In this episode, we share our WIP's: explorations in corrugated ribbing, punch needle, and more. Next, Rumpel shares her Sagittarius-stargazing with us. We investigate sky-objects, globular clusters, and even some great Latin root-words. Want to hear about a super massive black hole or peek through new "windows" into space? We also confirm that the Sagittarians in our houses are both creative and strong-willed. Tune in to hear all this and more, plus Frog foraged for some great patterns and gift...
Dec 18, 2022•53 min•Season 4Ep. 12
In this episode, Rumple and the Frog work on finding their balance at this hectic time of year! Not only do we discuss the pros and cons of holiday gift knitting, we also reflect --at last!-- on our successes and challenges at this year's New York Sheep and Wool Festival in Rhinebeck, New York. And, since we were in Rhinebeck under the sign of Libra, we also decided to explore the constellation of Libra itself. Frog shares what she’s learned about astronomy and astrology, and Rumpel has foraged ...
Dec 04, 2022•1 hr 3 min•Season 4Ep. 11
In this episode, Rumpel muddles through without her dear Froggie as she shares a bit about her creative process. Tune in to discover Rumpel’s latest creative adventure of self-discovery through a sort-of-new illustration project she’s working on. This long-term project she's pursuing is rooted in personal meaning that will also serve as a storytelling tool. Grab your stitching (or perhaps some sketching?), relax, and enjoy!
Nov 19, 2022•17 min•Season 4Ep. 10
In this episode, we reconnect with Brandie June, author of Gold Spun and its recently released sequel, Curse Undone. Tune in to hear about the continuing adventures of Nor, Pel, and Prince Casper. Spoiler Alert: We do ask some questions about the tantalizing end of Gold Spun, the evolving love triangle of the main characters, and the new world that Brandie builds so beautifully for part 2 of this duology. Brandie shares her writing and editing process, her recent in-person book tour, and upcomin...
Nov 04, 2022•59 min•Season 4Ep. 9
Rumpel and the Frog are preparing for a road trip! Tune in to hear all about our preparations for the New York Sheep and Wool Festival at the Duchess County Fairgrounds in Rhinebeck, NY. Rumpel "The Returnee" knows the ropes! And so, she has lots of tips, tricks, advice, and wool festival hacks for First-timer Frog. Where to park? What to eat? How to buy? We answer these questions and so much more as we prepare to hit the road and burn some cash on new stash! Grab your knitting or hit play on yo...
Oct 07, 2022•45 min•Season 4Ep. 8
In this episode Rumpel and the Frog, who have mush for brains, admit that at this point in the school year they have already transformed into zombies. But, in between working, mothering, and sometimes screaming silently to themselves, they still can knit, darn it! Tune into to consider some recommendations that may serve you well this fall if you also have mush for brains. We have an on-the-go morning breakfast hack, a tv-knitting pattern, some yarns and patterns to recommend, and two amazing, k...
Sep 23, 2022•50 min•Season 4Ep. 7
In this episode we journey into Fiber Space! We discuss some wonderful examples of Rumpel's online shopping and explore the functionalities of Ravelry which Frog is considering. We even include some lore from the the digital universe. Are you interested in publishing your content digitally on Ravelry? Do you want to hear about some amazing rewards programs through a fabulous online LYS? Are your curious to hear our WIP report, some belly laughing, and some tips and tricks for great finishes to y...
Sep 03, 2022•1 hr 24 min•Season 4Ep. 6
In this episode we get back to our favorite thing: YAAAAAARN! Rumpel shares her works in progress, some stitching and even some knitting machine set-up. Frog has a number of projects going on both knitting needles and crochet hooks to share with you, but her big focus for this episode is telling of her recent travels to Canada. Take a trip up the South Shores of Nova Scotia, from Yarmouth to Halifax, and hear all about Frog's adventures. Food, museums, maritime history, whales watches, and more ...
Aug 19, 2022•1 hr 7 min•Season 4Ep. 5
We are hopping all about in this conversation about hoopy crafting! You'll hear about Frog's beginner dive into embroidery and punch needle, not to mention a revisit to cross stitching. Rumpel jumps through all kinds of hoops --not really--to share some amazing resources to supply your embroidery crafts: everything from online shopping, virtual classes, gorgeous books, and more. Ready to get that beginner kit to get hyped up on hoops? Ready to advance your skills with Rumpel's resources and advi...
Aug 05, 2022•1 hr 8 min•Season 4Ep. 4
In this episode Frog is flying solo. She might be lonely, but she has her lovely books to keep her company! Tune in to hear about five great texts in her book pile which are providing color inspiration, innovative patterns, and good advice. From cross stitch to garter stitch, intarsia to quilt blocks, these books have a lot of ideas to help you "get 'yer make on" this summer. Plus, a look at a special book on beginning knitwear design can really level up your appreciation of designers, understan...
