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EastLondonKnit podcast 41 making new knitters

Episode 41: Making New Knitters

Hello!

In this episode, I tell you about an Instagram giveaway, as share some great knitting advice for beginner knitters.

 

This episode is brought to you by the Starflower Shawl. Until 2nd November, 2018, use code STARFLOWERSINFALL when you check out for a 20% discount.

Show notes in the EastLondonKnit Ravelry group.

Happy knitting,

Rx

by Renée Callahan

Episode 10: Thea Colman & Iara

Hello!
Episode 10 is ready for you and I think it’s a good one! Thea Colman, aka babycocktails was a great interviewee and there are not one but 3 giveaways this time.

If you would like to win a copy of the Iara wrap pattern, you can enter to win a free copy over here on Instagram.

Iara knitting pattern by Renee Callahan

Happy knitting!

Rx

by Renée Callahan

Episode 8: Portugal and Belsyde

Hello!

You know those people who invite you over and make you look at photo after photo of them on vacation? Well, that is me this episode. I went to Portugal on a crafting holiday, and really wanted to share it with you. I promise it won’t be boring. Well, I can’t promise that but…

Show notes for everything can be found in the EastLondonKnit Ravelry group.

Happy knitting,

Rx

by Renée Callahan

The Starflower shawl

Hello!

The Starflower shawl is out now!

Starflower shawl by Renée Callahan whole

Starflower is a semi-circular shawl worked in chunky yarn to create a hug of wool that revels in simple elegance. Easily made as large or as small as you would like, this is a perfect first-shawl project or a quick knit for someone in your life in need of warmth.Starflower shawl by Renée Callahan detailI had the pleasure of using the appropriately named Pleasingly Plump yarn from Hill View Farms for this sample shawl, which is an exceptionally soft 100% Blue-faced Leicester wool. This is the same yarn I used for the Starflower Sweater and I can’t recommend it highly enough!  Starflower shawl by Renée Callahan

A shawl may not be the first thing you would imagine knitting with chunky yarn, but I think there is a good case to be made for it! I’ll chat about the shawl and the benefits of chunky yarn on the EastLondonKnit podcast Episode 7, coming out 30th June.

The shawl is 15% off until 4th July 2017 for subscribers to the EastLondonKnit newsletter!

You can buy the Starflower pattern here.

Happy knitting,

Rx

by Renée Callahan

Episode 5: Bristol Ivy and Close to Heart

Hello!

Episode 5 is up and I am so pleased to have had the chance to catch up with Bristol Ivy for this one. I also chat about my new design, Close to Heart, and do a couple of mini tutorials.

Show notes are to be found in the EastLondonKnit Ravelry group.

Happy knitting,

Rx

by Renée Callahan

Episode 4: knitting needles and linen yarn

Hello!

Episode 4 is up and I go on and on talking about knitting needles and my new favourite; linen yarn.

As ever, show notes can be found in the EastLondonKnit Ravelry group.

Happy knitting,

Rx

 

by Renée Callahan

Episode 3: Knitting Machine Making

Hello!

The EastLondonKnit podcast is out! May I present to you Episode 3: Knitting Machine Making.

 

The show notes can be found in the EastLondonKnit Ravelry group, and there is another great giveaway, a winner for a previous giveaway, and Craftsy discounts galore!

Happy knitting,

Rx

Zen Variations knitting patterns

Printed Zen Variations

Hello!

I have (finally!!) had the Zen Variations printed!

Zen Variations knitting patterns

I am really pleased with how it has turned out, even though it took much longer than I had hoped that it would. We added several variations to the variations.

Zen Variations Yama Knitting pattern by Renée Callahan-42

The original Yama Cardigan, for example, was knit it 2 gorgeous colours of The Fibre Co. Acadia yarn. To give people an indication of the versatility of the designs, I knit another version in a single solid grey colour, which you can see on the cover of the newly printed booklet at the top of this post.

I also have several new variations in gorgeous Kettle Yarn Co. Islington DK.

 

Zen Variations Knitting pattern by Renée Callahan-16

Above is the original version of the Intoku sweater in Acadia, with a longer length and pockets, to which we added the Islington version below, with a more cropped length and no pockets.

Zen_Variations__Intoku_by_Renee_Callahan-2

If you would like a copy, pop over to the EastLondonKnit Etsy shop.

Tomorrow I will publish Episode 2 of the EastLondonKnit Podcast and if you tune in, you will get a code for a 20% discount off the printed Zen Variations and the printed Klee Collection as well as an awesome interview with Woolly Wormhead!

Happy knitting,

Rx

by Renée Callahan

Starflower Sweater

Because you are great, I have a 30% discount on my new sweater pattern for you!

starflower-sweater-pattern-by-renee-callahanHello!

Spring is sprung, at least according to the flowering cherry trees around my way. There is light in the sky when I get up and I feel the promise of warmth in the (still rare) sunshine.

So I think to myself, what better time to release a pattern for a chunky sweater! haHA!

In my defense, I wear sweaters all year round and will wear this sweater well into the spring, trading my coat for the breathable warmth of the sweater when the spring really kicks in.

The Starflower Sweater is a modified raglan pullover knit in beautiful chunky wool for a cosy hug of a sweater. Designed to be a beginner-friendly knit, Starflower is worked from the top down, so you can try it on as you go to get a perfect fit.

Starflower knitting pattern by Renee Callahan

I used  Hill View Farm Yarns Pleasingly Plumb wool for the sweater and I love the squishiness of the Bluefaced Leicester fibre.

[instagram url=https://www.instagram.com/p/BKkzyIxA9WI/?taken-by=eastlondonknit]

I was honoured to be the recipient of the very first batch of yarn from Hill View Farm. It is a lovely yarn and I know that Natasha, the owner, has some amazing plans for crafty retreats, workshops, and yarn-based goodness.

You can buy the Starflower pattern here, and if you sign up to the EastLondonKnit newsletter, you will get a code for a 30% discount on the pattern with your confirmation email.

Happy knitting,

Rx

p.s. I have some podcast (!) based plans in the works, and I would love to know if you listen to/watch podcasts. If so, what do you really like or dislike about them? More on this next week, but it would great to hear your opinions!

by Renée Callahan

Wool Tribe 2017

Hello!

How is your knitting season going? I hear that mid-January is considered the most depressing time of the year. Do you find that to be the case? For me, once I have had a tiny tantrum about Christmas being over, really over, I get excited about the New Year and new resolutions and plans and fresh starts, etc. I had the launch of my Craftsy machine knitting class to keep me on my toes, and the pleasure of seeing the latest publication from the Edinburgh Yarn Fest ladies, so I didn’t feel the blues.

wool-tribe-2017-cover

You may have seen the previews for Wool Tribe 2017 are up and the magazine is available for pre-order now!

There are 6 lovely accessory designs from indie designers, including Amanda B. Collins, Jane Crowfoot, Francesca HughesClare DevineDonna Smith and my contribution; Belsyde, an asymmetrical triangular shawl worked with Kettle Yarn Co. Baskerville in Dawn and gorgeous Islington in Siren Call teal.

belsyde-shawl-by-renee-callahan

The shawl uses 3 different types of geometric lace to create a unisex shawl with lots of interest.

To get all 6 patterns, you can pre-order your copy of Wool Tribe here!

The shawl will be available as an individual digital download in June.

I hope you are knitting the blues away!

Happy knitting,

Rx