Ten years ago, Heather Gibbs was looking for an outlet for her crochet creativity and set up her blog; Keep Calm and Crochet On UK. Little did she know that her blog would be going from strength to strength a whole decade later, but that she would also end up working with a selection of different crochet magazines and yarn companies as well.
Graceful Gull Shawl MAL – one of Heather’s design collaborations with Kitey from the Yarn Whisperer
In this latest episode of Making Stitches Podcast, I chatted to Heather about how the blog came about in the first place, how her design career first got off the ground and her hopes for the next ten years to come in her crochet adventure.
Bunty Bear – Heather’s latest design / kitHeather’s Dear Ewe Kit – Flynn the Fox
The theme music is Make You Smile by RGMusic from Melody Loops .
The Making Stitches logo was designed by Neil Warburton at iamunknown.
You can support Making Stitches Podcast with running costs through Ko-fi. Making Stitches Podcast is supported by the Making Stitches Shop which offers Making Stitches Podcast merchandise for sale as well as Up the Garden Path crochet patterns created by me & illustrated by Emma Jackson.
Making Stitches Podcast is presented, recorded and edited by Lindsay Weston
Hello there and welcome to the Making Stitches Podcast 2023 Christmas Special. Join me for a selection box of treats looking back at the past 12 months in my podcast world.
You can hear from guests including Dr Mia Hobbs from the ‘Why I Knit’ Podcast on the mental health benefits of being creative, Dr Fran Darlington-Pollock from the Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity about their yarny Christmas appeal this year and some more of my guests from the podcast this year. Also joining me are some of the lovely people I met at this year’s Great Northern Textile Show who will be sharing what’s on their Christmas wish list.
Thank you to all of my guests who joined me on this episode, and throughout the year. Thank you to you too for listening! I hope you have a lovely Christmas and that 2024 is kind to you.
Making Stitches was a finalist in the 2023 Independent Podcast Awards
The theme music is Winter Trip by Audioflame from Melody Loops other music used in this episode is Happy Sunshine by Roman Cano, also from Melody Loops.
The Making Stitches logo was designed by Neil Warburton at iamunknown.
You can support Making Stitches Podcast with running costs through Ko-fi. Making Stitches Podcast is supported by the Making Stitches Shop which offers Making Stitches Podcast merchandise for sale as well as Up the Garden Path crochet patterns created by me & illustrated by Emma Jackson.
Making Stitches Podcast is presented, recorded and edited by Lindsay Weston.
One of the Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity ‘Deck the Halls’ decorations
This time on Making Stitches Podcast, I want to share a great initiative which is happening in my home city of Manchester. Homelessness is a problem all year round in towns and cities across the world, not just here in the UK and it’s a complex problem to solve.
Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity was set up after our Mayor, Andy Burnham was elected. He chose to donate a percentage of his monthly wage to combatting rough sleeping across the city, and it was thanks to that the Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity was born. The charity doesn’t just offer somewhere for people to stay, it also helps in other ways with food, clothing and help to get people off the streets.
Fran Darlington-Pollock, Chief Exective of the Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity and my guest for this episode of Making Stitches Podcast.
Knitted paper chain garland
Each year, the charity looks at new ways to raise funds to support it’s ‘A Bed Every Night’ campaign, and in the run up to Christmas there’s a concerted push to bring in more funding. It costs £30 to pay for one person to have somewhere safe to sleep for the night and to receive the wrap around care on offer.
This year, Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity is calling on knitters and crocheters to help them in partnership with Black Sheep Wools. They have a range of knitting and crochet patterns for sale as well as yarn kits to make decorations. The proceeds from the sale of the patterns will go to the charity as well as 10% from the sale of every yarn pack and, if you would prefer to make a £30 donation through the Black Sheep Wools website, you will be gifted all the patterns for free, and that entire £30 will go to fund a bed for the night.
Crocheted Christmas stockings
I spoke to Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity Chief Executive, Fran Darlington-Pollock, who told me why she was calling on knitters and crocheters to help them this year.
