Episode 34 | Blankets, Shawls & Books!

[@jilliankonig2759]

Knitting podcasts are the way I get to travel all over the world. I love your accent! I used to teach fifth grade, and I would set a goal for students to read 50 books during the school year (2 from each major genre, then 26 books of their choice, such as their favorite genres). It exposed them to genres they didn't read before, like poetry, and most students met the goal. Each week they would write me a letter in their journal about the book they were reading on topics like which character they were most like, or fun facts they had learned from a nonfiction book. If a student was disappointed at the end of the year that they had "only" read 30 books instead of 50, it typically was more books than they had read from kindergarten through fourth grade. I would congratulate them on reading more than they ever had. Hopefully, I created some lifelong readers! The Housemaid was disturbing, since I read at bedtime! I have to read thrillers earlier in the day.

[@EldenwoodCraft]

I’m absolutely here for you and your strongest Devonshire accent. Lovely to spend time with you again xxx

[@OllieandBella]

Aww Emma thank you my loverrrr 😆 I hope you are keeping well 🥰💖

[@pammyers1982]

Homespun House yarns are beautiful! FOMO is real!!❤❤

[@crochetobjetknitting]

Had my Saturday morning coffee with you as I weave - in ends on my Coziest blanket. As always enjoy spending time with you and SUDDENLY guess what? Thanks much for mentioning me and my podcast Sherrie, xxMo

[@OllieandBella]

Aww thank you for your sweet kind words 🥰💖 Love your blanket 😍 x

[@debbiestuckey6599]

It's been so nice to see you again, Sherrie!! Loved seeing your beautiful projects. 💕

[@OllieandBella]

Thank you Debbie 💖

[@gilesf1]

Thoroughly enjoyed spending time with you Sherrie, great to see you again.

[@OllieandBella]

Thank you! 💖

[@FibreBound]

It’s been so lovely to see you Sherrie! I’ve been knitting on a test knit while watching and love your blankets, your crochet shawl and your pimpom test knit! Thank you for sharing the vlog footage at the end too ☺️

[@OllieandBella]

Thank you Aleksandra 💕 I'm still wanting to knit the Habitation throw, I love yours! Thank you for watching lovely, I hope you are well 💖

[@owlpool8476]

Hi, somebody may have already suggested this idea... I have recently completed my second Anthology Throw, I love the pattern. I feel the same as you about the amount of stitches if you make mistake. What I did was to put stitch markers after a multiple of the repeats. for example after 5 repeats of the pattern I would place a marker, and do this all the way around and leave these markers in place. this then means if you don't have the correct amount of stitches to complete the repeat in that block you know the error is only in that group. hope this makes sense and helps, its such a beautiful project and this took all the stress out of it for me, happy knitting xx

[@OllieandBella]

Aww thank you!!!! Yes that makes perfect sense 💖

[@suedale1865]

Bought the pimpom shawl today love Jess’s colour choices she has an eye for colour I have listened to all 8 of Lucinda Riley Seven Sisters series absolutely brilliant hooked from start to finish felt an emptiness when it was done

[@alannahawkins]

Sherrie, Your Anthology throw is beautiful, as is the one with the small squares!! The colors in your C2C are ver pretty as well! Using the smaller weight yarn is definitely making the drape nice as well! Your socks look so comfortable and warm!! I certainly wish I could knit as well as you! Have you been knitting and crocheting for a while? Keep knitting and crocheting yarny friend❤❤❤

[@OllieandBella]

Thank you! Yes, I have been knitting for a few years now, I knit my first pair of socks end of 2017 and I have been crocheting for about 12 years! That all sounds crazy to me 😆💖

[@leighrinker]

I am making blankets right now. My daughter had her second baby four months ago so I started making things last year and this year I'm making her a toddler blanket for her holiday gift. I'm halfway done. I have a rainbow and black crochet blanket I want to make for her older sister. Then my daughter called me a week ago and told me that she is expecting another baby. They are prolific. So I just started a crochet project for that baby. Lots of babies and lots of blankets. Plus my other daughter's close friend is pregnant so I get to make her some things as well. I love it though. I'm trying out new patterns for each one. I'm currently doing a crescent moon and star granny square blanket in autumnal colors for my daughter's pregnancy. It's a lot of fun. I love your blankets. I love lots of color.

