tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-287191472024-03-08T02:40:30.930+00:00From Fleece to FantasticFleecehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02858897731819202155noreply@blogger.comBlogger107125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28719147.post-76053642390202381712009-10-22T09:42:00.013+01:002009-10-22T13:20:07.205+01:00Summer's EndI haven't blogged for MONTHS... and I miss blogging. Just been so busy with work and stuff.<br /><br />Since my trip to Horsham I've been up to quite a bit knitting/craft-wise.<br /><br />In May I went to <a href="http://www.wonderwoolwales.co.uk/" target="window2"><strong>Wonderwool Wales</strong></a> and had a great day chatting to folk from Welsh Guilds and making a few discerning purchases, mostly spinning fibre.<br /><br />May and June I was working on a mega lace project for my Mum's birthday. This is the North Roë Shawl by Dodile on <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/" target="window2"><strong>Ravelry</strong></a> modelled by my friend H, who is about the same height as my Mum, so I think I went one repeat too far!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieS80kch0V7eF0VFOFh_fkGxlkc8ma7dtv1u1rt2PYsgSOMvQlsIQ6HE6Oite8flgTJ4sTJMZsAQ75VgG3XQbhgw6pxNSdlJts0MiqipEfMeiAQ0I5bycDmRtnb1s5CZ5p7lC4eg/s1600-h/DSC01160.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395345168794646674" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieS80kch0V7eF0VFOFh_fkGxlkc8ma7dtv1u1rt2PYsgSOMvQlsIQ6HE6Oite8flgTJ4sTJMZsAQ75VgG3XQbhgw6pxNSdlJts0MiqipEfMeiAQ0I5bycDmRtnb1s5CZ5p7lC4eg/s400/DSC01160.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />This was a laceweight handspun merino, an autumnal blend I bought from <a href="http://www.winghamwoolwork.co.uk/index.php" target="window2"><strong>Wingham Woolwork</strong></a> a couple of years ago when they came to our local Guild.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCgr0tfqONDM7bU1uJuWOGWq_iEwZio-_mKi5XYITr9WgBWKaL40KqiJQ2pJl1Hijv2xRCCMUN7dznGPXN0g1w6YtkmFo4x89CbLQsSqFX8xY0uYpDaqVKy_s4HTLTJfUpP-EpYw/s1600-h/DSC00451.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395345958308352658" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 346px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCgr0tfqONDM7bU1uJuWOGWq_iEwZio-_mKi5XYITr9WgBWKaL40KqiJQ2pJl1Hijv2xRCCMUN7dznGPXN0g1w6YtkmFo4x89CbLQsSqFX8xY0uYpDaqVKy_s4HTLTJfUpP-EpYw/s400/DSC00451.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />This was spun on my Kromski Sonata when I first bought it, which I must admit hasn't seen much action lately, so I must get her out again and oil her up.<br /><br />June was the annual pilgrimage North to the folks for a short break and a trip to <a href="http://www.woolfest.co.uk/" target="window2"><strong>Woolfest</strong></a>, and the folks took me to <a href="http://www.bodnantgarden.co.uk/" target="'window2"><strong>Bodnant Gardens</strong></a> in North Wales which was stunning.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMcPmkdVLtjIDRECane4IcjfToDuPmiD-oq7EPQkqidhr2ePM_3oDMKi07m1WQ4kndbYDDSpxme4iimgBivaN2nnt_myBpe81-Gp_pLk7l6WQ2QoljAY43yMZYQkV0FZ2jIwVYbA/s1600-h/DSC01174.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395357579097665330" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMcPmkdVLtjIDRECane4IcjfToDuPmiD-oq7EPQkqidhr2ePM_3oDMKi07m1WQ4kndbYDDSpxme4iimgBivaN2nnt_myBpe81-Gp_pLk7l6WQ2QoljAY43yMZYQkV0FZ2jIwVYbA/s400/DSC01174.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizsBYPOYiMI6U1omxTy7NUgRUKn4syCSHdOwZx7UZ3iTAEMUSuBjVS2u9WylsSmyxt3CtdQYP2fDzInAYzlxRfIDXm0GM8bYxfCgcq2IBmzb_ltLZRWc-3_er4WsMxfhJcFEZK4A/s1600-h/DSC01173.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395357714925474466" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizsBYPOYiMI6U1omxTy7NUgRUKn4syCSHdOwZx7UZ3iTAEMUSuBjVS2u9WylsSmyxt3CtdQYP2fDzInAYzlxRfIDXm0GM8bYxfCgcq2IBmzb_ltLZRWc-3_er4WsMxfhJcFEZK4A/s400/DSC01173.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYtV6zyQaSdccmV-C3zXr4XwMLOhoHgYnDTaU_lzykFWVfR-OKHjpYrpYASbs3jbiSeBFGG7D1WgG8NBlqfDaFD2T1KtTrLua6iyeDzzVfDDovQWd3P9UkfK803rzDQgrsy-1_9w/s1600-h/DSC01181.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395357857770058050" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYtV6zyQaSdccmV-C3zXr4XwMLOhoHgYnDTaU_lzykFWVfR-OKHjpYrpYASbs3jbiSeBFGG7D1WgG8NBlqfDaFD2T1KtTrLua6iyeDzzVfDDovQWd3P9UkfK803rzDQgrsy-1_9w/s400/DSC01181.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I also managed to cram in a trip to 3 Mills in East Lancashire. <a href="http://www.lancashire.gov.uk/acs/sites/museums/venues/helmshore/index.asp?siteid=3783&pageid=13002&e=e" target="window2"><strong>Helmshore</strong></a>, which has a water wheel and HUGE fulling hammers which I have never seen before.<strong> </strong><a href="http://www.lancashire.gov.uk/acs/sites/museums/venues/qsm/index.asp?siteid=3771&pageid=12932&e=e" target="window2"><strong>Queen Street</strong></a>, which still has all of its original weaving looms and equipment, a 'Fred Dibnah' chimney, huge steam engine and stunning views of the surrounding moors. Finally, <a href="http://www.blogger.com/http://o-mills.co.uk/Attractions/View_Attraction/THE_TEXTILE_TIME_TUNNEL/" target="window2"><strong>Oswaldtwistle</strong></a> (which is now a shopping outlet) which still displays some unusual jacquard looms and miscellaneous paraphanalia.Fleecehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02858897731819202155noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28719147.post-31951457372020778212009-03-28T08:02:00.005+00:002009-10-22T09:41:46.190+01:00Lace and flowers<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify">Last Saturday I ventured out on the train to Horsham in West Sussex to the Annual Lace Fair. Spent a good hour chatting on the train to a friend from my Guild and our local Knit & Natter group. A nice surprise to have a travelling companion for one part of the journey.<br /><br />I worked on my baby jacket for a work colleague who is due off on maternity shortly, and J worked on yet another sock in her own hand dyed sock yarn. The sock siren has yet to call me.......<br /><br />It was a truly gorgeous day, and I was conspicuous wearing a wool coat, but leaving home early in the morning meant being a little bit sensible.<br /><br />This time round I was able to shop with confidence now that I know a little more about the whole lace thing, and I picked up some more bobbins and threads. I also replaced my Needle Tatting book which I gave to my Mum for Mother's Day. It is a needlecraft she has failed to master over the years using the leaf-shaped shuttle, so maybe she can get on with the needle technique. I am sure she'll attempt a doily or two for her dolls house.<br /><br />I want to have a go at some cuffs that I saw in an issue of Piecework Magazine. I need to get motivated again as I seem to have fallen out of love with knitting and spinning generally.<br /><br />I walked through the park into town after exhausting my budget at the show. You can see how dry the ground is after so little rain this winter.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg30ASXqMjDtJuraymZ-szqn6oqgg0IRNRzdJUNjy79xZn4xas9R7rSWjWFo-R7zb4lrMTgRgIePBUF0k3ktmLZZN2wdzW4TRnYPTUDsTLsbKQCK9k7v4RTtYOxL1ysLdTfmhtm1Q/s1600-h/DSC00977.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 279px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg30ASXqMjDtJuraymZ-szqn6oqgg0IRNRzdJUNjy79xZn4xas9R7rSWjWFo-R7zb4lrMTgRgIePBUF0k3ktmLZZN2wdzW4TRnYPTUDsTLsbKQCK9k7v4RTtYOxL1ysLdTfmhtm1Q/s400/DSC00977.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395340862391582722" /></a><br /><br />The town was covered in flower sellers - it being the day before Mothering Sunday. Enjoyed a browse through the shops, bought some second hand paperbacks and devoured some delicious Orange Polenta Cake and rested my weary legs.<br /><br />In the centre of town and appearing as a new feature since my last visit was this sculpture...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6SODdRH6uPvvoQItMkAU0nhz8tiC28uqlS3G25Lo_cIRVry5Y6UD2mlT5Lg1OzNoDBNwz9dOBWU5yBsTlztOa2B7yafqLVyKugftlB3KpckhZ48RqPA54YhDkx1xPpzKiwzzzmg/s1600-h/DSC00980.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 346px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6SODdRH6uPvvoQItMkAU0nhz8tiC28uqlS3G25Lo_cIRVry5Y6UD2mlT5Lg1OzNoDBNwz9dOBWU5yBsTlztOa2B7yafqLVyKugftlB3KpckhZ48RqPA54YhDkx1xPpzKiwzzzmg/s400/DSC00980.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395341130338158514" /></a><br /><br />Quite a departure from this very old part of the town. A very narrow alleyway between two old buildings.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUqFiM8xlBT-70HpGBsnLgWyHJ_mBDleas6bduDlPQtTWoWN43z7jVjInwn_1-V89yG1yhuMvYoqNVaSkog80CHYIaPd_ufoLqyCQ2FStbcUxx6M0gJcbg0dfueZ10nXqfAnJojw/s1600-h/DSC00979.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUqFiM8xlBT-70HpGBsnLgWyHJ_mBDleas6bduDlPQtTWoWN43z7jVjInwn_1-V89yG1yhuMvYoqNVaSkog80CHYIaPd_ufoLqyCQ2FStbcUxx6M0gJcbg0dfueZ10nXqfAnJojw/s400/DSC00979.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395341410086106226" /></a><br /><br />And here is how the town planners get over developing around an old architectural feature....<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-VzmHps6tJKzoQKR1CjY2BUGdTKEgUh6YZanpthCTryg-EA0fTKTJsLQXYG26k3DVAo9YSTNEM5VuO1VLb8xEokkgGGyGxlTqpXTzqbH3Y7hBdUDdZG8YnkyPT0aSMMdqWbSJkg/s1600-h/DSC00981.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 308px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-VzmHps6tJKzoQKR1CjY2BUGdTKEgUh6YZanpthCTryg-EA0fTKTJsLQXYG26k3DVAo9YSTNEM5VuO1VLb8xEokkgGGyGxlTqpXTzqbH3Y7hBdUDdZG8YnkyPT0aSMMdqWbSJkg/s400/DSC00981.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395341607885183074" /></a><br /><br />Yes,the newer building really is just a gnat's whisker width away from the spire.<br /><br />.................................<br /><br />I have Guild today, so must do my secretarial duties and get my bag sorted with the necessary paperwork. I've decided against taking my wheel, and will continue with my Weave-it project. Nice and small and portable. Off now to make salad and get organised. Funny how I have been up since before 6am and I still manage to run late!!!<br /><br />Clocks go forward tonight, so an hour of my weekend robbed already.....sob!</div>Fleecehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02858897731819202155noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28719147.post-46284946862357822472009-02-23T19:46:00.023+00:002009-03-27T19:33:15.167+00:002008 - A Retrospective<div style="text-align: justify;">After a whole year's neglect the blog needs to catch up with things from 2008, including our local bi-annual Guild Exhibition.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">We usually exhibit at the Echium Terrace at <a href="http://www.botanic.co.uk/education.htm/">Ventnor Botanic Garden</a> which has a wonderful view across the grounds. Stewarding is no hardship in the lovely surroundings. Plus, the cheese scones in the cafe are HUGE.<br /><br />Here's a selection of the exhibits:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBhd0qxpfxZlHgrdo0t1mr2_RbBBGDS1tU-pV_FR1Mym8NteIF_7nr3zylsZ9Q2FJgHsniZrz6vZJ1LXmtp9TxDp5Qb7BBvRiy_PSkd2pI-JTT8tiQSyo4b9bVCPOshJLhMXwnWw/s1600-h/DSC00640.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 253px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBhd0qxpfxZlHgrdo0t1mr2_RbBBGDS1tU-pV_FR1Mym8NteIF_7nr3zylsZ9Q2FJgHsniZrz6vZJ1LXmtp9TxDp5Qb7BBvRiy_PSkd2pI-JTT8tiQSyo4b9bVCPOshJLhMXwnWw/s400/DSC00640.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5310174158159549202" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlZHEQ1mfyJl_GI4jyWuDVRTBeowf5eNYRGb4JhzislL1vsA8qYZFX7cIELl1EPVTV8Xh4iIjS4kVTMYsKSlzaVJso8yNdwUOnEXyEWl5mda3X96ccTlGMpPotBToNoEcTZOvn_g/s1600-h/DSC00641.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 384px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlZHEQ1mfyJl_GI4jyWuDVRTBeowf5eNYRGb4JhzislL1vsA8qYZFX7cIELl1EPVTV8Xh4iIjS4kVTMYsKSlzaVJso8yNdwUOnEXyEWl5mda3X96ccTlGMpPotBToNoEcTZOvn_g/s400/DSC00641.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5310173424913570098" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQTX0iHtnWDArn7IOjo16cWABH4HFpx2jUXTPO_emz-lyEUYGmohBxB8GhcX1nCCOV9Nk1p3LQDDcZIWBVAauWGlecvM-9QpZSZpazjRINT5BF5fuuarBfbFIcNMR8BelyhbDNCQ/s1600-h/DSC00639.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 394px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQTX0iHtnWDArn7IOjo16cWABH4HFpx2jUXTPO_emz-lyEUYGmohBxB8GhcX1nCCOV9Nk1p3LQDDcZIWBVAauWGlecvM-9QpZSZpazjRINT5BF5fuuarBfbFIcNMR8BelyhbDNCQ/s400/DSC00639.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5310173179708561602" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh_FNzFgWViQ3ZPI0fw2WhF0yNE4IGGjInJxorSOiJxLFkVri8oZV5U1Wd4b9I0aQVoMt6XAjM2xsG3DTdhlBn37u9PjrrE-YnstI2IQfY59fjisSdF7kwylzlRMHfi-rubu83RA/s1600-h/DSC00638.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh_FNzFgWViQ3ZPI0fw2WhF0yNE4IGGjInJxorSOiJxLFkVri8oZV5U1Wd4b9I0aQVoMt6XAjM2xsG3DTdhlBn37u9PjrrE-YnstI2IQfY59fjisSdF7kwylzlRMHfi-rubu83RA/s400/DSC00638.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5310171934047133138" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg09CVEOKg4l4fbaE6GsTO0MBQbgpMu-_Z8wziaGMQDDCTyL4K6DonAfxjaa7WGpGU_7wYknhQjJT9J0Ka49HT0GVvd2mxSFcTdMic6Qp2q1mSYmOEb7u8X_QLgSaomhSitVO299g/s1600-h/DSC00636.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 273px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg09CVEOKg4l4fbaE6GsTO0MBQbgpMu-_Z8wziaGMQDDCTyL4K6DonAfxjaa7WGpGU_7wYknhQjJT9J0Ka49HT0GVvd2mxSFcTdMic6Qp2q1mSYmOEb7u8X_QLgSaomhSitVO299g/s400/DSC00636.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5310171484528482066" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib4hbmy6nwoN6svyA1gqZecZX2dCetlsL3LCGAmpNquevLIqVvO9QY8YwBeP98s6Pls7IQBhW4g_LGDh9_55dILI6cqCbRAWPXCOY_8yD-vb_4TQZ_3USz4lCbPEI2vaNJDz3eog/s1600-h/DSC00635.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 276px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib4hbmy6nwoN6svyA1gqZecZX2dCetlsL3LCGAmpNquevLIqVvO9QY8YwBeP98s6Pls7IQBhW4g_LGDh9_55dILI6cqCbRAWPXCOY_8yD-vb_4TQZ_3USz4lCbPEI2vaNJDz3eog/s400/DSC00635.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5310171117216260914" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu3QjjMzAQXv5m_6KXp_jSOzHzDtST_KtuaM7yUqYSo8jTxtjl-MNpNhwjIxRtX0p-8hwqvWLLaLp2h75FPTxTHMettJV7-vHMDcNIcA3F9cUMnGN9TaRaqbu_jDhGc1J6bTm60g/s1600-h/DSC00634.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu3QjjMzAQXv5m_6KXp_jSOzHzDtST_KtuaM7yUqYSo8jTxtjl-MNpNhwjIxRtX0p-8hwqvWLLaLp2h75FPTxTHMettJV7-vHMDcNIcA3F9cUMnGN9TaRaqbu_jDhGc1J6bTm60g/s400/DSC00634.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5310170321295812898" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></div>Fleecehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02858897731819202155noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28719147.post-4330740677475919962009-02-13T14:04:00.002+00:002009-02-13T14:13:24.411+00:00Broadband here I come.....After dithering about <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">ISP</span> providers for the past 5 years :<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">rollseyes</span>: I've finally signed up for Broadband today, so the blog will get busy again.