Tea & Possibilities Episode 71: Minimal Human Contact

INTRODUCTION

You can find me on Instagram and Ravelry. We also have a Ravelry group where the Episode 71 Chatter Thread is live! And don't forget the Show Us Your Socks thread!

Today’s tea is... peppermint - perfect hot day tea as it's light and refreshing and still tastes good cold!

Don't forget, we have a tea recommendation thread on the Ravelry group, if you're looking for something new to try.

As well as my usual thank you to my new and returning viewers, I want to say a special thank you to NHS staff and other key workers. For those working on the frontline in hospitals to those in supermarkets and keeping TFL running so those people can get to work. Thank you for your bravery. You are heroes.

WIP'D UP

FOs:

Plucky Hat
Pattern: Tuck Stitch Beret, Sirdar 9075
Yarn: Plucky Knitter Cozy DK in 'Nessie'

I made a couple of mods:
Twisted rib substituted for the normal rib in the pattern.
I knit the adult size, but followed the row count for the 10-12 years size for the crown shaping.

I'll most likely make another one of these, perhaps trying to convert to in the round, later in the year. It's just so easy to wear - totally perfect for me!

Dunderknit Socks

Pattern: Vanilla Sock Recipe from Meanwhile at the Castle
Yarn: Tiny Human Knits Merino Nylon in 'Dunderknit Rainbow' & West Yorkshire Spinners Signature 4-ply in 'Nutmeg'

There's a slight difference in these socks as I wound off 3 stripes in order to get to the dark blue for the second sock. I was then 3 stripes short in the foot, so I used the stripes I had, which weren't quite in sequence. 

But I think they look great and I'm so happy with them! There's something very satisfying about using every single inch of the yarn.

Cosy Squares
Pattern: The Coziest Memory by Kemper Wray
Yarn: Various! Some are detailed on the Ravelry page

I started this shortly after starting the podcast in 2016 and now - 4 years (!!) later - it's finished! It never made a blanket, but it will make a gorgeous piece to frame and hang over my bed. Partly because it's so beautiful and partly because it's so full of lovely memories.

WIPs:

Cosy Stripes
Pattern: Granny Stripes by Attic24
Yarn: Various! Some are detailed on the Cosy Squares Ravelry page

I wound up all the leftovers from my Cosy Squares blanket into a magic ball and have been working on this blanket again. It's big enough to be cuddled up underneath it while working on it - which is so nice! I've been working on this while binging The White Queen.

As I've said before - I don't consider blankets to be WIPs in the same way as other projects. They're large, they go into regular hiatus (for me, anyway!) and they usually don't have a deadline. I just like having it to work on when I want something simple.

Christmas Socks #2 (First Time Toe-Up)
Pattern: How To Knit Toe-Up Socks by haalu / Toe-Up Gusset Socks by Staci Perry
Yarn: West Yorkshire Spinners Signature 4-ply in 'Holly Berry' & 'Cayenne Pepper'

I started these during the Summer of Socks KAL (shall we do that again?) so these have been languishing on the needles since last summer... I couldn't get my head around the heel as the haalu vids were on DPNs and I was on magic loop. I just couldn't get my head around it - so I found the pattern by Staci Perry, which was excellent.

I originally knit it without a contrast heel, but the foot was a tad too short, so I reknit it and this time put in a contrast heel. Now I can start on the leg - perfect meeting knitting!

I'm not sure I'm a toe-up girl, but I'll do a few more until I state my preference. I'll definitely do a more reinforced heel on my next pair too. Not a fan of the plan stockingette heel..

Coming up...

KerryOne Pullover
Pattern: Kerrytown by Annie Lupton
Yarn: Willow & Lark Ramble in 'Ox Blood'

This has been languishing since... 2018?! Lots of charts made it a bit of a faff to work on. But, once the toe-up socks are finished, this is the last WIP I have - so I'm determined to finish it!

