Summary: Join us as we fantasize about going to fiber events in the UK! Once we get back to reality, this week's WIPs include a baby hat, the TGV shawl, Leyburn socks, and Rose City Roller socks. FOs include Dino Baby booties and a baby headband with floral accent. Featured Baubles and Bling include Plymouth Select DK. We review the book Aurora Borealis Mittens by Shannon Oakey and announce a giveaway. We also bring back the Comfort Shawl Charity drive! Finally, we draw a winner of the Color Wheel Knits book. SHOW NOTES July KAL/CAL: Monsters or other creatures! Any creature you care to make (except people). We will draw a winner in August. Shout Outs: This week we review Aurora Borealis Mittens by Shannon Oakey. Check Gossip and Innuendo for contest information. DON'T FORGET: Abby Franquemont will be teaching two spinning classes (fine spinning and spindle long draw) at Fiber Revival on Saturday, August 8. You can read about the courses and sign up HERE. Don't miss out!! Check out the fabulous new knitting news website: KnitCliks! The brainchild of designers Carolyn Noyes and Cathy Carron, you can find news about fashion trends, new patterns, podcasts and MORE! On The Dance Card: Wendy is working on: Leyburn Socks by Minty Fresh in BMFA Socks That Rock, "It's A Collection, Not an Obsession" TGV (High Speed Knitting) by Susan Ashcroft in polwarth/silk handspun from CJ Kopec Creations in the "Death to Ovarian Cancer" colorway Rialto Baby Beanie by Haley Waxberg in Plymouth Select DK. Sheila is working on: Rose City Rollers by Mara Catherine Bryner in a cotton blend yarn. Rate Your Date: Wendy finished: Baby Headband using Heidi Headband by Jennifer Lee and Winter Flowers by Clare Doornbos in Fiber Stash Twinkletoes, Eggplant colorway. Dino Baby Booties by Anna Meier in Plymouth Select DK. Whirlwind Romance: Wendy has transferred most of the sweater singles onto her Akerworks bobbins and has plied almost a full bobbin of yarn. Future Dates: Wendy will finish the baby knits. Sheila is going to work on her Color Affection after ripping back and going up a needle size. Baubles & Bling: Wendy purchased: Plymouth Select DK Gossip & Innuendo: BOOK REVIEW: This week we reviewed Aurora Borealis Mittens by Shannon Oakey (Cooperative Press). This book is a beautiful collection of 15 mitten patterns and a bonus tam pattern. It totally deserves the title "Aurora Borealis" because the mittens are photographed in a gorgeous range of colors. Most (if not all) of the patterns are shown in more than one color option, so you can really be inspired to find what works for you. The book starts off with a great techniques section that includes good sections on reading charts and how to divide your yarn if you are using a gradient. There are also 7 different cuff options provided so that you can customize your mittens to your liking. A couple of special techniques (knitting thrums and using conductive thread) are also discussed, as well as how to determine color dominance for your color work. The mitten patterns are a wide selection of colorwork styles. One thing I really love is that you could probably mix and match by using the palm pattern from one mitten and the back pattern from another, or even using one pattern on both sides. This book is a must have for anyone who loves knitting colorwork mittens. We will be giving away a PDF copy of this book in Episode 218. Just tell us in the Ravelry Contest Thread which pattern is your favorite - if you can decide. PRAYER/COMFORT SHAWL COLLECTION: Since it did so well last year, we are bringing back the shawl collection, which is organized by Lise Gill. Lise has offered a wonderful prize for donating shawls of any shape, size or fiber. The shawls will be distributed to people in need, includin
