I Thought I Knew How: A Podcast about Knitting and Life

In this episode, Anne finally gets around to sharing what she's been working on behind the scenes, though it's so late in coming that most of you probably already know by now... 

Support SOK: Shetland's Organisation for Knitters at the Crowdfunder. 

Follow SOK on Instagram and Facebook. 

Visit the SOK website to join the mailing list. 

Episode 17 of the Woolly Winter Countdown (will go live at 3 am eastern time on December 17).

In this episode, Anne shares a quick review of episode one of The Game of Wool. 

Find this new reality show on the Channel 4 website in the UK. American listeners, you'll have to wait or use nefarious methods to see it. The contents of this episode do contain spoilers, but also contain some information about knitting. Listen accordingly. 

Hear Gordon share his experience in his own words here. 
Hop over to the SOK: Shetland's Organisation for Knitters website, Instagram, and Facebook to follow for updates.

In this episode, Anne starts with all the details of this year's Shetland Hogmanay Box before diving into her experiences at the Connecticut and New Hampshire Sheep and Wool events and her trip to volunteer at the Woolly Good Gathering. Finally, she shares an excursion to the Western Massachusetts wool pelletizer with Erin Pirro of Morehouse Farm. 
Things Mentioned in This Episode
The I Thought I Knew How Facebook Group, Instagram, and website (where you can join the mailing list).
The Shetland Hogmanay Box preorders will go live on May 17 at 2 pm eastern time.
This year's box contains yarn from Aister 'Oo', Jamieson's of Shetland, Laxdale Yarn, The SIlly Sheep Fibre Co., Uradale Yarns, West Lynne Wool, and Langsoond Yarn, as well as a day of inclusions and a pattern created to use the yarn in the box designed by Mandy Moore.  
Connecticut Sheep, Wool, and Fiber Festival
New Hampshire Sheep and Wool Festival
Woolly Good Gathering
Western Massachusetts Fibershed
Peggy Hart on Instagram
Wool: Unravelying an American Story of Artisans and Innovation, by Peggy Hart
Morehouse Farm's website and Instagram
Check out Erin's video from our day at the pelletizer at her website!
The pellets should appear on the Morehouse site. If you are in the midwestern United States, you might want to order wool pellets from closer to home from The Wool Yard.
The Journal of Scottish Yarns
Rhode Island's unofficial Sheep and Wool Festival takes place at Coggeshall Farm
The Maine Fiber Frolic
Massachusetts Sheep and Woolcraft Fair
Music
The songs in this episode were "What Love Means to You," from Tom Goldstein; "Better Than Us," by Humans Win; and Nicholas Rowe with "I Wish That I Could Sing It For You."

In this episode, Anne follows up on the progress with "steek", ways to keep your yarn safe from moths--backed by experts!--and offers a bit of commentary on the loss of Joann stores.

Links to Things Mentioned in the Episode
If you were not able to attend The Myths That Shape! you can watch it on YouTube.
To read the news article about the inclusion of the Shetland Lace definition of steek being added to the Oxford English Dictionary, visit the posts on Facebook and Instagram. 
You can also go back and listen to episode 113 to hear about the entire process of getting the definition of steek updated to include the Shetland Lace usage!
Sheila McGregor's Traditional Fair Isle Knitting
The Vogue Knitting interview with Alice Starmore
Find the links to scientificly backed articles about moth protection here.
Find Mandy Moore on Ravelry and Instagram. You can also listen to an interview I had with Mandy back in episode 69. 
Keep your eye out for information about this year's Shetland Hogmanay Box by following I Thought I Knew How on Instagram or Facebook, or hop over to the website to join the mailing list!
I'll be at the Woolly Good Gathering in a few days! I hope to see you there!

Music

The music from this episode was two songs from Ben Bostick: "The Myth of Translation" and "Sweet Thursday." Between those two was Sleeping Ghost with "Afro Summer."

