local talent : Edinburgh Yarn Festival photos, part 1

OMG, wow! Wow, wow, WOW! The Edinburgh Yarn Festival was amazing, absolutely amazing!

I knew from the moment I arrived it was going to be good. There was a queue out the door with lots of ladies stood in the rain, quietly but excitedly nattering about their preferred yarny pastime and what they would head for once they got inside. I've never had to queue at any event at the Drill Hall before Saturday, none of the flea markets or craft fairs! That's when I knew the organisers Mica, Jo and Linda had created something quite special. Here's an overview in pictures (I took sooo many pictures!)...

Over 1500 people were through the door on the day, which is incredible! At times there was even a wee queue to see some of the stalls, but it was so worth the wait to all the samples up close. I think I spent way too long at more than a few stalls happily playing with colour combinations trying to choose my favourites. I could have spent all day at some - Lioness Arts, Skein Queen, Old Maiden Aunt and Yarn Pony especially. The colours that these talented ladies produce are utterly mouthwatering. I so wish I had saved more pennies to buy more on the day (I'll show you my haul later in the week).

There wasn't much crochet on show this time (I will have to right that next time!) but I was happy to marvel over all the stunning knitted lace shawls on display. Then there were the beautiful clothing samples at both Ysolda's and Susan Crawford's stall. Both making me want to pick up my knitting needles and get clicking again! The first project I have my eye on is the gorgeous Marin scarf pattern by Ysolda, she had a sample on her stall and it is utterly beautiful.

Oh, and the last pic here... Craft Reactor set up a wee stall at the entrance for everyone to have a go at decorating the Drill Hall's resident cow with multi-coloured pom-poms. Doesn't she look amazing!?

Oh, and I'll show you a much closer peek at four of my favourite stalls in part 2 a wee bit later today.

Emma, x