<br /><br />I went to the Creative Stitches and Needlecraft show last weekend in Brighton, a lovely train ride along the edge of the South Downs capped with snow.<br /><br />Lots of stalls, lots of exhibits and my favourite things - mini workshops and Lectures.<br /><br />Eliza <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">McClelland</span> was on top form and her beaded embroidery was sumptuous and inspiring. Jane <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Callender's</span> presentation of Indigo and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Shibori</span> was very interesting.<br /><br />I had a go at Knitting with Wire and Beads and also at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Lacemaking</span> again, which has spurred me on to get my pillow and bobbins out and have a go.<br /><br />On the knitting front, I'm currently working on a drop sleeved tank top - a Debbie Bliss pattern. Need to concentrate on the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">aran</span> pattern, so not one to mindlessly work at while watching TV.<br /><br />I have to work on my spinning this weekend and have a go at carding some <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">poonies</span> ready for our next Guild Meeting. Not used cotton before, so this will be a challenge!Fleecehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02858897731819202155noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28719147.post-55756157081962692282008-12-22T15:14:00.002+00:002008-12-22T15:15:03.682+00:00Season's Greetings!A Very Merry Christmas to all who pass by.......<br /><br />and a Happy New Year.Fleecehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02858897731819202155noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28719147.post-38725511932546777962008-06-02T19:17:00.002+01:002008-06-02T19:30:23.553+01:00Who are you again......?<div align="justify">....... said my blog.</div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify">It's a wonder I still remember how to drive Blogger after all of this time, but dear Reader, there is a simple explanation. Blogger has been blocked by my employer (bah!), so I am reduced to the torture of Dial-up at home. 15 minutes just to get to the New Post section - with the speed of a striking slug.</div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify">So until I sort out Broadband, entries will be sporadic and probably devoid of pictures.</div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify">So no evidence of my trips to the various craft shows, including Wonderwool 2008. No pictures of WIPs or FOs for the time being.</div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify">Some news though, I am now the proud owner of a Mk1 Ashford Elizabeth, courtesy of birthday money, and eBay. Getting used to the weird orifice arrangement still, but it does hum along, being my first experience with double-drive. All in all, I like it.</div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify">My first spinning demo of the season was yesterday, where I rubbed shoulders with Alan Titchmarsh who is now High Sheriff of our fair Isle. I even sold a handspun/knitted Shetland beanie hat, so thanks to that lady who rushed back to buy it in secret for her friend....aaah.</div>Fleecehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02858897731819202155noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28719147.post-2083993939607130392008-01-07T14:50:00.001+00:002008-01-09T16:43:00.244+00:00Supersaver<div align="justify">This year I am trying to curb my enthusiasm for emptying my purse of all its contents in exchange for yarn, fibre and crafting equipment. I am keeping a dreaded Spending Diary which serves to make me think more than twice when I'm siren-called by bargain Rowan yarn languishing seductively in the John Lewis Sale.<br /><br />This weekend I had planned ahead for a trip to London to see the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Everett_Millais" target="window2"><strong>John Everett Millais</strong></a> exhibition at <a href="http://www.tate.org.uk/britain/" target="window2"><strong>Tate Britain</strong></a> before it closes on the 13th January. I managed a brilliantly cheap coach fare on National Express - £2 return from Portsmouth by booking last month.<br /><br />The queues were forming by the time I got there a little after 10am, but it was still easy enough to view the paintings, and after 90 minutes, my plan to find somewhere to sit and write a few notes were abandoned due to lack of seating and pure exhaustion. I'd been wavering on whether to make the trip due to shortage of funds, but I'm glad I did now, as there were several paintings from private collections and from the States which I could never hope to see in real life away from the exhibition. There were a lot of drawings and prints and especially charming were the exhibit of the actual child's bonnet and shoes worn for the painting of 'Cherry Ripe' which still belong to the model's family.<br /><br />Most splendid was the portrait of Alfred, Lord Tennyson - a resident of the Isle of Wight, and poet laureate to Queen Victoria.<br /><br />After a restorative sandwich and banana on a bench at the Millbank entrance, enjoying the winter sun, I decided that I'd try walking around London for the first time since I was a schoolchild instead of using the Tube. Saving money and getting exercise and fresh air into the bargain. I was amazed to discover just how close everything is to everything else, and was snapping away like a demented tourist.<br /><br />View from the Thames - Lambeth Palace, and just making out the Gherkin towards the right of the frame.<br /><br /><br /></div><p align="justify"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiulv5lnSx00IyqPyZCz24xWtR_Eorq7ycxVPdMzq2IlUSm2vx8VoyIqTfXynLlaj6WsHsEIStZPYRzsXqsGeFHkg807AxLaHK85wAXCSuGj-a37EBk-iC9zWi2rd_Q36d2-3R8gw/s1600-h/DSC00547.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5152752903650192114" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiulv5lnSx00IyqPyZCz24xWtR_Eorq7ycxVPdMzq2IlUSm2vx8VoyIqTfXynLlaj6WsHsEIStZPYRzsXqsGeFHkg807AxLaHK85wAXCSuGj-a37EBk-iC9zWi2rd_Q36d2-3R8gw/s400/DSC00547.JPG" border="0" /></a> Then around the corner - the London Eye</p><div align="justify"><br /></div><p align="justify"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjydZ8OhAuOv33xSkAG35LkbxUS56QLOvEBjgZ_T5tJO4LQZeX3F0duhQkRRYNIIerl5nGxOJGiOhBz-XZhJ2pnGvrsHeP7FzSuf3tq5IMQOA4rNgfu7nnZeBpED2W_ybd4QS5UzA/s1600-h/DSC00551.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5153074901643340610" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjydZ8OhAuOv33xSkAG35LkbxUS56QLOvEBjgZ_T5tJO4LQZeX3F0duhQkRRYNIIerl5nGxOJGiOhBz-XZhJ2pnGvrsHeP7FzSuf3tq5IMQOA4rNgfu7nnZeBpED2W_ybd4QS5UzA/s400/DSC00551.JPG" border="0" /></a>Swiftly followed by the Houses of Parliament<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-LckGgGMzI2yktWIqB06P-shO-QW3Q8z1y0hnTnexo_sjIhPYK0nYcU1vXvd_K6mTAvqvW0HW44ruh-S00FI2hPZnNJxXe6l32j-zlTo-MncL0ihxi4YeydlWb4rYmTeSNqldxQ/s1600-h/DSC00550.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5152758779165453074" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-LckGgGMzI2yktWIqB06P-shO-QW3Q8z1y0hnTnexo_sjIhPYK0nYcU1vXvd_K6mTAvqvW0HW44ruh-S00FI2hPZnNJxXe6l32j-zlTo-MncL0ihxi4YeydlWb4rYmTeSNqldxQ/s400/DSC00550.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI3nTaG3D8z5g8nCW5u8SBE5w3jTc1O_QqwGxb5e5YGb2u11bcx5onkQDpVN-5jkmWm9G9p6j-FACWpjLyNs_eJo5AcJoHHJsXucL71GT1yz5S-Zr-Mmc6iB3vupOUOlJCgdaJEg/s1600-h/DSC00553.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5153099142438759250" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI3nTaG3D8z5g8nCW5u8SBE5w3jTc1O_QqwGxb5e5YGb2u11bcx5onkQDpVN-5jkmWm9G9p6j-FACWpjLyNs_eJo5AcJoHHJsXucL71GT1yz5S-Zr-Mmc6iB3vupOUOlJCgdaJEg/s400/DSC00553.JPG" border="0" /></a> Big Ben<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9axRK8xdIh9YL4lgbwEO-VGAI00XbzdxwaZdLYQT5X1B6kaHB_-Cv5GxpIbUrNB0X2eoYco7RVR_6OB4Uw3P5Q0KZijj5Mupn0s8dm0YXlHOv7xYYAAGUUmrUq0MDun9KsNxwNw/s1600-h/DSC00560.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5153100572662868834" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9axRK8xdIh9YL4lgbwEO-VGAI00XbzdxwaZdLYQT5X1B6kaHB_-Cv5GxpIbUrNB0X2eoYco7RVR_6OB4Uw3P5Q0KZijj5Mupn0s8dm0YXlHOv7xYYAAGUUmrUq0MDun9KsNxwNw/s400/DSC00560.JPG" border="0" /></a> Westminster Abbey<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig6xQfAAfk7Oqgu0MMKKdrB09Ekvk3oxQPqMtToabYm9bi8jITP2T8bKjLfngwSQ2966LTXcAEsBpaMw539ZzsBcGIHHrnI0MDqE6eiypaNK6UWPXVjHHH5iYGdlq0FkSemrOOcQ/s1600-h/DSC00552.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5153105881242446706" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig6xQfAAfk7Oqgu0MMKKdrB09Ekvk3oxQPqMtToabYm9bi8jITP2T8bKjLfngwSQ2966LTXcAEsBpaMw539ZzsBcGIHHrnI0MDqE6eiypaNK6UWPXVjHHH5iYGdlq0FkSemrOOcQ/s400/DSC00552.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguhEcRh_GHSapZEDyvsJ511gbWw8PXkoNbnX9bpi_gtdPWsC2fMC6L-T64A2B8l9TV2xl_MPCm-JMz7012xR9gthm0ngj3pWGckxXe4tpQZrAjDiF62Hsas7Q9M3xm_9wuhbF1QA/s1600-h/DSC00555.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5153120518490991554" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguhEcRh_GHSapZEDyvsJ511gbWw8PXkoNbnX9bpi_gtdPWsC2fMC6L-T64A2B8l9TV2xl_MPCm-JMz7012xR9gthm0ngj3pWGckxXe4tpQZrAjDiF62Hsas7Q9M3xm_9wuhbF1QA/s400/DSC00555.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Anti War protestors in Parliament Square<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEHK_EXCyV1pyj-8LgsDy3rA3abkQrgwMn082A7z2JifxgXnQ9S0oQRkciQnbf5tJS25jH3wDEqO9hJxrLd4fg5l68JkTgG6LAPLBqW8mirZBhg4TJVRxMXbIM35iw-ZHaItzvzA/s1600-h/DSC00559.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5153116326602910642" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEHK_EXCyV1pyj-8LgsDy3rA3abkQrgwMn082A7z2JifxgXnQ9S0oQRkciQnbf5tJS25jH3wDEqO9hJxrLd4fg5l68JkTgG6LAPLBqW8mirZBhg4TJVRxMXbIM35iw-ZHaItzvzA/s400/DSC00559.JPG" border="0" /></a> Nelson's Column (Nelson's been on the drink! or is that just my lousy camera work?)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi36Eprbm9-b3rcAGWzj4kGz4s3LeqUQR5G3whOJ86cmQaABKGuAeNEqPuc5-24xQERIy5sPciu31LZSlkRzenRB1xb7jUciScditGMZBP94FgDOkKqiURpRBcb5mx6L4dejEbkuw/s1600-h/DSC00561.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5153123920105090018" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi36Eprbm9-b3rcAGWzj4kGz4s3LeqUQR5G3whOJ86cmQaABKGuAeNEqPuc5-24xQERIy5sPciu31LZSlkRzenRB1xb7jUciScditGMZBP94FgDOkKqiURpRBcb5mx6L4dejEbkuw/s400/DSC00561.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Trafalgar Square, where New Year revellers used to jump into the fountain. (The National Gallery in the background) </p><div align="justify"><br /><br /></div><p align="justify"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMvDleLE95tIJE-JtjkQK8o6aTO3kD1ihCq3NgfdZfm_xkfGSseudlaQh9SDc1tMP6WUqmzYzC_-0Ms7r0KN48niY0QHxgJ0Y6IV3NLR22urVO9toIoikruf5VkIBnY_lUD-nybQ/s1600-h/DSC00564.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5153131921629162514" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMvDleLE95tIJE-JtjkQK8o6aTO3kD1ihCq3NgfdZfm_xkfGSseudlaQh9SDc1tMP6WUqmzYzC_-0Ms7r0KN48niY0QHxgJ0Y6IV3NLR22urVO9toIoikruf5VkIBnY_lUD-nybQ/s400/DSC00564.JPG" border="0" /></a> </p><div align="justify">Street Art<br /><br /><br /></div><p align="justify"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4KqwQnLtrFby9tYeND7LyriDnpOVeHjUBdEAn_MusI1bGSrloAWWdxZqVb7IB5F23XkCt40bQp1iG3D8nqE2tF6CT1Uf7PUPGq_hRYFZusbUrsRwVjCioAPjHVo8LvPOwnaLcnw/s1600-h/DSC00566.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5153138346900237410" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4KqwQnLtrFby9tYeND7LyriDnpOVeHjUBdEAn_MusI1bGSrloAWWdxZqVb7IB5F23XkCt40bQp1iG3D8nqE2tF6CT1Uf7PUPGq_hRYFZusbUrsRwVjCioAPjHVo8LvPOwnaLcnw/s400/DSC00566.JPG" border="0" /></a> The home of delectable fabrics, trims, buttons and knitting yarn......Liberty</p><div align="justify"><br /><br /></div><p align="justify"><br /></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiREi3eyiMQRA_m74oE_BpNcuzwTGP6kmqWAETEbamqiTcjjQJ4fVJYN1LpGWiKkoFDxBhBQfn_hEzaHAP2Us7_3ldCSL3OVI49IrnMYvz0NCuiNFDDa3aeW1UY3moWDz37wDwNxA/s1600-h/DSC00567.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5153139205893696642" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiREi3eyiMQRA_m74oE_BpNcuzwTGP6kmqWAETEbamqiTcjjQJ4fVJYN1LpGWiKkoFDxBhBQfn_hEzaHAP2Us7_3ldCSL3OVI49IrnMYvz0NCuiNFDDa3aeW1UY3moWDz37wDwNxA/s400/DSC00567.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />I weakened here when I spotted some rarely-seen 2mm double pointed needles, so I blew a whole £2.70.<br /><br />Then some after-dark pictures as I bravely walked back from Oxford Street to Victoria. Eek!! <scaredy><br /><br />South Molton Street with its angel decorations.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF2svqpsq2suCMop3kQXXgKDDHQETl2Dt7AdrsCgU03MJU5slJAnjKToEkpArvRbUfvhu0uURApQI7eM8Qsu8VWpFuN4zYiUiddprftsFVYZ_2LVKbj3uh4md0FmhfetQDsVTAgQ/s1600-h/DSC00568.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5153142040572112034" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF2svqpsq2suCMop3kQXXgKDDHQETl2Dt7AdrsCgU03MJU5slJAnjKToEkpArvRbUfvhu0uURApQI7eM8Qsu8VWpFuN4zYiUiddprftsFVYZ_2LVKbj3uh4md0FmhfetQDsVTAgQ/s400/DSC00568.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Buckingham Palace (particularly difficult to get a good shot without being run over!)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVPAJYKsKZx6jEKnWlm3Yq7RcJIRKEWYBMpiDQL6uBCST7_-RXhmiZ3As6d7B1_WYJsfpt8mf2fPjqsBAGLsPCHr6JtS_D_Wa6o1TgqAPDi4_9xSabrziuq4OZ4j13qBSGyZsbuw/s1600-h/DSC00569.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5153494446933716178" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVPAJYKsKZx6jEKnWlm3Yq7RcJIRKEWYBMpiDQL6uBCST7_-RXhmiZ3As6d7B1_WYJsfpt8mf2fPjqsBAGLsPCHr6JtS_D_Wa6o1TgqAPDi4_9xSabrziuq4OZ4j13qBSGyZsbuw/s400/DSC00569.JPG" border="0" /></a> and finally.........<br /><br />Some knitting.<br /><br />Now armed with the correct size needles, I made my first sock.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-YdIMgomiOHdXa0EJoY7xrWTveL545-sU8Huo-2MkIEreKn0gI0smuwPd9u99bK3x8_eCNr4s-7G8rT15S8xh44SkFUSHXAgI6YRbxC2IYtcExJaqdYB6XD9lyoDSlpVqEmpc7w/s1600-h/DSC00571.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5153497801303174370" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-YdIMgomiOHdXa0EJoY7xrWTveL545-sU8Huo-2MkIEreKn0gI0smuwPd9u99bK3x8_eCNr4s-7G8rT15S8xh44SkFUSHXAgI6YRbxC2IYtcExJaqdYB6XD9lyoDSlpVqEmpc7w/s400/DSC00571.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFJIxO1UTaEg0eZLC1EG_z4NYoF36TQaMwhDCunbhKr4cE6Ur8gKorMOSExTandONdpofy5DhfjQ0kctHF-aj9L5_342jSOV5dqAawdQgivDe5R4JdLTpwZRspUEkC8YbHcUrsCg/s1600-h/DSC00572.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5153501129902828786" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFJIxO1UTaEg0eZLC1EG_z4NYoF36TQaMwhDCunbhKr4cE6Ur8gKorMOSExTandONdpofy5DhfjQ0kctHF-aj9L5_342jSOV5dqAawdQgivDe5R4JdLTpwZRspUEkC8YbHcUrsCg/s400/DSC00572.JPG" border="0" /></a> Sized for fairies!