Tuesday 11 April 2017

Spring Into Wool 2017

I've had this new yarn festival pencilled in my diary for months now, it was being held at The Grammar School at Leeds, about half an hour from where I live, so virtually on my doorstep, it would have been a shame to miss it. Imagine how thrilled I was then to win free tickets when I entered a giveaway on Natalie's Knatters Knits podcast. Thank you, Natalie, the tickets were put to very good use.


The doors opened at 10am and the show had been going for about an hour by the time we arrived. I'm used to Yarndale and know how large that show is (I believe there were over one hundred and eighty exhibitors in 2016) but I knew beforehand that Spring Into Wool wasn't going to have anywhere near the amount of stands as that show does, in fact there were sixty exhibitors.


Although it seemed to get extremely busy at one point, the majority of the time we were there was quite relaxed. It was more of a laid-back show where you could peruse the merchandise at leisure and have a friendly chat with the stall holders without experiencing the pushing and shoving that I have done in the past at Yarndale. There was still a very good turnout though and there was plenty of choice when it came to making a purchase. I spent more than I had intended but Mick was there with his wallet and kept encouraging me to buy more, who was I to argue? This is my haul.


Would you like a closer look? Silly question, of course you would.

I nearly asked for 'one of each' at Fondant Fibre, goodness me, it was hard to choose from all the beautiful yarn on offer. In the end I went for these three skeins. I'd gone with a couple of projects in mind, a two skein shawl and a pair of speckly socks so these seemed to fit the bill.


The skein on the left is Hannah, a Superwash Merino and Mulberry Silk yarn in Wooden Heart colourway, it has tiny specks of colour and I thought this teamed well with the middle skein from the Covent Garden Collection on the Hardy Plus base, 75/25 Superwash Merino and Nylon in Coral Roses colourway. These are the two skeins I chose for the shawl I've got planned. I absolutely love the beautiful colours in this yarn with a very neutral background. The skein on the right is again on the Hardy Plus base, 75/25 Superwash Merino and Nylon and this is in Amazon Orchid colourway. It's beautifully speckled and I thought this would make a pretty pair of socks. I've just got to choose the patterns now. I'd love to hear any recommendations you may have for two skein shawl patterns. Here's a closer look at the colours.


I've never used a yarn with stellina, sparkly bits, in it before so I couldn't resist this skein from Yellow Door Yarn. It's on their Sparkle Sock base, 75% Superwash Merino, 15% Nylon and 10% Stellina, in Parisian Sky colourway, isn't that a pretty name? It's beautiful yarn, so soft and squishy.


I think you can just see the sparkly stellina in this close up. It's actually much more sparkly in real life.


I must have visited Third Vault Yarns stand about four or five times. They dye yarn which is inspired by sci-fi, fantasy, board games and books and they had some wonderful colourways. In the end I couldn't resist and I came away with this Dragon Scales colourway on their Companion 4ply base, 100% Superwash Merino.


There's lots of subtle colour changes in the yarn from greens and greys to blues and purples. I think it will look beautiful knit up. Perhaps a shawl, scarf or cowl beckons.


This skein from Jo.Knit.Sew is a totally different colour from anything I've used before. For a kick off it's got black in there, something I've never knit with in the past. It's got gorgeous pops of colour which stand out against the black, blues and greens. I can't wait to see how this knits up.


The colourway is Opal's Eve and it's on a Super Merino/Nylon base. I might even be kind enough to knit Mick a pair of socks with this yarn, we'll see.


I left this yarn off the photo of my haul by mistake, it's West Yorkshire Spinners Signature 4 ply. I've never used this brand before but I should support them as their home is right here in West Yorkshire where I live and all their yarn in reared, sheared and spun in Britain. This is their Country Birds collection in the Mallard colourway and is destined to be a pair of socks.


I bought the two embossed greetings cards from Beaks & Bobbins. They're prints of original embroideries by Amy Butcher. I think they'll look fabulous popped in a couple of frames. The knitters soap is from Fondant Fibre in the fruity Orchard scent. It will certainly freshen up my hand knits. I'm afraid I didn't keep a note of who I bought the buttons from but I usually pick up a few for my button tin whenever I'm at a show, I thought these two rainbow designs were particularly colourful.


