In Recovery Mode

So the sixth Yarndale festival came and went in a flurry of frantic activity, high emotion and excitable energy, and I am now firmly in Recovery Mode. For those of you who have never experienced this annual festival of yarn and creativity that I help to organise in my home town, it's hard to explain what it feels like to be a part of it. Over the years it's grown into a pretty sizable event with over 200 exhibitors and around 8,000 visitors, and honestly the whole building feels like it's vibrating with happy energy. It's exciting, inspirational and rather overwhelming, with something of a party atmosphere which makes it feel friendly and down to earth. But boy, is it tiring!! The week leading up to Yarndale is incredibly busy, and the team puts in a lot of hard graft getting everything ready in time. So by the time the doors open for our visitors I am pretty much running on empty to be honest. I get through the weekend on a tide of adrenaline, caffeine and feel-good, but by the end of it all I am fit for nothing other than a bit of exhausted flopping.

I uploaded a whole load of photographs today to show you a little bit of my Yarndale experience, but the words remain jammed in my head and are refusing to tumble forth. So I've decided to wait a little longer and I'll tell you the whole yarny tale at the beginning of next week once I'm properly rested and recovered.

I had all my blankets with me at Yarndale and I LOVED seeing everyone's reaction to them, it was so much fun! I loved the dialogue and the chit chat, the recognition and the reminiscing, and of course the planning too. So many lovely ladies took the leap to start out on a new crochet journey after falling in love with one of my blankets, and that makes me so so so happy!!

I only got around to unpacking my blankets yesterday. I tipped them out in a big heap and just took a moment to appreciate the beautiful muddle of colour and pattern. They are a constant source of joy, delight and comfort, not just for me but for my family as well, and we missed them here in the Attic whilst they were away at Yarndale.

Life after Yarndale always feels quite strange for me. Its as if I've forgotten how to relax and unwind and I feel perpetually on edge. I am mentally and physically exhausted, but at the same time I find it hard to be still and rest. I've been wandering around the town, catching up with friends, popping in and out of shops, taking in the scenery and attempting to feel my way back into my normal non-rushing routine.

Autumn is here, and there is no doubt about it whatsoever. The trees have started to change colour, and the light is so unmistakably Autumnal (especially in the early morning and late afternoon) it makes me want to sigh all the time. Ahhhhhhh.......sigh........it's Autumn. Ever so slightly melancholy but so beautifully mellow and delicious all the same. J is nagging continuously for the fire to be lit, but honestly it's just not quite cold enough yet so I'm holding out. I walked out without a coat on today, although my flip flops have been packed away and I've dug out my woolly knitted socks and polished up my boots. Woolly socks make Autumn feel so good I have to say.

I was doing my rounds in town yesterday visiting the butcher and the baker after having coffee and a catch up with a friend. I was absolutely thrilled to pass by the plant stall on the market and see that they had buckets full of dahlias and asters sitting on the cobbles, oh happy day!! This has become such a seasonal treat for me in the years that I've lived here in this town, I just can't get over the joy these flowers deliver. I pondered for an age over which colour to go for (the orange pom-pom type ones nearly had me), and in the end I went for punchy scarlet........

......oh yeah!!!!!! Freshly picked local flowers, tied up with string and wrapped in paper, the best £2.50 spent all week. Right now I've got them sitting on my table in my button jug, and I tell you the colours are so vibrant the flowers look like they are glowing. Love love love them. 

I'm looking forward to telling you some more about Yarndale 2018 once my emotions are a bit more under control (I fear there would be far too much over-the-top-ness if i tried to explain it all right now). In the meantime a friend made a delightful video of the festival which you can watch if you have ten minutes to indulge in some visual yarny feel good. It gives a good idea of the diversity and talented creativity which Yarndale is so well known for, a feast for the eyes and soul.

