Making Conversation - podcast cover

Making Conversation

Making Co.makingco.com

Making Conversation is a bi-weekly (but sometimes weekly) podcast where we celebrate the act of making in all its forms. We spotlight the incredible individuals powering our creative community, dive into need-to-know stories of craft and its history, and explore issues deeply rooted in our values of diversity and inclusion.

Episodes

Episode 78: Emily Chamelin-Hickman – Shearing life, Wool business, Controversy and Targeted grazing

Sponsor: Sunday Knits has quickly become one of my new favorite yarns to knit with. Started in 2008 by Carol Sunday, Sunday Knits is a collection of 4 merino and merino blend yarns and beautiful patterns designed by Carol. From the 100% extra-fine Australian merino to the French Angora, all their fibers are humanely sourced and then milled in Italy to Carol’s meticulous and caring specifications. Aside from this yarns obvious qualities, they’re a dream to knit with…so soft yet sturdy and the bre...

Apr 26, 201746 min

Episode 77: Maura Grace Ambrose – Grandma’s attic, Americana, Family and Folk Fibers

Sponsor: Making is a bi-annual handcrafts publication created by Carrie Bostick Hoge of Madder, that brings crafts people from different areas of focus to one publication. The act of making helps to connect us to the past, knowing that many craft skills were practiced daily out of necessity. We also connect to our present, as we stop to slow down and enjoy the work at hand, leaving behind the stress of our busy days. And, possibly at the heart of our creations, is the future. As the sweater we k...

Mar 24, 201750 min

Episode 76: Matthew Cox & Christina Miller – Arts, Food Justice, Icelandic sheep, and Greenbow Farm

Sponsor: Taproot Magazine, is a quarterly print magazine full of delightful stories and photos written by and for people living fuller and digging deeper. Each issue is created around a subtle theme, featuring amazing recipes, crafts, and tales, all with the intention of inspiring people who are interested in deepening their connections to their families, communities, and themselves as they strive to live locally and closer to the ground. The content in each issue consistently blows me away. It ...

Mar 03, 201758 min

Episode 75: Sylvia McFadden – Vancouver, Mentorship, Analytics and Shawls

Sponsor: Scratch is an innovative new yarn and craft supply shop located in Lebanon, New Hampshire. They’re committed to providing a beautifully curated selection of yarns and supplies for knitters, as well as roving, tools, and kits for needle felters. Their shop also features embroidery, sewing, and select fine art supplies. Scratch operates with the guiding notion that makers are curious and creative, and should be able to find exciting, high quality materials to work with all in one place. S...

Feb 15, 201743 min

Episode 74: Shannon Hayes – Professorship, Genetic Legacy, Multigenerational farming, and the Radical Homemaker

Sponsor: Designs by Romi came about serendipitously in 2005 when designer Romi Hill began creating a collection of simple and elegant shawl pins as a solution to her problem of the shawls she’d worked so hard on, not staying put. What started as a bespoke side project, soon turned into passion, leading to knitwear designs many of us have come to love. Romi’s style transcends the common wardrobe, appealing to both novice and seasoned knitters. Her most recent eBook from the 7 Small Shawls Series,...

Jan 26, 20171 hr 8 min

Episode 73: Erika Barratt – Grandmothers, Cirque du Soleil, West Elm and Heirloom dolls

Sponsor: Located in Historic Downtown Laramie, Wyoming, Cowgirl Yarn is a fiber-lover’s paradise. Their unique collection of scrumptious yarns, luxurious needles, fashion-forward patterns, one-of-a-kind accessories, and oodles of inspiration provides the ideal home for any and all knitters, crocheters, weavers, and spinners. They are proud to offer a large and exclusive selection of yarns and fibers that are produced in Wyoming. They also represent over 25 brands that are made in the USA as well...

Jan 10, 201741 min

Episode 72: Whitney Hayward – Small town roots, Japanese, Photojournalism, and Stone Wool

Sponsor: By Hand is a series of lookbooks that focus on different fiber and fabric “making communities” around the country. Each serial features photo journals and interviews with both up-and-coming and well-known yarn designers and dyers, local yarn stores, knitwear designers, fabric artists, and other makers who share the same philosophy and aesthetic of hand crafting functional forms to share and connect with others in the community. Projects, patterns, classes, and opportunities to purchase ...

