Podcasts about needlecraft

Thank you for joining me for the 80th episode of Making Stitches Podcast! This time I'm sharing a chat I had with Becky Davies-Downes from William and Tilda, who, after almost two decades working in TV & film costume departments, is now sewing beautiful bags and other accessories inspired by 1940s wartime Britain. I first bumped into Becky in September this year at the Yarndale Festival. There, she spoke to me about how her current venture had come about, as well as a little bit about her previous career. I simply had to have a more in-depth chat with her about all things 'make do and mend' as well as her previous life working in TV & film.My deepest thanks to Becky for speaking to me, not once, but twice in quick succession for the podcast! You can find Becky's website, William and Tilda here.While you're here, can I just mention my latest crochet pattern - the FareShare Festive Feast Wreath, which I have designed to raise much-needed funds for FareShare Greater Manchester? FareShare Greater Manchester is a charity which diverts thousands of tonnes of surplus food from the food industry each year to hundreds of charities and community groups in Greater Manchester and the surrounding area. It is simply wrong that so much food would otherwise go to waste when so many people are struggling to access healthy and nutritious food.The FareShare Festive Feast Wreath is a Christmas crochet pattern for a wreath based on a Christmas dinner - including sprouts and pigs-in-blankets. All the money raised from the sale of the pattern will be going directly to FareShare Greater Manchester. You can find more information about FareShare Greater Manchester here.You can buy the crochet pattern for the FareShare Festive Feast Wreath here.For full show notes for this episode, please visit the Making Stitches website.To join the mailing list for the Making Stitches Newsletter, please click onto this link.The theme music is Make You Smile by RGMusic from Melody Loops .The Making Stitches logo was designed by Neil Warburton at iamunknown.You can support Making Stitches Podcast with running costs through Ko-fi.Making Stitches  Podcast is supported by the Making Stitches Shop which offers Making Stitches Podcast merchandise for sale as well as Up the Garden Path crochet patterns created by me & illustrated by Emma Jackson.Making Stitches Podcast is presented, recorded and edited by Lindsay Weston

For this episode I interview Suta Biswas, the London Ontario needlecraft artist behind Holistic Needlecraft. Today Suta gives us window into her creative process - from the great care she takes sourcing and upcycling high quality cotton fabrics from India, to her unique hand-stitched/patchworked method of creating truly one-of-a-kind, double sided jackets and throw blankets. Her artistic practice stretches all the way back to her grandmother sewing these blankets in India, and now Suta's own family are part of the practice, with her son even accompanying her to handmade markets as the Holistic Needlecraft Salesperson. Holistic Needlecraft embodies the principles of Slow Fashion and sustainability - It's truly special what Suta is creating, and when you hear her vision you'll be even more excited to support and track down these incredible textiles. You can follow her on facebook and Instagram @HolisticNeedlecraft and online at holisticneedlecraft.com Thank you Suta for connecting with us!This interview was originally recorded on July 6th, 2023 This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bridgingthesocialdistance.substack.com

We talk this week about how needlework can enhance our spells and add significant power to our work. We also answer a listener question about how to approach spellwork when there's a fear of attracting negative spirits. Additional resources: https://middleagedwitch.com/protection-magick/   https://middleagedwitch.com/amulets-and-charms/   https://middleagedwitch.com/casting-a-magick-circle/ https://middleagedwitch.com/liveservices/ Facebook Group link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/941149357051804/ Discord server: https://discord.gg/KW65UFvF3A --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/middleagedwitch/support

Calling all sewists, quilters, embroiderers, and crocheters, Valdani has the biggest hand-dyed and colorfast collection of variegated and solid-colored thread in North America. Go to https://www.valdani.com/ to find out more. Valdani Inc 3551 199 Street Northwest, Edmonton, Alberta T6M 2N5, Canada Website https://www.valdani.com/ Email prc.pressagency@gmail.com

