Episode 21: One Year Old!

Hello from a defrosted Cheshire Plain. In this episode I talk last minute Christmas knitting, share discoveries over my sense of self and raise a glass in toast!

On the Needles: Here's a photo of the second Christmas cowl, knit in Thistledown Yarns as promised last time:

I also completed these socks at the last minute:

The pattern is Scar by Julie Gardner and can be downloaded for free here from her blog. Details of this pair can be found on my Ravelry projects page here.

I have also cast on a third cowl, again in the Rowan Colourscape Chunky:

Review: Rowan Colourscape Chunky

Something I Really Like: My new D-SLR camera and playing on Flickr!




And yes, this was me during the podcast today. Not quite mastered the art of smiling yet...

Music: Rondopolska by Barry Philips, from the album Tråd, available from Magnatune.

Feel free to leave a comment here or at http://www.yarnsfromtheplain.podbean.com/, or email me at yarnsfromtheplain@googlemail.com. We have a Ravelry group here, so come on over to chat. You can find me on Ravelry as talesfromtheplain and on Twitter as talesfromplain (although Tweeting can be sporadic!).

Happy New Year!

TTFN,
Nic

Episode 20: Christmas Cheer!

Hello from a frozen Cheshire Plain. In this episode I make excuses for not knitting, visit a new shop and drink mulled wine- hic!

On the Needles: I finished the second Christmas cowl, made from Thistledown Yarns. I've not yet put it on Ravelry in case it gets spotted, so no photos yet, I'm afraid.

Review: Purl City Yarns, Manchester

Something I Really Like: Christmas decorations and the wonderful smells of Christmas.

Music: Rondopolska by Barry Philips, from the album Tråd, available from Magnatune.

Links: Garnstudio Drops; King Cole; Designer Yarns; Green Eyed Monsters; Wild Fire Fibres; Fyberspates; Natural Dye Studio; Lorna's Laces.

Feel free to leave a comment here or at http://www.yarnsfromtheplain.podbean.com/, or email me at yarnsfromtheplain@googlemail.com. We have a Ravelry group here, so come on over to chat. You can find me on Ravelry as talesfromtheplain and on Twitter as talesfromplain (although Tweeting can be sporadic!).

Have a peaceful and relaxing Christmas!

TTFN,
Nic

Episode 19: Christmas Spirit

Hello from a slushy Cheshire Plain. This week we've had snow, along with most of the UK, although the thaw started yesterday. Still plenty of the white stuff on the Peaks in the distance though! This week I talk about gifts, acrylic and music and announe the winner of the draw.

On the Needles/Hooks: I'm stockpiling a few 8x8 inch squares, although I have no photos to share. I've turned a short row heel on the first Biffle+ sock and started my own design of circular lace shawl in Kidsilk Haze. This morning I finished my first Christmas gift, a cowl for one of my cousins.



Review: Lion Brand Vanna's Choice Worsted

Something I Really Like: Christmas music! What's your top recommendation for trimming the tree? Let me know.

Upcoming Events: A variety of day courses at Fibre & Clay in the new year, including learning to crochet, Tunisian crochet and Moebius knitting. Details on their website or telephone 01565 652035. Purl City Yarns have an evening with Natural Dye Studio on Wednesday 8th December and with Fyberspates on Saturday 11th December. Book a place through email: info@purlcityyarns.com

Links: Banyan Tree Yarns

Music: Rondopolska by Barry Philips, from the album Tråd, available from Magnatune.

Feel free to leave a comment here or at http://www.yarnsfromtheplain.podbean.com/, or email me at yarnsfromtheplain@googlemail.com. We have a Ravelry group here, so come on over to chat. You can find me on Ravelry as talesfromtheplain and on Twitter as talesfromplain (although Tweeting can be sporadic!).

TTFN,
Nic

Episode 18: A Flurry of Fibre (and Yarn!)

Hello from a very blustery Cheshire today. Batten down the hatches, mother! In this episode, I talk Tudor, catch up with some new friends and reflect on how bad I am at actually joining in!

On the Needles and Hooks: I finished the Schuyler blanket in memory of Andrew and Claire that I first talked about in Episode 2.













Thanks to everyone who contributed a square: smorancie; simplebeans; elljay; sassi-sketti; diamandy; jenknitsalot; LateFordinner; LKManitou; blakdove; Scarletti; YarnDiva; instar; NinjaBunnyStudios; Una; my Mum and also to YarnCloud and Riana for the help in edging.Thanks also to fakeknitter for the beautiful label.

