Long time - no blog!

Unfortunately, no-blogging hasn't necessarily meant more knitting. Just loads to do with kids, school, business, family and garden . GARDEN - you can actually hear things growing; I was actually standing contemplating what to do next when I heard the faintest, but distinct pop! and our fabulous poppies were opening before my eyes!

Garden inspired I have managed to make a start on the "Green Man Project" for the Mid-Essex Weavers, Spinners and Dyers planned, permanent exhibition at the Cressing Temple Barns. We are producing 16" x 16" textile panels based on the Green Man theme so I have begun knitting/crocheting a selection of leaves to frame the face - the idea for the Green Man to be peering through the foliage. I'm planning to dye some of the fantastic Gedgrave Rasta green to make a beard and hair - it's fabulous being able to mix and match texture/colour and pattern - it's just knowing when to stop!

Look what I can do!

I've never considered myself a "crocheter" - there are just soooo many good knitting patterns that somehow I never really allowed myself to look further. However, being offered a "Workshop on Granny Squares" at the Colchester Stitch & Bitch "Knit In" on Saturday was too good an opportunity to miss; and low and behold - look what I can do. OK, it's not rocket science but it is quick, relatively easy and very addictive! I have now produced 12 granny squares without too much effort and Tilly has already ordered that they be made up into a hooded waistcoat "in time for Daisy May's Birthday". No pressure then!

Single Skein Shawl - here it is!

This is it - my first attempt at a triangular shawl from scratch - and I'm really pleased with the results. This follows comments from Shandy and Ellie on the "Pure Alchemy" yarn and how they'd like to see a project for one or two skeins. I have managed to "chart" this pattern and hopefully, once I can turn it into pdf, it'll be available for download!

Wenslydale inspiration

You just can't help going "aaaahhh" can you? Today, Tilly and I took a 100 mile round trip (one end of the county to the other) to visit Tracy and Peter Ranger and their fabulous flock of Wenslydales at Gedgrave, right on the edge of the Suffolk coast - overlooking the North Sea. Ostensibly we went to pick up an order of Tracy's fabulous lace weight yarn and meet her flock, inevitably we talked all things yarn for an hour or two (the accompanying lemon drizzle cake was terrific!).

So with lots to think about - "yarnsmith wise" and with spring definitely sprung - "garden wise", I can feel a very busy spell coming on!


To find out more about Tracy and her flock, including opening times, visit the Gedgrave Wenslydale website

Pure Alchemy; Part II

Two weeks of "kiddie" illness and hectic seasonal fervour at the end of term has resulted in not much blogging recently! However, the Easter weekend has been really enjoyable: catching up with prodigal friends; singing in a highly successful Faure requiem; a joyous (and feminist!) sermon on Sunday and an excellent array of family and food through out.

In addition, a chance conversation on Saturday morning has led "Pure Alchemy" in a totally different direction - perfect for the summer and beautiful too. A customer phoned to enquire whether the Patons 4 ply cotton would be suitable for canvas work and if so, what colours were available. We had a general chat about the qualities of the yarn and she mentioned that she may well buy some white in order to dye it to her required "stone" shade.

This led me to thinking about why we couldn't do the same for the Pure Alchemy range. I did a bit of research on the net which led me towards Procion dyes which I don't happen to have - so, just to see, I added a skein of white cotton with the next batch of "acid dye" merino. I have to be honest - I'm really pleased with the results; let me know what you think!

New Colours

Finally managed to add some more colours to "Pure Alchemy". This one is Suffolk Sky, inspired, (not surprisingly) by the pale blues; dove grey and soft whites of the sky above.

Planning to spend the whole day dyeing tomorrow. Can't wait!

Creative Week

This week has been all about getting the creative juices flowing - not just in terms of what colours to dye the next lot of "Pure Alchemy" but about where I want to take the business next and how to go about it. I know for sure that I don't want to lose the "personal" touch which we can currently offer - answering individual queries by e-mail or phone (even if it doesn't lead to a sale!); sharing expertise and tips; learning new skills myself and developing my own knowledge.

On Tuesday my dream of having a purpose built "yarnsmith" space took one step closer to becoming a reality. The 17' x 13' base was laid in the garden. I keep joking that by the time I've moved in with the yarn; laptop; spinning wheel; the sofa bed; dog's bed; kettle and microwave the family may never see me again! I wonder?

Wednesday presented a first with a networking event at Frankie and Bennie's in Haverhill organised by Womenta - the women's arm of Menta, (the Mid Anglia Enterprise Agency). Women across a range of careers and businesses; from a luxury soap maker to a health and safety expert, met to exchange thoughts and ideas on what it is to run your own business, often whilst juggling a family and all that that entails. However, even here I managed to sneak in a quick "knitting on circular needles 101" lesson and came away with further thoughts on developing the advice section of the website.

Friday saw the first session of the St Andrew's Knit and Yarn Group - primarily aimed at the parents' of St Andrews Primary School, Great Yeldham. I've teamed up with another school governor (and avid knitter) to teach the basics, and for those interested, a bit beyond. We are lucky enough to be using a fabulous workshop belonging to Rosie, a friend of the School. The venue overlooks the beautiful North Essex countryside, her fabulous kitchen garden and flock of Jacobs sheep. We turned up with homemade cakes and chocolate brownies (a must for any knitting group), toys for the pre-schoolers and a random selection stashed yarn and needles. Our two beginner knitters really got the hang of it and took their first projects home to practice on - both turned up at the school gate at the end of the day exclaiming that they hadn't put their knitting down all afternoon! I call that a successful class.

Saturday was my monthly fix of the Guild. Another fabulous meeting with a talk and workshop from William Jefferies of the "Kew Studio" who talked about what inspires his wonderful tapestries. I also had some great feed back on "Pure Alchemy" and lots of suggestions about refining my dyeing technique. (Along with, a round telling off for not keeping a "dye book" so I know what I did, when and how!) I came away feeling very positive and marvelling about just how much I've learnt about textiles over the past three years. (I then went straight to a great rehearsal of the Faure Requiem which an add hoc choir from the North Hinkford Benefice is singing on Good Friday - a really uplifting day! )

So this has been a really varied week - we've also fitted in ballet, swimming, Beavers, a trip to the secondary school and running a mile for Sports Relief. Spring is sprung with daffodils finally appearing in the garden and the dog venturting out unbidden - and I feel a definite rejuvination - long may it last!