Introductions Karla - K-Rae on Ravelry and Karlacrafts on Instagram, Twitter and Pinterest Emily -  EmGemKnits, EmilyTheTechEditor - Instagram, and  EmilyTechEdits Ravelry.  Shout outs Introduce yourself in the Ravelry group or leave us a review on itunes or google play music or send us an email with feedback at mail@relentlessknitting.com We'd also love to hear from you in our “Meet a Knitter” thread. What's knitting now Emily - I have an Exploration Station on the needles, and a Cumulus in mohair and gold glitter yarn. A pair of vanilla socks in Turtle purl purple stripes (not the actual colour way) and a pair of slipped seedling socks by Jocelyn Shuman in a cascade self striping Karla -  Cobblestone Cowl by Kaye Adolphson Slipped Seedling Socks by Jocelyn Shuman - Test knit and tech editingFleegle's Toe Up Socks  FO's - Emily - I must have finished those handspun socks Karla - Baby Clayoquot by Tin Can Knits in Estelle Merino DK Design features -  Emily- I've mised a few slipped stitches along the way Karla - too much contrast on the cowl so picked another fingering weight yarn, knitting swatches for heel turns Spinning Emily - I have not Karla  -  been thinking about it but no Crafternoon/Sew-what Emily - I'm making a magnet with my library take and make craft kit Karla - Sock Knitting machine!!! Stash Enhancement By Emily- I got an extra of addi tips in 4 and 4.5mm  Karla - nope Best laid plans Emily - Knit birthday socks in this pattern, cast on my birthday sweater - Vintersol.  this point who really knows. One day I'll stuff envelopes - we are doing a thourugh overhaul of the loom room right now so this may actually happen. Karla -summer of socks? I dunno, just do what I want :D Talky Talk Emily -Knit City! Karla - Small Bird Workshop at Kelowna Yarn and Needlecraft on Saturday, July 16th Adventures in Mommyhood  Emily- Ains is looming. The dog likes yarn. Lizzy is throwing down in public  Karla - Summah Time! Intro and outro audio

We don't need these cool tools, but they sure are fun and we definitely want them. Prepare to add some new gadgets to your craft arsenal! Show Notes: https://www.veryseriouscrafts.com/episodes/

Introductions Karla - K-Rae on Ravelry and Karlacrafts on Instagram, Twitter and Pinterest Emily -  EmGemKnits, EmilyTheTechEditor - Instagram, and  EmilyTechEdits Ravelry.    Shout outs Introduce yourself in the Ravelry group or leave us a review on itunes or google play music or send us an email with feedback at mail@relentlessknitting.com We'd also love to hear from you in our “Meet a Knitter” thread.   Where have we been since April 4th 2021? HAPPY PODIVERSARY! Been working on this on/off since Jan 25th 2015 Karla - COVID and Family have been keeping me very busy, I'm on the JOHS committee at work and there's been lots of reading and needing to pay attention to restrictions and protocols in schools that it's taken up a lot of my time.  I've also had an addition to my job description where I run a hydroponic farm on our school property. I've been busy with creating programs within the school to educate students around farming and food security.  My kids are both in full-time school now and managing them and their adjustment to that has also taken a lot of bandwidth.  I've also been doing a lot of designing and learning around fibre arts, I've taken a few classes with Knit City Virtual around Coast Salish Weaving, Spinning and Designing. I hosted a couple knit alongs over zoom with the local fibre artists guild and I've been teaching classes at Kelowna Yarn and Needlecraft since Sept 2021 and creating new classes for that.  I'm currently in the process of designing two classes for the Okanagan Knitting Retreat in May and organizing Yarn Okanagan's Summer of Fibre and Yarn Tour.    Emily and I were able to visit each other early summer at her family's cabin and will be seeing each other at the retreat in May.   Emily - Life has been lifey. I've accepted 2 positions in my school district working in Learning Support and Inclusion Support. The girls have transitioned back to school and daycare and we continue to stay busy with life. I'm looking forward to teaching a sock class at the Okanagan Knitting Retreat in May.    I've waxed and waned in my knitting enthusiasm and picked up embroidery in the last few months, I LOVE it!  What's knitting now Emily - Sparkly hat for the girls (Magpie Darling - , socks (always) for me, and I have an Exploration Station on the needles. Dishcloths.    Karla -  Guess Who Gloves by Holli Yeo Aeon Vest by Hilary Smith Callis   FO's - Emily - I don't even know anymore. I finished Forsythian. A bunch of socks. Maybe a hat or two?   Karla -   Autumn League Pullover by Alexandra Tavel Winston Pullover by Jane Richmond Stephanie Pearl Mcfee's Patreon socks Dino Hat Skimmer Socks Abi's Hufflepuff scarf Magpie Darling Hat Granny Square Bag   Test Knits Haven Cardigan Baleen   New Published Designs Willow Rose Sourire   Design features - maybe instead of going through everything in the last month, pick one thing we're really proud of that we were able to figure out? Emily- I started my Blackwork Embroider SAL. I'm behind but I'm so proud of my progress.  Karla - Abi's Hufflepuff scarf, started out black with yellow stripes and had to restart, then right at the beginning had 1 stripe instead of two so without taking it off the machine I ripped out the  Spinning Emily -I did do some spinning, and I love it it's just not my go to. I took an online course with Kim Mckenna about short backwards draw and learnt lots.  Karla  -  Finished some handspun for Jocelyn, Intro to spinning class coming up at retreat.    Crafternoon/Sew-what Emily - Not much other than my standard fibre arts.  Karla - Trick or Treat Bags and Sleepover/carry all bags for the boys   Stash Enhancement Emily- Sugar and Candy Large project bag, SQ of Lettlopi, skein of cascade heritage sock in raspberry. My embroidery kit and SAL Karla - Too much to list but the amazing ones that come to mind are KZip Advent, Gauge Dyeworks socks and hat planet distance self-striping. A couple of amazing facebook marketplace scores of sweater quantities.    Best laid plans Emily - Get my sample socks  in this pattern prepped for the retreat, cast on my birthday sweater - Vintersol Karla - Working through wips, planning classes, more designs   Talky Talk Emily -Still have commit to knit prizes in the back of my head. One day I will send out prizes. coming up. ← That.  Karla - Steek This Cup Cozy by Rachel Molenaar I created an editable google sheets where you can format your own colours    Adventures in Mommyhood Emily- Everyone is doing pretty good. Bedtime has been ok. I despise Dance class. Watching Movies  Karla - getting into a groove, screens is our biggest battle.  

