Episode 77: Stick A Fork In Me Baby, I'm Done!

Halloooo from somewhere on the M6. In this episode I share finished objects (wahay!), shake my head in despair at how easily I'm distracted and look forward to an impromptu workshop.

Off The Needles

The Every Baby Sweater by Taiga Hilliard.

Saartje's Bootees by Saartje de Bruijn.

Oh The Joy!

I have completed the Neon Rainbow Merino/Nylon from Krafty Koala, and nearly finished plying it. No photos I'm afraid. It might become a Revontuli when it grows up.

Something I Really Like

Workshops of any kind!

Here are the finished items in the kiln after the workshop Mum & I took at Crafts From The Dungeon the other week. Bee has since attached the pendants, earrings and cuff links to jewellery findings.

Links
Subway Knits podcast
Stitched Together Podcast
Left Coast Yarns
Hannah Fettig Sock Yarn Sweater
Hazel Knits

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 76: Colour Theory

Hello everyone. Where did September go?


Yarndale
I didn't record any audio at Yarndale, as it was all a bit overwhelming to be honest. I really shouldn't go to shows when I'm a bit tired and wired, as I buy way more stuff than I need or can process into anything else! It was lovely to meet up with fellow podcasters Jo from Shinybees and Aimee from Knit.Spin.Cake. For a full sharing of my goodies, please listen to Episode 12 of the Shinybees podcast.

Finished Objects

 

In the near two months since I recorded last, I have finished just one sock, a test knit. Pathetic!

On the Needles and Hooks
During the second week of the holiday I cast on a pair of socks using the sock stripe yarn from The Knitting Goddess that I picked up at Fibre East. These are currently stalled not far from the cuff and susequently mislaid (eek!).

 

When I got back from holiday I decided to join in the Mystery Sock-A-Long on the APlayfulDay podcast group, but haven't got far on those because I can't seem to pick up the lace pattern easily (limited details here). These are in the same project bag as the stripey socks, ergo they too are missing. Then at the end of August I cast on a Chevron Pullover in Noro Kureyon as part of the Stitched Together podcast's Craft-Library-a-long. Completed the sleeves within a fortnight but have now slowed down due to limited bandwidth.

On the coach back form Yarndale last week I started crocheting an Iris scarf in NDS Dazzle HT as part of a kit I bought but this photo was taken once it crashed to a halt over the pale greeny-blue top left. This has now been removed!

Last night I also picked up the Dorothy in Sublime merino DK that I bought with my prize winnings form Thame Show.

Crafting ADHD? Moi?

Something I Really Like
Parkrun!

Upcoming Events
Knitting and Stitching Show, 10-13th October 2013, Alexandra Palace;
Crafts From The Dungeon Open Days, Frodsham, 16th & 17th October 2013
Cheshire Guild Friendship Day, Frodsham Community Centre, 19th October 2013
Bakewell Wool Gathering, 19-20th October 2013, Bakewell;
Knitting and Stitching Show, 21-24th November 2013, Harrogate.

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 75: Hatopia

A mini-episode if you will, spreading the word about Hatopia a limited edition by Woolly Wormhead. Full details about the collection can be found at http://www.woollywormhead.com/hatopia/ .

Photo ©Woolly Wormhead

Here is the Official Statement:


Official Statement
The Mutoid Waste Company arrived in Santarcangelo di Romagna, Italy in 1990 to perform in that year's "Festival Dei Teatri", a renowned annual festival held in the town. From that time on Santarcangelo became a base for the group and it became their home. Their art, their way of life and they themselves became an accepted part of life in Santarcangelo. Over the last 23 years they have increasingly collaborated on projects with local institutions such as schools, and their ties with the local community have strengthened. In recent years some of the Mutoids have chosen the Yard as a safe place to raise their own children.
The Yard is unique: a place that follows the rules whilst living completely outside them, a place that advocates an alternative outlook on life, a place that allows people to discover new things - and it's wonderful that such a place is considered a true part of Santarcangelo and that the locals readily accept the Yard as part of their community.
Despite these many years of mutually respectful cohabitation there is one voice that has continually spoken against the Mutoids presence; a single objector who now seriously threatens this culturally important phenomenon.
Mutonia is not a campsite (even though its inhabitants live in caravans, buses, trucks and temporary constructions that look more like works of art than houses); it's not a standard travellers site (although many of its inhabitants have a semi-nomadic lifestyle); and the group have never illegally occupied the land.
In recent years Santarcangelo's local council has been searching for a solution to the situation, seeking help from other government bodies, with the ultimate aim of declaring the Mutoid Yard as a Site of Cultural Interest.
Unfortunately the Yard currently finds itself under a very real and serious threat of eviction - a reality which would not only destroy this unique community but also disperse its inhabitants and their artwork.

Here are the links I mentioned in the episode:
How You Can Help

For each copy of this eBook sold, Woolly will donate £7 (approx. $11/€8) to the legal fund. she states: "You can help us reach our fundraising target by spreading the word: by tweeting and retweeting links, by posting and liking on Facebook or by talking about this eBook on your blog or website. http://www.woollywormhead.com/hatopia/
The 'Pro Mutoid' page on Facebook is the online hub for our cause. 'Liking' the page will keep you up to date with news, reviews, support and more. Many of the posts will be in Italian, and as much as the online translators aren't perfect, they offer a great service! https://www.facebook.com/ProMutoid
We also have an official online petition, in both English and Italian, which is hosted at change.org, one of the largest websites for online petitions and worthwhile causes: https://www.change.org/petitions/salvate-mutonia
Thank you for all your help, it is greatly appreciated."

