Hello everyone, I am back! As promised this is part two of my woolly Welsh adventure.
This post will mainly focus on the wonderful yarns I spotted at Wonderwool, so it will be few words, and a lot of visual stimulation.
Friendly Disclaimer:
I am not responsible for the excessive drooling that the following pictures may cause.
I am also not affiliated to any of the sellers linked in this page, I just really loved their products.
So buckle up, we dive in wool paradise!
Variegated and Ombree wool:
This type of wool is definitely one of my weaknesses. I love knitting with self-patterning, variegated yarns. It relaxes me and makes me happy to see the yarn changing colour while it slips through my fingers. It is the reason why I survive sock knitting and why I don’t succumb to “second sock syndrome”. I find particularly interesting yarns that show a slow progress in shades so that the different hues merge into a continuous flow one after the other [see Fall Spirit Shawl on my Ravelry page].
Sock yarn:
There are thousands and thousands of sock yarn out there, but nothing beats a hand-dyed skein. I fell in love with this shades created by the skilled Siobhan Craft [see her Etsy shop for more stunning creations]. The detail that caught my attention the most are those black speckles that are not supposed to create any specific pattern. It is captivating to have some yarn and not knowing how the design will display. I also loved the grey and the pastel colours together. I walked away twice and the third time I found myself drooling over it, I bought it.
Speaking of sock yarn… at Wonderwool I made a discovery. I apologise if you were all aware of this, but I wasn’t. Are you one of those people who has to wear matching socks but doesn’t want to give up the snazzy comfort of knitted socks? Well, ladies and gentlemen, this is the product for you. These swatches have been worked with double strands and dyed once knitted. You just need to unravel them and you will have a perfectly symmetrical pair of socks! And as lovely Michelle at WoollyWumpkins was telling me, they are also perfect to knit shawls and other projects!
Merino mix wool:
Rosie’s Moments needs no introduction, I am positive many of you lovely knitters already browsed her fantastic Etsy shop. I bought these three shades because I was inspired by a pattern for sale on another stall.
I love the grey and I still haven’t decided if I am going to use the topaz blue or the mustard yellow it with. Maybe you can advise me on this. The pattern I want to use it for is called Pale Moon by Helen Kennedy (picture just below). It will also be my first ever attempt with mosaic knitting, so wish my extra luck!
More Merino mixes:
This yarn found its way into my shopping bag without letting me ask anything about it. I touched it… and I simply wasn’t able to let it go. Seriously, for the first time in my life, I gripped the skein and my hand refused to let it go. It is so soft and light in weight! It’s a mix of 60% merino, 20% silk, and 10% yak hand dyed by The Old Piggery. I haven’t a project in mind for it just yet, but I can definitely see a shawl coming from this beauty!
And what about dyeing? I will admit I am a dye virgin. But let’s not say I fear a new challenge when it comes down to yarn. Stay tuned for some experimental colour adding, mixing and probably finger and house staining!
No matter what the result will be, I believe that this gorgeous undyed skein it’s a perfect starting point (50/50 superwash merino/tencel lace available here).
Plan B is to knit is as it is, and since it’s super soft, it may turn out to be a very nice bridal/christening shawl.
Treasure find of the weekend:
Ok, maybe this will not tickle everyone, and I will admit I had never seen it before myself. I found a mix of baby camel and silk that totally rocked my world. I will be honest, it was a pricey buy (the most expensive yarn I’ve ever come across), but the feel of it in the knitted garments they had on display stole my heart. It reminded me of the feel of a Pashmina because of the lightness and warmth of the knitted fabric. I wish I had the means to purchase multiple colours because the whole range was simply amazing. Well, maybe next year Dye Ninja… you are at the top of my yarn wishlist!
Stunning colours and curious patterns:
Wonderwool was definitely an overwhelming experience for my knitter senses. The beauty of the designs on display and the gorgeous colours of the yarns was simply mesmerizing! And in the middle of this beauty, there was also room to display great craftsmanship and originality.
This fantastic crocodile was all done in crochet! As you can see by reference with the ladies in the back, this “plushie” was GIGANTIC! Its scales may not have been golden, but it reminded me of the description of the “little crocodile” that Lewis Carroll created for the readers of his Alice.
How doth the little crocodile
Improve his shining tail
And pour the waters of the Nile
On every golden scale
How cheerfully he seems to grin
How neatly spreads his claws
And welcomes little fishes in
With gently smiling jaws!
And when creativity meets practicality, you end up with THIS! High-Vis crochet coats! They are brilliant! And before someone decides to give this idea a tut-ting remark, I wish to let you know that the lady who made these was trying to raise awareness for her daughter’s poor health (the daughter used High Vis coats for work). The letter she had on display was touching.
So, this closes the recount of my two days of excitement and joyful scurrying between yarns, sheep and knitters in the beautiful setting of Wales.
I hope you enjoyed reading about it and I hope I made some of you curious about coming to visit the event next year. It is really worth it. And don’t worry, there are plenty of food and beverage stalls to keep you going throughout the weekend! Me, being Italian, I opted for a very nice gelato 😀
Happy knitting!
Simply Yarn - when thread becomes something beautiful 