Yorkshire September 2026

So back in 2013 I had my first trip up to Skipton to attend Yarndale.  A huge yarn and craft event held in the cattle market at the end of September.

I have since attended, I believe twelve times, so only missing a few years.

It is incredible to think that people literally come from all over the world, as they have a map of the world and visitors can place a bin on the map to show there home country.

I shall write more on this shortly.

Over the years have stayed in a mixture of accommodation.  For the first two years I stayed at Woolly Sheep Inn, which was perfectly located as an easy walk from the train station, had nice rooms to stay in and the food was delicious.

Since then I have stayed in a mixture of holiday let cottages, it is amazing how many are available in the town.

But this year I wanted a change of scene and opted to stay just a few miles out in a lovely village of Embsay.  It is only small with a population of 2000, which suited me perfectly.

After the four and half hour drive up, I unpacked and before sitting down headed straight out the door for a walk to the nearby reservoir, it was an absolutely glorious later afternoon.

The next day was Yarndale, so I had a nice leisurely walk to the venue, having parked the van in a side street I knew well, having stayed nearby for the previous three occasions.

I had booked my ticket for 10am as they had a staggered time option to try and break up the entry which was good.  It was initially and for a good few hours, still very busy, which is great for the stall holders.

The event has many talented yarn dyers, along with a mix of different crafts.  This year I was purely looking to purchase items for my course, needing acid dyes and something different to use for peg looming that I need to create.

It was lovely to catch up with my good friend A Happy Crow who is a yarn dyer and is kindly letting me share a stand when they exhibit at Tetbury in October.

It is nice to see sheep up close and I love the little peg dolls, I purchased one a few years ago which I keep in my bedroom.

Over the years, Yarndale, do a different charity event to raise money for a variety of causes.  They then exhibit the relevant items which is always a very impressive display, the crotchet mandala's where from a few years ago, but still look so impressive blowing in the wind.

It is always interesting to see what "styles" are popular, I really like the fact that the slip over is popular as I am currently knitting one.  I did these, the bottom two and top right all on John Arbon stand and the top left on Pixie Yarn.

On Monday I decided I wanted to venture out in the van, but not too far.  So I headed a few miles up the road to Bolton Abbey.

 

The drive was very impressive, huge open expanses of views.  I of course took my knitting and sat in several locations to knit.  I did love the post box topper they had in the village.  I was so so lucky with the weather it was glorious, I mean just look at that sky.  I just wish I'd waited a little longer to get the clouds over the Abbey!

 

 

I am sure their must be thousands of pictures of the Abbey, but it is always lovely to take your own I find.  I sat and people watched for quite some time with the view of Abbey as the backdrop.

 

 

I also went for an explore and came across this brilliant bridge, I have never seen anything like it and a water fountain in memory of Lord Cavendish.  The view overlooking the river to the Abbey is so worth it and they have a perfectly placed seat you can use to enjoy it.

 

 

On Tuesday the weather was a lot cooler and overcast, so I headed over to what turned out to be an absolutely fascinating museum, which I still can not believe is free, with donations optional.

 

The grounds of Cliffe Castle Museum are lovely to walk around and it was fun taking different pictures of the fountains.

 

 

Inside, oh my goodness there was so much to see, from the architecture to the exhibitions, my blog just does not do it justice, but give you an insight into it.

 

It was then a half an hour drive through Keighley and across the moors to the Hebden Bridge.  A town famously known to be a creative, bohemian culture with  a large LGBTQ+ community.

 

It was a nice town and I did purchase some really lovely new jeans, but I have to say I have been to nicer towns. 

 

Wednesday was a day of using Alltrails walking app which I have had for months, but never used properly.  I have to say I really enjoyed it, and having the app really helped, as if you went off track it would notify you.

 

 

The route started in Grassington and the weather was low cloud and very fine rain.  Passing through the spectacular Linton Falls and then heading across fields, and down quiet country lanes, but over oh my goodness so many stone styles! 

 

But you could then just see in the landscape the weather literally changing and the sun coming out across the landscape it was very special.

 

Perfectly located at the half way point is The Red Lion where a much loved drink was had.  The walk then followed the River Wharfe along the Dales Way back to Linton Falls and up to Grassington.

 

 

I stopped off for a delicious Earl Grey Tea, and cheese scone with clotted cream and the most delicious chutney, before sitting briefly outside the pub that features in one of my favourite tv shows All Creatures Great and Small which is now in it's seventh season.  The village of Grassington features often in the show, along with the stunning Yorkshire countryside.