At the beginning of 2020, I realized I didn't have a hobby that was not monetized. One day, I was cleaning up a bit and came across a cross-stitch project I'd abandoned, and little angels started singing. So I talked to two people for whom needlecraft is really important: my mom and BadassCrossStitch.   Indulgence Nichole recommends Blood of Zeus!   Guest Shannon Downey is the artist, activist, and craftivist behind @BadassCrossStitch.   Sponsors - Dipsea is offering a 30-day free trial when you go to dipseastories.com/thisisgood! - Subscribe to Encyclopedia Womannica in your podcast player today!   Find Us Online - Twitter: @ThisIsGoodPod - Instagram: @ThisIsGoodPod - Merch: thisisgoodpod.com/merch - Patreon: thisisgoodpod.com/patreon - Nichole: @tnwhiskeywoman - Multitude: @MultitudeShows - Email: thisisgoodpod@gmail.com   Production - Producer: Eric Silver - Editor: Brandon Grugle - Executive Producers: Amanda McLoughlin and Nichole Perkins - Theme Music: Donwill - Artwork: Jessica E. Boyd   About The Show Nichole Perkins wants people to stop feeling bad about feeling good, and This Is Good For You lets you know you are never alone in what you like. Every episode, Nichole explores something that people love—whether it's needlepoint, watching bad movies with friends, or cowgirl exercise classes—and asks experts and devotees why it makes them happy. She ends each show with an Indulgence: a recommendation listeners can enjoy with no remorse. There's no such thing as a guilty pleasure when you learn to love it freely! To find out what's good for you, listen to new episodes every other Friday.

In this episode, Isabella interviews Dr Alison Mayne, a textile researcher and practitioner who wrote her PhD about knitting and crocheting Facebook groups and wellbeing. The two discuss the intersection of needlework and social media, new Soviet dress, fashions from the feminist magazine Spare Rib, and the continued fight for inclusivity in the world of needlework and textiles more generally. As always, images and resources discussed in this episode are available on Twitter and Instagram at @sewwhatpodcast.

Episode from Friday, October 11th, 2019. In-studio guests: Courtney Blazon http://www.courtneyblazon.com/ Noelle Huser https://www.instagram.com/headband_theband/ Music on the show: BOY FEUD, Merlin88, Motorhome, Needlecraft, The Initial Shock

Episode from Friday, September 20th, 2019. Live in-studio guests: Thomas Ashley https://thomasashley.bandcamp.com Lisa Simon https://www.radiusgallery.com/ Music on the show: Tormi, BOY FEUD, Oll Breds, Summer Cannibals, Wrinkles, Needlecraft, Izaak Opatz, Kostas

