The Shinybees Knitting And Yarn Podcast

This week I’m delighted to welcome podcasting legend Brenda Dayne to the show. Voice of the Cast On podcast, Brenda has taught throughout the UK and US in venues large and small, as well as at festivals across the US. Cast On has been downloaded over 2.5 million times since it started in 2005. Brenda lives in rural Wales with her partner, Tonia, and drives fast cars with her knitty partner in crime, Caerthan Wrack. When they’re not cooking up indigo dyed mischief, Brenda also organises the Gwlana Retreats in West Wales.  This episode is sponsored by Yarn in The City. For more details visit www.yarninthecity.com Shownotes are at www.shinybees.com. Music for this episode is provided via Music Alley courtesy of Adam and the Walter Boys with "I Need a Drink".

Want to make knitwear that fits the way you want it to? Step forward Amy Herzog of Custom Fit and Fit to Flatter fame, who is our latest interview guest. Amy Herzog is a Boston-based knitwear designer and author of the book Knit to Flatter, and the popular Fit to Flatter tutorial series. If knitting things that fit you well is your bag, Amy is here to help with the Cutom Fit system. Use and yarn and any gauge, plug it into Custom Fit and it will churn out a pattern for you that will work perfectly! Show notes are on the blog at www.shinybees.com You can find Amy at www.amyherzogdesigns.com Music for this episode is provided courtesy of Music Alley and is by Adam and the Walter Boys, with 'I Need a Drink'.

We're welcoming Linda Lencovic of Kettle Yarn Co to the podcast to tell her story and introduce us to the Boardwalk Collection. Linda is based on the South Coast of England and specialises in glorious colourways on yarns that are extensively wear tested, for those who believe in fashion that lasts. This episode of the Shinybees podcast is sponsored by Yarn In The City. Yarn In The City creates experiential, yarn-centric events for knitters and makers, designed to bring people together through a shared love of craft. Yarn In The City organises the Great London Yarn Crawl taking place this year on Saturday 5th September 2015. For more information go to www.yarninthecity.com Linda has just collaborated with some of the hottest designers on Ravelry to produce the Boardwalk Collection, designed in her Islington DK base, a heady blend of 55% Superwash Bluefaced Leicester and 45% Silk. You can find links to the collection lookbook, details on where to find Linda as well as our sponsors in the shownotes at www.shinyb

Ever wondered what it's like to crowdfund a book? Susan Crawford, knitwear designer and fashion historian is my latest interview guest on the show. Purveyor of all things vintage and woolly, Susan has published 4 books already, which are stocked in the V&A, Waterstones and the British Library. Four years in the making, Susan's latest project, the Vintage Shetland Project, is about to come to fruition and she is in the midst of a pubslush campaign to fund the initial print run of the book. This amazing project brings vintage knitwear from the Shetland Museum archives to life, with 25 items featured in the book, all with patterns transposed from the original garments and graded for size, to make them available to be enjoyed by knitters today. Come and get to know Susan in this laid back episode and hear about Nana Ruby, Susan's sprightly Zwartbles and how she'll never audition for The Island... You can find Susan over at www.susancrawfordvintage.com where you'll also find links to her social media. The Pubs

This week it's an interview episode and I am chatting to the vivacious duo that is Alison Thistlewood and Rachel Brown, the ladies behind Yarn In The City and the Great London Yarn Crawl. Both businesswomen in their own right with their own separate businesses, they are here to chat about all things yarn and business. There's also some agonising over the Desert Island Skeins and some stash chat, amonst all the usual interview questions. Tickets for the event are now on sale. You can find Allison and Rachel at www.yarninthecity.com Shownotes for this episode are at www.shinybees.com  

Summer has finally hit in Scotland and it is toasty! This week Clare is back on the Sock Surgery to talk about knitting socks in summer, follwoing on from our summer knitting yarns and pattern suggestions podcasts. In Enablers' Corner, I talk about Periscope briefly. I'm on there as @shinybees and @TheGoldenSkein. THe retro perfume review is of Exclamation. Get your bids in the shinybeesinfo@gmail.com or on Ravelry. Shownotes are at www.shinybees.com Music is via Music Alley with Adam and the Walter Boys with 'I Need a Drink'.