There were also a few freebies being given out, I picked up a past issue of Knitting magazine and was given some free patterns from Knitting By Post, a company which designs and sells toy and novelty patterns.


It was a great day out, very well planned and it seemed to go off without a hitch. There was a canteen where hot and cold food could be purchased and workshops and demonstrations. Car parking was free and there were plenty of spaces. This is the first time Spring Into Wool has been staged but I'll definitely be back if it's on again next year.

46 comments:

  1. I think you'll be pleased with the WYS yarn, it's gorgeous. Glad you enjoyed the event!

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    1. I've been meaning to try the West Yorkshire Spinners yarn for quite some time now so I'm pleased I managed to pick up a ball, I think it will make some nice socks for Daniel for Christmas.

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  2. Lucky lady. It sounds like a great day out and more my cup of tea than Yarndale - can't deal with huge crowds. The yarns you have chosen look so lovely. My favourite is the Yellow Door Yarn. Such delicious colours and with a hint of sparkle. I'm looking forward to seeing it knitted up. X

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    1. It was busy but not as busy as Yarndale so a good show if you want to avoid lots of hustle and bustle. I was really lucky with the Yellow Door yarn, it was the very last sparkly skein they'd got left, it's such a gorgeous colour too.

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  3. Looks and sounds a wonderful day, and you've got quite a haul of wool there, I think you are going to be busy.

    I really like the Parisian Sky colourway of the sparkly stellina.

    Happy Knitting!

    All the best Jan

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    1. I'm going to be kept very busy with my latest haul. It's really hard choosing which colours to buy, there's so much choice.

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  4. I have never been to a yarn festival other than the one organised by our local yarn shop, held in a church hall. It sounds great! I am looking forward to seeing all your projects, particularly the sparkly socks. I have made a pair of sparkle socks with Fyberspates once, loved them to death. Happy knitting! x

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    1. I've been to Yarndale a few times but it was nice to go to a smaller show which wasn't quite as busy and where I could take my time and chat to the stall holders. The sparkly sock yarn is gorgeous, so squishy that I might even make a scarf or shawl with it, the colours are just beautiful.

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  5. What beautiful yarns! A lovely day out by the sounds of it. Glad you enjoyed it!

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    1. It was a great day out, I shall definitely pencil the date in for next year, I do hope they do it again.

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  6. It sounds like you had a good time, Jo, and you've bought some lovely yarns.

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    1. I had a wonderful time, I was like a kid in a sweet shop, there was so much yarn to choose from. I bought more than I'd intended but was actually quite restrained with all the choice there was.

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  7. What lovely yarns... The colours are gentle and the textures will look amazing. Jx

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    1. There was so much choice that I had a bit of difficulty in decided what to bring home with me, I'm really pleased with my final choices though.

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  8. Sounds wonderful, yarn paradise! Some really beautiful yarns there, I love the fondant colours xx

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    1. It was a lovely day out and quite close to home too. I need to save up for the next one now.

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  9. Sounds like such a wonderful time! Our local knitter's fair is much the same way - perhaps a bit larger but very relaxed and a nice day out.

    Lovely purchases - I'm the same way at these fairs. I don't even bother with a budget anymore as I always end up spending more...way more...than I intend. Good thing it's only once per year, although I am considering going to the festival in Toronto this year, which I've not been to yet, but it's on the same day as a "faire" at the Royal Botanical Gardens - which to choose??

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    1. I quite enjoyed the smaller show where it wasn't as busy and things were more relaxed. There's so many gorgeous yarns to tempt your money away from you, I could have gone on and on if money was no object. Now that's a choice, isn't it? A yarn festival or a garden faire, which to choose.

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  10. Such beautiful yarn, can't wait to see the finished products.

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    1. I'm busy looking for suitable patterns now, there's such a choice out there. I want something that will do this gorgeous yarn justice.

