Irie Knits

Listen to Episode 15!Reasons to listen:- Irie rejects authority by not following instructions, patterns or recipes... and ends up with wonky socks!- Irie goes above and beyond the call of duty for her beloved Raux Fussian Stole... er, that's Faux Russian Stole.- Irie makes a bad pun as she dips a few strands in the dye pots.Irie Recommendations:- Christa Knits podcast- Socks in the City podcastMusic Credits:The Sugar Beets - The DancersThe Sugar Beets - If the Heat Don't GoThe Sugar Beets - A Little Bit Broken

Listen to the long awaited Episode 14!First Segment:- Irie's making another podcast. Whee! Ignore the interruptions...- Irie is slowly working on an endless Irish Hiking Scarf, and a pair of Standard Default Socks (an original pattern) using Opal self-striping sock yarn for mindless numbing fun!Irie Vibe:Irie relaxes your neck and your mind...The stash box:- Irie shares her plans to knit the Knitting Pure and Simple Neckdown V Neck Shaped Cardigan using some denim blue Berroco Ultra Alpaca.Motherly advice:- Set your stash free!Music Credits:Aswad - Irie Woman (intro music)The Warheads - Dipped in Ghee (relaxation segment)Irie - Black is the Color (outtakes)

Listen to Episode 13!First Segment:- Irie's new favorite knitting spot- Irie's Monday night knitting group- Irie's latest design, the Oregon Hiking Scarf, inspired by the popular Irish Hiking Scarf- Irie's latest pair of socks-on-the-needles, using Sock Hop from Crown Mountain FarmsIrie Vibe:Irie chills things out by opening your heart chakra to the beat of some smooth tunes.The stash box:- Soft Horizons in Eugene, Oregon- a future project, Fiber Trends Baby Poncho in Plymouth Encore- latest from Sundara's Petals CollectionMotherly advice:- when knitting socks using two circular needles, use a smaller needle size for the sole of the foot to make a firmer, more durable fabric.- cut out the corners of your ziploc bag and thread yarn through each hole for a simple "yarn dispenser"- be mindful of your gauge; Irie explains coffee, normal, and wine gauge- Irie shares a few more techniques for needle storage (courtesy of all those listeners out there!), including the homemade circular needle holder.Music Credits:Aswad - Irie Woman (intro music)The Warheads - Broken Spell (relaxation segment)Black Dillinger - Big Trouble

Listen to Episode 12, sock sock!First Segment:Irie talks about the onset of fall, the socks she is working on, and road trips.The stash box:Irie talks about the blind yarn auction at Silver Falls Knitting Retreat.Irie asks for advice about what to do with one lonely skein of Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock - not quite enough yarn for a pair of decently large socks. What would you knit?Irie shares her other recent sock yarn acquisitions, Sock Hop and the latest from Sundara's Petals Collection.Motherly advice:Irie shares a tip to create a tighter, stronger fabric for the sole of the foot.Music Credits:Aswad - Irie Woman (intro music)Cofield Mundi - RiverCofield Mundi - Forgive MeIrie - Tandem Bike (outtakes)

Listen to Episode 11, adventures in lace!First Segment:Irie talks about her progress on the Celtic Tiger II socks and introduces a new lace project: Faux Russian Stole from Gathering of Lace.Irie vibe:Irie reads an excerpt from the Tao Te Ching.The stash box:Irie talks about her latest acquisition, some old ("antique") French alpaca/wool blend from the deepest darkest corner of her mother's closet...Patterns:Leaf Lace Shawl from Fiber TrendsForm-Fitted-Arch Stockings from Sept '96 issue of Wool Gathering newsletter (see Grumperina's version!)Books:Knitting on the RoadThe Knitter's Book of Finishing TechniquesMotherly advice:Irie shares some tips for thrifty knitters and talks about a free online knitting book from Studio Knits.Please share your needle-storage secrets by leaving a comment or sending Irie an email!Music Credits:Aswad - Irie Woman (intro music)satya - Paradise on Earth (relaxation)George Fletcher/Bourbon Renewal - Ain't The Worst That You Could FindF11 - F11 (outtakes)

