I made it! I went to StitchFest in Totnes on Saturday 🙂
The whole week before I managed to squash any anxiety when it reared its ugly head. I did preparatory research so that I knew which stall holders to head for and made a list of what I wanted to look at. I knew that my time in the buildings would be limited due to sensory issues so preparation was key.
The one and a half hour journey down was ok for me. We managed to get parking at the school in the centre of town where one of the two venues was sited. I looked around that venue and decided to go back after I had seen the stalls in the town hall. This didn’t happen though but the intention was there.
I had an Auti moment when trying to find the town hall. They said town hall so I looked for town hall… It’s actually called the civic centre. In my head I was visualizing the words town hall so I was looking for that pattern of letters…oh well, I felt silly but nevermind, I was on a mission!
I was ever so excited 😁 that a blogger I follow was exhibiting there and I was going to get to meet her. Allow me to introduce you to Nikki of Dartmoor Yarn Company 🙂 It was already getting very busy but we were able to have a short conversation and shared a hug. Bekki’s stall was chocca full of her wonderful wares and creations. As I’ve been following Bekki for a while I know how much work she has put into designing and printing her new pattern book “27 Knitted Santa Sacks”. You can see the little sacks hanging in the image below. They are so sweet. Also if you look by the pattern book you will spot larger sacks that are exactly the same as the little ones but knitted with a heavier gauged yarn. I can’t wait to work up some of these sacks for Christmas 🎄
I wanted to take several photos as I had this blog post in mind but it wasn’t to be and this is the only photo I took… one small part of Bekki’s stall 🙂
There was a lot of yarn for sale, I was after fibre though. First I came to Fleece Witch who sells alpaca fibre from her own herd. I bought two plaits of space dyed alpaca/merino/silk blend and 200 grams of the most gorgeous silvery baby alpaca fibre.
I had hemp on my shopping list and I was pleased to find that Adelaide Walker had not only hemp sample packs but a number of other unusual fibres also. I was well and truly in yarny heaven!
I managed to stay for about 40 minutes before sensory overload drove me outside. I managed to text Lovely Husband to say I needed to go and also managed to get myself back to the car. I had never been to Totnes before and would have very much liked to wander around the town but that will have to wait for another day.
The drive home was difficult and the following day I was rather tearful. Today I’m good though so I’ve recuperated really well and quite quickly. It really helped that the event was exhibiting something I’m passionate about plus I have my little haul to gaze at 🙂 I started spinning one of the plaits today. I’ll show you progress on that in another post. In the meantime I’ll finish with four images of my ‘haul’ 🙂
Yay! I am so glad you made it there:)
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Thanks AJ, so am I …It’s makes me smile to think of it 🙂
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I’m so happy to hear that!!! And now you have this success to look back on if there’s another event you want to go to:)
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Thank you 🙂 I just commented to Mags that it would be great if there was a fibre event happening in the new year 🙂 Most are quite a long way from where we live but here’s hoping 🙂 xxx
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I have that same hope. We seem to only have two per year in my area:(
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There’s one in Exeter in Sept each year that I haven’t been to yet; maybe next year. Fibre craft continues to gain devotees so perhaps well get more shows in time 🙂
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I sure hope so!
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It was well worth the trip. You have a wonderful haul to show for it and obviously met some great people. Good on you.
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Thank you 🙂 Yes it was and I’m really enjoying my haul and all the possibilities xxx
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Glad you made it ,lovely fibres and book😀🐶🕊🦉💐
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Thank you 🙂
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Well done on making it there! I’m so pleased you managed to overcome the huge sensory pressure and got to do something which makes you happy!
You’re haul looks amazing; I can’t wait to see what you make with all those beautiful possibilities! Thanks for the links too – I’ll have a wee peek at them one the children have gone to school.
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Thank you Mags. I’m looking for the next fibre hit now! I wonder if there’s anything happening in the new year… 🙂
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*YOUR haul…
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🙂 ❤
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Well done for getting there and I’m so glad it was worth it. The different yarns look lovely. You’ll be busy now with projects for Christmas. 🙂
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Thank you 🙂 Yes I am busy… currently sewing up my grandson’s jumper for his birthday next week plus trying to knit or crochet fingerless mitts with my handspun yarn. First attempt has not worked out so I need to find a more suitable pattern. These will form part of a Christmas 🎁 🙂
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I wish I could hit “Like” on this post more than once! I’m so happy you made it and that you’ve recovered well xxxxx
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Aww thank you 🙂 I hope I have another similar opportunity soon xxx
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Great to hear that you made it there! Some beautiful fibre too!
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Thank you Kat. I’m glad you think so too 🙂
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OOOOOHHHH Treasures! I am so glad you made it there. A victory in your battle.
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Thank you 🙂 Yes, a victory indeed!!
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What a lovely outing and I’m so glad you were able to go along.
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Thank you Catherine 🙂
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It was so great to see you there and I was so pleased when I saw you as i knew you wanted to come but weren’t going to find it easy. Thank you so much for the mention and the pics of my stall – would love to see pics of the sacks when you’ve knitted them.
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Lol, I’m trying to crochet fingerless mitts at the moment using my handspun…I’m on to the second pair and haven’t been able to create matching sized mitts in either pair! I think my yarn sits between a 4 ply and double knit. Anyway, it’s getting frustrating as I want to give fingerless mitts as part of a couple of Christmas presents. I think I’ll change tack and knit one or two sacks tomorrow instead 🙂 It will certainly be more enjoyable. Yes, I’ll put them in a blog post with a link to you so that you receive a pingback notification 🙂
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Well they say a change is as good as a rest. Look forward to seeing the sacks and even mitts when you’ve had a break from them 🙂
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Thank you 🙂
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Glad you went and had a successful outing. My husband has severe PTSD from combat and even after all these years we plan attending events much as you do. I know where the vendors are, I drive to lessen his anxiety and we have a time limit and sort of a code that says “I need to go”. Sounds like fun- thanks for the pictures!
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Oh, I’m sorry to hear that. It does make it so much better when you have a supportive spouse. I’m so happy I was able to go. Thanks for commenting 🙂
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