A Yarn Story
A Yarn Story
A Yarn Story Podcast is the ultimate knitting podcast for yarn enthusiasts, wool lovers and knitters from beginners to advanced.
On each episode, host Carmen is joined by a different guest to delve into the world of knitting, sharing stories from their own experiences as well as the latest industry insights.
Tune in to discover inspiring interviews, expert advise, knitting tips and techniques, colour and pattern suggestions and a whole lot more.
Whether you're an experienced knitter or a complete beginner, you're very welcome to join us as we celebrate creativity, community and the timeless art of knitting.
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Top 10 A Yarn Story Episodes
Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best A Yarn Story episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to A Yarn Story for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite A Yarn Story episode by adding your comments to the episode page.
[Behind The Scenes] Life As A Knitwear Designer
A Yarn Story
02/20/24 • 59 min
This week Carmen is joined by Amanda as Kayleigh is working on her PhD this month. We dig into Amanda’s career as a knitwear designer and what it’s really like working full time as a designer (including what it was like working for Mohamed Al-Fayed!)
Happy Knitting!
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Chapters
(00:01:13) Wine we're drinking
(00:04:59) Meet knitwear designer Amanda
(00:06:21) Realities of working as a kniwear designer for magazine publications
(00:22:48) Working for Mohamed Al-Fayed (and turning down Harrods!)
(00:27:00) What does a design process look like and what Amanda's working on
(00:45:10) Knitting retrets with Amanda (subscribe for retreat updates here)
(00:46:36) What we're wearing
(00:50:19) What Carmen is knitting
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Show notes
The wine this week is a Spanish Syrah from Carmen’s Good Pair Days box called Topico.
What we're working on:
- Amanda has two designs she’s finishing up: one for Walcot Yarns using Fluff and one for our upcoming retreat using The Fibre Co. Cumbria Fingering.
- Carmen has her Pressed Flowers Cardigan on the go and is nearly done with the ribbing
What we're wearing:
- Amanda is wearing a slipover by Petitknits, the Stockholm slipover using Walcot Yarns Origin (Wild River) held with Isager Silk Mohair (100).
- Carmen is wearing the Plump it Up shawl by Maxim Cyr in Fluff (Shadow) & Spincycle Yarns Plump (Rosy Maple)
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Get In Touch
Social Media: Instagram | TikTok
Website: www.ayarnstory.co.uk
Email: [email protected]
Visit us:
A Yarn Story,
128 Walcot Street,
Bath,
BA1 5BG
+44 (0)1225 429239
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Huddle Podcasting Ltd
This episode was produced by Huddle Podcasting Ltd. Learn how you can harness the power of podcasts to grow your business at www.huddlepodcasting.com
03/21/24 • 84 min
It's the Season 2 finale. Kayleigh is back, having spent a couple of months in full-on PhD mode, and we have a HUGE amount of laughs this week. We share what we're wearing, what we're working on and share colour choices for the new Saar Vest by our good friend Aleks Byrd.
We hope you enjoy the episode, and a huge thank you for being with us through Season 2. If you've enjoyed it, please do leave us a 5* review on whichever platform you list to us - it REALLY helps us grow.
We're taking a little time off but will be back for Season 3 in a few weeks. In the meantime, happy knitting!
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Chapters
(00:05:26) What we're drinking!
(00:13:56) Unravel roundup
(00:14:07) What Carmen is wearing
(00:20:26) What Kayleigh is wearing
(00:22:39) What we're working on
***A LOT OF LAUGHTER***
(00:37:51) Kayleigh learns what schnitzel is!
(00:51:54) Why starting a project is so hard
(00:54:58) Pattern choices for the new Saar Vest
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Show notes
We toast the end of Season 2 with a bottle of Nicolas Feuillatte.
What We're Wearing
- Carmen is wearing the Officer Sweater by Maxim Cyr in Walcot Yarns Fluff in Officer and Shadow (in fact she stole this sweater from Max himself - he may or may not get it back)
- Kayleigh has on Dark Matter by Cheryl Faust using Walcot Yarns Opus in Hickory with Spincycle Yarns Dyed in the Wool in Dirty Little Secret.