Listen to Episode 10!Featured musician:Kate Mann is a musician from Portland, Oregon. One reviewer writes, "Alternately playful, dark, moody, introspective, poignant, intense, thought-provoking, haunting, quirky . . . Kate Mann is always engaging. Her voice can be husky or girlish. Her lyrics are always unforgettable, combining the provocative power of P. J. Harvey, the poetic sensibilities of Natalie Merchant and the homespun grace of Gillian Welch."Irie saw Kate performing at a restaurant/bar in Eugene, Oregon. Kate immediately gave Irie permission to share her music with the listeners of Irie Knits! Sweet!First Segment:Finished projects: Red Teddy, those ol' Koigu Jaywalker Socks, and a pair of Celtic Tiger striped socks - knit two at a time, toe up, with a short row heel and a fair isle ribbed cuff. On the needles: A second pair of Celtic Tiger socks, using The Square Toe cast-on, and the toe-up gusset increase/heel flap design of the Widdershins pattern from Knitty Summer '06.The stash box:Irie shares the yarn she bought at the Black Sheep Gathering, a sheep & wool festival in Eugene, Oregon: Blue Moon Fiber Arts Sock Candy, Blue Moon Fiber Arts Socks That Rock, and some forest green alpaca yarn from Pacific Meadows Alpacas.More Stash Box:Irie's mother says that sock yarn does not count as "stash", so if you decide to reduce your yarn intake, well, sock yarn doesn't count... Irie shares her first shipment of Sundara Yarns Petals Collection sock club, Calla Lily.Last segment:Irie has (finally!) published the Grapevine Sock pattern! Yay!Music Credits:Aswad - Irie Woman (intro music)Kate Mann - Orange DressKate Mann - Good GirlIrie - Tandem Bike (outtakes)

Listen to Episode 9, the vegan episode!Featured musician:Four Stones - groove soaked ambient chill from Magnatune.First Segment:Irie explains the meaning of the word irie. On the needles is a Jaywalker sock (take 3) and Under the Hoodie, a hooded sweatshirt pattern from Stitch n' Bitch: The Knitter's Handbook by Debbie Stoller.Irie anticipates the upcoming Black Sheep Gathering (Eugene's own sheep and wool festival) and hopes she'll be able to buy some more Socks That Rock from the Blue Moon Fiber Arts booth.Irie vibeIrie makes her listeners feel irie with a breathing exercise designed to loosen up your shoulders and neck.The stash box:Today's stash box contains a whole heap of Foxfibre organic cotton yarn and a nice segue...Vegan knitting:... into the vegan knitting segment. Irie explains the term vegan and what this means for knitters, although she elects to NOT explain mulesing (because it's gross). Irie shares information from fake sheep, who has compiled a list of vegan yarns. Irie mentions South West Trading Company's 100% Soy Silk laceweight yarn, Infinity, and a vegan knitting blog that links to other vegan knitting blogs.Motherly advice:What to do when you need to measure something *now* and your tape is nowhere in sight?Last segment:Leaving a comment on the Irie Knits website or send Irie an email. Thanks for listening, stay irie, enjoy the outtakes!Music Credits:Aswad - Irie Woman (intro music)Four Stones - Laying Down Lounge (relaxation segment)Four Stones - Brilliant Day (Chronic Mix)Four Stones - Till My Cup Runs Over (outtakes segment)

Listen to Episode 8, tossed together like a Caesar's salad!Featured musician:Bonobo is Simon Green, a UK musician who produces music full of "organic, pastoral atmospheres and catchy melodies." The two songs featured here are from the One Off Remixes & B Sides album, and there are many more excellent albums available. Thanks to Tru Thoughts Recordings for granting permission for Irie Knits to share Bonobo's music; his albums are essentials in Irie's music library.First Segment:Summer has begun! Irie laments her mismatched Jaywalker socks, shares progress on the red teddy bear, reveals a finished W tank top and throws in a couple of baby socks for good measure.The stash box:Irie shares a few very special knitting-related birthday gifts, including a dozen skeins of Filatura di Crosa "127 Print", a blue Chibi, and a frogged sock!Motherly advice:Be mindful of your gauge. Save yourself time and frustration.Last segment:Irie rambles on about things and asks listeners to provide some "motherly advice". Thanks for listening, stay irie, and beware! Highly insane content in the outtakes!Music Credits:Aswad - Irie Woman (intro music)Bonobo - The Shark [buy the album!]Bonobo - Magicman [buy the album!]Irie - Tandem Bike (outtakes)