However, it would be great to have something more simple to work on when I'm tired or during meetings, so I think the Sweater Hug by Skeindeer Knits would be ideal. 

I'd knit it out of The Yarn Collective Bloomsbury DK in 'Moss' which I originally bought to knit the Bittersweet by Veera Välimäki. I LOVED the Bittersweet - but the moss stitch was too much for me. So the Sweater Hug, mostly stockingette, would be perfect. And easy to wear!

I'm going to call it a day on the episode, as I don't have much to share in Knit & Natter these days... I will dig into the questions left on the last giveaway thread for future inspiration!

Until next time, folks, have a lovely knitty week. Stay healthy, stay safe and stay home!

Tea & Possibilities Episode 70: Some Failure Involved

INTRODUCTION

You can find me on Instagram and Ravelry. We also have a Ravelry group where the Episode 70 Chatter Thread is live! And don't forget the Show Us Your Socks thread!

Today’s tea is... coffee! I haven't had any coffee in weeks as I only get it from the coffee shop at work, so when my Mum got some coffee, I had to have some!
Don't forget, we have a tea recommendation thread on the Ravelry group, if you're looking for something new to try.
As well as my usual thank you to my new and returning viewers, I want to say a special thank you to NHS staff and other key workers. You put your health at risk to support and help everyone else. My Mum works in the NHS, so I understand some of the stress you're under. It's not enough - but you're amazing and thank you for it.

WIP'D UP

FOs:

Haunted Baby Yoda
Pattern: Baby Yoda by Kim Konen
Yarn: Stitch & Story The Chunky Wool in 'Ivory White' and Rico Design Essentials Soft Merino Aran in 'Sage'

This is definitely terrible and not an accurate Baby Yoda. I am so bad at toys! I'm going to maybe replace the eyes and reattach the ears to try and improve the overall look.

HOs:

Dunderknit Socks
Pattern: Vanilla Sock Recipe from Meanwhile at the Castle
Yarn: Tiny Human Knits Merino Nylon in 'Dunderknit Rainbow' & West Yorkshire Spinners Signature 4-ply in 'Nutmeg'

One DONE! I'm so happy with these - they're so so pretty! I have dropped a stitch in the foot - so I need to fix that. Any good fixes for that, please let me know!

I'm on the heel flap for the second sock and I have got them matching, but I'm not sure if i'll have enough yarn to complete the foot. I do have a second skein though, so it'll be fine whatever happens!

WIPs:

Plucky Hat
Pattern: Tuck Stitch Beret, Sirdar 9075
Yarn: Plucky Knitter Cozy DK in 'Nessie'

This yarn was a gift from Caroline (of Knitting Vicariously) as a thank you for house-sitting. It's living in another gift - a Hide & Hammer bag! I've wanted one for ages and this is truly gorgeous - yellow is one of my favourite colours and this is just stunning.

I've cast this hat on twice - for some reason I couldn't get it right at all the first time. I frogged so many times, I just decided to start over again and that seemed to work.

Stash Enhancement:

The lovely Caroline also gave me two more beautiful skeins. Fab Funky Fibres Merino Nylon Self-Striping in 'Mr Smith' will definitely becoming another pair of Christmas socks when I'm back in the mood for that.

The second skein is my very first skein of Cat Sandwich Fibers, in Trustie Sock 'Secrets of the Golden Flower'. SO GORGEOUS! Not sure what I want to knit out of it, but I feel like it should be on display.

KNIT & NATTER

It is a really strange time at the moment, it still feels so surreal to be trapped in this global pandemic and to be unable to head out to work, the gym, to see friends.

It can be hard and lonely and boring - even when you're someone with a lot of hobbies! 

Some of the things I'm doing include revisiting old films that I love - a few Disneys (and The Mandalorian!) and Jurassic Park and Jurassic World have been great.

I've been catching up on the Privy Chamber episodes of Rex Factor, which are available to me as a Patron. I've also caught up on The Knitmore Girls and completed The Half-Blood Prince on Harry Potter & The Sacred Text. I've got a couple more podcasts that I'm trying - I'll let you know if I recommend them!