Kayleigh shows off her Pressed Flowers cardigan from the KAL where she’s using Isager Tweed in North Sea with Spincycle Yarns Dyed in the Wool in Light Years.
Saar Vest options
We pick some yarn options for Aleks Byrds’ latest pattern the Saar Vest. It’s a stunning design using Walcot Yarns Opus and Spincycle Yarns Dyed in the Wool
Kayleigh’s picks:
- Evergreen + The Meadows
- Evergreen + Big Sky
- Cove + Stay Out of the Forrest
- Cove + Big Sky
- Cove + Kolkata
- Spellbound + Reykjavik or Havana or Wallflower or The Meadows
Carmen’s picks:
- The original - Spellbound + Next Level
- Grey + Overshadow
- Charcoal + Syringa
- Bumblebee + Sweetwater or Afternoon Delight or Reykjavik or Big Sky
We’ve had the best time in Season two and can’t wait to see you again in season 3 - thanks so much for watching!
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Get In Touch
Social Media: Instagram | TikTok
Website: www.ayarnstory.co.uk
Email: [email protected]
Visit us:
A Yarn Story,
128 Walcot Street,
Bath,
BA1 5BG
+44 (0)1225 429239
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Huddle Podcasting Ltd
This episode was produced by Huddle Podcasting Ltd. Learn how you can harness the power of podcasts to grow your business at www.huddlepodcasting.com
02/01/24 • 71 min
Welcome to A Yarn Story. After our wine segment we take a diversion into the house-buying process in the UK (!) before we dive into Carmen's new coaching venture. We share what we've decided to knit for the upcoming KAL and announce that we're heading to Unravel festival of yarn.
Happy Knitting!
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Chapters
(00:01:17) Wine segment
(00:09:04) Kayleigh's mega big news
(00:18:08) Carmen recaps her trip to Puerto Rico
(00:22:45) Carmen announces her new coaching business
(00:37:48) Knit-A-Long update (there's still time to join - DETAILS HERE)
(00:40:22) Kayleigh's KAL yarn choices
(00:44:52) Carmen's KAL yarn choices
(00:59:32) A Yarn Story is heading to the Unravel festival of yarn
(01:03:55) Taylor Swift chat!!
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Show notes
Wine is 28 which is a lovely Cabernet Sauvignon from China that was recommended to us by our friends at Wolf Wine.
Carmen is now an officially certified business coach and talks more about her plans on that front. If you want to hear more about Carmen’s take on business, particularly marketing and team building, she was recently interviewed on the Teames & Co. podcast and you can listen to that episode now.
Walcot Yarns will be at Unravel Festival of Yarn in February and will be sharing a booth with Les Garçons! If you are coming to the event, please do stop by and say hello.
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Get In Touch
Social Media: Instagram | TikTok
Website: www.ayarnstory.co.uk
Email: [email protected]
Visit us:
A Yarn Story,
128 Walcot Street,
Bath,
BA1 5BG
+44 (0)1225 429239
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Huddle Podcasting Ltd
This episode was produced by Huddle Podcasting Ltd. Learn how you can harness the power of podcasts to grow your business at www.huddlepodcasting.com
01/18/24 • 85 min
Welcome to this podcast episode where we're delighted to welcome Susan back onto the pod!
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Chapters
(00:02:14) What we're about here at A Yarn Story
(00:04:00) Wine chat
(00:13:33) Our best achievements of 2023 and knits we're working on in 2024
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Show notes
Thank you to Susan’s husband for sponsoring the wine on this episode! We had Le Demoiselle which is an organic and bio-dynamic wine which we really enjoyed.
Carmen is working on Camisole No. 4 by My Favorite Things Knitwear in Knitting for Olive Pure Silk and she decided (with the help of Susan and Kayleigh) that her Liebling in Spincycle Plump does actually fit and doesn’t need to be ripped back!