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiycbrgn2-8HrqaadGGcwPFqMaSIO04KGzZ4ababvNI6eWmuzVTnN4etGNdBJn8h_HyPv-41ODMNf25Fj51We4oQ2STM6b9G0qYUlAyrWr_WvkCzC5dd_KAEkvVYEyYcs4IE4xjfg/s1600-h/DSC00573.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5153508637505662226" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiycbrgn2-8HrqaadGGcwPFqMaSIO04KGzZ4ababvNI6eWmuzVTnN4etGNdBJn8h_HyPv-41ODMNf25Fj51We4oQ2STM6b9G0qYUlAyrWr_WvkCzC5dd_KAEkvVYEyYcs4IE4xjfg/s400/DSC00573.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />I was dreading socks after reading so much about the hell of 'turning the heel', but it was a piece of cake. Hurrah for socks!</p><p>Now to get back into my spinning for 2008. So much fibre.....so little time.</p><p><br /><br /><br /><br /> </p>Fleecehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02858897731819202155noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28719147.post-16780278486593360202008-01-07T13:23:00.000+00:002008-01-07T15:03:30.478+00:00Happy New Year!<div align="justify">Here we are in 2008 and I haven't managed to organise myself enough to post until now.<br /><br />I managed to make my sister's beaded jewellery in time for Christmas, despite losing the sterling silver clasps I bought in a big hurry on eBay. (They turned up last night in the salad drawer of my fridge!) :worrying: I can only guess that it's the onset of senility, or the pixies have been moving stuff around again indoors. The one thing I forgot to do was take a photo of the completed set.<br /><br />Christmas passed, unusually for me, with lots of family visiting and far too much eating and drinking - my poor liver is currently in detox mode. I made a date with my sister to get out and about on the Thursday and we went to Manchester on the train. £4.40 for a two-hour return trip - total bargain!<br /><br />I haven't been to Manchester since my dad died, and certainly not to the city centre since it was bombed by the IRA in 1996. What a difference. It's now a very metropolitan shopping area, with lots of pedestrianised sections. I took these snaps as we walked back to the train.<br /><br />The Big Wheel.<br /><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAejQzWR9uqCS1Bf14xKLGDxkIwniOadrcYTNaL9Q6oeF5JNYxQ5v7annRx-mKC_sOCTirIrN2s7xY6Zw-xzUaxi9Wqx5L3tRlB5qFil3TyF8ZtExpcmeDAJMkC2hu1MVIETfl6A/s1600-h/DSC00546.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5152731239835151058" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAejQzWR9uqCS1Bf14xKLGDxkIwniOadrcYTNaL9Q6oeF5JNYxQ5v7annRx-mKC_sOCTirIrN2s7xY6Zw-xzUaxi9Wqx5L3tRlB5qFil3TyF8ZtExpcmeDAJMkC2hu1MVIETfl6A/s400/DSC00546.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The Old Wellington Inn and the corner of the Triangle (formerly the Corn Exchange).<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcibHrPK7lwxGQ6fH1TFvmyiZ9GSN8y9Tpnjz3Q5nK9ExLFdaXuuFyOVSfMFFXHQnoMSst1o1Ag8P4JBBWQjBpWWri5L3Hc7dyj9Ueb0dLdKMlY_BYj9-poec5lTascOpLFUqtSA/s1600-h/DSC00545.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5152734211952519906" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcibHrPK7lwxGQ6fH1TFvmyiZ9GSN8y9Tpnjz3Q5nK9ExLFdaXuuFyOVSfMFFXHQnoMSst1o1Ag8P4JBBWQjBpWWri5L3Hc7dyj9Ueb0dLdKMlY_BYj9-poec5lTascOpLFUqtSA/s400/DSC00545.JPG" border="0" /> <p align="justify"></a><br /><br />Extract from www.touruk.co.uk:<br /><br />"Dating from 1552, the Old Wellington Inn is the oldest public house in Manchester. The black and white Tudor building in Shambles Square is its third location, being moved twice to make way for new buildings. It was first moved when the Arndale Centre was built over 'The Shambles', its original rundown location. In 1996 the IRA bombing of Manchester city centre devastated buildings around it but fortunately it was protected by another building and suffered minor damage. With the rebuilding and the creation of Exchange Square, the pub was moved to its present position. Extensively refurbished and has an à la carte restaurant. Next door is Sinclair's Oyster Bar, another survivor of The Shambles".<br /><br />Interestingly, the road these buildings are on is called Hanging Ditch, which sounds a little gruesome when you think about it.<br /><br />...........................<br /><br />I got on with some more beading over the Christmas break, and also met up with a lovely lady called Cathy (and her folks) who I 'met' on <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/" target="window2"><strong>Ravelry</strong></a>. We have a shared interest in spinning and knitting, and she runs her own website selling fibre and yarn with two friends, here - <a href="http://www.lazykate.net/catalog/" target="window2"><strong>LazyKate</strong></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />. </p>Fleecehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02858897731819202155noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28719147.post-85912421191115088392007-12-17T16:43:00.000+00:002007-12-17T16:57:38.073+00:00*~Merry Christmas~*Well, that's me for this year. I'm now off-line until after the Holidays.<br /><br />I'm just deciding which projects I'll be concentrating on over Christmas.<br /><br />One will be the sock-blocker keyring I bought from the Interknit Cafe in Farnham recently shown here with a couple off odd balls of yarn I couldn't resist.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUCkrSFBMcy9BryyEeEFP3vAz_OEqwHMEMI-yoomcvxhgMLH1dDveoJ-LlPDSt58IkS6RBSg0wRAjbEJayVLeWEN4ltdmaAVJoJQD8uKFW5-kE9h8pXsmgeKl8gm48IpyP4n-dDQ/s1600-h/DSC00540.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5144986297108966050" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUCkrSFBMcy9BryyEeEFP3vAz_OEqwHMEMI-yoomcvxhgMLH1dDveoJ-LlPDSt58IkS6RBSg0wRAjbEJayVLeWEN4ltdmaAVJoJQD8uKFW5-kE9h8pXsmgeKl8gm48IpyP4n-dDQ/s400/DSC00540.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Some beading which I've found I really enjoy, and some weaving with my Weave-It - a nice portable project.<br /><br />I've still got two gifts to make over the next two days, so the pressure is on.<br /><br />It just remains to wish a very <strong>Merry Christmas </strong>to all of my readers.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZcmeLcH3n1EHFG9T5i-QOc-H1I4hI5AQRYZPjgNF6f3kYb-Y5CO6iAc63kmb6PhuEPvKvt09zeqFjd6c0JQOwQ3W4hve4x_ZKiFXXXz9h6AuHl3hclb4HJy_W-INcoakkU9vMnw/s1600-h/215px-Juletræet.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5144986662181186226" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZcmeLcH3n1EHFG9T5i-QOc-H1I4hI5AQRYZPjgNF6f3kYb-Y5CO6iAc63kmb6PhuEPvKvt09zeqFjd6c0JQOwQ3W4hve4x_ZKiFXXXz9h6AuHl3hclb4HJy_W-INcoakkU9vMnw/s400/215px-Juletr%25C3%25A6et.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />See you in the New Year.Fleecehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02858897731819202155noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28719147.post-70569433414150393652007-12-14T10:49:00.000+00:002007-12-17T16:43:24.077+00:00Winter KnittingI recently picked up a copy of the latest Vogue Knitting, as unusually there are a few interesting patterns in it that I might want to knit. Possibly because it's a Brits issue, and there are designs that look more British in there.<br /><br />My favourites:<br /><br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqPB0CwIqyHd526WfYxfXTRoBsS202o5_5mYOrTBq1Aqt7vSBVaBRLwvDQOaYKPYDU26j87X6kZVPkiXeJFULgdfN9bve-yUTcll2Y0k-3vcqa32vFpmLiG6JG4hTRH3iAl6bj6w/s1600-h/DSC00531.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5143796543923333378" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqPB0CwIqyHd526WfYxfXTRoBsS202o5_5mYOrTBq1Aqt7vSBVaBRLwvDQOaYKPYDU26j87X6kZVPkiXeJFULgdfN9bve-yUTcll2Y0k-3vcqa32vFpmLiG6JG4hTRH3iAl6bj6w/s400/DSC00531.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjets0T-Nl0NYlBIQl4U9b_bNx_NyRjje9lG69_GW_Mu_Bk0SdC0FanVSNLqc7VFGg51PUhgSPlNYHujXhKH7tceOaQpRXwEVpzpoNh3dDG4hWCS7wYWYnlF1QMhxUR1svvAdupmA/s1600-h/DSC00532.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5143796921880455442" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjets0T-Nl0NYlBIQl4U9b_bNx_NyRjje9lG69_GW_Mu_Bk0SdC0FanVSNLqc7VFGg51PUhgSPlNYHujXhKH7tceOaQpRXwEVpzpoNh3dDG4hWCS7wYWYnlF1QMhxUR1svvAdupmA/s400/DSC00532.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht_hUnX51TRtP7wTkGyxlyDWfpFXM3SoKv5tsLs1ldDC0Zlh2R5nMfWH1fxIAHwpPQwoAq_yrP03IB5ddkDYcTRejaVt_6thEEcFEcuFznOs7gNjB1XYSiGm4cbMW-iZU_aI38zw/s1600-h/DSC00533.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5144946375387949474" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht_hUnX51TRtP7wTkGyxlyDWfpFXM3SoKv5tsLs1ldDC0Zlh2R5nMfWH1fxIAHwpPQwoAq_yrP03IB5ddkDYcTRejaVt_6thEEcFEcuFznOs7gNjB1XYSiGm4cbMW-iZU_aI38zw/s400/DSC00533.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifjItWwrYzpuUMGOlMfytfkaQjLv9hvS-Ff3eYLahqVyNaixMAByy9bCEtg9YLThazSZZ9yQjgo7hCEccDnxpIvAkj4aaPCIetFCLpPmX16ZFExt4AIA34vtoiTxeqnZBcnvmCag/s1600-h/Brit+Knits.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5144966471539927538" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifjItWwrYzpuUMGOlMfytfkaQjLv9hvS-Ff3eYLahqVyNaixMAByy9bCEtg9YLThazSZZ9yQjgo7hCEccDnxpIvAkj4aaPCIetFCLpPmX16ZFExt4AIA34vtoiTxeqnZBcnvmCag/s400/Brit+Knits.jpg" border="0" /></a> Including this last one (above) from Alice Starmore.</p><p>In November I went off-craft as I had some leave to use up from work and took a trip to Esher to the Beading Show, and joined the throng clamouring for seed beads.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLJVn2dzVVdoZRoC48dFyTYmdnO4CoRKNzI_4yDB9A6xKwaUjitB3CaXb_RWlWoiu99dAreVgrxx5kynljMho87kmvY923JJ6MONBGv_khpHfYbVBe0Oet3UpXEXtHNujSy_nmwg/s1600-h/DSC00529.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5144968417160112642" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLJVn2dzVVdoZRoC48dFyTYmdnO4CoRKNzI_4yDB9A6xKwaUjitB3CaXb_RWlWoiu99dAreVgrxx5kynljMho87kmvY923JJ6MONBGv_khpHfYbVBe0Oet3UpXEXtHNujSy_nmwg/s400/DSC00529.JPG" border="0" /></a></p><p>I came away with a modest haul:</p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXpersLxfILMM0Mm9IEwygIzF3JFmo0FuUBOWVD5MvubKHHw61PTfWF-UZFIoQ0Ta0Cv6LAGXIeW8RHgimUVAg1goq5lRlvwDnfuqRdhGISlH84evPB9cHo1r_8HVgCyU2Vyn2Mg/s1600-h/DSC00537.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5144969190254225938" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXpersLxfILMM0Mm9IEwygIzF3JFmo0FuUBOWVD5MvubKHHw61PTfWF-UZFIoQ0Ta0Cv6LAGXIeW8RHgimUVAg1goq5lRlvwDnfuqRdhGISlH84evPB9cHo1r_8HVgCyU2Vyn2Mg/s400/DSC00537.JPG" border="0" /></a> and have so far made up this set for a Christmas present:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr_e-GIul8KvI33QY_Z1ifA9AHIx6Imj0La1hz79YEeC46XFRaYqsV4uZNI-6zsqT8xix0dn6oZEd8ygRBAupLneDjw67fgmHB51EFOlZI5-yJTjAh-3_jeaDZnRcZyRQ2hJipyQ/s1600-h/DSC00543.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5144969770074810914" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr_e-GIul8KvI33QY_Z1ifA9AHIx6Imj0La1hz79YEeC46XFRaYqsV4uZNI-6zsqT8xix0dn6oZEd8ygRBAupLneDjw67fgmHB51EFOlZI5-yJTjAh-3_jeaDZnRcZyRQ2hJipyQ/s400/DSC00543.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />I have been having some disasters with my winter knitting. I made up a garment from yarn that I bought at Ally Pally, but it is far too huge, so that will have to be unsewn and frogged. Very annoying, but also good in a way as I wasn't really keen on the neckline, so I'll have to do a scary bit of pattern altering - somthing I've never attempted before.<br /><br />In the meantime I've gone back to this garment:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPhfN7RYXkLhPJ_Ob3PqThCFAm73_di_aUM1lGbglDPdjdOgb4kmGEa-20SGjw6RO3N2ptiJ_5O6L4QVX9Qg0uMdwitEW0OqyNRZYiaa8h16gWAIFVgsibhf5oNqSmoKAZdh5dIw/s1600-h/50842614_o.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5144971110104607282" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPhfN7RYXkLhPJ_Ob3PqThCFAm73_di_aUM1lGbglDPdjdOgb4kmGEa-20SGjw6RO3N2ptiJ_5O6L4QVX9Qg0uMdwitEW0OqyNRZYiaa8h16gWAIFVgsibhf5oNqSmoKAZdh5dIw/s400/50842614_o.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />and have done the back, one front, and am just completing the sleeves.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbCHW2GeuNfcMml2-1fu2u5gb2iaXKFCUhIeZW2GJbf6gw5IraHa4TNgWilcwyyVjB5NI-rpoXQ4dBBSC_D3zx1tX8shKLNhw8_SFf6zjBr_gMPstKlJmz4YlBr_j6QawyL6hQ1Q/s1600-h/DSC00534.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5144982878314998418" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbCHW2GeuNfcMml2-1fu2u5gb2iaXKFCUhIeZW2GJbf6gw5IraHa4TNgWilcwyyVjB5NI-rpoXQ4dBBSC_D3zx1tX8shKLNhw8_SFf6zjBr_gMPstKlJmz4YlBr_j6QawyL6hQ1Q/s400/DSC00534.JPG" border="0" /></a>Fleecehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02858897731819202155noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28719147.post-91183464323240270982007-11-19T11:10:00.000+00:002007-11-19T11:59:39.710+00:00Craft Sale - The Aftermath<div align="justify">Well, what a wet and miserable day it turned out to be on Saturday. Enough to dampen anyone's spirits.<br /><br />Here is my set-up at the hall:<br /></div><p align="justify"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTdIE0QgeRi0GrGK1bgxzyI5K6SAykJ-Tubxtg5VfyGCAktDgfkyba1uOKYCJjn-Zh12qoqkBs4JvIWk36DwktMm64m_KXEBYg6dK3YaqOBJMRWNWG6SqIfhNeBeDh7naizDyDkw/s1600-h/DSC00525.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5134507647839614690" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTdIE0QgeRi0GrGK1bgxzyI5K6SAykJ-Tubxtg5VfyGCAktDgfkyba1uOKYCJjn-Zh12qoqkBs4JvIWk36DwktMm64m_KXEBYg6dK3YaqOBJMRWNWG6SqIfhNeBeDh7naizDyDkw/s400/DSC00525.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />I had some extra bits and bobs for sale - some drop spindle kits, knitting needles, a fulled bag made from Colinette Skye, and some jewellery from a sale I did a while ago. Also some spiral scarves made from recycled sari yarn.</p><p align="justify">Trade was ponderously slow due to the location and the weather, and I'd given up hope of selling anything after the first four hours, but then I had a small flurry and managed to sell 4 of my felted corsages. Hurrah! At least I wasn't totally out of pocket.</p><p align="justify">One lady buyer told me that I wasn't charging enough for my items (I know this, but people on the Island seem to want something for nothing, which is very disheartening for crafts people). The other buyer wanted to know if there was a discount for buying two items (!!!) and then asked for them to be wrapped (!!! x a million). </p><p align="justify">I always wrap my items nicely in tissue, but this is an extra little touch, not a given! It amazes me that people will take the shirt off ones back and still want jam on it - to totally mix my metaphors. </p><p align="justify">Bah!</p><p align="justify">My next plan is to start selling on Etsy, and I need to get to work on some decent photographs and list these articles in my shop which is: <a href="http://etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5371455">http:/fleece2fantastic.etsy.com</a> although empty at present. I may also dip my toe into eBay, to sell some kits.