Electric Sheep

Episode 55: Handmade Home Truths

katie — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 14:39:38 +0000

The Sweater of Doom is finally finished and whilst modeling the mohair beast behind the microphone, I’ll be discussing the professional advice some handmade sellers sought from a marketing expert; plus we take a look at the baby patterns you’ve recommended, there’s a new knitting book to review and the mother lode of crimes against knitting.

Mary Portas open letter

RegrEtsy

Baby patterns (all can be found online/on Ravelry): Debbie Bliss Baby Knits for Beginners, Baby Eyelet Cardi, Pawprints Cardigan, February Baby Sweater, Elvira, Mini Manu, Seeds & Vines, Knitted Baby Cape/Poncho, Oh Baby Baby Booties, Super-natural Stripes, Tomten Jacket, Garter Yoke Baby Cardi.

Vintage Gifts To Knit – Susan Crawford

Rose-Kim Knits (and discovers Crimes Against Knitting)

Episode 54: A Brief Guide To Hoxton

katie — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 20:35:58 +0000

This week join me for a day out in my neighbourhood! Plus we roam through the wonders of the Feed The Sheep thread on Ravelry, there’s a new (to me) online knitting magazine, an update on the Sweater of Doom, and three patterns committing crimes against knitting.

No podcast next weekend as I’ll be away at the Greenman music festival in Wales – sorry! However, this week’s show is extra-long to make up for it, and I’ll be back the following weekend.

Spitalfields Market, Prick Your Finger, Fabrications, Albion, Geffrye Museum, The Book Club, Commercial Tavern, Callooh Callay

Kirby’s Epic Yarn

Knit Circus

Hoxton Handmade Posterous – knitting patterns

Crimes against knitting #3, #2, #1

Episode 53: Knit Nation

katie — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 11:05:54 +0000

The Knit Nation episode is finally here! Apologies for the late posting, but I had a fair bit of audio to sort through and not enough time to do it in. But that’s all sorted now, phew!

So here’s a snapshot of all the wonderful things going on at this event. And if that wasn’t enough, there’s also a look at the new edition of Twist Collective and a pattern book fit for a princess.

Cookie A, Alice Yu – Socktopus, Beth Brown-Reinsel, Shirley Paden

Knitting Magazine, Woolly Wormhead, Bothered Owl, Wollmeise, Loop, Wild Fibers, Qiviuk, Ysolda

Twist Collective Fall 2010

Fairytale Knits

Episode 52: Knitting For Others

katie — Sun, 25 Jul 2010 16:54:13 +0000

It seems that Christmas is determined to arrive as early as possible this year, which reminds those of us knitting gifts that it’s time to start planning our patterns for the festive season. So this week we’re taking a look at the pitfalls to beware when knitting for other people. Plus there are two new knitting podcasts to enjoy; a delicious UK yarn to review; and another classic You Tube video to celebrate the heady metropolis of…. Newport?

Nuurdy Girl podcast

Voolenvine Yarngasm podcast

Artists Palette Yarns – Cloud

Fiber Beat – Brooklyn Tweed interview

Newport video

Episode 51: Slow Fashion

katie — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 16:18:10 +0000

The Sheep is back for Series 4, and we’re kicking off with a look at Slow Fashion and some knitting patterns that can withstand changing trends. Plus I report back from the Stitched Selves project; there’s a new issue of Interweave Knits and an ad campaign that’s raising a smile.

In Praise of Slow by Carl Honore

Patterns (all Ravelry links): Fireside Sweater, Bliss, Cable Luxe Tunic, Georgie, Sylvi, Kelmscott, Sabbatical, Featherweight Cardigan, Grannie Smith Cardigan

Stitched Selves

Interweave Knits Fall 2010

Old Spice original ad

Old Spice ad – George Stephanopoulos

Episode 50: The Colour of Magic

katie — Mon, 24 May 2010 23:29:36 +0000

It’s the 50th episode! Good grief, how did that happen?!? Thank you to all of you who’ve been listening.

