Yarndale Update

 

Ahhhhh Yarndale....fabulous, wonderful, highly anticipated, woolly new event! Here in AtticLand we are counting down the days (sixty six in case you were wondering) until Festival Launch with a mixture of extreme excitement and a weeny bit of new-kid nerves. The amazing Woolfest has just clocked up it's ninth successful year, and here we are, teetering on the edge of our first year.

I have to say it's all going pretty well. We have closed the applications for 2013 now, and we are thrilled to announce that there will be over 150 exhibitors in this first year. Truthfully, Yarndale has turned into a far bigger event than we ever thought possible. When we tentatively sat around the table to discuss hiring the venue last Spring, it all seemed a little bit dreamlike. That dreamlike state has gradually been replaced by a great deal of dedicated team work, determination, energy and vision.

We meet regularly to discuss and plan the festival and work our way through a lengthy agenda. There is a great deal to be done in order to ensure an event of this size runs smoothly. Sometimes we meet in a local pub and have three-hour meetings over morning coffee. Sometimes we meet at the Auction Mart when it's necessary to work on the nitty gritty of running a show this size. We have just finished working on the floor plan as our amazing graphic designer begins designing and compiling our brochure this week. There are also various meetings taking place this week to do with the security of the building, emergency evacuation plans and traffic management. Oh, and a meeting with the bus company to look at the vintage red London bus we are hiring to transport people from the town to the event.

I've not talked a great deal about my involvement with Yarndale here on my blog, just trying to think now, I've forgotten what I've said actually?! Err....ok, think Lucy.....yes, there was the first introduction back in January, and then Bunting stuff during May. You would be forgiven for thinking that all I've been contributing is a bit of bunting and a sheep's head (with rosette).

The Yarndale Team is made up of seven people in total, so I am officially 1/7th of the outfit. All of us have busy lives with jobs and/or children, but we've chosen to give our time and energy to help make Yarndale a success. I think we make up a strong team, with each person contributing different skills and experience to the mix. There are even two members who don’t actually know how to knit or crochet (shock, horror!) but vitally they contribute much needed financial, business and event management skills to the team. It's been interesting to see how the work load has naturally divided itself, which each person taking on the role that they feel most comfortable with. For me, that has meant two main jobs :: creative wool person and writer/internet person.

The creative woolly part is where my heart lies and I've love love loved heading up plans for this aspect of the festival. We have been exceptionally fortunate in attracting the attention of the kind people at Stylecraft Yarns, who offered to send us some of the Stylecraft Special DK to use for our yarn bombing. The above balls are only half of what we've received, we are so grateful for their generosity.

And while we're talking about yarn and super-nice people, I would also like to say a huge big thank you to the lovely peeps at Wool Warehouse who are sponsoring the Children's Corner at Yarndale. They are supplying all the yarn for the children's activities (and adults who might have a bit of a thing for pom poms and wish to pretend they are child sized for a short while)

If you have been bobbing in here for a while, you will know that I love Stylecraft Special DK. For our yarn bomb projects, we were prepared to use any old cheap and cheerful acrylic yarn that we could lay our hands on, but thankfully, Stylecraft has saved us from the fate of working with the rubbish, squeaky, plasticky stuff.

When I've had time, I've been playing around with a few flower ideas for the park yarn bomb project. Well, I AM involved in much of Yarndale's Creative Woolly Thinking you know, it's all part of my job. I can't really give you much info about these flowers as I (of course) neglected to write anything down, but I can tell you that the two flowers top left and bottom left were from a pattern in Simply Crochet magazine (issue 7). And the others came directly from my Creative Mind.

The other thing I have been very, very very busy with of late is the bunting thing. Not making it, but overseeing the acceptance of it from other people. Just in case you do not know the Bunting Story, here are a few links to explain ::

:: Bunting Request :: Bunting Pattern :: Bunting Info :: Bunting Postal Address ::

This glorious vista is the interior of our local yarn shop, Purl&Jane Knitting Emporium. Jane very kindly agreed for us to use her shop as a temporary Bunting Delivery Depot, and this is providing us both with a surprising amount of fun. I call into her shop daily, after checking on Twitter to see how many parcels have arrived in that day so I know if I will be able to carry them or not.

