Recorded Friday, November 1, 2024

Book talk begins at 19:20

 

Our 2024 Fall Sweater KAL is continuing.  You have until January 15, 2025 to complete an adult sweater and post a photo in our FOs thread.  It must have some type of sleeves - short sleeves are fine!  Check out our bundles of patterns for inspiration and join the discussion on our Sweater KAL Chatter thread!

 

Our Zoom group is continuing.  Please join us on Saturdays, 12 noon Pacific time.  All the info you need is in our Ravelry group!

 

EVENTS

We will be at the New Years Fiber Retreat at the St Francis Retreat Center in San Juan Bautista, CA in January.

Dates for NoCKRs will be April 10-13, 2025, and invitations will go out by Thanksgiving! 

 

KNITTING

Tracie finished:

Rialto Baby Hat by Haley Waxberg in Universal Uptown DK in Aqua and Lavender

Just Float by Stephanie Lotven (TellyBean Knits) in Apple Fiber Studio Sparkling Cider in Malachite and Life in the Long Grass Silk/Merino Sock in Autumn

 

Tracie continues to work on:

Davis #5 by Pam Allen in Western Sky Knits Merino 17 Worsted- Nightfall colony

Scraps Chaps by Barbara Prime #6 -“Chihuahua” in Encore Worsted

…a hint of summer by Isabel Kraemer in Fyberspates Scrumptious Lace in Jen S. Green and JuniperMon Fibers Findley in Curacao

Socks for Ryan in Marinated Yarns Practicality 75/25 in Melted Box of Crayons colorway

 

Barb is still working on:

Yume by Isabel Kraemer, using Indigodragonfly R.O.U. Sport in the Is She all Green and Fuzzy and Mossy colorway

 

Barb has cast-on:

Granito by Joji Locatelli, using Serendipidye Dyeworks 24 Carrot Fingering MCN in the Peppermint Julip colorway

Two by Two beanie by Anne Gagnon using a mystery worsted yarn in a Heather gray colorway

The Market Bag by Davina Choy, using a DK white cotton pima and a DK blue cotton pima

 

Barb has frogged:

 Thundertwist hat by Knitting Daddy (Greg Cohoon) using a mystery worsted yarn in a Heather gray colorway

Fibonacci Love by Hinterm Stein - wrong yarn for the pattern

 

 

BOOKS

Tracie read:

The Monk (DS Cross #5) by Tim Sullivan - 4 stars

A Visit From the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan - 3.5 stars

Re-Read the last two Cormoran Strike books - The Ink Black Heart  and The Running Grave.  Liked The Ink Black Heart better this time!  5 stars for both.  Can’t wait for #8, The Hallmarked Man.

Sunny Days: The Children’s Television Revolution That Changed America by David Kamp - 4 stars

 

BOOKS

Who Could Ever Love You by Mary L. Trump - 4 stars

Mystery of L’Inconnu by Dan Grylles - 3 stars

 

Barb recommends Anatomy of Lies, a true crime limited series on Peacock

Recorded Sunday, October 6, 2024

Book talk begins at 32:20

 

Our 2024 Fall Sweater KAL is continuing.  You have until January 15, 2025 to complete an adult sweater.  It must have some type of sleeves - short sleeves are fine!

 

Our Zoom group is continuing.  Please join us on Saturdays, 12 noon Pacific time.  All the info you need is the Info in our Ravelry group!

