Hi! Another great visit while I knit my penguono. You’ll love yours. I’ve chosen all my favourite colours to knit mine. I’m already thinking of the next one. The construction is very interesting and fun. No boring long sleeves or body. You are doing wonders with the craft of fibres. Thank you for all the name dropping. I’ve added them to my subscribers list. Cheers, 🇨🇦
just found your vlog today, so been seeing the episodes and iam now on the sixth...My succulents and knitting has been helping me some through this ordeal that has fallen on the world.. depression and anxiety still get me, but i am chugging along...love your podcast so much..keep on knitting friend..
Thank you for taking the time to stop in for a visit and brighten our days with your crafty life! If your bear had a little bit more of a yellow tinge on his fur, he could be a Kermode or Spirit Bear (a genetic sub species) from the West Coast of British Columbia - Canada. Thank you Fran!
Your boy is so cute!!! I love both patterns you chose for your children, I hope you’ll find the right gauge for the dress, it’s really a beautiful pattern paired with a gorgeous yarn. I never tried the Antigone base, but you make me want to! The polar bear is really cute, this mohair is beautiful 💕 I can’t wait to see your penguono , it’s really nice that you chose to display these breed specific yarns. I really love blacker yarns. I loved Emma’s penguono too, with the natural dyeing I think it’s a lot easier to wear than with the brighter one (even though I love bright colors and people wearing the I’m not quite at ease wearing them myself). Thanks for this sweet time spent in your company which I enjoyed with some chamomile tea, some chocolate cake and a square of my vivid blanket. 😊
Hello Fran! Nice to see you again! I started knitting again (after almost two months of quiet time..). Seeing your projects really inspired me to go back to the needles so thanks for that :-) Big hug from Spain.
I love your idea of combining the British breeds for your Penguono, I'd only seen very colourful ones on Molly's podcast (Homespun House) before and the one that inspired you is truly beautiful, as I'm sure yours will be, too. What a great story for a garment yours will have!! A hug from home :) I got hold of some North Ronaldsay a couple of years ago and knitted it up for Aveline, who is also fascinated with the different specific breeds. I found it not at all toothy, it had a strong silkiness about it, presumably due to the seaweed diet - I was very curious about that and it really does make it quite different from other rustic wools, which all have their own distinct characteristics, of course. It was very enjoyable to knit with and when the long mitts were done... So far I have not got on well with linen and might have to try Antigone for comparison. I would strongly suggest you swatch and wash before you restart, as linen behaves so differently from wool and it would be such a shame for the resulting little dress to be a disappointment, it's going to be beautiful, I'm sure :)).
Lovely episode! The transparency of knitted linen is something that really annoys me; you need a very tight tension to get it not-seethrough, which becomes very uncomfortable to knit. For my most recent linen project I alternated linen with wool yarn every round to counter this (though it obviously makes for a warmer fabric). And you are definitely cool enough to pull off a Penguono in public! Can't wait to see how it progresses!
It's nice to see your progress on magic3 MAL. The blue and white are going to make such a cute sweater. Hmm, that's frustrating about the fabric the linen is working up to. I've been having similar issues recently with some cotton yarn. I'm quite a loose knitter, and I just can't get this cotton to be a tight enough gauge to create a fabric that I would be comfortable wearing. I normally only wrap the yarn around my finger once, though I know many people wrap it around twice. When I try this with wool, I can't stand how it feels. But I decided to give it a go with the cotton, and because it's so much slicker, I didn't mind the feeling, and it's helping the gauge immensely without having to go down in needle size to ridiculously tiny. I don't know if anything like that could help with your project, but thought I would share what's helping me. Another idea would be to use grippier needles--wood or bamboo. I'm so excited to see your penguono! That pattern has been on my radar for a few years, and it was fun to see Emma of the Woolly Mammoth make hers. I think your idea for natural sheep colors is so absolutely perfect. Very interesting about the sheep eating seaweed. I was supposed to go on a trip to the UK next month to visit a dear friend and visit some cool places with astronomical alignments (my husband and I are working on a documentary film about cultural astronomy). I'd been saving up money in order to have a yarn budget while we go, and right now I feel so inspired to copy your lead and get local, breed specific yarns to turn into the penguono and be a wonderful reminder of this long-awaited visit. But I'll just have to wait even longer before it can happen... Happy knitting! --Chloe
oh my lill heart, be still!!!! the sweet bear is so cute :) I am not sure why I have not commented or whether my first comment was lost but it was a great joy to spot the sweet prize and join you for this Episode, linen deserves a really nice tight gauge, it definitely is a bit of a learning curve but you will soon get the hang of it... it knits a bit stiff and then relaxes and drapes so beautifully... you will have a sweet dress for P.... sending much love and just uploaded the recent yarnchix / Epsidoe 40 and oh golly. it sounds like the yarnchix podcats is a real grown up woman now....hopefully my shout out over there will make all our fellow magic3mal friends come here and spot the GORGEOUS short haired Wolollenhearted Teddy :) There will be no stopping noone as everyone will want to cuddle your sweet new creation and I cannot believe my luckiness that I will get to meet them on their journey from you to the winner... Also, it means, We- Mimi &P- will have a teddy tea party again ;)
Your Penguono is going to be beautiful - I have that pattern waiting for me in my Ravelry library. It’s so interesting to see the different color combinations used. Lovely podcast, Fran!
