Episode 03: UFOs attack!

Jenny and Nicole talk about UFOs, the quest for the giant pompom, the brilliant Nona Swatches and the Walker Treasury Project, and Knitpicks Panache.

Episode 03: UFOs attack! (33:35)

Destash

In which we talk about the hidden stash within the stash... UFOs (you know you have 'em!).

• Nicole's UFO list
• Nicole's Basketweave scarf
• Cleo
• Our friend Emily
• Stefanie Japel!
• Simply Marilyn
• Fitted Aran Jacket
• Socks That Rock
• Thuja for Nic's Dad
• Yoga Wrap from Vogue Knitting
• Knitpicks Decadence

Shake your pompoms!

Pompoms around the world. A trend? We talk about pompom makers and try to figure out how to make a giant pompom.

• Pompoms in Italy
• Clover pompom maker
• Boye pompom maker
• Susan Bates giant pompom makers
• Pompom tree- I think I was dreaming that I found it on the WEBS site, because I can't find it there anymore! Anyway, here is what it looks like...
• A pompom tutorial for superior pompoms
• Ill-fated bears hat WITH POMPOM
• Last-Minute Knitted Gifts
• Leigh Radford's pompom boa
  

In the Blogosphere

We review Nona's offshoot blog, Nona Swatches, and discuss how the new Walker Treasury Project is a brilliant idea.

• Nona Swatches!
• The Walker Treasury Project

Yarny Goodness

Do you have Panache? We review this kitchen sink of luxury fibers.

• Craftster circular shrug
• Jenny's shrug
• Jenny's cardigan

Thanks for listening! Special thanks to Manda of Knitting Psychos, Brainylady Alison, Yarn-A-Go-Go Rachael, and Exec Producer Harold!

Comments

[Laura]

Another wonderful episode :)
My destashing tip-I donated a large portion of my stash to http://keepingkidswarm.tripod.com/index.html
in my area.
P.S I also linked you on my blog, as my #1 place to check out.
Thanks Again

[suzanne]

I love Nona's swatches--those random log cabins hit the spot! She is always getting Gee's Bendy with it, totally inspiring.

[Emily]

Thanks for Episode 3! I don't have nearly the stash you guys do, but your podcast has inspired me to go to KnitPicks and stash up!

[Stacey]

Another great episode...man I really need to try some Panache - I usually stay away from bulky yarns, but Jenny's shrug & cardi look so amazing! :)

[Mimi]

Hey. That was interesting, especially about Venice, my most favorite city in the world. Crazy Aunt Purl blogged about making a gigantic pompon. It sounds like an easy way to make one, too. (Not to mention funny.) Have you read those instructions?

Thanks for podcasting.

[alison]

I'm so posting something about pompoms soon! Pompoms were a big craft for me as a kid, and I'm going to figure out how to make a seven-incher, just for you two. I'll let you know how it goes!

[Elemmaciltur]

Great episode! Keep 'em coming! And make huge pom-poms!!!! :-p

[carolyn]

Finishing UFO's definitely counts as destashing! I don't have a huge stash or a huge amount of UFOs, but I definitely have some UFOs that recently celebrated their third (and possibly 4th) birthday due to a knitting hiatas. I finished one of the sweaters the other day and it actually turned out great (which always leaves me to wonder…why didn't I finish this earlier?). The other sweater I'm still slowly trudging along on (I have definite sleeves issues…as in I just don't like to make them). The past couple of sweaters I've made though, have turned out really well so I keep thinking that this one is the one that's going to come out looking slightly hideous. I think this says something about my upbringing…when things are going too good and I start to think that something really bad must be just around the corner. Hmmm?

[Robin]

Just found your podcast - I like it!

[marylee]

I have definitely learned the value of big pom-poms! My friend Jacob taught me. Ryan, of Mossy Cottage Knits and the Dulaan Project relayed the story in her December 22 post. Another half hour well spent. Thanks especially for the yarn reviews. I always find those very intersting and helpful.

[Melissa]

I downloaded all three episodes Friday and listened this weekend. LOVED THEM!! Keep up the awesome work girls!! :) Although, my son didn't enjoy them too much I guess (he's 2) because when my brother was in the car and bothering him, he told him that "If you're bad, mommy turns knitting on the radio really loud. Please be good!". I'm sure he'll come around after awhile.

