Float'n'purl

It's been a while............

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.

Spindles are the new black

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!

Washed (wooled) Out

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.