episode 29g

By grannyg, on June 24th, 2010%

Even though this is the gorgeous colourful granny blanket which has been my go-to project, the winter blues have got the best of me this week.  The crafting has been as equally sluggish as I have.

Episode 29g is about what I’ve been doing and thinking about this past fortnight including the vexing question – will jeans ever go out of fashion? discuss…

My works in progress include the lovely granny blanket up above and knitting on the Vine Yolk Cardigan by Ysolda Teague – one of my favourite knitwear designers – I discuss all the reasons why I love her design aesthetic.  Progress on other crafts have been limited due to machinery maintenance requirements.

Jasmine is my star again for In The Tins, we chat about lots and lots of things when we are supposed to be discussing the Biscotti that we are eating!  this weeks recipe is from my favourite Nigella Lawsons book

Also, don’t forget the competition running!!

bye for now

xxooxx

granny

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episode 29i – Mary Knox

By grannyg, on June 13th, 2010%

Todays guest is Mary Knox who is a self described “spinning wheel enthusiast”.  In our chat you can find out about how her spinning journey led from obtaining her first wheel from Husfliden in Norway (pictured above), to cataloguing and authoring a comprehensive book on New Zealand made spinning wheels.


Pictured above is one of the most intriguing wheels that Mary talks about made by Harold Martin of Christchurch. Mary explains; “(he) began making spinning wheels during the Depression of the 1930s.  He pioneered the use of metal drive wheels, which he probably had cast specially. An engineer by profession, as well as a skilled spinner and weaver, Martin ignored the complications of traditional spinning wheels. (He did, though, make one attractive traditionally-styled wheel, perhaps just to prove he could).

The design of these little wheels is pared down to the basics – there is no fancy turning and not a maiden in sight. Martin introduced to New Zealand spinning wheels the metal drive wheel, the off-centre footman connection instead of a crank, the flyer in front of a single support post (an idea which has persisted in New Zealand wheels and is still seen in some Majacraft models) and the wheel  dropped partly below the level of the table (a solution later followed by others including Ashford in the Traditional).”

You can find Mary’s website here and contact her there to order copies of her book or just contact her to say how much you enjoyed listening to her today!

Mary has also been published in The spinning wheel sleuth and has a “top secret” project she is working on for them currently.

Settle back into your easy chair, pour yourself a cuppa and enjoy listening to Mary’s story.

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episode 28g

By grannyg, on June 7th, 2010%

Intro

Granny welcomes back the familiar faces and new faces. Shownotes are at www.grannygcrafts.com,

Email Granny or participate in the ravelry forum.

Granny’s been to Dunedin, hung out with the Dunedin knitters like Vintage Purls and visited the Milton Mill again. Granny bought 35 balls of wool, two hanks and some roving.

Crafting this week

Knitted a Citron scarf using one ball of Zauberball in the Burnt Almond colourway, likes wearing it under a jacket. Knitting sample squares for her Knit August Nights class. Granny is enjoying wearing socks this Winter so is knitting Lindsay from Cookie A’s Sock Innovation book which uses the same stitch pattern as a treasured knitted item and is using a Vintage Purls yarn.

Granny hasn’t been spinning as her wheel needs a few repairs from Majacraft.

Has been sewing a lot, a merino knit top, merino pants, tartan pull on pants, a jacket and a dress. Is currently sewing a cape and she’s keen to sew with a paisley silk. She enjoyed shopping at Anne’s Sewing Room in Dunedin. Granny is wondering whether you can have too many outfits from the same pattern?

Granny’s first media kit

Granny has received a media kit from Craft 2.0, a Wellington craft fair with the next one being held on June 12 from 10am to 3pm at TheNewDowse, address: 45 Laings Road, Lower Hutt, Wellington. The two things that Granny loved the most are from Dear Colleen and Freedom Creative.

Granny is offering a prize pack, a tile, a magnet from Art Divine, a ceramic badge from Stephanie Cahorel, a badge, a notecard and fabric covered badge from PlasticFairy, a fabric crane from Free Range Baby, some notecards from Knitsch and maybe some extras from Granny.

To win write a blog post about the GrannyG podcast and then put a comment in reply to this episode’s shownotes, competition closes on 30 June.

What’s on the bookstand Granny?

Bird on a Wire: The Inside Story From a Straight Talking CEO By Theresa Gattung. Granny wanted to learn about Theresa’s choice to become Chairwoman of Wool Partners International after her role as CEO of Telecom, the biggest telecommunications company in New Zealand.

In the Tins: Bagels

GrannyG reads from Real Flavours by Glynn Christian. She is keen to find pretzels when she is in New York, yes New York, she’s going to Rhinebeck and is keen to have a picnic with anyone who will be there. Granny uses Nigella Lawson’s recipe from How to be a domestic Goddess. Granny also looks to The Bread Bible for more info about bagels.

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