Yarns from the Plain


A podcast for knitters, crocheters and anyone else who loves playing with yarn!

Episodes can be downloaded from iTunes, directly from http://yarnsfromtheplain.podbean.com or streamed using the widget below.

Friday, 22 April 2011

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!

Sunday, 17 April 2011

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

Monday, 28 March 2011

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

Sunday, 13 March 2011

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:



Europe II for andigal

Europe I for danioma

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

Wednesday, 29 December 2010

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

Friday, 17 December 2010

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

Sunday, 5 December 2010

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