KnitSewCraft
By Brooke Burleson
KnitSewCraftApr 10, 2024
Episode 24: Crafting with Raleigh
I have a VERY special guest in my closet: my youngest daughter Raleigh!
She talks about her STEAM fair project, including materials and process.
Episode 23: I'm back in the closet!
Welcome back to the closet!
It's been a year... literally! I talk about how my goals for 2023 went, what I'm working on now, and a couple plans for 2024.
Links:
Ripple Bralette by Jessie Maed Designs
Felicitous Shawl by Alyssa Coffey
Episode 22: Crafting in the Closet with Chrissy
This week, I invite my friend Chrissy into the closet to talk about the cool things that she works on!
Episode 21: Episode 21: 2022 and 2023 Crafting Goals
Solo episode time!
Today I talk about the goals I made for last year, and goals I've made for this year.
Last year's list: stash dive; fiber related tattoo; make something Animal Crossing related; cross stitch something; read books about other makers; start The Artist's Way; sew a needle case; work slowly and for my own pleasure.
This year's list: fiber related tattoo; see the eye doctor; more handmade holiday decor; work through the Seasonal Soul book; keep working through my stash; Third Love bra.
Things I talk about in the episode:
Homemade decor Pinterest board
Episode 20: Holiday Crafting and Immediate Best Friends
Today, I talk with Amanda in the closet!
We talk about what projects we've been working on, crafting for the holidays and giving gifts, and the new show she is working on, Calendar Girls.
Here are the important links to check out:
Sockhead Slouch Hat by Kelly McClure. Last year, my mom and my sister picked out a skein of yarn each for me to make them one. They were supposed to get them last year, but... they had a Christmas present this year instead! My sister chose a beautiful superwash merino and Tencel blend in blues with a little bit of darker teal. It's Wonderland Mad Hatter Yarn, in an old colorway. It was so nice to work with, although the Tencel was different than what I normally use. It has this really subtle but beautiful sheen to it that I don't see with merino and nylon blends. My mom chose a skein from Yarn Experiments, with every gemstone color imaginable in it! It really suits her though, because she wears all kinds of colors year round. My mom is pretty small, so I ended up making hers a teen size, as opposed to the adult small that I made my sister. My sister-in-law and mother-in-law also got to pick out a skein each from my stash, and I started on a hat for each of them, as well. SIL chose a grey and white/speckled large stripe skein by Daydream Dyeworks, in the color Sunset Cloudbreak. I bought this yarn a few years ago during a trip to Sun Dragon in Brevard, but it looks like the owner isn't selling anymore. My MIL chose a skein from Three Irish Girls Yarn Inc. in the Kaleidoscope color. It's a cream base, with lots of bright green, yellow, pink, and blue scattered throughout. I've already finished my SIL's hat, and I'm totally jealous! It turned out gorgeous!
Be sure to check out Amanda's IG account, Beauty Truly Blent. She shows off her Ric Flair embroidery, as well as her Beard Bae series. She also takes custom orders! If you're local to WNC, be sure to look up Amanda and her shows!
Thanks for listening, and we will see you next time!
Episode 19: Amanda Talks About The Little Prince (6 months too late!)
Today I talk with Amanda about her time spent on the show The Little Prince, put on by the Montford Park Players in Asheville NC.
The girls and I went to see the show, and it was fantastic! Montford Park is an outdoor venue, which can both have a lot of setbacks, but also give a lot of creative freedom.
I'm sorry it took me so long to get this out, Amanda!
Episode 18: SAFF 2022
It was SAFF!! My favorite time of year to buy yarn! I did a lot of shopping ya'll! Click on the links to see who I supported this year!
Figment Sock – Deep Dyed Yarns
Balsam Fingering Yarn | Twist Fiber Studio (square.site)
All Yarn – Rock and String Creations
I also talked about my basic doll pattern on Etsy. If you're looking for an easy amigurumi doll pattern, check out mine! I sold them well at two of the three shows I did between August and last weekend.
