Holiday Time

I've just returned from a wonderful relaxing holiday in Scotland. It was just what I needed to recharge my batteries and work on some crochet and knitting for me! 

We had initially booked 3 nights in our favourite little cottage in Minto but then added a fourth night on followed by a very last minute addition of a first night at the Days Inn at Annandale Water. This hotel was a very pleasant surprise - budget so a pretty basic room but it had a balcony over looking the beautiful hills and lake complete with ducks and geese. I enjoyed my morning cup of tea whilst reading on the balcony (wrapped up in my slipper socks and dressing gown) but it was all very pleasant and civilised! 

The one thing I love about Granary Cottage is the hospitality of our lovely hosts Sheila and Kevan. Every time we've been, we've been greated by a vase of wild flowers and some home baked goodies. This year it was spiced fruit cake and it was delicious!

We spent a lot of time chilling out in the cottage, enjoying the beautiful view, reading and crafting. I managed to finish crocheting a shawl (it still needs beads adding so I'll post pictures when it's done) and started my Craftsy class on freeform crochet. It was great to have time for me crafting!

On Wednesday I headed over to The Border Tart (Lindsay) for a spinning lesson. She is a fabulous teacher and I loved every minute of it - so much so I've already acquired a wheel! I managed to spin and ply some yarn which has 'lots of character!!!' 

After my spinning lesson, I headed into Hawick where I enjoyed my lunch in a quirky cafe called The Damascus Drum which also doubled as a second hand book shop before popping over to The Textile Towerhouse to view the felt exhibition which was a delight to see and featured a few pieces by one of my favourite felt artists, Moy Mackay.

On the way home, we took a detour to visit Knit.Spin.Cakes new yarn shop, Harbour Yarns in Seaham, where I purchased some West Yorkshires Spinners Aire Valley DK. I have a project planned for this so you'll just gave to wait and see what it becomes. It's a gorgeous yarn shop, in a beautiful location with a great range of yarns. Definitley worth a visit! 

A great day out!

What a great day I have had! Given the impromptu heatwave we are currently having in the UK, me and Mr Bunny decided to make the most of it and have a day out to the Lake District. We love the Lakes and usually go to all the touristy places, like Windermere and Keswick, but today we decided to visit some places we haven't been to before, some of them very crafty indeed!

First stop was The Alpaca Centre at Penrith where we got to go and look at the alpacas and miniature donkeys. Next we took a gorgeous drive up to Caldbeck (more about that later). Our final stop, before a rather scenic drive home, was to the beautiful town of Cockermouth where there is a lovely little art shop and plenty of ethnic and handmade shops!

So, onto the main topic of today's post! The village of Caldbeck is north of the A66 between Penrith and Keswick. The drive, once you leave the motorway, is beautiful and the village has a couple of cute crafty type shops as well as a pub.

The main purpose of our visit to Caldbeck was to visit The Woolclip. I first became aware of them at Woolfest as they are the fantastic organisers and had a big presence there. It is a co-operative of women who have skills in knitting, crochet, spinning, felting and other textile crafts. You can find out more about them on their website www.woolclip.com

The shop is situated at Priests Mill, an old water mill, and it shares the building with a fabulous cafe, silversmith and collectables shop. The setting is gorgeous, right next to the river, and they have even yarn bombed the trees! Mr Bunny is now demanding a crocheted spiders web for the house!

The shop is amazing. The original mill features have been maintained and the it has a welcoming and friendly feel about it. You can buy ready made items, such as shawls and socks, as well as the materials to make your own. There is a great range of hand spun and dyed wool in all weights, tops for felting, hooks and needles (some handmade), buttons, drop spindles, books and all manner of other fripperies!

Obviously, I couldn't go all that way and leave empty handed! I bought some beautiful hand dyed kid mohair in purple and turquoise, some 'smidgens' of hand spun yarn and tops for felting, that may come in handy for my textiles course, and the pattern for the spiders web!

It really is a great place to visit. It has great quality items and promotes wool and the handmade. I love the way that like minded women have come together, supporting each other, to create something so wonderful and beautiful and that really does need to be supported!