Episode 14 – Drilling for Yarn

Download the episode from Gcast here.  

THANKS

This week I had fun with a  Romper Room magic mirror and tried to thank all those who have left a comment recently.  I really appreciate it and it really does keep the podcast going. 

I also enjoyed putting the cluster map on the site and seeing where people are visiting form.  I love having one listener in Trinidad, for example.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

• New Knitting podcasts:  Spun in the Sun   and   Electric Sheep
• New to me psychology podcasts:  Shrink Wrap Radio   and   Wise Counsel
• Here is the Australian Etsy Sellers list
• Here is the link to MADE IT – an Australian online craft site

ANNECDOTE

• This episode I talk about my trip to the dentist where I got a healthy dose of knitting conversation along with my check up. 
• Some mentions on Ravellry and Alan Dart.

THRIFTY KNITTER

• I’ve done some reasonably successful Jelly Crystal dyeing but wanted to experiment with the Rhonda Trounce Dyes that my Mum passed on to me.
• Whilst waiting for the yarn to simmer and absorb the dye I decided to learn Tatting.
• Totusmel has some cool instructables  and a utube video for tatting. 
• I used them both in order to make this flower 

  

  and this more bizzare and less successful botantical specimen.

• Here is the fibre in the pot – I’m reasonably happy with the colours.
• Here is the resulting yarn

• What pattern shall I knit with it?  I have about 15o metres of sportweight yarn.
• I found “The Yarn Collective” – an outlet for indie dyers and sellers in australia. 

STARBUCKLES – THE CAFE`CHRONICLES

• What happens when the cafe` you chose to knit or stitch in is actually a wine bar?

ENDANGERED WORDS

• Today’s word is Snollygoster!
• I’m getting these beauties from Save the Words

VISITS TO THE YARN STORE

• In this episode you will meet lorraine – who seems to have some interesting theories on Yarn –  the product and/or Yarn – the magazine.

INSPIRATION

• In this episode we have a look at juxtaposition as inspiration – prompted my my vision of a sheep running down a city street just near Glebe.  Does anyone know what happened to the sheep?
• I visited the NSW Art Gallery – they had a cool multi media exhibition on.

Episode 13 – Flexing My Muscles

DOWNLOAD THE EPISODE FROM THE G-CAST SITE

THANKS

Thanks to everyone who has emailed or commented or pm’d me on Ravellry.  I think I’ve got back to you all but if not…give me a shove and I will because I appreciate all your good wishes and prods to get back to podcasting.

Thanks to Gigi and Jasmine from The Knitmore Girls for playing my promo.

 

ANNOUCEMENTS

VICTORIAN BUSHFIRE APPEAL

• You can donate money to The Red Cross
• You can enter a drawing after you donate and get your receipt at Serendipity
• See Handmade Help for craft items up for auction, or to donate items, or to find drop off points for your handmade blankets, scarves etc…
• See Ecoyarns to contribute to a collection of craft items or coles vouchers for those affected by the fire.

RETURNING PODCASTS

• The following podcasts are returning (Yay!)  Christa Knits, Stitch Stud and his Bride, SSK.
• Also Maria Theresa from Knitting time together is planning to return so keep your eye out.

NEW PODCAST

• Check out the new Australian podcast Craft Cartel which comes up on my itunes as Radical Cross Stitch.  It’s great, mate.

KAL

• Wendy has been organising KAL’s. She’s just taken down the page for them though but you can find them here.  I’m linking to her handdyed fibre and yarn page where you can purchase some lovely yarn if it takes your fancy.  I really like that kettle dyed mauvey colour. She also sells patterns here.

ANNECDOTE

• Another installment in the make of the Threepenny  Pullover by Veronik Avery.
• I’ve decided to forgo the edging on the cuffs – being as the arms are long enough already.

THRIFTY KNITTER /CRAFTER

• I have a spinning wheel – an Ashf0rd Traditonal lent to me by my SIL – I love it.
• The halfway decent yarn I have produced.

• I recently found some lovely yarns at Ecoyarns…I had some Christmas money to spend…yay for Christmas money.
• I’ve enjoyed teasing my husband with pictures of Art yarn from Intertwined by pluckyduck.  He doesn’t particulalry like the slubbyness…but he’s ok with the colours so I can experiment with a yarn for him – of course I can always experiment with a yarn for me too.  And I will!
• I’ve found the $10 swap group in Ravellry!

