Latest Knitter Podcast Episodes
Becoming a volunteer
Knit-a-Square - March 26, 2022 14:58 - 29 minutesWe are blessed to have so many big-hearted people volunteering at the barn. In this episode, Norma shares with Leanne what first drew her to Knit-a-Square and what it was like to become a regular on opening days. We hear, too, how it felt for Norma when she got to go on her first distribution at...
Episode 14: Favorite Knits Part 1
K2tog Podcast - March 23, 2022 12:00 - 28 minutes ★★★★★ - 9 ratingsWe share our most favorite knits in this episode! We also share YOUR favorite knits! People submitted voice memos and we have some videos from folks who wanted to share. Our most favorite finished objects can change and evolve as we create new things, but it’s fun to have a look at a point in ti...
Rising to the occasion
Knit-a-Square - March 15, 2022 06:00 - 40 minutesLong-standing KAS members Pam Johnson and Elaine Jones share with Leanne the process they followed in setting up a Shropshire-based charity called “Knit for Life”. The charity makes it possible for them to send large quantities of squares to South Africa on behalf of dozens of local knitters. Re...
Episode 13: Dyer x Dyer - Chat with Gwen of Bella Filato Studio
K2tog Podcast - March 14, 2022 11:00 - 34 minutes ★★★★★ - 9 ratingsIntroducing our first Dyer x Dyer episode where Kara interviews fellow indie dyers! Gwen and Kara chat about their different experiences in dyeing, their processes, etc. Gwen also gives us a little insight about her ability to balance work and personal life, which can be so tricky! Gwen also sha...
Episode 12: Tips to build Commuknitty on Social Media and Locally
K2tog Podcast - March 08, 2022 13:00 - 47 minutes ★★★★★ - 9 ratingsIn this episode, we talk about the different ways we have found success in building community socially both online and in person. We share tips for things that have worked for us and we think can work for you too! Please let us know in the comments if you've tried anything we mention and how it ...
Dancing children
Knit-a-Square - March 01, 2022 06:00 - 32 minutesThe sounds and feel of Athelé’s visit to Perfuri near the northern tip of the Kruger National Park are captured in this episode as she chats to Leanne from her spot under a tree. We hear the excitement of the children who receive toys, and feel with Athelé her wish that more could be done to rea...
Episode 11: We're Back!
K2tog Podcast - February 28, 2022 12:00 - 26 minutes ★★★★★ - 9 ratingsEpisode 11: We’re Back! We took a long hiatus from recording, but we are back! In this episode, we will share what we’ve been up to and why we have been away for a bit. We will share the projects we’ve been working on and give some updates about what to expect this year from us. Kara is wear...
Led by curiosity
Knit-a-Square - February 15, 2022 06:00 - 33 minutesIn this episode, Leanne chats to Valerie Zalewski in France. Valerie has been a member of KAS since 2012 and is a keen crocheter, using her large stash of yarn to make squares and toys for the children. Of special interest is Valerie’s story of how she came to learn about Knit-a-Square in the ...
Doing what feels meaningful
Knit-a-Square - February 01, 2022 06:00 - 35 minutesAnna has been a volunteer at the Knit-a-Square barn for about three years and is passionate about compiling squares into blankets. In this episode, she chats to Leanne from a friendly coffee shop in the midst of her morning’s routines, explaining how she came to be involved and what motivates he...
Back for another season
Knit-a-Square - January 18, 2022 06:00 - 18 minutesIt’s been a long break, but I’m back with another season of the Knit-a-Square podcast, sharing news and interviews with our wonderful members from South Africa and around the world. In this episode, I review some of the conversations I’ve had with members in previous seasons, then share some of ...
Episode 10: Jill from Knit Sisu on Knitting as a Career, Design Mentorship and More!
K2tog Podcast - December 27, 2021 12:00 - 47 minutes ★★★★★ - 9 ratingsWe are chatting with Jill from Knit Sisu about her Design Mentorship Programs, her resources for knitters, how she made knitting pattern design, knitting instruction, and knitting mentorship her career, and more! Plus, we reveal a special collab with Jill! Find Jill on insta @knitsisu or check ...
Episode 9: Chat with Phylicia and Maci
K2tog Podcast - December 22, 2021 14:00 - 1 hour ★★★★★ - 9 ratingsWe had a blast chatting with Phylicia and Maci! We talk about knitting as self-care, knitting as a safe space for making mistakes, and Maci and Phylicia discuss knitting as Black women and why representation is so important in knitting. You can find Maci at @littlemissknitss on IG. You can fin...
Episode 8: Gifts We are Knitting for the Holidays
K2tog Podcast - December 13, 2021 12:00 - 25 minutes ★★★★★ - 9 ratingsKara is making vanilla socks with the colorway Holiday Peppermint by @rosehillyarns. Skatta Hat by @sari_n_ with Knit Picks Tweed DK Honeysuckle Hat by @woollybear_knits, yarn is a OOAK purple by @thekineticknitter Woodland Loafers by Claire Slade Kenzie is making a few Birchwood Beanies b...
Episode 7: Stand in the Gap to Better Support BIPOC Creatives and Makers
K2tog Podcast - December 07, 2021 12:00 - 1 hour ★★★★★ - 9 ratingsConsidering the past week’s events concerning Kristy Glass Knits and the harm perpetuated against Black knitters, fiber artists, and makers in the knitting community, we decided to host a conversation around how white knitters can stand in the gap and do better. Our friend Maci @littlemissknitss...
Episode 6: Knitstagrams and Hot Tips for Growing Your Account
K2tog Podcast - November 22, 2021 15:00 - 55 minutes ★★★★★ - 9 ratingsIn this episode, Kenzie and Kara share their tips for how to grow your Knitstagram account, if that is what you want! The commuknitty also weighs in on why they love their Knitstagrams, and what frustrates them about it! Check out our website: http://k2togpodcast.com Find us on insta: @k2togpo...
