The Lost Geek Podcast

Off The Needles Sallah Cowl: a bit too tight Rose Window Beret by Anne Kuo Lukito from a past issue of Interweave Knits. Have always been tickled by her name bcoz it's my uncle's family name. I think she must have an Indonesian background somehow. Frogged this yesterday after reading a listener's comment, KatyKittyJay, abt reknitting. I won't like wearing the beret, so why not frog it. Wrong edge. Giant pie's Pixie Hat. My third Stella Pixie Hat project. So easy and satisfying! Matches with Andrew's smaller one. Have leftover yarn 36 grams, 166 yards. Will make mitts for timo. About the name: giant pie, little pie, mini pie   On The Needles Hitofude: very clever construction! Snapdragon Fliptop Mitts: Ysolda Teague pattern. Part of Loopy Academy last year. Couldn't wind yarn using swift and ball wonder because there's no flat table surface in my parents house. 

Hello again everyone and welcome to the last month of 2014! On The Needles Ginkgo Shoulderette Shawl : do you have pattern suggestion for the leftover yarn? I might have 200+ yards of light fingering weight yarn. Hitofude Sallah Cowl by Bristol Ivy. First pattern by this designer. Wanted to knit Hanois Cowl. Designer notes on size and shaping.  Helpful notes by chromakate. Do you look for helpful notes before beginning a project? I've received my November Yarnbox shipment (my second one): Outlaw Yarn's Bohemia Sport, a unique blend of 45% Polwarth, 45% Alpaca, and 10% Possum fiber.It comes with a set of fingerless mitts and beret with a knitted bow by Rhiannon McCulloch called So Boho. I'm still debating between the So Boho or the Mothed pattern by Mag Kandis, a pattern published on Knitty Deep Fall 2010.   Get Your Geek On! December: Latin word decem. Interesting name meanings of the months.

I apologize again for the unintended second hiatus (shorter this time!). While I've been away from the blog, internet, and the podcast, I was traveling with my family to Switzerland and France--as sort of a babymoon to have a vacation before the baby is born and I'm stuck at home :) If you're curious about the trip, download and listen to the podcast episode. This is a long one!   Off The Needles Stella Pixie Hat, modeled by Timothy Saartje's Bootees: I like the end result of this pattern but it's so fussy!! It involves casting on in the middle, and making buttonholes, and seaming. It's a great pattern for teaching a new knitter how to do all those, but for all that fuss, the product seems just so.... Small. LOL. Stella Pixie Hat: it ended up too big for Alicia's little newborn head--I was taking to heart all the saying that we always underestimate a newborn's head size, so I ended up overcompensating. Yarn: 3IG Adorn Sock in Sea Anemone. Samadhi: cast off on the plane to Paris! Honey Cowl: cast off on the plane home! On The Needles

Welcome Kim of Craft Stash podcast as guest interviewee here :)   She is knitting a wedding chuppah for her sister's wedding.   Knit Companion App Veil of Isis by Andrea Jurgrau Elizabeth Zimmerman's Pi Shawl Custom-dyed gradient yarn by Erica (Etsy shop)   Chuppah is done, you can view the episode here where Kim shows the blocking process.  

On The Needles My knitting mojo returns with a vengeance. I cast on two new projects in the past two weeks, although I haven't touched any of my more complicated WIPs--complicated meaning anything more complex than stockinette or garter stitches. Samadhi Honey Cowl -- I have 4 skeins of Rowan RYC Soft Lux (merino, angora, metallic) that's been in my stash for more than 6 years.  Ginkgo Shoulderette Shawl -- Pierrot Yarns Saratto Cotton. Indonesian Knitters Facebook KAL. Tutorials by Cinantya on her blog: garter tab cast on, Judy's Magic Cast On, chart reading, etc. Saartje's Bootees -- no time left!   Theme  Masterful: Dr. Gemma (CogKNITive podcast) episode 196. I just realized how lucky I am to be able to knit and spin. To be ergonomically safe, it is recommended to take a break from knitting every 15 mins (ref: the Knitmore Girls) and let your hand muscles do something different.  Tips for posture, breathing, and exercises from Lindsay Haas, a physical therapist in SF.   Pictorial step by step hand exerc