We're back with a little light enabling in the form of the #Scollaykal in Enablers' Corner this week. Head on over to KnitBritish and BritYarn to find out more. In news, it's Woolfest this weekend coming and I am looking for a roving reporter to give us the skinny on what the show was like. Want to help us with our MakeItFit2015 statistical analysis? head on over to our survey and input your vital statistics (and a few other measurements). In Wippin' Piccadilly, there is Lush by Tin Can Knits, Owls by Kate Davies and Guardian Angel by Sally Cameron. Finished objects include Aestlight by Gudrun Johnston and Lapsang by Clare Devine. How do you store your finished objects? There's lots of chat on how to store stash, but what about all the stuff you've knitted? There are some outtakes from The Beast which cover a couple of yarn reviews. And lion hair. Shownotes as always are at the blog - www.shinybees.com Music for this episode is by Adam and the Walter Boys with 'I Need a Drink' available via Music Alley.

This week there's a little news about the Indie Burgh Yarn Crawl in Edinburgh at the weekend. In Enablers' Corner, we're all about the kits, 'bout the kits, no trouble with Latvian Mitts and Yarnundyed-knits. In the Sock Surgery, we welcome back Clare Devine to review Coop Knits Socks Vol II by British deisgner Rachel Coopey. Finally, due to popular request, there's a perfume review of Tribe, by Coty. Shownotes and links are at www.shinybees.com. Clare Devine can be found at www.yarnandpointysticks.com. Music for the episode is Adam and the Walter Boys with 'I Need A Drink' available via Music Alley.

This week we welcome the fabulous Emily Wessel of Tin Can Knits and Rainbow Heirloom yarns to the show to chat about all things yarny. Max and Bodhi's Wardrobe will be available in print copy from 11 June 2015 and Emily and Alexa have very kindly offered a giveaway which will be hosted on the Shinybees Ravelry group. Emily came to knitting whilst studying Architecture in Western Canada and met her business partner, Alexa Ludeman whilst they were both working at their LYS. Emily now lives in Edinburgh, Scotland with her husband and seriosuly cute son, Max, who was half the duo who inspired Max and Bodhi's Wardrobe (Bodhi being Alexa's daughter). When not designing for Tin Can Knits, Emily also hand dyes at Rainbow Heirloom. In this interview, she talks in depth about her design process and the influences she draws upon, as well as giving some great advice for those looking to get into the industry. Shownotes as always can be found on the blog at www.shinybees.com. Emily Wessel can be found at www.tincanknits.c

This week we hope to leave Narnia behind and experience something approaching summer after jinxing the entire season by talking about summer knitting in the past few episodes.  News-wise, the Great London Yarn Crawl will be taking place on 5th September 2015. There'll be a marketplace too this year with all proceeds from the event going to Refuge. A Yarn Story in Bath has moved to new premises. BritYarn threw open its virtual woolly doors on 2 June 2015. Go and check it out! Enablers' Corner highlights our very own Clare Devine who has juts opened pre-orders on Sock Anatomy II. Get socks for the whole family! The pattern pick is on the subject of 'Sun' (or lack thereof) and has a comedy perfume review for good measure. Finally the Sock Surgery returns where Clare brings us some inspiration for funky heels to try. Shownotes are at www.shinybees.com

A departure from the usual podcast format this week as I do a round up of my visit to Highland Wool Festival in Dingwall on 23rd May 2015. Several different makers and producers are highlighted, making this essenially an entire episode of enabling, if you will. Mentioned are Ripplescrafts, Whiteinch Craft Studio, Marcassie Farm Organic yarn, Whistlebare Yarns, Natural Born Dyers, Yarn Garden, Tartan at Heart, South Lissens Pottery and Sky Blue Pink, amongst others. A chilled-out recap this week will be followed next week by a return to the usual format. Shownotes are as always at www.shinybees.com

