I want to throw in another project idea: Make a travel memory project… Buy a mini skein where ever you can on your trip, and put them together in a striped sweater oder cardigan 😊 That would be a great memory!!!
Even a scarf made from trip yarn would be a great commemoration. A nice in the round tube grafting the 1st to last skein would be a lovely experience and memory.
Hooray for Hereford! That was my family's first stop on our vacation in Great Britain that we just got back from last month. For trips into Wales, consider Conwy. It's a great little town with medieval walls, a castle, a lovely hike up the hill with a gorgeous view of the town/countryside, *and* Ewe Felty Thing, my favorite yarn shop that I visited during our trip. They've got lots of British yarn and some yarns dyed by Welsh dyers, including the shop owner. :) Have a great time!
B & A are more than enough to keep you occupied. The plain stockinet of B is fun, mindless knitting to be able to see the scenery and have conversations while knitting. Also, BUY THE YARN on your shop tour! Ship it home!
First off: welcome to the channel, Ned! It's lovely to see your face as well as hear your voice when you are asking the questions! And as you were going along with the choices, A and B are my choices too, for exactly the same reasons! Also, the colourwork pattern is easy to remember, so interesting enough while there will still also be space to keep knitting while looking at the scenery. Bring some dry and sunny weather, please, because we've been having plenty of rain and unseasonably cool temperatures! And... I was delighted to see that there is a proper yarn shop in Bath! That would be my nearest - apart from Bristol, maybe - yarn shop from Glastonbury. So I want to travel there. And certainly in American terms, Wells with its beautiful cathedral is not too ludicrously far from Bath so maybe we could make a day of it? Meet up in Bath at the yarn shop and then to Wells cathedral? I have another sneaky plan, but that remains a surprise! 😉
How nice to see Ned in this episode! Your trip sounds exciting (although the caption is misleading - Europe is so much more than Germany, UK and Ireland 😉) ! I visited Scotland about 10 years ago and absolutely loved it. I took a bustrip through the highland to the Isle of Skye which is an amazing place! And Edinburgh is a lovely city with lots of great places to visit. In Shetland you can visit some of the small businesses that spin and dye their own yarn. For the travel projects I vote for A and C. I also think that buying miniskeins of yarn inthe places you visit is a great idea. You can use them for a souvenir project like a sweater or a blanket.
Take Option A since it takes up less space. Buy yarn there to work there, just take the pattern. And pro-tip, buy yarn and have the shop mail it to your home in the US. That way you do not have to pay the VAT. Your trip(s) sound amazing. Have so much fun! Today I am knitting a long scarf of variegated teal.
Super video. I love the UK. I’d bring A & B. I squish yarn in ziplock bags and pull the air out of it so it stacks flat. You can get a lot of yarn in. Good luck with the competitions
Hi Ned! 👋 Nice to get the chance to meet you! Hey Mark I'm voting A & B.... Ned said what I was thinking with less words. 😂 And if it's still not enough, you can have the His stocking, My stocking, Moms stocking etc made with yarns bought during travels. The sweater is basic enough you can socialize or stare out windows, but also something for just chilling down after a hectic day
Great to see Ned! He's so nice, and relaxed around cameras. Did you say Cornwall is subtropical, I must have heard that wrong?! What a blast you both are going to have, my goodness!! So happy for you. Bon voyage, have the best time ever. Looking forward to seeing and hearing about your adventures.
@@spinningloft yes, Cornwall is subtropical. Have a look at The Lost Gardens of Heligan, a rediscovered subtropical Victorian garden there. Think Jurassic Park 😆
Lovely episode, though not much knitting 😊 Amy Palko has knitnight at a pub Monday nights in Edinburgh. I contacted her when I was on tour with my orchestra, now retired, last year. We were 12-14 ladies there. Creabea was there too. Amy is such a lovely person and I had a really good couple of hours. If you ever come to Gävle, Sweden the yarnmill Järbo, with the internetshop Eddna is here. I would love to host you. Love Eileen
So nice to meet your husband and your cat family - you are all lovely and delightful. Have a wonderful trip!! Isn’t it funny how we knitters spend so much of our travel planning on YARN plans?? I have left out extra clothing items in order to have enough room for yarn. We are crazy. But in a nice way 😊. Bon voyage!