The theme music is Make You Smile by RGMusic from Melody Loops .
The Making Stitches logo was designed by Neil Warburton at iamunknown.
You can support Making Stitches Podcast with running costs through Ko-fi. Making Stitches Podcast is supported by the Making Stitches Shop which offers Making Stitches Podcast merchandise for sale as well as Up the Garden Path crochet patterns created by me & illustrated by Emma Jackson.
Making Stitches Podcast is presented, recorded and edited by Lindsay Weston.
Making Stitches Podcast was a finalist in the Independent Podcast Awards 2023
Hello and welcome to this latest episode of Making Stitches Podcast where I’m taking you out on the road with me to the second Great Northern Textile Show which happened a couple of weeks ago in Manchester.
Cheryl & Joanne from the North Cheshire Guild of Spinners, Weavers & Dyers
You’ll hear from a selection of traders who brought their products to sell to visitors, several crafts guilds and three hugely talented textile artists who were invited to exhibit their work. In this episode I also spoke to the really inspiring Taslima from CDM UK Manchester which works with women and children (some of whom have suffered abuse) teaching them textile design and craft skills – if you think that listening to this section of the episode may upset you or someone you are listening with, you can skip the section between the 33.5 minute mark and 43.5 minute mark.
Some of Wendy Roby’s exhibitionSheila Haldane with Jupiter (on the top right)
Jane Smith with her beautiful Japanese EmbroideryYarn Addicts of Manchester (Helen is on the right)
Since the last episode I had a trip to London for the Independent Podcast Awards. Making Stitches was shortlisted in the Arts & Culture category. It was a wonderful event and a huge honour to be shortlisted alongside other such fantastic podcasts. Making Stitches didn’t win, but I was really pleased to see that Folk on Foot, another passion project podcast was the winner. It’s a super listen and would highly recommend it!
My trip to the Independent Podcast Awards in London!
The theme music is Make You Smile by RGMusic from Melody Loops other music used in this episode is Happy Sunshine by Roman Cano, also available from Melody Loops.
The Making Stitches logo was designed by Neil Warburton at iamunknown.
You can support Making Stitches Podcast with running costs by buying me a coffee through Ko-fi. Making Stitches Podcast is supported by the Making Stitches Shop which offers Making Stitches Podcast merchandise for sale as well as Up the Garden Path crochet patterns created by me & illustrated by Emma Jackson. The latest design is ‘Prunella the Pumpkin’ an amigurumi pumpkin doll.
Making Stitches Podcast is presented, recorded and edited by Lindsay Weston.
Back in July, Black Sheep Wools, the largest independent yarn shop in the UK celebrated its 40th birthday. Friends of Black Sheep Wools were invited to join in with a two-day-long birthday party at the Craft Barn in Culcheth, Warrington. I went along to join the festivities and this episode shares a little bit of what went on.
Sara (right) and I at the Black Sheep Wools 40th birthday party
One of my purchases from Black Sheep Wools on the big day
This weekend, the Great Northern Textile Show is back at Urmston in Manchester for a second year. The show, which features traders, artists and crafts guilds returns, but this time with Domino Panton-Oakley at the helm. I went to meet Domino ahead of the big event to see how preparations were going.
For information about the Great Northern Textile Show 2023 and to buy tickets, please check out the website.
Last year, I spoke to Tracy Fox, creator of the Great Northern Textile Show and went along to the first ever Great Northern Textile Show. Next time on Making Stitches, I hope to be able to take you with me to this year’s event.
Making Stitches Podcast is a finalist in the first ever Independent Podcast Awards
The theme music is Make You Smile by RGMusic from Melody Loops other music used in this episode is Happy Sunshine by Roman Cano, also available from Melody Loops.
The Making Stitches logo was designed by Neil Warburton at iamunknown.