Listen to Episode 7, the birthday episode!Featured musician:Pele Juju is an all-female world beat combo from California. They will be playing at the Alaska State Fair on September 1st, and are lining up more September gigs in California.First Segment:Episode 7, recorded on Saturday, the day after a birthday party! Irie talks about some projects that are dwindling in the land of finishing (Grapevine Socks and a red teddy bear) and shares her progress on the W tank top and the Jaywalker socks.Check out the "we're KNOT taking any more" email campaign at knitspot and tell the yarn companies what you think! (June 2nd)Irie waxes philosophical about her 30th birthday.The stash box:Irie shares the newest additions to the stash family, yarn from the Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival! Two large skeins of white Cormo wool and two lovely green sock yarns from Ellen's 1/2 Pint Farm.Motherly advice:Knit in a comfortable location with good lighting. Spending extended periods of time with your knitting can be just as crippling as sitting in front of a computer for hours on end - pay attention to the ergonomics of your knitting chair, be aware of your posture and take breaks often. Take care of yourself!Last segment:Debbie Stoller, the author of Stitch 'n Bitch, is looking for pattern submissions for her next book, an advanced knitting manual. She is looking for patterns that incorporate a bit of fancy-pants knitting such as cables, lace, color work (either intarsia or fair isle or, hell, both!), beading, etc. The book will be covering these techniques in great detail, as well as much more.Tell Irie about the other fiber arts you enjoy by leaving a comment on the website or sending her an email. Thanks for listening, stay irie, enjoy the outtakes!Music Credits:Aswad - Irie Woman (intro music)Pele Juju - Happy To Be AlivePele Juju - WomanSurrounded By Ninjas - Happy Ending (The Tribe of Good People) (outtakes clip)

Irie is happy to present a very special Mother's Day episode! Listen to Episode 6!Featured music:Irie plays a couple of songs from the Got You on My Mind album, a collaboration between William Galison and Madeleine Peyroux. Both are wonderfully talented musicians on their own, and the sparks fly when they come together musically!First Segment:Episode 6 isn't playing by the rules! Irie has been plotting and scheming for weeks to produce this special Mother's Day episode.Mom's Essay:Irie reads an essay about how her mother became a knitter. The essay is written in first person, so imagine that you are hearing Irie's mother's voice as you listen to this segment! Irie's mom mentions the Mary Maxim "Learn-to-Knit" kit and the book that unlocked the doors of knitting, "Knitting Without Tears" by Elizabeth Zimmermann.Irie's Essay:Irie talks about how she learned to knit, how many times she learned to knit, and how she became a knitter! In this segment, Irie mentions knitty.com, meetup.com, and the Knitting and Stitching Show at the RDS (Dublin, Ireland) and a few other things that aren't worth a link. :)Last segment:That's all folks. Sorry, no outtakes this week! Regularly formatted podcasting will return for the next episode. Stay irie!Music Credits:Aswad - Irie Woman (intro music)William Galison and Madeleine Peyroux - Got You on My MindWilliam Galison and Madeleine Peyroux - Heaven Help Us All

Listen to Episode 5!Featured musician:JR is a musician from Australia. Irie was lucky enough to discover his music on the Podsafe Music Network! He describes his music as "chilled electronica... ambient piano... fingerpicking folky guitar... lazy slide... and soulful vocals." A good mix of his music is available in this episode and you can expect to hear songs or clips in future episodes!First Segment:Episode 5! Wow! Irie talks about what's on the needles, what's off the needles and what's next. Irie discusses Grumperina's Jaywalker Sock and Wendy's toe-up sock method. Irie promises (and remembers!) to provide links to Wendy's generic toe-up sock pattern and the Knitty article that describes three methods of casting on for toe-ups, also written by Wendy.Irie Vibe:Irie introduces a chill vibe as she talks about her "stockinette breathing exercise," a relaxation technique she discovered while knitting.The stash box:Irie breaks with tradition and does NOT talk about something she found in her stash box. Instead, she dreams of upcoming stash enhancements and discusses the how Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival is changing yarn buying habits across the country!Motherly advice:Irie gives herself some motherly advice about the "BEST" way to knit socks!Last segment:Thanks to new listeners! Thanks to old listeners! Thanks fellow podcasters (including Shannon from KnitCentric)! Thanks to everybody who provided feedback! Thanks to everybody who will supply future feedback! Goodbye, stay irie, enjoy the outtakes.Music Credits:Aswad - Irie Woman (intro music)JR - Bombay Dream (relaxation)JR - Dream of YouJR - Slippery SaxCarne Cruda - Banana (outtakes clip)

