Episode 37: Happy Podiversary To Me!

Full show notes will follow shortly.

If you'd like to enter the Posh Yarn giveaway, leave a message here or over at the Ravelry board telling me why you would like to win a skein of laceweight Posh Yarn or a skein of sockweight Posh Yarn.



Happy New Year!

Nic x

Episode 36: The Night Before Christmas

Hello from an unseasonably mild Cheshire Plain. This episode is another brief one, just to keep me sane I think...

On the Needles: I now have a pair of finished Mrs Beeton, knit in Debbie Bliss Cashmerino DK and Debbie Bliss Party Angel in pale greys. The ends are not yet woven in and I need to wrap them soon. I cast on a second pair using the charcoal DB Cashmerino DK but it won't be finished. I'm also using my first ever wheelspun yarn to make a small scarf for my Dad, using the One Row Handspun Scarf pattern by Stephanie Pearl-McPhee. No photos I'm afraid. Half finished and unlikely to be for Christmas morning.

Something I really Like: Christmas Countdown by Frank Kelly

Music:
Intro music is Sans Day Carrol-Sussex Carol-Deck The Halls by James Edwards, from the Magnatune Compilation album Christmas Music and the piece in the middle is Six Noels Anciens: Venez mes enfants (Patriquin) by Stephane Potvin and the Con Brio Choir, from Goode Christemas Musicke, both available from Magnatune. The final piece is Boars Head Carol performed by Jon Boden, released as part of the Folk Song A Day podcast project.

We have a listeners' map! Please go on over to pop in a pin - I'd love to see where you all are!

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 and Season's Greetings to you all,
Nic

Episode 35: Descent into Madness

Hello from chilly Cheshire! Just a brief episode today, updating you on the Christmas gift knitting here on the Plain.

On the Needles: One finished Mrs Beeton, knit in Debbie Bliss Cashmerino DK and Debbie Bliss Party Angel in pale greys.




Listener Suggestion for Quick Gift Patterns:
Daisy Frog suggested Fast & Easy Fingerless Mitts
Helenhfj suggested Gradient Mitts and the Little Shells shawlette
PokedaGoblin suggested the Cranford Mitts
FatCat suggested Starving Artist and Starving Musician

Music:
Intro music is Sans Day Carrol-Sussex Carol-Deck The Halls by James Edwards, final music is Dancing Day Part II: Coventry Carol (Rutter) by Stephane Potvin and the Con Brio Choir, both from the Magnatune Compilation album Christmas Music, available from Magnatune.

We have a listeners' map! Please go on over to pop in a pin - I'd love to see where you all are!

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 34: Argh....Christmas!

Oops! I wrote the post but saved it to draft instead of publishing it. Doh!

Hello from a very wet Cheshire Plain. Today I dream about a future space, announce a winner and gibber not so quietly about the nigh-on uncontrollable urge to knit Christmas presents.

Congratulations to PokedAGoblin, who has won the lovely Crafts From The Dungeon Mayan Spinner from Episode 31.

Suggestions for quick(ish) present knits:
Quick Cable Slouch Hat by Azure
Calorimetry by Kathryn Schoendorf
One Row Handspun Scarf by Stephanie Pearl-McPhee
A cowl knit in chunky yarn, like the ones here and here I knitted last year.
Fetching and Dashing by Cheryl Niamath
Mrs Beeton by Brenda Dayne (Ravelry downlad available from here)
Scar by Julie Gardner
Tidepool Socks by Rainy Day Goods

Links:
Sarah Hazell
Fibre and Clay
Rowan Colourscape Chunky
Woolsack
Sheepfold (Scroll down to find the utterly delicious Methera)
Debbie Bliss Donegal Aran Tweed, as used in my Chocolate Stripes sweater

Music:
Intro music is Rondopolska by Barry Philips, from the album Tråd, final music is Shchedrik - Carol of the Bells by Kitka, from the Magnatune Compilation album Christmas Music, both available from Magnatune.

We have a listeners' map! Please go on over to pop in a pin - I'd love to see where you all are!

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 33: Woolsack - A Call To Arms

Hello from a blustery Cheshire Plain. This episode is entirely focussed on the Woolsack project, including an interview with JaneKAL

My Woolsack Cushions are detailed here and here.

Links:
The Woolsack site (www.woolsack.org) has a long list of suppliers of British Yarn. I've mainly been using yarn and fibre from Sheepfold and
Blacker Yarns.


