WONDERFUL WONDERWOOL WALES AND MOUTHFUL

What a lovely day out for the yarn obsessed and foodies alike. All credit to the staff the organisation was very good. I went on Sunday with my hubby and the two teens.

The food stalls were great. The tasting wasn't bad either, products from chocolate to bread, wine, beer, ciders, liqueurs, pate, desserts, the list goes on. A gastronomic delight it was!!! We bought loads of stuff, the whole family enjoyed it.

I was in heaven so many stalls, crafts, gadgets,
colours, textures and YARN GLORIOUS YARN.
















A photograph of the ladies at Sheepfold.

I bought a Starburst Bag Kit, in Black Leicester Longwool and Wensleydale Longwool. The kit includes everything you need apart from the needles. The pattern includes information about the breed of sheep used, explaining that the kit supports those that are preserving the sheep breeds. We take so much for granted when we knit with 'prepared' wool. We don't appreciate the whole process. The ladies were so friendly and informative, nothing was too much trouble for them. I look forward to meeting them again.
Thank you lovely ladies - Sheepfold rocks!!!!



This is me attempting to knit with extreme needles.Challenging I would say, but by the same token I want to try it again.
Initially they are quite difficult but once you get into a rhythm they are easier. Put it this way it is good exercise for the arms.

I also had the pleasure of watching a lady spin, explaining how it evolves from the fleece. I was fascinated and so were the hubby and kids. A lady was also taking fibre from a fleece to spin. The nearest I ever got to a fleece before was watching 'Jason and the Argonauts'. It is a whole different intriguing world!!

I will blog more next time unfortunately I have to get ready for work. I want to blog and knit and crochet and design instead. Such is life.

Keep tweaking the needles.

Love Aruba Blue
xx

KNIT ON THE NET ISSUE 5

Read, enjoy be inspired!!! x

Frogging a few ....

I can't really settle to do big projects at the mo. I have started several things and frogged them. So I decided to just have a play instead, my hands wanted to work but I just couldn't make my mind up, concentration is difficult.

So I made this with Opal sock yarn .... and a 4.5mm hook.

its a curly wurly scarf from one of the supplements in a knitting magazine. It is so easy, and the colour changes in the yarn make it interesting to do. So I feel I have achieved something!!

It looks very pretty. It will come in handy for unpredictable spring days.

I have bought Nicky Epstein's Crocheted Flowers book, it is so beautiful and inspirational. I really love her stuff.

I also bought some sale yarn - Sirdar Breeze its 60% cotton and 40% acrylic, its really easy to work with, reminds me very much of Paton's washed haze. I have got some corn colour, some lavender and a few balls of pink. My friend has become a Nanny again she has a beautiful granddaughter, I feel some more baby knits need to be done. The crocheted heart blanket was so interesting to do that I would like to do another, maybe not now but sometime soon!!

Keep tweaking the needles love Aruba Blue

x

Peace at last .....

My darling Nan passed away at 10pm on 8th April, she has peace at last. Goodnight and God Bless xx

Visions of you in shades of blue .......

This is my youngest new friend he's 4 weeks old and models his new crochet shawl beautifully!!!







I am currently working on a blue blanket for a lady at work who is soon to become a grandmother, this baby is a boy too!!


This is my first serious attempt at filet crochet - still a work in progress but a very enjoyable one. I am using aran weight yarn and a 4.5mm hook, which grows very quickly. The pattern is a baby blanket from 'Celtic Crochet'.




A close up of one of the heart squares.








The family situation is still the same. My Mum (in law) bought me this lovely plant to cheer me up, isn't it gorgeous. I'm hoping to finish the baby shawl in the next day or two. I am itching to start a new project.

I have no interest in the knitted afghan I am supposed to be making for my daughter. She wants something very plain (boring), it only needs to be finished for next winter, so I have got bags of time for that. It's an ideal project to do when watching a complex tv programme.

Will catch you all soon, keep tweaking

love Aruba

xx

Life is like a box of chocolates ......

Not much to report regarding completed projects. Look out for the next issue of 'knitonthenet' for that.

I have made a cuddly friend for my friends daughter, she's three and has a new baby brother, I made the shawl for him so I had to make something for her so that she doesn't feel too left out! Say hello to fat funky bird!!


Its made from an old knitting pattern for the bird shape and the eyes, I freeform crocheted the wings, tail and 'hair'. I partially filled it with beans so that it will stand up and I used traditional toy stuffing for the rest.

I have started to crochet a lace weight shrug and I will post about that when I have done enough to photograph.

So many things have happened recently. A close family member is very, very poorly and shes on my mind constantly. Its tearing me apart and I find it very difficult to concentrate on anything!!

To take my mind off things a little my lovely hubby took me shopping, to a craft store and a book shop. I got these:-

They will go perfectly with my neutral colour yarns!










I found some Jaeger Roma, it feels really lovely, can't wait to work with it. Its a blend of viscose, nylon and angora.

Talking of angora, the beautiful green I had, I cannot use. I started to itch within minutes of trying to crochet with it. I have given it to a knitting friend, she is delighted. I had better stay away from it in future the same can be said for mohair.


I also bought Doris Chan's 'Amazing Lace Crochet' its gorgeous. Full of beautiful inspirational projects.

Keep tweakin the needles love
Aruba Blue xx

Happy Mothers Day

Have a lovely day all you hardworking Mums!!! I got a card each from my two teenage kids, and one from my husband 'to wife on mothers day', - secret- I can't believe he fell for that one bless him!!! I got Nickelback - All the right reasons CD. I am so chuffed. I saw them supporting Bon Jovi a couple of years ago and they are fantastic.

Meet Robert Anthony, (Well its a PLANT)!!!!
My other pressie its a Bromeliad - apparently. I just see a nice plant, green fingered I aint!

Buts its kinda cute dontya think?

Not much crafting getting done at the mo. I managed to fall at work and hurt my back, so last night I was resting. Feeling much better today, have to try and get something done!

Joined Ravellry a couple of days ago its a whole new world. As usual haven't a clue how it works technically, guess I'll get used to it. Fascinating though, all the beautiful pictures of yarn and projects, and people, and new ideas its a maze of stimulation for me.

Had another little delivery from Angel Yarns, Fiddlesticks Artisan NZ Merino yarn, one in Paua, one in Spice. Its lace weight.

Having had a sample I need to order more of each shade, tis gorgeous. I have visions of two shawls one to go with my autumn colour dresses and one for my neutrals. The stash is developing at a rate of knots recently, will have to stop for a while!!








... and finally a little light and a lot of love for Mums everywhere.

Keep tweakin

love Aruba Blue xx