Sara's Texture Crafts... HQ Log

Not wanting to disappoint by not accepting D’s challenge… A kids craft pack in my Christmas stocking, I set about making this before I came back to work.

I have to say not everything needed was in the kit and some replacement items gave me a different look… But all in all it made me smile!

What are you making today?

Sara x
Www.sarastexturecrafts.com

Quite proud of my first weave… The Shetland hand spun yarn still retains its vibrancy even when set against such a dark navy commercial yarn.

Thinking I need to set something up… I hate that the loom looks so empty!

Bye for now,
Sara x
Www.sarastexturecrafts.com

I’m so pleased I managed to get to the Art Centre this week for the Spinning Circle. With work and health causing me to miss meetings since July last year, I was a bit nervous about going back… Not that that would be a problem you understand, but more I felt a bit embarrassed to have missed so much time with these lively and lovely Ladies.

It was so lovely to see everyone’s smiley faces and to meet a few new ones too… I’m really determined to get to every meeting this year.

I also had a few lovely surprises, as some had finished their projects with fibre they had brought from me. This is Sarah… She spun and knitted this beautiful scarf from my Merino and Silk blend, colour ‘Dawn’.

Isn’t it fab… It’s so soft and warming I was tempted to grab it and run away with it!

This is Marian. She spun and knitted this fabulous Cardigan from my limited edition Merino blend, colour Autumn Woodland. I think it could easily be worn as a coat too and I really wanted to try it on and curl up in it!


These ladies have definitely inspired me to get some new blends made up.

The last hour or so we had a demo on Shetland Lace Spinning. Dodie had put together a wonderful display of photos, books and samples.


She talked us through preparation and showed us just how fine a Shetland lace yarn needs to be.


Here are samples of yarn, fleece and charts.


This is two ply Shetland lace yarn… It’s so fine it hurt your eyes just trying to see the plys!


Here’s a knit sample…


I loved every minute and really enjoyed Dodie’s enthusiasm… You can tell she owns a flock of these beautiful sheep.

I don’t think I’ll be able to spin that fine personally, not on the wheel at least… Although on a lighter spindle I might manage it. I feel all creative now!

Have a great weekend!

Bye for now,
Sara x
Www.sarastexturecrafts.com

Made in the few days before I came back to work…

An hour, good TV and some wool… makes for blissful needlefelting!

Sara x
Www.sarastexturecrafts.com

I just finished my headband…

From my Limited Edition Merino blend top range.

I just need to press it and wear it. Loving the colour!

I might pick up my jumper project… See how the mood takes me.

Bye for now,
Sara x
Www.sarastexturecrafts.com

I was out an appointment for most of the day, so I didn’t get any spinning done… Although I did put some more fleece on rinse.

What I did achieve was buying some yarn for the warp of my first loom project… This goes well with my hand dyed Shetland, which I will later spin for the weft thread.


Last night I also started what I call my next ‘mindless’ knit… Simple stitches, simple jumper. This is using James Brett’s marble chunky in a purple/fuchsia marl. It’s not wool, which I feel guilty about blogging during Wool week… However, with the weather so gloomy and Autumnal chilled I’m desperate for an easy, machine wash knit. So forgive me!

So not all wool today, but I am finding that I am enjoying Shetland wool in it’s various forms this week!

For Shetland fleece, roving and yarns visit me at www.sarastexturecrafts.com I locally source, so fleeces are hand selected direct from Farms I visit and rovings/tops are British milled.

Bye for now,
Sara x
Www.sarastexturecrafts.com

Today has been a very busy Saturday…

I got my new Loom! I went for the Ashford 4 shaft, 24” width… As you can see I am one happy Lady!! I just need to put it together now…



I also made it to the Exmoor Fleece Fair… Well we just made it, as we nearly ran out of petrol (oops!) Fortunately a very kind car dealership in Dulverton stayed open an extra few minutes for us (thank you!)

We were a little late to the fair so stocks had been ravaged, but I did find myself two more BFL fleeces full of curls and great for dyeing. These will be in the shop as soon as I’ve finished them.

D and I did watch the expert spinners having a go at the longest thread challenge… Spindles and flyers spinning furiously! We couldn’t stay to the end, but I think it was possibly a very close call between some very fine spinning.

The fleece fair was the idea and hard work of Lesley Prior, of www.DevonFineFibres.co.uk and it is part of her local initiative for the Love Wool UK project this week. It was a fantastic local show… and a great start to the week of wool promotion locally. Also great way to buy fleeces direct from the farmer.

Turn out was good, so my ear is to the ground hoping there is a future event. I definitely recommend it.



By the time we left it was almost two o’clock and bellies were rumbling! We thought we might make it back home, but succumbed to a cute little inn www.the-Exeter-inn.co.uk in Bampton. We definitely recommend the food. I had chilli and garlic infused Rainbow Trout and D tucked into Lamb leg steaks with mint jelly… Mmmm.


On the drive back we came across www.covegardennursery.co.uk a really nice little garden come arts and crafts stop, complete with an artist in residence!

We were taken with Wicked Willow’s willow garden…


This is me worried about the black clouds gathering ahead!

What did you get up to today?

Bye for now,
Sara x
Www.sarastexturecrafts.com