Edinburgh Yarn Festival 2016

Once again, Edinburgh Yarn Festival was incredible.

I'll try not to gush too much about all the beautiful, intricate and amazing items I spotted - so, as you read this, just keep a general feeling of yarny awe in the back of your mind to create the best sort of woolly mental atmosphere. 

As with last year, the Edinburgh Yarn Festival was held in the Edinburgh Corn Exchange.  It's a great venue, and was a pleasure to visit again.  

I trundled through from Glasgow in my little yellow car with a few friends, arriving at 09:50 for doors at 10am, and miraculously found a nice wee parking space across the road from the main entrance.  It was so good that Pip had doubts about whether I had parked illegally - I definitely wasn't, but the lack of a ticket on the car when I returned at 5pm confirmed my wondeful parking luck.

 

First stop - coffee.  The EYF entrance hall is lined with stalls and coffee.  There was some sort of crazy order in which to ask for/buy/pick up coffee so I was rather confused for a while, though blame that on the decaffienated state in which I stared my day.

Now, I entered EYF quite tired and with an idea of what I wanted before I started.  I thought this might save my bank account.  It sort of did and sort of didn't.  My aim was to buy things I can't usually get elsewhere, so let's see if I stuck to that :p

On one hand, I have yarn which I have intended projects for, each with a lovely bag, and the combination of which I adore.  On the other, good intentions do not make anything cheaper.

In the top picture, is two skeins from La Bien Aimee - this was a stall I had wanted to visit because I've never smooshed this yarn before!  As per another promise to myself, I'd only buy a minimum of two skeins which are either the same or matchymatchy - no more one skein 4-ply stashes for me. 

I've yet to decide but these two glorious merino singles 4-ply skeins are destined for a summer top or cowl, I'm sure they'll let me know once they've been knit into swatches.  

And the pouch underneath?  The glorious, herrinbone tweed, pocket of sheer perfection?  It's a little project bag from Woollenflower, whom I adore.  I've been eyeing these little bags and hoping quite a lot for a herringbone one, so when I spied this lying on the table I couldn't help myself.  

 As I say, everything I bought this year appears to be a complete project (bag included).  So second purchase was from Kettle Yarn.  Linda has recently released a new line of yarn named Baskerville, which is 60% exmoor blueface, 25% gotland and 15% silk.  As will all yarns in the collection, quality is guaranteed, and I'll admit I'm very curious about the process of indigo dyeing!  

Linda was lovely, and whilst I was heading to her looking for some Baskerville (because this purchase was planned!!), I also spotted this incredibly cute little forrest cabin pouch, and picked that up too.  

Next, I popped into the Easyknits stall and was caught unawares by some 'Mochoo' - mohair.  Who knew I liked this, because I didnt?!  Though I'll admit, I left this behind initially as I had no plans for it - look how good I was being!

Jess of Ginger Twist Studio, an adorable little yarn shop in Edinburgh, was always a joy to see, as ever.  Her energy is infectious and after several moments squeeing over my favourite yarn (the Splendour 4ply 50/50 silk blend in the Hocus Pocus colourway - have a look at my project page on Rav and you'll soon see what I mean), I ended up with two more skeins of the stuff and a round trip back to Easyknitter to pick up that mohair.  A plan was born - I was going to knit a boxy with 4-ply splendour and lace mohair held together on 5.5mm needles.  It is squeeful and I terrified to admit, but since then (5 days ago), I have finished and am wearing my boxy.  I will devote a separate post to it, as it is amazing.  My wrists hurt. 

I met several amazing people throughout the day, and will no doubt forget to list some, so I won't name you all! 

Bumped into several of my facourite podcasters: Louise of Caithness Craft, Louise of Knit British, Jo of Shinybees to name a few!  I had a lovely long chat to them whilst hosting my little pop-up stall in the podcast lounge, which was lovely. 

Last, but obviously not least, I returned to La Bien Aimee for a cardigan quantity of this yarn...



The dates for EYF 2017 have even already been released!  It'll be the Corn Exchange again, on 10th / 11th of March.

What did you purchase?  Did you miss EYF - what did you do instead??

Spinning Pre-Tour & Star Wars Marathon

Maybe it's because I figured out how to run my wheel without it squeaking quite so much; maybe it's because I've been getting excited about the Tour De Fleece, but there's been quite a lot of spinning going on!