</p><p align="justify">Lesson's learnt from Saturday. </p><p align="justify">1. Get organised earlier - pricing and labelling were a nightmare to do and I was still awake at 1am the night before trying to get it all finished. </p><p align="justify">2. Try and publicise the Sale more widely. Although I didn't organise the event, I'm sure that having just one ad in the local paper was reflected in the small number of people who crossed the threshold. </p><p align="justify">3. Stand firm on my prices/increase prices. Devaluing my work, just adds to the devaluation of crafting on the Island in general. Other crafts people have cut back so much that they are barely covering the cost of materials. I can't see the point in that at all. Yes, it allows them to continue with their creativity, but at what cost? I'm sure if they were asked to work at a regular day job for no wages, that they'd flatly refuse. </p><p align="justify">Take art, craft and design out of the everyday world and our internal surroundings and personal appearance would be very bland indeed. </p><p align="justify"><br /><br /><br /><br /> </p><p></p><p></p><p></p>Fleecehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02858897731819202155noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28719147.post-8164093440609388212007-11-15T09:00:00.000+00:002007-11-19T11:08:23.595+00:00Fibre Frenzy<div align="justify">I've been really busy over the last three weeks getting up enough stock to sell at a local craft sale.<br /><br />Last night I very nearly fell asleep standing up after an arduous felting session which resulted in the creation of these:<br /><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVslJXQfCliKJI7iqyZTKC3xc2px3Vznrgv583VIQKGggsg5m5oTvknpnh-MpokuZouw2__pYIrxHgcUFf2QHcWIlBvgROfFYhFOTkff_puIMGUffvV4rOJFLq5TzTiSfOe4-aHQ/s1600-h/DSC00508.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5132992838644119042" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVslJXQfCliKJI7iqyZTKC3xc2px3Vznrgv583VIQKGggsg5m5oTvknpnh-MpokuZouw2__pYIrxHgcUFf2QHcWIlBvgROfFYhFOTkff_puIMGUffvV4rOJFLq5TzTiSfOe4-aHQ/s400/DSC00508.JPG" border="0" /> </a><br /><br /><p align="justify">They're currently drying out ready for the pins to be sewn onto the back.<br /><br />I've also been knitting hats from my handspun, and creating designer yarns, wet and needle-felted some Christmas tree decorations, and have some old stock of recycled sari silk crocheted scarves and other bits and bobs including a wet-felted bag, and a knitted and fulled bag made from Colinette Skye which felts up excellently. </p><br /><p align="justify">I'll try to remember to shoot some pics when I run a full inventory of items tonight. </p><br /><p align="justify">First, some felted Christmas Puds:</p><br /><p align="justify"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEqB25mOm4I8Cvs1SRFk2emxRSI4yYAF2-8-QATYmW3E-nsUSvW4Oa-v_GBJ3XATn4-vYys3m3GFaKZllSjnSa9VqxgMZClwIG5-MakokVm1qwVMEmhMQ76WEPJxlIDtMDcoDZTg/s1600-h/DSC00509.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5134477707622594066" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEqB25mOm4I8Cvs1SRFk2emxRSI4yYAF2-8-QATYmW3E-nsUSvW4Oa-v_GBJ3XATn4-vYys3m3GFaKZllSjnSa9VqxgMZClwIG5-MakokVm1qwVMEmhMQ76WEPJxlIDtMDcoDZTg/s400/DSC00509.JPG" border="0" /></a></p><br /><p align="justify">A felted bag - Front: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbwkJ1otpPlGBBlcWMajccnmOWm_gCRsYY68fUCE52YvFyasJVOOPdYEt87FJx-dg9UIxaIZjus138efs8ISELD0yoV2K83VE2DjTabaB6jz5oouBAdFVOgJts98jn7Fw_lVGzLw/s1600-h/DSC00510.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5134477922370958882" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbwkJ1otpPlGBBlcWMajccnmOWm_gCRsYY68fUCE52YvFyasJVOOPdYEt87FJx-dg9UIxaIZjus138efs8ISELD0yoV2K83VE2DjTabaB6jz5oouBAdFVOgJts98jn7Fw_lVGzLw/s400/DSC00510.JPG" border="0" /></a> Back:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeSQJkIlmw_VDUlGkDRVqiIe_xde56T_Sb3Q8m6abuYmHBTlNR3T8C2vZeTCSZLRlVOt50OTYkAUl3wbCNCkTeP9CsRCImCDneA0R49TK3eMzUB_JSLcysTug_OJr_VdVy0JbWtg/s1600-h/DSC00511.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5134478734119777842" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeSQJkIlmw_VDUlGkDRVqiIe_xde56T_Sb3Q8m6abuYmHBTlNR3T8C2vZeTCSZLRlVOt50OTYkAUl3wbCNCkTeP9CsRCImCDneA0R49TK3eMzUB_JSLcysTug_OJr_VdVy0JbWtg/s400/DSC00511.JPG" border="0" /></a>Inside:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-UhAmeLLj535PGmpCxytXrA6JBj_PXDL8K5oYcjxZAQ87kFiePUcOQlOoBnvBo7OUXaE7cs40R_7XPDbP-9fo5PeigYa8m5Wewlx5fNLT_Y4G5O9IJz8KKqqr1dgP-H_1rN_eIQ/s1600-h/DSC00512.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5134479086307096130" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-UhAmeLLj535PGmpCxytXrA6JBj_PXDL8K5oYcjxZAQ87kFiePUcOQlOoBnvBo7OUXaE7cs40R_7XPDbP-9fo5PeigYa8m5Wewlx5fNLT_Y4G5O9IJz8KKqqr1dgP-H_1rN_eIQ/s400/DSC00512.JPG" border="0" /></a>Several Beanies - handspun and knitted:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCADh4osOtamHxI8xtnlTOUV6zCmqPmkj8cPJB7MEI5tkQa55AD3lHbaNkin3aJMYpBAuBmHBLQ7MGxLKkIbL6Nh8mDgXKokgGk7cKz6TmIMv0V4mpp_v3pe0_K6JzA0i_CyX-VQ/s1600-h/DSC00513.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5134490326236509778" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCADh4osOtamHxI8xtnlTOUV6zCmqPmkj8cPJB7MEI5tkQa55AD3lHbaNkin3aJMYpBAuBmHBLQ7MGxLKkIbL6Nh8mDgXKokgGk7cKz6TmIMv0V4mpp_v3pe0_K6JzA0i_CyX-VQ/s400/DSC00513.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOB8Y2otHQ1vkbUdCLkOTQigsiWKpo63o94A_3K_lP_eDLC0TTXbbJHxjGSG9jEEo6xgUuuEXx-NI-nlIxVoztqdexq_nx_avdQ2_4xVnCaIW4d3Fa1LZSSgfL4JwtxprCX48Ieg/s1600-h/DSC00514.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5134491902489507426" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOB8Y2otHQ1vkbUdCLkOTQigsiWKpo63o94A_3K_lP_eDLC0TTXbbJHxjGSG9jEEo6xgUuuEXx-NI-nlIxVoztqdexq_nx_avdQ2_4xVnCaIW4d3Fa1LZSSgfL4JwtxprCX48Ieg/s400/DSC00514.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrnaF-rlMntIrmdXN0ZVTQvGmjAct1tF8xhLPEK3_MRKTPwrYj07osAz0iMMJkd7Ezv-9-5X3k4CfnKu-5yPZ7J-Wc-rh0PUMDBr45wLt6frS4beycHbM6kguusfeziW_BaN4mCg/s1600-h/DSC00517.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5134494616908838514" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrnaF-rlMntIrmdXN0ZVTQvGmjAct1tF8xhLPEK3_MRKTPwrYj07osAz0iMMJkd7Ezv-9-5X3k4CfnKu-5yPZ7J-Wc-rh0PUMDBr45wLt6frS4beycHbM6kguusfeziW_BaN4mCg/s400/DSC00517.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />A neckwarmer knitted in handspun 'Black Forest Gateau' - merino and beads - DK/Aran weight. Faux leather button as a closure.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih96IS9pzNB7CR1exQ5fy1WZmcHf4OGbAYAEV7hT8jrhawbNVmpiiW9C-zLcdDOUKYHZBjzNaVhMRaBIVPza1vq8q5MeOjBn4YgMzA18RRZw0YN5U4Xv9NvJ545knmfKHQL-BOMw/s1600-h/DSC00515.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5134505702219429586" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih96IS9pzNB7CR1exQ5fy1WZmcHf4OGbAYAEV7hT8jrhawbNVmpiiW9C-zLcdDOUKYHZBjzNaVhMRaBIVPza1vq8q5MeOjBn4YgMzA18RRZw0YN5U4Xv9NvJ545knmfKHQL-BOMw/s400/DSC00515.JPG" border="0" /></a>Finally, my designer handspun yarn:<br /><br />First up - 'Strawberries and Cream' and 'Jaded' - two-ply merino and silk - DK weight.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHmpBRPvhfuCTZRXUqNWzBgsCQ48TE9DCA7cwMRE0wdo-8we9WzBdV9rrGk6ASHxp76c7duxpv_tp-dapCBCOvoEEMUHHzkSazhBiL0q37h6efSTkNLj0oJBuyZpJ1ywRYX_nJ2Q/s1600-h/DSC00518.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5134496480924644994" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHmpBRPvhfuCTZRXUqNWzBgsCQ48TE9DCA7cwMRE0wdo-8we9WzBdV9rrGk6ASHxp76c7duxpv_tp-dapCBCOvoEEMUHHzkSazhBiL0q37h6efSTkNLj0oJBuyZpJ1ywRYX_nJ2Q/s400/DSC00518.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />'Love-in-the-Mist' and 'Violas' - two-ply merino - DK/Aran weight<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU5M_fdjyaniqYcGujN0-oDV6TYkvVa5f1FFsPxwjZdaGWfeExtRmlnylYrODI_f2rrgsBXF_NxRFJfUM0voKhACM_VM3CQKp8iCcsf4ecIEsT_v7rdRMD74tjjRtd3vXsWvtRkw/s1600-h/DSC00520.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5134500629863052946" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU5M_fdjyaniqYcGujN0-oDV6TYkvVa5f1FFsPxwjZdaGWfeExtRmlnylYrODI_f2rrgsBXF_NxRFJfUM0voKhACM_VM3CQKp8iCcsf4ecIEsT_v7rdRMD74tjjRtd3vXsWvtRkw/s400/DSC00520.JPG" border="0" /></a> 'Meadow' - two-ply merino - DK/Aran weight.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjKPSJ8Wx-QkQFRnsLyi3yp7SQVolGjuSN5aVmYaIHTqWMLuTZ_yiJhKV_IQAXYGyVInR0qg_WBD3LhJiZaP2ijRGc29_HINCNh7P3JqS8yIIL0_VxRUiTb-0koIFFHU1qtmJYgw/s1600-h/DSC00521.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5134502085856966306" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjKPSJ8Wx-QkQFRnsLyi3yp7SQVolGjuSN5aVmYaIHTqWMLuTZ_yiJhKV_IQAXYGyVInR0qg_WBD3LhJiZaP2ijRGc29_HINCNh7P3JqS8yIIL0_VxRUiTb-0koIFFHU1qtmJYgw/s400/DSC00521.JPG" border="0" /></a> 'British Marble' and 'Francophile' - two-ply merino - DK/Aran weight<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo1gLHEPRkQWzxX8AEy9Uth9BGpM6fJvPSwzLdbRXO8LzMjHWWpg3j5RBV7LWUUyXhQzteKyrtg3X8mjWvU232Ak259gd7K8q2nTW1tU3KwC2FpVxFuHQ9HdswC_5D3QYAAyJ44g/s1600-h/DSC00522.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5134503782369048242" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo1gLHEPRkQWzxX8AEy9Uth9BGpM6fJvPSwzLdbRXO8LzMjHWWpg3j5RBV7LWUUyXhQzteKyrtg3X8mjWvU232Ak259gd7K8q2nTW1tU3KwC2FpVxFuHQ9HdswC_5D3QYAAyJ44g/s400/DSC00522.JPG" border="0" /></a> 'Passionelle' - two-ply merino & silk, and 'Forest' - two-ply English Wool - DK weight.</p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuNujgDCY4E2cBoW9HoJteli5hspowW4thdaTmXucLpCtxHvBDTIMNbVGK-estQ9RK8AcqJwJeyYjGbyvawyc-paTnVzqWzVj-zfVs5wAjswVyg_QkCSbgMU_3yEEJqwEviwqxUg/s1600-h/DSC00519.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5134504705787016898" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuNujgDCY4E2cBoW9HoJteli5hspowW4thdaTmXucLpCtxHvBDTIMNbVGK-estQ9RK8AcqJwJeyYjGbyvawyc-paTnVzqWzVj-zfVs5wAjswVyg_QkCSbgMU_3yEEJqwEviwqxUg/s400/DSC00519.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><p align="justify"></p>Fleecehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02858897731819202155noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28719147.post-61790437839572111882007-11-01T17:55:00.000+00:002007-11-01T18:36:20.362+00:00Hovis Deliveries and my latest outputTwo 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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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!!!<br /><br />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....<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpCiTFqivYP478FtKeDg-H0WuTZpGLTE2NDft16Gmk519r7yi_qVg1Bzm1tcvGdV_-ZNrx9NcoNrWp71WEl2onY7_Mp5Mjs1-dUizfY4l6vPUGKI2i87wUVpbtXLfmFYNtAxYv6A/s1600-h/DSC00482.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5127934767665938722" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpCiTFqivYP478FtKeDg-H0WuTZpGLTE2NDft16Gmk519r7yi_qVg1Bzm1tcvGdV_-ZNrx9NcoNrWp71WEl2onY7_Mp5Mjs1-dUizfY4l6vPUGKI2i87wUVpbtXLfmFYNtAxYv6A/s400/DSC00482.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />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.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1mI9tePgOx1vbzYcw49r31tA5ZLXcQ161Do9IGT04kZWXBdOgKZu07v6tSrr8kdfC-eEF6kuAFgr8ubhhuBG9hgJWACE_Yqlsf2iw8Ku5_EBxp2DcsivAjZHwP8iYUx_eLxg6rw/s1600-h/DSC00438.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5127935467745607986" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1mI9tePgOx1vbzYcw49r31tA5ZLXcQ161Do9IGT04kZWXBdOgKZu07v6tSrr8kdfC-eEF6kuAFgr8ubhhuBG9hgJWACE_Yqlsf2iw8Ku5_EBxp2DcsivAjZHwP8iYUx_eLxg6rw/s400/DSC00438.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Here I bought some lovely old fashioned cotton tape to dress up a Christmas gift for my sister.<br /><br />......................................<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrms697aa1OOT5LZuD13xLvA1ZLTQ4RY6nNkkHWcRJppDF1knRsrKKeQN-rZcFN13qyLQebm4kCo7OBm-Hm55YtaV0YPgzkVR_vY8M9oJJUFaCHNTzaxGXQrOSd0PrCHN5x42i6Q/s1600-h/DSC00484.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5127937872927293762" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrms697aa1OOT5LZuD13xLvA1ZLTQ4RY6nNkkHWcRJppDF1knRsrKKeQN-rZcFN13qyLQebm4kCo7OBm-Hm55YtaV0YPgzkVR_vY8M9oJJUFaCHNTzaxGXQrOSd0PrCHN5x42i6Q/s400/DSC00484.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />This was quickly turned into a vegan-friendly beanie which I'm hoping to sell at a Craft Sale in two weeks time.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxtnfryolYhyphenhyphenw-VRI-iy13lYkg4nlNRSZ9WGht-NaZthMrAYhyIy__1SER5X60ndRbIs2W5guqFQ4MUKawWVb1LgTaGOWqC1AXWUyqS9mh7dJ13XlTofUt3LASLtgfpXdDs4RJVg/s1600-h/DSC00487.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5127938474222715218" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxtnfryolYhyphenhyphenw-VRI-iy13lYkg4nlNRSZ9WGht-NaZthMrAYhyIy__1SER5X60ndRbIs2W5guqFQ4MUKawWVb1LgTaGOWqC1AXWUyqS9mh7dJ13XlTofUt3LASLtgfpXdDs4RJVg/s400/DSC00487.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Here are some other beanie hats knitted in a wool and silk mix, spun some time ago.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRWPvlcCTUYJanYEev4wiUDsFWV91atC_Dat7rKIqp4SHN7aktpmp5QFbFHxSHN9urT8paTXlcMqfRsVlZGr4Y44fVeUy2OSEOwFDQrKGSq0LW_ZN8PsXKVhah8d62ysAPPyCSDw/s1600-h/DSC00490.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5127938959554019682" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRWPvlcCTUYJanYEev4wiUDsFWV91atC_Dat7rKIqp4SHN7aktpmp5QFbFHxSHN9urT8paTXlcMqfRsVlZGr4Y44fVeUy2OSEOwFDQrKGSq0LW_ZN8PsXKVhah8d62ysAPPyCSDw/s400/DSC00490.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />My latest DK weight yarn, a merino and silk mix which I'm calling Strawberries and Cream.<br /><p><br /></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcvgCaw2uRdRTeLtU0ghTx_krNfdpd_LhQ9smmbwVnOl2B3_LJbixt0bcNJvPvF_TMFXDQizgROKqqgskI2h6SzA56KhitLcrhAzfA7-lE7VpppGSHl-6F-MbfyylGYEJIfvZjQw/s1600-h/DSC00489.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5127939324626239858" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcvgCaw2uRdRTeLtU0ghTx_krNfdpd_LhQ9smmbwVnOl2B3_LJbixt0bcNJvPvF_TMFXDQizgROKqqgskI2h6SzA56KhitLcrhAzfA7-lE7VpppGSHl-6F-MbfyylGYEJIfvZjQw/s400/DSC00489.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />and finally....... this evening's sunset from my office window at work.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGWSLbkl_IKx600eXRiffeV-IMxorombXvIzJaFR9EnqME9pnUba-jXpr5SOnKuZHfNwhWjlYWhRknfo1ZOTXnsDsXMjKldosvbYZJeAEkunMFOZ85CPxG1U76FKje6PVJNNwu5A/s1600-h/DSC00493.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5127939767007871362" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGWSLbkl_IKx600eXRiffeV-IMxorombXvIzJaFR9EnqME9pnUba-jXpr5SOnKuZHfNwhWjlYWhRknfo1ZOTXnsDsXMjKldosvbYZJeAEkunMFOZ85CPxG1U76FKje6PVJNNwu5A/s400/DSC00493.JPG" border="0" /></a>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.</p><p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></p>Fleecehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02858897731819202155noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28719147.post-52346403328528247632007-10-16T12:09:00.000+01:002007-10-18T18:50:52.655+01:00Knitting & Stitching - The AftermathIt was an exhausting trip to London on Sunday for the Knitting & Stitching Show. Left home at 06:40 and returned at 23:30. Quite a long day.