Skein and Tell

Hobbii
  • 4.8 (25)
  • CRAFTS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Welcome to Skein & Tell, the official podcast of Hobbii, where yarn enthusiasts come together to explore all things fiber arts! Hosted by the charming yarn nerd Gea, this podcast is your go-to source for yarn news, educational content, personal insights, lively conversations featuring both Gea and the voices of the vibrant Hobbii community but also the latest trends in the yarn world, tackles thought-provoking (and sometimes controversial) topics, and spills juicy behind-the-scenes details that you won't hear anywhere else.

  1. 10 Secret Questions with Toni Lipsey: Uncovering the Magic Behind the #FrostandBloomCAL

    12/01/2025

    10 Secret Questions with Toni Lipsey: Uncovering the Magic Behind the #FrostandBloomCAL

    Join host Gea for a warm, unfiltered conversation with the brilliant Toni from TL YarnCrafts as she walks us through the much-anticipated #FrostandBloomCAL and the heirloom-ready Aura Lapghan you'll be making over six cozy weeks. Toni spills everything, from the inspiration behind the design name, to the practical prep tips you actually need, the clever assembly hacks that save your sanity, and the one motif that stole her heart. You’ll hear: ✨ Why the blanket’s official name is Aura Lapghan and how “Frost and Bloom” is the spirit of making in winter 🧶 What a lapghan is (hint: heirloom vibes, perfectly sized for one) 🔧 Toni’s top preparation tips: reading stitches, practicing a tighter gauge, and small practice projects to build confidence 🪡 The one assembly rule she swears by: weave in your ends as you go (and why you’ll thank her later) 🧩 Why the join technique is crochet-based (no eternal whip stitching!) and how the seaming order makes assembly zippy 🌿 Why the cotton-wool blend was chosen 🎨 How Part 5 lets makers personalize the Lapghan with five filler motifs of their choosing 💖 Toni’s absolute favorite motif Plus: Toni’s advice for makers of every level (yes, even if motifs ramp up in complexity), small-gauge tips for long-lasting blankets, and practical week-by-week expectations so you know what to prepare for. Ready to join the CAL, level up your motif skills, and make a blanket you’ll love for winters to come? Hit play and start stitching with us. ✨🧶 Useful links: Blog post: link coming soon CAL kit: coming December 3rd on hobbii.com

    58 min
  2. Make Your Motifs Pop: Mastering Color Dominance in Stranded Knitting

    10/01/2025

    Make Your Motifs Pop: Mastering Color Dominance in Stranded Knitting

    In this episode ofSkein and Tell we’re unraveling one of the most powerful secrets in colorwork: color dominance. It’s a tiny detail, the way you hold your yarns, but it completely transforms your knitting. Get it right, and your motifs are bold, sharp, and professional. Get it wrong, and they blur into the background. In this episode, Gea will walk you through: What color dominance is (and why it matters so much)How to hold your yarns for consistent, crisp motifsThe connection between floats and dominance (and how not to mix them up!)Gea's best tips and tricks for practicing dominance with the Dorthea CollectionA little history lesson, from Selbu mittens to Fair Isle sweaters, on how knitters have used dominance for centuries Want to see it in action? You can find free Dorthea patterns on hobbii.com and read the full blog post here: http://hobbii.com/blogs/news/color-dominance-in-stranded-knitting And don’t forget to share your colorwork with us on Instagram, so tag @hobbii_yarn and @copenhagenfibers with #hobbiidorthea and #CopenhagenFibersByHobbii. Because when it comes to colorwork, it’s not just about the colors you choose, it’s about how you make them shine.