Update: Sorry everyone for being in an unannounced hiatus, I'm pregnant with my second baby (21 weeks now!) and we've found out that it's a boy. Going along with Timothy's prediction of the gender. Everything related to fiber arts: knitting, spinning, Ravelry sort of disappeared from my radar. My energy level was really low during the first trimester--it's come back up in the last 5-6 weeks, but it's hard to get back into the habit of regular podcasting again after such a long hiatus!    Housekeeping notes: Challenge KAL: I have a recorded session with Kim of Craft Stash (OMG her chuppah must be nearly done now!), apologies to Jan and Ellen of The Twinset Designs podcast and Louise from Caithness Craft Collective who have prepared themselves for the July and August edition of the KAL. I feel really bad for not informing about my hiatus at least, so sincerest apologies, and Big hugs for being understanding!   Thanks to:   rahardjo-knits (Rina) for her review on iTunes. She likes how I tell sometimes sensitive issues in Indonesia as it is, but it's not always easy! On episodes where I talk about sensitive or controversial issues, I tend to spend a lot of time on script and editing.   Dr. Gemma from Cogknitive podcast talked about the show in her podcast. Thanks for the shout out :) A few things she likes about the podcast is me being non-US and non-UK podcaster, LOL. She also likes the balance of sharing my private life without sharing too much, and she mentions KnitmoreGirls, Twinset Designs, Knitting Pipeline, and 2KnitLit Chicks in the same sentence, I'm so flattered! I'm glad she sticks to the podcast even after initially finding the show a bit hard to listen to, something about the sound quality.   Off The Needles Flower power headband Flower pacifier clip Cabled headband ETA: sadly no other FOs in 2.5 months!

Thanks to Paula of Knitting Pipeline for her generous review on iTunes for the podcast. So flattered to know that she's been following and listening. Paula is a big influence during the starting days of the podcast, and she's the one that mentions my unique point is indonesia.    Off The Needles (02:06) Knit Your Love by Martina Behm Swatch #1 for master knitter Swatch #2 One helpful tip to preempt some of the problems that might come up: read the questions related to the swatch in advance, so I know what commonly faced problems are.    On The Needles (08:40) Didn't realize I have so many WIPs on the needles!   Samadhi Fringetree Grove  Socks Swatch Garment choices: Whispers by Veera Valimaki from the most recent amirisu? But would like to knit this in linen... Other pattern options: Hitofude cardigan by Hiroko Fukatsu, lace open front swingy cardi, Criollo by Justina Lorkowska, fitted buttoned cardi with pattern detailing on sleeve hems, body hem, and neckline, or Urban by Veera Valimaki (v-neck top with swingy short sleeves)  

On The Needles  Fringetree shawl by Anne Hanson. Long tail CO with both ends of yarn Use the tail end that you're not going to use as the thumb yarn Knit Your Love: yarn is fuzzy, can clearly see the difference between the freshly knit and the old knit.   Pill remover: electric, sweater stone, Lilly brush (heard from Twinset Designs podcast)   Let's Get Lost! Bandung Lembang trip. Colenak    Tadaima Sorry for the late episode this week, have lost my knitting mojo ever since I got HFMD.   Challenge KAL and LAL is still going. Kim is guest host for June, and Twinset Ellen and Jan is for July.  Bittersweet feelings of a mother to a toddler.

New reviews on iTunes, thanks to: Turboknitter and Ksinc58, I'm really glad you've found the podcast and has been enjoying it.  On The Needles Grove mittens: a tutorial I found online for a modified k2tog for twisted sts Knit Your Love.  Two yarn packages waiting at home:   Bare Naked Wools second shipment, Chebris lace, 700 yards of 60% fine wool and 40% yearling mohair in Creme. What's the difference between goats and sheep? Capricorn Triangle and Amalthea, a square version. Strickmich club second shipment, Welthase fingering merino light, 400 yards of superwash merino in Blue Blessing. Pattern is Samadhi, a very meditational garter stitch shawl.  Theme The TKGA website is a good resource for reference materials. It has a section titled On Your Way To The Masters which is available for members only and it has articles directly related to the Masters program.  Thanks to Lish and Natalie of Mastering The Knits podcast for the shoutout. It's great to find virtual Master Level buddies. Who wants to do a Virtual Knitting together?   Let's Get Lost! Original plan to see sakura blossoms, was disappointed to find out that based on 

