It's just short of two weeks since Yarndale 2017 took place and I feel like I am finally emerging from the energy crash that typically floors me for a while afterwards. I sat and sifted through all my photographs yesterday, thinking about how truly amazing Yarndale is, and how proud I am to be involved with such a fabulous event.
As I'm one of the five folks who make up the Yarndale team, my journey generally begins in January. It takes pretty much nine months of the year to create our two-day festival at the end of September, then another month or so afterwards to wrap it all up and put it to bed. Then we take a well earned break until the following January when we start all over again.
One of my favourite jobs is designing and making our mascott sheep which we photograph to use for our postcards and sometimes a little advertising in magazines. I work on this at the start of the year with my friend Carole who is another one of the Yarndale team - she and I both share a love of colour and have very creative souls (Carole is also an exhibitor, we both have quite busy creative lives outside of Yarndale).
As you can see from the above picture, the sheep we make are quite large, measuring around 90cm x 120cm. We draw the shape out on a piece of paper to give us an idea of the scale we are working to, then between us we make up the various body/head/leg pieces over a couple months usually. Once all the yarny work is complete, we get a wooden shape cut out at our local builders merchant so that we have a solid template to stretch our woolly fabric around.
Over the years since Yarndale started in 2013, we've created a rather gorgeous and eclectic flock of woolly sheep which have become very well loved by our visitors.
Our famous canvas sheep bags are hugely popular and usually sell out very quickly each year. We had some extra printed this year so if you would like to gift yourself a gorgeous Granny Sheep bag, we have a small number left in the Yarndale online shop.
Much of what I do to prepare for Yarndale is on the creative side, although I am responsible for the social media too. If you have been on the Yarndale Facebook page or Instagram then that's usually my voice you are reading. I also tend to get called on if any general writing is needed - magazine articles, interviews and press releases, plus the content for the brochure, that kind of thing.
But without a doubt, it's the creative projects which really get me excited each and every year. For me personally, I feel this is the essence of Yarndale - it's a celebration of yarn, creativity and community and nothing says it better than the colourful decorative elements we bring together for the festival.
I started making these giant Mandala Hoops back in 2014, originally just for my own personal amusement before I quickly realised that they would make perfect decorations for Yarndale. I've managed to make a couple of new hoops each year to add to my collection, and have also LOVED that a few of you have made and sent your own mandala hoops to add to mine (I can't tell you how happy this has made me). If you want to read a little more about how I attach my mandalas to the hoops, you can find the blog post here.
This is my latest hoop, finished just a week before Yarndale. I used the pattern that I designed for Simply Crochet (more details in this blog post), and I loved how different it looked compared to the soft pastel colours of the original.
I had eleven hoops in total this year, which I strung up under the trees at the front of the Auction Mart - they really did look very eye catching. For next year, I'm planning on making a whole lot of smaller ones - I've already got a bunch of these 30cm metal rings and am so excited about trying out some new mandala designs. I was gifted some beautiful cotton yarn by the fabulous Dutch brand Yarn and Colors which will be perfect - the Must Have Minis are the most cutesome little 10g balls which come in 100 different colours (yes, one Hundred!), check them out at Wool Warehouse, and please do not blame me if you accidentally order yourself some.
Can you see in the above picture that it looks like a yarny river is flowing under my mandalas?? This fabulous creation was made last year by a group of local ladies, to celebrate the bi-centenary of the Leeds/Liverpool canal which runs through Skipton. It measures 15 metres long and is absolutely beautiful.....
....we were thrilled to have it on display at Yarndale again this year, and even more thrilled that it was joined by a remarkable knitted flower meadow........
.....wow!!!!!!!!!!! Isn't that just beautiful?? Inspired by nature and wildlife, the meadow was made from over 250 individual pieces of knitting, crochet, appliqué and sewing. It was created by the same local knitting group who created the canal, with participants ranging in age from 4 to 94. This is such a fantastic example of how wonderful our community is when it comes together to celebrate the joy of creating with yarn.
