Whilst I was away from the Attic through June and early July, a great deal of my time was filled with yarn infested thoughts. This is a busy time for me with a huge amount of Yarndale work happening behind the scenes, so I really appreciated a chance to take off for a couple of days at the end of June to visit Woolfest in Cumbria. Being one of the organisers of Yarndale means that unfortunately I don't get to experience our fabulous festival in the same way that a visitor would. And as I had never been to Woolfest before, a visit with no agenda other than to delight myself with a great deal of yarny goodness was a real treat. I loved being at the festival - as expected, it has a very similar feel to Yarndale, but I would say it's rather more "woolly", with a strong emphasis on natural fibres. Where Yarndale focuses on Creativity, Woolfest has it's focus very much on the Wool. It was a joy to see so many beautiful, real, live sheep, to be able to squish and stroke so much lovingly produced yarn and chat to the amazing people who love to share their talent and passions.
But even better than all the yarn put together was the fact that I was away from home for two days and one whole night, child-free (holy smoke, the luxury of that!!), and got to hang out with my most lovely friend Christine. We had such a laugh, and I came home feeling very inspired, relaxed and energised after my break away.
Two weeks after Woolfest and I was off again on another yarn infested jaunt, this time a short train journey across Yorkshire to rendez vous at the Stylecraft Mill in Slaithwaite. Now this was something I'd been really looking forward to for many weeks, a day to meet up with a small group of wonderful knit and crochet bloggers, a day for a heap load of yarn chat over a delicious lunch, a day to inspire, connect, share and make friends. It was completely brilliant I have to say, and there is nothing like chatting to people who share a combined love of yarn and blogging. It was fun, friendly and hugely inspiring to hear everyone's blogging stories, to share our thoughts and inspirations and our plans for the future.
I have been lucky enough to visit the Stylecraft Mill a few times now, but being a part of an amazing new Bloggers Meet-up was a completely new thing for me. I don't always find social situations easy as I am naturally quite a shy person (I am getting better though), but everything about this day was designed to make us feel good from the moment we walked in the door. I was truly delighted to realise that once we all sat down together I immediately felt I was amongst good friends and the day just got better and better.
So you may be wondering what all this was actually about? This is a brand new initiative created by Stylecraft Yarns to celebrate and support the knit and crochet blogging community. Twelve bloggers have been chosen to make up a Stylecraft "Blogstars" group, with the idea that we can all learn from each other, share ideas, preview new yarns, and generally help spread the yarny love. Spreading the joy of yarn and creativity is something each of us does already through our blogs, so this is a way of bringing us together and celebrating the sharing I guess. In the photo above there are nine of us, so three who sadly couldn't make it to the first ever Blogstars meet up. Do you recognise the other bloggers in the photo with me? I'll tell you who they are and give you links to their blogs so you can go have a pootle.....
From left to right > Katherine of Crafternoon Treats : Sandra of Cherry Heart : Heather of The Patchwork Heart : Julia of Hand Knitted Things : Phil of The Twisted Yarn : Helen of The Woolly Adventures of a Knitting Kitty : ME (!) : Sarah of Annaboo's House : Sue of Susan Pinner Yarn Art.
The other three who were there with us in spirit were > Emma Varnham : Jane Crowfoot and Angela of Get Knotted Yarn Craft.
You can also read more about each of the Blogstars here.
Aside from the thrill of having so many amazing writers and designers all on one room, we were treated to a fascinating insight into the way Stylecraft designs and plans their yarn and pattern ranges. As someone who is very much Of-The-Moment when it comes to designing and making, I am really rather in awe of the huge amount of forward planning that goes on in the yarn world. It's the norm for yarn manufacturers and designers to be working at least 18 months in advance, and "trend forecasting" is used to predict the moods, colours, shapes and fashion elements that will be influencing all things yarny in the seasons to come. We were shown a couple of mood boards which will lead the way for the Autumn/Winter 2016/17 season, and honestly it is so hard for me to grasp that this was all put together way back last year! I can barely think about what I might be doing next week, let alone next month/season/year. The above mood board is influenced by a trend named "The Humble Labourer" and is all about rustic textures, patterns and an earthy, natural colour palette.
And this one is named "World Marauder" which is all about rich jewel colours and intricate decorative patterns. Fascinating, no?? We got to preview some beautiful new Stylecraft yarns inspired and influenced by these trends, and my favourite (by a long chalk) is this.................
..........oh, so delicious! This is a brand new range of yarn called Stylecraft Batik - can you see how the rich colours were inspired by the Marauder mood board I showed you up above? This photo isn't particularly good I'm afraid (was in too much of a giddy spin to focus properly at the time), but let me tell you the yarn is absolutely LUSH. It's very very soft and springy, surprisingly soft and tactile actually, to say that it contains 20% wool (it's an 80/20 acrylic/wool blend).