On this week’s show, we take a look at the magic and power of colour, and how they’re often taken for granted. We’ve also got a run down of the best jumper patterns for beginner knitters embarking on their first garment, and there’s even a video that combines the wonders of Fraggle Rock with knitting.

In other news, this episode will mark the end of series three. I’ll be taking a brief sabbatical for about six weeks, but fear not the Sheep will return! Probably sometime round the middle of July. Watch this space…

First time jumpers: Top-down raglan; Elizabeth Zimmerman sweater ‘recipe’; Cobblestone; Owls; Oatmeal; Jawbreaker; Minimalist; Debbie Bliss baby patterns – Boat Neck Sweater.

Texere

Knit Nation

Crafty Crafty – Fraggle Rock knitting song

Episode 49: Stitched Up

katie — Mon, 17 May 2010 21:42:43 +0000

I’m reporting back from the Stitched Up event at the Hunterian Museum and trying my hand at some surgical suturing. Plus there’s a sneaky preview of a brand new knitting book and an hilarious video that gives some literary legends a whole new image.

Hunterian Museum

Stitch London

Simple Knitting – Erika Knight

Super Extreme Mega History Heroes

Fuzzy Ink

Alas, poor Yorick...

Episode 48: Emily

katie — Sun, 02 May 2010 19:11:52 +0000

This week we take a look at the woman who’s at least partly responsible for my vote next Thursday, Emily Wilding Davison. Plus we go over what’s on my needles; a travel knitting quandary and surfing farm animals are clearly here to stay….

Flaming Lips – Yeah Yeah Yeah Song

Knit Nation – www.knitnation.co.uk (see previous post)

Surfing sheep

Farrah sweater

Episode 47: George & the Dragon

katie — Sun, 25 Apr 2010 21:17:59 +0000

We’re charging across English history with St George this week, just keep an eye out for those pesky dragons…. Plus there’s a look through the latest edition of Interweave Knits; a yummy UK yarn; and a roundup of what’s on my needles.

Interweave Summer 2010

Artists Palette Yarns

Norberta

Albie the Racist Dragon – Flight of the Conchords

Episode 46: Knitasaurus

katie — Sun, 18 Apr 2010 20:01:16 +0000

The Sheep is back on schedule and this week he’s joined by some familiar shady characters. Yes indeed, Mary ‘Knit Picks’ McGraw and Zoe ‘Steeking’ O’Riley are back. And definitely up to no good…

Plus we take a look at some non-sweater, non-sock patterns. Perfect for knitting gratification and something a little lighter for the fine weather. And I tell you all about what’s been on my needles lately.

The Natural History Museum

Wildlife Photography Exhibition

All the patterns I mention can be found in Ravelry.

Episode 45: The City At Night

katie — Sun, 04 Apr 2010 23:43:07 +0000

It’s the witching hour over at Hoxton towers, as I take a brief nocturnal tour through the city. Plus we look through the pattern book Haiku Knits, that’s using some unusual fibres; there are some macho knitters who are worth reading about; and there’s a blog you really need to take a look at.

Episode 44: The Sheep’s First Birthday

katie — Sat, 27 Mar 2010 19:13:52 +0000

Electric Sheep began exactly one year ago today, and my thanks to all those who have listened since then.

This week, the Sheep takes over the intro with a special re-mix of the theme tune and a selection of his favourite moments from the past 43 episodes.You have been warned.

Plus we have our first Skype interview with the fabulous Woolly Wormhead.

There’s the new edition of Knitty to explore; a UK yarn review; some questions for the Sheep; an advert that gets it right with guerrilla knitting; and the wonders of the K Factor.

Episode 43: Previously on Electric Sheep…

katie — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 21:43:21 +0000

With the first anniversary of the podcast fast approaching, I thought it was time for a quick recap of some of the episodes that have gone before. Plus we take a look at a Kim Hargreaves’ pattern book, a karma-tastic British yarn, and an alpaca that’s following in David Hasselhoff’s footsteps.

