Fiber Hooligan

On the final edition of Fiber Hooligan (01/19/15) my guest will be Debbie Macomber… who was the very first guest on the show.   Debbie Macomber is a #1 New York Times bestselling author and one of today’s most popular writers with more than 170 million copies of her books in print worldwide. In her novels, Macomber brings to life compelling relationships that embrace family and enduring friendships, uplifting her readers with stories of connection and hope. Macomber's novels have spent over 750 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list.  Eight of these novels hitting the number one spot.   In 2014, Macomber's all-new hardcover publications will include Blossom Street Brides (March), Love Letters: A Rose Harbor Inn Novel (August) and Mr. Miracle (October) and paperback editions of the #1 bestseller Starting Now (April) and her acclaimed Christmas novel, Starry Night (October).   In addition to fiction Macomber has also published two bestselling cookbooks; numerous inspirational and nonfiction works; and two

On the next edition of Fiber Hooligan (01/12/15) my guest will be, Gryphon Corpus, co-owner of The Verdant Gryphon. Gryphon is originally from Austria, of Romanian family among whom all the women were knitters. Her education is in philosophy, but she talked her way into a job as a molecular biologist for a few years, before moving to rural Maryland to raise a child and dye yarn.   The Verdant Gryphon is an independent textile & dyeworks company, developing fine yarns, creating extraordinary color palettes, and designing unique knitwear.   They’ve been in operation more than 8 years, since Gryphon originally founded the company in 2006. They’re based on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, but retail only online on their website, through The Yarn Company in Manhattan, at trade shows, and at their once-a-year studio open house.   Gryphon has always been a friendly face in our industry and I have know her as a vendor at STITCHES Expos for several years. She’s amazingly talented and she’s a lot of fun. I can’t wait

On the next edition of Fiber Hooligan (12/22/14) my guest will be Beth Casey from Lorna’s Laces and Dave Van Stralen from Louet North America. Beth and Dave are joining me on the show to talk about TNNA… The National NeedleArts Association.   In case you’re not familiar with TNNA, it was established in 1975, and it serves as an international trade organization representing retailers, manufacturers, distributors, designers, manufacturers’ representatives, publishers, teachers and wholesalers of products and supplies for the specialty needlearts market.   These businesses create and market hand painted needlepoint canvases, hand-dyed and specialty crochet and knitting yarns, embroidery, needlepoint and cross-stitch materials, kits, furniture, notions, gifts, books, publications, accessories, tools and more.   Beth, Dave, and I are going to be talking about the upcoming show in Phoenix, AZ in January as well as all the other great things TNNA has to offer. I hope you’ll join us for what should be a fun and inf

On the next edition of Fiber Hooligan (12/15/14) my guest will be Tina Newton. Tina considers herself foremost, a colorist and dyer. She is also the owner of Blue Moon Fiber Arts which will be 14 years old this year. She brings to the yarn world a wealth of fiber knowledge that she has collected through her experiences running Blue Moon and her successful sock club, The Rockin’ Sock Club.   As she describes it, her fiber love affair began as soon as she sat down in front of a spinning wheel with a handful of wool. Soon after, she began dyeing her own roving and discovered not only a talent but a red hot passion. She then began translating her color inspiration and theory from her own handspun onto mill spun yarns, Blue Moon Fiber Arts was born and her world exploded.   Tina has a fertile imagination and the practical creativity to support it, her energy is contagious and inspiring. Community has always been an important factor Tina’s life and work. Whether through events, yarn or teaching she loves sharing he

On the next edition of Fiber Hooligan (12/08/14) my guest will be designer Kyle Kunnecke. Kyle spent his childhood as the creative kid who wouldn’t sit still. As an adult, he's always working on multiple projects, including designing knitwear patterns, creating products for his shop, teaching, and helping others find ways to use the fiber arts as tools to combat depression, anxiety, and feelings of isolation.   His passion for using creativity to help others began in high school. While living in Phoenix, AZ in 1989, he was involved in peer educational theater; teaching about issues such as teen pregnancy, date rape, prejudice, homophobia, HIV/AIDS and peer pressure. Realizing the value of connecting the arts with education, Kyle continues to use his work as a mechanism for change. In 2003, after moving to Los Angeles, he learned to knit from his former theater director, and began to contemplate the ways the craft might be used to share information and unite communities. As the years progressed, he worked to

On the next edition of Fiber Hooligan (11/10/14) my guess will be the very talented crochet designer Ellen Gormley. Ellen has been published in numerous crochet magazines and has written two books, Go Crochet! Afghan Design Workbook, published in 2011, and recently released Learn Bruges Lace. Now, Ellen is an instructor for Annie's Online Classes and is the editor of Crochet! magazine. Ellen is also very sweet… with a tenacious spirit. I hope you’ll join us for the show.

