Yarn in the City

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Episode 92: GLYC 2019 Done and Dusted Sep 24, 2019

Show notes

News & Announcements

Allison is now a British citizen! And she has a new job! She is now the Events Coordinator – Craft for Farnham Maltings, the home of Unravel.

She's also putting on Make Joy, a one day celebration of yarn and friendship, happening at Baden Powell House in central London near the Natural History Museum on Sunday, 3 November. Tickets are now on sale!

Rachel also has a new job! But thankfully she's working from home so she can knit on client calls without anyone looking at her strangely. Win, win.

What we're working on

Allison has been doing a little bit of Porpoise Fur spinning on her new wheel. She's also working on a super secret uber chunky project to be revealed later in the year, and is knitting some Mercury socks by Kim Drotar (a free pattern on Rav) from the Urth yarn she got from Rachel for her birthday.

Rachel – finished one Ripple Bralette by Jessie Mae Martinson for eldest daughter in Dusty Dimples sock yarn in Pretty Poisons, and started another for youngest daughter in Qing Fibre BFL fingering. As a new crochet project, she started the Fern shawl by Jan Power (another free pattern on Ravelry - thank you!) But most importantly, she finally got into her Electric Eel Wheel Nano and has spun up the singles of three bumps of fibre she bought from John Arbon that is destined to be an Odyssey Shawl by Joji Locatelli.

Great London Yarn Crawl 2019 – recap and door prizes!

The year's new format for the GLYC seems to have been a fantastic success! Thank you for all you feedback, and as always we'd love to hear your thoughts - use the contact us link at the bottom of the page to give us your feedback, good and bad.

And now for the door prizes:

Loop's door prize of 4 skeins of BC Garn in blues and a tote bag were won by Dorothea Tilroe.

Tribe sent a tote bag stuff with a giant needle and swatch gauge, a skein of Urth yarn Monochrome, a skein of Bear in Sheeps Clothing fingering, and a Tribe enamel pin. These are finding a good home with Anne Cunningham.

Mahliqa: the first prize Swarovski crystal earrings with pompoms and bag goes to Sophie McKane, with a second prize of a necklace and set of stitch markers in the EYF special colourways (collaboration with Countess Ablaze) and Mahliqa bag are headed to Nicole Stanley.

A copy of the wonderful This Golden Fleece by Esther Rutter will be enlightening Rhona Johnstone.

Grand prize for those who visited all 13 shops!

Goodies form Loop, Mahliqa and SweetGeorgia Yarns – a skein of Shalimar (70% sw merino/20% kid mohair/10% silk) and Loop tote bag, SGY Tough Love Sock in Smitten, and set of Swarovski stitch markers and bag from Maliqa go to Sue Smith.

We've also crunched our numbers and are proud to say that this year's GLYC raised almost £900 for Refuge - thank you all so much!!!!

***

Wrap up

Many thanks for joining us for another episode! You can find the podcast on iTunes and Stitcher Radio (please rate, review and subscribe!) and you'll find us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter, in our Yarn in the City group on Ravelry, or in person on Wednesday nights at our knit night between 7 and 10pm at The Breakfast Club on Battersea Rise.

Music credits (available on NoiseTrade) A Good Reason To Smile - Chasing Noise

Episode 91: Welcome Back Jun 24, 2019

Show notes

It's been a loooong time since we've recorded, and there's lots and lots to talk about. In this episode, we'll update you on plans for this year's Great London Yarn Crawl, the changes in our circumstances, and what's ahead for Yarn in the City.

News & Announcements

Over the almost six months since we last spoke to you there have been a lot of changes behind the scenes here at YITC HQ, which mean our focus as an organization is going to be changing pretty dramatically. We talk about Rachel's move back to the States and Allison's work changes, and what that means for YITC as an organisation.

Great London Yarn Crawl 2019

There will still be a Great London Yarn Crawl this year, but the structure and format are going to be dramatically different from previous editions.

Who: All of you!

