Show 9 – Nundle

Welcome to show 9, This week we travel to Nundle.

There’s no essay this week as the Nundle trip story takes it’s place (and the ‘Unravelling Yarns’ one I had written really needs a good edit and rewrite to be ready).

What’s happening
Courthouse stitch’n’bitch - Sundays 1:30 – Check the website for the January meetings.
Sydney Sity Klickers Every second Saturday afternoon – Back again 6 January
NSW Knitter’s Guild - Blue Mountains – 3rd Saturday of each month
Long Island Knitting and Crochet Guild (link to a page with their details, scroll down a little way) Westbury Library – 2nd Thursday of each month
Sydney Royal Easter Show 5 – 18 April 2007- Competition details. Arts entries close 20 December so you’re too late!

The links to sites throughout the show:
Knit 2 Together
Creative Knitting Magazine
Nundle Woollen Mill - Thanks to Megan Trowsdale for the interview
Lara’s blog about the Nundle trip.

 This show’s music
This week’s tracks come from the Podsafe music network.
And Magnatune
(Except for the little bit of Bach at the beginning and end, that’s me on a synthesiser.)
Bill Sound Scientist (link)
Curandero Tranquilo (link)

Link to the show file
Show 9 – Nundle

Spinning mentioned only briefly this week – I haven’t had much of a chance to get any done, but I did manage to get more very lumpy art yarn.

You can contact me at: podcast at sticksandstring dot com dot au (I’m sure you know to replace the at with @ and the dot with . but perhaps the spam bots won’t.)

If you’d like to contribute to Sticks & String, guest essays, reviews, suggestions of music, people to interview, please just let me know. And please let me know about your knitting group I’d love to have to start a whole separate page because the list is too long.

Midweek update (27 December)

Thanks everyone for the messages of support over the past week. Your kind words have made me smile many times, I gave mum a printed copy of the comments (she says she’s too old to ‘learn a computer’) and she appreciated them too.

Show 9 is on track and should be up, on time, this Saturday. It has the first of the Nundle interviews in it and the theme is how knitting touches those who don’t knit. The cardigan got finished in time for Christmas (lunch).

Until the weekend, all the best,

David.

Show 9 – Unravelling yarns

Sorry, the show’s not up yet. I’m getting there – slowly.

A big thank you to Megan Trowsdale and Lynda Morison for their hospitality at the Nundle Woollen Mill, their wonderful interviews will be in shows 9 and 10. To whet your appetite for the material, here’s a link to Lara’s blog entry about the trip.

The essay is coming along, the gift cardigan now has attached sleeves, but remains a little drafty with the side seams still not completed; and given the events of the past week it’s sort of important I get it finished for mum.

Speaking of the past week, I have been overwhelmed by the kind messages of support from everyone. In my family, I’m the “do-it” guy when it comes to these sorts of things, so it’s been a week of funeral directors, banks, lawyers, government departments and relatives who couldn’t get through to anyone else on the phone. Your support has been wonderful, thank you so much. (link) Leanne was my sister.

I hope you’re all having a wonderful Christmas or whatever else you’re celebrating.

Midweek update (20 December)

G’day all.

The Nundle trip went very well, it’s an interesting place, and the three of us were quite restrained with the spending. It was, to say the least, an eventful day. The interviews I recorded though, are very interesting.

Unfortunately, we’ve had an unexpected death in my family and I have been dealing with all the formalities that go along with such events, and will need to do so for some time to come. Fear not, however, I will continue with the podcast, the wonderful comments and support I get from all of you enriches much of what I do. Show 9 might not get out on time this week though. For the past 2 days I have had to be available to everyone and I’m simply worn out – nothing that a good night’s sleep won’t cure, but I’m just out of ideas to sit down and write for the show on Saturday. I will endeavour to get the show written and recorded, but I won’t promise as so many things have already happened this week I don’t want to jinx it.

