Welcome.

Welcome to the Willow Knits blog.

I'm Anne and I'll be using this blog to let you know what is happening with Willow Knits during the year.

I'll include which Farmers' Markets and shows I'm going to be at, what I'm working on and general news and events plus a little about myself.

If you want to buy one of the scarves or some of the yarn featured, just look in our etsy shop (to the right of the page) or contact me and I'll reserve it for you.











Monday 23 April 2012

April Update 2

It's been fairly quiet for sales at my markets just recently- suffice to say that Wheathampstead didn't surprise me! I did sell a couple if bits there, but still came away having made a loss. I think it will have to go after May.

This weekend just gone I was at a craft fair in Hertford Corn Exchange on Saturday and that was even quieter! I only covered my parking, so another loss. I think it could be good there for the Christmas season, so I think I'll leave that one until September.

Finally, I was at Harpenden Farmers' Market on Sunday and at last some sales! The forecast rain held off too, so at least I can finish the month feeling good! I only do the winter months there, so I'll be back in September.

However, I've been busy online, especially with sales of my yarn, so the month is up on last year - not so bad in a recession.

My next event is a craft fair as part of the Kimpton carnival on 5th May - I stepped in as there had been a cancellation, but I did an event there a couple of years ago and it was quite well supported, so I'm looking forward to it.    

Friday 13 April 2012

April Update


After a very pleasant quiet Easter at home with my husband and of course, plenty of knitting, I'm getting ready for my first Farmers' Market of the month at Wheathampstead. It's usually rather quiet, but I'm ready to be surprised!



I'm going to be computer-less for a few days next week while my machine is upgraded and tidied up - some thing necessary, but I'm not looking forward to it.



My consignment of yarn from India arrived very quickly (under a week!) and on a brief inspection the quality looks good. I'll have to go through it more thoroughly and also see how it dyes, but all looks well so far.









I'm down to my last few skeins of my previous base and have just been experimenting to try to get colorfast reds and yellows. One colorway (Firebird) is here and I'm going to try the same technique with a "berries" mix.

Saturday 7 April 2012

Easter Weekend

I sent my first parcel to Australia on Monday - it should be well on its way now and I'm dyeing again to re-stock the shop. Our new camera has really improved the pictures and I can get much better colour definition now.



I've added some more "Foliage" and have tried a new colorway - "Purple Berries", which I'm hoping will be popular. Pictures below:



I'm nearly at the end of this batch of yarn and will have to order some more soon.




Also, I've ordered a new base yarn direct from India, which I'm hoping will arrive shortly. I saw their stand at the Alexandra Palace show and bought a sample skein, which was really good quality - let's hope the bulk of it matches up! Just in case it doesn't, or that the parcel doesn't arrive at all (!) I've only ordered a relatively small amount.


I'm not at St. Alban's Farmers' market this Sunday at its Easter Day, but will be at Wheathampstead next week. Then the weekend after that I'll be at Hertford Craft Fair on Saturday and at Harpenden on Sunday.