Curious Handmade with Helen Stewart
This week I answer a question about how and when you should wind yarn and the best ways to store you stash safely. I also talk about the WIPs I'm whipping through and a special way that knitters are getting together to change the world for the better. Show Sponsor   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: Pukka lemongrass and ginger tea Stash Appreciation Ravelry Thread Morning on the Dock Podcast Craftsy articles: To Wind or Not To Wind: How to Store Yarn  How to Wind Yarn into a Ball  Winding videos: Really nice clear video on how to HAND wind a centre pull ball on WEBS yarn.com Paula from the Knitting Pipeline winding yarn with a Scandinavian tool called a Nøstepinne. Using a winding tool– thick needle or pencil Or a turkey baster. Sock Blockers: Wire from Loop Knit Pro from Suffolk Socks If you want to order some custom oak sock blockers from Ginger Twist - just email Jess to inquire! New needles: Knitpro Zing from Meadow Yarn Circular Addi Lace Needles from Meadow Yarn What's in the WIP? Monkey Socks Finished! Immensely satisfying after nine years! Mina’s Two at a Time Socks using the Fish Lips Kiss heel:  I'm ready to cast on with Mind The Gap Nimbus self-striping sock yarn from Trailing Clouds Oleum Socks by Rachel Coopey in John Arbonne Exmoor Sock I realised I have gauge problems, so I'm going to have to frog. A new secret design (!!) using Copper Corgi’s Gradient in Peacock (and I'm also tempted by Pink Hot Chocolate) but I'm prototyping in Blue Sky Alpaca Upcoming Events Three Things For Yarn Love. I was listening to Episode 29 of the Yarn of The City and they're starting a bit of a movement.The idea is to have everyone declare three things they want to do for the yarn and fibre community around the world. The hashtag is #3thingsforyarnlove and I'm really excited to take part. So far, I've come up with: 1. Support Patty Joy, the creator of the  Fish Lips Kiss heel who is fighting breast cancer right now and raising money for a reunion with her kids by selling her sock heel pattern. She's Sox Therapistp on Ravelry, and hosts the 12 Socks Challenge annually. Paula from Knitting Pipeline is going to be helping to spread the news about her pattern at the Georgia retreat, and I'm hoping to do the same at Cumbria. I'll also be gifting the pattern to some people. 2. Support Knit Aid (which I heard about from Wool and The Gang) They are hosting a Mass Knit In Event to create squares for blankets for refugees. It's happening Valentine's Day, Sunday 14th February 2016 Time: 11am – 2:30pm Location: The Book Club, 100-106 Leonard Street, EC2R 4RH I can't go, but I'm going to spread the word and knit some squares to send along, as they're accepting donations of 20cm by 20cm squares in the lead up to the event. 3. TBA! The Unravel Festival at Maltings is on Feb, 19th to 21st. Unfortunately this is term time here so I can't make it, but it's sure to be a wonderful event. The Curious Handmade Country House Retreat is happening on March 14 to 17th 2016 in Cumbria, UK. All the spaces are sold out, but there is a waiting list. If you'd like me to add you, please get in touch! The Edinburgh Yarn Festival is March 18 to 19 2016 The Knitting Pipeline Georgia Retreat is on April 3 to 6 in the USA. That's all for this week, and for January! I can't believe that the first month of the year has flown by so fast. Until next week, happy knitting!  
Direct download: 160129_CH_109_Winding_WIPs_and_3ThingsForYarnLove.mp3
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