Breeze – Kim Hargreaves

Ethical Twist

Alpaca surfer

Episode 42: Jumper

katie — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 20:52:04 +0000

Sadly, not a show dedicated to the wonder of the sweater, but the awfulness of a movie. It’s the return of the Sheep’s film review. Plus we take a look at the latest pattern book from Woolly Wormhead, and there’s a fab knitting fair coming to Liverpool.

Twisted Woolly Toppers

Make Do & Knit

Episode 41: Return of the Mad Men

katie — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 18:23:10 +0000

Those dastardly advertising folk at Vodafone are at it again. Hear all about the latest hotly debated hijacking of the knit. Plus we take a look at the new Spring issue of Interweave Knits.

Cheer Up Ireland – Ravelry discussion thread

Interweave Knits Spring 2010

Episode 40: David v Goliath

katie — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 00:29:34 +0000

This week the Sheep is in a feisty mood, taking a look at copyright theft, the power of Twitter and wondering if we’re sheep following the flock, or David tackling Goliath. Plus, we have another chat about the heinous Daily Mail article. And then we cheer ourselves up with some beards.

Hidden Eloise has the whole story on her blog (including recent developments not mentioned in the podcast)

Perri Lewis investigates - Her blog with links and comments & in The Guardian looking at copyright issues for independent designers.

See the previous post for the Daily Mail’s idiotic article on knitting. (And my rant about it).

The (New) Daily Mail Oncological Ontology Project

Daily Mail o-matic

The Beard Cage

The Best Beards. Ever.

Episode 39: The Sheep’s Guide to Podcasting

katie — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 21:32:07 +0000

This week the Sheep takes over, or at least he tries to, and almost destroys my flat in the process… There’s a brief word about the Ravelympics; more bearded knitted wonder; a Night Out at the Museum; and the latest edition of Rowan Magazine.

Dwarven Beard Bonnet - Ravelry

Night Safari - Natural History Museum

Rowan – Magazine 47

Episode 38: Ukulele Lady

katie — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 21:51:08 +0000

As promised, this week is all about the wonders of the Ukulele. Plus, we take an early peek at a brand new craft book hot off the press; and the poor sheep is drafted in for a campaign that probably won’t improve you opinion of politics or advertising.

Rehab – Amy Winehouse

Make! – Cath Kidston

David Cameron gets the Stitch and Bitch treatment

Malcolm Tucker ad generator

The Demon Sheep

I’ll post the You Tube ukulele videos in a separate post shortly.

Episode 37: The Shoreditch Sisters

katie — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 23:23:38 +0000

This week the Women’s Institute embrace the power of the Knit, thanks to a knitting workshop with the Shoreditch Sisters; plus we take a look at the latest edition of Knitscene and a website that puts a new spin those glossy magazine photos.

The Sisters get to grips with the Knit

Shoreditch Sisters

Makepiece

The Sisters model some of the Makepiece knitted loveliness

Knitscene

Unhappy Hipsters

Episode 36: Knitting Mad Men

katie — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 22:37:50 +0000

This week we examine the advertising Mad Men who’ve been doing a little yarnstorming of their own; plus my knitting confession; some yummy yarn from the UK; a crowdsourcing knitting project; and knitting for a worthy cause.

Vodafone yarnstorm advert

T-Mobile Josh’s Superband

T-Mobile Flash Dance advert

The Yarn Yard

Fyberspates

Platea

Knitters Without Borders

Knitty Nora podcast

Yarns From the Plains podcast

The Sheep on Twitter

Episode 35: Let It Snow

katie — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 20:28:41 +0000

“Oh the weather outside is frightful, but the knitting is so delightful…”

The Sheep is back, with a New Year’s resolution; the warmest knitting out there; and the fabulous nominations for the Bobby Awards on Ravelry. So tune in, grab your needles, and hunker down against the freezing temperatures.

