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Let’s make a podcast: Connections in craft

Published by louise

(Image: Me interviewing Karie Westermann, in the Podcast Lounge, 2015)

As you may know there is a wee theme going on in the Blacker Yarns Podcast Lounge, at Edinburgh Yarn Festival this year. Let’s Make a Podcast has been inspired by those of you at previous Podcast Lounge events who’ve been full of questions about getting started. Also, there could be no better time to bring the theme around to podcasts. It is the Podcast Lounge, after all, and full of podcasters (in fact, more this year than in previous years). With more and more vlogs and podcasts starting up EYF is a prime and very unique chance to chat with other podcasters about making show. There just isn’t the opportunity on a scale like this at other events.

Last year I wrote a very short piece about knitting podcasts for Wool Tribe.  But the word count was just not enough to really get my feelings  about podcast making and the podcast community into words. So I hope that you will indulge me here.

Reasons for starting a craft podcast are varied. Some people decide to take laid back approach and focus on their own crafting journey through showing off their stash acquisitions and talking about their WIPS and craft plans. I think of these as almost personal crafting journals, shared with a wider audience. Other podcast makers create a structured approach, which can focus on a combination of personal craft stories and segments with a wider appeal – these can be trips to yarn events, interviews or yarn reviews. Shows like this can also take a focus on the knitting industry – design or business, perhaps. Read More

episode 74 – Let’s Make a Podcast!

Published by louise

Happy New Year podcast lovers! Settle in for lots of

UPDATE: Due to space I can no longer host the audio files on the blog, please use your favourite podcatcher, or right click the podgen link to open the podcast episode in a new window

You can also listen on iTunes, the podcast app, or search your favourite podcatcher, if you prefer!

| Show notes

n.b If you are listening with kids there is one F&&K and a few Sh!ts in this episode from 2 mins 29! (but I think that’s them all! You’ll tell me if not!)

| Blacker Yarns Podcast Lounge News

The chatter for the #BlackerPodKAL is well and truly underway (click the logo or visit the Blacker rav group). We cast on on Thursday and the thread and the enthusiasm from the participants is a joy! Whether you can come to Edinburgh Yarn Festival or not, you are very welcome to join in the fun with this KAL. Read More

#BlackerPodKAL – Westcountry Tweed

Published by louise

After having a little look at my PodKAL plans for Tamar last week, is your appetite whetted for another of my favourites?

_smm0336_1

Westcountry Tweed was released way back in September 2014 and was initially a limited edition yarn, which I am glad to say is now a main stay of Blacker Yarns awesome ranges. It is a blend of Teeswater, Romney/Shetland cross and Black Welsh breeds and it is a really woolly delight.

I reviewed the yarn on the blog and the podcast back then and have scooped a bit of that review out for you below. (it is hilarious listening back to myself! Hello me from 2014! ) Please be aware that the yarn recipe is slightly different now to how i described, and there are different shades now available,  but the resulting yarn still has the properties I discuss. Read More

#BlackerPodKAL is coming! What will you make?

Published by louise

Happy New Year, KnitBritishers! I hope your 2017 is off to a cracking start. Mine has involved getting down to the blocking mats and dressing some of the FOs I managed to crack out before the end of the year.

I’ve been trying to clear the decks WIP-wise because the Blacker Yarns Pod KAL* is kicking off soon. I talked about this on episode 72 and since then myself and Sonja have had such great feedback from you guys, all excited about joining in.

If you didn’t already know about the C/KAL, we are casting on for this KAL to celebrate the Blacker Yarns Podcast Lounge at Edinburgh Yarn Festival (10-11 March). A KAL is such a great way to ramp up the excitement and make something with your fellow festival goers, but don’t worry if you can’t go! Even if you have the EYF FOMO we still want you to cast on and feel part of the festival. Here are the KAL details. Read More

episode 73 – the last show of 2016

Published by louise

Let’s squeeze out a wee episode before we have to pass around the turkey!

UPDATE: Due to space I can no longer host the audio files on the blog, please use your favourite podcatcher, or right click the podgen link to open the podcast episode in a new window

You can also listen on iTunes, the podcast app, or search your favourite podcatcher, if you prefer!

| Intro music:

Dance of the Sugar Plum Rough Fells is back by popular demand! With kind thanks to Felix Ford and Kevin MacLeod! The original recordings of these sheep (and more) can be found at KnitSonik’s sound cloud page.