Firstly though, after several recent conversations and a twitter encounter, Star Wars arrived in my flat.  Being reliably informed episodes 1-3 are not worth watching, I plan to start my marathon of knitting and sci-fi with Episode IV this evening!  It'll involve fizzy pink and some microwavey popcorn.  All good things.   I'll let you know how it turns out.  I'm scared I won't like the star wars.

It has already been quite a film filled day - Edge Of Tomorrow is currently in the cinema and it is gooooooood!!  Not usually a fan of the Cruise man, I was under duress by the boy, but it was definitely worth it.  Now, watching Tom Cruise and Emily Blunt on the Graham Norton show - it ties in so nicely, and they both seem lovely.




Pink alpaca, brown massam & white bamboo, from my epic carding session (and the subsequent spinning session).

BFL / silk from Hilltop Cloud

Merino from Malabrigo

I've no idea what I'll be making this lovely lot into, maybe they'll just be sitting in my smooshing stash for a while... 

Yarn Shop Day

Lets Knit recently blogged about supporting your local yarn shop, and the idea has rolled out like a ball of yarn alone in a room with a small cat.  

I do like my LYS (local yarn shop) lots and, very flatteringly, I was asked to attend as a local designer at my local yarn shop, with my wee knits displayed in the window!   So I shall be sat in The Yarn Cake on Queen Margaret Drive in Glasgow with discounted knitting patterns and stitch markers, joining the local yarn shop fun!

I'll be joined by Lauren Smith (WalkYouHome) and lovely designs from Kirsten M Bedigan (Aphaia Knits).

There's an exciting project on the go at the moment, but I fear it'll be a little while yet before I can reveal its magical wonderfullness :p

One thing I do love about Scotland is the long days.  Yes, yes, I know in winter we have around 3 hours of sunshine, but what about summer?!!  20 hours of sunshine?  Yes please.  

Sunshine is as inspiring as it is motivating, encouraging us to be more productive, more imaginative, and generally more wonderful.   Too much?  Perhaps.   

See you there?

Where's your LYS?

:) x

Acorn Capelet

Knit Now; Dan Walmsley J

It's out!  My second paper pattern published in Knit Now; The Acorn Capelet.  

I planned to knit a garment with two weights for a little while, and this KnitNow call came at just the right time!   I'm terrible at keeping shawls in place, and end up looking like I'm falling apart at the seams, so a sweet little cape was the obvious choice!  

Having never knitted with Debbie Bliss yarn before, this 'Cashmerino' was lovely!!  With 55% merino wool, 33% acrylic and 12% cashmere, it's a yummy little number!

You can find more details on how to buy the magazine either in print or e-copy here on Ravelry. 

The previous pattern was the Will-O-The-Wisp hat, which is now available as a ravelry download (or nosey at it on the blog here).  

What're you planning on knitting next?

:)

Doomsday Knits & 'The Littlest Giant Geek'

AAaaaah t'is here.  What an awesome book.  Whilst waiting on it to arrive, I've been getting carried away again (much like arrow necklaces for arrow shawls sort of carried away), and playing Apocalypse themed games with popcorn and beer.  Mmm.   Largely due to this, and my excitement that we were about to watch a film involving humans living in space, my partner reminded me yesterday that I was 'the littlest giant geek'.  I shall wear that badge with pride.

This week I've to compile a mini-CV and fill out the online portfolio required to apply for the second year post of my job - it's a little scary!  There are at the same time too many and not enough choices.  What do I want to do??  I have no idea.  Maybe I should just close my eyes and throw little sticky balls at the list.  There are two of the jobs I really would like, but then there's the perpetual dilemma of 'getting your hopes up'.

That all sounds a little pessimistic really doesn't it!  Of course I'll apply for the ones I'd love.  I'll just give it a little while before I grow attached.  Distract myself with knitting, and books which combine post apocalyptic earth geekery with the best hobby ever* (*in my humble opinion).

In case you'd like to join me in the land of tiny giant geeks, the book is 'Doomsday Knits: Projects for the Apocalypse and After', and can be found here on Ravelry.

The yarn?  What is the yarn, you ask? Is some Yummy Malabrigo.  Is squishy.  I squish it.

