Dunster Castle

Just a couple of weeks ago, my family came to visit from Canada. It was an action packed few weeks; lots of cream teas, long walks and exploring North Devon. One of the spots I enjoyed the most was Dunster Castle, a National Trust property in the village of Dunster (very close to my Lynton home). 

I won't go on about the castle's history, it is all described far more succinctly than I could put it on the National Trust website. I will say that what I loved so much about the castle was the 1000 year occupation of the site. Since it's beginning as a Saxon hillfort, Dunster Castle was occupied into the 1920s. It was amazing to walk past a medieval wall and into an art deco sitting room, past William Morris wallpaper and into ghost-filled dungeons (allegedly). I found myself snapping pictures of some unusual details and funny little things I found in the corners of rooms...always lots of textiles and wallpaper too!

utterly amazing quilt.

Simple, beautiful ceiling and stag head.

Fabulous, 1920s lounge. I may have found a new favourite wallcolour.

The wallpaper of my dreams.

Member of the Lutrell family who lived in Dunster Castle for 600 years. I don't remember this chap's name, but he is obviously very cool because he only has one eye.

I squeeked when I saw this - puts me and my penmanship to shame.

After  our visit to the castle, we wandered through the village of Dunster. By then, I think I had taken so many photos that I was a bit burnt out; I don't have a single photograph of the village!

Just because I'm having so much fun knitting this, here are a few snaps of my latest knitting project...

The pattern is Funchal Moebius by the lovely Kate Davies.  The instant I saw this pop up on Ravelry, I knew that I had to knit it. I don't usually get into colourwork, so I was surprised at my determination to knit something that was ENTIRELY stranded, but I'm loving it! This may even be a knitting turning point for me...don't want to speak too soon though. I'm knitting my Funchal in Viola Falkland Fingering, 2 colours that I squirreled away for myself ages ago, Walrus and Ghost. The pattern says to knit to 14 repeats, and I've only just started into the 4th. Let's see how long this project will actually take, and how I feel about the colourwork once I've reached the end, Stay tuned!

a new pattern!

The internet has been down at my lovely Emoor home for the past month or so, which has meant a lack of blogging, but increase in knitting time. Honestly, life without internet access is so strange! I spent my computer free time knitting up these sweet mittens in a new John Arbon yarn called Hayward. It is a DK weight 100% merino marl created by the lovely Sara. When Sara is not dreaming up lovely marl combinations she is busy at the mill as our master of coning and folding, multi talented lady that she is!

As soon as I knit up my first swatch in Hayward, I knew I wanted a simple and traditional pattern that would showcase Sara's lovely marls. Of course, I couldn't help but add in a few surprise contrasting colours (I am terribly predictable). The Marl Mittens are knit in the round, from the cuff up. They feature, my favourite, rounted fingertips as well as two different cuff options. Knit one pair, or knit a bunch, but do have fun mixing in fun contrasts - that's the best part! You can buy the pattern now on Ravelry and very soon from the John Arbon website. Hope you enjoy!

life on the moor

It's been more than a month now since my last move (it's the 4th home I've lived in since coming to England). I've meant to post about it sooner, but time, and a long to-do list have not allowed it. 

It's a dreamy place to live - a rambling old farmhouse plunked in the middle of the moor. The other day there were wild ponies in the long gravel drive leading to the house.  I have been itching to get out on the moor for a nice long walk. Sadly, the past few weekends have brought dismal weather, and I have been more or less house bound. I did sneak out last weekend in gale force winds to get just a few pictures...

It's been so cold that there isn't much flowering except the gorse, but there is plenty of that! 

The house itself is full of life, I share it with four other ladies, as well as their various dogs, cats and horses.

Perhaps the most exciting and life-changing thing that has happened since moving into Exmoor Way is using the aga. I cooked polenta in the "top oven" last night and it came out creamy and delicious (had it with duck and plum sausages from the farmer's market!) Tonight, I'll be baking an oatmeal and stout cake in there...I'll find out which corner of the oven suits my favourite cake best!

My little bedroom is bright and cozy, and has the most lovely view of the moor. I find myself staring at the moon and stars every night before bed.

I think I can safely say it is the most beautiful place I've ever lived in. I feel so lucky to be here, surrounded by wilderness and all things wonderful. I'm so looking forward to a summer of exploring the moor!!!

Selvedge

A few weeks back I had the pleasure of accompanying the John Arbon Textiles gang to the Selvedge Spring Fair. The show was held in London, at the Chelsea Town Hall - a beautiful building! Fibre-y shows I've been to in the past have all been held in big (and rather unattractive) venues, so this was a very welcome change. Warm wooden walls and lovely architectural details were the perfect backdrop for the array of beautiful textures and colours that were on display at the show. 

For those who don't know, Selvedge is a magazine that focuses on textiles arts and artisans. Each page is beautiful and inspirational - can you tell I like it? The show featured venders selling everything from vintage Hungarian textiles, hand embroidered woolen dressing gowns (I might have bought one...), intricately hand stitched dolls, French antiques and so much more. I could have left with a very big hole in my bank account, and came very close to it!

In my usual Emily fashion, I was so swept away with the display that I neglected to gather the names of a lot of the talented people I spoke to, but I'll do my best to reference the photos I've taken.

Of course, my day began with a visit to John and Juliet. Their stand looked lovely, and the cold weather outside seemed to be inspiring shoppers to keep their toes warm in a squishy pair of wool socks.