I've also caught up on some Baker's Dozen Squares. This is the Starburst New Millenium 12" block by Designs by Muggins.


I've also cast on for a plain sock in EasyKnits Biffle+ in the Carosel colourway. Love it!


It's so lovely, I bought some for you too! Here it is in Boysenberry. If you'd like to win this, leave a comment telling me why you have to have it in your stash, either here, or at http://www.yarnsfromtheplain.podbean.com/ or at the Ravelry group here by the end of 30th November 2010.


Fibre Flurry was a real joy, well organised with a heaving market place in a delightful location. Here are the two buildings. Firstly, the Saracen's Head, where the market place and the cafe were:


Then the Old Grammar School, the site of the workshops:


Review: Easyknits Biffle+ in 70% Superwash BFL/ 20% Silk / 10% Cashmere

Something I really Like: Sock Clubs. Photo shows lollipop.yarn yarn from Catherine on the left and Wollmeise from the Socktopus Knit Love Club on the right.


I also reveal my first parcel from the EasyKnits Sock Club. (I'm not sponsored by EasyKnits, BTW, I just love the yarn!)

Links: Knitting Goddess; Posh Yarn; FeltStudioUK; Ann Kingstone; Atomic Knitting.

Don't forget the competition for the Easyknits Biffle + in Boysenberry. Leave a comment telling me why you have to have it in your stash, either here, or at http://www.yarnsfromtheplain.podbean.com/ or at the Ravelry group here by the end of 30th November 2010.

Music: Rondopolska by Barry Philips, from the album Tråd, available from Magnatune.

Feel free to leave a comment here or at http://www.yarnsfromtheplain.podbean.com/, or email me at yarnsfromtheplain@googlemail.com. We have a Ravelry group here, so come on over to chat. You can find me on Ravelry as talesfromtheplain and on Twitter as talesfromplain (although Tweeting can be sporadic!).

TTFN,
Nic

Episode 17 show notes

Another intersection with the fail whale here, since I didn't get these up within 24 hours of the show last week as I had hoped. These aren't even going to be proper show notes as the bits I really needed to post contact details for have gone (or almost have). However, I can give you a photo of Alice Starmore and Eala Bhan.




Music: Rondopolska by Barry Philips, from the album Tråd, available from Magnatune.

Feel free to leave a comment here or at http://www.yarnsfromtheplain.podbean.com/, or email me at yarnsfromtheplain@googlemail.com. We have a Ravelry group here, so come on over to chat. You can find me on Ravelry as talesfromtheplain and on Twitter as talesfromplain (although Tweeting can be sporadic!).

TTFN,
Nic

Episode 16: UK Knit Camp (Part the Second)

Hello from an autumnal Cheshire Plain. In this episode I offer up a moment of ritual humiliation with an authority figure, reflect on professional behaviour and talk about record breakers.

Swag from Knit Camp:


Natural shades of Shetland sample packs from Jamieson & Smith; Rainbow Merino Tops from EasyKnits; a selection of luscious fibres from Freyalyn's Fibres; undyed Falkland (not in picture) from DT Craft & Design green 100% superwash merino from Abstract Cat; two 100% Superwash Merino from Left Coast Yarns; and a nice 100% wool (can't remember what!) in heathery pinks from Thistledown Yarns.

Back to Back Challenge:


Team members posing with the Provost of Stirling, Fergus Wood. From L to R: Astrid and Angela (co-owners of knittybitty.de), Susan, the Provost, Ann (in front), Miriam (behind) and Freyalyn. Sandra is behind Freyalyn and obscured in this shot.


The finished article! From L to R: Ann, Susan, Sandra, Astrid, Steve modelled the sweater, Angela, Miriam and Freyalyn (with thanks to Woolly Thoughts for the use of the photograph).

Upcoming Events: Susan Crawford at Fibre & Clay, Knutsford, 21st and 23rd September; http://www.fibreflurry.co.uk/, Birmingham, 30th October.

Additional Links: Woolly Wormhead; Horti Honey's blogpost and Lucy Neatby's blogpost about Knit Camp.

Music: Rondopolska by Barry Philips, from the album Tråd, available from Magnatune.

Feel free to leave a comment here or at http://www.yarnsfromtheplain.podbean.com/, or email me at yarnsfromtheplain@googlemail.com. We have a Ravelry group here, so come on over to chat. You can find me on Ravelry as talesfromtheplain and on Twitter as talesfromplain (although Tweeting can be sporadic!).

