Episode 79: Madness

Hello from Bedlam…. In this episode, I probably repeat myself about some Works in Progress, smile at some crocheted critters and explain what’s happening in my world...

Works in Progress
Here’s the second pair of Saartje’s Booties…

I’ve worked on some ideas from the Amy Singer workshop and I’ve worked a bit on a Hannah Fettig Sock Sweater in Hazel Knits Artisan Sock in Chocolatier for another baby in the family.
I’ve also been working on the Woolly Wormhead Mystery Hat Knit-A-Long in Fyberspates Vivacious DK. Yum!

I’ve not knit for a week or so because I’ve been spinning samples from Fiberholics UK into a random bobbin of singles. Suppliers include Lime Green Jelly, Knitter Scarlet, Porpoise Fur and Manda Crafts.

I’m currently spinning the second bobbin ready to ply with the first.

Last week I went to Manchester and made this:

Impressive, huh? Well maybe not, but here are some really great pieces:

Madness Part 1
I’ve been dyeing to show you these (groan!)

Breaking News: I now have an Etsy Shop! It can be found at https://www.etsy.com/shop/YarnsFromThePlain

Madness Part 2: Aimee from Knit.Spin.Cake and I are hosting a knitting and spinning retreat! Thursday 20th to Sunday 23rd February 2014 in Chester. Rooms are £140; however if you would be prepared to share then this price is reduced as the house is a fixed rate. This price covers accommodation for the three nights, food on Thursday night and breakfasts. Remaining meals and the itinerary will be agreed by the attendees later. If you are interested, please PM me on Ravelry (I’m talesfromtheplain) or drop me an email at yarnsfromtheplainATgooglemailDOTcom. OMG!

Upcoming Events
Janefrogged on Ravelry has sent up the knitsignal, asking for contributions towards the yarnstorming of Ampthill linked to Fibre East next year. To help out, please contact her on Ravelry or by email at jckclayATgmail.com.

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

Make Contact!
We have a listeners' map. Please go on over to pop in a pin - we're covering 5 continents now but I'd still love to see where you all are! Please feel free to leave a comment here or at http://www.yarnsfromtheplain.podbean.com/, or email me at yarnsfromtheplain AT googlemail DOT 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.

TTFN,
Nic x Listen to this episode

Episode 78: A Brief Message

Hello from a pre-sunrise Oxfordshire! This is a brief episode simply to highlight the Manchester Hyperbolic Coral Reef and the drop in sessions that are taking place today, 9th November 2013, Sunday 17th November and Sunday 1st December, all 1pm to 4.30pm at the Manchester Museum on Oxford Road.details can be found here. I've lifted this from the Ravelry group:

First off, and really importantly, all contributions should be made in synthetic yarn only. This is because the kind of creepy crawlies who munch through natural fibres are just the blighters who also munch through precious ancient artefacts. It’s a great excuse to use up your squeaky synthetics or have an excuse to buy that dirt cheap acrylic that’s keeps on tempting you in the pound shop!
Secondly, to avoid our coral reef ending up looking like a big pile of multicolour jumble, we’ll be sticking to a limited palette of greens, blues, purples, whites and creams if possible. A few brighter colours can be used as edgings or for small detailing but if we stick to the palette it’ll give us the opportunity to pick out starfish, anemones etc. in brighter colours later. Nice!

If you are in a knitting group please get everyone involved! There will be sessions at the Museum that you might want to come along to or please feel free to crack on at home.
You can drop off or post any contributions c/o Wendy Gallagher at

The Manchester Museum,
The University of Manchester,
Oxford Road,
Manchester, M13 9PL

Patterns can be found here.

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

Make Contact!
We have a listeners' map. Please go on over to pop in a pin - we're covering 5 continents now but I'd still love to see where you all are! Please feel free to leave a comment here or at http://www.yarnsfromtheplain.podbean.com/, or email me at yarnsfromtheplain AT googlemail DOT 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 x Listen to this episode