 

KNITTING

 

Tracie has finished:

1. 42-6 Dream in Blue Cardigan by DROPS Design in Universal Uptown DK, mint green and lavender
2. Karina Headband #2 by mariana Mel 
3. (no need to Panic Sweater by Casapinka in JodyLong Summer Delight in the Tomato colorway
4. Fiddly Bits Cowl #11 by Jana Photo in fingering scraps
5. Never Not Gnoming 28 and 29 by Sarah Schira in fingering scraps

 

Barb has finished:

1. Peony Top by Minimi Knit Design using Berroco Remix Light in the Peony colorway

 

Tracie has cast on:

1. Davis #5 by Pam Allen in Western Sky Knits Merino 17 Worsted- Nightfall colony
2. Scraps Chaps by Barbara Prime #6 -“Chihuahua” in Encore Worsted
3. …a hint of summer by Isabel Kraemer in Fyberspates Scrumptious Lace in Jen S. Green and JuniperMon Fibers Findley in Curacao
4. Socks for Ryan in Marinated Yarns - Melted Box of Crayons colorway
5. Rialto Baby Hat by Haley Waxberg in Universal Upton DK in Aqua and Lavender

 

Tracie is working on:

1. Just Float by Stephanie Lotven (TellyBean Knits) in A;;le Fibeer Studio Sparkling Cider in Malachite and Life in the Long Grass Silk/Merino Sock in the Autumn colorway

 

Barb has cast on:

1. Thundertwist #2 by Knitting Daddy using mystery yarn

 

Barb is still working on:

1. Yume by Isabel Kraemer using Indigo Dragonfly Sport ROU in the Is She All Green and Fuzzy and Mossy color-way

 

BOOKS

Tracie has finished:

1. The Book of Essie by Meghan McLean Weir - 3.5 stars
2. No One is Perfect: The True Story of Candace Mossler and American’s Strangest Murder Trial by Ron Smith - 4 stars
3. Practice to Deceive by Ann Rule - 3 stars
4. Swimming with Ghosts by Michelle Brafman - 4stars
5. The Lost Girls of Penzance by Sally Rigby - 3 stars
6. Wilder Intentions: Love, Lies and Murder in North Dakota by CJ Wynn - 4 stars
7. Otherwise Known as Sheila the Great and Then Again Maybe I Won’t - both by Judy Blume - enjoyed both

 

Barb has finished:

1.  The Measure by Nikki Erlich - 4 stars 

2.  Eruption by Michael Crichton and James Patterson - 4 stars

3.  Death Cruise by Don Davis - 3.5 stars

Recorded Thursday, September 12, 2024

Book talk begins at 30:30

 

Our annual Mother Bear KAL has ended, and we will announce the prize winners at the end of this episode. 

Our Fall Sweater KAL is starting!  You have until January 15 to finish an adult-sized sweater with some kind of sleeves.  WIPs less than 50% complete are fine.  Come join our sweater discussion thread, and check out our pattern bundles.

Virtual Knitting Group via Zoom

 

Tracie is teaching a class on making knitted toys at Rumpelstiltskin in Sacramento, and it has been rescheduled to September 28 and November 2.  See the class listing here for details!

 

Events - We will be at Lambtown at the Dixon May Fairgrounds in Dixon, California on Saturday, October 5.

 

KNITTING

Barb finished:

• Mother Bears #299 - 301
• Water is Life hat by Lavanya Patricella, using Mary Maxim worsted
• Bankhead hat #31 by Susie Gorley
• Spinwheel Beanie by Benjamin Matthews using 2 colors of Plymouth Encore

 

Tracie finished:

• Mother Bears 331 and 332
• Digital Citizens stuffed toys
• Dawning Top by Ainur Berkimbayeva in Sea Change Fibers by The Dye Project Bayshore Fingering in Pink Frock
• Scraps Chaps Cat #2 by Barbara Prime in Malabrigo Rios in 
• Tubey by Woolly Wormhead in Red Heart for Addie
• Doodie by Woolly Wormhead in Lion Brand Mandala Ombre for Harrison
• Karina Headband by marianna mel in blue and yellow for Ellie

 

Barb is still working on:

• Peony Top by Minimi Knit Design in Berroco Remix Light in Peony

 

And has cast on:

• Ribbed Beanie #4 by Vanessa Ewing using Western Sky Knits Biggie
• Yume by Isabel Kraemer, using Indigo Dragonfly Sport ROU in the Is She all Green and Fuzzy and Mossy colorway

 

 