On the next edition of Fiber Hooligan (11/03/14) my guest will be my dear friend and Dye Pod Goddess, Jeannie Randolph, owner of Fiesta Yarns. Jeannie has been the owner of Fiesta Yarns for over 13 years and is the driving force behind the amazing colors that her company produces… if you've ever picked up a skein of La Boheme, you'll know what I mean. She is also one of the most accomplished marketing minds that you could ever meet. I hope you'll tune in next week when I talk to one of the best people I have ever met.

Next week (10/27) my guest will be David Babcock… the Knitting Runner. David is the Guinness World Record holder for knitting the longest scarf (12 feet!) while running a marathon, which he did in Kansas City last October. Coupled with a great deal of skill and endurance, David credits his choice in using Lion Brand’s Hometown USA as a factor in his amazing accomplishment! Lion Brand is sponsoring David in the New York City Marathon on November 2nd, 2014. He is committed to raising awareness and funds for Alzheimer research, care and support. I hope you’ll join us for what I know will be an inspirational show.

On the next edition of Fiber Hooligan (10/20/14) our guest will be designer, author, and teacher, Jen Lucas. Jen Lucas has been knitting since 2004 and designing since 2008. Her designs have been seen in several magazines, including Knitscene, Love of Knitting, and Knit Simple. Her best-selling book, Sock-Yarn Shawls, was released in January 2013. You can also find dozens of her self-published patterns on Ravelry.  When not knitting, Jen can be found at her spinning wheel, reading or pinning crock pot recipes on Pinterest. She lives in Fox River Grove, IL with her husband, Alex.Jen is also just a really good person. And I know you’ll enjoy hearing from this very talented designer. I hope you’ll tune in.

On the next edition of Fiber Hooligan (10/06/14) my guest will be designer, teacher, author and illustrator Franklin Habit. Franklin is the author of It Itches: A Stash of Knitting Cartoons (Interweave Press, 2008) and proprietor of The Panopticon (the-panopticon.blogspot.com), one of the most popular knitting blogs on the Internet. On an average day, upwards of 2,500 readers worldwide drop in for a mix of essays, cartoons, and the continuing adventures of Dolores the Sheep.  Franklin’s varied experience in the fiber world includes contributions of writing and design to Vogue Knitting, Yarn Market News, Interweave Knits, Interweave Crochet, PieceWork, Cast On: A Podcast for Knitters, Twist Collective; and a regular columns for both Knitty.com and Lion Brand Yarns. Several of his independently published designs are available via Ravelry.com. He travels constantly to teach knitters at shops and guilds across the country and internationally; and has been a popular member of the faculties of such festivals as Vog

Next week (09/15/2014) my guest will be Art & Barbara Elkins… the founders of WEBS - America’s Yarn Store.   We’ve had Steve Elkins (their son) and his wife, Kathy Elkins, on the show before to talk about WEBS. But this is going to be a fun, almost prequel to that show.   Art & Barbara are going to share with us the history and the evolution of WEBS… from a basement business to the industry leader that it has become over the last 40 years. And for those of you who may have missed it… this is the 40th anniversary of WEBS.   These are two remarkable business people who I remember meeting for the first time when I was a teenager.    I’m so please to have them on the show so you can hear how they defined an innovated their business model in the fiber arts world. I hope you’ll join us for this very special show.

Next week (09/15/2014) my guest will be Andrea Marquis of YarnSuperhero. She is a long-time knitter crocheter, and newly impassioned spinner. She loves to make things and grow things, and her superpowers include working with what is available, seeing the bright side, and helping people reach their 'Next Great Idea'.With twenty years of business to business sales experience, Andrea approaches the yarn business and the rest of life with an improvisational spirit. An unrepentant optimist with a weird love for spreadsheets, she is a member of the small but mighty Spinzilla committee.Andrea will be joining us to tell us more about herself as well as telling us all about Spinzilla. This will be a first for us Fiber Hooligans… delving into the world of spinning.I can’t wait to have Andrea on the show so we can learn more about her and this growing (even international) event that is Spinzilla.

This week my guest is Karin Skacel the president of Skacel Collection, Inc.   The Skacel Collection has been supporting Local Yarn Shops as a wholesaler of high-end yarns and needles for over 27 years.    Skacel is the sole North American distributor for the addi Turbo® line of hand-knitting needles and accessories, as well as the Zitron, Schulana, HiKoo®, artfelt®, and Schoppel yarn lines.  As a family owned and operated entity, they strive to provide top-notch customer service world-class products and cutting-edge designs   Karin has been involved in the artistic crafts industry her entire life. Prior to taking over Skacel, she taught classes in glass fusing and lamp work, clothing design, sewing, knitting, crochet, and pottery painting. She is also the leading authority on art felt® in North America. She was the first to experiment with the paper and through trial and error has discovered many amazing possibilities using the paper as a base for felting. She is currently working on an artfelt® book and h

Next week (08/25/14) my guests will be knitwear designer and author, Deborah Newton.Deborah has been designing knitwear for the yarn industry and Seventh Avenue for over 30 years. Her book DESIGNING KNITWEAR (Taunton Press) has been in print since 1990. Her most recent book FINISHING SCHOOL (from Sixth & Spring) was chosen by Amazon to be one of their Top Ten Craft Books of 2011.She lives in her favorite city Providence, Rhode Island, with writer and book reviewer Paul Di Filippo. She is an avid gardener and also works daily in her family's business Maps for the Classroom.   Deborah has been a collaborator and ‘friend of the family' for decades. And I’m so pleased to be able to share this wonderfully talented lady with all of you. I hope you’ll join us for a great show.

