CA.  The retreat is full but you can still get on the waiting list!   KNITTING Barb Finished: Bankhead Hat #27 by Susie Gourley   Tracie finished: Socks to match my Archer in Dizzy Blonde Studios Dizzy Color in Delete and Lisa Souza Dyeworks Deluxe Sock in Cornflower   Barb working on: Colourwheel DK 1 Ball Scarf by Sirdar, using a Sirdar Colourwheel in the Follow the Rainbow Colorway Cheeky Cables Socks  by Mary Lukas using Universal Yarns Zesty Sock in the Pearl colorway Velvet Pullover by Claudia Quintinilla/Ewe Knit Toronto, using  Serendipidye Kings Mountain Fingering in the Piccadilly colorway, Invictus Yarn Adventure in the Don't Look Under the Lilacs colorway, Invictus Yarns Master of my Feet in the Adagio and the Bobby color ways   Barb has cast on: Bankhead Hat #28 CAPROCK tee by Yamagata using Araucania Ollagua   Tracie has cast on: Beginner’s Rainbow Rabbit by Claire Garland in periwinkle Tahki Linguine from the NYFR destash   She continues to work on: Jen by Josée Paquin in Marianated Yarns Scrumptious HT in Sea of Glass and Indigo Bunting, Laneras Barefoot in Coral and Invictus Yarns Unconquerable Sole BFL in the Powerful colorway Fresh Favorite Tee by Christen Clement Designs in Queen City Yarn Coleman in the Maple colorway Fiddly Bits Cowl by Jana Pihota using fingering scraps   BOOKS Barb read: Impossible Things Before Breakfast: Adventures in the Ordinary by Rebecca Front - 4 stars 56 Days by Catherine Ryan Howard - 3 stars Prom Mom - by Laura Lipman - 5 stars Last Dance, Last Chance and Other True Cases (Crime Files #8) by Ann Rule - 4 stars High Country (Anna Pigeon #12) by Nevada Barr - 5 stars   Tracie read: Wham! George Michael and Me by Andrew Ridgeley - 4.5 stars Wrecker by Carl Hiaasen - 3 stars 13 1/2 by Nevada Barr - 3 stars Bunny by Mona Awad - 3 stars Deadly Pretender: the Double Life of David Miller by Karen Kingsbury   Tracie recommends the TV show Jury Duty on Prime Video/FreeVee

Recorded on January 7, 2024 Book talk starts at 13:26 Our annual Fall Sweater KAL is almost over!  Stay tuned for our next KAL which will be announced in Episode 280. Virtual Knitting Group via Zoom EVENTS Tracie and Barb will be at: Northern California Knitting Retreat (fondly known as "NoCKRs) April 25. - 28, 2024 KNITTING Tracie finished: NOT ONE DAMN THING Barb Finished: Donner by Elizabeth Doherty. Using Knit Picks Lindy Chain in the Sage Brush colorway Tracie is Working on: Jen by Josée Paquin in Marianated Yarns Scrumptious HT in Sea of Glass and Indigo Bunting, Laneras Barefoot in Coral and Invictus Yarns Unconquerable Sole BFL in the Powerful colorway Socks to match my Archer in Dizzy Blonde Studios Dizzy Color in Delete and Lisa Souza Dyeworks Deluxe Sock! in Cornflower Tracie has cast-on: Fresh Favorite Tee by Chirsten Clement Designs in Queen City Yarn Coleman in the Maple colorway Fiddly Bits Cowl by Jana Pihota using fingering scraps Barb working on: Colourwheel DK 1 Ball Scarf by Sirdar, using a Sirdar Colourwheel in the Follow the Rainbow Colorway Bankhead Hat #25 by Susie Gourley, using Berroco Vintage in the Forest colorway Barb has cast on: Cheeky Cables Socks  by Mary Lukas using Universal Yarns Zesty Sock in the Pearl colorway Velvet Pullover by Claudia Quintinilla/Ewe Knit Toronto, using  Serendipidye Kings Mountain Fingering in the Piccadilly colorway, Invictus Yarn Adventure in the Don't Look Under the Lilacs colorway, Invictus Yarns Master of my Feet in the Adagio and the Bobby color ways   BOOKS Tracie has read: The Lazarus Files: A Cold Case Investigation  by Matthew Gough - 4 stars Keep it in the Family by John Mars - 4 stars Drop City by TC Boyle - 5 stars Barb has read: A Good Neighborhood by Therese Anne Fowler - 3 stars Thin Air by Michelle Paver -  4 stars To the Land of Long-Lost Friends: No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency #20 by Alexander McCall Smith - 4 stars The Hypnotist (Joona Linna #1) by Lars Kempler    

