Podcast Spotlight: Sawbones

I'm getting addicted to Sawbones. I have a thing for medical stuff anyways, but the hosts are so damn funny, I downloaded the entire backlog and am making my way through it.

Shew....

One of the hosts, Dr. Sydnee McElroy, is truly a doctor so there is a lot of good, factual information. Her husband, Justin, is the comic relief. This podcast is what they say it is: a tour through misguided medicine.

The episodes I've listened to recently include phrenology (feeling the bumps on your head to see what kind of person you are) and plastic surgery. If you listen to the Measles episode, be prepared. They go after the morons who choose not to vaccinate (as well they should) and they give the facts about measles so people can be aware of how bad this new outbreak in America really is.

This podcast started in June 2013 and, based on that, I have a whole lot of learnin' and laughin' to do!

My Favorite Podcasters

My bucket list now officially covers Rhinebeck : New York State Sheep and Wool Festival. I'm so jealous of these ladies.

It thrilled me to see my favorite podcasters all together :)

Kim from Craftstash, Kristin from Yarngasm, Maria from Subway Knits, Laura from The Dyer's Notebook and Dana from Danadoodleknits (blog).

If you enjoy yarnporn, this is an episode to watch!

Podcast Spotlight: 2 Knit Lit Chicks

I've been catching up on some podcasts that I kind of let go for a bit recently. Any podcast about knitting and books is pretty going to be on my iPod and the 2 Knit Lit Chicks is one I started listening to after CraftLit.

This is another mother/daughter podcast and it's full of content: from knitting to contests to books to everything else. Most of the episodes come in about an hour, which seems a pretty decent time to just sit and relax, craft and listen.

Their shownotes (linked above) are chokeful of links to pretty much everything they talk about. They have a book talk section and I'm at a loss how these 2 women read SO much (and I thought I was a big reader!) but they are heavy on audiobooks as well. So far, I have to admit that their book tastes really do not mesh with mine but I love listening to the very honest reviews - if they don't like a book, they do not like a book.

They are joining some other podcasters to put on a knitting retreat in California and, just based on listening to the podcast, I would love to go and meet these ladies!

They often have contests in their group on Ravelry and also host several KALs (knit-a-longs). The Mother Bear Project seems to be their pet project and I have since bought the pattern to start my own bears for the KALs.

Give these ladies a listen!

Podcast Spotlight: Stuff You Missed In History Class

This podcast has so much good content I get slightly overwhelmed sometimes.

Stuff you missed in History class is part of the Stuff Network and it covers the gamut of, literally, things not taught in history class. I had a seriously good history teacher (Mr. Wallace at Pendleton Heights, thank you!) and I'm learning things in this podcast that I haven't heard before.

The most current episodes are a mini-series on Chinese history - starting with Chairman Mao's plan to revolutionize agriculture in China. I just got done listening to a two-parter about The Great Locomotive Chase during the Civil War as well as learning about The Heathen School (failure) and the Tulsa race riot. All stuff I've never heard of before.

The episodes are usually kept about 30 minutes in length which is good, but understand that the history will be a bit abbreviated. Which is a good excuse to go read up on the subjects that interest you (and they provide book links and resources!).

Keep learnin'!

Yarn Clubber

I joined a yarn club last year, just one, to get a taste and see if it would be something that I like to do. Turns out... this could be an expensive hobby. Eeps.

Tempted Yarns had a Pin Up Beauties yarn club last year, and while I can't remember how I heard about it, I signed up immediately. Stacy let us do a payment plan, which also helped the temptation. Her yarn was beautiful and the little goodies that came with it were equally great. I'm still part of the Ravelry group and would still buy her yarn.

This year, I was pretty excited to be picked to be in the Sunnydale Yarn Club. I frickin' LOVE Buffy and I think I would have been upset not to get in to this one. This one is by Dizzy Blonde Studios and I heard about it on the Knotty Girls Knit Cast. So this time around is the 2nd patrol aka the second season. The blog (linked above) isn't completely caught up but take a look at the first yarn shipment they show. It's based on the Halloween episode where everyone changes into their costumes. I have no idea what to do with the yarn yet, because I think I don't want to hide it in a pair of shoes. Must search Ravelry!

