Yarns from the Plain

Hello from a distinctly un-summery Cheshire Plain. It's a bumper one this time around! This episode I share some finished objects, give you a history lesson and subject you all to my ramblings and reminicences on livestock. On the needles/wheel: I've finished the Manos del Uruguay Clapotis in time for the Clap-o-tea party at UK Knit Camp. I've also taught myself how to navajo ply on the singles I spun from a hank of unidentified fibre (possibly BFL and tencel) I bought from DT Crafts at Wonderwool Wales. No photos here, I'm afraid, but details on Ravelry for the Clapotis and the handspun. I'm also having a blast spinning some Muppet batts from EverImprovingMe. Gorgeous!!! Something I really like: Open Country on BBC Radio 4, particularly using the iPlayer. The Fair Isle Kntting programme is here. Upcoming Events: UK Knit Camp, 9th-13th August and UK Ravelry Weekend, 13th-14th August, Stirling, Scotland; I Knit Weekender, 10th-11th September, London; Fibre Flurry, 30th October, King's Norton, Birmingham. The bulk of this episode is taken up with information about The Oxfordshire County and Thame Show. It's something I attended every year as a child and teenager, but haven't been sinc ei went into teachign in the mid-90s. So, ready for the photo fest that is my record of Thame Show? OK, don't say I didn't warn you. There's a lot of photos. Seriously. Heaps. First up, the patchwork class. The red certificate is for First prize, blue is Second, yellow is Third, white is Very Highly Commended. The first prize winner in the patchwork is the first piece completed by the entrant.Then it's the fibre classes. First knitting...   ... then baby and toddler knitting... ... then the single entry in the Crochet class. Then I wondered down the other end of the marquee to the vegetables. Later I went into the rabbit tent....   ... the pigeons.... ... and the caged birds. Onto the larger animals. This class appears to be for a South Devon bull, heifer and calf. Inside the tent were some beautiful livestock, including this Hereford heifer... and some Holsteins. Outside you can see some Jacob sheep in the pens on the left. Lookee! A livestock Judge, In a Bowler hat! A shot from the sheep judging ring. A Southdown with a fleecy face. Beautiful Alpaca! One of my favourite parts was the Sheep Show. Here's the lorry, with all nine sheep on show. Close up shots... Craig shearing his first ever Scottish Blackface. Some of the Sheep show participants. First Lenny the Lincoln Longwool... ...the Rupert the Rouge De L'Ouest from France... ... and finally Dougal the Scottish Blackface. 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 I don't Tweet much!). Nic

Hello from a chilled Cheshire Plain - it's the summer holidays! Yayyy! In this episode I talk hat design, upcoming events and confess to my inner beardie. What's on the needles: No real progress on anything currently on the needles, but I have designed and made my own hat! Review: Woolly Wormhead's hat design course at Fibre & Clay. Woolly has blogged about it here. If you get a chance to do one of her workshops, grab it! Upcoming Events: Knit Nation, 29th-31st July, London; UK Knit Camp, 9th-13th August and UK Ravelry Weekend, 13th-14th August, Stirling, Scotland; I Knit Weekender, 10th-11th September, London; Fibre Flurry, 30th October, King's Norton, Birmingham. Something I Really Like: Folk music and, in particular, A Folk Song A Day. Links: Woolly Wormhead; Fibre & Clay; Cyril Tawney; Eliza Carthy; Jim Moray; Seth Lakeman; Jim Causley; Karine Polwart; Bellowhead; Jon Boden 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. Nic

Hello from a chilled Cheshire Plain - it's the summer holidays! Yayyy! In this episode I talk hat design, upcoming events and confess to my inner beardie. What's on the needles: No real progress on anything currently on the needles, but I have designed and made my own hat! Review: Woolly Wormhead's hat design course at Fibre & Clay. Woolly has blogged about it here. If you get a chance to do one of her workshops, grab it! Upcoming Events: Knit Nation, 29th-31st July, London; UK Knit Camp, 9th-13th August and UK Ravelry Weekend, 13th-14th August, Stirling, Scotland; I Knit Weekender, 10th-11th September, London; Fibre Flurry, 30th October, King's Norton, Birmingham. Something I Really Like: Folk music and, in particular, A Folk Song A Day. Links: Woolly Wormhead; Fibre & Clay; Cyril Tawney; Eliza Carthy; Jim Moray; Seth Lakeman; Jim Causley; Karine Polwart; Bellowhead; Jon Boden 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. Nic