What: The 2019 edition of the Great London Yarn Crawl

Where: All over Greater London

When: 1-8th September 2019

How: Buy your GLYC Passport on 1 July, make plans with your friends or former teammates, and hit the streets the first week of September for some amazing yarn-y goodness! Then send us your passport to be entered to win door prizes. Passports will cost £10, and will be mailed to the person making the purchase, so if you're buying for friends you'll need to pass them out once received!

As usual, all net proceeds will go to our charity partner Refuge, which provides support for victims of domestic abuse. With the change in structure, we're not able to collect donations for Knit for Peace this year, but we encourage you to send in your contributions – details on how to do so are on their website, and there are details about the particular items they're looking for at any given time so do check out the listing.

What we're working on

Allison has just finished the Pipit Dress by Aisnworth & Prin (from The Knitting Shed), and her Weekender by Andrea Mowry. She's working on a second Impressionists Shawl from Curious Handmade, since the first one she made ended up in Rachel's wardrobe instead…

Rachel has been updating and redoing samples for older patterns, and designing new things based on her travels. She'll have some test knits running for a couple of half-pi shawls in the next few weeks, so check out her testing pool on Yarnpond if you'd like to join - handspun testers are especially welcome! (Please note: you'll need to be a member of Yarnpond to join the testing pool.)

What comes next for Yarn in the City?

We talk about some of the challenges behind YITC events and why we're making some big changes since we are no longer in the same locale. There are exciting things ahead!

Previous YITC designs:

Waterloo Mitts

Watching the Tide (on Ravelry soon)

Wrap up

Music credits (available on NoiseTrade) A Good Reason To Smile - Chasing Noise

Episode 90: The Christmas Episode Dec 23, 2018

Show notes

It's our final episode of the year and thanks to the joys of modern technology (Allison is in London and Rachel is in sunny Australia) we've been able to connect and catch up.

News & Announcements

We've joined Rosy Green Wool and designer Melanie Berg and their campaign Knitters Against Malaria. The campaign runs from December 24th, 2018 through to January 31st, 2019. If you've not made any holiday charitable donations yet or if you still have room to give, it only takes a few dollars to purchase bed nets for distribution in Africa to help prevent this disease.

We are also tickled to have made the shortlist of nominees for Knit Now magazine's Knitter of the Year 2018 Awards! We're nominated in the Local Superstars category for our work creating yarn-y events and celebrating local and UK makers. Voting is now up to the public through the 31st of December so if you're able to cast your vote for us, we'd really appreciate it! Check out all of the amazing nominees and cast your vote here.

What we've been working on

Thanks to the influence of Sockmatician's Instagram and a sneaky trip to Morris & Sons in Sydney, Rachel has been working on the Knot Dead Yet cowl by Dan Lee. She's also been spinning on her Turtlemade spindle from Alli and enjoying the portability of the spindle.

Allison is almost finished her Land of Sweets cowl by Helen Stewart while also working on the 1898 hat for Harrison for Christmas. She's also knitting fingerless mitts and has her Make Nine lined up for 2019.

The Christmas Episode

We chatter on about what we're doing for Christmas and how we've treated ourselves by supporting the Dreaming Robots Kickstarter for the new Electric Eel Wheel Nano.

Wrap Up

The podcast is now on hiatus for a wee break while Rach continues her travels. Don't worry - we'll be back in 2019 with new plans and new surprises!

Music credits (available on NoiseTrade) Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) - Sleeping at Last Carol of the Bells - Future of Forestry I'll Be Home for Christmas - Sleeping at Last

Episode 89: Gap Year Nov 30, 2018

Show notes

As 2018 and our year of Yarn Adventures is drawing to a close, we take the time to catch up and chat about what is coming next for Yarn in the City!

What we're working on

Allison has abandoned pretty much everything she was working on pre-Yarnporium (including doing the sleeves for Weekender) and has been knitting the Clara dess from Isager (designer is Karin Vestergaard Mathiesen).

Rachel finished her Carbeth (again!) after realising she should have knit it the next size up. Happily the sleeves didn't need to be reknit! The leftover yarn is going to become a hat for Lindsey. Rach is also occasionally spindling some fibre here and there.

