Podcasts about woolfest

Hello there and welcome to The Crochet Circle Podcast and the show notes for Episode 55 – Harder Than you Think.    My name is Fay and this is my audio and video podcast for those that love fibre crafts, particularly crochet.  It’s a community for people that like to support their fellow humans regardless of race, gender, sexuality, ability, size or age. I hope you feel the welcome embrace and love of the Crochet Clan.  Come on in and stay awhile.   In this episode, I cover: Old Dog New Tricks; Final Destination; En Route; Designs in Progress; Quick News Beats; Big Up and J'adore.    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 – General Update I am stood at my desk as I type this and it’s really difficult to find the ‘right’ words.  I’m not even sure there are ‘right’ words.  The world seems to be on fire.  People are being killed, simply because of their skin colour.  This episode was nearly called “Inconsequential” because that is how I felt about podcasting over the last few days – who cares about a crochet podcast when people are being killed, simply because of their skin colour.  This crochet podcast is also a platform for morals, beliefs, community and showing solidarity. So, instead, it is called “Harder Than You Think”.  Besides being the title for my favourite Public Enemy song (because it has lyrics that speak volumes to me (link)), it is also a reminder that life is harder than you think.  It’s particularly hard on people that face oppression, brutality, racism and inequality on a daily basis.  That is what hard looks like.  So, if you want to be part of the change, to support your fellow humans then know that there is hard work ahead and it will be harder than you think.  You will most likely take a step back at some point and think about your former actions and words and feel disgusted with yourself for not having done better.    You will make mistakes that you can learn from.  I put three actions on Instagram (link).  Three simple things that can be your starting point if you are now ready to be part of the change:  1 – Listen to the experiences of others and get angry about the injustices that they are made to suffer day after day and do something positive with that anger without being performative or centring it around you. 2 – Talk to your friends and family about diversity and inclusivity.  Keep having the conversations.  Keep pushing for solidarity over oppression. 3 – Your money makes a difference.  Donate money to organisations that make a difference such as ROTA in the UK (link) or National Bail Out in the US (link).  These are just two examples, there are many great organisations out there that you can donate to. Let’s be part of the change.  Complacency is not an option.   2 – Old Dog New Tricks I just have a quick one for you this month because time is utterly against me this week.  You may have the same issues I have when I go above a 5.5mm crochet hook.  I find that the hook gets too heavy and it can be difficult to manoeuvre and ultimately make your hands or wrist hurt. I have some large plastic hooks in my hook case but I really don’t enjoy working with them and I find it difficult to get my tension right.  Instead, have a try with bamboo hooks.  They are lightweight, slippy enough to tension with and I find them comfortable to work with.  So, if you have previously been put off working on larger gauge projects because of the hooks you, why not try a bamboo.    3 – Final Destination I have finished things! Scrapvent Blanket is finished and I love it!  I’ll be writing up this pattern shortly.  My lovely friend Bec is working up a DK version with an advent yarn calendar she got last year.  I have never been that fussed about crocheting blankets, but I think the flood gates may have been opened.  I definitely prefer thin fabric without holes. Image text: The left side of my bone coloured linen sofa has blue cushions and my Scravent Blanket draped over the arm.  A medley of 24 different coloured yarns with a peachy cream border. Matthew called my Scrapvent Blanket “fugly” – how rude!  So, to get my revenge I used loads of the yarns craps from the blanket in a pair of Fugly Socks that he has to wear.  The truth is that I didn’t want to add a load of little yarn scraps back into my stash and I used up all the remnants of nine of my blanket colours in his socks.  I will use some of the other scraps to also make myself a pair of Fugly Socks.      Image text: A pair of scrappy, hand-knitted socks in stripes of forest green, acid green, teal, navy, grey and aqua.  The socks are placed on bone coloured linen sofa seat pad. Last month I showed off some slubby/thick and thin yarn that my friend Claudia sent me from Germany.  I crocheted it into a cushion cover using a 10mm (bamboo) hook and linen stitch.  I chose linen stitch because it makes a nice flat fabric which has a decent amount of stretch which you need in a cushion cover.  Eventually, the cushion will go into my Stash Palace, but for now, Matthew is using it on his stool when her delivers training.  Who knew that metals stool seats aren’t that comfortable?!? Image text: A close up of my bone coloured linen sofa has blue cushions and my new slubby crocheted cushion cover at the front.  It has a light sky blue, olive green, spring green and white running through it and is nobbly because of the slubby yarn. I have also been trying out wood whittling, and I love it.  I have concentrated on shawl sticks so far. Image text: Five hand whittled shawl sticks are placed on bone coloured linen sofa seat pad.  The sticks have a skeletal quality about them because of the blonde wood and finger-like quality of their shape. 4 – En Route It is time to think about crocheting summer tops!  This has been on my to-do list for weeks now and I finally found time at the weekend to search for the right top. I was specifically looking for a top that had been designed by a BIPOC/BAME designer and was size-inclusive (up to a 60” bust).  So, where do you start?  Well, you go to the BIPOC in Fiber website (link) because it is an amazing resource that is easy to navigate and gives the details and links of BIPOC/BAME in all sorts of categories such as crochet designers, hand-knit designers, yarn retailers, photographers, podcasters – basically every element of our fibre community is covered and categorised, ready for you to search. There were three pages of crochet designers for me to go to and they all link to website or Ravelry pages where I could see their full designs line-up.  Because I was looking for a size-inclusive garment, that narrowed the field but I enjoyed going through all of the designer profiles, many of which I was familiar with because of the work that Claudia from Crochet Luna vlog cast had been doing.  So, I settled on the Zig-Zag-Zummer top (link) by Sandra at Nomad Stitches (link).  You definitely will have seen Sandra’s work before.  She is the designer behind the Taroko and Aztec Sweaters.   Image text: 1 - Boen coloured linen seat pad with a ball of olive green yarn to the right, the very beginnings of a top and an orange crochet hook.  The yarn has a sheen to it because it is pure linen.  Image 2 - White wall with Sandra's torso showing.  She is wearing her Zi-Zag-Zummer crocheted top which has filet zig zags at the bottom, working up to a plain v-neck top.  The top is a mid-dusky rose pink.   Image text: Dusky pink background with a white polaroid cut out and Sandra from Nomad Stitches as he photo held up with clear washi tape.  Sandra has mid-length brown hair and is wearing a crocheted top with love hearts at the bottom.  She is also wearing a big smile.   I plan on using my Rowan Pure Linen stash which is 130m/50g because it will ake for a nice cool summer top. I haven’t really made much progress on the top because life, but have a deadline of the 1st July because I am joining in the @promised.fiber (link) Make IT Inclusive MAL (link).  If you fancy joining in too, it is open to crocheters, knitters and sewers.  Wouldn’t it be amazing if lots of Crochet Clan people searched out a BIPOC/BAME designer from the BIPOC in Fiber website and joined in?  I also wanted to highlight a couple of other sources: 1 – Lisa (LisaRaspCrochet on Ravelry) has made a bundle which has 133 different size-inclusive garments. 2 – Yelley (Yelley on Ravelry) also has a bundle with 158 size-inclusive crocheted garments. Find the person on Ravelry, click onto their favourites and then you can search their ‘bundles’.   5  – Designs in Progress I have finished all of my Positivity Spiral samples and have updated the pattern.  If you have already bought it or buy it in the future, it now gives options form heavy laceweight up to bulky/chunky weight.  I have added in estimated circumference and depth measurements so that you can choose how many stitch repeats you do to get the measurements you want.  The updated version will be going out next week. I also have the rights back for Omni and that has already been uploaded onto my website and Ravelry.  Again, that works in all weights between heavy laceweight and aran/worsted.    6  – Feeding the Habit There is no Feeding the Habit this month.  I have been buying sewing books, but no yarn.  This will not last for long because this weekend is the John Arbon Textiles Mill Open Weekend.  I should have been vending and instead, we are doing it all virtually from Friday through to Sunday. I know I am going to buy yarn.   Especially because I got to design my own colour.  More on that in J’adore.  As part of the Virtual Mill Open Weekend, we are having an online crafting session – much like the Global Hook Up.  Do come and join us on Sunday 7th June at 2pm on Zoom (same joining details as below for Global Hook Ups).  It will be some of the Mill Folk form John Arbon, Katie Green, me and hopefully, lost of friendly faces joining us.    7 – Quick News Beats 1 - Global Hook Up – The June hook ups are on: Saturday 27th  at 8pm BST and Sunday 28th at 9am BST. The meeting ID number is 475-047-5819 and you will need to join via Zoom which you can do here:  https://www.zoom.us/join If you are joining on your phone or tablet you will likely need to download the software in advance.  If you are joining from a PC or Mac, you can join via the link above.  Everyone needs to use the same ID number to get into the session.  2 – Lots of yarn shows are moving to virtual events.  Obviously it is nice to meet face to face, but the beauty of a virtual event is that you can o to ones that were previously out of your reach.  Look out for Woolfest, Yarndale and others in the UK. 8 - Big Up This one has to go out to the BIPOC in Fiber team.  The website that has been created is a wonderful resource.  You may not be aware, but the person behind the website development is actually Alyson from the Keep Calm and Carry Yarn podcast.  Alyson has and continues to do an amazing job on the site.  7 – J’adore My love affair with John Arbon Textiles continues.  When I first started crocheting and getting into really lovely wool and yarns, I dreamt about having my own yarn colours.  I was asked to design my own for the Virtual Mill Open Weekend in their Yarnadelic range which is my current favourite wool of theirs.  Image text: Image split into two but features the same yarn, Another Friday Night.  The yarn is dark, dusky blue with slivers of silver through it.  It’s like the night sky when the starts just start twinkling but not all the light has disappeared.  In the left picture, skeins of the yarn are on a table with a chair tucked underneath.  On the right, the yarn is wound on colourful plastic cones and bundled inside a large white industrial bag.   Obviously, I was tempted to do a mustard but they already have an amazing mustard in that range.  Instead, I went for a dark, dusky blue with slivers of silver through it.  It’s like the night sky when the starts just start twinkling but not all the light has disappeared.  I LOVE IT.  If you want some too, be quick (link).    I’ll be back on the 3rd July. Fay x   Instagram: Crochet_Circle_Podcast  Instagram: provenance.craft.co   Instagram: FayDHDesigns YouTube: The Crochet Circle Podcast Crochet Clan on Mighty Network: Invite