Confession:  I have never even tried embroidery. I’ve done some crocheting when I was younger.  Took up knitting when I was older, but I have never gotten the hang of working with a needle and thread.  The closest was sewing lessons, but all I made was an apron and I was done.  The pinnacle of my needle and thread work is being able to sew a button on a shirt really, really good (I mean, like, that button is never coming off again).  I have always loved artisan crafts and admire the skill involved in producing a functional work of art by a master.  A friend introduced me to the John C. Campbell Folk School and I love to flip through their catalog of classes each year, but always figured I just don’t have the skills necessary to master any of these.  Recently though, I’ve become intrigued by Temari balls.  I had no idea of their connection to the art of needlecraft until I visited the Embroidery Museum in Louisville, Kentucky when Gwen shared with me how Temari balls were her gateway into the art of embroidery and needlecraft.  Sitting down the Gwen Nelson, past president of the Embroiderer’s Guild of America (EGA) and Cynthia Welch, EGA Administrator, opened my eyes to the beautiful world of embroidery and needlecraft.   The EGA operates the Embroidery Museum, which is both a museum and the headquarters of EGA.  The museum is small, and when you enter, you feel like you’re walking into a private art gallery.  And after you listen to this episode, I think you’ll agree that the amazing work and creativity by the embroiderer’s in this collection showcase how what started as a functional craft can be transformed into art.  Museum Highlights: Doll House – created by multiple members of EGA, this is the pentultimate doll house.  The “tiniest” details are embroidered into the furnishings – from the EGA logo in the chair cushion to the A-B-C sampler on the wall.  Harold Gordon Band Sampler – featuring one of the “men of EGA” Harold Gordon’s love of embroidery started in 1944, wounded and lying in a hospital bed.  A Red Cross nurse brought in some embroidery for patients to do (maybe to keep them quiet?).  In his later years, while visiting his wife in the hospital everyday, Harold re-awakened his love of embroidery and created this sampler.  Note his 3-ring binder that were filled with this practice stitches.  Since samplers were considered practice pieces, who knew you had to practice before the practice? Blackwork – a type of running, open stitch where the back should look the same as the front, blackwork is shown in this band sampler (although this is using blue thread).  There is also red work (red thread on white fabric) and white work (white thread on white fabric).  This is just the beginning of the wide variety of stitches and techniques used throughout the years in embroidery.  Muriel Baker “Stumpwork” – stumpwork is a raised form of embroidery where stitched figures are raised from the surface resulting in a 3-D raised effect.  This piece shows that effect in both the figures of the man and woman in the design.  Lucy Chase Canvas – dated to 1834, Lucy was 8-years-old when she completed this embroidery canvas.  Lucy’s granddaugheter donated this piece to the museum.  8 years old -- are you kidding me?  The details and shading in this piece is amazing.  What was I doing at 8 years old?  Probably riding my bike, reading, and just generally goofing off.  Certainly not creating works of art.  Lucy Chase Canvas – dated to 1834, Lucy was 8-years-old when she completed this embroidery canvas.  Lucy’s granddaugheter donated this piece to the museum.  8 years old -- are you kidding me?  The details and shading in this piece is amazing.  What was I doing at 8 years old?  Probably riding my bike, reading, and just generally goofing off.  Certainly not creating works of art.  Hunting Scene – this silk thread in this 1820 hunting scene from Austria brings a sheen to the piece and is an example of surface embroidery where the threads are stitched on top of the fabric or canvas instead of  through it.  The detail in this hunting scene is fantastic – you could almost feel the hair on the horse and the delicate wings of the butterfly.  Crewelwork – created by Margaret Parshall, first president of EGA, in the 1940’s, this is an example of crewel work.  I really liked the look of this piece.  A beautiful smoky blue color, this piece is also referred to as the Jacobean style, which is a type of embroidery using wool which gives the piece a slightly fuzzy look.  Crane on Blue Background – created by Dr. Young Chung, this is another example of surface embroidery.  The piece the museum has is about 6” x 6” and is incredible fine, detailed work.  What’s even more amazing?  Dr. Chung actually has the original wall-sized piece in her studio (yes, wall-sized).  Who has the patience to embroider a piece the size of a wall? Mourning Sampler – this sampler is unique because it’s obviously a work-in-progress.  The designs are at odd angles, you can tell the designer is trying out stitches.  It’s a “mourning” sampler due to the harp.  Although the artist isn’t known for sure, it has been dated to the 1870’s.  