I've been reorganising my stash and finally got round to storing my purchases from Unravel, the knitting festival at Farnham Maltings. It was one of the best events I've ever been to, simply because it was a whole yarn experience; starting with yarnbombing in the car park and being greeted by Gotland and Southdown sheep at the entrance.Throughout the building there were sheep farming artifacts, displays of vintage buttons and knitting accessories as well as examples of finished projects.
The foyer pillars had been decorated by local groups with a variety of themes. I loved the humour and fun of the knitted snake and the intricate detail of Laura Rose Kimber's "little Treasures" inspired by children's stories and dolls houses. It made me think of Beatrix Potter.
I didn't sign up for any of the workshops but they were very reasonably priced at £12 to £20. The talks were free so I went to two.
The first was "The History of Fibres and Spinning" by Jan Blight. This lady really should write a book or do a podcast. Entertaining, informative and extremely modest, she is totally engaging. Jan was wearing a beautiful flame coloured jacket that she had spun, dyed, designed and knit. She knits in an instinctive manner allowing the yarn to suggest what it wants to be. Photos really don't do her work justice.
The second talk was meant to be "The Jarmson Sisters of Shetland" by Susan Crawford but the bad weather had prevented her travelling to do research. Instead we heard about vintage knitting patterns and rationing During and after WWII. It certainly explained why 3 and 4 ply patterns were so popular. I was intrigued by a pattern for socks that had no heel and was designed to grow with the wearer.These would be fantastic for my boys as they outgrow socks as fast as I can knit them.I must check to see if she has posted the pattern on her website.
The market place provided many opportunities for stash enhancement but I was very restrained; some merino and some laceweight from Coldharbour Mills and some zauerball that was very reasonably priced from Fibre Factory. I first discovered Textile garden at the Ravelry day in Coventry last year so was pleased to see them again. I bought some lovely ribbon and very cute Russian doll buttons. Many yarns have been added to my wish list.
