Curious Handmade with Helen Stewart

Today I'm talking about What's in the WIP and some decluttering tips. What's in the WIP? Candlelit Shawl in Skein Australia Merino Cashmere - 60% complete Also reviving the Pebble Beach Shawlette also in Skein Australia - Sea Salt colourway Cast on Amy Herzog Custom Fit pullover. Twisted cast on. Fixed. The Simple Things Word for the year is "Simplify" Some more decluttering resources: Clutterfree by Leo Babouta and Courtney Carver Fly Lady Curious Handmade Simplify and Declutter Ravelry discussion thread

Today I’m talking about what’s in the WIP, planning for the year ahead and my word of the year, "Simplify". Show Sponsor - Meadow Yarn Meadow Yarn is an inviting online retailer selling yarn, needles and notions. It's a small, family business based in rural Suffolk in the UK. Meadow Yarn was born out of a passion for beautiful yarn and knitting accessories and aims to bring you a range of great products. Yarns stocked include madelinetosh, Eden Cottage Yarn, Hazel Knits and many more. What's in the WIP? Candlelit Shawl in Skein Australia Merino Cashmere - 60% complete Husband Christmas Present blanket. About to cast on Amy Herzog Custom Fit pullover. New Year Planning Working my way through the Do What you Love “New Year’s Revolution” workbook. The Simple Things Word for the year is "Simplify" Some decluttering resources: Zero Waste Home: The Ultimate Guide to Simplifying Your Life by Reducing Your Waste Project 333 Into Mind Be More With Less  

Today I'm talking about what I'm knitting, giftingzen and the simple life. I also announce the winner of my giveaway of Kate Atherley’s newly released book, Pattern Writing for Knit Designers Show Sponsor - Meadow Yarn Meadow Yarn is an inviting online retailer selling yarn, needles and notions. It's a small, family business based in rural Suffolk in the UK. Meadow Yarn was born out of a passion for beautiful yarn and knitting accessories and aims to bring you a range of great products. Yarns stocked include madelinetosh, Eden Cottage Yarn, Hazel Knits and many more. What's in the WIP? Candlelit Shawl in Skein Australia Merino Cashmere A monster from Rebecca Danger's fab book The Big Book of Knitted Monsters: Mischievous, Lovable Toys And a big blanket for my husband for Christmas (...ish) #GiftingZen The the Knitvent designs are all available as single patterns now. I have a holiday coupon code available until Sunday 28 December - you can get a FREE pattern if you put three of my patterns in your cart (3 for 2 offer) with the code HAPPYHOLS342 I announce winners for the Knitvent Knitalong. The date for posting your finished objects on the Ravelry thread has been extended until Sunday 28 December. There are some fabulous prize sponsors for the KAL including Eden Cottage Yarns Fringe Supply Co The Simple Life  My word of the year for 2015 is Simplify Sponsors Please visit Meadow Yarn to see the delightful range of yarns and notions they have available. I am also a Craftsy affiliate so if you are purchasing courses or yarn from Craftsy it will help support the podcast if you click through from this ad:

Show Sponsor - Meadow Yarn Meadow Yarn is an inviting online retailer selling yarn, needles and notions. It's a small, family business based in rural Suffolk in the UK. Meadow Yarn was born out of a passion for beautiful yarn and knitting accessories and aims to bring you a range of great products. Yarns stocked include madelinetosh, Eden Cottage Yarn, Hazel Knits and many more. #GiftingZen The final Knitvent 2014 pattern was released this week, the Ice Skating Scarf ad Wrap. iCord edging video tutorial by Very Pink Knits The Madeline Tosh Vintage yarn for the Wrap Version is available from show sponsor Meadow Yarn. Book Review I do a review of Kate Atherley's new Book Pattern Writing for Knit Designers (everything you didn’t know you needed to know) The ebook is available from Kate's blog Wise Hilda for US$25 I highly recommend this book to anyone who is designing and writing knitting patterns for hand knitters. Kate also has a really great Craftsy class - Blocking Handknits with Kate Atherley - I  talked about the topic of blocking on the podcast in Episode 13. To win this eBook, leave a comment on this post by Tuesday 16 December and let me know why you would like to have a copy of Kate's book, Pattern Writing for Knit Designers (everything you didn’t know you needed to know) (sponsored link) Shop Craftsy's Stuff your Stocking Flash Sale now! Enjoy special savings on popular yarn, sewing and quilting products and get it in time for Christmas. But act fast because this limited supply won't last! Offer expires at midnight on December 12th, 2014 at 11:59 PM MT.

