Menokreatikkul; Saturday Stitches

There are three unfinished projects on my hooks ... I need to get going again. Have really had dry spell. Miss Cecilia's post last Saturday was an inspiration, though. I had to look up the meaning of 'ruana' and realised it is what my mother would call a rambling cape. I guess every culture has a variation on the theme. 

Anyhoo, if I wasn't going to be doing any actual crochet, then I could at least trawl for patterns to add to my inspirations file. Apart from Ravelry, I have recently discovered Yarnspirations. Revelation! They have lots and lots and lots of freebies to download!!! (Not only crochet, but knit, sew and craft as well.)

I found a heap, but here are piccies of a few that are placed near the top and in danger of actually getting done...

This one is a direct result of the prompt from Miss C! I have a tabard/ kaftan made of alpaca that Tigger's Mum gave to me a couple of years back. I have worn it as such around the Hutch, but in truth, it has stretched with weight and become a trip hazard (yes, that long!)... she did say to me at the time that she wasn't sure it would serve as it was and that I could use the yarn as I wished. So... first step when I get back to the Hutch is to frog that work and wind the yarn ready to reuse in this pattern. It will honour the original idea, but will - hopefully - be less 'elastic'.

Needless to say, I've included more shawls in the file...

These will be relatively quickly workable, so expect to see one or the other before too long! Another thing I found was delightfully retro. I had a poncho very like this when I was an even wee-er lass than I am now. Love this with the armholes and will be working this at some point within the next year. Mind you, I would give anything to have such a square shoulder line... are pads still a thing?

Menoturals; First Friday Filmclub

Another that stretches the claim as a Nature Friday post... but you know me by now. Elastic! I'm claiming a position based on the presence, once more, of sheep and the obvious country life setting. It's a tale you may well know and understand, but here it is beautifully retold - hankies at the ready, please!

Menopod; Listen In

Haven't done a round-up of podcasts for a while. During the recent viral infection, eye symptoms meant that viewing was limited, so listening was boosted a bit. I had all my regular podcasts to keep up with (remember I have a whole list of ongoing and limited series on the label at the foot of the post!), but I needed some extra to keep me company. 

I do have audiobooks as well, but listening to the same voice all the time can become irksome. Variety required!

For non-fiction, The Guardian's podcasts page can be relied upon. Dipping into the Science Weekly podcast, I had fun listening to their most recent three-parter, The Scottish Tea Mystery (you can listen to part one by clicking the image).

It's a scam with a twist - one that might actually have Scotland providing high-quality tea leaves and starting a whole new cash crop! It's an entertaining listen and to be enjoyed as you slurp on a delicious hot cuppa.

For light-hearted entertainment, I can highly recommend spending half an hour a week with Mr Bill Nighy and his musings on life, love and everything! Click the image to visit.

You can listen on any of the linked platforms from his landing page. Reading the blurb there will give you a good idea of the slightly tongue-in-cheek approach that will carry through the programme. In the first episode, some of the questions seem a little "AI", but they get better, and Bill's responses are always amusing, sometimes laugh-out-loud worthy, and occasionally, actually quite sensible. 

The next podcast I'd like to introduce is from the National Trust for Scotland. Their Love Scotland series is now in its eleventh season.

By clicking the image, you'll be taken to the landing page, which always has the most recent shows. To start, scroll to the bottom of the page and find all the seasons to explore.

You can pick and choose from subjects that interest you most, or opt to start at the beginning and work all the way through to the current episodes... which I am slowly doing now!

It will not surprise you to know that I have also added a true crime podcast to my list! Who doesn't love a mystery, right?

I recalled hearing about this couple, but had no idea of the complexity or depth of the situation. 

Clicking the image takes you to the iHeart page, but no actual links... you will need to search by title on your favourite listening platform in order to hear this podcast. Excess wealth, poor mental health, wishes and fantasy versus reality... It's all there.

Last for today, but by no measure the least, a new podcast to the scene of classical music.

This one only came to my notice as I was preparing this post, so I have only heard the teaser and intro posts at this point... but already impressed enough to place it here as it has been added to my Spotify library and I am looking forward to hearing what this brings out.

There you go - a little something for everybody, I think! Any recommendations in return?