Addicted to Knitting Guest Post
The kids are now back in school and so many of us mums now have some time to spend on our favourite hobbies. During the summer months I have been busy knitting vest tops knitted in cotton or linen yarn which were the summer’s must have items. Before we look at some of the exciting patterns and knitting yarns for sale for the autumn and winter season I’d like to look back and review some recent events.
September bought us LoveWoolUK with Wool Week from 5th September to 11th September which was a celebration of everything wool intended to harness the wool enthusiasm of people across the UK so they can become part of the campaign for wool. The event was open to anyone who has anything to do with wool! This celebration is ultimately about the sheep that bring us such a range of beautiful and sumptuous wools. The sheep on the fells and fields, the true origin of wool which grows whilst sheep graze and is shorn to give us a truly natural and sustainable supply of natural fibre for our textile industry. The grazing also helps conserve our landscape which gives us benefit both for the planet and something we can enjoy. If you missed out on Love Wool 2011 then take a look at campaignforwool.org.
The Continuous Loop project which visited Cirencester between the 5th – 7th August and allowed local and visitors alike to drop in for a knit and natter whilst also enjoying the latest developments in structural engineering practice. Toft Alpaca near Rugby hosted it’s 5th birthday and visitors competed in a speed knitting competition or just enjoyed a picnic in the alpaca field. Another popular event with families was the Just So festival which took place on the weekend of the 19th August. This festival celebrates everything from art, literature and creativity check out justsofestival.org.uk for next years event details. Over 250 artisans were selling some interesting pieces that you can’t find on the high street at the Chiltern Craft Show which was held during the weekend of 26th to 29th August in Henley-on-Thames. Visitors could also visit the stunning historic house located in the park or stroll around the beautiful show gardens, check out ichf.co.uk for future events. Heading South Brighton locals had the chance to witness an entire double decker bus covered in knitting! Participants were encouraged to obtain sponsorship for the event with proceeds going to The Martlets Hospice. Down in Devon the FibreFest 2011 event was held at Bicton College in east Budleigh between 20th and 21st August. The aim of the festival is to promote and support natural fibres and featured an exciting array of traders selling yarn and other fibre related products, visit fibrefest.co.uk for details on future events.
I took a trip down to the Ruby Country, Devon, and was lucky enough to meet with some local companies who are directly involved in the wool industry. The Ruby Country is an area of outstanding natural beauty enclosed by the upland expanses of Bodmin, Exmoor and Dartmoor and to the north by the North Devon coast. It is considered “undiscovered Devon” and is a haven of tranquillity where you can experience the peace and quiet of being off the beaten track. The Little Wool Company stock 100% British Alpaca yarns which come from their own herd as well as other reputable breeders and owners in the area. I managed to get my hands on some beautiful Artesano Yarns including Artesano superwash merino which is machine washable yarn as well as Artesano hummingbird
which is a space dyed yarn and also some Artesano 4 ply another superfine alpaca yarn which comes in a standard weight and suits me as I prefer a lighter knit.
Artesano Superwash Merino
I really like these yarns and also picked up some Artesano Aran which is made from 50% Alpaca and 50% Peruvian Highland wool. This yarn is great for the coming Autumn / Winter season as it is so warm and soft.
I also spoke to someone from Ball and Needle who some of you may know us as Nicki’s Knitting & Needlecrafts Ltd if you shop on eBay (www.ballandneedle.co.uk is their new venture). They are an online retailer of various knitting wools, yarn, needles, crochet hooks and patterns. I took the chance to have a look at their online shop whilst in my hotel and ordered some crochet cottonand hooks that I’d hadn’t manage to find elsewhere.
There is lots in store for us in the months ahead and I’m glad to have some extra time now to knit my children some hats and scarf’s for the cold days ahead. We’ve had a look at some of the interesting events that were held during the summer, now it’s time to see what’s coming up next month. The Knitting and Stitching Show will be held at London’s Alexandra Palace and runs from 10am on Thursday 6 until Sunday 9 October 2011. Like last years show there will be loads of stalls full of lovely yarns, patterns, accessories and more plus a whole load of bits and bobs from other crafts you might want try. If you are looking for inspiration then check out the exhibitions and take a look at some of the workshops where you can learn from some of the leading practitioners like Katherine Grace. There will also be the chance to learn how to revitalise your old clothes with the Upcycling Academy which is a reinvention from the popular Swishing Salon. Find out more and buy tickets here twistedthread.com
Later in the month Fibre Flurry kicks off at Saint Nicholas House in Birmingham from 28th to 29th October 2011. This is knitting and fibre industry show which includes a range of workshops which includes Art Yarn Spinning, Drum Carding, Intermediate Lace and Shawls, Sewing Skills for Knitters and Continental Knitting with Norwegian Purl. On top of that there will be loads of stalls from independent dyers, spinners, knitwear designers and producers. Some of this years exhibitors include Brownberry Yarns, Sheepfold, Fyberspates, Injabulo, Purlescence, Yarn Addict, The Undercover Owl and Tilly Flop Designs.Hopefully there will also be plenty of children’s workshops like they had last year to keep the little ones happy! For more details and tickets check out fibreflurry.co.uk
Categorised as: Women's Fashion