We came back on Sunday from a fantastic Tea and Tarts WI Holiday in a campsite near Whitby. We stayed in a place called La Rosa, which was terrible to get to in the dark, but a very fascinating place to stay. There were twenty of us in total and when we got there (late), everyone else had already got an amazing camp fire going and lots of food on a table in the 'Big Top'. The 'Big Top' was in a central area and did look like a circus tent.
The Big Top Sign post
We were all staying in our own caravans, and they were all different. Ours was called tinker and, yes it is on an old truck! Each caravan had it's own theme.
Tinker
Tinker was very much a travelers' caravan. It had a log burner and a little cooker and sink. The cooker and sink didn't work as there was no running water or electrics on the site but the wood burner did work very well, even for two novices who managed to smoke themselves out first! The decorations were interesting and sometimes very strange but defiantly well chosen for the van.
Some decorations
Our bed was raised up and behind a little red velvet curtain. I apologies for the picture as it doesn't show it all made up. The little stained glass window was a lovely surprise for our first morning (we arrived when it was already very dark), and it lit up our little bedroom very well. What you can't see is just above the foot of the bed was a little row of shelves and a cot for a baby!
Our bed!
The weather was fantastic for the whole weekend and the campsite really came into it's own at night. Miles from anywhere and without power is when you really, truly get a great view of the starry sky. Sat around the campfire with a great bunch of people was a great part of our visit there! There were trees and fields as far as you could see.
A view!
On our first full day, most of us left the campsite for a trip to Whitby. Ash and I had not been in 7 years! We went there for our very first holiday! We had a lovely walk around and found the house we stayed in and the arcade we played mini golf in and the welcome to Whitby sign that we had a picture in front of!
Whitby Abby in view
We had a lovely walk and I even found a knitting shop! The walk around was very refreshing and I think we both really enjoyed ourselves.
When at the beach, buy icecream!
Of course we had to get ice cream! And yes it was a bit windy! My hair never lies!
All in all I thank everyone who came with us and Rebecca for planning it! We also managed to, by chance, take along two very well trained chefs, so the food was fantastic! I have to point out that all cooking was done over our campfire, which everyone maintained so well that it burned for the whole time we were there! We had cooked breakfasts each morning and a fantastic feast on the Saturday night with food bought that day in Whitby! You really can't get better than that!
I watched a very interesting programme on BBC Four the other day called 'The Fabric of Britain'. This particular episode featured knitting, in fact it was the history about knitting. It started the show in 1920s when knitting became popular with the masses and went through the ages showcasing big moments in knitwear.
You can still view it here, although it won't be there for long!
I knew this programme was due to be on TV because several months ago, I was asked to send a couple of images of my shop (Spun) to be used in the 'modern day' section of the show.
So, as you can imagine, I was on the edge of my seat for the majority of the show waiting to see these images...
I was very happy to see my little shop at the end, but so much happier to have watched the programme all about how knitting is so amazing! Of course, I already knew that.
Saturday, 10 August 2013
I've been enjoying knitting my new yarn. Thank you Steph! I can't remember what fibres its made out of, although I can remember Steph said it had some cashmere in, and it does feel soft.
When I knit with a multi-coloured yarn, I'm always looking forward to the next colour, as they usually don't take long to reach. However with this yarn the colours are really far apart and I've yet to reach the next one. The blocks of colour are a semi solid anyway and are a pleasure to knit, so I'm not really desperate to see the next one. I'm thinking more about, 'I wonder how big I can make it before the next colour comes in'. Well, whenever the next colour comes in, I'll be ready for it!
On a non knitting topic, I went to the Huddersfield Food and Drink Festival yesterday. It's something that happens about twice a year and is fantastic for Huddersfield. It takes place in front of the train station and has about 70+ stalls. It's a great showcase of the variety of food and drink businesses in the area and is also a great gathering place for us locals! I truly recommend it if you happen to be in Huddersfield when it happens.
I’ve been working with AshTV
(who just happens to be my husband’s business!) to make some instructional
knitting videos. I’ve started with the basics, casting on.
It has been a long process
but really fun and it’s always great working with Ash. It’s very strange
hearing your voice on a video but Ash was very supportive, I still hate the
sound of my voice on there!
This one was the first. Casting On - the thumb method.
If you don't know how to knit, this is usually the method that you use in most patterns.
Casting on - the two needle method.
This method is great as you don't need to start with a long length before the slipknot.
And Casting on - cable method.
I like this method as it gives a smooth edge.
Please let me know what you think and feel free to share!
We'll be making more. We are already working on the knit stitch, purl and decreasing!
I just wanted to show you all quickly the finished yarn.....
Finished Spining
After a soak
Ready for knitting
I finished it at the weekend, but I've only managed to blog today. We've had lots of snow here in Huddersfield this week and I've been busy making a chunky shawl (pictures to follow).
I've no idea what to make with the yarn yet, but I'm sure the colours will look great.
OK so I think that I might
be a little addicted to spinning now! Spinning in colour is so much more fun
than using plain cream. I blame it on the colour.
I’ve moved on to the
spinning wheel now, for speed and to try to spin a finer yarn. I can get a
better consistency to the thickness using the wheel, as I don’t have to let go.
My wheel was a charity shop
find from my mum and has a tendency to make a lot of noise. It squeaks, clunks,
and creaks. However it does work.
I started by teasing the
dyed merino tops until I have a thin strand, which I then wind into a makeshift
ball.
Fluff!
This is the first ply. It
only took me a couple of hours to spin on the wheel. I had a couple of breaks
when the thread got too thin, but I think it looks ok so far.
.jpeg)