Hello there and welcome to The Crochet Circle Podcast and the show notes for Episode 44 – Go Garment Go.    My name is Fay and this is my audio and video podcast for those that love fibre crafts, particularly crochet.  It’s a community for people that like to support their fellow humans regardless of race, gender, sexuality, ability, size or age. I hope you feel the welcome embrace and love of the Crochet Clan.  Come on in and stay awhile.    In this episode, I cover Old Dog new tricks; Perth Project Runway update; Final Destination; En Route; Feeding the habit; Quick News Beats and J’adore.   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 Have you ever looked to buy a skein of variegated yarn and struggled to see how it might look crocheted up?  I know that work has been done on how stocking stitch knits up and it’s because of SpaceCadet’s brilliant blogpost that I am doing this work for crochet.   Many yarn dyers have samples of their yarns knitted up but fewer do that same for crochet.  I am pleased to report though that this is changing and more crochet is being sighted as swatches and samples at the yarn shows I am attending.  We are having a positive impact! Reading a skein of variegated could really help you to work out whether it is going to work for you or not.  I have done some of the work for you, but if you really want an accurate gauge, you need to do some swatching too!  I have written and illustrated this for you in a blog post: 'How to read a skein of variegated yarn for crochet'.   As a rough guide, here is how many centimetres each stitch takes in 4 ply and DK, my favourite two weights of yarn: 4 ply/light fingering weight dc (US sc) uses about 3 - 3.5cm per stitch using a 3mm hook 4 ply/light fingering weight htr (US hdc) uses about 4.5 - 5cm per stitch using a 3mm hook 4 ply/light fingering weight tr (US dc) uses about 6 – 6.5cm per stitch using a 3mm hook DK dc (US sc) uses about 5cm per stitch using a 4.5mm hook. DK htr (US hdc) uses about 7cm per stitch using a 4.5mm hook. DK tr (US dc) uses about 9cm per stitch using a 4.5mm hook. So, next time you are thinking about buying a variegated yarn in person, you can measure the length of each colour change (you will need to take a little measuring tape with you) to see whether the colour changes are right for you.   As a general rule, I prefer variegated yarns with quick colour changes for crochet.  I think that it leads to a nicer looking, more cohesive finished project.  You may prefer otherwise, and either way, it’s good to understand where your preference lies so that you buy yarn that you are more likely to want to use.    Please don’t just walk into a yarn shop or to a yarn vendor at a show and start opening out their skeins of yarn.  If you ask them nicely, they will most likely be happy for you un-skein the yarn and take a look at it.  Often there are hidden colours inside anyway that you may not see when it is all twisted up.    2 – Perth Project Runway update The votes are now closed on the five garments that I short-listed (I have kept the list below in case you want to take another look at them).  The top that won by one vote (between Instagram and Ravelry votes counted at midnight on Thursday 13th June) was Blurred Lines by Deanne at Addydae Designs.  This was a pattern that was suggested time and time again by many of you and so I am unsurprised that it came out as the favourite.  The Citizen Pullover by Kabila Sri Punnusamy (Tunisian crochet) was the next favourite.   ALT TEXT: Blurred Line jumper is being worn outside.  It is a light grey with a faded core down the trunk and arms of a light grey/teal variegated yarn.   ALT TEXT: Citizen Pullover is being worn outside beside a city building.  It is a light grey with coral pink stripes running on diagonals.  Quite a long pullover with short sleeves.   1 – Citizen Pullover by Kabila Sri Ponnusamy 2 – Liza Pullover by Yuliya Tkacheva 3 – Blurred Lines by Addydae Designs 4 – Bark Sweater by Sidsel Sangild 5 – Bruni Top by Elven Handmade   On the Friday of Woollinn Festival of Yarn I scooted over the marquee to see Bernie at Bear in Sheep's Clothing to choose a variegated yarn to go with the teal blue that she had custom dyed for me.  This was the day that Bernie was launching this new base which is called Corrie Halo (50% Corriedale and 50% Mohair).      ALT TEXT: Semi tonal blue yarn with a real halo to it and it’s called ‘Sprucey Bonus’ because it is the colour of the underside of a Spruce Tree.  It is paired with a yarn called ‘Sulk’ and is on an ecru pink base with small patches of teal blue, acid yellow, sea green and plummy purples.      I know that when Stasia made her version of Blurred Lines, it took three weeks and she was working on it almost constantly.  Although I have until the 6th September to get this jumper crocheted, it’s still going to be a tall order with all of the other things I have going on at the moment.   The lovely Catherine asked whether I was going to host a make along for this project.  I wasn’t but I am now!  It’s all very informal and you have from now until 7th September to make or finish off a garment.  WIPs are allowed, it can be in any craft and any garment pattern, you just need to use the #crochetcirclemal and I have also opened a Ravelry thread for you to add to.   3 – Final Destination I only have one FO to show you, my latest version of the Arria shawl.  I finally finished this just before I headed up to Cumbria to vend at Woolfest last weekend.    This version is in John Arbon Textiles Harvest Hues (4ply/light fingering 400m/100g) in shades Russet and Blue Spruce and I am loving the shawl in solid colours.   ALT TEXT:  White background with a vintage mannequin covered in the Arria shawl.  It has a deep V front with dark petrol blue triangle segments running in a spine up the centre of the shawl.  The rest of the shawl is in a russet brown/orange colour.    4 – En Route Monogamous me means that I am just working on the Blurred Lines jumper at the moment as a personal project.  There is a design project on the go at the moment but I will show you that in a future episode.  So, for the next couple of episodes, it may just be all about Blurred Lines because it needs up to 600g of 4 ply yarn  - that’s 2,400m of yarn to crochet!    So, here’s my progress so far.  I have completed the neck ribbing and the second round of increases.  I keep on trying the project on to make sure it fits nicely.  If you are interested in making one of these, I am making notes for each stage that I pass through in my Ravelry project.  If you want to take a look, simply search for ‘Perth Project Runway Blurred Lines’ under projects.  I will also be adding updates to Ravelry.   ALT TEXT: The collar and beginnings of a yolk in a mid teal blue sit on a grey background.  To the right is  a small ball of the same coloured yarn and above is a cake of the variegated pinky/ecru yarn which is the contrast colour.   I am hoping to get to the contrast colour in the next couple of days and am intrigued to see how the variegated skein will work up.   Deanne, the designer of Blurred Lines is an absolute star and has offered up some free patterns.  To be in with a chance of winning one of her brilliantly written patterns, simply leave a comment in YouTube, Ravelry (there is a specific thread called Garment Make Along in time for Perth Festival of Yarn) or on the Instagram post for Episode 44 over @crochet_circle_podcast   5 – Feeding the Habit Oooh, it has been a bit of a month and all of my purchases probably seem ridiculous, but I have plans, oh yes, I have plans!! Mwahahahahahahaaaa!   My biggest plan of all is that I have signed up to a solstice to solstice yarn ban with a friend.  So, design yarn aside, I won’t be buying any yarn until the winter solstice on the 21st December.    In 2017 I only bought design yarn, so know that I can manage 6 months.  It is time to work through some of my stash!   ALT TEXT: Two handmade bags on a grey background.  The one on the left has a deep brown base and the top is bold autumnal coloured flowers and seed heads with a drawstring.  Little balls of different coloured fibres are spilling out of the top and some ocean-inspired stitch markers are nearby.  The bag to the right has a material handle and is cream with shop fronts of cafes and coffee shops.   These two bags were lovely gifts from friends.  Marceline and I agreed way back at Edinburgh Yarn Festival to do a bag swap as we both aim to improve our machine sewing skills.  The date was set for when she was over vlogging Woollinn Festival of Yarn. You can catch up with Marce’s trip to Dublin and the festival from her YouTube Channel.  While I was vending at this festival – one of the friendliest I have ever been to – I was also given a bag by Sophie from A Spring Snowflake Podcast.  I am so spoiled!   Then there is some yarn!  I have been at the John Arbon Open Mill Weekend, Woollinn Festival of Yarn and Woolfest in the last month.  Here is what has come in.  The John Arbon wool is a mill special; before the open weekend they spin various colours together, so they are one-offs and sometimes move into a bit of a fade.  I bought a jumper’s worth of this in a 4 ply and it will fade from a blue and cream into teal and cream. I also have a jumper’s quantity of the undyed Romney that I initially bought for my knitted Canisp jumper.  I finished Canisp and the shape didn’t look right on me but looked fab on Juliet and she insisted on replacing the finished jumper with the means for me to make myself another. The Romney Sportweight is now destined to become a Bark Sweater which will be my next crocheted garment after I have finished Blurred Lines.    ALT TEXT: Four skeins of marled yarn on a grey background.  The skeins are all marled with a grey/cream but fade from teal to blue.   ALT TEXT: THree skeins of a mushroom brown wool lie on a grey background.  The labels have sheep on them and sat Romney.  The twist of the yarn is obvious and squishy.   At Woollinn I picked up a couple of skeins for a one-skein shawl design that I am working on.  The first is a beautiful blend of Alpaca and silk from Tara at Irish Artisan Yarns.  I love that Tara is inspired by the colours of her home turf of the Antrim Coast in Northern Ireland.  The second is a skein of Alpa-Si-Li (50% Alpaca, 25% silk, 25% linen) in colourway Passion, by Dye Dye Done.  I was vending along from both of these lovely vendors at Woollinn which was an absolute delight.  Dye Dye Done is a husband and wife team.  Hanna is an extremely talented knitwear designer and Daniel is the yarn dyer – what a duo!  They also have vegan yarns.     ALT TEXT: Grey background with a skein of pale, delicate and luxurious yarn at the front from Irish Artisan Yarns.  It is pink, purple and grey.  Behind it sits a ball of yarn with the tail pulled forward.  It's plummy purple/scarlet with silver slivers running through it.   On our way up to Woolfest in Cumbria, we stopped off at Blackwell Arts and Crafts House.  It is a stunning example of arts and crafts architecture and interior design and well worth a visit.  It’s right beside Lake Windermere.  While I was there, I picked up a Japanese book on embroidery called ‘Simply Stitched’ by Yumiko Higuchi which is stuffed full of beautiful projects that you can use odds and ends of wool and cotton for.    ALT TEXT: Grey background with the 'Simply Stitched' book lying flat.  The front cover shows examples of embroidery motifs (trees, flowers, a chicken), all sewn with wool thread.    6 – Quick News Beats 1 - Global Hook Up – I have set the dates for the next six months and will stick to the 8 pm GMT/BST on a Saturday night and 9 am GMT/BST on a Sunday morning. The details for the next sessions are already up in the Ravelry thread, can also be found below and will be put out on Instagram in advance. The meeting ID number is 475-047-5819 and you will need to join via Zoom which you can do here:  https://www.zoom.us/join If you are joining on your phone or tablet you will likely need to download the software in advance.  If you are joining from a PC or Mac, you can join via the link above.  Everyone needs to use the same ID number to get into the session.  July – Saturday 20th and Sunday 21st August - Saturday 17th and Sunday 18th September - Saturday 21st and Sunday 22nd   October - Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th   November - Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24th   December - Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th   2 – The good folk behind The Craft Bank on Ravelry, Lisa and Sophie are hosting a gift-along.  You just need to go to The Craft Bank Group on Ravelry and fill in the very quick online survey that is linked and then you will be paired up with a partner.  I have already signed up, so some lucky, lucky soul will be getting a dodgy project bag from me… 3 –  I have a handful of yarn shows left that I am vending at in 2019 and the next one to let you know about is Yarnfolk in Northern Ireland on Saturday 3rd of August.  It’s a one-day show in Whitehead (accessible via train from Belfast) and is such a friendly show.  This will be my third year vending there, which says a lot really.   7 – J’adore While I was up in the Lake District with my friend Annabel, our lovely hosts Sarian and Andrew took us for a picnic to Derwent Water.  It was a cracking evening by the lakeshore and I went swimming! In the lake!   ALT TEXT: A lake with mountains in the background.  Some stones are in the foreground with various people out swimming and a man and his dog on a paddle board.  I am one of the swimmers!   I am now a little obsessed with the idea of wild swimming.  It wasn’t as cold as you might think!  My very lovely Papa Bear has asked me to go to Iceland with him in November, so I see a lot of trips to geothermal plunge pools and outdoor pools in my future.    I will be back on Friday the 2nd of August. Fay x Instagram: Crochet_Circle_Podcast  Instagram: provenance.craft.co   Instagram: FayDHDesigns YouTube: The Crochet Circle Podcast Crochet Clan on Mighty Network: Invite    

Hello there and welcome to The Crochet Circle Podcast and the show notes for Episode 33 – So close, I can sniff it!    In this episode, I cover: CALs, Old dog, new tricks; Final Destination; En Route; Designs in Progress; Feeding the habit; Quick News Beats and J’adore?   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 My Old dog, new tricks is still about the dratted moth. Since last month, I have managed to get on top of the moth situation but I have tried a couple of different methods and wanted to tell you what worked best for me.    Lovely Crochet Clan member Lisa told me about pheromone traps that you can buy.  They are meant to attract the male moths which therefore stops the breeding cycle.  I put the traps down as I was coming to the end of dealing with Moth Gate but still didn’t catch and moths with the various traps I put throughout the house.    What worked best for me was using the hoover nozzle (obviously doing this diligently so that I didn’t suck up my boob this time!)  I think that this is the best technique because you can catch them in mid-air and it doesn’t make a mess.  Obviously, I would rather be able to catch them alive and put them outside but this is really hard to do.    Another lovely Crochet Clan member, Mara, has a pest controller friend and they suggest the ziplock freezer method but with an extended freezer time.  Five days in the freezer, five days out and five days back in.  That means that if any eggs survived and hatched after the first freeze, they should be dealt with in the second freeze.      2 - CALs #SummerTopsCAL – is now finished and there have been so many entries.  I am really impressed and thankful to everyone that took part.  Lots of people made their first-ever garments.  Some people made multiple garments for the CAL!   If you want to see what everyone has been up to you can see the FOs in two locations:   1 – The Crochet Circle Group on Ravelry has a Summer Top CAL FO thread. 2 – On Instagram go to #SummerTopCALFO   I did a random number generator for the prizes and the following people won:  1 - Leather hook case by Nu Shearman, stitch markers by Lisa and a Liberty notebook - Mara (aka @Rubytombstone) 2 – 6 x 50g of Erika Knight Gossypium cotton (enough to make a summer top), stitch markers by Lisa and a Liberty notebook - Wendy (aka @wendlcol)     I also generated a random number for Sharon’s No Sew Mimosa Kimono.  The winner for that was Diranish from YouTube.  #Loftalong – This C/KAL is going strong even with the heat that we have had.  If you downloaded the pattern but you’re not sure what colours to use, look at #LoftAlong or #LoftAlongFO on Instagram for inspiration.  There is also a chatter thread in the John Arbon Textiles group on Ravelry.    Use #Loftalong for your WIPs and #LoftalongFO for your FOs.    3 – Yarn shows – how to survive them I lovely member of the Crochet Clan asked me if I had any tips on how to approach a yarn show, especially if you have never been before. So, I thought I would pull together my top ten tips for surviving and thriving at yarn shows:   1 – Go online and see what people have to say about the yarn show.  Is the food good, is the ground uneven, is day two quieter than day one?  All of this information can help you to really enjoy a yarn show rather than be frustrated by it because you know what you are getting yourself into. 2 – Most yarn shows put a map of the vendors up on their website a couple of weeks in advance.  Download it, look at all of the vendors and decide which ones you would be gutted to miss out on.  They should be your first people to visit, even if you miss out lots of stalls in between for now.  You can always go back and see them once you have seen your favourite vendors. 3 – Dress appropriately.  Wear layers because what on face value may look like a very cold venue soon heats up with thousands of bodies in it.  Get your comfortable shoes on because you are going to do a lot of walking. 4 – Arrive early and try to park as close as possible to the venue.  This means that you have easy access to your vehicle should you want to drop bags off and also a place to sit, rest and take your cup of tea to.  Seating is always an issue at yarn shows. 5 – Of all of the yarn shows that I go to, I would say that only two of them have decent quality food (Wonderwool Wales and Woolfest) for all of the others I am always disappointed by the cost, quality and selection.  If you have specific dietary requirements then taking your own food is a much safer bet.  Again, this is where parking your car as close as possible comes in – you can leave your lunch in the car and go back there for a break.  You can also check out what is available locally.  At Yarndale there is a bus that runs down to Skipton and there are lots of cafes there that you can go and eat in.  There is also an AMAZING farm shop down the hill from the venue where you can eat in or take away.  6 – Go in with a spending budget and take cash with you.  The nature of yarn shows means that many of them are in rural locations and paying by card can be really tricky.  If you take cash then you can only spend what you have with you.  As a general rule of thumb, vendors have a minimum payment for card transactions because they have to pay a percentage for that transaction.  With my system, I have to pay 2.7% of the transaction back to iZettle.  Vendors usually prefer cash for this reason. 7 – Be sociable.  If you have gone alone, go and grab a cuppa and sit with the crowds.  People will gladly strike up a conversation with you.  I am forever being nosy and asking people what they have been buying and asking to see it. 8 – If you have friends on Ravelry or Instagram or a favourite podcaster, see if they are going and whether there is a meetup.  It can be a very lovely hour out of your day where you get to meet people face to face and strengthen your online relationships. 9 – If like me, you don’t do well with big crowds, find out which day is quietest.  In general, a two-day event over a Saturday/Sunday will be quieter in the afternoons and MUCH quieter on Sunday.  For events that are on a Friday and Saturday, the same is true but the Friday would tend to be quieter.  10 – Check the small print.  I have only just seen that people with advance tickets for Yarndale get in at 10am.  If you are buying your ticket on the day, you won’t get in until 11am.  Different shows will have different rules, so make sure you aren’t standing about waiting to get in when you could have had an extra hour in bed. 11 – I have added an extra one in because rather a lot of theft goes on at yarn shows.  If all of the good people were helping to keep their eyes peeled for thieves we might be able to put a stop to it.  So, if you see something that doesn’t seem quite right, please let the vendor know.    I thought I would also add a couple of things that it’s best not to do to vendors: 1 – If you want to take photos of a vendors stand or stock, please ask them in advance.  It’s just good manners and stops us thinking that you are stealing our intellectual property, ready to create your own items. 2 – Don’t stand in a vendors stall and say “I could make that for half the price”.  Yup, this does happen! 3 – Don’t be shy.  Come and talk to us.  There is nothing nicer for a vendor than people appreciating what they are selling and talking about it.  If you ever see me vend, come and say hi and show me what you have bought so that I can live vicariously through your purchases.     4 – Final Destination I have mainly been making Lofts!  A few people asked me for a DK version and so I quickly turned around a DK Loft knitted and crocheted pattern.  Both are available on Ravelry now.  I know that quite a few of you from the US and Canada were interested in trying John Arbon Knit by Numbers but didn’t want to have it sent from the UK.  Corrine from The Woolly Thistle stocks KBN DK in all the colours and shades, so you wouldn’t have to pay international postage. She has pulled together kits that are $49.95 and include 3 x 100g skeins a large tote bag and a pin badge.   Both versions are also much quicker in the DK…         5 – En Route I am still working on my second top for the #SummerTopCAL.  It’s the Verity Top by the lovely Dawn at The Almond Snug.  I am just struggling with time on non-design projects at the moment.  I thought I was going to have a lovely quiet summer crocheting under the umbrella.  Nope.   Last night I started my fourth and final crocheted Loft shawl.  This one is in a DK/Light 3 weight and in the plum colour.  We have a friendly competition going between a few of us on Instagram for a LoftOff and I have until midnight on Friday to get the finish line.  I am currently on Row 60…   I love and hate deadlines in equal measure!    6 – Feeding the habit I have been to lost of woolly events in the last few weeks.  As with last month, I intend on having a double podcast and showing off all the things I have been doing in Episode 34 which will come out in mid-August when I get back from gallivanting in Northern Ireland because I want to show off Yarnfolk and Giant’s Causeway and, and, and… In the meantime, here are some of the goodies that I have bought, been given as birthday pressies.    Button badges from Crochet Luna and second hand books from the Blaze Farm Wool Experience   Icelandic wool from dewsnapswoollens.co.uk in the Peak District (website isn't currently working)   1 - Shropshire Ply from Ewe & Ply in Shrewsbury 2 - Alley Cat (or as I called it "Dirty Tiger") from Ewe & Ply's Legends range 3 - Coloured Ryeland from Find Me Knitting 4 - North Ronaldsay from A Yarn From North Ronaldsay 5 - Feral Sphere Alpaca and Gotland blend from Find Me Knitting 6 - Mermaid and minis in shade Fuchsia from Riverknits 7 - Shepherd's Delight & Shepherd's Warning from Riverknits 8 - Hot Socks from Grundl and available from Ewe & Ply   7 - Quick News Beats Global Hook Ups – The next Global Hook Up is due to be on Saturday 11th August 2018 (BST) Time: Saturday 11th August 2018 8:30 PM London BST Join from PC, Mac, Linux, iOS or Android: https://zoom.us/j/4750475819  The meeting ID number is 475-047-5819 and you will need to join via Zoom which you can do here:  https://www.zoom.us/join There is then a second one on Sunday 12th August at 9am (BST) Time: Sunday 12th August 2018 9:00 AM London BST Join from PC, Mac, Linux, iOS or Android: https://zoom.us/j/4750475819  The meeting ID number is 475-047-5819 and you will need to join via Zoom which you can do here:  https://www.zoom.us/join   Here is the meringue recipe that I promised.   Here is the Weekday Summer Porridge recipe that's in the latest issue of www.olannand.ie    I found that I had already created the ragu recipe on my old website, so here it is.  You can use red lentils instead of brown.  I also do this as a massive batch cook and store it in preserving jars for months.  It's a great store cupboard meal that is homemade and we always take a jar and a bag of pasta when we go on self-catering holidays.   8 – Big Up Everyone that joined in with the Summer Top CAL.  I know that it has given a lot of people, including me, inspiration to make more tops.  We even had a couple of crocheted dresses entered!      9 – J’adore Song - The latest song that I am obsessed with is ‘Shotgun’ by George Ezra and in particular the Danny Dove remix.  Happy, happy summer tune! TV - The TV programme that we boshed in two nights (two seasons!) was The Good Place.  I loved the premise of this series.  It’s on Netflix and has some great actors (Kristen Bell, Ted Danson, William Jackson Harper, Jameela Jamil, Manny Jacinto and D’Arcy Carden) and is from the same creator as Parks and Rec – which I also loved!   Audio book – I am still making my way through The Baroque Cycle by Neal Stephenson.  I’m on Book 4/5 (told in tandem) and I am loving it every bit as much as I did the first time around.                            I will be back in mid-August with the second installment of my Summer Shennanigans.    Fay x   Instagram: Crochet_Circle_Podcast  Instagram: provenance.craft.co   Instagram: FayDHDesigns YouTube: The Crochet Circle Podcast Crochet Clan on Mighty Network: Invite  

