Yarns From The Plain

Hello and welcome from an autumnal Cheshire Plain! In this episode I (finally) bid a fond farewell to a number of things close to my heart - but fret not, dear listeners, you are not amongst them! On and Off the Needles All Woolsack Cushions are now done! Woop woop! Since the last episode I have seamed the Make Do and Mend cushion that has a back that was knitted by Carotrike. The front was made in my own handspun that I had dyed before spinning. The blue and yellow were deliciously soft Falkland, the green was the grey Gotland that shed a lot of dodgy looking guard hairs as I spun (Details in Episode 48). I also finished the cushion based on the Circle socks by Anne Campbell. I knit it in the round using Judy’s Magic Cast On to reduce seaming. It’s made from Sheepfold's lovely Clotted Cream, a blended cream aranweight yarn. I dyed what was supposed to be Union Jack red and blue, but it turned out more pink and baby blue! I have also started an Elsa cardigan designed by the Natural

Hello from a family bank holiday in the North East. In this episode I talk about itching to start something new and how going to a yarn show doesn't do anything to reduce the inflammation! On and Off the Needles I have seamed the handspun listener Woolsack cushion (details on this Rav page ) I also finished the little squares for the front of the Make Do and Mend cushion by Anna Elliot. The back for this was made by the lovely Carotrike. One more left on the needles, based on Circle Socks by Anne Campbell. In The Weaving Shed The actual weaving in progress. Starting off: You can also see the yellow of the contrast clasped weft. Keeping track: Nearing the end... Something I really like The self catering accommodation at Dairy House, nr Cullompton, Devon. Details at www.dairyhouse.biz Upcoming Events British Wool Weekend, Sept 1st & 2nd, great Yorkshire Showground. Details at britishwool.net. Links Woolsack Electric Sheep podcast Music: Rondopolska by Barry Philips, from the album

Hello from a very summery day here on the Plain. In this episode I consider the London 2012 legacy, drool over thoughts of indie dyers and warp a loom. On the Hooks and Needles I completed my Millicent by The Natural Dye Studio, although not before the Olympic flame was extinguished :( Ravelry details are here. I also finished off a few Woolsack cushions (although I'm not sure it gets a mention in this episode!). Details about the sheepy cushion here and the Guild cushions here. Recommendation The Shinybees podcast. Give Jo a listen, it's great! Warped Here are some photos from the warping session. Ready to go...   ...starting to warp... ...almost there...   ...sorting out some tension issues...   ...threading the warps through the eyes...   Finally! Something I Really Like Yarns from indie dyers such as BabyLongLegs, Easy Knits, Fyberspates, The Knitting Goddess, and The Natural Dye Studio which use common base yarns from... Upcoming Events ...Bl

Hello from a variety of Olympic venues and tourist sites in London. The Olympics have started!! In this episode I try to capture a flavour of what it's like to attend some of the events, plus I visit a couple of well-known places I've never been before... On the Hooks and Needles My Ravellenics projects are Millicent by The Natural Dye Studio and another Woolsack cushion in Sheepfold Clotted Cream. Details here and here . Links Nest Caithness Craft Collective A Playful Day Woolsack Music: Rondopolska by Barry Philips, from the album Tråd, available from Magnatune. 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! 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 s

Hello from a rather noisy back garden in the North East of England! In this episode, I get over excited about all thinks Olympic. Forgive me. Finished Objects In reverse order, I finsihed the weaving and made the cusion from the fabric my class were weaving. Rav details here. I also assembled the green woven cushion that's been woven for over two months. Rav details here. And here are front (above)n and back(below) pictures of the cushion worked on during the Y6 residential that I mentioned last episode. Rav details here. Something I really like My brand new Olympic venue Top Trumps set! Links Woolsack Music: Rondopolska by Barry Philips, from the album Tråd, available from Magnatune. We have a listeners' map. Please go on over to pop in a pin - we're covering 4 continents now but I'd still love to see where you all are! 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