Hello from a chilled Cheshire Plain - it's the summer holidays! Yayyy! In this episode I talk hat design, upcoming events and confess to my inner beardie. What's on the needles: No real progress on anything currently on the needles, but I have designed and made my own hat! Review: Woolly Wormhead's hat design course at Fibre & Clay. Woolly has blogged about it here. If you get a chance to do one of her workshops, grab it! Upcoming Events: Knit Nation, 29th-31st July, London; UK Knit Camp, 9th-13th August and UK Ravelry Weekend, 13th-14th August, Stirling, Scotland; I Knit Weekender, 10th-11th September, London; Fibre Flurry, 30th October, King's Norton, Birmingham. Something I Really Like: Folk music and, in particular, A Folk Song A Day. Links: Woolly Wormhead; Fibre & Clay; Cyril Tawney; Eliza Carthy; Jim Moray; Seth Lakeman; Jim Causley; Karine Polwart; Bellowhead; Jon Boden 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. Nic

Hello from a little piece of green space overlooking the Weaver Navigation Canal. In this episode I muse on my missing mojo, announce a winner and ponder on tails as an essential accessory. UFO contest: Thanks to all those who entered, but nobody guessed the correct UFO, which was in fact my Birthday Pinwheel Sweater: Details are here. Although no-one correctly identified it, I thought I would still have a draw, so the random number generator picked out a winner. Was it you? You can choose from either of the Abstract Cat yarns I mentioned in an earlier episode, a lovely pint silk laceweight from Knitwitches or some lovely Lei from Posh Yarn Abstract Cat Retro: Abstract Cat Jolly: Knitwitches 100% Pure Silk Laceweight: Posh Yarn Lei in Charming: or Posh Yarn Lei in an unspecified colourway I bought at Wonderwool Wales in 2008: Thanks to all who entered! What's on my needles: a Featherweight cardigan in Posh Yarn, a Clapotis in Manos del Uruguay Silk Blend and a Stripy Noro Messenger Bag. Fancy joining in the Fibre & CLay knit-a-long for this bag? We're already international, so feel free! The pattern can be downloaded from here. And finally.... what else would you see at the V&A than this... Random! 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. Nic

Hello from a little piece of green space overlooking the Weaver Navigation Canal. In this episode I muse on my missing mojo, announce a winner and ponder on tails as an essential accessory. UFO contest: Thanks to all those who entered, but nobody guessed the correct UFO, which was in fact my Birthday Pinwheel Sweater: Details are here. Although no-one correctly identified it, I thought I would still have a draw, so the random number generator picked out a winner. Was it you? You can choose from either of the Abstract Cat yarns I mentioned in an earlier episode, a lovely pint silk laceweight from Knitwitches or some lovely Lei from Posh Yarn Abstract Cat Retro: Abstract Cat Jolly: Knitwitches 100% Pure Silk Laceweight: Posh Yarn Lei in Charming: or Posh Yarn Lei in an unspecified colourway I bought at Wonderwool Wales in 2008: Thanks to all who entered! What's on my needles: a Featherweight cardigan in Posh Yarn, a Clapotis in Manos del Uruguay Silk Blend and a Stripy Noro Messenger Bag. Fancy joining in the Fibre & CLay knit-a-long for this bag? We're already international, so feel free! The pattern can be downloaded from here. And finally.... what else would you see at the V&A than this... Random! 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. Nic

Hello from a little piece of green space overlooking the Weaver Navigation Canal. In this episode I muse on my missing mojo, announce a winner and ponder on tails as an essential accessory. UFO contest: Thanks to all those who entered, but nobody guessed the correct UFO, which was in fact my Birthday Pinwheel Sweater: Details are here. Although no-one correctly identified it, I thought I would still have a draw, so the random number generator picked out a winner. Was it you? You can choose from either of the Abstract Cat yarns I mentioned in an earlier episode, a lovely pint silk laceweight from Knitwitches or some lovely Lei from Posh Yarn Abstract Cat Retro: Abstract Cat Jolly: Knitwitches 100% Pure Silk Laceweight: Posh Yarn Lei in Charming: or Posh Yarn Lei in an unspecified colourway I bought at Wonderwool Wales in 2008: Thanks to all who entered! What's on my needles: a Featherweight cardigan in Posh Yarn, a Clapotis in Manos del Uruguay Silk Blend and a Stripy Noro Messenger Bag. Fancy joining in the Fibre & CLay knit-a-long for this bag? We're already international, so feel free! The pattern can be downloaded from here. And finally.... what else would you see at the V&A than this... Random! 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. Nic