STARBUCKLES

• I am still trying to find a starbuckles replacement – why is it that everyone thinks I’m a complementary childcare worker whenever I pull out my knitting or stitching?

ENDANGERED WORDS

• I’ve found save the words.org which has a wallpaper of endangered words.
• Today’s word lost in the woods is “secability”.
• Can you supply and sentances for lost words?

VISITS TO THE YARN STORE

• Today we have a listen to Katie’s visit to the yarn store.
• Ever had one of those days where you walk into everything? Or is that just me?

INSPIRATION

• Many of you asked how I went in the writing course.  It was a fabulous course and I enjoyed it very much.  I did pretty well marks – wise to0, so I was happy.
• BUT – I find writing quite hard…so I was incredibly excited and relieved to find this talk by Elizabeth Glibert. 

Episode 12 – Chaos Reigns

Download this episode from the G-Cast site.

THANK YOU

I just wanted to say a big thank you to all who have emailed or contacted me through Ravellry to say “Hi” or let me know that you are patiently waiting until things get better and I can put out another podcast.  I really appreciate your support.

ANNOUCEMENTS

There have been soooo many great new podcasts that have come out in the last few months:

For your listening enjoyment please try:

Knaked Knits

The College Knitter

Dyeing to Knit

Knitmore Girls

Sock Tart

• This isn’t in the show because I didn’t realise it was still going, but Manda from Knitting Psychos is doing a walk for Breast Cancer.  She needs donations and has a contest going for those who donate.  Visit this post to find out more.

ANNECDOTE – Childhood memories

• In my primary school days I was most taken with a Bargelllo project in shades of purple; a green macrame owl and acryllic wool God’s eyes.
• The main annecdote in this episode is written by Jessica from Folk and Fairy.  You can read it and view the beautiful accompanying photograph here.

THRIFY KNITTER AND CRAFTER

• It was time to buy my Mum a gift again.
• I bought her some handmade earings made of china from the broken vases that families smashed under the Communist regime in China.
• In my travels to find Mum a gift I discovered some handmade felt scarves and embelished teatowels.
• I didn’t have the time to make her a gift, but wish I had. 
• I wish I had the time to start a new craft, and ever hopeful, I’ve jsut bought a tatting shuttle…does anyone know how to do this?  I’ve seen a video on u-tube.  I’d love something like the wooden shuttle she’s using – I’ve only ever seen a red plastic one here – which is the one I bought.

STARBUCKLES _ THE CAFE` CHRONICLES

• Wouldn’t you know it!  Just as I started this new section, the Starbucks corporation has decided to pull out stores in Australia and NZ.  Don’t they know I have a podcast here?!
• So, I’m on  cafe` crawl to find a new stitch spot.
• Today I explore one destination by the sea, but the search continues.

VISITS TO THE YARN STORE

• Today we have Melissa’s visit. 
• She laments the demise of another local yarn store.  But she also delights in the closing down sale.
• Speaking of LYS’s – I’ve heard on Ravellry that Rubi and Lana’s at Gordon, Sydney, is closing down.  This is one of the most pretty and cosy yarn shops in Sydney. It’s such a shame.

INSPIRATIONS

• Believe it not,  Ripley, I was inspired by Sport!   Specifically by Sally McLennan’s approach to her “finals”.

MUSIC

• In this episode I played “Scenes of My Silly Childhood”  by Chapter 9
• This song was from the Podsafe Music Network.

UPDATE

Hello my lovely listeners, I’ve noticed that there are spikes in people checking this site so I’m assuming some people have set times in which they check to see if a new episode is up.  I know it’s been a long time, way too long, since I’ve got an episode up so I just thought I’d let you know that one is on it’s way.

The delay has been caused by:

Personal illness – But not to worry,  I’m on the mend.

My Father having been diagnosed with cancer.  But not to worry, it’s a slow progressing kind and after a nasty operation he should be fine.

Our big computer crashed.  But not to worry, we got a ltitle computer and now are transferring files on to the small one and setting up sound recording etc.  This is taking me some time as I’m not very techy!