I recently finished The Mercies by Kiran Millwood Hargrave, which is about a witch trial on a Norweigian island in the 1600s. It's very very good, but pretty bleak. 
Next up is The Golden Thread by Kassia St Clair, which is non-fiction book about how fabric impacted history.

I'll be downloading The Mirror and the Light by Hilary Mantel - I can't wait! Wolf Hall and Bring Up The Bodies are the first two books in the Thomas Cromwell trilogy - both I would highly recommend, as well as the BBC adaptation with Mark Rylance as Cromwell and Claire Foy as Anne Boleyn.

I'm going to make a dinosaur out of a little kit I got for my birthday and I'm going to get a triceratops from Sincerely Louise for my cousin's baby. Also toying with the idea of trying silver clay...

I've also signed up for a course from Historic Royal Palaces on the History of Royal Fashion.

As I can't go on my long runs at the moment, I'm trying to do more yoga. I used to be really flexible, but the running (and the fact I've not really done yoga in years!) has stiffened me up a bit, so I'm working on that. 

I've set myself a habit tracker to try and remind myself to take my vitamins and hydrate and move and I'm just trying to be gentle with myself. There's no right way to get through this.

Until next time, folks, have a lovely knitty week. Stay healthy, stay safe and stay home!

Tea & Possibilities Episode 69: Knitception

INTRODUCTION

You can find me on Instagram and Ravelry. We also have a Ravelry group where the Episode 69 Chatter Thread is live! And don't forget the Show Us Your Socks thread!

Today’s tea is my first of the day, thanks to my Nan, this time who brewed it up for me - Earl Grey is the tea that lives downstairs, so it's always the one I have when someone else brews up.

Don't forget, we have a tea recommendation thread on the Ravelry group, if you're looking for something new to try.

I am now back on Instagram! I really enjoyed my break and will probably take them more regularly as I don't want to become too reliant on social media and it was just nice not to be tied to it for a while.

WIP'D UP

What am I wearing;

Amy's Insouciant
Pattern: Insouciant by Julie Hoover
Knit by: Amy Florence of Stranded

Amy's Rosemont
Pattern: Rosemont (Cardigan - not Tee as I said on the podcast!) by Hannah Fettig
Knit by: Amy Florence of Stranded

Massive thank you to Amy for giving these beautiful knits to me - they've both been in my queue for a long time, so I'm happy to have them in my wardrobe and see how they fit so I know what size to make when I knit them.

FOs:
Onion Johnnies Hat
Pattern: Onion Johnnies by Soléne Le Roux
Yarn: A Busy Life Yarn DK in 'Roasted Marshmallow'

I'm sad that this hat didn't turn out the way I wanted it to, I think it's probably me rather than the pattern. 

I had considered buying new yarn to knit a plan loose fitting hat, but I really don't want to buy when I have stash, so thanks to my Ravelry stash tab, I remembered I do have a skein of Madeline Tosh, which I was going to use to knit wristers to match my Caswell Bay hat. Instead, I'm going to use it to knit a hat and that will be it with my Madeline Tosh stash.

WIPs:

Cosy Squares
Pattern: The Coziest Memory by Kemper Wray
Yarn: Various (see Ravelry project page for more details)

I had hoped to have this finished, but it wasn't to be! But slow and steady - slow and steady wins the race.

Dunderknit Socks
Pattern: Vanilla Sock Recipe from Meanwhile at the Castle
Yarn: Tiny Human Knits Merino Nylon in 'Dunderknit Rainbow' & West Yorkshire Spinners Signature 4-ply in 'Nutmeg'

I ADORE this yarn - so so pretty! And I had to choose some gold adjacent yarn for the contrast. Can't wait to knit this when I see Caroline - KNITCEPTION!

Giveaway time!

