Cast On: Recent Episodes
Brenda Dayne
Cast On began on Monday, 31 October, 2005, founded on nothing more than the desire to talk about knitting to people who get it. All the other stuff, about how memories, thoughts, hopes and dreams are knit into the fabric we create, and so become part of the fabric of our lives; about how life and knitting intertwine, and how sometimes you simply cannot tell where one part leaves off the other begins; about how the only thing wrong with the world today is that there is not enough knitting in it, all that came later, over time. Since 2005 the podcast has evolved to focus on finding inspiration in the ordinary, using it to kick start the process of making stuff, and finding ways to carve out the creative time and space that allows you to work your ass off on the projects that matter most to you. Like knitting a sweater. Or saving the world.
It’s autumn. Time for finishing projects, knitting socks and celebrating the impending winter by taking the sweaters out of storage. This one is all knitting, and I make no apologies.
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit brendadayne.substack.com
In this episode: Off the needles and on; Tour de Fleece wrap up; notes from the production line; a new bag; a new spindle; good materials; and Bennet’s Boiled Potatoes.
Knitting the slowest sock in the history of sock knitting. Tour de Fleece. The merits of taking small steps vaguely in the direction a goal. I’m thinking about style again, and looking for systems.
House projects have broken me; the summer of socks continues; the red that bled; Tour de Fleece; and a return to Clifford Byway.
The weather. Men in shorts. The run down. Ta Da moments. And the moments just before a plan comes together.
In this episode: The party dress; picking up threads; a project round up; and the big idea, spoken aloud.
IN THIS EPISODE: Stash enhancement; hat boxes of joy; the rug of sorrow; knitting memory lane, letting it go.
Repeat after me: It is okay to rest.
Undone by Cosmo/Cosmo undone; colour blocking that didn’t; a summer romance; a bounty of beautiful sock yarn; packing projects for a journey with no end date; and the view from Stone Cottage.
I have more projects on the needles at one time than EVER BEFORE. Plus, we're buying a cottage!
The Great Airing of the Stash 2023; hibernating projects emerge, blinking, into the light, revisiting Paint Pan, Against all Odds, and the Red Edge, plus a veritable torrent of knitting projects.
The production line; tiny arms; fussy cutting; the trouble with Esther; another one of thoseprojects; beautifully visible mending; and a chat with Kim Werker, about finding creativity.
In this episode: The style goddess; I Can Make Shoes; the button makes the knitwear (I have always said this); a return to form; Esther; and The Talisman.
In this episode: Bias binding; finished objects; crafting chaos; plum blossoms; works in progress; and palette decisions.
Lilly's retro-vibe pinnies are finished! Several knitsibs have expressed an interest in an adult-sized version. I'm still looking, but if you know of something similar, drop a comment at the website, please.
The pattern is Bias Trimmed Apron from Little Things to Sew, by Oliver & S, in lightweight linen fabric with bias binding in designer fabrics purchased from this UK eBay seller.
The Sock is not at a very interesting place, but there has been a bit of a progress in this WIP. The yarn I'm using is Coop Knits, Socks, Yeah! in the colour Labrodorite.
Lastly, Gene Marshall is a rabbit hole. You have been warned.
Bra sewing. Yes, again. You say bojagi, I say pojagi. The work of a lifetime. A return of the light.
Falling down, playing in the knitting adjacent zone, beginnings, One Block Wonders, over under over under over under, and a new series!
The art of getting very, very close to knitting, whilst remaining emotionally aloof and at arm’s length; I bought yarn; the latest amazing design from the mind of Jeny Stainman; and someone saved my life tonight.
Science! Tiny sweaters. Little stockings. Charming wee hats. Stars. Rockin rolags. Colours! Floors that go squelch. Wait, that isn’t supposed to happen.
FYI: There's nothing wrong with your ears. There was a mic incident during the recording, and I could not face do-overs. Pretend we're on the phone, and I'm doing all the talking.
Cosy-testing, for science; taking bivalents for the team; and rail journeys from the not-too-distant past.
Welcoming the season of mists and mellow fruitfulness by putting things in jars for later, admiring dramatic skies, planting for the future, knitting waistcoats and new hats, and the Discipline of Do Easy.
In this episode, summer rain, and the last of the summer socks; the return of things from our life; baking chocolate cookies; and more glorious stranded colourwork from Knitsonik and Friends, (aka my friend, Felix.)
Needles afire with summer socks; baking at midnight, running the numbers for Against All Odds; and standing atop of pile of new-made things.
A sock heel for gradient dyed yarn; re-making a home; memories of dump runs past; buttons, and the Celestial Emporium of Benevolent Knowledge.
The knitting equivalent of eating dessert first; the knitting pivot; emergency socks; and the return of la mer.
In this episode, the Against All Odds sweater gets a pop of colour to break up the unremitting boredom of knitting stockinette in grey yarn. It only lasted for four rounds, but was glorious. The folly of working with charcoal yarn at dusk is discussed, along with its antidote, the Syncopation sock pattern. Also, Delia Smith and touch typing. And Dracula.
