Podcasts about countess ablaze

News & Announcements   Allison is now a British citizen! And she has a new job! She is now the Events Coordinator – Craft for Farnham Maltings, the home of Unravel.   She’s also putting on Make Joy, a one day celebration of yarn and friendship, happening at Baden Powell House in central London near the Natural History Museum on Sunday, 3 November. Tickets are now on sale! Rachel also has a new job! But thankfully she’s working from home so she can knit on client calls without anyone looking at her strangely. Win, win. What we’re working on   Allison has been doing a little bit of Porpoise Fur spinning on her new wheel. She’s also working on a super secret uber chunky project to be revealed later in the year, and is knitting some Mercury socks by Kim Drotar (a free pattern on Rav) from the Urth yarn she got from Rachel for her birthday.  Rachel – finished one Ripple Bralette by Jessie Mae Martinson for eldest daughter in Dusty Dimples sock yarn in Pretty Poisons, and started another for youngest daughter in Qing Fibre BFL fingering. As a new crochet project, she started the Fern shawl by Jan Power (another free pattern on Ravelry - thank you!) But most importantly, she finally got into her Electric Eel Wheel Nano and has spun up the singles of three bumps of fibre she bought from John Arbon that is destined to be an Odyssey Shawl by Joji Locatelli.  Great London Yarn Crawl 2019 – recap and door prizes!  The year’s new format for the GLYC seems to have been a fantastic success! Thank you for all you feedback, and as always we’d love to hear your thoughts - use the contact us link at the bottom of the page to give us your feedback, good and bad. And now for the door prizes: Loop’s door prize of 4 skeins of BC Garn in blues and a tote bag were won by Dorothea Tilroe. Tribe sent a tote bag stuff with a giant needle and swatch gauge, a skein of Urth yarn Monochrome, a skein of Bear in Sheeps Clothing fingering, and a Tribe enamel pin. These are finding a good home with Anne Cunningham.  Mahliqa: the first prize Swarovski crystal earrings with pompoms and bag goes to Sophie McKane, with a second prize of a necklace and set of stitch markers in the EYF special colourways (collaboration with Countess Ablaze) and Mahliqa bag are headed to Nicole Stanley.  A copy of the wonderful This Golden Fleece by Esther Rutter will be enlightening Rhona Johnstone.   Grand prize for those who visited all 13 shops!  Goodies form Loop, Mahliqa and SweetGeorgia Yarns – a skein of Shalimar (70% sw merino/20% kid mohair/10% silk) and Loop tote bag, SGY Tough Love Sock in Smitten, and set of Swarovski stitch markers and bag from Maliqa go to Sue Smith.  We’ve also crunched our numbers and are proud to say that this year’s GLYC raised almost £900 for Refuge - thank you all so much!!!! *** Wrap up  Many thanks for joining us for another episode! You can find the podcast on iTunes and Stitcher Radio (please rate, review and subscribe!) and you'll find us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter, in our Yarn in the City group on Ravelry, or in person on Wednesday nights at our knit night between 7 and 10pm at The Breakfast Club on Battersea Rise. Music credits (available on NoiseTrade) A Good Reason To Smile - Chasing Noise 

We are both in North America on our summer holidays, so on this episode we chat about our holiday knits, exciting new (and old!) shops we’ve visited, and new creative inspirations. We also have some Great London Yarn Crawl and Yarnporium updates! Thanks to our sponsor This episode of the podcast is sponsored by The Yarn Collective, a fibre and design company focused on working with independent designers to bring you luxurious hand-dyed yarns in a range of inspiring colourways. These international designers represent the best of modern knitwear design and include Bristol Ivy, Melanie Berg, Carol Feller and Michele Wang. Each designer has created and curated a distinctive and wonderful line for The Yarn Collective. You can find out more about the yarns by visiting http://www.theyarncollective.com.  Great London Yarn Crawl 2018 – Update GLYC 2018 is now sold out! If you missed getting your ticket, please check our Ravelry boards for ticket swaps. We look forward to kicking off the autumn knitting season with you all on 1 September!  Yarnporium Update It’s almost time to grab your tickets for Yarnporium! Entry tickets will go on sale very soon, along with tickets to our Saturday talk series, which will include three 1-hour talks.   We are thrilled to be offering the Saturday talk series, which will include two panel discussions: The New Yarn Barons (all about what it takes to create a yarn, from the indy dyer with a few bespoke bases through up and coming new yarn companies), and Your Pattern in Print (learn about about different avenues for seeing your designs in the public eye, from self-publishing, mainline magazines and online exposure). The third talk is The Story of Laine – Sini and Ellen will give an overview of their yarn adventure creating Laine magazine, which has gone from an idea to a successful worldwide publication in less than two years.  Ticket details Yarnporium day tickets: £10 in advance/£12 on the day (no weekend tickets)  Talk series: £8 in advance/£10 on the day  Sign up to our newsletter to be the first to know when tickets go on sale.   What we’re working on Allison visited Villekulla in Calgary and is working on the Fuss Free Festival Shawl by Louise Tillbrook (Praline is in time out). She's also taught herself herringbone stitch for a secret project!   Rachel is three quarters of the way through Study Hall by Sarah Schira from Knitty First Fall, and is finding that using two multi-coloured/speckled yarns for a pattern the depends on strong colour contrasts may not have been the best idea. But it’s still working!   Working on Holiday Time Tits Out Collective update: Countess Ablaze and her crew of Tits Out Collective crafters raised over £55,000 for charities worldwide!!!! We may have teared up a little at that number. Well done to all!  We chat about our holiday knits, new inspiration from Reykjavik (Rachel), and many many shops (Allison). Rachel's mentions: Halcyon Yarns (Bath, Maine), Joann (nationwide chain), sky like snow (southern Vermont).  Allison's mentions: Villekulla, Yarn Twisters, Pinnovate, Loop Kensington, STASH, Pudding Yarn (Calgary); A Twist of Yarn (Vernon); Art of Yarn (Kelowna); plus plans to visit two shops in Vancouver. *** Many thanks for joining us for another episode! You can find the podcast on iTunes and Stitcher Radio (please rate, review and subscribe!) and you'll find us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter, in our Yarn in the City group on Ravelry, or in person on Wednesday nights at our knit night between 7 and 10pm at The Breakfast Club on Battersea Rise. Music credits (available on NoiseTrade) Revolution - Kate Tucker A Good Reason To Smile - Chasing Noise

Where do you lose knitting time and how can you go about carving out more time to do it? In this week's episode, I talk about the idea of cutting out mindless phone scrolling time to increase your knitting time, and the associated benefits of doing so. Also we have a news round up for the start of the month, including information about the #titsoutcollective run by Countess Ablaze (along with her new YouTube channel), the Great London Yarn Crawl from Yarn In The City, the Indie Burgh Craft Crawl in Edinburgh and Fibre East. Full show notes and links for this episode are at www.shinybees.com/115

Countess Ablaze joins me on today's podcast to chat about the Tits Out Collective and the coming together of indie dyers and makers around the world to aid charities worldwide with their own versions of "If I Want Exposure, I'll Get My Tits Out."  During her time on the show, we touch on the topics of Women in Business, Marketing tips for Indie Dyers and the Explosion of the Tits Out Collective.

Jane Murison of Yarnison joins the show this week, talking about knitwear design, fish and chips and the urban landscape as an inspiration. Jane began designing a couple of years ago, and has several knitting patterns now, that are a homage to the post industrial landscape of Manchester, that she sees every day on her walk to work. A UX designer by profession, Jane enjoys bringing together design inspiration, techniques and the user (knitter) experience in her designs. Not one for 'quiet' yarns, she enjoys working with bold colours and neons to create striking pieces. Her approach to design is to make things that she herself likes to wear, but struggles to find in the mainstream pattern world. This results in quite quirky and recognisable pieces that can be made as bold or as quiet as one desires, depending upon the colours chosen to make the pattern. One of my favourite of her patterns is the Urban Hero shawl, which was inspired by the neon yellow flashes of hi-vis vests on the builders working all over the city. There is almost constant construction work, and these vests pepper the (often grey, it's Manchester) landscape with pinpricks of colour. We discussed the juxtaposition of chevron lace, hi-vis and Batman's cape in this pattern and Jane explained how her approach has ben reflected in other designs, such as Boomtown Beanie. Builders came up again when discussing how the domestic arts and quite traditionally male construction roles are actually very similar skills when you break them down. Plastering is, in fact, exactly the same thing as buttercream icing. We also discussed the traditional Friday meal that is fish and chips. Eye-opening. Jane's favourite yarnies to work with are Countess Ablaze, The Knitting Goddess, Five Moons, Riverknits and Rainbow Heirloom. In terms of tips for embracing the crazy bright and variegated, Jane recommends pairing with a semi-solid or solid, and avoiding too much detail in the stitches, if you want the detail to be seen. Texture can sometimes work well if you are wanting to play with the colour and create unexpected pops, as she does with her Manhole Cover sock pattern. In terms of designers that make good patterns that are suitable for pairing with variegated yarns, Jane recommends Curious Handmade's Helen Stewart and Martina Behm (Strickmich). From her own designs, Urban Festival was specifically created to work with the variegated yarns. You can find everything about Jane's patterns over on Ravelry and she is @Yarnison on Instagram. Full show notes, images and links for this episode are at www.shinybees.com/110

Where sh*t tea, tray bake and exposure collide! Lyndsey aka Countess Ablaze joins me this week for a chat about issues facing us crafters and business owners. A recent recipient of an offer of 'exposure' as payment, along with some fairly misogynistic stereotyping of her customer base, The Countess decided to take a stand against this (and raise some actual money for charity in her own, imitable way) by creating some new colour ways. In this episode we discuss the thorny issue of 'exposure' as a payment for our craft, time and expertise. Is it ever acceptable? Where does the balance lie when offering this as an exchange of value? Why does it seem to be so rife amongst the creative industries and is it a peculiarly female thing? Next up is misogyny as an everyday blight. Lyndsey shares some examples of when she has encountered this working in her business, including the entirely false notion that her husband bankrolls her little craft hobby business. Spoiler: he doesn't. We briefly cover the deeply offensive idea that anyone in the North would drink sh*t tea. Finally, we discuss the use of charity causes to excuse bad behaviour, and as a tag on excuse for self-serving events or initiatives, rather than having them as a focus. We wrap up with her reply and salute to this - two new colour ways called Sh*t Tea and Tray Bake and If I Want Exposure I'll Get My T*ts Out - with £3 from the sale of each skein being donated to Women's Aid.

