Hovis Deliveries and my latest output

Two weeks ago I succumbed to a bargain Ashford Tapestry Frame on eBay (early Christmas present) and went to Dorset to collect it from a lovely lady with an enviable purpose-built workshop in her back garden. After drooling over her lovely family kitchen and Aga stove, I eventually prised myself away and drove on into Dorset.

I ended up in Shaftesbury, an ancient Saxon stronghold, and this time actually found the famous Gold Hill, unexpectedly tucked just behind the Town Hall in the main street.

For UK readers, you may remember a Hovis bread advert where a young boy whizzes down a hill on a delivery bicycle. Believe me - he had nerves of steel!!!

Look at this breathtaking view - take in the steep incline of the hill - and then wonder like I did, how the people living in the cottages get into town in the winter on icy cobblestones at such an impossible angle....


In the town I visited the two lovely bead shops, rummaged in an antiques place, and popped into Little Red Hen, a charming gift shop that sells Rowan yarn.


Here I bought some lovely old fashioned cotton tape to dress up a Christmas gift for my sister.

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On Friday I took another epic (and cheap) 10 hour round trip on public transport to visit the East Sussex Guild of Weavers, Spinners and Dyers bi-annual show.

The exhibits were lovely, but I was too tired to remember to take any photos. There were demonstrations and a sale of work, an equipment sale, and stalls. I gazed longingly at a basket of vividly dyed silk which a lady was spinning on her Joy. I just wanted to sit down and join her. I had some lovely conversations with Guild members and stall holders, and came away with some modest swag.

Amongst it was this 100g of viscose mix fibre from Ewe Too Spinners - Firework - seen here in a ball of tops, and as the finished yarn on my noste.


This was quickly turned into a vegan-friendly beanie which I'm hoping to sell at a Craft Sale in two weeks time.


Here are some other beanie hats knitted in a wool and silk mix, spun some time ago.


My latest DK weight yarn, a merino and silk mix which I'm calling Strawberries and Cream.

and finally....... this evening's sunset from my office window at work.

The weather has been so warm and unusual for November, grass is still growing, and I still have geraniums throwing buds up in the pots in my garden. Long may it continue. The winters are wet, cold and dismal enough.