Adam & Eve Sampler – also done by an 8-year-old (seriously, these 8-year-olds are impressive) and dated to 1789, this sampler shows Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden.  Unique to this garden though is a picket fence.   I think that’s known as creative license.  Village Belle – stunning in both the size (29” x 19”) and the emotion radiating from the female figure, this is an amazing example of the power of embroidery in the hands of a contemporary artist.  The subtle shading in the background is a form of “needle painting” is remarkable and truly brings out the flesh tones and the richness of the fabric in her dress.    Ebikhil – this seems like an odd piece at first.  On the front side is a man framed random threads just tangled and interweaving a frame around the central figure.  Flip it over though and all those random threads suddenly forms people, mountains, trees, fish, a sunrise, and numerous other animals.  I cannot even begin to figure out how to the creator figured this out and made this work.  Mind blowing. Audrey Francini Bench – another example of crewelwork, works by this artist are sold at auction for thousands of dollars.  Proof that this craft has arrived an a legitimate art form.  Chinese portrait – when I first saw this piece, I actually thought it was a black and white photograph of a woman from the 1940’s.  I thought maybe it was the artist that created the piece next to it.  Nope.  It’s an actual piece of Chinese silk embroidery done in a style that was popular in China called Su embroidery that was celebrated, banned and then resurrected.  What makes this style so realistic?  The silk thread,is split and then split and then split again so it’s barely the width of a human hair.  Wow.  For more information on this form of embroidery, check out this article from the Art of Silk.  Wall Tapestry of the U.S. – Made of multiple panels worked on by stitchers across the U.S.A., each person worked on the part of the U.S. they were from and then the pieces were put together over six years.  All different techniques are shown.  My favorite?  The gopher is pretty cute, and I’ve always been partial to beaded snakes.       Tiger – a stunning example of thread painting, I could not get a good picture of this piece due to reflections on the glass.  However, it’s aptly named “thread painting” because it literally looks like a painting.  The tiger is fantastic and very life-like and stares right back at you.  As Cynthia noted, there are six different colors in the eyes alone.  Florentine Sampler – if you’re a little intimidated, this piece should reassure you that not everything needs to be perfect.  Rand from EGA shares why he likes this piece, which hangs right by his desk at work – look at the top corner?  See the unfinished block?  A little reminder everyday that we’re not always perfect, but we’re still beautiful.  “Needlework done with the Mouth” – If you listen all the way to the end, you’ll be rewarded with an incredible story of how Martha A. Honeywell made this piece.  An incredible story showcasing how someone’s love for the craft didn’t stop them from creating beautiful, delicate pieces despite any handicaps.  The Embroidery Museum highlights my love for artisan crafts.  Combining both the functional and artistic sides, embroidery embellishes and personalizes everyday objects.  Not just for “little old ladies sitting on their front porch” this museum showcases where the craft started, how people engaged with it over time, and contemporary artists that are pushing the boundaries of what it can be.  I am so thankful that I found this museum and was able to share their stories with you.  If you’re a museum nerd like me, then you have got to add this museum to your “must-see” list and tell them, “I heard about you on the Made in Museums podcast.” If you love to document your travels to off-the-beaten-path places, then show me where you're heading or where you've been by sharing your stories with me at Made in Museums on Facebook,  Twitter, and Instagram.  If you want to let me know about a curious museum that you’ve visited, and that I should cover on this show, contact me through social media or just send me an email. Resources: Embroiderer’s Guild of America website Find a Chapter – want to learn more about embroidery or any type of needlecraft?  Check out EGA’s website for a list of chapters to find a local chapter close to you.  Classes – EGA offers in-person classes at their annual event, through correspondence courses, or online.  Check out their full list and maybe find something that you’ve always wanted to try (there’s even a course for Temari balls!).  60th Anniversary Diamond Jubilee – if you’re in the Louisville, Kentucky area on October 3-7, 2018, then check out their 60th celebration.  We talk about some of the activities in this episode, but we don’t even begin to scratch the surface.  Gift Shop – as part of supporting these great independent museums, check out the online gift shop.  Rand mentions the Florentine notecards in this episode, but check out their great online gift shop to find everything they offer. 

