Knitting is out and cross stitch is in this week, as the temperature in the UK makes it a bit less fun to be playing with yarn. Nobody likes to knit with sausage fingers, after all. After discovering 8BitNorth Cross Stitch thanks to an uncharacteristically helpful suggested post on Facebook, I've tripled somersaulted into a cross stitch obsession. Having never had across stitch 'stash' before, I'm now edging ever perilously closer to having one. Guess it took some indie/Brtipop and pop culture themed cross stitch patterns to make a stitcher out of me! Full Shownotes and links at www.shinybees.com/178 Music this episode is with kind permission of Adam and the Walter Boys with 'I Need a Drink', available from iTunes.

Hybrid Yarn festivals continue in this episode where Jo is joined by Aimee of KnitSpinCake podcast to review her experience of attending Unravel's hybrid yarn show. Aimee took part in the social aspects, saw some of the vendor showcases and, after attending one workshop with Bristol Ivy, promptly booked onto another with her the next day. Aimee covered the organisation of the show and we discussed some of the technical aspects of how it was run, from a visitor's point of view. She shared her views on the workshop offerings as well as the vendor spotlights. You can find Aimee @knitspincake on Instagram and the podcast at http://knitspincake.blogspot.com Full shownotes are at www.shinybees.com/177 Music for this episode is with kind permission of Adam and the Walter Boys with 'I Need A Drink' available from iTunes.

This episode is fairly light on the knitting chat as my creative exploits this week are mostly focused around creating a vision board for 2021. My word for the year for 2021 came courtesy of Gery Cinnamon and his song 'Canter', which I heartily recommend checking out. Make it the radio edit f you have kids around, as the original is tagged explicit. The lyrics really called to me and I decided from that to make my word of 2021 'Canter'. Along with this there is some chat about vision boards and their utility. I have done vision board exercises with my business retreat attendees for years. Having discussed them this past week with my current coaching group, I chat some more about them in this episode. Have you ever done a vision board? I'd love your feedback and any good resources you would recommend. If you haven't made on before - are you considering it? Full show notes are at www.shinybees.com/168 Music for this episode is with kind permission of Adam and the Walter Boys with 'I Need a Drink', available on iTunes.

Time to own up to my knitting goals for 2016 after the chat last week about goal setting. I'm planning to knit 4 garments - Owligan by Kate Daves, Mallorn by Ann Kingstone, Lush by Tin Can Knits (again! x 2 perhaps!) and Raindrops, also by Tin Can Knits. If you're fretting about stash or just have ambitions of making it feel under control, or indeed you just want to start the year off by loving what you have, check out Curious Handmade's Stash Appreciation Month. 

Join our virtual knit night by becoming a patron of the podcast at www.patreon.com/shinybees

In Enabler's Corner, I direct you to listen to episode 34 of this podcast with Kate Davies. Kate Davies Designs has just been announced as a finalist in the UK Microbusiness of the Year Awards. Amazing stuff. Being a knitting business does not mean it isn't a 'proper' business and Kate has some great words of advice for those looking to start out in the industry, as well as some stellar banter about rhino bums.

The Beadalong has come to a close and I draw your attention to some wonderful projects that have come out of the KAL/CAL. Stay tuned for the next group fun.

Finally I introduce to you the dyers for the Winter quarter of The Golden Skein's Power of 3 yarn club. Go and check out Samantha of Scrumptious Purl in Canada, Helen of Ripplescrafts in the Scottish Highlands and Ana of Toil & Trouble in Salem, Mass. There are no spares available but you can find out more and join the club at www.thegoldenskein.com/clubs. Signups close 26th January.

Show notes are at www.shinybees.com

Music for this episode is Adam and the Walter Boys with 'I Need a Drink'.

Got knitting goals for 2016? Lots of wild plans? Let me help you get super focused with my five top tips for knitty goal setting.

For not the first time on the podcast, we talk about David Bowie's package and Labyrinth. Join us on the first Shinybees Virtual Knit Night by becoming a patron of the podcast over at Patreon.

In Enabler's Corner, it's about KALs again with the Nature's Shades KAL at KnitBritish and the Vintage KAL at The Golden Skein.

Then we have a lot of chat about goal setting. Lots of people hate goal setting. Goal setting for knitting can help you achieve your ambitions this year, done well. I have put together 5 tips for setting goals so you make progress without being overwhelmed.

In the review section, Woolly Wormhead's 'Painted Woolly Toppers' takes centre stage. It's written for hand painted yarns and comprises of ten patterns for hats. It's a great looking book with lovely styling and very interesting construction on the knitting front.

Show notes are at www.shinybees.com

Music for this episode is Adam and The Walter Boys with 'I Need a Drink'.

Welcome to the first show of 2016! This week it's all about planning your knitting calendar when it comes to attending shows. What are the top tips for survival? I'll share mine with you today!

Podcast news, there's more detail on both the podcast Patreon and the Shinybees Swagporium. Also, check out my interview with Kathryn Bryant on the Podcast Divas show.

Enablers' Corner features Katya Frankel's new mini-collection, Flatland: Adventures in Geometry.

There's a giveaway of Ann Kingstone's Lace Knits.

In a new segment, I give you the yarn events for this month - Waltham Abbey Wool show on 17th March. In order to prepare you fully for this year's yarny festivities I've also included my top tips for surviving a yarn show.

Show notes are at www.shinybees.com

Music for this episode is Adam and the Walter Boys and 'I Need a Drink'.

