Episode 63: Pod Paaarrrty!

Hello and welcome to a celebratory episode of the podcast. It's my third podiversary - woo hoo!

Links

CaithnessCraftCollective podcast
Raspberry vodka recipe (the actual recipe is for gin but I used vodka instead)
Damson gin recipe
Christmas Pudding vodka recipe
I can't find the exact recipe I used for the Damson brandy, but you could use the Damson gin one. The reason the one we sampled was so syruppy was because I used damsons from  the freezer that had been cooked in sugar with the intention of making jam, then followed the recipe and added more sugar! If I track the recipe down, I'll post an update.

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 - we're covering 5 continents now but I'd still 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 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 62: Une carte postale de Paris

Hello all! this is an extra episode, recorded when we visited Paris earlier this year.

Here are a few snaps...  Who couldn't include the Eiffel Tower? Especially at dusk, when it's covered in twinkly lights...

Some enigmatic bird...

Naopleon III's apartments at the Louvre.

La Droguerie...

Apologies that this one is on its side. I took it on the iPad and no matter how many times I save it in the other oirientation, it's not having any of it!

Boules in front of Les Invalides...

A statue on the Pont Alexandre III. I was fascinated by the padlocks...

Look! It's Miss France!

Links
La Droguerie
Lil Weasel
The Louvre
La Musée Rodin
La  Musée du Quai Branly

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 - we're covering 5 continents now but I'd still 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 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 61: Once Upon A Christmas On Northumberland Street

Hello from an incredibly cold and windy north East of England! This episode contains another small amount of knitting, a present fail situation and some windy audio from The Toon.

Knitting

After a few rows on the Mrs Beeton mitts, I left them behind (doh!) so am making slow progress on the Adrift cardigan, a beautiful Stolen Stitches design. Still no new photos on my Ravelry details, I’m afraid.

A Festive Postcard ...from Fenwick’s window.

The quality of the video isn't great since I took it on my phone, but I thought it would give you an idea. I have no idea how many places still do this, but I know that no store in Oxford, Manchester or Liverpool does anymore.

Music

Sans Day Carrol-Sussex Carol-Deck The Halls by James Edwards (Introduction) and Shchedrik – Carol of the Bells by Kitka (closing music) from The Magnatune Collection Christmas Music. Available to subscribers from Magnatune.

We have a listeners' map. lease 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! 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 60: Under A Rock

Hello from a cold and wet Cheshire Plain. In this episode I share the world’s smallest amount of knitting, drool over some cables and share some happy and some sad news.

On The Needles: Some Mrs Beeton mitts. Ravelry details here, but no pictures yet, I’m afraid.

Review: Knitty Winter 2012

Podcaster News: The return of Life as a Nuurdygirl podcast and the awful news about KnitPurlGurl. RIP Karrie.

Links

BBC Sports Personality of the Year

Birmingham Christmas Markets

CaithnessCraftCollective podcast

Music

Sans Day Carrol-Sussex Carol-Deck The Halls by James Edwards (Introduction and segue music) and Dancing Day Part II –Coventry Carol by Stephane Potvin and the Con Brio Choir (closing music) from The Magnatune Collection Christmas Music. Available to subscribers from Magnatune.

We have a listeners' map. lease 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! 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 59: Oops I Did It Again!

Hello from a distinctly chilly Cheshire Plain! In this episode I wonder if I've lost my marbles, coo over a virtual new-born and confess my latest obsession...

On The Needles
Adrift by Stolen Stitches in Lundy by The Natural Dye Studio.

News
The Playful Baby has arrived! If you haven't listened to GreenTriangleGirl at the A Playful Day podcast, go and listen.
One of my photos was featured in a post on Saturday 24th November on the Wovember website. Please go over and browse -it's a great read.

Something I Really Like
Patchwork. Who knew?
I've been learning with Cheshire Needlecraft.

Music

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

We have a listeners' map. lease 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! 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 58: Time To Say Goodbye

Hello and welcome from an autumnal Cheshire Plain! In this episode I (finally) bid a fond farewell to a number of things close to my heart - but fret not, dear listeners, you are not amongst them!


On and Off the Needles

All Woolsack Cushions are now done! Woop woop! Since the last episode I have seamed the Make Do and Mend cushion that has a back that was knitted by Carotrike. The front was made in my own handspun that I had dyed before spinning. The blue and yellow were deliciously soft Falkland, the green was the grey Gotland that shed a lot of dodgy looking guard hairs as I spun (Details in Episode 48).

 

I also finished the cushion based on the Circle socks by Anne Campbell. I knit it in the round using Judy’s Magic Cast On to reduce seaming. It’s made from Sheepfold's lovely Clotted Cream, a blended cream aranweight yarn. I dyed what was supposed to be Union Jack red and blue, but it turned out more pink and baby blue!

I have also started an Elsa cardigan designed by the Natural Dye Studio, started and finished a Colour Affection Shawl as part of the iMake podcast knitalong...

 
and started Adrift by Stolen Stitches in  more NDS yarn.

In The Weaving Shed

The finished weaving off the loom before fulling...

 

 

 

And then afterwards. Note how the warp has fluffed up.

 

 

Here is the seamed cushion before being sent for stuffing. Full details are listed on Ravelry here.

I also snuck in a quick Saori style  Möbius cowl (details here). The photos are not great I'm afraid.

 

 

Some of the other cowls that were made during the Weave-a-long can be seen here.

Something I really like

Nicsknots' bags!

Chit Chat

It's goodbye to Woolsack, the Sticks and String podcast and Fibre & Clay. But it's hello to Ruby at home in Namibia:

Coco and Nic at home in Botswana:

and Frank and Otto at home in South Africa!

 

 

All photos courtesy of the Mother Bear photo gallery.

Competition winner!

We have our first London Souvenir winner! The first draw was from the first 100 members of the Ravelry group, and the winner is... well, you'll have to listn to find out! To be in with a chance of winning,make sure you've joined the group here or added a pin to the listeners' map!

Links

Babylonglegs
 
 
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 - we're covering 5 continents now but I'd still 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 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 xx

Episode 57: Scratching The Itch

Hello from a family bank holiday in the North East. In this episode I talk about itching to start something new and how going to a yarn show doesn't do anything to reduce the inflammation!

 On and Off the Needles
 I have seamed the handspun listener Woolsack cushion (details on this Rav page )

I also finished the little squares for the front of the Make Do and Mend cushion by Anna Elliot. The back for this was made by the lovely Carotrike. One more left on the needles, based on Circle Socks by Anne Campbell.

 In The Weaving Shed
 The actual weaving in progress. Starting off:

You can also see the yellow of the contrast clasped weft.

Keeping track:

Nearing the end...

Something I really like
The self catering accommodation at Dairy House, nr Cullompton, Devon. Details at www.dairyhouse.biz

Upcoming Events British Wool Weekend, Sept 1st & 2nd, great Yorkshire Showground. Details at britishwool.net.

Links
Woolsack
Electric Sheep podcast

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 - we're covering 5 continents now but I'd still 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 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 xx