Kayleigh is wearing her most recent test knit for Lily Kate France, the Overdrive Vest which she’s done in Walcot Yarns Origin. The other moss stitch pattern she mentions is Weidlinger by Nadya Stallings for Brooklyn Tweed.
Susan is wearing her Liebling in Plump and finishes Dala Sweater by Eleanor Mortenson live on air! She used The Urban Purl Merino Singles with Isager Silk Mohair and then finally combines Spincycle Dyed in the Wool with mohair for the colourwork.
Join our first Knit-A-Long of 2024
It’s our first KAL of the year and it starts soon, we’ll be working on Pressed Flowers by Amy Cristoffers. Get more details here.
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Get In Touch
Social Media: Instagram | TikTok
Website: www.ayarnstory.co.uk
Email: [email protected]
Visit us:
A Yarn Story,
128 Walcot Street,
Bath,
BA1 5BG
+44 (0)1225 429239
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Huddle Podcasting Ltd
This episode was produced by Huddle Podcasting Ltd. Learn how you can harness the power of podcasts to grow your business at www.huddlepodcasting.com
Christmas Special: Exclusive GIVEAWAY!
A Yarn Story
12/07/23 • 84 min
Welcome to this Christmas special of A Yarn Story podcast. This week, Carmen and Kayleigh are joined by two special guests and we announce a super exciting GIVEAWAY! Scroll down for how to enter 👇
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Chapters
(00:00:57) Introducing our guest hosts - Susan and Amanda
(00:03:31) The wine segment (unofficially sponsored by Good Pair Days!)
(00:15:49) What it's like studying knit design and fashion at university
(00:22:24) What Susan is wearing
(00:29:08) What Amanda is wearing
(00:35:21) What Carmen is wearing
(00:39:20) What Kayleigh is wearing
(00:43:40) Wine review - red wine!
(00:48:53) GIVEAWAY announcement - details below
(00:55:55) A new pattern from Amanda
(01:06:30) Christmas cake vs Christmas pudding
(01:13:47) Our finished objects
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Show notes
Amanda Jones and Susan Byrne join us as special guests this week. Kayleigh and Carmen might have gotten themselves into a bit of trouble recently and so we are letting them set the record straight for themselves.
Competition
Win a stunning Hide and Hammer Leather Bumbag in a delicious bright orange leather.
How to enter
1. Subscribe our YouTube Channel
2. Tag two friends in the comments on this video
3. Follow Hide & Hammer and A Yarn Story on Instagram
Ts&Cs
- Giveaway is open until 23:59pm on December 22, 2023
- Winner will be drawn at random and announced on December 24, 2023 - what a perfect Christmas gift to yourself!
Also discussed
The stunning new pattern from Maxim Cyr called Plump It Up is now available at A Yarn Story.
Susan also shows off some recent finishes including: Same but Different by Cheryl Faust in mYak Medium + Spincycle Dream State, two Shifts - one gift and one for herself in three skeins of Next Level and lastly a Sophie Scarf by Petitknit in Knitting for Olive Compatible Cashmere.
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Get In Touch
Social Media: Instagram | TikTok
Website: www.ayarnstory.co.uk
Email: [email protected]
Visit us:
A Yarn Story,
128 Walcot Street,
Bath,
BA1 5BG
+44 (0)1225 429239
Introducing NEW yarn Fluff | S2E2
A Yarn Story
11/09/23 • 61 min
We're delighted to introduce FLUFF - new yarn we've created in collaboration with Walcot Yarns x Les Garçons.
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Chapters
(00:03:44) Wine tasting. Lune Rousse from Wolf Wines in Bath (thanks Carmen's Mum for sponsoring this week's bottle!)
(00:11:37) What Carmen and Kayleigh are working on
(00:20:27) Introducing Fluff! Meet our NEW yarn!
