What a weekend we had! Spring sprung (for the day, at least) on Saturday - the weather was amazing so we spent a few hours at our "second home". The kids had a great time ....... all FOUR of them!
Sunday was our "girls day" out to Unravel. I went with mum and some friends, and met up with a few others (and some familiar bloggers) there too.
If you love knitting/crocheting/spinning, and can get to Unravel I really would recommend it - the exhibitor list reads a bit like a who's who of the UK's yarny folk, with just a few of the well known names missing. And even if you don't want to shop (?!?!?) there is so much to see - from the yarn-bombing around Farnham, to the Best in Show exhibits plus all the knitted/crocheted samples - we managed to discover a few lovely (and free) patterns this way - a notebook is essential! It's also a great place to feel completely normal saying things like "Ooooh, look at those knitted fish - they're so cute".
Of course it's the perfect opportunity to meet the people who create the beautiful things I usually buy online! I have met the folks behind Nimu Yarns several times already, but this year also chatted with a number of others including the lovely people behind Easy Knits, Skein Queen, Tall Yarns (where there were 0.7mm DPNs that looked like hairs which are being used to knit FAIR ISLE!!!!! Go on, look at a ruler and imagine how tiny they are!!!) and my crochet faves at the Natural Dye Studio where I managed to get my hands on a copy of their new crochet motif book.
Not this moody in real life! :) |
I also came across a stall I haven't seen before and which I LOVED. The stall-holders were Ruth & Belinda (and on Ravelry). Not only were they selling scrumptiously soft yarns, their patterns were beautiful and the people themselves were a complete delight - and even mentioned the word "cwtchy" upon hearing our accents. I especially liked the designs made with Buttersoft which was indeed the softest most yummy thing I felt all day. Sadly we were spent out and already running late so I didn't get to buy anything *sob*, but I am sure that I will be ordering a few things online (as soon as the coffers have recovered from Unravel). Look out for their names here again in the future!
So what DID I manage to buy? Erm..... a few things. Would you like to see them? Okay then, if you insist.....
Whoops - a bit blurry! It was the excitement! |
THE PARTICULARS:
- 4 x King Cole Merino and 2 x Lang Yarns Jawol Magic
- plus 1 x Noro Silk Garden Sock all from the lovely chaps at www.knitting4fun.com
- 1 x Splendor (Merino/Silk) in Flamingo (& stitch markers) from www.easyknits.co.uk
- 2 x Silk/Cashmere from www.nimuyarns.co.uk in Bayou and ?? (unlabelled)
- pincushion from www.derynrelph.co.uk
- "treasure box", stack of woven felted fabric and 4 x small balls of 100% wool from Eliza Conway
- Desirable Crochet Motif book from www.thenaturaldyestudio.com
- assorted button yumminess from www.textilegarden.com
- 6 x mini skeins from www.skeinqueen.co.uk
I think that's all - not a bad haul for a few hours!
Next year I'll be taking a picnic and staying for the whole day so there's no panic buying at the end, and so I won't go missing out on any beauties like those on the Ruth & Belinda stall (where I *should* have bought at least one pattern and some Buttersoft and probably some Rosewood needles as they looked lovely enough to persuade me to try straight single-pointed needles.)
I've already cast on something with 2 of the yarns, so I'll be back on Wednesday with a peek and the winner of the Mollie Makes Giveaway (it's not too late to enter!). In the meantime I have a sick lad to look after, so all that remains is to wish you a happy Monday! xxxxxx
That's a pretty good haul! I met Nimu yarns at the knitting and stitching show and am loving working with some of their yarn at the moment. So jealous of everyone who got to Unravel - maybe next year!
ReplyDeleteDo it! It's such a lovely day out! x
DeleteThat looks like a fabulous batch of yarn you got there. It is all stuff I would have/had bought at some point! It looks like you had a great day for it. I'm pretty jealous!
ReplyDeleteI have thought many times that you have a similar taste in yarn :) It was a fab day x
DeleteOh wow, you have just made me so excited about our girls day out to Wonderwool Wales in a month or two. Such a lovely post!
ReplyDeleteYou're going to have a blast!!!!! Wish I could come to that too :)
DeleteIt looks like you had a fantastic day Sarah, and it is so sunny for you! You have lots of good buys there too *excited*
ReplyDeleteI know - I am interrupting my knitting to reply to comments, but am already buzzing with pattern ideas for the yarn I bought AND have a mental list for things I should have bought!!!! :)
DeleteGreat haul! My mother was spinning there and was part of the group that made the sheep you had in your last photo. She certainly enjoyed herself, lovely to see that you did also :-)
ReplyDeleteFabulous! Those ladies are amazing and very dedicated. Please pass on my best wishes to your mother :)
DeleteYou are a darling - thank you so much for your kind words!
ReplyDeleteAnd please spread the word about the national (which has kinda' gone international) project/event/exhibition that Ruth and I are setting up...
http://www.ruthandbelinda.co.uk/interactive/fortherecord.html
Keep doing what you do you do it beautifully.
Happy creating - we are the soft engineers hey? :0)
xxx Belinda
Thanks for your lovely words! *off to check out the webpage you've linked
Deletexxxx
You did good! Glad you've been having such a terrific time of late.
ReplyDeleteLove the yarny additions to your stash -- that's the kind of day I'd like to have all the time!
ReplyDeletewow. i want that crochet book ! love the knits !!
ReplyDeletesooooooooooooooo jealous! Wish I could have been there!
ReplyDeleteLovely stash of goodies - I feel quite virtuous now as I didn't buy quite so much! What a great day it was, and like you say, lovely to meet the people behind the products
ReplyDeleteLooks like a fab time, wish I could have been there! You bought some gorgeous things, can't wait to see what you have planned for them all ;)
ReplyDeleteSo much fab stuff, I can't wait to see the projects!
ReplyDeleteHi, thanks for stopping by my blog. Did you see my post about Unravel? It was a lovely show wasn't it. Very inspirational. xx
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