Join us in the Yarn Library as Georgia brings the notes and Adam brings his opinions (unsourced). This week dives headfirst into the spicy and polarising world of sustainability, complete with repurposed blocking mat cushions, UN reports and why working with uncertainty is sometimes all we can do. Part one of what is definitely going to be two parts... probably.A full transcript and bibliography will be available via our website, yarnlibrary.co.uk ______________________________BibliographyBaggini, J. (2005) The Pig that Wants to Be Eaten: And 99 Other Thought Experiments. London: Granta Books.Chenoweth, E. (2020) Questions, Answers, and Some Cautionary Updates Regarding the 3.5% Rule. Cambridge, MA: Harvard (Carr Center for Human Rights Policy, Carr Center Discussion Paper Series, No. 2020 – 005). Available at: https://www.hks.harvard.edu/sites/default/files/2024-05/Erica%20Chenoweth_2020-005.pdf [Accessed 24 March 2026].Hornsey, M. J., Chapman, C. M., Oelrichs, D. M. (2021) Ripple effects: Can information about the collective impact of individual actions boost perceived efficacy about climate change? In: Journal of Experimental Social Psychology. 97 DOI: 10.1016/j.jesp.2021.104217  Jarvie, M. E. (2016) Brundtland Report. In: Encyclopaedia Britanica. Available at: https://www.britannica.com/topic/Brundtland-Report [Accessed 14 March 2026].La Fauxmagerie (2026) Home. Available at: https://lafauxmagerie.co.uk/ [Accessed 24 March 2026].McManus, P. (2014) ‘Defining sustainable development for our common future: a history of the World Commission on Environment and Development (Brundtland Commission)’, Australian Geographer, 45(4), pp. 559–561. DOI: 10.1080/00049182.2014.953722.Nautiyal, M., Cleveland, D., Hunting, A., and Smith, A. (2025) Legacy Datasets and Their Impacts: Analysing Ecoinvent’s Influence on Wool and Polyester LCA Outcomes. Sustainability, 17(14). DOI: 10.3390/su17146513   Vandepaer, L. (2024) The carbon footprint of wool. Available at: https://www.carbonfact.com/blog/knowledge/carbon-wool [Accessed 25 March 2026].

Wherever you go in the world, there will always be craft! Which makes travel the perfect conversation starter. Your resident yarn librarians take you on a tour of various craftly escapades including love, loss and Lopi. All aboard! A full transcript and bibliography will be available* via our website, yarnlibrary.co.uk *after our resident website fairy (aka Dima) gets home from work tonight...BibliographyBertman, L. K. (2021) A Brief History of a Complicated Sweater: Appropriation, Arctic Sovereignty, and Postwar Winter Fashion. In: B. Lemire, L. Peers and A. Whitelaw, eds. Object Lives and Global Histories in Northern North America : Material Culture in Motion, C.1780 – 1980. Monreal: McGill University Press. pp. 203-227. Cant, A. (2021) The Politics of Craft and Working without Skill. In. D. Wood, ed. Craft is Political. London: Bloomsbury Visual Arts. Crookabeck Farm (2025) Homepage. Available at: https://crookabeck.co.uk/ [Accessed 18 Mar 2026].Fernández Bellver, D., Prados-Peña, M. B., García-López, A. M., Molina-Moreno, V. (2023) Crafts as a key factor in local development: Bibliometric analysis. Heliyon, 9(1). DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e13039laine_made (2026) The perfect time of year for the most incredible mohair blanket from Mary at Crookebeck Farm. Instagram, 18 Mar. Available at: https://www.instagram.com/p/DWCZcsljGLb/?img_index=1 [Accessed 18 Mar 2026].Parkes, C. (2016) Knitlandia: A Knitter Sees the World. New York: Stewart, Tabori & Chang. Singh, S. (2021) Reimagining the Craft Economy Post Covid-19. London: British Council. Available at: https://issuu.com/fashionrevolution/docs/reimagining_the_craft_economy_post_covid-19_report/64 [Accessed 18 Mar 2026].Singh, S. (2023) Craft in the age of climate crisis. London: British Council. Available at: https://www.britishcouncil.in/sites/default/files/craft_x_climate_report_-_october_2023_low_res_8mb_file.pdf[Accesses 18 Mar 2026].Venkatesan, S. (2010) Learning to weave; weaving to learn… what? Journal of the Royal Anthropological Institute. 16(1) DOI: 10.1111/j.1467-9655.2010.01615.x

After many requests for longer visiting hours at the library, Adam and Georgia allow their weekly "housekeeping" to go off piste. Look forward to William Morris tears, retreat highs (and lows), and even what sealed the deal when Georgia met Dima on a dating app. A full transcript and bibliography is available via our website, yarnlibrary.co.ukBibliographyKnott, S. (2015) Amateur Craft: History and Theory. London: Bloomsbury.Morris, W. and Morris, M. (2012) The Lesser Arts [1877]. In: The Collected Works of William Morris: With Introductions by his daughter May Morris. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. p. 17.National Heritage Act 1983, c. 47. Available at: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1983/47/contents [Accessed 12 Mar 2026].

This week, the Yarn Library talks through mistakes and how we relate to them in our crafts – and beyond! As ever, there's some respectful disagreement, endearing anecdotes, and deep dives into parts of life you didn't think contemplable. A full transcript will be available* via our website, yarnlibrary.co.uk(P.S. After a busy week, the transcript will be up later today!)