Hello Crochet Circlers,   Welcome to The Crochet Circle Podcast and the show notes from Episode Seventeen - Festival of Finishing.   In this episode I cover: Wolf woman of Cheshire; Edinburgh Yarn Festival 2018; Old dog, new tricks; Festival of Finishing CrAL; FOs; WIPs; Feeding the habit; Big up and What's good?   This podcast is sponsored by my online crafting company, Provenance Craft Co.  Thanks to everyone who tunes into the podcast whether it is through Stitcher, Podbean, Spotify, iTunes or the YouTube Channel. Your support and engagement are really appreciated and makes running a podcast very special and worthwhile.    If you would like to support the podcast, you can do that through Patreon:   1 - Old dog, new tricks On the back of the 'standing crochet stitch' tip that Claudia from the Crochet Luna Podcast gave me.     Eleanor kindly passed on links for the 'starting crochet stitch' which gives a new technique for starting a new row or possibly round in the same colour. Please ignore that fact that I referred to 'standing' crochet during the podcast, I meant 'starting' crochet.    Eleanor's link was to a blog by Tamara Kelly from Moggly.com: Starting dc (tr in UK terminology)   A little further investigation brought me to this site by Jessie at Home which also gives details for starting dc (sc in US) and starting htc (hdc in US).     I have investigated the differences when you use this technique in rows but want to do more to see how it can be used in the round, if at all.       I have pulled together a blog post on using the standing dc to show how to do it and the results that you get compared to the standard turning chain method.    2 - Festival of Finishing CrAL Our latest along is the Festival of Finishing Craft Along.  The idea is that through the months of June, July and August you work with some of your crafting WIPs.  I now have two (cross stitch and knitting) that I want to work on and one to salvage.     The graphic for the CrAL looks like this, and you will see it on Ravelry and Instagram.       I have been thinking long and hard on the reasons that projects become long-term WIPs and why we consequently get hung up about them and can even begin to feel some level of guilt.    Rather than add all of the detail into the show notes, I wrote a detailed blog about it instead.  It's full of pointers and will hopefully help you to view your long-term WIPs in a positive and re-energised way.   Grab a cuppa and take a look at 'Why you don't finish projects and what you can do about it'.   I would love you to get involved with the CrAL and share what you are up to within the Ravelry thread in The Crochet Circle Podcast Group or by using #FestivalOfFinishing on Instagram.   A pile each for: finish, frog, salvage or donate will really help you to work out what you could do with each project.  Three of my WIPs are now going to be heading off to the Blanket of Love and Hope project in Sweden to be sewn into a larger blanket and distributed to women that need a woolly hug - thanks Yael for telling me about the wonderful project that you, Emmie and Hedvig do.         As an additional element, via my company Provenance Craft CoI am going to donate £1 for every finished object (that was previously a long-term WIP) that is added to Instagram using #FestivalOfFinishing, or added to the Ravelry thread.   The amount will be capped at £150 and I would LOVE to reach that target.  The charity that will benefit from the money is Knit for Peace. Here is what they do:   Our policy is to encourage people to give, whether it is time or money. So we set about finding outlets. We now distribute regularly to over 200 outlets, including hospitals, women’s refuges, refugee drop-in centres, prisons, community groups, and hospices as well as to developing countries. We send the knitting (and crochet) to where it’s needed. We also pass on donations of yarn and needles to enable people on low incomes to knit. The operation has grown organically, and we estimate we have over 15,000 knitters. Send your knitting to us and we will make sure that it goes to a good home.   If together we finish 150 long-term WIPs, the £150 that I will donate will help to deliver over 750 woollen items to people that really need them.   Feel free to also join in with the charitable donations and give £1 or more for every WIP you have that becomes a finished object.   Here is the 69-year-old WIP that Ros's Mum kindly let me photograph.       As I was pulling together the information for the show Jojotwinkletoes put this up on Instgram and it sums up beautifully (well maybe not) what I intend do after my long-term WIPS has become finished object.        3 - Finished Objects  Once again, I didn't think I had much to show for myself, and once again I was wrong!     1 - Another version of Doppio Colosseum but this time in John Arbon Devonia 4 ply in 'Pollen Gold'. 2 - A pair of charity socks for the Sock Line by Winwick Mum. 3 - A first attempt at a cotton dishcloth by Jo at Feather and Thread.  Check Jo's patterns out and see her photo of them below - they are much nicer than my attempt (partial blame to the fact that I was gripped by Broadchaurch whilst crocheting it).       4 - I was shown this pattern for face pads by Lisa and they are fantastic!  The pattern is by Designs byZula and gives a lovely squishy pad for washing your face and taking off make up.   I have also been working on a couple of designs:     Versa is the second complete bag in the range that I am working towards and is being tech edited as I type, along with the below shawl. I discovered post-crocheting it that the shawl seems to be very heavily influenced by a cottage that I owned (pre-Matthew) in Chirk, North Wales. Clearly, the gothic windows that dominated the estate worker's cottages stayed with me:     My final FO for the month was the Miso shawl by Ambah O'Brien using Tia Merino in The Mysterious Cities of Gold colourway by Countess Ablaze.  I knitted this shawl as part of a KAL with my favourite new knitting podcast Fibre Friends. I wasn't initially sure about a single-ply yarn for this shawl but the result is beautifully squishy:       4 - Works in progress There is only one WIP this month and that is a grey cotton bag - the next in the range.  You can see it in the photo for the 'starting dc crochet' rows above - there really isn't much much to show you with that design yet.   5 - Feeding the habit Only one thing to show here and that is a gorgeous citrus bag by Ann from Busy Pottering:     It came with a lovely notions pouch and some stitch markers - I love them!   6 - Big up There are some great new crochet podcasts out there: Hannah from Florida has The Cozy Cottage Podcast on YouTube Lindsey from Lottie and Albert is also on YouTube Alyson and Vivian have a lovely Mum and daughter audio podcast that airs on YouTube called Keep Calm and Carry Yarn There is a new thread in the Ravelry group for people to add in any CALs/KALs that they know about.   7 - What's Good 10th June is World Knit (and crochet) in Public Day. I am holding a small event in Sandbach at The Old Hall between 11am and 3pm if anyone is local and fancies joining in?     I have been listening to the amazing Norse Mythology audiobook, written and narrated by Neil Gaiman.  I will listen to this again in the not too distant future!    Matthew has been on gardening leave and is currently working on what happens next...   It has been lovely to be able to spend more time with him as the pressures of his old employment cease to exist!  We have a lovely summer ahead of us and I am searching for coastal areas that we could live in.  Watch this space.   Until July folks.     Fay x   Instagram: Crochet_Circle_Podcast  Instagram: provenance.craft.co   Instagram: FayDHDesigns YouTube: The Crochet Circle Podcast Crochet Clan on Mighty Network: Invite  

Rachel is back in the co-pilot seat after the holidays, and we talk about project monogamy (is that a thing?), upcoming yarn celebrations and get two of our knit night regulars to tell us about their creative collaborations in colour and yarn. News and Events 6 May: Yarn Shop Day! A few shops have helpfully let us know that they have some big things planned for this special day Countess Ablaze in Manchester will be having a pop-up shop featuring BritYarn, Whistlebare and The Little Grey Girl to sell their goodies! Details here. A Yarn Story in Bath will be celebrating Yarn Shop Day and their third anniversary with cake and the launch of the colours for their bespoke yarn, Walcot Yarns. There are a few other surprises in store so be sure to pop in if you're in the area! If you’re in London, Yarn Shop Day would be a perfect day to explore the East London Yarn Triangle where you can visit Knit With Attitude, Wild & Woolly (also celebrating their three year anniversary) and Fabrications.  10 June: World Wide Knit in Public Day on Saturday, June 10th! Check out their website to find an event near you. Make Happy While on holiday, Rachel finished the shawl design that was kicking her butt (and freaking out her yarn support!), which will released shortly. The only other project she took with her was her Kippen Cardigan, and she's now working on the second sleeve with a lot of collar to go. This past week she also started spinning up some fibre for a collaboration with two colleagues of the woolly variety, which is slated for release this autumn. Allison is anxiously awaiting the delivery of her SGY Joji Mystery KAL kit from Vancouver (she got Kitsilano) and is in the meantime working on a baby blanket for friend. Colourful Collaboration Our knit night includes a whole bunch of wonderfully creative and inventive people, and we are thrilled to have been able to get two of them to come talk to us for the podcast! Lola Johnson, otherwise known as Third Vault Yarns, and Kate Bostwick, who designs under the Cowtown Knits label, tell us about their relationship with colour, their sources of inspiration, and their collaboration which has produced two gorgeous kits - Lambton Panes and Chainlink Mitts - with more to come! Wrap up Many thanks for joining us for another episode of the podcast and super huge thanks to Lola and Kate for being with us! You can find it on iTunes and Stitcher Radio and you'll find us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter, in our Yarn in the City group on Ravelry, or in person on Wednesday nights at our knit night at The Goat on the Rise  between 7 and 10pm. Have a great couple of weeks and we’ll chat with you soon!  Music credits (available on NoiseTrade) Ridiculously Happy (feat. Twilight Meadow) - Owl City

Podcasting about percolators, ponchos, and Pendleton woolens. Plus, we have two giveaway winners! Marsha's Projects Marsha is making good progress on the Rodeo Drive poncho by Staci Perry. She has been focused on this one project and is making good progress. This despite a cabling accident caused by "knitting while podcasting" two weeks ago. Kelly's Projects Kelly is continuing with the Curious Case of the Crazy Stitch Cardigan by Michele DuNaier. She can't figure out why it seems to have two sides (since it is crocheted similar to the way garter stitch is knitted, doing the same thing on each side), but she thinks she now has it back on track. Kelly has also been doing a small amount of spinning while sitting in the living room enjoying the Christmas tree. "Advent-ewes" Marsha visited the Pendleton Woolen Mill in Pendleton, Oregon. She tells us all about the history of the company and the tour she had of the facility. The wool that Pendleton uses is scoured in Texas--probably at the same facility that scoured the wool for the fabric in the fabric CSA that Kelly has purchased. Here is a link to the scouring company and here is an article about the expansion of their scouring operation. Marsha took lots of pictures of the Pendleton Woolen Mill and the milling process. Marsha also discovered that the Beach Boys wore Pendleton shirts and called themselves the PendleTones. Marsha's brother Mark splurged and bought a Pendleton blanket. Marsha was able to visit the mill because she was spending the weekend in Walla Walla, Washington, where she and Kelly attended Whitman College together. She and Kelly reminisce about some of the familiar places and their college days. Giveaway! Two winners were drawn. One lucky winner will be getting a skein of Countess Ablaze yarn and a totebag that the Countess was kind enough to throw in with Kelly's order. The other will take home three skeins of Blacker Yarns from the Woolly Thistle Shop. These skeins were contributed by Claire of the Woolly Thistle and the New Hampshire Knits podcast. Upcoming Events Kelly and Marsha will be attending Stitches West! It starts on February 23, 2017 and that is also the deadline for the Great Poncho Adventure. Share Us! If you enjoy the podcast, please share it with a friend! Just tell them TwoEwesFiber.com! On the blog, the white box below the post has little buttons for sharing by mail or social media. If you are reading shownotes from your podcast app, use the podcast sharing button. Thanks!  