Sometimes I can carry them all in a (large) shopping bag, but in recent days I've been doing the bunting run with my shopping trolley full to the brim. Little B is, as ever, my trusty assistant. We carry the parcels down through the town to my studio where they are duly processed.

This is a three part process.

Part one is to empty the bag/trolley and make a pile, whilst ooohing and ahhhing at the distance each one has travelled.

"Where is this one from, Mummy?"

"Let me see.....ooooooh, it's from Australia!!!!!!!! It really is!!!! Awwwww, aren't people so kind"

The secondary part of the  processing operation involves opening each parcel (Little B's job), making a note of who/where info (my job), counting the triangles (Little B's job, unless it goes past 13, in which case I need to assist), then carefully bagging the triangles in ziplock bags (a joint effort) and adding them to the pile (Little B's job).

And the third part of the process will be the Photographic procedure and the compiling of a (very large) gallery of images. I've not got there yet. So far, Little B and I have processed 59 parcels and documented 667 triangles. There are still 50+ unopened parcels. It's a long job. BUT..........I am SO EXCITED about these triangles and the world wide creative spirit that they represent. Thank you, thank you, thank you, to all of you who have joined in with this project, it's going to be incredible when it all comes together in September.

As I mentioned above, aside from the creative woolly stuff, I have also been repsonsible for much of the written content that represents Yarndale. Initially, this involved writing the text for the postcard and the website. I am also the "voice" behind the Yarndale blog, Yarndale on Facebook and Yarndale on Twitter. Boy, that last one has had me stumped. I find Tweeting an immense challenge as it is all so brief and my natural voice is very long winded. But I am trying hard to use this social media in a way that feels honest and fun, and importantly as a way of getting information out there for anyone who is interested. Ravelry is also great for this, and Yarndale now has a presence there too.

More recently, I've been writing some formal editorial stuff for magazines, and this too has been a challenge. I can sit and roll out a blog post in my own "Lucy voice" with very little problem, but writing in a "magazine voice" is soooooo much harder! Oh, how I have struggled!

It's much easier when I discover that someone else has unexpectedly done it for me, as in this sweet and lovely little mention in the pages of Simply Crochet magazine (issue 8, out now)

Something that combines both Yarndale jobs of mine (the woolly stuff and the writing stuff), is pattern designing. As I mentioned earlier, we are compiling a really wonderful colour brochure for Yarndale which we are all rather excited about! It will contain a heap load of information about the festival and all the lovely exhibitors, but as an extra bonus we are also including some creative interviews (I think?!) and a small number of patterns. I started out with a rather ambitious idea to design a three-dimensional version of our patchwork sheep, kind of like a plump little stuffed sheep toy. I had loads of fun patch working the body together, and even making the cute little stumpy legs, but the head....oh the head did NOT work at all! I ended up having a huge hissy fit and threw the whole lot into the fruit bowl, where it remains.

I'm hoping that later in the year, when we have dusted ourselves down after the festival, that I might pick it back up again and make it work. In the meantime.......

....I still needed to come up with a pattern. Thankfully, just in the nick of time, this idea literally popped into my head as if from nowhere, around about 3am on Sunday morning. On Sunday afternoon, I was able to sneak away from the Little People, out into the back yard and start work on my new design.

Designing something new is such an emotional process, even when it's something relatively small like this. There are highs (yaaaayy it's looking like the right shape, and I've actually remembered to write the pattern down!) and lows (ohhhh pooooop, it looks like a sad fish instead of a happy bird).

But it is such a great, unbelievable feeling when you end up with something that doesn't need to be slung in the bin (or the fruit bowl).

So....I made a brooch. Well I made two actually, just to test that my scribbled pattern notes did actually work out and my numbers did actually add up.

