Get Knit Done

Hello lovelies, In this episode of the podcast I am talking about how we tend to elevate male knitters, designers and dyers over other knitters, designers and dyers and why we might want to rethink that. Yep, I decided to finish the podcast with a slightly controversial episode but who doesn't want to go out with a bang.   And yes, it is the last episode of the podcast.  You will be able to find me over in the Knit Matters Facebook Group and on the Knit School YouTube Channel.  Thank you so much for listening and, for the last time, go get knit done! Michelle x

Hello lovelies,   In this week's episode I'm talking about what to think about if you are thinking about turning your hobby into a business.  Sometimes just because someone says you should, doesn't mean you should! : ) Things to think about: 1.     Why am I thinking about turning my hobby into a business?  Is it because I have a burning desire to do so or because I feel obliged to? 2.     Do I really want to run a business?  Running a business and having a hobby are very separate things and it's very easy to forget about the whole running a business bit. 3.     What type of business do I actually want? And what do I want from it? 4.     What part of my hobby do I really want to turn into a business? In next week's episode, I'm going to look at the idea that our hobbies, particularly knitting, can in some way fix us when we aren't very well or is it just turning knitting into snake oil! Now my dears, I'm away to finish outlining all of the workshops and demos for the Knit School Virtual Retreat so, as always, go get knit done! Michelle x Oh and don't forget to sign-up to the Knit School Virtual Retreat!  You can do that here at knitschool.co.uk/retreat (oh and it's free which I may have forgotten to mention!)

Hello lovelies, Welcome to Episode 29 of the Get Knit Done podcast.  I'm thrilled to be joined of Pippa Morris of PipsRainbow for our next edition of Desert Island Knits! Pippa is a crochet designer and teacher who is also a fab knitter!  We talk about the importance of crochet hooks, why you should take 4ply yarn to the island and how easy it is to get sucked into Michelle's notions. Visit the show notes for all the links to where you can find Pippa and to check out the list of awesome bits and pieces that were mentioned on today's show! Show notes: https://www.knitschool.co.uk/episode29 Check out Pippa's awesome tutorials, free patterns and reviews on her site and you'll also find Pippa on Tiktok, Insta and Facebook! Next week I'll be talking about whether or not you should turn your hobby into a business! And with that said, go get Knit done! Michelle x Don't forget to Subscribe to the podcast and share it with knitting friends!

Hello lovelies, Welcome to Episode 28 of the Get Knit Done podcast. After promising it for last week, this week I'm talking about how reading Hyperfocus by Chris Bailey to help tame my flibbertigibbet nature has helped me focus more on my knitting. In this episode I talk about the following areas from the book: 1.     Switching off autopilot mode (I originally typed Swatching off there … honestly!) 2.     The limits of your attention 3.     The Power of Hyperfocus 4.     Taming Distractions 5.     Making hyperfocus a habit There are more sections in the book but not all quite as relevant to knitting! Visit the full show notes on the podcast page and to download some free knitting resources! https://www.knitschool.co.uk/episode28  And with that said, go get Knit done … perhaps with a tiny bit more focus! Michelle x

Hello lovelies, Welcome to Episode 27 of the Get Knit Done podcast. A little change of plan this week!  The original plan was to talk about how the book Hyperfocus has changed how I think about knitting but I didn't quite get to the end of the book so I'm finally talking about 3 of the major factors in Knitting Pattern design. For me, the three key aspects of pattern design are: The Design Pattern Writing Marketing and Selling Visit the full show notes on the podcast page for full details (and to see my terrible sketching!) and to download some free knitting resources! https://www.knitschool.co.uk/episode27 I'd love to hear from anyone interested in a course in basic knitting pattern design.  Now, go get Knit done! Michelle x

