iPod Convert: Sleepy Eyes Knits and a Wish

This week's podcast review is a split decision ... a quick review of a podcast I've just found and am warming up to, and a fervent wish for a podcast that isn't (yet). I've also split my topics between knitting and music, two activities that normally go together quite well (unless you live with two small children, two needy dogs, two fractious kitties, and one long-suffering husband). My knitting time has been relegated to car rides (when I can avoid vertigo), late nights (if my eyes are open), and work meetings (I'm tired of knitting washcloths).

This makes the title of "Sleepy Eyes Knits" particularly apropos, although I don't know the origin of the name. Sleepy Eyes Knits is a relatively new podcast from Gina House, who has a lovely blog at Sleepy Eyes Knitting. It's the strong connection between Gina's podcast, her blog, her pattern designs, and some lovely tutorials and projects that has moved me to offer a review.

I'll try to explain. There are some podcasts that grow on me slowly, for whatever reason. It may be the podcasters' inflection, voice, timing or music choices that initially don't click with me. However, there is usually some kernel that keeps me listening. In my quest for new podcasts to review every week, I've discovered quite a few (that shall remain nameless) that I turn off in the first five minutes, delete from my itunes queue, and then swear to never download again. It's the ones that I am unsure about, that I listen to for just a few more minutes, and then, well, maybe just one more episode, those are the ones that seem to become some of my favorite listening. This was true of Geek.Farm.Life, which is now a cult favorite in my household. I suspect the same may be happening Sleepy Eyes Knits, although without the expanded family following (the Young Man is learning how to knit, but isn't obsessed with it yet).

Let me just point out that Gina clearly loves (loves!) fiber, knitting and patterns. Even a cursory look at her blog will yield the many patterns of her own design that she has posted, both free and for a nominal fee. ( I can see why the Amanda Hat is so popular. What a lovely design.) Apparently she also works in a yarn store, which immediately puts me in awe. My experience during my teen years of doing annual inventory at our local JoAnn's (when they actually sold fabric) taught me that I would be lucky to leave any place of employ that also sold fiber with even a shred of a paycheck. I have a pretty killer DMC floss collection, the majority of which dates from my *very first job* at a Jamesway department store. On employee discount nights I would load up with $20+ worth of embroidery thread, and that's when the normal price was still 4/$1. I still remember one evening when the floss was also on sale. Sale, discount, already low price, perhaps you get the picture. But I digress.

Sleepy Eyes Knits is full of Gina's chatty and quirky banter about yarns, patterns, new projects (old projects), and the occasional knitting notion. Gina clearly embraces her inner fiber geek, with very little apology. As it should be! On my first 1+ listens, I've become a little lost in the constant flurry of different pattern names and yarns, but it's inspiration to haunt Ravelry a bit more. I also appreciate Gina's promotion of lace patterns, and unabashed embrace of knitting scarves (at least, so far). The socks, well, I've already confessed to how I feel about socks. The less said, the better.

A final note ... the first episode I listened to (Episode 15: Pattern Palooza), featured the song/parody titled "50 Ways to Loose Your Luggage" by Robert Lund. I suggest a listen. Oh, and one more thing ... check out the crock-pot fiber dyeing tutorial.

So, with that transition, on to the music portion of this review. In a perfect world, Fresh Ink, a radio show produced by the Syracuse-based Society for New Music would release their past programs as podcasts. The show is phenomenal. I first caught the August 3rd show, Playful Music II on the drive home from Maine. You could barely tear me away. Poor Miles, I kept telling him to "shush!"; lucky for Miss T, she was sleeping. I enjoy classical music, but our local stations lack a little creativity. The morning music segment always starts with an overture. Need I say more? Jacob ter Veldhuis Jesus is coming, from The Garden of Love (Innova) was a revelation. Samples and classical music seem like an odd mix to you? Think again. The Society does provide some video of selected concerts and mp3s of Society-commissioned works, and this is a temporary balm.

I'm currently searching for a new music (classical format) podcast, hopefully for next week's iPod Convert review. I'd happily take any suggestions.