Doll Crochet Pattern Basic Body Basic Doll Crochet Crochet - Etsy
I'm starting a new business! Not only am I working part time while the girls are in school, I'm putting my passion for decluttering, organizing, crafting, and neurodivergency to work as a declutter and organizing coach, for Bright Home Declutter and Organizing Coaching (or Bright Home DOC). I have already been working with clients to help them declutter and organize their homes using all the different strategies I have learned and loved along the way. If you are interested in a consultation or Zoom/FaceTime meeting, please get in touch with me!
I have missed being with you on a more regular basis, but I'm working my way through the holiday season before I commit to more time. I hope to get back to a "regular" schedule after the new year!
Episode 17: Summer Catch-Up
The past few weeks have been pretty tough around here!
Yarn Crawl (not tough!); locked knee; covid; herniated disk and sciatica pain; summer vacation with lots of extra girls and babysitting!
I hope to update again this summer, but no promises! Once the girls get back to school, I'll be making more episodes on the same schedule.
Check out the photos and links to the things I'm working on at knitsewcraft.wordpress.com and on Instagram at @knitsewcraftpodcast.
Episode 16: WNC Yarn Crawl!
Moira, Amanda, and Brooke went on the WNC Yarn Crawl this weekend! Join us as we talk about each of the LYSs we visited, what we bought, and how much we love fiber!
Here are links to the stores we visited:
Plus, a special shout out to CGCG Yarns! We had a fantabulous time talking with Renee, who was having a trunk show at BMYS.
Episode 15: Rambling, Sick, Creative
This week has been a tough one! Lots of self-doubt, and a family sickness have knocked me down.
I've been working on a shawl pattern called Wild At Heart Stripe, available for free on Ravelry. I'm using a yarn from A Whimsical Wood Yarn Co. and one from Yarn Experiments called Cohaire.
This weekend is the WNC Yarn Crawl! I'm heading across western North Carolina with my fiber friends, Amanda and Moira. We will be recording after each stop, so it will feel like you get to come with us! If you are in the area, or are doing the Yarn Crawl also, let me know!
I've been working on cleaning and decluttering my studio space, and it has been much improved! You can find photos of my progress on Instagram at @knitsewcraftpodcast.
And most exciting! I published my first amigurumi pattern! I'd be ever so grateful if you would take a look at it, and favorite it! You can find it right HERE.
Episode 14: Declutter and Organizing My Craft Space
Hello friends! Today I talk about the 5 step decluttering process from Dana K White at A Slob Comes Clean (podcast and books available!).
My studio is a mess, and I need to spend a good amount of time cleaning and decluttering. My creativity TANKS when my space is practically unusable because of TOO MUCH STUFF. I feel a lot of guilt and shame when my home is messy, like I don't deserve to be creative and take time for myself. My goal is to spend 25 minutes each day decluttering and cleaning to get my studio back in working order.
If you are struggling with this as well, come sit by me! We will work together and encourage each other to declutter and claim our creativity back.
Resources for this episode:
A Slob Comes Clean: Podcast YouTube Books
Clutterbug: Podcast YouTube Books
Episode 13: Vacation Yarn!
Episode 12: Challenging Craft Shows
Today I talk about my experiences with two different, and back to back Saturdays, craft shows.
The first was alright, I made a few sales, including a custom doll! Yay! I have completed it, and it will be on the way to it's new owner later today! Amanda had a better day than I did, and I'm so happy for her! We made coordinating pieces; I made a gnome inspired by an embroidery piece she had sketched out but hadn't completed yet. I sent Amanda a photo of the completed gnome, and she took the colors I used and created an embroidery to go with it. They found a new home with a friend of mine! Amanda also sold her "Beard Bae" embroidery (I'm jealous of his new owner!).
The second show was rough. It was cold and very windy. We were outside on a packed dirt floor, with no heat. There were no signs indicating that there were additional vendors in the arena, and I overheard customers talking in the building that 1) they didn't know there were more vendors; and 2) they didn't want to shop outside because it was too cold. It wasn't a great show, and it was mostly a non-positive experience.
I was signed up for a show this weekend that I thought was inside, but turns out they have a few outside vendors as well. With a 50% chance of snow on Saturday, I'm going to cancel. That means I forfeit my fee, but I'm just not interested in another cold weekend outside with low sales. I'm going to the beach instead!
