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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 44th episode of my podcast – Different & Preferred
Hello and thank you for joining me and welcome if you are a first time listener.
This episode touches on different and preferred tools, techniques and ways of doing things.
I ask you a few questions and I’d love to hear back from you . . .
The Weather
I talk about the mixed bag of weather we’ve had of late, the different birds we’ve heard or had in the garden and I remark about the spectacular display of vibrant flora on Skye this year.
We’ve finally got plants in our planters – we now wait to see if they will survive the wind, sea salt and deer. And I’ve had much amusement watching sheep on top of a pile of soil.
I chat about the incredible display of Northern Lights on 10th May. A very special evening in our corner of Skye.
And in contrast the light from the haar which for the past couple of weeks has meant Skye has lived up to it’s name of The Misty Isle.
Creativity
The pattern for the Nettle-Earnest vest (Payhip link) I test knitted for Scottish knitwear designer Maddie Harvey, was released on 17 May. On the same day Maddie released another pattern called the Nebula Nova sweater (Payhip link) Another to add to my project list!
Sweaters or vests? Which do you prefer to knit and wear? I chat through my vest projects which includes one I’m about to start in Shetland wool called Autumn by Ron Schweitzer which can be found on the Knitting Tales website, by Nora Howley
My Debbie Abrahams Mystery Blanket 2017 is finally finished! I made mine slightly different. There was only one sheep in the pattern – as you can see I have four! This is a substantial blanket and I love it! I can see it keeping me very cosy in my office in the winter months.
Adding beads – via slip stitch or hooking in method / knitting needles – circulars or straights / sock knitting – toe up, cuff down, after thought heel / stash – hand dyed, 100% woo, small independents, commercial yarn. I explore differences and preferences in all these topics and would love to know your thoughts.
I recently went on a knitting retreat to The Watermill in Tuscany, where we were totally spoilt by the owners with great food, trips out, relaxation and a lovely beaded project by tutor designer Debbie Abrahams.
I bring you up to date on my remaining 3 garments to be finished. It includes frogging one of them as a result of my preference around how much ease I want in the top.
Listen in to hear about the Jigsaw Puzzle competition between my Dad and I, and the need for exploring different strategies for tackling a jigsaw puzzle competition.
Dorset Buttons & wider news from the TJFrog Pad
Ute of Wild At Art – Creative Experiences in Scotland brought a group to Skye and I had a great time delivering a Dorset Button workshop for them.
The inaugural Woolly Good Gathering in Edinburgh was a fantastic event. I cover my work – a pop up and Dorset Button Bouquet Brooch workshop and time being a visitor. I made 2 purchases: Librarian sock yarn from Lola at Third Vault Yarns and the 6th edition of the crochet magazine Moorit.
I’ve pushed Virtual Dorset Button workshops back to September. They will be available online for sale from July.
I introduce the exclusive video podcast spin off – a new feature which will appear on my Patreon. It will take one aspect from each episode and explore it in more detail.
I have an update on website and podcast platform work.
Finally I chat about the opportunity I had to go to Uist on a Creative Connections course run by Tobar an Dualchais,
Skye Focus – the local lowdown
How to get to Skye – Final part of a 3 part series:
In 1995 the Skye Bridge replaced the ferry route from the Kyle of Lochalsh to Skye. I give a synopsis of the story of the bridge which is tinged with sadness and success. I also discuss how it makes Skye very accessible and the challenges this presents today.
As this concludes the 3 part series, what do you think of the different ways to get to Skye and which way have you or would you prefer? Let me know!
That’s it for this episode.
Thank you for joining me again.
Until next time . . .
Music:
One Frog For a Prince, by Ron Patton & licensed from Melody Loops.
Please note – there are no Ravelry pattern links in this post.