Oban is a lovely town with plenty of ferries to the inner and outer Hebrides, and it has a special place in my heart. So for that reason, and that reason only I vote for C - the Oban sweater! Whatever you decide, I think you will both love Scotland and I wish you both the best honeymoon ever!!💕
Hi both, in Shetland the two yarn company’s are Jamison and smith, and jamisons, they both have places in Lerwick, js has a shop on the outskirts of Lerwick, jamisons has a shop in the town and a mill in the island, the museum is in Lerwick, down by the water. Shetland wool week is at the end of September. There is also a knitting museum down by the fishing and commercial harbour in an old house. Shetland teas are a must, the are usually at the weekend in community halls. Also travel on the inter island ferries to Yell and Unst Island. It is an experience driving in Shetland single lane in some places with passing places for cars to get past each other burrer area is a lot of small islands linked by bridges I hope you get to Wales not just south wales but the north and mid wales, from Hereford you should be able to get to places in wales, Llangollen canal , over the pontcysylltte aqueduct, dyfi osprey project and Dolgellau and walk along the old railway track to Barmouth, and portmeirion village, which is by the Porthmadog heritage steam railway have a great time both
Also in Devon there is John Arbon textile mill which is a spinning yarn mill, there are utube videos of the process and mill tour Devon is a county next to Cornwall
My vote is A. Take the fair isle pattern that you decide on, and take your tools for that pattern, and start it when you buy yarn on your trip. That way, you're not travelling with yarn, and you'll return with a sweater! Enjoy your adventure! I'll travel vicariously with you.
I vote for A, plus a second pair of socks and some patterns. You'll be buying yarn, so why not knit with your new yarn? That way you won't over fill your suitcase. When you're in Shetland, it's a fun day trip to take the ferry to Uist. They have a great little (very tiny) museum. Have a great trip and I hope you win the contest
All are great options. Definitely A. Why not find a project and yarn while you are on the trip? You know (you know) you are going to find some yarn that you fall in love with while you're on this trip.
2 months!? How wonderful! As a huuuuge Harry Potter fan, please posts pictures! I’m hoping there will be plenty of videos to come! PS definitely use Space Bags (vacuum bags) for your yarn! Saves sooo much space!
Option B is the one Id be taking along! You dont really want to be making fair isle then have to frog because you got distracted, but totally your choice of course. Lovely to see Ned too 😊 have a wonderful trip/honeymoon and good luck to Ned in Germany!
So excited for you dream adventure and honeymoon trip. Best wishes for every moment, yarn adventures, and the competition together. I echo one of the comments as to do you have videos posted of both or your performances? Great to see your plants, both cats and you two!
Have a great trip. I have ridden the train and it is great. I have followed I Knit 7 group since Covid and ordered yarn from several of them. Working on a sweater now with yarn from a Tribe yarns that is now located in Scotland. Have fun and enjoy. Isle of Skye is a favorite and be sure to go in a few castles.
My vote is B, because all the reasons others have listed AND you’ll be at Rebecca’s LYS when you’re at Ginger Twist. Bon voyage! Please vlog a bit for us for your travels.
Here I am back again because I didn't watch the whole thing before commenting originally so I'm back to vote! I think B (you could pick your colorwork yarn when you get to the UK) or D (the more yarn you pack to go, the more room for souvenirs on the way home). I'm leaning towards B though, a lot more to mindlessly do. And don't BRING a second project, pick one up while you're there! Let the trip inspire you!
Hi Mark & Ned: Awesome podcast, love it that you talk about plants! Welcome Ned to Mark’s awesome podcast! I just bought fiddlehead leaf plant, hoping it will work out, after wanting one for a very long time! The money tree one with round disks plant that you were able to start a second pot, I did not have good luck with that plant. The monstera and the floating leaves ones, my daughter have lots of luck with! You guys certainly have green thumbs! How do plan to keep them water while you guys are gone for so long? Hopefully you have friends/family that can help you guys water the plants in your absence. I would take the project that is most easy of them because on vacation, you don’t want to deal very difficult patterns! You want to enjoy and relax with a meditative knit project or two! Wishing you guys and parents an amazing, awesome, and relaxing trip and summer! Happy knitting and stay cool! ❤
I am sure there are a lot of yarn shops and wooly people in Shetland. BUT, I hope you get to see Donna Smith and her shop. Her wool is so lovely! She does organic dying and the colors are amazing! Langsoond Yarn.
