Stitch and Craft 2012

I love the Stitch and Craft Show. More than Ally Pally I think. If I had to describe what I do I would say I was a mixed media/textile artist who knits. So this show caters more for all the areas my work crosses over into.

That said, I have to have a bit of a grumble before I go on. Stitchers. You know, you who cross stitch or do tapestries. Why? Why are you so rude? The ground floor was given over to stitching. There was easy access to both other floors, and all floors seemed to have equal amount of 'traffic' through them, but stitchers, you really let yourselves down. There's no need to push and shove. Each exhibitor has more than one of each item with them. I realise that I am considered 'youth' in your midst (which is rather lovely as I just turned 37) but I am not rude. I politely asked to get through only to be pushed and shoved. 

However. The first floor was where myself and my cousin Knitrundig were most in our element. We had a quick look round the quilts, but it was the yarn, and fibres that we oooh'd and ahhh'd and debated which of the fabulous colourways were going to make it into our ever growing stashes.

I have currently about 5 projects on the go knitting wise. If you add into that the allotment, homelife, and 2 courses that I'm studying I really should have come away with no other projects in mind. But.... the yarn was so gorgeous! These were the ones that made it home...

The book on dyeing I read from cover to cover on the train home. I was given this pattern for my birthday and I have a cone of 4 ply in sand/beige which I think is wool that I am going to see if I can dye with turmeric and paprika. I need to calculate how many metres I have left and allow for shrinkage as the previous jumper I made with it did shrink by about 5% after the first wash.

The 4 skeins I plan to make scarves/shawls with. I'm never going to be a sock knitter. I've tried several times and I get 'ladders' at the change of needle. I know I could do the magic loop method, but after doing one sock I think I would be bored! I've become drawn to trying fancy lace patterns, so that will be what these eventually get used for.

The rubber stamps are going to be used in an airdry clay project, also in a block printed type of way. I have friendly plastic which I have earmarked for another textile/mixed media piece.  

Now also have a multiple needle felting tool and a tool for French knitting with wire and beads which is something I've been wanting to try for ages. So many new projects....

This gorgeous scarf was given to me from Knitrundig as a birthday pressie. I absolutely love it. The photo doesn't do it justice at all. Much better pics here

I could have spent 10 times as much as I did quite easily, but my budget was set to what I'd got for my birthday. 

Anyway, enough blogging, must be time to knit/create something now.

Laters x