This Week

See? See the sunshine??? Late Summer I tell ya, late summer!! It has been a glorious week full of brightness and warmth here, and I have love love loved it.

I have looked up and seen the changing treetops and acknowledged that Mother Nature is tipping us out of Summer and into Autumn.....

....but my toes are still out and I am a happy bunny going about my busy business this week. And boy, have I been busy. We are full into Yarndale* preparations this week as the festival opens to the public at the weekend and I am working hard with the rest of the team to get everything ready.

Today I gathered together this scrumptious pile of colourful crochet and went forth with my step ladder to do crazy yarn things with twenty five lamp posts in the park.

This is the third year we have decorated the park for Yarndale*, it is such a fun thing to do and the response we get from the public (of all ages) is wonderful. These yarn-covered lamp posts do a good job of guiding our walking visitors through the park to the festival during the weekend so they do have a purpose, but the fun/creative element is still a driving force for me taking this on.

We actually stitch the crochet panels in place and they do stay (mostly) intact for five days before I carefully take them down again and store them away to be used the following year.

Oooooooo just look at those gorgeous yarny blooms! This year I've really enjoyed helping my lovely friend Sheila with her charity project called "Flowers for Memories". This is a project dedicated to raising awareness and funds for the Alzheimers Society, in case you missed this, you can read all about it right here.

The response to Sheila's request for knitted and crocheted flowers has been incredible, with more than 5,000 flowers arriving here in Yorkshire from 22 countries worldwide. It has been emotional and humbling, and both Sheila and I have been at times quite overwhelmed by it all.

Last weekend we counted and colour-sorted the flowers ready to start building the display. The idea was to create 5 large fabric panels, pinning each flower in place to create a beautiful field of blooms....

...here you can see Sheila in action, working on the yellow/orange section of the display. We have spent many, many hours on this project, and this afternoon the last flower was pinned. WOW. It is a totally breathtaking sight I can tell you. I promise (hand on heart) that there will be a tonne of photos to share next week, but for now I don't want to spoil the surprise. Thank you to every one of the 400+ ladies who sent flowers, they are priceless little works of art, each and every one of them. Flowers will be for sale during Yarndale* (all proceeds go directly to Alzheimers Society), and we will be writing a full report after the festival.

I'm so sorry that I've not been around so much just lately here in the Attic. I really love being a part of Yarndale* and am very proud of the lively, inspirational festival that we've created, but at the same time I absolutely can't wait for life to return to some sort of normality and for me to have time of my own to spend here again.

Lots of love to you all, will be back soon xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

*Yarndale is a yarn festival held over two days and I am one of the five organisers. You can find more details about Yarndale here.

 

Comments

[Katie]

This is lovely. I don't know if you'll see this comment, hidden away in the back end, but I just read a picture book to my little 4 year old fellow called "Extra Yarn" (by Mac Barnett) and it reminded me of you - a little girl finds a magical box of yarn and brings color and warmth to her whole town as she knits sweaters and coverings for everyone and everything. You should check it out - it seems like just your cup of tea :)

[Tita Carré]

Olá amiga, adorei a postagem, parabéns, sempre delicada, visite meu blog também, beijokas
Visite meu blog - Tita Carré - Crochet

[Jo Kneale]

The flowers were a real show-stopper. And how wonderful to think each one could tell a story, if only yarn could talk. I was there, but I didn't disturb you, you were so busy and surrounded all the time. Well done, and fantastic effort, everybody! Please can I come next year?

[Jan Doling]

Hi Lucy, we had a fantastic time at Yarndale and it was so good to meet up with you in person. Thank you for being so patient while we all had our photos taken with you. I purchased your chunky pack and really wished I had also purchased the Harmony pack (will get one from Wool Warehouse soon). I just had a guilty moment about spending too much as I already have so much stash! xx

[Kelly Marszycki]

Incredibly beautiful post, Lucy! Someday I hope to be on your side of the Atlantic when Yarndale occurs -- must be an amazing event. Warm regards from very chilly Connecticut!

[Mara]

Hi Lucy, beautiful flowers and gorgeous colors!!
Just wanted to say that I bought two Attic24 yarn packs from WoolWarehouse for the cottage and the ripple blanket and can't wait to start my work!! But before that I have to finish the lace curtain I'm making for the bathroom window :o( super long work...
Hugs from Italy :o)

[Heidi]

I bought my CAL pack need to start

[Gillian]

Those flowers are amazing. Unfortunately I couldn't go to Yarndale this year. Maybe next year.