Hello from the Plain! The last few weeks have flown by in a whirl of assessments and cushions, so this is just a quick update prior to the Postcard, which was recorded back in April. Woolsack Update The first two Listener Cushions are now assembled and stuffed and ready to make their way to London. Thank you all so much! The first cushion I think is made from a lot of Rowan British Breeds, and includes a square made in the US on the front.... and squares made in Australia on the back... The second cushion also has some "Made in Oz" squares, this time on the front.... Thanks to all the listeners who contributed! A Postcard from Oxford The music in this postcard is from the album The Oxford Ramble and is used with the kind permission of Magpie Lane . Some photos from the day: Magdalen Tower Inside Darn It & Stitch The dinosaur in a badly-knitted Fair Isle sweater (aka Keble College) Another dinosaur - real this time! Looking down into the Pitt Rivers - it looks a lot darker than this in

Just a brief episode to bring listeners up to speed on developments with the Woolsack project. There has been a lot of media coverage this week, so I thought I would round it up for you.... oh and brag about meeting the GB Women's Watr Polo squad in Manchester! That's me, lurking at the back, third in from the right (the pink's almost washed out in this shot), along with most of the squad and six cushion makers from Tattenhall, near Chester. The squad loved their cushions! These cuties were made by Chloe Wilcox's mum, and the girls love them! Upcoming Events: Woolfest at Mitchells, Cockermouth, Fri 22nd and Sat 23rd June 2012 Fibre East is at Scald End Farm, Mill Lane, Thurleigh, Bedford, MK44 2DP, Sat 14th and Sun 15th July 2012 Tour de Fleece Sat June 30th - Sun July 22nd 2012 Ravelympics Fri July 27th - Sun Aug 12th 2012 Links Woolsack We have a listeners' map. Please go on over to pop in a pin - we're covering 4 continents now but I'd still love to see where you all are! Fe

Hello from a bunting-bedecked Cheshire Plain. In this episode I provide a few updates, sympathise with elderly people stood in the rain and consider the quandry of when a Union Jack is not a Union Jack. Works in Progress I finished the weaving on the Ashford Knitter's Loom with Bute from Bute from Texere. The weft is a selection of green yarns left over from my Woolsack cushions. Now I just need to cut and sew the pieces together. I've also finished the Sheep squares designed by Ann Kingstone. The pattern is for a 4ply colourwork cushion knitted in the round; I used it to knit 13cm squares in aranweight yarn. Here they are blocking. I've also been crocheting the listeners' squares together using crab stitch. Something I Really Like Bunting! Upcoming Events: Woolfest at Mitchells, Cockermouth, Fri 22nd and Sat 23rd June 2012 Fibre East is at Scald End Farm, Mill Lane, Thurleigh, Bedford, MK44 2DP, Sat 14th and Sun 15th July 2012 Tour de Fleece Sat June 30th - Sun July 22nd 2012 Ravelympics Fri

Hello from a sunny Cheshire Plain! In this episode I reflect on my lack of productivity, review a new toy and ‘fess up on my purchases at Wonderwool Wales. Works in Progress A little bit of work on the Sheep squares designed by Ann Kingstone. The pattern is for a 4ply colourwork cushion knitted in the round; I used it to knit 13cm squares in aranweight yarn. I also warped up my new loom with Bute from Texere. The weft is a selection of green yarns left over from my Woolsack cushions. Sorry for the lack of pictures. Woolsack Haul Some Polworth from EasyKnits (and some Falkland for my friend); a Manx Laughtan fleece; some Torddu from Sheepfold and some Dazzle HT from Natural Dye Studio to make a Millicent. The photo I have is rather badly lit, I'll try and sort it and get it up later. Review 12” Ashford Knitter’s Loom with carry bag Something I Really Like The Draw Something app on my phone. Upcoming Events: Woolfest at Mitchelss, Cockermouth, Fri 22nd and Sat 23rd June 2012 Fib

Hello from the Plain, where we're being bombarded with April showers! This is a short episode to sum up after the Woolsack stuffing event. I'd love to show you pictures, but Blogger AND Podbean are both playing up. You'll just have to go look on the Cheshire Guild WSD group thread instead. ;) Upcoming Events: Wonderwool Wales is at the Royal Welsh Showground, Built Wells, Powys, Sat 28th and Sun 29th April. Fibre East is at Scald End Farm, Mill Lane, Thurleigh, Bedford, MK44 2DP, Sat 14th and Sun 15th July 2012 Links Woolsack Music: Rondopolska by Barry Philips, from the album Tråd, available from Magnatune. We have a listeners' map. Please go on over to pop in a pin - we're covering 4 continents now but I'd still love to see where you all are! 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 a

