Author: Beardychiel_2017

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Publishing Fortnight

Pentland Firth Shawl pattern cover.
Pentland Firth Shawl pattern cover.

 

Hi all,
It has been a busy time for old Beardychiel since my last post. A lot of test knitting for the Pentland Firth Shawl. Two versions an Aran and a DK. Both were fun to do and I enoyed having them grow before me so last week they were ready and the pattern was put together in its final format, so I pressed the buttons and it went live on Ravelry.

 

Dragonscale Socken pattern cover.
Dragonscale Socken pattern cover.

Meanwhile in the background my knitting friend and occasional test knitter Marion, who just happens to be a professional translator agreed to translate the Dragonscale Sock pattern into German for me. and as I was publishing the shawl sent me back the finished ‘Dragonscale’ Socken file, which today went live on Ravelry.

 

 

 

The Rhodes Retreat preparations are going well and we are only 10 and a bit weeks away from that adventure.

Thanks for bearing with me all you followers and subscribers the amount of mental work and IT time seems to be growing exponentially.

Next big adventure is sending off a first batch of fleeces for Beardychiel’s Caithness Croft Yarn. So watch this space after Rhodes as I start to market it…….

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Welcome to 2018

Well the year has started very quickly with a lot of knitting and pattern development work. I have to admit that I have several large projects for 2018 that I am both excited about and eager to see come to their successful conclusion. Firstly I’m looking forward to meeting friends at Edinburgh Yarn Festival in March. Beardychiel’s Caithness Crofts Yarn test batch will be in the mill in April and I am keen to see it back in my hands ready for knitters and dyers to test in early summer. In May I hope to be teaching in the Aberdeen area and further details will follow soon. I am then into the Beardychiel Rhodes Retreat and the fun that it should be. In the background I will be chatting to and working with my friend Eva Christie on bits of Perth Festival of Yarn for September 2018.

All in all a busy time. That does not mean that my designing will stop The Pentland Firth Shawl will launch towards the end of February and a new project/collection called ‘Keeping It In the Loop’will follow after that. Plans for some cotton lace work is also on the cards and you’ll all need to watch this space for that development.

Until then keep watching the podcasts and reading the blog as I remember to type it up.

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October Holidays

Hi All,

I must apologise for the posting holiday, but, Ive been so preoccupied with other things the website has had a backseat. Since last post Perth Festival of Yarn has come and gone. My holiday to Sorrento in Italy has passed. And I spent a nice day at Inverness Knitfest. I have a podcast about to go up with the last two pieces in it.

Life has been fairly good and I cannot complain. The family are well and my knitting/crocheting etc. move on apace.  There are two designs ready to hit the market soon, the Dragonscale Socks pattern and Le Tulipe et La Rose shawl are getting towards the end of test knitting. Patterns have been adjusted where required and we are at the photographs section for some of it.

I’m off now to finish that very task so will be back with a couple of taster shots soon.

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One week later

Well a week has passed since the Rhodes retreat 2018 opened for bookings and it has been  good first week with bookings really healty. About 50% of the retreat capacity has already gone with some people checking dates at work and looking at flight costs before deciding. I’ve been blown away by the positive response. A Retreat chatter thread has opened in Beardychiel’s Ravelry group and it is hard to tell if the tutors or the students are more excited. Both Skeindeer and Sockmatician podcasts have mentioned the event and I hope we will keep this momentum up.

In the background I have been knitting away and working on multiple knitting projects and details of these will follow in the future.

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Busy busy busy

The last few weeks have been ultra busy for me and although work on the website was happening in the background I simply did not find time to post here.

Last night was the culmination of several weeks of planning and work when Beardychiel’s Rhodes Retreat 2018 was launched. Bookings have been a steady stream and I hope that continues. Feedback is that the idea and price are pitched at about the right level.  So I wait and hope that my trickle becomes a raging torrent. LOL.

 

Today is the launch of Tsambika’s Rhodian Sun Socks on Ravelry . A 4ply/fingering weight sock with a small lace pattern. The socks are knitted toe up with a short row heel. I really enjoyed working on them in Rhodes then sun and chilled out atmosphere were wonderful.

Well that’s  that for today. I’m off back to some mid evening knitting and a detective show……

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Socks update

I’ve added 3 of my sock patterns to the Knitwear section of the site. Just to make sure it all works the way I want. Any feedback would be appreciated.

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Quiet Sunday

I’ve had a good weekend. Time with family, local fun day, a nice time at a quiz night where we won a bottle of Whisky in a raffle and some knitting. I hane noted a couple of Perth Festival emails pop in so thats great. Monday’s to do list is sorted.

Now it’s time to work on the square shawl…… see you later.

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Editing Day

Hi folks, I recorded an episode of Beardychiel’s Knitting Banter on Wednesday and got to the editing stage today. That bit is done and we wait now while You Tube lets it upload and we hope it works first time.

Not a lot of knitting done yesterday, but some web bits and prep for editing and housework. Today after the editing Janet emailed for a Pancake/Drop Scone Recipe. Well it took a whole 10 minutes to type and would you know it put me in the mood for them so I made a batch.

I’m thinking a Beardychiel Cooks page might be a good addition.

Answers on a post card to……

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Day 1 of New Site

So, I am rationing my time on the new site to an hour a day. Why? That can be explained by looking at all the other things that require to be fitted into a day.

  • Perth Festival of Yarn Web maintenance
  • Pattern development and typing
  • Knitting / Spinning / Crochet
  • Podcasting
  • Housework

I also allow myself the luxury of a shower. 

Earlier this morning I finished Tsambika’s Rhodian Sun Sock pattern and sent it to one of my test knitters. Tech editing next and then I’ll add it to this site and Ravelry.

Made sure the social media links in the footer take you to the right places.

And so that’s it for today, a little cooking and then Perth Festival time.