 

Before heading home the next day I took my knitting and headed back to the reservoir to sit and take in the huge expansive on uninterrupted countryside and sounds of nature and water.

 

I am now on the hunt to find something as spectacular and quiet in the Cotswolds, which currently I have not yet found, but am determined to, as peace and quiet and nature are my true happy place. 
 

 

 

Monthly catch up - September 2026

To start the month off, even though I already have plenty of knits on the go I cast on a second "The Painted Path" Cowl.

A new design I have created and just love it so much I wanted to see it worked up in a different colour way.

The new colourway uses yarn from Pigment & Ply a subtle shade of blue/green using 70% Baby Alpaca and 20% Silk and 10% Cashmere, so you can imagine the softness!

I am pairing this with Meadow Yarn 100% Merino yarn in the colourway "We walk the jewel" it has so many shades of blues and greens and hints of other colours running through it.
 

My first cowl/poncho, was knitting using Birdstreet yarn wine coloured yarn called "Dietrich" which is 70% Yak, 20% Nylon, 10% Merino and I have paired it with The Dye Shack75% Merino 25% Nylon variegated yarn called "Dark Rainbow".  

The accessory can be worn like a poncho across the body, or a cape which keeps your back and neck toasty warm, or rolled up into a lovely cowl just perfect ready for the chillier times.

Not only does the pattern work perfectly if you use two contrasting colours, but it has added interest within the pattern itself with lace panels in different areas and a real fun, reversible collar. 

My dear friend Bonnie from A Happy Crow modelled it beautifully for me and absolutely loved it.

 

I had a lovely Saturday at the beginning of the month as Birdstreet Yarn organises a group knitting and games afternoon in a village hall in Bristol.  Seventy talented knitters come along and Birdstreet yarn bring along a selection of their yarns and always have another independant yarn dyer to also sell there yarns.  This time it was my good friend James Makes Yarn so it was a double bonus to catch up with him and see so much stunning yarn on display.

I am now working on my second version of my cowl pattern, this time using Meadow Yarn  as the variegated yarn and Pigment and Ply  as the solid colour.  I absolutely love how the colours are blending.

 

When I was away this year in Dorset I bought three more pictures from a local artist on the sea front at West Bay.  They are sold by the son who takes gorgeous photographs of the area and his Dad had done the paintings.  This picture was the last one he painted as he passed away a few years ago.  I just love how the light shines on it in the morning and lights it up.

 I do so love a good sky.  Thursday morning at 6.30am did not disappoint!

The design for the shawl was based on Barricane Beach,  Woolacombe with so many different textures to the rocks.

 

For those that follow me know, I take my knitting to as many places as possible, and based on the size of this project it was knitted in all the following places!

• Clevedon
• Malvern Hill 
• Stroud
• Blenheim Palace
• North Wales, alot of locations
• Slimbridge (of course!)
• Cleeve Hill, Cheltenham
• Brean Sands
• Forest of Dean
• Newport
• Hidcote National Trust
• North Devon

So when I say I take my knitting everywhere, I was not joking!

 

As part of my studies I am now on to Module six, yeah half way through!

Within this module there are many many elements! So I am working my way logically through it.

The first part is research and the knitting two pieces under the title of "extreme knitting".  So using 25mm needles and Chunky tube yarn, which is filled with Polyester I created a lovely pastel coloured piece, which has worked out perfectly as a head rest on my sofa. 

 

I love photography and experimenting with taking black and white to show the different textures.

 

The second weekend of the month, was an unusual one for me as I 100% stayed local.  Combining doing some college work, reading and completely embracing the literal five minutes my angel came and laid on my lap.  She is a very aloof  kitty, so time spent where I get to have a cuddle is always welcome.

 

I also attended the weekly craft club at Kiwi Fruit is cute, where a whole mix of crafts from, knitting, sewing and this beautiful embroidery, were happening.  I can so see the Pixies living in the little house, it's just adorable.

 

 

The absolute pleasure of going to Little Flock at the beginning of the month, is that John, a professional photographer takes pictures of any knit that you bring along.

 

This was my Painted Path one off shawl that I designed. 

I am now halfway through my course and am on to my second sample for "extreme knitting" samples.

For this I have combined gorgeous yarns that have all been gifted by my amazing Mum and will be turning it into a lovely rug for the tiled floor in my conservatory. 

Goodness we have now reached the third Sunday in the month!

Literally no idea where the time is going!  But it involved an absolutely lovely craft club meet up and spotting these absolutely adorable miniatures that where for sale in the shop. 

The very clever Sam had finished her stunning embroidery.