    10 min
  3. Mastering the Mystery of Colorwork Floats: Your Guide to Stranded Knitting Confidence

    10/01/2025

    Mastering the Mystery of Colorwork Floats: Your Guide to Stranded Knitting Confidence

    Hey yarn bestie! Gea from Hobbii here, and today on Skein and Tell we’re pulling back the curtain on one of knitting’s greatest mysteries: floats in stranded colorwork. Those little strands running behind your stitches can make or break your project... Too tight and your fabric puckers, too loose and it snags. But once you learn how to manage them, floats turn into pure magic: smooth fabric, bold motifs, and colorwork you’ll be proud to show off. In this episode, we’ll unravel it all: What floats are and why they matterHow to keep them neat, stretchy, and snag-freePro tips for catching floats, controlling tension, and using the “inside-out” trickThe hidden history of floats (and the surprising secrets they reveal about knitters past and present)How to practice with the beginner-friendly Dorthea Mittens, then build confidence with the Cowl, Sweater, and Yoke Sweater Ready to conquer colorwork? Download the free Dorthea patterns on hobbii.com, read the full blog guide here: http://hobbii.com/blogs/news/how-to-work-with-floats-in-stranded-knitting And don't forget to share your projects with us on Instagram, so tag @hobbii_yarn and @copenhagenfibers with #hobbiidorthea and #CopenhagenFibersByHobbii. Because floats aren’t just the hidden side of your knitting, they’re the secret that makes colorwork shine.

    12 min
  4. Explore the Bold Beauty of Modern Nordic Colorwork: Inside the Dorthea Knit Collection

    10/01/2025

    Explore the Bold Beauty of Modern Nordic Colorwork: Inside the Dorthea Knit Collection

    On this episode of Skein and Tell Gea is diving into the bold, beautiful world of colorwork with the Dorthea Knit Collection from Copenhagen Fibers. Named after the street where our Hobbii HQ lives, Dorthea is all about honoring tradition while giving it a fresh, modern twist. Four free patterns: a pair of mittens, a cowl, a statement sweater, and the crown jewel yoke sweater, all show off Scandinavian style in every stitch. In this episode, we’ll unravel it all: Why colorwork feels like magic (and why it’s addictive once you start)How the yarns (Natural Wool, Brushed Alpaca, Baby Alpaca Blend, and Silk Mohair) combine to create texture, softness, and depthGea's top tips for floats, color dominance, and choosing palettes you’ll loveA quick trip through colorwork history, from Egyptian socks to Selbu stars to modern Scandi chicThe difference between traditional motifs and today’s bold, graphic designs All the Dorthea patterns are free on hobbii.com, and you can see all the photos, yarn pairings, and color inspiration on the blog: http://hobbii.com/blogs/news/dorthea-pattern-collection When you cast on your Dorthea, don’t forget to share it with us on Instagram, tag @hobbii_yarn and @copenhagenfibers, and use the hashtags #hobbiidorthea and #CopenhagenFibersByHobbii. Because these aren’t just knits you tuck away in a drawer, they’re knits you’ll wear, love, and show off. Because Copenhagen Fibers is Made to Notice.

    16 min
  5. Discover The Stripes That Never Go Out of Style: Inside The Thekla Knit Collection

    10/01/2025

    Discover The Stripes That Never Go Out of Style: Inside The Thekla Knit Collection

    In this episode Gea takes a deep dive into the Thekla Knit Collection, four modern patterns designed for Copenhagen Fibers that celebrate stripes, structure, and Scandinavian simplicity. From the chic Thekla Polo to the oversized Thekla Sweater, the soothing ribbed scarf to the playful striped hat, this collection reimagines timeless stripes with a fresh Nordic edge. Gea will take you through every detail: the clever constructions, the merino yarns that make stripes pop, and my favorite tips for choosing the perfect stripe colors (plus a little history of stripes you’ll never forget!). All the Thekla patterns are free on hobbii.com, and you can see all the photos, yarn pairings, and color inspiration on the blog: http://hobbii.com/blogs/news/thekla-pattern-collection When you cast on your Thekla, don’t forget to share it with us on Instagram, tag @hobbii_yarn and @copenhagenfibers, and use the hashtags #hobbiithekla and #CopenhagenFibersByHobbii. We can’t wait to see your stripes come to life! Because some knits are just too good not to share and Copenhagen Fibers is Made to Notice.