Hello there and welcome to The Crochet Circle Podcast and the show notes for Episode 31 – Moth + Hoover = TROUBLE   In this episode I cover: Old dog, new tricks; Final Destination; En Route; Designs in Progress; Feeding the habit; Quick News Beats and J’adore?   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 If you have lots of ends to weave in and some of your yarn tails are beside each other, why not use a large tapestry needle, thread the two ends into the needle and weave them in at the same time?  This will save a lot of time, so long as it doesn’t create too much bulk in those parts of your project.     My second Old dog, new tricks is all about the dratted moth. If you think you have clothes or carpet moths (they both eat fibres) in your house, deal with swiftly and effectively.  Nobody wants to go into their stash to find that moths have decimated it.    Here are some helpful articles/blogs on dealing with moths, including one from yours truly: Vogue article on moths in your wardrobe Country Living Article KNIT IT – HOOK IT – CRAFT IT blog post on moths and your stash  I would also add that if you buy yarn from a shop, online wholesaler or yarn show, you should check through it to make sure there are no moth eggs.  If you want to be very cautionary, pop any new yarn into a freezer bag before you bring it into the house.  Leave it in the freezer for 48 hours to kill off any moths or larvae.    I would rather take this action than have moths rampaging through my sizable (and named on our home insurance policy), lovingly curated stash.       2 - CALs #SummerTopsCAL – goes on until the 22nd July. WIPs and double-dips are welcome and it doesn’t have to be a summer top, it can be a woolly jumper if you prefer. I don’t care how you craft it. Weave, knit, crochet embroider – I just want people to craft and be happy.    Here are the prizes that you can win:  1 - Leather hook case by Nu Shearman, stitch markers by Lisa and a Liberty notebook. 2 – 6 x 50g of Erika Knight Gossypium cotton (enough to make a summer top), stitch markers by Lisa and a Liberty notebook. One of our Crochet Clan, Sharon has also released a pattern.  It’s called the No Sew Mimosa Kimono and she is offering all of you a 15% discount via Ravlery.  Just type in SUMMERTOPCAL at the checkout.  It’s valid until the end of July 2018.    One of the patterns is also up for grabs this month.  All you need to do is add a comment in the YouTube comments below or in the comment box at the bottom of the show notes in Podbean.  I will then pick a winner at random at the end of July.   If you have been admiring and waiting for Rowan to rerelease the Liala top that I did over a year ago, the link is now back on Ravelry!  The power of positive persuasion definitely worked.   #Loftalong – I promised you a Loftalong a couple of podcasts back.  Sonja from John Arbon Textiles and I have been plotting behind the scenes and it is all starting on the 13th July.  It’s one that I am going to run through my Instagram feed @FayDHDesigns rather than through the podcast.    Use #Loftalong for your WIPs and #LoftalongFO for your FOs.  If you have already made a Loft (knitted or crocheted) then you can pop it straight under that # on Instagram and be in with a chance of winning prizes.  So, it doesn’t matter if you haven’t started yet or you have already finished, you can all get in on the Loftalong action.   If you are planning on making one with John Arbon Textiles Knit by Numbers then they are kindly offering a 10% discount on three skeins of their KBN 4 ply.  Simply use the discount code LOFTALONG2018 at the checkout.  The code is valid until the end of August so even if you aren’t going to start until later, you can still get the discount.   There will be prizes too.  There’s the woolly kind that can be won by entering with a Loft made from John Arbon Textiles wool and there’s the bespoke tweed bag kind for any Lofts that haven’t been made with John Arbon wool.  There will also be some runner up pattern prizes.   Both the crocheted and the knitted patterns are both on Ravelry now.   3 – Final Destination I feel like I have managed to do some proper crafting this month.  Yay! On the way up to Ben Nevis to start the Three Peaks Challenge, I managed to finish off a pair of socks for my nephew, Lewis.  The delight on his face when he actually felt how good handmade knitted socks were.  He’s a convert.     Yarn: Regia 4 ply (75% wool, 25% polyamide) 50g/210m Shade 04930   Given that I have had HOURS sitting in our car during the course of June, I managed to crack through my Stoborough shawl by Sarah Hazell.  I used 3 skeins of a skinny Merino (single ply with not too much twist) that I had dyed.  The lightest skein was with an alum mordant and birch bark; the next one was alum mordant with birch bark and an iron modifier (intensifies the colour) and the final one was an alum mordant with an oak gall and an iron modifier. If you haven’t tried a skinny single Merino before, give it a go.  It crochets up beautifully and you can get a really nice stitch definition with it.  Lots of indie dyers use it as a yarn base.      I also sprinted through my first #SummerTopCAL entry – Summer Road Trip Top by Kraftling.  I really like the simplicity of this top.  It is just two straight panels with no shaping.      Yarn: Rowan Creative Linen (DK) 100g/200m in shade Teal Stoborough and the top have both been loaded onto Ravelry as projects, just look me up under MaDashper. I have been working on other things too, and you can see them in Episode 32 – Summer Shenanigans (Part 1).    4 – En Route Although I want to hook on ALL THE THINGS, I have remembered recently that I do better when I have fewer projects on the go.  My mind is less cluttered and I don’t feel like things are being neglected.  So, although there are MANY CALs that I want to enter, I am going to behave and finish off this project before I start anything else.  I am working on my second top for the #SummerTopCAL.  It’s the Verity Top by the lovely Dawn at The Almond Snug.  I saw a version of it in my friend Anna’s feed and immediately it popped to the front of my crocheted garment queue.   I am doing mine in a wool/nylon blend so it will look different from the one shown here.  When I went stash diving for the pattern, I just happened to have only three skeins of yarn that were the right weight (sport weight) for the pattern and they were in the right combination (2 of the same and one contrast).  It was meant to be.     Yarn: Aruancania Ranco (75% Merino, 25% polyamide) 100g/344m  This yarn is now discontinued.    5 – Designs in progress It has been a bumper month on this front.  Today I get to announce that the Stiallach Collection has gone live and that as eluded to last month, you can all download it for free as this year’s birthday pattern. It’s a collection of four purses and two bags all based on the same central striped theme.  As ever, there is a YouTube tutorial to help you get to grips with the techniques.    So, this is free to download between the 6th and 13th July 2018.  Go to Ravelry, click on ‘Stiallach Collection’ pattern and at the checkout, simply enter the code ‘BIRTHDAY’ into the discount box and it will be added to your library.  There will be a UK and a US terminology pattern available.     I feel the need to leave intarsia crochet alone for a while now.  Not too long though. Obviously.   My next rabbit holes I am likely to drop down are slip stitch crochet designs and perfecting patterns in tapestry crochet.   I am trying to use this summer to get ahead of my designs and products.  All of you lovely people that signed up to be testers and product reviewers and signed the NDA, you will hear from me in the coming weeks.    6 – Feeding the habit So, I went to Woolfest at the end of June and obviously, I bought yarn and caught up with friends (go to Episode 32 – Summer Shenanigans to see more on that).  Then a day later, I found myself in a lovely wee yarn shop in Pittenweem, Fife, Scotland and may have bought some more.   1 – Blacker Yarns Lyonesse in shades Citrine and Onyx 2 – Socks Yeah 4 ply in shades Almandine and Topaz 3 – Some Solognot breed wool which is created by a small cooperative in France and I picked up in The Woolly Brew, PIttenweem 4 – Fiskmillan Fibres Romney was also from The Woolly Brew and it is delightful! 5 – Blacker Yarns Llanwenog 4 ply so that I can add it to my British breeds blanket   I have also been given some lovely things by some lovely people.  The yellow bucket bag and stitch markers were from Ali at Little Drops of Wonderful Podcast as part of the dodgy bags MAL.  When Lisa sent through stitch markers as a prize, she also sent me some – she is a gem.  Tania (she of TJ Frog fame) brought me back a lovely notebook (100% recycled paper) from her recent trip to the states.  Marie (Crochet Artisan fame) sent me an amazing knitting and crochet pattern book from Japanese designer Michyo.  I am a lucky lady!   7 - Quick News Beats Global Hook Ups – The next Global Hook Up is due to be on Saturday 7th July 2018 (BST) Time: Saturday 7th July 2018 8:30 PM London BST Join from PC, Mac, Linux, iOS or Android: https://zoom.us/j/4750475819  The meeting ID number is 475-047-5819 and you will need to join via Zoom which you can do here:  https://www.zoom.us/join There is then a second one on Sunday 8th July at 9am (BST) Time: Sunday 8th July 2018 9:00 AM London BST Join from PC, Mac, Linux, iOS or Android: https://zoom.us/j/4750475819  The meeting ID number is 475-047-5819 and you will need to join via Zoom which you can do here:  https://www.zoom.us/join   8 – Big Up Long-term friend of the podcast Tamara has moved back to the UK. Welcome home Tamara!  I am really looking forward to having a proper catch up with her soon. My friend and Tech Editor extraordinaire, Deb, is opening a yarn shop on 6th She has dreamt about this for a long time and an opportunity arose for her to utilise some space this summer.  The shop is in Betws-y-Coed, in Wales.  I am hot-footing it over there on Sunday to throw enthusiasm and support at her.  If you are anywhere near That part of North Wales.  The shop is at Unit 2, Royal Oak Stables, Betws-y-Coed, LL24 0AH. I put a call out to see what magazines people thought were particularly inclusive with their models in terms of race, age, size etc.. The ones that were most talked about were Pom Pom Quarterly, Knitting and Interweave Crochet.     9 – J’adore We are a little bit hooked on a programme called Grace & Frankie starring Jane Fonda, Martin Sheen, Lily Tomlin and Sam Waterson.  It’s great fun and nice to see an older generation being represented on TV in a sitcom.  My only issue is that Martin Sheen will always be Jed Bartlett from The West Wing. I am really loving working with some non-wool yarns.  I can definitely feel the difference in heat when I move to crocheting with wool from cotton and vice versa.  I wasn’t a massive fan of the Rowan linen that I tried using and quickly swapped out to a linen/cotton blend that was more enjoyable but sitting outside under my parasol crocheting away in cool yarns has been lovely.    Fay x   Instagram: Crochet_Circle_Podcast  Instagram: provenance.craft.co   Instagram: FayDHDesigns YouTube: The Crochet Circle Podcast Crochet Clan on Mighty Network: Invite    

Hello there and welcome to The Crochet Circle Podcast and the show notes for Episode 29 – All the dubs.   In this episode I cover: Global Hook Up; Final Destination; En Route; Feeding the habit; Quick News Beats and J’adore?   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 – Different Designer CAL – Thank you to everyone that took part in the CAL.  As you know, I pulled for prizes live on the podcast.  Emma wanted the skein of yarn and Caroline wanted the bag – perfect!     There are lots of lovely projects in both the Ravelry FO thread and under #DifferentDesignerCAL on Instagram.   Many thanks to Gilly at Fjord Fibres for offering up some fabulous prizes!     2 – Final Destination It has been a bit of an odd month really.  I have been really busy but haven’t managed a scrap of personal crocheting!  I did, however, finish my copper Loft crocheted (3mm straight hook) and knitted (3mm circular needles) shawls (both use John Arbon Knit by Numbers Copper colours in 4 ply 100g/400m).     I have also finished my fourth (!) pair of Mini Mania socks and have another two pairs to make!  I love the pattern and how they look but really, I could do without making a further two pairs!  All pairs are made using RiverKnits mini skeins (British Bluefaced Leicester and 2.25mm circular needles).  I am working on an extension of the pattern to show how you can knit two pairs of socks from 7 x 20g skeins.     My biggest FO of all was my stand for Wonderwool Wales.  It takes a lot of effort to create a stand at a show and I was really chuffed with how it turned out.  I know what I want to improve on for the next show (Wool@J13 – I’m on stand 33) and next year’s Wonderwool Wales (if I get in).       3 – En Route I haven’t made any progress on my Stoborough shawl by Sarah Hazell so won’t show it off again until I have. The two ongoing projects that I showed were vanilla socks for Matthew using Fjord Fibres sock yarn (100g/350m and using a 2.5mm circular needle).  The main colour is called Night Storm and the contrast colour is Boreal Forest.  I love this yarn. Warm. Bouncy. Quality. Even. Beautiful.      The second is my second version of Loft Knitted which is in the grape colourways from the Knit By Numbers range 4 ply 100g/400m using a 3mm circular needle)       4 - Feeding the habit  What I am showing you below is a mixture of things I have bought and lovely things that were given to me.         1 - Southdown fibre from Adelaide Walker 2 - 'Wood' which is a collaboration between RiverKnits and BabyLongLegs 3 - Poll Dorset from the Kennixton Flock (thanks Caroline) 4 - Twool - twine made in Devon and spun by John Arbon (thanks again Caroline). 5 - Mini skeins from RiverKnits 6 - New badge pin from Claudia at CrochetLuna (if you wanted one of these and live in UK/EU they will soon be available from me at KNIT IT - HOOK IT - CRAFT IT) 7 - My bag swap bag from Claudia - my idiot cat was found attacking it this morning.  He does not share my love of all things cacti...   5 - Quick News Beats Global Hook Up – The next Global Hook Up is due to be on Saturday 5th May 2018.  Time: Saturday 5th May 2018 8:00 PM London Join from PC, Mac, Linux, iOS or Android: https://zoom.us/j/4750475819  The meeting ID number is 475-047-5819 and you will need to join via Zoom which you can do here:  https://www.zoom.us/join Dyeing with daffs - Depending on what part of the globe you are in, you may have daffodils that are or have just gone over.  The heads can make the most amazing, colourfast natural dye.  I aim to get twice the weight of flower heads to yarn to dry out so that I can use them when I am ready.  That ratio gives quite an intense mustard/ochre yellow so you could try 50:50 if you wanted a more subtle colour.      6 – J’adore Here is what I am currently loving: Woolly Wool Festivals – the next one that I am attending is Woolfest in Cumbria on the 22nd and 23rd June 2018.  There is something lovely about hearing sheep in the background as you walk around purchasing wool.   On the way back, I had 90's dance music blasting out of the van radio with this amazing sunset keeping me company. It was a good journey home, marking the end of a great weekend.     See you all in June when hopefully I will have had some decent crafting time out in my garden.   Fay x   Instagram: Crochet_Circle_Podcast  Instagram: provenance.craft.co   Instagram: FayDHDesigns YouTube: The Crochet Circle Podcast Crochet Clan on Mighty Network: Invite