Similarly, I’d caught up with emails, but am now well behind again, I’m actually looking forward to replying, there are some really good ones with lots of terrific information, but that might have to wait until the weekend when I can sit down and take my time, follow links etc.

If I don’t get the show out before Christmas, let me wish all of you a happy one, if you don’t celebrate Christmas I hope you enjoy whatever brings your friends and families together. And don’t forget, come next Tuesday, there are only 364 more days to go, so get started on your 2007 holiday knitting then.

All the best,

David.

Show 8 – The Interknit

Welcome to show 8, This show’s theme is ‘The Interknit’.

The essay is available here.

What’s happening
Courthouse stitch’n’bitch - Sundays 1:30
Sydney Sity Klickers Every second Saturday afternoon
NSW Knitter’s Guild - Blue Mountains – 3rd Saturday of each month
Long Island Knitting and Crochet Guild (link to a page with their details, scroll down a little way) Westbury Library – 2nd Thursday of each month
Sydney Royal Easter Show 5 – 18 April 2007- Competition details. Arts entries close 20 December

The links to sites throughout the show:
The Latvian NATO mittens
The knitalong listing
Franklin Habit
Dalegarn
Knitting Help
See Eunny Knit
Grumperina’s free patterns
Wendy Knits
Yarn Harlot
Savannah Chik
Knitty.com
Spinblessing
Dalegarn
The Torino 2006 “Sweater”

This show’s music
This week’s tracks come from the Podsafe music network.
(Except for the little bit of Bach at the beginning and end, that’s me on a synthesiser.)

Jonathan Coulton Mandelbrot Set (link)
Blazej Lindner Song For You (link)

Link to the show file
Show 8 – The Interknit

No spinning mentioned this week – I ran out of time. I really want to keep the shows between 30 and 40 mins (this week is about 35 mins). Also unless you’re really into overspun lumpy yarn, then you’re not missing anything. I have another lesson after I get the podcast out.

You can contact me at: podcast at sticksandstring dot com dot au (I’m sure you know to replace the at with @ and the dot with . but perhaps the spam bots won’t.)

If you’d like to contribute to Sticks & String, guest essays, reviews, suggestions of music, people to interview, please just let me know. And please let me know about your knitting group I’d love to have to start a whole separate page because the list is too long.

Midweek update (13 December)

G’day all.

Holidays are here, and with them the nasty weather. Monday was nice, I even got some gardening done (a once a year event); Tuesday it was back to winter with the temperature not even reaching double figures. I have no idea about today though, it’s still early.

You should have noticed some subtle changes to the website, so far that’s just been some reorganising. There will eventually be a new site, if you want a sneak preview it’s here, but please don’t leave any comments over on that site, as anything stored there will be erased just before it becomes the official site. If you do want to comment, or make suggestions, leave them with this post please. One question I have for you though – would you like a message board in addition to the blog? I’m not going to ask that on the podcast, as I’d rather have the opinions of those of you who read the blog as well as listen.

Show 8 is coming along well. No interviews or guest essays this week, it’s all me. This week’s show is about how the Internet helps us knitters. I’ve got a good collection of sites to talk about, but I’m sure some of you have got gems I’ve missed. If you know of a site that’s a little out of the ordinary let me know by Friday so I can mention it (something more than just a shop site, something that goes that little bit further, offers something extra…).

So, until the weekend, keep knitting.

P.S. If the new site is doing weird stuff, it’s probably because I’m still working on it.

Oops, what I forgot

I was so pleased at getting this week’s show finished in plenty of time to get off to my first spinning lesson, that I forgot to say what the special news I hinted at last week was.

Tapestry Craft, the big knitting and needlework shop in the Sydney CBD is having a sale, with 20% of everything and more than that off some things, so it’s time to stock up for the new year. I wasn’t sure if I could say anything last week, but they emailed everyone midweek so I’m sure it’s alright to mention it now.

