Yarndale 2015

I was exceptional lucky enough to take my third trip up to Skipton this year and visit Yarndale.  

 

The show has grown massively in popularity each year and this year there were over 10,000 visitors! 

For me it's not just about visiting the show, it's the whole package of seeing talented designers, Indie dyers, meeting incredible people and soaking up the atmosphere. 

I apologise in advance as I was so busy chatting I didn't take enough photographs but here is a snippet of my trip.

I love this yarn by a company called Teeswater Wools.  There fleece is from there flock of Pedigree Teeswater Sheep. The 4ply hanks are Teeswater and Wensleydale Worsted spun yarn.  Each skein is uniquely dyed.

I used a skein of there yarn to produce my own shawl design scarf Falling leaves.

Whistlebare yarn is "Soft, lustrous and natural knitting & crochet yarns from the wilds of Northumberland.  Mohair from our Angora Goats and wool from our Wensleydale Sheep is spun in Yorkshire before being hand dyed" and the in house designer produces some stylish  Knitwear design patterns.

Knitting4fun offer the whole range of KnitPro needles such a lovely stall.

I just adore the colours and the Alpacas, when I win the lottery :)

Susan Crawford is phenomenon in the knitwear industry and her Vintage inspired designs are just incredible.

At the end of the day I decided to take a workshop on Intarsia knitting run by Jaki Bogg.  This style of knitting is not something I will do often as my "handle" is "Textureknit" as texture is my passion, but I love to learn and explore as much knitting related knowledge as possible.

Over the years I have slowly started to build up a knowledge of a few knitwear designers and have the pleasure of chatting to them, which for me is just fascinating. 

Louise is the founder of Inspiration Knits.  She has produced a beautiful new book called Knit Play Colour which encompasses 10 patterns including shawls, cowls and a blanket, head over to Ravelry to see the patterns.

I can never go to a show and not visit Maggie the owner of Textile Garden. If you need any button she will have it along with amazing ribbons and shawl pins.

I just love PomPom Podcast they are such a dynamic team and the podcast is so uplifting and fun.

Manning the stand when I called round was Amy Collins the Associate Editor as she said "behind the scenes", she was modelling the Maude jumper from the latest issue 14 Autumn 15.

I love this picture of this Christine the brains behind Winwickmum.  Her passion to get people knitting socks is infections.  She has produced a guide to help with this challenge and as she describes the book is as if she is in the room with you.  I can't wait to get started!!

Eden Cottage company is run by the most incredibly and talented lady Victoria.  Her yarn is just exquisite with the colour ranges on offer.  To cap this talent she has produced the most divine book Drift Collection it comprises of 12 patterns. Three hats, fingerless mitts, cowls, a child's jumper, shawl, cardi's and a jumper in an amazing size range.

My last people picture is of Lucy who as it stands today has 320,750 followers on Facebook alone!!! She is the most down to earth, kind, knowledgeable lady who has inspired so many people not only to blog but create and join in with crotchet.  Her blog Attic24 is a joy to behold, the photography and the way she engages the reader is just inspirational.  Thank you so much Lucy for letting me share in your world.

My last two images are of the canal that runs through Skipton and I just love to walk along.

I do hope you have enjoyed reading my blog, please do comment and share my little piece of Yarndale happiness.

Skipton to Haworth

This weekend I had an amazing opportunity to take a trip to Yorkshire and visit Skipton to go to  Yarndale .  This time I shared accommodation with friend and her parents.

It was in a lovely quiet area called "middle town".  Every road you looked down you saw the Dales.

I found this lovely derelict building on the way to the railway station,  I just loved the colours. 

We took the train from Skipton to Haworth.  On the route we went past Oakworth station where they filmed Railway Children film

We had a walk up from the train station through the very pretty park.

Walking up the hill I came across this great idea for a planter.

I loved this decoupage covered bike too.

Along with a trip on the steam train I really wanted to visit the Brontë Parsonage Museum

This was the local Church that the Brontë's attended.

From the Parsonage you could walk through the churchyard and then take a walk up to the moors, now named the Brontë Way.

Once up on the Moor I just felt at peace and just felt so close to my dad.  He was taken from us last year and I miss him so much but growing up we were always out walking and he would adhore this view.

This lovely train was for our return journey.

I hope you have enjoyed my dip into Yorkshire.   The next blog I will share my passion for all things wool and creative people related.

Coming Together Shawl Design.

This year I decided to design my own shawl using Triskelion Emrys-lace weight 
yarn

It is an absolute dream to knit with and the drape is perfect.

My colour ways were Anvil and Maes.

My design encompasses both texture and lace knitting.

Part of the inspiration is from within but I also used this image to help me.

My knitting has been travelling with me over the summer holidays and has been #placesyoucanknit.

It has been to the very top of Snowdonia, South Stack on Angelsea, Holyhead Marina, Beaumaris and Slimbridge.

The progress was very enjoyable of this project.

With a week to go before Yarndale I am on the final section of knitting which I have been doing morning and night.

I looked up today to be greeted with this gorgeous dog playing peek-a-boo!

Finally with a week to go before Yarndale I have finished the design.

I have decided to keep it as a shawl as it is much more versatile to wear.

What do you think? Do you like it? Would love to have your thoughts.