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

We have a listeners' map! Please go on over to pop in a pin - I'd love to see where you all are!

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

Hello from a chilly Cheshire Plain. In this episode I talk about extra spinning, the joy of little hats and saggy knees. We have a listeners' map! Please go on over to pop in a pin - I'd love to see where you all are!

Giveaway: To win a Mayan Spinner from Crafts From The Dungeon, leave a comment here, on the show notes at the http://www.yarnsfromtheplain.podbean.com/ site or over at the Ravelry group, finishing off this sentence: "I want to win a Mayan Spinner because..." Leave your comment by 24th November 2011.

On the Needles and the Bobbin: Apologies for the lack of pictures, but the decreased levels of light are thwarting me at the moment. I've made Tubey and Waltzer from Wee Woolly Toppers and a couple of Christmas Pudding Hats from Debbie Bliss's Kids Knits for Heads, Hands and Toes. I've spun extra yarn for my handspun Rainbow Liesl, which I will cast on soon. I've also been working on Woolsack cushions, but more on those next time.


Review: Big Girls Knits by Jill Moreno and Amy Singer

Tears: Remember this sweater? Well, it doesn't look like that any more... (photos to follow when I can bring myself too)

Links:
Woolly Wormhead;
Woolsack;
Fibre & Clay;

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 31: The One Without The Knitting

Hello from a drizzly Cheshire Plain. In this episode I talk about all the other things I've been doing instead of knitting, play with a new toy and wax lyrical about squash.

We have a listeners' map! Please go on over to pop in a pin - I'd love to see where you all are!

Not on the Needles (!): Something that will potentially become a Kauni Wrap...






...some Tunisian crochet...




...some scrap spinning...




...and some Polymer buttons.




Review: Mayan Spinnner Kit, £15 plus p&p. including a hand-carded batt and instructions, from Crafts From The Dungeon.




Giveaway: To win a pretty Mayan Spinner just like mine, leave a comment here, on the show notes at the http://www.yarnsfromtheplain.podbean.com/ site or over at the Ravelry group, finishing off this sentence: "I want to win a Mayan Spinner because..." Leave your comment by 24th November 2011.

Something I really like: Cooking with squashes! One favourite is a stuffed squash using a Schwartz Spices mix, another is a risotto I created this week, using roasted chunks of butternut squash and chorizo.

Links:
Scandinavian Knitting Design;
Fibre & Clay;
Heike Gittins' blog and the Knitsisters website;
Clayaround;

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 30: The One With The Knitting

Hello from an autumnal Cheshire Plain. In this episode I consider startitis and finishitis, worry about pilling and get over-excited.

We have a listeners' map! Please go on over to pop in a pin - I'd love to see where you all are!

On the Needles: I've finished the I remember Mama socks, knitted a swatch and picked up the Stripey Noro Messenger Bag again.





Review: The Scrumptious Collection Volume 1 from Fyberspates

Something I really like: Wales' performance in the Rugby World Cup!

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 29: Postcards (From The Edge?)

Hello from a hectic Cheshire Plain! I'm back to earth with a bump after what may well be the best holiday I've ever had. Join me as I knit at some spectacular landmarks!

Knitting on the Easy Knits plain vanilla sock at Four Corners:


And again at Monument Valley:


The "I Remember Mama" socks (my project details here) at the Grand Canyon:


And at London Bridge at Lake Havasu City:


Then in front of the Golden Gate Bridge (it is there, honestly!):


And at AT&T Stadium, watching the Giants versus the San Diego Padres.


Whilst in San Francisco, I visited two yarn stores recommended by listeners. First up, the delightful Imaginiknit on 18th Street at Sanchez. This is the animal fibre room....


...whilst this is the plant-and-other-fibres room.


Then the unique Artfibers on Sutter Street and Grant.


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 28: Normal Service

Oops! Sorry, thought I'd published these on Monday 15th August when I'd actually saved to draft!

Hello from a cool and breezy Cheshire Plain. In this episode I talk listener stats, review UFOs and succomb to the electronic.

We have a listeners' map! Please go on over to pop in a pin - I'd love to see where you all are!

On The Needles: I finished my Sideways Beanie with a moss stitch band in the end.



I also listened to your advice and cast on the second Poshman Mitten and I've reached the decreases.

Review:Knitty Issue 36, First Fall 2011

Something I really like: My Kindle

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 27: Catching Up

Hello AGAIN from the Cheshire Plain! This is the last episode in this marathon catching up session, honest!