Another lovely episode Fran, thank you. You’ve inspired me to have a think about whether there is anything I can contribute to the magic3mal prizes. I will be making the fabulous Penguono as well when the time is right. What fun it will be. I wish you lots of fun with yours. Sheepy shades, breed specific, perfect for you. I am teaching myself to spin on a drop spindle and am using different British breeds, pure joy. Your woollen spun looks gorgeous. Woollen spun yarn is my spinning dream achievement. For now I can manage a bit of lovely, lumpy, bumpy worsted. Take care Fran xxx
Oops! forgot to mention that linen knit in the round has a high probability of twisting on the bias. Knitting for Olive has a beautiful 60% cotton 40% merino and it’s a dream to knit with and you could use it along with linen. I loved knitting my linen til it went all wonky. Maybe someone else has some tips for you. Yes we all have our blah days but tomorrow is only a day away. Cheers, 🇨🇦
Hi! Another great visit while I knit my penguono. You’ll love yours. I’ve chosen all my favourite colours to knit mine. I’m already thinking of the next one. The construction is very interesting and fun. No boring long sleeves or body. You are doing wonders with the craft of fibres. Thank you for all the name dropping. I’ve added them to my subscribers list. Cheers, 🇨🇦
just found your vlog today, so been seeing the episodes and iam now on the sixth...My succulents and knitting has been helping me some through this ordeal that has fallen on the world.. depression and anxiety still get me, but i am chugging along...love your podcast so much..keep on knitting friend..
Thanks for sharing your process of finding your way to the making of your penguono.
Cute bear.
Your have inspired me to join the make3MAL😊
Hello again, Fran! I love all of your works in progress and I think your little bear is absolutely precious!
Thank you for taking the time to stop in for a visit and brighten our days with your crafty life! If your bear had a little bit more of a yellow tinge on his fur, he could be a Kermode or Spirit Bear (a genetic sub species) from the West Coast of British Columbia - Canada. Thank you Fran!
Really enjoyed this podcast! Lovely projects Fran. Thankyou. Your bear is adorable and i think your penguono is looking gorgeous!!
Just love your podcast Fran and all of your makes! Your natural dying and spinning is beautiful!
Your boy is so cute!!! I love both patterns you chose for your children, I hope you’ll find the right gauge for the dress, it’s really a beautiful pattern paired with a gorgeous yarn. I never tried the Antigone base, but you make me want to! The polar bear is really cute, this mohair is beautiful 💕 I can’t wait to see your penguono , it’s really nice that you chose to display these breed specific yarns. I really love blacker yarns. I loved Emma’s penguono too, with the natural dyeing I think it’s a lot easier to wear than with the brighter one (even though I love bright colors and people wearing the I’m not quite at ease wearing them myself). Thanks for this sweet time spent in your company which I enjoyed with some chamomile tea, some chocolate cake and a square of my vivid blanket. 😊
Thank you Fran, so enjoyable ~ take care, Louise
Hello Fran! Nice to see you again! I started knitting again (after almost two months of quiet time..). Seeing your projects really inspired me to go back to the needles so thanks for that :-) Big hug from Spain.
Very enjoyable with a nice mix of content.
Lovely podcast.
Beautiful podcast. Don't rip jack. Knit a small swatch and wash. It might bloom nicely and fill out. The Bears are so sweet.
I enjoyed this episode, Fran :) You have some lovely projects on the go. Those yellows will look beautiful mixed in with all the natural greys.