I’ve started a new writing course.  Hopefully, even though this means less time for me, it will mean better writing for you!  There’s always hope!

Anyway, I just wanted to let you good people know why it’s been so long between episodes, not that I’m famous for my consistency anyway, but I didn’t want you all to go away or to think that I had gone away!  I enjoy podcasting and hope to be back very, very soon!

Take care all,

The Changeling!

Episode 11 – The cubby hole in the garden

• Download this Episode from the G-Cast Site

Thanks:

• Many thanks to Wendy from Wendy’s Modest Dress for sending me my first podcaster pressie, which I am obviously very chuffed about.  I received four gorgeous skeins of hand dyed yarn in the colourway “Antony and Cleopatra” – beautiful purples and aqua’s.
• Wendy sells custom handmade sock bags as well as fibre…check it out here.
• Thanks also to Andrea and Cindy who have joined me in the Pay It Forward Swap…some time in the next 6 months you will recieve…a mystery something.  There is still one place left  – you just have to sign up on my personal blog  - Changelingthings
• Thanks to Yan Tan Tethera from Ravelry for sharing her instructions for the boarder of her pinwheeel baby blanket.
• A long overdue thank you to those of you who have left reviews on itunes – it’s very much appreciated.
• Thanks to those who have left comments on the site or contacted me through Ravelry to let me know you enjoy the show or make friends.  It’s great fun to see where you are all from, and really helps encourage me to keep going with this.

Annoucements

• There are two new podcasts… Miss Flipp Knits and Pomcow.

The Annecdote – There’s a hole in the bucket

• I am still working on the TAST Challenge, whilst others are working on the TIF challenge.
• These challenges are kindly set up by Sharon b from In a Minute ago
• I did a little sampler/picture using Basque Stitch

The Thrifty Knitter

• I finally did some Jelly Crystal yarn dyeing.
• I used the instructions in Yarn Magazine – issue one.
• I called the resulting yarn…”Butterfly Garden”

Starbuckles – The Cafe’ Chronicles

• My not so secret hidey hole was infiltrated the last time I visited and so I had to visit the competition.  Hear what happened in the podcast…

Visits to the yarn Store – Selina’s visit

• Ever had a bad day at work and retreated to the yarn store to ground yourself? 
• You might like Selina’s story….

Inspirations

• This weeks inspiration is a movie review by an anonymous mother.
• It is for the movie Smart People.
• Scroll down to the bottom of the “what you say” collumn to take a look.

Music

• All music in this episode was from the Podsafe Music Network
• We listened to “Love is Like  a Butterfly” by Deana Carter
• and  “Flutterby Butterfly”  by Josh Woodward.

Episode 10 – Stash of Love

• Download this episode from the gcast site

Thanks

Thanks to all those listeners who have still kept on subscribing to the podcast.  I really aprreciate it.  Thanks also to those who have got in touch to leave comments either at this site or on Ravellry.  I really enjoy hearing from you.

Announcements

• The number of knitting podcasts continues to grow – Here are three new ones to try.
• Belle of the Ball
• Diva knitting
• Knit Obsession with zknits.

The Annecdote

• My stash of yarn is pretty small but my stash of love overflows  – this is a tale of how Valentine’s day was celebrated at my place.
• At the moment my favourite stash yarn is Madil Kid seta in a beautiful cornflower blue.

The Thrifty Crafter

• Someone left a comment on an earlier episode with a link to Amazon sale pages.  I decided to link to some online yarn store sale pages:
• The knittery
• OZEyarns
• Yarns online
• The wool Shack
• Wool Baa
• The Knitting loft
• Also…I though I’d just mention The Wool Inn at Penrith, NSW.  It has a pay as you knit system going where they hold yarn for 2 months so you can buy it a bit a t a time – good for all us thrifty knitters…not that I live close enough to make use of it – what a shame.
• THE PAY IT FORWARD SWAP – I have joined this swap but no-one has joined me.  If you think you might be interested check out my personal blog for the guidelines.