Hola Crochet Circlers!   Welcome to The Crochet Circle Podcast and the show notes from Episode Eighteen - Shear Joy.   In this episode I cover: Old dog, new tricks; FOs; WIPs; Festival of Finishing CrAL; 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 I have spent the last two and a half years winding cakes of yarn wrongly because I didn't read the instructions or the wording on my ball winder. That would be nearly three years of rubbish yarns cakes giving me yarn barf.  Well, no longer.  I now wind my yarn anti-clockwise and get beautiful cakes to make up for my inability to read instructions! Try it - you may also have been winding yarn the wrong way...   Loose is clockwise and actually gives a tight cake of yarn(!). Fasten is anti-clockwise and gives a squidgy but structured cake of yarn.   2 - Finished Objects  I have a few finished objects this month, even though the squares below don't look like FOs, they definitely are.    These squares and rectangles are heading off to Yael for the Blanket of Love and Hope It was a very cactus based episode!  Cynthia was a free kit in Simply Crochet Issue 59. Kipper socks from Pom Pom Quarterly Issue 1 re-release using Life in the Long Grass sock yarn in club colourway Chlorophyl. Hove Purse by me (Fay Dashper-Hughes Designs) which is a free pattern to help you test out your intarsia crochet skills, crocheted in Erika Knight Gossypium Cotton (Mouse, Iced Gem and Pretty) & Netherton Pullover also from Pom Pom Quarterly Issue 1 re-release using Artesano SW Merino DK (no longer available).   The Hove Beach Bag will be released on the 10th July and available as free of charge pattern from the 10th - 31st July to celebrate my 40th birthday!  Just search for Hove Beach Bag on Ravelry.    3 - Works in progress I have a few WIPs on the go but am mainly concentrating on my Festival of Finishing cross stitch and starting off some easy 'in the car' type crochet projects for our epic road trip to the Outer Hebrides.        The TARDIS cross stitch is by StellarSpaceCraft on Etsy and I used DMC thread 311 & Evesham Socks by Joanne Scrace using Regia 4 Colour.     Fronds Shawl by Joanne Scrace using Touch Yarns Possum/ Silk / Merino and the wet felting that Jenny and I did at the Fleece to Felt Day by Good Day Out.   4 - Festival of Finishing CrAL The response to this CrAL has been fantastic!  I love that so many of you have been ruthlessly going through your crafting cupboards and using this as an opportunity to frog, donate, salvage and finish. Some of you didn't think you had any long-term WIPs and still found projects to finish off!         If you are just hearing about #FestivalOfFinishing for the first time I suggest that you start by taking a look at this blog post '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.     As an additional element, via my company Provenance Craft Co, Claudia at Crochet Luna podcast and Caroline (also fo the Fibre Friends Podcast) and Kathy at Evertote, each FO you have under the Festival Of Finishing is now worth about £2.37. The charity that will benefit from the money is Knit for Peace.     5 - Feeding the habit See the sewing bobbins bag with Fronds shawl photo in WIPs.  This is by Sarah Hazell - she is also an amazing crochet designer.     1 - Various woven fabrics from Jan Beadle at The Wool Clip 2 - Lovely prints of textile pictures from Bright Seed Textiles 3 - Procion Dyes and a sock blank from DT Crafts 4 - Second-hand book called Finishing Techniques for Crochet by Pauline Turner 5 - My gorgeous silver crochet hook by Lyn Roberts Designs with its leather case 6 - Vintage glass and plastic pineapple buttons bought from Brimstone Buttons and Buckles (no website, you just need to try to find them at a wool festival).       I was the very lucky recipient of this gorgeous haul thanks to Claudia from Crochet Luna podcast!  Needless to say, the socks went on straight away, I have picked out the first pair of socks that I am going to crochet and the amazing American yarn is going to become something very special.  The soap bar has a goats milk base which helps to repel midges, so that has already been packed for our holiday in Scotland! The yarns are from Anzula Luxury Fibres and Trendsetter Yarns - I am a very lucky lady.   6 - Big up Rosina has the Zeens and Roger podcast on YouTube and also a blog.  She has a lovely relaxed style and is good fun! Two of my favourite ladies, Helen from Making at Number 14 Blog and Tamara from Craftyescapism blog have come together to create the Back to School Sweater CAL.  Here is what Helen and Tamara are up to: A blog hop and CAL to celebrate crochet garment making and encourage lots of people to get making their own garments. We will be launching details on our blogs and in a thread on the Crochet Circle Podcast Rav group on 29 July. The blog hop will start on 26th August featuring posts from a range of bloggers looking at different elements of crochet garment construction. The CAL will run from 16th Sept to 17th Nov 2017. There will be prizes and discounts. If anyone wants to offer prizes please can they get in touch! Tamara is planning a physical CAL at her local yarn store in Houston, Texas! It would be great to have you all join in.  The blog hop has lots of great contributors in it and I may have already chosen my garment  - I like to get ahead of the game and be well prepared! ;-)   7 - What's Good I seem to have been here, there and everywhere since I last recorded.  I love being busy and learning new things.  In the last five weeks, I have been to the John Arbon Mill Open Weekend, helped out at Winkie's school fete in Lancing, visited Woolfest in Cumbria, done a raku ceramics day at my pottery (amazing fun), seen Elbow (one of my all-time favourite bands) play at Delamere Forest in Cheshire (I have never seen so many pots of hummus and camping chairs at a gig) and learned how to shear sheep.     That is quite a diverse collection of things to do and long may it continue!      The Good Day Out Fleece to Fibre experience of shearing Welsh Mountain ewes was fantastic.   See you all in August.   Fay x   Instagram: Crochet_Circle_Podcast  Instagram: provenance.craft.co   Instagram: FayDHDesigns YouTube: The Crochet Circle Podcast Crochet Clan on Mighty Network: Invite

Welcome to episode 62 of the Truly Myrtle podcast!I'm chatting about our wonderful knitting community, my trip to Sydney and the recent Woolfest festival in Auckland.JOIN THE KNIT ALONG!Join the Truly Myrtle knit alongs! We're having a midwinter bash kal in the budding designers down under Ravelry group this month. Finish a Truly Myrtle pattern in June and be in the draw to win one of a gorgeous bundle of prizes!There's a discount on Truly Myrtle patterns until Midnight Monday 5 June 2017 (NZ time) to get you in the mood. Use the code MIDWINTERBASHKAL for a 15% discount.There's also a Pearl sweater kal beginning in the Truly Myrtle Ravelry group. Knit a pretty jumper for yourself - you've got to the end of June to get it finished.Feel free to double dip! Enter your project in both the midwinter bash and the pearl kal :)GIVEAWAYI've got a gorgeous giveaway for you this week! Lovely Olive at Spinning a Yarn has given us a beautiful cloud kisses duo - it's a pair of fingering silk/merino fingering skeins in the same colours as I used for my Cloud Kisses shawl; Spirits Bay and natural. GORGEOUS!To win, follow Spinning a Yarn on Instagram and head back here to let me know you have :) I'll draw a winner next Friday on the podcast. Entries close 9am Friday 9th June 2017 (NZ time).Have a great weekend!Lib xxx

Wow!!! Sydney you blew my mind!! I had such a wonderful time!If you're in Sydney you'll have to check out Skein Sisters - the shop is contemporary, a delight to explore and full of amazing yarn that you'll simply have to squish! And the people? wonderful :)NEW PATTERN RELEASES!Did you see my Skein Sisters shawl released last weekend? It's my favourite so far and I've had lots of reports from people saying how much fun it is to knit. I'm thrilled!I've got another pretty shawl for you this week too. Cloud Kisses has been in the pipeline for a while and I'm chuffed that it's finally finished and ready to share with you! I know lots of you have been waiting for this one! Grab it this weekend with a discount - use the code KISSKISS to receive a 20% discount all weekend. The offer ends midnight, Sunday 27th May 2017. ENJOY!A DOWN UNDER DINNER CHAT!This week on the podcast I'm excited to bring you a special dinner episode. I sat down to a delicious meal in Sydney with Clare Devine from Knit Share Love and Hannah Ginn from Circus Tonic Handmade and we chatted and chatted and chatted! about yarn, designing, dyeing yarn, the yarn scene down under and so much more ... and we recorded our conversation so you could join us!! I think you'll feel like you were right there at the table too :)You can find Clare and her beautiful knitting patterns at Knit Share Love - we talk about her first garment design!! Do check it out. Kimmeridge is a scrummy aran-weight cardigan with a relaxed body and tailored fit that's perfect for cooler days and chilly nights. I really fancy one myself :) Clare has a discount on her pattern all weekend - use the code love20 for a 20% discount!This is also Clare's 100th pattern!! And, to celebrate she's running an AMAZING giveaway - head over to her Ravelry group to enter!Hannah is the very talented dyer behind the gorgeous brand Circus Tonic Handmade Yarn. My Skein Sisters shawl used Hannah's delicious merino singles and oh my goodness how the colours made my heart sing!! If you haven't tried Circus Tonic yet, do! I got to hear about lots of Hannah's exciting plans for her yarn ... definitely keep an eye on her. Brilliant things are afoot :)WOOLFEST AUCKLANDIt's that time of year again!! Time to try on all the shawls, squish all the yarn and make knitting friends! Come join me at Woolfest this weekend. The show starts at 10am and if you want some stunning yarn dyed by Spinning a Yarn, especially for my new Cloud Kisses shawl ... be there quick! Stock is limited!Have a great week!Libby xxx