[Patricia]

wow the flower walls look amazing. and the yarn bombing is fabulous. I would love to see yarn dale unfortunately it's a bit far to travel over from Australia so i will just have to content myself with waiting for your next blog post.

[amber]

22 countries blows my mind ! How precious each and everyone of those flowers are. I would be totally humbled and moved as well.

[Holly]

I would love to visit Yarndale, I will have to make one of my trips home to England coincide with it. Those flowers are very impressive indeed!

[Hula Loop]

Love all the amazing colours. Those photos are magic. Wish I was going to Yarndale, maybe next year. Have a wonderful time, love Sarah xxx

[CL in CO]

Lucy, So lovely to meet you at Yarndale today (Sat). I wish I had had more time to chat. What a fantastic event you help to organise, so much fun!
Sorry for being a bit emotional - I blame my age, and thank you for the hug. Look forward to hearing from you when you have some time, and the dust has settled after the fest. best, CL in CO xx

[.]

in 2014-i said i would cross the pond and get to yarnsdale-in 2015-but so much personal stuff happened -i am now saying 2016-for sure. I totally love yarn bombing and would love to see it all

oxoxoxox crafty mema

[Delfina]

So lovely all of this. The fish are so cute. Such a great project the "Flowers for Memories" and the flowers are so beautifull, so full of life and colour. Best luck in yarndale.

[Linda]

The colours, gorgous! I love Autumn. x

[Lynn Butler]

Have a wonderful Yarndale! I too will have to wait to experience it through your pictures. I just know it is going to be fantastic!

[Estella]

Lucy I love that your blog is meant to be all things beautiful and instructive for those who have something in common. I love trying different foods and seeing someone else's ideas on crochet; making wonderful things out of colorful string. Is this a talent or what? I visit your site for these reasons and look forward to all things new.

[Sharon Izzard]

I hope you have the most amazing time at Yarndale. I would love to come one day :-) x

[Jackie]

I find telling people that yarn bombing is 'fun!' is a little patronising (as on Facebook). It is only fun if you find it so! Personally it is moderately interesting and I am not offended by it. However,some people find such things an eye sore (looking at garish brightly coloured crochet is not pretty to them) and they see it as graffiti. Personally I don't have a stance on the actual display as I won't be there and if I were, it would be ameliorated by it being a temporary feature.

I do have a view though, that any dissenters seem to be discounted as being nothing more than killjoys. Different things amuse different people don't they? That said I agree 5 days out of the year won't hurt anyone.

I don't like the bolshy, defensive and distinctively tetchy tone against people who disagree however. It's rather unnecessary and I find it a little rude and inconsiderate. Other people should always be considered too. I think a thought might be given to people who have their local space taken over and upset by a surge of visitors every year. Some people like restful and peaceful environments. I am sorry that their views are not considered too.

All things considered, I don't see why you should not have a display for 5 days, but a respectful attitude for those who don't like it would not go amiss. You cannot insist though that it is fun for everyone. A park is an open space provided and paid for by local people and for the use of all, not just those who like crochet! Some of the comments on Facebook about the 'whingers' are just rude. Why are only some people entitled to an opinion?

[Abi]

Best of luck with Yarndale. I'm sure it will all go well. :) xx

[Estella]

Lucy, so looking forward to your photos! What an inspirational event that Yarndale and such a good place for it. Love to be there too. I will be purchasing one of the calendars for sure just waiting for them to be available. Wishing you a great weekend at Yarndale!

[Carol]

I so wish Yarndale were doable for me! Living West Coast in USA - and not able to do much physically right now (and being rather 'broke!'). it's totally out of the question....but I DREAM of Yarndale...and will enjoy your photos when they are posted. I swear, next year I WILL do flowers or whatever is being asked - just so I can feel like a part of it, even if I can't make it!
Think of it - IF I could make it, I might get to actually meet Lucy and other of my fav hooky idols as well as take part in that event...
Maybe sometime...........
Best of luck to you, Lucy, and all who've worked so very hard to make sure Yarndale is just awesome! I know all who attend will not be disappointed!
As they say in show business, "Break a Leg!" (means do a great job and WOW the attendees!)

[Anne]

Ohhh I would love to be at Yarndale, but sadly not this year, so really looking forward to your photos Lucy. All those flowers are just wonderful and brought a lump to my throat. They must be magnificent all together. Have a fantastic weekend.

[One-oh-four]

Ooooh, I can't wait! I'm coming on Sunday with a friend from work - I'm looking forward to seeing all the lovely crocheted flowers, and walking through the park to see the yarnbombing again....oh and hopefully buying lots of lovely new yarn xx