Venezia

Venezia Two-colour version

Winter Warmers:

Cobblestone; Central Park Hoodie; Owls; Mr Darcy; Sylvi; Heather Hoodie Vest; Vihervaara; Thermal

Bobby Awards: Most Unusual Project

Episode 34: Panto

katie — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 19:32:07 +0000

It’s the Electric Sheep Special Christmas Extravaganza Spectacular! Or something like that…..

A bumper episode as we stage our very own audio panto in Hoxton (with a little help from you lot). Plus there’s Knitty Winter 09; the winners of the yarn competition; planning your selfish knitting for the New Year; and the ukulele makes a Christmas come-back.

With season’s greetings, festive wishes and a very large mince pie, I hope you enjoy!

(Ed: Links to the entries for the yarn comp will follow)

Episode 33: Brother

katie — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 23:58:36 +0000

A mystery guest on the show today – well, not really that much of a mystery, but nevermind – to recount their tale of high adventure in Northern India, and we take a look at Son of Stitch & Bitch.

Episode 32: Survey

katie — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 21:17:59 +0000

In which I report back on what you’ve been telling me in the Electric Sheep survey, and I start to worry about who I’m talking to… Plus we take a look at the latest knitting patterns from Kim Hargreaves; there’s a competition to win some yummy yarn; I tell you all about what’s on my needles and there’s a fabulous song about beards. Oh yes.

Electric Sheep survey

Kim Hargreaves

Rowan free patterns

Beardsong

Episode 31: DIY

katie — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 22:41:59 +0000

Do It Yourself and the perils of self-assembly furniture this week, plus a look at the latest issue of Interweave Knits and a fabulous handmade shopping site for those tricky Christmas gifts. And if you have a moment to spare for the Sheep, please fill out the survey by clicking on the link in the post below – thank you!

My conversation with Susan on the Knitajourney podcast

Interweave Knits Winter 09

Folksy

Folksy – Treaclezoo

Episode 30: Thieves

katie — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 22:05:54 +0000

I have a cunning plan…. Join me and a secret gang of rebel knitters as we demonstrate why London museums may have good reason to ban knitters from taking their needles into an exhibit. Plus there’s the latest from Twist Collective and the brand new Interweave Knits Accessories.

The V&A

Gold Heart Brooch

Military Quilt

Christopher Dresser Teapot

Interweave Knits Accessories

Episode 29: Gift

katie — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 23:21:20 +0000

If you can’t face any more Christmas knitting, then this week’s episode may help, as we take a look at knitting kits so your friends can knit their own gifts. Plus there are more podcasts for you to check out; a run through some free patterns on the Rowan website; and a fabulous collection of knitting oddities.

Episode 28: Bonfire

katie — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 23:21:17 +0000

It’s Guy Fawkes Night in the UK, so we take a look at the history of this unusual celebration. There’s also a rundown of what’s on the needles round Hoxton way; some patterns heading up the charts on Ravelry; and the woolly anarchy continues on a creepy theme over at Knit the City.

Lewes Bonfire Night procession

Knit the City – Gate of Ghouls

Episode 27: Halloween

katie — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 23:21:28 +0000

Halloween being more of an American event than a British one, this is only a semi-spooky episode. There’s the Electric Sheep film review of a movie that’s scary in places – though not necessarily intentionally. We take a look at some more holiday knitting patterns; there’s some seriously fabulous knitting poetry; and it wouldn’t be Halloween without a few zombies, just mind your manners and watch out for Mr Darcy’s ninja moves….

Plunkett & Macleane – UK trailer – US trailer

Interweave Holiday Knits

The Knitting Raven (Ravelry)

Pride & Prejudice & Zombies

Episode 26: Showtime

katie — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 10:49:02 +0000

A special edition of the Sheep as we follow the mayhem that is Showtime Challenge – staging a West End musical at the London Palladium with just 48hrs rehearsal.

