Episode 38: Give a Girl a Hook and IC Fall 08 Review

Episode 38 is now available for download!

Holiday Kal-Cal is now open! The deadline for signing up is Nov. 27, 2008.
Here is the SWAG for this years Holiday Kal-Cal...and it is a dooozy!

Kim Werker, editor of Interweave Crochet

Chelsea Norquay aka Crochet Collection

Teens Unraveled Podcast can be found at http://teensunraveled.mypodcast.com/

Music

Give me a little break this week on the music. I couldn't get it to work.

Holiday Kal-Cal 2008

Hey, just in case you didn't know...the HOLIDAY KAL-CAL is going on and you should be a part of it!!!

The SWAG list is UNBELIEVABLE!!!

xoxoxox
Marly

I am always scared when I get a book from a publisher to review. What if I don't like it? What if I would rather give it back than look at it again? What if I have absolutely nothing good to say about a book? What do I do...do I offer my honest opinion?

Well, good thing I don't have to worry about this with this book! I just got"It itches" by Franklin Habit today. I took the last 30 minutes to read through it and had a hell of a laugh!

Perfect book for any knitter...and not that much money! It retails for $12.95! In today's economy that is perfect!

To be honest, I am not a regular reader of Franklin's blog so I was not sure of what to expect from this book. Now that I have read it...that Franklin is one funny mofo! He hits the nail right on the head with these cartoons!!! My favorite is on page 15. Read the book and you will see what I am talking about :-)

Did you know there is a contest going on right now at Interweave?

Seriously...This is the cartoon that needs the caption

(Reprinted with permission from Interweave)

Do I know Franklin? Funny thing is that when I was at TNNA 08 in Ohio I actually go to meet Franklin. But, at the time I did not know it was him. Here is the story!

I was getting off of the van from the convention center and the driver was insistent upon helping me get out of the van. As I stepped out of the van I made a comment, to no body in particular..."he just wants to look down my shirt!". Just then...the man who had been standing there knitting a sock and waiting for me to get off the van looked at me and said..."don't they all?"!!! LOL!!! Yep, it was Franklin himself!


xoxoxox
marly

Fino Mitones

Well, the wait is over...the preview is up for Interweave Crochet Fall 2008 and there they are...my very first published crochet pattern!

Fino Mitones...well, what do you think?







xoxox
Marly

Episode 37: TNNA Part 1

I am back! I had a little break and I am ready to get the ball rolling again!

You are going to love the new guest I have lined up for this season! TRUST ME!!! I can't hardly believe it myself!!!

Season Two starts with a conversation about my trip to The National Needlearts Association Convention in Columbus, Ohio.



Photo: Barry Klein and Marly!!! (he almost looks as excited to meet me as I am him!!!)

Music (60 second clips)

Back In The Saddle Again by Gene Autry
Let's Groove by Earth, Wind and Fire
Lady Marmalade form the Moulin Rouge Soundtrack
More Time by Needtobreathe from the P.S. I Love You Soundtrack (I love this soundtrack...it is my fav!)

Guest today are Amber and Yvonne...two wonderful listeners! Thank you ladies for helping me get my groove back!


xoxox
Marly

P.S. Don't forget, my first design is going to be in the Fall 2008 issue of Interweave Crochet!!! I can't freakin' believe it!

Ready, Set, GO!

Hey Everybody! I am still here!