Do you like them? They are only small, measuring about 9cm across. I worked the blue one in Drops Muskat cotton, and the pinky red one in Rico Essentials Merino, both on a 3,5mm hook. A little bit of stuffing, some simple embroidery and a felt and button wing. A brooch pin on the back......

.....and ta-dah! I've called it my "Tweetie Bird Brooch", and the pattern will be in the brochure, available to buy at Yarndale. And possibly (although we've not discussed this fully yet) on our website after the event, if there are any left.

Gosh, this is a loooong blog post, 1806 words and counting. Perhaps you can tell how much I'm enjoying my own writing again after the pressure of formal writing this week, I feel like I could happily sit and write all night :o) Yipppeeeeeeeee for informal sentences and exclamation marks and words like yippppeeeeeeee that aren't in the dictionary!!!!!

Anyhooooo.... just one more thing, and then I'll leave you in peace.

Yarndale Workshops. We are thrilled about being able to offer these at Yarndale in our very first year, as for a good while we didn't think we would be able to manage anything so ambitious. The full programme of workshops is detailed on the website, but places are limited. So if you are coming along and think you might fancy a little bit of hands on creativity, do please book yourselves in.

Right then my Lovelies.....I really do need to finish up now, I'm sorry if I've gone on a bit.

The Little Peeps are home now for the Summer holidays (first day today, it was a bit tetchy at times, but not too bad), so hoping to be here in the Attic a little more regularly. I just remembered when looking through my photos earlier, that I need to talk to you about Felt Balls. The need is surprisingly urgent. Back soon........

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Comments

[Allyson]

I have been popping in a out of Attic 24 for some weeks now - thanks for leaving the door open for me! I have really enjoyed reading about the birth of the studio, the Little People's antics and now the Yarndale adventure (dates for which are ringed on my calendar in bright red "must go to this do not forget" marker pen. I am still in the hissy fit stage of crocheting so find much solace in the cookie, cake and bun recipes on the blog instead. Looking forward to the next post.......

[sandee]

Hi Lucy sound like your flat out but it sounds so much fun I do hope you can publish your cute birdie pattern im in Australia and yarndale is to far away to purchase the pattern
I love your blog btw

[Pembrokeshire Lass]

Well....that was so much....of interest....of excitement....of colour.....of information. Etc...etc! I think I'll have to retread it a few times to 'get it'! It's all so exciting. I so wish that I lived a bit nearer and could come as well. I am just so excited for you. Joan

[Lisa]

Hi Lucy, soooooo looking forward to Yarndale! I'm busy making bunting triangles at the mo - when's the cut off date again? Love the blog, you have an excellent writing style :)

[Rae]

BOO HOO I won't be there.... but shall be there is spirit or a least Bunting!! Would just love to have something like this happening in East Anglia. Shall be thinking of you all at Yarndale whilst camping with my friends in Sussex....although not much crochet time when we are with them lol
Good Luck with the bombing...such a great way to guide people to an event!

[Sally]

Lovely post, it all sounds really exciting! Sad that the sheep was condemned to the fruit bowl though. In the drawing the head looks rather tube-like so have you thought about using a small sock (toe and main part, not the heel)? It doesn't have to be 100% crochet does it? It's all yarn! Oh well, just a thought.

[Jill]

I've been trying to justify a visit to England just for Yarndale. I don't think it's going to happen as I live in Utah. I love reading about all of the preparations and the excitement. You appear to be doing a fabulous job with your assignments, keep up the good work! Looking forward to hearing more about life in Skipton. Will you be teaching in France again this year?

[Jo]

I am sure that when it comes Yarndale will be a fabulous success. I know that there will have been such a lot of hard work gone into organising it. I am gutted my shift pattern means that I will be working that weekend although I am plotting and scheming to try and sort something out so I can come. Fingers crossed......