Showtime Challenge video

Cecily’s Fund

Crazy For You soundtrack

Episode 25: Fifteen

katie — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 22:33:50 +0000

This week the Sheep goes mobile, reporting back from a special knitting workshop at the Fifteen restaurant. Plus there’s a quick look at some online knitting patterns and for those of you looking for love, I have just the place to try…

Fifteen

The Islington Contemporary Art & Design Fair

Knit On The Net

LRB Personals

Episode 24: Playground

katie — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 15:09:31 +0000

Playground politics this week, as I make my own small defence of the National Health Service. Plus a whole new playground of knitting, with a brilliant way to add a little random surprise to your pattern. There’s also the ultimate handmade film project and the beards return….

So come out and play with the Sheep – but no fisticuffs please….;)

Game Knitting

Star Wars Uncut

Wife of Brian

Episode 23: Elves

katie — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 08:41:42 +0000

This week is in aid of Christmas Knitting Elves everywhere, as we run down the list of ways to help you finish all those gifts in time. Plus there are some handy gift patterns over at Let’s Knit Magazine; a brilliant charity theatre project in London; and the most terrifying thing ever to have been made out of wool.

The Big Knit

Knit the City – BFI

Showtime Challenge – Crazy For You

Let’s Knit!

The scariest knitting pattern in the world

Episode 22: Creation

katie — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 21:58:38 +0000

This week there’s a look at a few of the more unusual paths to spiritual enlightenment; a round-up of the patterns in Jared Flood’s Made In Brooklyn; a very special knitter in California; and the Shakespearean hat finds fame.

A murmuration of starlings

Made In Brooklyn

Manly Lace Scarf

Olive Wheeler

See the previous post for info on the Hat

Episode 21: Inspiration

katie — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 15:52:12 +0000

The Sheep is back.

Kicking off Series II with a look at inspiration; a rundown of some fab knitting podcasts; the highs (and lows) of Interweave Knits Weekend and a new yarn from Rowan. Plus we learn that the Force is strong in Tescos and that you don’t have to be able to write to become a publishing phenomenon.

Knitting podcasts (which are all easily found in iTunes):

Forgotten Classics; Belle of the Ball; Stitch Stud; Knitajourney; Knitting in the Round; The Sassy Sheep; CraftLit,; KIPping It Real; Savvy Girls; Here’s To Ewe; Knitmore Girls; CogKNITive.

Interweave Knits Weekend

Rowan Lima

Jedi in Tescos

Dan Brown’s 20 Worst Sentences

Episode 20: Magic & Mayhem

katie — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 08:07:03 +0000

This week, by popular demand, we return to the Hoxton Handmade film review, with a look over that magical TV mini-series, Merlin. Plus some impressive ukulele action has been going on at the Proms; there’s an excellent charity knitting project to get your needles into; a fabulous new yarn over at Rowan; and a wonderful new knitting pattern resource. Oh, and some singing chaps from New Zealand…

The links:

Merlin

The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain

Innocent – The Big Knit

Felted Tweed-Tastic

Knitfinder

Frodo Don’t Wear the Ring

Hiphopapotamus vs Rhymenoceros

Here endeth the First Series. But the Sheep will be back on Sunday 20th September, so keep those needles pointy, and in the meantime you can reach me at hoxtonhandmade@gmail.com, or through Ravelry and Twitter.

Episode 19: Hoxton & The Handmade

katie — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 21:07:15 +0000

This week Electric Sheep goes back to its roots with a show all about the knitting and the handmade. With a knitting hero, a warning to anyone planning some Christmas gift knitting, the new issue of the Twist Collective, some fabulous knitting graffiti and…a ukulele?

This week’s links:

Wallace & Gromit – Plus it turns out there’s a whole exhibition with them at the Science Museum!!

Twist Collective – with a few patterns that caught my eye, Peyton; Novak; M’gonigle

Knit the City – Web of Woe

Amanda Palmer and Radiohead show how it’s done

The Christmas patterns (which are all in Ravelry):

One Row Scarf; Wisp; Porom; Icing Swirl Hat; Endpaper Mitts; Chevalier Mittens; Bella’s Mittens; Fetching; Garter Mittens; Minimalist Cardigan; February Lady Sweater; Heather Hoodie Vest; Owls; Every Way Wrap; Coblestone.