[@OllieandBella]

Oh wow you have been busy with all your blankets! That's great thing about crochet, it's a lot quicker than knitting. Yes, that's great you can have a go at different patterns. Makes it fun having different ones to make 💖

[@heathertucker7056]

Lovely to see you again and see your socks and blankets! I loved the Seven Sisters series and finished by reading Atlas- the story of Pa Salt which was a physical book of over 800 pages! It was extremely heavy to hold but I loved it and it completed the whole series beautifully! Well worth working your way through the lot! Take care x

[@OllieandBella]

Thank you Heather! Amazing that you've read the series and good on you - over 800 pages 😱 What are you currently reading? 💖

[@heathertucker7056]

@@OllieandBella yes it was a bit of a tome! I’m currently reading “The Little Old Lady Who Broke all the Rules” it’s quite funny but I wouldn’t recommend! It’s a translation from a Swedish novelist but it sums me up quite well 🤣🤣 It was passed on by a friend and I feel duty bound to finish it xx

[@maureenlehman139]

Beautiful projects! I love the shawls. I love Goodreads. I’ve read most of the books you talked about. I’m doing the book challenge too. I’m hooked on Freida McFadden right now.

[@OllieandBella]

Thank you! Yes 🙌🏻 I’m really enjoying her style of writing. I picked up a physical copy of Never Lie, not sure if you’ve that one yet? 💖

[@EvieO1950]

Knitting on my cozy blanket as I watch. Lovely to see you and your beautiful makes.

[@OllieandBella]

Thank you! 💖

[@thecurvyknitter]

Omg, I laughed when you said darts as we have started playing as a family too! We have just set up a board in our dining room and we are having such fun. It is very hard though I agree 😂🎯 xx

[@OllieandBella]

Yay 🎯 So much fun isn’t it??? That’s fab you’ve recently got one, took us ages as they’ve been so popular 💖

[@abbywelker-HaciendaHomemade]

🥰🥰🥰 Ahhhhh!!! What a beautiful podcast and amazing vlog footage at the end. Wow!!! Your blankets are absolutely stunning!!!! Blanket making is one of my favorite things to do - especially if there are lots of fun color changes. Your granny shawl is gorgeous - seeing yours makes me want a rainbow shawl also. 😁❤️ I adore you - thanks for the fun break from my chores today.

[@OllieandBella]

Aww bless you, thank you for your lovely comments! 🥰💖

[@veloccb]

I have never made a blanket but I am tempted now.❤

[@OllieandBella]

Yay - give it a try, lots of wonderful tutorials here on You Tube 💖

[@Carola-By-The-Bay]

I’ve finished two blankets for the Blanket-Along. 😊🧶 One is the large scrappy granny triangle wrap and the other is a granny Hexagon blanket. (Crochet, both) I’m so happy with both!

[@OllieandBella]

Amazing!!! I love crochet, it’s so relaxing isn’t it? 💖

[@eleonoraiggulden439]

I stumbled upon your podcast the other day and LOVE all your blankets and shawls. I love making blankets. Currently working on the Afterglow scarf, making strips and whip stitching them with ribbon yarn. I really like the crochet shawl, it's fabulous. I also watched the other lady the same night you mentioned and she was also making blankets. How much fun 🙂

[@OllieandBella]

Aww thank you 💖

[@pammyers1982]

I made a twin-size Cosy Stripe Blanket by Lucy of Attic24 in worsted weight. Just need to trim up the tails now. I’m not putting a border on it this time. It worked up really quick and I love the size. I’m going to make another.

[@OllieandBella]

Sounds fab! Sometimes you don't need to add a border, I have made some blankets and not added a border. Did you start another one?💖

[@pammyers1982]

I think I’ve made it thru all of the Freida McFadden books except the last Housemaid book. I can’t wait until June!

[@OllieandBella]

Oh wow!! I’m really enjoying her style of writing 💖

[@jackyteague6509]

So good to see you back Sherrie. Love your style of podcasting and mix of crafts , books and TV! As a fellow Devonian I had to smile at the word Ravelry - my true dialect comes out when I say " car park" I sound like farmer Giles!!;😂 Take care.

[@OllieandBella]

😆 YES, I'm laughing to myself as I read your comment I was saying 'Car park' out loud 😆 My favourite saying for down here is - Where's that to? But it might be a Plymothian saying 😆💕

[@jackyteague6509]

Yes, use that saying too!! ​@@OllieandBella

[@swennedammer9218]

How lovely to see you again Sherrie 😀 Love your beautiful shawls and blankets. You inspired me to start my first crochet blanket. Never made one. Your daughter makes beautiful Easter decorations! 🐇😍 I really like the videos of your outings in your area.