(00:41:03) Custom-made Spincycle Yarn
(00:50:02) Pattern suggestions for Fluff
(00:55:27) Wrap up
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Show Notes
Wolf wines: https://www.wolfwine.co.uk/
Carmen finished her Kangas shawl by Aleks Byrd using Dyed by Delz BFL Twist DK in Abador’s Water and Vincent’s Highland Coo.
Kayleigh is test knitting Piping Hot by Lily Kate and using Spincycle Yarns Dream State in Bright Idea along with Garthenor Organic Beacons in Hummingbird.
Introducing Fluff, a brand new yarn collaboration from Walcot Yarns x Les Garçons! Fluff is a sport weight brushed yarn made of 55% Baby Alpaca, 18% fine merino, 17% mulberry silk and 10% Yak and it’s 100% Dreamy.
Fluff pattern suggestions:
- Instant Crush by Joji Locatelli
- Seela by Jonna Hietala using Walcot Yarns Origin and Fluff held together
- No. 14 from My Favorite Things Knitwear using Walcot Yarns Opus and Fluff
- Moonbumps shawl and the Bumpy cardigan both my Maxim Cyr
- Cumulus Blouse, Novice Sweater and Agnetee cardigan by PetiteKnits
- Lovenote by Tin Can Knits
- Ranunculus by Midori Hirose
Custom Colourway from Spincycle Yarns - Next Level - has arrived on all three yarn bases and it’s absolutely amazeballs!
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Get In Touch
Social Media: Instagram | TikTok
Website: www.ayarnstory.co.uk
Email: [email protected]
Visit us:
A Yarn Story,
128 Walcot Street,
Bath,
BA1 5BG
+44 (0)1225 429239
09/07/23 • 74 min
Kayleigh is on holiday this week so our colleague Susan joined Carmen on today’s episode. Susan has a fantastic show and tell to talk us though (though to get the full experience you should watch this episode on YouTube too!).
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Chapters
(00:00:50) Meet Susan
(00:04:42) Wine Chat!
(00:12:44) Colour combos - WATCH HERE
(00:20:14) Show & Tell - Susan's finished objects
- (00:21:28) Moonbumps by Maxim Cyr
- (00:24:37) Suri Shirt by Caidree
- (00:25:41) Wisp by Caitlin Hunter
- (00:27:59) Liebling by Camilla Vad
- (00:32:26) The Shift by Andrea Mowry
- (00:35:07) Nice sweater by Anne Ventzel
- (00:37:38) Iro by Knitting for Breakfast
(00:45:10) What Susan's working on
- (00:45:24) Pear socks by Summer Lee
- (00:48:01) Stockholm round neck by PetiteKnit
- (00:49:12) Robinia Light by Anne Ventzel
- (00:55:35) Sande Summer Cardi by Helga Jona
- (00:59:24) The Shift by Andrea Mowry
(01:02:50) Bag chat
(01:13:33) Wrap up
Episode Notes
Wine we reviewed: Pinotage Rose from Lidl
Colour combo suggestions Walcot Yarns Origin + Spincycle Yarns Dream State:
- Beaver’s Den + Rosy Maple
- Wild Lilac + Midsommar
- Fireweed + Dream World
- Juniper + Salty Dog
- Pacific + Overshadow OR Ghost Ranch
- Lighthouse + Stay Ready
Susan’s FO (finished objects) show & tell:
- Moonbumps by Maxim Cyr in les Garçons Suri Alpaca + Spincycle Yarns Dyed in the Wool in Vibe Check
- Suri Shirt by Caidree in The Urban Purl Cloud 9 in Witching Hour
- Wisp by Caitlin Hunter in The Urban Purl in Flamingo on Fire
- Liebling by Camilla Vad in Spincycle Yarns Plump in Ghost Ranch
- The Shift by Andrea Mowry in Spincycle Yarns in Lapis, Wallflower and The Family Jewels
- Nice by Anne Ventzel in Isager Hør + Alpaca 1
- Iro by Knitting for Breakfast in mYak Kupa
Susan’s WIP (working in progress) show & tell:
- I’m So Basic Socks by Summer Lee in Malabrigo Sock
- Stockholm by PetitKnit in Isager Tweed + les Garçons Suri Alpaca
- Robinia Light by Anne Ventzel in Isager Spinni + Silk Mohair
- Sande Summer Cardi by Helga Jona
- The Shift by Andrea Mowry in Spincycle Yarns Dyed in the Wool Shade of the Earth, Space Oddity and Stay Out of the Forest.