The details in some of the pieces were so inspiring.....just look at that little felted snail leaving it's silvery trail behind it !!
We were also really chuffed to see the return of the famous Thirsk Yarnbombers to Yarndale after their creations were enjoyed so much by all our visitors last year.
They installed some fabulous knitting and crochet over the wooden bollards.....
....which celebrated all things "Yorkshire".....
....and certainly brought about a lot of smiles during Yarndale weekend.
And so we come to the Creative Community project which I organise every year - it's my biggest undertaking for Yarndale, and something which I absolutely love doing. I would like to express my deep gratitude to everyone who joined in with this year's Creative Hearts project, it was just soooooo beautiful to see all the hearts come together and was such a powerful representation of how talented, passionate and friendly the crochet and knitting community is. It was a real creative celebration, and it means a huge amount to me to be able to do something like this - I couldn't be more proud of our global crochet community.
All in all, we received around 520 hearts for our display - I'm afraid I lost track of the final count as quite a few parcels arrived right at the last minute, but do you know, they came from 21 countries around the world, isn't that something?
I think I mentioned a few weeks ago that I've taken photographs of every single individual heart, and I'll be starting work next week on creating some beautiful displays on Pinterest. In the meantime, here are a few images showing some of my favourites......
We decided this year to keep the Creative Hearts display intact and not to sell the hearts at Yarndale. We had our lovely friend Sheila (creator of the Flowers for Memories display two years ago) looking after the hearts during the weekend, and I'm thrilled to announce that through kind and generous donations from our visitors, we managed to raise.............
❤£1227.46❤ for the mental Health charity Mind.
Thank you so very much to everyone who contributed, it means a lot to us to support this worthwhile charity. The hearts are now tucked up safely at Yarndale HQ for a little while, and in the New Year we will start working with our local Mind representatives to see if we can display them or offer them for sale to raise even more money. I'll certainly keep you updated on the ongoing story.
From hearts to circles, well one very big, gigantic circle actually. I couldn't chat about our creative crochet community without sharing this incredible piece of work with you. We were thrilled to be able to have this beautiful 14 foot giant mandala on display at Yarndale this year, it really is the most breathtaking piece of crochet I think I've ever seen. It was created by a lady called Hester (@tessafterall on Instagram) as a result of the 365 #zenmandalaproject - the challenge was to crochet one round of a mandala every day for a whole year, which Hester successfully did throughout 2016.
I found this image on Google (I'm so sorry I haven't been able to find the source so don't know who this lovely Yarndale visitor is, or who took the photo). I wanted to show you the scale of Hester's awesome Mandala, it just blows my mind looking at it and thinking about all the multiple thousands of stitches and hooky hours that are sitting right there. Hester was super-lovely and very humble with regards to her mandala awesomeness - it was really wonderful to welcome her to Yarndale and for our visitors to be able to chat with her.
Oh, there is always so much happening at Yarndale, way too much to mention really, and this year more than ever before we really did have some fabulous things going on. The above photo just captures the spirit of Yarndale perfectly, I love it! We had a return visit from Skipton's Giant Swaledales - these are huge walking puppets created from papier mache, wire and fabric, with a human inside acting out the voice of the sheep...baaaaaaaaaaa!! You can see this sheep is trying out a blanket - this was in the new social area of the festival where among other things (including the fabulous Yarn Doctors) we had a bit of a blanket making session going on, it was fab!
Blankets for the Homeless (or BFTH for short) collects knit or crochet 6" squares which are stitched together by a team of volunteers to make colourful blankets for people in need of a little warmth and comfort. Jayne Roper, founder of BFTH, came to Yarndale this year to host a blanket making drop-in where visitors could pull up a chair and join in with knitting/hooking a 6 inch square. It was a fabulous success, and so lovely to think that a little time spent crocheting or knitting with others can help make a difference.
