Episode 70: Midsummer Madness

Finished Objects
There is progress sin my preparation for the Oxfordshire County & Thame Show. I've so far completed three more projects for classes: a pair of oven mitts from recycled clothing (no pictures yet), my Northman stranded mittens and a pair of baby bootees from a Sirdar Snuggly 3ply pattern (Ravelry details here). I've also finished knitting the I-cord on the stripy Noro messenger bag and fulled it in the washing machine. Now it needs to be lined.

In The Weaving Shed
I've been working on the 32" Rigid Heddle loom, making a houndstooth pattern. The brown is chocolate Jacob, the white is a blend of British wool, both from Wool City Wools available from Texere. This will become a cushion.

Further Show Prep
A Clothkits rag doll has been sewn, although she has no dress yet. One and half cards have been made. A half finished beaded necklace has been fished out of the WIPs bin and it is moving apace, as is a long stitch embroidery of a nuclear power and reprocessing plant. No, seriously. What do you mean you haven't got one?

Still no pictures I'm afraid!

Here's some Merino Silk blend I've spun on the Joy, which is now being knitted into the Peacock Shawlette by Kitman Figueroa.

Something I Really Like
Cancer Research's Race For Life 5k races. I'm running at Tatton Park on Sunday 30th June in memory of my Uncle Jeff. If you could spare a few coppers and would like to sponsor me for the event, my just giving page is here.  Thank you.

Links



Upcoming Events
Woolfest, 28-29 June 2013, Cockermouth, Cumbria;
The Wool Experience, 6 July 2013, Blaze Farm, Wildboarclough;
Fibre East, 27-28 July 2013, Ampthill, Bedford;
Yarndale, 28-29th September 2013, Skipton.

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

Episode 69: It's That Time Of Year Again!

Hello from a delayed episode recorded in May. Reports and a family bereavement conspired to throw me into a flat spin and I didn't edit this for ages. Apologies for the delay. It'll probably be like buses - there'll be another episode along in a few minutes... ;)

On and Off The Needles
I have cast on another Adrift, this time in some 4 ply from John Arbon Textiles. It's gone well, but it currently languishing as I slooooooowly unpick the cast on. Ravelry details here.

The Tomten Jacket (Ravelry details here) STILL hasn't had the zip sewn in (I'm such a chicken!).

I crocheted these Easy Victorian Shell Mitts by Bron Green in DT Crafts 100% BFL Aran in an afternoon. Gotta love crochet!

Show Prep
Yes indeedy! I'm gearing up to enter several classes in the Oxfordshire County & Thame Show. If you are in the area on Saturday 13th July, do go. It's a great day out. I'm bringing a pair of stranded mittens and the stripy Noro messenger bag out of the WIP bin for some of the classes, as well as working on a number of other projects that are not yet photographed or completed. More details later!

In A Spin
Here's some Merino Silk blend I've spun on the Joy, which may well become a shawl or scarf for the show.

I don't think it's 54 wpi here though!

Something I Really Like
The Great British Sewing Bee

Links
Clothkits
Coldharbour Mill
Bohemian Rhapsody Wrap

Upcoming Events
Woolfest, 28-29 June 2013, Cockermouth, Cumbria;
Fibre East, 27-28 July 2013, Ampthill, Bedford;
Yarndale, 28-29th September 2013, Skipton.

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

Episode 68: Knitting & Crochet Blog Week 2013

A little mini-episode to tie in with this year's Knitting and Crochet Blog Week, organised by Eskimimi. If you want to find any of the blogposts, you need to seach for the special tags listed here on Eskimimi's blog. My entries can be found on my pre-podcast blog, Tales From The Plain.

Look! A finished object!

It's the Adrift knit in the Natural Dye Studio Sirene. I've already cast on another, in Exmoor blueface, a sample run 4 ply by John Arbon Textiles. I'll be wearing it at Wonderwool tomorrow, Saturday 27th April. See you there!

Episode 67: Zips and Lips

Hello from an almost Springlike Cheshire Plain, specifically the carpark in the Blakemere Craft Village! In this episode I waffle on about the weather (again!), review something I've never reviewed before and just shake my head in despair at my knitterly ADHD.

What's On The Needles?
Zipping along on the Tomten:

 

I've also swatched for a seamless yoke sweater by Elizabeth Zimmermann (I blame A Playful Day ;) !), using some of the Sheepfold blues and purples and cream left over from my Woolsack cushions. This is one idea for some colourwork....



