In today's episode I wind down our month of gentle creativity by chatting about the things I've been making (and hope to make). I also explore the two wings of any creative endeavor: inspiration and motivation. What’s in the WIP Magic Cake Shawl: Finished! It needs to be blocked, but I have to work out my blocking strategy. It’s already wonderfully huge, and I don’t want it very much bigger! Mina’s Two at a Time Socks using the Fish Lips Kiss heel:  I’m have cast on with Mind The Gap Nimbus self-striping sock yarn from Trailing Clouds and the self-striping action is really exciting, though I have my doubts about where I started in the colourway. We’ll see how they develop. I’m going to be hosting a giveaway of the Fish Lips Kiss heel pattern. I want to support the designer, Patty Joy (SoxTherapist on Ravelry) who is undergoing cancer treatment and fundraising for a family reunion. I also thought it would be a nice way to participate in Yarn in The City’s #3thingsforyarnlove challenge. So if you don’t have this pattern and would like a chance to win it, pop over to my Ravelry Group. I’ll be posting a thread where you can comment with your Ravelry name to enter Sól Angelica’s Socks: On Instagram I saw that Swedish designer Alpakkanna is launching a sweet new sock pattern with a little bit of colourwork, and she’s going to have a KAL. In the spirit of my new sock mania, I think I might just have to join in. Brand new free shawl pattern! I was so inspired by the skein of Top Draw Sock Skein Australia yarn in the “Peace” colourway that I designed a new, simple design that will be a gift for my newsletter subscribers. I’ll be getting this photographed and ready to release over the next few weeks, so keep a lookout for this one! Show Links I got the idea for today's topic from a podcast I really enjoy: it's not knitting related but it's relevant to anyone who is working for themselves in a creative industry. Being Boss Podcast with Kathleen Shannon and Emily Thompson I mention some books which really inspire and motivate me: Bohemian Modern by Emily Hanson Nomad, Gypsy, Bowerbird by Sibella Court The War of Art by Stephen Pressfield Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert That's everything for this episode. Until next week, happy knitting!

I absolutely love diving deep into the specific, nerdy details of yarn and yarn production, and judging by the response to Ch 103 where we interviewed Sue from Blacker Yarn, you feel the same! So I’m delighted to welcome Sonja Bargielowska, also from Blacker Yarn this week for another intensive discussion about British breed-specific wool and blends, especially the wonderful new Tamar lustre yarn, which will be launching on the 3rd of March. 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 The different Blacker yarns and sheep breeds that Sonja discusses: Tamar Blue Faced Leicester (BFL) Shetland The long coat of a Wensleydale sheep: Photo Credit: Amanda Slater, from http://flickr.com/photos/15181848@N02/4673891793 under a Creative Commons Licence Some photographs of the beautiful, free patterns that Sonja and Sue have designed to showcase Tamar (they will be launched next month, with the yarn:   A big thanks to Sonja for joining us today. She and Blacker Yarn will debut Tamar at the The Edinburgh Yarn Festival, March 18 to 19, 2016. They are sponsoring the podcast lounge, giving a workshop, and sharing those amazing free patterns. I'll be there as well, and I hope to see some of you! Until next week, happy knitting!

In today's episode I enthuse about the gorgeous array of sock yarn waiting to be whipped up into wonderful socks, and talk about Take Heart, a beautiful book of patterns that I've recently fallen in love with. 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. What’s in the WIP: Magic Cake Ruffle Shawl by Paula Emons-Fussle from The Knitting Pipeline Secret new shawl design! using Copper Corgi’s Gradient set in Peacock Show Links: I went on a lovely little binge of video podcasts, sock yarn, and project bags this week. Susan B. Anderson’s video podcast How I Make My Socks pattern by Susan B. Anderson Octopus, Turtle and Raccoon toys by Susan B. Anderson Egg to Owl pattern by Susan B Anderson A Homespun House video podcast Voolenvine Yarn Yarngasm video podcast Inside Number 23 video podcast with Katie Katie’s Instagram MissLavellia on Ravelry Shinybees Podcast Skein Australia Yarn - Top Draw Sock Hedgerow Yarns Suffolk Socks Little Bobbins Video Podcast Mrs Browns Bags Grocery Girls Video Podcast I review the wonderful Take Heart Collection by Fiona Alice from Pom Pom Press. Check out the KAL hosted by Dani and Deb for this wonderful book with the hashtag #lkbtakeheartalong on Instagram Handmaiden Yarn Chester Basin Hat and Mitts in Border Mill Alpaca Tweed #takeheartalong Ketch Harbour wrap in Kettle Yarn Co Islington Lunenburg Harbour socks in Toft Alpaca I'm very excited that Barbara from Stitching up Paris has a new guide to all the best sewing and knitting shops in Paris: That's all the links I have for this week! Happy knitting!

Welcome to February! After a fab but fast start to the year in January, I decided to choose a relaxing topic for this month. We're exploring creativity again, in a laid back, gentle way. What do we mean when we talk about creativity and how can foster more of it in our daily lives? To start us off, I interviewed my very good friend Mette, who is one of the most naturally creative people I know. We've been planning the Curious Handmade Country House Retreat together, and recently spent the morning sewing bags for the event. Afterwards, we sat down to chat about the many ways she finds creativity in her days, and what "hygge" really means. 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 After so many links last week, this episode I only have a couple: At the Unravel Festival at Maltings in London, Feb, 19th to 21st, the girls from Yarn in the City will be debuting their London Craft Guide. Be sure to drop by their stall to see what it's all about! I wanted to share a few photos of Mette's beautiful house, and some of the hygge touches she so lovingly creates:   It's a tremendously inviting space.  I'd love to hear about the hygge details in your home: what does cosy really mean to you? I hope you enjoyed this episode: that's all I have for this week. Happy knitting!