The next YKNIT episode is up!

Take an audio peek into the fun of the Men’s Spring Knitting Retreat at Easton Mountain from back in May.

Now, it’s off to bed… this podcast thing was the first thing I did when I got up and the last thing I’m doing before I go to sleep. G’night!

Yes, I’m back.

But, yet again, sorry for the radio silence (blog-wise, at least), kiddies! I’m glad there’s the Twitter feed over there on the left to let you know my occasional whinings. I know my mom reads it! I still haven’t gotten my sea legs back since returning from Germany… there are pictures still to post on flickr and lots and lots and lots of work to do at the J. O. B.

But enough of that… go listen to Y KNIT’s interview with the Yarn Harlot.

I just pulled out of Albany, heading to NYC then Newark to fly across the Atlantic pond. The Men’s Spring Knitting Retreat just ended and my head is reeling.

I’ve been very lucky and had many opportunities to have fun as a knitter and otherwise, but this was beyond any expectations I could have imagined. Never before have I been around so many incredible, talented and hilarious men. QueerJoe and KnitterguyTed created a new piece of knitting culture. One that I hope will continue for many years to come. Thank you both, from the bottom of my heart. I hope to return for years to come.

I’m typing this oh my phone, so I can’t link to everyone I’ve met and tell you stories about each right now. There was some recording for YKnit that you’ll eventually hear, but nothing could capture the joy and peace (sounds too Christmas-y) or the silly merriment and fibery inspiration I just experienced. I loved seeing Dr. Mel and meeting his David, finding out Guido is just like he sounds (if not feisty-er) and getting to hug and laugh with Michael (after years of email and his launching my “career”). Everyone who was there was a fine and fabulous fellow who I’d to hang out with (pardon my dangling participle).

But there was one guy who is my new best friend and retreat roomie for life: Sean of the Soapbox out of Boston. I’m relieved we live on opposite coasts, because we’d be a terror if we spent any more time together! Thank you for the ride to Albany and unending laughs. Read him, love him and find him at Woolcott & Co if you’re ever in Cambridge. I liked him online, but now that I’ve met him, I may tattoo his face on my bum-bum. In a platonic kinda way. (Mom, this is a joke.)

OK. This thumb typing is boring me. I’m going to get back to savoring my memories. It was awsome to spend the weekend with everyone. We simply must do it again. If you’re reading this and have testes, do consider coming new time!

It looks like I’m never going to get around to telling you all about sock camp in blog-form. So how’s about a stroll down Monkey Memory lane?

Listen to Y KNIT episode 007 for an audio peek into the fun that was had! This is just the tip of the iceberg (how it snowed!).

A HUGE HUGE HUGE thank you to Tina, the Sockateers, Rosie and Debra, the instructors and all the crazy campers. And a special thanks to my mom for flying across the country to hang out with me!

Sadly, the camp song about STR sock club didn’t make the cut (poor audio quality), but here are the lyrics if you want to karaoke it yourself:

Addicted to Yarn
(to the tune of Robert Palmer’s Addicted to Love - zombie backup band is optional)
inspired by Tina, with help from Meg, Deb and Ann

Your mailman’s here, but it’s not at home.
Your mind is not your own.
Your heart sweats, your body shakes,
Another skein is what it takes.

You can’t sleep, you can’t eat.
Theres no doubt, you’re in deep.
Your throat is tight, you can’t breathe,
Another kit is all you need!

Whoa, you like to think that youre immune to the stuff,
Oh, yeah!

It’s closer to the truth to say you can’t get enough,
You know you’re gonna have to face it, you’re addicted to yarn.

You see the (blog) posts, but you can’t read.
Your mailman’s at a different speed.
You heart beats in double time.
Another kit and you’ll be fine, a one-skein mind!

You can’t be saved,
Socks That Rock is all you crave
If there’s some left for you
A chevron scarf, you’ll do.

Whoa, you like to think that youre immune to the stuff,
Oh, yeah!

It’s closer to the truth to say you can’t get enough,
You know you’re gonna have to face it, you’re addicted to yarn.

