Last summer I discovered knitting podcasts and now I’m a fan. I had heard about them but I finally overcame my unfamiliarity with the technology and listened to one – and was immediately hooked. I couldn’t stop talking about how wonderful they were. It’s like listening to a radio show about knitting, and it’s free! There are all sorts of knitting podcasts out there and I’ve barely listened to the tip of the needle. I definitely recommend you listen to one yourself.

My favourite knitting podcast is Cast-On with Brenda Dayne. She’s humorous, she has a wonderful voice, she intersperses knitting with music and she really works at keeping it interesting from season to season. Within the template of Brenda’s podcast she muses about any number of topics as they relate to her life and knitting. She has regular features in each episode, from “Today’s Sweater”, a description of a project she has knit, to an essay around which the episode has been themed. Sometimes her dogs can even be heard snoring in the background!

Another favourite podcast is Knitcast with Marie Irshad who interviews notable names in knitting such as Amy Singer, Debbie Bliss, and Annie Modesitt. It’s wonderful to hear their voices and to have a sneak peek into what makes them knit! Amy takes you to her favourite LYS, Debbie loves smooth yarns and Annie discusses her unique way of knitting.

There are many, many more knitting podcasts from which to choose these days. I haven’t listened to them all myself and cannot offer a review of the full spectrum. They range from review-based (Knitting News Cast) to fibre-based (FiberCast )to punk-based (The Mosh Knit). Instead of listing them all follow the links in this post to find more podcasts.

All podcasts have websites where they provide show notes and other information of interest to the listener. These notes even include hot-links to items and topics mentioned on the show. If they’ve mentioned another knitting podcast, the link to it will be in the show notes. Most podcasters include a listing of their favourite podcasts (both knitting and otherwise) in the sidebar of their site. Cast-On has a fairly comprehensive list and would be a great starting point.

Do not be misled by the term ‘podcast’ and assume that you need an iPod to listen to one. If you have a computer and access to the Internet, you can download an episode and listen to it right in your living room or in your favourite chair. You can also download an episode to any MP3 player or even burn the files to a CD and listen to it on your car stereo.

Instead of giving you all the technical instructions here, I would recommend looking at a great website called No iPod Required that will help you understand how to subscribe to podcasts, download them and listen to them with or without an iPod.

With my iPod loaded with several episodes of entertaining podcasts, I spent a lovely time on Granville Island this summer while my son was in a day camp program. I knit and relaxed while listening to an eclectic mix determined by the whim of the podcaster, on my iPod. I enjoyed sitting in the sun, watching the False Creek water traffic and drinking my coffee while my fingers flew and my mind was entertained.

So iPod or not, power up your computer, download a podcast, pick up your knitting, relax and listen yourself – at home, on the beach, in your favourite coffee shop or on a long walk in the rain (watch out for felting- LOL*).

Happy knitting and happy listening.

*LOL = laugh out loud

Originally published in the West Coast Knitters’ News Volume 8 Issue 6 November 2006

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