Back soon xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

 

 

 

 

Comments

[Charlotte Hodge Thomas]

Love your little wave Luce XXX

[jill]

Love your blog.The wonders of dahlias, a £3 pot from Booths supermarket 2 weeks ago has made looking out on a barren garden in our rented house so much bearable1

[Maggie]

Hi Lucy! It was our (mine and my daughter's and 1 year Grandaughter's) first visit to Yarndale this year and we thoroughly enjoyed both days, I can only imagine all the hard work that goes into organizing these events! We saw you chatting to other visitors but I didn't like to come over and say hello, it must feel strange having people you don't know saying 'hello' as though they know you, lol. We loved Skipton, you are very lucky to live in such a beautiful place, we spent nearly as much in the town on clothes as we did on yarn at Yarndale! In fact we loved it so much I came back home and booked to stay in Skipton for the Leeds Christmas Market and the Skipton Christmas market :-) Enjoy your rest, i will look forward to reading your Yarndale post soon. Maggie x

[Vanessa L Grant]

Hi Lucy! I wanted to write to say how much I love your blog. I will go so far to admit, when life gets me down or just hard in general, I come to your page as an inspiration. Like today. :) I have followed your blog since little B was born! I'm not near the crocheter that you are. I have attempted a few of your projects. Lol I made your crochet project bag, and the pedal pillow cushion. Besides that, a few baby blankets for friends and family. The granny square is my favorite! Oh, how I love your projects!!!
I've learned, I'm much better at sewing. :) That your blog is just a slice of happiness for me. Thank you for your gentleness and coming back here with such a rhythm to your life. It truly is one of my favorite places to be. :) :)
Writing from Oregon, USA, Warm regards, Vanessa Grant ❤️❤️❤️

[Jan]

I love your blog and all your blankets. I've made two and they're so beautiful! I would like to make the Granny Stripe blanket but using the Cosy Blanket colors. The yarn pack for the Granny is 18 balls and 15 balls for the Cosy. Will my blanket be a lot shorter if I only use 15 balls? I am a short person and don't really need a 6' blanket.

[Annie Chermak]

Thank you for posting the link to the Yarndale video -- no words to describe it! Tis the loveliest way for us American armchair travelers to experience the wooley, yarney yumminess and all the fantastic creativity (love your little cameo appearance in there)! I know how to crochet a bit, but someday I WILL tackle knitting!!!

[Lara]

It was my first Yarndale this year, visiting with a dear friend. It was just so amazing words cannot describe it! And we got to visit your studio too xxx Rest well now, you deserve it, such a lot of work and you put so much of yourself into it too xx

[Eleonora from Coastal Crochet]

Fabulously wonderful blog post as ever Lucy... now that I’ve been to Skipton and Yarndale myself, I can feel it even more (although your blog posts always describe it so beautifully!) And yes, woolly socks are the one of the highlights of autumn for sure...😊❤️🍂🍁🍂

[kazzy]

I watched the video on youtube lucy, It looked such an amazing show...loved the dress up sheep and all the wonderful yarns and needle felt. I love the area around you with the canals it looks such a darling place. I remember when you first started with it as ive followed your blog such a long time...how amazing to see it grow~ great for local business's . but i can imagine how tiring it must feel and the come down afterwards. I do a lot of market fairs, christmas fairs and two big shows so i totally get that feeling of a 'high buzz' but followed with my body telling me i'm knackered. It takes a lot to prepare for, set up and organise and a constant smile of your face to greet people. I do love it though...And the feeling of others enjoying what you do and what you have created and being inspired the buzz off that is worth being tired after for. take time for you now lucy, love the flowers, Dahlia's are such a beautiful flower to end the summer with and Autumnal colours~ just so pretty. ;)

[Louise]

Hello, I was very fortunate to happen across Yarndale last year on our trip to the UK. It was one of my all time favourite days ever! Thank you so much. Sadly it doesn't get cold enough here (Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia) for all those gorgeous woolen crafts, but I was able to buy a few things to make. We stayed in Linton (where you recently walked) as we couldn't find accom for that weekend in Skipton & that's how I found out about Yarndale. I'm hoping to bring my sisters and nieces to it one day, so the video was fabulous to show them. We're also keen to make some mandalas for a local beach sculpture festival. Congratulations. Louise xx

[Ida]

Watched the video. Your "Attic 24" border looked great! So much creativity and lovely things to explore. Wish I had been there :-)

[Helen]

I love Dahlias! I never seem to grow them well. It wasn't a problem in Germany as they seem to grow some of the best. They just don't do so well here in the hotter temperatures.
Glad Yarndale went well.