Hello from a sunny spot in Oxfordshire. This episode I'm out and about, taking advantage of the lovely weather! Woolsack Update Cushions are taking over my life. If you don't hear from me for a while, you'll find me under a pile of cushion squares and stuffing... I've finished sets 9 squares for Guild cushions, seamed my sixth cushion and made a start on blocking the 4 inch squares sent in by you, my lovely listeners. Spinning I've spun up some Falkland sliver (gorgeous to spin!) that I dyed myself. I also spun up some dyed carded Gotland. Knitting I'm using that handspun to make another cushion, this time the Make Do and Mend pattern. Here's the Union flag in progress on the train. Review Knit Today magazine, May 2012 issue. Something I really like: The Massed Bands of Her Majesty's Royal Marines at the Mountbatten Festival of Music. Here's a link to a video of the Royal Marines Corps of Drums. Music: Rondopolska by Barry Philips, from the album Tråd, available from Magnatune. We have a listener

Hello from the Cheshire Plain. Thanks for allowing me this moment of self-indulgence (yes, I know, a very long momemt!) Links Knit A Journey podcast; My Forest Canopy Shawl; Mum's Socks; Mum's Mrs Beetons; The Infamous Bobble Hats (apologies, I DID put a bobble on my Father-in-Law's!); Venezia and Autumn Rose sweaters by Eunny Jang; Lissuin by Ann Kingstone; Carol Feller at Stolen Stitches; Ann Kingstone; Information on Cumbrian dialect and the sheep counting system; Sheepfold; Blacker Yarns. Music: Rondopolska by Barry Philips, from the album Tråd, available from Magnatune. We have a listeners' map. Please go on over to pop in a pin - we're covering 4 continents now but I'd still love to see where you all are! 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 Tweet

Hello from a cold and blustery Cheshire Plain. This episode I share spinning, update you on my Woolsack progress and reveal the answers to the Manchester music quiz. Spinning: I finished spinning the Cheviot I got in the Secret Santa on the UK Spinners board on Ravelry from Shunklies. Then I spun up a 125g sample pack of Shetland combed tops from Jamieson and Smith. Woolsack Update: I finished the back for the Celtic Yarns Cushion designed by Blacker, and have knitted an edging onto one of the too small Guild cushions. On The Needles: I've cast on for an Alletta shawl for the Alletta/Allegra Knit-along with the Caithness Craft Collective podcast. I'm using Fyberspates Sparkle Sock and Ravelry details are here. Prizes! Prizewinners need to let me know their order of preference of these five skeins: From left to right: Posh Yarn Lucia in "Skip" (100g/365yds); Posh Yarn Charlotte in "April Showers Bring May Flowers" (100g/350yds); Posh Yarn Lei (100g/380 yds); Fyberspates Echo Self-Striping Sock (1

Hello from a slightly overcast Cheshire Plain. In this episode I talk about the original Woolsack, twitch over big art projects and small children and say thank you. A lot. Works in Progress/Woolsack Update: To console myself after last week, I cast on a new Woolsack Cushion, using Sheepfold and Jamieson of Shetland yarns. It's a Blacker Yarns pattern, the Celtic Yarns Cushion, and Ravelry details are here. In addition, I recapped on the aims of the Woolsack project amd the origins of the word. Here is a shot for the UK Parliament's Flickr stream that I found of the Woolsack: I also interrupted myself to take a photo of this little fella: Something I really like: Llama BBQ bites! Thank You!: Thank you to everyone who responsed to my meltdown last week. The squares are starting to roll in. Thank you also to the lovely sandcola, who was my partner in the Fabric Postcard swap over on the Caithness Craft Collective podcast. Upcoming Events: Cheshire Guild of Weavers, Spinners and Dyers are

Just a brief set of show notes to accompany this appeal. Please, please, please, if you are in the UK and can knit a 4 inch square in British wool, either your own handspun or commercial British yarn, please do so and contact me for details on where to send it, Thank you, Nic