News-wise, it's all about events this week, with Highland Wool Festival taking place on 23rd May at Dingwall Mart. Indie Burgh Yarn Crawl 2015 will be happening on 13/14th June 2015 in Edinburgh, organised by Jess James of Ginger Twist Studio, in collaboration  with Kathy's Knits and Be Inspired Fibres. Clare Devine will also be teaching workshops over the weekend; you can find details at www.yarnandpointysticks.com. In Enablers' Corner, there's a round up of Linne Foirthe Club. Check out Scottish-based dyers Ripplescrafts, Ginger's Hand Dyed and Rainbow Heirloom. Make It Fit 2015 will be kicking off with a measure-up. More details to follow. In the Sock Surgery, Clare and I review The Knitter's Curiosity Cabinet Vol II by Hunter Hammersen. You can win a copy of this over at Clare's blog. Full shownotes available at www.shinybees.com.  

Welcome in to another episode. This week we have some yarn based news for you. There will be a trunk show at Fluph in Dundee on 27th May 2015 with Nic from Yarns From The Plain, from 2pm-8pm. Also, there's a new group on Ravelry for those hopelessly overcommitted types; The Hotel For The Hopelessly Overcommitted. Come and join the fun there if you ever feel slightly stretched on the knitting front. In Enablers' Corner I announce the collaborative project between myself and Louise Scollay of KnitBritish podcast: Make It Fit 2015. It's going to be an investigative piece looking at lots of different aspects of knitting to fit, with the aim of empowering you to tailor garments to your requirements. It will take place mostly on the blogs and you can contact us at makeitfit2015@gmail.com. There are a couple more yarn recommendations for summer knitting courtesy of lovely listeners. Finally, Wippin' Piccadilly is back with not a great deal of progress! How do you keep your knitting on track? Shownotes with all links

This week we have a little yarny news, Enablers' Corner and the Sock Surgery with Clare Devine. The Shinybees Podcast is sponsored by Blacker Yarns. Check out their new summer yarn, Lyonesse: a 50% linen, 50% wool blend, perfect for summer knitting and creating cool, breathable garments. Lyonesse is available in DK and 4ply now, in five colours and a neutral at www.blackeryarns.co.uk. Enjoy making shawls, cardigans and more this summer with Blacker Yarns Lyonesse. News wise, the winner of the Wollmeise giveaway is announced along with the start of a new giveaway. If you've even wanted a knitted Shaun the Sheep, this is the competition for you. Highland Wool Festival takes place at Dingwall Auction Mart on 23rd May 2015. Ripplescrafts needs to be top of your list if you are going (and if you aren't!) Enablers' Corner has a few pattern suggestions for summer garments in cotton, bamboo and linen yarns like those suggested in the last episode. The Sock Surgery returns and Clare is talkign about variations on the

Summer is on its way. Honest! This week, we're looking at summer knitting and which yarns to go for when creating projects for the hotter weather. News wise, I encourage you all to check out Yarn Shop Day by Let's Knit Magazine. This initiative supports 160 local yarn stores nationwide and there are a variety of events in yarn shops on the day within those shops. Yarn Shop Day takes plave on Saturday 2 May 2015. Brityarn is a new online yarn store, launching on 2 June 2015. With an emphasis on provenance, BritYarn is guided by its Woolly Principles in choosing what to stock and sell.  BritYarn is committed to supporting British businesses in all respects. You can find BritYarn on Ravelry and at www.brityarn.co.uk Enablers' Corner sees an exploration into plant based fibre yarns, specifically cotton, bamboo and linen. The pros and cons of each are discussed, as well as a selection of commercially available and hand dyed yarns with each type of fibre.  The yarn review is of Blacker Lyonnesse, a 50% linen, 50% w