In this episode, Anne provides some guidance for those who are attempting to shop for a knitter this holiday season and walks them through the whats and whys. These show notes will be the longest ever and will likely be chopped off by some podcast distribution apps. To get to all of the recommendation links, please visit the full show notes at IThoughtIKnewHow.com/episode-125-gifts-for-Knitters

Links to Things Mentioned in the Show

Blankets:
Wool Throw
Connecticut Blanket (scroll down for list of sellers) 
Tea: 
Art of Tea 
Tea & Absinthe creates loose leaf tea blends based on fandoms (Perfect if your knitter is a nerd!) 
Coffee Suggestions:
Charleston Coffee Roasters Variety Sample Pack (Pre-ground) 
City Boy Coffee (You can choose the type of coffee and what form it comes in.)
Hot Chocolate options: 
PopBar Hot Chocolate Sticks 
Gourmet Du Village Hot Chocolate Based in Canada, come in packs of 6. Fun themed packaging and very tasty! They can be found in shops in the US as well.  
Calendars:
My Life with Sheep calendar by Jo Spencer on the Isle of Skye
Lambies in Jammies and Goats in Coats Calendar 
Digital Devices:
Apple IPad Mini
Apple IPad 10th Generation 
Sumsung Galaxy Tab 
Amazon Fire 

The best knitting app on the planet: KnitCompanion 
Headphones: 
Budget option or stocking-stuffer: Panasonic Wired Earphones  I've been using these for years when I need a wired earphone. When something happens to them, I buy another pair of the same!
For Apple users: The AirPods Pro2  have great sound and noise canceling, and they are built to work with Apple products, so they are quick and easy to set up and start using. 
Over-ear style, wireless: Bose QuietComfort. In all honesty, I haven't used these as I prefer the in-ear style, but I asked around and these were recommended over and over. They have noise canceling and are great for spoken-word situations and music! 
Lamps: 
A floor lamp with directional lighting
A table lamp with semi-directional lighting
Ott-Lites (full spectrum light lamps for crafters)
LumosLumos neck lamps (Use code ANNE30 at checkout before December 2 for 30% off!)
Cushions:
Samsonite Lumbar Cushion with heat
A basic, 12" x 20" throw pillow cover, don't forget you will need a pillow form for it, too.   
Lots of wool vendors and designers to be found at the LoveWovember.com marketplace!
Kits
US: Morehouse Farm
UK: Uradale Yarns
Canada: Urban Yarns
Australia: The Skein Sisters
EU: WoolDreamers
You can also sign them up for kits to be delivered periodically! Hop over to Cratejoy and search for Knitting and see what subscription boxes are currently available!  
Books
The Journal of Scottish Yarns
Memory Lane: Embellished Knits to Cherish
Every Way With Granny Crochet
Patty Lyon's Knitting Bag of Tricks and the accompanying Workbook
Books of knitted animals 
Blocking tools:
"Official" blocking mats (They will need multiple sets for an adult sweater) 
A less expensive mat solution (This is what I use)
Blocking Pins (yes, these are a special type!)
KnitBlockers are like multiple pins in one
Blocking wires 
Jumper Board from Paparwark Furniture 
Other Tools
Swift
Ball Winder (The type I have is no longer available, but this is a reputable company)
Yarn Bowl 
Needle Roll 
Plain hanging storage for circular needles
A decorative hanging storage for circular needles (also check etsy.com!)  
Binder system for circular needles 
Interchangeable needle kits: 
Knitters Pride has many options at different price points. All are good choices.
This Chiaogoo Set is ideal for lace knitters as the tips are very pointy.
HiyaHiya are also a popular brand. 
BE CAUTIOUS of interchangeable needle sets priced below $70. You get what you pay for, and you want quality when it comes to interchangeables. 
Janette Budge (knitting belts and classes)
Small gifts:
Bulk scissors
Bulk glass nail files
Bulk measuring tapes
Standard stitch markers
Metal stitch markers in a tin
1500 bulb pin stitch markers
Decorative stitchmarkers  (also check Etsy!)
Barber Cord in a tin
Rolls of Barber Cord 
Knitting Jewelry
Cute yarn earrings
Silver "yarn" earrings
Charms suitable for a pandora-style jewelry
Bracelet from an old knitting needle
Honestly, there are so many options. Go to etsy and search for knitting jewelry and see what pops up around you!
Gift Certificates
If you do not have a local yarn store, support a local yarn store in my community!
Knit New Haven
Or, choose a yarn store closer to your home:
Canada: West Coast Wools
The UK: Black Sheep Wools
Germany: Pascuali
New Zealand: Flock of Knitters 
I will see you daily through December on the Purl Together YouTube Channel and will return in audio form in 2025!