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  11. Oh, such lovely yarn. At times like these - seeing such lovely yarn - I wish I could knit, but we can't do everything and I think I'm a bit too long in the tooth to learn! Besides, I keep amused writing and reading and ordering my 'staff' around, ha ha!
    Margaret P

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    1. I don't think you're ever too old to learn something new, but we are all different and we all enjoy different things. I think one of the great things about blogging is following along with other people's interests, whether it's something we do ourselves or not.

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  12. Lovely yarns, I am glad you enjoyed the show.

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    1. I'm really pleased with my haul, I can't wait to find some patterns and put the yarn to good use.

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  13. super impressed with Mick and his wallet :) ! I like smaller events too - I'd love to find some speckled wool.

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    1. Mick's always encouraging where my hobbies are concerned which is good now that I'm not working and earning my own money. The one thing I really wanted was to find some speckled wool and I'm really pleased with the skein I bought from Fondant Fibre.

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  14. Oooh what fabulous goodies, I´m sure Mick could see a few pairs of socks coming his way lol. So glad you had a wonderful time, nice it was relaxed nothing worse than the shoving. I do miss going to some of the fairs and shows, not the same buying on line, so thanks for sharing. Happy knitting, maybe a chance over Easter! xcx

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    1. You might be right, I may use the Jo.Knit.Sew yarn for a pair of socks for Mick. I don't think the colours ever look true online, these shows are brilliant to see lots of different brands all together so that you can make an informed choice. It was a great day out.

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  15. What lovely, delicious, scrummy yarns!! I just scrolled quickly past the cats!

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    1. It's a shame you can't feel how soft the yarn is, it's absolutely beautiful, as are those cats though I won't try and convince you, ha ha.

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  16. Beautiful colours Jo, I'm sure you will have great fun knitting with them.

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    1. These type of yarns are such fun to knit with as you're never quite sure how the colours are going to work up, I'm looking forward to knitting with them.

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  17. I love the yarn, especially the orangeone and the sparkly one. Those cat cards are gorgeous, as are those buttons. What a great day out, glad you won the tickets.xxx

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    1. I couldn't resist the cat cards. I'd love one of Amy Butcher's embroideries, they're so detailed, but they're out of my price range I'm afraid so it's good she's had these cards printed up.

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  18. The perfect day out and a hubby with an encouraging voice and open wallet, how wonderful (although I must add my Dh is always encouraging and supportive of my craftwork). How lovely you were not pushed and shoved ad could enjoy seeing and fondling the beautiful wools.
    Such a nice haul of yarn you purchased, the sparkly bits sound a nice one. Lots of lovely things to watch emerging as you knit these all up.

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    1. Mick's always happy to chauffeur me to shows and is always encouraging me to add to my stash, it's nice that he's so supportive. I'm really pleased with my haul, I came home with lots of different yarns to play with and I'm sure they'll make some beautiful garments.

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  19. How exciting, you're going to be so busy in a Happy sort of way. 😊

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    1. You're right. I enjoy this type of busyness. I can't wait to get started now though I need to finish off some of the projects I've already got on the go first.

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  20. How wonderful to have this right on your doorstep. You bought some beautiful coloured yarns. I love the one you chose from the yorkshire spinners.
    Lisa x

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    1. I saw the West Yorkshire Spinners yarn knit up and it makes a nice pattern, I thought it would be ideal for a pair of men's socks.

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  21. That's a unique event. I haven't heard of it before. Exciting!

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    1. I had a great time and thoroughly enjoyed squishing all the beautiful yarn.

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    1. I'm really pleased with all my purchases. These yarn festivals are a great way of being introduced to new yarns.

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  23. My third attempt at trying to comment, no idea what was happening, but an error messages kept appearing.
    Glad you had a great time, nothing worse than people pushing and shoving to look at things! I love the yarn you bought It will be exciting to see what you choose to make with them and how they work up :-)
    Fingers crossed this will post this time.
    Have a great easter

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    1. Glad you managed to comment, I wonder what was happening, I haven't had anyone else mention any problems but they do pop up from time to time. The only downside to Yarndale is all the pushing and shoving but Spring Into Wool was a much more relaxed affair which I found really enjoyable. I can't wait to start knitting up the new yarns, just got to free up some needles first.

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