And so we come to my own little patch of Yarndale where I spend pretty much all my time during the weekend. Yarndale is a hugely busy festival (we had a record 8,500 visitors this year and just short of 200 exhibitors) and during the course of the two days it is very full on. We usually notice a tiny little lull towards the end of each afternoon but other than that there is barely time to eat or go take a pee throughout the day, it really is that busy. But I do enjoy it so much, it's overwhelming and emotional and joyful and happy and intense, and oh, just incredibly wonderful. It makes me feel so grateful, so inspired, so full of admiration for the enthusiastic Yarn Tribe we belong to. I get to meet so many gorgeous people from all over the world who travel to experience Yarndale and perhaps a little bit to see me too. This year, more than in other years, we did notice an increase in our foreign visitors - when I say from "all over the world" I really do mean it! I met lots of really lovely ladies (and gents) from Australia, New Zealand, America, Canada, Spain, Italy, Belgium, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Portugal, Israel.....yes, honestly!
So I get to chat and chat and chat! And of course listen and encourage and celebrate and laugh - it's a full on social whirl. It makes me realise that all these words that I sit and tap away at my laptop each week, all these thoughts and feelings and ideas and images that I share do indeed reach out and touch people far and wide. During Yarndale weekend, I get the real life version of my blog comments in three dimensional full colour, it's as if the whole thing quite literally springs to life in front of my very eyes. It's very humbling, and a rather marvelous experience for someone like me who leads a pretty quiet, quirky life.
I am beyond grateful that I am not on my own in this little patch of Yarndale - that very first year in 2013 when I was on my own was almost too much for me to handle by myself. These days I call in the troops! I just love having the Wool Warehouse team with me at Yarndale, they are the loveliest, friendliest bunch and work so hard during the weekend.
Thank you to every single one of you who took the time to come and say hello, I can't tell you how much I appreciated it and enjoyed meeting you all. And thank you also to everyone who was inspired by my blankets and took the decision to start out on a new colourful hooky journey. ThAnK YoU, so much, it makes me happy right down to my toes.
Of course, it wasn't just blankets and yarn and excitable people that filled my little auction ring, no, no! There were socks too, lots and lots and lots of socks! Just look at them all!! This is Christine's famous "Yarndale Sockline" which was so successful this year that we ran out of space to hang them.
This was the third year that Christine organised the sockline for Yarndale, and it is just such a lovely feel-good thing. Knitters were invited to make a pair of socks which will be gifted to those in need of a little bit of woolly comfort and love.
Chrsitine says "...in our world where the media likes to focus on what's going wrong, we need to remember that some things are going right. I like to think that when I tell you that the pair of socks that you knitted has gone to, say, a homeless hostel or a children's hospice, you will smile, your heart will smile and that moment of connection will send love and positivity out into a world that needs all the love it can get." Isn't that just something special?
If you would like to know more about this year's sockline including the Grand Total of Socks Recieved, hop over to Christine's blog for a read.
For me, Yarndale weekend is so many things. It is the culmination of almost a year of planning, creating and working. It is a celebration, a gathering of like-minded souls, a joyful, yarn filled festival full of talent, passion, excitement, friendship, creativity and inspiration. It is a time when we all feel that we Belong to something absolutely, crazy-wonderful.
I took the above picture at 9.30am on Saturday morning, in that surreal window of time when everything is poised and ready to go, and we are just waiting for the doors to open. It's like the lull before the whirlwind! Our exhibitors work so hard to transform their bare concrete and metal pens into beautiful, enticing little showcases and shopfronts, they really do us proud. Sadly, I don't get much of a chance to look around - that's one thing I would love to change about my own Yarndale experience.
I did manage to have a quick squizzy early on Sunday morning, and so had a few photos on my camera, if you'd like to see what caught my eye?
There is such a huge range of beautiful things to see, squish, stroke and admire. Yarndale is very, very much more than simply a yarn show.
There are some fabulous little Yarndale 2017 videos made by a few of our visitors over on YouTube, so if you couldn't visit and would like to get a feel for what this year was like, do go and have a look.....they are wonderful to watch...