Recorded on Saturday, December 23, 2023 Book Talk starts at 28:11   Our annual Fall Sweater KAL has started!  Knit or crochet a sweater for yourself or another adult.     Here are the rules: Dates - 9/1/2023 - 1/15/24. That’s 4 months…plenty of time to knit or crochet an adult-size sweater…or two! We have bundles for inspiration! Beginner sweaters are here. Adventurous Beginners to Advanced sweaters are here Crocheters! Your sweaters are here ANYONE can add sweaters to the bundles! There will be prizes - just post a picture of your lovely finished sweater in our FOs thread. Do you have some sweaters in progress? WIPs count as long as the sweater is less than 50% done on September 1st. Less than 50% done is your call. We don’t have to “approve” your project. It must be an adult-sized sweater, and it must have sleeves. Short sleeves are fine. You must be a member of our Ravelry group to win a prize. Virtual Knitting Group via Zoom EVENTS Tracie and Barb will be at: New Year Fiber Retreat - January 4-7 at the St. Francis Retreat Center in San Juan Bautista, CA KNITTING   Barb Finished: Vanilla Socks for Will, using Paton’s Kroy Socks in the Route 66 colorway South Shore Cardigan by Kay Hopkins, using Madelinetosh Tosh DK in the Tart colorway Bankhead Hat #24   Tracie finished: Bankhead Hat #6 by Susie Gourlay in Universal Yarns Uptown Worsted in grey Simply Garter Stitch Hat by Caron Design Team (free) in Alexandra: The Art of Yarn Pendleton DK Cumulus Blouse by Petite Knit in Countrywide Yarns Windsor 8-ply Frog and Toad by Christina Ingrid McGowan     Barb working on: Donner by Elizabeth Doherty. Using Knit Picks Lindy Chain in the Sage Brush colorway Colourwheel DK 1 Ball Scarf by Sirdar, using a Sirdar Colourwheel in the Follow the Rainbow Colorway   Barb has cast on: Bankhead Hat #25 by Susie Gourley, using Berroco Vintage in the Forest colorway   Cast on: Jen by Josée Paquin in Marianated Yarns Scrumptious HT in Sea of Glass and Indigo Bunting, Laneras Barefoot in Coral and Invictus Yarns Unconquerable Sole BFL in the Powerful colorway   Working On: Socks to match my Archer in Dizzy Blonde Studios Dizzy Color in Delete and Lisa Souza Dyeworks Deluxe Sock! in Cornflower   BOOKS   Barb is currently reading 4 books, but didn’t finish any since our last episode.  Instead, she recommends:   Believable: The Coco Berthmann Story (podcast) Already Gone (podcast) Betrayal: The Perfect Husband on Hulu Love has Won: Cult of the Mother God on Max   Tracie Read: Prom Mom by Laura Lipman - 4.5 stars Carrie Fisher: A Life on the Edge by Sheila Weller - 5 stars The Best Awful by Carrie Fisher - 4 stars Out of Bounds by Val McDermid - 4 stars Deadly Mistress: A True Story of Marriage, Betrayal and Murder by Michael Freeman - 4 stars My Word Against His by Lauren North - 4.5 stars

 Recorded on November 25, 2023 Book talk begins at 25:40     Our annual Fall Sweater KAL has started!  Knit or crochet a sweater for yourself or another adult.   Here are the rules: Dates - 9/1/2023 - 1/15/24. That’s 4 months…plenty of time to knit or crochet an adult-size sweater…or two! We have bundles for inspiration! Beginner sweaters are here. Adventurous Beginners to Advanced sweaters are here Crocheters! Your sweaters are here ANYONE can add sweaters to the bundles! There will be prizes - just post a picture of your lovely finished sweater in our FOs thread. Do you have some sweaters in progress? WIPs count as long as the sweater is less than 50% done on September 1st. Less than 50% done is your call. We don’t have to “approve” your project. It must be an adult-sized sweater, and it must have sleeves. Short sleeves are fine. You