Off The Needles Hills hat: first time I tried blocking a hat with its ribbed hem tied by a hair band (YouTube video by knitsbythesea) Mitts Theme MHK level 1: I. Am. On. Fire!!  Mastering The Knits podcast The Principles of Knitting Secret to successful destashing: a good marketing sidekick!   On The Needles Grove mittens by Jared Flood (Three Irish Girls Carys BFL worsted) Was going to knit Fallberry Mitts. Get Your Geek On! Bullet Journal: first heard from A Playful Day (LOVE her new website, BTW) I also use: Evernote app and the Notes app on iOS. How do you organize your notes? Do you have a family calendar?   

On The Needles Timo's mittens using Ann Budd basic recipe. Leftover bijou basin ranch yarn. Unknown needle size (I think 2.5mm?) Hills in Jamul hat. I talk about staple length and micron count Knit your love: pattern suddenly turned up!!   Theme Masterful and Mindful Mindful: Stash swap  Cold Sheep ideal stash size parameter Yarn Box Knit Crate Masterful: Master Knitter Program Mastering Your Knits: new audio podcast   Recalculating Route Knitters Almanac: my first EZ book! Eye-opening facts about Double Knitting, and how gauge affects amount of wool needed for adult garments.

On The Needles Rhonnie Rivulets Knit Your Love--pattern attack! Strickmich! Club. Copyright issues: please be mindful of your purchases and usage. Hills in Jamul hat. Feel of yarn = feltableness and droppableness? Shortie Row(m)ney Hat   Get Your Geek On! Penguins needing sweaters, in Philips Island Australia. Boing Boing report of this recent hoax. Knitty blog suggestion.  How do we find out the truth behind something that went viral? Snopes.com Good Job Brain episode (Um, Actually...): a myth buster section about cooking alcohol out of a dish.   Recalculating Route

Off The Needles BFF Cocoon stitch cowl. Grafting in pattern:     When grafting, you process two stitches on each needle. The first stitch will be dropped, the second stitch will stay on the needle. The mantra for grafting plain stockinette sides together is: Knit-purl, purl-knit, which means knit the first stitch on the front needle and drop it, and purl the second stitch while leaving it on the needle. And then purl the first stitch on the back needle and drop it, then knit the second stitch while leaving it on. So each stitch, before being dropped off the needles, has been processed twice: either knitted or purled while letting it stay on the needle. The secret is that the second process, which is when you drop the stitch off the needles, has to coordinate with how the stitch presents itself to you. So a stitch on the front needle that's a knit stitch, you knit it to drop it. And for a stitch on the back needle that presents to you a purl bump (meaning the RS is knit), you purl it to drop it. Before you drop them off the needles, process them the opposite way--So a stitch on the front needle that's a knit stitch, you process it by purling while leaving it on. And for a stitch on the back needle that presents to you a purl bump (meaning the RS is knit), you process it by knitting while leaving it on.   In the picture above you can see where the width is wonky (because it's still unblocked), that's the graft location, but otherwise can't pinpoint where :)   A good tutorial article on Knitting Daily website includes step-by-step instructions for grafting stockinette, garter, 2x2 rib, and seed stitch.

Thank yous: jgailey4 for the iTunes review All of you who bought the Traipsing Vines pattern in January and February--the total sales is $302.50 and I will do a donation report once it's distributed. Forgot to say a big thank you to Audrey of OwlForU who sent me a thank you note and a gift: a drawstring project bag in matryoshka motif, with felt flower applique and fancy stitching. Also: a mini Yarnivore specially made for Timo! It is now officially renamed: Legovore. Matryoshka project bag and Legovore Off The Needles Cormo Cloud Cowl Billowy Cormo Cloud: Mom saw the cowl and complimented the stitch pattern, and said she'd like something longer (infinity scarf) with buttons. Suggestions? Thinking of knitting 

Happy Valentine's Day everyone!  Thanks to lasknit2 for a new review on iTunes. Off The Needles Cirrus Mitts for Ravellenics    Cirrus Mitts in its WIP stage   Apologies: no errata for mitt pattern, I simply didn't switch to other chart  On The Needles Billow Cloud Infinity Scarf Provisional CO: what do you like to use? Review Issue 4 of Amirisu--Spring/Summer 2014 architecture issue Love their template, so easy to use (on iPad) and with links to patterns, advertisers. 12 patterns including designs by: Stephen West, Gudrun Johnston, Leila Raabe, Michele Wang, Veera Valimaki, Melanie Berg, Bethany Hick, Yuki, nest-design Laboratory, Reiko Kuwamura, Kirsten Johnstone, Kristin Ford.