Thanks to the lovely folks at LoveCrafts (where I used to work!) have got 10 balls of Paintbox Yarns DK to giveaway and thank you so much for all the entries in the thread over the last couple of weeks.

Random Number Generator pulled post 45 from the thread - so heatherandhops, please DM me on Ravelry with your address and I'll arrange to have the yarn sent out to you.

KNIT & NATTER

It's been such an eventful month! Last night for my birthday, some friends and I went axe throwing - which was AMAZING, I loved it so much and I can't wait to go again. 

Earlier in the month, I went to Wales to visit a friend and her family and it was such a lovely chilled weekend - despite Storm Dennis! I really would recommend Wales for a trip, it's a beautiful country, there's lots to do, great walks, wonderful creative and crafty stuff in villages. Just try not to go during a storm!

Next up I went to Scotland with Katie of Inside Number 23 to visit Amy, which was another perfectly chilled out weekend. Lots of knitting and beach walking and time with friends and #NotMyCat - I'm a lucky girl!

That's all for now, folks! I'll see you soon for another cup of tea!

Tea & Possibilities Episode 68: Sock Shaming

INTRODUCTION

You can find me on Instagram and Ravelry. We also have a Ravelry group where the Episode 68 Chatter Thread is live! And don't forget the Show Us Your Socks thread!

Today’s tea is my first of the day, thanks to my Mum who brewed it up for me while I set up as I'd been out at the gym. Earl Grey is my go to first cuppa!

Don't forget, we have a tea recommendation thread on the Ravelry group, if you're looking for something new to try.

Just a couple of things to flag - while I mention that I'm on Instagram, I'm currently taking a break and have deleted the app for February. Trying to break a bad scrolling procrastination habit - but I'll be back in March!

We are also enjoying Storm Ciara at the moment (not Storm Clara, as I mistakenly said) so despite it being fairly early in the day, it's very dim and dark and you may be able to hear the wind and the rain in this episode. Bringing the atmosphere this week!

WIP'D UP

FOs:
Christmas Socks #5

Pattern: How to Knit Socks by Meanwhile at the Castle
Yarn: Stranded Dyeworks BFL Nylon 'Gingerbread Haus' and 'Christmas Red'

These took fooooorever! Literally 2 months! My mojo has been super low and I think I'd run out of steam on Christmas socks, so I won't crack into my other Christmas yarns for a little while yet.

The leftovers will make it into my blankets and then into my advent box - yes, I plan that advent swap this far in advance!

Coming up

I have lots of vicarious knitting this week (as Dunderknit would say!) and am desperate to clear out my languishing WIPs!

I really really need to finish my Holly Berry socks - they've been on the needles since June!! If I can just get past the gusset and heel, the leg would be ideal travel projects for my trips to Wales and Scotland over the next couple of weekends.

I also think my Onion Johnnies hat would be a great quick win - and the weather is cold and wet, so a new cosy warm hat would be perfect!

I will cast on a new sock - my Dunderknit Rainbow by Tiny Human Knits - for travelling as well, just in case I get to a tricky bit on the Holly Berry socks.

I have frogged the Bittersweet by Veera Valimaki as I knew the moss stitch was going to make me miserable and the shape wasn't going to be flattering on me. So maybe something more simple and easy to wear like Skeindeer's Sweater Hug.

I'm tearing up 2019's plans all over the place as I'm probably not going to knit the Yarn Collective Hudson Worsted in Natural into the Void Shawl by Melanie Berg. I've heard it's quite shallow and the yarn is so lovely, I sort of want it as a jumper...

I do feel a little sad I don't have more to share this week, but I actually just enjoy podcasting, so I didn't want to wait until I had 'enough' - what is enough anyway?!

However! To make it up to you - I've got a giveaway! I spoke to my old friends at LoveCrafts, who have recently launched a new YouTube podcast (you can find it on their YouTube channel) and they offered to donate 10 balls of Paintbox DK to you lovely viewers! I've chosen a lovely rainbow of colours that LoveCrafts will send directly to the winner.