Tracie has cast on:

• 42-6 Dream in Blue Cardigan #3 by DROPS design in Universal Uptown DK mint green and lavender
• (no need to) Panic Sweater by Casapinka in Jody Long Summer Delight in the Tomato colorway

 

And continues to work on:

• Just Float by Stephanie Lotven (TellyBean Knits) in Apple Fiber Studio Sparkling Cider in Malachite and Life in the Long Grass Silk/Merino Sock in Autumn
• Fiddly Bits cowl #11 by Jana Pihota

 

BOOKS

Barb read:

• When the Night Comes Falling: a Requiem for the Idaho Student Murders by Howard Blum - 5 stars
• The Good Wife: The Shocking Betrayal and Brutal Murder of a Godly Woman in Texas - 4 stars
• None of This is True by Lisa Jewell - 5 stars

 

Tracie read:

Things Aren’t Right: The Disappearance of the Yuba County Five by Tony Wright - 4 stars.  Not well written and gets into the weeds, but so interesting

Holly by Stephen King - 4.5 stars

Shiner by Amy Jo Burns - 3.5 stars

Toxic Rage: A Tale of Murder in Tucson by AJ Flick - 3.5 stars

 

Barb recommends the podcast The Idaho Massacre 

 

Tracie recommends the following shows to stream:

Homicide: Life on the Street on Peacock

Blue Lights on Britbox

Dublin Murders on Starz 

Troppo on Prime Video

Friday, August 16, 2024

Book talk starts at 10:10

Studio 49 Retreat - October 18-20, 2024 at Tuolomne Trails outside Groveland, CA.  Enrollment is still open!

This episode is NOT brought to you by Alaska Airlines, but we are all big fans.

Knitting 

Eileen is working on the Habitation Throw by Helen Stewart in scrap yarn and is getting back into her Zephyr Mark II by Celia McAdam Cahill in Quince & Co. Chickadee

Shelley is working on the Misurina tee by Caitlin Hunter in two different silk yarns

Susan is working on a Luminos Tee from a kit from Yarn Snob for her niece 

Barb finished her Gardengate by Jennifer Steingass and is working on a  Mother Bear, a new tee, and a hat

Tracie finished turtles needlepoint project after 15 years!  She continues to slog through her Dawning Top by Ainur Berkimbayeva in Sea Change Fibers by The Dye Project Bayshore Fingering in Pink Frock

Books

Barb read Internal Combustion: The True Story of a Marriage and a Murder by Joyce Maynard

Eileen is reading Alfie and Me: What Owls Know, What Humans Believe by Carl Safina and Broken Harbor by Tana French, and catching up on some favorite series by Jacqueline Winspear, Dana Stabenow, CJ Box and Tony Hillerman

Tracie read Darling Rose Gold by Stephanie Wrobel - 4 stars

Shelley is looking forward to reading Becoming Little Shell: A Landless Indian’s Journey Home by Chris La Tray

Susan recommends Murder Your Employer: The McMasters Guide to Homicide by Rupert Holmes

Recorded July 22, 2024

Book talk begins at 30:19

Our annual Mother Bear KAL has begun and will run until August 31.  To find out all about this wonderful charity, please go to the Mother Bear Project website.  Talk bears with us in the Mother Bear Chatter thread and post your finished bears in the FOs thread.  Any bears you have knit in 2024 are eligible!

 

Every Saturday at noon Pacific time - Virtual Knitting Group via Zoom

Tracie is teaching a class on making knitted toys at Rumpelstiltskin in Sacramento, and it has been rescheduled to September 28 and November 2 .  See the class listing here for details!