Get in touch: hoxtonhandmade@gmail.com

Episode 18: Harry & The Boys

katie — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 10:58:17 +0000

My great-grandparents

This week we remember Harry Patch and enjoy the genius of Blackadder. Plus some impressive facial hair, a look at some new knitting patterns and crafty websites, and a knitted fish or two.

Radiohead – Harry Patch (In Memory Of)

Blackadder II

Blackadder the Third

Blackadder Goes Forth (final scene)

Rowan 46 (via Xtreme Knitting Blog)

World Beard Championships

Episode 17: A Song & Dance

katie — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 20:57:20 +0000

This week I report back from Camp Bestival, plus there’s the latest issue of Interweave Knits, a great craft/home site, and some fabulous furniture.

Melanie Porter chairs

English Tale, American Twist

admin — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 07:25:02 +0000

I’m heading off to Dorset tomorrow for Camp Bestival and so won’t be able to post a new episode of Electric Sheep this weekend. However, events on Monday inspired me to write and I thought I would share the result, in a mini-episode. Nothing to do with knitting, it’s a one-off, just for a bit of fun. A sort of film review, looking at what happens when Americans tackle English myths. Hope you enjoy and I’ll be back next week.

Episode 16: Tea & Sympathy

katie — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 22:06:28 +0000

This week we’re talking about the nation’s favourite drink. Plus we find out who’s won the plinth competition and some lovely Koigu yarn, and the comedy delights to be found in town, in podcasts and in essays.

Tea & Sympathy

The UK Tea Council

Eddie Izzard – Tea & Cake or Death?

The Sunday Defensive

The Girl & Dean

Edinburgh Comedy Previews

The podcasts: BBC Friday Night Comedy; This American Life

The books: A Point Of View by Lisa Jardine; Letter From America by Alistair Cooke; Ex Libris and At Large And At Small by Anne Fadiman

Where I’m off to…

Editor’s note: Ah-ha! I’ve discovered I’m the last person to have heard of Girl & Dean (there’s no ‘The’, no wonder Google had trouble tracking them down) so sorry for being slow on the uptake but their website is here should you wish to find out more.

Episode 15: One & Other

katie — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 22:35:07 +0000

This week the Sheep comes over all artistic, looking at Anthony Gormley’s One And Other art project for the fourth plinth in Trafalgar Square.

Plus there’s a competition, a handmade film review and a seriously cool bit of yarnstorming.

One And Other

Ravelry – Knitters on the Plinth

Bunny And The Bull

Knit the City

Episode 14: Mad Dogs & Englishmen

katie — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 22:13:51 +0000

This week London has been sweltering in the heat. Noel Coward had a point and we’ve all been out in the midday sun a little too much lately. So it’s time for Britain’s favourite pastime, as we talk about the weather and what to knit when it’s hot. Plus another crazy knitted ensemble, courtesy of Sacha Baron Cohen; a fantastic animated short film featuring a knitter with whom I’m sure you’ll empathise; and the Rowan sweater that’s becoming the Sheep’s nemesis.

Of course by the time of going to press, the temperature’s back to normal and the rain has started up again, but I guess that only proves the unpredictability of the English climate…

Mad Dogs & Englishmen – Noel Coward

Farah (scroll down to see the sweater)

Bruno in Berlin

The Last Knit

Episode 13: Heroes & Legends

katie — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 18:17:47 +0000

We’re going back a few thousand years in search of fairytales, heroes and pagans. As you do. Plus I tackle a creature of mythical proportions and we bid farewell to a modern day legend. Fortunately the latest issue of Knitty, and one of our lovely listeners, bring the Sheep back to the knitting.