Hello lovelies, Welcome to Episode 26 of the Get Knit Done podcast. This week I'm talking about the Knit School Quiz and the Wheel of Knitting.  Part of me feels like I need to justify why I have done it because I am worried that people will want to know exactly who I think I am to do such a thing! The Knit School Quiz is my way of helping knitters work out where they are on their knitting journey and find out what exciting skills there are still to explore.  One of the trickiest things about knitting is that you don't always know what you don't know and having a guide is really useful. It ties into the knitting journeys that I have put together inside Knit School so of course it's part of getting Knit School out there but then, what is the harm in that?  Again, I always feel like I must justify myself and I'm not sure why that is.  I think part of it is that the criticism online can come thick and fast but really, after 6 years of running an online business, you'd think I'd have the skin of a rhino! Part of it is that I'm very invested in the work that I have done.  I want to make a contribution to the knitting community, and I feel like this is it!  I've also received some interesting feedback about the quiz already, some of which has been helpful and some of which has definitely not been.  Of course, the best advice I have for that situation is one I should heed myself – if you wouldn't ask someone for advice, don't take their criticism! So with that said, you can find and take the quiz here.  Once you take the quiz, you'll get a copy of the Wheel of Knitting to fill in which will help you see the wool (yes, wool) for the trees! Take care lovelies.  I'll be back next week when I'll be talking about the book Hyper Focus and how it has changed how I look not only at how I work but also at how I knit! Now, go get Knit done! Michelle x Don't forget to Subscribe!   Visit the show notes on the Knit School site to get more details and download the free knitting resources!

Hello lovelies, Welcome to Episode 25 of the Get Knit Done podcast!  Still not quite back to knitting chat but closing a knitting business is knitting adjacent so I'm going to go with it : ) There were a lot of factors that went into the decision to close the Loveliest Yarn Company but mostly it's because I can't do everything and nor do I want to.  I also talk about how in time, I want to have a completely digital business that I can take home to Ireland with me and how teaching knitting is something I'm very passionate about! I think it's important to get to a point where you know what you want to do but most importantly what you are not going to do!  For me it's been an important life lesson but also a knitting one.  We all feel so much pressure to hustle all the time and I'm not sure that is good for any of us. In next week's episode, we will be back to knitting when I'll be talking about the Knit School Quiz (take it here now if you just can't wait!) and the Wheel of Knitting! Take care lovelies, now go Get Knit Done! Michelle x Don't forget to Subscribe!   Visit the show notes on the Knit School site to get more details and download the free knitting resources!

Hello lovelies, Welcome to Episode 24 of the Get Knit Done podcast, another back-in-the-saddle episode! I'm delighted to be back with you on the podcast.  In this episode, I talk about where I vanished off after June of last year including how I bit off way more than I could chew with the brioche cardigan and why, in the end, I have decided to completely change my business! I also talk about what is coming up on the podcast over the next few weeks now that I am back to regularly scheduled listening! It's a bit of a rambling episode but do stay with me, I promise we will be back to knitting chat asap! In next week's episode, I am going to go into more detail about why I'm closing the Loveliest Yarn Company and what it means for the podcast and Knit School! Take care lovelies, now go Get Knit Done! Michelle x Don't forget to Subscribe!   Visit the show notes on the Knit School site to get more details and download the free knitting resources!

Hello lovelies, Welcome to Episode 23 of the Get Knit Done podcast.  As a pattern buyer and designer but also as someone who rambles through Knitting Twitter and other knitting communities on the internet, I think there are a few harsh (depending on your view of course and very kindly put I hope) truths that we need to talk about in relation to knitting pattern pricing and in this episode, I grasp that nettle! As always, if you don't agree with me, let's talk about it but let's be kind too!  Knitting is definitely not intended to be a combat sport!  Visit the show notes here: https://learn.knitschool.co.uk/pages/23 Following on from this, rather fittingly, I hope, I have a couple of episodes planned to talk about knitting pattern design!  I'll be talking about what I see as the three different aspects of knitting pattern design and how they relate to one another but how they all need different types of attention!  Take care lovelies, Michelle If you enjoyed this episode,please rate and review as reviews and 5 star ratings help me keep the podcast going and to reach more lovely folk x

Hello lovelies, Welcome to Episode 22 of the Get Knit Done podcast, our next instalment of Desert Island Knits!  I'm joined by the amazing dyer behind Fruitful Fusion,  Ishrat Khawja! Find out how Ishrat started dyeing, her favourite thing about handdyed yarn and where you can meet her in person this year! Visit the shownotes for links to everyone mentioned in this episode: https://learn.knitschool.co.uk/pages/22  Next week I'll be talking about the 8 (ish!) Harsh Truths about knitting pattern pricing!!   Take care lovelies, Michelle PS. If you are casting on a new project, don't forget, you can get a project tracker here on the site!   

