a knitting podcast from two yarn and needle junkies who just happen to be men

Y Knit Guys

WonderMike
Stephen hizKNITS

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Feed Me

Episode 7: Sock Camp Survival (featuring Tina Newton) (33:23)
YKnit Episode 7: Sock Camp Survival Experience the bucolic serenity of Blue Moon Fiber Arts Camp Crow's Feet sock knitting camp.

Laugh along with the gentle Socks that Rock sock club members as they embody the mature and peaceful spirit of knitting, surrounded by the majestic Pacific Northwest on Orcas Island off the coast of Washington.

Stephen and his mother spent a week under the stern tutelage of Cat Bordhi (Insouciant Socks), Cookie A (Traveling Stitches), JC Briar (Cast-on Cornucopia), Stephanie Pearl-McPhee and BMFA dye mistress Tina Newton (Rock the Sock).

In addition to classes, there were toilet paper cozies and sock puppets. And a "talent" show. And there were monkeys. Lots and lots of mini hand-knit sock monkeys. And photos to prove it!

Campers and Sockateers share their favorite camp memories (Ravelry IDs ):

  • Jen (FurrPurls)
  • Kristin (KristinK)
  • Casey (RubyCakes)
  • Sockateer Hot Flash (HotFlash)
  • Lisa (ConvolutedString)
  • Ariel (Stariel)
  • Claire (ClaireKnits) who almost drowned
  • Sockateer Cockeyed (Cockeyed), the amazing sock monkey designer
  • Sheila of the amazing monkey calls
  • Lou (HappyStasher) donate at KnittersForKnockers.com by May 10 to enter the raffle
Tina Newton, color genius and owner of Blue Moon Fiber Arts, describes her journey from spinner to yarn dealer and the madness that is Sock Camp.

Finally, the entire experience is summed up in the amazing camp yodel by Celia (CeliaMcC).

Contest
BMFA released a new colorway just in time for camp. Win a skein of Knitters Without Borders in Socks That Rock lightweight by donating to Doctors Without Boarders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF). Donate here and let us know how much you gave so we can share how generous Y KNIT listeners are. Email us at yknitguys [AT] gmail [D0T] com. One lucky winner will be selected at random!

If you'd like to buy one for yourself, they're available on BMFA's website and $3 from each skein goes to the invaluable work of MSF. Also, the Funky Sock Monkey pattern and kits are available for purchase.

Sock Camp cannot be contained by the mere 33 minutes of a single podcast. There were many, many, many more knitters who were interviewed, drunken late-night after-parties, and antics galore. We're sorry we couldn't fit everyone into this episode. If you want more, you'll just have to come join us next year!

Y Knit? It's Campy!

We use snippets of the following songs in this episode:

  • "Holiday for Strings" Walter Schumann from The Voices of Walter Schumann (RCA, 1958)
  • "Sabre Dance" Les Baxter and his Orchestra from Les Baxter's Wild Guitars (Capitol, 1959)
  • "Satan Takes a Holiday" Jack Malmsten from Organ Spectacular (Liberty, 1963)
  • "Saturday Night on Saturn" Les Baxter and his Orchestra from Space Escapade (1957, Capitol)
  • "Sleep Walk" Henri Rene and his Orchestra from The Swingin' 59 (Imperial, 1959)
  • "The Monkey" Yo Majesty from Yo EP (Out There Recordings, 2006)
  • "Colors" Ice-T from Colors - Original Soundtrack (Warner Brothers, 1988)
EDIT: Due to my sloppy coding, Cat Bordhi's class wasn't appearing and Cookie A's link was not working. They have been fixed and I meant no disrepect. They are geniuses (geniusi?) who inspire me daily.
Direct download: YKNT007.mp3
Category: podcasts -- posted at: 3:18 PM
Comments[8]


Episode 6: Y Love Lucy? (27:21)
Y knit, ep.6 - Y Love Lucy Lucy Neatby spins a tantalizing tale of sea-faring adventures, cinematic drama and an evil rabbit named Reggie.

Here are some of the goodies mentioned during this episode:

Y Ravelry contest winners (from episode 4)
Lapel Pins and Buttons: Tini.
Autographed Daily Dose of Fiber Tee: Kenyetta.
Autographed Ravelry Tote: Sara.