What a lovely range of projects Fran! And I loved seeing a glimpse of your son. 😘
I love your idea of combining the British breeds for your Penguono, I'd only seen very colourful ones on Molly's podcast (Homespun House) before and the one that inspired you is truly beautiful, as I'm sure yours will be, too. What a great story for a garment yours will have!! A hug from home :)
I got hold of some North Ronaldsay a couple of years ago and knitted it up for Aveline, who is also fascinated with the different specific breeds. I found it not at all toothy, it had a strong silkiness about it, presumably due to the seaweed diet - I was very curious about that and it really does make it quite different from other rustic wools, which all have their own distinct characteristics, of course. It was very enjoyable to knit with and when the long mitts were done...
So far I have not got on well with linen and might have to try Antigone for comparison. I would strongly suggest you swatch and wash before you restart, as linen behaves so differently from wool and it would be such a shame for the resulting little dress to be a disappointment, it's going to be beautiful, I'm sure :)).
Lovely episode! The transparency of knitted linen is something that really annoys me; you need a very tight tension to get it not-seethrough, which becomes very uncomfortable to knit. For my most recent linen project I alternated linen with wool yarn every round to counter this (though it obviously makes for a warmer fabric).
And you are definitely cool enough to pull off a Penguono in public! Can't wait to see how it progresses!
Frand, this penguono will be wonderful! your projects are so pretty, natural pleasent colors to look at and your pattern choices:*
It's nice to see your progress on magic3 MAL. The blue and white are going to make such a cute sweater.
Hmm, that's frustrating about the fabric the linen is working up to. I've been having similar issues recently with some cotton yarn. I'm quite a loose knitter, and I just can't get this cotton to be a tight enough gauge to create a fabric that I would be comfortable wearing. I normally only wrap the yarn around my finger once, though I know many people wrap it around twice. When I try this with wool, I can't stand how it feels. But I decided to give it a go with the cotton, and because it's so much slicker, I didn't mind the feeling, and it's helping the gauge immensely without having to go down in needle size to ridiculously tiny. I don't know if anything like that could help with your project, but thought I would share what's helping me. Another idea would be to use grippier needles--wood or bamboo.
I'm so excited to see your penguono! That pattern has been on my radar for a few years, and it was fun to see Emma of the Woolly Mammoth make hers. I think your idea for natural sheep colors is so absolutely perfect. Very interesting about the sheep eating seaweed.
I was supposed to go on a trip to the UK next month to visit a dear friend and visit some cool places with astronomical alignments (my husband and I are working on a documentary film about cultural astronomy). I'd been saving up money in order to have a yarn budget while we go, and right now I feel so inspired to copy your lead and get local, breed specific yarns to turn into the penguono and be a wonderful reminder of this long-awaited visit. But I'll just have to wait even longer before it can happen...
Happy knitting! --Chloe
Your bear is so adorable
oh my lill heart, be still!!!! the sweet bear is so cute :) I am not sure why I have not commented or whether my first comment was lost but it was a great joy to spot the sweet prize and join you for this Episode, linen deserves a really nice tight gauge, it definitely is a bit of a learning curve but you will soon get the hang of it... it knits a bit stiff and then relaxes and drapes so beautifully... you will have a sweet dress for P.... sending much love and just uploaded the recent yarnchix / Epsidoe 40 and oh golly. it sounds like the yarnchix podcats is a real grown up woman now....hopefully my shout out over there will make all our fellow magic3mal friends come here and spot the GORGEOUS short haired Wolollenhearted Teddy :) There will be no stopping noone as everyone will want to cuddle your sweet new creation and I cannot believe my luckiness that I will get to meet them on their journey from you to the winner... Also, it means, We- Mimi &P- will have a teddy tea party again ;)
The bear is just adorable, Fran! Excited to see how you develop the bear toy. :-)
Your Penguono is going to be beautiful - I have that pattern waiting for me in my Ravelry library. It’s so interesting to see the different color combinations used. Lovely podcast, Fran!
Another lovely episode Fran, thank you. You’ve inspired me to have a think about whether there is anything I can contribute to the magic3mal prizes. I will be making the fabulous Penguono as well when the time is right. What fun it will be. I wish you lots of fun with yours. Sheepy shades, breed specific, perfect for you. I am teaching myself to spin on a drop spindle and am using different British breeds, pure joy. Your woollen spun looks gorgeous. Woollen spun yarn is my spinning dream achievement. For now I can manage a bit of lovely, lumpy, bumpy worsted. Take care Fran xxx
Oops! forgot to mention that linen knit in the round has a high probability of twisting on the bias. Knitting for Olive has a beautiful 60% cotton 40% merino and it’s a dream to knit with and you could use it along with linen. I loved knitting my linen til it went all wonky. Maybe someone else has some tips for you. Yes we all have our blah days but tomorrow is only a day away. Cheers, 🇨🇦
Hi Fran, I have just send you a voice-mail via IG :-)