This is a Christmas episode, the final podcast for 2015. There is some pensive reflection on the past year for the podcast and I encourage you to be appreciative of your achievements in 2015 and ignore the stuff you didn't manage.

There is a bauble themed pattern selection for you to enjoy. There really is no excuse for you not to have eyelash/funky fur tinsel on your tree next year.

A bit of beadalong chat follows with some tips for swapping out tricky increases in shawls.

The Patreon for the podcast is live now and the Shinybees Swagporium will be throwing open its virtual doors this week.

Show notes are available at www.shinybees.com

Music for this episode is Adam and the Walter Boys with 'I Need a Drink'.

This week it's all a bit festive and we're discussing dogs in comedy Christmas knitwear and that infamous Christmas tradition of the nativity.

In Enablers' Corner, I encourage you to check out Tin Can Knits' 12 days of Christmas, where each day they are giving away one of their patterns for free! Find them at www.tincanknits.com.

In the final Sock Surgery for 2015, I bring together five festive sock patterns to celebrate the yuletide season. I've also pulled together some ideas for gifts for the sock knitter, including a very last minute suggestion if time has totally run away from you. A huge thank you to Clare Devine of Yarn and Pointy Sticks and Kate Read aka Sock Kate for their contribution to the Sock Surgery this year.

In podcast news, I'm starting a Patreon for the podcast, which will be going live on Friday 18th December. This will go towards funding the running costs as well as upgrading the podcast equipment to give you a better listening experience and improving the offering by having a virtual knit night. There will also be a swag shop opening as in the survey you asked for one - what the Award Winning Audience wants, they get! The podcast will always be free at point of use, but if you'd be willing to buy me a coffee per month, you might want to support the podcast.

Show notes are available at www.shinybees.com

Music for this episode is 'I Need a Drink' by Adam and the Walter Boys'.

This week it's a chatty catch up for the most part, with some news on renovations/maintenance issues at Casa Shiny. Roofers: know your limits!

Enablers' Corner directs you to the sale at Whistlebare Yarns. Get 20% off mohair lovelies over at www.whistlebare.co.uk, hand dyed and produced on the farm. Want to meet this small producer? Check out episode 72.

There is also some chat about a visit to the Countess Ablaze studio in Swinton, Manchester. Her hand dyed fabulousness knows no bounds; I'm a fan girl and I am not sorry.

Wippin' Piccadilly returns with a brief canter through ongoing knitty projects including Owligan by Kate Davies, Be With You/Voodoo by Boo Knits and some socks that cannot be elaborated upon yet, as they're in yarn from the most recent quarter of The Golden Skein.

I wrote for Wovember! If you like wool and you haven't already, go over to www.wovember.com.

The Shinybees celebration yarn and podcast swag should be available this week. Get on the mailing list to be the first to hear about it.

Show notes are at www.shinybees.com

Music is 'I Need A Drink' by Adam and the Walter Boys.

Alice Elsworth, our guest mohair expert, returns to the podcast for an interview to talk about life as a farmer in rural Northumberland in the UK. Alice keeps a herd of mohair goats at Whistlebare Farm and her four young sons keep a flock of Wensleydale sheep!

Alice has her yarn spun into a Mohair/Wensleydale blend and hand dyes the yarn herself on the farm, which is sold at various shows and online under the brand Whistlebare Yarns.

If you've ever wondered what it's like to live and work on a small farm, this interview is for you.

In the news section there is some beadalong chat along with a call for those who fancy knitting some advent Frankensocks. Details are in the Ravelry group.

You can find Alice at www.whistlebare.co.uk where there are links to all her social media as well as details of shows and where you can find the farm to visit in person.

Show notes are at www.shinybees.com

Music for this episode is Adam and the Walter Boys with 'I Need A Drink'.

This week it's all about lace and felt on the show (still with a smattering of mohair after our focus on the Diamond Fibre of late). 

Enablers' Corner welcomes the Felt-Ed Kit Club 2016. Introduce yourself (or your children) to the wonders of wet felting with this monthly club. With 12 projects, it would be a great rainy day project or ideal Christmas gift for kids. It's also an ideal intro to the craft for adults curious about making felt. The monthly kit is accompanies by a worksheet and a video tutorial to accompany the project, created by a trained teacher. You can find out more at www.felt-ed.co.uk.

Then we have a review of 'Lace Knits: Magical Methods for Openwork Knitting' by Ann Kingston. For those not familiar, Ann is a Yorkshire-based knitting designer and author, with an armful of books to her name. There is a precis of the patterns as well as my thoughts on the techniques section and the book as an overall offering. Spoiler: I like it. It is available at www.annkingstone.com

Show notes are available at www.shinybees.com

Music for this episode is 'I Need a Drink' by Adam and the Walter Boys.

This week I am delighted to welcome beaded shawl design maven and all round lovely lady Bev, aka Boo Knits to the show. Having long been a fan of Bev's aesthetic, I knitted the Shawl of Awesome for the NMEU UK Podcasters' Awards from one of her patterns, Out Of Darkness. 

Boo Knits patterns are the perfect choice for those who want to create a
complicated-looking shawl with minimal effort. Simple and easy to follow - even for a beginner - there are a variety of shawls which would make perfect first beaded projects. One of Bev's designs, Be With You, is one of the featured patterns for the #Beadalong, starting on 18th Nov 2015 over on Ravelry.

Bev encourages you all to knit only with yarn you truly love. Warning: contains enabling.

You can find Boo Knits primarily on Ravelry, where there is a very active and welcoming group to get involved with.