must be a member of our Ravelry group to win a prize. Virtual Knitting Group via Zoom EVENTS Tracie and Barb will be at: New Year Fiber Retreat - January 4-7 at the St. Francis Retreat Center in San Juan Bautista, CA KNITTTING Tracie finished: Never Not Gnoming #27 by Sarah Schira in assorted fingering weight leftovers Salty Air Tee by Samantha Guerin in Stitch Sisterz Laceweight Cashmere in Pine Tree and Shaggy Bear Farms Merino with Superwash and Tussah Silk in blue green Hungry Horse Hat 3 in various acrylics Rikke Hat #4 by Sarah Young for Jayla - using Tess Designer Yarns Superwash Merino and Alexandra: the Art of Yarn Pendleton DK Barb continues to work on: Vanilla Socks for Will, using Paton’s Kroy Socks in the Route 66 colorway Donner by Elizabeth Doherty using Knit Picks Lindy Chain in the Sage Brush colorway South Shore Cardigan by Kay Hopkins, using madelinetosh Tosh DK in the Tart colorway Bankhead Hat #24 Barb has cast on: Sirdar Colourwheel DK 1 Ball Scarf  designed by Sirdar, using a Sirdar Colorwheel in the Follow your Rainbow colorway   Tracie cast on: Socks to match her Archer in Dizzy Blood Studios Dizzy Color in Delete and Lisa Souza Dyeworks Delux Sock in cornflower Bankhead hat #6 by Susie Gourlay in Universal Yarns Uptown Worsted in gray   She continues to work on: Cumulus Blouse by Petite Knit in Countrywide Yarns Windsor 8-ply  BOOKS Barb read: Confessions by Kanye Minato - 3 stars The Last Anniversary by Liane Moriarty - 3 stars Redhead by the Side of the Road by Anne Tyler - 4 stars The Mistress Next Door by Lesley Sanderson - 3stars But I Trusted You and Other True Cases (Crime files #14) - 4 stars Vanished in Vermillion: The Real Story of South Dakota's Most Infamous Cold Caseby Lou Ragusa - 3 stars Tracie read: Isabel's Bed by Elinor Lipman - 4 stars Watching Youby Lisa Jewell - 4 stars The Lowcountry Murder of Gwendolyn Elaine Fogle: a Cold Case Solved by Rita Schuler - 3 stars A Wolf at the Table by Augusten Burroughs - 3 stars Blood on Their Hands: Murder, Corruption, and the Fall of the Murdaugh Dynasty by Mandy Matney - 4 stars  

Recorded on Thursday, October 26, 2023 Book Talk starts at 27:53 Our annual Fall Sweater KAL has started!  Knit or crochet a sweater for yourself or another adult.   Here are the rules: Dates - 9/1/2023 - 1/15/24. That’s 4 months…plenty of time to knit or crochet an adult-size sweater…or two! We have bundles for inspiration! Beginner sweaters are here. Adventurous Beginners to Advanced sweaters are here Crocheters! Your sweaters are here ANYONE can add sweaters to the bundles! There will be prizes - just post a picture of your lovely finished sweater in our FOs thread. Do you have some sweaters in progress? WIPs count as long as the sweater is less than 50% done on September 1st. Less than 50% done is your call. We don’t have to “approve” your project. It must be an adult-sized sweater, and it must have sleeves. Short sleeves are fine. You must be a member of our Ravelry group to win a prize. Virtual Knitting Group via Zoom EVENTS Tracie and Barb will be at: The TKGA Retreat 2023 - November 2-5, 2023 at the Hilton Charlotte University Place Hotel in Charlotte, North Carolina New Year Fiber Retreat - January 4-7, 2024 at the St Francis Retreat Center in San Juan Bautista, CA    KNITTTING Barb Finished: Bears 288 & 189   Tracie finished: Pixelated Pullover by Jennifer Beaumont in madelinetosh Tosh Merino DK, madelinetosh Tosh Sport and Duren Dyeworks Love Sport Hungry Horse Hat #2   Barb continues to work on: Vanilla Socks for Will, using Paton’s Kroy Socks in the Route 66 colorway Donner by Elizabeth Doherty using Knit Picks Lindy Chain in the Sage Brush colorway   Barb has cast on: South Shore Cardigan by Kay Hopkins, using madelinetosh Tosh DK in the Tart colorway   Tracie