 

Y Knit? It's An Aesthetic.

We use snippets of the following songs in this episode:

  • "Socks" performed by Rebecca Parks from the album "Night Ship" (Messiah Refugees Music/CD Baby)
  • "Sailor's Hornpipe" performed by The Windjammers from the album "Shanties & Songs Of The Sea" (Really Free Music/INgrooves)
  • "O Canada" from the album "National Anthems 1" (Sonoton / BFM DIGITAL)
  • "I Love Lucy Theme" performed by Desi Arnaz Orchestra, Wilbur Hatch conductor, from the DVD "I Love Lucy: The Complete Series" (Paramount)
  • "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" performed by William Shatner from the album "The Transformed Man" (Decca)
  • "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds, Variations" performed by Anthony Bonet exclusively for Y Knit.
Direct download: YKNT006.mp3
Category: podcasts -- posted at: 8:18 PM
Comments[3]

Happy Friday Dear Listeners!!!

Well, I knew it was going to happen. I'd need to do something technical on my own (while Stephen is away, playing at Sock Camp... no, I'm not bitter) and everything goes KERPLOEY!!

I uploaded "Lace for Boyz" as a single on Tuesday and it's still not showing up in iTunes. Yes, I pinged it. Yes, I included a text link in the show notes. I still can't figure it out, which only reinforces the fact that Stephen is the SMART one, as well as the cute one. I guess that makes me the OCD one.

In any case, I hope to get this all sorted upon Stephen's return from Sock Camp on Sunday. After which time, we'll also upload our next episode, "Y Love Lucy", our interview with Lucy Neatby!

Take care,
Michael, not the Smart One.
Category: general -- posted at: 2:10 PM
Comments[0]

Because you demanded it, here's the "Lace for Boyz" in single format.

Lace For Boyz (2008)

Too Fine, Too Small
Too Fine, Too Small

WonderMike:
Yo, yo, yo, yo, hizKNITS
These big knit kids still frontin’ on us
Show them that we can do this, cuz we always knew this, HA HA HA
Yeah, boyeeeez

hizKNITS:
Lace! How long can it grow?
Last row, what a knitter throw.
Once again, back it’s the inflammable
The chart animal
The untangleable [FLEECE] knitted finery made by one

QueerJoe said, MOTHS! and I got numb
Can I tell ‘em that I really never had handspun?
But it’s the crack that the BMFA had done
Now they got me in a cell cause my needles, they swell
cause a brother like me said, well...
Lacy Knitters Guild's a posse that I think you ought to listen to
Guys who know the craft, I'm talkin' Gene and Lew.
Follow for now, power of the people, say,
Make the miracle [LACE] block the lyrical
Black is back, all in, we’re gonna win
Check it out [yeah y'all] here we go again

Chorus: Knit it up! Lace for boyz! Knit it up! Lace for boyz!

WonderMike:
Yo, yo, yo, hizKNITS
They spittin’ cuz we knittin’
Let’s show them that Yknit in da house
Yo hizKNITS, show ‘em what you can do

hizKNITS:
Never badder than bad cause the brother is madder than mad
At the stitch that's been dropped like a spindle whorl
Stole on the roll, but you treat it like soap on the rope
Cause the yarn in the shawl is so dope
Counting the stitches I'm knitting inside fabric with yarn-O's and decreases galore
They'll never care for the brothers and sisters
Now going blind, saying, "Rows? Just one more!"

We got to demonstrate [come on now]
They're gonna have to wait
Til we get it right
Victorian, Hemlock, Pi and Mystery
Swallowtail, Icarus, Shetland, and Hanami!

Chorus: Knit it up! Lace for boyz! Knit it up! Lace for boyz!

WonderMike:
Yo hizKNITS
They say boys can’t do lace
I don’t understand what they sayin’
But I got Orenburg for they face!

Yknit? It’s synthetic, athletic, aesthetic and prophetic
Yknit? It’s copacetic, energetic, not apathetic
Yknit? It’s electromagnetic
Yknit? It’s genetic!

Parody lyrics: hizKNITS (with little bits by wondermike), 2008
Respect and inspiration: Public Enemy’s “Bring The Noise”, 1988
Engineered by: Sex For Teens, 2008
Direct download: 01_Lace_for_Boyz.mp3
Category: podcasts -- posted at: 8:53 PM
Comments[4]

Stay cool!

if you can't see this, I tried to embed this video but lib syn keeps eating the code.