We have a listeners' map! Please go on over to pop in a pin - I'd love to see where you all are!

In this episode I talked about various events linked to the Cheshire Spinning Guild (the Ravelry Group for the Guild is here), including the Exhibition at Dunham Massey and the trip to Woolfest. I also mentioned the Wool Experience and the gorgeous ice cream at Blaze Farm.

Here is the Great Wheel in use at Blaze Farm:




I also attended a Woolly Wormhead sideways hat workshop at Fibre & Clay, based on her book Going Straight. My hat needs maybe an hour's more work before it's finished.

And talking of finishing... which of these should I finish first?

1.Posh Yarn Featherweight cardigan
2. Poshman Mittens
3. Stripy Noro Messenger Bag
4. Modern Quilt Wrap
5. Tank Top in Noro Kuryon Sock Yarn
6. Lizard Ridge Afghan
7. Olympic Medal Socks (I'll probably take these on holiday anyway)
8. Pondemonium child's stranded sweater
9. Best of Both Whirls Cushion
10. Double Vision Cushion
11. Hipknits Silk Aran Fair Isle Cardigan

So leave me a message here, drop me an email or post in the Ravelry forum!

And finally.... which is THE yarn shop to visit in San Francisco?

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 26: Best In Show?

Hello from a wet Cheshire Plain. OK, it's raining, but after the heatwave I've experienced over the last week, I'm enjoying feeling cooler! Sadly I'm still arguing with the new mic, so I've used the hand-held again.

We have a listeners' map! Please go on over to pop in a pin - I'd love to see where you all are!

This episode is sub-titled the ME, ME, ME show (thanks Louise!) and features a detailed run down of the items I entered in the Oxfordshire County and Thame Show at the weekend.

Firstly for the Knitting Class, I submitted my Mint Choc Chip scarf, which is the Chevron Scarf from Last Minute Knitted Gifts.

In the Baby Knitting, I made this sweater, the February Baby Sweater from the Knitter's Almanac. I found meleliza's Ravelry notes very helpful.



For the Crochet Class, I made the Circles Scarf by Linda Permann (details of my project here).



For the Embroidered Picture, I finished this that has been lurking in my embroidery UFO bin for a very long time. The motifs are based on those in Jo Verso's World of Cross Stitch, and the composition inspired by one of hers, but the final design is mine.



For the Beadwork Class, I entered my first ever piece of beadwork (other than simply threading beads onto a string), which I learnt on a course at The Bead Trail at Blakemere Craft Centre, Sandiway.



In the Item made from Recycled Materials, I entered a gift bag made from the Financial Times.



For the Three Handmade Cards Class I entered two Lacé designs (the Golden Wedding and Birthday cards) and one iris folding design (New Baby).



The entry into the Cushion Class involved some "teach yourself" skills, namely wet felting and needle felting. The main fabric was made from two shades of grey carded Gotland fleece from Eden Gotland Sheep, with the creamy white curls from May Hill Gotlands (gotland_mayhill@yahoo.com) in the Forest of Dean and the dark curls from Diesel from the Pedwardine Gotland flock in South Lincolnshire needlefelted onto the finished cushion.



Finally I entered 98g/382 yds of 2ply handspun made from Yummy Yarns UK carded batts (merino, bamboo, silk, firestar and mohair threads) in the Duchess of Cambridge colourway.



I also entered these photos, too:

"Stick Dressing, Northumberland County Show" for "Country Life"

"Elmer in the Garden, Eating Lupins" for "My Pet"



And here is the Thame Show Trophy, for the most points in the Handicrafts Section. Don't get over-awed, it's only six inches high!

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 25.2: Do-over

Hello from a sunny Cheshire Plain. Apologies for the long delay in re-recording this. Even now, I haven't quite worked out the new mic as I needed to swap to the hand-held recorder for the last part.
We have a listeners' map! Please go on over to pop in a pin - I'd love to see where you all are!

On my needles and spinning wheel: Between Episode 24 and the beginning of May, I finished two bears for the Mother Bear Project. I also plied more of the the Picperfec singles into a 4 ply with a view to making a Liesl.

Otto



Coco

Review: Sock Yarn One-Skein Wonders, edited by Judith Durant, published by Storey Publishing.