I also joined the Golden Skein yarn club which is overseas. Kinda crazy, I know. But I heard about it on a UK podcast (which I can't for the life of me remember - if I do, I'll edit and post!). I joined The Slimmer's Club. Less expensive (but with a payment installment deal too) and I get 1 skein at a time. Basically the indie dyer's get photos for inspiration and they dye up yarn to go with the photo. The yarn arrives in a golden envelope. Quite beautiful!

Click to embiggen

I'm pretty happy with these 2 clubs for this year. I almost, almost joined Voolenvine's Art Nouveau club but held back.

At this point, even I have to admit, I need a yarn diet. So, I am now on one. *sigh*

Podcast Spotlight: The Lost Geek

This is another fairly new podcast from Indonesia and Arlin's voice is so pretty and soft, it's a joy to listen to!

The Lost Geek is not as geeky as you would think. There is a lot of knitting and wonderful information on living in Indonesia. I am starting at the beginning (there are currently 35 episodes) but she is gaining her voice rather quickly so I imagine the newest episodes are pretty strong.

This is a short little plug, but still... it's a podcast I'm enjoying and would recommend!

Podcast Spotlight: KnottyGirls KnitCast

I've been catching up on podcasts while I am on vacation and the KnottyGirls KnitCast has reeled me in. I'm trying to start at the beginning - it's a fairly new podcast - but find that I'm listening to the newest ones as well.

Through this podcast I found out about the Sunnydale Yarn Club and I managed to snag a spot in Season Two's club! Very excited because seriously what is better than Buffy AND yarn?? They also do a Mean Girls Yarn Club and I think I want to get in on that as well. The colors are just beautiful.

Jen and Laura are geeky and talk about the very things that I love, including Downton Abbey, Doctor Who and superheroes. There is a lot of knitting talk as well, so it's not all geek stuff. They've pointed me in the direction of some lovely patterns that I've already claimed on Ravelry. The sound quality is good, their interaction with each other is great and they have had some really good interviews as well.

Check them out!

Podcast Spotlight: Science Sort of

This one isn't a crafty podcast but it's quickly turned into one of my favorites.

 

Science Sort of... tends to be one of the longer podcasts I listen to (usually taking both the commute home and to work). It's not JUST science-y stuff. They do a segment on science news, with guests who are experts in the field. The next segment is always the beer/drinking segment. Everyone has a beverage of choice and gets to talk about beer (or wine, or liquor or juices or....).

The Trailer Trash Talk segment sounds hicky but it's really them discussing/rating a trailer (not the movie - just the trailer). This segment is usually funny but could get heated if a "geek" movie is discussed.

Then we move on to more science stuff. These guys/gals are really great podcasters. Very smart, very funny but they know to ask the questions that the average Joe is wondering out there. Nothing is dumbed down and when it's all over, you feel you've learned something. I tend to share particularly good facts with co-workers and friends (regarding elephant sex, for example).

This podcast is actually part of a network of podcasts called the Brachiolope Media Network and so far, I've liked all the other podcasts on the network. But Science Sort Of is the daddy.

Podcast Spotlight: Commuter Knitter

I'm trying to catch up (re-discover) podcasts. I've been listening to quite a few audio books that podcasts took a backseat for a bit. Well, they are back and I'm catching up on the Commuter Knitter podcast. Jen from the New England area is the host.

I love this concept. She commutes to and from work and podcasts along the way. I have no idea how she does it because I think I would be all over the place without notes in front of me but she's very coherent and fluid. The podcast has a Ravelry group here.

My favorite part of this podcast is the host. She's ambitious in her knitting, teaching herself double knitting and designing her own patterns (with double knitting!) and she's very enthusiastic about the projects she works on. Her Big Bang Theory scarf, while still in progress, makes me drool and it's all her own design. I can't wait to see it complete and I hope she writes up a pattern for it.

The latest episodes have her talking about another craft, cross stitch. I used to cross stitch a lot but it's fallen by the wayside. Jen has re-ignited my desire to get back to it and even links to some really good patterns on Etsy. Thanks! Another craft to add back in!

Funny enough, I've been catching up on this podcast on my own 45 minute (each way) commute. It makes for a much nicer drive to work!