With two disappointing shows, my mental health took a hit. I have been feeling a lot of imposter syndrome, and wondering whether I can or should actually try to make a business of the things that I make. It's been a rough couple of weeks, for sure. I'm hoping that I can use some ACT exercises to help pull myself back up into a better state of mind, and continue doing was I was called to do.
Episode 11: The Plannerverse
Do you consider planning to be a craft? I sure do! Today I talk about the planners and types of planning that I use!
I've included links to most of the items that I talk about:
Bullet Journal Method by Ryder Carroll
Miss Maker line by Happy Planner
Clever Fox Planner PRO
Let's move the conversation over to Instagram at @knitsewcraftpodcast, or you can read more at knitsewcraft.wordpress.com. You can also reach out privately at knittynerdy@gmail.com.
Episode 10: Cosplay with Moira Asheland
Today I talk with Moira Asheland of Atomic Baby Cosplay.
Not only is she a wonderful friend, she is also an amazing and active cosplay designer and seamstress. You can find her on Instagram and Facebook at Atomic Baby Cosplay.
I talk about a couple books that I suggested to Moira. The first is The Worn Archive, a selection of articles from the anti-fashion fashion magazine, Worn, out of Canada. I also found Women in Clothes at a local used bookstore!
Episode 9: Into the woods
Episode 8: Amigurumi Style!
What is amigurumi? Here are the links to the websites I quoted from, and the Waldorf toy information I mentioned.
Mymodernmet.com
Amigurumi.today
Amigurumi Design and Creation course on Domestika
Waldorf Toys
Places to find patterns: Ravelry, Etsy, or an internet search
Supplies needed to get started: Yarn, hook, filling, and scissors. Other handy items are stitch markers, safety eyes, embroidery thread, head pins, and a needle for sewing pieces onto the item.
Yarn can be a personal preference, but I've ordered cotton yarn from Hobbii, and I'm thinking about an order from DROPS.
Necessary skills: Magic ring to begin pieces, Single Crochet. This page on YouTube has been really helpful for me!
I find inspiration all throughout my life, but Pinterest and Instagram are my favorite places because it's easy access and scrolling. You can follow me on both platforms at @knitsewcraftpodcast.
Episode 7: Quick Update
Today I'm sick :-(
I give an update on a custom order, talk about Zoomigurumi 5, and the differences in my work from the time I started until now.
LInks: Zoomigurumi 5, KnitSewCraft Blog
Ravelry: Kaan the Crocodile, Maury the Cat, Sockhead Slouch Hat
Episode 6: Interview with Amanda McLoughlin from Beauty Truly Blent
Episode 5: WNC Yarn Crawl and SAFF
Today we talk about the two biggest fiber events in my area, the WNC Yarn Crawl in May, and SAFF in October.
"The WNC Yarn Crawl is an opportunity to explore the WNC area's many unique local yarn stores and fiber locations. You create your own self-guided tour during the days of the yarn crawl. Visit as many locations as you like; all participating stores have daily prize giveaways as well as many great deals and specials for the weekend." The yarn crawl will be from Tuesday, May 3-Saturday, May 7. Mother's Day is Sunday the 8th, so be sure to buy something fibery for your mom, too! There is no fee to go on the yarn crawl, but please consider purchasing from the shops to help support their business. Each one offers sales through the crawl, and most (if not all) have giveaways each day.
Some of the closest fiber stores near me:
My other favorite time of the year to buy yarn is during SAFF, the Southeastern Animal Fiber Fair. This year, SAFF will be from October 21-23. The cost is $5 per person/per day, or a 3 day pass is $10. From the SAFF website, "See spinning, knitting, weaving, felting, and much more! Join a workshop class to improve your skills, or just enjoy browsing and hipping the beautiful and unique apparel and wearables." There are a TON of vendors there, as well as classes, workshops, and competitions. This is honestly where I spend most of my fiber money, and 2021 was no different. There were a few new vendors this year, as well as the ones that I shop with each year.
Please consider purchasing yarn or books or notions from your local yarn store or ordering from independent dyers and authors and makers. We all love and appreciate the support, more than you know!
