Yarningham

On Saturday I visited my first fabulous fibre festival - Yarningham, brilliantly organised by stitches and hos

It was not far away, in the new community hub of Stirchley Baths, recently refurbished, with oodles of charm - I loved the tiled walls and the bright spaces!

There were plenty of exhibitors: producers, dyers and makers, from near and far!

A feast for the senses - lots to see, squidge, smell, plenty of chatting and cakes (not just of the yarn variety!) So much colour and texture I was really spoilt for choice!

There were workshops and demonstrations by the Birmingham WSD guild.

Great squeals of excitement  accompanied the arrival of two alpacas - seeing them strolling past the door in urban Brum was a surreal sight!

I did a quick browse all the way round, chatting to some of the very talented and helpful exhibitors, then made my way back to purchase some items!

 These inventive stitch markers are from Yarnistry - so bright, cheerful and very useful!

Couldn't resist some Whovian and other dainty stitch markers from Owl about Yarn

There were so many fantabulously colourful yarns and fibres, it was difficult to choose, 

but Yarn Angels are a new duo of dyers from just round the corner! 

Not only did I love their colour combos, but the names were imaginative too - I am now the proud squidger of a Bird of Paradise, 

 and neon 8os movie inspired yarn!

I was intrigued by other names in their range: Unicorn Fart, Dragons Breath, Toxic Waste, Toad of Toad Hall and Bruce Banner vs Hulk....such inventive creations and colours!

You can see more pictures of the excitement on the stitches and hos blog....

Hope there'll be another one next year....

A pocket full of rainbows!

Recently my well loved cotton drawstring coin purse developed a hole - I'd been on the look out for a replacement for a while, and not being deft with a needle and thread, I decided to crochet one!

 It was a chance to indulge in two of my new passions!

The first: Tunisian crochet, I am well and truly hooked!

 It seems a bit out of kilter for someone who enjoys freedom from counting and form.

 However I love the way the stitches build up on the hook, then slip away, 

the rhythm and relaxation of on 

and off, 

as I'm a beginner I go slow and steady - calming and tranquil.

I was inspired and guided by the fabulous photos and instructions in Tracey's new book...

and spurred on by Valentina's love of Tunisian crochet.

I used my second passion.....

WYS Aire Valley Cocktail Range (Rum Punch!) 

The stripes were sublime!

   I tried a woolly template (in another WYS wool)  with a drawstring, 

 but the top was a bit bulky and did not close fully.

Exploration on the internet located a flexible snap frame 
(excellent speed and service, thank you Julie!)

and with a bit of experimenting on the logistical front...

 and a dc border all around (I love inside-out seams) 

I am really happy with the result!

I have made notes of what to change to make things easier

and hope to make some more soon!

Its a joy to see the zingy rainbow, in my bag!

I just love the feel, colours and texture of the Aire Valley....and it really smells woolly!

Brilliant Book!

My great friend Tracey has published a fabulous book!

Its packed full of hits and tips, colourful patterns by Tracey and guest designers, and very easy to follow instructions. 

The photos are clear and there are charts to accompany some of the techniques.

At the end of each chapter there are examples to inspire you further.

It is suitable for beginners and those who already have some knowledge of crochet too.

 

What I love most about the book is that the techniques explained act like stepping stones to enable you to create your own designs and projects.

I'm so proud of Tracey and all her creativity and hard work!

I've already used some of the ideas and I know this will be my one-stop reference for a long time to come!

One of the ideas I tried was a raised rib to begin a cuff for some mitts I promised Mr RW a couple of years ago! 

The wool (New Lanark Aran in Dark Graphite)  is warm and toasty, it hooked really well and the flecks of colour gave the mitts a bit of zing!

 

For extra texture I hooked in the back loops!

They have come in useful on some of our more chilly days!

 I'd like to have a go at Tunisian crochet which also features in the book - and there's a great tutorial video featuring Tracey here.

In the meantime I have been going round in circles.....but that's another story!

Cosy Toes!

Every year I promise to hook something cosy for Mr RWs chilly feet,

this year I have done it!

Inspired by my fabulous friend Tracey's chunky slippers pattern,

 and using some My Boshi yarn she had given me...

...these hooked up in an evening....

....with a slight colour combo change from the easy to use pattern! 

They have the thumbs up from the wearer, and stay put when others slide off!

There are some amazing British wools being championed during Wovember both Tracey and Sarah have been using Wendy Ramsdale...

I'm very tempted to hook some more slippers with two strands of Ramsdale, 

or even an Aran weight from WYS

Ruby Stripes

A few weeks ago friends of ours celebrated their 40th Wedding Anniversary. 

One of them is a big fan of Bridget Riley, she invited me with her to hear Bridget in conversation during this exhibition.

The stripes in Bridget Riley's work inspired a crochet piece for the couples anniversary card!

Started with two rows of 20 stitches for each red....

 ...some in back loops for texture...

Congratulations to the fantastic couple - and hope they have many more happy years together!

Birds nests and a posh washcloth!

Spring is well and truly springing round here..blossom is bursting, sunny daffodils are beginning to bloom and the crocuses have been and gone! 

The birds are in fine voice - particularly first thing in the morning!! 

Interestingly during the solar eclipse, the blackbird's evening melody was well tuned!

One day last week I saw two seasonal methods for using short ends to provide some material for nesting birds.

As I had the equipment for one of them at my fingertips I hurriedly hooked a version and it was out waiting for the birds the next morning!

 The easy pattern, which I modified slightly (I thought the birds wouldn't mind some stitch counting anomalies!)   can be found here on the amazing String Theory Crochet blog, where a very creative mother and daughter hook an incredible mix of inspirational, colourful and quirky crochet, well worth exploring..

 A week later and the ball of strands is still there - the squirrels have not squandered it, yet!

The base yarn, a Rowan cotton acrylic mix, was given to me by a friend who works in a charity shop...she has passed on some amazing finds in the past few weeks, for which I am very grateful.

I used some more to make this posh dishcloth for my friend!  

It is hooked with Back Raised Treble from Sarah Hazell's  200 Crochet Stitches...

 and has the most amazing ridged texture..

.... finished with crab stitch.

I have been freeforming too - and creating other birthday makes, so will have plenty more to share soon!

Hope you are finding some of the joys of  Spring!

Listed...

Birmingham has many assets, one being its almighty array of awesome architecture. 

Always moving forward, there are fantastic building styles from every era.

 However there is one monumental flavour that is rapidly disappearing due to its crumbling concrete structure. 

One recent casualty, the iconic brutalist, and in my eyes beautiful, Central Library will be bulldozed soon and others are threatened..

However, I stumbled upon a small snippet of good news about the listing of a piece of concrete architecture quite close to home.

It is something that caught my eye more than 20 years ago, and every time I drive past I marvel at its tenacity to survive in the open urban environment.

During half term, on a bright but blustery day I braved the elements to explore

John Bridgeman's fish!

The play sculpture has some relatively recent modern artistic additions...

 

 

There is an image of the original painted sculpture, could these be remnants of the original paint?

Showing signs of age...

Imagine torrential rain channelled through here!

There is so much graceful movement in something so concrete:

and many angles and points!

How many faces can you see?

That newly etched eye is perfectly placed...as are the shark like fangs!

Fish...and chips?!

I will continue to appreciate from afar, and hopefully visit the fabulous fish more often, as it glides silently in its ever changing, brutally busy and climate challenging landscape, protected by a covering of tree lace...

 

Bit of a departure from wooliness...opposites attract!

Hope you find  hidden treasure in your local area to appreciate!