<br /><br />London was packed - so much more so than in previous years when I've visited the show. I was totally squished in on the coach on the way home.<br /><br />On the outbound trip I made several hats for the Innocent campaign for Age Concern (see my sidebar). They're lacking pompoms at the moment, but I'll need to finish them at the weekend as they need to be in the post on Monday. I managed 40 last year, but I've been too busy this time. I need to get myself organised earlier in the year.<br /><br /><br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC3YFEjlYVo9z9ZH-GIIsAH4abuROXhLkb3FtFTIx2GmHi6jRaQ8IPIHEdXhsNhGx0cmXJX7pLL2Gp6mbCjmvDulvFaMTuci-7x9MyK83IdS_gJAbdHSe3Se_Fsj1d9U9byknMUg/s1600-h/DSC00472.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5122686153290180082" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC3YFEjlYVo9z9ZH-GIIsAH4abuROXhLkb3FtFTIx2GmHi6jRaQ8IPIHEdXhsNhGx0cmXJX7pLL2Gp6mbCjmvDulvFaMTuci-7x9MyK83IdS_gJAbdHSe3Se_Fsj1d9U9byknMUg/s400/DSC00472.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />While at the show, I took a short workshop making silk paper. The workshops had been sited right next to the cafe and the noise levels were very high. The Tutors were shouting to be heard. It was a bit manic. I've yet to iron my paper, so a pic will follow later.<br /><br />My modest and bargain haul from the show: </p><p><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjC4c8Jq5ZTcLzopV-O-FG46X7KTfO0arN9eLgXnvUr2-JtuTOCbTdngEPOdQehGj8V6NIJ_GMMEDczME9bK2jdd0Xb9Zix4_5l_qJOaOWTgWb0rJ3Un7I0RBiWbKJ18ZvX2Efvw/s1600-h/DSC00469.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5122729803042809346" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjC4c8Jq5ZTcLzopV-O-FG46X7KTfO0arN9eLgXnvUr2-JtuTOCbTdngEPOdQehGj8V6NIJ_GMMEDczME9bK2jdd0Xb9Zix4_5l_qJOaOWTgWb0rJ3Un7I0RBiWbKJ18ZvX2Efvw/s400/DSC00469.JPG" border="0" /></a> Some variegated mohair for using with my weave-it loom, silver angelina, grey and black silk roving, various threads, some mega-fine silk from Habu and some bargain ultra-fine cotton, and silk throwsters waste from Texere.<br /></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQpEz-izwdTA3saFw56MxiaWqF_pUdtsMB7gxfwMFEVP9qjXP4Pt0TCglR5yu6JSWvuu8YcAk6stXt4_bOIeXPaapkAkprWal0IgbJtJNQxWsIM721HJyCTafD4owOEslEFdsDLA/s1600-h/DSC00470.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5122730627676530194" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQpEz-izwdTA3saFw56MxiaWqF_pUdtsMB7gxfwMFEVP9qjXP4Pt0TCglR5yu6JSWvuu8YcAk6stXt4_bOIeXPaapkAkprWal0IgbJtJNQxWsIM721HJyCTafD4owOEslEFdsDLA/s400/DSC00470.JPG" border="0" /></a></p><br /><br /><p>Some nymo and bargain seed beads, some sequins, lobster clasps, a couple of buttons to finish off two hats I've knitted with my handspun, and a cone-end of Hemp yarn from The House of Hemp to practice some rainbow dyeing.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhApTFyyHAbGAu9SjMvc8-g7uvYiE6ked1PKIDK0jWFdDc9cO6n92CdbqNfz1vHdjrfQn1uKqKVRRlVfyrfjXigQhKK8wfgH4RdPMrwgQWrFC_k54Ng2AdDptIN8E89HNKS9wX_XQ/s1600-h/DSC00475.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5122731284806526498" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhApTFyyHAbGAu9SjMvc8-g7uvYiE6ked1PKIDK0jWFdDc9cO6n92CdbqNfz1vHdjrfQn1uKqKVRRlVfyrfjXigQhKK8wfgH4RdPMrwgQWrFC_k54Ng2AdDptIN8E89HNKS9wX_XQ/s400/DSC00475.JPG" border="0" /></a> Finally some huge balls of acrylic to knit a jacket on 15mm needles using all 4 strands. The garment looked great on the stand at the show, and it will be a quick knit that I may even actually finish!</p><p>I trotted off to Borders in Oxford Street and bought the latest edition of Spin-Off, as there's an article in there using mini-combs to prep fleece.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfWuEYhIX7hggpk3w7dXpmceIUAm8rfavvwoWWXc6VN9Yr9hRI7GP_F4GvSQ5TSErzMZiQlLrTIsoqOlg0Qhi1BplxHyBTIHzh2FdwT6G-sNVxwv4kPSXYzfXX1CWMGcwbDuDJog/s1600-h/DSC00473.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5122733616973768242" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfWuEYhIX7hggpk3w7dXpmceIUAm8rfavvwoWWXc6VN9Yr9hRI7GP_F4GvSQ5TSErzMZiQlLrTIsoqOlg0Qhi1BplxHyBTIHzh2FdwT6G-sNVxwv4kPSXYzfXX1CWMGcwbDuDJog/s400/DSC00473.JPG" border="0" /></a></p><br /><p>I bought some majacraft combs last year, but am a bit clueless on how to use them as they have round handles and can't be clamped to the table.</p><p>.........................................</p><p>I am still working on that baby cardigan for a colleague, at this rate he'll have started school by the time I get it finished.........</p><p></p><p></p><p></p>Fleecehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02858897731819202155noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28719147.post-82527793862890469212007-10-08T13:24:00.000+01:002007-10-09T17:23:05.873+01:00Wingham, Winchester and Woven Wicker<div align="justify">Late last month our Guild arranged a weekend visit from <a href="http://www.winghamwoolwork.co.uk/" target="window2"><strong>Wingham Woolwork</strong></a>, a fibre business based in Rotherham in South Yorkshire. There was a Try and Buy day on the Saturday and a Spinning Workshop on the Sunday.<br /><br />I was spinning like a demon on the Saturday, and having a go with small amounts of allsorts of fibre I'd not had the opportunity to handle much. I managed to spin and ply this skein.<br /><br /></div><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDod3yFGF_sUKIQmW2ZT50re_KVP97LLiGZlPnOtH3lUCG6voxBHBUfRaDSy3OaH7mJCs26PW4BYcccnXq1sUCa4rCX1mbc6ba1412irk3SNmKLBiL5FFRNtlT4zRKMJf05kquSw/s1600-h/DSC00454.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5118974554222126402" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDod3yFGF_sUKIQmW2ZT50re_KVP97LLiGZlPnOtH3lUCG6voxBHBUfRaDSy3OaH7mJCs26PW4BYcccnXq1sUCa4rCX1mbc6ba1412irk3SNmKLBiL5FFRNtlT4zRKMJf05kquSw/s400/DSC00454.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />The fibres are:<br />100 count merino<br />Luminous space-dyed synthetic<br />Ramie<br />Variegated merino in autumn shades<br />Bamboo<br />Variegated merino and silk blend in red shades<br />Milk protein<br />Jacob humbug<br />Viscose<br />Jacob humbug and silk blend<br />Linen<br />Multicoloured trilobal<br />Light tussah silk<br />Black mohair<br />Merino and soya blend<br />Camel<br />Cheviot<br />Black alpaca and silk blend<br />Soya bean fibre<br />Fawn alpaca<br />Tencel<br /><br />and finally........Possum.<br /><br />I bought a couple of spare bobbins for my Sonata, some coloured merino for felting, and a humbug blend of Shetland, along with some small samples and some of the variegated autumn mix which is here, with one lot of singles on the bobbin.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPpbOjgygVNprXBATHXH740GLPknj0ICGKzh-CcUwxw-w7MZjpl7VNt7CSJpPwSZgVfJAWn8DcjEyJspevQpaO8Zh5HQWmgDJ-n8vw_cUAsFT-i1ysImXmO34Y4wlzE-CYUDZogA/s1600-h/DSC00453.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5118976418237932882" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPpbOjgygVNprXBATHXH740GLPknj0ICGKzh-CcUwxw-w7MZjpl7VNt7CSJpPwSZgVfJAWn8DcjEyJspevQpaO8Zh5HQWmgDJ-n8vw_cUAsFT-i1ysImXmO34Y4wlzE-CYUDZogA/s400/DSC00453.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />I'm currently plying this into a laceweight, and was intending to knit something from <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.co.uk%2FVictorian-Lace-Today-Jane-Sowerby%2Fdp%2F1933064072%3Fie%3DUTF8%26s%3Dbooks%26qid%3D1191854766%26sr%3D8-1&tag=wwwfromfleece-21&linkCode=ur2&camp=1634&creative=6738" target="window2"><strong>Victorian Lace Today</strong></a><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; BORDER-TOP: medium none; MARGIN: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none" height="1" alt="" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.co.uk/e/ir?t=wwwfromfleece-21&l=ur2&o=2" width="1" border="0" /> with it until I spotted the <a href="http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEfall07/PATTmuir.html" target="window2"><strong>Muir</strong></a> pattern on the cover page of the Fall 2007 issue of Knitty.com.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYDvooUY91qc7UQLwRNvW3amyWiIgeXCe6VxErvTB1t_DIiFANMxL0u7mBP0IC_PnqXVkWzzpL2P4iXvgjI1Y2U-1-06YbEAwnE2rrppfY8Dvv_Q-rl_v_XOXZMikXWzT3RXx84A/s1600-h/fall07cover.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5119347202764596642" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYDvooUY91qc7UQLwRNvW3amyWiIgeXCe6VxErvTB1t_DIiFANMxL0u7mBP0IC_PnqXVkWzzpL2P4iXvgjI1Y2U-1-06YbEAwnE2rrppfY8Dvv_Q-rl_v_XOXZMikXWzT3RXx84A/s400/fall07cover.jpg" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-size:78%;">Picture from </span><a href="http://www.knitty.com/"><span style="font-size:78%;">www.knitty.com</span></a></p><p align="justify"><br />The subtle autumnal shades of the yarn should suit the leaf pattern of this stole perfectly.<br /><br /></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3BDFIIkY7ljlN7pfP0vCrA_p6rqxlhUcN5wKdgeIG7p4Hyypfc4W9SW5VUXUAYodJRAti6zMTF6Fg_5I4_YlG8COsf8dH35SYZPVZ7s9_jA7i6_T2Q4YAepJZVnb-29ew3au6gg/s1600-h/DSC00467.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5119230899345188210" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3BDFIIkY7ljlN7pfP0vCrA_p6rqxlhUcN5wKdgeIG7p4Hyypfc4W9SW5VUXUAYodJRAti6zMTF6Fg_5I4_YlG8COsf8dH35SYZPVZ7s9_jA7i6_T2Q4YAepJZVnb-29ew3au6gg/s400/DSC00467.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />I've also started spinning up some eye-popping lime coloured Corriedale in laceweight, which is definitely destined to be a shawl/stole from Victorian Lace.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB4DZDmv9Wc3H-K3sibcgOhV0wuRiyk9JVTn_Cnhh6SnktsoCL19J-T6EOCph324f_A-I8M0KN5cU2DlF9bSt8JwQ0wkYXHoZS3hSxj2mYcQbvwNyV7IbRuBN32I6KPHlfOUMyfA/s1600-h/DSC00456.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5118981868551431522" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB4DZDmv9Wc3H-K3sibcgOhV0wuRiyk9JVTn_Cnhh6SnktsoCL19J-T6EOCph324f_A-I8M0KN5cU2DlF9bSt8JwQ0wkYXHoZS3hSxj2mYcQbvwNyV7IbRuBN32I6KPHlfOUMyfA/s400/DSC00456.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />I had some startled reactions when I started spinning such a loud colour, but the pictures in Victorian Lace show quite a few bright modern colours and they look fantastic knitted up as lace. <p>.............................................................</p><p>I had a week off work last week and after a shaky start, the weather was really glorious. For October, it has been really sunny and relatively mild. I took a quick jaunt to Winchester and enjoyed the sunshine in the grounds of the Cathedral Close. You can just see the very small tree in the middle ground turning to stunning autumn reds and golds.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKJleSMuVjyE4i9vJtR307jV6ZoVbgBhbOaGL-gxiit7KRdk0RtNmVtSYtX9dr6f1AYlTw3Q_k1sSoUkX_1351clNjErIcCG_BuuEcs6Ysh4HqavAwV9A_zHDpBIYtWVY8RVHvZw/s1600-h/DSC00458.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5119284942918673794" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKJleSMuVjyE4i9vJtR307jV6ZoVbgBhbOaGL-gxiit7KRdk0RtNmVtSYtX9dr6f1AYlTw3Q_k1sSoUkX_1351clNjErIcCG_BuuEcs6Ysh4HqavAwV9A_zHDpBIYtWVY8RVHvZw/s400/DSC00458.JPG" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivHVFtEQFxHqRXLA0YjXmDZbqrMGumml5AttYgR1gRa_E240I4U_Mg0J9pI3AWNHzkRsz65ZElBlOwC-VJ6BZeUSVH9OcAWurk7ZEz244czYEIm4QYJW4SPYkJaSAQkTJ8aNCvUA/s1600-h/DSC00460.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5119338582765233554" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivHVFtEQFxHqRXLA0YjXmDZbqrMGumml5AttYgR1gRa_E240I4U_Mg0J9pI3AWNHzkRsz65ZElBlOwC-VJ6BZeUSVH9OcAWurk7ZEz244czYEIm4QYJW4SPYkJaSAQkTJ8aNCvUA/s400/DSC00460.JPG" border="0" /></a> It was the sort of warmth that makes you want to lie out and snooze on some grass while listening to the distant drone of light aircraft passing overhead. (Pity the grass was so wet!)</p><p>I visited my favourite craft shop in Winchester <a href="http://www.creativecrafts.co.uk/" target="window2"><strong>Creative Crafts</strong></a> who have a lot more stuffed into their store than their website would suggest. I came away with some sequins, thread and beads for some art yarn I have in mind.</p><p>.......................................................</p><p>Also while I was at home I visited our local Art Gallery, <a href="http://www.quayarts.org/" target="window2"><strong>Quay Arts</strong></a> to visit the 'East Weaves West - Basketry from Japan and Britain' Exhibition.<br /><br />Some of the Exhibits were stunning:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdD4PBrnTT23FOpPci8HAWlL7_ZPNPYgsYXWLStUGy7tR1ZFF4_zCrNBuMQf-Zd0ibqNyxFXtzEEljXY6dlouqnpLFHnCq0SYAoGyjM8bMxdc4Wp_ljal5UTaAUaKzg9ujGBYUsQ/s1600-h/DSC00461.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5119369119982708146" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdD4PBrnTT23FOpPci8HAWlL7_ZPNPYgsYXWLStUGy7tR1ZFF4_zCrNBuMQf-Zd0ibqNyxFXtzEEljXY6dlouqnpLFHnCq0SYAoGyjM8bMxdc4Wp_ljal5UTaAUaKzg9ujGBYUsQ/s400/DSC00461.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBHgiWkUiQ3lhSwyxEeB1oZ1V_AxmtvL5bejZVHN-Vm4u02NmSb5DqAqDyoNGLF7_MuEHqFFOYiJWBVzPlZPbRKcQa9MEnUSDkCu-qhXoYdMT9I5IhhR6oeTf9xvBw1qMOtYKuUQ/s1600-h/DSC00463.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5119369463580091842" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBHgiWkUiQ3lhSwyxEeB1oZ1V_AxmtvL5bejZVHN-Vm4u02NmSb5DqAqDyoNGLF7_MuEHqFFOYiJWBVzPlZPbRKcQa9MEnUSDkCu-qhXoYdMT9I5IhhR6oeTf9xvBw1qMOtYKuUQ/s400/DSC00463.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ15vz3xaNQgY4LGjFv8Ddayd0s1N9icjeeTCLGp_A2-IPXkp-X0zzFXe5ZdXGC-vTW8Jie54uUXdfV6Y-8kDu1OZ2J0dK3z5NyfuVTieMyOznAr_D7LM_2kCmNbB58WdGTBSHWw/s1600-h/DSC00464.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5119369652558652882" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ15vz3xaNQgY4LGjFv8Ddayd0s1N9icjeeTCLGp_A2-IPXkp-X0zzFXe5ZdXGC-vTW8Jie54uUXdfV6Y-8kDu1OZ2J0dK3z5NyfuVTieMyOznAr_D7LM_2kCmNbB58WdGTBSHWw/s400/DSC00464.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibm-Ub6O_jpgJ1hKyFOW4a_qksH8GR5m7hjiD57pOtpbxXHQjBmf_ZBhTzRQFHwVhUYzJgbyVjTZbGWMLDKTYVofxYahoc0XZKGuDHhvyJJnsexd29ahEVR0YPKInWP0_EyRigaA/s1600-h/DSC00465.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5119370103530218978" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibm-Ub6O_jpgJ1hKyFOW4a_qksH8GR5m7hjiD57pOtpbxXHQjBmf_ZBhTzRQFHwVhUYzJgbyVjTZbGWMLDKTYVofxYahoc0XZKGuDHhvyJJnsexd29ahEVR0YPKInWP0_EyRigaA/s400/DSC00465.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />If you live near Hove, you can catch this exhibition later in the year, then it goes to Holland.<br /><br />....................................<br /><br />I'm eagerly anticipating my trip to Ally Pally on Sunday for the Knitting and Stitching Show.<br /><br />Got all of my tickets booked for the coach and the Show and the Show Guide is through. I'm doing one of the workshops on making silk paper which is around lunchtime, and I'll also be trying to squeeze in John Lewis and Liberty before the shops shut.