OK, all you people that saw me and thought that it was me at the Sheep and Wool Show... next time, please come up and say hello. I don't bite ... and yes, I am much fatter in person. I (and make hubby) take a lot of photos and only publish the ones that make me look most presentable. Even if you think that it might be me, you ought to go and find out, clearly, I am nutty enough to travel several thousand miles to buy yarn, and am doubly fortunate to have a hubby that indulges me in my flights of madness. Of course, I don't think that I travelled the furthest.. I know of at least one other that came from even further than me.
Just be gentle with me, because my ability to recognise faces and names is pretty poor. I am much better memorising numbers.
Unless, you were the lady that snatched that red/fushcia sock yarn out of my hand in Tess's stall. I'm not sure that I can forgive you for doing that, unless you had a very good reason... because I was intending to buy that as a gift for a friend of mine!
Now, to the important bit ...
Ever conscious that Her Majesty's Custom and Excise do not take kindly to people smuggling in goods without paying duty, I was very careful with what I purchased to not exceed the permitted import amount. It would had been pretty embarassing to have the newly acquired stashed emptied out for all and sundry to see (how much yarn did you buy?)...and while keeping a second stash at my parent's house is very tempting, I know that I would be majorly torn to leave wool behind.
One of my favourite stands was Tess Designer Yarns. I bought quite a few things from this stand. Mostly blues left on the sock yarn table when I got there, but the variegations are really subtle, just the way I like it.
I also bought this pattern
and this one from Oat Couture
The smallest size uses just one of those skeins above.
Little Barn was selling yarn like it was last rounds at the pub. I got some lovely fiber
and the last 3 balls of this alpaca yarn.
I stopped by The Mannings to have a browse. They certainly had a lot of koigu there, but all I bought was this laceweight zephyr.
The longest lines were at the festival tent. I think I waited over 30 minutes to buy these things, but the wait was worth it.
I really wanted this fellow, but it's May and the $300 price tag kind of put me off. Just buying this would put me over my allowable purchase.
Not too bad a haul, I think.... I got to the Fold too late and all the STR were gone. Teaches me to do the buying at the end of the day.
Here are the last of the festival photos that I took. I guess the atmosphere, shoppinng and crowds, make it difficult to take photos, because I really didn't see all that many photos in blogland
Can you spot the alpaca?
All that walking around, makes me want a break and a knit... so I did.
I just made the Oat Couture FIsherman's Tee -- so cute, an easy knit and a neat and easy finish! I hadn't seen the Victorian version.
We missed you in NYC. Just saying. xox Kay
Posted by: Kay at May 16, 2006 02:28 AMUm, I'm not buying the "I'm fatter than I look line."
You got some great stuff of MS$W. I've made that Oat Couture baby sweater and it's a fun knit.
You lucky thing Polly going to such a great festival. Mr Polly is a saint for taking you.
Sarah
Posted by: Sarah at May 14, 2006 02:02 PMOh, Polly, I'm jealous.
My principle has long been, they don't care a fig for yarn at customs-in-the-airport. They're looking for terrorists, and drugs. I have walked through many a Green Lane with a suitcase STUFFED with contraband knitting wool.
The people who scrutinise incoming mail packages, are quite another matter.
Jean, in Edinburgh
Posted by: Jean at May 14, 2006 01:30 PMPolly,
Wonderful post of the festival. I was able to spot the Alpaca after much concentration. hee hee.
Posted by: kathy b at May 13, 2006 04:19 PMNow that's true commitment Polly - going all that way ! I'm hugely jealous as I doubt I'll even make it to Woolfest this year. Never mind I will be in London at the same time as the Liberty's sale so I'll console myself with that !
Heather
ps you do not look fatter in real life. you look just as good as you look in your photos and I know this 'cos I recognised you at Woolfest last year because of them !