Check out what starts tomorrow...

~~~Summer Kal-Cal 2008~~~

Leaving On a Jet Plane!

Hello my crocheters and knitters!

I was hoping to get a new episode out before I left for TNNA but I have been so crazy busy that it just isn't going to happen.

BUT, we all know that I will have TONS to tell you when I get back right?

Wish me lots of luck! I leave tonight and get back on Sunday Night!

xoxoxox
Marly

It is that time of year!

Go to summerkalcal.blogspot.com and take a look at our
new banner and buttons!

Sharon and I will be posting all the details of the Kal-Cal soon!

Stitch Markers for Sale

Those of you who listen to the podcast know that I am trying to raise money to go to the TNNA confrence in Ohio this June. I have also added a tip jar to both my blog and the podcast to have the listeners "tip" me if they like the show.

Well, to make things more fun I thought I would start to make stitch markers and sell those to help with costs as well.

Please, take a look at what I have been up to lately. If you like what you see and want to purchase it email me at marlybuff@aol.com with the number of the marker (located in the title of the picture).

Well, I hope you all will help me out with this ;-)

xoxox
Marly

Episode 36: Crochet Dude

Winners are announced!!!

First, it is funny, I went to several of the listeners blogs and there was nothing about Yarn Thing. Not a button on the side bar, not a post about how outrageously funny I am (lol), not even a link to the podcast! I thought about leave messages saying "You almost won..." but I thought that wasn't nice so if you have a blog and there is no mention of the Yarn Thing podcast, you might want to change that ;-)

Without further adieu:

The Yarn Harlot book goes to Michele.

The Cover Up Book goes to Little Sis Knits

The Stitch Markers go to (Ravelry Names) AmeliaB555, AdventurousEm , and Crochetlocket

Now, if you won please send me an email MARLYBUFF@AOL.COM with your name, address and phone number ;-)

Okay, now on with the show!

Music: (60 second clips)

You Make Me Feel (like dancing) by Leo Sayer
Groove Is In The Heart by Deee-Lite
Heaven Must Be Missing an Angel by Tavares

Cuban Pete by Jim Carrey in The Mask

Links:

You can find Drew at www.thecrochetdude.com

The Crochet Guild of America can be found at www.crochet.com

What is Drew's new book?

Click on the link to PRE-ORDER the book!

Drew's Book with Annie

Episode 35: Crochet and Knit Giveaways...Ha-Haw

Episode 35 is up and waiting for you to have a listen...
but be forewarned...there is a LOT of laughter!

Brianna from the CROCHET SIDE podcast joined me today to help me announce a new project we are doing together.

If you haven't checked them out already...go take a look at the Crochet and Knit Giveaways!

Tell us what you think!

Music (60 second clip)

Cuban Pete by Jim Carry in THE MASK

*Don't forget to tip your waitress!*

P.S. Winners of the Anniversary Prizes will be announced next week!

Episode 34: Crochet Kim

Yep, another episode already.

As promised, here is the wonderful interview with Kim Guzman aka Crochet Kim. She is an incredible crocheter and a fantastic woman!

I really hope you enjoy the show.

Links

Here are the links that Kim and I talked about on the show.

Jennie Gaskin's site is Country Yarns where you can find back orders of Crochet with Heart magazine.

http://www.countryyarns.com

Recommended website when grading patterns:

http://www.yarnstandards.com

Recommended software is Knitware which can be found here:

http://www.greatknitdesigns.com/desc.htm

Recommended books for learning to grade patterns:

Professional Pattern Grading by Jack Hansford
http://www.fashiondex.com/store/proddetail.php?prod=311

The Apparel Design and Production Handbook: A Technical Reference
http://www.fashiondex.com/store/proddetail.php?prod=105&cat=38

The Spec Manual by Michele Bryant
http://www.fairchildbooks.com/book.cms?bookId=77

ETA a little note from Kim!:

Hi there! I just wanted to let you know that the laceweight wrap I mentioned during the interview is available for sale on my website now:

http://www.kimanedesigns.net/products/GardenPartyWrap.html

My "experiment" with laceweight that I mentioned has turned into an almost overnight success and it is already at #4 in Ravelry's most popular recent crochet patterns. :-)

Kim