Show notes are at www.shinybees.com

Music for this episode is courtesy of Adam and the Walter Boys with 'I Need a Drink'.

Male knitter? Want to knit socks for the man in your life? Rachel Coopey joins me this week to discuss the finer points of knitting for men, particularly in the sock department.

There's also a Q&A with Alice Elsworth of Whistlebare Yarns in Northumberland, who keeps a flock of her own Angora Goats and produces yarns from their own animals, which she hand dyes on the farm. 

The details of the #beadalong are announced. Cast on is 16th November at 8:30pm GMT, live on Periscope (@Shinybees) and the end date is 10th January 2016. Three patterns for knitted beaded shawls have been nominated in the thread in the Ravelry group along with one crocheted section. You can choose any beaded project you like, though, if none of these patterns work for you. Use #beadalong on social media so we can all follow each others' progress. Sign up in the thread on Ravelry.

Show notes as always are at www.shinybees.com.

Music is provided by Adam and the Walter Boys with 'I Need A Drink'.

This week we take a trip down memory lane to 2014, and a pattern pick I originally recorded for A Playful day podcast. It's a Christmas themed one, and it - of course - contains some great comedy knitting patterns. In the news, I talk about Podcasting Unpacked. I was also a guest on the Brewtime Podcast with Fiona Brennan and I heartily encourage you to take a listen. Full show notes at www.shinybees.com/167 Music for this episode is Adam and the Walter Boys with 'I Need a Drink', available from iTunes.

Rachel Coopey is our guest of honour in this episode. Rachel is a British knitwear designer and author, with somewhat of a penchant for socks, having written three books on the subject. Also fond of accessories, she has designed for a number of UK and overseas knitting magazines and publications. Her most recent book, Toasty 2, was launched at Yarndale 2015 and is a collection of patterns in Baa Ram Ewe's Titus yarn.

You can find Rachel at www.coopknits.co.uk.

Show notes are at www.shinybees.com.

Music for this episode is by Adam and the Walter Boys and is 'I Need a Drink'.

More mohair is the name of the game this week, where the focus of the episode is on mohair yarns that are available on the UK market mostly (and several are available in the States and elsewhere).

In news, we bid a fond farewell to the iMake podcast after 87 episodes. Martine was the person who inspired and enabled me to podcast by taking the time to share her knowledge on the technical aspects. She's also grown to be a dear friend and I wish her the best of luck in her new creative venture. Thank her for me being here using the hashtag #thankyouMartine.

In Enablers' Corner, I invite you to check out Little Grey Girl. Run by Gem Dudley, it's a emporium of knitting frippery and project bags to delight those with an eye for grey and also those who want a project bag that shies away from crafty twee and towards classic style.

Then it's all about mohair. I round up some choice hand dyed, commercial and from the producer, single farm type yarns for you to try in your adventures with mohair.

Show notes are available at www.shinybees.com

Music from this episode is by Adam and the Walter Boys and is 'I Need a Drink'.

Today we're celebrating that most maligned of fibres: mohair. It's actually rather good if you give it a chance. 

In Enablers' Corner, I bring you As Autumn Falls by Amanda B Collins, a new 4-piece pattern collection that is perfect to get you ready for autumn.

In The Sock Surgery, I am talking about mohair, specifically the properties of the fibre and how that makes it a really good choice for socks. You might be surprised at what benefits it can offer in a yarn.

If you want a great article about using sock yarn without nylon, check out Pure Wool For Socks by Clare Devine over at Wovember.com.

Finally, I describe the latest shipment of The Golden Skein's Power of 3 Club. Go and check out DyeForYarn, Travelknitter and Cedar Hill Yarns.

Show notes are on the blog at www.shinybees.com

Music is provided courtesy of Adam and the Walter Boys with 'I Need A Drink'.

National Knitting Week is upon us: what's on your needles? This week's episode has some podcast and knitty news to kick off proceedings, followed by a chat about Yarndale 2015 and a round up of current and finished knitting.

In parish notices for the podcast, I will be moving house back to The Money Pit in the very near future. The podcast is planned to remain on schedule throughout this geographical disruption. Also, I have set up a newsletter for the podcast, which you can join at http://eepurl.com/bBMENL and will include all the latest podcast news along with some dogs in comedy knitwear.

Also, there's a listener survey for you to take part in. I'd love to hear your opinions, and will be offering a yarny giveaway incentive. Look out for this on the blog and social media for the link.

In woolly news, it's Wool Week in the UK between 5-11 Oct, with most of the activity being focused around London (typical!). The UK Hand Knitting Association is promoting the Commit To Knit charity knitting project as part of National Knitting Week. The Knit A Square charity is in dire need of financial donations to support their operations in South Africa. 

The Highland Wool and Textile Fair is happening in Inverness on 17th October 2015.

Yarndale is reviewed with my top tips being Rachel Coopey, Town End Alpaca and Laura's Loom.

Wippin Piccadilly has a finished Owls jumper by Kate Davies and Out Of Darkness shawl by Boo Knits. Ongoing is a Lush by Tin Can Knits.

Shownotes for this episode are at www.shinybees.com

Music for this episode is provided via Music Alley courtesy of Adam and the Walter Boys, with 'I Need A Drink'

Hello and welcome to the AWARD WINNING Shinybees podcast. That's right, we won 'Most Engaged Audience' at New Media Europe, which means you're officially an award winning audience!

This week there's a big thank you, as you'd expect, along with my top three take-aways from the New Media Europe conference. In short: be yourself, community is key and embrace failure. If you aren't failing, you aren't learning.

