Yarns From The Plain

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 i

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

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 u

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/ .      

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 Cas

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 l

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.blogspot.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

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.blogspot.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

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

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

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!

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. M

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 Well

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 Rondo

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;

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.blogspot.com/, or email me at yarnsfromtheplain AT googlemail DOT com. We have a Ravelry group here, so come on over

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.yarnsfro

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. I recorded a video, although the quality isn't great since I took it on my phone, but I thought it would give you an idea. However, I can't seem to embed it here, so you'll have to visit the http://www.yarnsfromtheplain.blogspot.com/ site to view it.  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

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

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.blogspot.com/, or email me at yarnsfromtheplain AT googlemail DOT com. We have a Ravelry group here, so come on over to chat. You can