Hello, fellow knitters. My name is Jane, and I am excited to share my knitting adventures and stories with you.
I've been knitting and crafting for most of my life. My wonderful mum instilled my passion for crafts at a young age, and I've continued to learn new skills and techniques over the years. There is nothing quite like the feeling of completing a handmade project or garment using beautiful fiber and yarns!
I wanted to spread my love of handmade creations, so I started Stitches and Cream in 2019 and the Cornish Knitters Flock in 2024. One of my top priorities was to build a kind and inclusive knitting community for everyone, where all are welcomed and accepted, and work with independent British businesses that share the same values of sustainability and quality as I do.
My love for Cornwall runs deep, especially in Falmouth. My proud Cornish ancestors have lived and worked in this area for generations, so it was the perfect location to bring my vision to life.
Hello Jane. Good to catch up with you and your shop looks great! Would love to visit one day. I think your glasses really suit you. I always find it hard to find styles that suit…especially when you try them on and you can just about see what they look like, and a sticker covers part of the lense😁. I too like the Ranunculus and have knitted one. I feel the time has come to have a rummage through my stash and cast on another but like yourself I’m trying to finish the WIP’s. Thank you for another enjoyable vlog❤
I agree love the feel and finish of 4 ply. At the moment I’m knitting Aran with a strand of mohair and is so heavy when my 4 ply with a strand of mohair is light as a feather. Thank you for your lovely podcast.
Happy Birthday belated Jane! I've almost completed my first Ranunculus and have a Love Note on my mind. I'm curious why you feel one is better than the other. From the outside looking in, they both seem interchangeable. Thanks!
Recently started watching your channel so I’m catching up! Love the knitting content but especially loved this visit to Polperro where I spent many happy family holidays as a child almost 50 years ago. We once stayed in Slipway Cottage which is right next door to the museum. So many happy memories, hope to visit again some day. I now live in Northumberland and the fishing villages here also have their own traditional Gansey patterns.
Hi Jane, another enjoyable and inspiring podcast. I’m sure you’ll be amazing at Ally Pally and maybe we may be lucky enough to see you in Harrogate in 2025! I’m coming to Falmouth on the 4th October for a week and was wondering if the shop will be open all week? 😊
Hi Jane, always appreciate your honesty. ❤️. Your shop updates look amazing. You did a wonderful job creating an inviting space. Looking forward to seeing Niki,s shawl.
The shop looks amazing . Hope to make a trip over soon as it’s been a while since my last visit . I agree living in Cornwall all my life , travelling around in the summer is not easy . I am enjoying the sock club. Although I miss the zoom calls due to other commitments and work . All the best for the show in October . You do an amazing job and I love watching your videos ❤ x x
Thank you Jane for taking so much of your time to spend with all of us. I so look for to every episode. I don’t do all that much knitting anymore but always do have something on my needles. 🇺🇸🧶
Hiya.y sister stepped back from the shop at the end of last year as she has grandchildren now and wanted to spend more time with them. So same space but just me in it ☺️
Jane, thank you so much for this lovely vlog. I really enjoyed it. It brought back some dear memories when my late Mum taught me how to knit when I was about ten (over 40 years ago). Although I am a leftie when it comes to writing and so on, she taught me the "usual" way of knitting in Germany (right-handed, continental style). It was the way she was taught by her mum, my granny. I am very grateful for that, and I never get confused with any instructions. I look forward to your next podcast. Woolly greetings from Germany 🧶
Thank you so much for a jam packed episode. You’ve certainly inspired me! I think I have now added all the patterns mentioned today on to my wish list. Thank you again.