You can support Making Stitches Podcast with running costs through Ko-fi. Making Stitches Podcast is supported by the Making Stitches Shop which offers Making Stitches Podcast merchandise for sale as well as Up the Garden Path crochet patterns created by me & illustrated by Emma Jackson.
Making Stitches Podcast is presented, recorded and edited by Lindsay Weston.
When clinical psychologist, Dr Mia Hobbs, was studying at university, her mother suggested taking up knitting would be a great antidote for intensive study. Mia took her Mum’s advice and started knitting a shawl which grew gradually as she studied. From then on, knitting became an important activity for Mia and over time crossed over into her work with colleagues and patients both within the NHS and private practice.
Mia’s first project knitted while studying at university
Mia became so intrigued by the positive impact working with your hands can have on mental health, that she started the Why I Knit Podcast so she could speak to other people who have found great comfort in their hobby too.
As a passionate advocate for crafting to keep me on an even keel, I stumbled upon the Why I Knit podcast and asked Mia if she would like to come onto Making Stitches. Thankfully, she said yes!
My sincerest thanks to Mia for agreeing to speak to me for Making Stitches Podcast.
Mia modeling her latest jumper which she mentioned in this episode
The theme music for Making Stitches Podcast is Make You Smile by RGMusic from Melody Loops.
Making Stitches Podcast is presented, recorded and edited by Lindsay Weston.
The Making Stitches logo was designed by Neil Warburton at iamunknown.
You can support Making Stitches Podcast with running costs by buying me a coffee through Ko-fi.
Making Stitches Podcast is supported by the Making Stitches Shop which offers Making Stitches Podcast merchandise for sale as well as Up the Garden Path crochet patterns created by me & illustrated by Emma Jackson.
The latest design – published the same day as this episode is ‘Prunella the Pumpkin’ an amigurumi pumpkin doll.
Hello and welcome back to Making Stitches Podcast, it’s so good to be back with you. I had to take and extended break from podcasting due to a lot of ‘stuff’ going on, but I’m thrilled to be back with you now with the first episode of Series 7!
Fabric Plant Pots
My guest this time is Jen Rich, a food stylist & photographer who bought her first sewing machine back in the days of Covid lockdown. Just three years on from teaching herself how to sew, Jen has written a book called ‘Stitch: Sewing Projects for the Modern Maker’. She says she has written it with both beginners and established sewing enthusiasts in mind.
Jewellery Roll
Jen says she wrote the book she wished she could have read when she was first starting out, taking you through the steps of each project. However, the projects should also appeal to established sewers providing short ‘palette cleanser’ projects for when you need a break after working on larger projects. The fact that they are small items also makes them ideal projects for using up scraps of fabric left over from previous makes.
Overnight bag
It’s a truly stunning book, and Jen’s experience both at the sewing machine and behind the camera are shown to their advantage. Among the 30 projects included are scrunchies, an insulated picnic bag, a reversible tote bag and Christmas stockings (along with all the projects featured in these photographs).
There are extensive instructions taking you through all the steps and techniques needed to finish each project. There are also tips on choosing the right fabric for what you are working on.
My sincerest thanks to Jen for agreeing to speak to me for Making Stitches Podcast. You can find Jen at her on Instagram at @stitchcraftandcook
Jen wearing the jumpsuit we mentioned in the podcast episode
Earlier this month, I was thrilled to learn that Making Stitches has been nominated for the first ever Independent Podcast Awards. It’s such an honour to be included in the shortlist!
Hello there! Sorry for the long radio silence, life has been busy, but I’m thrilled to share with you the news that Making Stitches Podcast is coming back for a 7th series very soon. I have spent some time this summer speaking to some truly fascinating people and I look forward to sharing those creative chats with you starting next week!
To make sure you don’t miss out on that shiny new episode when it appears, make sure you have followed or subscribed to Making Stitches Podcast on your favourite podcast app. That way, it should slide into your to-listen-to list without you having to do another thing!
