Yarns from the Plain

Hello from a sunny yet cold Cheshire Plain. In this episode I talk about the wanderer returning, wander with a wonderful friend and wonder at Wonderwool Wales.

What's on my needles, hooks and wheel: Not much knitting or crochet in the last fortnight. Work's been busy and any spare fibre moment has been spent at my wheel. I've spun about 60g of merino tops bought at Wonderwool Wales last year into an as yet unspecified 2-ply yarn. Lumpy in places, but well balanced (like me, perhaps?)

Over the Bank Holiday weekend I did finish the last of the NYOBE Round 5 squares.

Review: Wonderwool Wales. A brilliant time, with a fairly restrained amount of shopping I feel...

Believe me, I could have bought an awful lot more! I mention pretty much everything in the podcast and link to it below, but when I looked at the photo I realised I didn't mention the glorious dyed oatmeal BFL from The Thylacine. Bad podcaster!

Want to go? Next year's dates are Saturday 9th and Sunday 10th April 2011.

Links: Knitwitches; Sheepfold; DT Crafts & Design; Sparkleduck; The Threshing Barn; Black Mountain Alpacas

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

There's now a Ravelry group for the podcast, which can be found here.

Feel free to leave a comment here or at http://www.yarnsfromtheplain.blogspot.com/, or email me at [email protected]. You can find me on Ravelry as talesfromtheplain.

Nic

Hello from an eerily silent Cheshire Plain. In this episode I talk about the lack of background noise, urge people to exercise their democratic responsibility and admit to a guilty change of allegiance (oh fickle creature!).

On my needles and hooks: Mainly blanket squares, either from the Schuyler Blanket...

or for NYOBE blocks.

Review: Jamie Possum Paints DK

Something I really like: Matt Smith in Doctor Who!

Forthcoming events: the General Election on 6th May - make sure you are registered to vote here; Wonderwool Wales on 24th & 25th April 2010 at the Royal Welsh Showground, Builth Wells, Powys.

Hello from the Plain! This episode I celebrate my own making and doing and talk about the recent Make, Do and Knit event from Liverpool.

On my needles, hooks and spindle: I finished seaming the stripy sweater...

and the missing bear... I finished crocheting blocks for NYOBE Round 5:

and I finished spinning the Shetland Top and then plied it:

Make, Do and Knit, Liverpool

A lovely relaxed atmosphere at the show, from the Blue Coat School at Liverpool (exterior and interior shots of the chapel).

Did you spot the cobweb?

There was a chance to see the Knitted Poem, although not in all its unrolled glory!

Upcoming Events: In reverse order: Woolly Wormhead at Fibre & Clay, Knutsford, July 17th/18th; Wonderwool Wales, Royal Welsh Showground, Builth Wells, Powys, April 24th & 25th Dr Who!!!! BBC1, 6.20pm, Saturday 3rd April

Links: Electric Sheep; CogKNITive Podcast; Mother Bear Project; Purlesque; Poetry Society; Kraft Koala; Babylonglegs; Fyberspates; Natural Dye Studio; Jamie Possum ; Just Call Me Ruby.

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

There's now a Ravelry group for the podcast, which can be found here. Feel free to leave a comment here or at http://www.yarnsfromtheplain.blogspot.com/, or email me at [email protected]. You can find me on Ravelry as talesfromtheplain.

Nic

Hello from a damp but spring-like Cheshire Plain! In this episode I talk about slumping, indie dyers, Yarn Forward magazine and blow my chance of being an extra in Larkrise to Candleford.

What's on my needles: The stripy jumper is nearly done, just some seaming to go!

Review: The Friday Night Knitting Club: Knit 2 by Kate Jacobs

Something I really like:;Fibre and Clay in Knutsford.

Links: Abstract Cat Crafts; lollipop.yarn and also at My LYS; The Sanguine Gryphon; A Verb For Keeping Warm; Pigeonroof Studios; Freckle Face Fibers;

There's now a Ravelry group for the podcast, which can be found here. Don't forget the Liverpool Make, Do and Knit next weekend, 27th and 28th March. I'll be there on Saturday, please say hello if you see me!