The shop is looking fantastic, I’m long overdue a visit. I love a ranunculus too, but have you tried the Wilfreda by Wenche Ronald? It’s similar, with a lovely yolk, and I’ve found the fit really good. X
I have just booked a holiday in Cornwall for next year, late August/early September. I cannot wait to visit your lovely shop. My long-suffering husband has agreed to calling off at various yarn places on our way from Yorkshire to Cornwall and knew we were headed for Falmouth when I said "I will be able to go and meet Jane". I must have talked about you and your shop quite a lot. 😂
Hi thank you for the podcast. I have the Smokeshow on my list of future projects and I have purchased the yarn in readiness . I cannot recall the brand ( as away in Cornwall on our holidays, St Just) in a deep blue/green mix. The Ranunculus is beautiful and you should not worry about whether the yarn suits you or not. The new glasses loved fab on you by the way. The shop is looking lovely and is now so different from my first visit when on holiday, when it was across the road. You can see the efforts you are making of which you should feel very proud about. x
Thank you. We have certainly changed over the last 5 years and hopefully you will come and visit us again when you are next this way. Enjoy the Smokeshow. It’s a nice knit 🧶
What a great podcast Jane , the shop Looks lovely and so welcoming , I prefer knitting with thinner needles , the larger ones is like knitting with pokers and they hurt my hands , I’ve tried knitting with 9”” circulars but they don’t suit my arthritic hands , thank you for taking the time to spend with us when you must be so busy
Thanks for sharing your updates to the shop. One day I hope to visit as it looks lovely. I’m really enjoying being part of Flock so hope all goes well at the festival and many more get to enjoy the wonderful community you are creating.
I would love to have seen the cruse ship in the harbor. My preference in yarn and needles are just like yours, for me I can knit on anything from a 2mm up to a 3.75, but occasionally I will use a 4mm only because I like double knit yarn. Now about the cardigan, I would have knitted it in the round and steeked it, hope I've got the spelling right there.
Your shop looks lovely. the color in the back room is cool. Happy belated birthday!! Your glasses are lovely! nice color on you. I think I am the only one on the planet that has never made a Ranunculus, and truthfully I don't think I will. Your colorwork is very neat - can I ask if you knit two handed or both yarns on one hand. My tension is better two handed but I prefer having both yarns on left hand. I'm a lot slower with two hands. Love to hear your inspirational thoughts....you are a very strong, sensible and understanding, and you give us/me examples to not only be more creative but also how we all need to live our lives; more patiently, stronger and just be nice to each other. I can't imagine how hard it is to do what you do but your business and life is based on helping people which I am sure gives you joy.
Thank you for such lovely comments. I swap around with colourwork and sometimes have them both on my right hand (i am an English style knitter) and sometimes on both. I am about the same either way so it doesn’t make much difference to me 🥰
Thank you for your lovely podcast. It has been super to see around your beautiful shop. Just wondering which method of purling the back your Fairisle tank/vest you use? Best wishes from Shropshire
Thank you. In the same way I do the front facing fairisle I tend to use both hands to hold yarn. Fortunately this one is only 2 colours per row so that is manageable. It just takes me longer than the knit side 🙄🥰
Hello dear Jane- I really enjoyed this episode…as I always do! I’m glad you had a lovely birthday- mine is the same week as yours and although it’s Winter here it was a sunny day- we had a gentle walk and lunch then dinner with most of my beautiful family ( my daughter was working in Queensland) and my two little granddaughters were just adorable ❤ at the moment I’m knitting them both the Daisy cardigan by Knitting for Olive and I’ve finally started making myself the Easwas hat by Kate Davies- it’s been on the list for a very long time! I’m so pleased you’ve been able to finish some of your wips- it makes you feel so virtuous 😊
Thank you. Your birthday sounds perfect. I love the Knitting for Olive children’s patterns they are super cute. I am sure your grandchildren will look lovely in them 🥰
The shop has become so pretty and welcoming! I hope that now all the hard work is done you’ll have a moment every now and then to sit in that lovely chair and have a breather.
The shop looks amazing and I can’t wait to visit in November. Thank you for talking about the love note / ranunculus sweaters. I’ve been trying to decide and this really helped. I’m going to make the ranunculus I think. As always thank you for sharing your stories of yarn and life. They resonate and make me feel connected. Belated birthday wishes too xx
Slow stitching is now all the rage but slow knitting should also have its time in the sun. This obsession with shapeless round yoke top down sweaters that are quick to knit I just don't understand. Knitting should be 'me time'. A calm space in a busy world.