Episode 33: Harloony Anniversary to Me!

What is a HARLOONY? That is what John calls
all of us Yarn Harlot Fans!

Has it been a year already?

YEP!

Listen to the newest Yarn Thing Episode Here!
(hey, I know the mic. was a little too close but oh well, I will do better next time ;-)

Music: (60 second clips)

Black Horse & the Cherry Tree by KT Tunstall
Bright Light by Matchbox 20
Good Day by Luce
Follow You Down by the Gin Blossoms
Cuban Pete by Jim Carrey in The Mask

Books:

Thing I learned from Knitting...whether I wanted to or not by Stephanie Pearl-McPhee
Cover Up by Nicky Epstein,
More Big Girl Knits by Jillian Moreno and Amy Singer
Knitting new Mittens and Gloves by Robin Melanson
The Knitters Book of Finishing Techniques by Nancie Wiseman
The Essential Book of Crochet Techniques by Nancie Wiseman
Shibori knitted Felt by Alison Crowther-Smith
Start Spinning by Maggie Casey

Stitch Markers:

So, do you want to buy some stitch markers from Marly? Of course you do! Like I said in the podcast I have been making stitch markers like CRAZY! I am in LOVE with them. It seems like everybody I them too tells me to sell them online.

Those of you who know me know that it doesn't take a lot of prodding to get me to do something. I kind of just jump in while the idea is still warm ;-) So here I go, I am going to sell stitch markers for both Crochet and Knitting. I think every project should have a little bling ;-)

I will let you know as soon as they are officially up for sale. But to give you a heads up the prices will range from 3.00 for a single marker to 10-15.00 for a set. FREE SHIPPING!!!

Links:

String: a yarn boutique
The Yarn Harlot and Yarn Thing
Terri aka StarSpry
Vogue Knitting

Prizes:

1. Leave a comment on this blog post and be entered to win the book from Stephanie Pearl-Mcphee. Winner will be picked randomly.

2. On your blog post about the podcast and link to this site (http://yarnthing.blogspot.com). Be sure to use the link at least once so I can look at my statcounter to see all the blogs I am getting linked from and randomly pick a winner from there. Win the book Cover Up with Nicky Epstein.

3. Leave a note on the Yarn Thing Podcast Group Thread Stitch Marker CRAZY in Ravlery saying you listened to the show and want to be entered to win the stitch markers. I will randomly pick a winner and send you out a set of my new stitch markers (your choice of knitting or crochet)

Deadline May 3, 2008

Thank you! You have been a great audience.
Don't forget to tip your waitress!

I met the Yarn Harlot...again :-)

Hey everybody, remember episode 5?

Well, last night I went to meet THE Yarn Harlot again here in Colorado. It was too perfect since this is my one year anniversary for the podcast.

Anyway, you all can be sure I am going to tell you all about it. Seriously...it is a fantastic story and I have PRIZES to give away!

SO...be ready to listen to episode 33: Harloony Anniversary next week!

xoxox
Marly


ETA: OMG...I made it on her blog. Too Wild!!! Man I had a good time!

Episode 32: The Houck and I

Episode 32 is here!!!

I have the great pleasure of chatting with Amy O from the Hook and I blog and Babydoll Dress fame! But that is not all of her accomplishments! Be sure to listen as we chat about Knitty Gritty, Crochet, Knitting, Crochetme, Interweave Crochet, Felted Crochet and TNNA!

I have some MAJOR news that I share with you all at the beginning on this episode and a quick little thing I wanted to tell you all about at the end. So BE SURE to listen to the whole thing! You know it ain't over until Jim Carrey Sings :-)

Enjoy!
Marly

Music (60 second clips as always)

Shake Your Groove Thing by Peaches and Herb
Hit Me With Your Best Shot (live) by Pat Benatar
Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now by McFadden & Whitehead
Let's Go Crazy by Prince
Cuban Pete by Jim Carrey in The Mask

Books:

The Color Book of Felted Crochet
Crochet Me

Links:

My Muse
Amy's Store!

Check out the Blog to find Marly's Tip Jar on the sidebar :-)

...Thank YOU! You have been a great audience! I will be here all night, Don't forget to tip your waiter or waitress!

xoxox

Marly's Tip Jar

Well, some of you might have noticed that I added a new feature to the blog. Yep, that is right...I have added a way for you to donate to your favorite Podcast :-)