Hello my lovelies, Welcome to The Crochet Circle Podcast and the show notes from Episode Sixteen - Common Thread.   In this episode, I cover: Old dog, new tricks; Tunisian CAL; Review of The Shawl Project Book Three; 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 This month I was given a great tip by Claudia from the Crochet Luna Podcast.  She asked whether I had ever come across a standing dc (US terminology) and I hadn't.  So, I did what I always do and took to Google to see what it was all about and came across these YouTube videos by Tamara Kelly from Moggly.com: Standing dc (tr in UK terminology) Standing hdc (htr in UK terminology) Standing sc (dc in UK terminology)   I haven't had lots of time to test this technique out fully but I love the results that I got on the coaster that I crocheted.  I did one using the standard chain method for starting the new round in the new colour and one using a standing tr (Uk terminology).  I think that the use of a standing stitch makes the join look much neater and helps to avoid the gap that often appears.  The stitch looks more like a tr and is also bulkier, which means that my eye isn't automatically drawn to an area that looks 'different'.       Tamara's videos are very good and I suspect that once you have tried this technique, you won't go back to using a chain to start a new round off in a new colour.   What I want to investigate next is whether this technique can also be used when you are starting a new round in the same colour.  More on that next month...      2 - Tunisian CAL update This CAL started on the 3rd March and ran until the 16th of April.  Check out the CAL FOs thread on Ravelry (under The Crochet Circle Podcast Group) or on Instagram to see posts under #tccTunisianCAL. The projects have been great and lots of people can now do Tunisian crochet. Well done everyone!  I have pulled together the video for YouTube to announce the winners and show off all of the FOs.    Thanks to everyone that took part, it was great fun.   Our next A Long is going to be a CrAL called the Festival of Finishing. The idea is that through the months of June, July and August you work with some of your crafting WIPs.  I have three (crochet, cross stitch and knitting) that I want to work on and then I won't have any projects that are in hibernation anymore - oh the release!  I am trying to get to a place where I can scoot through projects and don't have my crafting resources tied up elsewhere being unloved.     The graphic for the CrAL looks like this, and you will see it on Ravelry and Instagram.         So why not look your WIPs out now and assess what you want to do with them?  In the next episode, I will cover some of the things that you can do with your WIPs, how to frog your projects, give you some stash buster patterns for those frogged WIPs and pass some advice on donating projects to charity shops.   3 - Review of The Shawl Project Book Three   Jo (jojotwinkletoes on Ravelry and Instagram) kindly agreed to review The Shawl Project Book Three for us. She has already made two of the five shawls and plans to make the other three too!  Rather than post all of the information here, I have created a new thread on Ravelry within The Crochet Circle Podcast group. The Shawl Project Book Three can be bought directly from The Crochet Project website, or through Ravelry.     This is Jo and her Fog Break shawl:     Here are the photos (thanks to Kat and Joanne for providing them) of each of the shawls from the book:       4 - Finished Objects (FOs) Once again, I didn't think I had too much to show but I am clearly busier than I think with crafting!       My FOs are a new bag that I have been designing and thanks to everyone that helped me to choose the colour combination on Instagram.  I'm not sure when this bag pattern will be released because I think it will now be a series of bags rather than a single pattern.     There is my version of the Ocaso shawl by Sol Rencoret.  I really loved doing this Tunisian crochet shawl and working with some different colour combinations that have pushed my boundaries.   I have made a knitted version of my Colum Cowl using Debbie Bliss Rialto DK and Hedgehog Fibres DK in colourway 'Dragonfly'.  The combination of these two yarns has created a very snuggly cowl.   I also managed to finish off another pair of socks using some of the yarn that I received from Racheal, my FibreShare partner.  I love the colours and how they have striped and pooled in the knitted sock.  I started a new pair last night to use the rest of the yarn and they will be donated to Winwick Mum's sock line at Yarndale later in the year.   I nearly forgot to add one of my favourite FOs from this month - my gorgeous new project bag based on the #herbembroiderysal that Chrissie from Chrissie Crafts has been running:     Even if you haven't tried embroidery before, I would recommend giving it a go.  Chrissie has brilliant tutorials on her YouTube channel and the design is lovely.   5 - Works in Progress (WIPs) I only have one WIP and that will be finished very shortly, so I am adding a very near future WIP to the pile. My actual WIP is a second bag design that I am working on as part of the 'KIHICI Bag' series.  This is a very simple pattern that comes with a few variations so that you can truly make it to your own taste.  It looks like a bit of a canoe in this picture but it is a really lovely bag (I actually finished it late last night!) and is most likely going to be called 'Versa'.   The second photo shows my yarn choices for the Hotel of Bees shawl, albeit I am not actually going to do the shawl because I am not really a fan of large open lace sections and I do love a cowl...   So, having bought the pattern, I am going to use the blocks of stitches that I do like and I am going to recreate the Hotel of Bees as a large squishy cowl instead.  Not quite sure how it will turn out but I will be turning my attention to it this weekend.   6 - Feeding the Habit Whilst in Amsterdam I visited the yarn shop which is run by Stephen West and Malia Mather, called Stephen & Penelope.  It is a really lovely shop as you can see from the photo below.  I took some nice video footage of it and will add that to my Amsterdam trip vlog which will be up on YouTube shortly. I bought some bespoke colourways from there and a few other things for designs.  If you are lucky enough to win a prize for the #tccTunisianCAL then you will be getting some buttons that I bought from there.     I also received a lovely parcel from Yael at Handmade by Yael which was full of gorgeous nuggets of Ullcentrum wool which is one of my absolute favourites (see my Linus on the Lines shawl project on Ravelry if you want to see how it knits up).  I have been wearing my lovely handmade necklace a lot and received LOTS of very nice comments on it.  I was a very happy recipient - thanks Yael!    I received an unexpected parcel from Tania at TJ Frog with some beautiful Dorset Button stitch markers and a notions bag in her lovely fabric.  Tania is a woman after my own heart and likes to know the different steps of manufacturing in the items that she sells.  This parcel arrived right in the middle of my preparation for Wonderwool Wales when I could barely keep my eyes open.  Needless to say, it made me very happy indeed.   Ahem, there seems to be rather a lot of stuff below!  It is all for designs, I promise.  Now that Wonderwool Wales is over, I have had designs flying through my mind and the below are all accounted for.  You will see that I had to sneak in all that was left of the 'Nightshade' Devonia because that design is now finished (the Versa bag) and I only got the wool the week before!     1 - John Arbon Textiles Knit by Numbers DK is going to be a large gradient pashmina.  KBN now comes in a whopping 97 shades. 2 - Onion is a new to me yarn brand and I picked out their nettle range to work with (70% wool and 30% nettle fibre).  It is supposedly good for making socks with which I can believe because nettle fibre is extremely strong.  I really wish I had bought more to test this out with socks but it will have to be next year instead!  They have a range of interesting yarns at Onion and although there are no UK stockists, they are widely stocked elsewhere. 3 - Laura from Bellica Yarns was my vending neighbour at Wonderwool Wales.  She was an absolute joy to meet and her yarns are beautiful and VERY reasonably priced at only £12 per 100g.  Here is the link to Laura's Etsy shop - Bellica Yarns.  The one that I bought will become a cowl design for Jenny as a thank you for helping me out during that weekend. 4 - Undercover Otter is in the process of moving their selling platform, but the www will be the same.  You can buy the bespoke Stephen & Penelope colourways online, ignore what I said in the podcast and Undercover Otter will be opening their shop up soon.  These two beauties will be a shawl and although I wouldn't usually do a pastel shade, it really works with the dark teal (always one of my go-to colours). 5 - A tiny little nugget of Devonia 'Nightshade from John Arbon Textiles.  This is very special wool given that it is 100% grown and spun in Devon, England. The composition is 50% Exmoor Blueface / 30% Devon Bluefaced Leicester / 20% Devon Wensleydale and it is lovely to work with.  Sturdy and soft with a beautiful sheen from the Wensleydale.  They have just released a DK range too. 6 - My lovely Dorset Button pouch and stitch markers from Tania at TJ Frog.  Tania also has an audio podcast which is delightful!     7 - Big Up I have a couple of podcasts for you and some new yarn: Crochet Luna Podcast with Claudia is a YouTube podcast all about crochet!  Claudia is lovely and her enthusiasm for crochet oozes through the screen!  Claudia is Crochet Luna on Instagram. Fiber Friends Podcast with Adrienne, Louise and Caroline is a YouTube podcast about knitting, bags, yarn, ding, patterns - everything basically. They have a great friendship and make me laugh a lot. Adrienne - dyes yarn as Old Oak Yarns and has an Etsy shop here. Louise - is also on Instagram and is a knitting designer and teacher. Caroline - is also on Instagram and makes bags for her shop on Etsy which is called Evertote. Poly Jane Yarns has a new range out called the Inca Collection which she sells alongside her own hand-dyed and other well-known brands.  If you were a fan of Atresano yarns, then you will be pleased to hear about the Inca Collection:     8 - What's Good The John Arbon Mill Open weekend is on on the 10th & 11th of June and I am hoping to get there!  It's free to attend, you just need to book in which slot you want to go to on the Saturday or Sunday.  The mill is at South Molton in Devon and is well worth a visit. I am heading to Woolfest and I'm not sure which day yet.  If anyone fancies meeting up for a coffee, let me know and that will help to set my mind on which day I head there.  Woolfest is on the 23rd & 24th June up in Cockermouth in Cumbria.   Until June my lovelies.  Remember to get your WIPs out and see what you want to work on in June, July and August.   Fay x   Instagram: Crochet_Circle_Podcast  Instagram: provenance.craft.co   Instagram: FayDHDesigns YouTube: The Crochet Circle Podcast Crochet Clan on Mighty Network: Invite  

interview with Yarn Garden

Hello! Welcome to another episode of the Truly Myrtle podcast!SUMMER KNITWEARThis week on the podcast I'm chatting about wearing knitwear in all seasons, the emotional roller coaster when knits go missing and sharing my most worn knits of the summer.You can find more details about my stripey cardigan here: https://www.trulymyrtle.com/blog//2013/07/the-big-reveal-outfit-5.htmlAnd my Audrey cardigan here: https://www.trulymyrtle.com/blog//2013/02/outfit-1-big-reveal.htmlNEW PATTERNS COMINGCome find me on Instagram to catch glimpses of new patterns in the works!PLACES I'LL BE in 2017- Edie & Co. in Cambridge 4 March 10 - 2pm. Come and join me at this gorgeous yarn shop and see my newly released designs in gorgeous newly released yarn from Outlaw Yarn!Come squish their gorgeous yarn! Including the brand new batch of The Farmers Daughter Fibers, handdyed yarn all the way from the US.- Woolfest is being held on 27 May 2017 at the Corban's Estate, Henderson. It's free entry and I can't wait to see you there! 10 - 4pm.- It'll be my first year at Woolfeast! Saturday 17 June 2017, 10 - 5pm in Christchurch.- Knit August Nights (KAN) from 25 - 27 August 2017 in Napier is set to be another fantastic weekend. I'll be teaching again as well as having all my samples for squishing and trying on :)Have a great weekend!   

Welcome to The Crochet Circle Podcast. Here are the Show Notes from Episode Six - Shore to Shore.   In this episode we continue with our crochet journeys, including helpful hints on blocking; Yay Crochet or Nay Crochet; Yarn Review of Daughter of a Shepherd Hebridean/Zwartbles yarn; Magazine Round-up; a review of two fibre festivals on either side of the pond – Woolfest and Houston Fibre Fest; WIP Wall and FOs, Feeding the Habit, a fab giveaway from Anna Nikipirowicz and finishing with What's Good.   This podcast is sponsored by my online crafting company, Provenance Craft Co. and Lynne Rowe Knitting and Crochet 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. Yay Crochet or Nay Crochet (at 2.55 mins) It's a Nay Crochet from Fay due to the lack of crochet content at fibre festivals and in general. When we visited Woolfest, we noticed that most of the stalls were aimed at knitters and even on most of the yarn stalls the samples that were on show were also knitted. This seems at odds with the increasing rise in the popularity of crochet and may be off-putting to new crocheters who perhaps don't realise that you can crochet with any yarn. We know that at Yarndale we'll see a lot more crochet-related vendors and Lynne and I will also be there waving the flag for crochet.   It's a Yay Crochet from Lynne for all the lovely things that people are crocheting up and the inspiration that they give to others. I’ve really been enjoying The Crochet Circle Podcast Ravelry forum – especially seeing all of the lovely finished objects that people are sharing. In particular, it’s also made me realise how adaptable crochet is, even if you’re not hugely experienced with crochet. It seems easier for people to take parts of a pattern and make something else altogether, or tweak patterns to suit their individual taste.   Here's the link to our Ravelry FO's board: http://www.ravelry.com/discuss/the-crochet-circle-podcast/3400722/51-75#71   2. Yarn review (at 9 mins)   Daughter of a Shepherd: 75% Hebridean and 25% Zwartbles DK weight 233m/255 yards per 100g Recommended needles/hook:3.5-4.5mm hook/needles Cool hand wash only and leave flat to dry  Completely UK produced (sourced, scoured and spun in UK)  RRP: £18 for 100g.  Website: www.daughterofashepherd.com Rachel's blog: http://mylifeinknitwear.com/ We had 10g each to test and crochet up.  The characteristics of Hebridean wool are very similar to the Zwartbles that is has been blended with as both are very dark brown/near black in colour, durable and dense.  This yarn is spun at John Arbon Textiles and John says that the longer staple length of the Zwartbles helps with the processing of the Hebridean because it gives the Heb staples something more to align and grip to.        Fay – I tried this with a 3.5mm, 4mm, 4.5mm and 5mm hook and found that the 4.5mm gave the nicest effect, so using a 4.5mm hook I created a tiny little bowl to put my measuring tape in because I am always losing it!  It is hard to see the stitch definition because of the natural yarn colour (which is very dark), but it is good.  I still had a little bit leftover and so made some leaves with the remainder and also made some using some Jacob wool that I had to create a cup holder for when I am out and about (I usually have them in my different handbags so that I don’t need the cardboard sleeve).   The wool is soft and nice to work with and becomes softer when washed and blocked. I would use this again for crochet and could easily take it up against my skin.  It would make a beautiful crocheted shawl with an open lacy structure that really makes the most of the stitch definition.  I would also use it with other natural wools to bring out the depth of colour that it has.  It would be great at the dark end of a gradient project or mixed with a really vibrant blue or burnt orange.   Lynne: I really enjoyed working with this yarn – as soon as I wound it off the skein I could smell the sheep and it made me feel happy to be working with a natural fibre that can be fully traced back to its source.  I love the natural colour of the wool– it’s a very deep brown, almost like treacle, and there are a few light coloured fibres running through. I have really sensitive skin, but for the time that I was using the yarn, I was absolutely fine. I don’t think I could stretch to wearing it directly around my neck (but that’s just me) but I could mix it with something else and just keep the Hebridean/Zwartbles away from the neck edge. I made two things also with my mini skein – a bookmark, which I’ve already been using, and a small mandala that I’ve made a pincushion from. Both have great stitch definition and are firm in structure. I made my pincushion using wool fabric from Eliza Conway (a Yarndale purchase) and I’m delighted with both of my mini-projects.   On Ravelry in Rachel’s group, there are lots of projects on the go with this yarn – often it’s mixed with something else, but it’s a great place to go and visit if you want inspiration.   Link to Rachel's Ravelry group: http://www.ravelry.com/groups/daughter-of-a-shepherd   3. Magazine round-up (at 22.15 mins) Fay's overall favourite: Cowslip Parsley Garland from Simply Crochet issue 47, designed by Emma Mitchell. It's a free pattern download from Emma's blog: www.silverpebble.net Lynne's overall favourite: Lace Shirt from Love to Knit and Crochet issue 4. It's a button-down shirt with a scalloped edge on the cuffs and hem. A clamshell pattern creates a light and airy effect which is perfect for Summer. Simply Crochet – issue 47 Ravelry link: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/sources/simply-crochet-issue-47 Website Link: http://www.simplycrochetmag.co.uk/2016/07/21/simply-crochet-issue-47/ Fay's favourite: Cow Parsley Garland,  designer Emma Mitchell, pg 98 Lynne's favourite: Freeform Floral Cowl,  designer Jennifer May, page 83 Let’s Get Crafting – issue 83 Ravelry Link: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/sources/lets-get-crafting-knitting--crochet-83 Website Link: http://www.letsgetcrafting.com/ Fay's favourite: Mouse toys (knitted), designer Sachiyo Ishii,  I have a pregnant friend that woudl love these for her daughter and new baby! Lynne's favourite: Hearts Garland, designer Kath Webber, pg 48  Crochet Now - issue 4 Website link: http://www.crochetnow.co.uk/ Fay's favourite: Flower Bedspread, designer Mrs. Moon, page 36 - this is beautifukl yarn to work with. Lynne's favourite: Candy amigurumi Deer, designer Irene Strange, pg 62    Love to Knit and Crochet - issue 4 Website Link: https://www.theknittingnetwork.co.uk/ Fay's favourite: Silky Vest Top, pg 33 Lynne's favourite: Lace Shirt, pg 34 4. A Crochet Journey - some tips on blocking your garment (at 26.30 mins) Like everything with crochet (and knitting), there are some aspects of blocking that are just a personal preference.  Fay - in the main I wet-block by immersing my finished object in cold water with a small amount of soaking product, gently washing then very gently squeeze out excess water and roll in a towel before pinning out to required dimensions.  You can see from the below photo that this can help to take out any residual (unexhausted dye).     Lynne - in the main, I spritz (or spray) my work to the point that it’s wet but not saturated. I use a plastic spray gun (the type that you can buy for the garden - usually around £1), then I gently press the water into the fibres with my hands. I then pin out carefully, according to the dimensions of the pattern, and leave to dry. Sometimes I repeat this process if I feel it necessary.   Even when a project is already the size you want it to be (pre-blocking), I'd still recommend blocking as it greatly improves your stitch definition and "sets" the stitches. I mainly steam block for cotton (I cover my project with a cotton cloth and hold the iron above and steam  - do not touch the fabric with the iron). I also steam block fair isle items because it really sets the stitches nicely. After steam blocking, I pin out because it’s damp and leave to dry.   What if I’m desperate? Sometimes I may be on a close call with a deadline – it could be 2pm in the afternoon and I’m still working on a project that needs posting that day – by 4.30pm – so I will always steam block just to make sure that the stitches look good for photography. If necessary I will use a hairdryer to dry it off before posting.   A lot of people say don’t block acrylic as it’s not wool and therefore has no stitch memory – but I do block acrylic projects, just because it improves the overall appearance and stitch definition. I would mainly spray block acrylic but have been known to steam block (very carefully) when desperate. There is more risk with steam blocking as you can relax the fibres too much and your work can become very droopy and much bigger than originally made. I always sew my ends in first and then block, whereas Fay doesn't sew in her ends before blocking because she found that if she sewed her ends in first and then blocked, the tail ends sometimes shift and she would have little bits of yarn poking out which then just create more work to neaten them up again.  When pinning out it is essential that you get your measurements right because if you overstretch the yarn then it’s ruined forever – yarn has a memory so once it’s set then it will spring back to that shape after washing. So be really careful when blocking, especially if using an iron. It really is a case of trying the method that suits you best given the yarn and project that you have made, but it is definitely worth it - see below!     5. Woolfest and Houston Fiberfest (at 48.50 mins) As you know we went off to Woolfest at the end of June.  Whilst we were there, Tamara, one of the listeners to the podcast was at a yarn festival in Houston, Texas.  Tamara kindly recorded some audio for us on the festival that she attended and we have some photos too.  Woolfest: Houston Fibrefest: We have started a thread in Ravelry for you to add details on any yarn festivals that you have been to. Kerry listens in Australia and has just added details of the large Wool and Sheep Festival that she has been at in Bendigo, Australia.  Feel free to add details of any yarn festivals that you have been to so that others can see what is available throughout the world.  I have added some standard questions that you can answer if you need something to crib from. Tamara is on the left - thanks for doing the review! Here's Tamara's round-up from Houston Fiber Fest: Link to website: http://www.houstonfiberfest.com/ New companies that Tamara hadn’t come across before: Independence Farmstead Fiber Mill, an artisan mill service for the independent fiber producer: http://www.independencefarmsteadfibers.com/ Windmill Crest Farms near San Antonio: http://www.windmillcrestfarms.com/ There was a gentleman there had an industrial needle felting machine: http://www.feltcrafts.com/ Lucky Ewe Yarn in New Braunfels dye their own yarn which is called Wool Tree Yarn using natural ingredients: http://www.luckyeweyarn.com/ Things that Tamara bought: Brazen Stitchery Harmony Sock in colourway Team Gayle semi-solid in tonal shades of dark green: http://www.brazenstitchery.com/ Lazy cat yarns 2 x 50-gram skeins of Endurance - semi-solid – in shades of gorgeous teal: http://www.lazycatyarn.com/ Western Sky Knits, 2 variegated 100g skeins: http://www.westernskyknits.com/ Hedgehog Fibers is an Irish indie dyer. I was surprised to find Irish yarn in Houston. This festival was their launch at Park Avenue Yarns (a loyal yarn store): http://shop.hedgehogfibres.com/ http://www.parkavenueyarns.com/ Blind date project from In Skein Yarns, one of the local yarn stores. So fun! They were clear plastic bags with a label on the outside describing the project - The craft (I chose crochet), yarn weight, fiber content, the difficulty of pattern and type of project:  https://inskeinyarns.com/ Shawl pin – from the Muddy Knitter: https://squareup.com/store/themuddyknitter Two mini Loomes spelt L-O-O-M-E and you can make pom poms, cords, tassels and weavings: https://www.theloome.com/ A funky necklace from Fiesty Fenn Fibers: https://www.etsy.com/shop/FeistyFennFibers Some tea from Independence Fiber Mill: http://www.independencefarmsteadfibers.com/     Didn’t buy but have ear-marked: Suzoo’s Wool Works: http://www.suzooswoolworks.com/ Inner Loop Dyeworks: https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/InnerLoopDyeworks – I will definitely buy some more of her yarn – we stock her yarn at the store where I work which is very lucky but tempting at the same time http://www.nimblefingerstx.com Podcaster Suburban Stitcher’s project bags. http://suburbanstitcher.com/ I might buy a mini loom for weaving from Purl and Loop www.purlandloop.com All of Tamara's photos of Houston Fiber Fest can be found here:  https://uk.pinterest.com/craftyescapism/  and you can also view her blog here: http://www.craftyescapism.com/ 6. Finished Objects (at 71.45 mins) Fay - Missed Kingfisher shawl was completed whilst in France with Jenny.    Cowls for the book – testing more colours because I am thinking about doing them as a kit for Yarndale.  Also, the items for the yarn review. One sock firmly in the HO pile!   Lynne: Pincushion and bookmark from Daughter of a Shepherd (so pleased with both); mandala coaster for hubby (at his request) to put his mobile phone on at night; lots of commission projects, including a hot water bottle cover, a pair of fingerless mittens, a teddy, a lampshade cover, a set of crochet frames, a cushion, a pair of slippers, another pincushion and another couple of bookmarks - phew.   7. WIPs (at 79 mins) Fay - Simply Crochet wrap-over, Henslowe shawl, Nut-Hap (Kingfisher colours), Tardis cushion, Shorelines blanket, Baby Bird scarf, blanket for the booklet, John Arbon socks for a study on adding stripes to socks. I'm still at eight but there are so many things that I want to start! Lynne – I'm still at 14, but have started (and finished a few) so they didn't even make onto the list (which is good) and I probably won't be able to make a dent in this until after Yarndale.     8. Feeding the habit (at 91 mins) Fay – I thought I was really good this month and so, I bought some extra Rowan Felted Tweed to be able to do a Kingfisher based Nut-Hap.  I also realised that I needed to get another skein of the Kalinka linen because it would look great with a contrast colour. Then I remembered that I had been to Woolfest... At Woolfest, I bought yarn from John Arbon and Ripples Crafts, some amazing Art Deco buttons and some woven fabric. It was also my Birthday so I am book rich – Fleece and Fiber, Erika Knight’s latest, a book on dyeing yarn, British Sheep Breeds and an old book of my Dad’s.  Very lucky to have so many nice wool related books to go through in the next few months and enhance my reference library with.     Lynne - At Woolfest I bought some John Arbon skeins (I love their mini skeins too),  a couple of squares of handwoven fabric which is really lovely, some buttons for my cowl from Textile Gardens, and Emily Foulds kindly gave me a ball of WYS Signature 4ply from the cocktail range for my knitting book which I can’t wait to use. I have bought lots of yarn for kits and to test colours, but I don’t count work-related purchases as they go through the business.     9. Competition Time - Odeletta Shawl Give-away     This month we have a give-away, kindly sent to us by Anna Nikipirowicz for her Odeletta Shawl Kit which contains everything you need to create your own shawl, including two balls of Rowan Kidsilk Haze, patterns, beads and a crochet hook. Plus a lovely teabag so you can enjoy a nice cuppa whilst you crochet. Thanks Anna!   Anna's website is here: https://moochka.co.uk/ Find all the details for the giveaway here: http://www.ravelry.com/discuss/the-crochet-circle-podcast/topics/3468941     10. What’s Good (at 105 mins)               Fay:  This was meant to be my What's Good but I was so excited about it that I covered it off early!  I just mentioned that my Dad gave me one of his books.  It is a very special book that was my absolute favourite book when I was little. It is the Observer’s book of Farm Animals.  I was born in 1977 and the book came out in 1976 and was given to my Dad by friends when we moved from Wiltshire to Caithness in the North of Scotland in early 1978.  It used to fit in the pocket of my pinafore and I would spend ages pawing through the different breed photos and memorising them.  I even wrote in the front of the book to amend it to say “Fay - it is to Fay” so that I could lay claim to it.  Needless to say, the book is battered and the spine is being held together with masking tape and love. It is delightful to have something in my possession that brings back nice memories and until recently I had completely forgotten about.  It clearly influenced and shaped the person I have become.   So my What's Good became the excitement for going to interview John Arbon down in Devon - it really was good!   Lynne: Really enjoying natural fibres at the moment – you can definitely feel the difference and there are lots of affordable natural yarns out there that are well worth a try. I’ve been using Wendy Ramsdale which is about £3.50 a ball for 50g and the colours are lovely as well as the texture and feel of the yarn. I’ve used if for hats (only takes 1 ball to make a child’s hat) and also for my cushion (6 balls, so less than £24) for the yarn. Also Erika Knight British Blue is £4.20 for a 25g ball – a bit more expensive but well worth it when you can make a nice cowl with just three balls - so that's £13 for a cowl made with British yarn - where every step is traceable. Remember cotton is also a natural fibre and you can buy Rico Cotton Aran for less than £2 for 50g. I’m not saying I don’t use acrylic as I do because some projects have to be really affordable but there are some lovely yarns out there that may cost less than you would expect.   Happy listening and crocheting.   Lynne and Fay x   Instagram: Crochet_Circle_Podcast  Instagram: provenance.craft.co   Instagram: FayDHDesigns YouTube: The Crochet Circle Podcast Crochet Clan on Mighty Network: Invite                