[Green Girl Gardener]

Such beautiful dahlias. I love that they’ve made a resurgence this year and I’ve enjoyed growing them in my garden. I hope you have a lovely colourful weekend and feel much refreshed on Monday 😁.

[Sheila Black]

Hello from New Brunswick, Canada 🇨🇦. I just have to tell you that after creeping on your blog for a couple of months I have to step out and thank you for your inspiration. Your blankets are GORGEOUS. I am a quilter and rug hooker. And because of you, now a crocheter (is that a word?). With some help from YouTube and your instructions i’m now confidant I can make the Moorland Stripe Blanket. I need to get up the nerve to order your yarn pack, i’ve never ordered overseas and the price, even after conversion and shipping, is very modest compared to prices here in Canada for the exact same thing. I’m going to give it a go!

[Hedy]

I saw the video and I so want to come visit! Everything is so beautiful.

[Charlotte.]

Wow! What an event. Take time for Lucy to rest and recover. We will be here when you are ready to post words. Price of flowers is amazing. I never purchase because they are about 3 times that here.

[Caz]

O how lovely! You've been to the plant stall! You used to regularly post about your little colourful treats and it's nice to see them again. I'd be torn for choice, especially at your Yorkshire prices! Rest up and enjoy your weekend.

[Pom Pom]

Hi Lucy! I hope you get to rest well. Your blankets are so inspiring. You are a color wizard.
I went to Victoria, BC in Canada over the weekend and the dahlia beds at the Butchart Gardens were indeed glorious. Dahlias are so showy and bright, right up your colorful alley, I say!
I'm looking forward to seeing your Yarndale photos

[Nadine G]

Merci à vous chère Lucy cette vidéo est un enchantement de voyage au pays de la laine, que de merveilles. Félicitations pour votre engagement, votre petit "coucou" dans la vidéo est un soleil parmi toutes les couleurs, les lapins laineux, la musique de la vidéo et pour finir un joli paysage. J'ai aimé cette balade et peut être un jour être présente. Je vous embrasse.

[Mary W]

It's not jet lag - it's Yarndale lag. Studies show that it takes 2 days to recover from each day spent in another time zone, so Yarndale must have it's own time zone. No not twilight zone LOL.

[Diane Smith]

Thank you so much for the video link, it was lovely and congratulations to the maker of the video it really captured the colour and vibrancy of the show. I would love to come to the next Yarndale but it is a long way from Devon . . . . .

[Helpful Mum]

Thank you so much for sharing the video. I really love making them, and I think this year was the best Yarndale yet. Enjoy taking some time for yourself and recuperating.

[nancy]

I remember when you were starting the first one and you asked for people to send a square of crocheted yarn to hang as a banner and boy, was that a long one! congratulations, and if I ever visit england in october, I will come!

[Teresa Kasner]

Wow, I viewed the video and I can see why you are tired and over-stimulated.. what an amazing event! I might have to watch the video again as it was so amazing and inspirational!! Just think Lucy.. you started this whole movement! Your wonderful imagination and all your fabulous shared patterns have inspired so many people over the globe to make colorful wearable art.. I'm proud to know you. *C*O*N*G*R*A*T*U*L*A*T*I*O*N*S*!*
((hugs)), Teresa :-)

[Margaret Simpson]

Take time to rest and put your feet up. Thank you for your wonderful blog. 😊🇦🇺