Gap Year

As with last year the podcast will be taking a brief hiatus until about March. Not least because of all of the prep involved with Yarnporium but mostly because of the exciting adventure that Rachel and her family have embarked on for the year, travelling to far-flung places! We catch up on Rachel's first leg of the journey and chat about what this means for Yarn in the City.

Don't worry, we're not going anywhere, just taking a wee break! If you want, you can keep up with us personally by following us on Instagram as @porpoise_fur (Rachel), @champagneandqiviut (Allison) or Rachel's family's gap year @tworoadsdivergerged.me. IG links to all of our personal blogs too!

Wrap up:

Music credits (available on NoiseTrade) Revolution - Kate Tucker A Good Reason To Smile - Chasing Noise

Episode 88: Party in the City Nov 09, 2018

Show notes

It's our Yarnporium 2018 wrap-up episode!

Fair Warning: We are recording this literally the day after the Yarnporium so we might still be on a high from the yarn fumes and good vibes that were to be had at the show! We've got a full recap for you so grab your current project and your beverage of choice and kick back with us!

What we're working on + next steps

We went a little bonkers the week before Yarnporium and decided to try knitting sweaters for the show. It was a good exercise in having something to keep us sane!

Allison – Beton Brut + wrapping up Weekender by Andrea Mowry on the knitting machine. Just the sleeves to go!

Rachel – Carbeth by Kate Davies. A valiant effort to make it to the finish line in under a week!

Yarnporium

Well wasn't that a party?!

***

Wrap up:

Music credits (available on NoiseTrade) Revolution - Kate Tucker A Good Reason To Smile - Chasing Noise

Episode 87: Launching Local Yarn Love Oct 21, 2018

Show notes

We're counting down with just under two weeks to go to the Yarnporium and it's finally time to tell you all about our super secret project that we've been working on!

Yarnporium Update

Marketplace tickets are still available and are available for £10 in advance or £12 on the day. Get your tickets here.

Workshop tickets are still available here, but will only be on sale until 11.:59pm on Sunday, October 28th. Workshop registration will not be possible in person at the Yarnporium.

If you are attending a workshop you automatically have access to the marketplace for the day of your workshop, but will need a marketplace ticket if you want to attend the marketplace on the day you aren't taking a class.

Other events:

Friday – Yarn Lovers Lounge sponsored by The Yarn Collective

Book signing with Nathan Taylor - see his Guys Knit the Musical video here!

Also meet and greets with designers, yarn tasting and a big yarn giveaway, a pop-up café and seating, and a lunchtime meet up for Beton Brut Yarnporium Countdown KAL

Saturday – Makers Walking the Talk Series

Details and tickets here.

What we're working on

Allison – Beton Brut coming along – hooray Yarnporium Countdown KAL Ravelry thread!

Rachel – Lettlopi hats and a bit of spinning. Obsessed with Carbeth by Kate Davies.

Mini-Yarn Guide: London

The London Craft Guide came out almost 3 years ago, and in that time there's been a lot of changes in the London yarn scene. So we've put together an adorable pocket size book full of yarn shop profiles, indy dyer profiles and new patterns inspired by London!

Patterns:

Underground Mittens by Eli Leistad of Skeindeer Knits, using Easyknits Squidge
London Life hat and Cowl by Allison Thistlewood, using Mrs Moon Plump
London Lines Shawl by Helen Stewart, using Qing Fibre Merino Single
Glasshouse Shawl by Rachel Brown, using Travelknitter BFL DK

***

Music credits (available on NoiseTrade) Revolution - Kate Tucker A Good Reason To Smile - Chasing Noise

Episode 86: Germantown Oct 07, 2018

Show notes

Continuing our year's theme of Yarn Adventures we're delighted to have a chat with Kate Gagnon Osborn and Courtney Kelley of Kelbourne Woolens. They share a bit of their 10 year yarn adventure with us – which has culminated in the release of their brand new yarn Germantown, and a special appearance at our upcoming Yarnporium!

