Knitting is out and cross stitch is in this week, as the temperature in the UK makes it a bit less fun to be playing with yarn. Nobody likes to knit with sausage fingers, after all. After discovering 8BitNorth Cross Stitch thanks to an uncharacteristically helpful suggested post on Facebook, I've tripled somersaulted into a cross stitch obsession. Having never had across stitch 'stash' before, I'm now edging ever perilously closer to having one. Guess it took some indie/Brtipop and pop culture t...
Jul 20, 2021•21 min•Ep. 178
Hybrid Yarn festivals continue in this episode where Jo is joined by Aimee of KnitSpinCake podcast to review her experience of attending Unravel's hybrid yarn show. Aimee took part in the social aspects, saw some of the vendor showcases and, after attending one workshop with Bristol Ivy, promptly booked onto another with her the next day. Aimee covered the organisation of the show and we discussed some of the technical aspects of how it was run, from a visitor's point of view. She shared her vie...
Jun 16, 2021•33 min•Ep. 177
This week we're exploring the evolution of yarn festivals through the past year or so. Many of the festivals were forced to cancel their in person offer and have looked to alternative methods of putting on their event. After discussing the idea of online events this week, Unravel Festival's hybrid approach piqued my interest. Having not been a fan of the endless parade of vendors on Instagram live as an alternative to the traditional yarn show, I was interested to see how they are looking to com...
Apr 30, 2021•23 min•Ep. 176
Knitting, gin, books and a lucky scarf. This week's show is dedicated to Liz Marley aka @greensideknits, dear friend and listener of the podcast. An epic knitter and all round awesome, kind and witty person who will be very sadly missed. There's a general update to get us started, with the tale of Liz's Lucky scarf and how it continues to bring me good luck years later. The podcast will be on the move again in summer to Surrey. Knitting-wise, I've been working on my #DeliciousLIttleJoysKAL proje...
Apr 20, 2021•43 min•Ep. 175
If you have a knitter in your life, you'll appreciate this roundup of knitting gift ideas, that isn't more yarn. In this episode, we'll cover some suggestions for six alternative ideas for gifts for knitters. 1) Adidas Samba Fox trainers 2) A wool blanket 3) Project bags 4) Sheepy themed toiletries 5) Stuff to protect the yarn 6) Sheepskin producers, slippers or moccasins. Shownotes and all links at www.shinybees.com/174 Music as always with kind permission of Adam and the Walter Boys - 'I Need ...
Mar 23, 2021•27 min
Following Ep 171 about great patterns for baby knits and Ep 172 about good yarns for kids and baby knits, this week is a roundup of all the community feedback on both these subjects. I’m also asking for some suggestion on behalf of Kat, a lovely listener, who is undertaking a fairly arduous physical challenge. She’d appreciate some suggestions on how she can record this with an accompanying knitting project. All of the chat for this feedback occurred within the Shinybees Podcast Community. You c...
Mar 02, 2021•27 min•Ep. 173
Following on from ep 171, today we are covering some of my go-to baby and kid knitting yarns. Split into 3 sections, we'll cover 4ply, DK and patterned yarns, at a variety of price points. There are also different fibres covered, so if you don't like animal fibre, or you don't want to use synthetics, there is a suggestion for you. 4-ply yarns are Regia Baby Smiles My First Regia, Drops Baby Merino, Adriafil Rugiada 4ply Sparkly, Sublime Baby Cashmere Merino Silk 4ply, Sirdar Snuggle 100% Merino ...
Feb 19, 2021•33 min•Ep. 172
Knitting Patterns For New Babies I’m now an Auntie! And that means I actually need to produce some knitwear for the little fella. As such, it seemed a good idea to talk about good knitting patterns for new babies. I have already sent on some hand-me-down hand knits from Sanimal that were knitted by my Mother-in-Law. One was a really cute jumper with little intarsia (yay!) insects on. The other is a cardigan with fishes on the yoke and little orange buttons in the shape of a fish. That was a Tin ...
Feb 09, 2021•31 min•Ep. 171
What will be the knitting trends for hand knitters in 2021? Not that I am in any way an authority on the finer points of craft fashion and popularity, but these are my predictions for what will be a knitting trend in 2021. Knitting Trends For 2021 1. Intarsia It’s not the first time Intarsia has featured in my list of predicted trends for the year, and it’s not quite fulfilled its promise as yet in terms of reaching that top knitting trend popularity. There have been a few notable patterns, but ...
