Pulse 2008

Today I went to Pulse by Topdrawer at Earls Court1 London. Its the mid season trade show highlighting new trends, ideas, products and companies mainly in the gift and accessories market. It was a large show with over 700 suppliers (yes I remembered the flat shoes, my feet are happy) of which 300 where new suppliers to the show. This year an interesting new section called Launchpad was added showing the new young designer-makers, all of a very high standard with row after row of brand new items.

The show always has a lot of jewellery and bags and this year was no different, but I did notice lots more scarves. Crocheted, knitted, felted, beaded, devore, pleated and lots of shibori (Japanese tie-dyeing) scarves, lots of textures. It really stood out how many suppliers had added scarves to there ranges, it will be interesting to see if the retail shops pick this trend up in their Autumn ranges. Texture was everywhere on fabrics, bags even on wrapping paper. Most scarves were multicoloured, with the colours blending into each other, purples, black, blues what I would describe as jewel tones. Lots of hand work.

An enjoyment refreshing show.

Eurovision song contest

EEEEEEKKKKK!!!!! you have got to love Eurovision, just when I thought I had seen everything Bosnia and Herzegovina appeared with there entry sang by Elvir Lakovic Laka and co-vocalist Mirela. They sang a crazy little number called Pokuöaj which means Try, but that's not the surprising bit. They had 4 women backing dancers dressed as brides and they were all knitting! hooray for knitting in public I say :)

Back to basics

Cough cough cough, I have had a virus for the last 5 weeks (really getting fed-up with coughing) so have not felt like doing much of anything, not even blogging :(

I had started this lapghan in a nice soft cotton (which had been over twisted, that's why it was sold at a reduced price mmmm... another story) so decided my brain could cope with just granny squares at present.

Its now complete, hooray and I am very happy with it. Sometimes just "granny squares" I know everyone always dismisses them as untrendy, but I think they have there place and I am happy with the results.

As its made in cotton it weights in at 1150gms/ 46 ozs and feels soft and warm.

Handspun silk with beads

I made another small ball of silk yarn this time, I am trying to get the strand thinner maybe too thin in places, so to straighten the thin sections I decided to add another strand of silk sewing thread when I plyed the strands together and to be a bit different added some glass beads, eeekkk I am getting into this, pity about the living room now covered in bits of multi coloured fluff :)

I'm Spinning

Last night I unpacked and played with the spindle and silk tops, as soon as I got home. About 2 hours later and a sofa covered in peach and green silk fluffy bits, I have made a small ball of peach yarn and a small ball of green, I love it.

10 minutes later one crocheted flower and a very happy me :)

Stitch and Craft Show at Olympia2

I went to the Stitch and Craft Show today, again at this show there was very little yarn or jewellery stands, but they had a good selection of workshops. Plus some magazines with free gifts for subscriptions (I like free gifts, even if I know they are not really free...)

We picked a handspun yarn workshop, the teacher Ruth MacGregor (check Ruths website for her book, spindles and silk tops) was excellent, explaining the processes required to produce silk from silkworm to fibre as practiced how to rotate the spindle (ours to keep and take home) and a choice of hand-dyed (by Ruth) silk tops in beautiful colours.

Before long we were spinning and I think I may now addicted :)

I could not resist buying some beautiful silk tops to play with at home :)

Hyperbolic Crochet Sphere

Progress so far, this is the sphere I started at the workshop day. I am starting on some mini ones next.