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Monday, March 02, 2015

A Weekend In Wales

Before I tell you about our lovely weekend in Wales, I just want to mention that my online Professional Finishing Course for knitters started today. You can still join. Today is 'Introduction and Time Table' and some optional knitting homework (which is designed to help you practice some of the skills taught but if you have a sweater that needs sewing up you don't need to do the knitting homework). Remember, you can watch the lessons which are a combination of videos and pdfs whenever and wherever it suits you. You can watch them on the day they go live or in a years time. You can go back and watch them as often as you like. You get indefinite access. You can sign up here.


We came home last night from a lovely weekend in Wales. On Saturday we left early so we would arrive in Cardiff at lunchtime. After lunch Simon and Emily went to a museum and Vanessa and I headed off to Calon Yarns. I've tried to get there before on my trips to Cardiff but never managed it. I'm so glad we made the effort this time. 

It was their regular Saturday afternoon Knit Club when we got there so we joined in the knitting and chatting and were made to feel very welcome! Of course I had to have a browse through the shop to see what goodies were for sale. The first thing that caught my eye was Kate Davies' 'Yokes'. I've heard lots of good things about this book but I never have time to knit sweaters for myself so didn't think there was much point in buying the book. But the book has some interesting essays and historical info as well as the designs, which are beautiful, so I bought it anyway. 


I also got tempted by some Jamieson & Smith. I'm thinking I may make some more Selbu inspired mittens. I've got a mitten design all charted up and ready to cast on for ...when I have time.


On Sunday, Simon and the girls spent the day in Cardiff while I headed out to Cowbridge to teach at La Mercerie. This is my third visit to La Mercerie in the last year and this time we were doing Toe Up Socks on circular needles (magic loop technique). I had a great group of knitters. Most of whom I'd met before. They all managed to make a teeny tiny mini sock by the end of the day. Here are a few of them.


Hopefully I'll be back at La Mercerie again later this year so if you live in South Wales look out for more classes there. La Mercerie is a lovely shop with a big selection of various yarns. They have an especially excellent selection of the Old Piggery hand-dyed yarns. Last time I was at La Mercerie I bought a project bag made by Sue, owner of the Old Piggery, and this time I got tempted by one of her yarns, Donegal 4ply, which was an exclusive colourway, Turkish Delight. I'm thinking of a small shawl but haven't quite decided yet.


If you fancy learning how to knit Toe Up Socks using the magic loop technique, I'll be at Sitting Knitting in Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham on 22 March.

As if that wasn't enough yarn, today these three beauties arrived from Tanis Fiber Arts in Canada. It got here in less than a week and with no customs charges! I'm already dreaming of what to make with these lovely sock yarn skeins. With all this new yarn I'd better get knitting. I need to finish a few things so I can cast on new things.


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