Episode 89: Paula Abdul Would Be Proud

Image Details: Los Angeles by Wilson Loo Kok Lee, via Flickr.

Image Details: Los Angeles by Wilson Loo Kok Lee, via Flickr.

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Intro

This wee’s episode is a little later than planned but here nonetheless. Paula Abdul discussed the concept of two steps forward and two back. If you’ve not heard ‘Opposites Attract’ for a while, I bring it to you for your listening delight.

News

After the listener survey, I’ve been looking into how I can serve those who are interesting in the business-type content better. I’m working on an official offering with a beta group but in the meantime, if you’re interested in that kind of thing, please feel free to join my free Facebook Group.

Image Copyright Countess Ablaze.

Image Copyright Countess Ablaze.

Yarn Shop Day 2016

I’ll be heading over to Countess Ablaze (yes I know, I should probably just move in) on 30th April 2016 for Yarn Shop Day. Also in attendance will be Isla of BritYarn, who is bringing a woolly trunk show across for the event.

It is running from 10-5 and the studio is very easily reached from Manchester via train or the West Coast mainline stations (Wigan – whoop!). There’s also parking around the studio area but be careful as some is metered.

You can find all the details here.

Image Copyright: Yarn In The City.

Image Copyright: Yarn In The City.

Review – The London Craft Guide

I was asked by Allison and Rachel of Yarn In The City to review their first book, The London Craft Guide. This debuted at Unravel at Farnham Maltings in February and is available now in print (£16.50) and digital (£14) from their website.

The book comes with comprehensive listings of the yarn, fabric and haberdashery emporiums in Greater London. There’s also suggested day trips to other areas in the South of England as well as routes around London to take in some of the shops. Accompanying the guide is a selection of 11 patterns, knitted, crocheted and sewn.

What I like

I like that there’s a lot of photography in the book to accompany the listings, which makes it easier to decide which places to go and visit. Another particularly strong point is the insider tips on places to go for refreshments etc. This makes it feel like a Lonely Planet guide and is really helpful for visitors.

What I would do differently

Some of the pattern inspirations/names don’t really make sense to me e.g. I am not sure why there is an Eiffel Tower inspired pair of socks in a London guide. Also, some of the yarn is not British. I’m not taking anything away from these points – the patterns are really very nice but I am not sure it fits with the theme. Likewise with the yarns – although gorgeous I would have preferred them all to be British and ideally from London if possible.

Wippin’ Piccadilly

Why it’s called Wippin’ Piccadilly, in case you don’t know.

I’m still working on Voodoo by Boo Knits. On the picot cast off, which is taking forever. I don’t advise watching House of Cards whilst conducting this cast-off.

Check out this great beading video by Jane Burns.

I cast on Frisson by Bethany Wilson. The pattern could be more clearly written as I got confused a number of times by the wording. Now I have got my head around them, it’s progressing nicely. This is being knit in the Patagonicus colour way by Toil and Trouble which was dead for The Golden Skein in Winter 2015.

Wrap-up

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