[Dawn]

Lucy, just wanted to wish you good luck from Dorset with all the Yarndale preparations. You are doing a brilliant job and, as usual, are a great inspiration with your fabulous ideas. Love reading your blog- thank you for always brightening any day!

[Thea]

A lovely big post to start the day with and enjoy my morning coffee! Triangles are on their way to you as we speak- I can't believe how many you've got. What a triumph! x

[Gillian McM]

Oh please please please, Creative Mind, will you consider posting the tweetie bird pattern sometime in this lifetime?

[Peep Loves Yarn]

Excellent post. It is going to be such an amazing event! Keep up the good work!

[Joy]

lovely post as always Lucy ....... I ssssoooooooooooooo hope there will be Yarndale brochures for those of us who so want to come but sadly can't! Can I order mine now please :-)!!??!!*** Very emotional read and so much hard work for you but what a lovely experience xx Joy xx

[Christine Laennec]

Wow Lucy you have been working very, very hard! You're doing a wonderful job of it, and it's going to be great. I would love to come, but will have to see how things go. Even if I can't make it in person, your blog and the Yarndale website make me feel very close to all the action. Keep up the good work and be sure to stop for a cuppa, and to put your feet up, from time to time.

[Linda]

Wow so much work to bring it all together Lucy but I'm sure it's going to be worth it in the end. I'm really looking forward to it, I'm off to see what workshops are available :)

[sew]

Glad your sad fish became a happy bird - I remember making a bird which had a close resemblance to a dolphin last October!!
Fab post Lucy and there's something very rewarding/fuzzy making in being able to see the contents of one's own parcel here ♥.
What a good job Master Yarndale B is there to supervise!

[jeannette]

lucy i am so thrilled by britain's whole movement toward sustainable fashion and your entry into the excellent partnership between real creativity, artisanal work, and sustainable commerce. this is so exciting. thank you so much.

as for a design, you know us bears of little brain would love 18" doll sweater patterns and 40 lb. dog sweaters. i think these would be commercial as well.

god bless you, this is huge. party on, and congratulations to young B for being so very helpful.

[Sharon]

Hi from California! I was just wondering how you settled on the name Connievan?

[berry lane]

Hi Lucy. Love your Tweetie Bird Brooch.....so cute! Looking forward to Yarndale & hopefully my triangles will be with you soon. Thanks so much for your posts. I am currently reading them from the very beginning & enjoying them very much. You are totally inspiring! Only day 4 of the summer holidays & I have already made the choc chip cookies & cheesy crumbles (great hits with the family!) as well as the best part of the crochet bag, all posted back in 2008! Thank you! Love Claire xx

[Jennifer R.]

I found a possible pattern for your sheep head.

http://www.yanaknits.com/projects/crocheted-sheep/

I hope this helps. :-)

[Paula@weewhimsicals]

Holy Smokes but that's a whole lot of yarn goodness! I'm so happy to hear that the folks at Stylecraft have stepped up to lend a hand. You've certainly given them tons of great PR coverage thru all your wonderful projects and generous sharing! Yay for you!

[Lily]

So jealous! I would love to do something similar! Loving your posts, keep them coming.

[cristina]

Lucy, I admire your organizational skills!
it's good to have an assistant so competent!
His broochs are delicious!
the wings with felt are very beautiful!
Once again your colors will flood all over the world!
thanks for sharing!
kisses from Catalonia!

[Sandra Lee]

Oh how I wish I could attend YARNDALE!!! Enjoy and I so hope you will have pattern for the sweet little bird pins soon, I LOVE THEM!

[Chelsey]

Hi Lucy, It looks like you have been having a very busy and fun time. Did you ever imagine life would be like this when you started blogging all those years ago?! You continue to entertain and inspire us all and I'm very thankful for that. And the little ones too - I remembered how your Little Man suggested renaming your blog to Static24 while I was at work today and had a little giggle. I would love to be able to go to Yarndale but it's a little too far to travel from Sydney. I'll follow it all though on your blog and Facebook and will look forward to your posts :)