Thank you and I do agree knitting should be something that we enjoy and gives us space and time to reflect and savour the process. When it’s your business it’s a bit harder to achieve that but I do try but not always successfully 🥰
Thank you Jane. I love your videos ❤ I understand what you are saying and I think it would be very exhausting running a shop/business, especially when you are in your 60's. I admire you, as I am 66 years old and I couldn't do it. From this side of the computer screen, we have it easy. We can just sit here, knit with a cuppa and listen. However, for you, there are a lot of dynamics involved and especially when things take off after creating one's RU-vid channel and are running a business also. The pressure is on and if it was me, knowing me, I'd be quite stressed and wondering whether I should have created a youtube channel in the first place. 🤣🤣 I don't perform well if I spread myself too thin, if you get what I mean. You not only have to run a business, but you have a family too and a home. It all takes energy and time and is not beer and skittles. Another thing to consider is you need to spend time for yourself, enjoying your knitting and at our ages it is important we look after health. I think you do a marvellous job and consider us, your viewers, very lucky that we have your channel. Look after yourself and take care. Love Rose (English born, but a Ten Pound Pom living in Australia.) 🌹xx PS Your glasses look great.
As thank you so much. You have hit the nail on the head really but I get a lot from what I do personally so it is altruistic and I have developed new friends through my love of yarn which is wonderful. Glad you are enjoying my ramblings too ☺️
Hi Jane. Love your podcast. The shop looks great. I was so gutted a couple of years ago. We were on holiday down there from Leeds and ended up visiting falmonth on a Sunday and you were closed 😢. Might get there again some time.
Great to hear what you've been up to. I've recently finished knitting my first Ranunculus. Will definitely make more! While watching you I've cast off hem of my Wilfreda (similar to Ranunculus) using Alternating Cable Cast Off by Cheryl Toy. It replicates an Italian Bind Off without the need to have a yard of yarn to manage. I'm a total convert. I also prefer knitting with a fingering yarn. Have just finished a Stick Season Sweater by Creabea for my 34 year old son's birthday gift, knitted with Kelly & Co Worsted yarn. The 6.5mm needles were not my friends. Take care. Barbara (NZ)
Great to see you and your updated shop space. A round of applause for knocking out the WIPs! Judging from the yarn in my stash. I buy fingering weight, but most of the year's FOs involved worsted weight yarns.
Your shop looks wonderful, the workshop area looks very bright and inviting. I love your glasses on you. I also have astigmatism and like that style of glasses frames for myself as well. Your ranunculus looks great and I think the color suits your coloring very well. My favorite range of yarn weight is very similar to yours. Mine is fingering to DK, with the occasional use of lace weight or worsted/aran. I’m not a fan of the bulky/chunky weights but I also live in a place where those are not very useful either.
I always enjoy your videos. The shop looks very pretty and cozy. Would love to visit sometime but it is quite a distance from New Mexico in the US. Like you I prefer fingering weight. I've never enjoyed wearing chunky sweaters nor holding big needles. I never finish as many projects as all the DK knitters I see in other podcasts. LOL Your smokeshop is lovely. I knit one recently in a rustic tweed yarn dark burgandy. It is perfect for a wintery day sitting by a fire or out for a brisk walk. I found William Morris inspired buttons to finish it off with a British flare. Looking forward to all you projects and kits.
Ooh buttons is the next thing to decide. We have some new ones in the shop and I fancy something contrasting yours sound lovely as I think his prints are fab 🥰
Another lovely episode . Thank you for taking the time to record these for us all to enjoy. I remember from your earlier videos your sister used to help out in the shop. Does your sister not help out in the shop anymore?
DK, 4ply, lace weight are used. Jumpers in 4ply and recently lace weight are my preferred yarns, knit with slightly smaller diameter needles because I am a loose knitter.