 

KNITTING

Barb finished:

Mother Bear #296 - 298

 

Tracie finished:

• Mother Bears 328, 329 and one that I sent to my uncle
• Davis #4 by Pam Allen in Knit Picks Snuggle Puff in Hatchling (pale mint green)
• Scraps Chaps by Barbara Prime:

1. Rabbit in Sea Change Fibers by The Dye Project Ecola Worsted in Mushroom Hunter
2. Cat in Plymouth Yarn Worsted Merino Superwash Solids in Caraway Heather

 

Barb continues to work on:

Gardengate by Jennifer Steingass, using Cloudborn Merino Superwash Sock Twist in the Graphite Heather colorway and Cloudborn Fibers Highland Fingering in the Petal colorway

 

And has cast on:

Mother Bear #299

Spinwheel Beanie by Benjamin Matthews, using a mystery gray yarn

 

Tracie cast on:

42-6 Dream in Blue Cardigan by DROPS design in Universal Uptown DK in Baby Blue and Paintbox Yarns Simply DK in Banana Cream

Dawning Top by Ainur Berkimbayeva in Sea Change Fibers by The Dye Project Bayshore Fingering in Pink Frock

 

And continues to work on:

Just Float by Stephanie Lotven (TellyBean Knits) in Apple Fiber Studio Sparkling Cider in Malachite and Life in the Long Grass Silk/Merino Sock in Autumn

Fiddly Bits cowl #11 by Jana Pihota

Digital Citizens stuffed toys

 

BOOKS

Barb read:

Cook County ICU: 30 Years of Unforgettable Patients and Odd Cases - 3 stars.   Written in 2016 - he headed the ICU 1970s thru the 1990s

Bitter Blood: a True Story of Southern Family Pride, Madness, and Multiple Murder by Jerry Bledsoe - 5 stars. 

Fuzz: When Nature Breaks the Law by Mary Roach - 4 stars

In Cold Blood by Truman Capote - 5 stars

 

Tracie read:

Inside Out by Demi Moore - 4.5 stars

Before He Wakes by Jerry Bledsoe - 4.5 stars

The Lincoln Highway by Amor Towles - 3 stars

Blind Rage: A True Story of Sin, Sex, and Murder in a Small Arkansas Town by Anita Paddock - 2.5 stars

Recorded Wednesday, June 26, 2024

Book talk begins at 18:28

Our annual Mother Bear KAL has begun and will run until August 31.  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.  Any bears you have knit in 2024 are eligible - post photos on the FO Thread

Every Saturday at noon Pacific time - Virtual Knitting Group via Zoom

Tracie is teaching a class on making knitted toys at Rumpelstiltskin in Sacramento on July 13 and August 3.  See the class listing here for details!

 

KNITTING

Barb finished:

• Mother Bear #295
• Stashbusting Helix Hat #10 by Jessica Rose 

 

Tracie finished:

• Mother Bear 325 - 327
• Staycation pullover by Susanne Sommer, using Zealana Performa KIWI fingering in the Rococo colorway

 

Barb is working on:

• Gardengate by Jennifer Steingass, using Cloudborn Merino Superwash Sock Twist in the Graphite Heather colorway and Cloudborn Fibers Highland Fingering in the Petal colorway

 

Barb has cast On:

• Mother Bear #296

Tracie has cast on:

• Just Float by Stephanie Lotven (TellyBean Knits) in Apple Fiber Studio Sparkling Cider in Malachite and Life in the Long Grass Silk/Merino Sock in Autumn
• Davis by Pam Allen, using Knit Picks Snuggle Puff in the Hatchling colorway

 

She continues to work on:

• toys - Scraps Chaps for class and Digital Citizens 
• Fiddly Bits cowl #11 by Jana Pihota

 

BOOKS

Barb read:

• Things I Learned from Falling by Claire Nelson - 4 stars
• Alien by Alan Dean Foster - 4.5 stars
• Aliens by Alan Dean Foster - 4.5 stars
• Stranded by Sarah Goodwin - 4 stars

 

Tracie read:

• Virgins by Carol Rivers - 4 stars.  Tracie does not recommend the audio version
• The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid - 4-5 stars
• Smoke Screen (Alexander Blix & Emma Ramm #2) - 3.75 stars

 

 

Recorded Wednesday, June 12, 2024

Book talk begins at 16:04

 

Our Summer Top KAL is has ended.  Thank you so much to everyone who participated, and please listen to the end of the episode to hear our list of prize-winners.