New projects this time for both Marsha and Kelly. Also lots of poncho talk and information about The Great Poncho Adventure.  The Ewes are making ponchos!  There are also two yarn giveaways announced this episode. For photos and to subscribe to the podcast, visit the shownotes on our blog. Marsha's Projects Marsha has started her shawl with the NoCKRs yarns she got from Duren Dyeworks last year in commemoration of the retreat.   The pattern is Good Vibes by Nadia Crétin-Léchenn.   She was ready to start her poncho with some Spirit Yarn, but decided that it was not the right yarn for the pattern.  Instead she is going to find some yarn that is better suited.  Late breaking news!  Marsha got some yarn for the poncho! The pattern she is using is The Rodeo Drive Poncho by Staci Perry. Kelly's Projects Kelly has made some progress on the crocheted Crazy Stitch Cardigan. It's a pattern by Michelle DuNaier.  She has started on the shoulder and is almost ready to start the second side of the sweater.  She also had a project that was both started and finished since the last episode!  She made two pair of Helmikuu Boot Toppers (by Sunshine Ravioli) while on a camping trip.  The yarn was leftovers of Rowan Soft Tweed.  Each topper took less than a skein, so about 75 yards per topper.  It was great to use up these leftover skeins. Yarn Giveaway The Two Ewes have two giveaways this episode!  Thanks to Claire from The Woolly Thistle, (and the New Hampshire Knits podcast) we have three skeins of Blacker Yarns to give away:  Blacker Classic, Westcountry Tweed, and Blacker Swan.  All are DK weight, 50 g balls of yarn.  Go to the Ravelry group and answer the question in the Woolly Thistle Giveaway thread to be entered to win.  Thank you, Claire for supporting the podcast with these three skeins to give away to listeners!  Here are the skeins that will be given to one lucky winner! The second giveaway is one of three GORGEOUS hand-dyed skeins Kelly bought from Countess Ablaze in England.  Kelly told The Countess that she was going to use one of the skeins for a podcast prize, so she included a free tote bag in the order.  So the lucky winner will win a skein of The Blue-Faced Baron fingering weight yarn in the color "This Ain't a Scene"  and a black Countess Ablaze tote. "Advent-ewes"  The Great Poncho Adventure has started!  It's a poncho-a-long.  Details are in the episode and in the Ravelry group.  Make a poncho, a ruana, a buttoned wrap or a cloak.  Start a new one or finish a work in progress.  If you post on Instagram use #ponchoadventure

Happy Halloween everyone! We've got a bonus podcast episode for your listening pleasure today, and hopefully it will whet your appetites just a bit more for Yarnporium! Sponsor: The Loveliest Yarn Company is a new online yarn shop bringing you the loveliest yarn and knitting accessories.  Buying yarn online can be a bit fraught so they have gathered the best into one place.  They have knit, washed and worn everything so people know it’s all been tried and tested by knitters. The Loveliest Yarn Company stock artisan hand dyed yarn from Life in the Long Grass, organic merino from Rosy Green Wool, some great stalwarts of the yarn world from West Yorkshire Spinners, irresistible accessories from Merchant and Mills and lots more.  All from theloveliestyarncompany.co.uk. Podcast listeners can get 10% off in October, November and December with the code YITCEnabled2016.  If you aren’t shopping for yarn at the moment, sign up for their newsletter on the site.  News and Events:  The are no new events. Just the Yarnporium. Happening November 5th and 6th. November 1st is the last day to get your early bird pricing on advance tickets.  After that you'll have to pay £10 for a day ticket and £15 for a weekend ticket. OK, it's not entirely true that nothing else is going on... 10-13th November: Geeky Puffin Knit Palooza, Farnham - classes, marketplace and a London Yarn Crawl led by Alli! 12th November: Festiwool, North Herts College, Hitchin Entire month: we hope you’ll join along with Felicity Ford of Knitsonik and Louise Scollay of Knit British in the celebration of all things wool that is WOVEMBER. What we’re working on:  Rachel is knitting Green Memories by La Maison Rililie.  Allison is comfort knitting. Destressing with a Hogwarts scarf for Harry and the slowly growing Garter Goodness shawl by Stephen West.  More Yarnporium awesome-ness: There are a few more Yarnporium special events to highlight: Pom Pom Quarterly will be hosting designer signings with Stephen West and Justyna Lorkowska! Justyna there on Saturday from 11am to 1pm and Stephen from 1-3pm. Stephen will also be around on Sunday from noon to 2pm.  A Yarn Story will be bringing in an uber special exclusive: La Bien Aimée hand-dyed yarn from Paris. AYS is bringing a selection of colours on the Merino Singles base. They will also be bringing yarns from Hedgehog Fibres, The Fibre Co., Julie Asselin and SweetGeorgia Yarns.  Inspiration Knits designer Louise Zass-Bangham will be bringing her book Knit Play Colour along with yarns for many of the patterns. She will have a wide selection of yarn from the Countess Ablaze (who NEVER does yarn shows but sells online only or out of her Manchester studio) and also a wide variety from Eden Cottage Yarns. It's a lovely way for both of these yarn companies to be at the Yarnporium when they couldn't otherwise!  Midwinter Yarns have a new Aran weight yarn in 6 natural shades called Suomivilla that they are bringing to the Yarnporium. They also have official Baa-ble Hat kits that include the original pattern by Donna Smith, or people may be interested in getting the yarn to make Donna's new hat and cowl pattern!  Kettle Yarn Co. are debuting their brand new Baskerville DARK yarn which contains more Gotland than the original for added depth and halo to Linda's already gorgeous colours. She's offering 10% off purchases of Baskerville DARK skeins to the first 10 customers who use the codeword "GOTLANDFOREVER".   We're also delighted that designer Karie Westermann is joining us all the way from Glasgow. Karie doesn't get down south too often to teach so we feel it's a real coup to have her! Even better, Karie has designed a brand new workshop that is being taught for the first time at the Yarnporium: Knitting the Landscape. In this workshop Karie will help knitters explore how to express their memories and thoughts of a specific place through their knitting using texture, stitch patterns and colour.  While we're crazy for all the yarn fumes that will be at the Yarnporium, it's also a perfect weekend to start Christmas gift shopping and many of our vendors will have non-yarny items for all the BKFFs out there include Wendy Fowler's gorgeous yarn bowls, glass stitch markers brought in by C.C. Almon of JavaPurl Designs, and wonderful project bags by The Little Grey Girl. Joe's Toes and The Knitting Shed also have fantastic kits if you'd like to make something for little people on your list.   We're also excited to welcome new vendors Mahliqa (knitted jewellery kits), Chunky Row and Once Upon a Time Skeins as well as local to London yarn dyers Travelknitter, Whimzy, The Wool Kitchen and Easyknits and local fibre dyer Porpoise Fur!  Finally, Sarah from Crafts from the Cwtch will be taking over our Instagram feed on the Saturday of the show - be sure to say hi! Woolly Wovember:  WOVEMBER is an amazing grass-roots movement to recognise and celebrate wool in all it's forms. Read their open letter to the Campaign for Wool and see how to get involved. We're also going to take part in Vestvember - come join in! *** You can find the podcast on iTunes and Stitcher Radio and us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter, in our Yarn in the City group on Ravelry, or in person on Wednesday nights at our knit night at The Goat on the Rise between 7 and 10pm. Everyone’s really friendly and we hope to see you there! Have a great couple of weeks and we’ll chat with you soon! Music (all available on NoiseTrade): Michigan Left - Arkells Hey Doreen - Lucius

Hello! In this episode, we have previews of some of the special goodies that vendors are bringing to the Yarnporium in a few weeks, and Rachel gets a wee bit worked up about a very recent design controversy (feel free to fast forward that part). Many thanks to Julie of Knitted Bliss for sharing some of her thoughts with us on the subject of modifications/mashups/originality. Grab your coffee and let's go! Shout outs, news and events: Winner of Mad Colour from Episode 46: Congratulations to Wei-Lin for being picked by Random.org to win the Mad Colour eBook from Tin Can Knits! And thanks to Alexa and Emily for provide the contest prize. 22nd-23rd October: Bakewell Wool Gathering 29th-30th October: Kendal Wool Gathering  1st November: Last day for advanced tickets to Yarnporium! 5-6th November: Yarnporium extravaganza! King's College London on the Strand, WC2R 2LS. Show will be open from 10am-5:30pm Saturday and 10am-4pm on Sunday. 10-13th November: Geeky Puffin Knit Palooza, Farnham - classes, marketplace and a London Yarn Crawl led by Alli! 12th November: Festiwool, North Herts College, Hitchin What we're working on: Allison is working on not much because she's been sick as a dog for much of the last week. But she did whip up a Zigging Hat out of the luscious Rosy Green Wool Big Merino Hug.  Rachel finished the Zigging Cowl to go with Allison's Zigging Hat. Both of these will be paired with the Yarnporium pattern, the Zigging Mittens by Renee Callahan! She's also been working on her Kippen Cardigan by Kat Goldin in secret under her desk during a work week that involved a lot of listening to audio. Then we get to the controversy that very recently blew up on social media/Ravelry: The I'll Pack A Cowl for Rhinebeck vs. Baa-ble Hat debacle brings up issues that are near and dear to our hearts here at Yarn in the City: community, respect for people's work, and fair and living wages for designers and other wool industry members. We talk with Julie from Knitted Bliss about her Modification Mondays, what actually constitutes an original design, and there are a few mentions of the dreaded "C" word (that would be copyright...). If you get tired of hearing Rachel carry on, feel free to jump ahead. Yarnporium Specials: The Yarnporium is only a few weeks away, but our vendors have some fantastic special goodies they're bring with them for the show! Blacker Yarns are bringing a selection of the delicious Rosy Green Wool Big Merino Hug that we've used to rework the Zigging Hat and Cowl by Renée Callahan from the London Craft Guide. Renée has designed a pair of mittens to complete the set and the pattern will be in the Programme Guide for the Yarnporium! Midwinter Yarns will have their wonderful, sheepy, lanolin-y Ullcentrum 3-ply, as well as a new Finnish Aran wool in six natural colours. Inspiration Knits will have her book and patterns, and spectacular yarns from Eden Cottage Yarns and Countess Ablaze!!! As well as another special surprise to be revealed later... A Yarn Story will be bringing her vast inventory of Hedgehog Fibres loveliness, as well as a very special Parisian visitor for the weekend: the yarns of La Bien Aimee. Finally, Frankie will be flying the flag for John Arbon and is bringing a specially curated selection of their best products, including the Knit by Numbers 4-ply! *** You can find the podcast on iTunes and Stitcher Radio and us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter, in our Yarn in the City group on Ravelry, or in person on Wednesday nights at our knit night at The Goat on the Rise between 7 and 10pm. Everyone’s really friendly and we hope to see you there! Have a great couple of weeks and we’ll chat with you soon! Music (all available on NoiseTrade): Michigan Left - Arkells Hey Doreen - Lucius

The tonne! A century! Episode 100 is upon us and a hearty thanks to all of you that have listened, do listen and are new to listening. Welcome one and all. Two topics of conversation this week, one of which contains zero knitting and a lot of the young Wigan version of Paul Rudd and his fit-for-his-age Dad. Don't ask... To celebrate episode 100 (and total credit to one Countess Ablaze for this idea) I am instigating The Great Shinybees Hexipuff Amnesty. Got Hexipuffs? Want to donate them for a good cause? Post them to Countess Ablaze's studio in Manchester then clear your diary for the Great Swinton Sewing Bee (keepers' Quilt). In support of Monthly Gift Mcr, all proceeds from the raffled off Beekeepers' Quilts (and party) will go to the supply of sanitary products to this charity for distribution to homeless women. #hexipuffamnesty and #sodhexipuffs are your hashtags of choice. I am team #sodhexipuffs, but for every 100 that arrive, I'll actually knit one of the buggers.  Show notes of crazy (and Paul Rudd) at shinybees.com. Music for episode is Adam and the Walter Boys with 'I Need a Drink.'