Gonna have to face it, you’re addicted to yarn

Tina’s your dealer, you’re addicted to yarn!
Cat is a genius, you’re addicted to circs!
Stephanie is crazy, you’re addicted to socks!
JC’s cool Jumbo-tron, you’re addicted to sproing!
Cookie traveling stitches, you’re addicted to leg!

Sock camp is done, we’re going home.
We’ll be knitting, on our own.
Your hands sweat, needles grind,
Another row and you’ll be fine.
Whoa, you like to think that youre immune to the stuff,
Oh, yeah!

It’s closer to the truth to say you can’t get enough,
You know you’re gonna have to face it, you’re addicted to yarn.

Gonna have to face it, you’re addicted to yarn!

Cockeyed and Hot Flash, you’re addicted to schnapps!
Tammy, Etta Mae, you’re attached to the shop!
Rosie (we miss you!), you’re addicted to dye!
Can’t forget Debra, you’re buried in yarn!
Might as well face it, we’re addicted to yarn!
Might as well face it, we’re addicted to yarn!

Our final episode from recordings at Stitches is up at YKNIT.com.

We chat with Lucy Neatby about her colorful adventures on the sea and in front of the camera filming her instructional DVDs.

Enjoy!

PS Many, many interviews were conducted while at sock camp. There will be an upcoming episode featuring Tina Newton of Blue Moon Fiber Arts and thoughts from my fellow campers.

homemade with the freshest ingredients!

Thanks, Flickr video!

Lace in Your Face, the 5th episode of Y KNIT just went up yesterday. We barely scrape the surface of the holy, hole-y world of lace knitting with guys from across the country (including Monday’s visitor Mel).

Lacy Knitters Guild members Gene and Lew share their thoughts from over 150 years of knitting experience (combined).

The ImagiKnit blog has a photo of our two other podcast guests, Doug and Troy, and store owner Allison, from their visit to San Francisco.

Photo of me by my lovely co-hostess with the most-est, WonderMike. It’s gang violence against my first lace project, the beautiful of Hanami stole.

Be sure to listen to the very end, for something even more embarrassing than this photo!

Episode 4 was just posted at yknit.com.

iTunes has been pinged, for all of you who get it that way. It should be up tonight!

Enjoy, and (if you do) thanks for listening.

The second episode of Y KNIT was posted today, but the RSS feed has a bit fiddle-y. It hasn’t shown up in iTunes yet, but after a visit to Feedburner and poking around, the second episode suddenly appeared on our feed page. So, it’s probably just a matter of time until it’s on its way to your poddy-doodle.

If I may brag, due to how we’re listed in iTunes’ Design category (as opposed to Arts or Games & Hobbies), and perhaps a dearth of Design podcasts today, we were today’s #3 podcast! Let’s hear it for meaningless rankings in obscure sub-categories. Look for a screenshot when we hit #1.

In episode 2, we talk about art vs. craft, inspired by an interview with Sabrina Gschwandter, artist and founder/curator/publisher of KNITKNIT. And to thank you for listening, there’s another contest!

Tomorrow, I’m venturing off to STITCHES West. I’m not sure what to expect other than being overwhelmed by long before I’m ready to leave. I’d like to keep up my embargo on buying new yarn. I have more than enough to last me for years (like many of you, I assume). However, I am interested in seeing what’s out there in natural colors… pure animal fiber, no dyeing, minimal chemical processing. Is anyone make sock yarn like that?

We’re hoping to grab audio from whomever will be kind enough to chat, especially the fellows! I’m going to focus on having a good time with the people, friends new and old, and not let the buy-buy-buy-sell-sell-sell trade show aspect get me down.

I won’t be naked in a tub, as in my Ravatar, but imagine a guy like that, with more clothes on and better lighting. I’ll be the one with the bouffy hair and a microphone.

What’ I’ve been cryptically complaining about in my past few posts was setting up the website for Y Knit, a knitting podcast—genetically speaking. WonderMike and I have been tossing around the idea of creating our own podcast, offereing a male point of view times two!

You can find it at yknit.com. Our first episode is an interview with Debbie Stoller, Ms. Stitch & Bitch herself about her book of men’s patterns, Son of Stitch & Bitch. Go have a listen!

There’s much more to come. Watch for us trolling Stitches West with a microphone. We may just want to talk to you!