Hello from a gloriously sunny, if blustery, Cheshire Plain. In this episode I talk about my crafty AD/HD, bemoan a lack of pictures and send you a postcard from my recent break in the Lakes. Works in Progress: I cast off my Damson! It's not yet blocked, but Ravelry details are here.You can't see the loopy border in this shot, but proof that it is indeed finished. I've also been dying more yarn (Kid Silk Lace from Posh Yarn) and fibre (more BFL and also some Falkland Sliver from DT Craft & Design, and a selection of Gotland curls from May Hill Gotlands (gotland_mayhill@yahoo.com) in the Forest of Dean and carded grey Gotland from Blacker Yarns) to use up the dye solutions from last weekend. Talking of last week's marathon dying session, I used the dyed Sheepfold Clotted Cream and some black Hebredian to crochet a set of interlocking rings for the Cheshire Guild's exhibition on the theme of circles. I also took the dyed BFL fibre and needled felted it on in a series of cirlces along a length of the und

Hello from a glorious Cheshire Plain. In this bumper episode I discuss dying, squawk about space and am rendered speechless... Thanks for the feedback on Episode 41: A Postcard from Manchester. It's been a privilege to share the memories the music invokes for you. A couple of people are close but no one has yet identified all of the clips, so I'll leave it open until March 31st. PM or email me with your answers. Works in Progress: Slooooooow work on the Damson Shawl as part of the Caithness Craft Collective Knitalong, but the end is in sight. I hope to have it finished for next episode. Ravelry details are here. I've also been dying yarn (Clotted Cream from Sheepfold) and fibre (BFL from DT Craft & Design) to make something for the Guild Exhibition. I need to hand it in next Saturday, so I'd better be quick! I've also dyed 100g of BFL in a purple to ply with the Cheviot from Shunklies. No more progress has been made in the actual spinning, though. Woolsack Update: I've finished my fifth cushion for

Hello from the Cheshire Plain. Spring is definitely in the air! This episode sees the launch of a new, occasional, series A Postcard From... A prize is available for anyone who can identify the music clips in the postcard! Works in Progress: No work on the Damson Shawl as part of the Caithness Craft Collective Knitalong. Ravelry details are here. I've completed a second bear this year for the Mother Bear KAL/CAL over at the CogKNITive podcast. This one is called Frank, in honour the the recently departed Frank Carson. Woolsack Update: I'm partway through another cushion for Woolsack. Although I described the pattern, I didn't actually name it (shame on me). It is Tilting at Windmills by Woolly Thoughts. Spinning: I'm still spinning the Cheviot I got in the Secret Santa on the UK Spinners board on Ravelry from Shunklies. I'm now over three-quarters of the way through it. A Postcard from...Manchester Whilst writing these show notes, I've made the horrific discovery that my memory card has corrupted, s

A repost of Episode 40 to counteract the gremlins! Hello from a coffeeshop in Knutsford! In this episode I contemplate comfort knitting, smack my forehead at my own stupidity and, on listening back, overuse the phrase really, really interesting (sorry!). Works in Progress: A Damson Shawl as part of the Caithness Craft Collective Knitalong. I'm using the Carezza I bought at Artfibers in San Francisco last summer and the Ravelry details are here. I'm also working on a bear for the Mother Bear KAL/CAL over at the CogKNITive podcast. Although not finished at the time of recording, she is now. Let me introduce you to Ruby, stood here, in the grounds of Dove Cottage, Wordsworth's home 1799-1808. Woolsack Update: I finished my cable cushions, although I'm obviously very stupid! Ravelry details are here and here. Spinning: I'm still spinning the Cheviot I got in the Secret Santa on the UK Spinners board on Ravelry from Shunklies. I'm nearly three-quarters of the way through it, and I'm fairly sure I'm goin

Hello from a cold and wintery Cheshire Plain! This episode I share limited progress, explain terminology and hector my listeners. Giveaway: Thank you for all your entries. We have winners! Works in Progress: I'm knitting a cushion back (no photos or Ravelry details yet) and I'm still spinning the Cheviot I got in the Secret Santa on the UK Spinners board on Ravelry from Shunklies (still no pictures but I've found the purple!). I'm also lusting after Easyknits' Superwash Merino Fluff in Punk colours (sorry, I mispelt it in the show) and can't wait to spin them. Jon's blogpost about them, along with his finished yarn, is here. Something I Really Like: My conservatory! Woolsack Update: Please please please consider making a cushion for the Woolsack project. There's a thread over in the Ravlery group waiting for your pictures. Links: Posh Yarn; Woolsack; The Fleece and Fiber Sourcebook Music: Rondopolska by Barry Philips, from the album Tråd, available from Magnatune. We have a listeners' map! Please