Wednesday 6 January 2016

My Favourite Things

I always think it's nice to start the year on a cheerful note, so I wanted to share some of the things that brightened my days in 2015.

PODCASTS

Podcasts are my absolute favourite thing. I listen as I walk to and from work and they keep me company when I'm having some quiet knitting time. My favourites include:

A Playful Day is a delicious podcast that speaks to everything I'm interested in: stories, knitting, yarn, food... Kate is a delight to listen to and always finds interesting interviewees (a recent favourite is her chat with Knitsonik). I'm also really excited to get involved in her project The Maker's Year as it chimes exactly with what I'm looking to do this year.
Kate is currently on hiatus, but as hers is possibly my favourite podcast of the lot, I'd heartily recommend the back catalogue.

The Knitmore Girls is a delight to listen to. Mother and daughter Jasmin and Gigi are a laugh as well as being incredibly accomplished knitters with a wealth of knowledge that they generously share.
Jasmin's toddler daughter also pops in now and then to discuss her latest creative endeavours which is the sweetest thing. They run loads of competitions and knit-alongs so if you're looking for a podcast with a lot to get involved in and a thriving community, this is the one for you.

Curious Handmade by Helen Stewart is my regular Friday commute companion. Helen's a great designer (I've knit a few of her patterns and have others waiting to be cast on) and I love hearing her discuss her process and how she runs her business.
Like A Playful Day, Curious Handmade offers regular interviews that are incredibly interesting. Another one where I'd encourage your to jump into the back catalogue.

Serial became hugely popular in 2014 with its first series and the story of Adnan Syed, imprisoned in 1999 for the murder of his high school sweetheart, Hae Min Lee. The second series follows the story of Bowe Bergdahl, a soldier who left his post and was taken by the Taliban and held captive for five years.
I love following a story over a course of weeks. I find every episode offers a wealth of things to discuss and think about. My only note of caution is that this podcasts follows true stories which can make for uncomfortable listening at times.

Pomcast is like hanging out with old friends. If I ever met the hosts Lydia and Sophie, I'd probably make a fool of myself, forgetting that I only know them via the Pomcast. As well as being full of great interviews, Pomcast is just flat out fun to listen to, from Ravelry Realness to Top Three and Tell and Tell.
Just make yourself a cup of tea, grab your knitting and just enjoy this one. Bet you find yourself joining in!

Blogtacular is only two episodes old, but is already brilliant. Creative and inspiring, I'm certain it will be one I return to and re-listen to time and again.


BLOGS

Stranded is such a great blog and looks so lovely too. I especially love Amy's Fibre Friday posts, the woman is some kind of knitting superwoman! She also has a beautiful shop which you should also check out.

Attic 24 is one of the most popular blogs out there and it's not hard to see why - overflowing with colour, creativity and photographs of the beautiful north of England.

Tree Talker Art is a favourite because it's so overflowing with warmth and inspiration. Rachael is an incredible artist and I hope to own a few of her paintings one day. She lives in a cabin in the woods and is in the process of doing up a trailer to create her own tiny home. She dances to her own drum and the blog is just a great place to spend some time.

Alexandra Franzen brims with great advice and lots of love while Crafts from the Cwtch is chock full of knitty chat and is another superwoman, given how much she gets done!

If you haven't heard of any of these blogs and podcasts before, do check them out and let me know what you think. I'm always open to suggestions too please!

2 comments:

  1. Hey Nikki, thank you so much for including Blogtacular on this lovely list x

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  2. Thanks Nikki, really helpful post given me a few more lovely podcasts and blogs to look for :)

    ReplyDelete