TTFN,
Nic

Episode 15: UK Knit Camp (Part the First)

Hello from behind a pile of fibre and washing here in the Cheshire Plain. Another bumper episode this week, with a report from the weekdays of the recent UK Knit Camp at Stirling in Scotland. Despite organisational problems and a lack of communication for day visitors, I had a brilliant time. I took classes with Jon Dunn of EasyKnits, Lucy Neatby, Kate Tetlow and Mary Jane Mucklestone.

Photos from Jon's spinning class...

...and shots of my handspun taken in Mary Jane's class.

Animal, spun from batts from EverImprovingMe

Navajo-plied fibre from DT Craft & Design bought at Wonderwool Wales in April

I also have an overwhelming desire to make Lucy Neatby's Bubbles Scarf. Luckily there's a knit-a-long for the pattern in September.

There's also an interview with the designer of the Knit Camp Vest, Ann Kingstone.

Finally, if you want to imagine me whirling Debbie Stoller around the dance floor, this is (sort of) what we were doing:

Music: Rondopolska by Barry Philips, from the album Tråd, available from Magnatune.

Feel free to leave a comment here or at http://www.yarnsfromtheplain.podbean.com/, or email me at yarnsfromtheplain@googlemail.com. We have a Ravelry group here, so come on over to chat. You can find me on Ravelry as talesfromtheplain and on Twitter as talesfromplain (although I don't Tweet much!).

TTFN,
Nic

Gremlin Attack!

Arghhh!!!!! the Gremlins have got in! Between 47 minutes and 51 minutes of Episode 14, you are going to be subjected to the most bizarre bit of audio - I'm describing cow colours and I seem to have been taken over by an alien from Dr Who. You can make out the words, but really, I'm only talking about colours and cow's backsides. Just fast forward!

Sorry!!!

Episode 14: It's Show Time!

Hello from a un-summery Cheshire Plain. It's a bumper one this time around! This episode I share some finished objects, give you a history lesson and subject you all to my ramblings and reminicences on livestock.

On the needles/wheel: I've finished the Manos del Uruguay Clapotis in time for the Clap-o-tea party at UK Knit Camp. I've also taught myself how to navajo ply on the singles I spun from a hank of unidentified fibre (possibly BFL and tencel) I bought from DT Crafts at Wonderwool Wales. No photos here, I'm afraid, but details on Ravelry for the Clapotis and the handspun. I'm also having a blast spinning some Muppet batts from EverImprovingMe. Gorgeous!!!

Something I really like: Open Country on BBC Radio 4, particularly using the iPlayer. The Fair Isle Kntting programme is here.

Upcoming Events: UK Knit Camp, 9th-13th August and UK Ravelry Weekend, 13th-14th August, Stirling, Scotland; I Knit Weekender, 10th-11th September, London; Fibre Flurry, 30th October, King's Norton, Birmingham.


The bulk of this episode is taken up with information about The Oxfordshire County and Thame Show. It's something I attended every year as a child and teenager, but haven't been sinc ei went into teachign in the mid-90s. So, ready for the photo fest that is my record of Thame Show? OK, don't say I didn't warn you. There's a lot of photos. Seriously. Heaps.

First up, the patchwork class.

The red certificate is for First prize, blue is Second, yellow is Third, white is Very Highly Commended. The first prize winner in the patchwork is the first piece completed by the entrant.

Then it's the fibre classes. First knitting...

... then baby and toddler knitting...



... then the single entry in the Crochet class.

Then I wondered down the other end of the marquee to the vegetables.

Later I went into the rabbit tent....

... the pigeons....

... and the caged birds.

Onto the larger animals. This class appears to be for a South Devon bull, heifer and calf.

Inside the tent were some beautiful livestock, including this Hereford heifer...

and some Holsteins.

Outside you can see some Jacob sheep in the pens on the left.


Lookee! A livestock Judge, In a Bowler hat!

A shot from the sheep judging ring.

A Southdown with a fleecy face.

Beautiful Alpaca!





One of my favourite parts was the Sheep Show. Here's the lorry, with all nine sheep on show.


Close up shots...


Craig shearing his first ever Scottish Blackface.

Some of the Sheep show participants. First Lenny the Lincoln Longwool...


...the Rupert the Rouge De L'Ouest from France...

... and finally Dougal the Scottish Blackface.

Music: Rondopolska by Barry Philips, from the album Tråd, available from Magnatune.

Feel free to leave a comment here or at http://www.yarnsfromtheplain.podbean.com/, or email me at yarnsfromtheplain@googlemail.com. We have a Ravelry group here, so come on over to chat. You can find me on Ravelry as talesfromtheplain and on Twitter as talesfromplain (although I don't Tweet much!).

Nic