As usual these days, I'm franticaly trying to play catch up with everything!
So, here's a start...
On Thursday, I escaped work and went to Liberty's - had a great time talking to everyone, a lovely dinner and a long chat with the customer services department about the non-communication re special events etc. They appear to have lost me from their mailing list which is why I never got my vouchers for the past year. I explained that they seemed to know where to find me every month to send my bill (ouch!) They were unable to track the 1st 6 months but agreed they owed me £15 for the second so I dutifully went and spent them straight away on these - any guesses as to what I plan to make?
On the way home Sue P. and I got stuck on a broken down train - so wanting to make the most of it I broke open the yarn and tried to remember how to do Tunisian crochet (thanks Bob and Nell), Sue was eager to learn and this is our first combined effort.
Once home I undid it and started this
Fast forward to Saturday - this is the weekend before our wedding anniversary (Halloween, 24 years ago) and Matt decided he'd like to go to the zoo on Sunday. Knowing how bad we are for getting up at the weekend, I decided to go hunting for a hotel bargain in the area - this was the end result!
Sunday we spent the day at the zoo and I got acquainted with the source of my favourite yarn
Last week , just before I left for Glasgow, I collected my first SP6 from my neighbour (she's much better than the post office for looking after my post).
here's the lovely yarn I received
The package originally contained chocolate but that didn't last long enough for a photo!
Here's a few photos of some of the wonderful people I met at the show. The first was taken early on Sunday morning and shows Janette, Juliet and Johanna getting primed for the day
I had resisted the lure of Mo Bear at Ally Pally - only to be reeled in at Glasgow. The Baby Alpaca and Silk had arrived on Monday and Vicky had dyed it and brought it with her hoping to play with it at the show - no chance - I bought all of it in this colourway!
I escaped for lunch one day and when I returned I found the first donation for the Knitted Garden - I never got the opportunity to meet the creator of this quality work
Saturday was the busiest day of the show! 4 of the volunteeers did not attend, 2 had the courtesy to phone me and offer explanations in advance so I was able to recruit a couple of extra helpers
Pat was one of the stars - she popped by on Friday for a quick lesson in mattress stitch. Came in again on saturday, saw how busy we were and just stepped up to the table and worked solidly for 6 hours - I think she enjoyed it as she came back again on Sunday!
Margaret came to the show to meet up with her friend Yvette. She was very definitely not a knitter - by the end of the show she went home with the yarn for at least 2 projects
Yvette wins the "most travelled volunteer award" having timed her visit from France to coincide with the show. Not only that but she brought me a packed lunch as she thought I'd be fed up with hotel and convenience food! Thank you fellow Rowanette
Another good day at the Glasgow show - accompanied by fellow Rowanette - Yvette Campbell ( all the way from France) and other more local volunteers.
The green I-cord is now sprouting a lovely selection of flowers donated by the volunteers, learners and visiting knitters. I had a quick lesson in Tunisian crochet and have finally got to grips with the polaroid camera for the garden's wall of fame!
I succumbed to a purchase - from Mo Bair- some beautiful hand-dyed baby alpaca and silk.(she didn't have it at Ally Pally so I'm glad I waited) , tonight I've wound it into balls and have started another shawlette with it.
I do enjoy coming north of the border and this is really 2 shows in one. I'm based in the Crafts for Scotland hall and the Hobbycraft fair is on the other side.
This side has "Mo Bear", the other has "Black Sheep", "BB yarns", "NKM" and "Taj Crafts" - no links as this connection is very slow.
Today I had some great helpers - it's always a real pleasure to meet up with Bob and Nell and I met new friends in Agnes and Johanna. We spent a delightful day making flowers for the garden. Photos will follow when I get home (I forgot the cable).
A package arrived last week and my neighbour took it into safe custody. I collected it yesterday morning but was unable to post about it due to technical problems (wireless system not working). No Photos today as I'm off to Glasgow in 10 minutes and the camera is packed!
When I do get around to the photo the chocolate will be missing - yum!
Thought I'd share with you a few of my favourite exhibits from the show:
I loved the colour and shapes in this exhibit
My favourite Japanese exhibit
This is the exhibit that kept drawing my attention at Ally Pally. I managed a brief discussion with the knitter and found that it had taken her 1 year to knit. Unfortunately her English was not good enough for me to understand some of the construction technique. My japanese is non-existant but I think she understood my fascination with her garments and my appreciation of the skill involved.
Another day, another 10,000+ people!
The Relax and Knit team have been fantastic and we've had lots of happy customers. Today I actually got to teach some more advanced knitting including the Icelandic cast off, intarsia, cables without needles, left handed crochet (2nd time this week), a basic class on domino knitting and different increase methods. Of course I also resorted to finger knitting just to keep my sanity intact....