[@OllieandBella]

Aww thank you for your sweet comment! Lovely to hear you’ve started your first crochet blanket - how exciting 💖

[@Brinalea1031]

So nice to see a new podcast. I received two of the Freida McFadden Housemaid books for Christmas.

[@OllieandBella]

Ohh they’re so good!! I finished the Housemaids Secret Yesterday. Enjoy 💖

[@darlenewatkins4999]

So excited when I saw a new podcast was up!! Looking forward to your next post!! :)

[@OllieandBella]

Yay! Thank you! 💕

[@TheonaYates-qz6hr]

As always an enjoyable podcast. Thank you!

[@OllieandBella]

Thank you 💖

[@lindapayne9474]

Yes, I live making blankets. 3 knit and 1 crochet in progress. Yours are beautiful and inspirational!

[@OllieandBella]

Yay - another blanket lover 💖 you can never have too many - am I right? 😂 That’s what I tell my husband when he says - are you making another blanket? 🤣💖

[@Crafting_With_Laura_x]

Nice to see you back! 😊 I’ve been checking . I think the socks are the cosy Hug-Ge socks, as in huggy, that is the way I see it xx

[@OllieandBella]

Thanks Laura 💖 It's really good to be back! 🥰

[@lunafreja1354]

I’ve went wrong on the anthology throw at least 4 times in the same part you are talking about. A tip I’ve been told is stitch markers but I’ve still to rip it back and do that….. sooooo many stitches

[@OllieandBella]

Oh no that’s so frustrating isn’t it? I’m going to try the stitch markers like @owlpool8476 has suggested, have a little look at the comment and see if that might help? Have you put it down for a bit? I need to be on my own and no distractions around else I can’t do it 😂💖

[@FrannyDoMakes]

Lovely to see u again Sherrie. Beautiful projects as always. Minnie and I are now off to hobbycraft to get some of those Easter crafts! 😂

[@OllieandBella]

Hey lovely 💖😘 yes 🙌🏻 they have some fab Easter Crafts there! x

[@tracycharalambous5223]

Hi Sherrie lovely to see you back on KZbin. Your anthology throw is looking lovely & very tempting as I'm still deciding what to knit/crochet with my advent minis this year. When I have a lot of stitches on my needles I use plain circular stitch markers to mark a repeat or number of repeats (depends how many stitches in the repeat). It definitely helps you keep track & easily see if you've made a mistake a lot sooner. My favourite book so far this year is Wintering by Katherine May. A good observational book on why we Winter & why we need to. Quite funny in places . Thanks for another lovely podcast & for keeping me company whilst I make dinner. X

[@OllieandBella]

Thank you Tracy, it's great to back! Thanks for the tip, I spent yesterday adding stitch markers on each repeat. It felt like it took me hours 😆 Wintering sounds interesting - I will take a look! Thank you for watching 💖

[@Sarah-bf3yb]

So lovely to catch up with what you

[@OllieandBella]

Thanks for watching 💖

[@teriadams7398]

On a mistake...if it's a simple one...knit to the mistake, drop that stitch re-knit correctly. Even if it's several rows back. Using a life line on a row of plain knitting row, you can rip back to that row if it major mistake. That is a bit of scrap cotton yarn running the row not knitting it to the project

[@ericallerton809]

❤hi Sherrie!!!good to see you !! Love ur cozy shawls and blankets!!🎉🎉 Cozy socks!!I am doing the same ones!!! Elaine❤🏠🧦💜

[@OllieandBella]

Hey Elaine 💖 so lovely to see a comment from you pop up 🥰

[@soniahorewood2333]

Australia has Libby and Borrow Box , they are great

[@debra7893]

Love your accent! Your knits are gorgeous too!

[@OllieandBella]

Aww bless you, thank you! 💖

[@kimgrigg4206]

Hi lovely to see you back love watching your vlogs. Your blankets are lovely. X

[@OllieandBella]

Aww thank you Kim! 💖

[@Juleslovesknitting]

We have BorrowBox in Australia

[@Making_Through_the_Seasons]

I loved seeing your projects. I’ve been wanting to make a granny stitch shawl for so long. The Vera series has just returned to Britbox in the US. I love that show. I have a library service here called Hoopla and it’s amazing for audiobooks. I got completely hooked on MC Beaton’s Hamish Macbeth series I got the first 18 or so books free they’re only a few hours each and just in 2024 I’ve listened to or read (library copies) of the first 30 books in the series.