As always, show notes can be found at www.stitchedtogether.co.uk. Come and join the conversation on the Stitched Together Podcast & Patterns Ravelry Group board. Stuff and ThingsSelf Indulgent Craft-A-Long (#STSICAL2015) started on Christmas Day and ran to February 29th 2016.  All prizes were drawn randomly from the FO Thread.  I apologise profusely for delays in drawing the prizes.Prizes were all kindly donated and are:A project bag from Knit and Stitch Bits..The Wool Barn Alpaca Sock (grey) in the Denim colourway. The is a sock/4ply weight yarn, comprised of 70% Natural Light Grey Baby Alpaca/20% Silk/10% Cashmere and it weighs 100g and has 400m/436yds.From a generous viewer, who wishes to remain anonymous, The Uncommon Thread, Silky Merino Fingering in the Pern colourway. The yarn is a sock/4ply weight yarn and is comprised of 75% Superwash Merino/25% Mulberry Silk, it weighs 100g and measures 400m.Prize Winners are:Project Bag Prize:Modelwidow, Jane from Kent UK.The Wool Barn yarn prize:CeeGeeKnits,  CG, from "The South", USA.The Uncommon Thread prize.hazysummers, Hazel from Ghana.Again, many apologies for the delays in drawing for this CAL. This WON'T happen again!Done and DustedNew shawl pattern (as yet un-named) knit from Countess Ablaze Lady Persephone 4ply in the Eccentric Geeks colourway.Second version of the new shawl pattern has been started using The Wool Barn Alpaca Sock (grey) in the Denim colourway. The is a sock/4ply weight yarn, comprised of 70% Natural Light Grey Baby Alpaca/20% Silk/10% Cashmere and it weighs 100g and has 400m/436yds.Knitting Goddess Socks, my usual vanilla pattern using The Knitting Goddess 4ply merino nylon that I got at Fibre East 2014.Spindrift Shetland fibre by Jamieson & Smith from Barber Blacksheep and Shetland from The WoolBothy was spun up and knit into a shawl.Gretchen Windward - Windward by Heidi Kirrmaier in Posh Yarn Gretchen Heavy Lace in the Even He Doesn't Know How He Does It colourway.Bad Nut - Bad Nut by Josh Ryks in handspun merino dyed by Countess Ablaze.Soundwave - Soundwave by Meghan Jackson knit in Fondant Fibre Hardy High Twist in the Gunpowder and Shield Maiden Wannabe colourway.Ingot - Ingot by Lisa Mutch using handspun Spun Right Round Targhee in #144 Colorplay colurway.Knit Night - Knit Night by Louise Zass-Bangham in BabyLongLegs BFL/Nylon in Lalique.Bella Vista - Bella Vista by Anthony Casalena in handspun Rambouillet dyed by Hello Yarn in the Anne colourway.Nose to the GrindstoneSandbank - Sandbank by Lea Viktoria using Wollmeise Lace-Garn in the WD Graue Eminez colourway.Groovy - Groovy (Lace or Fingering Weight) by JumperCables using The Yarn Yard Pentland 800 in the Toffee colourway.Shine - Shine by Janina Kallio in Countess Ablaze Lady Persephone Sock in Girl At The Rock ShowCountess Ablaze BFL/Masham in Bad Girls ClubPlottingSpinning up Shetland fibre from Woolbothy and then knitting it into a sweater. I need to sample. Thinking of doing a Spin-A-Long again.Splashed OutFondant Fibre Timothy Rolags and Rambouillet in Secret Garden and AlpineWollmeise Lace-Garn in Feldmauschen and Pure Xaverl und RosiEden Cottage Yarns Pendle 4ply in Algae and Dark OakOnline CommunityA very kind anonymous donor has topped up the prize cupboard in stupendous style. I need to think of some more KALs!Thank you for everyone's well wishes and words of support during my hiatus. It means the world to me to be part of such a wonderful community.

Returning from a mini podcast break, this week I'm joined by none other than the fabulous Countess Ablaze, who invited me to her studio in Manchester to dye some yarn and have a bit of a chat. News-wise, the Patreon for the podcast is no more - it just was not working for me int he way I had hoped.  On a brighter note, the podcast has made the finals of the New Media Europe Awards in two categories: Best UK Podcast and Audience Appreciation Award. Please vote on Twitter each day for the show as 50% of the marks come from number of votes. Onto the non-interview interview. Countess Ablaze is an indie dyer based in Manchester in the UK. Queen of brightly coloured and saturated colour ways and fabulously executed wigs, faux aristocrat Lindsey delights in bold and intense colours, as well as grey. Makes the colours brighter, you see... She began dyeing in late 2011 and has developed her own, super efficient systems and processes to get the fabulous colour ways she produces. The business grew out of what was a very dark time for her and has blossomed into a thriving studio with customers worldwide. Using very technical methods (mushing) she considers the dyeing process as more of an art than a science for her personally as a dyer.  Champion of eye-searing neon, you'll find everything at Countessablaze.com. Show notes are available at www.shinybees.com Music for this episode is Adam and the Walter Boys with 'I Need A Drink'.

In this episode of the podcast, we review Tracey Todhunter’s new book, Women’s Weekly Guide to Crochet, which is inspiring us to pick up our hooks. Along with the usual - shout-outs, chat about what we’ve been working on, upcoming events and a very special announcement! Shout outs, news, events:  Shout to all the regulars and new faces at our knit night who took over three tables in the pub this week, and thanks for everyone’s yarn show tips! Thanks to everyone who commented on the last episode of the podcast, and congratulations to our giveaway winner of CC Almon’s book Coffee With CC – Clare!  News and events: 18-24 April: Makers for Fashion Revolution photo challenge hosted by Karie Westermann, aka Kariebookish, on Instagram. The idea behind the challenge is to get conversation happening within the making community about where our clothes come from.  21 April: A Yarn Story is bringing their Shibui Mix Party to Omnibus, in Clapham. This one-off special event will give you a chance to learn more about the Shibui Mix Concept and try out their various yarns to create your own personalized textures for your knits. Space is limited but tickets are still available for £15, a portion of which will be credited to any yarn purchases made on the evening.  23-24 April: Wonderwool Wales in Builth Wells.  30 April- 1 May: The annual Knitter’s Folic in Toronto!  30 April: Wooltastic Mini Pop-Up Wool Show, Walton Village Hall, Cumbria. 30 April: Yarn Shop Day - show your love for your local Yarn Shop by popping in to see what they have. In Manchester, Brit Yarn will be having a special pop-up at the Countess Ablaze studio. In Bath, A Yarn Story will have a yarn tasting of all their Fibre Co. yarns and will have a world-exclusive of The Fibre Co.’s newest yarn, Arranmore!  7 May: Wharfe Wool Fair, Ilkley 21 May: Highland Wool and Textile Fair, Dingwall Mart 21-22 May: Baa Baa Bazaar at the Shepley Spring Festival, Shepley. UK Fibre and Yarn Events group on Ravelry. What we’re working on: Rachel is working on the Crocheted Starburst Baby Blanket by Sara Rivka, and the Coffee Date shawl by C. C. Almon. In finished objects, she's blocked the world's largest shawl (Freshwater Shawl from the last podcast), and finished her latest shawl design.  Allison finished Your Mileage May Vary by Joanne Scrace and finished spinning her Porpoise Fur fibre club from January resulting in 138 yards of worsted weight yarn. She’s now back to working her way through her WIPs and on a couple of baby and toddler sweaters.  Book review: Women’s Weekly Guide to Crochet by Tracey Todhunter  Tracy Todhunter, a long time crochet designer and teacher, has a new book out that is perfect for those, like us, who are not the most accomplished crocheters. Great photos, tutorials and tips for all! You can find it on Amazon UK and in your local yarn store. It's also available in the US, as Crochet: Learn It. Love It. Wonderful Wonderwool (and other Yarn Show) Tips  At our most recent Knit Night, we asked for tips from our compatriots on how they get ready for wool shows, and we share their thoughts with you. And speaking of yarn shows…  We have a big announcement: the Yarnporium is coming!!!! All the details that are currently available are here, and stay tuned for more announcements in the coming weeks. If you are interested in vending at the Yarnporium, more information is here, and if you'd like to volunteer, there's information here. *** Please let us know what you think through comments on the show notes, send us an email at hello@yarninthecity.com or via Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. You can find us on iTunes or Stitcher Radio (and please consider leaving a review for us!), or download us directly from the Yarn in the City website.   On Wednesday nights you can find us at knit night at The Goat on the Rise pub on Battersea Rise, close to Clapham Junction station in SW London. We meet from 7pm to around 10pm. The food is great and the knitters are friendly. Join us!  Music (all available on NoiseTrade):Sunstroke - WylderOffer Up My Love - Midnight PilotThe Good Life - Midnight Pilot

This week I bring you lots of things to be inspired by. The reference to Paula Abdul is not covered within the show but encompasses the idea of 'two steps forward/two steps back'. First up there's news about Shiny's Hive, and a party to be remembered at Countess Ablaze for Yarn Shop Day on 30th April 2016. Come and join lots of us fun folk between 10am and 5pm and get involved in the fun. Isla of BritYarn will also be there with a trunk show. British Wool a gogo. I review Yarn In The City's London Craft Guide. It's a crafty guide to London, with lots of insider tips for food and refreshments along the way. It comes with 11 patterns for ghat all important holiday crafting too. You can find everything to do with the book at www.yarninthecity.com Finally, we have Wippin' Piccadilly with Voodoo by Boo Knits (yes, still) and Frisson by Brittany Wilson. Lush by TinCanKnits for the #RewindKAL. Shownotes are at www.shinybees.com Music is by Adam and the Walter Boys with 'I Need a Drink'    

On today’s podcast we’re chatting about some new goodies that have crossed our desks at Yarn in the City HQ and they’re two of our favourites: yarn and books! We’re reviewing another awesome new yarn from Blacker Yarns and we’ve also got chat about two new books, including one for our crochet followers.  Shout outs:  Shout outs to Sarah from Crafts from the Cwtch, Louise at Inspiration Knits, LCG contributor Catherine Hopkins and Julie from Knitted Bliss who have all written reviews of the London Craft Guide on their blogs. Thank you!   Shout out as well to Lyndsey at Countess Ablaze who’s amazing studio in Manchester is well, amazing. And a hello to all the knitters from the Joeli’s Kitchen Retreat in Manchester last weekend.  Book news:  All orders and pre-orders up to the end of February have now been sent out. If you pre-ordered a copy and you haven’t received a postage invoice from us, please check your email for a notice from Paypal, and email us at hello@yarninthecity.com if you haven't received on and let us know.  News and Events:  March 18-19 – Edinburgh Yarn Festival 2016 – marketplace, classes, general awesomeness. – Rachel will have copies of the London Craft Guide on her Porpoise Fur stand so you can pop by and take a look for that!  March 18-20 –  H+H trade show, the largest stitching-related trade show in Europe, is taking place in Cologne, Germany. 23 - 24th April – Wonderwool Wales, Builth Wells Fairgrounds. We're going for the day with the London Guild of Spinners, Weavers and Dyers. Spaces are filling up quickly so check on our Ravelry board for all the details.  Note from us: we realized after recording this episode of the podcast that we teased you unnecessarily by hinting at news to this year's Great London Yarn Crawl and we're sorry we forgot to mention it! This year's GLYC will take place on Saturday, 10th September and we're once again looking for volunteer yarn guides. If you'd like to help out, please email us at hello@yarninthecity.com with "I'd like to volunteer for this year's GLYC" in the subject line. Thanks! What we’re working on:  Rachel is almost done with her Honey Cowl in handspun and is dyeing like crazy for EYF. Allison finished the Tulip Cardigan she had picked up again in the last episode, and is so close to being done with her Heggelia mitts! And is anxiously planning what new thing she’ll cast on next.  Two of our favourite things: yarn and books  Yarn Review: the new Tamar Lustre Blend by Blacker Yarns. Book reviews: Crochet Yeah! By Joanne Scrace and Kat Goldin of The Crochet Project, and Penguin by Anna Maltz. Correction: we mistakenly mentioned Navia as the yarns used in Penguin. Yarn support was actually provided by The Island Wool Company. We apologise for the error! And a giveaway! Leave a comment below telling us what you'd make with a single skein of the new Tamar in fingering weight. Name the pattern and leave your Ravelry name and we'll keep the contest open until end of day on Monday, March 14th. The winner will receive this gorgeous skein of Tamar and we'll gift you the pattern you selected on Ravelry if you don't already have it! As always, please let us know what you think through comments on the show notes, send us an email at hello@yarninthecity.com or via Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. You can find us on iTunes or Stitcher Radio (and please consider leaving a review for us!), or download us directly from the Yarn in the City website.   And on Wednesday nights you can find us at knit night at The Goat on the Rise pub on Battersea Rise, close to Clapham Junction station in SW London. We meet from 7pm to around 10pm. The food is great and the knitters are friendly. Join us!  Music (all available on NoiseTrade):After the Fight - Jars of ClayDaisy Child - Brave BabyFind My Way - Brooke Annibale