This week I'm talking about the 4th Knitvent pattern - the Adorn Gift Bags, some tips for knitting them and ideas for things to put in them from the Curious Handmade community. Show Sponsor - Meadow Yarn Meadow Yarn is an inviting online retailer selling yarn, needles and notions. It's a small, family business based in rural Suffolk in the UK. Meadow Yarn was born out of a passion for beautiful yarn and knitting accessories and aims to bring you a range of great products. Yarns stocked include madelinetosh, Eden Cottage Yarn, Hazel Knits and many more. #GiftingZen Knitvent 2014 window 4 opened to reveal the Adorn Gift Bags It comes in two styles A and B. Some techniques used in these bags: Magic Loop Kitchener stitch (grafting) - I've always used this Knitty Tutorial for kitchener but I also saw this TECHknitting one that also looks good. or 3 needle bind off - Written instructions or Video tutorial How to knit an  i-cord Adding Beads to your knitting with a Crochet Hook Libby of Truly Myrtle blog - her thoughts on 9" circular needles. Thank you to YAK for including the Lind Cowl in your Pattern Round up on the YAK blog and for the alternative yarn suggestion of Bessie May Grace. I can't wait to share my Betty Etiquette printable gift tags with you! They will be gifted to everyone on my newsletter list or anyone who has purchased Knitvent 2014 next week!! You can buy her gorgeous unique Christmas and other gift cards here. She uses the most beautiful card and printing for her designs. Meadow Yarn have gorgeous stitch markers and other lovely notions (not to mention the yarn) and this weekend they are having a 20% off sale! Just use code celebratesmall Knitvent 2014 KAL Don't forget to post your finished object in the thread and join in the chat on the Curious Handmade board on Ravelry to be in with a chance to win fab prizes. Join in the Knitvent Podcast tour with: Knitgirllls Knittng Pipeline A Playful Day Yarniacs Skein Studio 2 Knit Lit Chicks Events I went to a talk by Wool and the Gang at the Apple Store. A Playful Day - #MEalong Pom Pom Quarterly Christmas Party This week I'm curious to know what knit alongs you are participating or know about happening at the moment? And don't forget to play the Curious Handmade Instagram game!!  

Show Sponsor - Meadow Yarn Meadow Yarn is an inviting online retailer selling yarn, needles and notions. It's a small, family business based in rural Suffolk in the UK. Meadow Yarn was born out of a passion for beautiful yarn and knitting accessories and aims to bring you a range of great products. Yarns stocked include madelinetosh, Eden Cottage Yarn, Hazel Knits and many more. What's in the WIP? Still working on secret design knitting. Paper snowflakes - fab tutorial that kids can do - How to make paper snowflakes tutorial #GiftingZen Week 3 Knitvent pattern - Crisp and Even Cowl Leave a comment on the pattern page above and let me know who you would make this for to go in the draw for a ball of Rowan Creative Focus Worsted (by Sunday 30 Nov) Milla Mia Knitting cables WITH a cable needle (front cross) Knitting Cables WITHOUT a cable needle Join in the Knitvent KAL over here on Curious Handmade board on Ravelry. There is going to be an Eden Cottage Yarn shop update this weekend which will include some BFL sock. And Eden Cottage Yarn is going to sponsor the Knitvent Jingle Bells Grand Prize!! Non-Guilty Pleasures Did you see that A Playful Day SSSalong has been renamed #MEalong? It made me think about the book I'm reading at the moment The Gifts of Imperfection: Let Go of Who You Think You're Supposed to Be and Embrace Who You Are by Brene Brown and how being a little bit selfish isn't necessarily a bad thing. In the spirit of Thanksgiving, gratitude, #MEalong and #zengifting I chat about some little things that I'm planning on "indulging" in. Drink more water - its really nice with a squeeze of fresh lemon Do 5 minutes of breathing in a quiet space (or in a queue at the post office) Declutter a space in your house – even just one space or surface Delete those sale emails and don’t even click on them! Do one little annoying job that you’ve been putting off. Pee when you need to Call a friend – remember how we used to pick up the phone and talk to people? Reclaim the phone! Take some things off your plate and say "no" to more things. Maybe start or revive a a gratitude practice such as a journal or a visual one e.g. 100 happy days AND enjoy and savour your knitting regardless of whether you are knitting gifts or something for yourself. I'm curious about what are your non-guilty pleasures and tips? Leave a comment below on the blog by Wednesday 3 December and let me know and I will give away a gorgeous skein of yarn to a commenter.