There's some Socktober news for you from the UK Sock Knitters group on Ravelry and BritYarn's GBSocksAwayKAL.

I review Blacker Yarns' latest spin, Cornish Tin, a 10th birthday, one-off yarn, developed from ten all-british suppliers and available in one neutral and four dyed shades.

Finally there's a sneak peek at what's coming in the next few weeks and months.

Show notes as always are at www.shinybees.com

Music for this episode is provided courtesy of Music Alley and is by Adam and the Walter Boys with 'I Need A Drink'.

This week is a pacey canter through the usual format. The show is co-hosted by a barrel of fermenting beer. I'm not even joking.

Enablers' Corner returns where I encourage you to check out the map tapestry kits by Hannah Bass (www.hannahbass.com).

In news, there are a number of UK yarn shows coming up including Bristol Wool Fair (11-13 Sep), Yarndale (26-27 Sep) and Highland Wool and Textile Fair in Inverness on 17th Oct.

The Great London Yarn Crawl was a great show. Check out all the patterns by p-hop to get your knitting fix whilst doing your bit for charity by raising money for Medecins Sans Frontiers.

Top 3 favourites from the marketplace for me were: The Wool Kitchen, Travelknitter and Midwinter Yarns.

The pattern pick makes a dive-like return this week, with babies in moustaches and shell attire for pet tortoises, all around the theme of Super Mario.

Shownotes for this episode are at www.shinybees.com

Music for this episode is provided via Music Alley and is courtesy of Adam and the Walter Boys with 'I Need A Drink'.

Custom Socks a go-go as we welcome author, technical editor and pattern designer Kate Atherley to the show. If you're interested in learning how to write clear patterns that any knitter can use to recreate your design for themselves, Kate has some great tips and lots of experience to share. Likewise, she provides us with her top sock knitting tips in anticipation of returning to the Sock Surgery to close the interview.

In news, the Shawl of Awesome is progressing nicely. Also, Sally Cameron of PinkHairGirl Podcast has released a pattern to help raise funds for the Red Cross Children's Hospital in Cape Town, South Africa. The Phoenix Hat pattern is available vis Ravelry and there is a video embedded in the shownotes, where you can hear Sally and her daughter Rachel talk about the project.

Shownotes for this episode are available are available at www.shinybees.com

Kate Atherley can be found at www.kateatherley.com

Music for this episode is as always provided via Music Alley courtesy of Adam and the Walter Boys with 'I Need a Drink'.

Hat mania descends upon the podcast this week as I welcome hat architect Woolly Wormhead to the show. Woolly is a knitting designer who is obsessed with all things hat. Author of 8 books dedicated to all things hats, she delights in exploring the extremeties to which you can take the humber hat. Drawing on her background as an engineer and Fine Art student, she focuses on the sculptural aspects of hat design.

She's a hat architect and she'd like you to be too.

You can find Woolly, her patterns, blog and links to her social media at www.woollywormhead.com

This episode is sponsored by Yarn In The City. For more information visit www.yarninthecity.com

Shownotes are at www.shinybees.com

Music for this episode is courtesy of Music Alley and is Adam and the Walter Boys with 'I Need a Drink'.

How do you go from psychoanalysing serial killers to wool shop maven? Leona-Jayne Kelly of Fluph in Dundee joins us this week to answer just that question. It's a little more straightforward than you might think, and of course, it involves knitting.

The camapign to win the UK Podcasters' Award continues, so please head over to the shownotes for details.

The Shawl of Awesome is ongoing and progressing well. It will be finished in time for the awards!

Events: I'll be at Great London Yarn Crawl and Yarndale in September.

You can find Leona at Fluph at 164 Blackness Road, Dundee or online at www.fluph.co.uk

Shownotes are at www.shinybees.com

Music for this episode is provided via Music Alley courtesy of Adam and the Walter Boys with 'I Need A Drink'.

Because you know it's all about the stripes, 'bout the stripes...

This week I am pleased to welcome Michelle Berry of Berry Colorful Yarnings onto the podcast to talk about all things self-striping. Based in New Mexico in the United States, Michelle is a indie dyer who specialises in wider self striping yarns. Longer colour changes give options for patterns beyond the usual socks (although they do knit into wonderful socks too!) and sets her yarns apart from the majority of self striping yarns on the market. She often themes here colourways around films or books, with the latest collaboration with Lara Smoot - the Potterful Kits - are an homage to a certain boy wizard. She was a featured dyer in the Spring 2015 instalment of The Golden Skein Yarn Club.

You can find Michelle at www.berrycolorfulyarnings.com

Shownotes for this episode are at www.shinybees.com

Music for this episode is provided via Music Alley and is courtesy of Adam and the Walter Boys with "I Need a Drink".

This week is a quick chat on Scotch Eggs and a surprising fact about Scotch Egg knitting and crochet patterns.

This week I’m delighted to welcome podcasting legend Brenda Dayne to the show. Voice of the Cast On podcast, Brenda has taught throughout the UK and US in venues large and small, as well as at festivals across the US. Cast On has been downloaded over 2.5 million times since it started in 2005. Brenda lives in rural Wales with her partner, Tonia, and drives fast cars with her knitty partner in crime, Caerthan Wrack. When they’re not cooking up indigo dyed mischief, Brenda also organises the Gwlana Retreats in West Wales. 

This episode is sponsored by Yarn in The City. For more details visit www.yarninthecity.com

Shownotes are at www.shinybees.com.