The Jabberwocky

President Obama vs The Fly

Stonehenge

Eddie Izzard – Stonehenge

Malcolm Gladwell – Outliers

BGT – Signature

BGT – George Sampson

Knitty

Episode.12 Slugs & Snails

katie — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 20:30:40 +0000

The Sheep is back! Apologies for the delay in getting this episode out, but Hoxton Towers had to be seriously re-vamped. We now have enough bandwidth for the Sheep to frollick merrily in pastures new.

In celebration of Fathers’ Day, this week it’s all about the boys. I’ll be venting my wrath over gender stereotypes, celebrating some crafty menfolk and taking a look at fellow Men Who Knit. Plus get the lowdown on the subject from the talented Brooklyn Tweed and DudeCraft, who both kindly contributed their thoughts to this week’s show.
With a little more beef than usual, it’s a bumper episode:
Brooklyn Tweed
DudeCraft
Troon Tweed
Lanark Tweed
The Panopticon
iKnit
It’s a Purl, Man
Sticks and String
Look who’s coming…

Episode 11: London & The Crawl

katie — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 15:51:00 +0000

World Wide Knit In Public Day, and what better way to celebrate than with Stitch’n'Bitch London’s Knit Crawl. Debating knitting alone versus knitting en masse, I report back from the tashtastic adventure. Plus a rundown of what other knitters have been up to in public.

And the Crawl inspires a look around town at some of the quirky attractions on offer if you’re in search of an alternative tour of London.

Stitch and Bitch London

Knit Crawl pics – Hoxton Handmade blog

London’s 10 Top Culture Secrets

Tour of 10 Quirky London Places

The Guardian Craft Site

Sheep Dash

Episode 10: Colds & Blasphemy

katie — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 10:50:00 +0000

Sounding a little different this week as I speak to you through a heavy cold. So bear with me through the first few minutes as the sound equipment gets confused by the change in pitch.

Anyway, this week, knitting blasphemies and negative knitters, followed by some seriously stylish older folk and the latest issue of the Twist Collective.

Stitch ‘n’ Bitch Knit Crawl

Advanced Style

100 Greatest Movie Lines

The Big Lunch

Twist Collective

Episode 9: Copyright & Wrong

katie — Mon, 25 May 2009 18:07:00 +0000

Apologies again for the chaotic iTunes listings. iTunes lists episodes by publishing date, I had two episodes out of sequence and one episode ended up with the wrong audio file attached. Correcting this meant re-publishing everything. But then that meant subscribers kept getting previous episodes downloaded. So I’ve stopped trying to fix it and am going to credit listeners with having enough intelligence to find the earlier episodes they want – they’re all clearly labelled and, in any case, can be listened to out of order.

Anyway, back to this week. We’re talking about copyright. In case that doesn’t get your needles clicking, we’re also taking a look at a new man-made fibre from Rowan and yet another unbelievable YouTube knitting video.

This week’s links:

Holiday sweater (Ravelry)

Holiday sweater #2 (Ravelry)

Lenpur Linen Collection

The Drummer

Episode 8: Hunting Words & Telling Tales

katie — Sun, 17 May 2009 17:01:00 +0000

This episode is all about words, language and stories. Plus miniature knitting making appearances in film and performances on Eurovision that could be works of fiction.

This week’s links:

The Seven Basic Plots

The Child That Books Built

Ex Libris (aka my favourite book)

Hay Festival

Althea Crome

Coraline stop motion advert

Eurovision pictures

M.I.A.

Episode 7: Whales & Guerrillas

katie — Tue, 12 May 2009 19:04:00 +0000

Arghh, the perils of technology. I’ve spent the past two days trying to upload this episode. Clearly the internet pixies are having a good old laugh at my expense. Th irony being, of course, that this week’s show is all about failure.

Along with the Fail Whale are creatures of a different ilk – the Craft Guerrillas and their happenings around town. Plus Failure Magazine, some crochet with a worthy cause and a journalist who may have to go into hiding from a band of angry knitters…

This week’s links:

Episode 6: May Day & Morris Dancing

katie — Mon, 04 May 2009 15:50:00 +0000

It’s the May Day Bank Holiday so this week we’re talking about Englishness and a few of the more eccentric traditions of Britain.