Starbuckles – the Cafe` Chronicles

• Yay!  It’s a new Segment!  I hope you enjoy it.
• I hang out at Starbucks a fair bit because they leave me alone while I’m knitting or embroidering.  I’m going to collect some stories as I sit there…and bring them to you.
• In this episode you’ll hear the first installment about my encounter with a very young and novice stitcher…and her Mum.

Visits to the Yarn store – Ellen’s Visit

• I’ve recently attended a couple of Rubi and Lana Knitting group meet-ups. Everyone has been absolutely delightful.  But that didn’t stop me from being nervous and so I wrote “Ellen’s visit”
• This is an entirely fictional account.

Inspirations

• I couldn’t go past Kevin Rudd’s apology speech to the indigenous people of Australia in the inspiration stakes.
• Here’s a link to some information about it.

• I also mentioned that Autumn has come to Australia, NSW.  It’s good and inspiring knitting weather.

Music

• In this episode we heard:
• “Extremely Old With You” by Paul and Storm
• “The Swimming Song” by Blue Dew
• All music from today’s podcast was from the Podsafe Music Network

Episode 9 – Merry and Happy

Download this episode from the g-cast site

• Hello to everyone and happy 2008! 

THANKS

Thanks to those people who have dropped me a line on Ravellry or via email or added me to their friends list.  It is much appreciated.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

• There have been quite a few new podcasts popping up, such as
• Gwendolen’s Gifts
• Knitting at night and
• Stitch it.
• Also check out Knitterati – a cool videocast.
• And if you’re in Orange, NSW – you could pop by a shop called Caboodle, on Ansen St.

THE ANNECODOTE

• In this podcast I tell a story about my ineffectual knitted Christams gift -  that I will have fond memories of even though the recipient may never remember it and the gift may already be sitting in a bin somewhere.

THE THRIFTY CRAFTER

• In this episode I mention  a phenonomen that I’ve noticed since I’ve begun to tell people about my crafty ways – people will give you supplies.  I call it “scouting”, as in, others will scout out things for you…anyone know of a cheap spinning wheel?????
• An in my own “scouting” I have found that Eco Yarns are having a sale on soysilk and bamboo fibre – it’s discounted by %75 and there’s only a small amount left – good luck.

VISITS TO THE YARN STORE

• This weeks character was inspired by my own visit to Dubbo in NSW, over the Christmas period.  I have visited the country before, of course, but this time I’d primed my husband to stop at any open and interesting yarn stores…problem was… I couldn’t find any???????

INSPIRATIONS

• Inspiration is such a personal thing and yet I try to define it once again.
• I have found some inspiration in a park
• on a blog:  Her Eyes Shone like Emeralds Of The Deepest Hue - (Don’t you just love the title?)
• and in the Australian magazine Textile

MUSIC

• All music from this podcast can be found at the Podsafe Music Network
• I played:  “Land of Misfit Toys” by A Sunken Ship Irony    and
• “Share” by Leerone

Episode 8 – All bound for Morning Town

• Download the episode from the G-cast site 

THANKS

• Thanks to those listeners who have joined the $1 challenge over the last month or so and left comments on the site to share their treasure.
• Thanks also to those who have dropped by and said “Hi” on Ravellry.  Unsuprisingly I am listed as “changeling” with the same image as for the show.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

• There are two new podcasts to announce – The Crochet Side – hosted by Brianna and Knit Sibs – hosted by  sisters Valerie, Gloria and Julianne.

THE ANNECDOTE – The Perils of Public Knitting

• In this podcast I regale you with a knitting travel story – brought to you by State Rail.
• My current knitting project, now accidentally sprayed with Coke (-a cola), is the Notre Dame de Grace jumper by Veronik Avery.

THE THRIFTY KNITTER

• Through looking through a number of webrings I recently found a free pattern for “The Changeling Shawl” by Linda S Davis from The Tail Spinner.
• I wondered what other free fairy patterns I might find.
• I consulted Aimee from Fairie Knits podcast and she suggested the Candle Flame Shawl from KnitPicks.
• I also found the following free “fairy” patterns:

 The Jesters Hat and Hexed Hat  by Wooly Wormhead ( directions to both hats on same page)

 Lace up Opera Gloves by Ysolda

Minature Felted Pumkin by Wool Winder from Wool Windings

Elf stitchette embroidery pattterns by Hillary Lang from Wee Wonderfuls

Brooke’s Collumn of Leaves Scarf

As well as about 20 other patterns that I will link to on a separate page on this site - please check them out.  If you know of a free fairy pattern please comment or email me and let me know and we’ll see what we can do about building up this list

VISITS TO THE YARN STORE

• In this episode we met the character of Simone.
• Simone has bought some roving, or maybe a Spindle.