cast on: Hungry Horse Hat 3 in various acrylics Cumulus Blouse by Petite Knit in Countrywide Yarns Windsor 8-ply   She continues to work on: Salty Air Tee by Samantha Guerin in Stitch Sisterz Laceweight Cashmere in Pine Tree and Shaggy Bear Farms Merino with Superwash and Tussah Silk in blue green   BOOKS Barb read: Falling by T.J. Newman - 5 stars Drowning by T.J. Newman - 4 stars You Can’t Catch Me by Catherine McKenzie - 3 stars The In-Laws by Laura Wolfe - 4 stars   Tracie read: Mirrorland by Carole Johnstone - 3.5 stars The Running Grave (Cormoran Strike #7) by Robert Galbraith - 5 stars Kill or Be Killed by Robert Scott - 3.5 stars   Barb’s recommended podcasts: Were You Raised by Wolves? Out Alive Breakdown: The Trump Indictment  

Recorded Friday, October 13, 2023 Book talk begins at 27:00 Our annual Fall Sweater KAL has started!  Knit or crochet a sweater for yourself or another adult.   Here are the rules: Dates - 9/1/2023 - 1/15/24. That’s 4 months…plenty of time to knit or crochet an adult-size sweater…or two! We have bundles for inspiration! Beginner sweaters are here. Adventurous Beginners to Advanced sweaters are here Crocheters! Your sweaters are here ANYONE can add sweaters to the bundles! There will be prizes - just post a picture of your lovely finished sweater in our FOs thread. Do you have some sweaters in progress? WIPs count as long as the sweater is less than 50% done on September 1st. Less than 50% done is your call. We don’t have to “approve” your project. It must be an adult-sized sweater, and it must have sleeves. Short sleeves are fine. You must be a member of our Ravelry group to win a prize.   Virtual Knitting Group via Zoom   Events Tracie and Barb will be at: The TKGA Retreat 2023 - November 2-5, 2023 at the Hilton Charlotte University Place Hotel in Charlotte, North Carolina New Year Fiber Retreat - January 4-7, 2024 at the St Francis Retreat Center in San Juan Bautista, CA   KNITTING Barb finished Mother Bear #288 & 289 Hungry Horse Hat by Aimee Alexander using Polka Dot Sheep Stumptown DK in the Aurora, Depths, Juneberry color way   Tracie finished: Socks in Tosh Merino Light Glitter in T’Challa colorway Hungry Horse Hat#1  by Aimee Alexander in Polka Dot Sheep Stumptown DK   Barb is working on: Donner by Elizabeth Doherty, using Knit Picks Lindy Chain in the Sagebrush colorway Vanilla Socks for Will, using Paton’s Kroy Socks in the Route 66 colorway. Barb has Cast On South Shore Cardigan by Kay Hopkins, using Madelinetosh Tosh DK in the Tart colorway Mother Bear #290 Tracie has cast on: Salty Air Tee by Samantha Guerin, using Stitch Sisters Laceweight  Cashmere in Pine Tree and Shaggy Bear Farms Merino with Superwash and Tussah Silk in Blue Green Hungry Horse Hat #2 In Hibernation for Tracie: Dawning Top by Ainur Berkimbayeva in Zealana Kiwi (Merino/Brushtail Possum/Cotton Blend) in Rococco  Tracie is working on: Pixelated Pullover by Jennifer Beaumont in madelinetosh Tosh Merino DK, madelinetosh Tosh Sport and Duren Dyeworks Love Sport   BOOKS Barb read: The Mosquito by B.A. Paris - 5 stars Ascent Into Hell: Mount Everest  by Fergus White - 5 stars The Couple in the Cabin byDaniel Hurst - 4 stars   Tracie read:  Sickened: The True Story of a Lost Childhood by Julie Gregory Kala by Colin Walsh Deadly Little Secrets: The Minister, His Mistress and a Heartless Texas Murder by Kathryn Casey

