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A podcast for people who love knitting, Dorset Buttons, creativity & Scotland, especially the Highlands & Islands.
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Welcome to the 35th episode of my podcast – Making Progress
Thank you for listening again and welcome if you are a first time listener.
Please note – you may need to adjust your volume during this episode for the interviews.
The Weather
Unseasonal is how we would describe our weather in recent weeks. Cold and dry most of the time although the rain is finally here. I talk about how I’ve not sat in the garden this year and how a fire pit might be a future purchase.
I’ve noticed some new spiders in the house. I think the colder weather has brought them into the house for some warmth. My spider catcher has been in frequent use.
It’s a wonderful time of year as we continue to see all the new flora pop up with a range of colours from the rich yellow of the flag iris to the deep pink of foxgloves. And we’ve had a great display of bluebells, only to be replaced by bracken – yes it’s that time of year again! I also talk about the bog cotton and the weeds which seem to be relishing the latest weather conditions!
Get in touch and let me know what the weather is doing with you.
Creativity
I chat about a few projects which have caught my eye recently which I plan to get on my needles one day. (The links are all non Ravelry although you can find the patterns on there.)
Runway Tee by Stella Ackroyd – knitted in Midwinter Yarns Lithuanian Linen.
Patina Scarf by Jeanette Sloan – this is the latest pattern from the Arnall-Culliford Knitwear Company Confident Knitting Book. It is knitted in Schoppel Wolle Gradient with a beautiful embroidered detail. They have a great Youtube channel which supports all their books of techniques.
Hanke Dress by Justyna of Letes Knits – knitted in 4ply with a lace yolk.
Mrs Manson Dress by Mandy of Olach Designs – knitted in Shetland with an amazing yoke and hemline fair isle detail.
Tower of Strength Skirt by Jimiknits – very high on my list to do.
I address the issue of my NPs – Neglected Projects which I talked about in the last episode. I decide on a plan of action. You will have to listen in to hear which items are being addressed and in what order. A clue is my method has ended up with me tackling the most complicated one first!!!
I am doing the Blue Moon Wrap KAL with Di Gilpin and Tribe Yarns which is a fantastic abstract intarsia project and includes weekly Zoom calls. I talk about the false starts I made on this as I sorted out what needles to use – straights versus circulars. 
Dorset Buttons & wider news from the TJFrog pad
The big news since last episode is Unravel the first in-person yarn festival here in the UK since early last year. I chat about what an incredible time we had. Farnham Maltings put a huge amount of work into the set up and created a wonderful experience for both visitors and vendors.
I shared a room with a fantastic group of vendors.
I have 4 soundbites in this section.
We hear from Salina Jane Art, Becci of Riverknits, Allison the Event Organiser of Craft at Farnham Maltings and Sophie owner of Botanical Yarn and organiser of the Yorkshire Yarn Festival.
My purchases were some beautiful sea glass buttons from Jo of Lilliput Wight and a set of 12 mini skeins from Riverknits along with a shawl pattern called All Together designed by Nim Teasdale.
We’ve also had our first craft fair back at Plockton and you can hear where I’m at with the book!
Local Lowdown
I talk about the Skye flag, the design of which was decided through a competition. Here’s a link to a short video about the story of the flag and an interview with the winner of the competition 9 year old Calum Alasdair Munro.
Across the Bridge
I visited Jam owner of The Caledonian Wool Company in Fort William. A bricks and mortar shop this is a great go to shop for sourcing British wool with a particular focus on Scottish wool.
We learn about Jam’s original wool business here on Skye and how she started spinning. We hear about the pottery buttons her Mum makes for her. We find out about her felted and hand spun projects, knitting patterns and the variety of products she stocks.
Jam also sent me a needle felting kit to do. Listen in to hear how I got on!
And finally we hear the lovely story behind her company name and logo.
Thank you for joining me again.
Until next time . . .
Music – the music is:
One Frog For a Prince, by Ron Patton & licensed from Melody Loops.
Bye for now.