Hello lovelies, Welcome to Episode 21 of the Get Knit Done podcast. In this episode, I am talking about my choices for what I would like to be knitting at the moment if I could knit!  I narrowed it down to cardigans because, as it turns out, I didn't really feel like anything else.  The episode takes a bit of a tour of my thought process in how I reached that conclusion and how I ended up choosing cardigans and then why I choose the 10 patterns that I did!  Visit the show notes here for links: https://learn.knitschool.co.uk/pages/21 ext week it's our next instalment of Desert Island Knits & then after that, I'll be talking about patterns and how both designers and knitters have responsibilities when it comes to patterns! Take care lovelies, Michelle PS. If you are casting on a new project, don't forget, you can get a project tracker here on the site!   

Hello lovelies, Welcome to Episode 20 of the podcast.  This episode was originally going to be focused on what to do if you are learning to knit but evolved into what to do if you are teaching someone to knit!  There isn't a huge difference really - whether you are teaching someone or being taught so all of the points are relevant! I've divided the 12 tips into practicalities and, I guess, 'being human' tips : ) List to the episode & visit the show notes for the full list: https://learn.knitschool.co.uk/pages/20  Don't let any of this put you off, you only need to be about 10% ahead of someone to show them how to do it!  People have been asking about when I will run Learn to Knit again.  Unfortunately I don't currently have a date for the live teaching of the course but I am hoping to have the class available to buy on it's own really soon!  Thank you so much for continuing to tune in.  Next week I'll be talking about what I'm planning to knit just as soon as my shoulder is back in action! Michelle x Don't forget to download your Key Skills knitting checklist here.

Hello lovelies, Welcome to Episode 19 of the podcast.  I wasn't really sure what to call this episode and I nearly went with 'Sometimes it's hard' but this is the internet and things get misunderstood enough!   In this episode I talk about 7 (I think it kind of turned into 8!) times when a more difficult (at least in people's minds) option might be better than the easiest option!  I talk about the following: Why sometimes a seam is necessary Grafting versus a three-needle cast-off The weaving Stephen versus a slightly more involved method Russian joins versus weaving in your ends afterwards Why swatching is often better than not swatching Setting in a sleeve versus raglans Heel flaps are the best (don't @ me sock knitters, I am one of you!) Have a listen and let me know whether you disagree or not!  And remember, we can disagree on these,  none of them are life-changing, and still be friends. I also mention in the episode that I was going to put together an email series to teach you some of the techniques above and here it is!  Visit here to learn 5 of the techniques above!   See if I can tempt you to the other side!  And even if you have no intention of changing, why not learn something new anyway? Thank you so much for continuing to tune in.  Next week I'll be talking about how to teach people to learn to knit (might be different to the episode trailer as I changed direction while recording the episode!). Michelle x Visit the show notes here: https://learn.knitschool.co.uk/pages/19 And don't forget to Rate & Subscribe!

Hello lovelies, Welcome to our 18th episode and our second instalment of Desert Island Knits. This week I was really lucky to have the super talented dyer behind YarnTings, Charmaine Wombwell, join me on the podcast. LIsten in to get the inside scoop on Charmaine's short but intense yarn journey and get her unique perspective on how art and yarn dyeing meet. Pop over to the show notes to get all the details and nab my brand new freebie! https://learn.knitschool.co.uk/pages/get-knit-done-podcast-episode-18-show-notes

