Skein and Tell

• The Cult of the Perfect Gauge: Obsession, Perfectionism, and Ritual in Craft

  Join host Gea on this deep-dive episode of Skein and Tell as she dares to enter the sacred and slightly unhinged temple of tension: gauge.From cryptic pattern instructions and sacrificial swatches to the emotional spiral of “Why doesn’t it fit?!”, this episode explores the rituals, myths, and madness of chasing the perfect stitch-per-inch. Whether you’re a swatch sorcerer or a no-gauge rebel who just vibes and prays, this is your crash course in measuring, managing, and maybe even making peace with your tension.You’ll discover:What gauge actually is (and why it’s secretly running your crafting life)The difference between helpful swatching and full-on perfectionist chaosWhen to obey gauge, when to rebel, and when to just... give the project to someone smallerReal gauge horror stories from the Hobbii team (prepare for the baby romper that fit a toddler)How to approach gauge with curiosity instead of fear (and maybe a sacrificial skein)Plus, don’t miss our  Archaeology of Yarn  segment with Yarndiana Jones, who reveals how ancient Romans dyed their wool with literal pee, fermented snails, and imperial sassWhether you’re Team Swatch or Team Chaos, this episode is a hilarious, heartfelt journey into the rituals we build around craft and why perfectionism doesn’t have to run the show.Tag your stitch confessions with #skeinandtell or #hobbiipodcast, on social media, so we can all read them!And last but not least, send your best (or worst) gauge stories to Gea to [email protected]  or leave them in a comment!

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• Tool Talk: Must-Have Gear, Weird Hacks, and What’s Just Hype

  Join host Gea on this delightfully nerdy episode of Skein and Tell as she opens up her craft drawer (and her heart) to share the fiber tools she loves, the hacks she swears by, and the gadgets that might just be glittery nonsense. Whether you're a seasoned stitcher or just got your first hook, this is your ultimate guide to the gear that keeps our WIPs moving, and our sanity mostly intact.You’ll discover:The essential tools that earn a permanent spot on Gea’s craft table (and the one that lives in her couch cushions)Why ergonomic hooks and swivel cables are the unsung heroes of fiber wellnessHow bobby pins, baby teethers, and old eyeglass cases became chaotic crafting MVPsWhat makes a sock blocker weirdly magical (or just weird)Which trendy tools are actually helpful, and which ones are hype disguised as hypePlus, don’t miss the Archaeology of Yarn segment with Yarndiana Jones as we dig up the mysterious, globe-spanning history of the humble crochet hook.Whether you're fully kitted out or living that yarn goblin life with a hook, hope, and vibes, this episode will have you laughing, learning, and maybe reorganizing your notions pouch (again).Vote, tag your chaos with #skeinandtell or #hobbiipodcast and send Gea your weirdest tool story to [email protected], we might just read it on a future episode!

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• Passport, Please: The Ultimate Guide to Yarn Festivals and Events Worldwide

  Join host Gea on this globetrotting episode of Skein and Tell as she takes you on a whirlwind fiber adventure across the world’s most magical yarn festivals and events. From cozy sheep-filled fields in Scotland to sun-drenched Mediterranean marketplaces and vibrant indie pop-ups in Seoul, this is your ultimate travel guide to the places where skeins, stitches, and soul collide.You’ll discover:Which castle-turned-festival in France smells like lavender and destinyWhy Rhinebeck is basically the Beyoncé of North American yarn eventsThe Tokyo festival where kawaii chaos meets sashiko serenityHow yarn festivals in South America and Africa are blending tradition, sustainability, and serious indie flairTips, stories, and swoon-worthy locations that will have you planning your next fiber pilgrimage before the episode endsPlus, don’t miss the Archaeology of Yarn segment with Yarndiana Jones as we explore the wild history of fiber embellishments: beads, buttons, sequins, and all the shiny little things that have powered revolutions (and runways) for millennia.Whether you're booking a ticket or building a dream list, this episode is your invitation to explore the colorful, cozy, and sometimes chaotic world of yarn travel.

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• The Crochet Cults of the 1970s: Counterculture, Community, and Crafts

  Join host Gea in this revolutionary episode of Skein and Tell as she unravels the wild, woolly world of the 1970s fiber movement, when crochet left the living room and moved into communes, protests, and feminist collectives. This isn’t your grandma’s yarn story (well, okay, maybe your grandma was awesome). We’re talking radical DIY, psychedelic ponchos, and how a humble hook helped people reclaim their lives, their voices, and their wardrobes.You'll learn about:How crochet became the craft of counterculture in communes and feminist movementsThe surprising role yarn played in the back-to-the-land movement and spiritual communitiesWhy making your own clothes was (and still is) an act of protestA heartfelt listener story on how crochet became a tool for mental health and healingThe modern-day echoes of the '70s in today’s maker movement and fiber communityThis episode blends history, humor, and humanity with a whole lot of heart. Whether you're into fringe vests, feminist stitches, or just want an excuse to call your yarn stash a spiritual journey, this one’s for you.So grab your hook, put on some Joni Mitchell, and let’s crochet our way through the revolution, one granny square at a time.

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• Yarn Punk: The Rebelion of Crochet and Knit in Counterculture

  Join host Gea in this fierce and fabulous episode of Skein and Tell as she pulls back the curtain on Yarn Punk, the movement where knitting needles double as protest signs and crochet hooks stitch stories of resistance. From punk fashion icons to modern-day craftivism, this episode is all about flipping the script on what fiber arts mean.You'll learn about:How DIY fiber art became a symbol of rebellion, empowerment, and identityWhy crocheting your own wardrobe is an act of anti-fast-fashion defianceVivienne Westwood, yarn bombing, and the stitched statements of punk historyArcheology of Yarn with Yarndiana Jones: The colorful (and smelly) legacy of natural dyes and how they shaped the worldHow knitting and crochet are reclaiming space as tools of gender resistance and protestPlus, don’t miss a hilariously iconic listener submission in the debut of Tangled Tales, a cautionary, condom-shaped journey through vintage crochet books and furry yarn mistakesThis episode is loud, heartfelt, a little chaotic, and unapologetically DIY. Whether you're a punk at heart or just love a little grit in your granny squares, Yarn Punk will inspire you to pick up your hook, your voice, and your rebellion, one stitch at a time.So grab your tea and your combat boots, and get ready to stitch back against the system.

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