Jul 22, 2022•20 min•Season 4Ep. 3
In this episode we're crossing over to crochet! Hear all about Frog's journey as a beginner crocheter. She'll tell you all the ways in which it was both a struggle and a success to approach crochet from a longtime knitter's perspective. She'll also share the many happy byproducts of this journey: tutorials uncovered online, great beginner project suggestions, and even an accidental review of about, well, a half dozen types of crochet hooks. Sheesh! Plus, Frog attempts to stump the Rump with some...
Jul 08, 2022•1 hr 11 min•Season 4Ep. 2
Well, hello again! We're back and thrilled to launch Season 4 of the Rumpel and the Frog Show with our awesome new theme:Move Over For Making. We know it's been a while, but truth be told we really needed to take deep--and at last unmasked!--breath in order to get some perspective. In the time away we've explored what truly motivates us, what sparks our creativity, and what it takes to make objects joyfully at this point the pandemic. In this episode, we'll talk about the new jobs, work spaces, ...
Jun 24, 2022•45 min•Season 4Ep. 1
In this episode we wrap up our season for you, just like a holiday present! We begin with agreeing on the delights of mulled wines--'tis the season after all--before moving on to mull over the year. We reflect on our favorite finished objects, fibers, and techniques from 2021. Plus, we revisit last year's Fiber Resolutions! Tune in to see if we stuck to those or not. We also share a new set of Fiber Resolutions to guide our intentions and our making in 2022. Oh and yes, we also did do our homewo...
Dec 23, 2021•1 hr 6 min•Season 3Ep. 6
In this episode, we forage for some itty, bitty, crafty cuties! Need some gift ideas or embellishments? Ornaments or wreath decor? Gift tags or stocking stuffers? Or, maybe it's just that your December-brain can only handle the teeniest dose of crafty creativity? Tune in to hear all about Rumpel's tiny crochet and Frog's micro-knits. We found some amazing collections of patterns to inspire you in small, hour-long doses of stash-busting stitching. So, grab your hooks and needles and find an hour ...
Dec 08, 2021•41 min•Season 3Ep. 5
In this final episode of the Witches and Stitches series, we are delighted to really dig in and share our WIP'S and FO's. It's been a while since we've had such a good long talk about our fiber-y processes! Next, Rumpel shares her newfound familiarity with familiars, or witches' spirit companions. Tune in to hear about their origins from Classical Antiquity and their evolution throughout time. Plus, Froggie shares a little lesson she calls "Connecticut Witch Trials 101," in which we learn some c...
Nov 24, 2021•1 hr 6 min•Season 3Ep. 4
In this episode, we explore the association of the broom, and flying upon one, with witches. But even more importantly, we interview a modern broom maker, Paskalini Savopoulos, who works right here in our region. Want to learn some broom-ish vocabulary words, hear from a passionate maker, and discover the modern status of this age-old craft and its community? Curious about the not-too-distant leap from other fiber arts to the art of tying brooms? Then please tune in as we dig into some sweeping ...
Nov 10, 2021•34 min•Season 3Ep. 3
In this episode, we continue to play word games, share WIPs, celebrate FO's, and explore more stitches and witches! We begin with a Rhinebeck review from Rumpel, who returned from her fiber-y pilgrimage to Dutchess County with quite the haul of books, tools, fiber and more. Then, Frog explores her next question about witch iconography: what is the point of that black pointy hat? Tune in to hear what she learned about pointy toppers and their appearance throughout history on mummies, nobility, so...
Oct 27, 2021•1 hr 2 min•Season 3Ep. 2
Hold on to your pointy hats! A whole series on witches, witch craft, fiber, and folklore! What more could you ask for this Fall? Here at the Rumpel and the Frog Show we have some burning questions at stake (see what I did there?) about everything we ever wanted to know about witches, their craft, and how it might relate to ours. We plan to take these questions wherever they lead us throughout the whole season. Rumpel begins with a historical overview of good witches and bad witches: which witch ...
Oct 13, 2021•1 hr 6 min•Season 3Ep. 1
Join us for our season closer as the Summer sun sets on Season 2. In this episode we wrap up the Summer and this season with a works in progress report. Hear about all of our yarn-y and fiber-y adventures in crochet, printmaking, embroidery, knitting, dyeing, and doll-making! We have so much to share with you, and we aim to inspire every type of stitcher. Curious about Tunisian crochet, wool felt stuffies, remarkably intentional yarn dyeing, slugs versus snails (whaaa?), or spinning & plying...
Aug 18, 2021•50 min•Season 2Ep. 15
Join us for three --count 'em THREE-- lovely yarn shops in the Nutmeg State, our very own Connecticut. In this episode we visit the Yarn Barn, Village Wool, and Knit New Haven. As ever, each shop presents us with amazing selections of yarn, notions, tools, gift ideas, and more. We love the dk weights and American-sourced yarns in New Haven, the gorgeous and inspiring samples in Glastonbury, and the treasure trove of crewel wool and vintage books in Woodbridge. Along the way we met the amazing ow...