Dec 12, 201644 min

Episode 71: Deborah Robson – Weaving, Editing, Heritage Conservation and the Fleece and Fiber Sourcebook

Sponsor: Taproot Magazine, is a quarterly print magazine full of delightful stories and photos written by and for people living fuller and digging deeper. Each issue is created around a subtle theme, featuring amazing recipes, crafts, and tales, all with the intention of inspiring people who are interested in deepening their connections to their families, communities, and themselves as they strive to live locally and closer to the ground. The content in each issue consistently blows me away. It ...

Nov 21, 201654 min

Episode 70: Paola Vanzo – Rural Italian heritage, Tibet, Family and mYak

Sponsor: Churchmouse Yarns and Teas is nestled in the little alcove of Madrone Lane on the beautiful Bainbridge Island in the Puget Sound. Just up the street from the ferry, this was my first local yarn shop…a place I remember visiting in my teens, mesmerized and enchanted by this cozy yarn and tea emporium. It was what I dreamed of aspiring to as a knitter, a place I visited often over the years as I grew up and now look back on as a key memory in my fiber journey…a push in the right direction....

Nov 05, 20161 hr 6 min

Episode 69: Veronika Jobe, Danny Burda & Family – Czech roots, road trips, family and Yarn On The House

Sponsor: My Sister Knits is a locally owned and loved yarn shop located in For Collins, CO, minutes away from Historic Old Town and located in a carriage house. What started out as a small venture for founder Julie Luckasen, grew into a passionate community of creative minds. My Sister Knits provides a welcoming atmosphere for knitters of all types and skill levels, a place for people to gather and cultivate their passion for knitting, share and support one another. Join them each Tuesday night ...

Oct 22, 20161 hr

Episode 68: Tanis Lavallee – Leaps, married operation, motherhood and Tanis Fiber Arts

Sponsor: Jane Richmond and Shannon Cook of Marian Rae Publications, the brilliant designers behind collections such as Journey and Seasonless have released their newest book, Within: Knitting Patterns to Warm the Soul. This beautifully photographed book takes you on a visual journey, through a world of modern rustic coziness designed to stimulated the sense and kindle inspiration. You’ll find six signature patterns, including accessories, a shawl, and what may become your new favorite everyday g...

Oct 08, 201652 min

Episode 67: Astrid Troland and Caroline Skadhauge – Scandinavian roots, partnership, au naturel and Biches & Bûches

Sponsor: Tucked away into the heart of Leelanau County, where cherry trees, centennial farms and wine grapes meet the shores of Lake Michigan, is a knitter’s paradise and that place is Wool & Honey. Wool & Honey’s focus is on thoughtful companies who add their own stories to our little spot in the world–brands that highlight fibers that mirror the exquisite natural beauty of their area. Michigan fiber artists are paramount—and their selection of locally grown, dyed, spun yarns and fiber ...

Sep 16, 201648 min

Episode 66: Amy Small – Free People, Hong Kong, the kitchen sink and Knit Collage

Sponsor: NorthCoast Knittery is a favorite in Humbolt county, with it’s charming storefront in Eureka California. NorthCoast Knittery opened it’s doors in 2008, with the hope to create a unique gathering place for fiber folk and help expand the local fiber community. It’s a wonderful spot to meet friends and work on projects as you enjoy a cup of tea. They offer a variety of classes and workshops, helping enhance your skill levels and each Thursday at 6pm they host a Sip & Knit social evenin...

Sep 02, 201645 min

Episode 65: Susan Anderson – Wisconsin homegrown, teaching, learning to write a book and knit toys

Sponsor: Knit City is the premiere fibre arts festival in Western Canada, showcasing local fibre artists such as dyers, spinners, weavers, pattern designers and notion makers. It also hosts a wide spectrum of Canadian and International knitting and other textile craft instructors. This special event is taking place in Vancouver BC, October 1-2, 2016 and this year marks the 5th anniversary of the show. Featuring classes and lectures from some amazing folks, including todays guest Susan Anderson, ...

Aug 19, 201656 min

Episode 64: Takako Ueki – Japanese childhood, Catholic boarding school, discovering in America, fiber fascination, and Habu

Sponsor: Knit Purl is a wonderfully motivating yarn shop in Portland, Oregon founded by Darcy Cameron in 2004, with the intention to create a unique curated experience for yarn buyers. They’ve worked closely with local, regional and international makers and designers to provide a one of a kind experience, to fuel creativity for fiber and design enthusiasts. Each month they offer a great calendar of classes and events, and every other Wednesday you can join other fiber folk for Knit Night at 6pm....