Music for this episode is provided via Music Alley courtesy of Adam and the Walter Boys with "I Need a Drink".

Want to make knitwear that fits the way you want it to?

Step forward Amy Herzog of Custom Fit and Fit to Flatter fame, who is our latest interview guest. Amy Herzog is a Boston-based knitwear designer and author of the book Knit to Flatter, and the popular Fit to Flatter tutorial series.

If knitting things that fit you well is your bag, Amy is here to help with the Cutom Fit system. Use and yarn and any gauge, plug it into Custom Fit and it will churn out a pattern for you that will work perfectly!

Show notes are on the blog at www.shinybees.com

You can find Amy at www.amyherzogdesigns.com

Music for this episode is provided courtesy of Music Alley and is by Adam and the Walter Boys, with 'I Need a Drink'.

We're welcoming Linda Lencovic of Kettle Yarn Co to the podcast to tell her story and introduce us to the Boardwalk Collection. Linda is based on the South Coast of England and specialises in glorious colourways on yarns that are extensively wear tested, for those who believe in fashion that lasts.

This episode of the Shinybees podcast is sponsored by Yarn In The City. Yarn In The City creates experiential, yarn-centric events for knitters and makers, designed to bring people together through a shared love of craft. Yarn In The City organises the Great London Yarn Crawl taking place this year on Saturday 5th September 2015. For more information go to www.yarninthecity.com

Linda has just collaborated with some of the hottest designers on Ravelry to produce the Boardwalk Collection, designed in her Islington DK base, a heady blend of 55% Superwash Bluefaced Leicester and 45% Silk.

You can find links to the collection lookbook, details on where to find Linda as well as our sponsors in the shownotes at www.shinybees.com

Ever wondered what it's like to crowdfund a book? Susan Crawford, knitwear designer and fashion historian is my latest interview guest on the show. Purveyor of all things vintage and woolly, Susan has published 4 books already, which are stocked in the V&A, Waterstones and the British Library.

Four years in the making, Susan's latest project, the Vintage Shetland Project, is about to come to fruition and she is in the midst of a pubslush campaign to fund the initial print run of the book. This amazing project brings vintage knitwear from the Shetland Museum archives to life, with 25 items featured in the book, all with patterns transposed from the original garments and graded for size, to make them available to be enjoyed by knitters today.

Come and get to know Susan in this laid back episode and hear about Nana Ruby, Susan's sprightly Zwartbles and how she'll never audition for The Island...

You can find Susan over at www.susancrawfordvintage.com where you'll also find links to her social media. The Pubslush campaign is here.

Shownotes can be found on the blog at www.shinybees.com as always.

Music is provided courtesy of Adam and the Walter Boys with 'I Need A Drink'. available from Music Alley.

This week it's an interview episode and I am chatting to the vivacious duo that is Alison Thistlewood and Rachel Brown, the ladies behind Yarn In The City and the Great London Yarn Crawl. Both businesswomen in their own right with their own separate businesses, they are here to chat about all things yarn and business. There's also some agonising over the Desert Island Skeins and some stash chat, amonst all the usual interview questions.

Tickets for the event are now on sale.

You can find Allison and Rachel at www.yarninthecity.com

Shownotes for this episode are at www.shinybees.com

Summer has finally hit in Scotland and it is toasty! This week Clare is back on the Sock Surgery to talk about knitting socks in summer, follwoing on from our summer knitting yarns and pattern suggestions podcasts.

In Enablers' Corner, I talk about Periscope briefly. I'm on there as @shinybees and @TheGoldenSkein.

THe retro perfume review is of Exclamation. Get your bids in the shinybeesinfo@gmail.com or on Ravelry.

Shownotes are at www.shinybees.com

Music is via Music Alley with Adam and the Walter Boys with 'I Need a Drink'.

We're back with a little light enabling in the form of the #Scollaykal in Enablers' Corner this week. Head on over to KnitBritish and BritYarn to find out more. In news, it's Woolfest this weekend coming and I am looking for a roving reporter to give us the skinny on what the show was like.

Want to help us with our MakeItFit2015 statistical analysis? head on over to our survey and input your vital statistics (and a few other measurements).

In Wippin' Piccadilly, there is Lush by Tin Can Knits, Owls by Kate Davies and Guardian Angel by Sally Cameron. Finished objects include Aestlight by Gudrun Johnston and Lapsang by Clare Devine.

How do you store your finished objects? There's lots of chat on how to store stash, but what about all the stuff you've knitted?

There are some outtakes from The Beast which cover a couple of yarn reviews. And lion hair.

Shownotes as always are at the blog - www.shinybees.com

Music for this episode is by Adam and the Walter Boys with 'I Need a Drink' available via Music Alley.

This week there's a little news about the Indie Burgh Yarn Crawl in Edinburgh at the weekend. In Enablers' Corner, we're all about the kits, 'bout the kits, no trouble with Latvian Mitts and Yarnundyed-knits. In the Sock Surgery, we welcome back Clare Devine to review Coop Knits Socks Vol II by British deisgner Rachel Coopey. Finally, due to popular request, there's a perfume review of Tribe, by Coty.

Shownotes and links are at www.shinybees.com. Clare Devine can be found at www.yarnandpointysticks.com.

Music for the episode is Adam and the Walter Boys with 'I Need A Drink' available via Music Alley.