Hello and apologies for the delay in uploading this episode which was actually recorded last Sunday. Events and internet access have conspired against me. Proper show notes will follow, but the Dunham Massey event mentioned is this weekend (22nd and 23rd May) and the UFO competition does not yet have a prize identified. Leave a comment here or on Ravelry by the end of Tuesday 1st June and the winner will be drawn out of the hat from those who correctly identify which of the following hibernating UFOs  I have been working on: Pondemonium, a child's stranded sweater in Rowan Wool Cotton; Hipknits silk aran weight Fair Isle cardigan; Olivia, a tank in Noro Sock Yarn; Pinwheel Sweater in natural shades of Sesia Pura Lana Ecologia; a pair of textured socksin green Louet Gems; Modern Quilt Wrap in Rowan Kid Silk Haze; Lizard Ridge Afghanin Noro Kureyon; Woolly Thoughts' Double Visioncushion in acrylic; Woolly Thoughts' Best of Both Whirlscushion in acrylic. Review: 200 Crochet blocks for blankets, throws and afghans, Jan Eaton, published by David & Charles in the UK, 2004 Upcoming Events: Woolfest, Cockermouth, Cumbria,  June 25th and 26th; UK Knit Camp and Ravelry Weekend, University of Stirling, Scotland, 9th-14th August Links: EasyKnits   Nic

Hello and apologies for the delay in uploading this episode which was actually recorded last Sunday. Events and internet access have conspired against me. Proper show notes will follow, but the Dunham Massey event mentioned is this weekend (22nd and 23rd May) and the UFO competition does not yet have a prize identified. Leave a comment here or on Ravelry by the end of Tuesday 1st June and the winner will be drawn out of the hat from those who correctly identify which of the following hibernating UFOs  I have been working on: Pondemonium, a child's stranded sweater in Rowan Wool Cotton; Hipknits silk aran weight Fair Isle cardigan; Olivia, a tank in Noro Sock Yarn; Pinwheel Sweater in natural shades of Sesia Pura Lana Ecologia; a pair of textured socksin green Louet Gems; Modern Quilt Wrap in Rowan Kid Silk Haze; Lizard Ridge Afghanin Noro Kureyon; Woolly Thoughts' Double Visioncushion in acrylic; Woolly Thoughts' Best of Both Whirlscushion in acrylic. Review: 200 Crochet blocks for blankets, throws and afghans, Jan Eaton, published by David & Charles in the UK, 2004 Upcoming Events: Woolfest, Cockermouth, Cumbria,  June 25th and 26th; UK Knit Camp and Ravelry Weekend, University of Stirling, Scotland, 9th-14th August Links: EasyKnits   Nic

Hello and apologies for the delay in uploading this episode which was actually recorded last Sunday. Events and internet access have conspired against me. Proper show notes will follow, but the Dunham Massey event mentioned is this weekend (22nd and 23rd May) and the UFO competition does not yet have a prize identified. Leave a comment here or on Ravelry by the end of Tuesday 1st June and the winner will be drawn out of the hat from those who correctly identify which of the following hibernating UFOs  I have been working on: Pondemonium, a child's stranded sweater in Rowan Wool Cotton; Hipknits silk aran weight Fair Isle cardigan; Olivia, a tank in Noro Sock Yarn; Pinwheel Sweater in natural shades of Sesia Pura Lana Ecologia; a pair of textured socks in green Louet Gems; Modern Quilt Wrap in Rowan Kid Silk Haze; Lizard Ridge Afghan in Noro Kureyon; Woolly Thoughts' Double Vision cushion in acrylic; Woolly Thoughts' Best of Both Whirls cushion in acrylic. Review: 200 Crochet blocks for blankets, throws and afghans, Jan Eaton, published by David & Charles in the UK, 2004 Upcoming Events: Woolfest, Cockermouth, Cumbria,  June 25th and 26th; UK Knit Camp and Ravelry Weekend, University of Stirling, Scotland, 9th-14th August Links: EasyKnits   Nic

Hello from a sunny yet cold Cheshire Plain. In this episode I talk about the wanderer returning, wander with a wonderful friend and wonder at Wonderwool Wales. What's on my needles, hooks and wheel: Not much knitting or crochet in the last fortnight. Work's been busy and any spare fibre moment has been spent at my wheel. I've spun about 60g of merino topsbought at Wonderwool Wales last year into an as yet unspecified 2-ply yarn. Lumpy in places, but well balanced (like me, perhaps?) Over the Bank Holiday weekend I did finish the last of the NYOBE Round 5 squares. Review: Wonderwool Wales. A brilliant time, with a fairly restrained amount of shopping I feel... Believe me, I could have bought an awful lot more! I mention pretty much everything in the podcast and link to it below, but when I looked at the photo I realised I didn't mention the glorious dyed oatmeal BFL from The Thylacine. Bad podcaster! Want to go? Next year's dates are Saturday 9th and Sunday 10th April 2011. Links: Knitwitches; Sheepfold; DT Crafts & Design; Sparkleduck; The Threshing Barn; Black Mountain Alpacas Music: Rondopolska by Barry Philips, from the album Tråd, available from Magnatune. There's now a Ravelry group for the podcast, which can be found here. Feel free to leave a comment here or at http://www.yarnsfromtheplain.blogspot.com/, or email me at yarnsfromtheplain@googlemail.com. You can find me on Ravelry as talesfromtheplain. Nic