As always, show notes can be found at www.stitchedtogether.co.uk. Come and join the conversation on the Stitched Together Podcast & Patterns Ravelry Group board.Stuff and ThingsI went to my first meeting of the Leicestershire Weavers, Spinners and Dyers Guild. This is part of the Association of Guilds of Weavers, Spinners and Dyers.Self Indulgent Craft-A-Long (#STSICAL2015) started on Christmas Day and runs to February 29th 2016. Enter a photo of your FO in the thread before it is locked. One entry per person. You must be a member of the group.  Chat is very welcome over in the group.Full details of prizes are given in the show notes for Episode 28.Done and DustedNew shawl pattern (as yet un-named) knit from Countess Ablaze Lady Persephone 4ply in the Eccentric Geeks colourway.Heavenly Wools New Zealand Halfbred Wool Roving in the Dragon's Breath Over Natural Grey.It was spun as a semi-worsted 3ply and I got 285m in total, and  I have 191g of this worsted weight yarn.Knitty and Color Superwash Targhee in the Early Fall colourway. I spun it as a worsted style 2-ply and got 375m of a heavy sock/4ply weight yarn. The skein weighs 110g.Nose to the GrindstoneKnitting Goddess Socks, my usual vanilla pattern using The Knitting Goddess 4ply merino nylon that I got at Fibre East 2014. It's moving slowly.The Doodler by Stephen West was the 2015 MKAL. I am using Countess Ablaze Lady Persephone Sock in the Persia colourway, Eden Cottage Yarns Pendle in Steel and The Yarn Yard Clan in Waverley.Second version of the new shawl pattern has been started using The Wool Barn Alpaca Sock (grey) in the Denim colourway. The is a sock/4ply weight yarn, comprised of 70% Natural Light Grey Baby Alpaca/20% Silk/10% Cashmere and it weighs 100g and has 400m/436yds. This is the same yarn as is being given away as a prize for the Self-Indulgent KAL.Fondant Fibre Superwash Merino/Nylon in the Campfire colourway. I've spun the singles and made a plying ball to even out the tension for a 3-ply and I'm hoping to make socks from it.Spindrift Shetland fibre by Jamieson & Smith from Barber Blacksheep and Shetland from The WoolBothy and Sara's Texture Crafts.PlottingI want to write up the pattern for the large Refraction Shawl I showed in the last episode and plan to use 2 skeins of Posh Yarn Gretchen Sock in the Titania's Couch colourway. This yarn is 50% merino/50% silk.I also need to make a gift for my nephew!Splashed OutCountess Ablaze Viscount of Spark in the Urbex colourway. 75% merino/20% nylon/5% stellina sock weight yarn, weighing 100g and measuring 400m.Scrumptiouspurl Stripe Me Up in the Tuxedo Junction colourway created for The Golden Skein's Power of Three club, Winter 2015. The yarn is 80% superwash merino/20% nylon and measures 365m from 100g.Northbound Knitting Grey Merino Combed Top in the Warm Spell colourway (4oz).Knitty and Color Superwash Targhee in the Trance colourway (4oz)Online CommunityA very kind anonymous donor has topped up the prize cupboard in stupendous style. I need to think of some more KALs!

As always, show notes can be found at www.stitchedtogether.co.uk. Come and join the conversation on the Stitched Together Podcast & Patterns Ravelry Group board.Stuff and ThingsSelf Indulgent Craft-A-Long (#STSICAL2015) started on Christmas Day and runs to February 29th 2016. The thread will be locked when I get up and get online on 1st March. The CAL is for anything new and exciting that makes your heart sing after all the responsibilities and hard work of the run up to the end of the year, so it shouldn't be a WIP.Prizes were all kindly donated and are:A project bag from Knit and Stitch Bits..The Wool Barn Alpaca Sock (grey) in the Denim colourway. The is a sock/4ply weight yarn, comprised of 70% Natural Light Grey Baby Alpaca/20% Silk/10% Cashmere and it weighs 100g and has 400m/436yds.From a generous viewer, who wishes to remain anonymous, The Uncommon Thread, Silky Merino Fingering in the Pern colourway. The yarn is a sock/4ply weight yarn and is comprised of 75% Superwash Merino/25% Mulberry Silk, it weighs 100g and measures 400m.Enter a photo of your FO in the thread before it is locked. One entry per person. You must be a member of the group.Chat is very welcome over in the group.Done and DustedMy project for the #STSICAL was knit using 40% Alpaca/40% Merino/20% Silk from John Arbon that I spun as a worsted 2ply to get a heavy sock/4ply weight yarn. I got 740m from 216g. I made Eyeblink by Heidi Alander. Decided to unpick the bind off and the last wrong side row. I then knit 8 rows and then did a beaded bind off using the technique in this video, by YarnFairy. I like how this technique means there are no holes under the picots.  I used Toho Metallic Iris Purple size 6/0 beads from JillyBeads.Eclipse by Lara Smoot using Yeomans Yarn Sport in the Birch colourway and The Yarn Yard Clan in pink.Refraction Shawlette Plus in DyeForYarn Sock BFL Superwash in the Wooden Treasure Chest colourway. The centre panel is made using some of the charts from Refraction Shawlette, with a different final chart.Regia Snowflake Color Socks in the 07709 colourway.Superwash Merino fibre, from World of Wool, that I dyed using Wilton's Food Dyes, I spun it as a worsted 2-ply and the resulting yarn was 282m/308yds of sport weight yarn.KraftyKoala merino silk fibre, was spun as a worsted chain-ply yarn. It measures 124m/136yds of a worsted weight yarn. Fibre was bought in a de-stash and I don't think she is dyeing anymore.A LOT of blocked squares for my Sock Yarn Blanket, which is based loosely on Shannon Geddes' Sock Yarn Square.Nose to the GrindstoneKnitting Goddess Socks, my usual vanilla pattern using The Knitting Goddess 4ply merino nylon that I got at Fibre East 2014. I don't think she uses this base anymore.The Doodler by Stephen West was the 2015 MKAL. I am using Countess Ablaze Lady Persephone Sock in the Persia colourway, Eden Cottage Yarns Pendle in Steel and The Yarn Yard Clan in Waverley. I referred to a great set of tutorials by jkimisyellow, which were really helpful.I've been prepping some Heavenly Wools New Zealand Halfbred Wool Roving in the Dragon's Breath Over Natural Grey. I have 200g and want to spin it as a true 3-ply. It's mainly a merino breed with 24.5 micron count.Splashed OutMy first Fat Squirrel Bag (I think it's a Small Wedge).20g Mini Skeins from Sara's Texture CraftSome bargains from EasyKnits; Lush in Yeah, Yeah, Yeah, Smoke in Dabloon (150g skein) and Twinkle DK in Berry.Unwind Yarn Company Journey Sock (150g skein) in Jimmy Angelov.Fondant Fibre Winter Wonderland Rolags.Online CommunityKatya Frankel is holding an Anything Goes KAL from 20th February to 20th March over in her Ravelry Group, and is offering a 20% discount on all of her self-published designs from 8-29 February with the code anythinggoeskal.I really like her new shawl pattern Sidereal but I might join in with the Vector pattern from Flatland.

We're excited to finally be able to share this episode with you as we've had it in the can for a while. We've got an interview with Clara Parkes of the Knitter's Review about her latest book, Knitlandia: A Knitter Sees the World. It makes for a slightly longer than usual episode this time around but we hope you'll stick with us to the end. Image from @abramsbooks on Instagram News, Shout-outs, Announcements and Contest Winner! Big congrats to Kate Price who is the winner of a pair of tickets to Unravel. Kate - please send us an email and we'll connect you with the good folks at Unravel for your tickets to the show. Shout-outs to Helen Stewart of Curious Handmade for sharing her #3thingsforyarnlove, Jenny from Owl About Yarn and CaroTrike from Ravelry. Coming up next in the London and UK knitting scene:10th February – It’s the next Late Night Knitty Lock-in of 2016 over at Wild & Woolly. Check out the details on their website.  13th - 14th February – Cécile Balladino is teaching her Eclectic Gipsyland crochet class at Loop. These are the same class but offered on two different days. The class will teach Cécile’s techniques for lace motifs, joining as you go, surface crochet and more. This is not a beginner’s class and you will be expected to already know how to crochet.  NEW Listing - 14th February - There's a Mass Knit-In for Knit Aid called All You Knit Is Love happening at The Book Club in London. 20th February – For those of you up north, Karie Westermann is teaching her Two-Handed Colourwork for Fair Isle and Nordic Style Colourwork class at Be Inspired Fibres in Edinburgh.   19th - 21st February – Unravel is happening at Farnham Maltings. Our Yarn in the City stand will not only have the London Craft Guide but yarn from some of our favourite folks as well including Kettle Yarn Co., Eden Cottage Yarns, SweetGeorgia Yarns, Orkney Angoras and Third Vault Yarns (including a custom colourway exclusive to Yarn in the City!). A reminder if you didn't see the update on our blog that you can pre-order the London Craft Guide for £15 only until the 18th of February (let us know in the special notes on your order if you'd like to pick it up at Unravel). Once the book launches at Unravel on the 19th of February the price for the print book will be £16.50. 26th - 28th February – Joeli’s Kitchen Retreat in Manchester. Featuring classes with Kate Atherley, Karie Westermann, Joeli and other great teachers, as well as a mini marketplace on the Sunday that will include Countess Ablaze. On and Off the Needles New exclusive Yarn in the City colourway from Third Vault Yarns Rachel finished a sample sweater in advance of her Knit a Sexy Sweater class at A Yarn Story in Bath. She's also been working on knitting up a sample of the Because Sock Yarn project from the London Craft Guide in our new custom colourway from Third Vault Yarns. Allison finished both her Grown Up Booties and She's a Waterfall projects since the last episode and is back on her Gradient Pullover and now on the third and final band of colour. She's also been crocheting squares for a new sample of the crochet project from the London Craft Guide. Knitlandia Clara Parkes' new book Knitlandia: A Knitter Sees the World comes out on February 16th and we were incredibly lucky to have a chat with Clara when she was visiting London back in December. Our topics veer from Knitter's Review to her books (Knitters Book of Yarn, Knitters book of Wool and Knitters Book of Socks) to her Great White Bale project and first foray into Clara Yarn. Following our interview we talk about some of our favourite essays from the book. As always, please let us know what you think by tweeting, liking, or loving our posts when you see them go up on Twitter,Facebook and Instagram – or even better, leave a comment in the shownotes, post on our Ravelry board or send us an email at hello@yarninthecity.com.  You can find us on iTunes or Stitcher Radio (and please consider leaving a review for us!), or download us directly from the Yarn in the City website.   Our Knit Night is every Wednesday from 7:00pm to 10:00pm at The Goat on the Rise in Clapham Junction. We'd love to have you join us! Music credits (all available on NoiseTrade)A Rainy Week in Paradise - Elessar ThiessenMorning Light - The Dirty Guv'nahs  