This week we welcome the fabulous Emily Wessel of Tin Can Knits and Rainbow Heirloom yarns to the show to chat about all things yarny. Max and Bodhi's Wardrobe will be available in print copy from 11 June 2015 and Emily and Alexa have very kindly offered a giveaway which will be hosted on the Shinybees Ravelry group.

Emily came to knitting whilst studying Architecture in Western Canada and met her business partner, Alexa Ludeman whilst they were both working at their LYS. Emily now lives in Edinburgh, Scotland with her husband and seriosuly cute son, Max, who was half the duo who inspired Max and Bodhi's Wardrobe (Bodhi being Alexa's daughter). When not designing for Tin Can Knits, Emily also hand dyes at Rainbow Heirloom. In this interview, she talks in depth about her design process and the influences she draws upon, as well as giving some great advice for those looking to get into the industry.

Shownotes as always can be found on the blog at www.shinybees.com. Emily Wessel can be found at www.tincanknits.com and www.rainbowheirloom.com.

This week we hope to leave Narnia behind and experience something approaching summer after jinxing the entire season by talking about summer knitting in the past few episodes. 

News-wise, the Great London Yarn Crawl will be taking place on 5th September 2015. There'll be a marketplace too this year with all proceeds from the event going to Refuge. A Yarn Story in Bath has moved to new premises. BritYarn threw open its virtual woolly doors on 2 June 2015. Go and check it out!

Enablers' Corner highlights our very own Clare Devine who has juts opened pre-orders on Sock Anatomy II. Get socks for the whole family!

The pattern pick is on the subject of 'Sun' (or lack thereof) and has a comedy perfume review for good measure.

Finally the Sock Surgery returns where Clare brings us some inspiration for funky heels to try.

Shownotes are at www.shinybees.com

Moth infestation in knitwear is every knitter's worst nightmare. In this episode I cover some of the background of which kinds of moths chew knitwear in the UK and how to get rid of them. There are only two, but they do a lot of damage and they're on the rise. You can tell you have an infestation usually when there has already been damage and you find little holes in the knitwear. It's common for these to be in areas like the sleeve and neck. Moth larvae are the culprit (adult moths don't have the mouth parts needed for knitwear decimation). The problem you have with larvae is they're very hard to see. They are around 1mm long which makes it easy for them to slip into the knitwear unnoticed. Unless you have go go gadget eyes, you're unlikely to see them. There are ways to deal with the pesky blighters. The best way is to prevent them in the first place, which may not always be possible, especially if you live in an older property. Cleanliness is key, so vacuum inside the wardrobe regularly and ensure clothes are spread out on the hangers and kept off the floor. Adding natural repellants such as lavender, eucalyptus, laurel, rosemary, patchouli and cedar will dissuade the adults from wanting to lay eggs in the wardrobe. Keep valuable and out of season clothes in storage bags to prevent access. If you have an infestation, step one is to remove all the items from the wardrobe and clean them all. Either launder at a high temperature (60 degrees), dry clean or steam clean them, or clean them and put them in a freezer for 48 hours, which will kill eggs and larvae. Clean the inside of the wardrobe by hoovering right into all the crannies and removing dust. Wipe's the surfaces with a damp cloth with detergent, anti-bacterial spray or diluted white vinegar to remove dirt and eggs. Full show notes are at www.shinybees.com/165 Music Credits: Adam and the Walter Boys, 'I Need A Drink' used with kind permission and available from iTunes.

A departure from the usual podcast format this week as I do a round up of my visit to Highland Wool Festival in Dingwall on 23rd May 2015. Several different makers and producers are highlighted, making this essenially an entire episode of enabling, if you will. Mentioned are Ripplescrafts, Whiteinch Craft Studio, Marcassie Farm Organic yarn, Whistlebare Yarns, Natural Born Dyers, Yarn Garden, Tartan at Heart, South Lissens Pottery and Sky Blue Pink, amongst others.

A chilled-out recap this week will be followed next week by a return to the usual format.

Shownotes are as always at www.shinybees.com

News-wise, it's all about events this week, with Highland Wool Festival taking place on 23rd May at Dingwall Mart. Indie Burgh Yarn Crawl 2015 will be happening on 13/14th June 2015 in Edinburgh, organised by Jess James of Ginger Twist Studio, in collaboration  with Kathy's Knits and Be Inspired Fibres. Clare Devine will also be teaching workshops over the weekend; you can find details at www.yarnandpointysticks.com.

In Enablers' Corner, there's a round up of Linne Foirthe Club. Check out Scottish-based dyers Ripplescrafts, Ginger's Hand Dyed and Rainbow Heirloom.

Make It Fit 2015 will be kicking off with a measure-up. More details to follow.

In the Sock Surgery, Clare and I review The Knitter's Curiosity Cabinet Vol II by Hunter Hammersen. You can win a copy of this over at Clare's blog.

Full shownotes available at www.shinybees.com.

Welcome in to another episode. This week we have some yarn based news for you. There will be a trunk show at Fluph in Dundee on 27th May 2015 with Nic from Yarns From The Plain, from 2pm-8pm. Also, there's a new group on Ravelry for those hopelessly overcommitted types; The Hotel For The Hopelessly Overcommitted. Come and join the fun there if you ever feel slightly stretched on the knitting front.

In Enablers' Corner I announce the collaborative project between myself and Louise Scollay of KnitBritish podcast: Make It Fit 2015. It's going to be an investigative piece looking at lots of different aspects of knitting to fit, with the aim of empowering you to tailor garments to your requirements. It will take place mostly on the blogs and you can contact us at makeitfit2015@gmail.com.