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Get In Touch
Social Media: Instagram | TikTok
Website: www.ayarnstory.co.uk
Email: [email protected]
Visit us:
A Yarn Story,
128 Walcot Street,
Bath,
BA1 5BG
+44 (0)1225 429239
02/25/25 • 42 min
Join Carmen and Beverley and go behind-the-scenes of Unravel, one of the UK’s most beloved yarn festivals. Fresh from the event, they share their festival highlights, yarn hauls and hilarious mishaps (including one-armed sweater shopping and emergency bra assistance!).
Tune in to hear:
✔️ Insider Access – What it’s really like to vend at a major fibre festival
✔️ Colour & Yarn Trends – What’s hot in the knitting world right now
✔️ Project Inspiration – Beverley’s new sweater plans & Carmen’s latest FO
✔️ Must-Know Indie Brands – Who to watch (and where to find them!)
✔️ Upcoming Events – From The Big Flock to an exclusive night at the Roman Baths (more below)
Whether you love yarn festivals, crave knitting inspiration, or just enjoy a good laugh with fibre friends, this episode is packed with cosy, crafty goodness!
Fizz & Fibre | You're Invited To This Exclusive Event
Join us for a magical after-hours gathering at the Roman Baths, where torchlight, history, and creativity come together. Sip fizz, mingle with fellow knitting enthusiasts - including the iconic Erika Knight who designed our Signature Collection - and hear from Jonny King of Garthenor Organic as he shares the incredible journey of building Wales’ first worsted spinning mill. With exclusive access to this breathtaking setting, it’s an evening of inspiration, storytelling and community you won’t want to miss!
#KnittingPodcast #YarnLover #UnravelFestival #KnittersOfInstagram #HandDyedYarn #FiberFestival #KnittingCommunity #CraftersUnite
Ask us anything!
Click here to submit a question for the podcast
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Get In Touch
Social Media: Instagram | TikTok
Website: www.ayarnstory.co.uk
Email: [email protected]
Visit us:
A Yarn Story,
128 Walcot Street,
Bath,
BA1 5BG
+44 (0)1225 429239
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Huddle Podcasting Ltd
This episode was produced by Huddle Podcasting Ltd. Learn how you can harness the power of podcasts to grow your business at www.huddlepodcasting.com
01/07/25 • 45 min
In this special episode of A Yarn Story, Carmen sits down with Lisa, co-owner of Dublin’s beloved yarn shop, This is Knit. From her earliest days of knitting as a schoolgirl in Ireland to co-founding a thriving family-run business, Lisa shares her passion for natural fibres, community building and the magic of making.
Together, they delve into Lisa’s journey, from backpacking in New Zealand (and rediscovering her love for knitting) to building This is Knit with her mum, sister and a talented team. Plus, discover knitting tips, inspiring stories of creativity and why Lisa thinks everyone should invest in the best yarn they can afford.
This episode is packed with insights for knitters of all levels, a few laughs and a whole lot of yarn love! Stick around for listener Q&A and a sneak peek of Lisa’s exciting projects.
💡 Highlights:
- Rediscovering knitting in a New Zealand hostel.
- The story behind This is Knit.
- Favourite patterns, from baby hats to intricate shawls.
- Practical tips for seaming, colorwork, and more!
- How to support your local yarn shop (beyond just shopping).
🔗 Resources Mentioned:
- This is Knit yarns and patterns
- Pacific Knit Company’s doodle motifs
- Andrea Mowry’s timeless sweater and shawl patterns
Whether you’re an experienced knitter or just casting on your first project, this episode will leave you inspired. Don’t forget to tune in for Part 2, where Lisa dives deeper into 18 years of running a yarn business!