Fiddly false starts. Ambushed by linen. The sound of knitting freedom. The answer is in the question. And why is everything I need already packed away in a box?
Simple tools. Sweaters for the Littles. Jeny Staiman’s amazing heel construction. And my spring sweater shortlist. Links to everything I talk about are at brendadayne.co.uk.
The eye of the storm has moved. Possibly. And there are many things about which to celebrate. But not knitting. Worst knitting month ever, at the end of which I learn valuable lessons from Jeny Staimen. And The Tech Bros are already yesterday’s news.
The return of a Skyscrapa. Flowers in pots. Books in stacks. Enormous sleeves. Hand sewing. Time, and what to do while it’s passing. Our house is officially for sale, and it’s time to cast on.
Knitting for little people. I can knit a rainbow, but should I? A honkin' huge ass box o’yarn. More about that amazing heel. Paint Pan Socks, again? Yes. (Shut up.) A foxy little knitting mash up. If it sounds like this one is all about knitting, that’s because it is. I really needed to talk about my knitting. What a relief.
Holiday on the good ship Covid. Rest, and being stingy with it. Painting all the things. Wintering.
A big reveal. Projects, projects, projects. Planning for my trip to The Big Smoke, and the new year. Plus a visit from an old friend.
Continental drift. A rhetorical question. One million ends. Milkshake on the sidewalk. And Sixty Six Coupons.
A baby sweater gone wrong. I mean, they're so small. How do you even have time to screw it up? I don't know, but I managed it this week.
Oh, and I fell in love. And had my heart broken. So. A big week for me.
This week, I called time out, and used my time out to remove seven projects from time out and complete them all. Worth it, but kinda not worth it, if you know what I mean.
Today I am all about the milestones; those points on the path that tell you you've finally arrived somewhere. Plus, I share some lessons learned on how to unlock the information contained in those fractional numbers in yarn descriptions. There is some math involved, but it's totally worth it. I deconstruct the Graerup Pullover and make plans to find out why the Red Edge has been in time-out for so many months.
Grateful thanks. Ripping and reknitting and ripping and reknitting. Grime. The black silk.
An unsettling week. Life plans derailed and knitting plans upset. Graerup ripped back. Podcasting from the liminal zone with inspiration from Abu Musa Jabir, Isaac Newton, Kierkegaard, and Chris in the Morning. There is quite a bit about socks.
Smelling wool. Sewing bras. Remembering clothes from the 70’s. Autumn is here. It’s finally here. Come. Join me. I’m the one in the sweater.
Unmade makes are calling; does it really matter if you’re off by a couple of stitches; trousers again, of course; and the start of a new series.
Huge thanks this week to guest reader, professional storyteller, and longtime friend of Cast On, Sage Tyrtle.
In this episode: sock of the damned; pattern blocks; ass poodles; effluvia; and chintz. Plus, mood music and some very sad tales. Hey, I don’t need to swallow in order to podcast.
Socks, socks, socks; the Red Edge all my makes since last September a last word on bricolage; climate change; social justice; another Venn; plus working your ass off on the things that matter most, like knitting a sweater. Or saving the world.
In this episode, colour gives my capsule wardrobe design process a much needed shot in the arm. This one is all about lush, gorgeous, juicy, delicious colour that makes you want to bite it. And I feel another design brief coming on.
Passing a kidney stone: the Attenborough version; sewing patterns and their history; resting comfortably; and a linen shirt.
If I ever meet Geoffery Rush in person, you can be sure I'll ask him how long it took him to learn to draft a suit jacket for the title scene in The Tailor of Panama.
A week where nothing much happens, and a new ironing board cover is cause for celebration. The beach figures prominently. And a suitcase. And bras, again. Trousers are on hold while I pursue the swimsuit of my dreams. Same old same old. Pretty much.
A listener let me know this week that the episode permalinks created by my hosting company, Libsyn, link to the old Cast On website, and not to the show notes at my current website (brendadayne.co.uk). I'm working with Libsyn to find a solution. Thanks for your patience.
Why do 500 bows from China cost £2.00, but 20 bows from Lancaster cost £4.30? Asking, and answering the hard questions.
In this episode: Bows. Bras. Very slow fashion. Glamour is more than a feeling.
Pattern making and design, casting on some things, binding off some things, burning some things, and a design brief. With bonus dog snoring, and electronic interference from a phone, placed too close to the mic while recording. Mea culpa. Total rookie mistake.
Envision the work. Collect the materials. Commit to the plan. Make. That’s how you build a palace. That’s how knit happens.
Winter clothes move to off-season storage, and spring clothing moves in; bricolage informs my deconstruction of The Red Edge; and an interview with My Body Model founder, Erica Schmitz.
The weather continues charming.