It was an absolute given as soon as I saw Nath in this jumper they had made that I would be getting them to pose for a picture, which they always so kindly do!

I am so happy with my second piece of "extreme knitting".  Using 25mm needles and five strands of yarn.

I created the snugliest, warm lap blanket, that does not confirm to the standard rectangle, but flows round and had different shapes to it.  I also absolutely love the colours, they are so me, as a friend pointed out. 

For the last week of this month I was in Yorkshire, so I have done a separate blog for this.

Catch you in October!  

Monthly catch up - August 2026

 

The first of August started perfectly for me.

I have a new routine I love to do on a weekend morning, of taking my coffee, breakfast, knitting and kitty out in to the garden, to sit and enjoy it.

I do love watching Luna explore the garden.  She is predominantly an indoor cat, as many British Short Hair breeds are.  But from an early age I put her in a harness and she knows when I pick it up that it either means she is going off on an adventure in her backpack, or exploring the back garden.

My current knitting project is a new pattern that will be coming out soon, so this is the test knit, which of course will be knitted in many places.

 

   

 

I have missed my trip to Slimbridge.  I have kept a record and since November last year and have visited 16 times.

 

For me it is a place you can just be amongst nature and enjoy a spot of people watching.

 

As you go from the reception entrance down to the wetlands they is always have an exhibition of artists work.  I was particularly taken with these images by Alan Hackett.

 

When I looked up the artist to link the account I could only find Slimbridge exhibition information.

 

I did not realise until reading this, that the images are in fact created using a combination of AI, photoshop and other editing software.

 

For me it is the vibrant colours and when I looked closely, I thought the images where created using Gouache paint.  But the label next to the images does say "abstract paint" and for 12" x 12" costs £80.  Amazing how technology can foul you!

 

 

 

The temperature was low 20's, with a perfect shade of blue sky and great clouds.

 

I headed straight to one of my favourite places which is only open during the summer, that takes you to the estuary.

 

Here you can sit, and if like me watch as the tide which was fully in when I arrived.

 

It goes from being flat like a millpond at 11.30, with crystal clear views over to Forest of Dean and Arlingham.

 

 

To seeing the sand banks and hearing the water as it retreats two hours later.  Making it perfect for the wading birds, until the next high tide!

 

 

So I made some nice progress on my knitting.

 

 

The gardens still have so much colour in parts and a great source of inspiration for my felting ideas, along with being perfect for Bee's.  

I need to have some of these Echinops Ruthenicus "Blue Globe", get me sounding like Monty Don!! The joy of Google image search.  I for one fully embrace AI technology.

 

Sunday involved both breakfast and lunch in the garden and whilst I did a spot of garden, kitty saved my bench seat for me!

 

I then finished off my last felted piece for my current module, and I have to say this is by far my favourite piece I have created.

The second week of August, is one I would rather forget.  My cat became extremely unwell.  We had started our Saturday morning with our little tradition of her having a little explore and me eating my breakfast.  But this Saturday was very different as Luna I can only assume had eaten some grass, but she started violently coughing and sneezing which she could not stop.

So it was the start of five trips to the vets over the space of a week, including an overnight stop at an emergency vets.  The vets were unsure what exactly caused it, even up until the final trip to the vets.  She had a CT scan and it showed she had a tiny hole and it was filly her Lung, Stomach and Intesene with air.  Incredibly they sucked out the excess air, and within a week of quiet rest she was back to herself, apart from three bald patches on her legs and stomach.

I am so glad that I have insurance as it cost £3,654 so it is so worth having.  I will forever be grateful for them and shall treat her even more like a princess than I already to.  I am looking forward to taking her out on trips in her backpack on fun adventures.

I was due to go to for my longest trip in my camper van to Isle of Wight near the end of August, but there was no way I was leaving her so I cancelled the trip and booked the week before off, which coincides with my birthday.  So lots of day trips are planned.

The first of day was perfect as it involved a full day with my Son.  Had a trip into the local town, a delicious coffee, an amazing Ceaser salad made for me and a walk to a new to me location in the Cotswolds.

 

The Well was so interesting and woo look how clear the water was as you could clearly see the Frog/Toad.

I as I always do have a long "to do list".  Involving things such as washing my van, completing coursework, reading, day trips and visit to a local garden centre to get some colour in the garden.

On the first day of my holiday, I started off by washing the van so it is now nice a shiny for a short while.

 

Then having Googled "nurseries near me" I headed to Gotherington Nurseries, a lovely twenty minute drive out, passing through a really picturesque village which has a small new housing development in progress, so I have enquired as to the cost to buy a new house, which I feel sure will be way out of my price range and would mean a downgrade from three to two bedrooms.