Spin Spin Spinning

The yarn has all been spun and the skeins have been a-drying!  But the failing poit in the chain was the spinner being too lazy to share the fluff with the world*
(*read 'world' as 'the small but valued audience of one crazy sheep girlies blog').

As you may have spotted, I spent a whole day last month playing with batts.

Woolfest was aaaages ago, but this is the lovely little pile of fluff I acquired there.  It was awfully dandruffy sheep, so I did end up chopping off the ends and ended up with less than I'd have liked, but hey-ho.  It's very halo-y, there may be a plan for a fuzzy-cowl blooming in my brain.

The next pile of fluff was obtained from the Glasgow School of Yarn.  I was oh-so well behaved, and did not spend a single penny except on this enticing pile of pink/purple/orange nomnomnom-ness.  Katie of Hilltopcloud never disappoints, and this silk was a dream to spin.  

Last but not least, this is the experimental product of a noily batt I carded on my batty day of carding.  It's very think and thin, has wonderfully smooshy lumps and bumps of silk and massam, and will make the most incredible (or hideous?  we shall soon see) hat.  

Beachy Picnic & A Visit to Old Maiden Aunt

What do you do when you have a little day off?  Well, you take a friend, some yarn, and pink bubbly to the beach.  Cold enough to wear our woolens with pride (but not cold enough to stop us picnic-ing on the beach), t'was a perfect day for a wander.  

For aaages I've been wanting to visit the studio of Old Maiden Aunt, in West Kilbride.  This quaint little place is Scotland's only 'Craft Town', and is lined with workshops where you can see the shop owners at work.   Though she was (supposed to be) busy packing for a trip, Lillith was wonderful - so friendly and ever so helpful :D  We may have spent 2 hours deciding what yarn we 'needed'.  And playing with the woofy dog!

Old Maiden Aunt dyes her colourways onto several different bases - all of which alter the final colour.  I may have bought the same purple twice, one on a silky base and one on a cashmere blend.  Nomnomnomnom.

Some of the two hours may have comprised of a woofy dog photo shoot.

Too much choice!

Yarn Cake?

Trunks full of goodies!

'Tardis' colourway.

My wares.  And a woofy dog.

Woofy dog photo shoot

On the way to the Old Maiden Yarn shop, we came across this gorgeous little glass workshop!  Everything was so teeny-tiny and detailed!  Apparently she also does workshops... I might have to visit again...

Finally, the beach!!  So many woofy dogs.  I actually didn't realise when I planned this trip, but I used to come to this beach when I was little!!  

 

When you go down to the woods tonight you're sure to find a Lauren exploring in the forrest...  All of these forresty photos look a little trippy; apparently trees + fish eye lens does crazy things to the mind.  

 

You still have time to enter the shawl pin giveaway, and the christmas yarny swap!!

AAAlllllso, there's now a GIANT pile of fluff in the shop.  Jus' sayin'.  

The 'Doctor Who' Thing Just Got Serious

I'm torn about Saturday.  

Can't wait for it to arrive, but I don't want Doctor Who to end!!  

Don't want to know his name?!  I do hope they don't tell me :'(   

*sniffles*

I was trying to sort out my stash the other day and got rather excited about the coming Doctor Who weekend with some dye in my hands.  Needless to say, kitchen killing spree ensued, and I now have more yarn than I can possibly intend to knit before the next series comes along.  Or my next batch of white yarn.  Y'know.  Whichever comes first.

The first is inspired by that amazing Da Vinci episode!  Swirly swirly. 

The second was the more recent episode, 'the crimson horror'.  AAAAAaaaaa.  Scary ol' lady with worms livin' down her dress.  Pah.  PAH I say.  

AAAAAnd because I made too much, you can buy one of each in my shop :)  Because my stash won't fit in the boxes I have any more, and I am moving house soon, and I can't buy more boxes after last weeks spree.

I have been mean about the markers in the first picture.  I know you want them.  They are also in the etsy shop.  There, I put you out of your misery.  

They've been created from shrink plastic by the brilliant artist Boz, who I maaaay have sent a rather long and likely rambling email to about the possibility of who themes goodies :p

Don't forget to have a peek at the Gorgeous Giveaway by Deborah of Fondant Fibre :D

What are your plans for this weekend?  Will you be watching Who with me?! x