Now that we’re a few weeks into 2016 we’re curious as to how you’re all doing with your resolutions or goals for this year. We’ve also been doing some thinking about our own plans for Yarn in the City this year and had our own thoughts that we wanted to share with you.  Shout outs:  C. C. from the Geeky Girls Podcast. The Dublin Brooks Hotel Knit Night, who introduced Alli to the beers of Galway Hooker. Best. Brewery. Name. Ever. What’s Happening:  30th January - Renée Callahan of East London Knit will be teaching Brioche Basics and Brioche Next Steps classes at A Yarn Story in Bath. 30th January - Woolly Wormhead is teaching two classes at Knit With Attitude, a Knitting in the Round Masterclass and her Turning Sideways class. 31st January - there is a Learn to Darn class happening at Wild & Woolly. Participants are encouraged to bring a woolen garment that needs mending and will learn both invisible and decorative techniques by a professional Japanese clothes mender.  4th-7th February – the annual French stitching show L’Aiguille en Fete takes place at the Porte de Versailles in Paris. This show is jammed with all kinds of inspiration! 5th – 7th February – Purlescence is hosting a weekender featuring the KNITSONIK Colourwork and Bespoke Yokes workshops with our good friends Felicity Ford and Brenda Dayne. If you missed Gwlana last fall, Felicity and Brenda are cramming their classes into two full days (and a Friday evening kick off) at Purlescence’s new location in Oxfordshire.   6th - 7th February – Rachel is teaching an Introduction to Drop Spindling and How to Knit a Sexy Sweater class at A Yarn Story.  10th February – It’s the next Late Night Knitty Lock-in of 2016 over at Wild & Woolly. Check out the details on their website.  13th - 14th February – Cécile Balladino is teaching her Eclectic Gipsyland crochet class at Loop. These are the same class but offered on two different days. The class will teach Cécile’s techniques for lace motifs, joining as you go, surface crochet and more. This is not a beginner’s class and you will be expected to already know how to crochet.  20th February – For those of you up north, Karie Westermann is teaching her Two-Handed Colourwork for Fair Isle and Nordic Style Colourwork class at Be Inspired Fibres in Edinburgh.   19th - 21st February – Unravel is happening at Farnham Maltings. We will be there with two stands – a joint Porpoise Fur/Yarn in the City stand where we will be debuting the London Craft Guide! We’ve just found out that our stand will be located in the Barley Room, so we do hope you’ll come and say hello!  26th - 28th February – Joeli’s Kitchen Retreat in Manchester. Featuring classes with Kate Atherley, Karie Westermann, Joeli and other great teachers, as well as a mini marketplace on the Sunday that will include Countess Ablaze.  Giveaway: Speaking of Unravel – we still have a pair of tickets to giveaway. To enter, leave a comment in the show notes for Episode 28 and let us know what you’re looking forward to seeing at the show. We’ll draw a name on February 1st and announce the winner on the first podcast episode in February. Contest note: this pair of tickets is for a single day’s entry to the show and does not include any travel to Farnham. Good luck!  Save the Date! We’ve finally figured out the date for this year’s Great London Yarn Crawl,which will be held on Saturday, 10th September. Mark the date in your calendars now and stay tuned for more details this spring!  What we’re working on: Rachel is working on a sample of the Waterloo Mitts, our pattern from the London Craft Guide, in Eden Cottage Yarns Whitfeld DK. She is also working up her Knit a Sexy Sweater class sample by knitting the Middlefield Pullover by Melissa LaBarre from New England Knits, in Elann Peruvian Highland Chunky. She's finished knitting her Dark & Stormy, but the buttons and grosgrain ribbon are still to be done. She's finished spinning for the first Unravel hat and is almost ready to cast on. The first stage of the project is in her Design Diaries segment on her blog. Allison has her first FO of 2016 off the needles – the Quaking Aspen shawl by Courtney Kelley. She’s also finished spinning some Porpoise Fur handspun from the Lab Goddess Fibre Club and is working it up into the Grown Up Booties by Ysolda. She is also almost finished with her She’s a Waterfall shawl by Dani Sunshine.  2016 - The Do-Over: After last episode’s chat about themes for the year and having a focus for this year, we decided that we wanted to come up for one for our year. There are already lot’s of things out about being creative this year, all of which are great. But we were wondering if there was something we could do that would tie in to what Yarn in the City is all about. We also wanted it to be something that anyone could take part in, no matter how big or small, and in whatever way felt right and personal to them.  We’ve been inspired by Calgary, Canada’s mayor Naheed Nenshi, who challenged his council and the citizens of Calgary to do Three Things for their community as a way to increase civic engagement (an overview here). The idea was simple: if there are over a million people in the city of Calgary and every person did three things to make the city better –image how amazing an already great city would be.  When we were thinking about what we wanted to focus on in 2016 we looked back to the things and themes that resonated with us last year. And they were stories of people within our yarn and fibre community doing great stuff that makes it better for everyone. Whether it’s people who are spreading the passion of wool like the Wovember team, or podcasters likeShinybees and Curious Handmade, who demonstrate than knitting podcasts can build community, or show organisers like Jo and Mica who saw a void in their own community and created the Edinburgh Yarn Festival to fill it.  As a community we’re sharing knowledge and learning from each other and asking questions. So this year we want to encourage you to do three things for the world wide yarn and fibre community. Think about what is important to you. Think about what you’re good at. Talk to your friends and figure out how you can make a difference, however small.  Then we’d like you to do those things, and tell us about them on a dedicated Three Things for the yarn and fibre community thread on our Ravelry board, or on our Facebook page. You can even tweet or Instagram at us. Use the hashtag#3thingsforyarnlove so we can see what you're up to and cheer you on! And once you've done three things, do three more, and three more, and three more... As always, please let us know what you think by tweeting, liking, or loving our posts when you see them go up on Twitter,Facebook and Instagram – or even better, leave a comment in the shownotes, post on our Ravelry board or send us an email at hello@yarninthecity.com.  You can find us on iTunes or Stitcher Radio (and please consider leaving a review for us!), or download us directly from the Yarn in the City website.   Our Knit Night is every Wednesday from 7:00pm to 10:00pm at The Goat on the Rise in Clapham Junction. We'd love to have you join us! Music credits (all available on NoiseTrade) Howlin' At Nothing (Live in Denver), S. O. B. - Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night SweatsBright Lights and Amplifiers - American OperaLove in the World - Devon Heath

As always, show notes can be found at www.stitchedtogether.co.uk. Come and join the conversation on the Stitched Together Podcast & Patterns Ravelry Group board.Stuff and ThingsLara Smoot kindly offered to give away a copy of one of her most recently released patterns, Journey to Atlantis, which was previously an exclusive club pattern on Miss Babs Knitting Tour. It uses around 500m of a worsted weight yarn to make. The winner was drawn at random using random.org and is Entry Number 2, ThisPianoGirl.Self Indulgent Craft-A-Long (#STSICAL2015) started on Christmas Day and runs to February 29th 2016. The thread will be locked when I get up and get online on 1st March. The CAL is for anything new and exciting that makes your heart sing after all the responsibilities and hard work of the run up to the end of the year, so it shouldn't be a WIP.Prizes were all kindly donated and are:A project bag from Knit and Stitch Bits..The Wool Barn Alpaca Sock (grey) in the Denim colourway. The is a sock/4ply weight yarn, comprised of 70% Natural Light Grey Baby Alpaca/20% Silk/10% Cashmere and it weighs 100g and has 400m/436yds.From a generous viewer, who wishes to remain anonymous, The Uncommon Thread, Silky Merino Fingering in the Pern colourway. The yarn is a sock/4ply weight yarn and is comprised of 75% Superwash Merino/25% Mulberry Silk, it weighs 100g and measures 400m.Enter a photo of your FO in the thread before it is locked. One entry per person. You must be a member of the group.Chat is very welcome over in the group.Done and DustedMy project for the #STSICAL was knit using 40% Alpaca/40% Merino/20% Silk from John Arbon that I spun as a worsted 2ply to get a heavy sock/4ply weight yarn. I got 740m from 216g. I made Eyeblink by Heidi Alander. I used 620m, which has left me with 35g/120m of yarn.Sockhead Hat by Kelly McClure, using left over Hilltop Cloud BFL/Cashmere/Silk from the Foolproof.Handspun Monster using 110m of Fondant Fibre Falkland Silk, a worsted weight yarn.Purple Kitty using Cascade 220 Superwash.Windward by Heidi Kirrmaier knit from Posh Yarn Miranda Heavy Lace (70% Alpaca, 20% Silk, 10% Cashmere) Barley by TinCanKnits in Cascade 220 Superwash.`Hobbledehoy merino/tencel in the Lagoon colourway was spun as a worsted 2-ply. I got 383m/419yds from 114g/4oz in a fingering/4-ply weight yarn.Nose to the GrindstoneRegia Snowflake Color Socks in the 07709 colourway.Orange Mittens using StarCroft Nash Island Light in the Lobster Bake colourway. I want to add a convertible top as seen in Stonybrook by Wendy Poush.Refraction Shawlette Plus has been frogged and re-started using extra increases and making the "wings" in stocking stitch instead of garter. Uses DyeForYarn Sock BFL Superwash in the Wooden Treasure Chest colourway.Spinning Superwash Merino fibre, from World of Wool, that I dyed using Wilton's Food Dyes, on my new spindle.Crafting Library750 Knitting Stitches: The Ultimate Knit Stitch Bible (UK Link) (US Link) Increase, Decrease (UK Link)  (US Link)by Judith Durant.Splashed OutJust Ducky Handspun Pierced Heart Spindle made with Lignum tip, Black Ebony whorl, Padauk shaft. Weight: 1.2 oz/34g Length: 11 3/4”Hello Yarn Falkland in the Ghastly Silence colourway.Into The Whirled 50% merino/25% bamboo/25% silk in the 221b colourway.JOMA Yarn Cash-A-Rino (70% Superwash merino/20% cashmere/10% nylon) in the Humingbird colourway. 115g/4oz of fingering/4-ply weight yarn, measuring 371m/406ydsUnwind Yarn Company Journey Sock (80% Superwash merino/20% nylon) in the La Grande Jatte colourway. 100g of fingering/4-ply weight yarn measuring 365m/400yds.Countess Ablaze Lord of Silk DK (75% Falkland merino/25% mulberry silk) in the Nightmare colourway. 100g of DK weight yarn measuring 240m/262yds)

This week it's a chatty catch up for the most part, with some news on renovations/maintenance issues at Casa Shiny. Roofers: know your limits! Enablers' Corner directs you to the sale at Whistlebare Yarns. Get 20% off mohair lovelies over at www.whistlebare.co.uk, hand dyed and produced on the farm. Want to meet this small producer? Check out episode 72. There is also some chat about a visit to the Countess Ablaze studio in Swinton, Manchester. Her hand dyed fabulousness knows no bounds; I'm a fan girl and I am not sorry. Wippin' Piccadilly returns with a brief canter through ongoing knitty projects including Owligan by Kate Davies, Be With You/Voodoo by Boo Knits and some socks that cannot be elaborated upon yet, as they're in yarn from the most recent quarter of The Golden Skein. I wrote for Wovember! If you like wool and you haven't already, go over to www.wovember.com. The Shinybees celebration yarn and podcast swag should be available this week. Get on the mailing list to be the first to hear about it. Show notes are at www.shinybees.com Music is 'I Need A Drink' by Adam and the Walter Boys.