Today I'm talking about knitting in the round because the second Knitvent pattern, the Lind Cowl is knit in the round. Show Sponsor - Meadow Yarn Meadow Yarn is an inviting online retailer selling yarn, needles and notions. It's a small, family business based in rural Suffolk in the UK. Meadow Yarn was born out of a passion for beautiful yarn and knitting accessories and aims to bring you a range of great products. Yarns stocked include madelinetosh, Eden Cottage Yarn, Hazel Knits and many more. What's in the WIP? I'm doing some secret knitting and listening to some wonderful podcasts: Skein Studio by Kristen Knit FM  #giftingzen The second pattern in the Knitvent 2014 collection was released this week. Lind Cowl I talk about knititng in the round. Here are two good YouTube tutorials with slightly different methods. Nancy Wynn iknitwithcatfur Knitvent Podcast Tour Kicked off this week with The Knit Girllls Knitting Pipeline This weekend you can listen to GreenTriangleGirl and I chatting about our approach to holiday knitting on A Playful Day. More dates to be announced! All the podcasts on the tour will have discount codes and giveaways so make sure you check them out.

Show Sponsor - Meadow Yarn Meadow Yarn is an inviting online retailer selling yarn, needles and notions. It's a small, family business based in rural Suffolk in the UK. Meadow Yarn was born out of a passion for beautiful yarn and knitting accessories and aims to bring you a range of great products. Yarns stocked include madelinetosh, Eden Cottage Yarn, Hazel Knits and many more. What's in the WIP? Eden Fells Hat in madelinetosh Vintage Mineral colour from Meadow Yarn. Pattern available for 25% off in Indie Gift-A-Long with coupon code giftalong2014 This is the small (women's) size with extra slouch:   Gifting Zen Knitvent 2014 launched on Tuesday with the Candlelit shawl It can be knit in two sizes and with or without beads My tutorial for adding beads with a crochet hook is here. Ravelry Gift-A-Long Is off and running. See my earlier blog post for more details. My 'bundle' of patterns available for 25% off is here.

Talking about my experience at Squam Arts Workshops last week including my Narrative Truth photography class with Amy Gretchen and a talk by Jared Flood of Brooklyn Tweed. I'm HellsBells on Ravelry, and CuriousHandmade on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest. Squam Satis Cabin  Amy Gretchen's Narrative Truth photography class Talk by Jared Flood from Brooklyn Tweed   Don't forget to play the Instagram game! Post a photo of what you're knitting or where you're listening to the podcast!  

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Shownotes at www.curioushandmade.com/28. Sign up to my newsletter for free updates and treats! This week I talk about Whats in the WIP?, a book review and events. Thank you for all the lovely comments about Paris and I'm glad I could share a little bit of the trip with you. What's in the WIP? Radiance Shawl - not quite blocked but nearly! Aislinn by Amy Herzog - I'm back on track and tackling the lace with calm and lots of care! I mention Kusha Kusha shawl and its influence on mindful knitting. I would love to make this one day! Lots of power knitting on a secret, last minute design to enter in the Unwind Brighton Design Competition in Kettle Yarn Co Westminster sock yarn. Book Review Love at First Stitch by Tilly Walness Published by Quadrille Publishing Amazon UK link: Love at First Stitch: Demystifying Dressmaking Amazon US link: Love at First Stitch: Demystifying Dressmaking Tilly and the Buttons Great British Sewing Bee Highly recommended for any sewer looking for chic sewing patterns but especially beginners. Events Visit my pop-up shop at: Makegood Festival Friday 30 May to Sunday Sunday 1 June A festival of culture, creativity and entrepreneurship! I'll have lots of samples of my designs, printed patterns and other goodies. #makegood And if you haven't already, please sign  up to my newsletter for free updates and treats when I launch the next pattern in the Dream Big 2014 Collection: Velvet Rose Shawl next week!    

This week I talk a little bit about Whats in the WIP before a chat with my friend Stewart about our tour around Paris textile shops with Barbara from Stitching up Paris. What's in the WIP? I finished casting off a year long project - Radiance I'm also still slogging away at Aislinn but haven't made much progress this week. Paris for Yarn Lovers Tour I'm chatting with Stewart (stewartw on Ravelry) after a brilliant day touring around Paris with Barbara from Stitching up Paris. Les Tricoteurs Volants Brin de Cousette L'Oisive The Don't forget to follow me on Instagram for the latest photos and tag a picture of where you are listening with #curioushandmadepodcast

Today I’m talking about what’s in the WIP?, a crafty and foody tour around Islington in the Londontown segment and some events. Welcome to all my new listeners and members of the Curious Crew on the Curious Handmade Ravelry board. Thank you for Tanya (tanyamarie on Rav) for introducing us to her Sampler Girl Podcast. What's in the WIP? My Radiance project in Sweet Clement Cherish Cerise My Aislinn project by Amy Hertzog in Posh Yarn Rosalind DK Launched the Global Nomad Cowl for the April Dream Big 2014 design. I'm celebrating Mad May and MadelineTosh yarn with 20% off all my patterns on Ravelry with the code MadMay14. Londontown Loop Islington Ray-Stitch Merchant & Mills By Hand London The Elk in the Woods Quince and co Sparrow 100% linen yarn - a blog post about the colours Ottolenghi Events Me Made May on the So Zo What do you know? blog. #mmmay14 "Me-Made-May'14 (MMM'14 for short) is a challenge designed to encourage people who sew/knit/crochet/refashion/upcycle garments for themselves to actually wear and love them." Makegood Festival  Friday 30 May to Sunday Sunday 1 June, London A festival of culture, creativity and entrepreneurship. Come and visit my Curious Handmade pop- up shop at the festival!! #makegood Join in the Instagram game and post a pic of where you are listening to the podcast with #curioushandmadepostcast 

