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Friday, March 23, 2018

Edinburgh Yarn Fest

Edinburgh Yarn Fest and Edinburgh itself was amazing. I loved my time exploring the city, teaching my classes and walking around the yarn market. I arrived in Edinburgh Tuesday lunchtime after a very relaxing flight. I like half-full flights so you can stretch out over two seats. The view from the plane was great too as we flew fairly low most of the way and the visibility was good with only light clouds. I saw the South Wales coastline and snow topped hills (either in the north of England or south of Scotland).

 

After dumping my luggage in the hotel, I headed out to explore the city. I stayed in the New Town area and focused on exploring the streets and shops in that area. I headed to Edinburgh's famous Jenners department store which reminded me of Liberty's in London.

 
 Jenners department store       Georgian houses in New Town


I admired the Old Town from a distance. I didn't feel up to heading up there as I'd had an early start that day.

I admired Edinburgh Castle which was the first thing I saw as I stepped off the airport bus.


My classes went really well. I taught Circular Fair Isle Yokes, Continental Knitting with Norwegian Purl and Beaded Lace Knitting. I even remembered to take a few photos from two of my classes.


I think this was the Circular Yoke class. The ladies in this class worked so hard as we had a lot to cover.
 

Below is my Beaded Lace Knitting class. 

 

On Thursday morning and all day Friday I went to the yarn market. My mum came with me on the Friday. Thursday was busy but Friday was heaving with people. I heard there was a very long queue to get in for those who hadn't pre-ordered their tickets. I highly recommend you pre-order your ticket. It will save you from queuing. I also heard that Saturday was much quieter but I wasn't there that day so I'm not sure.


The podcast lounge was a great place to relax and was always full of knitters from all over the world. I met a few lovely ladies here who I've met at shows before or who have bought my patterns and book. 


A few photos of some of the stalls. I haven't added links but just google the company name if you want to know more about them.

 
Injabulo                           Ginger Twist Studio
            (I'm desperate for one of their big baskets)   

 
Inspired Fibres                                  Rainbow Herloom

 
Skein Queen                  I think this was possibly 
                            Town End Alpacas

 
La Bien Aimee                            An Caitin Beag

View from the gallery of part of the yarn market.

I didn't actually buy that much because I had very little spare space in my suitcase. But I did get a EYF tote (not shown) and project bag (with the colourful hat on) as well as an EYF pin (now shown), two skeins from La Bien Aimee for a shawl, a skein of Yak Singles from Cosmic Strings (which is a new to me indie dyer) for another shawl design, a fabulous project bag from the lovely Pink Hazel (I also got a needle gauge and one of her new pins which I forgot to photograph), a Knitters Keep (the bracelet thing) from A Yarn Story (I meant to go back on Friday and get the row counter that attaches to it but forgot), two Shetland Wool Week notebooks (only one shown), two beautiful cards (printed from a felted picture) and a wooden mitten ornament set from Ysolda


On Saturday we explored Edinburgh. My Mum and Vanessa joined me in Edinburgh. It was a freezing cold day with a bitterly cold wind so we spent most of the day on one of the tourist buses (which was great), exploring Holyrood Palace and National Museum of Scotland. The museum was great and we only explored a fraction of what was on offer.

 

On Sunday we were due to fly home. But due to snow in Devon our flight got cancelled. Exeter Airport closed just as we were literally boarding the plane. So Flybe put us up in a nice hotel for the night and re-booked us on a flight on Monday evening. Vanessa had an earlier flight back to London on Monday but my Mum and I got to spend another day exploring Edinburgh. The weather was much better so we walked around the top of the Royal Mile, near the castle.


I loved my trip to Edinburgh. It's a beautiful city and this was my first visit but hopefully it won't be the last. Edinburgh Yarn Fest was great fun. The stalls were amazing. My students were lovely. I had students from several European countries and the US. I hope I'll be able to be part of it again next year.

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