Knitworthy 

Thank you so much for your feedback from the last couple of episodes. It is so great to take the ideas of the value in knitting and knitworthiness to a larger discussion. There have also been some knitters this week talking about what it means to be thought of as knitworthy by another knitter. I have first had experience of this as lovely listener Victoria made me a Stac Shoaigh shawl (pattern by Ysolda). I recently got to meet Victoria and thank her for this lovely gesture. It makes me feel very special every time I wear it and I feel very touched that she made it for me. The hug I gave her in return doesn’t quite go far enough to say thanks. Read More

episode 72 – the worth in knitworthy

Published by louise

(Knitted fence by Helen Robertson, hung in the Peerie Cafe, Lerwick)

So many thanks for all your comments and feedback on episode 71 and on the value of knitting and what you do. It has been also lovely to read your commetns about knintworthyness in the KB Ravelry group too. Today I look a little bit to charity knitting, which is a bit of a distinct category of value and knitworthyness. I also have the first exciting Blacker Yarns Podcast Lounge news for you! Needles and yarn at the ready!

UPDATE: Due to space I can no longer host the audio files on the blog, please use your favourite podcatcher, or right click the podgen link to open the podcast episode in a new window

You can also listen on iTunes, the podcast app, or search your favourite podcatcher, if you prefer!

| Podcast Sponsor

This month KnitBritish is sponsored by Joy dyes luxury yarn in her studio in Harrogate and is committed to supporting British breeds and fibre in all her bases. In addition to incredible yarns, such as Britsock and Wensleydale and Shetland 4ply you will find screen-printed bags and books, hand-crafted stitch markers and exclusive yarn clubs.
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| Show Notes

A great discussion has followed the last episode over in the KnitBritish ravelry group and on social media. Thanks so much for contributing to this wide discussion. Last episode I was specifically talking about knitting for others and knitting for sale: charity knitting is a distinct category of value and it is most definitely knitting for the knitworthy. I had purposely kept charity knitting separate from the discussion last time, but many of you have talked about it in the rav group and so I am happy to talk it about charity knitting today. Read More

episode 71 – the value of what you do

Published by louise

This week I’ve been really mulling on the idea of knitting for others. Get a cuppa and mull with me.

UPDATE: Due to space I can no longer host the audio files on the blog, please use your favourite podcatcher, or right click the podgen link to open the podcast episode in a new window

You can also listen on iTunes, the podcast app, or search your favourite podcatcher, if you prefer!

Listening via the website?
We are doing some work behind the scenes here and the website has been going up and down a wee bit as a result. I’m sorry if this impinges on your listening pleasure. If you prefer to listen via your computer and not itunes, you can download the podcast via Podgen and listen at your leisure off-line. Things will be running as normal very soon.

|  Podcast sponsor

This month KnitBritish is sponsored by Joy dyes luxury yarn in her studio in Harrogate and is committed to supporting British breeds and fibre in all her bases. In addition to incredible yarns, such as Britsock and Wensleydale and Shetland 4ply you will find screen-printed bags and books, hand-crafted stitch markers and exclusive yarn clubs in her online shop. 

Joy will be at the Harrogate Knitting and Stitching Show this Week – on stand C525. Go along and see those awesome yarns. Can’t go? Click on the logo to shop online; the next posting date is Monday, 28th November

| Show Notes

| Harrogate Knitting and Stitching Show (24-27th)

Are you heading to the Harrogate Knitting and Stitching show this week? Do pop over and see our lovely sponsor, The Knitting Goddess. She will be there will loads of incredible hand-dyed British wool, screen printed bags, notebooks and tags and awesome felt decoration kits. I got snippy and gluey with these last week!

 

| WIN TICKETS: A Knitter’s Christmas Party in Edinburgh

If you can be in Edinburgh on 3rd December come to Wool Tribe Christmas Party at AKVA! Head on over to the KnitBritish Ravelry group where you can win one of 2 tickets to the shindig! The party includes a buffet and loads of fun and games with your fellow knitters. Please go on over to the Ravelry group and enter. You have until Sunday (this sunday!) to do so. Don’t want to leave it to chance? Get on over to the Wool Tribe website and book a ticket. Tickets cost £25

| Knitting for others

Several things have occurred lately to have the subject of gift knitting and, particularly, knitting for money weigh on my mind. Read More

episode 70 – join the club

Published by louise

November is here and that means two things – Wovember is one and the other is that the Knitting Goddess 2017 Yarn Clubs have been released! (please note; colours in featured image are NOT club shades…thems a secret!)

UPDATE: Due to space I can no longer host the audio files on the blog, please use your favourite podcatcher, or right click the podgen link to open the podcast episode in a new window

You can also listen on iTunes, the podcast app, or search your favourite podcatcher, if you prefer!

|  Podcast sponsor

This month KnitBritish is sponsored by Joy dyes luxury yarn in her studio in Harrogate and is committed to supporting British breeds and fibre in all her bases. In addition to incredible yarns, such as Britsock and Wensleydale and Shetland 4ply you will find screen-printed bags and books, hand-crafted stitch markers and exclusive yarn clubs in her online shop. Click on the logo to find out about the 2017 clubs!

| Show Notes Read More