Thanks to our sponsor: The Yarn Collective

This episode of the podcast is sponsored by The Yarn Collective, a fibre and design company focused on working with independent designers to bring you luxurious hand-dyed yarns in a range of inspiring colourways. These international designers represent the best of modern knitwear design and include Bristol Ivy, Melanie Berg, Carol Feller and Michele Wang. Each designer has created and curated a distinctive and wonderful line for The Yarn Collective. You can find out more about the yarns by visiting www.theyarncollective.com.

Yarnporium Update

Hopefully you're not completely sick of hearing about the show yet and have got your tickets and are gearing up for the show! We can't wait to see you!

Tickets

A limited number of advanced tickets are on sale on our website. We encourage you to have a look at those! Day tickets are available for £10 in advance or £12 on the day.

If you are attending a workshop you automatically have access to the marketplace!

Workshops

Workshops are starting to sell out so if there's one you've been thinking about taking – please register soon before spaces are all gone! Workshops will only be on sale until 11.:59pm on Sunday, October 28th. Workshop registration will not be possible in person at the Yarnporium.

Friday – Yarn Lovers Lounge sponsored by The Yarn Collective

Saturday – Makers Walking the Talk Series

What we're working on

Rachel has finished her Béton Brut shawl for the Yarnporium Countdown KAL, along with the 21-Color Slouch hat that she busted out in a single sitting! She's also made progress on her Raindrops tee by Tin Can Knits.

Allison's knitting attention has been scattered between the Tullameen Shawl MKAL and the Béton Brut KAL while also working on a new hat design. She's also plotting a sweater to make on her new-to-her chunky knitting machine. Maybe you'll see her wearing it at the Yarnporium?

Germantown

This week we had a lovely catch up with Kate and Courtney from Kelbourne Woolens who are joining us for the Yarnporium. They have had a very busy yarn adventure over the last 10 years as they've built their business. Their 10 year anniversary has brought with it both change and new opportunities and they chat with us about their new directions, and their latest yarn, Germantown.

Music credits (available on NoiseTrade) Revolution - Kate Tucker A Good Reason To Smile - Chasing Noise

Episode 85 - Countdown Sep 23, 2018

Show notes

On this episode of the podcast we're counting down to the Yarnporium - only five weeks to go now. Eep! We've cast on for the Yarnporium Countdown KAL - are you joining us?

Thanks to our sponsor: The Yarn Collective

Yarnporium Countdown KAL

The Yarnporium Countdown KAL officially kicked off a week ago. Thanks to those of you who joined us on Instagram Live for the cast on and huge apologies for the loss of sound at the end. We're still getting used to the whole IG Live thing!

If you want to join in, head over to our Ravelry group for more details and show us your yarn and your progress. Don't forget to tag your projects on Ravelry and Instagram with the tag #YarnporiumKAL2018 to be eligible for some fab prizes too.

Want to use Walcot Yarns for your shawl? Head on over to their website before September 30th to get 10% off your yarn purchase! Use the code YarnporiumKAL2018 to get the discount added at checkout.

What we're working on

Rachel is working on Béton Brut for the Yarnporium KAL and has finished a new crochet pattern that is AMAZING for handspun! She plans to release the new pattern in a few weeks time. Rach is also finding all kinds of lost WIPs and has plans to make the 21-color slouch hat from Blue Sky Fibers.

Allison has two KALs on the go with the Béton Brut shawl as well as the Tullameen Mystery KAL for SweetGeorgia Yarns - using some of their new colours for fall/winter. She's finally cracked her super secret project too.

Countdown to Yarnporium

At the time of recording the podcast there were only 6 weeks to go until the Yarnporium - which means there's now even less time!