To enter, please visit the competition thread and let me know what you'd make out of this DK rainbow! I'll be podcasting again when I'm done travelling, so I'll close the thread on 28th February and share the winner in episode 69.

KNIT & NATTER

As we're low on content this week, I wanted to answer a question in Knit & Natter.

Enneitanod asked: I also wanted to study history for the longest time and then picked something else. So what did you actually study and why did you choose to go that way? (I think I heard you say you did go to university).

I chose this question as it seems fitting as I how work at a university! I did go to university, where I studied Drama and Creative Writing.

I had loved History at GCSE so studying at A-Level was a no-brainer, but it wasn't as interesting as it wasn't periods that I was interested in, which was a shame. I had intended to take a year out to work/travel/volunteer and figure out what I wanted to do, but a career advisor let me know that I would miss out on a bursary if I did so.

At that time, as I was in a single parent family, I was eligible to get my fees paid, but if I wanted till the following academic year, I'd miss out. So I decided to jump and went for the subjects I had most loved at A-Level.

Looking back, yes, it would have probably been a better fit to study History, but I had the fantastic privilege to get my education for free - which is absolutely incredible. So I don't regret it!

And it's definitely led me into a career I enjoy, so that's great. But! If I did win the lottery... yeah, I'd probably quit and go back to uni and then do a post-grad in Textile Conservation. But who knows what's in the future - maybe I'll go for a career change when I'm more financially settled.

That's all, folks! I'll see you at the end of the month, for another cup of tea.

Tea & Possibilities Episode 67: Blanket Statement

INTRODUCTION

You can find me on Instagram and Ravelry. We also have a Ravelry group where the Episode 67 Chatter Thread is live! And don't forget the Show Us Your Socks thread!

Today’s tea is a Bird & Blend Tea from my advent calendar. They were kind enough to gift me one, full of my favourites, but as I was so sick through most of December I didn't get to enjoy them, so I'm still working through them.

This is New House Blend, which is an Earl Grey and Assam blend. It's totally delicious and a perfect everyday breakfast tea. I'm not a massive fan of English Breakfast Tea - this is tons nicer.

Don't forget, if you're a first-time purchaser at Bird & Blend, you can use the code NIKKITEABIRD20 for 20% off that first purchase.

This is the first of four - four! - new mugs I got for Christmas, haha! You'll see them all over the next few episodes. And, as an Earl Grey lover, my dear friend gave me Earl Grey gin for Christmas (which I can't find online!).

Don't forget, we have a tea recommendation thread on the Ravelry group, if you're looking for something new to try.

WIP'D UP

FOs:

Daniel's Finnished Hat
Pattern: Graham Hat by Jennifer Adams
Yarn: Malabrigo Rios 'Nimbus Gray'

That brings me to 14 FOs in 2019 - 6 of which were socks!

HOs:

Christmas Socks #5
Pattern: How to Knit Socks by Meanwhile at the Castle
Yarn: Stranded Dyeworks BFL Nylon 'Gingerbread Haus' and 'Christmas Red'

The second sock is already well in progress, so shouldn't take as long as the original.

WIPs:

Cosy Squares
Pattern: The Coziest Memory by Kemper Wray
Yarn: Various! (See the project page for more details - I've noted them where I can)

I have decided this won't be a blanket anymore. I've thought for years that it might not work as a blanket due to its weight and how heavy it will be when finished. So I have decided to do one more row and frame it.

I hope to move in the next year and I think this would look beautiful over my bed, just as an art piece. I think framing it is the perfect solution - and it would be finished soon!!

Cosy Stripes
Pattern: Granny Stripes by Attic24
Yarn: Various! (See Cosy Squares Ravelry project page for more details)

This will be a blanket one day and I will always have one on the hook - either to gift to friends or to donate to a homeless or refugee charity. I get so much joy from making them that I would like to always have one on the hook and it would be lovely to be able to pass that joy on.