We cannot change a world that we are unwilling to touch. In this teaching, we learn how to be a needle and thread in the hand of God, becoming part of the needlework of loving the world.

The last two weeks we have been looking at the history of crochet; the overall history and Lydia’s personal history. Now it’s time to switch gears and look at some more practical information (not that the history wasn’t practical). This episode is going to be focused on our thoughts revolving around all things crochet and we will be discussing things such as the usefulness of crochet, the benefits of it, and how it differs from other crafts like sewing or knitting.

EPISODE 49 Introductions Karla - K-Rae on Ravelry and Karlacrafts on Instagram, Twitter and Pinterest Emily -  EmGemKnits - Instagram, and Ravelry.   Shout outs SKuehnel - Sharilyn in Kelowna! @weekdaysfromscratch Introduce yourself in the Ravelry group or leave us a review on itunes or google play music or send us an email with feedback at mail@relentlessknitting.com   What's knitting now Emily -  Messaline by Bristol Ivy in Bumblebirch Heartwood base Shadow colour. Mister invested by the unapologetic knitter in black cat custom demonhunter colourway. Hibernation -A joyful thread by silvia mcfadden in sweet fiber merino lace rose gold Stephen West Speckle and Pop! Mystery KAL - out of all of the Sweet Georgia Cast on socks for dan in Joma Yarn’s tofino colour way   Karla - Graphic Socks, Afterthought everything socks, baby sweater and advent design, beach bag, fougasse by bristol ivy   FO’s - Emily -Tin Can Knits Flax for Me in Custom Woolen mills Mule Spun 2 ply in Teal Coquihalla Hat by Knox Mt Knit Co in Black Cat customs Lets get Worsted base Mood of March hat by Katrin Schubert in Willow and Lark Woodland by LoveKnitting.com   Karla - Halloween Socks Constellate by Hunter Hammerson - Willow and Lark Plume held double with Lorna’s Lace’s Cornflower Mittens Weekender Pullover KAL! #stashtogiftknit2017 - still haven’t sent our prizes, will happen this week.   New KALs for 2018! #committoknit2018 - Draw is happening ASAP #revelinknit2018 - Thank you @porthardy1 for donating a prize   Design features Emily-  Dropped a few stitches in the 2 colour brioche. Fun times. - leveled up Karla - twisted purl stitch, worried about the hardiness of yarn on weekender   Spinning Emily -. Finished Smith and Ewe Merino/silk in a 3 ply Finished a 3 ply BFL by Totally Inked yarn finished a bobbin of corriedale singles to Chain ply soon.   Karla - Spinning was awesome for about the first 2 weeks of March and then it didn’t happen. Best laid plans Emily - Stay on track for #committoknit2018 finish Messaline by the end of May the keep a shawl and a pair of socks going for the rest of the year (4 of each!!) Karla - aeon vest   Stash Enhancement Emily- Tough love sock in pistachio. Whoops! Braids by Endless Roving and fibrecraft.Won some yarn the pop up shop at the Victoria public market.   Karla - knit crate, loveknitting.com   Review Loveknitting.com Willow and Lark - Woodland & Plume http://www.relentlessknitting.com/blog/loveknittingcom-review Talky Talk Emily -  Sponsor our KAL’s! Thank you to Seaside Yarn and Button for their generous donation. WWKIP Karla - pub night knitting, sorrento retreat, Kelowna Yarn and Needlecraft fire, tapestry weaving, new car, spring break, fibres west   Crafternoon/Sew-what Emily - Weaving Mug rugs… Sewing project bags for gifts. Easter egg dyeing roving. Rologs Karla - Mr Maker, needle felting, easter egg dye roving   Adventures in Mommyhood Emily- 2 in 1 room. Crawling so soon Karla- go go go!   Inquiring minds Tell us about you! Join us on Ravelry or our Facebook page  

Last week was the first episode in our new “getting started in crochet” series, where we looked at the general history of crochet. This week we are taking things a step further by looking at Lydia’s personal history with crochet, where it all began for her.

This week, we’re diving straight into this new series, “Getting Started in Crochet.” For the next few weeks, Lydia will be talking us through everything you need to know (and more) about crochet, from where it originated, to steps into starting crochet for yourself. So, lets get started with this slightly shorter introductory episode.

Ruth Eddy produced both of the stories featured in Episode 5. “I made you a mixtape!” Even though Hana Zimorino started dating the guy Mikki Lunda had been living with for three years, Hana thought, really? They needed to start a band together. So Hana wooed Mikki and it worked and Needlecraft became, well, popular in some circles. But the friendship between two charming, infectious, alpha ladies was always bigger than the band. And then, as producer of “Garage Pop Forever?” Ruth Eddy, explains to our host: Some drama intervened. Ruth also produced the short story for this episode, “The Five Second Rule.” And you know you do that, right? Music used in this episode is all Needlecraft all the time, from the first album, Needlecraft. You can still buy it!