<br /><br />Not that I end up buying anything much there, but it's nice to see yarns like Noro and Louisa Harding 'in the flesh' for when you see a lovely pattern on-line and wonder what it would be like knitted up.<br /><br /><br /></p>Fleecehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02858897731819202155noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28719147.post-57805878287459816132007-09-19T08:02:00.000+01:002007-09-19T15:49:49.324+01:00Weave-it!<div align="justify">I've now completed my quest to acquire a couple of these little weaving looms, via eBay in the States. I'm still amazed at how cheaply and quickly things get to the UK from the US by airmail. It makes the world seem very small.<br /><br />At my spinning group I picked up an old Spring 1996 copy of Spin Off magazine which contains an article describing wistfully, the demise of the Weave-It loom. In the latest issue of Handwoven, there is an article which uses a similar rectangular loom to make a small shoulder bag.<br /><br />Here are the two looms I successfully bought, sitting on top of the Spin Off article. The 4" wooden one is an older model than the plastic 2" loom.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSKxYxRan79aR_gHf819mXVkmMMwzPa9ItI9u3NcSYUMbUgloFvJivjCpShIHAuOzcmeWGnBPLnqXXdZ9dsA7qSRWN_GzHtRIpdI9iIMqUiU2K1sIF0o6N0MtzglgJqKZOQXFD2Q/s1600-h/DSC00440.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5111818788806735842" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSKxYxRan79aR_gHf819mXVkmMMwzPa9ItI9u3NcSYUMbUgloFvJivjCpShIHAuOzcmeWGnBPLnqXXdZ9dsA7qSRWN_GzHtRIpdI9iIMqUiU2K1sIF0o6N0MtzglgJqKZOQXFD2Q/s400/DSC00440.JPG" border="0" /> </a><p align="justify">There is a fabulous website - <a href="http://www.eloomanation.com/" target="window2"><strong>eloomanation.com</strong></a> - which allows you to download old pattern books for the Weave-it, including patterns for baby clothes, coats and suits, along with afghans and other household items. Check out the blog and links also, for some really advanced uses for the woven squares. </p><p align="justify">Here are my first squares made with Garnstudio's Vivaldi, a variegated 76% mohair, wool and polyamide mix yarn (rather hairy/itchy) which I bought on sale for £2 a ball at the <a href="http://www.interknitcafe.uk.com/interKNITcafe/Home.html" target="window2"><strong>InterKnit Cafe</strong></a> in Farnham on my recent visit.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgprqVUNCF4ZFBWnmocv4oceCLuE9KJkAPJ4lvWCKD3-R4UhCrzQXasMVZT3pqT9LAb407F7u0iVxpP2ZHA9y5yDUVDo3IGwR6ce3TuA-sC-ePklcEnTC9mKlIOmbypc0DTrUAeSg/s1600-h/DSC00444.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5111827013669107698" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgprqVUNCF4ZFBWnmocv4oceCLuE9KJkAPJ4lvWCKD3-R4UhCrzQXasMVZT3pqT9LAb407F7u0iVxpP2ZHA9y5yDUVDo3IGwR6ce3TuA-sC-ePklcEnTC9mKlIOmbypc0DTrUAeSg/s400/DSC00444.JPG" border="0" /></a></p><br /><br />I'm planning to make a throw, as large as the amount of yarn allows.<br /><br /><br />.</div>Fleecehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02858897731819202155noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28719147.post-59678359839030447212007-09-13T11:36:00.000+01:002007-09-14T11:46:13.728+01:00More Dyeing<div align="justify">On Saturday at my spinning group we had another dyeing day, this time using Indigo and Goldenrod.<br /><br />The Goldenrod was split into a dye bath of flowers, and a dye bath of leaves and stalks. The indigo was very strong at the first attempt, but then we got dipping and watched the green-to-blue colour-change happen as it hit the oxygen in the air.<br /><br /></div><div align="justify">Some folk did some over-dyeing on previous skeins that hadn't turned out as expected or liked, and they mostly got greens. Here are some drying outside on the fence:<br /><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwTs27SgSsqNmy_LX2LFUlE6pXqaoCTavwoUhk7EMnr29vqfossuamfzvC0IL2nNCiC7PJ4C26_3DYwiPBdX2d2bTS-g_P3gp6AOpqDGJhMNV6II61dOTIaM3jMZDeRpyrAY_KKg/s1600-h/DSC00423.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5109640281154365698" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwTs27SgSsqNmy_LX2LFUlE6pXqaoCTavwoUhk7EMnr29vqfossuamfzvC0IL2nNCiC7PJ4C26_3DYwiPBdX2d2bTS-g_P3gp6AOpqDGJhMNV6II61dOTIaM3jMZDeRpyrAY_KKg/s400/DSC00423.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbqi6iIAbdcEYBYuizN4je5QCIdNFDjCyuHKa_EwFsehN7AAIj8ZOK6puIueeTHrs5VBJ-bx1-HqTTYiFLlO_BaOF7tehR0XnYcbFRQ_8870oTpqmKiawcGOrzhxhfRpmLcKFK7Q/s1600-h/DSC00424.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5109641973371480370" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbqi6iIAbdcEYBYuizN4je5QCIdNFDjCyuHKa_EwFsehN7AAIj8ZOK6puIueeTHrs5VBJ-bx1-HqTTYiFLlO_BaOF7tehR0XnYcbFRQ_8870oTpqmKiawcGOrzhxhfRpmLcKFK7Q/s400/DSC00424.JPG" border="0" /> <p align="justify"></a>I dipped some spun merino and some tops into the Indigo, and added some laceweight shetland to each of the Goldenrod pots.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXoCzrpUTpBQ4l3Q_gmTzn1qZpVec2z5SK5nbVDBFddzEND3td0Wm9e_-G2_wzVTtl4l-aJQ03jz01jRE69k2fkgBZYHU9lr0gBFaEdX7jsOOzfsanwieBQF2fAYznPHSART0Wng/s1600-h/DSC00433.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5109995955986082146" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXoCzrpUTpBQ4l3Q_gmTzn1qZpVec2z5SK5nbVDBFddzEND3td0Wm9e_-G2_wzVTtl4l-aJQ03jz01jRE69k2fkgBZYHU9lr0gBFaEdX7jsOOzfsanwieBQF2fAYznPHSART0Wng/s400/DSC00433.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Sue A. from the group brought her husband along in the afternoon - weighed down by a sack of this season's fleeces. As they're moving house, she 'wasn't allowed' to keep them all, so we had a free fall all - 'ooohing' and 'aaahing' and having a good rummage. I chose a grey/brown cream-tipped fleece - of indeterminate breed - to the cries of 'NO WILLPOWER!!'. This will join the two white Poll Dorset shearling fleeces that I already have stashed at home (not to mention the Moorit Shetland in the loft!)</p><p>Something tells me I'm going to have to get to work on fleece prep this winter in a serious way. Where are those carders....................?<br /><br />.................................................................<br /><br />My knitting has slowed up a little recently, but this is probably because I have any number of projects on the go at once. I've recently started a very simple baby cardigan for a work colleague:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm_c_ljsWRuDPMGoPWojbKABRSoG_DaG8r9AIaVQp-dSByZV-sauexGSmyh8UijgV0T1tKRFYH0Pe_7UgBaLkgxZYvzrx-oZDFgy2wGelT_Ln8UvOQ6HvQTUejC2wywdKtc041gg/s1600-h/DSC00435.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5109995105582557506" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm_c_ljsWRuDPMGoPWojbKABRSoG_DaG8r9AIaVQp-dSByZV-sauexGSmyh8UijgV0T1tKRFYH0Pe_7UgBaLkgxZYvzrx-oZDFgy2wGelT_Ln8UvOQ6HvQTUejC2wywdKtc041gg/s400/DSC00435.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />and have made a hat from my own handspun mystery wool plied with a variegated silk cap:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu4ePEfthGimzxBeGzR1O0Z-9coF4ffvyAOcfUudS_uix1mZ4UZY0CRV1yfUolcINy0qRbBf7NEhTllCRNH8rpXrOdgl6oTIunfscEOW6Alk0QFLBSyKNL-mNDvT0SVlInpicrcw/s1600-h/DSC00436.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5109995556554123602" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu4ePEfthGimzxBeGzR1O0Z-9coF4ffvyAOcfUudS_uix1mZ4UZY0CRV1yfUolcINy0qRbBf7NEhTllCRNH8rpXrOdgl6oTIunfscEOW6Alk0QFLBSyKNL-mNDvT0SVlInpicrcw/s400/DSC00436.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />This looks a bit like a turquoise dumpling, but with the lack of anyone to model it - I had to stuff it with roving to get some sort of head shape.<br /><br />.................................................................<br /><br />I'm slowly getting my plans together for the <a href="http://www.twistedthread.com/knittingandstitchingshow/index.asp" target="window2"><strong>Knitting and Stitching Show</strong></a> at Alexandra Palace in October. I've bought my bargain basement coach ticket already, and have attempted to book a class and buy my show tickets, but the website is i-n-c-r-e-d-i-b-l-y s-l-o-w. I've got to the payment stage twice now and the whole thing has crashed. At this rate there'll be no courses left to book onto....</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>.</p>Fleecehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02858897731819202155noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28719147.post-91850319343937087182007-09-06T12:05:00.000+01:002007-09-06T13:29:09.685+01:00KidSilk KrazyYesterday I reached levels of palpable excitement as I read my bulletin from Knitting Daily.<br /><br />There was a review of a new book release from Interweave - <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.co.uk%2FFolk-Style-Mags-Kandis%2Fdp%2F1596680202%3Fie%3DUTF8%26s%3Dbooks%26qid%3D1189079633%26sr%3D8-1&amp;amp;tag=wwwfromfleece-21&linkCode=ur2&camp=1634&creative=6738" target="window2">Folk Style</a><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; BORDER-TOP: medium none; MARGIN: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none" height="1" alt="" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.co.uk/e/ir?t=wwwfromfleece-21&l=ur2&o=2" width="1" border="0" /> by Mags Kandis.<br /><br />In it, is a Modern Quilt Wrap, and joy of joys, it's knitted in Kidsilk Haze:<br /><br /><br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOJBtEG6wf5XxZp_tTh7VNtKEaRcGqjmkAw2U-_hZeLxLz5YHbAnrMQbrQ4zR6H-ctYM_6i03FpNva4KWBLTUE42FUKfUTQlPa4uW2nxi6L2-yvhwElzUXet-Gv0RHEUaVZwJXgA/s1600-h/untitled.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5107063206167367058" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOJBtEG6wf5XxZp_tTh7VNtKEaRcGqjmkAw2U-_hZeLxLz5YHbAnrMQbrQ4zR6H-ctYM_6i03FpNva4KWBLTUE42FUKfUTQlPa4uW2nxi6L2-yvhwElzUXet-Gv0RHEUaVZwJXgA/s400/untitled.bmp" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Regular readers might remember the Chantal stole by Kim Heargreaves that I crocheted for my Mum in June/July. </p><p>There was yarn over from that, but I didn't want to repeat the crochet, so this will be a perfect way to use up my odds and ends. Hurrah! I may have to increase the colours or substitute, cos some of my part-balls are very small.</p><p>I've pre-ordered the book from Waterstones, so should get it as soon as it emerges in UK bookshops.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />.</p>Fleecehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02858897731819202155noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28719147.post-25602866154203597492007-09-05T12:29:00.000+01:002007-09-05T18:40:45.697+01:00Jolly Japes and Jewellery<div align="justify">On Friday I played hooky from work and went to the mainland.<br /><br />First stop - Guildford. Straight to Pandora's in the High St. A great little shop with needlework, patchwork, knitting and craft supplies. Picked up a baby cardigan pattern and these lovely big buttons which had just come into the store:<br /><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9hk8lU1vhay_8Ql9s_EshAKOdf_yNnA_SZzN4KjHa6T0QCTOUoVOn1tsdveQ_A28V7iOTGxbTPP9b6mRFP8QMGW3W8rFbvv924c2YMd7OwRCFRKkPlqi_xORHMO-K7NIKt6TMtw/s1600-h/DSC00413.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5106691700086197586" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9hk8lU1vhay_8Ql9s_EshAKOdf_yNnA_SZzN4KjHa6T0QCTOUoVOn1tsdveQ_A28V7iOTGxbTPP9b6mRFP8QMGW3W8rFbvv924c2YMd7OwRCFRKkPlqi_xORHMO-K7NIKt6TMtw/s400/DSC00413.JPG" border="0" /> </a><p align="justify"><br /><br />I'm thinking they'd be great as a handbag closure or on a chunky knit with just one big button.<br /><br />I picked up a Traditional Knitted Guernsey book in Oxfam - in German! Thank god for <a href="http://www.the-blindman.com/babelfish.htm" target="window2"><strong>Babelfish</strong>!</a> It's weird looking at a book all about the history of knitting on the North East Coast of the UK and not being able to read a word of it.<br /><br />Off to <a href="http://www.fibrecrafts.com/" target="window2"><strong>Fibrecrafts</strong></a> for some much needed extra bobbins for my Ashford Trav. Also bought a little fibre in the way of some chambray shaded linen and 100g of bamboo. Bought a couple of skeins of Sari Silk to do a weaving Project that I have in mind - sparked by the latest issue of <a href="http://www.interweave.com/weave/handwoven_magazine/" target="window2"><strong>Handwoven</strong></a>. Not that I have any sort of proper loom or anything.<br /><br />Next stop was Farnham (major hold up in the roadworks) to visit the <a href="http://www.interknitcafe.uk.com/interKNITcafe/Home.html" target="window2"><strong>Interknit Cafe</strong></a>. Kareen has a fantastic yarn shop, a great atmosphere, and stacked full of unusual yarns, knitting notions, buttons and books. I picked up some bargain shaded Mohair yarn - again for a weaving project, and a few balls of damson-coloured soft merino mix for an autumn scarf.</p><p align="justify">While I was in the shop I was having a look at Kareen's yarn storage (pic here from her Blog when the shop was being fitted out).<br /><br /></p><p align="justify"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ9Ex4_QJkGhKIdeSs_A08ALdJ0ovvnCB-LoUW5hwlRqNu8nPZwEwRWE4M8sXUFzcbgpq0W3aw04QbHThlzKGclFpIl9YmU_FpUdKyo0m6riMFyoklUdo0wU8oIPNP54Twjth-gg/s1600-h/DSC_0043.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5106754569817476450" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ9Ex4_QJkGhKIdeSs_A08ALdJ0ovvnCB-LoUW5hwlRqNu8nPZwEwRWE4M8sXUFzcbgpq0W3aw04QbHThlzKGclFpIl9YmU_FpUdKyo0m6riMFyoklUdo0wU8oIPNP54Twjth-gg/s400/DSC_0043.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />My suspicions were correct - the units are from IKEA.<br /><br />I'd been toying with the idea of driving over to IKEA at Croydon to pick up a smaller version of one of these units, but was feeling tired. Seeing it in the flesh though, I was convinced enough to make the trip. I'm in dire need of storage for books and craft materials, and this looks just the job.<br /><br />The unit pictured is 5 x 5 sections. The one I went for is 4 x 4 sections. Not only wouldn't the larger one fit in the car, but I wouldn't have been able to lift the boxes on my own.<br /><br />A nice man came to the rescue while I was heaving the second of the packs onto the trolley in store, but I had to wrestle it in and out of the car on my own. Let's just say I won't be doing THAT again in a hurry!<br /><br />Now I need to make enough space at home to lay it all out and build it. </p><p align="justify">Where's a big strong husband when you need one. Any spare? Send them my way!<br /><br />...................................<br /><br />On Sunday I was demonstrating spinning with other members of the Guild at <a href="http://www.redfunnel.co.uk/redfunnel/travel/html/fares/wolverton.php" target="window2"><strong>Woolverton Manor Fair</strong></a>. We didn't see as much of the Tudor re-enactment people this year and I missed seeing the dancing in the Great Hall yet again. I was a bit disgruntled with my spinning fibre (Ryeland), but still managed to get a bobbin filled on the Sonata. It's an incredibly springy wool, not something I'm very used to.