Feb 02, 2021•28 min•Ep. 170
It's a new year so naturally, there's a lot of chat around about challenges, projects and planning. Today's episode is about knitting challenges. Are you taking part in any for 2021? Don't worry if you aren't; hopefully this episode will still be useful for you, and there is no lack-of-challenge shaming! There are plenty of variations on the theme of challenges, when it comes to knitting. Knitalongs would fall into this bracket, along with projects like Make 9, where you select 9 things to make ...
Jan 13, 2021•36 min•Ep. 169
This episode is fairly light on the knitting chat as my creative exploits this week are mostly focused around creating a vision board for 2021. My word for the year for 2021 came courtesy of Gery Cinnamon and his song 'Canter', which I heartily recommend checking out. Make it the radio edit f you have kids around, as the original is tagged explicit. The lyrics really called to me and I decided from that to make my word of 2021 'Canter'. Along with this there is some chat about vision boards and ...
Dec 23, 2020•26 min•Ep. 168
This week we take a trip down memory lane to 2014, and a pattern pick I originally recorded for A Playful day podcast. It's a Christmas themed one, and it - of course - contains some great comedy knitting patterns. In the news, I talk about Podcasting Unpacked. I was also a guest on the Brewtime Podcast with Fiona Brennan and I heartily encourage you to take a listen. Full show notes at www.shinybees.com/167 Music for this episode is Adam and the Walter Boys with 'I Need a Drink', available from...
Dec 11, 2020•30 min•Ep. 167
This week is a quick chat on Scotch Eggs and a surprising fact about Scotch Egg knitting and crochet patterns.
Dec 04, 2020•17 min•Ep. 166
Moth infestation in knitwear is every knitter's worst nightmare. In this episode I cover some of the background of which kinds of moths chew knitwear in the UK and how to get rid of them. There are only two, but they do a lot of damage and they're on the rise. You can tell you have an infestation usually when there has already been damage and you find little holes in the knitwear. It's common for these to be in areas like the sleeve and neck. Moth larvae are the culprit (adult moths don't have t...
Nov 24, 2020•30 min•Ep. 165
With all the joy sucked out of life at the moment, it's time to turn festive up to 11! As a massive Christmas fan, I'm always one to have the real tree picked out, chopped down and in the house by the last week in November. This year, I'm planning to go a little bigger on the decoration front and add quite a bit more to interiors to get in the spirit. After all, it's not like we're going to be anywhere but indoors for a while. And when it comes to fairy lights, more is always more. So this week ...
Nov 18, 2020•28 min•Ep. 164
The #DeliciousLittleJoysKAL is coming! Having not hosted a KAL for a long time, I was inspired to do one given we are now in the second, not that exciting sequel to the original lockdown part one. Delicious little joys is the theme and the idea is to embrace the idea of looking for delicious little joys in the every day. Indeed, it’s about actively building in joy to your day. It’s gonna be miserable in the Northern hemisphere soon, so finding ways to bring joy will be a positive thing. Yarn is ...
Nov 13, 2020•36 min•Ep. 163
You may or may not have heard before about the infamous folklore that is the Boyfriend Sweater Curse, also known as The Sweater Curse. The Love Sweater Curse occurs when a knitter undertakes to knit a jumper for a significant other, and this leads to the breakdown of the relationship - sometimes before the recipient has even received the gift! In a 2005 survey, 15% of knitters reported having experienced this very curse. 41% believed that it might be true. SO it's worth knowing about, even if yo...
Nov 03, 2020•33 min•Ep. 162
Socktober continues to inspire in this episode where I have a pattern pick of ten colourwork sock pattern ideas to share with you.
Oct 27, 2020•33 min•Ep. 161
I'm joined in this episode by Tania Ashton Jones of TJ Frog to talk all about Dorset Buttons. Tania and I met a few years ago now when she was at the start of her business journey in the yarn world, having previously been in the Royal Navy for 22 years. She came back to knitting via a retreat in France and was hooked. After a happy coincidence where she was introduced to Dorset Buttons via a workshop with her friend, Tania became obsessed with making them, and set about learning about the histor...
Oct 20, 2020•41 min•Ep. 160
Socktober lends its inspiration this week, where I have a rundown of ten previous banging' Shinybees episodes that cover some great sock themed content. There are a couple of interviews, as well as some expert advice from Clare Devine on the Sock Surgery, all handily signposted from this episode. You'll find all the links in the shownotes at shinybees.com but here is the shortlist: Ep 27 - Toe up or Cuff Down For Socks Ep 29 - How to Make Socks That Fit Ep 33 - How to Fix Your Socks When They Go...