Recorded Friday, September 22, 2023 Book talk begins at 27:50   Our annual Fall Sweater KAL has started!  Knit or crochet a sweater for yourself or another adult.   Here are the rules: Dates - 9/1/2023 - 1/15/24. That’s 4 months…plenty of time to knit or crochet an adult-size sweater…or two! We have bundles for inspiration! Beginner sweaters are here. Adventurous Beginners to Advanced sweaters are here Crocheters! Your sweaters are here ANYONE can add sweaters to the bundles! There will be prizes - just post a picture of your lovely finished sweater in our FOs thread. Do you have some sweaters in progress? WIPs count as long as the sweater is less than 50% done on September 1st. Less than 50% done is your call. We don’t have to “approve” your project. It must be an adult-sized sweater, and it must have sleeves. Short sleeves are fine. You must be a member of our Ravelry group to win a prize.   Virtual Knitting Group via Zoom   Events Tracie and Barb will be at: Lambtown - October 7-8, 2023 at the Dixon May Fairgrounds in Dixon, CA The TKGA Retreat 2023 - November 2-5, 2023 at the Hilton Charlotte University Place Hotel in Charlotte, North Carolina New Year Fiber Retreat - January 4-7, 2024 at the St Francis Retreat Center in San Juan Bautista, CA     KNITTING Barb finished Mother Bear #287 Barley Hat #7 by Tin Can Knits, using Knit Picks Hawthorn in the Spri Coco Cardigan by Claudia Quintanilla - EweKnit Toronto, using Knit Picks Hawthorn in the Springfield colorway   Tracie finished: Darling Darby #7 by Jean Clement in Red Heart Super Saver in the Retro Stripe colorway   Barb is working on: Hungry Horse Hat by Aimee Alexander using Polka Dot Sheep Stumptown DK in the Aurora, Depths, Juneberry color ways Vanilla Socks for Will, using Paton’s Kroy Socks in the Route 66 colorway.   Barb has Cast On Rock It Tee #2, by Tanis Lavalee, using Knit Picks Lindy Chain in 3 colors, UBlue, Clarity and Rouge Donner by Elizabeth Doherty, using Knit Pick Lindy Chain in the Sage Brush colorway   Tracie has ast on: Dawning Top by Ainur Berkimbayeva in Zealana Kiwi (Merino/Brushtail Possum/Cotton Blend) in Rococco    Tracie is working on: Pixelated Pullover by Jennifer Beaumont in madelinetosh Tosh Merino DK, madelinetosh Tosh Sport and Duren Dyeworks Love Sport Socks in Tosh Merino Light Glitter in T’Challa colorway   BOOKS Barb read: Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson - 3 stars Lock Every Door by Riley Sager - 3 stars The Perfect Neighbors by Sarah Pekkanen - 4 stars   Tracie read: Waco: David Koresh, the Branch Davidians and a Legacy of Rage by Jeff Guin - 5 stars Election by Tom Perotta - 3 stars Raylan (Raylan Givens #4)  by Elmore Leonard - 3 stars   Tracie has launched her side hustle - The Knitting Coach - in person, one-on-one knitting instruction for beginners and anyone who wants to push their knitting skills forward

Recorded on September 6, 2023 Book Talk starts at: 26:50 Our Mother Bear KAL has ended!  Prizes will be announced during our next podcast, Episode 224.  Counting the bears that Tracie and Barb completed, there will be about 135 bears heading to Africa to make some children really happy.  THANK YOU to all that participated by knitting or crocheting bears and making donations to the Mother Bear organization.   Our annual Fall Sweater KAL has started!  Knit or crochet a sweater for yourself or another adult.   Here are the rules: Dates - 9/1/2023 - 1/15/24. That’s 4 months…plenty of time to knit or crochet an adult-size sweater…or two! We have bundles for inspiration! Beginner sweaters are here. Adventurous Beginners to Advanced sweaters are here Crocheters! Your sweaters are here ANYONE can add sweaters to the bundles! There will be prizes - just post a picture of your lovely finished sweater in our FOs thread. Do you have some sweaters in progress? WIPs count as long as the sweater is less than 50% done on September 1st. Less than 50% done is your call. We don’t have to “approve” your project. It must be an adult-sized sweater, and it must have sleeves. Short sleeves are fine. You must be a member of our Ravelry group to win a prize.   