Listen to Episode 4!Featured musician:The Sugar Beets are a band from Eugene, Oregon. The band includes two female vocalists, acoustic guitar, keyboards, fiddle, mandolin, upright bass, and drums. They play traditional music styles with a fresh, inspiring and high-energy style akin to Leftover Salmon or Widespread Panic. Their CDs can be purchased from their website.First Segment:The Grapevine Socks are complete!Work in progress:Irie is knitting the Coronet hat from Knitty.com using some Cormo wool that her mom bought at last year's Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival. The Coronet is now a finished object!More first segment:Irie talks about her need to knit a teddy bear last weekend. The teddy turned out to be lovable, but Irie's lack of knowledge in the teddy bear face shaping area prompts her to buy a copy of The Knitted Teddy Bear by Sandra Polley.The stash box:Irie finds a red and green skein of Kid -n- Ewe wool from Bryspun in her stash and plans to make a strawberry cap from Ann Norling's Fruit Cap pattern.Motherly advice:Irie gives her own mother some advice about what type of knitting to choose to quiet her thoughts, and postulates on other possible ways to match different styles of knitting to your current emotional and mental state.Last segment:Thanks and goodbye. Don't miss the outtakes!Music Credits:Aswad - Irie Woman (intro music)The Sugar Beets - East Colorado BluesThe Sugar Beets - If the Heat Don't GoThe Sugar Beets - Secret to Happiness (outtakes clip)

Listen to Episode 3!Featured musician:Pele Juju is an all-female world beat combo from California. Although they are no longer together, rumor has it that they may play some shows this summer in California! Sadly, Pele Juju doesn't seem to have a website; their CDs can be found on various online stores (google it), although they can be found online, seem to be rare and very expensive. Irie may play more from this band on future episodes because they are so IRIE!First Segment:Irie brings new listeners up to speed by explaining the term "irie" and gives thanks to the podcasters who have supported her by mentioning her show or playing the promo: Cast-On, KnitTunes, Stitch-Cast, Knitting News Cast and Pointy Sticks! Also, check out Dr. Emmie's knitting podcast - her first episode is available now!Irie Vibe:The mood mellows as you focus your good intentions into every stitch.Work in progress:Irie talks about Grapevine Socks, version 2.0! New and improved! And more addictive than ever...The stash box:Irie inventories a growing collection of her favorite sock yarn, Blue Moon Fiber Arts Socks That Rock. View photosA brief interlude:Irie sheepishly admits that she did not save the podcast file often enough and lost a good portion of the show when the program crashed. As a computer geek, she should have known better!! Oh well - on with the rest of the show, Take Two!Motherly advice:Turn your Fair Isle knitting inside out to guarantee the proper tension on the floating strands!Last segment:Thanks and goodbye. Don't miss the outtakes!Music Credits:Aswad - Irie Woman (intro music)Surrounded By Ninjas - Moody Vibes (relaxation clip)Pele Juju - Come To Me NowPele Juju - Move Move MoveSurrounded By Ninjas - Throw-Down At the Foot (outtakes clip)

Listen to Episode 2!Work in progress:Irie talks about her recently finished Grapevine Socks and her grand designs for the pattern.The stash box:In honor of Flash Your Stash day, Irie discusses the nature of her own Stash. Irie also discusses points from the stash-related chapter in Knitting Rules!, the latest book by Stephanie Pearl-McPhee (aka Yarn Harlot).Motherly advice:Irie goes on and on about Eucalan.Last segment:Thanks and goodbye. Don't miss the outtakes!Music Credits:Aswad - Irie Woman (intro music)Belinda Underwood - UncurlingBelinda Underwood - How Deep Is The OceanSurrounded By Ninjas - Through the Atmosphere (outtakes clip)Thanks to Belinda Underwood for allowing me to share her beautiful music. She plays the upright bass and is from Portland, Oregon. Her CD is available on her website.

Listen as Irie stumbles through her first attempt at podcasting. Be gentle, be forgiving, and most of all, be irie! Listen to Episode 1!First segment:Irie introduces herself, explains the meaning of the word "irie" and where Oregon is located. The geographical explanation was meant for people who don't live in the US and wasn't meant to sound so condescending. Irie tries to explain why she wants to produce a podcast and promptly sticks her foot in her mouth by implying that other podcasters must have big egos.Work in progress:Irie attempts to describe the W tank top she is knitting using Noro Sumile.The stash box:Irie blames the computer for ordering ten skeins of Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino.Motherly advice:Irie shares a tip for taming wonky circular needles.Last segment:Irie gives musical credits, solicits feedback, and closes the show with a series of (embarrassing) outtakes!Music Credits:Aswad - Irie Woman (intro music)Surrounded By Ninjas - Moody Vibes (short clip)Habaneros - 75 Pinto at 82Habaneros - 13th Street StrutThanks to Asher for being the musical guinea pig for the first episode of Irie Knits! Asher is a member of Surrounded By Ninjas and a former member of the Habaneros.