Episode 11 - With Clara Parkes + Giveaway

Hi PomCast Peeps!

We're springing into action with our latest episode! The blossom is starting to bloom in London town, but don't worry if your part of the world is still chilly - we have sunny podcast to bring you cheer, including an interview with yarn whisperer Clara Parkes, plus our latest musings and news on all things woolly. Clara has kindly offered a signed copy of her book The Yarn Whisperer to one lucky winner. To be in with a chance just comment on this post by the end of Sunday 5th April telling us which of Clara's desert island yarns you would choose to to take to your desert island - Hand Maiden Swiss Mountain Cashmere and Silk or Jamieson's Shetland Spindrift. Extra points if you tweet, share on Facebook or Instragram! Just let us know that you did in a separate comment.

Be sure to download the Soundcloud app if you want to listen on a mobile device, or if you subscribe to Pomcast on iTunes it should appear on your device now! Hooray!

Thanks again to our sponsor for this episode: A Yarn Story!

Tell + Tell

Lydia has been working on a beautiful mustard version of Bristol Ivy's Fairchild using Viola by John Arbon, and Sophie has been enjoying the ribbed cables of Norah Gaughan's Sous Sous using Eden Cottage Yarn's Bowland DK. We love it when you guys tell (and show!) us your knits too, so join in with the Pom Pom Spring 2015 KAL on Ravelry - you could even win a little something!

Lydia's Fairchild in English Mustard complete with her Woollen Flower bag - perfect train companion

Mmm.. Blue Faced Leicester!

News

PomPom had an amazing time at the Edinburgh Yarn Festival! It was so lovely to meet so many readers and listeners, so thanks to everyone who came to say hello. We are sure that like us, you were inspired by the huge range of fibre delights and (also like us) some of them found their way home with you! Here's some of Lydia's new acquisitions, a collection that has been renamed Rachel Coopey's hair!

Unicorn Yarn! Ginger Twist Studio, Old Maiden Aunt, Chopped Ginger Handspun

And for those of you who couldn't make it, there was of course Bedinburgh Yarn Festival! Sophie was across the Channel browsing French yarns, ooh lala!

Review

Thanks to our lovely sponsor A Yarn Story, we had a little swatch and play with Shibui Knits Pebble. A interesting blend of recycled silk, merino and cashmere we think this yarn would be great for lighter summer knits like Blommande. Or why not try holding it double with itself or other yarns to create new gauges and textures?

Blommande from Issue 12

 

Interview

While at the Edinburgh Yarn Festival Lydia managed to catch a moment with Clara Parkes to chat about tea, spirit animals and of course YARN! Clara took this action shot of Lydia all kitted out and ready to record, and wearing her newly finished Tambourine cardi in that gorgeous Uncommon Thread Merino DK!

Clara was of course an excellent interviewee, and an excellent sport all round! Apologies for the background noise during the interview, it was tough to find a quiet spot at such a busy yarn festival! Don't forget to enter our giveaway and win a signed copy of Clara's book The Yarn Whisperer (see the beginning of this post). And you can always find an interesting (and informative) read at Clara's home on the web, The Knitter's Review.


Ravelry Realness

It's the turn of Springtime Knits! You know you guys already know how much we love Waterlilly...

But we do have a few other recommendations!

Mr Pinkerson || April Shower Mitts || Bunty Mitts || Emmaline || Mysa

Travelling Stitches

We bid a fond farewell to Colour of the Cast (who knew we could run out of colours?) to find out about your adventures while you're out and about with your knitting. You can still send us your stories to podcast@pompommag.com or join in the fun on the Pomcast ravelry thread.

Top Three

This episode we are discussing our top three things about Spring! And yes, Easter Eggs (the chocolate kind) do feature! We're getting lots of suggestions for Top Threes for future episodes, so if you think we are missing an essential topic of debate let us know!

Thanks for reading and listening. Don’t forget you can email us on podcast@pompommag.com. And as always a big thank you to Eli who makes lovely music.

x Pom Pom