I have hunted high and low for the list of venders at the Spring Fair, and come up empty handed. Sadly, I'll just have to share my pictures, hope you are inspired at the least!

 

I just love how delicate the stitching is on these dolls. Even though their faces are out of focus, you can see their tiny little mouths and rosy cheeks have so much detail.

I flipped out for these stunning hand woven blankets, pillows and throws from Catarina Riccabona. For once I had the sense to take a photo with her name in it. The way she combined colours with naturals and textures within stripes and...everything. I want one of her blankets in my life...someday...

This was my favourite piece from the collection of vintage Hungarian textiles. It's a small tablecloth, and the most special thing about it is that there is a section in the center that has faded with time and use, so it's colours range from bright red into dusty pink.

I bought myself a beautiful ribbon from this basket, to use in my hair. Of course, I chose one that was too short...so now it's hanging from a peg board. Curse my thick hair!

This was, without a doubt, the most exciting thing that I saw at the show. It is an antique hand embroidered fox!!!!! Look at the rabbits running across it's back, and the squirrel in the top left. I cannot imagine hand-stitching this. Obviously it was made my the most patient and determined person who ever lived! I foolishly didn't get the name of the lovely girl who was selling it, and can't find her anywhere - apologies if you are out there!

Another lovely stand, and another forgotten name. Throughout the day, I began to refer to this stand as "the gray folks" I'm sure that they have a much more lovely and eloquent name than that! I had to get a photo of them for my mom - just check out those linen aprons. They also had hand dipped candles and felted slippers...all gray of course!

Cute silly things

 

More fun and pretty things... 

 

There was so much to see and do, and I've made a couple of amazing purchases...too many I'm sure. When the weather is warmer up here on the moor, I will get out my new silk frock and take some photos, but that's all for the time being.

new pattern approaches

hiya folks! I have some rather exciting (I think) news...I've been working on a new hat pattern in the lovely JA Textiles Knit by Numbers merino. The pattern is almost ready to be released, just a few little tweaks and couple more photos and it'll be there! I have a lovely group of test knitters hard at work as well, and can't wait to see their creations as they pop up on Ravelry.

 It's a very simple hat, with an easily memorized textured stitch pattern, hidden contrast colour in the brim and one more little pop of colour on top - a pom pom! The pattern should be all ready for knitting before April rolls around, so stay tuned.

 I'm currently knitting up my third! The troubling thing is that once I start dreaming up colour combinations, I can't really stop myself...wonder how may hats I'll knit before I'm satisfied? I think everyone knows what they're getting for Christmas this year, just hope you like pom poms!

UPDATE: the pattern will be available by April 2013. You can find it on Ravelry here.

UNRAVEL

Hello!

After a very, very lengthy pause, I'm back with a quick post about the past (very fun) weekend. Since my arrival in England, I've been hearing about Unravel in Farnham - all good things of course. So, on Saturday I journeyed up there on the train to meet John and Juliet who had a stand there for the weekend.

The venue, the Maltings, was such a cool place! There were loads of little rooms and corners to explore, all filled with great knitted decorations and funny little bits of textile goodness. 

I always set out for knitting shows saying to myself that I don't need to buy any yarn. Always. Sometimes I've been able to stay strong and not empty my wallet. Not this time. It was too exciting to see sellers and yarn that I've never seen/met in person before; Skein Queen and Juno were certainly hilights.

Old favourites were there as well, the Natural Dye Studio and their beautiful (obviously) naturally dyed yarns. I am not biased in my love for them, even though Phil and Amanda's lovely daughter Daisy happens to be my flatmate.

Meghan and Lydia of Pom Pom magazine - I have subscribed since the beginning - had an awesome stand filled with all the projects I've planned to knit from the past four issues.

 

 

 

I have loved those mittens for ages...must get busy and knit them! The pattern is called Vivo, for anyone who is curious, and they are indeed intarsia, worked in the round!

The John Arbon stand was lovely as usual, and generally too busy for me to squeeze in! 

 

I did manage this pic from the stage above the stand. I especially love the fibre set up (bottom). A very exciting addition to the stand this year was just a teaser of the colours I've been blending at the mill. I surprised myself in creating 2 colours that are almost identical to ones that I used to dye; North Sea and Unpredictable. I've snagged a skein of each for myself, and am allready knitting up a project in Unpredictable. Here's a peek at both...

 

 

I have more colours planned, so look out for them soon ;)

Now, onto the part where I loose control and buy too much yarn. I almost made it out of the Juno stand , but then panicked about someone else getting the yarn I wanted and rushed back. Is that entirely nuts?

 

3 skeins of Milly Singles in colour Faded. At the moment, these are my favourite!

My first skeins of Becoming Art (very surprised to see yarn from back home all the way over here in England). I couldn't resist 2 skeins of Cielo Sport in Clove and one in Fig.

Apparently the photo of Fig isn't going to load. I'm sure that you're getting bored of all my photos by now anyway.

And then there is the dark horse. It's the colour that I might not always go for, but decided that I couldn't live without. It's fyberspates Vivacious DK in tweed imps.

 

 If you can believe it I did buy a bit more yarn than that, but I ran out of sunlight. oh dear.

It was so lovely to run into Ce and Dani, the Uncommon Thread and Lioness Arts, respectively and even come across Alli, a friend from Canada who has also made the move to England recently.

All in all it was a very successful and action packed Sunday. Now, to get knitting!