Curious Handmade with Helen Stewart

I give a review of the Pompom Quarterly Christmas Party and some Kettle Yarn Co yarn that jumped into my bag. I talk about why Friday 13th is my lucky day and the latest Curious Knitvent knitting pattern released. London Town Pompom Quarterly Kettle Yarn Co (Hint I see on Linda's blog that she is offering 20% off until 20 December!!) What's in the WIP Anna and Pearl are having a quiet night in. The Quicksilver Cowl is the latest pattern in the Curious Knitvent Collection, released this week. There are three more patterns to come so stay tuned. The Simple Things I'm making the leap from full time corporate to full time knitting entrepreneur! Thank you to all the lovely Curious Knitters who have made this possible. If you leave an iTunes review for the Curious Handmade podcast or a comment on this post about why you like the podcast or anything you would like to hear then I would like to give you one of my patterns as a thank you. Let me know if you have done this on the Curious Handmade Episode 8 thread on Ravelry and what pattern you would like including my 2014 monthly (yet to be named) collection.      

Today I'm looking forward to the Pom Pom Quarterly Christmas Party. I talk about Knitvent 2013 and patterns 3 and 4 out this week. I also talk at some length about travelling with kids ahead of our big flight to Australia in just over a week's time. What's in the WIP? Two patterns for Curious Knitvent were released this week: Fresh Powder Cowl Stardust Infinity Scarf You can pick up the collection of 8 patterns for the steal price of $9 here:   I am also stalking some patterns in the new issue of Knitty just out: Princess Franklin by Franklin Habit Superduper by Lee Meredith Lempster by Nora Gaughan Armande by Andi Satterlund Sssstarter by Ruth Garcia-Alcantud   The Simple Life Travelling with kids (long haul) I mention Leo Babauta's blog Zen Habits and his post on travelling light. Please let me know in the comments or on the Curious Handmade Ravelry board if you have any tips for travelling with kids.        

Happy Thanksgiving to my American listeners. I am feeling very thankful today. Last week I launched Curious Knitvent 2013, a mystery collection of accessories being released over the next couple of weeks. The pattern behind window #1 on the Knitvent Calendar was Red Robin Shawl and #2 was the Checkerboard Mitts. We have over 30 people knitting along on the Curious Handmade board for Knitvent so please pop along and join in. Curious Community I mention the Hands Across the Water Charity for orphaned children in Thailand. Events in London: Crafty Fox Market Selvedge Winter Fair  

Hello and welcome to episode 5 of the Curious Handmade Podcast. At the end of the show I have a special announcement about the Knitvent mystery knit along that I’ve been working on for ages and a special little something for my podcast listeners so its worth making it to the end of the show for that. This week I have a special guest on the show, a good friend from my Wednesday night knitting group. Her name is Tina Chiang, but you will hear me call her Ting throughout our conversation as that is how I know her. Ting came over to my house last Friday and we knitted, chatted and ate some amazing cakes from the Blackbird bakery around the corner. We talk about knitting, careers and life. We get a bit deep and then we get really shallow! We giggle. A lot. I hope you enjoy knitting along with us as we have a good old natter. Chatting with Ting Ting is Knitterroony on Ravelry  is knitting a Cupido Cowl by Hiroko Fukatsu I am knitting a secret item for my Curious Knitvent 2013 Collection Yarn stores Ting mentioned that she visited on her play tour: The Fibre Works in Chipping Norton Purl City Yarns in Manchester The Yarn Cake in Glasgow and the .....famous Yarngina The play Ting was in recently - Chimerica. The play is no longer running in London. Lucy Kirkwood won the Evening Standard Award for Best Play! Woot Woot. Curious Knitvent 2013 I finally announce the launch of my mystery Knitvent 2013 Collection. If you listen to the podcast in the next couple of days, I announce a coupon code for a great discount on the collection. This special podcast code is only valid until midnight on Sunday 24 November so join in quick for a bargain. Do you love a mystery? Who doesn’t? Over the next 4 weeks we’ll open the doors on the Knitvent calendar, revealing another gorgeous accessory. Each pattern will be available to purchase individually for $6, and if you want to grab yourself an amazing bargain, you can buy the whole ebook of all 8 patterns. The normal price of the ebook will be $12 but for the period of the Knitvent mystery knit along from now until mid December – it will be just $9. The first Knitvent pattern window will open on Sunday 24 November!  

Hello and welcome to Episode 4 of the Curious Handmade Podcast. Today I'm talking about a charity knitting project, my knitting design process, making soap and some other bits and bobs. Charity knitting project I was knitting for this campaign at work yesterday: The Big Issue are running a campaign called the big-knitathon to benefit homeless people in the UK. Whats in the WIP I share how I design my knitting patterns for you. A new pattern I'm stalking (and have since purchased) is The Great Oddments Knitdown by Romi Hill The Simple Things Lena Corwin's Made By Hand book (hint: would be a lovely gift for a crafty person) UK Amazon link: Made By Hand: Classes from Lena Corwin's Studio: A Collection of Projects to Print, Sew, Weave, Dye, Knit, or Otherwise Create US Amazon link: Lena Corwin’s Made By Hand: A Collection of Projects to Print, Sew, Weave, Dye, Knit, or Otherwise Create Down to Earth blog by Rhonda Hetzel Soap Making Tutorial Events Pom Pom Christmas Party - London  6:30-10:00 on Friday 6 December The Crypt, Christ Church, Spitalfields Includes an indie yarn market (uh oh) and live music Pom Pom Quarterly knitting magazine Last week's episode Fairy lights (Fairly lights?!) -  the Curious Handmade Fairy Lights Board  