I am not sure if you all know how much time it takes to put the podcast together. If you add the time it takes to coordinate the pre-interviews and the interviews, research and putting together the right questions we all want to know the answers to, editing the show, picking the right music, putting together the show notes, exporting into a MP3 then getting it uploaded to the site it can easily take up to 55 hours an episode! YES...FIFTY FIVE HOURS!

Could you imagine doing something that took up that much time and not to get paid for it? Well, of course you can. You all are knitters and crocheters :-) Then why am I adding the tip jar?

Well, I posted a question on Ravelry regarding just that. I wanted to know if it would be bad to add a tip jar to the site and the general consensus was that it was a GREAT idea. So, there you have it. I add a way for you to donate a buck or two or three to the Yarn Thing Podcast.

I would type more but John is breathing over my shoulder to use the computer. I will jump on later to say more...

xoxox
Marly

Why is the sound different?

I have had a lot of questions lately about the sound of the show.

Well, I wanted to let you all know that I have to record the interviews in Stereo. Why? Well, when I am able to record in stereo I don't talk over top of the person I am interviewing. See, my voice is in one ear and the person I am interviewing is in the other ear. That way, you are able to hear the complete conversation.

Also, I am able to edit the conversation much better. If there is a place where I am talking over the person I am interviewing I am able to silence my voice and you are able to still hear the other person. Make sense?

So, please understand I am trying to make a better listening experience for all of you ;-)

Thanks!

xoxox
Marly

Episode 31: OMG...It's KIM WERKER!!!

I got a chance to chat with the awesome Kim Werker of CrochetMe and the editor of Interweave Crochet. She is such a fun and sweet person! I had a blast!

So, have you wondered how the magazine was put together? Have you thought to yourself..."can I be a designer?" Well, have a listen and find out!

Music (60 second clips)

Straight Up by The Brian Setzer Orchestra
Bounce Around by Tony, Toni, Ton`e
Cuban Pete by Jim Carrey from The Mask

Links

http://www.crochetme.com
http://interweavecrochet.com
http://tnna.org

Episode 30: Carry Alongs

Episode 30... you can listen to it today. Tell all your friends!

I had the privilege of having Carrie A. Sullivan (carriealong on ravelry) join me for the show. Carrie is the designer behind the new book Carry Alongs.

I also have the very first preview/review segment with the editors of Vogue. We talked about the new Spring/Summer 2008 issue of Knit Simple. Talk about interesting to hear the "real" thoughts of the people behind the magazine. It was a blast to chat with all of them and I can't wait to do it again soon!

Music (60 second clips)

Art In Me by Jars Of Clay
Gettin' Jiggy with It by Will Smith
Just the Two of us by Will Smith
Cuban Pete by Jim Carry in The Mask

Books

There were a LOAD of Books mentioned on the show today. I will have to fill this part in later! Sorry...time is running away from me!

Question

Okay, so it has been suggested to me that I add a "tip jar" to my show so my loyal listeners can help me out with some of the cost of running the show and for my huge amount of time I give putting this together. Not to mention I really want to go to TNNA and CGOA but need a little extra cash to make that happen. so, the question is...What do you all think about that?
Leave me a comment and let me know what you think :-)

Thanks and I hope you enjoy the show!

xoxox
marly

Episode 29: Itty Bitty Podcast

Episode 29 is a great interview I had with designer Susan B. Anderson. I am sure all of you out there who have knit for little babies have just went ga-ga over her two books itty bitty Hats and itty bitty Nursery!

I hope you enjoy the show!

Music (60 second clips)

The Way You Do The Things You Do by the Temptations
Maria, Maria by Santana
I Love You by Martina McBride

Episode 28: Strike a Pose

HUGE Announcement in this episode!!!
I still can't believe it!
You all GOTTA leave me feedback...okay?

Music (60 second clips)

Alice Dejay
Vogue by Madonna
Lucky Star by Madonna
Cuban Pete by Jim Carrey

Links
http://www.hooker-bear.com