The yarn is DK weight and comes in 50g balls. Interestingly it's been designed specifically with crochet in mind - the twist of the fibres is quite tight which makes it smooth and non-splitty and lovely to hook with. At the Blogstars meet up we were given a very generous goody bag to bring home, which included the above 16 shades of Batik. Lucky, lucky me. This yarn has sparked a tonne of ideas to whizz into my Creative Mind, but so far I'm only at the stroking and smooching stage. Did I tell you how soft and springy this yarn is? It really is. So Batik has already hit the shops this summer in all it's pretty yarny yumminess. Do let me know if you start a project with it, I'd love to see!
Here in the Attic, there is lots of yarny stuff simmering on multiple creative burners as usual. I'm already working on a colour palette and new pattern samples for my next blanket which will begin at the end of the year - I'll be launching a new yarn pack in November, ready for an Attic24 Crochet-A-Long to start in January. The colours are really beautiful, inspired by the Yorkshire Moorlands which I love - can't wait to show you more!
In the meantime, I'm working on adding printed patterns to some of my yarn packs which don't yet have them - the first will be the re-make of my Original granny stripe blanket....
....then an updated pattern for my Rainbow Raindrops cushion.
At the end of September I'll have a new bag pattern to share with you too - this is my Weekend Bag, and it's been a long time coming!
I'll be making a full tutorial for this cute cross-body bag to share for free here on my blog, and I'm thrilled that there will also be three new chunky colour packs launching at Yarndale, then online in my shop with Wool Warehouse after that. Two of the chunky colour ways are shown above, plus there is a third one in shades of blues and greys. I am excited to share this with you at the end of next month - better get busy!!
Gosh, this feels like it's been a long, overdue catch up, I feel a bit dizzy from spilling it all of a sudden! And breeeeeeathe.............
One last thing to mention whilst I'm on the subject of bloggy stuff and yarny carry ons - I was thrilled to find out that I've been nominated in the British Knitting Awards again this year - these awards have become pretty prestigious and a great acknowledgement of the dedication and passion found within the yarn industry.
I've reached the top five nominations in not one but two categories (sooooo chuffed!) - "Favourite Crochet Designer" and "Favourite Crochet Blog". Wooohooo! If you fancy casting a vote for me, that would make me very happy indeed....voting is for UK residents only (due to the fabby prizes up for grabs), and ends on 28th Aug. Here's the link...
http://www.letsknit.co.uk/britishknittingawards/
♥
As ever, it's a pleasure to welcome you into the Attic for a chat and a catch up, thanks so much for the company as I bungle through my busy yarn infested days. Now I'm going to go grab a cup of tea and take a bit of a breather before cooking dinner.....see you again soon xxxxxxxxxxxx
Hi Lucy - we are going to be passing through Skipton mid September so hope to pop in to Coopers with my harmony blanket in progress! There are quite a few CAL coming up this Autumn but I am waiting for yours in January! I will definitely be making the lovely shoulder bag too. Any teasers about the new blanket would be great too. Hope to see you in Skipton on 16th September x
Posted by: Rowena Corlett | September 03, 2016 at 09:41 AM
Hi Lucy! Congratulations on your nominations and fingers crossed you win! I love your blog and am a regular follower. You have definitely inspired me with my crochet. Can't say enough good things about your as a crocheter and your blog...so good luck. I would vote if I could but since in the U.S.A. I will just have to send all my best wishes across to you.
Posted by: Robin W. | August 23, 2016 at 12:34 AM
Lucy, I love the outfit you are wearing in the BlogStars photo! It is just beautiful and made me wonder where you bought the dress (or perhaps you've sewn it?).
Please share where it's from; I'd love to bring your style to my tiny wardrobe! Thank you so much, I adore your blog and designs to bits.
Posted by: Leslie Ellebrecht | August 22, 2016 at 06:50 PM
I'm eagerly anticipating the update to your lovely Original Granny Stripe Lucy.
I'm doing mine as a ripple rather than a stripe.
Posted by: MrsF | August 20, 2016 at 07:29 PM
Beautiful work! Could I please post a link to your blog on my new blog? You're an inspiration!
Posted by: Mim Carpenter | August 15, 2016 at 10:57 AM
My vote is in, you inspired me to return to crochet after many years gap :D thank you xXx
Posted by: Viv | August 14, 2016 at 11:13 AM
I think I am relieved to be far away in Australia (even though it means I can't vote for you)! All that temptation when my craft room is already overflowing and I feel like I'll have to live to be a very old lady to complete all the project ideas I have. Thanks too, for sharing your angst as you design a project. I've done a few sewing design projects and am encouraged to read I am not the only one who reaches THAT point. And to see how wonderful it is when you come out the other side! Thanks for inspiring me and so many others.
