Episode 1: Schoolhouse Socks! (28:46)

There's a million crafters in Fiber City and we've all got a yarn to spin.

Welcome new listeners and old! I'm so pleased you've joined me on the Fiber Beat.

Sock Summit was THE fiber event of our generation and it was thanks to the incredible work of Stephanie Pearl-McPhee and Tina Newton. I was fortunate enough to attend as a vendor with the Verb posse, but I was also a student and reporter for Fiber Beat.

For my first episode, I spoke with Meg Swansen and Amy Detjen from Schoolhouse Press.

The following people, places and things were mentioned:

• Men's Fall Knitting Retreat
• A Verb for Keeping Warm's "Verbivore" newsletter
• Knitting Around
• Twisted Stitch Knitting book @ SHP
• SHP Knitting Camp & Retreats
• Martingale Press (Twined Knitting book)
• The Sow's Ear yarn shop and coffee shop in Verona, WI
• Knitting Glossary DVD and other titles
• IBM Selectric
• Cully Swansen, editor of SHP DVDs and musician
• Linda Ligon, Interweave Press founder called EZ "The Mother of All"

Our very first Fiber Beat CONTEST

I have the pattern for the Moccasin Sock by Elizabeth Zimmermann PLUS two skeins of Québécoise in navy blue & forest green to give away. All you need to do is tell us what what you have learned from Schoolhouse Press.

To enter, please leave a comment below OR on the Fiber Beat Ravelry forum. The winner will be randomly selected from all the entries. DEADLINE FOR ENTERING IS OCTOBER 30, 2009. I look forward to seeing what everyone has to say!

A GINORMOUS thank you to everyone who downloaded and listened to the first episode of Fiber Beat. Let me know what you think and leave a review on iTunes!

Special thanks to Miss Priss: Adrienne Rodriguez and Editor/Musician extraordinaire: Anthony Bonet.

We used snippets of the songs below in this episode. If you like the music, please support the artists (links provided for your convenience):

• "Fiber Beat Theme" performed by Anthony Bonet (Exclusive to Fiber Beat, 2009)
• "Saturday Night on Saturn" performed by Les Baxter from Space Escapade (Capitol, 1957)
• "Victory Fanfare" performed by Nobuo Uematsu from Final Fantasy VII - Original Soundtrack (DigiCube, 1997)
• "Fanfare - Prince Of Wales" performed by The New Zealand Army Band with the Christchurch Musical Society from Sounds Of Glory - 22 All Time Favourites (K-tel, 1995)
• "Star-Spangled Banner" performed by Jimi Hendrix from The Jimi Hendrix Experience Boxed Set (Experience Hendrix, 2000)
• "God Save the Queen" performed by Queen from A Night at the Opera (Elektra, 1975)
• "Ny Batteri" performed by Sigur Rós from Ágætis Byrjun (Play It Again Sam, 1999)
• "I Don't Want To Grow Up" performed by Descendents from Somery (SST, 1991)
• "Schoolhouse Rocky" performed by Bob Dorough and Company from School House Rock Box Set (Rhino, 1998)
• "Tradition" performed by Topol and Cast from Fiddler on the Roof (Columbia, 1971)
• "The Typewriter" performed by US Air Force Air Mobility Command Band Of The Golden West from The Melody Shop (Altissimo, 2006)
• "Your Socks Don't Match" performed by Louis Jordan and The Tympani Five from Man Alive It's the Jumpin' Jive (Avid, 1999)
• "Sheep May Safely Graze" performed by Chris Swansen, Anthony Bonet Remix (Exclusive to Fiber Beat, 2009)

My name is WonderMike and I'll see YOU on the Fiber Beat.

Fiber Beat Promo: Fiber Beat Promo: Homage to Double Indemnity (1:20)

There's a million crafters in Fiber City and weave all got a yarn to spin.

If it's fiber, you'll find it on the Fiber Beat.

Greetings and salutations, Fellow Fiber Fiends!!!

Where Have I Been?
Long time, no chat. As a matter of fact, it’s been several months since my last work with Yknit but I haven’t been resting on my laurels. Things have been a little hectic with researching, planning and testing a NEW podcast/vodcast (not to mention a Men's Fall Knitting Retreat)! The nouveau venture is called Fiber Beat and I plan to be your intrepid reporter and tireless editor, bringing back news from all aspects of fiber crafting and fiber arts. I hope you enjoy the ride.

Why a New podcast/vodcast?
So, why a new podcast? I touched on this in Yknit Episode 19, Fistful of Fibers (featuring the Yarn Harlot), but, in a nutshell, my interests had grown beyond just knitting and I wanted to be able to explore all the various expressions of fiberphilia: knitting, spinning, crocheting, weaving, felting, herding (you get the picture). And speaking of pictures, I’ve been hankering to dip my toe into the pool of moving pictures: digital video. All your friends are doing it and with all the fantastic new cameras, it seemed silly not to at least give it a shot (sorry, I couldn’t resist).

What Can you Expect?
Here’s what I aspire to publish on a consistent basis:

1. Podcast (audio) – I am an NPR/News show junkie and I love a good story (c.f. “This American Life” and “Radiolab”). I’m fortunate to have lots of crafty icons popping through the Bay Area, so I hope to not be starved for content. Show frequency will be determined by who I can interview and the ability to edit and publish in a timely manner. If the planets align (and the interwebs stay up), I’ll publish an audio show every 3 weeks.

2. Vidcast (video) – I’ve been dreaming of this for while now. Inspired by the work of Schoolhouse Press (Elizabeth Zimmerman/Meg Swansen), Tradewind Knitwear Design (Lucy Neatby) and Insubordiknit (Jacey Boggs), I believe I can contribute to the vodcast world. I will publish small segments from time to time (i.e. not necessarily with each podcast) that are adjunct pieces to the podcast which will showcase a particular fiber, technique or finished object to its full glory. It’s the missing piece that I always wish I had with many podcasts, especially the crafty ones. The vodcast, if produced, will follow a week or so after the accompanying podcast.

How Can you Contribute?
I’d love to know your thoughts on the new work. If you have a brainstorm for the new format OR if you’d like to be a cub reporter on the Fiber Beat, zap me an email. I’ve also started a forum on Ravelry. Please join up and give us your feedback.

What Else?
Well, as this is new venture for me, I’m bound to experience bumps in the road, but, cross fingers, touch wood, they will at least be entertaining, if not eye opening. Thanks for joining us on the Fiber Beat and if you see me out and about with microphone and video camera in hand, don’t be shy.

There are a million crafters in the Fiber City and we’ve all got a yarn to spin.