Virtual Knitting Group via Zoom EVENTS Tracie and Barb will be at: Lambtown - October 7-8, 2023 at the Dixon May Fairgrounds in Dixon, CA The TKGA Retreat 2023 - November 2-5, 2023 at the Hilton Charlotte University Place Hotel in Charlotte, North Carolina KNITTING Barb finished Mother Bears 283-285 Ribbed Beanie #3 by Vanessa Ewing, using Western Sky Knits Biggie in the Fishbowl Colorway Vanilla socks using Patons Kroy Socks Stripes in the Meadow Stripes colorway Barley Hat #7, by Tin Can Knits using some of Tracie's handspun    Tracie Finished   Mother Bear #318 Lightweight Raglan Pullover by Purl Soho in Leading Men Fiber Arts Show Stopper in Shantay, You Stay! Morning Ritual Style Marklee by Olga Putano Designs OR Marklee DK by Elizabeth Dorherty with colorwork chart from Women’s Kerbstone by Heather Pfeifer OR Dawning Top by Ainur Berkimbayeva  Barb is working on: Hungry Horse Hat by Aimee Alexander using Polka Dot Sheep Stumptown DK in the Aurora, Depths, Juneberry color ways And has cast on: Vanilla Socks for Will, using Patons Kroy Socks Jacquard Coco Cardigan by Claudia Quintanilla, using some leftover Knit Picks Hawthorne Kettle-Dye in the Springfield colorway. Barley Hat #7 by Tin Can Knits in handspun from Tracie  Barb has frogged: Miles Tee by Ozetta: Hailey Smedley in Universal Yarns Bamboo Pop Sock Tracie has cast on: Pixelated Pullover  by Jennifer Beaumont using Madelinetosh Tosh Merino DK and Madelinetosh Tosh Sport and Duren Dyeworks Love Sport And continues working on: Socks in Tosh Merino Light Glitter in T’Challa colorway   BOOKS Barb read: Shattered by Kathryn Casey - 4 stars Dead of Winter by Darcy Coates - 3 stars The Suspect (Kate Waters #3) - 3 stars Frog and Toad are Doing Their Best (A Parody): Bedtime Stories for Trying Times by Jennie Egerlie - 5 stars Borderline (Anna Pigeon #15)  by Nevada Barr - 4 stars Tracie read: The Politician (DS Cross #4) by Tim Sullivan - 4 stars The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman - 3 1/2 stars The Husband's Secret by Liane Moriarty - 4 1/2 stars The Children on the Hill by Jennifer McMahon - 4 stars

Recorded Wednesday, August 16, 2023 Book talk begins at 23:04 Our annual Mother Bear KAL is ending soon!  To find out all about this wonderful charity, please go to Mother Bear Project website.  Talk bears with us in the Mother Bear Chatter thread and post your finished bears in the FOs thread. We have a listener who has come up with 3 incentive prizes for increasing your bear count!  For more info, please check out the Mother Bear Incentive Prizes thread.   Virtual Knitting Group via Zoom EVENTS Tracie and Barb will be at: Lambtown - October 7-8, 2023 at the Dixon May Fairgrounds in Dixon, CA The TKGA Retreat 2023 - November 2-5, 2023 at the Hilton Charlotte University Place Hotel in Charlotte, North Carolina   KNITTING Barb finished Mother Bears 278-283 6600K (Striped Hoodie) by Barry Klein, using 4 colors of Lana Grossa Ecopuno Degrade Carley by Elizabeth Smith, using Berroco Remix Light in the Mist colorway   Tracie finished: Mother Bear 314 Rock It Tee by Tanis Lavallee in Alchemy: Yarns of Transformation Silken Straw in 6 different color ways   Barb is working on: Razzle Dazzle Scarf in Leading Men Fiber Arts Show Stopper Gradient Set in the Razzle Dazzle #22 colorwayMother Bear 284 Hungry Horse Hat by Aimee Alexander using Polka Dot Sheep Stumptown DK in the Aurora, Depths, Juneberry color ways   And has cast on: Ribbed Beanie by Vanessa Ewing, using Western Sky Knits Biggie in the Fishbowl Colorway Vanilla socks using Patons Kroy Socks Stripes in the Meadow Stripes colorway Miles Tee by Ozetta: Hailey Smedley   Tracie has cast on: Morning Ritual Top by Olga Putano Designs OR Marklee DK by Elizabeth Dorherty with colorwork chart from Women’s Kerbstone by Heather Pfeifer OR Dawning Top by Ainur Berkimbayeva   And continues working on: Lightweight