Aug 04, 2021•1 hr 8 min•Season 2Ep. 14
In this episode we take in the vistas of the Green Mountains while cruising 1-91 and Routes 9 and 100 in lovely, verdant Vermont! It was the perfect day for a short road trip with a delicious yarn crawl! Our first stop in Putney takes us to The Green Mountain Spinnery, a cooperatively owned and operated mill producing the perfect line of locally sourced yarns in a surprisingly generous range of fibers, blends, weights and colors. Our host for the morning, Larisa, shared with us her passion for d...
Jul 21, 2021•58 min•Season 2Ep. 13
Our second stop on 1-91 Shop Hop takes us on the road north to Massachusetts. Join us on a walk through the vibrant streets of Northampton, MA as we take in all the fiber-y delights of the Paradise City! You’ll hear about the vast, deep, and wonderfully overwhelming experience of Webs America's Yarn Store. First-timer Rumpel takes in what she can in this short visit with a promise to return soon, and frequent-shopper Frog just goes on (and on and on) about the many and diverse classes and educat...
Jul 07, 2021•1 hr 14 min•Season 2Ep. 12
Join us from New Haven, CT to Putney, VT this summer as we tour and preview ALL NINE shops participating in this year's 1-91 Shop Hop! In part 1 of this 4-part series, we look at two wonderful CT shops north of Hartford: Marji's Yarncrafts of Granby and Ewe and You Fiber Arts of Windsor. We did our research on the ground, folks. Wearing our own hand knits, of course, we cruised the fiber aisles, tried the tools, and ooohed & aahed at the notions and other delights each store had to offer. Th...
Jun 23, 2021•1 hr 5 min•Season 2Ep. 11
In this episode, we have so much to share about tales of good luck and good fortune! Definitely tune in to hear about our recent yarn hauls. We've had some really lucky encounters at local events, and we've collected some amazing fiber goodies from vendors both near and far! Rumpel also shares the Crow People's legend of Big Metal, whose ill-fated fall was caught by some generous Bighorn sheep! WHAAA? And finally, we recommend some sheep-y patterns, books, and fortune cookie wisdom. What is a sh...
Jun 09, 2021•50 min•Season 2Ep. 10
In our last in the Metamorphosis Series, Frog dives right into the frog pond with a retelling of the Frog Prince tale. This one truly has always been her favorite! We discuss some interesting cultural variants, some nerdy scholarship on the topic, and the interesting and lesser-known epilogue of the Prince's loyal servant, Iron Henry. We also discuss what's on our spinning wheels and knitting needles, of course! Plus, Rumpel forages for some totes adorbs froggy notions for all your stitching and...
May 26, 2021•48 min•Season 2Ep. 9
In this episode, we explore all things "Rumpel!" After discussing some "rumpels" in our own craft, by which we mean recovering from our mistakes with beautiful results, we share some WIPs and also a Tunisian crocheted FO. Next, Rumpel recaps the tale of her namesake, Rumpelstiltskin. She explores the importance of our names, the role of identity in fairytales, and the various descriptions of this famous spinning imp! Finally, Frog forages for a few projects that fit the theme. Tune in to hear ab...
May 12, 2021•1 hr 4 min•Season 2Ep. 8
In today’s episode we continue exploring metamorphosis, but with a slight twist… this time, we focus on a very special theme near and dear to us: feminist fairytale retellings! This episode has a bit of its own metamorphosis as we talk with our special guest, Brandie June , author of the soon-to-be released Gold Spun - a fresh retelling of the Rumpelstiltskin tale through the miller’s daughter’s point of view. Except in this retelling, the miller’s daughter is a con artist and Rumpelstiltskin is...
Apr 28, 2021•40 min•Season 2Ep. 7
In this episode, we explore two amazing types of transformation. First, we investigate and practice the process of fulling: intentionally shrinking cloth for a thicker, denser result. Rumpel has the most amazing swatches and processes to share. So many, in fact, that you may want to keep your show notes open in order to see all the before-and-after images that she discusses. Plus, Frog tells some Greco-Roman flower myths. Did you know that the Daffodil, Crocus, and Hyacinths that you love to see...
Apr 14, 2021•1 hr 34 min•Season 2Ep. 6
In this episode…we can’t escape our fate! We must have been destined to explore sets of three, and the most famous fiber-trio is of course the Greco-Roman Fates, also known as the Scandinavian Norns. Tune in to hear about how these weaving ladies spin, measure, and cut the threads that make the fabric of your life! Plus, we have some spinning of our own to share, since Rumpel has Navajo (chain) plied some beautiful handspun, 3-ply yarn of her own! Meanwhile, Frog explains the inescapable nature ...
Mar 31, 2021•59 min•Season 2Ep. 5
In this episode, we have a bad (or good!) case of double vision. Tune in for a geometry lesson and some swatches that test Frog's hypothesis for anticipating a new stitch gauge and yardage when holding a yarn doubly! Hint: We'll get to the (square) root of this question once and for all. Also, will holding your yarn double cost twice more than simply buying a thicker-weight yarn? Tune in to find out! Meanwhile, Rumpel gets really excited about some examples of polycephaly when she shares her exp...
Mar 17, 2021•1 hr 28 min•Season 2Ep. 4
