Yarns from the Plain

Yarns from the Plain

By Nic
Download on the App Store

Yarns from the Plain episodes

  • Episode 27: Catching Up
    Hello AGAIN from the Cheshire Plain! This is the last episode in this marathon catching up session, honest!
    We have a listeners' map! Please go on over to pop in a pin - I'd love to see where you all are!
    In this episode I talked about various events linked to the Cheshire Spinning Guild (the Ravelry Group for the Guild is here), including the Exhibition at Dunham Massey and the trip to Woolfest. I also mentioned the Wool Experience and the gorgeous ice cream at Blaze Farm.
    Here is the Great Wheel in use at Blaze Farm:
    I also attended a Woolly Wormhead sideways hat workshop at Fibre & Clay, based on her book Going Straight. My hat needs maybe an hour's more work before it's finished.
    And talking of finishing... which of these should I finish first?
    1.Posh Yarn Featherweight cardigan 2. Poshman Mittens 3. Stripy Noro Messenger Bag 4. Modern Quilt Wrap 5. Tank Top in Noro Kuryon Sock Yarn 6. Lizard Ridge Afghan 7. Olympic Medal Socks (I'll probably take these on holiday anyway) 8. Pondemonium child's stranded sweater 9. Best of Both Whirls Cushion 10. Double Vision Cushion 11. Hipknits Silk Aran Fair Isle Cardigan
    So leave me a message here, drop me an email or post in the Ravelry forum!
    And finally.... which is THE yarn shop to visit in San Francisco?

    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]. 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
    37 min
  • Episode 26: Best In Show?
    Hello from a wet Cheshire Plain. OK, it's raining, but after the heatwave I've experienced over the last week, I'm enjoying feeling cooler! Sadly I'm still arguing with the new mic, so I've used the hand-held again.
    We have a listeners' map! Please go on over to pop in a pin - I'd love to see where you all are!
    This episode is sub-titled the ME, ME, ME show (thanks Louise!) and features a detailed run down of the items I entered in the Oxfordshire County and Thame Show at the weekend.
    Firstly for the Knitting Class, I submitted my Mint Choc Chip scarf, which is the Chevron Scarf from Last Minute Knitted Gifts.
    In the Baby Knitting, I made this sweater, the February Baby Sweater from the Knitter's Almanac. I found meleliza's Ravelry notes very helpful.
    For the Crochet Class, I made the Circles Scarf by Linda Permann (details of my project here).
    For the Embroidered Picture, I finished this that has been lurking in my embroidery UFO bin for a very long time. The motifs are based on those in Jo Verso's World of Cross Stitch, and the composition inspired by one of hers, but the final design is mine.
    For the Beadwork Class, I entered my first ever piece of beadwork (other than simply threading beads onto a string), which I learnt on a course at The Bead Trail at Blakemere Craft Centre, Sandiway.
    In the Item made from Recycled Materials, I entered a gift bag made from the Financial Times.
    For the Three Handmade Cards Class I entered two Lacé designs (the Golden Wedding and Birthday cards) and one iris folding design (New Baby).
    The entry into the Cushion Class involved some "teach yourself" skills, namely wet felting and needle felting. The main fabric was made from two shades of grey carded Gotland fleece from Eden Gotland Sheep, with the creamy white curls from May Hill Gotlands ([email protected]) in the Forest of Dean and the dark curls from Diesel from the Pedwardine Gotland flock in South Lincolnshire needlefelted onto the finished cushion.
    Finally I entered 98g/382 yds of 2ply handspun made from Yummy Yarns UK carded batts (merino, bamboo, silk, firestar and mohair threads) in the Duchess of Cambridge colourway.
    I also entered these photos, too:
    "Stick Dressing, Northumberland County Show" for "Country Life"
    "Elmer in the Garden, Eating Lupins" for "My Pet"
    And here is the Thame Show Trophy, for the most points in the Handicrafts Section. Don't get over-awed, it's only six inches high!

    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]. 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
    55 min
  • Episode 25.2: Do-over
    Hello from a sunny Cheshire Plain. Apologies for the long delay in re-recording this. Even now, I haven't quite worked out the new mic as I needed to swap to the hand-held recorder for the last part.
    We have a listeners' map! Please go on over to pop in a pin - I'd love to see where you all are!
    On my needles and spinning wheel: Between Episode 24 and the beginning of May, I finished two bears for the Mother Bear Project. I also plied more of the the Picperfec singles into a 4 ply with a view to making a Liesl.
    Otto
    Coco
    Review: Sock Yarn One-Skein Wonders, edited by Judith Durant, published by Storey Publishing.
    Agricultural Shows: I'm gearing up for the Oxfordshire County and Thame Show on the 30th July. I also mention the following shows:
    Wigtown Show: 3rd August
    Bakewell Show: 3rd&4th August
    Fishguard Show: 5th August
    Cranleigh Show: 7th August
    Sedgefield Show: 14th August
    Gillingham & Shaftsbury Show: 17th August
    Hawkshead Show: 23rd August
    Poynton Show: 27th August
    Bucks County Show: 1st September
    A full events calendar can be found on the website of the Association of Agricultural Organisations.

    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]. 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
    37 min
  • 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.blogspot.com/, or email me at [email protected]. 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
    16 min
  • 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.blogspot.com/, or email me at [email protected]. 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
    1 hr
  • 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.blogspot.com/, or email me at [email protected]. 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
    20 min
  • 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.blogspot.com/, or email me at [email protected]. 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
    18 min
  • 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 announce the winner of the draw for the Boysenberry Biffle+ from Easy Knits.
    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: [email protected]
    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.blogspot.com/, or email me at [email protected]. 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
    29 min

About Yarns from the Plain

From the publisher's feed

A UK-based podcast for knitters, crocheters and anyone who loves to play with yarn!

More shows like Yarns from the Plain

The SweetGeorgia Show by Felicia Lo: Founder & Creative Director of SweetGeorgia Yarns

The SweetGeorgia Show

75 Listeners