This week, we discuss how side-by-side crafting build connection and friendships... and why Yarn Library almost became a solo project due to some Rogue Yarn Club communication mishaps. It’s a chat about gendered spaces, communities of practice, and the enduring power of "knit and natter".A full transcript and bibliography is available via our website, yarnlibrary.co.ukEpisode BibliographyLave, J. & Wenger, E. (1991). Situated Learning: Legitimate peripheral participation. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press. DOI: 10.1017/CBO9780511815355Turney, J. (2009) The Culture of Knitting. London: Bloomsbury.

The conversation continues with a cornucopia of tangential – yet surprisingly relevant – thoughts on learning. Adam and Georgia discuss how useful ideas can be found in unexpected places including Medicine, Formula One, and the Kindergarten. A full transcript and bibliography is available via our website, yarnlibrary.co.ukEpisode BibliographyCatchpole, K. et al. (2007) Patient handover from surgery to intensive care: using Formula 1 pit-stop and aviation models to improve safety and quality. Pediatric Anesthesia, 17(5), pp. 470 – 478. DOI: 10.1111/j.1460-9592.2006.02239.xDas, S. et al. (2021) Case-based learning: Modern teaching tool meant for present curriculum: A behavioral analysis from faculties' perspective. Journal of Education and Health Promotion, 10(1), p. 372.  DOI: 10.4103/jehp.jehp_1265_20Gabbay, J. and le May, A. (2016) Mindlines: making sense of evidence in practice. British Journal of General Practice, 66(649), pp. 402 – 403. DOI: 10.3399/bjgp16X686221Gawande, A. (2010) The Checklist Manifesto: How To Get Things Right. Profile Books: London.Lave, J. & Wenger, E. (1991). Situated learning: Legitimate peripheral participation. Cambridge University Press: Cambridge, UK. DOI: 10.1017/CBO9780511815355Lillard, A. S. (2013) Playful Learning and Montessori Education. American Journal of Play, 5(2), pp. 157 – 186. Available at: https://www.museumofplay.org/app/uploads/2022/01/5-2-article-play-learning-and-montessori-education_0.pdfThistlethwaite, J. E. et al. (2012) ‘The effectiveness of case-based learning in health professional education. A BEME systematic review: BEME Guide No. 23’, Medical Teacher, 34(6), pp. e421–e444. DOI: 10.3109/0142159X.2012.680939.Whittaker, D. J. (2013) The Impact and Legacy of Educational Sloyd: Head and hands in harness. Routledge: London. DOI: 10.4324/9780203066829

Adam and Georgia deep dive into their knitting origins stories to kick off Season 2 of Yarn Library! With 'that programme' out of the way, look forward to more of the crafty chats you've been asking for. We hope you enjoy Part 1 of our double bill on learning. A full transcript of this episode will be available on yarnlibrary.co.uk

We're thrilled to confirm Yarn Library's return for a second season of craftful banter. Enjoy this quick update to let you know what's on the way.

Seven weeks, fourteen challenges, two dogs, four Team GB divers, and more crocheting than anyone could have anticipated, we reached the final of the Game of Wool. Adam and Georgia dissect the tasks and the result, and reflect on the first series of this flawed but redeemable show.This is a reupload, fixing the missing audio at 25 minutes into the episode.For more information about the yarn bomb bunting opportunity mentioned in the showcase spot, you can find more details linked below at Sew Knit Craft’s website. Your bunting triangles can be knit or crocheted in any yarn, then either dropped off in person or posted to the shop.https://sewknitcraft.co.uk/blogs/news/bunting-knit-crochet-a-long

Adam and Georgia make their remote recording debut, discussing all things Game of Wool – it’s Semi-Finals week! The contestants take to dynamic challenges with an eco lean: reimagined Aran jumpers and luxury bags.Please note: references and transcripts are not available for this episode yet – we’re working through a backlog, but hope to share them on our website very soon.

Georgia and Adam call their weekly press conference for Statement Week on the Game of Wool – don't worry, there's only one "no comment". As ever, this week's Yarn Library delves into a hodgepodge of tantalising tangents, including Victorian bin bags and an emotionally derailed Aldi trip.

This week, your yarn librarians roll with the rough and smooth of “texture week”. Adam and Georgia break down Game of Wool’s mishap miracles, farfalle fumbles, and pea-forward planning… all served up with a steaming hot side of Munich Mayhem. Enjoy!

This week, we talk fancy dress, avoided techniques, and Adam delivers his first dramatic reading on the pod. In honour of Game of Wool's group challenge, we also reconnect with our inner child through a paper-pen throwback.Full show notes and transcript (including references) will be available soon at yarnlibrary.co.uk.

Holiday Week sees the knitters create glam swimwear, and wrestle with the curse of the soggy bottom. Adam and Georgia rave about Holger's rave-ready string vest, brag about bougie yarn, and soapbox on tacit material knowledge.

Prompted by the outrage from the Shetland craft community on Channel 4's misrepresentation of Fair Isle knitting, we talk about preservation of heritage crafts, and why we must strive to respect their language and traditions.

We continue our coverage of the Game of Wool, addressing Gordon's response, the catwalk of doggy costumes, and some unapologetically 80s mohair creations. Will we have any hot takes on crochet vs. knitting, or engage in intellectual chats about skill acquisition? You bet.

In this episode, we delve into the complexities of pattern design in the knitting community, including recent controversies surrounding designer compensation, and the myth of exposure-as-compensation. We also touch upon the economics of pattern design, and reflect on the broader implications of craft and the pursuit of mastery in the knitting world.

Knitting influencer Adam Cleevely and craft researcher Georgia Denham have a chat about Episode 1 of the Game of Wool on Channel 4. We talk through the funniest moments, the tragedies, and everything in between – even the adverts!