As always, show notes can be found at www.stitchedtogether.co.uk. Come and join the conversation on the Stitched Together Podcast & Patterns Ravelry Group board.Stuff and ThingsLouleigh has donated one of her bags for a giveaway. The winner was drawn in Episode 24 but hasn't claimed the prize yet.Emily of the FibreTown Podcast has released a new pattern the Esther Belle Shawl and she has donated a copy of this new pattern to give away to a viewer. The winner is announced in this episode.I've now released my Boat Trip Cowl pattern and there is a coupon code, BOATTRIP, that will get you a £1 discount, if you enter it in the Coupon Code box on the checkout screen. This code will expire at midnight GMT on 30th November 2015. I mention the yarn used Countess Ablaze Lord Kitchener 4ply and Siidegarte Siide-Quirlig, which I got from The Golden Skein.Done and DustedFondant Fibre Fuzzlings in the Gone West colourway. Spun as a semi-worsted 3-ply construction, I got 178m of DK weight yarn.Cute Critter for Christmas was an improvised pattern. It used Sirdar Shaggy Scarf yarn in the 0607 Tan colourway and Hayfield Bonus Chunky in the 0936 Tan colourway. I referenced FreshStitches crochet patterns and Rebecca Danger's Big Book of Knitted Monsters (UK Link)(US Link).Brother's Barley Hat is by TinCanKnits and is knit from Cascade 220 Superwash in the 885 In The Navy colourway.Grandmother's Favorite knit using Pigsah Peaches & Creme Solids in the 5 Eggshell colourway. Also giving some sensitive soap from Corinne T Holistic on ETSY.Nose to the GrindstonePamela Stripes En Haute knit from my own pattern, using Posh Yarn Pamela in the I'll Get You My Pretty, The Door Just Opened For Someone and The Grass is Full of Stars colourway.Fondant Fibre Rolags in the Lina colourway. Rolags are made of alpaca, camel, Shetland and silk. Spun using my Spanish Peacock Bead Whorl spindles.Toddler Tank Top using Rico Baby Classic DK in the 16 Purple colourway. Based on the shaping of Playing Out by Sirdar from Issue 101 of Simply Knitting.Blast From The PastQuynn by Woolly Wormhead knit in Babylonglegs Radiance Aran in the Stingray colourway.PlottingI need to make a monster for my second youngest nephew and a hat for my eldest nephew. Thinking about doing a Self Indulgent Craft A Long starting on Christmas Day. If you have any thoughts about this CAL, post in the episode thread on the Ravelry Board.Splashed OutNicole C Mendez Stripy Gold Sock in #2 colourway.The Wool Barn Silk Sock in Gun Powder.The Wool Barn Alpaca Sock in Denim.The Wool Barn Rustic Sock in Adria.The Knitting Goddess BritSock in The Luggage colourway.Online CommunityThanks for reaching out as you always do!

As always, show notes can be found at www.stitchedtogether.co.uk. Come and join the conversation on the Stitched Together Podcast & Patterns Ravelry Group board.Stuff and ThingsThe books I were talking about were The Way of Kings and Words of Radiance from The Stormlight Archive (3 Book Series)by Brandon Sanderson.Louleigh has donated one of her bags for a giveaway. The winner was drawn in this episode.Done and DustedClincher by Ash Kearns in Perran Yarns MCN 4ply in the Muddy Pops colourway.Vanilla Socks incorporating the Fish Lips Kiss Heel by Sox Therapist in Fab Funky Fibres Self Striping Sock Yarn in the Mish Mash colourway.Cardinia Wrap by ambah. Knit using; Kettle Yarn Co Beyul in Black Quartz, Truly Hooked 60% Superwash Merino/20% Silk/20% Yak Down in the Merida colourway and The Wool Barn Adventure Sock in the Lagoon colourway. I'm sure these are dyed on the same base despite being from different dyers.Toddler Blanket using Rico Design Baby Classic DK in the Anthracite (32), Dusky Pink (40), Powder (038), Mauve (041) colourways. I refer to the 1000 Knitting Patterns Book that I bought from ETSY.Wide Ribbed Beanie by Woolly Wormhead using Countess Ablaze Lord of Silk Aran in the Few Are The Children Who Turn Out To Become The Equal of Their Fathers colourway.Ana by Perl Grey using Countess Ablaze Lord of Silk DK in the OOAK2 colourway.Sara's Texture Crafts Polwarth in the Final Frontier colourway. I spun it in a 2-ply worsted style and got a 103g of a DK weight yarn, measuring 250m.Pigeon Roof Studios Targhee in the Magical colourway. I spun it in a chain-plied worsted style and got 124g of a worsted weight yarn, measuring 158m.Yarn Geek Fibers BFL in the Iron Man II colourway. I spun a worsted 2-ply and got a heavy lace weight yarn measuring 1174m/1284yds from 227g/8oz.BabyLongLegs BFL in the Berry Crush colourway. I spun a worsted 2-ply yarn and got 102g of a heavy sport weight yarn measuring 218m.Nose to the GrindstoneFondant Fibre Fuzzlings in the Gone West colourway.Refraction Plus using DyeForYarn Superwash BFL Sock in the Wooden Treasure Chest colourway.Vanilla Socks using Nicole C Mendez Ringel Sockenwolle in the #135 colourway.Blast From The PastStripes En Haut shawl from June 2013, mainly knit on holiday in Cornwall. It used Countess Ablaze Count Cashmerino Sock in Grey Skies In Manchester, Posh Yarn Martha Sock in Dreams of An Insomniac and The Uncommon Thread Lush Twist in Pontus. All are MCN bases.De-pilled using a Lilly Brush.PlottingI want to make another Stripes En Haut using Posh Yarn Pamela Sock.Splashed OutSpanish Peacock Tibetan Spindle made using Boxwood for the Whorl and Bolivian Rosewood for the shaft and tip. It weighs 28g.Posh Yarn Pamela Sock in the Grass is Full Of Stars colourway.Posh Yarn Kirsten Sock in the Sleep On My Wrongs colourway.Regia Snowflake sock yarn in colourway 07709.Online CommunityEmily of the FibreTown Podcast has released a new pattern the Esther Belle Shawl and she has donated a copy of this new pattern to give away to a viewer. Go to the Ravelry Thread and let us know about a strong female role model from your childhood.

Show notes can always be found on www.stitchedtogether.co.uk by clicking on the Podcast button at the top of the page.Stuff and ThingsThe Crafting With Colour KAL is proceeding well. Finished Objects should be posted in this FO Thread (please no chat there). Please also read all the rules carefully before posting to make sure your project fits the rules.If you want to chat about the KAL, please come and join the friendly thread here.The KAL finishes on 31st August 2015, so still plenty of time to enter.Done and DustedThe Joker and The Thief by Melanie Berg. I'm using Wollmeise Pure in a WD version of Ein Klein Wenig Verrucht and couple of sets of mini skeins from Frankenskein Yarns in the Sour Heart colourway.Quicksilver by Melanie Berg. Knit in Snaeldan 2-Ply in the Charcoal, Cloud and Turf colourways, from Island Wool on the Faroe Isles.Skein 80% Polwarth/20% Silk in the Thyme colourway. I got 250m of a heavy DK weight 2-ply yarn.Countess Ablaze blend in the Extravagance and Cruelty colourway. 62% merino/12% alpaca/12% angelina/12% Seacell. I got 487m of a 3-ply DK weight out of 311g.Fondant Fibre Oatmeal BFL in the Luckenbooth colourway. I got 275m of a heavy fingering weight chain plyed yarn, spun worsted.Sara's Texture Crafts BFL in the Precious Rock colourway. I got 254m of a sport weight 2-ply yarn, spun worsted.DT Crafts 50%/50% Merino/Tencel Sock Yarn and High Twist 75%/25% Superwash Merino/Nylon Sock, dyed using Wilton 8 Colour Icing Set 226 g (UK Link) dyed in the microwave. All the video tutorials I used are in this YouTube Playlist.Nose to the GrindstoneToddler Blanket using Rico Designs Baby Classic DK in the Powder (038), Mauve (041), Dusky Pink (40), Anthracite (32) and Purple (16) colourways. Done using Treble(UK)/Double Crochet(US).Botany Lace Hitofude using Araucania Botany Lace in the 2118 colourway, bought from Stash Fine Yarns (they have 35% off all yarns including those on sale). I mention Megan of Stockinette Zombies and Emily of the Fibre Town podcasts and Poke Me Not needle holder from Jan B Smiley.Refraction Plus Shawl in DyeForYarn Superwash BFL Sock in the Wooden Treasure Chest  colourway. Using the charts from the Refraction Shawlette pattern.Yarn Geek Fibers BFL in the Iron Man II colourway.PlottingI discuss frogging the Stripe Study Shawl which is in a bag by The SilverShed USADotted Rays Shawl in a Superwash Merino Ombre Shawl Kit from YarnLux in the Moss to Berry colourways.Splashed OutWollmeise 100% Pure Superwash Merino in the 0 Rh Negativ colourway.BeesyBee Fibers BFL in the Galah colourway.Fondant Fibre Rolags in the Lina colourway. A blend of alpaca, camel, Shetland and silk.Fondant Fibre MCN in the Life's A Beach colourway.Hobbledehoy Merino/Tencel in the Lagoon colourway.Online CommunityReceived a prize from MandoBug of MandoBug Crafts podcast.I'm destashing some yarn. If you see something you like that isn't listed in the Trade/Sell category, you can always ask, I might let it go if you really want it.