...and this is the first part of the hem, with the picot row worked.

Review
Inspector Norse by Lipservice Theatre

Something I Really Like
The Killing

Upcoming Events
Wingham Woolwork Fibre Sampling Workshop, 6th April 2013, Frodsham Community Centre;

Wonderwool Wales, 27-28 April 2013, Builth Wells, Powys;
Woolfest, 28-29 June 2013, Cockermouth, Cumbria;
Fibre East, 27-28 July 2013, Ampthill, Bedford;
Yarndale, 28-29th September 2013, Skipton.


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

Episode 66: Daffodils, Crocuses and Penguins, Oh My!

Hello from a distinctly un-Springlike Cheshire Plain... brrr!

On The Needles

I've completed the waist decreases on Adrift, but I've decided to lengthen it and add some complimentary increases. Ravelry details of my project are here. I've also knit and crocheted some bunting triangles for the Guild's bunting, using the Sheepfold Clotted Cream I dyed a year ago.

 

Yesterday I cast on a Tomten by Elizabeth Zimmerman for a new arrival in the family.

 

Oh the Joy!
No progress pictures, but I have spun some more purple BFL on the Traddy and more green merino/silk blend on the Joy. The Traddy's had a good scrub down and wax too.

Holiday Souvenir Competition
We have a winner! Listen to find out who won one of these yarns from La Droguerie.

Something I Really Like
The National Gallery. Here's Whistlejacket, Mr & Mrs Andrews and Seurat's Bathers at Asnières.

Upcoming Events
Wingham Woolwork Fibre Sampling Workshop, 6th April 2013, Frodsham Community Centre;

Wonderwool Wales, 27-28 April 2013, Builth Wells, Powys;
Woolfest, 28-29 June 2013, Cockermouth, Cumbria;
Fibre East, 27-28 July 2013, Ampthill, Bedford;
Yarndale, 28-29th September 2013, Skipton.


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

Episode 65: On The Road

Hello from the M6, via a very long delay... sorry! In this episode I celebrate our mini KAL, talk about a new toy and swoon a little over Mr Thornton.


On The Needles

A few more rows on Adrift by Carol Feller at Stolen Stitches. Ravelry details of my project are here. I've also worked some more rows on the Mini-Mania Scarf by Sarah Core. Ravelry details of my project are here. This is a free pattern, so join me in a knit-a-long.

Oh the Joy!
We have become a two-wheel family, with the acquisition of a lightly used Ashford Joy. Bliss!

Holiday Souvenir Competition
Don't forget, to be in ith a chance of winning one of these yarns from La Droguerie, leave a comment or message me before the end of February.

Something I Really Like
Netflix

Upcoming Events
Unravel, 23-24 February 2013, The Maltings, Farnham, Surrey;
Wonderwool Wales, 27-28 April 2013, Builth Wells, Powys;
Woolfest, 28-29 June 2013, Cockermouth, Cumbria;
Fibre East, 27-28 July 2013, Ampthill, Bedford


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

Episode 64: Resolved

Hello from a crisp Cheshire Plain! In this episode I admit to a thick head, update you on some works in progress and share some New Year's Resolutions.

Future Knits
Owls by Kate Davies
Portulaca by Carol Feller

On The Needles

Adrift by Carol Feller at Stolen Stitches. Ravelry details of my project are here.

Mini-Mania Scarf by Sarah Core. Ravelry details of my project are here.

 

This is a free pattern, so join me in a knit-a-long.

In The Weaving Shed
I whipped up another Mobius cowl in a Saori style. Ravelry details of my project are here.

 

 

Details of how to make a Mobius Cowl can be found in this Ravelry forum page where there is a link to this Picasa Web Album. There are notes on each photo to explain what to do.

Something I Really Like
Craftsy

Upcoming Events
Creative Stitches & Hobbycrafts Show at Manchester, Glasgow, Birmingham, London and Exeter at various points through the year, starting woith Manchester 7-9 February 2013;
Wonderwool Wales, 27-28 April 2012, Builth Wells, Powys;
Woolfest, 28-29 Junes, Cockermouth, Cumbria;
Fibre East, 27-28 July, Ampthill, Bedford

Links
New Lanark Mills;
Natural Dye Studio Murder on the Moor Club

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