Category: general -- posted at: 10:54 AM
Comments[6]

Episode 5: Lace in Your Face (33:44)
Y Knit, Episode 5 "Lace In Your Face"

We chat lace with guys from all over the country:

  • Our favorite vet, Mel of Cabezalana blog was visiting from Maine (DrMel94 on Ravelry);
  • Doug, from Southern California and Troy from Belliningham, WA met on Ravelry, then met in person (and with us) in SF; and
  • Gene, from Eugene, OR and Lew from Sacramento, CA were "man-"ning the Lacy Knitters Guild booth at Stitches.
Let's let the lace do the talking. Here's the lace inspiration mentioned during this episode: hizKNITS In Da House Contest winner Art vs. Craft episode
The winner of KnitKnit Issue #7 is KatKrafty. The essay she mentioned is found at redefiningcraft.com

Thank you to everyone who took time to ponder lace with us: Mel, Troy and Doug (thanks for the gifts!), and Gene and Lew. As Michael said, I don't think this is the last time you'll hear lace discussed on Y KNIT.

And, as always, thanks for listening! Leave your thoughts on men and lace in the comments below or in the Ravelry group.

Y Knit? It's poetic!

This show features snippets of these songs:

  • "Love is Here to Stay" performed by Bill Evans from the Solo Sessions Volume 2 on Milestone Records (1963)
  • "Leather and Lace" performed by the Jolenes from the album Get It to Go on Good Fork Records / IODA (2006)
  • "Chantilly Lace" performed by the Big Bopper from Hellooooo Baby: Best of the Big Bopper on Rhino Records (1958)
  • "Lace for Boyz" performed by hizKNITS and WonderMike. Engineered by Sex14s (2008). Inspired by the genius of Public Enemy’s “Bring the Noize” from It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back on DefJam Records (1988).
Direct download: YKNT005.mp3
Category: podcasts -- posted at: 5:04 PM
Comments[20]

Episode 4: Y Ravelry? (36:00)

Y Knit, Episode 4 - Y Ravelry? featuring Jess and Casey Join us as we sit down with Mama Rav and the Bobfather, Jess and Casey from Ravelry. They discuss the evolution of our favorite online fiber enthusiast community from an organizationer's dream to a programmer's reality.

The bead store Stephen mentioned is Beadissimo, 1051 Valencia Street, in San Francisco. Just across the street from the yummy Ritual Coffee Roasters. Mmmmmm.

In case you're wondering, Casey's answer to "Y Knit?" is a quote from Wesley Wills.

Dress like Jess and Casey contest
Michael picked up some fun RavSwag just for our listeners: a signed "Daily Fiber" tee, a signed tote, and lapel pins. To enter, leave a comment below or on the Ravelry "Y Knit" forum about how you contribute to the Ravelry community. Check out the prizes!

DEADLINE FOR ENTERING IS APRIL 11.

Y Knit? It's genetic.

We use snippets of the following songs in this episode:

  • "Goodnight, Children, Everywhere" performed by Vera Lynn from the album "The White Cliffs of Dover" (1940)
  • "People" performed by Barbra Streisand from the Sony album, "Funny Girl" (1968)
  • "People" performed by Ella Fitzgerald from the Pablo album, "In Budapest" (1999)
Trying to get on Odeo, again (odeo/6ed5c5e73738023e)
Direct download: YKNT004.mp3
Category: podcasts -- posted at: 6:41 PM
Comments[63]

Episode 3 : Britches at Stitches (29:17)

We hit STITCHES West, and we hit it hard!

Michael took a spin of the floor during the Market Preview on Thursday, and runs into some guy knitters working for local shops:

  • Rodney from Knitter's Studio in Menlo Park
  • Kevin and Kevin from Purlescence Yarns (check out their Knit Knights 5-8pm on the second Saturday each month) in Sunnyvale, CA
  • Kurt from ImagiKnit in San Francisco (he's also the designer of Beer Gloves in Son of Stitch 'N Bitch)

Then, we sat down with Rick Mondragon, editor of Knitter's Magazine, to discuss STITCHES events, how he started knitting and crocheting, and advice for aspiring designers. XRX, Inc. just published Guy Knits (Best of Knitter's Magazine Series).

