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On this week’s show I’m introducing a really fascinating swatch along, catching up on the Summertide MKAL and Curious Handmade Wardrobe Challenge, and continuing to explore what Slow Fashion means for me and for us as a society. It’s a subject that I’m really passionate about (as you’ll hear!) and the deeper I go with it the more meaningful it becomes.
Show Sponsors
Today’s show is sponsored by The Fibre Co, and their beautiful Acadia yarn.
Acadia is named after the oldest American national park east of the Mississippi river, a place of natural beauty where the sea and mountains meet, slopes are densely forested and wild blueberries abound. Acadia National Park is in the state of Maine, The Fibre Co.’s birthplace. The yarn inspired by this beautiful region has a rustic look and a soft hand. A subtle tweed effect is created by the silk noil that is combined with a heathered base made from fine merino wool and brown baby alpaca. The yarn is a classic DK weight and makes a beautiful textured fabric that is perfect for next to the skin accessories as well as garments.
You can snag yourself some Acadia at our other sponsor’s shop, 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, the Fibre Co and many more.
Show Links
I was excited to learn about the Breed Swatch Along that the Knit British Podcast is hosting!
Shiny Bees Podcast where I first heard about the SAL
Knit British Podcast Episode 42 which introduces the SAL
I mention several natural yarns I’ve got stashed (and/or have used in the past) which would be great for the Breed Swatch Along:
Whispering Island in Blacker Yarns Shetland DK
I’m hoping to participate because the Meet My Yarn KAL I hosted a while back was so fascinating to me, and I didn’t quite feel finished with exploring the subject of fibre-focused swatching when it was over.
The Curious Handmade Meet My Yarn KAL thread…lots of great info there
Fibre Company Cumbria which sponsored the Meet My Yarn KAL
I also have two books that I think would be amazing resources for this SAL:
The Field Guide to Fleece: 100 Sheep Breeds & How to Use Their Fibers
Pure Wool: A Knitter’s Guide to Using Single-breed Yarns
What’s in the WIP
– Karen Templer from Fringe Association is giving us all great prompts for thinking about how we consume fashion, and I’ve started a blog series in response.
– I mention Fashion Revolution
The Curious Handmade Wardrobe Challenge
The challenge is still going strong! It ties in beautifully with Slow Fashion October, so it’s been great to see the cross-pollination going on. I’m still working on my Times Square and need to put the sleeves into my Merchant and Mills Dress Shirt. The finishing date is October 31st, so you’ve still got some time!
The last clue has been out for a week, and the FOs are beginning to flow! We’ve got great prizes, so make sure to post a photo of your finished shawl in the Summertide FO thread by Oct 31st to enter!
Knitvent 2015
This project is still top secret, but I’m working hard to get it ready! I’ll be offering an updated version of my popular (and free!) Holiday Gift Knitting Planner very soon, so that you have lots of time to get properly prepared for the season. Keep your eyes out for that, along with hints about the new Knitvent collection!
Upcoming Events
Online Reveal Party for the Curious Handmade Wardrobe Challenge and Summertide MKAL
Save the Date! Tuesday November 3rd
Since we’ve got two big projects finishing at the same time, I thought it would be really fun to get together on Ravelry and Instagram to showcase styled photos of our completed items. I’ll be starting a thread on the Curious Handmade Ravelry Group, and we’ll take the hashtags by storm.
#CHWchallenge
#SummertideMKAL
There might even be a surprise or two!
The Pebble Beach Workshop:
Friday October 23rd
I’m hosting and teaching an in-person lace-knitting workshop based on Pebble Beach at the beautiful Makelight Studios in London. It’s going to be a wonderful day of exploring creativity and skills, and I’d love to see you there if you can make it!
That’s it for the show notes today. Happy knitting!
