It seems like I'm in for a long wait:
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My computer is playing up, especially the internet so I can't post any pictures but I had a great time on my 4 shaft weaving course last week. Hopefully one day (soon) I'll have some pictures to share.....
My internet is playing up at home and I need to upgrade my operating system so I have to wait for DHs kind friend to sort it all out this weekend. In the mean time I'm using the connection at work (after hours of course).
I just wanted to say something on the new Rowan Mag which I love to bits. I didn't buy the last one as it had nothing I liked but wind-swept scottish landscapes do it for me and I realised that I'm a winter knitter (good job since its August and lashing down outside as I write)!
I very much doubt I'll actually knit anything from it as I'm such a slow knitter and have too much on the needles already but here's my choices:
1. WHAT I WOULD KNIT AND ACTUALLY WARE: Cologne - this is nice on the model but even nicer on "real" people in article with the Rowan staff modelling (and you can see the garments better here too!). I also love the Fyne Vest which I think you could get a lot of wear out of.
2. WHAT I WOULD KNIT BECAUSE I LIKE IT BUT WOULD FEEL SILLY WEARING IT: Faero Wrap which looks lovely and cosy but I bet the model is about 6ft and I'm only 5ft 4" so I would be drowned in this plus I don't have a spare £108.75 for the wool!!!
3. WHAT DID THEY THINK THEY WERE DOING ???: Narvik - even the model looks miserable wearing it. It would have been lovely had it been longer?
Some garments are really difficult to see in the mag with the lighting so I can't comment on them all. I love Rowan's styling but sometimes we'd just like to see the whole garment and not marvel at the art director's obvious talent for styling................just a thought.
Back soon I hope with some pictures and a FO - yes, its been too long. Plus I'm having Thursday and Friday off to go to a weaving course run by my Guild on 4 shaft looms. I can't wait! Then Saturday is our Guild picnic (hope the weather improves).
I 
wonder if I can really call myself a weaver? I'd happily say that I'm a knitter but spinner or weaver? Not yet. I still feel too much of a beginner to give myself such titles but I did go for a walk on Sunday along the river Weaver near home. We've actually been on the weaver aboard "Sissy" down the famous boat lift and I can say its one of the most beautiful and peaceful inland waterways I've been on so it's always a pleasure to walk along it's banks. 
Our motley walking gang and some pictures from the walk.
The white bridge is actually a horse bridge from the days of horse-drawn barges. Its what I call "real" Cheshire countryside - posh period houses on vast farmland with lots of ancient trees. It looks like it might have done 100 years ago! 
But wait a minute - maybe I can call myself a weaver now I'm the proud owner of two looms. In addition to my Ashford Knitters Loom I've bought 2nd hand from a member of my guild, an Ashford Rigid Heddle Loom (60cm) 
for only £40 complete with a 2nd 12dpi heddle so I can do some very fine weaving!
I haven't warped it up yet as I've just started a scarf on the Knitters Loom in georgous undyed cashmere and silk mix I bought on Skye. I'm trying out some different weaves from this book (which I highly recommend). 
The lacy open weave is 1/1 lenco and the raised lines are float patterns - everything else is a balanced weave. Its fun to do and I plan to dye it once I'm finished.
I won't moan about how little time I've had recently and what little crafts I've been doing. Instead, as challenged by Anne, here is what I bought recently on Skye (I should rename this blog float'n'shop!).
A jumper kit from here which I started on holiday but hasn't made much progress. My fair isle technique on the purl side needs some work!
The picture is of a finished sample in the shop and its really handy to be able to try it on before knitting one. Its also a good job I took this photograph as the pattern isn't always that clearly written.
As you will see from the Woolfest post below a few of us bought spindles. Now I've never been keen on spindle spinnig and went straight onto a wheel but when I tried on of Johnathan and Sheila Bosworth's drop spindles I had to have one! Mine is a featherweight in purpleheart wood - simply lovley. 
It takes a bit of getting used to but I'm willing to persist (fibre is merino and tencile mix).
A lot of my goodies are yet to arrive by post as by the Saturday many things were sold out. I ordered a carry bag for my Ashford Knitters Loom (purchased last year) from Twist Fibre Crafts who I also bought a 10 dpi reed from for finer weaving.
I also ordered a natural dying starter kit from Debbie at DT Craft and Design. She sells the lovely Earthues dyes which are easy to use (apparently).
I was very good and didn't buy any yarn given my recent yarn purchases on Skye (which I've still to confess) but I did by fibre for spinning - baby alpaca and BFL for a hat for DH. I also bought a felted jewellery kit from Firery Felts mostly due to its lovely presentation and some beautiful ceramic buttons from Injabulo.
My haul seems very restrained but in truth when I looked at my purse at the end of the day it was still empty!
Actually the weekend was far from a washout as far as our little group of nine fibre enthusiasts were concerned but I have to say the drive back on the M6 yesterday was terrible due to the heavy rain!
The weekend consisted of lots: eating :: drinking :: eating again :: wool/fibre shopping :: eating :: more wool/fibre shopping :: eating :: drinking :: spinning :: crochet :: knitting :: eating yet again :: more tearooms :: shopping :: finally a tearoom with "live" cow milking here (the cakes here are highly recommended) - what more does a girl need for a wonderful weekend with friends old and new.
As for photographs - I'm afraid the quality isn't great as I took them on my phone but you get the picture (pun intended!):
Lovely handwoven jacket on the House of Hemp stand. 
Giant knitting! 
Cosy sofa for tired shoppers?
Lots of lovely yarn (I like the sign suggesting that those who are of a persuasive nature leave their heavy purchases for collection later!).
Deep into a crochet lessons at the B&B (left to right - Lynne, Kay and Averil)
New drop spindles (left to right - Beryl aka Fifi and Annie)
Ali and Janet knitting 
and finally me trying to spin on my new spindle which seems a lot harder than a wheel?
Thanks to everyone who came along for a lovely weekend, and what did I buy.........more on that tomorrow.
Off in about 2 hours to Woolfest!! Busy counting the pennies in my sheep piggy bank........why is there never enough?
This is a picture of two runaway sheep on Skye who could hardly move with their overgrown coats (which were rock hard). I felt really sorry for them. It can't do them any good to be left this way!
Back soon with lots of goddies!!
Just more pictures of our holiday on Skye.........
Cute but look at the size of those horns!
DH actually walking (doesn't happen much)Trumpan on Waternish
DH looking like he's on holiday (beach on North Uist)
Me with my legs as white as the sand!
Another beautiful beach on Harris
The happy couple!
I've been back over a week from my holiday already but no time to blog so here's a wee photo to keep your interest until I get the chance for a proper update......
no I didn't go to the Bahamas, this was taken on a day trip to the Isles of North Uist and Harris. This particular view is on Harris - the sea was really that colour!
Weaving loom packed :: knitting packed :: midge spray packed (worried I don't have enough) :: sun cream packed (ever the optimist!) :: what more do you need for a holdiay in Scotland? Hopefully that's it........................see you in a week or so.