I also wanted to share the above images which I came across on Instagram - I think they are absolutely wonderful. Lisa is a textile artist and her eye for detail (and photography) is incredible. She described her experience of Yarndale as "a game of 2 halves...the natural neutrals and the bright Zappy colours"
So that's Yarndale over for another year - the fifth festival and what a success it was. Last week we received the news that Yarndale came 1st in the "Best Knitting Event" category of the British Knitting and Crochet Awards 2017, for the second year running. We are so proud of what we've created, and the feel-good that it brings to our visitors, exhibitors, and of course the lovely little rural market town in which we live.
Thank you ever so much for reading, I hope I haven't been too long winded and that you've enjoyed a little bit of a peek behind the scenes.
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ps I'll keep you updated on the Creatve Hearts - I'm hoping to have all the image galleries ready to publish next week.
pps in the interest of full disclosure and transparency, I need to mention that Yarndale is a for-profit organisation and I am one of the five organisers. You can read more about the festival over on the website www.yarndale.co.uk
Hi Lucy, this was my first visit to Yarndale. I came in a minibus with 7 others who we all work together and are part of the works craft club. We all had a fantastic time looking at all the amazing displays. Yarns to die for, the hand dyed varigation colours were outstanding....some very very talented people out there! Everyone was so friendly and despite it being busy I found people were still respecting each other particularly those with disabilities. Ensuring space was given. I met some lovely people. Thank you to you and all the Yarndale Team and all the exhibitors for making it such a wonderful day xxx
Posted by: Jan Legge | October 06, 2017 at 10:23 AM
I really need to find someone to come to Yarndale with me!!
Posted by: Karen | October 06, 2017 at 10:11 AM
My first Yarndale and by no means my last! Well done to everyone involved!
Posted by: Lily Davies | October 06, 2017 at 08:51 AM
Our third year to visit. Yarndale just gets better!Thank you all. Hubby enjoys the animals the cafe and the uke troop.
It's so inspiring. HAD birthday money to spend. Found my heart too. Had a great chat to fellow lacemakers.
Thanks for the post.
Posted by: Pat Marsh | October 06, 2017 at 08:09 AM
Missed it this year but may have to try again. Just noticed I am following Winwick Mum - how exciting!!
Posted by: Carol | October 06, 2017 at 07:48 AM
so wish I had been able to come but I was fighting a UTI that weekend.
Posted by: brendaintheboro | October 06, 2017 at 07:44 AM
Reading this really makes me think that next year I will have to see this!! I have travelled to London 3 times (from Finland) just to attend the show at Alexandra Palace, so next year I will want to see Yarndale :)
Posted by: Tuula Maaria | October 06, 2017 at 06:28 AM
First I fell in love with the mascot, then the stream and then here comes the meadow. As for the giant mandala I am speechless! What a wonderful job done by all. I know you deserve a good rest but I'm already looking forward to next years pictures! Take Care.
Posted by: Laurie Mowat | October 06, 2017 at 05:19 AM
Thank you Lucy. As I live in Perth, Western Australia, reading your blog, helped me feel like I was at the event enjoying all the colours, textures and creative work at Yarndale. I would love to attend one day. The hearts project or previous community projects make us feel like we are a part of the event. Thanks for your time and the many others who make this event so special.
Posted by: Anne Dearle | October 06, 2017 at 04:51 AM
Seriously contemplating a trip from Canberra! I have recommended you to many a crocheter in our group. Thank you x
Posted by: susan jameson | October 06, 2017 at 04:11 AM
Wonderful post!
Posted by: Laura Gabriela Martin Del Campo Sescosse | October 06, 2017 at 03:53 AM
Lucy, just seeing all of these pictures and reading your blog, made my heart sing. I would give anything to be able to have seen this. If this isn’t true art then I don’t know what is, the exhibits are stunning. I can’t even imagine what it had to be like to put this thing together! You are truly the reason why this world has gotten back into crocheting, you have taught all of us so much. Thanks from the bottom of my heart, Lucy ❤️
Posted by: Hanna Farrell | October 06, 2017 at 03:34 AM
Oh my goodness, this all just looks so colourful and incredible. Thanks for all these gorgeous pics and details for us to feast our eyes on, it's the next best thing to being there.
