To finish or not to finish...

It's a dilemma that most knitters will empathise with. I have at a conservative estimate 5 pairs of vanilla self stripe socks in various stages of completeness. Most of them are toe-up with an afterthought heel and at least 2 pairs could be finished in an evening if I put my mind to it.

My problem of course is that Stash Dash starts in just 3 weeks - on May 26th - I think (but don't quote me on it). Under the rules of this annual event all yardage from a completed project counts towards your Stash Dash total - no matter when it was started. So I could wait until May 26th and then whip a load of afterthought heels in and easily get the first 1000m or so under my metaphorical belt.

But then, I'm feeling the urge to finish a few things and free up some project bags. Oh.. and I've run out of sock needles too. Decisions...

Insert lovely blog post here

This blog post was intended to be a review of my yarny activities over the weekend and a quick recap of events around the country for Yarn Shop Day. 

However through the wonders of social media I have found out some more behind the scenes information about the day that have made me question my former enthusiasm for the 'official' event.

I knew that some yarn shops were participating officially and that some werent. What I wasn't aware of was that yarn shops had to pay to be included in the official event as advertised. I'm not entirely sure how I feel about this information, particularly in a community which is overwhelmingly inclusive. Like many knitters in the UK I like to support as many indie yarn sellers as I can whether they be local Yarn shops or online indie dyers or online yarn sellers. They all play a pivotal role in keeping our UK knitting community vibrant and alive - and let's face it our knitting world would be a pretty sad and dismal place if we had to resort to shopping solely in the 'big box' craft stores.

As a result I have pulled this blog post while I have a rethink and find out some more background information. As a blogger I feel that I have a responsibility to know more about the events I talk about here and maybe I was slightly naive in some of my earlier assumptions.

Goodness me - that's all pretty serious stuff for a Monday morning. Im going to suggest some calming knitting and a cup of coffee. Normal service will be resumed shortly.

Happiness is... a new sock knitter

It's a thrill that never gets old no matter how many times I see it. The thrill of teaching someone the basics of sock knitting and watching their eyes light up as suddenly they get it.

The smile when they realise that because the right side is always facing them, they don't have to purl to create a beautiful, flat stocking stitch fabric. The huge grin on their .ca e as they turn the heel and realise that for the first time they have managed to turn their 2D flat tube through 90 degrees.

And the sense of accomplishment when they Kitchener stitch the toe stitches closed.

It's a thrill that always fills me with joy and it's one of the many reasons that I teach sock knitting to others. I can't think of a better way to spend local Yarn Shop Day than by sending off 6 new sock knitters into the world.

Stand back - its huge

I'm really pleased to report that the worsted version of my Fuss Free Festival Shawl is off the needles.

2 skeins of gorgeous, squishy Malabrigo Rios practically flew off the needles and I have to say that I'm really pleased with how it has turned out. It did grow - a lot - on blocking though and with hindsight I think 5mm needles (I used 5.5mm) would have been sufficient.

I will be updating the Ravelry page but for those of you assessing your stash or planning a purchase here are the basic details.

Yarn: 1.92g Malabrigo Rios worsted in Arco Iris. 369m (403yds)

Needles: 5.5mm circular 80cm length

Finished wingspan (relaxed) 70". Finished depth 15"

The result is a long, wrappable and super squishy shawl. Perfect for colder weather or as a light later in places where the air con is a little fierce. 

I will be updating the Ravelry pattern with the details over the weekend. Now is also a good time to mention that the Fuss Free Festival Shawl is free if you sign up to my email newsletter but this offer will be ending on May 8th. After this time it will revert to being a paid for pattern only.

Saying goodbye

Today seems the perfect time to wear one of my favourite pairs of socks I've ever made. Simple toe-up socks with a fish lips kiss heel and made from yarn from an outstanding indie dyer.

Today is the funeral for our friend Heather aka Sparkleduck. Appropriately enough for such a big Star Wars fan, on May 4th. I was lucky enough to meet Heather at shows and events over the years and we both shared the same LYS - The Sheep Shop in Cambridge.

Visiting the shop was always a great treat but made even more so by the wall of gorgeous Sparkleduck which greeted you when you walked in. Rifling through my stash after Heather passed away I was struck by how little of her yarn I had. And then I realised that was because I have most of it away. Sparkleduck yarn was always reserved for special gifts because, Well, it was special.

Whilst the news of Heathers sudden passing has shocked us all I take a lot of comfort in knowing that her work will continue to spread happiness and joy for many years to come. As knitters, dyers and other creative folk the work that we do lives on long after we do. Cherished blankets and shawls provide a tangible link between the past and present in a way that other material goods cannot. People years from now will still be treasuring the things we make today and that is such a warm and happy thought. 

So, on this difficult day why not take a few minutes to work on something special and weave a few positive thoughts and happy memories into it as you go. In years to come you never know who might find comfort and happiness in it.

4 ways to support your LYS - without buying yarn

Limited edition LYS Colourway from West Yorkshire Spinners

Saturday May 6th is Local Yarn Shop day here in the UK - seriously one of my favourite days of the year.

I am lucky enough to be teaching a Socks for beginners class at my LYS - The Sheep Shop in Cambridge and afterwards Third Vault Yarns will be doing a talk and Trunk Show which is all very exciting.

We are so lucky to have exciting and vibrant local yarn shops here but I know that there are certain areas of the country where this isn't the case and it's important that we show our LYS's some love all year round - not just on May 6th.

So here a few ways you can support your LYS

1. Buy yarn obviously. I could be preaching to the converted here (in fact I suspect I am) but even though online buying is quick and convenient nothing beats the squish factor. Getting up close and personal with your intended purchases is far more satisfying than through a computer screen.

2. Tell your friends about it. Word of mouth is a great tool in encouraging more people to visit an LYS. Alternatively leave an online review for your LYS to help inform others.

3. When you do visit an LYS - share it on social media. Check in there on Facebook and show off your purchases. It all helps to share awareness among your wider social group.

4. Participate in Knit Nights or other group events in the shop

5. Even if you are on a yarn diet, do you need new needles, stitch markers or scissors - every little helps.

If you aren't local to Cambridge there are some fabulous events going on around the UK. You can find a list of participating stores here.

If I was further north I would most certainly be making a beeline for the Countess Ablaze's new dye studio in Manchester for one of her legendary soirees. Or in London, Anna at Wild and Woolly is hosting a fabulous event featuring The Wool Kitchen and Travel Knitter amongst others.

It's going to be a fabulous day. Whatever you do - even if it is just leaving an online review for your LYS or telling a friend about them I hope you enjoy the day and that you can help to share the love for our LYS's.