Oct 06, 2020•39 min•Ep. 159
There are some great knitting sites available and I often forget that not everyone has discovered them yet. That was the case this week during a discussion on the Shinybees Podcast Community, when I shared the new Knitty First Fall publication, and found that some people had never heard of Knitty! So, this week I have shared some of my favourite knitting sites that I come back to often, specifically to help those new knitters that have started listening tot the podcast during lockdown, or that h...
Oct 01, 2020•29 min•Ep. 158
The RAF Comforts Committee was formed by the Air Council in October 1939 to determine the type and quantities of 'knitted comforts' required for the RAF as well as arrange for their collection, storage and distribution through their depots. Inspired by a random eBay purchase of an RAF Comforts Committee pin badge some years ago, and recently rediscovering said badge, this episode delves into a little of the history of the RAF Comforts Committee. Full show notes at www.shinybees.com/157 Music for...
Sep 18, 2020•23 min•Ep. 157
This week is sponsored by Back to School, specifically the absolute abomination that is school shoe shopping. Despite indeed having no school for the kids, I decided to brave Clarks and get the pre-requisite footwear on a special early morning appointment. Sadly, this did not prevent the usual dick move behaviour when shopping for shoes from my dearly beloved offspring. Naturally, this inspired a back to school themed Pattern Pick. Full show notes at www.shinybees.com/156 Music for this episode ...
Aug 25, 2020•35 min•Ep. 156
Following an existential corona crisis a few episodes back, I've added more blonde streaks, I'm working on the Mini and I have been looking for some vintage inspired pieces to add to my wardrobe. This week I've gone through A Stitch in Time Volume 2 by Susan Crawford and Jane Waller to select my top five must-knit patterns. These have been chosen for their versatility in modernising the look to be wearable now, even if you aren't a vintage fan. The styling of the A Stitch in Time books is sublim...
Aug 18, 2020•28 min•Ep. 155
This week it's about finding a mindless way to feel productive by painting the fence. There's a lot going on at Casa Shiny and my parents have been restricted again in Greater Manchester, along with a load of friends, so the 'rona is making its presence felt. Thus, I have included some quality Youtube material to give you a giggle, including the Floppotron and the genius that is Sexy Sax Man. I've done some knitting on the Snaw Heid hat in between roaming Sussex and Kent looking for a new place ...
Aug 07, 2020•28 min•Ep. 154
Eight years of the Shinybees Knitting Podcast means today is my Octopodiversary! Not sure if that is even a real world, but I'm now going to own it on the whole internet. This show is a roundup of my top 8 episodes of the past 8 years. Maybe you're a new listener and haven't gone that far back yet. perhaps you've been listening for a while - maybe since the beginning - and have forgotten these episodes. I'd forgotten some of the stuff and I was in them! There are some soundbites from each episod...
Jul 24, 2020•55 min•Ep. 153
This week there's a new home for the podcast community on the horizon, so there's a lot of chat about that - and about the general negativity of social media in general. The podcast is intended to be a fun and uplifting experience, so I am reluctant to bring listeners to a community on a platform that is negative and horrible to be on. I'm fleshing out the platform ready to move over, but the podcast community will be leaving Facebook in the next couple of weeks. A roundup of knitting fails foll...
Jul 22, 2020•30 min•Ep. 152
We’re back after a regrettable rain and laptop-based accident, which caused an unplanned break in the schedule. If you decide to do yoga outside, remember to bring your computer back in when you are finished. If you live in the North, it’s probably going to rain, even if it is cracking the flags currently. A two-week break from any sort of work has encouraged me to pick up the needles again. I’ll tell you about that a bit later. Interiors and Decorating I’ve made the most of the unscheduled brea...
Jul 15, 2020•36 min•Ep. 151
Here we are at episode 150! This week's planned content has been rejigged so it's a little later than planned. There have been some issues with accessibility on Ravelry which meant it is unwise at this stage for me to add any further links to the site. There's lots of information out there about the problems. TL;DR the new site design is giving people visual disturbances, migraines and in some cases, triggering seizures. At the moment, the Ravelry team don't appear to be communicating that they ...
Jun 26, 2020•26 min•Ep. 150
I've dug up some long term WIPs this week and it has heartily revived my knitting mojo! I've been stuck at home for 13 weeks on my own with two children. I never thought I would have to do this amount of time on my own with kids ever. Not without some kind of park I can go throw them on or grandparents, I can go throw them at. Or, you know, even just being able to go to the pub and have a drink, frankly. So I'm feeling quite proud of myself in some ways. That's pretty good. Right? You know, ever...
Jun 17, 2020•23 min•Ep. 149
