Woolfest 2015- A Feast For The Eyes

Hi guys! What a day we had yesterday at the famous Woolfest!

Oh my goodness, it was fantastic!

It was a pretty rubbish journey on the way.

Don't get me wrong, the views were absolutely stunning! But i'm not the worlds best traveler and spent most of the ride on the mini bus feeling very queasy. 

Up and down miles of hills and valleys is not the easiest way to travel when you've only eaten half a ham sandwich for breakfast (my own fault, i admit, i should have had something more substantial)

Anyway, where was i?

Oh yes. 

The yarn. 

Look at this.

Have you ever seen anything so stunning? 

This is the Technicolour Dreamcoat.

It was woven by community groups and young people in and around Sedburgh. 

So many amazing creations by talented artists

Beautiful creations 

And of course the sheep that make this happen!

                                  

Have you ever seen such a fluffy sheep?

These are called Valais Blacknosed Sheep and originally hail all the way from Switzerland!

So many colours! I admit i wanted to dive straight in the middle!

 Beautiful handmade tools, spindles, wheels, looms, the list was endless 

I managed to snap this before mum came and herded him away 

A true feast for the eyes. There were so many talented people, it was nice to be with my own kind!

A stunning baby cardigan made from alpaca fibre

Angora rabbits. Soooo fluffy! 

Recycled and upcycled blankets and clothes by The Woolly Pedlar, i love the way the colours complement each other 

Looking rather bored bless them! 

And of course Alpacas!

Bless them they look so scrawny without their coat!

If you look closely, the way they have been sheared makes them look like they have also been knitted! (In my mind anyway haha) 

Sadly, that is all the photos i got, as about an hour before we went back to mini bus i was jostled and i managed to lose my camera batteries :( 

I did, however, come home with a few bargains.

A drop spindle and carded and washed batting, ready to be spun

I couldn't wait to get going!

And some rather lovely bamboo circular needles from Skybluepink-Designs 

And perhaps my greatest bargain ever!

A full bag (0.4kg) of raw shetland fleece for £1!! 

It came from a Shetland sheep (not my picture) 

Source

It was being sold by a young lad, of around 12-13, and i was wandering around one of the many fleece stalls, minding my own business, happily enjoying the atmosphere when i heard him say to his mum "I think i'm just going to reduce this to £1" my ears pricked up and i think he got quite a shock when my head popped around the corner "did i hear you say £1?"

I'll give him credit, he tried to sell me another bag and would have sold both for £5, but sadly that was all i had left and i wanted to keep my options open in case i saw something else. I felt quite mean, as if i had a little more i would have gladly taken both bags, but alas, i couldn't.

 All it needs now is to be washed and carded then it is ready to spin.

I must find a pair of carders. Anyone want to lend me some to test? I'll send you some of the wool i eventually spin! haha (I can try, right?)

The only thing i'm not sure on is to dye, or not to dye? The actual natural colours are stunning, but i think i would like a nice variegated blue too. On the other hand, i could do both?1 ball natural and one dyed?

I'll ponder on it.

Of course, none of this could have happened if not for the amazing organizers from The Wool Clip.

 It is a Cumbrian co-operative, producing original and creative craftwork using wool and promoting British wool and traditional skills.

I think i can speak for all wool lovers, artists, knitters, crocheters, felters, spinners, dyers, weavers and everyone else when i say thank you! You have made so many people very happy

 (and so many husbands/wives/life partners broke! haha totally worth it!)

Don't forget, i shall be hosting the Whats Cooking? Blog Hop tomorrow, though it may be a little late as we have to go out. If i can figure out how to work it, i'll schedule it tonight :)