Sunday 31 July 2022

Sunday

No garden photos today - I didn't take any yesterday.

Morning, everyone.  I think it's going to be a bit of a funny old day today - bit of sun, bit of cloud. some wind and, possibly, some rain.  At the moment 8it's cloudy and looks very much as if there's rain up there but we will see.

I had a lovely time yesterday.  I am sure wandering around countless stalls in a secondary school, gazing at hanks of yarn, unspun wool, ball bowls, etc, is not everyone's cuppa but it certainly is mine!

The car, with J, K and N turned up at quarter to nine and off we set, getting there about 10:15.  K drove off to do his own thing and we ladies started looking around.

I won't go into details - there were lots of stalls like this . . .



. . . although the photo really doesn't do the colours justice.  They shone.  Coloured yarns and fabrics sing to me which might sound really silly but . . .

Lots of natural fibres of various kinds, so many hand washy mixtures which I won't go for as I know I can't be bothered to hand wash and some were 'carefully wash on a cook setting' which is better. 

It's been three years since the last one which was run by Fibre East.  It wasn't as big this time, not were there the variety of non-yarn stalls (by that I mean stalls that sold a wide range of knitting needles, crochet hooks, winders, weaving gadgets, knitting patterns, etc) and, frankly, the catering arrangements were a disgrace.  Queueing for three quarters of an hour for a coffee and a snack is not my idea of efficient.

However, there was plenty to see, touch, enjoy and I managed to get together a fair old stash.


From left to right, along the top there's two pieces of felted wool which I though I could embroider over and make into cards.  Next to that is a little gift for a cat crazy daughter!  And then I fell for this sock pattern.  I have a basic pattern which is fine but this one was nice.  (I meant to get a sock blocker but forgot!)

Then back to the left side again, I fell good and hard for this project.  She had a made up blanket and it was so lovely.  Also, it showcases stitches I don't know so I will be learning while I make.  I've already started practising some of the stitches before I delve into my shamefully large stash of yarn to see what colours would work.

Then there's a couple of - er - it's hard to describe really.  The effect is ombre and there are four strands (knits up a 4 ply).   For example, one of them starts with one strand of lilac and three of blue.  Then, after a while one of the blues changed to lilac so there's two blue and lilac, then three blue and one lilac, and so on.  I have a few ideas about what to make but I'm not sure yet.  We will see.

The next two hanks are for me to make a couple of baby things while the last two on the right are for socks.

Both J and I fell asleep on the way back, we were so tired!  I'm still feeling weary so I'm going to have a very easy day today, enjoying learning some new stitches while I watch goodness knows what on the telly.
Have a good day, everyone.  xx

24 comments:

  1. The top photo of all those yarn hanks displayed is gorgeous. Such beautiful colours. I wish I could knit socks - well, seeing as I can't even knit that's never going to happen! Both my mother and my nan (both prolific knitters) tried teaching me, I just couldn't grasp it though for whatever reason. Looks like you had a good day, other than the dire catering arrangements. xx

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    1. I had a really good time, thanks, Sooze. If we go again next year (and I hope we do), I will take my own lunch. Nice, healthier, cheaper and no queueing. There's nothing to lose really. :-)

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  2. Glad you had a lovely time. The yarn looks lovely.

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    1. Thanks, Sharon. It does, doesn't it. I could have bought so much more too. :-) xx

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  3. Glad you enjoyed your day out. I am a sucker for yarn and have some sock yarn ready to knit but think I need new needles. Catriona

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    1. A fellow knitter! I hope you find your new needles soon. xx

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  4. I'm like Sooze and wish I could knit socks but I can't. My sister refuses to help ... apparently sisterly love doesn't stretch that far 😂 I'm very tempted by the sampler blanket and well but I know my limits. I need to buy some fabric to distract myself!

    I'm glad you had a good time even if the food options were disappointing, and am looking forward to seeing what you make. xx

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    1. Fabric is a good alternative. :-) Both is better though. xx

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  5. Sounds like a fun day out, I'm glad you enjoyed it.

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    1. I did, Sue, thanks. I get on so very well with Jen and haven't seen her for ages. She is a lovely lady. xx

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  6. Sounds like a fab day out! I've not physically been in a yarn or fabric shop/event for a few years now. I think I would probably go mad at all that loveliness and spend a lot of money!! Your purchases were very modest!

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    1. Don't think I wasn't tempted - and I do have loads of online sites to go and visit now. xx

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  7. Love your purchases...I have crocheted so many afghans throughout the years...did one just last year...painful but fun...have never knitted socks...but I would not wear them here in Florida...love your blog...I so enjoy your trips and what you write about them. Glad you had a fun day out.

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    1. Socks take patience but they are fun to knit. Great for keeping toes warm in our UK winters. xx

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  8. Oh Joy, that would be my perfect day out. Those yarn cakes are beautiful and I'm almost tempted to suggest a crochet along as I have a few in my stash.

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    1. Cakes - that's the name. I couldn't bring it to mind yesterday Thanks, Cherie. Do you have any suitable patterns - they really are beautiful and I don't want to just waste them. xx

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    2. They are lovely for entrelac knitting. I don't know whether it works the same with crochet but I'll google it.

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    3. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pfj-bxfIMf8

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  9. A veritable banquet of fibre! There is only one wool shop 'near' me, but it requires 50+ mile drive RT. As for a wool even, there is the huge Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival held about 80 miles from me. Next year is the 50th anniversary. But it is so big and involves so much walking...and nobody I know knits...and my wool stash is already obscene. So, let's just say, I won't be going. But there is nothing like putting your hands on fibre--to know by the touch whether or not you are going to love knitting with it. So glad you had the chance to do just that.

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    1. The festival sounds amazing. What a shame there's no one you could go with. I agree that it's a lot more fun to go with a friend. Talking about the yarn is important. :-)

      Maybe you will get the chance. I do hope so. xx

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  10. Oh, look at all that lovely yarn! I have never been to one of those conventions, but some ladies in my knitting group always would go. They gave me their old yarn and went and bought new stuff. I am still knitting with it years later...such a gift.

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    1. Multiply that by however many stalls there were and the effect was just wow!!

      What a splendid gift from your knitting group friends. Very generous too, considering the cost of yarns now, even 'cheaper' ones. xx

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  11. Hi Joy, Thank you for your lovely comment about my book - I hope you really enjoy learning all the techniques, and a great idea to have a practice! Enjoy your stash dive! I found your blog because a lady called me yesterday after reading about the book here she ordered one! I'm an ex-teacher too!

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    1. Hi, Diana, how lovely of you to comment, thank you.
      It's several days further on now and I'm so enjoying the whole challenge. I was so grateful for your help (by email) when I hit the wall with the cable crochet.
      It's a super book, thanks. xx

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