INSPIRATIONS

• A former student of mine produces a ZINE called Branches with Leaves wich features her phototgraphy.
• The fact that other people are motivated enough to produce their own creative work for it’s own sake is very inspiring to me.

MUSIC

• This episode feature the song “Travel” by The Wyrd Sisters  and music entitled “Fairy Tale” by Catya Mare
• All music from today’s podcast came from The Podsafe Music Network.

                    

      

Episode 7 – Under The Wrapping Paper

Download this episode from the G-Cast site.

THANKS

Thank you to everyone who has come back to listen to the podcast – I know I’ve only been getting one out every month or so.   My hat goes off to all those other podcasters who manage to write an essay a week!  I can’t seem to do it.  But I do thank everyone who’s stuck it out with me.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

• There are a couple of new podcast on the airwaves.  Please check out Sweaters For Dragons  and A Very Palpable Knit

THE ANECDOTE – A GIFT

• In this episode we explore buying a gift for my mother’s birthday. 
• Will it be a store bought or handmade gift?
• Will a case of shopping centre weirdness interfere?

THE THIFTY KNITTER

• After some positve experiences in a variety of thrift stores I’m putting out a $1 challenge – just for fun, ’cause I’m not really that competitive.
• What have you found for $1?  Leave the results of your challenge in the comments section!

VISITS TO THE YARN STORE

• Today we listen to the results of Poppy’s visit to the yarn store. 
• Have you ever tried to indoctrinate someone into the ways of yarn…or were you the indoctrinated party?
• I think there’s been a little bit of Poppy in me at times.

INSPIRATIONS

• OK…I may be yearning for better days but today I found a protest to be most inspiring.  People care.  It’s good to know this, whether or not we all share the same views.
• The APEC conference is here and there are protests organised for Friday, which has been declared a public holiday for those working in the city…the question remains…once a public holiday has been introduced , can it be withdrawn the following year.  Will the Australian public stand for this?
• There are lots of links for the Apec Protests – try this one or this one or this one.  There are lots more as well as links to other protests all over the world.  I’m hopeful that these will be peaceful protests.

MUSIC

• We listened to  “Shopping High” by Jamelopoeia
• and  “Secrets” by Jenny Dalton
• All music from this episode can be found a the podsafe music network

Episode 6 – Flaws

Download this episode from the g-cast site

THANKS

• Thanks to all listeners who have patiently waited for this episode.  I was struck down with podcaster’s block.  I’m hopeful that it has disapeared now.
• Thanks to those who left comments or sent emails – you  helped me beat the aforementioned block

ANNOUCEMENTS

• Socks in the city is a not so new podcast you may like to listen too, particularly if you like socks. 
• In the podcast we re-capped information on Virginia Farm Woolworks.  As this is a small home run business please ring them if you intend to vist to ensure they will be home.
• Petlins is a fibre/yarn co. in Rhodes that a listener, Roceal, mentioned in the comments for the last show.

THE ANNECDOTE

• An interview with Theresa for her podcast Knitting Time Together made me consider the importance of a jumper that my Aunt knitted me. 

THE THRIFTY CRAFTER/KNITTER

• I’ve been a little dry on ideas for this so if you find anything new let me know!
• I looked thorugh all my workbaskets to discover what household utensils I had co-opted for a knitting purpose.

VISITS TO THE YARN STORE

• Meet a slightly darker character, Amber.
• What is Amber planning?

INSPIRATIONS

• I found The Arts of Islam Exhibition at the Art Gallery of NSW to be very inspirational.
• One of my listners has a beautiful blog called Folk and Fairy – take a look…

MUSIC

• This podcast featured “Twlight Run” by Al Stravinsky  and
• “The Mermaid” by Great Big Sea.
• Music is from the Podsafe Music Network