For a flavour of what’s coming your way, here’s a little taster:
The Independent Podcast Awards were created to celebrate the smaller independent podcasts which are created up and down the land by hobbyists and people in their bedrooms – well, I tick both of those boxes!
Making Stitches Podcast has been nominated in the the Arts & Culture category along with 9 other podcasts, and it’s a tough category. The quality of the other podcasts which have been chosen is so high, it’s a real honour to even be considered worthy enough to be alongside them.
I have no expectations of what will happen next, I didn’t expect to make the shortlist, but if nothing else, I will have a trip down to London at the end of October and will report back on the experience!
I have been contacted by quite a few people asking, very kindly, if they would be able to vote for Making Stitches in a public vote, but the decision is being made by a panel of judges. Thank you though, to those who asked, that’s really kind of you!
I shall leave it here, I look forward to being back in your podcast feeds again this time next week.
Catherine of Catherine Crochets and her Aria blanket
Way back in December 2022 I promised you this episode of Making Stitches with crochet designer Catherine from Catherine Crochets. Unfortunately, life rather got in the way of those plans, so now, six months later than originally promised is the final episode of the current series of Making Stitches.
Midnight Diamond blanket
Catherine got hooked on crochet while expecting her second child and since then, her passion for tapestry crochet has grown and grown. Her designs have been featured in books and magazines and she has also designed for yarn companies too. Catherine’s designs are often influenced by geometric patterns and, I’m told, are rather addictive to make.
Superstars blanketGeo Georgie blanket
Last November, Catherine was invited to be the guest designer at The Crochet Sanctuary in Cheshire, so I popped along before her workshop to have a chat about her crochet and how it all got started. You can find Catherine’s work on her website, Instagram & Facebook.
You can find out more about The Crochet Sanctuary here.
Thank you for listening to this, the 60th episode of Making Stitches Podcast. The theme music is Make You Smile by RGMusic from Melody Loops.
The Making Stitches logo was designed by Neil Warburton at iamunknown.
You can support Making Stitches Podcast with running costs through Ko-fi. Making Stitches Podcast is supported by the Making Stitches Shop which offers Making Stitches Podcast merchandise for sale as well as Up the Garden Path crochet patterns created by me & illustrated by Emma Jackson.
Making Stitches Podcast is presented, recorded and edited by Lindsay Weston.
Some of the highlights of 2022 on Making Stitches Podcast! (Clockwise from top left; Figen Murray, Amanda Bloom, Khloe from the People’s History Museum, Eleanora Tully at Yarndale, Amoami, Tracy Fox, Great Northern Textile Show, Kitey from the Yarn Whisperer
It’s that time again, as 2022 draws to a close, I’m taking you on a romp through this year’s Making Stitches back catalogue with a few of my highlights.
One of Leah Higgins’ beautiful art quilts on display at the Great Northern Textile Show
You can hear from Figen Murray, Amanda Bloom from Cosy Life Boxes, Rafael Alcaide from Amoami, Beth Gillions, Conservation Officer at the People’s History Museum, Eleonora Tulley from Coastal Crochet, highlights from the first Great Northern Textile Show, Leah Higgins, Tracy Fox and Kitey from the Yarn Whisperer.
Arriving at Yarndale 2022
This year, Making Stitches has been listened to across 6 continents and has held the number one spot in the Apple Craft Podcast Charts in the UK, Australia, Canada, Ireland & New Zealand. It also reached the number 5 spot in the USA. Thank you to everyone who has listened this year – it’s been great to have your company.
The music featured in this episode is Winter Trip by AudioFlame from Melody Loops. The Making Stitches logo was designed by Neil Warburton at iamunknown.
You can support Making Stitches Podcast with running costs through Ko-fi. Making Stitches Podcast is supported by the Making Stitches Shop which offers Making Stitches Podcast merchandise for sale as well as Up the Garden Path crochet patterns created by me & illustrated by Emma Jackson.
Making Stitches Podcast is presented, recorded and edited by Lindsay Weston
Making Stitches Podcast 