Tuesday 25 October 2011

WOYWW 125 & STASH for Winter Woollies

Here's the state of play on my work desk for WOYWW....  I need to tidy away those tools and beads etc., the residue of finishing off my jewellery after Saturday's workshop (pics in previous post) but I haven't been home to do it. With the wonderful weather hanging in we have been making the most of it, hanging out......going places.
To spy on more workdesks call in on stamping ground, the blog of our lovely illustrious leader Julia who, once upon a time, came up with the crazy idea that folk around the World might enjoy snooping on our workdesks every week..... WOYWW.... and guess what...amazingly THEY DO!!!


Addendum...After reading Julia's post I feel that the rest of my post  may fall into the category of a mahoosive advert but I have no affiliation with the following places, I just wanted to share the chance of the experience of visiting, if it benefited others, as we had such a great time yesterday and I would have blogged about it anyway. 
You certainly have the choice to visit, or not to visit, the places if you desire, or to stop here and call it end of WOYWW, or read on! Next week I'll be good and try to do a shorter WOYWW. 

 Today we visited STASH Fine Yarns, near Chester, and it is a must for any knitter close enough to get there. It is an Aladdin's Cave for superb yarns but be prepared to spend ages browsing as the choice and range is simply fantastic. The staff are so helpful and friendly, far above and beyond good service... ..giving extraordinary help, lovely coffee (and biccies) and there's even a rest area for all the long suffering non knitters and chauffeurs! I chatted to another customer there, a lovely lady who had driven from Shropshire even further than the 40 miles we had travelled from Liverpool, so it certainly is a magnet to knitters.
Thanks so much to Lottie who was patient beyond belief and helped me with pattern info, choice of yarns, needle sizes etc., etc. 
They do have an online shop so if you can't pay a personal visit, check out Stash Fine Yarns. They also run courses and have open days.
Two corners of the showroom. 
 Here's my STASH from STASH... some beautiful new skeins of yarns to kit out my three little grandees in Winter hats etc. I also bought some more beautiful Knit Pro needles to knit the thicker wool. I just cannot use any other needles now since I bought 3 pairs of Knit Pro finer ones. They are so fluent in use as well as lovely coloured beech wood.
 First I must finish all the knitteds in hand and I made good progress in the car on our two days out. I'll be able to start on my new STASH soon!
 Afterwards we went on to Wales for the afternoon stopping in Mold at the Glasfryn restaurant/ pub for an excellent lunch. The first time I went there was when I was going to the nearby Theatre Clwydd, and I was so impressed with the food and the setting that I had to return to take DH and now we visit whenever we can. 
 There's a superb view over the gentle North Wales hills from the lovely terraced garden.
 A beautiful sunny October day, good food in a picturesque environment after a crafty visit.. so special!
To top it off perfectly I arrived home in good time to Skype with my DD and grandee in Germany!!

34 comments:

Sunshine Girl said...

Oooh looks like you had a fabulous time - that shop looks so inviting might have to treat myself to a trip there one day! Love the necklaces on the previous post too. Have a great week.

Annie said...

Wow Jo. That shop looks well worth a visit and Chester is a place I know how to get to cos that was where M went to uni :-)....just need to find an address on their web page to set it into my sat nav [have had a quick look but will certainly be going back there for an in depth look later :-) ]. Thanks for the heads up.
Hugs,
A x

Helen said...

what a gorgeous shop - when I was growing up there was a fabulous wool shop (tiny in comparison to this one) at the top of the road - my mum was a great knitter then (most women were then, glad it's coming back)and they had a fab rocking horse for the kids ..... we loved it. Looks like you had a great day out.

CRAFTY WOMBLE said...

Sounds like an ideal weekend on a beautiful weekend. Perfect autumn :) You do have access to lots of lovely places. Happy creating this week :)

donnalouiserodgers said...

I have to retire TOMORROW,

am going to Post to Carola on Saturday - did you wnat me to include the jewelery you made? is so - if you mail it to me I'll out the envelope in with the journal,

I like the look of that wool shop,
also Lizzie said YES, so I will face to face you to book dates,

you have way toooo much stashhhh
Dxxxx

Sarah said...

fabulous yarns indeed - the colours are amazing. The sunshine is unbelievable look like a brilliant day all round!
Thanks for sharing today! Sarah at 5.

Bridget Larsen said...

Wish I could visit your shop for real, we dont have pretty shops here that have such good stuff. Now that I am into vintage, I notice how lacking we are in nice lace, ribbons and buttons of that era
Bridget #37

Ann B said...

Gosh Jo, you have certainly packed a lot into the past few days. Beautiful wool there, love to see what you make.

MaggieC (Silvercrafter) said...

Love all that jewellery, So pretty after you coloured them, they really glow. We used to have three fantastic wool shops in our town, but they all gradually died and vanished. Now it is difficult to find anything worth looking at.