Welcome to The Crochet Circle Podcast. Here are the Show Notes from Episode Five.   In this episode we continue with our crochet journeys, including helpful hints on how to get through the next stages of working on a garment; Yay Crochet or Nay Crochet; World Knit in Public Day; WIP Wall and FOs along with our usual Magazine round-up, our competition winners so far, our new regular feature called "Feeding the Rabbit" and we finish with What's Good.   This podcast is sponsored by my online crafting company, Provenance Craft Co. and Lynne Rowe Knitting and Crochet 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. Yay Crochet or Nay Crochet It's a Nay Crochet from Lynne this month, as she lost her favourite crochet hook: My favourite hook is an Addi Swing Crochet Hook, size 3.5mm which I use all the time – it’s an ergonomic hook so it's really comfortable and sits in your hand perfectly, so I was quite annoyed at myself for losing it. The question is – do I just buy another one as a replacement? Do I try a different make, do I buy just one or a set? They're quite expensive individually and even more expensive for a set so these would have to be a Birthday/Christmas gift. I can’t decide what to do, so I’m having a think and will have a mooch around Woolfest or go to Black Sheep Wools. If anyone uses any other good ergonomic hooks and has a favourite - do let me know – it might help me decide. I bought my lost hook from Laughing Hens: https://www.laughinghens.com/knitting-needles/addi-swing-crochet-hooks It's a big Yay Crochet from Fay on her Liala Top by Designer Marie Wallin: I love my top and the way that it looks. It is easy to wear as summer chic or dressed down with jeans or over a dress with tights for some winter colour. The yarn I used has unfortunately been discontinued (Jeanette Sloan 4 ply alpaca/silk) but it was lovely to work with and produced a very soft garment with clear stitch definition.      Link to Jeanette Sloan: http://www.jeanettesloandesign.com/ Link to Marie Wallin: http://www.mariewallin.com/   Fay also sneaked in a Knitting Nay for picot cast off: I've knitted a lovely shawl for a friend which involves a picot edge bind-off which is a new technique for me. It involves knitting lots of stitches before actually casting off, making it a long-winded process. I gave up after about an hour and a half and seemingly getting nowhere, so I will choose a different method to cast off with.      2. Magazine Round-up We've have added Pom Pom Quarterly into our list of magazines because they generally feature a couple of crochet patterns in each issue.  As the title would suggest, it comes out quarterly so you will hear about Pom Pom every third episode.   Inside Crochet – issue 79 - Seaside Theme Website Link: http://www.insidecrochet.co.uk/ Lynne's favourite: Greta Stole designed by Claire Montgomerie using Coopknits Socks Yeah – I really love the colour combination and you could use up your oddments of sock yarn to create your own colour combination (pg 54).   Fay's favourite: Friendship Quilt, designed by Mica York, using Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran (pg 80).   There’s also a great interview with Betsan Corkhill, who is a Wellbeing Coach who focusses on the therapeutic benefits of knitting and how it can help improve your health and mindfulness. It’s not just about enjoying knitting and crochet, it links to meditation, to calmness, to stress relieving and to helping you improve your mood by working with calming colours – it’s fascinating and I'd recommend going along to one of Betsan’s workshops if there’s one near you.   Betsan's Website: http://www.stitchlinks.com/ Simply Crochet – issue 46 - Nautical theme Ravelry link: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/sources/simply-crochet-issue-46/patterns Website Link: http://www.simplycrochetmag.co.uk/2016/06/23/simply-crochet-issue-46/ Announces a Crochet-A-Long for subscribers, for a blanket using different crochet squares.   Lynne's favourite: I LOVE the cute little Beach Babe Piggy by designer Illaria Caliri – he/she’s so cute and even has a life ring, bucket, spade and beach towel, using DMC Natura Just Cotton (4-ply) (pg 42). Fay's favourite: Claude the Octopus by designer Kate E. Hancock (Fay is slowly being brought round to the fun side of crochet), using Drops Paris 100% cotton (pg 24).   Kat Goldin also talks about her local yarn shop and how it provides a sense of community and a place of creativity (pg 34). Crochet Now - issue 3   Website link: http://www.crochetnow.co.uk/ Lynne's favourite: Amigurumi Guard and Bus designed by Editor Hugh Metcalf.   Fay's favourite: Infinity Cowl designed by Vicki Brown. Let’s Get Crafting – issue 82 Ravelry Link: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/sources/lets-get-crafting-knitting--crochet-82/patterns Website Link: http://www.letsgetcrafting.com/ Features The Crochet Circle Podcast on page 6 – thank you.   Lynne’s favourite: The Wildlife Rescue Nets by Kath Webber, which link to a charity knitting project for animal rescue centres who are looking for knitting donations (pg 28).   Fay's favourite: Baby Slippers - Summer Espadrilles designed by Jackie Carreira (pg 40).   Woman's Weekly Knitting & Crochet July Issue Website Link: http://www.womansweekly.com/ Lynne's favourite: Teal Appeal - Vintage Cardigan knitted in mohair (Rowan Kidsilk Haze) (pg 24).   Fay's favourite: Hi-Ho Silver - Cotton shrug, crocheted in DMC Petra Cotton 3 (pg 50).   Pom Pom Quarterley Website Link: https://www.pompommag.com/ Ravelry Link: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/sources/pom-pom-quarterly-issue-17-summer-2016/patterns Lynne and Fay's favourite: Altair by designer Joanne Scrace. Love to Knit and Crochet - issue 3 Website Link: https://www.theknittingnetwork.co.uk/ Lynne's favourite: Crochet Stool Cover - Too Cool for Stool (pg 57). Fay's favourite: Feeling Tubby - crochet bowls (pg 56).   3. Our Crochet Journey - Next Steps and issues we've faced Lynne's progress with her Lisa Sweater: I had to rip back a couple of times due to losing stitches - in the end, I gave up ripping out and just added a couple of stitches along the row instead. Now that I'm in the flow of the pattern I've stopped dropping a stitch at the end. It isn't noticeable where I've added the extra stitches. I had to buy 4 extra balls of Rowan Purelife Revive which are a different dye lot than my original 5 balls. Luckily, the yarn is mottled so the slight difference in the shades is not noticeable. I will alternate the balls used but will do the same on each half of the jumper so that any difference will appear as if it's intentional as both halves will be identical. Fingers crossed they will blend nicely or look like gradient yarn.     For those new to crochet or knitting, on the ball band of every ball of yarn is essential information on the yarn itself – what it’s made from, what needle size to use, the tension and the weight. Also, you will find the shade number or reference and (like a tin of paint), the dye lot or dye batch that has been used. Like paint, a different dye lot will potentially produce a slightly different shade, so when buying yarn for a project, you need to make sure that all the ball bands have the same dye lot on them.   I found 2 balls of yellow Rico cotton in The Woolnest to show you how different the dye lots can be and therefore how important it is to use the same batch of yarn – you can see the difference below:     Fay's progress with her Liala Top: I had to rip back due to an error in the pattern, which I didn't realise until I'd ripped it back about 5 times. I also re-jigged the hook size and change the pattern a little to make it into a wearable top because of my body shape. I'm really happy with my crocheted top and will be making more. Full notes of my changes are on my Ravelry project page. Link to Ravelry: http://www.ravelry.com/projects/MaDashper/liala It's fantastic to see the different garments that people are working on, over on our Ravelry forum.  Helen is motoring on with her Aberfoyle Cardigan and Jo is working on a wrap-around top from issue 41 of Simply Crochet which I love and I'm now making my own version using Rowan Finest.     After seeing Helen's Aberfoyle, Lynne has mooched in The Woolnest and found enough balls of Garthernor Organic 4-ply to make her own. Garthernor produces sustainable, organic yarn in and ecological way. They started out in the 1990s with their own sheep and now buy raw fleeces from other UK farmers, so all their wool is fully traceable and fully certified organic.  At Wonderwool this year Lynne had a lovely chat with the owner and they had some beautifully knitted samples on show and once washed, the yarn is really soft and much softer than it is on the ball.   Link to Aberfoyle Cardigan by Joanne Scrace: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/aberfoyle-cardigan So our next patterns are Aberfoyle and Simple Wrapover.  We have been inspired by the folk in the Crochet Circle podcast to make the same items that they are making - so thank you. Feel free to join in with our Stylish Crochet CAL and don't forget to wear your garment at Yarndale.   Link to our Stylish Crochet Ravelry forum: http://www.ravelry.com/discuss/the-crochet-circle-podcast/3438284/26-50#31     4. Woolfest We're off to Woolfest in the morning.  Whilst we are there, Tamara, one of the listeners to the podcast will be at a yarn festival in Houston, Texas.  Tamara lives over there now but we've noticed that lots of people seem to be travelling much further afield to go to yarn festivals.  At Edinburgh yarn festival, people had come from all over Europe. TNNA (The National Needle Arts Association) was on in America a couple of weeks ago and lots of folks were there from the UK.   So, given that Tamara is going to be at a yarn festival at the same time as we are we thought we would share notes.  We have the same set of questions to answer and photos will be taken from both sides of the pond and added to the Pinterest board for Episode 5.      5. World Knit in Public Day This was held on Saturday 18th June. Link: http://www.wwkipday.com/find-a-kip/kips-in-europe/  Fay experienced the East London Yarn Triangle, Hackney made up of 3 shops - Fabrications, Wild and Woolly and Knit With Attitude. They offered 10% off if you posted 3 photos with their hashtag on Instagram, and they also had refreshments. The yarn shops are within walking distance and maps were provided which highlighted the photo locations and I bought lots of wool and concluded that you can indeed crochet on a swing.   http://eastlondonyarntriangle.com/   6. Finished Objects Fay: Liala top by Marie Wallin, Cowl for The Crochet Circle book using Erika Knight British Blue and Shawl for the book using Whistlebare's Yeavering Bell (Mohair/Wensleydale blend). http://www.whistlebare.co.uk/ Fay also has an answer on whether a sock from an unfinished pair is an FO or a WIP.  It’s a HO (half object). Lynne's FO's are mainly secret commissions but she finished her Cowl for The Crochet Circle book, using Baa Baa Brighouse yarn called Baa Baa Brew. https://www.baabaabrighouse.co.uk/     7. WIP Wall Fay: I'm currently at 8 and many are the same as last time.  A new one on the list is the Wrapover Shawl from Simply Crochet issue 41, and I don’t have much to report yet other than I have done a yarn and hook substitute to change the finished fabric a little. Lynne: I’m at 11 – I frogged a pair of socks as the yarn wasn’t showing off the lace pattern properly, in fact it was barely visible. I finished the secret project for our book and I haven’t really started the Studio Linen Shawl so it doesn’t really count. With my Lisa Sweater I'm back up to 12 and my next book project will take me up to 13 WIPs.   8. Feeding the Rabbit (aka feeding the habit) Fay's purchases: I bought quite a lot of yarn during my visit to London on World Knit in Public Day, including: From Fabrications - Recycled Fibre (in lovely creams, whites and denim blue from UK); 100% Bluefaced Leicester Roving yarn (brown) and 100% Bluefaced Leicester Roving yarn (cream), both from West Yorkshire Spinners, suitable for hand-dying and felting. From Wild and Woolly - Rowan felted tweed and Erika Knight British Blue Wool from the Stash Depot (buying another person’s stash); Kalinka linen from Sweden in colour cyan  (Fibre: 100% linen Yardage: 320m per 100g skein Gauge: 28 stitches per 10 cm, recommended needle size: 3-4 mm needles) From Knit with Attitude - Hedgehog Fibres in colourway Dragonfly  (DK weight yarn, 100% merino wool, superwash. 115g/200m); Socks Yeah! – in colourway 110 Malachite -(75% superwash merino, 25% nylon, 50g/212m/231 yds). Mirasol – Kingfisher 14 (4-ply, 60% merino wool, 20% Alpaca, 20% Silk, 250m/274yds, 50g). http://www.wildandwoollyshop.co.uk/ http://www.fabrications1.co.uk/ http://knitwithattitude.com/shop/ I also sneaked a visit to Ewe and Ply in Shrewsbury - and still resisted the spinning wheel. Ewe and Ply have a great selection of British wools and is well worth a visit. I bought some Eden Cottage yarn, and one of the natural roving yarns from West Yorkshire Spinners. Link to Ewe and Ply, Shrewsbury: http://www.eweandply.co.uk/   Lynne's purchases: I bought a gorgeous skein of yarn from I Knit (London) – I had a spare few hours a couple of weeks ago when in London, so I jumped on the tube to Waterloo and found the shop quite easily. I’ve wanted the yarn ever since seeing it - mainly because it’s called Starman – one of my favourite songs by my favourite artist, David Bowie, so I just had to buy it. I’m going to try my crochet cowl from the book and see how it works with the hand-dyed yarn.     Link to I Knit London: http://iknit.org.uk/   9. What’s Good                For Lynne: About a year ago I was commissioned by Search Press to write a book for their "20 To Make" series. I had great fun designing the Mandalas for the book and have also designed a few more for commissions. I’m definitely hooked by Mandalas – they’re meditative and you can make them your own by using your favourite colours and favourite yarns. They’re useful for all sorts of things, like placemats, wall hangings and you can even sew them together to make a throw. The Search Press book is out in October and you can pre-order it on Amazon at the moment. Link to pre-order on Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1782214348/ref=s9_simh_gw_g14_i2_r?ie=UTF8&fpl=fresh&pf_rd_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_s=desktop-1&pf_rd_r=8GEY1S41T0EQ7PTJK30T&pf_rd_t=36701&pf_rd_p=26de8ef0-2ad7-412c-8634-6cd03b7b73e2&pf_rd_i=desktop For Fay there are 2 things: Firstly, I was contacted recently by Knitting magazine who would like to review and feature my stash tags, so I'm delighted and excited. It came out of the blue and it was because of Erika Knight and Emma Knitted!   Link to Stash Tags KNIT IT - HOOK IT - CRAFT IT: https://www.knitit-hookit-craftit.com/products/stash-tag Knitting magazine: https://www.thegmcgroup.com/pc/viewPrd.asp?idProduct=2327&idCategory=717 Erika Knight: http://www.erikaknight.co.uk/ Emma Knitted: http://www.emmaknitted.co.uk/         Secondly, we were sent Daughter of a Shepherd mini-skeins by Rachel Atkinson to test for crochet. We love how they smell and can't wait to try them out. Rachel is manufacturing Hebridean wool from sheep her father breeds in the UK. Link to Daughter of a Shepherd: https://daughterofashepherd.com/ As we both smelled the sheepiness of the yarn we realised that we were both sporting Hebridean moustaches. Other things we've mentioned: Winners Round-up - Who's won what so far: 200g DMC Natura Medium and DMC hook – Kerryd19 from Australia Arne & Carlos Sock yarn (with signed Stash Tag)  - Curlylou – UK Lynne Rowe's Once Upon a Time in Crochet (signed copy) - JojoTwinkletoes Erika Knight’s Simple Colour Knitting (signed copy) – DianeB 2 x 50g Erika Knight’s Studio Linen – Emma from Woolgathering Sandbach   Happy listening and crocheting.   Lynne and Fay x   Instagram: Crochet_Circle_Podcast  Instagram: provenance.craft.co   Instagram: FayDHDesigns YouTube: The Crochet Circle Podcast Crochet Clan on Mighty Network: Invite                                                              

