Hello there and welcome to The Crochet Circle Podcast and the show notes for Episode 30 – Just keep swimming.
 
In this episode, I cover: Old dog, new tricks; Final Destination; En Route; Designs in Progress; Feeding the habit; Quick News Beats and J’adore?
 
This podcast is sponsored by my online crafting company, Provenance Craft Co. 


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Before I get into it, here is the little fledgeling Robin I was talking about.  He is very sweet.  
 

and this is Sven, the friendly household dragon that Matthew's Mum made for me:
 

 
1 – Old dog, new tricks
A frequently asked question is whether gauge/tension stated on a pattern is measured on the blocked or unblocked object. I would personally assume that it is always unblocked unless stated otherwise within the pattern.
 
This also means that it is worth swatching for shawls, especially if your tension is likely to very or you think you may be tight on yarn. By swatching, you are giving yourself the best possible chance of creating a finished object that you like and is fit for purpose.
 

If you have lots of yarn (way beyond the pattern requirements) and you like the fabric that your gauge/tension is creating, then swatching isn’t really required.
  
2 – Final Destination
So, as you are aware, it has been a very busy and emotional month and this alongside having some fairly large projects on the go has really inhibited my May output.  I did manage to finish off Matthew’s socks, ready for his mountain climbs and also knit a pair for his sister as a sort of a woolly hug from me.
 
 

 
To say that Matthew is now a fan of hand-made socks would be putting it mildly. He loves both pairs that he has so far but the Fjord Fibres ones are really his favourite for inside his walking boots because they are super warm and squishy!
  
3 – En Route
I have made good progress on my Stoborough shawl by Sarah Hazell and think that I have persuaded myself to use all three skeins in it. It may not be an FO by next month.

 
The second is my latest version of Loft Knitted which is in the grape colourways from the Knit By Numbers range 4 ply 100g/400m using a 3mm circular needle).
 

 
I am also not far off starting the yoke section of my Joyside (Joyride!) jumper. I really love this so far, mainly because of the alterations I have made with the rib and colours. The grey is ‘Storm Grey’ by Birlinn Yarns Company and is a blend of Hebridean and Cheviot fleeces and the yellow is Shropshire Ply from Ewe & Ply in Shrewsbury (they have now sold out of this clip and colourway).
 

 
4 – Designs in progress
I created this bag design as a submission for Pom Pom Quarterly that was unsuccessful. I really love the pattern and think that simple colour changes make this a really versatile bag. I have deliberately gone for the bright summer look first and will then make the bee colourway of the orange, blue green colourway next. 
 
The plan is to put this out as a free pattern on my birthday (either using a download code or signing up to my newsletter if you aren’t on Ravelry). Listen out in the July podcast for details on the pattern giveaway.
 

 
5 – Feeding the habit
So, besides the spinning wheel and laser cutter, there have been a few other purchases:
 
1 – John Arbon Textiles Knit by Numbers 4 ply in 006 (lighter grey) and 004 (darker grey)
2 – Daughter of a Shepherd Ram Jam DK in cream (50g)
3 – Tinky Dye Yarn Outlander series 'The Stones' 4 ply 80% SW merino and 80% nylon
4 – John Arbon Textiles mill ends
5 – Chrissie Crafts 'Life is one big WIP' pin badge
6 – Claudia from Crochet Luna's podcast badges (UK & EU) or Rest of World
7 – My bargain Falkland's wool from Andy at Wooltops 
 
6 - Quick News Bea