2 Knit Lit Chicks Tracie & Barb

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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 2knitlitchicks@gmail.com 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.

Recorded on March 14, 2024
Book talk begins at 21:00
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 Fiber Frolic - June 1 at the Soul Food Farm outside Vacaville, CA KNITTING
Barb Finished:
2 Knitted Knockers  
Tracie finished:
Tracie's Fresh Favorite Tee by Christen Clement Designs in Queen City Yarn Coleman in the Maple colorway Tracie's Pixie Dust  by Dani Sunshine in Berroco Vintage Handpaintsin a light blue/pale green/purple colorway
1 Knitted Knocker Tracie's Emotional Support Chicken by Annette Corsino, using Hayfield Spirit Chunky
Barb is working on:
CAPROCK tee by Yamagata using Araucania Ollagua 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 Barb has cast on:
Barb's Emotional Support Chicken by Annette Corsino, using worsted weight leftovers Tracie cast on:
Bee Beautiful Tee by Pia Trans in  in Carpool Cotton Bamboo in the Copper colorway She continues to work on:
Fiddly Bits Cowl by Jana Pihota using fingering scraps  
If you would like to make Knitted Knockers, here is some useful info -
From the Knitted Knockers.org website:
“Knitted Knockers are special handmade breast prostheses for women who have had breast cancer and undergone mastectomy or lumpectomy. Traditional breast prosthetics can be hot, heavy and sticky. They typically require special bras or camisoles with pockets and can’t be worn for weeks after surgery. Knitted Knockers are soft, comfortable, beautiful and when placed in a regular bra they take the shape and feel of a real breast. They are adjustable, washable and can even be worn while swimming. Our special volunteer knitters provide these FREE to those requesting them”
Please visit the Knitted Knockers website, Knitted Knockers Homepage for all the information that you need.  
This webpage is especially helpful for information on approved yarns and color information: Yarns and colors
Very Important: Please note that neutral colors are preferred.  If you want, you can use bright colors on the bottom of your knocker, but the top of it needs to be in a neutral color. 
Patterns: So many choices!  Please go to this section to pick and download your (free) pattern: Knitted Knockers Patterns. 
Hint:  The Bottoms Up Knocker for Double Point Needles pattern works great with magic loop too…and has the easiest “start” to your knocker!

 
BOOKS
Barb  read:
If It Bleeds by Stephen King - 5 stars The Mystery Guest (Molly the Maid #2) - 3 stars Tracie read: 
Forever... by Judy Blume - 4 stars I'll Take Care of You by Caitlin Rother - 4.5 stars The Bone Jar by S.W. Kane - 3 stars
 
Info from Tracie's "Thumbs Up" about the sweater shaver:
The Substack article about pilling is here
The excellent sweater shaver can be purchased here

Recorded Wednesday, February 21, 2024
Book talk begins at 31:30
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 Fiber Frolic - June 1 at the Soul Food Farm outside Vacaville, CA  
KNITTING
Barb Finished:
Bankhead Hat #27 by Susie Gourley Velvet Pullover by Claudia Quintinella, using Serendipidye Kings Mountain Fingering in the Piccadilly colorway, Invictus Yarn Adventure in the Don’t Look  Under the Lilacs, Invictus Yarns Master of My Feet in the Adagio colorway, AND Knit Picks Palette in the Aster and Bluebells colorway. 2 Knitted Knockers  
Tracie finished:
2 Soap Sacks by Haley Waxberg in Knockers yarn (And the bar shampoo and conditioner Tracie can be purchased at https://viori.com/) Beginner’s Rainbow Rabbit by Claire Garland in sparkly periwinkle Tahki Linguine for Lauren’s 12th birthday Jen by Josée Paquin in Marianated Yarns Scrumptious HT in Sea of Glass and Indigo Bunting, Laneras Barefoot in Coral and Invictus Yarns Unconquerable Sole BFL in the Powerful colorway 1 Knitted Knocker  
If you would like to make Knitted Knockers, here is some useful info -
 
