Don’t get too excited! S.E.X. = Stash Enhancement Exercise.
I went to the Alexandra Palace (Ally Pally to Londoners) Knitting & Stitching show on Friday, accompanied by my good friends, Judie and Anita, from the Guilty Knitters 😀
I had extravagantly taken the day off work and decided on a generous budget. My extravagance was was justified to myself by the fact that my house move was on the point of falling apart because people couldn’t agree on completion dates. I was stressed to the point of exploding and needed some serious chill out time, to maintain sanity.
We had a terrific day! Everything seemed to work for us. Trains and buses arrived on cue, we stopped for coffee when there was no queue and seats available (10 mins later the queue was out the door!) and we all found lovely things to acquire.
So do you want to see what I bought? Huh? huh?
Shall I tease you some more?
Ok…here’s the yarn in ascending order of excitement…
First there was some Debbie Bliss Donegal Aran Tweed…
Probably for a Central Park Hoodie – Several of my knitting buddies have made pattern and I like it!
Next is some outrageous novelty Pom-Pom yarn to make a bobbly scarf…
It’s probably very tacky and is totally synthetic but it looks fun to try so I blow a huge raspberry at any yarn-snobs out there!
Then there are the 5 beautiful, bargain skeins from Blacker Designs, of rare and wonderful Gotland /Merino mix (Gotland is a type of sheep – only around 1500 in this country!!)
I’m thinking of doing an Iris version in this – might not work though – I need to swatch….
Finally a yarn I so fell in love with I totally forgot to ask about the fibres involved! I suspect silk and wool…it’s so pretty I don’t care if it’s acrylic and barbed wire 🙂
It’s from Debonaire (or Erica Downs). We discussed slouchy berets but I think a fabulous scarf would be more me – I’d certainly wear it more…
So did I just buy yarn? Ummmm 😳 No…..
…there is more…
A super indulgent sent of Knit Pro sock needles…
And some fun kits to knit wire and bead bracelets – so much easier than it looks! – I bought some extra wire too.
This one took me a hour!
It was a super day. I spent too much and thoroughly enjoyed myself. I even managed to relax and forget the house move drama.
Do you want to know the best bit? The lovely Ben had been diligently working hard all day with solicitors and estate agents. He sent me a text at Ally Pally – we’ve exchanged contracts!! 🙂
Monday 26th October… My stash moves to it’s own yarn room 😀
I’m so glad that you had such a wonderful day and that you managed to exchange contracts. I know when I’m stressed I tend to splash out, and though you bought much, I do believe you bought well! I think my favorite is the Gotland/Merino mix, it is really gorgeous.
I am even more excited now about the prospect of going to Harrogate again in November. I do love a good show!
Ooooooooooooooh lucky you! I didn’t make it to Ally Pally this year, so I’m green with envy! You certainly brought back some lovely things! Good luck with your move – hope Thug and Mewsley enjoy their new home. And I look forward to seeing some photos of your yarn room in due course!
Glad you had a good day. Bit of retail therapy is always good for you. Yarn looks great.
Fabulous yarn buying there – I love the pom pom one myself, so no snobbery here 😉 Gutted that I didn’t make it down to Ally Pally for the show this time, I really wanted to but had a busy weekend so couldn’t. Your acquisitions look fab. Good luck with the move – you’re definitely on the right track having exchanged and got the move date.
Glad to see I’m not alone in the guilty SEX at Ally Pally. I had a whole weekend of stress shopping in London…Friday at AP and 3 days worth of vintage shopping. I thought there was some lovely fibres there – Habu was my downfall…bad people! There were a lot of enablers around. Enjoy your new “woom” (wool-room!) when you get it!
You just can’t beat a bit of retail therapy!! Glad contracts have been exchanged, hope the rest goes smoothly. How large a van will you need to move your stash! When we moved 3 years ago, I was somewhat embarrassed to see how many boxes it took to pack up my sewing room……….
ps, I want those sock needles, so much prettier than my plain bamboo ones!!
I hate that all the wool shows are always down in England 😛 lol your skeins look so lovely! I’ve seen that pom pom stuff made up in the shop near me and it’s lovely made up. I’ve been toying myself with the idea of making a blanket out of it.
WoW! Certainly looks like a good day. LOVE the yarn choices! Hope the move goes well
A great haul.I’m hoping to go to Harrogate not only for the wool but for all the other little things like the bead kits and most of all inspiration.It doesn’t seem 2 minutes ago I was at at craft show in Manchester and saw someone on a stand knitting socks without a pattern and I was amazed.30 pairs of socks later and there you go.What next?
Congratulation on the exchange. You picked some fab yarn, I bet your fingers are itching to cast on. I brought some of that pom pom yarn a couple of weeks ago, as my LYS lady told me that it made a really wounderfully soft and absorbent bathmat, (very snuggle on the feet). I can’t wait to see what you do with it. Dawn
P.S thanks for telling me about those Ikea storage bags. (They have just been added to my christmas list)
What a haul! Sounds like a great day with friends, and a nice ending, too!