Yarn Gathering went really well on Sunday. We had plenty of visitors despite the rain, and everyone commented on what a good range of vendors we had. It was a shame that one of our number (Tecstiliau) was unable to make it on the day, but hopefully they will be able to join us next year!
I’m really only properly tidying up the study after Yarn Gathering today, as yesterday was a trip down to the midlands to visit Mum. Fortunately my car is sturdy enough that we didn’t feel too much buffetting from the wind! Part of the tidy up process after a show involves analysis of sales, what went well and what stayed on the shelves – and then a look ahead to what needs printing for the next show!
One of the more popular patterns on Sunday was Fiery Dragon Skin Cowl. It’s a design that gives you a lot back for what you have to do and that makes it ideal for newer knitters who want to try a new skill, like slipping stitches with the yarn at the front or trying the ‘knit 1 under’ stitch where you put the right needle underneath the strands of yarn to create the wonderful textured effect of the fabric.
I had an email from Anthony last week, who had previously shared his gorgeous multicoloured Fiery Dragon Skin Cowl with me, and had allowed me to share it with you, with an update on the cowl. He had entered it at his local show the day he emailed – and came away with first prize for the knitted or crocheted item class! How fantastic is that? He also told me that his mother, who taught him to knit, had entered the jumper she knitted for him (which he is wearing in the picture below) the previous year in the same show, and she won second prize! A talented family. Anthony’s mother no longer knits so it is now up to him to maintain the family tradition. I think they both deserve a resounding hurrah! Many thanks to Anthony for sharing this wonderful news and for allowing me to share it with you all.
If you have any exciting news of items you have knitted from my designs please do share it – even if the exciting news is simply that it’s finished! You don’t have to have won a prize – I’d love to hear about your knitting progress.
Some news of my own: I’ve decided to mostly wind down my kits. I’ve got about a dozen left at the moment. I will continue to keep a few pride flag kits in stock as they are great little gifts and ideal for beginners and maybe some Bryn or Twisted kits, but for the most part, I am aiming to focus on just patterns. Yarn shows have plenty of yarn options for folk to buy once they’ve chosen a pattern from me and I always think choosing your own colours is a large part of the fun! This will simplify things quite a lot in terms of packing the car (and be a lot lighter too) and it will mean less space is taken up in the house with storing the kits, tins and yarn. Also, many of the shows I apply to are in a ‘pattern only’ capacity, so it will mean that what you see from me at different shows is more consistent. I will bring the kits I’m not going to continue with to shows until they are sold and you may even see a few ‘last chance’ offers on some! If you’re coming to Yarndale, keep an eye out for a bargain!
Speaking of Yarndale, there are still 5 spaces on my moebius workshop. So if you’d like to learn this amazing mind-bending cast-on technique (which is a lot easier to do than you might think!) have a look at the Yarndale website and maybe book yourself a spot. The workshop runs from 10.30am – 1pm on Saturday and, as well as the class handout, you will receive approx 60g of aran weight wool (100% wool) to use in the workshop.
This afternoon my Crenellate shawl sample arrived home! There was the quietest tap on the door and when I opened it I found a packet leaning against the wall with my shawl inside. This is wonderful as it means I can take some new photos and get the printed version of the individual pattern ready to re-launch. I should have it with me at Yarndale in a couple of weeks! I’ve got some ideas about where to do the photographs – tied in to the name of the shawl. I wonder if you can guess where in my corner of North East Wales we will be heading to snap the new shots? These photos are of the shawl in a bit of a heap on my desk – I promise the new shots for the printed pattern will look a lot tidier! The colours on the right are the most true to life.
Until next week, take care and do something that makes you smile. K x