Ep 94: Sweater Math Resources and More

Sweater fit, math for pattern modifications, and a way to help sheep farmers impacted by California wildfires add to the usual project updates in this episode. Join the Ewes for all this and more! For full show notes with links and pictures, go to twoewesfiberadventures.com

Marsha's projects are her combo spin and a linen tee. The combo spin is almost finished and the yarn is really beautiful. She has selected a simple cardigan pattern and will talk more about that when she is ready to cast on. The yarn has a significant amount of silk in it and the feel is really luscious.

The Summer Fjord linen tee is being bound off during the show. It is knit from Fibra Natura 100% linen yarn. Marsha had a mistake that she repaired by dropping about 5-6 stitches back a few inches and then reknitting only those stitches from the row. She has photos of the repair process on her project page in Ravelry.

Kelly has three finished projects, including the Bobble Sheep pillow that she finished awhile ago, but forgot to talk about.

A more recently finished pillow is the Clover, Bee, and Revery pattern. It has a fabric backing sewn on and two wooden bee buttons as a pillow back closure. This pillow has inspired her to make the Such is the Quality of Bees blanket out of the same yarn and using a doubleknit technique so that the front and back of the blanket both have the bee and rabbit pattern on them.

Kelly also finished another pair of argyle socks. The yarn is sport weight, but knit up at the same stitch gauge as the socks she made from fingering weight yarn before.

Marsha discusses a listener question about the math required to change a pattern when using a different gauge yarn. Another listener recommended Ann Budd's book, The Knitter's Handy Book of Sweater Patterns and The Knitter's Handy Book of Top Down Sweaters. Marsha also recommended the Craftsy class by Amy Herzog, Sweater Modifications for a Custom Fit. There are additional Craftsy classes on yarn substitution and sweater fit by Kellie Nuss and Sally Melville that look interesting. Marsha is also interested in taking a class called Sizing Knitwear Patterns by Faina Golberstein, who is also a math professor.

Kelly discussed the impact of the California wildfires on sheep farmers and ranchers. One farm in particular--owned by Sally Fox, creator of Foxfibre colored cotton--was threatened by the County Fire. Her property escaped damage, but she shared the story of evacuation on Instagram and that made Kelly think about the financial impact even when the property is spared. Sally's company is Vreseis and it is dedicated to sustainable cotton production. She sells cotton yarn and fiber, merino yarn and fiber, cloth, and wheat flour--all from her farm. With a purchase from her shop or a click of her donation button you can assist with the additional expenses of the recent fire threat and do your part for World Fleece! Take some time to look at her website and read the story of her cotton-growing journey.

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