Chapter Markers:
0:00 – Introduction: Meet Lisa from This is Knit.
1:25 – What We’re Wearing and Knitting: Townhouse Yarns & SoSue Knits.
5:37 – Lisa’s Knitting Journey: From Ireland to New Zealand and back.
15:57 – Building This is Knit: From market stalls to a community hub.
27:45 – Favourite Projects and Patterns: Wedding shawls, doodle cowls, and more.
35:20 – Tips for Supporting Local Yarn Shops.
42:00 – Listener Q&A: Knitting in the round vs. flat, seaming, and more.
44:57 – Wrap-Up: What’s next in Part 2!
Subscribe For Updates
🔔 Please LIKE, SUBSCRIBE and SHARE this episode for more knitting inspiration and behind-the-scenes stories from our fibre-filled world. It really helps the channel grow :).
#knittingpodcast #summerknitting #knittingtips #knittinginspiration #knittingpodcast #knitting #howtoknit #knittingtutorial
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Ask us anything!
Click here to submit a question for the podcast-----------------------------------
Get In Touch
Social Media: Instagram | TikTok
Website: www.ayarnstory.co.uk
Email: [email protected]
Visit us:
A Yarn Story,
128 Walcot Street,
Bath,
BA1 5BG
+44 (0)1225 429239
-----------------------------------
Huddle Podcasting Ltd
This episode was produced by Huddle Podcasting Ltd. Learn how you can harness the power of podcasts to grow your business at www.huddlepodcasting.com
Summer Yarn Guide: Cotton, Silk, Wool & Blends. Plus, how to master advanced knitting techniques
A Yarn Story
06/11/24 • 87 min
Welcome to A Yarn Story! This week, Carmen and Kayleigh discuss their knitting adventures and various updates. They start by addressing a technical mishap from the last episode where half of the video didn't record (hence no YouTube last time!).
We kick things of with new wine (of course!) Convivial, a Gamay Pinot Noir from the Willamette Valley. Carmen share stories from Knit City in Toronto where she exhibited with Walcot Yarns and met fellow knitters, including the boys from Les Garçons and friends from her online stitch and bitch group 😂
New Products We Talk About
- Magpie Fibers Swanky Sock and Swanky DK
- Hide and Hammer's new Super-Sized 03 project bags
Lessons in Knitting
Carmen and Kayleigh provide tips on knitting in a group setting, emphasising the importance of organisation, using stitch markers and bringing simple projects. They also share strategies for keeping track of knitting progress and managing complex patterns.
Q&A Segment
This week, we answer questions about:
- Summer yarn recommendations
- Challenges for advanced knitters
- Why we chose to settle in Bath
Enjoy!
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Ask us anything!
Click here to submit a question for the podcast-----------------------------------
Get In Touch
Social Media: Instagram | TikTok
Website: www.ayarnstory.co.uk
Email: [email protected]
Visit us:
A Yarn Story,
128 Walcot Street,
Bath,
BA1 5BG
+44 (0)1225 429239
-----------------------------------
Huddle Podcasting Ltd
This episode was produced by Huddle Podcasting Ltd. Learn how you can harness the power of podcasts to grow your business at www.huddlepodcasting.com
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FAQ
How many episodes does A Yarn Story have?
A Yarn Story currently has 40 episodes available.
What topics does A Yarn Story cover?
The podcast is about Leisure, Knit, Podcasts, Crafts and Knitting.
What is the most popular episode on A Yarn Story?
The episode title '[Behind The Scenes] Life As A Knitwear Designer' is the most popular.
What is the average episode length on A Yarn Story?
The average episode length on A Yarn Story is 64 minutes.
How often are episodes of A Yarn Story released?
Episodes of A Yarn Story are typically released every 14 days.
When was the first episode of A Yarn Story?
The first episode of A Yarn Story was released on Aug 10, 2023.
Show more FAQ
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