Posted by: Esther Aliu | October 06, 2017 at 01:17 AM
Wonderful post, Lucy. Thank you for sharing with folks that could not come. Love the beautiful work, love Yarndale.
Posted by: Rural TN | October 06, 2017 at 01:06 AM
What a lovely colorful post and a great festival to be part of. Your posts always inspire me to work with color. I like the Mandala hoops.
Posted by: Susanne | October 05, 2017 at 11:59 PM
It was my first time at Yarndale this year and I was almost overwhelmed by it all! I couldn't believe how big it was, and how many exhibitors there were - so much to see! I had a wonderful time and filled my Yarndale bag (definitely not your average tote bag) with woolly goodies. And this was on Sunday afternoon when you might have expected that there wouldn't be much left. I absolutely loved it from the first glimpse of the yarn-bombing to finally stepping off the red bus decorated with crochet mandalas and bunting on my return to Skipton. Everyone was cheerful and friendly and helpful, and clearly very proud of the event. Well done and thank you to everyone involved, it was a credit to you all. And now I am planning for next year...
Posted by: Sally | October 05, 2017 at 11:54 PM
Another wonderful blog Lucy...really loved seeing all those wonderful photos of Yarndale, and of course how you take time to share it all with us who cannot be at such a inspiring event.
A HUGE thank you!
Nora 💐
Posted by: NORA | October 05, 2017 at 11:29 PM
A great big hug from Oz, as it looks amazing & must have been so exciting for all. I remember how it was last year & know it was a wonderful experience, so well done to all for doing it again. Take care.
Posted by: Susan | October 05, 2017 at 10:59 PM
¡Enhorabuena, Lucy!!!
Posted by: mamaosa | October 05, 2017 at 10:41 PM
Lovely post, gorgeous pictures - interesting to see the event through your eyes! I would like to say a huge THANK YOU to you and the other organisers - this year was definitely the best yet. I had an amazing weekend; bought loads, learnt loads, met up with old friends and made new ones, and above all, came away feeling thoroughly inspired and motivated to get making xxxx
Posted by: One-oh-four | October 05, 2017 at 10:16 PM
Thank you Lucy just had a lovely virtual visit to Yarndale lots love Jenny from Cornwall xxx
Posted by: Jenny | October 05, 2017 at 10:01 PM
Fabulous blog post. I've not been to Yarndale but I enjoyed looking at all the photos on Instagram. Maybe one day I'll go. Well done on all your hard work everyone. Jean
Posted by: @jeanthecreativepixie | October 05, 2017 at 10:01 PM
As always Lucy your blog and photos are wonderful, the hours you spend is amazing. You are an inspiration to us all. Bless you and all those who are involved with this wonderful event. 😘🇦🇺
Posted by: Margaret Simpson | October 05, 2017 at 09:35 PM
Congratulations Lucy, another awe inspiring Yarndale. Thank you for including all the photos and videos. Oh! And the Yarndale shop, where I popped into to do a little shopping. I am even more excited about attending Yarndale next year with my sister in law Nola, we are traveling from Australia. We have already booked 4 nights accommodation in Skipton, so we are ready to go. Thank you for creating this fabulous event. See you in 2018. Cheers Lenore x
Posted by: Lenore Rhodes | October 05, 2017 at 09:30 PM
Not long winded at all Lucy, as usual very interesting! It was my first Yarndale this year and I was absolutely thrilled to be able to say hello and have a little of your time for a chat. It is an amazing event so well organised and wonderfully friendly.....and so so much to see and squish and buy....I am not surprised it takes a few days or even weeks to recoup......thank you for all your creative inspiration and yes I bought another of your blanket kits whilst there.....😁
Posted by: Ursula Barnes | October 05, 2017 at 09:16 PM