Agricultural Shows: I'm gearing up for the Oxfordshire County and Thame Show on the 30th July. I also mention the following shows:

Wigtown Show: 3rd August
Bakewell Show: 3rd&4th August
Fishguard Show: 5th August
Cranleigh Show: 7th August
Sedgefield Show: 14th August
Gillingham & Shaftsbury Show: 17th August
Hawkshead Show: 23rd August
Poynton Show: 27th August
Bucks County Show: 1st September

A full events calendar can be found on the website of the Association of Agricultural Organisations.

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

Technical Issues

Hello all, I'm still trying to sort out the sound quality issues, I'm aware that the last few episodes using the iPhone or the hand held recorder have had some background noise, and the sound quality on the new mic was nbearable for some. I don't want to put up a new episode that others can't listen to, so I'm still wrestling with that, please hang in there, I hope to be back soon.

Nic

Episode 25

Due to the sound quality, I am aiming to re-record the main points of this episode as soon as I can. Apologies.

Listeners' Map

We have a listeners' map! Please go on over to pop in a pin - I'd love to see where you all are!

Episode 24: Wonderwool Wales 2011

Hello from a blooming Cheshire Plain. In this episode, come with me as I go to Wonderwool Wales! Apologies for the occasional background noise, I've tried to even the levels out as best I could.

On my needles and spinning wheel: I've been working on a bear for the Mother Bear Project, some Baker's Dozen Squares and my sock yarn blanket. I've also tried plying the Picperfec singles into a 4 ply and it's just what I want!



At Wonderwool I met up with guzzisue from the Spinnotts (click here for more info about them) and ambermoggie at the Ravelry Meet-up area. I also spotted Jess in the finger-crocheted hat (sorry, can't remember your Rav name!) teaching Angie and Penny how to spin:



I spotted more historic mill bobbins at The Threshing Barn and bought one.


I also bought some fibre from Freyalyn's Fibres and some felted jewellery making cupkits from Bryncurl Workshops.

I also saw some sheep! First some Shetlands...



... then a gorgeous Leicester Longwool...



...and finally some Manx Loaghtan (but I only photographed the ram, not the two ewes).

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 23: Moebius or Möbius?

Hello from a blooming Cheshire Plain! This episode I share a little industrial heritage, show my maths geek credentials and ponder travel plans.

Review: Patricia Ackroyd's talk at the Cheshire WSD Guild meeting last week and the Heike Gittins workshop at Fibre and Clay.

Heike

Some of the other course delegates

What's on my wheel and needles: The Picperfec fibre continues apace, I think it's time to "swatch ply" to see how thick the finished yarn will be. The sock yarn blanket is also growing nicely and this weekend I've completed a Moebius (Möbius?) cowl in Rowan Felted Tweed and Rowan Kidsilk Haze at the worshop. Something I really like: Making travel plans! Any suggestions for the South Western states of the USA?

Upcoming Events: Wonderwool Wales at Builth Wells, Powys, 9th and 10th April; Woolfest in Cockermouth, Cumbria, 24th and 25th June; Knit Nation in London, 15th-17th July; a range of workshops at Fibre and Clay, including another Moebius Knitting workshop on 17th September and Tunisian Crochet on 10th September and 15th October.

I haven't as yet started one, but if you're interested in knitting or crocheting a bear for the Mother Bear Project, details can be found here. Sorry I was too late for your KAL/CAL, Dr Gemma!

Links: Ackroyd and Dawson; Heike Gittins' blog and the Knitsisters website; Picperfec's Etsy shop, Fluff and Stuff; Carol Feller; CogKNITive Podcast.

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 22: Er... Happy New Year?

Hello from a definitely spring-like Cheshire Plain. In this episode I grovel about my tardiness, share a story of infestation and cuddle up under my sock yarn blanket. On a technical note, apologies for the sound quality. I recorded it on my iPhone, but of course that's in an MP4 format, not MP3, so I couldn't import it into Audacity to edit, hence the hiss and the lack of theme tune. Hopefully normal service will resume next time.

What's on my hooks and needles: I finished my own Rowan Colourscape cowl over the New Year and that's the only thing I've finished all year! Ravelry details here.



I have however knitted and crocheted some squares for the Baker's Dozen swaps:







Pictures of the squares I've received are here.

I'm also working on my sock yarn blanket, so here are the photos from this morning:





Something I really like: My Fitflop Mukluk boots. Mine are in chocolate!

Upcoming events: A variety of courses from Purl City Yarns in Manchester; Moebius Knitting at Fibre and Clay on 26th March; Cheshire SWD Guild spinning at Norton Priory (16th April) and Dunham Massey (7th and 8th May)

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