Podcast of the Week - CraftLit

I cannot say enough good things about this one. As much as I love to read, I don't always delve into the classics. So many of them are free for the taking at Librivox and I do grab a few sometimes. I think my main problem with the classics is the lack of conversation about them with someone. I miss nuances sometimes with them and just don't get them.

Heather Ordover is a teacher who hosts this part crafting/part classic audiobook podcast and it's exactly what I need. I jump around (and she handily offers a guide on which podcasts have which books) and I just love it. CraftLit is a worthwhile podcast to listen to just to get your feet wet on the classics.

I started off with Pride and Prejudice because I was pretty sure I wouldn't like Jane Austen (nice reason, right?). I never liked romantics and figured that's what Austen was. Hello! I was wrong! With guidance and excellent commentary by Heather, it turns out I really like Austen. How about that noise? P&P were the very first episodes she did and I keep coming back.

Right now I've just jumped to Jane Eyre, never having read any of the Bronte sisters (but totally meaning to) and I'm already suckered in and it's only up to chapter four. Heather researches the authors and gives you tidbits to chew on. She lets you know the history behind terms the book uses, like what the heck is a Holland Pocket??

If you aren't into the crafty part, grab the podcast of Just the Books!

I can't recommend this one enough!

Podcast of the Week - The History Chicks

This is one of my favorite, non-crafty, educational-in-a-fun-way podcasts. The History Chicks feature a woman of history with each podcast and go so far in depth, it's astounding.

Beckett Graham and Susan Vollenweider: Two women. Half the population. Several thousand years of history. About an hour. Go.

They cover entertainers, scientists, writers (Laura Ingalls Wilder is my favorite historical woman and their podcast of her was LONG and highly entertaining), royalty, etc. Even some fictional folk are covered (like Cinderella).

I've learned quite a bit about women I knew nothing about, like Nellie Bly. When that happens, I tend to hit the library for a some of the books they recommend to learn more about the Chick. That's right, you can walk away from each podcast with a full list of extra reading, blogs and/or books.

The ladies are entertaining and, while the sound quality wasn't so great in the beginning, it's a lot better.

They have a facebook page as well that stays pretty active and they give fun clues to the next History Chick they are about to podcast on.

Check them out!

Podcast of the Week - Yarngasm

This one sounds dirty but it's really not. Although, now that it's become a video podcast, it's a bit yarn p0rny :)

Kristin, aka Voolenvine, is our host and she has recently switched to video rather than audio (although she does post the audio portion of the video so you still get an audio podcast). Often, when listening to her, I would think "I wish I could see what she's talking about" and it's like she read my mind.

Kristin is lovely and has a wonderful voice. Her enthusiasm for her projects is contagious and she has a knack for picking amazing patterns to work on, all of which I frequently queue on Ravelry.

Her blog is here and her Ravelry group is here. She also has a group that is awesome called StashBustArmy. Perfect projects to use up your stash. She also has a twitter account.

Check her out. This one is well worth sitting down for :)

Podcast of the Week - CraftStash

This is a video podcast so you can see all the crafty goodness.

The host, Kaystarr, is most awesome. She's so incredibly enthusiastic that I swear I want to KNIT ALL THINGS when I'm done watching an episode. Plus, she's all about learning new things, which in turn spurs me on to learn new things. It's been fun watching her learn to spin and seeing how amazing her yarn is becoming.

Here's the Ravelry group for CraftStash. She's currently doing a read-a-long in the group for Wool by Hugh Howey and I'm so glad she did, because I never would have found this series of books on my own.

She has a Craftstash tumblr and posts a lot of yarny goodness. *swoon*

Watch her!

Podcast of the Week - Down Cellar Studio Podcast

I listen to a frightening amount of podcasts, mostly crafty but also sciencey. I thought I would share my favorites with you each week!

Right now, I'm running through the back catalog of a fairly new knitting podcast. The Down Cellar Studio podcast with BostonJen. She does more than just knitting and one of my favorite features is the photography section. She really gives some good information on how to take photographs, of your crafts and other things.

She sews, crochets a bit and has a really great voice.

Lately she's been doing more contests, knit-a-longs and giveaways. Fun stuff! Plus, almost all the patterns she mentions? I go straight to Ravelry and queue. Enabler!

Here's her group on Ravelry, with a current knit-a-long!

Check her out!