Letting the Train Take the Strain....

 ....in an attempt to carry on as normal (or what passes for normal around here these days!), I took a little trip on the train at the weekend to catch up with the goings on in the woolly world. The Edinburgh Yarn Festival is now defunct with little possibility of returning anytime soon (it got too big too quickly and possibly became unmanageable logistically for the two organisers). 'Tangled Galashiels'*, a smaller alternative, had been organised some months ago in a neat little venue in the Scottish Borders. I'm not a far flung traveller these days so I love the chance to visit places that don't involve a lot of organising or distance and are within reach for me by car, bus or train since I'm invariably a 'lone' traveller too.

Everything's so lush and green considering we've had no proper rain for weeks now.

This is Jess at her stall. She owns a tiny little shop in Edinburgh called 'Ginger Twist Studio'. It's her 10th anniversary of ownership this month and I was telling her that when she first opened up, I took a trip to see her new shop but it was on one of the days she was closed!I've never had a chance to revisit so can't believe that was 10 years ago!How time flies!

I love Woolly Originals work. She does everything on her domestic knitting machine. We were having a discussion about knitting machines and she couldn't believe I gave mine away, complete with all the wool and accessories but there was just no room for anything when we moved to this small house years ago!

I absolutely loved this fluffy pink stuff! I have a vintage cardi pattern that would look perfect for it but I'll have to resort to a cheaper version.

The lady who crocheted these fab chunky throws gave me a few pointers on hook sizes and which yarn to use so that's another winter project for the ever-growing list of things to do!

This was a separate exhibition of work done by students of the nearby textile college.

Not really sure how you were meant to get in or out of this dress! The waist was tiny too!

Not my 'thing' but I'm sure it has a story to tell!

So after a break for refreshments and a chat with other woolly nerds lovely crafters, it was back to the main venue where I met up with the lovely Lindsey at her stall 'The Border Tart'! She provides the free wool for Operation Christmas Stocking each year. I haven't made last year's socks yet! Told you the to-do list was ever growing!

I bought these things from Lindsey. She does workshops in Rajasthan and brings back the loveliest hand blocked prints.

Homeward bound in time for tea and yet another stonking sunset!

That's it for today, I'm off to work on my time management skills! I've become quite a dab hand at procrastination these fine days! Please tell me I'm not the only one!

Thanks for visiting and leaving your lovely comments.

xoxoxo

*Tangled Galashiels has no affiliation with the Edinburgh Yarn Festival. They are two separate organisations.