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

Feel free to leave a comment here or at http://www.yarnsfromtheplain.blogspot.com/, or email me at [email protected]. You can find me on Ravelry as talesfromtheplain.

Nic

Hello, from a very tired and rambling podcaster. In this episode I pause a lot, lose the thread, talk about going cold turkey and let the cat significantly reduce the audio quality.

Links: Make, Do and Knit

Back next week, hopefully with some knitting done and some sleep!

Nic

Hello from an almost spring-like Cheshire Plain! Today I talk about the Ravelympics and the Knitting Olympics, review my first full mitten pattern and squee over 9 foot of striped novelty yarn:

On the Hooks and Needles: For the Ravelympics I've been working on the Chocolate Stripe tunic/dress from Knitting Noro by Jane Ellison...

... and my Poshman Mittens, David Schulz's Northman Mittens in two colours of Posh Yarn Emily.

I've also been producing 12x12 inch squares for the fifth round of NYOBE (Not Your Ordinary Block Exchange), but I have no photos yet as most aren't finished, and produced these two squares for a Schuyler Blanket in memory of Juan.

Review: Northman Mittens by David Schulz of Southern Cross Fibre

Something I really like: Independent hand-dyed yarns. What makes your heart sing? Let me know!

Links: Life as a Nuurdy Girl podcast

Schuyler Blanket Project (Ravelry group and webpage)

Woolly Thoughts Posh Yarn The Knitting Goddess

Krafty Koala

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

Feel free to leave a comment here or at http://www.yarnsfromtheplain.blogspot.com/, or email me at [email protected]. You can find me on Ravelry as talesfromtheplain.

Nic

Hello from a sunny Cheshire! In this episode I talk about the danger of discounts, hopes for Spring and how 70,000 people can make the hairs on the back of my neck stand up.

On the Hooks and Needles: Sparkly Monkeys are done! Hurrah!! I've also completed three blocks for my Shuyler Blanket and cast on a new pair of socks (no photos yet).

Something I really like: RBS Six Nations Rugby!

Links: NYOBE; The Fancy Yarn Specialists (can't find a Web link, maybe the sign said "Fancy Yarn Co.", they do offer a mail order service 01944 711616) ; CogKNITive Podcast The Black Sheep Schuyler Blanket Project (Ravelry group and webpage). Posh Yarn

Music: Rondopolska by Barry Philips, from the album Tråd, available from Magnatune. Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau (Land of My Fathers)

Feel free to leave a comment here or at www.yarnsfromtheplain.blogspot.com, or email me at [email protected]. You can find me on Ravelry as talesfromtheplain.

Nic

Hello from the grey and somewhat dreary Cheshire Plain here in the North-West of England. In this episode I talk about feeling better, splitting yarn and introduce you to the Wrong Bongs.

On the Hooks and Needles: Squares for three Shuyler Blankets (details here) and a knitted bear (currently MIA!).

Review: Rowan 47

Something I really like: Parcels!

Links: Electric Sheep; CogKNITive Podcast; Schuyler Blanket Project (Ravelry group and webpage); Mother Bear Project; Posh Yarn; The Knitting Goddess; Socktopus

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

Feel free to leave a comment here or at www.yarnsfromtheplain.blogspot.com, or email me at [email protected]. You can find me on Ravelry as talesfromtheplain.

Nic

A promo for the podcast!

Hello from the frost-bitten Cheshire Plain here in the North-West of England! In this episode I talk about snow, labyrinthitis and get cross with the cat.

On the Needles: I talk about the Sparkly Monkeys, which now have a pair of legs, consider the negative progress made with the Sock Yarn Blanket, ponder the fun that can be had with Scarf Journeys (details here and here) and Traveling Scarves (mine is here, although full photos are not yet up as it's not quite fully finished - oops!), and admire the strength and love involved in making squares for the Schuyler Blanket Project (Ravelry group and webpage).

Review: Regia X-mas, a 4 ply wool, nylon and metallic thread blend sold in 100g balls and six festive colours.

Something I really like: My new Nespresso coffee machine!

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

Feel free to leave a comment, or email me at [email protected]. You can find me on Ravelry as talesfromtheplain.

Nic