Short rows are for life, not just for Christmas. We embrace the short row this episode in the Sock Surgery, where Clare Devine joins us again and we start our new sock for April. In Enablers' Corner, we chat about the #hapalong being run by Louise Scollay of KnitBritish. Ever been interested in traditional Shetland knitting? Now's your chance to learn a little more! There's a giveaway of a skein of Wollmeise to members of the Shinybees Ravelry group. To enter, hop over to the thread on Ravelry and tell me what your favourite bit of the podcast is. The Sock Surgery introduces the short row heel and different methods for doing short rows. Clare also reviews Big Foot Knits by Andi Smith and there is a giveaway on her blog at www.yarnandpointysticks.com. To ensure you never miss an episode, subscribe to the podcast on iTunes or your podcatcher of choice, or on the blog to receive notifications straight to your inbox. As always, shownotes are at www.shinybees.com and music is provided by Adam and the Walter Boys w

Polish deisgner Justyna Lorkowska is in the hotseat this week, chatting about her journey from private primary school teacher, through motherhood and into knitting designer. Designing under Lete's Knits, Justyna has a wide portfolio of patterns, from accessories to garments and for all age ranges, as well as a few for the men in your life (or yourself!). Majoring in chunky texture and cabled details, she's designed some of the  favourites of Ravelry, such as Alecia Beth, Alice in Wonderland and most recently, Florrick. She collaborated on a special edition kit for Edinburgh Yarn Festival, designing a shawl pattern, Aisling, for Eden Cottage Yarns. Shownotes as always are at www.shinybees.com Justyna can be found at www.letesknits.com Music for this episode is provided courtesy of Music Alley and is 'I Need a Drink' by Adam and the Walter Boys.

We're back with some enabling, a bit ore enabling and some socks this week. Oh, and baby bums. That is sort of enabling too. In Enablers' Corner, there is a precis of the new collection from Tin Can Knits, entitled 'Max and Bodhi's Wardrobe'. Modelled by two of the cutest kids known to mankind, both of whom have chubby baby bum on show and one of which is sporting a mohawk, it is sure to have you scouring your friends for babies to clothe, or indeed, considering expanding your own brood. Wippin' Piccadilly covers finished objects and works in progress. There are very large pompoms on babies. It's a bit baby centric in general at the moment. That isn't a hidden message by the way. The Sock Surgery is an exercise in self-striping yarn enablement, with Clare's picks of the best places to get your hands on hand dyed and commercial self stripes. Finally, we round up with a fab giveaway from Tanja at The Knitting Swede. Shownotes, as always, are on the blog. Music is provided courtesy of Adam and the Walter Boys vi

This week, I'm delighted to bring an interview with Stephen West of Westknits. I caught up with Stephen at Edinburgh Yarn Festival where he proclaimed brioche stitch to be the stitch of the year and indeed the new garter stitch, recounted fangirling Ysolda in the early days of his design career and declared Tosh Merino Light in Edison Bulb his Desert Island Skein. No swants were harmed in the making of this podcast. Shownotes for the episode are at www.shinybees.com. Music is provided via Music Alley by Adam and the Walter Boys with 'I Need A Drink'.

When your favourite author shuffles off his mortal coil, there's little else you can do but pay homage in a knitty fashion. Following the death of Sir Terry Pratchett, this episode could certainly be described as a knitty tribute. Enablers' Corner takes a non Pratchett-driven form with a rundown of the first quarter yarns from The Golden Skein. These were UK dyer Joy of The Knitting Goddess with the colour way 'Golden Wings Flutter By', dyed onto the Britsock base. This is a 40% BFL, 20% Wensleydale, 20% Alpaca and 20% Nylon, British sourced and spun. Secondly, there is Swiss-based dyeing duo Fides and Gaby of Siidegarte, with the colourway 'Butterfly'. This is dyed onto the Siide-Quirlig base, a heady blend of 70% Silk and 30% Seacell. Finally, there's the fabulour Michelle of Berry Colourful Yarnings, with the colourway 'Peacock's Revenge', dyed onto the Saturated Sock base. This is a 75% Superwash Merino, 25% Nylon base and is a self-striping yarn. The pattern pick is back, with less emphasis on the comedy