Finally, we recap some highlights of our weekend. Favorite booths:

Favorite hair: Chloe's glittery glamorous 'hawk excited to meet Podcasting Goddesses: Jenny & Nicole of Stash & Burn

Favorite celebrity siting: Stash and Burn podcasting goddesses, Jenny and Nicole (photographic proof!)

Son of Stitch 'N Bitch contest winners The winners of the signed copies of Debbie Stoller's new book are Mel and Arlette. As a serendipitous aside, Arlette just designed a killer two color brioche hat called the "Double Dutch". You can see pix and purchase the pattern from Bella Knitting.

Next show: Ravelry! The BobFather and MamaRav (aka Jess and Casey) discuss all things Ravelry. We'll also announce the winner of episode 2's Art vs. Craft contest (they're both winners!).

As always, big thanks to Anthony for editing and musical magic. And thanks to you for listening, reading this, commenting and being a part of Y Knit.

Y Knit? It's genetic!

The song "Yes, I Can" comes from the album If I Ruled the World by Sammy Davis, Jr. (Reprise Records, 1965)

The song "Men" is by Martin Mull from his album I'm Everyone I've Ever Loved originally issued on ABC Records 1977.

Direct download: Episode_3_-_Britches_at_Stitches.mp3
Category: podcasts -- posted at: 2:32 AM
Comments[6]

The next episode of Yknit is the first of many from our Stitches West 2008 extravaganza. Stephen and I wore our press passes out in the pursuit of of knitterly interviews. So many in fact, that our system of cataloging audio was not quite as rigorous as it should have been. READ: Podcaster Boo-boo.

Technical difficulties robbed us of four fabulous conversations. It was a tragic and gory MiniDisc incident that ate interviews with Vickie Howell (of Knitty Gritty and Craft.Rock.Listen.), Eugene Bourgeois (of Philosopher's Wool),  Jenny and Nicole (the talented hosts of Stash & Burn) and Aaron (guy knitster from Knitty Gritty).

Do you think this ever happens to David Reidy?  And speaking of, David, THANK YOU so much for playing our promo on Sticks and String. We wouldn't be doing this if we hadn't been inspired by your podcasting excellence, as well as that of: Cast-On, Stash & Burn, Knitter's Uncensored... and let's not forget the other guy podcasters: It's a Purl Man, Sweaters for Dragons, Stitch Stud. And more ladies: Math4Knitters, InsubordiKnit, Mosh Knit, Lime & Violet, Ready Set Knit, and, and...

Important lessons have been learned and work has started on do-over  interviews with the folks whose audio we lost. Our next show will go up this weekend. Stay tuned!

Yknit? It's electromagnetic.
Category: podcasts -- posted at: 7:17 PM
Comments[0]

KNITKNITEpisode 2: Art or craft? (27:49)

Michael sits down with Sabrina Gschwandtner, artist and founder of KnitKnit a publication that explores the intersection of traditional craft and contemporary art. In addition to the seven issues since 2002, her book KNITKNIT: Profiles and Projects from Knitting's New Wave was published in September 2007.

Contest:
Win a copy of KNITKNIT #7, the most recent issue from March 2007. According to Sabrina, this could be the last issue (for now). Submit a comment on your feelings of art vs. craft. Is what you do art or craft?

DEADLINE FOR ENTERING THIS CONTEST IS MARCH 28.

Don't forget, our Son of Stitch 'N Bitch contest is still open. Enter for your chance to win a signed copy of Debbie Stoller's latest book by submitting the name and source your favorite mens knitting/crochet pattern. We'll announce the winner during episode 3.

That's all for now! We're off to STITCHES West in Santa Clara, California this weekend. If you see two guys with microphones, come on up and say hello. If it's us, we'll say hi back.

Thanks to Sabrina, Linda, Claudia and Debbie for talking with us. A special BIG thank you for making us sound so professional to our producer extraordinaire, Anthony Bonet. And, last but not least, thanks to you for listening, commenting, emailing and being a part of Y Knit.

Y Knit? It's aesthetic.

P.S. We're on Odeo (odeo/6ed5c5e73738023e)

Direct download: Episode_2__Art_or_craft_.mp3
Category: podcasts -- posted at: 11:24 AM
Comments[27]