[@OllieandBella]

Wow that’s amazing!!! I’ve not heard of Hoopla - not sure that’s available over here but I’ll check it out. Thank you for watching! I’ve never watched Vera but I’ve heard a few people say they enjoy watching so maybe I might give it a try. Yes, Granny stitch shawl so much fun!!!! 💖🧶

[@linda11640]

Oh dang, I've made 11 blankets since Jan 1. and I forgot about your CAL. Oh well, this year is my great stash buster year, so at least I have that. ( and 2 more almost done, just need borders)

[@OllieandBella]

Wow that’s impressive!!! 🎉💖

[@chrishutson7061]

Love your cup. So pretty. I made the Anthology throw 2 Christmases ago. Yes using stitch markers was very helpful although you have to remember to move them when you're on an increase row. A few design features in mine where I had to add a stitch or two occasionally. I remember my mother in law asking if I was knitting a hat lol! She just couldn't get her head round the fact it would lay flat once off the circular needle! I've read a few of the Seven Sisters series. Some longer books do seem epic on the audible books. I think I skim read a lot of the time.........

[@OllieandBella]

Yes 😂 it does start off looking like a hat doesn’t it? I must admit I have now added what feels like 100s of stitch markers and as I got to the end I was one stitch out so just picked up a stitch. I’ll be glad when it’s done! It’s gorgeous though and will look beautiful when finished. Yes if I’m reading on my kindle/physical book I skim read sometimes 💖

[@clle_srra]

Hey Sherrie, so excited for this podcast episode!

[@OllieandBella]

Hope you enjoy it! 💖

[@kellyduffield9022]

Hello ! So good to see you with a new podcast. I’m obsessed with making blankets. I’m currently making the Emma baby blanket by snufflebean yarn and have a few others on the go like the sweetshop by Laura Penrose and the cosy stripe by attic24 and the stitch on Sunday blanket by rowrow and kades. There’s probably one or two I’ve forgotten 😂 but they’ll all get done 😊 anyway I hope you have a great weekend. Take care Kelly xx

[@OllieandBella]

Amazing - love the sound of all your blanket wips! You can never have enough 😂 that’s what I keep telling myself and my husband 😆💖

[@pattyskaggs2168]

I have enjoyed the listening to the audiobooks of the Seven Sisters series by Lucinda Riley. When the final book came out “Atlas: The Story of Pa Salt”, I was so into this story that I didn’t want to wait for my turn on the library website …I purchased the Kindle ebook. It nicely ties up all the sisters and their relationship to Pa Salt…..so good❣️ I’m also knitting the Anthology Throw…only a few rows past 60%. I have markers ever 50 stitches….I’m forewarned about the section after the final increases…thanks!

[@OllieandBella]

That’s lovely to hear you’ve listened to all the Seven Sisters Series on audio! I seem to read quicker on my Kindle so maybe if I ever read any of them it might be faster than a physical book. Are you enjoying the Anthology Throw? It’s been a really nice change from anything I’ve made. Have a read through the comments as @owlpool8476 had a great tip for the last section 💖

[@pattyskaggs2168]

@@OllieandBella thanks…I read her comment….when I get to that section, I definitely will use my markers. I prefer to use markers anytime there are repeats in a design…it can get too confusing

[@cocoandflora6542]

Nearly thee with your beautiful Anthology….those huge rounds are a slog but well worth it…I think I skipped a few rounds near the end of mine, I was so done😂. Xx

[@OllieandBella]

Aww thanks Eva, I spent a while yesterday adding stitch markers all the way around! My days - so boring 🥱 That made me giggle that you skipped a few rounds near the end, only because I too have been tempted 😆💖

[@handcraftedbyhelen1963]

We have Libby and Borrowbox here in New Zealand. Borrowbox is Australian based I think and Libby is American.

[@OllieandBella]

Ohh I did not know that! Thank you for mentioning 💖

[@marionhadded4510]

Thank you so much Sherrie. Everything is lovely, as usual. Is the Homespun House yarn for your granny shawl 4 ply or DK? ❤

[@OllieandBella]

Thank you 🥰💖 The yarn is 4-ply 🧶

[@marionhadded4510]

@@OllieandBellaThank you so much Sherrie ❤

[@RunWithHooksNYarn]

I've missed you!!! I listen to my audio books a 1.5x speed! Maybe that'll help get through it more quickly

[@OllieandBella]

Aww thank you for spending some time with me! I also do the same thing and listen 1.5 speed 😄 💖

[@Flora-d3q]

Island at War is full of typos and really needed an editor and a proofreader!

[@OllieandBella]

Yes!! Someone has actually used a pencil and corrected the mistakes in my copy 💖

[@LindaNixon-ws4ge]

Can’t knit without lifelines and stitch markers