Raglan Pullover by Purl Soho in Leading Men Fiber Arts Show Stopper in Shantay, You Stay! Socks in Tosh Merino Light Glitter in T’Challa colorway   BOOKS Barb read: Love Me or Else: The True Story of a Devoted Pastor, a Fatal Jealousy, and the Murder that Rocked a Small Town by Colin McEvoy and Lynn Olanoff  - 4 stars Couple Found Slain: After a Family Murder by Mikita Brottman - 3 stars From Below by Darcy Coates - 5 stars The Truth About Melody Browne by Lisa Jewell - 3 stars The Dream Job by Kiersten Modgin - 3 stars Living the Dream by M. J. Hardy - 3 stars Too Close to the Falls: a Memoir by Catherine Gildener - 5 stars Blood Brother: 33 Reasons My Brother Scott Peterson is Guilty - 4 stars   Tracie read: The Locals by Jonathan Dee - 4 stars Too Close to Breathe by Olivia Kiernan - 3 stars If Looks Could Kill by M. William Phelps - 2 stars

Book Talk starts at 23:51 Recorded Friday, July 14, 2023 Our annual Mother Bear KAL began June 1, 2023, but any bears you have knit or crocheted in 2023 are eligible as entries for prizes.  To find out all about this wonderful charity, please go to Mother Bear Project website.  Talk bears with us in the Mother Bear Chatter thread and post your finished bears in the FOs thread. We have a listener who has come up with 3 incentive prizes for increasing your bear count!  For more info, please check out the Mother Bear Incentive Prizes thread. Virtual Knitting Group via ZoomEvents Tracie and Barb will be at: Lambtown - October 7-8, 2023 at the Dixon May Fairgrounds in Dixon, CA The TKGA Retreat 2023 - November 2-5, 2023 at the Hilton Charlotte University Place Hotel in Charlotte, North Carolina KNITTING Tracie finished: Rift by Jacqueline Cieslak in Juniper Moon Farms Zooey in Rigging Mother Bears 311, 312 and 313   Barb finished Mother Bears 275, 276 & 277 Rock It Tee by Tanis Lavalee, using Anzula Breeze lace in the Fern and Gravity colorways WYS Vanilla Socks, using West Yorkshire Spinners Signature 4-Ply Self Striping in the Peacock colorway   Tracie cast on: Lightweight Raglan Pullover by Purl Soho in Leading Men Fiber Arts Show Stopper in Shantay, You Stay!   She continues to work 0n: Rock It Tee by Tanis Lavallee in Alchemy: Yarns of Transformation Silken Straw in 7 different color ways Socks in Tosh Merino Light Glitter in T’Challa colorway   Barb is working on: Razzle Dazzle Scarf in Leading Men Fiber Arts Show Stopper Gradient Set in the Razzle Dazzle #22 colorway 6600K (Striped Hoodie) by Barry Klein, using 4 colors of Lana Grossa Ecopuna Degradé6600K (Striped Hoodie) by Barry Klein, using 4 colors of Lana Grossa Ecopuno Degrade Mother Bear 278 Carley by Elizabeth Smith Knits, using Berroco Remix in the Mist colorway Hungry Horse Hat by Aimee Alexander using Polka Dot Sheep Stumptown DK in the Aurora, Depths, Juneberry color ways BOOKS Tracie finished: Dannemora: Two Escaped Killers, Three Weeks of Terror, and the Largest Manhunt Ever in New York State by Charles A. Gardner - 4 stars Curse of the Spellmans (The Spellmans #2) by Lisa Lutz - 3 stars French Braid by Anne Tyler - 4 stars Hey, Hun: Sales, Sisterhood, Supremacy, and the Other Lies Behind Multilevel Marketing by Emily Lynn Paulson - 5 stars Love Me or Else: The True Story of a Devoted Pastor, a Fatal Jealousy, and the Murder that Rocked a Small Town by Colin McEvoy and Lynn Olanoff - 4 1/2 stars After Everything You Did by Stephanie Sowden - 2 stars Barb read: The Disappearing Act by Catherine Steadman - 4 stars Never Coming Home by Hannah Mary McKinnon - 4 stars Secluded Cabin Sleeps Six by Lisa Unger - 3 stars Tender at the Bone: Growing Up at the Table by Ruth Reichl - 4.5 stars Arctic Homestead: the True Story of One Family’s Survival and Courage in the Alaskan Wilds by Norma Cobb It’s One of Us by J.T. Ellison - 4.5 stars