Wonderwool Wales 2013

This was my 3rd Wonderwool Wales and it was just as awesome as all the other years! Tropical temperatures compared to last year also. Unless you are getting out of the tent at 2am to find the toilets...

Lets compare last years wake up in the tent:



And this years:



Much happier!!!

So... Other Laura and I left about 8:15, and arrived just after 10:30 at the Royal Welsh Showground in Bullith Wells, Wales. After putting up the tent we headed up to Wonderwool with Helen, Paula, Debs, Bry and puppies Dexter and Oscar.

Soon after this Laura and I made our first purchase of a Wonderwool bag (proceeds to the Welsh Air Ambulance - £700 was raised over the weekend!)



Note my lovely badge from the awesome Rock and Purl - Ruth! Thanks lovely, I promise to cast on Chambourcin soon!!!

I bought a sock book which in all honesty I want to knit all but one pattern!




I parted with far too much money from the amazing Hilltop Cloud (but sooo worth it!!!!):



I was determined to buy some unusual fibres this year too:



Top from left to right is corn, yak and tencel. Bottom left to right is vicuna (yes, vicuna!!!!), banana, ramie (nettles!) and llama.

Mmm vicuna.



Thats a vicuna. Apparently theh are only allowed to be shorn once every 2-3 years, and don't produce much fibre.

Ooo! I bought some yarn too.


Its called "Slither-In" :D

I actually already had it clutched in my sweaty paws before finding out the colourway name! Beautiful dye from Easyknits.

Who had an awesome photo booth thing:


:D I'm a sheep!!!!

And then we had the Flock evening event on the Saturday which was really fun. And we got goodie bags!!!



Lastly I shall show you my business purchases:



Woop woop!

And then on the Monday I got my present from myself (coz I'm worth it!!!)


A trindle!!!!!! Weee! Rosewood shaft and malachite beads :D yum!

And here he is less nakey (I think I'll name him Tobias):


Yummy!!!!

Elle
xxx

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Socks!

I love sock washing days...





Elle
xxx

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Thank you :)

The wonderful Good Purl Gone Bad has nominated us for a Liebster blog award! Hurrah! Now I'm not entirely sure what it involves exactly, but there were some questions to answer, so here goes!

Where do you find inspiration outside of the blogosphere?
Generally from Jumble Jelly, where I work in the shop one day a week and teach knitting and spinning classes. I also attend the Wednesday evening knit and natter, which is always a fabulous source of inspiration. Chatting to the customers about what they are making, or planning to make, watching colour combinations and seeing works in progress... What could be better inspiration?

What book would you recommend to someone starting out in dress-making?
I have a couple of books, but I've mostly just practiced sewing in straight lines, and taken a couple of the sewing workshops with Alexa at Jumble Jelly. So I'm afraid I don't have any recommendations!

What’s your favourite sewing gadget other than machine, overlocker and iron?
The seam ripper!!! In fact, I've misplaced it at the moment, and its making me feel a bit shakey!

Where do you sew? Or where would you like to sew?



This is a corner of my dining room, dedicated to my sewing machine. The boxes underneath the table are full of fabrics and patterns. To cut out i use the living room floor which is quite large!

If you had a guaranteed new start in a new craft or hobby (with time, talent, supplies etc) which would you choose to learn?
Oh wow, I already knit, crochet, spin and sew... I've always wanted to try lace making, it looks fascinating and can produce so wonderful items! And then I could use them to edge things!

What’s your favourite fabric to work with?
I've only worked with cottons so far...

What do you want to make next?
I'd like to try a dress for myself, and I'm booked on to a new workshop at Jumble Jelly to make a tunic dress, so watch this space!

Who do you like to sew for?
Me!! Haha, since I live on my own, and have no small people... Me!

What sewing magazines, if any, do you read?
I don't I'm afraid, I'm so terribly boring!

What sewing processes are easier than you expected?
Making pleats! They are so much easier than gathers, and I think they suit me better too :)

Now I'm supposed to tag some other bloggers and ask some questions of my own... But I'm going to be even more boring and say I don't really read blogs, just the ones that pop up on my Ravelry friends feed when I remember to check it!




Here is one of my favourite skirts I've made :D

Elle
xxx


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Mojo!

So I keep losing my knitting mojo. I start projects and can't finish them. I'm really struggling! I have so much beautiful yarn and fibre, and I can't commit to anything.

I try changing things up, so I played with my sewing machine and made a skirt.




That kickstarted me for about a week and I knit two pairs of baby socks.

But now I've lost my mojo again, and I'm sitting on the sofa feeling quite sad that I don't want to knit :( I musn't force it though... But I want to do something!!!

In other news... I've been playing hairdresser. At the start of the year my hair looked like this:




Then it magically turned red:




Then two weeks ago it lost some length:



And then this weekend it lost even more length!!!




I think this is a nice length now! I might stay here for a while :D

And I cut it myself!!!

Elle
xxx

Location:Bradford-on-Avon

Miss Elle Knits - Episode 50. Hello, Goodbye

Check out this episode!
In which we say hello... and goodbye.

Interview with Rock and Purl - find her designs on Ravelry!

Thank you so much for coming on this journey with me, I'll never be able to thank you all enough for your love and support, especially over the past year and a half...

I will keep blogging here, so please come and visit me, and lets keep chatting!

 Elle xxx

How to find me:
Twitter - miss_elle_bat
Facebook Page - Miss Elle Knits
Ravelry - misselle
Ravelry group - Miss Elle Knits
Music provided by - Mevio's Music Alley. Wren Ross - "I will knit for you"

Episode 50 - Hello, Goodbye

In which we say hello, and goodbye. Interview with Rock and Purl - find her gorgeous designs on Ravelry. Thank you for being on an incredible journey with me. I'll start blogging here, I love the name Miss Elle Knits so much! Come visit me please, would be lovely to stay chatting to you all! Elle xxx

Nightie nightie - pyjama pyjama!

I've been playing with my new sewing machine! I'm sad that Madelline (all my large crafting tools get names, they work better that way!) doesn't get as much use as I'd like. This working full time business is just too time consuming!



I made myself some pj bottoms!

Its a very simple pattern from Simplicity. So simple only a really silly person (like a Miss Elle) could mess it up...

Ok, so I didn't mess up so much. I just neglected to mark which was the front and which was the back. Just means I have to try them on a few times to work it out!



Its not the best picture in the world! But can you see the fabric is covered in sheep?!?!

And they are flanelette, so nice and fuzzy and warm :)

Perfect for my no-buying-new-clothes-for-a-whole-year!

Elle
xxx

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