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Today I giving an introduction to the theme of the podcast this month which is yarn (glorious yarn glorious yarn)!
Show Sponsors
Meadow Yarn is an inviting online retailer selling yarn, needles and notions. It’s a small, family business based in rural Suffolk in the UK. Meadow Yarn was born out of a passion for beautiful yarn and knitting accessories and aims to bring you a range of great products. Yarns stocked include madelinetosh, Eden Cottage Yarn, Hazel Knits and many more.
This episode is sponsored by The Fibre Company and their newest yarn, Cumbria.
Inspired by England’s stunning northwest region with its deep blue lakes and sheep-grazed fells and valleys, Cumbria is a lustrous blend of brown wool from the rare breed masham sheep, fine South American wool and mohair from South Africa. The resulting light brown-grey shade is then over-dyed creating lovely deep saturated colours. Cumbria is a staple yarn, perfect for garments and accessories alike.
What’s in the WIP?
Currently working on updating my Pebble Beach Shawl pattern to include two more sizes – medium and large.
I’m creating samples in The Uncommon Thread Merino Lace and Heavenly Lace.
I’m still working onn Reyka by Cirilia Rose from Magpies, Homebodies, and Nomads: A Modern Knitters Guide to Discovering and Exploring Style
with my Lopi from Meadow Yarn.
Yarn Glorious Yarn
Fibre is where it all starts
Some good resources
People – Clara Parkes of Knitters Review and Deborah Robson
Craftsy – Clara Parkes has 2 craftsy classes:
Know Your Yarn: Choose the Perfect Yarn Every Time, with Clara Parkes
Stashbusting: Make the Most of the Yarns You Have (with Clara Parkes)
Books –
The Knitter’s Book of Yarn: The Ultimate Guide to Choosing, Using, and Enjoying Yarn
The Field Guide to Fleece: 100 Sheep Breeds & How to Use Their Fibers
Clara’s Craftsy Class – Know Your Yarn: Choose the Perfect Yarn Every Time, with Clara Parkes
The class includes 7 lessons – each about 20mins – about 2.5 hours in total.
It’s very interesting and easy to listen to, I found it funny and encouraging.
Topics include:
Fibre terms – Different qualities – microns, crimp, staple length;
Different types of fibres – protein plant bugs
Twist – creating yarn – How it is prepared and spun – worsted vs woolen, plys
Swatching
It’s a really comprehensive introduction and overview to fibre and I would really recommend it
Podcasts
Knit FM – Hanna Fetig and Pam Allen – Ep 14 Breed Specific Wool
Pomcast Lydia and Sophie – Ep 11 – Clara Parkes Interview at EYF
Fibre Trek TV – Sarah (Swenstea on Ravelry) – Episode 29 “soulful stash”, lots of discussion and information about finding interesting fibre and farm yarn on her Ravelry group.
Woolful – Ashley – farmers and yarn producers
Spinning
Knitgirrrls
Fluffy Fibres
Knitmore Girls
How to find out more about interesting fibre:
- Read and listent to some of the resources above
- Google specific breeds
- Go to fibre events – and talk to people
- Keep up a general awareness – instagram/social media
- Swatching
Meet My Yarn KAL
Challenge you to introduce your favourite yarn to the group by creating a swatch in April
It could be for a specific project or it could be for the joy of taking some yarn for a walk!
Tell us about the yarn, the qualities – if it is a specific breed, any special story about the yarn and what you discover about it from your swatching.
My hope is that it will encourage reluctant swatchers to give it a try and for enthusiastic swatchers to show off their work!
I’m really excited to share that the KAL will be sponsored by The Fibre Company and their new Cumbria yarn. You might have heard my interview with Daphne Marinopolous – the founder of the Fibre Company on podcast episode 66. She mentioned the soon to be released Cumbria yarn and here is some more information about it:
“Inspired by England’s stunning northwest region with its deep blue lakes and sheep-grazed fells and valleys, Cumbria is a lustrous blend of brown wool from the rare breed masham sheep, fine South American wool and mohair from South Africa. The resulting light brown-grey shade is then over-dyed creating lovely deep saturated colours. Cumbria is a staple yarn, perfect for garments and accessories alike.”
“I began the product development process for Cumbria during the time that I was organizing my move to the UK. I was drawn towards including fibre from an English sheep breed in the blend. There were many to research and consider, but eventually I was attracted to and settled on the beautiful brown wool from the Masham sheep, which is a crossbreed between a Teeswater ram and either a Swaledale or Dalesbred ewe. The Teeswater is on the “vulnerable” list of rare breed sheep that is published and watched by the Rare Breed Survival Trust.”
While this yarn won’t be available to the public until later this summer around August – knit along participants will have a chance to win an exclusive pre-release skein of this special yarn.
Have a great week and don’t forget to play the instagram game! Tag your pics with #curioushandmadepodcast and share what you’re knitting or where you’re listening to the show!
I am a Craftsy affiliate and will receive a small commission if you click on my links to Craftsy.
It’s a great way for you to support the podcast if you’re already thinking about purchasing a class.