Hello and a very warm welcome to Episode 3 of the Curious Handmade Podcast. On the show today, I'm talking about fairy light installations, advent calendars and a slightly subversive English tradition Its been sparkling and crackling here this week with Guy Fawkes night or Bonfire night as its also called happening this past Tuesday. What's in the WIP? Making festive fairy light installations. Check out my Fairy Light Pinterest board for some inspiration. If you would like me to add your own fairy light creation to the board take a photo and pin it or tweet it to me at @curioushandmade with #curiouslights. (Just as a tip - if you are outside the US and dont have the "#" symbol on your keyboard its ALT + 3. This is because Apple decided that the local currency symbol such as the £ should go on the 3 instread...knowing that helps me to remember it!) I'm knitting with Rowan Kidsilk Haze Eclipse but its still a secret project! Advent Advent Bunting/Christmas Stockings by Ruth Chester Advent Treats by Emma King Advent Stockings by Paula Gaumer Tooke - crochet Wee Tiny Elf Sock by Meg Bakewell - super cute and free! DIY Advent Wreath by Isabell Kraemer Advent activity card ideas from the All Things Simple blog Stonehaven by Laura Aylor - Sweater pattern Indie Gift Along (Ravelry link) - 25% patterns from 177 indie designers!! Until 15 November. The Simple Things Ways to stay chilled out during the hectic holiday season: 1. Meditation - I'm aiming to do 5-10 minutes each morning 2. Breathe! Simple to do, easy to forget 3. Stay present - try not to be distracted by social media and work while hanging out with my kids 4. Go for walks 5. Knit! Fantastic for relaxation. Events Renegade Craft Fair on 9-10 November at The Old Truman Brewery in London Wrap up and Thank yous Thank you to my lovely listeners for your comments on the Ravelry Curious Handmade group: Peachcrisp, RachelNZ, yvhiha, DianeB, ParrotGreen, candigirl429, dani89, knittylucia, theyarngoeson Don't forget to send me your photo or tag it #curiouslights if you make a fairy lights installation. You can also find me on Ravelry as HellsBells or Twitter, Pinterest, and Facebook as CuriousHandmade if you want to get in touch.

Hello and welcome to Episode 2 of the Curious Handmade Podcast. It's Friday first of November! That means starting the countdown to the end of the year and trying to squeeze in as much as possible into the last couple of months! Today I'm looking forward to having a good natter with you today about knitting, an unplanned yarn shopping trip and my plans for regular podcast segments. Recap from Episode 1: Some favourite Knitty patterns of some lovely listeners: SpinnyGonzales Aeolian Shawl and Laminaria by Elizabeth Freeman Brbrcat - Date Night - Nikol Lohr Aorlavfan - Leaflet - by Cecily Glowik MacDonald Theyarngoeson - Blossoms by the Brook by Ilga Leja Londontown Stories Erika Knight Yarn Collection Rowan Angora Haze Rowan Tweed Aran Rowan Kidsilk Haze Eclipse British Sheep Breeds Bouclé Rowan Felted Tweed I rave about dinner at Polpo The WIP Gift Knitting and an upcoming collection The needles have been running hot at chez curious the last few months and the creative juices flowing. I can't tell you the details just yet but I'm planning a holiday season surprise for my knitters. one of the fabulous things about being a little indie designer is that I can totally make up the rules. I haven't worked out all the details yet but can say so far that I'm putting together a collection of sassy little patterns perfect for little gifts and it will be released as some kind of mystery game. I would love to hear your thoughts and feelings about gift knitting in the comments below or on the Ravelry Curious Handmade discussion board. To listen to the episode click on the play arrow button at the top or download and subscribe in iTunes.

Welcome to my first full Curious Handmade podcast episode. I'm  exited to tell you about my trip up to Glasgow for the Glasgow School of Yarn last weekend. Not only that but I am so thrilled to be able to share with you an interview with Amy Singer from Knitty.com. If you are a fan of Knitty which many of us are, or perhaps have even thought about submitting a pattern to be published in Knitty then you definitely want to listen to this interview. You can find out how Amy started out creating the online knitting magazine and what happens behind the scenes of putting an issue together. Thank you to Libby from Truly Myrtle for your comments and lovely encouragement for my introductory episode last week. Links for things mentioned in the episode: The Yarn Cake - sponsor and organiser of the Glasgow School of Yarn Blank Canvas sweater pattern by Ysolda Teague Old Maiden Aunt Skein Queen Easy Knits and Easy Knits Nano Skeins Liz Lovick of Northern Lace (she has a lovely write up of the event on her blog) and her new book: The Magic of Shetland Lace Knitting: Stitches, Techniques, and Projects for Lighter-Than-Air Shawls & More Interview with Amy Singer from Knitty.com: The Dead Fish Hat! My two Knitty.com patterns mentioned in the interview are: Afternoon Tea Glitz at the Ritz My all time favourite Knitty pattern is the famous Clapotis Pop over to the episode discussion thread in Ravelry and let me know what your favourite Knitty.com pattern is or comment below. I would love to hear what you think of the show and if you have any questions. To listen to the episode click on the play arrow button at the top or download and subscribe in iTunes.

I give a little introduction to my knitting history and share a couple of embarrassing stories. My podcasting inspirations include (but are not limited to): Stash and Burn Double Knit Knitting Pipeline Electric Sheep iMake 2 Knit Lit Chicks The Knitmore Girls This week is Wool Week UK and there are lots of events happening. As I mentioned in a previous post, this weekend I am very excited to be heading up to Scotland for the Glasgow School of Yarn. I am doing Amy Singers "Add Texture to your Sweater" class and I was doing some homework for the class. I need to find a plain vanilla pullover pattern. I'm looking at: Mandel by ANKESTRICK The Daily Sweater by Kay Gardiner and Ann Shayne Blank Canvass by Ysolda Teague