That pioneering spirit is still alive and kicking

And so to Harrogate on Sunday with Edna, Alison and Ann from Bradford Guild for the Knitting and Stitching Show. It was our turn to man the NASWD stall and also, hopefully to get another look at the show without having to pay!

We had had some snow and our lane was quite icy, but the sky was blue and although snow was forecast we didn't think there'd be a problem getting home from Harrogate. After all, it's only 12 miles! Only!

We spent some time arranging our scarves, gloves, shawls etc and by the time the show opened it was looking very good. Here we are having a quiet moment before the rush started.

There were fewer visitors on the Sunday, possibly due to the adverse weather, but maybe because it is always quieter on the last day. However, we were kept pretty busy and were pleased to see so much interest in joining the guild from some younger people. Time was when we were the youngsters, but now sadly we have become the wrinklies!

We all had a wander around the show and the day was going well until someone mentioned that it was snowing heavily. Oh dear, it wasn't just snowing , it had been snowing hard and as the roads hadn't been gritted, Harrogate town centre was gridlocked!

The DH had left home at 3.30 to pick Alison and I up at 4.15, but didn't arrive in Harrogate until 8.30! Ann couldn't get her car out of the car park, so Edna offered her a bed for the night as there was no possibility of her getting back to Brighouse. Alison and I waited at the conference centre for a while, but the regular mobile phone calls to and from the DH were not encouraging and all the while the chaos continued outside. So we decided to head for Edna's which meant walking up the hill, past Betty's and across The Stray for around a mile or so through ankle deep snow and slush, carrying our bags and the spinning wheel! We got some pretty strange looks!

Edna made us a very welcome cup of tea and also some soup and we sat in front of her lovely wood burning stove until the DH arrived! The journey home wasn't too bad and by 10. 15 we were curled up on the sofa watching the cricket highlights!

I had hoped that I could show you our stand, but Blogger won't upload the photos! Perhaps next time!

The good news is that I seem at last to have mastered the art of spindle spinning. The question is will I continue now that my back and foot have recovered enough to encourage me to try using the wheel again. We'll see!

Getting it all together

So, another dismal November day on Wednesday, but at last I made it to Armley Museum to meet up with Spinners of Aire after a very long gap! We were having a jacob's joint lunch to celebrate Gwen and Russ's golden wedding anniversary. Well done them, and they're still on speaking terms!!!!

Usually these lunches turn out very well with a nice selection of different things. This time though, everyone bought quiche! Well everyone except Alison and Betty. Betty treated us to her usual coronation chicken, which I have to say was as delicious as ever. I took the camera, but, forgot to take any photos!

As I had yet another argument with some steps resulting in a bruised bottom, I am still not spinning on the wheel. I had bought a spindle at Masham from P&M Woolcraft and have been trying to get to grips with spindle spinning. How hard can it be! Well even after twenty years experience spinning on a wheel, you have to learn how to do it all over again! It's slow progress and my spindle spinning coach from spindlers2 finally decided to come to my aid and loaned me one of the new crop they had just got from the USA. The problem it seems is that my spindle was just too light so I now have a borrowed one that is heavier and altogether more successful. Of course, the technique still leaves a lot to be desired and I'm making the fundamental mistake of letting the twist into the roving. However, I will get there!

No photos of the efforts with the spindle, but here is one taken at Masham showing me and my DGD!


Another dismal day on Saturday, but off I went to Bradford guild for a spin and chat meeting. I spent a lot of time chatting and not much time spinning, but I did get some practice with the spindle. Sadly, this was the last meeting Lucy,our webmaster, would be attending as she is off to China for at least two years to do research into Ordovician fossils! She will be missed, but is hoping that she will be able to keep in touch via Ravelry provided the powers that be don't block it! I'm not sure why they would because chatting about knitting and crochet are hardly likely to bring down the regime, however, they are a funny lot!

On the weaving front, we have some progress. A new warp is on the eight shaft Louet and a nice little sampler is underway. This warp went on without any tangles or threading mistakes and has given me confidence to start an actual project, but probably not before Christmas.

Next up is a visit to the Knitting and Stitching show. Let's hope it's not too hot!