I had a good start as Sue P had my missing book in protective custody! A few minor purchases today:
Colinette pattern book
Lace book
Rachael's book (founder of Cast Off)
Japanese fabric fat quarters to make bags
4 bag patterns (patchwork)
NO Yarn
pics and comments will follow in a few days time when I've had chance to look at them!
Lots of lovely visitors today including the Dutch Fastest Knitter who was wearing a stunning version of Anne Modesitt's corset - I really must excavate the corner where I threw mine and finish it!
An early start this morning as the transport system seems to be crumbling.
I want to get there early and look at the exhibitions before the crowds arrive. There are some fantastic knitted coats on one of the stands.
Yesterday, I managed a brief chat with Prudence Mapstone and bought her handbag book - can't give you the correct title as when I arrived home last night it was no longer in my possession - hope this means it's on the stand somewhere!
SHOPPING
The rules are it can only be bought if:
- it cannot be bought in London
- it cannot be ordered over the internet
- the stall will not be at the show in Glasgow next week or at Harrogate in November
- it's an item needed to assist in the xmas present making
and finally
- if I cannot live without it
A few minor purchases of beads and wire (got to start those xmas presents)
A ball of Sirdar Foxy to make the christmas gnomes in the new Simply Knitting;
A skein of Noro Gampi Agbaka (to go with the 2 skeins I already owned and now I have enough to make a bag)
Prudence Mapstone book, bag frame , daisy maker, a ball of eyelash
Jamieson's Simply Shetland 2 (I love the jacket with the frills)
and finally
Alchemy Bamboo bag kit in Foxglove - this falls into the I MUST HAVE IT CATEGORY !
I was introduced to Alchemy yarn a few years ago by my dear friend PB, on Thursday night, I learnt from her DH that she is back in hospital again having had a major health scare. I sent a quick email off and back came a note saying that I HAD to buy the Bamboo - so I did!!
As PB introduced me to the delights of Koigu, Mountain Colors and a few other sinful yarns I know I am going to really enjoy this project. PB - if you get to read this - I hope the surgery goes well - much love
..there must be coachloads of school kids!
This was the busiest Friday I have ever experienced at Ally Pally. At one stage there were 17 of us teaching knitting and crochet on the stand - in desperation , I grabbed a bag of yarn and frogmarched a group of 10 round to Stitch and Bitch - they were in another room and only had 2 knitters, peace and quiet. If we had had 2x the space, staff and materials we might have kept everyone happy.
Some of the really special moments were all those friends (both "real" and "internet") who stopped by to say Hello and usually ended up helping out for a while.
Yesterday, I wore my new jumper and got lots of praise for it - Polly was kind enough to take a photo of it for me.
The fashion show continues to wind me up as their volume plays havoc with my hearing aid but my day was made with the arrival of one of my favourite knitters
or just overwhelmed?
A day spent at Ally Pally = no purchases at all!!
lock up your credit cards - Ally Pally starts tomorrow!
I've spent the day helping set up 3 stands. KCG and Relax and Knit are in the Panorama restaurant room and Silkwood is directly behind Debbie Bliss.
The Rowan stand has been given a huge revamp and there are some fantastic exhibits, I may never want to come home again
.... needs a lifeline!
One dropped stitch = 10 rows of lace undone aka the loss of 1000 stitches!
Not the bus driver's fault this time but mine!!
Still the Shetland Triangle is progressing nicely, I think my yarn is a finer gauge so I may do a couple of extra pattern rows before starting the edge.
The mad scarf is great fun and has been borrowed and paraded around the office - it's based on the wonderful one made for my birthday by Jacinta but in a totally "in your face pink" - The KCG wanted something bright for the stand at Ally Pally and Silkwood had these great colours....
In the pink
close up
I came home from the show and logged in, no good fairies had been around to tidy up my mess so I logged out again. Five minutes later I decided to go back in and post a note about today and it's sorted itself out!
A good afternoon spent in congenial company knitting away with Tess, Les, Nic, Dawn, Jill , Gill and another Jill! Hazel from the UKHandKnitters group stopped by to say hello, I stuck to my purchase plan, so am feeling virtuous.
Highlight of the day - Les got one of the bunnies out for a hop around - it moved so quick I didn't get a single good photo!
something is not quite right here - two entries seem to have merged and lost things! HELP....
Polly linked to this quiz and being nosy I had to try it!
A little traditional, and a little bit punk rock.
A unique woman like you needs a city that offers everything.
No wonder you and London will get along so well.
What City Do You Belong in? Take This Quiz :-)
I've decided that as I missed Liberty's on Thursday and slept most of yesterday I need to get out and have some fun today. So I'm off to Sandown racecourse to join Silkwood, Nic and Gill for the afternoon at Stitch and Creative Crafts
