We Flocked To Yarndale

I have clearly entered my second adolescence, there is nothing like the excitement and anticipation of a festival; however my taste seems to be less rock-n- roll and more knit-n-purl these days.

Yarndale; we came, we saw and we spent, rather too much in my case.

Yarndale is a significant event, now in its second year that attracts a collective of entrepreneurial and creative individuals to celebrate and promote all that is good about the wool and yarn trade.

The day commenced with the yarn walk from Skipton town centre through the park, which proved to be a novel and an amusing warm up for the headline act.  I suspect the bicycle sculptures were in no small part due to the regions associations of this year’s Tour De France.

There was a genuine sense of community spirit.

The sculptures were generously donated by local schools.

At the venue we were greeted with the soft sounds of a traditional brass band playing on our arrival, which for me is synonymous of the region; this was both unexpected as it was charming.

The array of festooned, crochet bunting was an exciting explosion of colour that set the tone for the entire day. 

As well as the obvious retail opportunities the festival offered a range of participatory workshops and classes. However, if like me you didn’t take advantage of this some stall holders found the time to demonstrate their craft and passion, as well as providing a running commentary; I definitely learnt a thing or two about how the Romans spun fibres into something useable.

During the course of the day I overheard several comments intimating that the show lacked diversity.  Although there were yarn producers and stockists as far as the eye could see, I’m not sure if it was to the detriment of any artisan alternative.  In fact I found that the scale of specialism’s exhibited ranged from pasture to product and everything in-between.

The alpaca was also a well represented category, some would possibly argue to saturation point, but who doesn’t like alpaca?  There was a minimal presence of rare breed’s yarn, which I would have liked to see more of.  However, a yarn that was new to me was a camel fibre mixed with mulberry silk and cashmere which gives an exquisite rosy champagne colour with a fabulous lustre and gorgeous soft handle.  I do have regrets now not having bought any at the time.  

  

Although I can appreciate the vibrancy and clarity of pure colour I personally prefer a muted palette and was delighted to find a beautiful range of gentle and subtle tones achievable exclusively through the use of plant dyes; I just wish I could remember which exhibitor it was. 

I am a soft touch for the old and interesting therefore; it should be no surprise to learn that one of my favourite stalls stocked an extensive range of previously loved knitting memorabilia and other curiosities of a bygone age and all at very little cost.  That was the beauty of this festival, there was something to suit everyone’s pocket ranging from original artworks at £800 to yarn tasters at 20p per micro skein, indeed mementos of a grand day out for one and all.

I returned home with a modest addition to my stockpile of doll maker’s notions. I am trying to avoid buying things and squirreling them away, just to rediscover them at a later date when I’ve completely forgotten the reasoning that initially informed my choice.

 My discerning purchases consists of three micro skeins of 2ply alpaca yarn in ivory, fawn and grey all with a lustre suggestive of silk; I plan to make miniature bears with it.  My three remaining treasures are a selection of fibres that I plan to use for wig experimentation; they are natural shades of Wenselydale Topps and a hank of flax.

 As a doll maker I’m always looking for alternative natural fibres for hair and beards. I like to inspect the fibres personally for lustre and suitability, which is not always achievable from the high street; in fact I’ve never managed it yet.

My time at Yarndale was an exploration of colour and texture; meeting and sharing with like-minded people, by the end I felt quite fatigued and a little overwhelmed.  It has left me with a collection of memories, emotions and awakened possibilities, all in all a great day out.  As for the lack of diversity, I am not sure I can agree with that.  I may have felt initially besieged but a little perseverance revealed the subtle treasures that lay quietly among the profusion of brightly coloured yarn.  Anyway, wasn’t it the express purpose of Yarndale to showcase yarn in all of its glory?  I personally derive a great deal of pleasure from a simple arrangement of wool, oddments or otherwise.  However, all good things must come to an end and as Yarndale closes its doors on another year’s successful event I say kudos to those who made it possible.

‘I’ll be back.’ Arnold Schwarzenegger, 1984.

Till next time.