Also, there’s a quick look at the two sweaters I’m working on and a few knitting eccentrics on the web.

To listen, click on the button to the right. From the next page you can opt to download via iTunes. I’m working on getting the podcast listed in the iTunes Store.

This week’s links:

Morris Dancing

Last Night of the Proms

Episode 5: Fact & Fiction

katie — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 18:30:00 +0000

This week we’re talking about fantasy knitting, when the project in your head isn’t quite the project in your hands.

Then, if your grasp of your finances is more fiction than fact, here are a few places to find some credit-crunch friendly yarn.

Plus some ideas of free ways to enjoy London and a village in Kent that’s been celebrating a fictional version of itself.

Brooklyn Tweed

Rowan

Time Out – Free in London

Whitechapel Gallery

Texere

Lanark Wool

Scandinavian Knitting Design

Episode 4: Winifred & Kathleen

katie — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 13:22:00 +0000

In this week’s episode we’re talking about grandparents, the Victoria & Albert Museum and some alternative night’s out around London that mix the old and new.

To listen simply follow the link on the right.

This week’s links:

The Guide to Elegance

Episode 3: Anarchy & Chocolate

katie — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 10:10:00 +0000

Happy Easter – hope everyone’s enjoying the long weekend and eating lots of chocolate.

This week we’re looking at Guerrilla Knitting, handmade courses and the best online shopping for something a little more original.

This week’s links:

Craft Guerrilla

Knitta Please - graffiti knitters

Knitted Tank

The Guerrilla Art Kit

London College of Fashion

Not On The High Street

Supermarket HQ

Twisted Twee

Questionable Content – comic strip

Musical Sheep

katie — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 17:30:00 +0000

Those of you who have listened to both episodes will have heard that the most recent has a rather more polished soundtrack. I found it incredibly difficult to get a good, podsafe song that had the sound I wanted. But thanks to the wizardry available through Garageband I was able to make one of my own.

The lovely Hello Knitty was kind enough to say how much she liked the music and was disappointed it wasn’t a ‘proper’ song that she could download. Well, who am I to disappoint my generous (and at this stage rather select) listeners? So, the full-length version has been uploaded to the podcast feed and you should be able to download it through iTunes by following the usual subscription link on the right. Enjoy!

By the way, if you’re having problems accessing the first episode, my apologies. It was recorded and uploaded through a different computer and although it’s set up correctly with the host website, I haven’t quite straightened out Feedburner yet and sometimes it seems you get the second episode instead. The first is around if you have a hunt/follow a couple of click-throughs, but I’m working on fixing it.

Episode 2: Knit & Be Damned

katie — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 12:02:00 +0000

I meant to upload this yesterday but it’s taken my little dongle an hour and forty-five minutes to manage this Herculean task.

But here, for you listening pleasure, is episode two. This week I’ll be sharing my frustrations at some people’s perception of knitting, and talking about knitting in public. I’ll also be taking a look at the latest issue of Knitty; some great online knitting tutorials for those tricky techniques; and having a bit of a giggle at some Welsh sheep farmers who have a lot of time on their hands…

All thoughts, comments, feedback and suggestions welcome – just drop me an email.

This week’s links:

Extreme Sheep Herding

The Sheep Game

Sheep.com

Episode 1: Twitter & Kitsch

katie — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 22:09:00 +0000

Welcome to the first episode of Electric Sheep, a podcast that takes a look at all things knit on the web and around London.

Still something of a prototype, so bear with me as I iron out the technical glitches and try to find some interesting stuff to waffle about. Hopefully the sound quality will improve as I get the hang of things.

This first attempt is at least brief – about 20 minutes – so consider it a taster to whet your aural appetite.

To listen, simply click on the subscribe button to the right. You can also download it through iTunes.

Hope you enjoy and please email me your comments and suggestions.

This week’s links:

Museum of Kitschy Stitches