http://www.vogueknitting.com
http://www.chemocaps.com
http://www.kdysworld.wordpress.com
http://throwslikeagirl74@workpress.com
http://knitknack.org
http://www.barnesandnoble.com
http://www.tanisknits.com

Join us on Ravelry at the Yarn Thing Podcast Group!

Episode 27: Men At Work

I am really enjoying the chance to interview some of my favorite people in the industry and I really hope you all like listening in on the conversation!

Episode 27 is all about Men and Crochet! My guest was Peter Franzi!

As always, I added a bit of Music (60 second clips)

American Woman by Lenny Kravitz
Show Me Heaven by Jessica Andrews
Crazy For This Girl by Evan & Jaron


Be sure to check out the Ravelry Page for Peter! His Ravelry name is hookerbear.
You can also sign up for his newletter which is a great way to find out when he has a new design available.

You can find Peter's Handsome :-) Gatsby Sweater in the new book Son of a Stitch and Bitch!

Next Weeks Episode I will have Tanis Gray on the show!!! Be sure to listen as we have a HUGE announcement to make!!!

Hint: Strike a Pose!

xoxoxo
Marly

Cheryl's Tip from Ep. 25

I sure will..First…Let me Magic Link Cheryl amimono so that she will be able to come here and see if I am saying this correctly :-)

Okay, if you cast on 30 stitches then work them for your gauge swatch.

If your 30 stitch swatch is 5 inches meaning you are getting 6 stitches to the inch and you need 5 stitches to the inch…

you know that if you go UP a needle size that your gauge swatch will be exactly one half of an inch WIDER than before. Meaning the 30 stitch swatch is now 5.5 inches meaning you are getting approx 5.5 stitches to the inch…so you need to go even bigger…

So, now you have 30 stitch swatch is now 6 inches meaning you are getting 5 stitches to the inch which is exactly what you want.

Does that make sense? Therefore, looking at the original swatch and knowing that I needed 5 stitches to the inch but the swatch was reading 6 stitches I could assume that going up 2 needles sizes would INCREASE the WIDTH of the swatch by one inch. 6 divided by 30 equals 5. There you go.

Did I just confuse you?

xoxox Marly

Episode 26: Crochet Caped Crusader...Robyn Chachula

Well, I know that I told you all I would be answering questions from you this episode but things had to change a little. Instead of me answering questions I was asking them to one of my FAVORITE crochet designers...ROBYN CHACHULA!!!

You can have a listen to two strangers become friends in this episode.

Music (60 second Clips)

This Love by Maroon 5
Superman Theme by John Williams
Music by Madonna
Cuban Pete by Jim Carrey

Many Thanks to Robyn Chachula for doing the interview and to Brianna from The Crochet Side Podcast for helping me put it all together ;-)

Books and Magazines

Crochet Me
Son of a Stitch and Bitch
Sensual Crochet
Interweave Crochet
Crochet Today
Not Your Grandmothers Crochet
...and two more books on the way!!!
Join us on Ravelry! The Yarn Thing Podcast Group

Episode 25: Yarn, Books and Rant oh my

Episode 25 is here!

Music (60 second clips)

Jack and Diane by John Mellencamp
R.O.C.K in the U.S.A. by John Mellencamp


Yarn:

Vanna's Choice Yarn by Lion Brand
Red Heart Super Saver by Coats and Clark
Touch Me Chenille...This is Worming!
Bernat Natural Blend Alpaca
Patons Rumor


Books:

101 Designer One Skein Wonders (lack of Crochet!)
Son of a Stitch and Bitch (not my cup of tea Crochet!)
Knitting Nature
Interweave Harmony Stitch Books
Kristen Knits
Vogue Knitting Ultimate Sock Book
Cables Untangled
Barbara Walker Books
Romantic Knits
Sensual Crochet (Plus Sizes!!)
200 Braids to twist, knot, loop, or weave (must have for a knitter or crocheter)
Knitters Book of Yarn
Knitters Handy Book of Sweater Patterns
The Sweater Workshop


Yarn Stores:

Knit Knack
Showers of Flowers
Posh a yarn Boutique


30 Stitch Guage Swatch

This is from Cheryl Oberle and I hope I have this right!

If you CO 30 stitches for a guage swatch. Measure your swatch and if you are getting more or less of the amount of stitches you need per inch for each needle size you go up or down your swatch will go up or down 1/2 and inch.
**if this is incorrect...CHERYL will let me know!**

Designers I admire!!:

Robyn Chachula
Tanis

Join us on Ravelry!

Yarn Thing Podcast Group
Cabled Scarf and Hat Kal!
Crochet Liberation Front