Knitting Podcaster Interviews
An Interview with Pixie and Lisa of Two Knitting Podcasts
This week we talk with Lisa of "Musings of a Peaceful Knitter" and Pixie of "Pixie Purls Podcast" about knitting, podcasting, and the knitting community.
This week we'll be talking to Pixie of Pixie Purls Podcast and Lisa of Musings of a Peaceful Knitter.
Question: What made you first want to start a podcast?
Answer, Pixie: I was listening to the Knit Cast/Cast On combo show in which they talked about podcasting, and one of the people had said they did their show with just their Macintosh internal microphone. I have the same type of computer and thought, heck why not!
Answer, Lisa; I enjoyed listening to podcasts, and I felt that many of them were personally focused on the podcaster's thoughts, ideas, challenges, and successes. I wanted to create a podcast that encouraged the listeners to think more about themselves - while still providing some of my own thoughts as examples. Plus, I teach a lot of knitting classes where I am encouraging the students to think about the process of knitting. The podcast gave me a way to continue to keep in touch with my students after the classes.
Q: How do you integrate knitting into podcasting?
Answer, Pixie: My podcast is all about knitting, but I try to focus on the online knitting community. I like to do a blog spotlight, and any new online knitting forums or discussion lists, as well as some of the current and popular patterns.
Answer, Lisa: Well, I don't really integrate knitting into podcasting. I encourage my listeners to integrate my podcast into their knitting. I talk about my own knitting thoughts and have my listeners share their thoughts. It's a different style of podcast, and one that many listeners enjoy.
Q: What do you think you can communicate to knitters listening to your show?
Answer, Pixie: My main goal, is so that knitters like me with similar interests have a podcast they enjoy listening to. I want those knitters sitting at home with no near-by yarn stores or knitting groups, to know they are not alone in their passion and interests. I hope when they listen to me they feel like they are having a conversation with a good knitting buddy who understands them!
Answer, Lisa: I share some thought provoking questions to my listeners. I want them to reflect inward more than listening to an hour or more of my podcast. I intentionally keep my podcasts short and to the point. That way, the listeners aren't sidetracked by music, essays, or interviews. I enjoy all those things in others' podcasts, but I don't want to go that direction with my own podcasts. I want to bring a single point or question to each episode. More frequently, I am getting requests from my listeners on topics. I love the interaction!
Q: What do you think about the knitting community? Is there even one? What are you thoughts on this? How do you think podcasting plays into the knitting community?
Answer, Pixie: Oh yes we have a huge knitting community online, this was very evident when I watched 100 knitting bloggers from all over the east coast sit together on a grassy hill at the Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival. If ever proof was needed of a community that was certainly it. I think the community generates interest, and spreads the word [about podcasts]. Even if a person is not active in the knitting community, they can still listen to a podcast.
Answer, Lisa: I think the knitting community is what you make it. Many knitters don't have a formal community in their neighborhoods, so the podcasts, blogs, and message boards have become a way to meet others who share the knitting passion. I really prefer meeting people in person rather than online. The knitting community is an amazing place because it brings people together without regard for age, gender, occupation, marital status, or financial status. It gives us a place to share our concerns, get advice, and learn from others. I always encourage people to form knitting circles locally, and mention that in my podcast. Often, people listen to hours of podcasts while they knit, and that's a wonderful way to keep in touch with others. We almost get to know the podcasters through their episodes. Unfortunately, we seldom get to share those relationships in person. I love podcasts, but I hope that they don't take the place of knitting friends!
Next week: an interview with the host of Cast On, Brenda Dayne.
© Kelly Gilliam, text and images, 2006. Reproduction without permission is prohibited.