Jul 28, 201649 min

Episode 63: Marta Bahillo – A grandmothers legacy, Spanish linen and artisans, entrepreneurism alongside motherhood and babaà

Sponsor: Wool Days is an Australian based wool company, co founded by Megan Elizabeth with a mission to create a purposeful connection between where things come from and the people who love them and share the message that wool has the ability to heal, warm and delight. To connect with people who adore those special days spent slow dancing with the things that bring them true happiness. There is a world of inspiration and joy that fuels kindness and creativity in all of us, and the hope is that W...

Jul 22, 201636 min

Episode 62: Avril Freeman – The Last Frontier, Volunteering, Motherhood, and Qiviut farming

Sponsor: Every year there is a special place, on a lake in New Hampshire, where people gather to explore their creativity, healing and community. This place is called Squam. Behind this goodness is one remarkable woman by the name of Elizabeth Duvivier, someone who’s sought out to find her path and enlightenment in this creative world, bringing souls together and taking just as much away from each experience as those who attend. The FALL SQUAM RETREAT is taking place this September, complete wit...

Jun 30, 201633 min

Episode 61: Saremy Duffy – Fashion school, Farm life, Pattern Drafting and Chicken Boots

Sponsor: Yarn, a sweet shop for yarn addicts, created by Sunni Scrivner in Eureka, California. Sunni’s love of color is reflected in her warm and soulful shop. Her in-shop pattern line called, Sweet Shop Patterns is available in the store and on their website at yarn-fun.com, where you can also find information about classes and other special events, including their week long “Craft Camp for Kids”, which begins this upcoming Monday and covers fun fiber crafts such as finger knitting, weaving, fe...

Jun 23, 201649 min

Episode 60: Casey Ryder – Endearment, Ultimate Frisbee, Mindfulness and PortFiber

Sponsor: Taproot Magazine, is a quarterly print magazine full of delightful stories and photos written by and for people living fuller and digging deeper. Each issue is created around a subtle theme, featuring amazing recipes, crafts, and tales, all with the intention of inspiring people who are interested in deepening their connections to their families, communities, and themselves as they strive to live locally and closer to the ground. The content in each issue consistently blows me away. It ...

Jun 10, 201646 min

Episode 59: Elaine Vandiver – Army, Motherly calling, Hula Hooping and Old Homestead Alpacas

Sponsor: Yarn Along the Rockies is a yarn crawl on the front range of Colorado that features 18 shops from Colorado Springs to Boulder. YATR spans 9 days from August 20th – 28th. Yarn Crawl participants can take a Passport Tour of participating yarn shops for a chance to win one of five grand prizes as well as enter to win prize baskets at each store and participating shops will each have a free pattern available for crawlers as well as a free shop pin. If you visit 4 stores or more during the 9...

Jun 02, 201656 min

Episode 58: Rachel Bingham Kessler: Plants, Ireland, Natural Dyeing and Motherhood

Sponsor: Sunday Knits has quickly become one of my new favorite yarns to knit with. Started in 2008 by Carol Sunday, Sunday Knits is a collection of 4 merino and merino blend yarns and beautiful patterns designed by Carol. 100% extra-fine Australian merino to the French Angora, all their fibers are humanely sourced and then milled in Italy to Carol’s meticulous and caring specifications. Aside from this yarns obvious qualities, they’re a dream to knit with…so soft yet sturdy and the breadth of c...

May 20, 201658 min

Episode 57: Rachel Price & Kate Burge: Oil industry, tree-sitting, wannabe Amish, farmers market and Spincycle Yarns

Sponsor: Fuzzy Goat is a charming yarn shop in Historic Downtown Thomasville, Georgia created by Cadence Kidwell in 2014. Their whimsical lodge, luxurious yarns from independent, Southern and US sources, including Spincycle Yarns and focus on attainable challenges makes them a fun and memorable place to drop in. Whether you’re new to handcrafts or an experienced knitter, crocheter or weaver, you’ll find an appealing space to build your fiber community and exquisite materials and classes at Fuzzy...