From the Knitted Knockers.org website:
“Knitted Knockers are special handmade breast prostheses for women who have had breast cancer and undergone mastectomy or lumpectomy. Traditional breast prosthetics can be hot, heavy and sticky. They typically require special bras or camisoles with pockets and can’t be worn for weeks after surgery. Knitted Knockers are soft, comfortable, beautiful and when placed in a regular bra they take the shape and feel of a real breast. They are adjustable, washable and can even be worn while swimming. Our special volunteer knitters provide these FREE to those requesting them”
Please visit the Knitted Knockers website, Knitted Knockers Homepage for all the information that you need.  
This webpage is especially helpful for information on approved yarns and color information: Yarns and colors
Very Important: Please note that neutral colors are preferred.  If you want, you can use bright colors on the bottom of your knocker, but the top of it needs to be in a neutral color. 
Patterns: So many choices!  Please go to this section to pick and download your (free) pattern: Knitted Knockers Patterns. 
Hint:  The Bottoms Up Knocker for Double Point Needles pattern works great with magic loop too…and has the easiest “start” to your knocker!
Barb working on:
Cheeky Cables Socks  by Mary Lukas using Universal Yarns Zesty Sock in the Pearl colorway CAPROCK tee by Yamagata using Araucania Ollagua Knitted Knockers  
Barb has cast on:
Pinnacles Beanie by Nancy Bates, from the Knitting the National Parks by Nancy Bates, using a kit Rock It Tee #2 by Tanis Lavallee, using Knit Picks Lindy Chain, in the colors Clarity, Rouge, and U Blue  
Frogged: 
Colourwheel DK 1 Ball Scarf by Sirdar, using a Sirdar Colourwheel in the Follow the Rainbow Colorway
 
Tracie cast on:
Pixie Dust by Dani Sunshine in Berroco Vintage Handpaints in light blue/pale green/purple 1 Knitted Knocker  
She continues to work on:
Fresh Favorite Tee by Christen Clement Designs in Queen City Yarn Coleman in the Maple colorway Fiddly Bits Cowl by Jana Pihota using fingering scraps  
BOOKS
Look What You Made me Do: Confronting Heartbreak & Harassment in Big Law by Erin Gordon - 4 stars The Loyal Wife by Natalie Barelli - 3 stars Trail of the Lost: The Relentless Search to Bring Home the Missing Hikers of the Pacific Coast Trail by Andrea Lankford - 5 stars The Secret Place (Du

 Recorded Thursday, February 8, 2024

 
 
We are so excited to have Kim McBrien Evans, dyer of Indigodragonfly Yarns, designer, teacher, innovator of knitting pattern modification and all-around Textile Maven as our guest this episode!

 
We had a fantastic talk with her about her background, starting her yarn business, learning to modify knit patterns out of necessity and wanting to share what she’s learned about anything-but-standard sizing and as a teacher, designer and advocate for size inclusivity and a change in the way we size women’s clothing.
 
 
Coupon Codes for Our Listeners
Website: https://indigodragonfly.ca
Discount code for yarn and patterns: 
15% off all yarn and patterns
 
Ravelry: https://www.ravelry.com/designers/kim-mcbrien-evans
Discount code: 2KNITLIT15
15% off all patterns and ebooks
 
Impervious Shawl
 designed to be knit with some of Kim's husband's more complex colorways
 

 
 
 
A Tale of Two Sweaters
 

vs

 
 
"New Representative Sizing Standards for Garments that Fit" by Kim McBrien Evans for Digits and Threads, March 9, 2022 (you can download the size chart here as well through an email sign up)  
"Inclusive Sizing Is Not Impossible—We Just Have to Work Together" by Kim McBrien Evans for Digits and Threads, April 14, 2021
Digits and Threads has a lot of other Kim's articles about fit, so take a look around!
Find Kim
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/Indigodragonfly
Instagram: @indigodragonfly 

Recorded on January 24, 2024
Book Talk starts at 19:28
Our Fall Sweater KAL has ended!  Please stayed tuned to the end of the episode to find out if you won a prize.  We had 107 completed sweaters - way to go!
Our Summer Tops KAL will run February 1 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 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!
 
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 you can still get on the waiting list!
 