Show notes can always be found on www.stitchedtogether.co.uk by clicking on the Podcast button at the top of the page. Stuff and ThingsPrizes for the Crafting With Colour KAL are:Donated and dyed by HappyDebs, a member of our group, MCN Sock Weight Yarn in the Spring Garden colourway, 350m/383yds of 80% merino/10% cashmere/10% sock.Kindly donated by another viewer is Sundara Sock Yarn in the Shadow Studies colourway. It's 100% superwash merino and 338m/370yds.Alessandra, aka PokedaGoblin donated this yarn specifically for this KAL. Two skeins of Regia 4-Fadig Color (a self striping yarn) in colouway 05048. Each skein measures 210m/230yds and weighs 50g. The yarn is made of 75% wool/25% polyamide.Finished Objects should be posted in this FO Thread (please no chat there). Please also read all the rules carefully before posting to make sure your project fits the rules.If you want to chat about the KAL, please come and join the friendly thread here.The KAL finishes on 31st August 2015.Done and DustedMake It Work by Allie Coffey of Caffeinated Knitting Podcast. I used yarn spun from Fondant Fibre Organic Merino in the Inked colourway.Knitty and Color Merino Silk in the Sleepy Hollow colourway. It's 80% merino and 20% silk. I spun it worsted with a 2ply constructions and 261m of a light DK weight, weighing 110g.Sara's Texture Crafts Merino in the Raspberry Chocolate colourway. I spun it worsted with a 4ply construction. I got 160m aran weight and it weighs 179g.Northbound Knitting Polwarth in the Flying Kites colourway. I spun it worsted with a 2ply construction aiming to get a barber pole effect. I got 178m of a worsted weight yarn weighing 105g.Textured Shawl by Stephanie Bold in The Knitting Goddess Laceweight 70% Baby Alpaca/20% Silk/10% Cashmere in the Greens colourway. This was knit for my friend Rachael who bought the yarn when she took me to Fibre East 2014.Nose to the GrindstoneToddler Blanket using Rico Designs Baby Classic DK in the Powder (038), Mauve (041), Dusky Pink (40), Anthracite (32) and Purple (16) colourways. Done using Treble(UK)/Double Crochet(US).Felici Socks using Knit Picks Felici in the Afternoon colourway. My vanilla sock pattern with a Fish Lips Kiss Heel. I mention the Poke Me Not from Jan B Smiley and Emily of the Fibre Town Podcast.The Joker and The Thief by Melanie Berg. I'm using Wollmeise Pure in a WD version of Ein Klein Wenig Verrucht and couple of sets of mini skeins from Frankenskein Yarns in the Sour Heart colourway. I mention my HiyaHiya Kitty Snips. I got mine from Meadow Yarns.Skein Polwarth Silk in the Thyme colourway is being plied.Countess Ablaze blend in the Extravagance and Cruelty colourway. 62% merino/12% alpaca/12% angelina/12% Seacell. It's stored in a basket from Julzcrafts. This is my Tour de Fleece 2015 spin. I'm in Team Caffeinated 2015, which is a very laid back group. I have also opened a thread in the Stitched Together Ravelry group for people who are sort of spinning along with the TdF but don't want any commitment. There aren't any prizes, just friendly support.Fondant Fibre Oatmeal BFL in the Luckenbooth colourway.PlottingKnitting some socks from Sock Architecture by Lara Neel.Splashed OutSpanish Peacock Cocobolo Russian SpindlePigeon Roof Studies Superwash Targhee in the Magical colourwayOn The Round Superwash Targhee/Silk in the Silver Lining Tweed colourway.Countess Ablaze Viscount of Spark in the Nerds Prefer Their Rainbows Darker.Countess Ablaze Dr Donegal in a OOAK colourwayMarigoldJen Merino/Silk Single (4ply) in the Serene colourway.Online CommunityThank you for all the well wishes during my surgery and support in the aftermath!

Show notes can always be found on www.stitchedtogether.co.uk by clicking on the Podcast button at the top of the page.Stuff and ThingsI mention the Handspinning Thread on the Ravelry Group and @keninmaine's support spindle videos on Instagram; video 1 and video 2.Done and DustedExploration Station by Stephen West being Knit in Kettle Yarn Co TWIST which is a 4ply/sock weight 100% BFL yarn. 50g has 183m/200yds and I  used 100g x Haematite, 100g x OOAK Colourway, 100g x Old Smoke & 50g of Glacier. Christmas Yarn spun from Countess Ablaze Superwash Merino in 100g x An Inveterate Dislike of Julia and 200g x The Debauched and Reckless Style of Living spun into a true 3-ply to get 559m/611yds of sport/dk weight yarn. After sampling and waste, it weighed 266g.Nose to the GrindstoneQuicksilver by Melanie Berg.Using Snaelden 2ply - A blend of Faorese and Falkland wool - 4ply/fingering to sport weight. I have 100g/360m/394yds in each of Cloud, Charcoal and Turf.Stripe Study Shawl by Veera Välimäki in Posh Yarn Martha Sock in the Ladies Don't Whistle and And Don't You Come Back No More colourways. This yarn tried to be a 3/4 Hap Shawl, also by Veera Välimäki, but it failed.BCYarnings Hat of my own design. Yarn is Berry Colorful Yarnings Primary DK in the Copper Pot colourway. I talk about the PatternGenius App.Make It Work by Allie Coffey of Caffeinated Knitting Podcast. I am using yarn spun from Fondant Fibre Organic Merino in the Inked colourway.Knitty and Color Merino Silk in the Sleepy Hollow colourway. It's 80% merino and 20% silk.PlottingCrafting With Colour KAL - starting 1st June 2015 - 31st August 2015. Must use two colours or more. You must use at least 125m/136yds in total. Project must be started after the start date and finished before the end date. Finished is only counted as finished when it is; photographed, project page made with full details of yarn used etc, and entry put in the finished object thread, which will be opened after the start date.  A chat thread is open now. Tag to be used is STCWCKAL, which can be used on social media as well as in the project tags. There will be prizes, to be determined! You can only win prizes if you a member of the group.Possible Summer knits:Featherweight Wrap to Knit by Val Love from Posh Yarn Diana Lace in Gone to My Happy Place.Quick Sand by Heidi Kirrmaier from Araucania Pomaire Multy in 07.Angelina - Easy Trendy Cardigan(Knit) by Vicky Chan in Garnstudio Drops Cotton Light in Black.Marian Tunic by Michaela Moores in Debbie Bliss Rialto Lace - in Turquoise.Please let me know of any other suggestions for successful Summer patterns.Splashed OutCountess Ablaze Lord Kitchener 4ply in What Man and Whence?Frankenskein Yarn Company Merino MiniSkein Set in Sour Hearts.On The Round Spontaneous Sock in SSY0129.Berry Colorful Yarnings Primary 4ply in LarchOnline CommunityPrize of Northbound Knitting Superwash Merino Sock in Moss. Won from Caffeinated Knitting Podcast NBK KAL.

Show notes can always be found on www.stitchedtogether.co.uk by clicking on the Podcast button at the top of the page.Stuff and ThingsRandom Rummage CAL #STRRCAL Chat Thread.  Made from Fibre FO Thread and Made From Yarn FO Thread are still open. Originally closing on 31st January 2015 but is now EXTENDED TO 14TH FEBRUARY 2015.I share my Lerryn Mittens by Rachel Coopey, knit in Countess Ablaze The English Gentleman DK in Shiver and my Angora Gloves.Done and DustedCameo by Paulina Popiolek. Knit in Juno Milly Singles in the Peacock and Silver colourways.Salsa Punis made by Fondant Fibre - 40% Bluefaced Leicester (BFL), 40% Merino and 20% MohairNose to the GrindstoneTusk Punis made by Fondant Fibre - 50% Alpaca, 30% Bluefaced Leicester (BFL) and 20% Silk and referred to plying up Artist's Palette merino/tencel in Loose Change.Zuzu's Petals by Carina Spencer in Countess Ablaze Polwarth handspun. I show my project bag from The Silver Shed USA and mention Amy from the Stockinette Zombies Podcast.Vanilla Zig Zag Socks using Susie White, from Prairie Girls Knit and Spin's Zigzagular Socks cable chart, knit in Countess Ablaze Viscount of Spark in Riots and Revolts.Textured Shawl by Stephanie Bold in The Knitting Goddess 70% Baby Alpaca/20% Silk/10% Cashmere Laceweight in the Greens colourway.Maren Cardigan by Ragga Eriksdottir in Istex Lett-Lopi in the 1403, 1404 and 0054 colourways. From the Craftsy Class Top-Down Icelandic Sweater (affiliate link). I mention Southern Girl Knits Podcast.PlottingI plan to knit Corner-to-Corner Throw by Catherine J. Watson out of Rico Designs Baby Classic DK in Purple, Dusky Pink, Anthracite and White. I mention Mando Bug Crafts Podcast.I talk about a spin using my Christmas gift of Countess Ablaze Superwash Merino in The Debauched and Reckless Style of Living and the added braid of Countess Ablaze Superwash Merino in An Inveterate Dislike of Julia.Splashed OutCountess Ablaze yarn from The Odyssey Trail. Countess of Mohair in Death Was Quick and Marriage A Painful Matter and Lord of Silk Aran in Few Are The Children Who Turn Out To Be The Equal of Their Fathers.

Show notes can always be found on www.stitchedtogether.co.uk by clicking on the Podcast button at the top of the page.Stuff and ThingsRandom Rummage CAL #STRRCAL Chat Thread.  Made from Fibre FO Thread and Made From Yarn FO Thread are now open. Closes on 31st January 2015.I'm wearing a Cool Clavicle Cover by Megan Williams of Stockinette Zombies.Done and DustedBarley by tincanknits in Cascade 220 SuperwashAlternato by Woolly Wormhead in MillaMia Naturally Soft in Fuschia and PetalSimple Sport Weight Hat in Posh Yarn Martha Sport in 5 a.m. (I talk about my Long & Winding Row Cowl by Susan Ashcroft)Quaker Yarn Stretcher Boomerang by Susan Ashcroft in Noro Silk Garden Sock in the S321 colourway.Sock Yarn Squares by Shannon Geddes (I mention Jeny's Surprisingly Stretchy Bind Off)Nose to the GrindstoneVanilla Socks (using Fish Lips Kiss Heel) in The Wool Barn Superwash Merino 75%/Nylon 25% in Poison. (Stored in a project bag by KnitterBag)Dotted Rays by Stephen West in DyeForYarn Merino/Silk Fingering in Bloodbath. You can get this yarn now at DyeForWool. Saw Kristen's on Skein Podcast.Countess Ablaze Baby Llama/Tussah SilkArtist's Palette Merino Tencel in Loose Change (in a bag by Fondant Fibre)PlottingCountess Ablaze Merino & Tussah Silk in Let Us Add One Extra Night To Life.Need recommendations for good thrummed mittens patterns.Splashed OutAbsolute Wonder Fru's Rainbow Crush Medium Wedge Bag. I mention the Rainbows Medium Wedge Bag. (sold to raise funds for Wendy of the SassyPantsKnitter Podcast who has recently undergone treatment for Hairy Cell Leukemia)Countess Ablaze Tia Merino in Frenzy. I talk about Knit Me by Louise Zass-Bangham.Northbound Knitting Superwash Merino Fingering in Flotsam (bought from Meadow Yarn)Posh Yarn Agnes Sock in I Like People Who Smile When It's Raining.Online CommunityWhat Have You Made thread on the Ravelry boards, come and share your projects.

Show notes can always be found on www.stitchedtogether.co.uk by clicking on the Podcast button at the top of the page.Stuff and ThingsRandom Rummage CAL #STRRCAL Chat Thread.  Made from Fibre FO Thread and Made From Yarn FO Thread are now open.Done and DustedUnwind Merino & Tussah Silk in OOAK.Alternato by Woolly Wormhead in MillaMia Naturally Soft Merino in Fuschia and Petal.Nose to the GrindstoneWalt Painted Chevron Baby Blanket by Danielle Romanetti in Cascade 220 Superwash in Winter White and CitronSocks No. 16 in Regia Design Line Ombre Stripe in 04484John Arbon Alpaca Supreme in Steel GreyArtist's Palette 50% Merino/50% Tencel in the Loose Change colourway. I am spinning on this using my Spanish Peacock Bead Whorl Support Spindle.I mention 3D Printed Turkish spindles. The ones I saw were by Turtle Made on ETSY.Splashed OutFondant Fibre Merino/Nylon Fibre in Camp Fire. I also got a set of Owl Bags.Scheepjeswol Stonewashed XL in Canada Jade, Crystal Quartz, Black Onyx and Yellow Jasper. Bought to make Crafts from the Cwtch Colourblock Shawl. Bought from Deramores where there is a sale on this week.Cascade 220 Superwash in Picante colourwayCountess Ablaze Lady Persephone in Persia and Girl at the Rock Show colourways.Online Communityquiltercaroline, a member of the Ravelry Group, also known as Clothesline Designs has released a pattern Never Shall Meet, and is giving away TWO copies. Go to this thread and tell us which yarn you would use to knit the pattern.