<br /><br />We chatted to a lot of different people who's family members had worked in the weaving industry in the North of England. It's really interesting what you find out at the shows we attend.<br /><br />I had a mini Reflexology session, and my sinuses are much improved since.<br /><br />.....................................<br /><br />Tuesday I played truant from work again (flexi days are <em>the</em> best) and had a wonderful day at a Guild colleague's cottage where we took a course in Beaded Jewellery.<br /><br />The cottage used to belong to Lord Tennyson's Estate Manager in Victorian times, and allegedly, Tennyson used to sit on the doorstep and discuss what needed doing around the Estate.<br /><br />Standing in the footsteps of the author of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Lady_of_Shalott" target="window2"><strong>Lady of Shalott</strong>?</a> Incredible. I used to swoon over pre-Raphaelite images inspired by this poem when I was at Art College.<br /><br />Here is my finished project from the day - a bracelet with a beaded loop and lobster-claw closure. Fire polished faceted beads and size 11/0 seed beads.<br /><br /></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0T6QnRYH3o1pRAhZqHYGBhHtN4503kVavQrgA-7ZGiOCEYN4YlWX_IcQ9wcOBrPoMSfjJLHzECcB6dUomLtsn5XluawgUeF-vllwvVKyMn0zP1NB4gXzvzVFW8md2Z3E9OSuKyw/s1600-h/DSC00420.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5106759517619801458" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0T6QnRYH3o1pRAhZqHYGBhHtN4503kVavQrgA-7ZGiOCEYN4YlWX_IcQ9wcOBrPoMSfjJLHzECcB6dUomLtsn5XluawgUeF-vllwvVKyMn0zP1NB4gXzvzVFW8md2Z3E9OSuKyw/s400/DSC00420.JPG" border="0" /> <p align="justify"></a><br /><br />I also started a spiral bracelet and have the beads for another. We were warned. It can be very addictive.<br /><br />It was a glorious day. Sitting in the garden at lunchtime eating home grown cherry tomatoes, herb bread, profiteroles and lemon drizzle cake; and spending a whole day on a new creative pursuit. Absolute heaven.<br /><br /><br /><br />.</p>Fleecehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02858897731819202155noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28719147.post-32413692604050614792007-08-29T11:28:00.000+01:002007-08-29T16:09:37.568+01:00Checkerboard?<div align="justify">Been working on both knitting and spinning over the Bank Holiday.<br /><br />This is the latest from the Freedom Spirit book - the Kimono Jacket. At some point in the armhole decrease, the pattern changed and put some weird L-shaped pieces of block colour in - instead of the alternating strips of colour. I thought this incredibly weird and ignored it and kept with the pattern as set. Now I'm wondering if it looks far too checkerboard ????<br /><br />There is an I-cord in the red-orange which goes across the back at shoulder-blade level to divide it up a bit, but I'm wondering if frogging is in order.<br /><br />What do you think?<br /><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv_7yjqMBuNAU5VAdYyU6MgM0vPLJuBmoCEjWzNDSD_2ola9SsXTztPLPwF0UX9fDgJFtHWOz9zqKav-tFeAYrhBy0rO8mFDFIx7jGWyfqy4UN6HCq5ysbO1VUHmkFQRxsaXU9fQ/s1600-h/DSC00404.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5104076726427897122" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv_7yjqMBuNAU5VAdYyU6MgM0vPLJuBmoCEjWzNDSD_2ola9SsXTztPLPwF0UX9fDgJFtHWOz9zqKav-tFeAYrhBy0rO8mFDFIx7jGWyfqy4UN6HCq5ysbO1VUHmkFQRxsaXU9fQ/s400/DSC00404.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Elsewhere............ on the Sonata, I've continued to spin up the Corriedale. I now have about 300g spun up in what looks like varying weights!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB8907IgULu0xRIcleib8okXGc37ZobcpeuDVo1ZInmtikngxTB5zl1eiTUJ-zNLp02LyR4jwdwcMbhpW8zIrdkRiwpVMHDAcuMCvjHCikjn7TGDuXXGc2zjJr8DMAHhHUTcGc8Q/s1600-h/DSC00402.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5104079208918994226" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB8907IgULu0xRIcleib8okXGc37ZobcpeuDVo1ZInmtikngxTB5zl1eiTUJ-zNLp02LyR4jwdwcMbhpW8zIrdkRiwpVMHDAcuMCvjHCikjn7TGDuXXGc2zjJr8DMAHhHUTcGc8Q/s400/DSC00402.JPG" border="0" /> <p align="justify"></a><br /><br />This is all due to me getting tired at Chale Show - I tend to get sloppy in my drafting. Hey-ho. It all adds to the texture and look of handspun. When I was very new at spinning, I was sometimes criticised for mimicking commercially prepared yarn. Is it a bad thing?<br /><br />.................................<br /><br />On Saturday I began another public transport odyssey by bus to see how far I can get away from Portsmouth on a Day Rover Ticket (usually £6.50). After stopping off in Chichester, I got too tired to go further than Midhurst in West Sussex.<br /><br />So far I've reached:<br /><br />Brighton to the East (50 miles)<br />Guildford to the North East (50 miles)<br />Bath to the North West (80 miles!!)<br /><br />OK, I spend a LOT of time on a bus, but it gets me out and about for very little outlay, and I get to read a lot of novels.<br /><br />How about having this great building for your local library? The people of Midhurst do.<br /><br /></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ6hWbnusUYGqr_W9fThPzErFBq93a8uQniYp56dnePfQSUSpOJ_mmpjyzcPlzjWWPb-FOScoetGgdYXzRWV_76fpeIPTsrlpAlFdXRpLu40DgVvOGtIv9WqZc3XWskkIKS0qHDQ/s1600-h/DSC00401.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5104134794385739074" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ6hWbnusUYGqr_W9fThPzErFBq93a8uQniYp56dnePfQSUSpOJ_mmpjyzcPlzjWWPb-FOScoetGgdYXzRWV_76fpeIPTsrlpAlFdXRpLu40DgVvOGtIv9WqZc3XWskkIKS0qHDQ/s400/DSC00401.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Midhurst is the sort of place where people drive cars which cost more than my house - and men wander around in chinos, navy blazers and straw panama hats.<br /><br />There was one wool shop, but it was closed for the Bank Holiday......typical.<br /><br />My only craft related purchase of the day was some baby wool to make a cardigan for an expectant colleague's new baby when he/she arrives at the end of September. I haven't done any baby knitting since the 90's when all my friends were having kids, so I'll have to get back into the swing of tiny garments. </p><p>I also bought some mega-cheap audio books on tape from a charity chop after reading on CRAFTSTER that some people like to listen while they spin.<br /><br /><br />.<br /></p>Fleecehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02858897731819202155noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28719147.post-45331275029551579372007-08-22T08:18:00.000+01:002007-08-22T10:45:40.048+01:00Christmas<div align="justify">Here are my skeins from Monday, still a little damp, and still in need of a proper soapy wash and condition before they're ready for use. On their second plain water rinse, the colour was leeching out of some of them like mad. The beige skein is nearly back to its original creamy white. Not sure which dye bath that was in - perhaps walnut?<br /><br />I made up small skeins of very fine Shetland and some double-knit weight Merino.<br /><br />No plans for the merino exactly, but I did seem to get a variety of milk chocolate shades which might be nice to knit or crochet up 'something' small in future.<br /><br /><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwrkAdegF65I3sAMm8sutrm680AnyJ10Vc1U5igP5umgYYKzzVWDYsJ8E9h1xmVbx4qD8shhoJCrrSpP4iWfeCXnqr1RuY9hEAHDDNrw9cyUDIkNSFJ1GYtLPJCP_T3cFZdC2kfQ/s1600-h/DSC00398.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5101424382259154162" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwrkAdegF65I3sAMm8sutrm680AnyJ10Vc1U5igP5umgYYKzzVWDYsJ8E9h1xmVbx4qD8shhoJCrrSpP4iWfeCXnqr1RuY9hEAHDDNrw9cyUDIkNSFJ1GYtLPJCP_T3cFZdC2kfQ/s400/DSC00398.JPG" border="0" /> <p align="justify"></a><br /><br />I'm especially liking the two shades of purple at the top of the pic (logwood and huckleberries) which I'm hoping will be enough to do some coloured bands in some natural cream Shetland in a lacy scarf. </p><p align="justify">The bright yellow skein at the bottom is annatto - this is most commonly used as a food colouring in margarine and the like.<br /><br />...........................<br /><br />My Scallop Edged Jacket is still progressing slowly. The sleeves are at half length now. Progress is slow because I'm only knitting in my half-hour lunch break. Plus I have so many other things on the needles and on the bobbins!<br /><br />I've already started another garment in the Twilleys Freedom Spirit. I wish I was less <s>scatterbrained</s> <s>unfocused</s> fickle when it comes to projects.<br /><br /></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3B525tutvdvPhZZyRQgxrXX2jbQxILCUdfcFaUKyIvYK8U79eB427CAedri7i4Ki2lzuSKLmYQcKYFFypQm_xjF6quSWhm3_Plc0oqLeIfo8vo2pWCayhJyB5pGiOLN8SOWzOvw/s1600-h/twilleys%20010%20small.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5101449357493980434" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3B525tutvdvPhZZyRQgxrXX2jbQxILCUdfcFaUKyIvYK8U79eB427CAedri7i4Ki2lzuSKLmYQcKYFFypQm_xjF6quSWhm3_Plc0oqLeIfo8vo2pWCayhJyB5pGiOLN8SOWzOvw/s400/twilleys%2520010%2520small.jpg" border="0" /> <p align="justify"></a><br /><br />The jacket is knitted in shades 502 (Fire) and 506 (Air). This is a project for sitting down at home with the yarn around me. Rather than cut random lengths of yarn to make the blocks, I'm just knitting up from the balls. </p><p align="justify">This means on the back section currently, having 11 balls of wool tangled up around me. Not the easiest of methods, but I don't want to run out of yarn because I've made too many bad judgements on guessing how much yarn to cut off for each section. Plus I'm hoping it will be less to darn in at the end! </p><p align="justify">So far it's looking good, and the fabric is nice and firm. I have no idea when all of these Projects are going to cease being WIPs and turn into FOs. Everything I put into my blog sidebar has stalled right were it was at that time. Progress = 0%!!!! </p><p align="justify">.................................................................</p><p align="justify">My trip to Dorchester on Saturday was wet and windy and I came home drenched to the skin after battling through the horizontal rain in summer clothes with an inadequate girly umbrella. The ferry was lurching from side to side - in over 20 years, I've never known the car ferry to pitch in such a way. The Commander came over the PA and said it was a combination of wind against the tide. Quite exhilarating for those who like that sort of thing.</p><p align="justify">My haul from Frank Herring was very modest. I bought a small foam pad for needle felting, and a few spares for my Ashford to have in just in case. Also, some more of the white Corriedale tops to spin up, and a little bleached linen. Our Guild challenge this Christmas is to produce an item not made from wool. I thought I might have a go with some other fibres and actually take part this year.</p><p align="justify">..................................................</p><p align="justify">I know I've mentioned the dreaded 'C' word in August, but really I should be turning my thoughts to making gifts. Certainly the weather at the moment has prompted longings for winter casseroles, mashed potato, and an extra quilt on the bed. I'm stoically still dressing for summer, but my sandalled feet are begging for socks and boots......</p><p align="justify">Last year I had loads of plans to make presents which were all abandoned due to lack of time. I still have the pre-felt I made for my sister's felted bag. So at least I have made a start there!<br /></p>Fleecehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02858897731819202155noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28719147.post-87227422776548969622007-08-21T11:28:00.000+01:002007-08-21T15:56:08.074+01:00I survived..........<div align="justify">Contrary to startled reactions at work when I said I was 'dyeing' on Monday - I'm still in the land of the living.<br /><br />The weather was incredibly kind, despite the unpredictable cloud movement, and we had a dry day right up until we had all packed up to leave.<br /><br />Coffee was drunk, cake was devoured, and we all had a marvellous time. I was treadling my legs off trying to finish the merino I started to make skeins for dyeing, as I really want to get back to the mammoth Corriedale production as soon as poss. I really need to invest in another couple of bobbins for my Sonata.<br /><br />Here are the pics, starting with a good selection of spinning wheels:<br /><br /><br /></div><p align="justify"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhgMMX3LKF52KyzSnbrZcjn8MX1S_wYfwBkHJstUNiCCXSMtzmE6K0QUHLNBaimMYLPDf_XqOjJUmEc4evkPuRyDzRxe-Ix8oox3tq5hsFQX2syY_3nvSV8zzjecxmGItHB7mi5w/s1600-h/DSC00393.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5101105163109846146" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhgMMX3LKF52KyzSnbrZcjn8MX1S_wYfwBkHJstUNiCCXSMtzmE6K0QUHLNBaimMYLPDf_XqOjJUmEc4evkPuRyDzRxe-Ix8oox3tq5hsFQX2syY_3nvSV8zzjecxmGItHB7mi5w/s400/DSC00393.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkAdfB1aiyQL3o4IqTnJQJzHrBTaaGqvfxrbASpiiNwJ3rXpa3DtchFKvrYuJxB6tIWbI49LeBqszPGZuqqG974Esvh72YKX1qjdI4X7ogjvhBCIMpF96HTmq9bUQoG92pucEd9g/s1600-h/DSC00392.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5101129373840493714" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkAdfB1aiyQL3o4IqTnJQJzHrBTaaGqvfxrbASpiiNwJ3rXpa3DtchFKvrYuJxB6tIWbI49LeBqszPGZuqqG974Esvh72YKX1qjdI4X7ogjvhBCIMpF96HTmq9bUQoG92pucEd9g/s400/DSC00392.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD_JmjKT24i22V_CSUULuXJ20HdRkzsLmTnJ8IH4UkPY1D89DaJCQmtkZM5lm0FFEx-qelEWMBbN0ocgQdv-z7jF2tcAd9q_3uQLy-bGClUKqwwdQueFqQRJMoevQhOInAAwYBeQ/s1600-h/DSC00395.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5101133003087858850" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD_JmjKT24i22V_CSUULuXJ20HdRkzsLmTnJ8IH4UkPY1D89DaJCQmtkZM5lm0FFEx-qelEWMBbN0ocgQdv-z7jF2tcAd9q_3uQLy-bGClUKqwwdQueFqQRJMoevQhOInAAwYBeQ/s400/DSC00395.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL9SYSjy2S4r5rtGgkMst0-oHMdGGEUQRd0FvJqngBFBl65i3t-FMmnS1YQNc8Lf2Bp37zO1i87FaPx6y3gLfFa6z5gPpRHJangzWZXj14APIp3cjamOxlTjI7Cb6rUJSM04efsg/s1600-h/DSC00396.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5101144775593217234" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL9SYSjy2S4r5rtGgkMst0-oHMdGGEUQRd0FvJqngBFBl65i3t-FMmnS1YQNc8Lf2Bp37zO1i87FaPx6y3gLfFa6z5gPpRHJangzWZXj14APIp3cjamOxlTjI7Cb6rUJSM04efsg/s400/DSC00396.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2_lGIaLcJOHJZhnc4SS6R0skKa-oGgaGXwbAoCxmKIWprsAuy5T1bM__tkS2b7Ujvh-0aSY-cr3rpvNXPMz9tRLccnZzPT-GbzRUfalorWQiizSE9BzfewT-TBkpjgOmJ1koK4Q/s1600-h/DSC00397.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5101145200794979554" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2_lGIaLcJOHJZhnc4SS6R0skKa-oGgaGXwbAoCxmKIWprsAuy5T1bM__tkS2b7Ujvh-0aSY-cr3rpvNXPMz9tRLccnZzPT-GbzRUfalorWQiizSE9BzfewT-TBkpjgOmJ1koK4Q/s400/DSC00397.