Next week (08/04/13), my guest will be the very talented Rick Mondragon, editor of Knitter’s Magazine. He’ll be talking about upcoming Fall 2014 issue. We invite you to listen as he takes you into the pages and between the lines of Knitter’s Magazine.Rick, who also is the co-host of STITCHES, will also be giving us his take on what we’ll be seeing at STITCHES Midwest in early August… from the market to the fashion show.He’s one of the smartest and most creative people in the fiber arts world. And I know you’ll love his insights. I hope you’ll join us for the show.

Next week (07/28/14) my guests will be Veronica Van from Dream In Color Yarn andSteve Elkins from WEBS - America’s Yarn Store. These returning champions of the show are back to tell us how they are going to work together to help support Chelsea’s Light foundation with a new beautiful kit… which includes the Rivington Cowl pattern from Kirsten Kapur. We’ll also be talking about new fibers from Dream In Color as well as some great stuff from WEBS as part of their year-long 40th anniversary celebration. This is going to be a fun show. And it should be a great time to catch up with two of our favorite past guests.  I think these are two of the very best people of the fiber arts industry. I hope you’ll join us for the show!

OK…  my guests (07/21/14) today are the newest dynamic duo to hit the fiber arts scene, Steven Be & Stephen West. These two amazing fiber artists are on an epic fiber tour across the United States — the Stephen & Steven Tour - 2014. To imagine it fully, you have to first conjure up thoughts of a traveling rock band, then take away the bus, the sweaty roadies, and the music. Add instead two jet setting, fabulous Steph(v)ens (one with a 'v' and one with a 'ph'), luscious yarn and wild creative abandon and then... you’re almost there.  I managed to catch up with these fiber artist road warriors in Denver, CO. I hope you'll tune so you can hear from these inspiring men yourself.

Next week (07/14/14) my guest will be the very talented Australian crochet designer, teacher and author Jenny King. She has been designing in crochet since about 10 years of age… well before she knew it was called designing… just making what she wanted without a pattern. Then, at age 12, she made her first crochet bikini from a pattern in a magazine. There were lots of designs in every magazine as it was the 70’s and crochet was supreme! Then the patterns for crochet dried up so she just grabbed a Vogue Knitting magazine and crocheted to the schematics in Vogue. Didn’t everybody? Apparently not. She crocheted her first bikini commercially and sold it to a boutique in Byron Bay at age 15. Many years have passed and many projects have been created. Now Jenny is all about teaching crochet and writing the patterns for others to make her designs.  And the reason for this is that she would like everyone to feel the sense of satisfaction that comes from creating a work of art, the sense of peace that comes from cro

Next week (07/07/14) my guest will be the very talented and stylish Kristin Omdahl. Founder of StyledByKristin.com and design company KRISTIN, Kristin Omdahl frequently contributes to the website that bears her name.  In addition to showcasing her designs, Kristin serves up terrific articles about knitting, crochet, yarn and even a few sneak peeks at what's new.   Kristin Omdahl designs knit and crochet garments and patterns under her label KRISTIN, and is the author of “Knitting Outside the Swatch" (Interweave, October 2013), "The Finer Edge" (Interweave, December 2012), "Seamless Crochet" (Interweave, December 2011), "A Knitting Wrapsody" (Interweave, January 2011), "Crochet So Fine" (Interweave, July 2010) and "Wrapped In Crochet" (Interweave, 2008).  She was the crochet expert for 8 seasons on Knitting Daily TV on public television, and she conducts seminars around the country on crochet and in her DVD workshops, "Crochet Basics and Beyond with Kristin Omdahl" (Interweave 2011) and "Innovative Crochet: Mo

On the next edition of Fiber Hooligan (06/30/14) my guest will be very talented and effervescent crochet teacher, designer, and author Stacey Trock.Stacey has been bringing cuteness into the crochet-world with her adorable stuffed animal designs since 2008. Her website, FreshStitches.com is a premier destination for crochet patterns, tutorials and kits. She is the author of Cuddly Crochet, Crocheted Softies and Modern Baby Crochet.Stacey firmly believes that there's no 'right way' to crochet and enthusiastically experiments with a variety of techniques (even less-popular ones!) to achieve the desired finished product. This philosophy spills over into her teaching style: she encourages students to discover what works best for their own crocheting style for maximum crochet enjoyment! A passionate crafter and advocate for self-sufficient living, Stacey and her husband live in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where she also knits, bakes bread, makes jam and tends to her garden!Stacey personifies cute… and that cuteness is