I vote for Option A…….you would arrive home with two beautiful stockings ….. plus a memory each year when you get them out for Christmas of 2024 trip and your travel crafting!
My vote is for A! I love the idea of knitting a project for both of you to celebrate traveling together! It’s also small and easier to manage while traveling, with a fun fair isle pattern!
What an adventure you guys are going to have!! I can't wait for you to take us along for the ride. I like sweater B. Especially since it's a design from Rebecca from the Creabea. She's based in Edinburgh, so very on point. 😊
I vote for projects A and B. Love your channel, you have a nice variety of subjects and SO relaxing!!! I crochet my projects while watching you, perfect!!
I vote A & C but the other commenters here have great ideas for buying a project while you're there. Bath is a lovely town, I hope you enjoy it. Do see the baths while you're there. So fascinating! Ned, are you going to go to Hampton Court Palace on your trip? It's my favorite palace. Do you recommend the book you're reading? Get the yarn there and have it shipped or ship some clothes back so you have more room, Mark. Never regret the yarn you didn't get on your honeymoon. Enjoy your trip, it sounds fabulous!
When I travel, I take a sweater that all the "thinking " part is done. Then I work on the "endless slog" part while on the trip so I can enjoy the scenery and talk to the locals. If I can finish the sweater, it gives me one more wardrobe choice. I travel with only a carry on and recycle my wardrobe. I carry 3 tops and 2 bottoms. Rarely do you see people more than 2 days in a row. Carry your jacket. It can be used as a blanket or pillow as needed. Bring a packable tote to use on the way home if your purchases overwhelm your suitcase. BTW, I would love to hear your performance in the competition.
I was in Shetland for WoolWeek in 2019. It was a fabulous trip….except for the ferry ride over. It’s 15 hrs and there was a stop on another island in the middle of the night (ship is also used for cargo hence the stop to drop off stuff-lots of chains scraping the bottom of the ship). It was rough seas on the way back as well. Definitely get a room so you can try to sleep and definitely take some dramamine because it can be rough. We did lots of tours that were planned for us through WoolWeek. Jamieson’s is definitely worth the trip. Urdale farm also has very lovely yarn.
Also, I vote for a : the stockings. I was in Italy last year, and this the type of knitting I bring with me. So easy to transport, to tuck away fast when you are travelling! Bonus point : more luggage space to bring back more souvenirs. And I can't help to start a new project on the trip with my souvenir yarn. Enjoy your trip!
My vote is the Oban Sweater and a Christmas stocking. I take my knitting in a carry on that can fit under the seat. My smaller spare project goes in my check in luggage.
The vine plant behind you both on the left is a philodendron❤. You want to put a stem that falls off into some water to root before potting it! About your tree, Normally if you would like something to flower or fruit, you need to fertilize it. 😊
Train tickets in the UK are really expensive - you’ve done the right thing getting your passes - I hope you have/had a great trip. Also trains are great for knitting and reading!
Enjoy your trip! You’re going to be near where I grew up (my grandmother was born on Lindisfarne!). It’s a beautiful part of the countryside (although I’m biased…) and you should have wonderful views on your train journey. Have a fabulous time!
Happy birthday. My Sally turned 16 yesterday 😊 I vote for the stockings. They don't take up much space, which will also be a benefit if you go on trips, and you'll still be able to take it along in a bag. And you'll have space for those extra souvenir yarns, that will sneak themselves into your suitcase, whether you plan it or not 😂❤ Have a great trip
Trip sounds like so much fun! Good luck with all the competitions! I am “geographically challenged” but earlier this year we went to Stratford upon Avon when in the UK. It is where Shakespeare was born. Quaint little town. You inspired me to look for yarn shops ( S u A doesn’t have a great one…) but they do have a special tea store and a dedicated fudge store 😉 Oh and a Christmas Ornament store. I felt like I was living in a hallmark movie 🤣 Anyway, finding yarn shops is now the new thing we will do when traveling, it is a nice new way to discover places. And I say option A and a surprise option, something to get started on with the first yarn you purchase on the go. Maybe like a temperature blanket; a shawl to remember the trip by with little snippets of yarn purchased wherever you went, a special pattern. (but easy) for each new section. Something along those lines. Maybe the first yarn is a present from Leipzig 😉 More space in your luggage to bring your findings back
Your trip sounds amazing! Why not take the yarn for project A and then purchase something to make on the way? I love the idea of coming home from your honeymoon with stockings that will hang together in your home :) Congratualtions on your marraige and enjoy your trip!
