Time for the Ally Pally spill I think.
First up I need to say that a combination of very busy days and pooey dull weather has meant that there are only flash photos. Not the best for showing the yarn, but hopefully it will do the job.
I think I was pretty restrained this year. There wasn't anything yelling, 'Buy me', plus so much great stuff can be got easily by mail order in the UK these days, so I didn't feel compelled to splurge too much.
A far away photo was necessary to include my star purchase, the umbrella swift from Handweaver's Studios. I have wanted one for ages. I had been using the tactic of loud sighing, 'If only I had an umbrella swift' every time I wound up a ball of wool, but Toby didn't get the hint so I had to take matters into my own hands. A very good thing to purchase at a show as it's a pretty heavy thing to get sent through the post. Mind you, it's also a pretty heavy thing to carry back home with you, especially when the journey home includes a stop at NikeTown Oxford Circus to pick up your 10K race t-shirt and a trip on the non-existent Northern Line. All that was erased from my mind the first time I clamped it to the table, opened it up and spun it round. Umbrella swift, I think I love you.
Moving along now.
From the left, laceweight scarf kits and a 200g skein of laceweight, all from Touch Yarns; Socka sock yarn from Web of Wool; at the back are 2 cones of 4 ply from Uppingham Yarns, one merino, one lambswool; a skein of Fyberspates sock yarn and 2 skeins of Cherry Tree Hill sock yarn from Get Knitted; in the middle are the latest issue of Vogue Knitting, a steal at £2.00, a couple of patterns from Wensleydale Longwool Sheepshop and assorted Clover notions from Get Knitted and Web of Wool. Not in the photo are some nice short Clover dpns, 16cm, which I find the perfect length; so perfect that they are currently being used to knit a pair of socks. I also bought a book on Temari balls, as I have been wanting to have a go at these for a while.
I've been comparing my purchases this year against last year. I am definitely much more focused on socks and lace this year. Last year I bought from Kaalund and Colinette, neither of which inspired me this year. I spent about the same at Touch this year as last year, so that obviously still appeals. This year I was very tempted by Jamiesons, whereas last year I don't think I even visited their stand. The idea of buying 4 ply on cones wouldn't have occured to me last year.
Despite my changing tastes I have used everything I bought last year and I hope I will do the same with this year's purchases. It will be interesting to see what next year brings.
I think I'm downscaling too, in comparison with previous years, and laceweight is so much easier to carry. Your swift looks great - have you used it yet? Are the children bemused by it? (or trying to spin or swing from it?)
Dawn:)
Posted by: dawn | October 19, 2005 at 12:32 AM
You know, I was coveting that swift from Handweaver's Studios too, but decided to be sensible and not give in to temptation. ;-)
Now of course I wish I'd given in after all, in particular as I have several skeins lying around here, waiting to be wound into balls. It's such a pain to do without a swift.
Love your other purchases too - the Cherry Tree Hill sock yarn... hmmmm!
Posted by: Iris | October 19, 2005 at 08:23 AM
Thanks for the support on sleepovers. I let mine have the occasional one here but, like you, I enforce bedtime as I'd much rather wake up to children than monsters.
Looks like you did Ally Pally incredibly well and thoroughly!
Posted by: Jane | October 19, 2005 at 12:27 PM
We fight over my wool winding. They all want a go. One of these days the swift is going to rotate so fast we will have a helicoptor motion going on and there will be reports of missing children, possibly a husband, lost somewhere over Dorset. When I went to Touch just after you, they had no more laceweight left (or that's what she told me anyway....was she fobbing me off or did you have more than you're letting on ;))
Posted by: Tracy | October 19, 2005 at 01:29 PM
lovely, lovely, lovely! i should really come over next year!
congrats on the swift - i just got one last week and it's fantastic!
Posted by: kris | October 19, 2005 at 02:47 PM
I still don't know the difference between a swift and a niddy noddy. Does one make skeins into balls and one make spools into skeins? Ah well... yours looks great fun.
Posted by: Fi | October 20, 2005 at 05:35 PM
Wow I didn't know umbrella swifts were so large! And snap - I spy the Clover double ended stitch holders. Don't Clover make the best accessories?
Posted by: RoxyKnits | October 20, 2005 at 06:33 PM