Posted by: Heather at May 13, 2006 09:21 AMI love the baby booties at the top of the page (blue w beads on them)! I was wondering if you might have the pattern to pass on as I'd love to knit some up for my neices babies. Thank you! ~ Joy
Posted by: Joy at May 13, 2006 04:04 AMPolly, I'm so sorry I missed you at both Sheep and Wool and Knit Happens.... Your purchases are loverly. I have been living vicariously through the purchases of others. Today, while working at the shop, I fondled Holly's Cormo. Next year it will be mine!
I absolutely love that you traveled so far for wool and looking lovely as always!
Posted by: Aimee at May 13, 2006 03:07 AMSomeone SNATCHED yarn out of your HAND?! I am appalled. Just appalled. I'm terrible about recognizing people, too. Especially if they aren't where I am used to seeing them. For instance, all of you belong in my computer, therefore I would not know who you were if I ran into you at Winn-Dixie. I'm weird that way.
Posted by: Emily at May 12, 2006 11:56 PMIf you're fat, I'm really in trouble!
Posted by: Wendi at May 12, 2006 06:38 PMPolly;
I love that you will travel 1000's of miles to knit in beauty! Wouldn't it be lovely if you could get fabulous yarn at...a mini mart or corner store, as though beauty was the standard!
good knitting, danita
Great pictures. Such dedication to travel to such an event. Hope you enjoy your haul.
Posted by: Kathleen at May 12, 2006 05:43 PMYou most certainly are not much fatter in person - listen to Jill! Looks like you got some good purchases there.
Posted by: Mary at May 12, 2006 05:04 PMLooks like you had a fabulous time!! What a great vacation.
Posted by: gail at May 12, 2006 04:07 PMLooks like you had a fabulous time!! What a great vacation.
Posted by: gail at May 12, 2006 04:07 PMLooks like a great day out - you were very restrained in your purchases but they all look very lovely. As for the alpacas - so adorable!
Posted by: Anita at May 12, 2006 03:03 PMSorry I didn't run into you in MD!
Posted by: Wendy at May 12, 2006 11:02 AMBeautiful purchases, and so restrained! I think I'd have risked customs & excise! Have you started spinning as well?
Lovely red fibre - enquiring minds would like to know whether you have given in to the lure of spinning or if it's for someone else?
Posted by: Caroline M at May 12, 2006 09:28 AMI was eyeing that baby alpaca too - I've always liked them, but what put the icing on the cake was in a tv prog a couple of weeks ago, when a baby alpaca was ill, and they had to take Mum and Grandma with him to the anmal hospital, and all the time the baby was being examined Mum and Grandma hummed to him to keep him calm.......
Polly, will you get it into your head, that you are NOT fat - you have been looking at too many photos of Kate Moss....
Posted by: Jill at May 12, 2006 08:34 AMI just love your purchases, the yarn and the festival things are great. The sheep and wool festival was just a yarn addict's dream, and I can see the pull of the woolly Santa and the gorgeous alpaca.
You, fat? I've seen more fat on a chip!
Posted by: Louise at May 12, 2006 12:49 AMHmmm, that Tess stuff looks awfully familiar! (http://www.flickr.com/photos/knit_anon_k/118826441/)
Posted by: Kristi at May 11, 2006 11:00 PMPolly my frolicking love- you speaketh the rubbish! I shouteth HOGWARSH at you :) You are not fat nor are you fatter... I have seen you in person and you are just as lovely as you are on my screen, actually more so. Though I must admit you are quite nice on the internet too :)
ps While the alpaca is cure... that is purdy green sock yarn :) you know not like I dont hone in on the erm... greens or anything right??
Posted by: stinkerbell at May 11, 2006 10:50 PMI so wish I had been there!!!
Looks like a good haul all around.
Posted by: Sarah HB at May 11, 2006 10:29 PMYummm.....I'm seriously considering following your tail next time.
Wait, is there such expression? whatever.
well, i've seen you in person and so i know that you are just as beautiful as in your pictures!
oh all the gorgeous stuff you got. next time, though, will you bring me back an alpaca? just a small one?
Posted by: kris at May 11, 2006 09:19 PM