KNITTING
Barb Finished:
Bankhead Hat #27 by Susie Gourley
 
Tracie finished:
Socks to match my Archer in Dizzy Blonde Studios Dizzy Color in Delete and Lisa Souza Dyeworks Deluxe Sock in Cornflower
 
Barb working on:
Colourwheel DK 1 Ball Scarf by Sirdar, using a Sirdar Colourwheel in the Follow the Rainbow Colorway
Cheeky Cables Socks  by Mary Lukas using Universal Yarns Zesty Sock in the Pearl colorway
Velvet Pullover by Claudia Quintinilla/Ewe Knit Toronto, using  Serendipidye Kings Mountain Fingering in the Piccadilly colorway, Invictus Yarn Adventure in the Don't Look Under the Lilacs colorway, Invictus Yarns Master of my Feet in the Adagio and the Bobby color ways
 
Barb has cast on:
Bankhead Hat #28
CAPROCK tee by Yamagata using Araucania Ollagua
 
Tracie has cast on:
Beginner’s Rainbow Rabbit by Claire Garland in periwinkle Tahki Linguine from the NYFR destash
 
She continues to work on:
Jen by Josée Paquin in Marianated Yarns Scrumptious HT in Sea of Glass and Indigo Bunting, Laneras Barefoot in Coral and Invictus Yarns Unconquerable Sole BFL in the Powerful colorway
Fresh Favorite Tee by Christen Clement Designs in Queen City Yarn Coleman in the Maple colorway
Fiddly Bits Cowl by Jana Pihota using fingering scraps
 
BOOKS
Barb read:
Impossible Things Before Breakfast: Adventures in the Ordinary by Rebecca Front - 4 stars
56 Days by Catherine Ryan Howard - 3 stars
Prom Mom - by Laura Lipman - 5 stars
Last Dance, Last Chance and Other True Cases (Crime Files #8) by Ann Rule - 4 stars
High Country (Anna Pigeon #12) by Nevada Barr - 5 stars
 
Tracie read:
Wham! George Michael and Me by Andrew Ridgeley - 4.5 stars
Wrecker by Carl Hiaasen - 3 stars
13 1/2 by Nevada Barr - 3 stars
Bunny by Mona Awad - 3 stars
Deadly Pretender: the Double Life of David Miller by Karen Kingsbury
 
Tracie recommends the TV show Jury Duty on Prime Video/FreeVee

Recorded on January 7, 2024
Book talk starts at 13:26
Our annual Fall Sweater KAL is almost over!  Stay tuned for our next KAL which will be announced in Episode 280.
Virtual Knitting Group via Zoom
EVENTS
Tracie and Barb will be at:
Northern California Knitting Retreat (fondly known as "NoCKRs) April 25. - 28, 2024
KNITTING
Tracie finished:
NOT ONE DAMN THING
Barb Finished:
Donner by Elizabeth Doherty. Using Knit Picks Lindy Chain in the Sage Brush colorway
Tracie is Working on:
Jen by Josée Paquin in Marianated Yarns Scrumptious HT in Sea of Glass and Indigo Bunting, Laneras Barefoot in Coral and Invictus Yarns Unconquerable Sole BFL in the Powerful colorway Socks to match my Archer in Dizzy Blonde Studios Dizzy Color in Delete and Lisa Souza Dyeworks Deluxe Sock! in Cornflower Tracie has cast-on:
Fresh Favorite Tee by Chirsten Clement Designs in Queen City Yarn Coleman in the Maple colorway Fiddly Bits Cowl by Jana Pihota using fingering scraps
Barb working on:
Colourwheel DK 1 Ball Scarf by Sirdar, using a Sirdar Colourwheel in the Follow the Rainbow Colorway Bankhead Hat #25 by Susie Gourley, using Berroco Vintage in the Forest colorway Barb has cast on:
Cheeky Cables Socks  by Mary Lukas using Universal Yarns Zesty Sock in the Pearl colorway Velvet Pullover by Claudia Quintinilla/Ewe Knit Toronto, using  Serendipidye Kings Mountain Fingering in the Piccadilly colorway, Invictus Yarn Adventure in the Don't Look Under the Lilacs colorway, Invictus Yarns Master of my Feet in the Adagio and the Bobby color ways  
BOOKS
Tracie has read:
The Lazarus Files: A Cold Case Investigation  by Matthew Gough - 4 stars Keep it in the Family by John Mars - 4 stars Drop City by TC Boyle - 5 stars Barb has read:
A Good Neighborhood by Therese Anne Fowler - 3 stars Thin Air by Michelle Paver -  4 stars To the Land of Long-Lost Friends: No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency #20 by Alexander McCall Smith - 4 stars The Hypnotist (Joona Linna #1) by Lars Kempler