Things you can look forward to at the show:

Indie Designer Day and the Yarn Lovers Lounge - sponsored by The Yarn Collective and featuring book signings, meet and greets with designers and trunk shows + mini cafe - all happening on Friday, November 2
Makers Walking the Talk Series with The New Yarn Barons, Your Pattern in Print and The Story of Laine - happening on Saturday, November 3
VIP ticket holders and Saturday workshop participants will also get early access to the marketplace from 9am before doors open to the general public at 10am on Saturday
A fantastic line up of workshops on both days with teachers that include Kelbourne Woolens, Nathan Taylor, Jane Lithgow, Karie Westermann, Kate Atherley, Carol Feller, Renée Callahan, Jonna Hietala and Sini Ellen and Julie Knits in Paris!

Workshops are starting to sell out and we have a limited number of early-bird tickets so make sure to get your tickets soon!

***

Music credits (available on NoiseTrade) Revolution - Kate Tucker A Good Reason To Smile - Chasing Noise

Episode 84: Group Projects Sep 09, 2018

Show notes

On this episode we give a recap of the 6th annual Great London Yarn Crawl, the Yarnporium KAL (whoop!) and a woolly yarn review. Plus the usual update on our projects and general goings on.

Thanks to our sponsor: The Yarn Collective

GLYC Recap

10 teams, 18 volunteers, 12 door prizes, 12 shops, £341 for Refuge and two big bags of handknits plus another bag of supplies for Knit for Peace.

Thanks to all the shops, our sponsors - Willow & Lark, Blue Sky Fibers, Debonnaire, Liberty, Loop, Kelbourne Woolens, Rowan at Liberty, Soak, SweetGeorgia, The Little Grey Girl, Tribe, Walcot Yarns and the Yarn Collective – plus the amazing group of volunteers who shepherded the Yarn Crawlers through some tough transport challenges and all the folks who joined us this year!

What we're working on

Allison's secret project is ongoing, and she's started the Tullameen Mystery KAL for SweetGeorgia with new colours! She's also working on "renovating" her office.

Rachel has finally finished and blocked the Kippen Cardigan, but it looks to be a bit too small so will likely go to her mother. Fully bitten by the crochet bug, she's cast on a cowl in some unknown yarn, and is now obsessively crocheting so can cast on another cowl in handspun.

Yarnporium KAL

We are thrilled to have announced the projects for our Yarnporium KAL!

The knit project is Karie Westerman's brand new Béton Brut Shawl, designed in Walcot Yarns Opus. For the crocheters out there, we're recommending the Filigree Tippet by Jo Smith also designed for Opus

Walcot Yarns special offer: 10% off your order with the code YarnporiumKAL2018 at walcotyarns.com. Offer runs through 30 September, and is a single use only.

The KAL kicks off on 15 September and wraps up on October 30, giving you just enough time to block your shawl for the Yarnporium! We'll be doing a live cast on party on Instagram at 1 pm on September 15th – come join in, and come on over to the Yarnporium Countdown KAL thread in the Yarn in the City Ravelry group.

Woolly Yarns

In this episode, we review Marina Skua Mendip 4-ply, a hand-dyed yarn on two woollen-spun bases, Sunny and Stormy. Marina uses the same colours on both bases to make coordinated pairs, and this toothy yarn is perfect for colourwork and steeking!

Music credits (available on NoiseTrade) Revolution - Kate Tucker A Good Reason To Smile - Chasing Noise

Episode 83: Anticipation Aug 29, 2018

Show notes

The warmth of summer is quickly fading and it's almost the new year on the knitting calendar… when we start fresh with new projects and new hopes and plans for sweater weather, maybe a little Christmas project making – you know what we're talking about!

Yarnporium Update

Day tickets to the Yarnporium are now available through our website. If you are attending a workshop on the day your admission is already included.

We're super excited about our Makers Walking the Talk series featuring The New Yarn Barons, Your Pattern in Print and The Story of Laine.

More details here!

What we're working on

Allison has taken Praline out of time out and she is getting back to her super secret project!

Rachel finished Study Hall and is working on not losing her mind being back on the Kippen Cardigan by Kat Goldin.

Anticipation

Planning for fall and winter knitting, and can we say the C-word yet?

***

Music credits (available on NoiseTrade) Revolution - Kate Tucker A Good Reason To Smile - Chasing Noise

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