    16 min
  6. The Story Behind Copenhagen Fibers, The Yarn for Makers Who Can’t Wait to Share

    10/01/2025

    The Story Behind Copenhagen Fibers, The Yarn for Makers Who Can’t Wait to Share

    In this episode we’re unraveling the story of Copenhagen Fibers, a brand-new yarn collection that’s more than just skeins. It’s a mood, a city, and a love letter to makers who just can’t wait to share their projects before the last stitch is even cast off. In this episode, I’ll take you on a yarn-voyage! From the inspiration pulled straight from the heartbeat of Copenhagen, to the six dreamy yarns crafted from natural fibers, to the exclusive patterns that make stripes feel fresh and colorwork feel fashion-forward. So whether you’re here for the alpaca halo, the crisp merino stitch definition, or just the joy of trying on your sweater mid-row, this is one episode you don’t want to miss. Copenhagen Fibers is yarn Made to Notice! And I can’t wait to share it with you! Check everything out in our blog post: http://hobbi.com/blogs/news/copenhagen-fibers

    17 min
  7. Dye Lots: The Sneaky Number That Can Make or Break Your Project

    09/26/2025

    Dye Lots: The Sneaky Number That Can Make or Break Your Project

    Join host Gea on this colorful episode of Skein and Tell as she zooms in on one of the most overlooked but oh-so-powerful details in yarn land: the dye lot number. That sneaky little code on your label? It might look harmless, but it’s the difference between a dreamy cardigan and an accidental patchwork cosplay. You’ll discover:🌸 Why your “Dusty Rose” sleeve might suddenly morph into “Dusty Raspberry Smoothie”🌈 What a dye lot actually is and why skeins are more like siblings than clones🔥 The chaotic cocktail of water temp, humidity, and sheep that makes colors shift between batches💡 Smart strategies to outsmart the dye lot gremlins (buying, blending, and creative fixes)✨ How to turn mismatched skeins into ombré fades, intentional design features, or full-on fiber fashion statements This episode will have you squinting at yarn labels, laughing at your stash, and maybe even embracing the unpredictable beauty of dye lots. Because at the end of the day, bestie, every skein tells a story, and you’re the one weaving it into magic! Read more about it on our blog post: https://hobbii.com/blogs/news/yarn-dye-lot-numbers

    17 min
  8. Itchy Stitchy or Soft Enough to Cuddle: Crafting for Sensitive Skin

    09/15/2025

    Itchy Stitchy or Soft Enough to Cuddle: Crafting for Sensitive Skin

    Ever picked up a skein that felt like a cloud, only to discover it crochets like sandpaper on your skin? 🙃 In this episode of Skein and Tell, Gea gets real about yarn sensitivities, from lanolin allergies to mystery rashes to why some fibers feel buttery soft while others are basically wearable cacti. You’ll learn:✨ The truth about lanolin and why it’s dreamy for some and dreadful for others🧶 How micron count determines whether wool is cozy or itchy🔬 Why yarn twist, ply, and even dyes can make or break your comfort🌱 The best sensitive-skin alternatives (hello cotton, bamboo, silk blends, and even milk fiber yarn!)🧼 Smart care tips to keep your handmade treasures skin-friendly✨ Yarndiana Jones unravels the 5,000-year-old drama of silk yarn, from tea cups and empresses to modern peace silk. Whether you’re a delicate-skin darling, a lanolin lover, or just curious about what makes yarns itch or cuddle, this episode will have you looking at your stash with fresh eyes (and scratch-free arms). Because bestie… crafting should always feel good enough to hug. 🧡 Love you bestie, see you next week! Meanwhile share our poddi on your social media using the hashtag #skeinandtell or #hobbiipodcast and leave a comment about the softest yarn you've worked with, but also the itchiest too!

    23 min
See All (29)

4.8
out of 5
25 Ratings

About

Welcome to Skein & Tell, the official podcast of Hobbii, where yarn enthusiasts come together to explore all things fiber arts! Hosted by the charming yarn nerd Gea, this podcast is your go-to source for yarn news, educational content, personal insights, lively conversations featuring both Gea and the voices of the vibrant Hobbii community but also the latest trends in the yarn world, tackles thought-provoking (and sometimes controversial) topics, and spills juicy behind-the-scenes details that you won't hear anywhere else.

Information

  • Creator
    Hobbii
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    29
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Hobbii
  • Show Website
    Skein and Tell

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