Stash Acquisition

I did acquire some yarn through December. I bought some Yarn Collective Hudson Worsted in Natural to make myself a new scarf. My Colour Block Shawl by Crafts from the Cwtch is 5 years old and I want a neutral tone to go with a new coat and this is perfect. I'm thinking the Void Shawl by Melanie Berg, but I'm not sold yet.

I also ordered myself some Dunderknit Rainbow from Tiny Human Knits and Laura was kind enough to include some of her Christmas colourway, Poinsettia, and some Poppy Seed by West Yorkshire Spinners.

Finally, I got a lucky dip back from Norah George - I received some chocolates, stitch markers and Tracey's homemade wool wash, as well as two skeins of yarn. Squash is a merino-cotton blend and Teresa Green is MCM aran - both will probably grow up to be hats.

KNIT & NATTER

I have a couple of goals for 2020 - the first is to run 10miles every month, to see if I can improve my speed every month and to keep me active and consistent in my training.

I also want to do a dance course! I'm so excited for that - but I'm going to settle into my new job first.

What are your goals for 2020 - knitting, exercise, travel?!

Tea & Possibilities Episode 66: Up To Festive Muster

INTRODUCTION

You can find me on Instagram and Ravelry. We also have a Ravelry group where the Episode 66 Chatter Thread is live! And don't forget the Show Us Your Socks thread!

Today’s tea is hot Ribena as I'm trying to fend off a possible cold. Feeling a tad under the weather so doing what I can to perk myself up.

The mug is a new one, a gift from a friend, from Flying Tiger. Annoyingly, I can't find it on the website!

Don't forget, we have a tea recommendation thread on the Ravelry group, if you're looking for something new to try.

WIP'D UP

FOs:

Christmas Socks #4
Pattern: How to Knit Socks by Meanwhile at the Castle
Yarn: West Yorkshire Spinners 'Robin' and 'Cayenne Pepper

Operation Tinsel
Pattern: None (chain a length - chain two lengths together!)
Yarn: King Cole Tinsel Chunky in 'Silver', 'Gold', 'Claret' and 'Emerald'
Mini Family Jumpers
Pattern: Mini Weasley Sweaters by Alison Hansel (from Charmed Knits)
Yarn: Debbie Bliss Rialto DK in 'Coral', 'Basil' and 'Mustard'
Stocking for Z
Pattern: Candy Stripe Stocking by Sandra Paul of Cherry Heart Blog (not Twinkle Toes Sock as stated in the episode!)
Yarn: Paintbox Yarns DK in 'Pansy Purple', 'Rose Red' and 'Champagne White'

WIPs:

Christmas Socks #5
Pattern: How to Knit Socks by Meanwhile at the Castle
Yarn: Stranded Dyeworks BFL Nylon 'Gingerbread Haus' and 'Christmas Red'

The project bag is from the brilliant Cat in the Bag Crafts.

Cosy Stripes
Pattern: Granny Stripes by Attic24
Yarn: Various! (See Cosy Squares Ravelry project page for more details)
I'm getting there with the magic ball that Katie of Inside Number 23 sent me, so I might be able to finish it before advent!
Inspired by Amy Florence of Stranded, I tidied up my stash! I reorganised it - grouping skeins into sealable bags by weight, brand and colour. While I was at it, I updated my Ravelry stash.
I don't fill in everything as I don't need all the info - and if I filled in everything, it's unlikely I'd get it all done!
When updating my Ravelry stash I always:

• Include a photo - I'm not fussed about lighting/layout, it just needs to be representative enough to jog my memory
• Include weight and yardage - for reference when I'm away from my stash and quick searching when I'm looking for something for a specific pattern
• Link any patterns I have in mind for it
• Include tags like 'socks', 'hat' or 'prize' for easy searching later!

That's it for this week - bit of a short one as it's been very busy over here! I'll be back when I can for another cup of tea!