In this episode we talk about getting started on a crochet journey, including substituting yarn and the importance of making a tension square; lace-weight yarn; myth-busting – does crochet really use more yarn than knitting? WIP Wall and FOs along with our usual magazine round-up and our look towards Woolfest. Welcome to The Crochet Circle Podcast. Here are the Show Notes from Episode Four.   This podcast is sponsored by my online crafting company, Provenance Craft Co. and Lynne Rowe Knitting and Crochet 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:   Rooster Delightful Lace Competition Prize is sponsored by www.roosteryarns.com   First, we have a few thank you’s for helping us to reach over 1,200 downloads on Podbean.   Thank you to Kathryn at www.crafternoontreats.com who mentioned us in her podcast Episodes 7 and 8 and also to Tamara at www.craftyescapism.com for a great review on her website.   Thanks to Trinketknits for her lovely iTunes review and to everyone else that is engaging with us through Pinterest, IG, Ravelry and Twitter.   You may have spotted us in Crochet Now, Let’s Knit magazine and Simply Crochet - so thanks to Hugh, Sarah and Sara for featuring The Crochet Circle on their News pages. We're really chuffed to bits.                   1. Yay Crochet or Nay Crochet (at 3.55 mins) It's a nay from Fay about lace-weight yarn and having to use anything below a 3mm hook:  I love what other people can create, however, it just isn’t for me as I prefer more instant gratification. I don’t intend on doing everything in chunky yarn but I found lace weight crocheting and knitting REALLY frustrating and I’m very happy to leave that in the hands of others... Such as these brilliant examples of miniature crochet, from Suami: https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/SuAmi    Its a yay from Lynne on teaching crochet: Last week was the last of my 5 Learn to Crochet Classes at Sandbach in Cheshire. I’ve been running crochet and knitting classes through the Sandbach Adult Education programme for about four or five years now and I’ve met some lovely people along the way – many of whom have become really good friends and even work colleagues J. This time round I had four enthusiastic ladies who had all tried to teach themselves but hadn’t been able to get to grips with crochet and felt that they need to be physically shown, rather than learning by book. It was great that I have a wide range of ages, from a lady in her late 20’s up to a lady who was 79 (and who came on her bike!!!). We learned the basics of crochet and made a flower, granny squares, ripple stitches, shell stitches and we worked in a spiral. I’m always amazed when my pupils return the following week with things they’ve made from the stitches learned and even happier when they tell me how much they’ve enjoyed making things with their new skills.       2. Helpful Hints on how to get started on a project (at 8.05 mins) We're both starting a crochet garment (or two) that we aim to wear at Yarndale.   You can join in too and we can see just how stylish crochet can be. We've set up a board here on Ravelry: http://www.ravelry.com/discuss/the-crochet-circle-podcast/topics/3438284   In this episode, we talk about choosing or substituting yarn and the importance of working up a swatch or tension square. We recommend http://yarnsub.com  as one method of checking which yarns you could substitute to. We covered making a tension square in the last episode and you can find the notes here: http://thewoolnest.blogspot.co.uk/2016/05/explaining-crochet-tension.html Then in upcoming episodes, we’ll cover: Finishing off the project  - best way to sew it together Washing and blocking the project so that the stitches look as they should Wearing/using the object Aftercare Darning if required – dealing with holes etc. Lynne has chosen Aster, by designer Marie Wallin from her book 'Filigree collection three' Ravelry link: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/aster-14                                                 Filigree Book link: http://www.mariewallin.com/filigree.html I love Marie's Filigree collection and have chosen a design as my first 'proper' crochet garment. I will raid my stash for an alternative as I'm desperately trying not to buy yarn. I've written a blog post here on how to substitute yarn: http://thewoolnest.blogspot.co.uk/2016/05/substituting-yarn.html Fay has chosen Liala, also by Marie Wallin – it's a free pattern available on Rowan's website: if you subscribe: http://www.knitrowan.com/designs-and-patterns/patterns/liala                                   The pattern calls for you to use Rowan Panama which is a 55% viscose, 33% cotton and 12% linen mix and although the ball band suggests a 3.25mm hook.   I also considered a few other things such as: I want to use my stash; I want the finish to be a little more fitted; I want to use something with wool content and I don't want to use anything below a 3mm hook. After raiding my stash, I found a suitable alternative with Jeanette Sloan Baby Alpaca and Silk and started my tension square.   Link to Jeanette Sloan yarn: http://www.jeanettesloandesign.com/ourshop/cat_835200-Baby-Alpaca-Silk-4ply.html   It's important to block your tension square as the size of your stitches may change after blocking. For my first square, there was about a 9% increase in size for both stitches and rows which was going to work perfectly for me in substituting yarn and pattern size (so I'll make a small size rather than the medium). It's worth remembering that most yarns when knitted or crocheted up will change when blocked. I like to wet-block almost everything because it helps release the dirt that builds up and it helps to bring out the pattern in the fabric especially if there are cables or lace. But be careful not to over-stretch the fabric when you block.   I gently squeezed my square, rolled it up in a towel and then pinned it onto a blocking mat and leave it to dry.   It's worth taking the time to assess whether you're using the right yarn, hook or needle, rather than get to the end of a project and then not being happy with the fit or finish of the item having put so much work into it. Here's a link to Fay's Ravelry project for Liala:   http://www.ravelry.com/projects/MaDashper/liala We also promised to let all of the Rowan yarns that are being discontinued.  This list was provided by St Trinians on Ravelry: Superfine Merino DK & Aran Pure Wool 4 ply Kidsilk Haze Stripe Mohair Haze Wool Cotton Rowan Finest Rowan Tweed Fine Art & Fine Art Aran Alpaca Colour Tetra Cotton Cotton Lustre Panama Revive Pure Linen All Seasons Cotton Soft Knit Cotton Truesilk Lima Lima Colour Fazed Tweed Colourspun Thick 'n' Thin Alpaca Chunky British Sheep Breeds Fur Creative Focus Worsted Chenille Big Wool Colour Big Wool Silk   3. Yarn Review - Manos Del Uruguay Marina (at 28 mins)              Shade Shantung N1765 Lace-weight yarn 100g/800m 100% superwash merino wool RRP £16 Recommended needle size 2-4mm Hand-dyed in Uruguay by Ellta, who is part of a fair-trade cooperative.   Link to full range of shades: http://www.roosteryarns.com/manos-marina.html   Read about the Manos Del Uruguay fair-trade cooperative here: http://www.roosteryarns.com/about-manos-del-uruguay.html     Link to Lynne's full yarn review: http://thewoolnest.blogspot.co.uk/2016/05/yarn-review-manos-del-uruguay.html     4. Myth-busting with Fay (at 34.50 mins)              Fay investigates the generalisation that crochet uses more yarn than knitting. Is it a myth or a fact?  Well, it's a bit of both really, with some interesting results! Read Fay's full investigation here: https://www.knitit-hookit-craftit.com/blogs/news/179247111-in-the-ring-its-crochet-v-knitting-but-who-is-the-heavyweight     5. Magazine Round-up (at 43.10 mins) Inside Crochet Issue 78 Theme: Bright Ideas – all about colour and texture for Autumn. Lynne's favourites include Scullis Shawl in Rachel Atkinson's Column http://www.ravelry.com/projects/knittingtastic/scullis Lisa Sweater designed by Annelies Baes Fay's favourite is also Lisa Sweater There are also lots of lovely bags and baskets Link to Inside Crochet issue 78: http://www.insidecrochet.co.uk/blog/bright-ideas-with-issue-78/ Crochet Now Issue 2 Theme: Rainbow brights – creative with colour – things that make use smile Lynne's favourite is Nerida Shawl by Anna Nickipirowicz – a deep semi-circular with a simple lace pattern In my yarn stash diaries this month is a crochet staple – a washcloth which is great for last minute gifting Fay's favourite is Spring leaves cowl, designed by Mary Renji Link to Crochet Now: http://www.crochetnow.co.uk/956/crochet-now-issue-2/   Let's Get Crafting issue 81 Theme: Brights with Fiesta yarn kit – lots of toys including a very cute pair of Pandas by Sachiyo Ishii Lynne's favourite is the Hanging Heart wreath designed by Irene Strange and everyone loves a bit of bunting - Fiesta Bunting designed by Tilley Bancroft   Link to LGC issue 81 projects: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/sources/lets-get-crafting-knitting--crochet-81/patterns Woman's Weekly June issue Theme: Crochet Special including five crochet garments and some lovely crochet homewares We spotted an interview with Louise Walker who is a member of our Ravelry group and we love Louise's very cute animals and blanket.  Link to Woman's Weekly: http://www.womansweekly.com/ Simply Crochet Issue 45 Theme: Summer Brights, including a great article on how to sort your stash. There's a very pretty Ladder stitch top designed by Editor Sara Huntingdon and a fun giant doughnut cushion by the renowned Twinkie Chan.   Link to Simply Crochet: http://www.simplycrochetmag.co.uk/     6. WIPs and FOs (at 45.30 mins)               We haven't done a great deal this month as we've both been really busy with our businesses and the podcast content. Fay has been working on her Shoreline Blanket and Lynne is ready to start the beading rows on her Odeletta Shawl.   We'll be adding to our WIPs with our crochet garments, and we'll be keeping a record of how long they take us.     7. Our Book (at 52.50 mins) We're delighted to announce that we're writing a book of 8 crocheted accessories - 4 designed by Lynne and 4 designed by Fay.   We’ve currently secured yarn support from Erika Knight http://www.erikaknight.co.uk/ BaaBaaBrighouse https://www.baabaabrighouse.co.uk/ Laughing Hens https://www.laughinghens.com/   We’ll say more in time. But it will be a really useful collection of crochet essentials that are straight forward to make, using gorgeous yarns 8. Charity Projects We're still collecting your fungi an mammals for the National Trust's Woollen Woods project. You can read more here on our Ravelry page: http://www.ravelry.com/discuss/the-crochet-circle-podcast/3425147/1-25 10. Competition to Win Rooster Delightful Lace (at 54.30 mins) We have a new competition open on our Ravelry forum to win a gorgeous skein of Rooster Delightful Lace in Shade Talara 623.                      Rooster Delightful Lace is well, delightful! A blend of 80% Alpaca and 20% Silk creates a stunning 2-ply lace weight yarn which is perfect for light garments and shawls. http://www.ravelry.com/discuss/the-crochet-circle-podcast/3438319/1-25#7     9. What's Good (at 56.05 mins) We're looking forward to Woolfest: http://www.woolfest.co.uk/ and Fay is looking forward to visiting Caithness on a retreat organised by Louise Hunt from the Caithness Craft Collective podcast: http://caithnesscraftcollective.podbean.com/   Happy listening and crocheting.   Lynne and Fay x   Instagram: Crochet_Circle_Podcast  Instagram: provenance.craft.co   Instagram: FayDHDesigns YouTube: The Crochet Circle Podcast Crochet Clan on Mighty Network: Invite                

