Woolfest

Woolfest was fantastic. Absolutely amazing. I really enjoyed last year's show but this year was even better. Our stall was right in the middle and we got off to a bit of  a slow start on Friday but once we got busy, we got really busy. Sales were up on last year and patterns were selling very well. I sold out of several patterns.

The nicest things about shows is to meet my regular customers and put some faces to names. I also met some Ravelry and Twitter friends and caught up with some people i already know too. It's also nice to speak to other stall holders and catch up with knitting friends. I would have loved to have had more time to chat to people but we were too busy.

We set up the stall trying to display as many designs as possible.  that's the 'Cerys' baby blanket below our sign on the back wall. I then realised I hadn't  printed off any copies to take with me as I decided the pattern was too long to print at 8 pages. So we put up Snow Queen instead.

We also sold out of a few patterns during the weekend and after the first day we removed those samples we didn't have any patterns left for. Otherwise we would keep getting people asking for those patterns and I don't like telling people patterns are sold out.

This was the Supreme Lace, Bambino Lace and Twinkle Lace at the beginning of Friday

And this is what was left on Sat afternoon:

And Twinkletoes and Fairytale Sock:

and at the end of Saturday:

The Twinkletoes Sock was very popular again and there are only about 6 skeins left.

I did mange to run around the show a couple of times and buy a couple of treats for myself. I've not taken photos yet so I'll share those tomorrow.

I've been unpacking yarn today and started re-stocking the shop. I'll finish that tomorrow.

That's about all I've got the energy for tonight. I'll share more about our sightseeing, my knitting progress and my purchases tomorrow.

Winners

Yes, I've finally decided on names for the Easy Lace Collection. First up is 'Do The Twist' which I was really struggling to decide between 'Entwined' & 'Celtic Jewel'. I love 'Entwined' but I decided to go with 'Celtic Jewel' suggested by Rowan.

The names suggested for the Supreme Sock Shawlette were great too and I particularly liked 'Love in a mist' but I decided to go for 'Frosty Diamonds' suggested by Joy.

For 'Flower & Vine' I really liked 'Dewdrops' and 'Forget Me Not' and I've only just decided to go for 'Forget Me Not' by Allyssa.

The 'Fairytale'  shawlette is going to be called 'Fairytale'. the working title was 'Fairytale' because the yarn I knitted it in was called 'Fairytale' and I really liked this name. And Maria agreed with me.

So the winners are Rowan, Joy, Alyssa and Maria. Can you all please e-mail me with your contact details or leave your e-mail address in the comments - I won't publish your e-mail addresses, noone will see them as I have to check all comments before they're published. You all win a free copy of the Easy Lace E-book when it's finished which will hopefully be sometimes in July. Thank you for helping me decide on names and thank you to all those who left suggestions. I did get a couple of suggestions for the cowl and handwarmer set but I'm sorry I wasn't sure about either of them. I'll wait until I've completely finished them and I'm also working on a sideways shawlette. If I can't decide on names for those, we'll do another competition soon.

This week has been mainly dyeing yarn and printing patterns. I now have a lounge full of wet yarn, piles of dry yarn and stacks of patterns. It always goes a little bit crazy in the week before a show. I don't have enough room in my workroom to store everything. I think it drives the family mad.

I've tried to go for some brighter colours this time. I felt at Wonderwool our yarn wasn't quite colourful enough so this time we've gone for some bright colourful stuff. There are some slightly more muted colours too. I'll get some pics and share them over the coming days before we leave for Cumbria on Wednesday.

I've listed some of the new yarn in the shop but it won't stay there for long. I'll empty the shop on Tuesday morning so hurry up if you want to order any of it. The shop will be closed form Tuesday lunchtime until next Monday, when I'll start re-stocking it with Woolfest leftovers.

I've been sharing some preview photos on Twitter so I thought it's only fair to share some here too.

First, some Twinkle Sock, I dyed much more of this yesterday but it's not all dry yet.

Twinkle Lace:

And some Dreamy Lace:

Infinity Scarf finished

My bag obsession continues as this cute bag arrived from Piddleloop's Etsy Shop.

 I've just looked at their bags again and they're gorgeous. Do I need any more bags? No!!! This bag is a medium size bag. Its not quite as big as the sweater bags  but bigger than my small project bags. Perfect for lots of my projects. I can't wait to use it.

In the meantime, the scarf project which was taking up one of my sweater bags has just come off the needles. it's so dark and dull now I won't take any proper photos and it needs blocking. Not sure whether to try to steam block it or wet block it.

It's an infinity scarf for a friend and I'm seeing her next week so I'm pleased to have this finished.
I'd like to do some matching handwarmers but I don't think this yarn will be good for handwarmers as it's a singles yarn and very loosely spun, it won't wear well if worn on your hands. I've considered getting a skein of the Scrumptious 4ply in the same colour but today, I tried dyeing some Fairytale in a similar colourway. Not sure how well I've done yet. Will have to wait until it's dry to decide.

My main knitting now is on a secret project which is progressing well. I've finished the back and starting the front today.

Sock Variety Club yarn has been dyed today as has the Easy Lace club February yarn. both clubs will be sent out as soon as the yarn is dry which will be Saturday or Monday. I also dyed some Bamboozle Lace and Fairytale Sock to go in tomorrow/Friday's shop update. Lots of gorgeous over-dyed shades. I'd planned to take some preview photos of the yarns from Monday's dyeing session which are already dry but it's so dull it's impossible. I've had the light on most of the day, that's how dark and dull it is.

And good news, I've been allocated a stall at Woolfest in June.  I'm incredibly excited as I understand the competition for stands was fierce and some very well-known indie dyers who've been doing Woolfest for several years were turned down. Will be interesting to see who'll be there this year. I'm very much looking forward to our trip to Cumbria.