Hello lovelies, Welcome to the second return episode of 2022!  I definitely meant to get straight home from my holiday with my family in March and get straight to podcasting but I have to admit I was quite lonesome for them and the mischief I had done my shoulder was giving me a run for my money! I'm back now though and you'll see that the podcast has a little bit of a facelift.  It'll get an even greater facelift over the next wee while but first I wanted to get this page tidied up. In this episode, I talk about changes that are coming to The Loveliest Yarn Company, Knit School and the podcast.  As TLYC comes up to 6 years old, it's definitely time for a rethink ... that and I have one eye on Ireland because I can hear West Cork calling me home. Thank you so much for continuing to tune in.  I'll be back next week with the amazing Charmaine Wombwell of YarnTings in our next episode of Desert Island Knits! Michelle x “I love listening to Michelle's lovely accent chatting to me about knitting!” If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing the show.  This helps more people hear the podcast and Get Knit Done!  Please let me know what bits you like best.  Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars & select “Write a review” Also, if you aren't already following, follow now so you never miss an episode! Visit the show notes here & get a full transcript here: https://learn.knitschool.co.uk/pages/get-knit-done-podcast-episode-17

What exactly is ease in relation to knitting and why is it important?  Listen along to this episode to find out. You can find more details in the shownotes here: https://www.knitschool.co.uk/post/episode-016-easing-into-ease

We have a lot of conventions that we learn over time that you could do with knowing at the start but that might also be too much.  It's a fine balance between too much and too little.  In this episode I talk about just a few of the fun and interesting things in knitting that you might not always have been told or that completely perplex you including when you see cast-on and cast-off but have no idea which one to use and also how you shouldn't yuck other people's yums! For a full list of what I talk about in the episode, pop across to the show notes here: https://www.knitschool.co.uk/post/episode-15-the-k-is-silent Also if you fancy getting updates about Knit School and the podcast, join our mailing list here: https://mailchi.mp/1dcc8ddeea6d/knit-school-weekly-knitting-inspiration Thank you so much for listening!  Join me next week for why it's ok to find knitting tricky sometimes! M.x

This is the very first Special episode of the Get Knit done podcast.  Today we have had some new comers to the industry, which is great because the more knitters, the merrier, but unfortunately they haven't been very kind about those of us who are here already so I thought I'd do a little podcast episode about it! No extra show notes but if you want to hear more from me, the podcast and Knit School, you can join the mailing list here: https://mailchi.mp/1dcc8ddeea6d/knit-school-weekly-knitting-inspiration 

I'm so delighted to welcome my loveliest lovely friend Abby Parkes of Orchidean Luxury Yarns for our Inaugural Desert Island Knits. I must first pay tribute to our namesake, Desert Island Knits which is both a BBC radio show and a podcast.  It is a hugely successful and long running show that has had some of the most fascinating guests.   I'm delighted to bring you my knitting version of it.  In Desert Island Discs, I'll be asking guests about their desert island yarn kit.  Guests will be asked to pick just one item from each of 6 categories to go in their project bags when they are shipped off to the island. Abby is the amazing dyer behind Orchidean Luxury Yarns.  You'll find all of her amazing yarns here: https://luxuryyarns.co.uk Pop over to the show notes for more links and a list of what Abby chose!   https://www.knitschool.co.uk/post/episode-14-our-very-first-desert-island-knits 

This week I'm talking about knitting books because there is so much in them that we either don't know is there or forget to look at!  I also talk about stitch dictionaries and how you can pick out your favourites from them. Visit the show notes here to find out about next week and for a list of my favourite stitch dictionaries: https://www.knitschool.co.uk/post/ep-13-knitting-books-everywhere Take care lovelies and get knit done! Michelle

I'm delighted to be back with you lovely folk.  This episode is mostly me settling back in and sharing what I have on my needles, talking about the future of the podcast and really just saying I'm back! Pop over to the show notes for a pic of the cable pattern I'm working on and also details of items mentioned in the podcast. View the show notes here: https://www.knitschool.co.uk/post/ep-012-back-on-the-horse

In this episode I talk about what you'll need to gather together if you are going to dye a sweater quantity of yarn, starting with yarn and ending with some receptacles!  In the next episode I'll talk about how to take all of those and dye yourself up some yarn!  View the show notes here: https://www.knitschool.co.uk/post/ep-011-what-you-need-to-dye-your-own-sweater-quantity-of-yarn

In this episode I talk about how I ended up starting Banshee Yarns (briefly, thank goodness! And then the steps I go through to dye my semi-solid colourways.  It's a build up to the next episode where I'll talk about what you need to dye your first jumper quantity of yarn.  View the show notes here: https://www.knitschool.co.uk/post/ep-010-my-method-for-dyeing-semi-solid-yarn

