Dye workshops at Knitcamp in August

Just to let you know, there's now a blog for Knitcamp in Stirling this August where I'm delighted to say that I shall be running some super-fun creative dye workshops : ))

Join me for a sock blanks workshop (1/2 day), dyeing for beginners (1/2 day) and/or a full day on creating self-pattening/faux Fairisle yarns.

More info. and how to book can be found here and my first post on the blog is here.

Want to know what we'll be getting up to? You can find lots (and lots!), of piccies from some of my other workshops with pics of some of the students' fab work, in my picasa albums. Check out in particular the Summer School album , the self-striping day (which was a hoot as we ran huuuge skeins all over the college!), and a recent beginners/sock blanks workshop for the Berkshire Guild of Weavers, Spinners & Dyers.

There'll be lots more exciting posts from other tutors to get you in the mood, so be sure to check it out!

May clubs - on their way tomorrow : )

Just to let all my lovely club members know that all the clubs have been dyed and are just finishing off drying ready for posting tomorrow. And I haven't forgotten that there aren't any pictures of last month's clubs. This is because all the extras sold before I'd taken any pics so I'll be dyeing some extra this week.

Now for a quick quiz.

Debbie will be dyeing up extra yarn and fibre because:
a) she likes to have pics of all her club fibres on the blog
b) it is good practice for repeating colours and testing her recipe-writing skills
c) she had her eye on some of the yarn for a new sock pattern and the fibre for a hat.
or d) all of the above ; )

Answers on a postcard please.....

Tynedale Spinners Gathering, 15 May

Just a quick post to mention that on Saturday we'll be at the Tynedale Spinner's Gathering, along with P&M Woolcraft and other suppliers.

If you're in the area, it is on from 10am-4pm at Stocksfield Community Centre and there is always great food, lovely people and it's an all-round nice day out! It's only a few minutes walk from Stocksfield railway station and there's parking at the station too.

Hope to see you there!

Phew - back to normality - fibre and sock clubs - March - Sakura

In keeping with tradition, pics showing the most recent clubs are somewhat behind, so here's what you missed!

March was a rare foray into pastels, with Sakura being the colourway for the month, inspired by the Manga character of the same name from Naruto. Regular followers will know that Manga and anime are popular in our household and, whilst I'm more of a Death Note fan myself, I have a soft spot for Naruto as it was Will's first manga and his favourite for a long time. If you're not familiar with manga, don't be put off by the fact that it is animated. The storylines are excellent and I can heartily recommend any of the studio Ghibli films, especially Howl's Moving Castle and Spirited Away as great family movies.

Anyhow, back on topic ; )

From the top we have the Fibre Adventure club

- A lovely Masssam roving, Shropshire x BFL shearling fleece and some luscious silk hankies in a range of co-ordinating colours.

For Roving Medley members

- a lovely spiral-dyed Massam roving

And for sock club members -

A semi-striping, soft as butter Bluefaced Leicester sock yarn.

Mmm, maybe I could get to like this pastels thing after all.....

(ooh, and April pics coming soon!)

Stop press - Leeds are in the Championship!!!

Was about to post about fibre clubs and knitty-related stuff but it will have to wait as Leeds just got automatic promotion to the Championship after a nail-biting game against DH's home team, Bristol Rovers!!!!!!

(and Pete was very gracious in defeat, but then we do have a ways to go to catch his real team - Arsenal).

Goooo Leeds!!!!