Having missed last week because I was at Belladrum Tartan Heart festival, having a great time, I’m back with an update of the last couple of weeks.

Acquisitions/Collection Curation

I’ve ordered a fibre advent from World of Wool as a present for my husband to give me. I’m really making Christmas easy for him! I recently finished spinning my 2021 advent and breed study, so I need something new and fun to spin.

I’ve also bought another gnome pattern as it had 50% off (discount ends 8th Aug). It’s a mystery knit along  (MKAL) starting 1st September called “Someone to write gnome about“. A female gnome that wants to be a professional hammock tester when she grows up!  Sounds cute doesn’t she?  I’m going to make it work with yarns I have in my stash.

Felting

Many weeks ago I made some fairy heads, this week I added arms and decorated them and made a start on their bodies, they still need hair and skirts.  I’m doing separate posts for shop stock to the YOP updates now, so I will do a post during the week when they are ready.

Knitting

Accessories

I finished my Leg Warmers, a simple pattern by Jane Richmond using Isle of Auskerry North Ronaldsay wool. I’m amazed people have knitted cowls and next to skin items with this yarn, it’s got long guard hairs in it which are prickly. Over my walking trousers or jeans these will be fine though in winter.

I made a start on the Singing Stones mittens by Becci Pamely-Bast with the kit from RiverKnits.  I’ve only done the cuff and first 12 rows so far.

Jumpers/cardigans

Once it was dry I published a separate post about my Quick Sand #3. It’s already been worn to work a couple of times and I’m much happier with the higher neckline at the back.

Sewing

After years of saying I’d make some bunting for our tent for Belladrum, I finally made some! There’s a separate post about it.  I ended up making 2 lots because my first attempt would have collapsed the tent, the triangles were so big 😂. The large one hasn’t gone to waste though.

Spinning

I spun the merino and bamboo, I’d blended on my hackle, but I did it all on one bobbin. So for laziness I chain plied it in a rush and it’s a bit dodgy. Overspun in parts and under in others.

It’ll just go in my handspun drawer for a future project.

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Other News

Belladrum was good fun. Not quite the same as previous years as things have changed. I’ve spent the last 6 years at Belladrum (well one was Belladrum’s Living it up in Lockdown in Wendy’s garden) with two friends, plus some extra female friends some of the years. Unfortunately for me, the original two friends now want to go with their new husband/boyfriend, so that’s an end to our girls weekends.

I’ll probably still buy a ticket for next year but just go as a visitor during the daytimes and not camp. We’ll see. Anyway my highlights of the weekend were dancing to Sophie Ellis-Bextor’s set and singing at the top of my voice to Toyah performing I Want to be Free. I think that’s the first single I actually bought! I had some earlier ones gifted to me.

I ate too much, didn’t get enough sleep, and came back exhausted and with a bug which had me snoozing on the sofa for a couple of days. I’ve got a long weekend planned with other girlfriends in September so I can’t complain. They’ve all been married much longer, like me, and so know the value of time with the girls.

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This is a Year of Projects post. Officially the Group is in its 14th year, but this is my 7th year participating. If you would like to find more about the Year of Projects Group on Ravelry, as you’d be very welcome to join us.

Year 14 list.