For the fiddle leaf fig (Ficus Lyrata) it would never bloom indoors, it’s naturally a large tree but it’s probably for the best as the fruit isn’t edible! (My first love before crochet is plants haha) love the collection!!
Did the steam train in Scotland last fall. The bridge you go over (name escapes me) is almost semi-circular and you can see the engine and the caboose at the same time. Beautiful counter views. Enjoy
Hope you enjoyed the Edinburgh Tattoo! My daughter dances with some of the Highland Dancers in the tattoo. And one of our local bass drummers & dancers represented the RCMP with the Pipebands.
Looking at Jamieson and Smith's website, they've got some GORGEOUS fair isle patterns and kits. Thanks for mentioning them. Definitely going to be planning a project from them.
Hello guys, so nice to see you together and I must say this; You 2 are a handsome, nice and relaxed couple to have a coffee and knitting time with. Thank you very much for this lovely podcast, it helped me through a rough rollercoaster of emotions. I think of options B for the relaxed knitting, option A for in the plane knitting and option D but for that beautifull cardigan to buy the yarn somewhere in a store you visit. That way it will be great as a memory for many years to come. Maybe buy the yarn in cones it saves you from a lot of weaving in ends, is my experience. I buy my yarn in Denmark it is called; HOLST GARN and very affordable. The girls of the podcast café; Knits n Pieces knit a lot of items with it. I wish you both the best of luck with performing and a lot of making beautifull memories on your travel in Europe.
Hy Mark and Ned! I'm just a fan of your channel who happen to be a gardener in the greenhouses of the botanical garden in Montréal. Just want to say to you, monster love terracotta pots! They rot really easily if it's over watered in plastic or ceramic pots. They roots need to dry between watering. They love to be tight in the pot too. Also, your plant on the bookcase is a pothos. Love that you have a green thumb too!
Pattern A and B I would but the alpaca yarn vacuum sealed if you don't used right away . Have you thought of sending yourself lovely yarn from your trip? if you find something beautiful? OR get minis and make a stocking from that , have a great trip
I know you’re skeptical of raglans, but I’m knitting Rebecca Clow’s Cargill Sweater and I’m absolutely loving it! Beautiful texture but easily memorizable reading your knitting. (I modded to have the ribbing between dip stitches twisted rib). As for the options you’ve selected, I’d personally bring A and C, love them. Also, would love to hear you duo Vaugh Williams “It was a lover.”, stunning duo that I modified to do with my choir last year!
This sounds like an amazing trip and I hope you both enjoy every single minute of it! I can’t wait to hear how it goes! I love options A & B for take-along knitting projects! ❤
All your choices are gorgeous. However, to memorialize your adventures, I’d choose Option B because the designer, Rebecca, (the Creabea), lives in Edinburgh. Happy travels!
Happy Birthday to the pretty kitty ❣️ You gonna have a fun trip full of inspiration! Tip- You know you can buy yarn and ship/post it to your country, to someone who can collect it and keep it for you while you are in the UK. Postage costs from the UK to the US via Royal Mail are quite reasonable (not sure about from Scotland, but you can check). . Cornwall! My love! . I vote A and C. Both are incredibly beautiful and are now on my asap-to-do-list, thanks 😂 are vacuum bags for yarn cakes storage are an option? Would save space in suitcase.