I'm still looking for pattern testers! The pattern is free to testers, but will be a paid pattern after testing is complete. If you'd like to be a pattern tester, please email me at knittynerdy@gmail.com, or message me on Instagram!
So my dear ones, make sure that you take a few minutes each day to take care of your SELF.
Episode 4: Crafting as Self Care
What is self care? Society makes us think that it's long bubble baths, meditation, and peace. While all that is nice to have, self care is something I do just for myself, to help center me, and bring me back to myself. As a mom, wife, friend, small business person, I often get pulled in too many different directions, and I forget who I am. Crafting, on my own and for myself, is how I get back to being ME. Selfish knitting is my jam!
We can get so burned out on making a life for others that we can often lose ourselves in the making. I invite you to FIND yourself in the making. What do you love about the items you're working with? Is the yarn color and texture something you enjoy working with? How do the hooks or needles feel in your hand? How are you sitting or standing? Is your body comfortable? What's the temperature around you? What does your environment sound like? Being present in the moment of your creating can become a self care practice.
Why is it called practice? Because it's not self care perfection!
One thing I've realized is that that time will never be mine unless I TAKE it. Unless I CLAIM IT as MINE. For example, my knitting time is in bed after I've put the girls down for bed. They will come in every 5 minutes needing something, and I tell them, "figure it out for yourself, I'm off the clock." I'm setting that boundary with them, which is so healthy for them and me. It shows them that I have boundaries that I won't allow them to cross, and that they can set their own boundaries.
For me, it comes down to intentionality, communication, and presence in the time that you have. Not everyone can take hours of time alone, but can you take 15 minutes to practice being present, and to let your guard down to be yourself? Sometimes this can bring up uncomfortable feelings, I really understand this. Therapy is a helpful tool in this case. I'd like to invite you to share what you've done to practice self care in the coming week on Instagram.
I'm working on my third Sockhead Slouch Hat, in Yarn Experiements Monkey Sock yarn, Supernova colorway.
Bunnies will be up in my Etsy shop soon!
Episode 3: Interview with Darla; or Unexpected Finishes
Today, Darla and I have a conversation about crafting! I ask about her crafting history, what she's working on, and learn something new!
Darla and I have been friends for about 16-ish years. I was with her at the birth of her son, walked down the aisle at her wedding, and have seen her learn and grow into a wonderful mother, an awesome wife, and an amazing friend!
Episode 2: Crafting Goals for 2022
Welcome back to KnitSewCraft!
In this episode, we say hello to a new friend, talk about my crafting goals for this year, and discuss the projects I'm working on.
Otter Bee Stitching creates "whimsical fiber art for hearts of any age". Visit her HERE
Books I've enjoyed on artists:
Neil Gaiman Art Matters
Mason Currey Daily Rituals: How Artists Work
Twyla Tharp The Creative Habit
Melanie Falick Making a Life
Julia Cameron The Artist's Way
Projects I'm working on:
Hat pattern: Sockhead Slouch Hat by Kelly McClure
Yarn: Whimsical Wood Yarn Co Pixie Toes with cashmere, Narwhal colorway
Needles: Average Joes size 3 from Brick House Fiber Arts
Episode 1: Just Me
It's just me! I'm introducing myself, how I came to Fiber Arts and crafting, and the purpose for this podcast.
Sponsored by Sunny Day Fiber Arts
For more information on a Fiber Arts degree, please visit: Haywood Community Colleges Professional Crafts Program
For photos and links, head over to the KnitSewCraft blog!
And we can continue the conversation on Instagram at @knitsewcraftpodcast. Be sure to tag us in your projects if you'd like to share!
I will be uploading new episodes each Thursday.
See ya next week!
KnitSewCraft Trailer
Hello friends! Get ready to talk about knitting, sewing, crafting, and all kinds of fiber arts with me, Brooke, your host for KnitSewCraft! Our first episode will be out the second week of January. I can’t wait to start our conversation! See ya soon!
In the meantime, you can find me online on Instagram @knitsewcraftpodcast. You can also shop the sponsor of this show, Sunny Day Fiber Arts, at www.etsy.com/shop/sunnydayfiberarts.