The latest bumper edition of the KNITSONIK podcast comes in several parts and is – as suggested by the title – rather focused on the SONIK side of things. It is dedicated to my battered old EDIROL R-09, AKA EDDIE.

EDDIE is one of the inspiration sources used in the KNITSONIK Stranded Colourwork Sourcebook and my very favourite thing with which to record THE SOUNDS.
As usual you can use the player below, subscribe via iTunes, or download the podcast directly from its page on Internet Archive.
Part 1 begins with a brief roundup of stuff that’s been going on, and I include some recordings of my beautiful little nephew Barnaby, with whom I spent some special time in May. You can hear me tinkling on the piano to entertain Barnaby, hanging out in the garden with him, and his wondrous jumparoo bouncing!

We hear recordings created on EDDIE during the month of May including sparrows (which are the soundtrack of this year in our garden, since we have a squadron nesting in the roof) and a wonderful cuckoo heard in the New Forest. If you are interested in having a digital recorder of your own with which to record ALL THE SOUNDS I can heavily recommend the SONY PCM-M10. Keep an ear out in later sections of this podcast featuring recordings created on this device by my dear friend Patrick McGinley.
A very fresh and under-practiced version of my newly-penned EDIROL song features in this podcast to delight fans of rubbish accordion playing.

In knitting news I talk about swatching from EDDIE and the process of developing stranded colourwork from such an ostensibly unpromising inspiration source.

In other knitting news, I share a very special interview with Cathy Scott about the extraordinary blanket. This blanket was knitted by Cathy while waiting during her daughter’s athletic training. It is a knitted record of parental love and support. Go give it hearts on Ravelry!

I also share interviews recorded at the Edinburgh Yarn Festival with Coranda and Louise, and Gemma joins us to introduce #TarmacTuesday.

Finally I share some of the beautiful garment stories shared at Gwlana by comrades at “Today’s Sweater”. Projects discussed include Brenda’s first ever sweater; my Keith Moon jumper; Alison’s amazing Hansel Hap; Chris’s wondrous glittery cardigan; Julie’s special knitting-as-memoir, and Catherine’s glorious cardigan.

Time runs out, and we are forced to close until part 2 of KNITSONIK 10.
YOURS IN KNITTING + SOUNDS,
FX