There are a couple more yarn recommendations for summer knitting courtesy of lovely listeners.

Finally, Wippin' Piccadilly is back with not a great deal of progress! How do you keep your knitting on track?

Shownotes with all links are available on the blog.

Music is provided courtesy of Music Alley with Adam and the Walter Boys and 'I Need A Drink'.

This week we have a little yarny news, Enablers' Corner and the Sock Surgery with Clare Devine.

The Shinybees Podcast is sponsored by Blacker Yarns. Check out their new summer yarn, Lyonesse: a 50% linen, 50% wool blend, perfect for summer knitting and creating cool, breathable garments. Lyonesse is available in DK and 4ply now, in five colours and a neutral at www.blackeryarns.co.uk. Enjoy making shawls, cardigans and more this summer with Blacker Yarns Lyonesse.

News wise, the winner of the Wollmeise giveaway is announced along with the start of a new giveaway. If you've even wanted a knitted Shaun the Sheep, this is the competition for you.

Highland Wool Festival takes place at Dingwall Auction Mart on 23rd May 2015. Ripplescrafts needs to be top of your list if you are going (and if you aren't!)

Enablers' Corner has a few pattern suggestions for summer garments in cotton, bamboo and linen yarns like those suggested in the last episode.

The Sock Surgery returns and Clare is talkign about variations on the short row heel.

As always, shownotes are at www.shinybees.com

Music is provided courtesy of Music Alley and is Adam and the Walter Boys with 'I Need a Drink'.

Summer is on its way. Honest! This week, we're looking at summer knitting and which yarns to go for when creating projects for the hotter weather.

News wise, I encourage you all to check out Yarn Shop Day by Let's Knit Magazine. This initiative supports 160 local yarn stores nationwide and there are a variety of events in yarn shops on the day within those shops. Yarn Shop Day takes plave on Saturday 2 May 2015.

Brityarn is a new online yarn store, launching on 2 June 2015. With an emphasis on provenance, BritYarn is guided by its Woolly Principles in choosing what to stock and sell.  BritYarn is committed to supporting British businesses in all respects. You can find BritYarn on Ravelry and at www.brityarn.co.uk

Enablers' Corner sees an exploration into plant based fibre yarns, specifically cotton, bamboo and linen. The pros and cons of each are discussed, as well as a selection of commercially available and hand dyed yarns with each type of fibre. 

The yarn review is of Blacker Lyonnesse, a 50% linen, 50% wool (Falklands Corriedale and Merino), due to launch on 1 May 2015. It comes in five shades and a neutral in both 4ply and DK weights. It costs £5.75 per 50g ball. I review the DK in the colour way 'Aquamarine'. It wil be available from www.blackeryarns.co.uk

Shownotes are available from www.shinybees.com.

Music for this episode is via Music Alley and is courtesy of Adam and the Walter Boys, with 'I Need a Drink'.

Short rows are for life, not just for Christmas. We embrace the short row this episode in the Sock Surgery, where Clare Devine joins us again and we start our new sock for April.

In Enablers' Corner, we chat about the #hapalong being run by Louise Scollay of KnitBritish. Ever been interested in traditional Shetland knitting? Now's your chance to learn a little more!

There's a giveaway of a skein of Wollmeise to members of the Shinybees Ravelry group. To enter, hop over to the thread on Ravelry and tell me what your favourite bit of the podcast is.

The Sock Surgery introduces the short row heel and different methods for doing short rows. Clare also reviews Big Foot Knits by Andi Smith and there is a giveaway on her blog at www.yarnandpointysticks.com.

To ensure you never miss an episode, subscribe to the podcast on iTunes or your podcatcher of choice, or on the blog to receive notifications straight to your inbox.

As always, shownotes are at www.shinybees.com and music is provided by Adam and the Walter Boys with 'I Need a Drink' via Music Alley.

Polish deisgner Justyna Lorkowska is in the hotseat this week, chatting about her journey from private primary school teacher, through motherhood and into knitting designer. Designing under Lete's Knits, Justyna has a wide portfolio of patterns, from accessories to garments and for all age ranges, as well as a few for the men in your life (or yourself!). Majoring in chunky texture and cabled details, she's designed some of the  favourites of Ravelry, such as Alecia Beth, Alice in Wonderland and most recently, Florrick. She collaborated on a special edition kit for Edinburgh Yarn Festival, designing a shawl pattern, Aisling, for Eden Cottage Yarns.

Shownotes as always are at www.shinybees.com

Justyna can be found at www.letesknits.com

Music for this episode is provided courtesy of Music Alley and is 'I Need a Drink' by Adam and the Walter Boys.

We're back with some enabling, a bit ore enabling and some socks this week. Oh, and baby bums. That is sort of enabling too.

In Enablers' Corner, there is a precis of the new collection from Tin Can Knits, entitled 'Max and Bodhi's Wardrobe'. Modelled by two of the cutest kids known to mankind, both of whom have chubby baby bum on show and one of which is sporting a mohawk, it is sure to have you scouring your friends for babies to clothe, or indeed, considering expanding your own brood.

Wippin' Piccadilly covers finished objects and works in progress. There are very large pompoms on babies. It's a bit baby centric in general at the moment. That isn't a hidden message by the way.

The Sock Surgery is an exercise in self-striping yarn enablement, with Clare's picks of the best places to get your hands on hand dyed and commercial self stripes.

Finally, we round up with a fab giveaway from Tanja at The Knitting Swede.