Welcome back to another Truly Myrtle podcast - I've got lots to tell you as well as a great interview with Mary from Maniototo Wool who's making fabulous yarn here in New Zealand.Me Made May is in full swing - are you joining in?Check out Instagram to feel inspired: #memademay2016 and the challenge I'm hosting with Ioana from Moeke Yarns #greatwardrobebasicsI'm planning:A Laurel DressGinger JeansScout TeeAre you keen to make jeans with me? There are a few new patterns from Closet Case Files that you might enjoy.I'm going to Woolfest as a Trader!Come and visit me - Woolfest 2016 is being held at the Corbans Estate in Henderson on Saturday 28 May. Wear your Truly Myrtle shawls and hats so I can admire them!My fabulous interviewee this week is Mary from Maniototo Wool.You can find Maniototo at www.maniototowool.co.nz and instagram at @mfurnessweir and #maniototowoolMary recently made Isabell Kraemer's Beccs cardigan - it's a perfect project for her lovely yarn.Are you a dyer interested in getting hold of some beautiful fingering lambswool? Email Mary for details of her gorgeous yarn: maniwool@gmail.com

We're back with a little light enabling in the form of the #Scollaykal in Enablers' Corner this week. Head on over to KnitBritish and BritYarn to find out more. In news, it's Woolfest this weekend coming and I am looking for a roving reporter to give us the skinny on what the show was like. Want to help us with our MakeItFit2015 statistical analysis? head on over to our survey and input your vital statistics (and a few other measurements). In Wippin' Piccadilly, there is Lush by Tin Can Knits, Owls by Kate Davies and Guardian Angel by Sally Cameron. Finished objects include Aestlight by Gudrun Johnston and Lapsang by Clare Devine. How do you store your finished objects? There's lots of chat on how to store stash, but what about all the stuff you've knitted? There are some outtakes from The Beast which cover a couple of yarn reviews. And lion hair. Shownotes as always are at the blog - www.shinybees.com Music for this episode is by Adam and the Walter Boys with 'I Need a Drink' available via Music Alley.

KNITSONIK shares sounds recorded on her EDIROL R-09 (EDDIE) to give her latest knitting projects some context and a sense of place.

KNITSONIK introduces Tall Yarns'n Tales comrades, Linda de Ruiter and Andrea Franklin. We talk about textiles. Brenda Dayne reads "To be of Use" from "A Knitter's Manifesto". Gwlana May 2015 is briefly profiled.

We have a lovely interview with Desirea Holton and her Eat Agar yarn shop. Please go befriend her as http://www.etsy.com/shop/eatAGAR  @eatagar and Sparkleandspin on Ravlery Wots e Craic mentions iPlayer Radio and Me coming to London. See the Ravelry thread for details Coming up - Wool Feis 18-20 July Benderloch, Argyll  Woolfest 28, 29 June Cumbria Swap - has started. Please talk to your swappee and talk tea pot sizes ME ME Me Section - Very much on the last days of the Great Scottish Tapestry. www.caithnesstextileartists.blogspot.com Wotcha Doing - Willie's film is THE GAME and here is the link http://www.bigboxnetwork.com/bigbox-playlist.htm  Drams - I left the bickering in as it made me laugh editing it. Fettercairn Fasque Single Malt Whisky Shoppy Section - Did I tell you I had an Etsy shop?????? http://www.etsy.com/shop/caithnesscraft Contact me at caithnesscraftcollective@gmail.com Ravelry as LouiseHunt  Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter as CaithnessCraft and from Podbean at www.caithnesscraftcollective.podbean.com Flickr as LouiseJ2010

Hello from an almost Springlike Cheshire Plain, specifically the carpark in the Blakemere Craft Village! In this episode I waffle on about the weather (again!), review something I've never reviewed before and just shake my head in despair at my knitterly ADHD. What's On The Needles? Zipping along on the Tomten:   I've also swatched for a seamless yoke sweater by Elizabeth Zimmermann (I blame A Playful Day ;) !), using some of the Sheepfold blues and purples and cream left over from my Woolsack cushions. This is one idea for some colourwork....    ...and this is the first part of the hem, with the picot row worked. Review Inspector Norse by Lipservice Theatre Something I Really Like The Killing Upcoming Events Wingham Woolwork Fibre Sampling Workshop, 6th April 2013, Frodsham Community Centre; Wonderwool Wales, 27-28 April 2013, Builth Wells, Powys; Woolfest, 28-29 June 2013, Cockermouth, Cumbria; Fibre East, 27-28 July 2013, Ampthill, Bedford; Yarndale, 28-29th September 2013, Skipton. Music Rondopolska by Barry Philips, from the album Tråd, available from Magnatune. Make Contact! We have a listeners' map. Please go on over to pop in a pin - we're covering 5 continents now but I'd still love to see where you all are! Please feel free to leave a comment here or at http://www.yarnsfromtheplain.blogspot.com/, or email me at yarnsfromtheplain AT googlemail DOT com. We have a Ravelry group here, so come on over to chat. You can find me on Ravelry as talesfromtheplain and on Twitter as talesfromplain (although Tweeting can be sporadic!). TTFN, Nic x

Hello from a distinctly un-Springlike Cheshire Plain... brrr! On The Needles I've completed the waist decreases on Adrift, but I've decided to lengthen it and add some complimentary increases. Ravelry details of my project are here. I've also knit and crocheted some bunting triangles for the Guild's bunting, using the Sheepfold Clotted Cream I dyed a year ago.   Yesterday I cast on a Tomten by Elizabeth Zimmerman for a new arrival in the family.   Oh the Joy! No progress pictures, but I have spun some more purple BFL on the Traddy and more green merino/silk blend on the Joy. The Traddy's had a good scrub down and wax too. Holiday Souvenir Competition We have a winner! Listen to find out who won one of these yarns from La Droguerie. Something I Really Like The National Gallery. Here's Whistlejacket, Mr & Mrs Andrews and Seurat's Bathers at Asnières. Upcoming Events Wingham Woolwork Fibre Sampling Workshop, 6th April 2013, Frodsham Community Centre; Wonderwool Wales, 27-28 April 2013, Builth Wells, Powys; Woolfest, 28-29 June 2013, Cockermouth, Cumbria; Fibre East, 27-28 July 2013, Ampthill, Bedford; Yarndale, 28-29th September 2013, Skipton. Music Rondopolska by Barry Philips, from the album Tråd, available from Magnatune. Make Contact! We have a listeners' map. Please go on over to pop in a pin - we're covering 5 continents now but I'd still love to see where you all are! Please feel free to leave a comment here or at http://www.yarnsfromtheplain.podbean.com/, or email me at yarnsfromtheplain AT googlemail DOT com. We have a Ravelry group here, so come on over to chat. You can find me on Ravelry as talesfromtheplain and on Twitter as talesfromplain (although Tweeting can be sporadic!). TTFN, Nic x

Hello from the M6, via a very long delay... sorry! In this episode I celebrate our mini KAL, talk about a new toy and swoon a little over Mr Thornton. On The Needles A few more rows on Adrift by Carol Feller at Stolen Stitches. Ravelry details of my project are here. I've also worked some more rows on the Mini-Mania Scarf by Sarah Core. Ravelry details of my project are here. This is a free pattern, so join me in a knit-a-long. Oh the Joy! We have become a two-wheel family, with the acquisition of a lightly used Ashford Joy. Bliss! Holiday Souvenir Competition Don't forget, to be in ith a chance of winning one of these yarns from La Droguerie, leave a comment or message me before the end of February. Something I Really Like Netflix Upcoming Events Unravel, 23-24 February 2013, The Maltings, Farnham, Surrey; Wonderwool Wales, 27-28 April 2013, Builth Wells, Powys; Woolfest, 28-29 June 2013, Cockermouth, Cumbria; Fibre East, 27-28 July 2013, Ampthill, Bedford Music Rondopolska by Barry Philips, from the album Tråd, available from Magnatune. Make Contact! We have a listeners' map. Please go on over to pop in a pin - we're covering 5 continents now but I'd still love to see where you all are! Please feel free to leave a comment here or at http://www.yarnsfromtheplain.blogspot.com/, or email me at yarnsfromtheplain AT googlemail DOT com. We have a Ravelry group here, so come on over to chat. You can find me on Ravelry as talesfromtheplain and on Twitter as talesfromplain (although Tweeting can be sporadic!). TTFN, Nic x

Hello from a crisp Cheshire Plain! In this episode I admit to a thick head, update you on some works in progress and share some New Year's Resolutions. Future Knits Owls by Kate Davies Portulaca by Carol Feller On The Needles Adrift by Carol Feller at Stolen Stitches. Ravelry details of my project are here. Mini-Mania Scarf by Sarah Core. Ravelry details of my project are here.   This is a free pattern, so join me in a knit-a-long. In The Weaving Shed I whipped up another Mobius cowl in a Saori style. Ravelry details of my project are here.     Details of how to make a Mobius Cowl can be found in this Ravelry forum page where there is a link to this Picasa Web Album. There are notes on each photo to explain what to do. Something I Really Like Craftsy Upcoming Events Creative Stitches & Hobbycrafts Show at Manchester, Glasgow, Birmingham, London and Exeter at various points through the year, starting woith Manchester 7-9 February 2013; Wonderwool Wales, 27-28 April 2012, Builth Wells, Powys; Woolfest, 28-29 Junes, Cockermouth, Cumbria; Fibre East, 27-28 July, Ampthill, Bedford Links New Lanark Mills; Natural Dye Studio Murder on the Moor Club Music Rondopolska by Barry Philips, from the album Tråd, available from Magnatune. Make Contact! We have a listeners' map. Please go on over to pop in a pin - we're covering 5 continents now but I'd still love to see where you all are! Please feel free to leave a comment here or at http://www.yarnsfromtheplain.blogspot.com/, or email me at yarnsfromtheplain AT googlemail DOT com. We have a Ravelry group here, so come on over to chat. You can find me on Ravelry as talesfromtheplain and on Twitter as talesfromplain (although Tweeting can be sporadic!). TTFN, Nic x

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

WoolFest has come and gone. AJ talks about her long awaited spinning class, goings on at Wool Fest, the project that's finally off the needles, something new in production, and round 2 of "Joe doesn't want hand Knits". 

Hello from a blooming Cheshire Plain! This episode I share a little industrial heritage, show my maths geek credentials and ponder travel plans. Review: Patricia Ackroyd's talk at the Cheshire WSD Guild meeting last week and the Heike Gittins workshop at Fibre and Clay. Heike Some of the other course delegates     What's on my wheel and needles: The Picperfec fibre continues apace, I think it's time to "swatch ply" to see how thick the finished yarn will be. The sock yarn blanket is also growing nicely and this weekend I've completed a Moebius (Möbius?) cowl in Rowan Felted Tweed and Rowan Kidsilk Haze at the worshop. Something I really like: Making travel plans! Any suggestions for the South Western states of the USA?     Upcoming Events: Wonderwool Wales at Builth Wells, Powys, 9th and 10th April; Woolfest in Cockermouth, Cumbria, 24th and 25th June; Knit Nation in London, 15th-17th July; a range of workshops at Fibre and Clay, including another Moebius Knitting workshop on 17th September and Tunisian Crochet on 10th September and 15th October. I haven't as yet started one, but if you're interested in knitting or crocheting a bear for the Mother Bear Project, details can be found here. Sorry I was too late for your KAL/CAL, Dr Gemma! Links: Ackroyd and Dawson; Heike Gittins' blog and the Knitsisters website; Picperfec's Etsy shop, Fluff and Stuff; Carol Feller;CogKNITive Podcast. Music: Rondopolska by Barry Philips, from the album Tråd, available from Magnatune. Feel free to leave a comment here or at http://www.yarnsfromtheplain.blogspot.com/, or email me at yarnsfromtheplain@googlemail.com. We have a Ravelry group here, so come on over to chat. You can find me on Ravelry as talesfromtheplain and on Twitter as talesfromplain (although Tweeting can be sporadic!). TTFN, Nic