The plant behind you is a Golden Pothos. You can pin it up as a vine or I keep mine trimmed to shape it and fit in the space where it lives. It’s easy to propagate cuttings in water or you can just stick short pieces into a pot of soil to start a new plant. Lucky you to go travelling in the UK and have all those interesting activities planned. Have fun and take videos!! 😊
I've gone to Shetland via the ferry. It's a very nice ride and I slept fine. Besides Jamieson and Smith, you should also go to Jamieson. They have wonderful yarn as well. Hope you all have a wonderful adventure.
Very lovely to see you both in the episode. Wish you luck in your competitions and hope next time you will be in mainland Europe, would be nice to meet you. I'm for project B as there is plain stockinette that can be knitted mindless while watching from train or have a conversation with others. Colourwork you can do while be relaxed and concerned e.g while Ned is reading. Wish you a wonderful trip and looking forward to see some pix or footage from it. ❤
I vote for the smallest projects possible -- so option A definitely. It'll leave more space in your luggage for new acquisitions! My husband and I did extensive travel through the UK via train the last two summers -- including the overnight train that you'll be on. The train was so much fun -- until it broke down in the middle of the night in Edinburgh and they ended up busing us the rest of the way to Fort Williams (but I got a lot of knitting done on the bus...).
Oh, and make sure you visit the following (Beautiful Knitters in London, A Yarn Story in Bath, and Mr. B's Emporium in Bath -- the best book store in the world....)
Loved this video! Your upcoming trip sounds amazing, especially all the yarn and knitting activities. When you're in Cornwall, I highly recommend staying at Ewe with a View Shepherds Huts. It's such a lovely and gorgeous place, perfect for any knitter. The huts are on a pasture with sheep, creating an idyllic and inspiring setting. Safe travels and happy knitting!
O wow love your channel. Went on Harry Potter train last year amazing. Also Caledonia wool shop is a small yarn shop in fifty William but lovely. Lanark Mills is another place to visit in Scotland beautiful. Never been to Shetland but envious. 🥰did go to Orkney and Harris last year. Enjoy your trip 🧶look forward to podcast. Border Mill yarns and especially their North coast tweed is my all time fave xx
Hi Mark, I haven't done this yet but I had thought about using vacuum seal clothes bags with the yarn I take with me on a trip. I received an order of a bag of yarn in a vacuum sealed bag, it didn't take long for the yarn to puff up again. I also camp and I have seen portable vacuums, I had thought that if I overpurchased yarn on a trip I could take some vacuum bags and seal the yarn in it them post back home. I don't know if this makes sense or helps. Sorry I am an enabler for yarn purchases. Enjoy your trip.
I would take options A and B: A for portability and B for sitting and knitting in one place for a while. Also, now is the time to do Christmas stockings, otherwise things can get a bit pressed when knitting holiday gifts. Also RHS garden at Rosemoor may be near enough for you to visit. John Arbon is in Devon and I think it is Cold Harbour Mill is down that way. Not very big mills, so I wouldn't go far out of your way, but I enjoyed both. If you like history, National Trust Membership can be a good buy as visits to country houses, gardens and other sites is then free to a member. Lots of great places all over UK. If you want to be hosted by a knitter in the Isle of Man for a free rest and relaxation on your way to Ireland let me know!
O wow love your channel. Went on Harry Potter train last year amazing. Also Caledonia wool shop is a small yarn shop in fifty William but lovely. Lanark Mills is another place to visit in Scotland beautiful. Never been to Shetland but envious. 🥰did go to Orkney and Harris last year. Enjoy your trip 🧶look forward to podcast. Border Mill yarns and especially their North coast tweed is my all time fave. Also Emily Foulds shop is in Lancaster. See her at yarn shows and knitted lots with her fibre company yarn xx
Congrats to you both! You'll be in my neck of the woods if you do the Shetland trip! Having taken that ferry several times to Orkney (halfway between Aberdeen and Shetland) make sure you check to see that you have a cabin booked! Maybe it is different for the Shetland stop but you have to purchase it in addition to the crossing as far as I recall (at least for the Kirkwall stop?) It's a LONG boat journey without a bed... As an aside, if you need any recommendations for things to do before you get on the boat would be so happy to give you a few - I live walking distance to where you'll be taking it from!
You can buy a lot of yarn and put it in the plastic bags that u suck the air out and takes up less room in your luggage. I do that even with my clothes so I can have more room for YARN always. Plus it weighs less if you do this