I love the plaque I did not buy, but may head back and add to my garden.  They were some lovely colourful plants.

 

This was the little haul I came back with.  I have taken cuttings from the Rose and red flower (the name escapes me), so I can hopefully get more of them.  I also picked up two Thyme plants and I do love the big grass.  The Rose plant is really good as it has both yellow and white flowers on the same plant.

 

 

The grass fits perfectly in a pot purchased a few years ago from Norfolk Lavender, although you can not see the pretty pattern that well on the pot.

 

 

 

The statue I have in the garden is 26 years old purchased just before my Son was born.  The huge apple was from a tree I have in the garden that for the second year running has produced some huge I believe cooking apples.  I just need to go Blackberry picking and make a delicious pudding, oh no another thing for my list!

I had intended taking a trip to Slimbridge on my birthday, but instead decided to spend the day there on the Tuesday.

Another glorious hour sat by the river, the tide being I would think at it's height.  It was funny walking back from the waters edge back to the reserve, the cows somehow knew it was feeding time, so all slowly walked along the ridge and down to the field.  I did feel for them, just so many fly's on them all the time.  The weather was a mix of cloud and sun, so much more manageable.

My knitting is coming along well, I do love creating things, this being a complete, create as you go knit and will hold great memories of the places I knit it.

Wednesday involved a trip to Westonbirt. Just so much colour inspiration and also shade.  I found the perfect spot to sit for an hour, people and cloud watch and enjoy the absolute peace and fresh air.

My birthday was quiet in the morning, staying home relaxing watching a tv drama and then met up with my Son once he had finished work.  We had a glorious local walk, the light was just incredible over the field, like pure gold.

I can not believe how fast the week has gone!  For my last full day I used my National Trust memebership and visited Snowshill National Trust.  I then decided to do a walk I had been planning for ages to go to Cotswold Lavender fields, but it is only a short period of opening from June to early August.  But I had a nice walk so nothing was lost.

I loved how the flowers at Hidcote matched perfectly with my knit.  I still have yet to name my new design, maybe I should name it after one of these flowers?

For Saturday I had a lovely walk into town, parking up at Pittville Park so I could enjoy the walk, met my lovely friend first and had a catch up, and my free cake thanks to Cafe Nero for my birthday treat, before we then we headed to our monthly LGBTQ+ meet up.

On Sunday I took a friend to visit Slimbridge, which was lovely to see from someone else's point of view.  Of course I got more pictures!

 

I spotted this insect on the flowers, isn't it amazing seeing it close up, all the tiny hairs around it and I just love the wings.

Sunday was a combination of a visit to Slimbridge, but also a relaxed time sitting on the canal bank watching the world go by and knitting.

The evening was a lovely treat, for me and a different friend who had never been over to Tewkesbury and thoroughly enjoyed her trip and would be taking herself back to show her partner what is on the doorstep that I have visited so many times, but many people have not. 

The final week of August I had the pleasure of feeding a good friends adhorable oh my god super soft and cute rabbit.

 

I also spent a number of hours after work, working on my next module of my course with new and exciting things to learn.

I have on my desk this little piece of felted art that I did, when the light catches it it literally sparkles I just love it. 

I have not, like many I am sure slept well for quite some time with the heat, but Sunday and Monday I actually managed a reasonable sleep.  It was so nice to wake up and see the light coming through and brilliant to see the full moon peeping through the window.  I have a thing about the Moon, I just find the whole "space", Moon and stars I find magical.
 

I also spent time sitting with my gorgeous girl in the snug, reading my favourite magazine which is just so full of great information about an area I have lived in for over three decades and never really explored like I should.  I am also really enjoying the fifth in the series of Anne Cleeves Shetland books, they are such page turners.

  

On Sunday I headed to the local craft fair which again was a great event with new and different vendors.  

A dear friend of mine had their yarn stall there.  This is just a small selection of it.

 

I am so excited as I will be doing my first ever craft event at Tetbury Wool Fair on the 11th October as Bonnie A Happy Crow is so kindly letting me share a stand with them.
 

 

Bank Holiday Monday I took myself off to a local area I knew was great for blackberries.

It did not disappoint and I spent a lovely hour having a walk in the countryside listening to a Red Kite fly above me while I collected enough free fruit to last me a month!

 

My other amazing free find was these two gorgeous, pristine condition books in the local free swap book/bus stop.

So there we have it another month of blogging ticked off and now we head into autumn and a very full and busy September ahead.

Thanks for reading, until next month :)