Similarities! Birthday in July, double vision and expensive glasses, pale blond hair, senior lady, quiet birthday celebration, much knitting. I love watching your podcast because it feels so convivial. Your knitting tips and tricks are always helpful and charming. I’m far away 🇨🇦 so thank you for the lovely shop tour. ❤
I love your podcasts, not just for the knitting but for your down to earth ways, and honest discussions. I identified with you on many topics in this video. I’m 73 and have had severe astigmatism since I was young. My glasses are very expensive but I feel that without them I wouldn’t be able to do the things I love. I too prefer small gauge knitting. I also find that if I knit a very heavy pullover, it is too warm to wear indoors, and outdoors in the Vancouver area we get a lot of rain so then I need a jacket. I recently started knitting the Primrose jumper by Marie Wallin. It is a joy to knit but will be a long term project (not too long - I AM 73! ). I recently had a hip replacement and I thought it would be great to work on while I was recovering. However, it was too hard to concentrate while I was on pain meds! Thank you again for taking time in your busy life to do the podcasts. I really enjoy them! 💞
Thank you. I enjoy just chatting about just about anything knitting related 😊 that’s another good reason not to knit too chunky a top, getting a jacket over the top! Marie Wallin is on my todo list too 🥰
You are such a lovely lady, don't worry too much about Ally Pally, you will be fine! Are you taking anyone with you to help on your stand? Once your stand is up and you know you have enough stock to hand, you can relax and chat to people just as you do here. When it's over, I'm sure you will be worn out, so I hope you can take a break afterwards. But most I all, I hope you find the overall experience an enjoyable and worthwhile one and that you meet some amazing people.
Your shop update is lovely - very bright and cheerful. I am always amazed at the number of knitters that say they are either introverts or that they dislike being in big crowds. I am exactly the same: I don't want a big fuss over birthdays, and I have finally admitted (at the age of 77) that I am very much an introvert. I am comfortable being by myself, however I do enjoy the company of friends. Just no big crowds or big birthday parties - not my "thing". I very much enjoy your podcasts - thanks for taking the time to provide us with inspiration.
I really appreciated this episode, thank you for making it. In your discussion about losing a bit of weight, I will chime in to add something that has been incredibly helpful for me. When I feel like having something to eat, instead of asking myself 'what do I feel like eating?', I take a moment to ask myself 'Am I actually hungry?' and surprisingly the answer is often 'No'. I often just want a break from whatever (unpleasant) task I'm doing. I take a break (usually to knit), until I feel ready to go back to the task. This technique has helped me take better care of myself; more rest and less snack food. Waving a cheery hello to you from 🇨🇦
Another delightful podcast, thank you. The interior of Stitches and Cream looks lovely, bright and airy and of course, full of wonderful yarn. I am also drawn to knitting with smaller needles more and more. I was looking down my Ravelry queue yesterday and nearly all were 4 ply. I'm happy to knit dk but don't really like using bigger than a 4mm needle. I hope the Ally Pally event goes well for you. Hard work but I'm sure it will also be rewarding. Definitely take a spare pair of shoes and make them very low heels. Many years ago (I was still in my twenties) I wore a pair of low stiletto heels to go to an event at Olympia for the day. Lots of walking around and my feet were torture after the first hour or so. I learned my lesson! Super new glasses which really suit you. The main benefit (other than stabilising the macular hole) of having my two eye surgeries a few years ago is that I no longer need glasses for distance; that's after over 50 years of having to wear them. My lenses were always thick and very expensive too. Your latest Ranunculus is lovely and your wips are too. I'm very much looking forward to our Kynance Shawl KAL starting.
Thank you. Haha. I never wear heels anyway but comfy shoes will be a must. Unfortunately they can’t operate on my eyes (never sure I fancied it either! So I have to make do with taking out. Mortgage to renew them every couple of years 😂 glad you like the shop 🥰
Thank you Jane. You are an inspiration to us all. I am honoured to be both part of the brilliant Sock Club and the fabulous Flock. I have learned so much in a very short time from you and the other lovely members and have been privileged to use gorgeous sock yarns that are not necessarily available elsewhere. I feel we’re really starting to create strong bonds in the global Flock community. It’s a real joy to meet online with other like-minded knitters (some of us chronologically aged but still very young at heart!) Thank you for all you have done thus far and continue to do for us. You are truly loved and appreciated. Hope to see you at Ally Pally - and one day to come on retreat and visit your stunning shop - the upgrades are superb. Lucky locals!! And if anyone is wondering about my use of superlatives, Jane deserves every one of them and more. Just join us when membership opens and you will be able to find out for yourself! 💕🧶🧦🐑🙏💕
We thank you Linda so much you are also a vital part of this community too and make it easy to bring people together. Hopefully we will meet IRL soon! 😘