[Wendy DG]

I just listened to your first three shows. Great job! Looking forward to hearing more. My best UFO story is a cable sweater pushed way to the back of my stash cabinet. All it's waiting for is neck finishing and a seam up one arm. There must be some kind of psychological issue with it. It's going on 2 years old. As for destashing...this might be cheating, but I decided to send my extra stash to Interim House. I heard about it on Cast On and knew they could really use the yarn. Voila - I'm destashed! You can view the Interim Blog here: http://mcduf.blogspot.com/index.html

[Emily D]

I have to confess, I'm not wild about pom-poms. The way my mother tells it, this dates back to a childhood assassination attempt. They were driving along merrily and hadn't heard a peep out of me in a little while, and looked back to the sight of me turning blue. Seems I had swallowed the pom-pom on the end of my drawstring, and they had to heave mightily on the other end to haul it out of me.

Pers'nally, I think it was summer camp overexposure that solidified my resolved prejudice against them. That said, the idea of easily disposing of waste yarn while simultaneously producing cat toys *does* appeal.

[Lauren]

Okay, you've totally sold me with the Buffy cut out. I may be moving to the S.F. area and am not looking forward to moving my stash across the country.

[caro]

I listened to the first 3 episodes yesterday and you guys have me hooked! Keep 'em coming!

[Glenda]

Don't despair, y'all! I say that working on UFOs totally counts as a destashing effort. After all, completing projects will make more room for you physically, mentally, and emotionally. Progress--even when it seems little--is always good, so don't be so hard on yourselves. Great podcast--I love the Ella.

[jpt]

I just listened to your first three episodes back-to-back while finishing a Swallowtail Shawl in stashed Silky Wool. I appreciated your company on this journey to turn accumulated baggage (yarn) into a good time (knitting).

Sorry to hear your UFO-busting is not resulting in items crossed off the stash list. I ran into a similar problem when I reorganized--I designated one bin for "mistake yarn". Using stuff from that bin makes me feel extra-virtuous & creative, yet it doesn't reduce the skein counts. :(

[Sydney]

Hi Ladies,

Just downloaded back episodes of your show. Brenda Dane from Cast On had recommended you as one of her favorite podcasts from her site. You guys are like the milder version of Lime & Violet. Being a native Franciscan and from listening to you guys, I now know where to go for great yarns within the city. I too made a New Year's resolution to go on a yarn diet and man, is it hard!

Good job! Keep up the good work and I look forward in listening more of you in weeks to come...

Syd. ;-)

[Petunia]

Enjoyed the episodes I heard (3) and will listen to the others as time permits. Nice to know that others "suffer" from my hoarding problem!

[Heather]

I love your podcast, it's great. I relate to you guys so much. I am a fairly new knitter and I am branching out to more intermediate patterns and I would love to knit the circular shrug. Can you tell me where I can get the pattern? Thanks so much!

[Heather]

I just discovered your podcast, and am at work, listening away. :) I just wanted to drop a note by and say that Cleo is my longest-running UFO too! In March 2004 I managed to knit all the pieces, and it has stayed like that. What's been putting me off is that my guage wasn't tight enough (I'd been knitting since the previous summer, and didn't know) so it was a bit...open-weave in the cup parts. I have an old bathing suit top in the bag with it, to use as a lining, but I've just never gotten around to it. Maybe this year...

I started out this year thinking of de-stashing (I have a small stash, but also a small apartment) but then I bought some laceweight on Etsy, for the Victorian Lace book because I had no laceweight. Then I was just really unenchanted with my stash yarns, so I ended up giving a lot away, and selling some. Then I made a huge Webs order with yarn for 5 projects (3 of them sweaters!).
I look at it less as enhancement than as 'stash rotation'. I did order more than I got rid of, but that's better than nothing, right?

[Sally Villarreal]

I know this is an old podcast, but I heard about it on livejournal and I started listening from episode one.

I'm not destashing this year as much as 1. Keeping my budget undercontrol, 2. Focusing on buying nicer yarns and larger amounts, rather than single skeins and cheap yarns and 3. Finishing UFOs.

Well, I realized last week after finishing this:
http://sallycomesunraveled.blogspot.com/2007/07/saving-amazing-technicolor-disaster.html#links

(Actually, I'm not counting it as an FO until it's washed. If you've worked with Recycled Sari Silk, you'd understand.)

That I only have one UFO, a languishing granny square afghan out of a rainbow of acryllic yarn (very practical.) The other two are active OTN, my "mystery" design I plan to submit to Knitty, and the blanket for project linus.

I know about anemic pom pom makers. When I first learned in elementary school, I made tons of pom poms with the "donut" thing, except I made mine out of cardboard rings in a much larger size.

Also, you need to read "No Sheep for You" and the "Geeky Thing" aspect of swatching.

I'm enjoying the podcasts. Thanks so much!

[thorn]

i've heard you should never wear a pompom bigger than your head. on any part of your body. but i've never known what the consequences of ignoring this advice are purported to be. so maybe it was just a rumor.