Posted by: Annie | August 13, 2016 at 07:08 AM
I really like those new bags looking forward to pack for sale 😃 Better get my cosy blanket finished!
Posted by: Clair | August 12, 2016 at 12:58 PM
Congratulations on being in "The Knitting Awards" keeping my fingers X you win!!
Really looking forward to the new bag pattern, so glad that you are back to your normal self!!
Take care, Linda.
Posted by: Linda Lambert | August 12, 2016 at 04:10 AM
My vote is for you,,,
Posted by: Laura | August 12, 2016 at 02:49 AM
Lucy - I am soooo happy to see that you will be doing a pattern for your Weekend (cross-body) Bag. I recently injured my shoulder and the doctor and therapists have forbidden me from carrying a heavy bag on that arm and shoulder. They told me to use a cross body bag. Of course, since I have come to love a colorful life after reading your blog for so long, everything in the stores looks boring!! So your bag will solve my problem and make me feel pretty too. Thank you for all you do for us. Mary
Posted by: Mary | August 11, 2016 at 09:26 PM
You are a great designer I'm still busy with the colourwash-granny-blanket she is still growing I want her a little longer so my hubby fits under it LOL!
Great moodboard beautiful colours!
groetjes van Marijke
Posted by: Marijke | August 11, 2016 at 05:55 PM
Yay, sounds as though you'll be busy. :-) Good to see you at the bloggers' meetup. Here's to the next one!
Posted by: Phil @ thetwistedyarn.com | August 11, 2016 at 02:00 PM
Hi Lucy, you are just fabulous and I have followed you since I discovered my passion for crochet. If I lived in the UK I would vote for you one million times over as I know you inspire so many people just like myself. Congratulations, I hope you win. I am also extremely keen for the next crochet a long as I missed the last one! Keep blogging you beautiful and creative soul, you light up my weeks :)
Posted by: Sarah | August 11, 2016 at 01:22 PM
That was a fascinating read and I'm envious of your visit to Stylecraft. I always love your choice of colours as they are so inspiring.
Posted by: Pattie Jarvis | August 11, 2016 at 12:49 PM
Lovely new colours just when I promised to buy no more wool until I'd reduced my stash by 3/4 :-( Guess I'd better put other activities on hold and get reducing :-)
Voted for you on behalf of those that can't, the spa trip would be no good for me -wheelchair bound. Still YOU deserve to win.
Posted by: Lucy Caitlyn Wynne | August 10, 2016 at 11:38 PM
Loved your blog! The new yarn colours are delicious. We have a fibre and fleece festival close to where I live, but nothing on this scale. Might have to plan a trip to the U.K. !!
Posted by: Eleanor MacLean | August 10, 2016 at 08:00 PM
So much fiber goodness! Congratulations on the award nomination! I have to say, you are one of the only crochet blogs I follow. Good luck in the upcoming votes!
Posted by: Sierra | August 10, 2016 at 06:57 PM
Yay the bags at last!!! Definitely on my wish list. x
Posted by: sara | August 10, 2016 at 05:06 PM
I think that Sylecraft has finally caught on as to what many knitters and crocheters (like me) want in yarn colors. I've always been drawn to the tonals and tweeds much more than solid colors. Adding a bit of wool to the yarn is an additional plus. Looking forward to using this new yarn. Love you blog, Lucy. Many thanks as usual. Hugs,
Posted by: Kimmy | August 10, 2016 at 04:35 PM
Love your blog. Congrats on the nominations, sorry I can't vote from South Africa but wishing you all the best
Posted by: Juno | August 10, 2016 at 04:09 PM
Good luck with the awards, Lucy! Hope you win...you deserve to. What a pity I can't vote :(
YAY for the Yorkshire Moorlands colour pack.....doing a happy dance here lol I LOVE those colours!! I'm so happy you'll be doing a blanket with this colour palette :) I'm nearly ready for a new blanket kit.
Hugs from Aus xx
Posted by: Lynne Armstrong | August 10, 2016 at 02:41 PM
I have thoroughly enjoyed your post today. How much fun it must have been to visit the Stylecraft factory. The new line of Batik yarn has me intrigued and thinking about what pattern I would like to use it with. Congrats on the nomination. Although I can't vote here in the States, I think you are the "best". xoxo
Posted by: Robin Elaine Palmer | August 10, 2016 at 01:41 PM
Good luck from Australia as well Lucy😊
Posted by: Robyn | August 10, 2016 at 01:19 PM
Oh I wish I could vote for you but I live in USA...GOOD LUCK!! You deserve it!
Posted by: Holley Downs | August 10, 2016 at 12:34 PM