On The Needles Cirrus Mitts (aka Ravellenics #1), HO! Very fast. Forgot how quick it is to knit with heavier weight yarn. Wrong turn with the right mitt. BFF cowl: decided to keep it separate, so using yarn until very last bit. Got back seat due to Ravellenics. First Strickmich Club shipment arrived! Pristine, no wrinkle on the pattern at all. Dye For Yarn merino-silk fingering, Knit Your Love pattern--Valentine-themed. Interview of Martina Behm on Subway Knits podcast.   The Whirligeek Bought PLY magazine woolen issue; loved!    Ravellenics Special Who watches the Olympics while knitting for Ravellenics? Still couldn't find a reliable channel that airs lots of Olympics coverage here. Tried BBC iPlayer, but not available for Indonesia. Cable sub doesn's include NBC or sports channel unfortunately.   Love the team Sasquatch, Coggie from High Fiber Diet has been holding up for the team and creating threads. I've been busy creating and editing the team roster. Can't imagine how mods in big groups cope...You can find me on Ravelry as thelostgeek, on twitter as lost_geek, and on Instagram as thelostgeek. Do join The Lost Geek Podcast group on Ravelry. You can subscribe to the show on iTunes, or through the RSS feed. iTunes star ratings and reviews are always welcome to help bump up the show and let other people know about it, and it would really help me get feedback about the show.Thank you for listening, and until next time... don't get too lost!

New review from hscruggs, Heather. Thank you :) New star ratings too. I heard from: Anne (sandinmysocks), Marianne (marianneH), Katie (archaeo), Kitty (KatyKittyJay), Janalee (knitsNhikes), CC (JavaPurl, host of Geeky Girls Knit with her 14 yo daughter), Susan (paintermom)   Just found out that my email cannot receive emails... if you have sent me emails in the past I apologize.   On The Needles Rushing Rivulets by Cat Bordhi from her New Pathways For Sock Knitters Book 1 BFF cocoon stitch cowl by Stephanie Dosen published in Knitty   Feel like I need to cast on for something new because the cowl is almost done, but tried to rein the urge in because first shipment of Strickmich! Club is coming.    Tips for weaving in ends.   The Whirligeek

Off The Needles Riverbed-Milo socks.  Sock classified on Stockinette Zombies group. My partner is in Norway not Sweden, sorry! On The Needles BFF cowl cocoon stitch.  Need to plan for project when one ends Spare project OTN Yarn: Becoming Art Helios DK.  Pattern stitch: easily memorized. Reversible. Rushing Rivulets socks Second sock classified Recipient has large feet, 10.5" circ, so used cat Bordhi's trusty master numbers again The Whirligeek Took up my 

Special episode, special format interview with Audrey Ducret of OwlForU on Etsy. Yarns Unlimited TricObag Yarnivore bags my yarnivore lusting after yarn Find her on Etsy, Facebook, or Ravelry. Audrey's craft/work room s

Off The Needles (00:39)   Hitchhiker: cast off and blocked! Nespelem: my first set-in-sleeve sweater! Wonky seams and wrong cable direction collar, still tolerable as a badge of honor for my journey.  On The Needles (10:51)  Milo Riverbed second sock Kitted up commitment knitting: yarn, needles, and project bag for Billow Cloud, Cirrus Mitts, and a pair of socks (pattern yet undetermined)   Get Your Geek On! (13:35) Zombie run  News coverage: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2013/08/25/running-with-zombies.html Recalculating Route (16:17) Had to re record because I forgot to elaborate.... Since we go to Bali every year, sometimes more than once a year, I forgot that most people haven't been to Bali. Just had a new airport, domestic airport still under renovation. Excellent architecture that combines Balinese structure style and modern. Also new: highway across