In this episode I'm thrilled to bring you the very first interview of the Get Knit Done podcast and even more thrilled to say that is it with the awesome Sophie of the Wild Yarn Shop podcast.  Sophie and I met at one of the big yarn shows in London a few years ago and I'm thrilled to say that we have kept one another as friends! View the show notes here: https://www.knitschool.co.uk/post/ep-009-chatting-with-sophie-from-the-wild-yarn-shop And search ‘Wild Yarn Shop' on your podcast app! To sign-up for the sock challenge, visit the sign-up page here. As always, if you have any questions at all podcast, feel free to get in touch! Take care lovelies, Michelle

I think of finishing your knits as a very broad term for the non-knitting things you do when making a knitted garment or item.  There is probably a much better definition of it but that is how I think of it.  Looking at how you finish your knits and making small changes to how you finish can make a huge difference to how your projects turn out so in this episode I share my top 7 simple tips for improving your knitting finish right now.  Only one of them requires you to learn something new (if you don't already know it!). Finish as you mean to go on ; ) View the show notes here: https://www.knitschool.co.uk/post/get-knit-done-ep-008-7-tips-for-finishing-your-knits

In this episode I continue from where I left off last week and talk about the 10 steps you need to follow to knit your first cuff-down sock and hopefully by the end you will see that there really isn't anything to worry about!  I also share the date for my next 7 Day Learn to Knit Socks challenge and details of how to be the first to know when sign-ups launch.  So for now, come join me once again on the sock side! View the full show notes here: https://www.knitschool.co.uk/post/get-knit-done-ep-007-continuing-with-socks-part-2

In this episode I talk about sock yarns, sock needles, swatching, blocking and in next the next episode I will be talking about the steps in knitting a pair of socks from the cuff down.  In that episode I am also going to talk about the potential sock yarns that I am going to be testing … which I said at the start of this episode I would cover but it then went completely out of my head!  I'll be relaunching my Sock Challenge (which I might have to call Sock Bootcamp (hhmm)) shortly where you can learn to knit socks in just 7 days and hopefully finish your first pair in a fortnight!  More about that next week when I have a more definite set of dates! View the show notes here: https://www.knitschool.co.uk/post/get-knit-done-ep-006-starting-with-socks-part-1

In this episode I'm talking all about knitting needles, their features and covering a few things to look out when you are thinking about investing in a set of interchangeable needles!  It might seem basic but getting to your goldilocks needles is very important! View the show notes, and find details of how to get our Needle Size Conversion cheatsheet, here: https://www.knitschool.co.uk/post/get-knit-done-ep-005-knitting-needles

In this episode I'm talking about what a stash is and how you might find yourself with Stash Stress.  I share my 6 steps to a better managed stash that may help with your stash stress!  You can check out my detailed blog post on the subject and download our yarn substitution workbook by visiting the show notes. View the show notes here: https://www.knitschool.co.uk/post/get-knit-done-ep-004-stash-stress

In this episode I'm talking about the features of yarn, how gauge relates to patterns and how both of these are really important when substituting one yarn for another in a pattern.  You can check out my detailed blog post on the subject and download our yarn substitution workbook by visiting the show notes. View the show notes here: https://www.knitschool.co.uk/post/get-knit-done-ep-003-yarn-substitution

In this episode I'm talking about cutting yourself some slack when your projects don't come out the way you want.  We are often our harshest critics but given how much more knitting is than just a hobby, you might want to give yourself some space to be bad at it! View the show notes here: https://www.knitschool.co.uk/post/get-knit-done-ep-002-give-yourself-a-break-shownotes

In this episode, to start off this podcast, I'm talking about how it's your knitting and that why, how and what you knit are entirely up to you and definitely not up to the knitting police!  View the show notes here:  https://www.knitschool.co.uk/post/get-knit-done-ep-001-it-s-your-knitting-shownotes

The Get Knit Done podcast is a podcast for new and experienced knitters who want to get more from their knitting!  The podcast will share knitting techniques and how-tos, host guests from around the knitting community and share knitting patterns and inspiration so that you can Get Knit Done!