Top tips for self care, including the one where all pink lipstick is improved by renaming it "Your Crazy Grandma". Yarn, fabric and a crazy-ass costume book arrive by post to save the day. Projects finished, and projects in Time Out that need to think very hard about what they've done. There really is a lot on the needles for someone who has an enormous bolt of toile fabric to cut into.
In this episode, sunshine, blue skies and spring cleaning. Lessons from the YouTubes; where clothes go when they die; and Jeny Staiman’s amazing brain.
On the needles this week, I got nothing. I made a sock toe. I knit a couple of gauge swatches. I’m very much in between projects right now. But, oh! The projects in my head. Who's your dandy?
What is sartorial style, who owns it, and how can I get some? Also, my socks are cursed. And a visit with JC Briar, the designer and programmer behind Stitch-Maps.com.
My capsule Venn is shaping up nicely. The first collection, Informed Simplicity, is characterised by The Maker’s Atalier.
Next up, we have David Rose Style (black and white fun!)
And third...possibly… Japanese Horror Film meets Spooky Little Girl? Yeah. I'm still working on it.
The title of this episode is said to hail from an 18th century suicide note, although the anecdote is, apparently, apocryphal. That said, when it comes to knitwear closures, I can definitely relate. Fortunately, there are better and more creative ways to minimize knitwear misbehavior, according to this week's guest, Laura Bellows, of JUL Designs.
I know there's a pandemic on, but the great biscuit shortage of 2020 felt extremely personal.
Watching democracy almost die makes me cranky. There was a clear choice between donning the pants of crazy, OR hunkering down and making stuff. I chose the latter.
This week I'm looking for more than assembly, order or editing. The novus jacket leaves many questions unanswered. 100 Acts of Sewing are considered, with Sonya Phillip. I think I'm getting the hang of it.
Celebrate endings, for they precede new beginnings.
Grieve the loss of the countless instants that you will never taste again;
Never to touch or to experience the same moment the same way again.
Commemorate the fallen whose hands once held warm,
But now bare the touch of Winter's frost.To remember those who will not venture into the New Year with us,
And to celebrate the fresh creation of life to soon release first breath to the world.
Honor the first day that grants our renewed life,
And prepare to discover new love and self-growth.
- Rilke
It is said the past is a foreign country, and this week my passport received a number of new stamps. Kirsty Hall pays a visit to the past as well, through her Granny’s Book. And I find the courage to do what needs to be done. It's all about self care.
Kicking off the first episode of Series 14, Mothers of Unvention, with conversations about the process of design, beginning with constructive discontent in identifying a problem, and the deep dive of immersion needed to find a solution. Don't knit like Antonio Banderas.
Finding my way out of the emotional wilderness, with a little help from the Brendas; my Quilt of Dreams and Placemats of Awesome; Naomi Parkhurst makes words into stitches. Remembering A Snow Day.
Today we’re talking about space. Not space, the final frontier. The space we inhabit. The space where we store things. The space we’re allowed. The space in our homes that belongs to just to us. Guest, Lilo Bowman, offers advice for taking control of your creative space, from the purge and sort, to organizing, to making your creative space work reflect you.
The streets of NYC, sounds of Grand Central Station, and interviews with some of the people who make the yarn happen.
Science doens't know everything. But science knows it doesn't know everything. Otherwise it would stop.
The title of the podcast gets passing mention, and bears no relation to anything actually in it.
How do you knit squares that are less than square, and spirals that are more than spirals? Answers to these, and other enigmatic questions, in this episode.
A knitting journey begins in South America, with Charles Voth, and ends in Nova Scotia, with Lucy Neatby.
It's been a year! Dave, Ed, Ethel, Syne, Heather, Sage, Franklin, and Joanne help me celebrate.
This week Terpsichore, Muse of the Dance, teaches us how to knit like nobody's watching.
Melpomene, Muse of Tragedy, knows that uncertainty and despair often bring with them lessons of patience, compassion, and strength.
Calliope, firstborn of the Muses, uses Epic Poetry to preserve the great stories of the ages. She invites you to begin an epic knitting project.
Raconteur. Now there's a word we don't see enough of. This week's guest host is Chicago writer, artist and raconteur, Franklin Habit.
I don't crochet, but Sage, from Quirky Nomads is an expert at it. Lucky for us then that Sage is this week's guest host.
The one for the people who think I talk too much about knitting, and feel there should be more monks in the podcast.
Fifty two minutes and forty seconds of Ritual Humiliation Free Podcasting, and Franklin Habit.
The movie episode. I manage to mention, quote, or describe scenes from no less than four films in this episode, none of which contain knitting.
It's the Blue Episode, and Gail Lucas thinks people who don't behave themselves should have to work harder for their knitted gifts.
At least once in every podcast I manage to dig myself a nice hole, and then humiliate myself while I attempt to climb my way out of it. See if you can spot where that happens this time.
It was the perfect family Christmas. If by perfect you mean overcooked turkey, badly behaved relatives and something viral taking up residence in your digestive system.
No, those aren't sleigh bells. That's the sound of ice tinkling, merrily, in my glass of scotch.