Have you ever got so excited about going to an event, become so caught up in the atmosphere and then forgotten to take enough photos? Yup that’s me.
I have been looking forward to attending the Edinburgh Yarn festival for months. I was invited to join a party from Knit For Peace, staying in the amazing New Battle Abbey College.
I set off ridiculously early on Wednesday and arrived just after lunch. We spent a lovely afternoon knitting before having a good old sing song of such Scottish favourites as Ally Bally Bee ( I swear that tune is the worst/best ear worm ever) and Ye Cannie Shove Yer Grannie Off The Bus.
On Thursday some of us visited the National Galleries Scotland – check out these lovely paintings – before heading off for a delicious high tea at Contini.
Friday morning, and I was beyond excited. We headed off to the venue where I met up with my friend, Ruth.
After queueing to get in and ditching my bags we were off. The first stand we saw was Marie Wallin’s and Ruth immediately bought a jumper kit for a lovely garment that Marie was wearing. Isn’t it just lovely. I have challenged Ruth to have it ready for Shetland Wool Week.
Next I cornered poor Stephen West for a picture to send to a friend in the US. As you can see I was channeling Ken Dodd. Not my best side but I was too delirious with joy to ask for another. I bought 2 hanks of one of his yarns, pricey but gorgeous. I am wearing Orkney by Marie Wallin if you are interested, steeked and knitted in Felted Tweed.
The rest of the day was spent catching up with people I hadn’t seen for ages, marvelling at the wonderful knits people were wearing and lusting over acres of gorgeous yarn. I bought some Jamieson’s Spindrift to make my official hat for Shetland Wool Week and a lovely hank of sock yarn from Skein Queen in a delicate shade so the male members of my family don’t steal my socks. I was pretty restrained in my purchases.
I even got to meet Ann Shayne from Mason Dixon Knitting. After years of corresponding this was our first chance to give each other a huge hug (Ann, I have shamelessly nicked this image from your Instagram feed).
Here are a more few highlights, but as I said at the top of this post, I simply didn’t take enough photos.
As I left there was a bit of taxi confusion – I had got in to someone else’s cab – but the two ladies concerned invited me to share their journey with them. I recognised one of them and guess what, it was the lovely Isabell Kraemer, who I have worked with on Yarn Stories.
It was a long journey home but I was smiling all the way. If you have never been to EYF before, make sure you book for next year. It was so inspiring and on a completely different level to many of the shows I visit.
A Kingfisher Morning 
It sounds wonderful; I love your cardigan so much.
It sounds like you had a whale of a time. I’d love to go one year.