 

Our annual Mother Bear KAL has begun and will run until August 31.

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.  Any bears you have knit in 2024 are eligible.

Every Saturday at noon Pacific time - Virtual Knitting Group via Zoom

Tracie is teaching a class on making knitted toys at Rumpelstiltskin in Sacramento on July 13 and August 3.  See the class listing here for details!

 

KNITTING

Barb finished:

Mother Bear #294

Bankhead hat #30

 

Tracie finished:

Mother Bear 324

Elisenberg Jacket by Guri Pedersen in Paintbox Yarns Simply DK in Spearmint Green and Blush Pink

 

Barb is working on:

Gardengate by Jennifer Steingass, using Cloudborn Merino Superwash Sock Twist in the Graphite Heather colorway and Cloudborn Fibers Highland Fingering in the Petal colorway

 

Barb has cast On:

Mother Bear #295

Stashbusting Helix Hat by Jessica Rose #10

 

Tracie is casting on:

Just Float by Stephanie Lotven (TellyBean Knits) in Apple Fiber Studio Sparkling Cider in Malachite and Life in the Long Grass Silk/Merino Sock in Autumn

 

She continues to work on:

Staycation pullover by Susanne Sommer, using Zealana Performa KIWI fingering in the Rococo colorway

Fiddly Bits cowl #11 by Jana Pihota

toys - Scraps Chaps for class and Digital Citizens 

 

BOOKS

Barb read:

Woman 99 by Greer Macallister - 4 stars

American Girl by Wendy Walker - 3.5 stars

Any Other Family by Eleanor Brown - 3.5 stars

Oh, William! by Elizabeth Strout - 4 stars

 

Tracie read:

Death on Ocean Boulevard: Inside the Coronado Mansion Case by Caitlin Rother - 3.5 stars

Last Night at the Viper Room: River Phoenix and the Hollywood He Left Behind by Gavin Edwards - 3.5 stars

 

Tracie recommends watching River Phoenix in: 

Running on Empty (1988) - available to rent on YouTube and Prime Video

Dogfight (1990) - available to rent on YouTube and Prime Video

Listen

Recorded on May 28, 2024

Book talk begins at 22:55

ANNOUNCEMENTS and NEWS:

Our Summer Tops KAL is almost over, going until to June 1, 2024.  Prizes winners will be announced in Episode 288!

Our next KAL will be our annual Mother Bear KAL.  

DATES:  6/1/24 - 8/31/24

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.  

Tracie and Barb had a discussion about the excellent YouTube video that Susan B. Anderson made showing how she embroiders faces on toys:

 Every Saturday at noon Pacific time - Virtual Knitting Group via Zoom

 

EVENTS

Tracie will be at:

• Treadles to Threads Spinning Guild's Fiber Frolic - June 1 at the Soul Food Farm outside Vacaville, CA

 

KNITTING

Barb Finished:

• Mother Bears # 292 & #293
• Bankhead Hats #28 & #29

Tracie finished:

Mother Bears #321 - 323

• Dream in Blue Cardigan by Drops Design in pink and mint acrylic scraps
• Elorie by Elizabeth Doherty, using Berroco ReMix in the Artichoke colorway 

Barb is working on:

• Gardengate by Jennifer Steingass, using Cloudborn Merino Superwash Sock Twist in the Graphite Heather colorway and Cloudborn Fibers Highland Fingering in the Petal colorway

Barb has cast On:

• Bankhead hat #30 by Susie Gourlay using Knit Picks City Tweed HW in the Marsh Colorway

Tracie continues to work on:

• Fiddly Bits cowl #11 by Jana Pihota

Tracie has cast on:

• Staycation pullover by Susanne Sommer, using Zealana Performa KIWI fingering in the Rococo colorway
• Eisinberg Jacket by Guri Pederson in Paintbox Yarns Simply DK in the Spearmint Green and Blush Pink color ways