How did the spinning lesson go? Well nothing got broken, so that’s a start, still a way to go though. I’ll give a more detailed account in next week’s show.

Until then, keep knitting.

Show 7 – The LYS

Welcome to show 7, This show’s theme is The Local Yarn Shop.

The essay isn’t available here just yet (because I forgot to ask Lara for permission to put it up).
Lara’s blog is here.

Katoomba Knitting doesn’t have a website, but here are their contact details. Pop in and say ‘Hi’ to Jan next time you’re up there.
Shop 11, Town Centre Arcade
Katoomba St
Katoomba, New South Wales 2780
Phone (02) 47826137

I got my white merino tops at Virginia Farm Woolworks. I love their dyed tops too.

What’s happening
Courthouse stitch’n’bitch - Sundays 1:30
Sydney Sity Klickers Every second Saturday afternoon
NSW Knitter’s Guild - Blue Mountains – 3rd Saturday of each month
Long Island Knitting and Crochet Guild (link to a page with their details, scroll down a little way) Westbury Library – 2nd Thursday of each month
Sydney Royal Easter Show 5 – 18 April 2007- Competition details. Arts entries close 20 December so hurry up!

This show’s music
This week’s tracks come from the Podsafe music network
(Except for the little bit of Bach at the beginning and end, that’s me on a synthesiser.)

Shams Creation (link)
The Stark Variation on Bolero (link)
Link to the show file
Show 7 – The LYS

You can contact me at: podcast at sticksandstring dot com dot au (I’m sure you know to replace the at with @ and the dot with . but perhaps the spam bots won’t.)

If you’d like to contribute to Sticks & String, guest essays, reviews, suggestions of music, people to interview, please just let me know. And please let me know about your knitting group I’d love to have to start a whole separate page because the list is too long.

Midweek update – (6 December)

G’day all.

Show seven is coming along well, we’ll start looking at local yarn shops and what people want in a knitting shop. This week’s show has a wonderful essay with Jan of Katoomba Knitting (my local yarn shop) and a guest essay by Lara from my Sunday knitting group, you’ll really enjoy Lara’s vision of the ‘prefect’ yarn shop.

I’m collecting the wheel, an Ashford Traditional, on Thursday afternoon, so I’ll give you an update on how that’s going too.

Thanks to everyone who’s written in the past few weeks, I think I’ve caught up with all the emails. Getting the comments and messages is really great, so thanks for all of them.

 Expect the show early Saturday (unless I get carried away spinning).

 All the best,

David.

Show 6 – What men want more

Welcome to show 6, This show’s theme is ‘What men want more’.

The essay is available here.

What’s happening
Courthouse stitch’n’bitch - Sundays 1:30
Sydney Sity Klickers Every second Saturday afternoon
NSW Knitter’s Guild - Blue Mountains – 3rd Saturday of each month
Long Island Knitting and Crochet Guild (link to a page with their details, scroll down a little way) Westbury Library – 2nd Thursday of each month
Sydney Royal Easter Show 5 – 18 April 2007- Competition details. Arts entries close 20 December

From the bottom of the knitting bag
Plano Fishing Box
Targus Backpack

This show’s music
This week’s tracks come from the Podsafe music network and IODA Promonet.
(Except for the little bit of Bach at the beginning and end, that’s me on a synthesiser.)

Josh Woodward Swimming to Cambodia (link)

Download “Esplendor” (mp3)
from “1st Instrumental Music for Ten-String Guitar Prize”
by Various Artists  Kalamata

Link to the show file
Show 6 – What men want more

You can contact me at: podcast at sticksandstring dot com dot au (I’m sure you know to replace the at with @ and the dot with . but perhaps the spam bots won’t.)

If you’d like to contribute to Sticks & String, guest essays, reviews, suggestions of music, people to interview, please just let me know. And please let me know about your knitting group I’d love to have to start a whole separate page because the list is too long.