Episode 5: Handmade Small Business Advice with Julia from The Simply Startup
K2tog Podcast - November 15, 2021 12:00 - 42 minutes ★★★★★ - 9 ratingsJulia is another local Minneapolis gal who started an Etsy 10 years ago selling hand knits. She has since grown multiple successful Etsy businesses and now offers coaching to other small and handmade businesses. She is a wealth of knowledge and gave so much great advice! She talks about her thou...
Episode 4: Confessions of an Indie Yarn Dyer
K2tog Podcast - November 08, 2021 12:00 - 51 minutes ★★★★★ - 9 ratingsThis is not your typical interview with an indie yarn dyer. Cohost Kara @thekineticknitter talks about some of the less-discussed aspects of running an indie yarn business. She covers how the indie dyed yarn space has changed since she began dyeing yarn, she talks about indie yarn trends on Inst...
Episode 2: Get to know your Cohosts!
K2tog Podcast - October 18, 2021 11:00 - 1 hour ★★★★★ - 9 ratingsIn this episode, learn a little bit more about Kara and Kenzie as knitters, a little about their personal lives, why they chose their cat's names, and a discussion on how knitting has impacted their lives, as well as sound clips from the commuknitty answering that question as well! Kara is wear...
Episode 3: Knitterview with Emily from Woolly Bear Knits
K2tog Podcast - October 18, 2021 11:00 - 45 minutes ★★★★★ - 9 ratingsThis is our first “knitterview” featuring a local Minnesotan gal, knitwear maker and pattern designer Emily of Woolly Bear Knits! Interviewing her felt like chatting with an old friend. We discussed how she started her business, how her values around environmental sustainability are incorporated...
Episode 1: Hello and Welcome to Our Podcast
K2tog Podcast - October 18, 2021 11:00 - 32 minutes ★★★★★ - 9 ratingsIn this inaugural episode, Kenzie and Kara introduce you to K2tog Podcast! You’ll hear what you can expect in terms of when episodes are released, what platforms you can find the podcast, the different episode layouts planned, our dreams of working with makers, and much more! Podcast IG: @k2tog...
Therapeutic benefits of knitting
Knit-a-Square - September 07, 2021 06:00 - 30 minutesLeanne’s daughter Tammy joins her on today’s podcast to chat about their morning at the barn. Tammy is a psychologist in training and has experience working with patients with anxiety. She shares some interesting findings regarding knitting, crocheting and other fibre arts. This is the final e...
The backbone of any blanket
Knit-a-Square - August 24, 2021 06:00 - 33 minutesJoy Evans is a keen knitter of PJ’s and is glad to know they are welcomed as the backdrop to beautiful picture squares contributed by other members. Speaking to Leanne from her home in Arkansas, she shares her passion for Knit-a-Square and the chance to let the children know that someone cares. ...
Dangerous conditions
Knit-a-Square - August 10, 2021 06:00 - 29 minutesJuly is Mandela month in South Africa, but this year’s Mandela Day was marred by social unrest. Listen to what the volunteers at Knit-a-Square have to say about it, now that things are returning to normal, and experience some of the lively atmosphere in the barn as they open parcels, fold blanke...
The world needs our help
Knit-a-Square - July 27, 2021 06:00 - 36 minutesGrace Weir has been a member of Knit-a-Square for 11 years, and her friends in Dorchester, Dorset have helped her contribute many blankets and accessories for distribution. As she shares with Leanne her love of yarn, knitting, card-making and a range of other crafts, her enthusiasm for helping o...
Keeping it real
Knit-a-Square - July 13, 2021 06:00 - 47 minutesIn this episode, Athelé tells us about three distributions that she and Estelle managed to do before the latest level four lockdown occurred. Blankets, beanies, hand warmers and toys were handed out to vulnerable children in the settlements of Hammanskraal and Lion Park on behalf of our generous...
Castles and picture squares
Knit-a-Square - June 29, 2021 06:00 - 38 minutesMarion Davies lives within sight of the historic Conwy Castle in North Wales and shares with us her passion for crocheting picture squares to incorporate into the beautiful blankets that get distributed to orphaned and vulnerable children in South Africa. She also tells Leanne about an unfortu...
Blankets to keep out the winter chill
Knit-a-Square - June 15, 2021 06:00 - 31 minutesThe term “informal settlement” is frequently used in describing where our vulnerable children live but the actual location, history and conditions relating to such settlements seldom get discussed in our reports. This episode goes a little deeper into the challenges our children face, both physi...
Kindness in action
Knit-a-Square - June 01, 2021 06:00 - 34 minutesKnit-a-Square is an amazing community of caring people, brought together by our shared commitment to keep South Africa’s vulnerable and orphaned children warm. This episode of the podcast celebrates our connections at every level. Susanne Leverton was raised by her mother to think of others an...
Volunteers at work
Knit-a-Square - May 18, 2021 06:00 - 31 minutesIn this episode, Leanne chats to several of the volunteers at the barn. Ronda measures herself against a mountain of blankets, Sue bubbles over with wonder at the creativity of so many contributors, Wandi anticipates packaging up 90 bundles for distribution at two separate crèches, and Estelle s...
Celebrations to cheer the children
Knit-a-Square - May 04, 2021 06:00 - 36 minutesAmy Pettigrew is one of our most active moderators, keeping members up to date with various discussions on the Square Circle Forum and regularly overseeing Knit-a-Square’s monthly themes. In this episode she joins Leanne from her picturesque home in Houston, Texas to chat about crocheting and he...