BOOKS

Barb read:

• The Rip by Holly Craig - 3 stars
• The Light of Farallon Island by Jen Wheeler - 4 stars

 

Tracie read:

• The Harbor by Katrine Engberg - 3.5 stars
• Shanghai Girls by Lisa See - 4.5 stars
• The Vanishing Class of 3B by Jackie Kabler - 3.5 stars
• Saint Maybe by Anne Tyler - 5 stars

 

Tracie recommends these two videos about what organizing is NOT:

Jordan Theresa: The Cult of Organisation & The Celebrity Kitchen Complex

Hannah Alonzo: The unhinged consumerism of “restock” influencers, so unrealistic!

 

 

Recorded May 9, 2024

Our Summer Tops KAL has begun and goes until to June 1, 2024.  To enter your  top in our prize thread, it must 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!

Every Saturday at noon Pacific time - Virtual Knitting Group via Zoom

EVENTS

Tracie and Barb will be at:

• Treadles to Threads Spinning Guild's Fiber Frolic - June 1 at the Soul Food Farm outside Vacaville, CA

 

KNITTING

Barb Finished:

• 2 Knockers
• Rock It Tee #2 by Tanis Lavalee, using Knit Picks Lindy Chain, in the colors Clarity, Rouge, and U Blue
• Mother Bear #291

 

Tracie finished:

• Knitted Knockers - 10 f0r 2024
• 3 Mother Bears
• Posie Doll by Manon Lemaire in worsted weight from stash
• Scraps Chaps Pig by Barbara Prime in Plymouth Encore in Peach
• Rachel #3 by Josée Paquin in white Juniper Moon Farms Zooey and other assorted bits of cotton/linen/silk

 

Barb working on:

• Knitted Knockers
• Pinnacles Hat by Nancy Bates, from the Knitting the National Parks by Nancy Bates, using a kit

 

Barb has frogged:  

• Tresoro Cardigan by Isabel Kraemer, using Knit Picks Hawthorne in the Bare colorway

 

Barb has cast On:

• Gardengate by Jennifer Steingass, using Cloudborn Merino Superwash Sock Twist in the Graphite Heather colorway and Cloudborn Fibers Highland Fingering in the Petal colorway
• Bankhead hat #28 by Susie Gourley

Tracie continues to work on:

Fiddly Bits cowl #11 by Jana Pihota

Elorie by Elizabeth Doherty in Berroco Remix in Artichoke

 

 

BOOKS

Barb read:

The Last Dive: A Father and Son’s Fatal Descent into the Ocean’s Depths by Bernie Chowdury - 5 stars

Red Zone: The Behind-the-Scenes Story of the San Francisco Dog Mauling by Aphrodite Jones - 4 stars

Calypso by David Sedaris - 5 stars

 

Tracie read:

Butcher on the Moor by Ric Brady - 3 stars

Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing and Iggie’s House by Judy Blume - 4 stars

Every Vow You Break by Peter Swanson - 4 stars

Ms. Demeanor by Elinor Lipman - 4 stars

While She Slept: A Husband, A Wife, A Brutal Murder by Marion Collins - 4 stars

Recorded on April 15, 2024

Book talk starts at 25:36

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  The 2024 retreat is full, but please contact Tracie at [email protected] to be informed about registration for the 2025 event when registration begins in the fall
• Fiber Frolic - June 1 at the Soul Food Farm outside Vacaville, CA

  Tracie and Barb talked about the new swifts availabile from Alpenglow Yarn!  Barb has one and Tracie has ordered one also.