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />This year we didn't seem to have as much variety in the colours we yeilded. From what I can remember we used the following dyestuffs:<br /><br />Logwood<br />Brazilwood<br />Mugure<br />Walnut<br />Goldenrod<br />Annetto<br />Oregano<br />Huckleberries<br />Fustic<br />Griselinia<br /><br />There were a lot of brown shades. More pics to follow when my skeins have dried. Some of the colours came out very patchy which is a bit annoying after all those hours spent spinning the yarn.<br /><br /><br />........................................<br /></p><p align="justify"><br />The vendor list for <strong><a href="http://fibrefest.co.uk/" target="window2">FIBREFEST</a></strong> is now up on their website. I'm wavering a bit now about travelling down to Devon for it, as there doesn't seem to be much on offer to tempt the spinner. There are a lot of yarn producers and crafts people, but there doesn't seem to be much in the way of 'raw materials'.</p><p align="justify">Perhaps I'm just suffering from an attack of gloom as the weather here resembles a day in March, and is cold enough to boot. Brrrrrrr and Bah! </p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />.Fleecehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02858897731819202155noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28719147.post-46076877526970443432007-08-17T12:32:00.000+01:002007-08-17T13:50:20.118+01:00Latest ReadMy latest acquisition - courtesy of an Amazon voucher:<br /><br /><br /><p align="justify"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4-VDVVpjJ-Hwhls7wIJwz7uosaMy3epBAwR7F2c6emSOY3SIX5EjAYYl0wxQuzqrFTyGxIe4DgYF1NRpRCSJYqfbAVeW9OdN4TDaqohrHz4M9K5MUkOyB7le1LgOrj2UW6L1x4Q/s1600-h/DSC00389.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5099631323607387250" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4-VDVVpjJ-Hwhls7wIJwz7uosaMy3epBAwR7F2c6emSOY3SIX5EjAYYl0wxQuzqrFTyGxIe4DgYF1NRpRCSJYqfbAVeW9OdN4TDaqohrHz4M9K5MUkOyB7le1LgOrj2UW6L1x4Q/s400/DSC00389.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Weaving is a whole new ball game and one I haven't even begun to get involved with as yet.<br /><br />We are lucky enough to have a workshop later on this year with <a href="http://web.onetel.net.uk/~mweatherhead/" target="window2"><strong>Martin Weatherhead</strong></a> at the Guild. I've only got a 'toy' loom at the moment, but I hope I can learn the principles.<br /><br />The projects in this book are varied, but a few of them look achievable as a beginner. </p><p align="justify">I'll have my nose stuck in this over the weekend to work out the sorts of yarn I'll need to spin up for the job.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>.<br /></p>Fleecehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02858897731819202155noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28719147.post-88489783519549681302007-08-15T08:24:00.000+01:002007-08-15T17:31:42.491+01:00Cream of the Crop<div align="justify">My spinning activity continues unabated. I've really got the bug at the moment.<br /><br />Indigo dyeing was deferred on Saturday as the group was somewhat depleted by folk being off on holiday. Instead we had the usual good natter and a laugh and got a whole lot of spinning done.<br /><br />I picked up a lonely Ashford Jumbo bobbin that was for sale on the Bring and Buy table. You can never have enough bobbins, that's what I say! It's always the way - you finish spinning two bobbins full and find you don't have an empty one to ply onto.<br /><br />I was pondering recently about all white fleece being equal - colourwise - and I certainly thought so as my experience of prepared fleece has been Merino, Blue-Faced Leicester, Shetland and Corriedale. When I was spinning with Jane at Chale, she remarked on the honey colour of the Wensleydale, and at the time I couldn't see much to shout about.<br /><br />Here are the two skeins of Corriedale I plied up last night next to the Wensleydale. The difference in colour of the Wensleydale really looks apparent next to the creamy whiteness of the other skeins. It would definitely be a shame to dye over it despite it being a bit scratchy.<br /><br />Now I'm wondering if the colour contrast in my eyes is on the blink, or whether I'd just got tent-blind at the time - sitting in a marquee all day being invaded by the smell of garlic and cheese. (Don't ask me why we were demonstrating spinning in the food tent!)<br /><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB_vpW8Dnxrym492AdZaX64RRiMwgOf69fMpf0SPK78-5lVoEvY9SiZkIWq2YV1XRuCARceZ3oLaIvV1cuw76XXELXYzzwv7WJaBm8T3xY4iWEfZ_kFibTzhRThHkOhs4es3hg3A/s1600-h/DSC00386.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5098832897583393810" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB_vpW8Dnxrym492AdZaX64RRiMwgOf69fMpf0SPK78-5lVoEvY9SiZkIWq2YV1XRuCARceZ3oLaIvV1cuw76XXELXYzzwv7WJaBm8T3xY4iWEfZ_kFibTzhRThHkOhs4es3hg3A/s400/DSC00386.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Next on the production line is the moorit Shetland in fine laceweight, seen here in a very out of focus shot!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo8zzrZdrCgs4CymoUypR1kfCjiYrs2NIp2NRVaZ7I-51WruoaIxEt68lF6XhQxSZEd7ODLCp2szpAan9BaJT95h4p4wbH3HJSOakVS_QMRrRhuBJfar4udxO-A2ele7AZZUeemQ/s1600-h/DSC00384.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5098838708674145314" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo8zzrZdrCgs4CymoUypR1kfCjiYrs2NIp2NRVaZ7I-51WruoaIxEt68lF6XhQxSZEd7ODLCp2szpAan9BaJT95h4p4wbH3HJSOakVS_QMRrRhuBJfar4udxO-A2ele7AZZUeemQ/s400/DSC00384.JPG" border="0" /> <p align="justify"></a></p><p align="justify"><br /><br />As I've been spinning for just over a year, I'm still getting a feel for all of the different fibre out there and trying to spin up as much as I can get my hands on to determine which qualities suit which application - ie knitting to be worn close to the skin - suitable for lace - hardwearing for a coat - easy to felt - resistant to pilling etc etc.<br /><br />Next in line for the spinning experience is some Ryeland. While browsing, I read on an eBay auction recently that this fleece does not felt, which would be a good quality for a garment to have.<br /><br />Jacky got talking to a chap at Chale Show who in previous years has shorn his Ryeland flock and <strong><em>burned</em></strong> the fleece!!!! Yikes...... I will be giving him a call tonight in an attempt to liberate this year's fleeces as I'm sure some of the newbie spinners like me would love to get their hands on some free fibre to practice with.<br /><br />I've become really lazy already and have mostly gone for the easy option of spinning ready prepared tops. I need to get myself into a proper routine to wash and prepare my own fleece, as there is usually plenty around on the Island to be had. Some of it is from smallholders who have 'pet' sheep of indeterminate mixed breed, but this is still good to help perfect technique, and use for natural dyeing experiments.<br /><br />...............................................................<br /><br />On the knitting side, I'm still beavering away in my lunch break on the Freedom Spirit jacket. Slowly working my way up the sleeves.<br /><br />................................................................<br /><br />This Saturday I'm planning a trip to Dorchester to <a href="http://www.frankherringandsons.com/"><strong>Frank Herring & Son</strong></a> on the train.<br /><br />I usually have a wander around and look at all of the looms and other equipment I'd like to be able to afford (and house!). Usually I console myself with a restrained purchase of fibre and dyestuff.<br /><br />It's a really good store for all sorts of arts and crafts - choc-a-block with materials and specialist books. Highly recommended if you're in Dorset anytime.<br /><br /><br />. </p>Fleecehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02858897731819202155noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28719147.post-72293776129021159912007-08-10T09:43:00.000+01:002007-08-13T10:56:13.062+01:00A Walk through CowesA slightly busier view of the Cowes Week Regatta.<br /><br />Join me for an evening wander up the High Street.<br /><br />The barbecue outside the Pier View:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPNq88mbtwo1QWOYUXOrVKvzfZ-TO1aqVRhP566VbANHPKHLlcwlUHy7H0au2OE4uAHHthmPkQoBLVz1bupycerTRZumCrv-_tEjTIi07bnU6vo6q6VsVNXFuAEnVQ-km-E-cjQQ/s1600-h/DSC00366.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5096990854829615938" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPNq88mbtwo1QWOYUXOrVKvzfZ-TO1aqVRhP566VbANHPKHLlcwlUHy7H0au2OE4uAHHthmPkQoBLVz1bupycerTRZumCrv-_tEjTIi07bnU6vo6q6VsVNXFuAEnVQ-km-E-cjQQ/s400/DSC00366.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />On The Parade:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHbPyj6crdv4G5H6rb-nOFkMgv6-SnnX7EbSfqB7hmFubS_QoJAyZAWpzhAIcB3LLUIS7_9RDRAQgEp0c4VCHiwesPVAnzhMjXPqt0oGrDALT8o1bIsMo5nrTR_rFuKWXryOnYqA/s1600-h/DSC00370.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5097012200817077074" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHbPyj6crdv4G5H6rb-nOFkMgv6-SnnX7EbSfqB7hmFubS_QoJAyZAWpzhAIcB3LLUIS7_9RDRAQgEp0c4VCHiwesPVAnzhMjXPqt0oGrDALT8o1bIsMo5nrTR_rFuKWXryOnYqA/s400/DSC00370.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzgLw0vRZge5vP62zQZMSoYMJLhhMwl7xEsprvEFRYr7xOkfdSza5OfVdOIrdKSDE0JaQQhvF5FtnLmfxzfwcM-JzHcrelS6i03Ax5kN__CNHsYNHIZk7_A1fJhU-UdmTEN8172A/s1600-h/DSC00371.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5097012415565441890" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzgLw0vRZge5vP62zQZMSoYMJLhhMwl7xEsprvEFRYr7xOkfdSza5OfVdOIrdKSDE0JaQQhvF5FtnLmfxzfwcM-JzHcrelS6i03Ax5kN__CNHsYNHIZk7_A1fJhU-UdmTEN8172A/s400/DSC00371.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY9lHJygiUn8j837HTG8_3glpH74ohNeq-tZA67aBYtOsXy-URYDbS2dNzFCV1xuwciNIF3waGIuscQxW0XGDoCwT6Mjh9-rT6ilvkQDWNj8Ik_Zn7ttB8pqkRL2GeG8A0aSpCsw/s1600-h/DSC00367.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY9lHJygiUn8j837HTG8_3glpH74ohNeq-tZA67aBYtOsXy-URYDbS2dNzFCV1xuwciNIF3waGIuscQxW0XGDoCwT6Mjh9-rT6ilvkQDWNj8Ik_Zn7ttB8pqkRL2GeG8A0aSpCsw/s400/DSC00367.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5097015211589151602" /></a><br /><br />The gleaming cannon at the Royal Yacht Squadron:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzFjhRQ3jarZiP0ZQKl_qOhJpKvbdXvS4Q4jConqf5-AwvYakRvxBhQFawkh3q6HpqOdS60vslUFzBUSyNzBJCk1MXyFXCpPphIholpKmhlArkACCZgGvdFgDasObVLx2LY3Jpgg/s1600-h/DSC00372.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzFjhRQ3jarZiP0ZQKl_qOhJpKvbdXvS4Q4jConqf5-AwvYakRvxBhQFawkh3q6HpqOdS60vslUFzBUSyNzBJCk1MXyFXCpPphIholpKmhlArkACCZgGvdFgDasObVLx2LY3Jpgg/s400/DSC00372.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5097016951050906498" /></a><br /><br />At the Yacht Haven. You can just spot the iconic Union Jack doors of the old British Hovercraft Building through the penants. This is now the business home of pioneering yachtswoman Dame Ellen MacArthur:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ8iiBxYHwMXEtPvXDD16FrfiBTXRJKTG7w6mghfEwWyDAab5cL9-3REYVhjb6mZFUaYeupu9lFlXSQFlon54hLW8XY4ImPPlLl7sZXYed1IVe23LM6ebuZ2VVuUuAAuit_FrlKQ/s1600-h/DSC00373.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ8iiBxYHwMXEtPvXDD16FrfiBTXRJKTG7w6mghfEwWyDAab5cL9-3REYVhjb6mZFUaYeupu9lFlXSQFlon54hLW8XY4ImPPlLl7sZXYed1IVe23LM6ebuZ2VVuUuAAuit_FrlKQ/s400/DSC00373.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5097017706965150610" /></a><br /><br />The evening's featured band on the Marina:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx925DSg-bz_kVOj6fMb1yjBChMs_93LKcRGwb_gONqQSawRMX3ZDa9CcCtoeMH1ciYOowdLvkxMh97NtgoWWV0p_IchYBJlzwqcKbwja6jq0duGyBLqvE0qt9Qy3oU2OZJDcCjg/s1600-h/DSC00375.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx925DSg-bz_kVOj6fMb1yjBChMs_93LKcRGwb_gONqQSawRMX3ZDa9CcCtoeMH1ciYOowdLvkxMh97NtgoWWV0p_IchYBJlzwqcKbwja6jq0duGyBLqvE0qt9Qy3oU2OZJDcCjg/s400/DSC00375.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5097023612545182626" /></a><br /><br />More High Street:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqhDcIJXBeTl2AJvQKylzsV4_ZLswgHTPsMN6UASdWBq8uFY3zhmJF_4-w1ODumFy2xC3EQPzVh8n6nWpxTwUj_Y41cFAfcWfowlIqWiddq1T4kvI6T3MzYZDn-HKqWaIdIlTFPQ/s1600-h/DSC00377.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqhDcIJXBeTl2AJvQKylzsV4_ZLswgHTPsMN6UASdWBq8uFY3zhmJF_4-w1ODumFy2xC3EQPzVh8n6nWpxTwUj_Y41cFAfcWfowlIqWiddq1T4kvI6T3MzYZDn-HKqWaIdIlTFPQ/s400/DSC00377.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5097024505898380226" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDXgUe1-bZnc29njlw7lZvceplaL_J1flknFRqVCG94uR_niqJgwBBZK5MwTJWe3YKAHc3KznjWvL8ue0f2BgNf-HpD61XQO-mhtOKyjglwd8fiI68JCLa9cGZLWbkr35VH3qYrg/s1600-h/DSC00379.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDXgUe1-bZnc29njlw7lZvceplaL_J1flknFRqVCG94uR_niqJgwBBZK5MwTJWe3YKAHc3KznjWvL8ue0f2BgNf-HpD61XQO-mhtOKyjglwd8fiI68JCLa9cGZLWbkr35VH3qYrg/s400/DSC00379.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5097024707761843154" /></a><br /><br />'Ello, 'ello, 'ello.......<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2azI-wwAZxrfp1XUkJ3fwfMQXxC4nvzpum_hq3eprMD0OV421wMbsCfqfH5tds3FpQE8iJk8P594gdCtInjyKSQaM98CCnv1gd9wHmjezkQfNqWEvmZo8st5uQNBEyptbr5Y-WQ/s1600-h/DSC00378.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2azI-wwAZxrfp1XUkJ3fwfMQXxC4nvzpum_hq3eprMD0OV421wMbsCfqfH5tds3FpQE8iJk8P594gdCtInjyKSQaM98CCnv1gd9wHmjezkQfNqWEvmZo8st5uQNBEyptbr5Y-WQ/s400/DSC00378.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5097024879560535010" /></a><br /><br />Waiting for the Floating Bridge to cross the river Medina:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvdeVQku512eSeYhALYoRV7UNRCz7Y_AR8h73oIVJeNtpxmbR1TfOTjI9FqX-_8k342OCcGhyphenhyphenoOvPjVBBpy3gJ82VQKdvmbj14_lJxi-Ia_Fqafv1Rj3a_ZFI9-0DSZpLsucKedA/s1600-h/DSC00380.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvdeVQku512eSeYhALYoRV7UNRCz7Y_AR8h73oIVJeNtpxmbR1TfOTjI9FqX-_8k342OCcGhyphenhyphenoOvPjVBBpy3gJ82VQKdvmbj14_lJxi-Ia_Fqafv1Rj3a_ZFI9-0DSZpLsucKedA/s400/DSC00380.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5097026000546999282" /></a><br /><br />The hoards disembark for a night amongst the revellers:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf-ybo4RRtI4gT2559HpXyLPM2cN17XoqMs7V_NBYdvYWgaNMF1F8DX9FiRyhjU3QByDSm41ZcJBQY1oBgGQS5CDEGCPcbv2nSz06zqt2iSBsUjup36393hDc_bBAISlJQ3-XdUw/s1600-h/DSC00382.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf-ybo4RRtI4gT2559HpXyLPM2cN17XoqMs7V_NBYdvYWgaNMF1F8DX9FiRyhjU3QByDSm41ZcJBQY1oBgGQS5CDEGCPcbv2nSz06zqt2iSBsUjup36393hDc_bBAISlJQ3-XdUw/s400/DSC00382.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5097026528827976706" /></a><br /><br />.............................<br /><br />The County Show appearance is definitely off, so I will be indigo dyeing at my spinning group tomorrow. Results here next week!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />.Fleecehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02858897731819202155noreply@blogger.com0