Hello from a sunny yet cold Cheshire Plain. In this episode I talk about the wanderer returning, wander with a wonderful friend and wonder at Wonderwool Wales. What's on my needles, hooks and wheel: Not much knitting or crochet in the last fortnight. Work's been busy and any spare fibre moment has been spent at my wheel. I've spun about 60g of merino topsbought at Wonderwool Wales last year into an as yet unspecified 2-ply yarn. Lumpy in places, but well balanced (like me, perhaps?) Over the Bank Holiday weekend I did finish the last of the NYOBE Round 5 squares. Review: Wonderwool Wales. A brilliant time, with a fairly restrained amount of shopping I feel... Believe me, I could have bought an awful lot more! I mention pretty much everything in the podcast and link to it below, but when I looked at the photo I realised I didn't mention the glorious dyed oatmeal BFL from The Thylacine. Bad podcaster! Want to go? Next year's dates are Saturday 9th and Sunday 10th April 2011. Links: Knitwitches; Sheepfold; DT Crafts & Design; Sparkleduck; The Threshing Barn; Black Mountain Alpacas Music: Rondopolska by Barry Philips, from the album Tråd, available from Magnatune. There's now a Ravelry group for the podcast, which can be found here. Feel free to leave a comment here or at http://www.yarnsfromtheplain.blogspot.com/, or email me at yarnsfromtheplain@googlemail.com. You can find me on Ravelry as talesfromtheplain. Nic

Hello from a sunny yet cold Cheshire Plain. In this episode I talk about the wanderer returning, wander with a wonderful friend and wonder at Wonderwool Wales. What's on my needles, hooks and wheel: Not much knitting or crochet in the last fortnight. Work's been busy and any spare fibre moment has been spent at my wheel. I've spun about 60g of merino tops bought at Wonderwool Wales last year into an as yet unspecified 2-ply yarn. Lumpy in places, but well balanced (like me, perhaps?) Over the Bank Holiday weekend I did finish the last of the NYOBE Round 5 squares. Review: Wonderwool Wales. A brilliant time, with a fairly restrained amount of shopping I feel... Believe me, I could have bought an awful lot more! I mention pretty much everything in the podcast and link to it below, but when I looked at the photo I realised I didn't mention the glorious dyed oatmeal BFL from The Thylacine. Bad podcaster! Want to go? Next year's dates are Saturday 9th and Sunday 10th April 2011. Links: Knitwitches; Sheepfold; DT Crafts & Design; Sparkleduck; The Threshing Barn; Black Mountain Alpacas Music: Rondopolska by Barry Philips, from the album Tråd, available from Magnatune. There's now a Ravelry group for the podcast, which can be found here. Feel free to leave a comment here or at http://www.yarnsfromtheplain.blogspot.com/, or email me at yarnsfromtheplain@googlemail.com. You can find me on Ravelry as talesfromtheplain. Nic

Hello from an eerily silent Cheshire Plain. In this episode I talk about the lack of background noise, urge people to exercise their democratic responsibility and admit to a guilty change of allegiance (oh fickle creature!). On my needles and hooks: Mainly blanket squares, either from the Schuyler Blanket... or for NYOBE blocks. Review: Jamie Possum Paints DK Something I really like: Matt Smith in Doctor Who! Forthcoming events: the General Election on 6th May - make sure you are registered to vote here; Wonderwool Wales on 24th 25th April 2010 at the Royal Welsh Showground, Builth Wells, Powys.

Hello from an eerily silent Cheshire Plain. In this episode I talk about the lack of background noise, urge people to exercise their democratic responsibility and admit to a guilty change of allegiance (oh fickle creature!). On my needles and hooks: Mainly blanket squares, either from the Schuyler Blanket... or for NYOBE blocks. Review: Jamie Possum Paints DK Something I really like: Matt Smith in Doctor Who! Forthcoming events: the General Election on 6th May - make sure you are registered to vote here; Wonderwool Wales on 24th & 25th April 2010 at the Royal Welsh Showground, Builth Wells, Powys.