Go on. 10 patterns for £9? what's not to like?

Episode 74: Snatched Moments

Snatching a moment to speak to you all between filling a skip and trying to get on top of the ironing! This episode is accompanied by spinning on the Traddy.


On and Off the Needles and Hooks
I've cast on a Liesl in an early handspun, but not got very far with it. I've knit two cowls as a test knit for Knit.Spin.Cake (details here and here). I've also cast on another test knit, a sock with travelling cables (no Rav notes yet). I've also bought some Sublime merino DK in raspberry pink to crochet a Dorothy.

Spin It!
Currently I'm spinning a rainbow braid bought ages ago from Krafty Koala on the Joy and a large carded batt of grey Jacob from Shearer Girl Yarns.

Fibre East Goodies
In 67 minutes I got quite  lot! I bought yarns from the Knitting Goddess, fibre from Fluff'n'Stuff, LongdrawJames, Shearer Girl Yarns and the Wool Room, some throwsters' waste, some Knitpro Karbonz and some mill-soiled undyed sockyarn from Texere. I also bought a new spindle from Spin City UK.

Out and About
We went to Highclere Castle - great for Downton Abbey fans!

Something I Really Like
Podcasts - this episode I talk about a newer podcast, Stitched Together and an old favourite, CogKNITive.

Upcoming Events
Yarndale, 28-29th September 2013, Skipton;
Knitting and Stitching Show, 11-14th October 2013, Alexandra Palace;
Bakewell Wool Gathering, 19-20th October 2013, Bakewell.

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

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Episode 73: Putting Louise Out Of Her Misery...

Hello from my garden here on the Plain. Not to self - don't place the iPhone on the same level as the Joy when recording in the garden in future! Sorry if you find the spinning noise annoying; at least it didn't squeak :)

Fleece to Finished
Thanks to Bee for these photos from the event.

From left to right: Annie's Best Coat, 4 hours 50 minutes; Elsibett, 4 hours 30 minutes; Whole Lotta Rosie 3 hours 58 minutes.

Tour de Fleece

From left to right:
16g, 28 yds of Rosie 2 ply
6g, 8.66 yds of Annie 2ply. These are the bits left on my Joy bobbins after our Guild Fleece to Finished challenge.
105g, 148 yds HilltopCloud Superwash BFL/Ramie, spun and plied as a 3-ply on the Joy.
73g, 271.5 yds BFL I’d dyed lilac myself and spun last year - final 15g spun on the Traddy and then plied as a 2-ply on the Joy.
107g, 476 yds of Shunklies Cheviot spun last year and plied as a 2-ply on the Traddy.
106g, 139yds HilltopCloud Superwash BFL/Ramie, spun and plied as a 2-ply on the Joy.
6g, 25yds Ashford merino/silk lurking on a bobbin (left over from the spinning for the Peacock Shawlette) and plied as a 2-ply on the Joy.
10g, 33yds of raw alpaca purchased from Great House Alpacas, spun and plied as a 2-ply on my spindle.
19g, 71yds of HilltopCloud hand blended in Shetland/merino/llama/fire star, spun and plied on my spindle.

Show Report
I saw alpaca...

It was very hot...

 If you get a chance at a show, you must see the Lamb National!

OK, onto the exhibits...

 

  

Three handmade cards......                            ....and the knitted/crocheted baby item.

  

Rag doll...                                                             ....and creative embroidered picture.

 

      

 

Item made from recycled materials (oven mitts)...                 ...and a beaded necklace.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item of felting....                           ...Hand or machine made bag

 

 

Knitting: Advanced...                                                             ....Cushion, any medium.

 

 

Bottom: Item of other craft, inspired by favourite book.

Top: Item of handspun yarn, knitted or woven - along with the Diploma for best exhibit.

 

Upcoming Events
Fibre East, 27-28 July 2013, Ampthill, Bedford;
Yarndale, 28-29th September 2013, Skipton;
Knitting and Stitching Show, 11-14th October 2013, Alexandra Palace;
Bakewell Wool Gathering, 19-20th October 2013, Bakewell.

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 72

Some (not so) brief ramblings, the night before the show... apologies, not been edited to remove ums...

Something I Really Like
My new Ultra-Fine Blocking Wires

Upcoming Events
Fibre East, 27-28 July 2013, Ampthill, Bedford;
Yarndale, 28-29th September 2013, Skipton
Bakewell Wool Gathering, 19-20th October, Bakewell

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 71: A Week To go!

Well, there was when I recorded it anyway!

Links
Ruth Packham
Woolyknit
Hilltop Cloud
Crafts From The Dungeon

Something I Really Like
The Pompeii and Herculaneum Exhibition at the British Museum

Upcoming Events
Fibre East, 27-28 July 2013, Ampthill, Bedford;
Yarndale, 28-29th September 2013, Skipton
Bakewell Wool Gathering, 19-20th October, Bakewell

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