Shownotes, as always, are on the blog. Music is provided courtesy of Adam and the Walter Boys via Music Alley, with 'I Need a Drink'.

This week, I'm delighted to bring an interview with Stephen West of Westknits. I caught up with Stephen at Edinburgh Yarn Festival where he proclaimed brioche stitch to be the stitch of the year and indeed the new garter stitch, recounted fangirling Ysolda in the early days of his design career and declared Tosh Merino Light in Edison Bulb his Desert Island Skein.

No swants were harmed in the making of this podcast.

Shownotes for the episode are at www.shinybees.com.

Music is provided via Music Alley by Adam and the Walter Boys with 'I Need A Drink'.

When your favourite author shuffles off his mortal coil, there's little else you can do but pay homage in a knitty fashion. Following the death of Sir Terry Pratchett, this episode could certainly be described as a knitty tribute.

Enablers' Corner takes a non Pratchett-driven form with a rundown of the first quarter yarns from The Golden Skein. These were UK dyer Joy of The Knitting Goddess with the colour way 'Golden Wings Flutter By', dyed onto the Britsock base. This is a 40% BFL, 20% Wensleydale, 20% Alpaca and 20% Nylon, British sourced and spun. Secondly, there is Swiss-based dyeing duo Fides and Gaby of Siidegarte, with the colourway 'Butterfly'. This is dyed onto the Siide-Quirlig base, a heady blend of 70% Silk and 30% Seacell. Finally, there's the fabulour Michelle of Berry Colourful Yarnings, with the colourway 'Peacock's Revenge', dyed onto the Saturated Sock base. This is a 75% Superwash Merino, 25% Nylon base and is a self-striping yarn.

The pattern pick is back, with less emphasis on the comedy and more on a collation of Discworld themed patterns. A brief history of Discworld time is offered for the uninitiated.

In the Sock Surgery, it's all about afterthought heels. Get that self-stripe out my friends!

Clare also introduces a new book review section to the Sock Surgery. This episode is a review of Sock Architecture by Lara Neel. Clare's verdict: not for beginners, but and excellent companion book for those interested in more technical knitting aspects. There is a giveaway running for this book at www.yarnandpointysticks.com

As always, full shownotes are available at www.shinybees.com

With all the joy sucked out of life at the moment, it's time to turn festive up to 11! As a massive Christmas fan, I'm always one to have the real tree picked out, chopped down and in the house by the last week in November. This year, I'm planning to go a little bigger on the decoration front and add quite a bit more to interiors to get in the spirit. After all, it's not like we're going to be anywhere but indoors for a while. And when it comes to fairy lights, more is always more. So this week I have a pattern selection to share with you for knitted Christmas wreaths. I'm aware some of my lovely listeners don't celebrate Christmas, so I've been sure to add some suggestions that are suitable for you too. As always, there's a mix of free and paid patterns. Where possible, links go to designer's own sites. Be aware some links go to Ravelry if you have accessibility difficulties on that site. Pattern Pick - Knitted Christmas Wreaths 1) Woolly Wreath & Garland by Church Mouse Yarns and Teas 2) Awreatha by Rachel Kluesner 3) Woodland Wreath by Frankie Brown 4) Hampstead Wreath by Wendy Baker and Belinda Boaden 5) Merry Knitmas Advent Wreath by Sue Stratford 6) Christmas Jumper Wreaths by Zoe Michel Images and links to these patterns are in the full show notes at www.shinybees.com/164 Credits - Music for this episode is with kind permission of Adam and the Walter Boys with 'I Need a Drink' available on iTunes.

If you like to knit your socks both toe up and cuff down, you're probably already familiar with British designer Louise Tilbrook. If not, listen in for her take on all things yarn and running a business within the industry by night, and working as a scientist during the day.

In Enablers' Corner, there;s a quick rundown of Edinburgh Yarn festival purchases, with mentions for Knockando Woolmill and Whistlebare Yarns.

The main interview segment is with Louise, where we cover all the usual questions that you hear in the entrepreneur interviews.

Finally, Clare Devine rejoins us with her top tips from knitting toe up socks in the Sock Surgery.

Shownotes, as always, are availabel at www.shinybees.com. Music from this episode is from Music Alley and is 'I Need a Drink' by Adam and the Walter Boys.

Edinburgh Yarn Festival is on the horizon and all of that wardrobe planning you did to make sure you were impeecable turned out in beautiful knitwear for the day should be upon you. And me. but it's not, because my knitting is not finished. Is yours? Don't worry if not, because in today's episode we discuss methods of overcoming your wardrobe malfunction in Enabler's Corner (warning: contains enabling). 

The Sock Surgery returns with Kate and Clare, discussing what to do when you have finished those socks. The merits of blocking your socks and how to wash and care for them are important subjects to consider if you don't want all your hard work to go to waste!

Full shownotes for this episode are available at www.shinybees.com.

Story time this week where there is a roundup of all the happenings at PodRetreat2015, including patio chairs, statues of Elvis and fuse box infernos. If you want several good reasons why you shouldn't buy French cars or Welsh farmhouses, you'll find them here.

In Enablers' Corner, we visit New Lanark UNESCO World Heritage Site in Scotland and learn a bit about the mill and social impact it had. There's a quick description of the facilities on offer there as well as inforation about the yarn they spin, which is the main thing we all want to know about, after all.

Finally, the Famous Shinybees Pattern Pick returns and it's a bit of a crazy one on the subject of 'ball'. Warning: may cause you to laugh so hard you urinate.

Show notes as always are on the blog at www.shinybees.com.