Today I’m talking about What’s in the WIP?, events and some discussion from the question I put to the group last week. Welcome to everyone who introduced themselves to the Curious Crew this week: JCElisson, Poppycleo, Cristaltips, 4girls, Robbac, Mgladue, latinaknits, curlyred, KnittingDaddy. What's in the WIP? Aislinn Cardigan by Amy Herzog - onto the first front piece. Introducing the soon to be published, Global Nomad Cowl for the Dream Big Collection. Knit in Tosh Sock by Madelinetosh Mad May for Madelinetosh Lovers - a fun event happening in the group on Ravelry #madmay Tosh Sock is available in the UK at Meadow Yarn and Loop Islington Tutorial by TECHknitting to bind off your knitting in the round. I used “Method 2–a pretty good method” I can't wait for Amy Hendrix Colour class at Unwind Brighton in July! We'll be having a podcaster meet up on Saturday lunch time so I hope to meet lots of you! The Simple Life How did we start our obsession with fibre arts and knitting? Sarah (swanstea on Ravelry) from Fibre Trek shares her lovely story on Episode 6 of her podcast. Thank you to everyone who shared their story on the Ravelry thread for Episode 24. Events I announce the winners of the Fireflies Rising Shawlette knitalong. Thank you so much to Asti of Juno Fibre Arts for sponsoring this knit along. Me Made May on the So Zo What do you know? blog. #mmmay14 "Me-Made-May'14 (MMM'14 for short) is a challenge designed to encourage people who sew/knit/crochet/refashion/upcycle garments for themselves to actually wear and love them." Me Made May article in The Guardian Makegood Festival  Friday 30 May to Sunday Sunday 1 June, London A festival of culture, creativity and entrepreneurship. Come and visit my Curious Handmade pop up shop at the festival!! #makegood Join in the Instagram game and post a pic of where you are listening to the podcast with #curioushandmadepostcast 

I talk about What's in the WIP, a book review and events. Welcome to new members of the Curious Handmade group on Ravelry. What's in the WIP? Aislinn Cardigan by Amy Herzog - I've finished the back March design for Dream Big a colour block cowl - yet to be named! Its knit in the round and I love this tutorial by TECHknitting to bind off your knitting in the round. I used "Method 2--a pretty good method" Bunny Nuggets by Rebecca Danger Rowan Purelife British Sheep Breeds Bouclé You can see my photo in this blog post. A Book Review UK Amazon Link: Kaffe Fassett: Dreaming in Colour: An Autobiography US Amazon Link: Kaffe Fassett: Dreaming in Color: An Autobiography A Kaffe Fassett talk about quilts I went to in Liberty of London back in 2005. Kaffe Fassett's website. Kaffe Fassett's first knitting book, the classic Glorious Knits Events Fashion Revolution and #insideout campaign and day on 24 April 2014 Fireflies Rising Shawlette - we're having a knit along on the Curious Handmade Ravelry board until the end of April - there are lovely prizes. Paris for Yarn Lovers - there are still some day tickets left! Come and join us if you'd like a last minute adventure. Makegood Festival London, Friday May 30 to Sunday 1 June This is a celebration of the end of the School for Creative Startups course run by Doug Richards that I've been working on. It's a a festival of culture, creativity and entrepreneurship. There will be an amazing collection of creative business exhibiting their work -  Sewing patterns by Tilly and the Buttons from last year’s Great British Sewing Bee, lingerie sewing patterns by new designer Handmade by Freya. My lovely and talented photographer Kirsty Barton will be exhibiting. There will be fashion, cards, ceramics, art, yummy food and lots of interesting tech companies. I’ll have lots of samples of my designs for people to see in real life and try on, patterns  for sale and I’m hoping to organize a bit of a knitting drop in session if space permits and maybe some learn to knit  demonstrations. I would absolutely love to meet any of my listeners that can make it to the event and leave a message on the blog or Ravelry if you think you might be able to make it to the show. This week I’m curious how we got into our obsession with knitting and fibre arts? I would love it if you leave a message on the RAvely board or blog this week and tell me do you remember why and when you first learnt to knit or why you picked it up again after a break. Tell me your story. Don't forget to play the Instagram game!!