April said...

Looks like you had a lovely time! The Yarn shop looks like it has some beautful stash, although wasted on me as I am rubbish at sewing, knitting and anything else really that isn't papercraft :o) looking forward to seeing your creations with your purchases!

Anonymous said...

Oh no, I don't consider this blatant advertising! More like sharing a treasure trove with fellow crafters, even this semi useless knitter can appreciate the fine wares contained inside! Love the pub too, the setting is absolutely stunning!

Hugs
Brenda 84

Angie said...

I really dont think this is what JD was on about ...I think it is nice to share finds like this shop and I shall be passing it on to at least two friends ...have fun tidying lol xx

Caro said...

I love the looks of all those beads on your desk...the yarn shop looks wonderful although I doubt I would ever buy anything. Me + Needles = one huge disaster!

Twiglet said...

Great blog Jo - that yarn shop looks like a girlie day out to me! Thanks for joining my give away and becoming a follower - I was sure you were already! x Jo

Marjo said...

Hi Jo,

Doesn't look like any advert to me...lol I enjoyed all the pics, it's always fun to see great finds and fun journeys.

Looks like you had a wonderful day!

Thanks for the peek and sharing, have a great WOYWW

xoxo Marjo

Unknown said...

Yarn shop amazing. Shame I do not knit any more. The yarns you bought look lovely and I am sure one of your grandies will be wearing your next creation.
Hugs
Carol

Lunch Lady Jan said...

Wow - what a treasure trove Stash Yarns is - I'd be like a kid in a sweet shop, I think!! Am definitely going to check the website out. The pub looked great too - I don't know that area of Wales at all, perhaps a trip up there is called for!
Hugs, LLJ #43 xx

Hettie said...

OOO! I wonder how long it would take me to get to Chester from here? Those yarns you have bought are gorgeous and I am sure the kiddies will look lovely in their woolies!

Dotpat said...

Another very interesting post Jo, fab photo's and fab Jewelry, you clever thing

Lizzybobs said...

Hi Jo - that shop looks great must try and get to it sometime - sending you huge ((((HUGS))) Liz - sorry missed Happy Stampers again - busy busy busy catch up soon. Oh yes loving your metal work - must have a go at that soon too.xxx

Shoshi said...

Lovely photos as always, Jo - gorgeous shop! Sounds as if you had a great time. Happy WOYWW, Shoshi #84

karen said...

It looks like you had a fabulous time and got to visit all the best places!
The jewelry in your previous post is gorgeous! I can't believe it started out from just cut up tins!
xoxo Karen

Shaz in Oz.CalligraphyCards said...

Awesome post there Jo - love it sooo much!! and the views aye they are gorgeous!! no advert there just a great day out!! thanks so much for sharing and for popping over and making my day saying hi - Happy WOYWW Shaz in oz.x

lisa said...

I'm glad you've managed to make the most of this lovely Autumn weather, Jo. We have been spoilt haven't we. The views of Wales are magnificent. What a wonderful place to stop for lunch.
Enjoy your knitting.
Hugs Lisax

l00pyscraftcreations said...

glad you had such a special time! We do need to make the most of them, especially as the weather doesnt hold here in the uk.

happy Woyww
lou #63

Carola Bartz said...

OMG, what a gorgeous shop! I love to knit, and yarn shops are SOOO dangerous (right after art supply stores). That yarn looks so yummy! I probably could spent a couple of hours in that store.

Electra said...

Great photos, all! Happy late WOYWWED!

HeARTworks said...

I'm almost sure Julia meant advertising your own shop! That yarn place is beautiful! We don't have anything like it here in the Philippines! Thanks for sharing! Patsy from
HeARTworks

sandra de said...

Love the shops and It sounds like you had a lovely time. Like all your beady things.

peggy aplSEEDS said...

i think it only counts as advertising when you're the one who's selling something. i enjoyed seeing the places you visited and i'm off to see the jewelry.

Neet said...

You always find these super places and I haven't a clue where you find them. Must try that place in Mold as I love the market there.
Thanks so much for sharing. Hugs, Neet x

Paul B said...

You have obviously made great use of the nice weather. Looks like you had some wonderful scenery to soak up. I've been to Chester a gazzillion times and never seen the yarn shop. Honestly, I must walk around with my eyes shut lol. You are brilliant at seeking these treasures out. In fact you've reminded me I still want to visit the centre in Frodsham. Have a good week. Pxx

Julia Dunnit said...

Wonderful post Jo - and no, not a mahoosive advert of the sort I meant, honestly. I mean the ones who link and there's no actual WOYWW post, but a lot of blah about what's new in their shop, be it etsy or 'real'.
Your day out looks fab..aren't we so lucky with the weather..long it may it continue!

Morti said...

The knitting shop looks great - like you could buy your wools etc and then just sit there and knit wrapped up in the warm displays... lovely!