 

KNITTING

Tracie finished:

• 2 Knitted Knockers
• PSL Mitts by Susanna Curtis by Canon Hand Dyes William Merino Fingering in the Waterworld colorway

Barb Finished:

2 Knitted Knockers  

Tracie is continuing to work on:

• Fiddly Bits cowl #11 by Jana Pihota
• Knitted Knockers
• Elorie by Elizabeth Doherty in Berroco Remix in Artichoke

Tracie has frogged: Dawning Top by Ainur Berkimbayeva in Zealana Performa KIWI Fingering

Barb is working on:

• Rock It Tee #2 by Tanis Lavallee, using Knit Picks Lindy Chain, in the colors Clarity, Rouge, and U Blue
• Knitted Knockers
• Pinnacles Beanie by Nancy Bates, from the Knitting the National Parks by Nancy Bates, using a kit

BOOKS

Tracie read:

• Forever Home by Graham Norton - 4 starsBecoming Clark Rockefeller: Murder, Love, Decpetion, and the Con Man Behind it All by Frank C. Girardot Jr. - 2 stars
• Jennifer, Hecate, Macbeth, William Mckinley and Me, Elizabeth - 3 stars

Barb read:

• A Mother Would Know by Amber Garza - 3 stars
• Watching You by Lisa Jewell - 3 stars
• The Sleepwalker by Chris Bohjialian - 4 stars
• The House Across the Lake by Riley Sager - 2.5 stars     Tracie also recommends:
• The Supet Inflatable Dog Cone Collar Alternative.  Sally agrees with this recommendation

• The Man Enough Podcast explores what it means to be a man today and how rigid gender roles have affected all people. The show creates a safe environment for a range of perspectives to meet and stay at the table, exploring how the messages of masculinity show up in relationships, body image, privilege, fatherhood, sex, success, mental health and so much more. Instead of polarizing and demonizing men and masculinity, it invites all humans to participate and thrive in the world.

  This Webby-nominated podcast is hosted by filmmaker, actor & author Justin Baldoni, author & journalist Liz Plank, and President of Wayfarer Studios & award winning music producer Jamey Heath. It’s currently in Season 2 and is in the top 1% of most followed and shared podcasts on Spotify, beloved by men, women and people of all genders.

 

Listen

Recorded on Saturday, March 30, 2024

Book talk starts at 20:45

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.  The retreat is full, but please contact Tracie at [email protected] to be informed about registration for the 2025 event when registration begins in the fall
• Fiber Frolic - June 1 at the Soul Food Farm outside Vacaville, CA

 

KNITTING

 

Tracie finished:

• 3 Knitted Knockers
• Bee Beautiful tee by Pia Trans in Carpool Cotton Bamboo in Copper
• Scraps Chaps puppy by Barbara Prime in Plymouth Encore - this is the pattern I will be teaching in a making knitted toys class this summer at Rumpelstiltskin

 

Barb Finished:

• 2 Knitted Knockers
• CAPROCK tee by Yamagara using Araucania Ollagua
• Emotional Support Chicken by Annette Corsino, using leftover worsted weight colors from my stash.

 

 

Out of hibernation:

Dawning Top by Ainur Berkimbayeva in Zealana Performa KIWI Fingering

 

Cast on:

Elorie by Elizabeth Doherty in Berroco Remix in Artichoke

 

Working On:

• Fiddly Bits cowl #11 by Jana Pihota
• Knitted Knockers

 

Barb is working on:

• Knitted Knockers
• Rock It Tee #2 by Tanis Lavallee, using Knit Picks Lindy Chain, in the colors Clarity, Rouge, and U Blue
• Pinnacles Beanie by Nancy Bates, from the Knitting the National Parks by Nancy Bates, using a kit

 

BOOKS

 

Tracie read:

• Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid - 5 stars
• Where Monsters Hide: Sex, Murder and Madness in the Midwest by M. William Phelps - 3 stars
• Happy People Are Annoying by Josh Peck - 3.5 stars
• California Golden by Melanie Benjamin - 3 stars

 

Barb read:

• Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano - 3.5 stars
• Blood Test by Jonathan Kellerman - 3 stars

 

Tracie and Barb both recommend the documentary Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV with the warning to be aware that it discusses sexual abuse and is just generally pretty grim.