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Picking Up Stitches

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pincushions

Fabric and fabulous finds in the North

December 4, 2017 by Annie Leave a Comment
Crochet china pincushions

In search of fabric

Fabric – that’s what I’ve been searching for recently. So many items need lining and I was desperate for something interesting to finish off my designs. Luckily, it was time for one of the highlights of the year: my annual trek up North to visit the Harrogate Knitting & Stitching Show with my sister, Helen, where there was bound to be fabric galore.

Helen and I have been crafty co-conspirators since our teenage years, so it’s always a chance to spend a whole weekend chatting about knitting, sewing, patchwork, cross-stitch, embroidery and more, and planning future crafty projects. We are even thinking of running a craft weekend in her village next year. It’s a gorgeous setting, so watch out for more of that in the New Year.

Cottage at sunrise

Sunrise in the village

Welbeck Abbey crafters

Before the trip to Harrogate, though, we spent a lovely afternoon at the Welbeck Abbey Christmas Craft Fair. As well as all the items on sale, lots of the artists workshops were open to look around. I particularly loved the set-up at Hope & Elvis… Don’t all these beautiful chairs just make you want to sit down and get sewing?

Hope & Elvis Craft Workshop

Take a seat!

As a bonus as we left, there was a glorious wintry evening sky and a fantastic sunset colours, which will definitely be used as inspiration in the future.

Wintry sky and crescent moon

A wintry crescent moon

Welbeck sunset

What colours!

Yorkshire bound

Colourful buttons

Sweet buttons to tempt us!

The next day it was a drive up to the spa town of Harrogate in Yorkshire. Helen’s currently making some gorgeous abstract machine embroidery pictures, so it was straight to the button and bead stands. So much choice – it’s like being in a sweet shop as a child!

Green and white beads

Beautiful beads

Fabric galore

I needed fabric to line my little crochet bags and purses, and luckily we spied a pack with cute and quirky animal prints in fantastic colours… Look out for some creations heading to my Etsy shop soon…

Animal print fabric squares

Cute fabric squares

I also couldn’t resist these gorgeous prints by Angela Daymond.

Angela Daymond fabric squares

It was lovely to have a chat with designer Louisa Harding on her Yarntelier stall, and to have a closer look at her delicate lace shawls… Another project on my to do list, I think…

Louisa Harding on Yarntelier stand

Designer Louisa Harding

We left laden with purchases, slightly footsore, but excited to put our goodies to use.

What a lot of bargains!

The next day was all about charity shops just outside Chesterfield… I’ve been turning little china cups and vases into cute crocheted pincushions/storage pots and am always on the lookout for bargains. And what a haul we came away with! Look at all these gorgeous little pots and glasses I came back with.

Little pots and glasses

My charity-shop haul

They’ll eventually be turned into pincushions like these – there’s even storage at the bottom for a few hooks, buttons or other small findings. They, too, will be over on my Etsy shop very soon if you like them…

Crochet china pincushions

Ready to make more pincushions

Beads and more fabric

The Aladdin’s cave of a charity shop also yielded up some fantastic necklaces and a bracelet, which will be dismantled for the stunning ceramic beads.

Ceramic bead necklaces and bracelet

But the bargain of the day had to be at least  four metres of Sanderson Suva fabric for just £3!!!

Sanderson Suva fabric

All in all, a fantastic trip. I’ll be back there again next year!

 

 

Posted in: craft fair, inspiration, workshops Tagged: fabric, knitting and stitching show, knitting. crochet, pincushions

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  • How to guides
    • 1 Making a slip knot
    • 2 Cast on – a step-by-step guide
    • 3 Knit stitch – a step-by-step guide
    • 4 Purl stitch – a step-by-step guide
    • 5 Cast off – a step-by-step guide
    • 6 Making a chain stitch
    • 7 Making a double crochet stitch
    • 8 Making a treble crochet stitch
    • How to make a Basic Granny Square
    • Joining granny squares
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    • Crochet projects
    • Now We’re Knitting! (beginners)
  • Patterns
    • Annie’s Advent Calendar: Christmas CAL 2018
    • Carrot & pea bunting pattern
    • Fallen Leaves Autumn Cowl
    • Floral granny squares & little flowers pattern
    • Little crochet heart pattern
    • Little Tea Cosy pattern
    • Waffle Blanket
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  • Spring Granny-Square Bag CAL pattern

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