May 12, 201640 min

Episode 56: Romi Hill – Black sheep, Metalsmithing, Cowboy boots and Lace Knitting

Sponsor: Every year there is a special place, on a lake in New Hampshire, where people gather to explore their creativity, healing and community. This place is called Squam. Behind this goodness is one remarkable woman by the name of Elizabeth Duvivier, someone who’s sought out to find her path and enlightenment in this creative world, bringing souls together and taking just as much away from each experience as those who attend. The Spring Squam retreat is taking place this June, complete with t...

Apr 29, 201639 min

Episode 55: Elizabeth Duvivier – Art Fest, Xanadu, Providence and Squam

Sponsor: Amirisu is a beautiful bilingual knitting print and digital magazine founded by Meri and Tokuko and created in Japan. Amirisu plays an vital role in this international fiber community of ours, is a key player in this editorial and inspirational world and one of my favorites. Each issue features patterns in both Japanese and English accompanied by beautifully written articles and photography. And launching today is Amirisu’s Spring/Summer issue, with Spring Vintage inspired designs from ...

Apr 14, 201650 min

Episode 54: Zinzi Edmundson & Gigi Jack – Editorial history, Unbreakable bonds, LA and Knit Wit

Sponsor: We Are Knitters is a young, modern, and fashion-forward brand with a focus on DIY and the handmade community. They believe in spreading the joy of knitting through unique, original kits that provide the recipient with everything they need to knit their own individual item – from start to finish. Kits contain yarn, needles (or a hook for crocheters!), a pattern, a little sewing needle and tag, and a recyclable bag to keep all your knitting supplies in! They source only the highest qualit...

Apr 08, 201635 min

Episode 53: Anna & Greg Dianich – Pinterest, Saying yes, Role reversals and Tolt Yarn and Wool

Sponsor: Taproot Magazine, is a quarterly print magazine full of delightful stories and photos written by and for people living fuller and digging deeper. Each issue is created around a subtle theme, featuring amazing recipes, crafts, and tales, all with the intention of inspiring people who are interested in deepening their connections to their families, communities, and themselves as they strive to live locally and closer to the ground. The content in each issue consistently blows me away. It ...

Apr 01, 201648 min

Episode 52: Helga Isager – Danish countryside, Italian Vogue, Boarding school, and Amimono

Sponsor: NorthCoast Knittery is a favorite in Humbolt county, with it’s charming storefront in Eureka California. NorthCoast Knittery opened it’s doors in 2008, with the hope to create a unique gathering place for fiber folk and help expand the local fiber community. It’s a wonderful spot to meet friends and work on projects as you enjoy a cup of tea. They offer a variety of classes and workshops, helping enhance your skill levels and each Thursday at 6pm they host a Sip & Knit social evenin...

Mar 18, 201643 min

Episode 51: Susan Cropper – Manhattan, Mademoiselle magazine, Colour and Loop London

Sponsor: It’s the one year anniversary of Home & Away: Knits for Everyday Adventures, a terrific book written and published by Hannah Fettig of Knitbot. And she’s hosting an Instagram fashion show, to celebrate all the beautiful and wearable knits you’ve made since the release last Spring. Hannah strives to design wearable knitwear for the modern knitter and her most recent book Home & Away features 9 wearable designs plus education, support and inspiration to help you grow as a knitter....

Mar 10, 201635 min

Episode 50: Mary Jane Mucklestone – Oscar de la Renta, Fair Isle and Scandinavian colorwork, Andean knitting and grand Shetland adventures

Sponsor: In 2013, Anna Dianich opened Tolt Yarn and Wool. a local yarn shop in the beautiful Pacific Northwest town of Carnation, Washington. Last Fall we celebrated Tolt’s second anniversary, with the release of a very special book, Farm to Needle: Stories of Wool. When we pick up our needles and cast-on the first stitch, we become part of something much bigger than the project at hand. Farmers, shearers, spinners and dyers are working hard not only to produce the yarn we love, but to preserve ...

Mar 03, 201649 min

Episode 49: Meri Tanaka- Japanese fiber culture, Twitter connections, building a magazine, and Amirisu

Sponsor: Loop is London’s leading local yarn shop, created by Susan Cropper in 2005, with the intention to bring the joy of colour, texture and design to the local fibre community. The shop itself is a warm, friendly place…full of inspiration and charisma, and you can see the care Susan has taken to create an inviting environment where folks can find the yarns they love and learn from the masters of their crafts…including Juju Vail, Jane Lithgow, Stephen West, Helene Magnusson, and Melanie Berg ...

Feb 25, 201646 min