Crafting has been one of the things to largely fall by the wayside since we have moved. I got rid of ALL my wool stash although I kept all my various needles and crochet hooks. Anyway, Tam had suggested we go to Wonderwool this weekend - it's just down on the showground and it has been many years since I last went (although Covid did get in the way too).
I knew it would be very busy there by the queues of cars waiting to get onto the showground which were backed up right out of town. We went in via Co-op and then around the back by the castle so we were on the main road through - the queued up cars had to join this road.
A big stand here for various types of looms - as you can see, lots of interest. As an impatient Aries, I think warping up would finish me off!
This was the Baavet stand - they sell duvets and pillows which have pure wool linings. As you can see, the stall was bulked out with cushions, lamps and for some reason, jewellery too . . .
Colourful needle-felted pictures.
Skeins of different yarns everywhere.
Some lovely examples of what you could make from them too. Such a pretty lacy shawl.
More needle-felting - beautiful landscapes here.
Mixed media textile pictures too.
Another idea for weaving on small frames.
The Ukrainian stand - those rugs were SO soft.
Tam and I were very taken with the beautiful x-stitch designs on these smocks.
It had to be done!! A crocheted hexie sheep.
I liked this tapestry kit, but didn't look for the price as I didn't have £50 or so to spare.Leicester Longwool sheep. There were several pens of different breeds throughout the stands.
I'll show you what came home with me in my next post. Going back to bed now (I've been awake since 4 a.m. and downstairs 2 hours now . . .)
Morning BB, what a lovely colourful post! Leicester Long wool have gorgeous fleece for spinning. My friend down our lane keeps Leicester Longwool (along with Ryeland and Southdowns) and has promised me a fleece this year. Cannot wait to see what you bought. I loved the embroidered Smocks too - and in fact most of the things you showed. I had a quick look at the exhibitors and saw that Romney Marsh Merino wool were there. I bought 500g of their fleece for spinning from their farm only last week. I first met Kirsten at a pop up craft fair in Canterbury in December 2014 and bought several skeins of her wool for knitting hats and mittens for Christmas presents. In the previous year both my children had left home for university and my mum and dad had both died and I was bereft but making got me back on the straight and narrow and now I could not imagine a day without some sort of creative woolly endeavour. Sarah x
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed it Sarah. I did think of you - especially when I got to the John Arbon stall . . . where I lingered too long for the health of the exchequer! Oooh, a Leicester Longwool fleece would be wonderful. I have a book about how to make a Dorset Smock but like so many plans, life got in the way. It was lovely seeing these Ukrainian smocks. I have plans for woolly Christmas presents this year and hope I can get going soon. Crafting is good for the soul and I am hoping that getting back to it again will help me cope with my caring duties for Keith.
DeleteWhat a nice celebration of wool crafting.
ReplyDeleteIndeed, there was a lot to see although many stalls had displays of very similar yarns (just slight variations in colour-ways according to their taste).
DeleteA photo full of such scrumdiddlyumptious deliciousness and crafty goodness must never be deemed photo heavy!!! It would be wonderful to have a few hours to mooch around such an exhibition and displays.
ReplyDeleteI'm really looking forward to seeing what came home with you. Please don't keep us waiting too long, will you? Deb in Wales.
Indeed Deb. You'll have to come up next year - no excuse - we were stood in the lunch queue next to two ladies who had travelled up all the way from Somerset (but they had stayed over the previous night). They had bought a year's supply of scrumptiousness!
DeleteWhat skillful and diverse ways to use woolen yarn. There were similar lacy shawls displayed at the Ketner's Mills craft fair in TN which we toured several years ago. My favorite of what you've shown is the felted wool pictures. If I had such they would need to be displayed out of reach of curious cats' paws.
ReplyDeleteIndeed, and it lifted my crafting spirit to see what folk had been making. The wool pictures are lovely - there is always a good selection in the craft shop in King Street in Carmarthen. They would keep a kitten happy for hours!!!
DeleteThe wools are gorgeous. Almost makes me want to take up crochet or knitting! ( The key word there is "almost".)
ReplyDeleteOh Celie - the almost word!! You could try making something small and achievable :)
DeleteBasic hats / beanies/ watch caps are really easy and fun.
DeleteI used to knit them for the family, but need to get back in the swing of it again.
DeleteIt looks so fun and inspiring! Is this a special once a year event, or an ongoing group or co op of sellers?
ReplyDeleteI only did weaving in college, but I feel the same way about casting on knitting, often it brings my interest to a screeching halt.
I finally had to discard a lot of my knitting needles, not just old metal ones but any that had metal size buttons on the end---they had over the years [knitting since I was 9] rusted horribly, unreadable and the rust would rub off on the knitting work when folded. Only wood or bamboo for me now.
I like those first variegated skeins you showed, great for hats or mittens.
lizzy
It was a great day out. Some folk had gone quite mad with the buying and were walking round with camping trolleys full of woolly wonderfulness!
DeleteThis is an annual event. There is a similar one held up in Skipton, Yorkshire called Yarndale. https://yarndale.co.uk/
I don't have any bamboo needles yet but have a couple of complete sets of "old" needles, all in good condition. I was sent one set by a blogging friend some years ago. A charity shop bargain.
The variegated skeins for socks and hats are so tempting. Choosing WHICH ones to buy wasn't easy.