This week I interviewed (more like chatted) with Mel of Single Handed Knits podcast and blog. I had so much fun chatting with her, I hope you enjoy it too :) We talk about everything from knitting to spinning to sewing to foreign languages. Listen to it and get lost with us--me in Jakarta, Indonesia and Mel in Kauai, Hawaii, USA! 

In the middle of the chat we got disconnected and then when we reconnected I forgot to record the call halfway...

When I forgot to hit record button, we were talking about how Mel's Polish parents emphasize reading and learning, and that was a big part on how Mel loves learning and imparting that learning to others. Two of her proudest teaching moments were when she saw one of her dance students named Chloe who used to have a hard time connecting with the dance, got to enjoy and bloomed as a ballerina. The other was Natalya, her oldest, whom she taught how to knit. Natalya was just sitting and knitting on a new project and Mel was feeling powerfully touched to see that what she had first taught her has grown and expanded and has been changed into Natalya's own passion.

We also talked about what's in Mel's knitting bucket list and she mentioned knitting with beads. Which is challenging primarily working with small objects. We mentioned Fleegle beader. Mel would try it out after I give it a review (and before that I'd have to buy it and use it first). Another goal for Mel was that she wants to knit items with smaller gauge and smaller needles. She's also just enrolled for a sewing class (for dresses and adult garments!) by Deborah Moebes of Whipstitch--also a Craftsy teacher!

Then Mel went on to talk about learning spinning on a wheel, and I complimented her on her fast progress. Mel mentioned Diane of Knitabulls and Laura and Leslie from The Knit Girllls who helped teach her in person. Where we caught up, Mel was talking about how amazing it is when people share the knowledge of their passion to others.

We mentioned Kiki from Yarns vs. Zombies and Steph from Space Cadet Creations, two indie dyers that participated in Sock The Vote.

We also mentioned Mel's patterns Intersections Break, Hoaloha, Drizzle, and The Old Man and The Sea. Also Paula Emons-Fuessle's Piper's Journey shawl.

A few books mentioned: Ernest Hemingway's The Old Man and The Sea, Clara Parkes' The Knitters' Book Of Wool.

I took out our conversation about Bethany Hamilton, a professional surfer who surfs big waves (18-20-ft waves) and was a survivor of a shark attack which left her one-armed. A movie, Soul Surfer, came out about her.

Mel is donating 5 of her patterns for 5 lucky listeners! You need to go to The Lost Geek podcast group and on the giveaway thread there, let me know two things: what's your favorite segment of the podcast, and what crafty things you've been doing lately other than knitting or crocheting (whether cooking, baking, sewing, traveling, photography, scrapbooking, painting, etc). I'm always looking for fresh ideas and inspiration :) I will pick the winners three weeks from now, on Episode 8 of the regular podcast.

You can find me on Ravelry as thelostgeek, on twitter as lost_geek, or email me at [email protected]. Do join The Lost Geek Podcast group on Ravelry. iTunes star ratings and reviews are always welcome to help bump up the show and let other people know about it, and it would really help me get feedback about the show.

Thank you for listening, and until next time... don't get too lost!