Ep 144 - Stay on the (Kitty) Couch

Hello and welcome to all new and returning listeners! I planned for today's episode to be a short one, however, once I got into the flow of chatting, it ended up being a full lengther. There's been lots of chat in the Shinybees Podcast Community on Facebook. I'm still looking for a new home beyond Facebook. I've found social media and the news to be extremely negative at the moment. I've responded to this by judiciously muting and blocking of overly negative people and content. This has been an overwhelmingly positive thing. Sidenote – school whatsapp groups are the work of the devil and should be avoided. I've also been taking part in Home by Yoga With Adriene. This is a 30 day freebie program on YouTube for a daily practice. She's non-judgy and it feels quite achievable. Be kind to yourself, dear listener. You're trying your best, and nobody is running the same race that you are. Kitty Couches are the order of the day, in particular the Kitty Couch – Green Sofa pattern by Candy Clayton. You can get this belter on Ravelry for $1.99. Give your cat the personal sofa they truly deserve in one of three exciting shapes! I did a pattern pick way back where I had a pattern pick with cats wearing hats, including a pimp hat (I think that was called 'my pimp paw is strong') On the knitting front, I'm still working on the Compass Sweater by Tin Can Knits. This pattern is being knit in Susan Crawford Vintage Excelana DK, which is a great workhorse yarn. I would love if the pattern had options for waist shaping, which they usually are in Tin Can Knits patterns. Even a recipe for the shaping in the notes area would be really useful. I've also finished my Lush Cardigan in Countess Ablaze Grande Merino DK. I've finally found suitable buttons to complete the garment, courtesy of Jess at Ginger Twist Studios. These are from Incomparable Buttons, which manufacture handmade ceramic buttons in South Africa. The company has a strong focus on economic empowerment. The colour of the yarn is great, but I think the merino is too soft; it's already bobbling at this gauge. The other two Lush cardigans have been plumper DK and the resulting fabric has been thicker, denser and harder wearing. What I'm reading… Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman Saltwater by Jessica Andrews Wonder by RJ Palacio A Discovery of Witched by Deborah Harkness. You can find me over at goodreads.com/jomilmine Full shownotes are at shinybees.com/144 and music from this episode (with kind permission) is Adam and the Walter Boys with 'I Need a Drink'.