Yarndale 2015

I wasn't sure I'd be able to make Yarndale this year, my weekends have been so busy just lately and to top it off, Mick had a bit of a crisis at work on the Friday and thought he might have to go in on the Saturday, but it all worked out in the end and we did manage to get there.

We arrived earlier than we had last year and there was definitely a different feel about the place. It was absolutely packed and everyone was jostling to get the best vantage points, there was a lot of pushing and shoving going on. We decided that we'd wander round looking at whatever we could get close to before following the same path again looking at what we'd missed the first time round. As the day wore on, I'm pleased to say that everything calmed down and there was that happy feel that I'd experienced last year.

I think the thing which hits you most at Yarndale is the colour, it's absolutely everywhere as you might expect when yarn's involved.

I was looking forward to seeing all the crochet Flowers for Memories which people from all around the world had sent to raise funds for the Alzheimer's Society. They didn't disappoint, there was a rainbow themed display containing over 5000 flowers which had been sent from twenty two countries and they raised £1811.80 for this very deserving charity.

The mandalas, which were last year's Yarndale project were displayed at eye level this year rather than hung up high. You really got to see all the work which had been put in to them.

A project I'd taken part in this year was the Yarndale Sock Line. Earlier this year I took part in a sockalong which Christine over at Winwick Mum blog was organising. After this sockalong, Christine came up with the idea of asking people to send handmade socks so that she could make a line of sock bunting at Yarndale. After the festival, these socks were to be gifted to people in need who may be thankful for a cosy pair of handmade socks. I thought it was a great idea and sent off my pair of socks and here they are in situ. It's not a very good photo but they're the ones on the left on this first stretch of bunting.

I had every intention of having a word with Christine whilst I was there, she was selling and signing copies of her Super Socks book, however, she was busy chatting away to other people when I visited the Knit and Natter Lounge and she'd disappeared when I went back, I think she may have gone for some lunch.

The auction mart where Yarndale's held is usually filled with animals and the weekend of the festival was no exception, well, perhaps not filled but there were animals there.

This gorgeous little sheep was called Viola and she was the most friendly little thing. She loved being stroked and having her head scratched, I could have taken her home with me. Not sure what Archie would have thought to that idea though.

I didn't take too many photos, I was too busy oohing and aahing at all the lovely things to be seen.

Would you like to see what I bought? I'm sure you would. Not a huge haul by some standards but more than I bought last year.

I bought a couple of balls of Drops Lima. Mick bought me Edward's Menagerie book for Christmas last year and I haven't had a go at anything from it yet. He bought me some Toft Alpaca yarn but I want to have a go with something cheaper first so this yarn ticks the boxes.

Manos Silk Blend Fino, 70% merino 30% silk, it's silky soft.

Exmoor Sock Yarn. Made with 85% Exmoor Blueface and 15% nylon for extra strength.

I saw these cute ornaments last year and regretted not buying one so I rectified that this time.

I have to admit that I don't actually use many buttons but I can't resist buying them. I also bought some new felting needles for Eleanor as her needle snapped half way through a project. She can get on and finish it now.

I may have also bought a Christmas present but I can't show you that at the moment or tell you who it's for. Yarndale's a great place to pick up gifts.

I had a really wonderful day out and came home, once again, filled with inspiration. The date's in the diary for next year but once again, I'm not sure if I'll make it. I missed the first Yarndale two years ago because it was the weekend we were moving Daniel in to his university accommodation. Eleanor will hopefully be going to university next year so we'll just have to see if her moving date clashes with Yarndale or not. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it doesn't.