Saturday 17 March 2012

Say hello to Henry!

A very good day dear ladies! The sun is shining on my patch of Yorkshire and it feels like spring is finally here!

It has been a while since I posted but I'm here today to share with you a fantastic visit I made to Yorkshire Sculpture Park a couple of weeks ago.

Although it is always a great place to visit I wanted to go for a very specific reason - to see an exhibition of Donna Wilson's woolly creatures! And I wasn't disappointed! Donna makes the most incredibly off beat knitted creatures, but also a wonderful range of Nordic inspired blankets and cushions.


I really love her work and especially as she uses British yarns and recruits the awesome talents of knitters from the Scottish Islands and Highlands - traditional craft areas that struggle with unemployment.








I fell in love with a little chap named Henry. He has been hand knitted in pure wool in the Shetlands and takes his character from traditional Icelandic patterns. And now he is mine!!!

Say hello to Henry!




It is rare for me to splash out like this but Henry is useful, hand crafted using pure wool, has provided employment for traditional craftspeople and is beautiful!!!!!

I was inspired to make a complimentary cushion using Fair Isle patterns and have done about half so far. ...



I'm really enjoying this 'free form' style of knitting. I am not following one pattern....I am following a variety of patterns and mixing and matching as I go along. There is no planning so I hope it all comes together ok! I will let you know. The yarn I am using is a favourite of mine from an historic mill in Lanarkshire, Southern Scotland. It is beautifully rustic, pure new wool with a great range of natural looking colours. Perfect for this sort of project.

For those who haven't been to http://www.ysp.co.uk/, do try to visit if you can. It really is a marvellous day out - lots to see, child friendly, great for picnics and beautiful strolls. You may also meet some interesting characters!






Enjoy your weekend! xxxxxx

15 comments:

  1. Henry and the cushion he is inspiring are both wonderful!

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  2. love the woolly sculptures, look like they are just asking to be touched, if you know what I mean! :-)

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  4. Wow, how amazing!!! Looks like a wonderful show!!!!

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  5. This looks amazing and inspiring!!

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  6. I just LOVE Henry and can't wait to see your finished piece. xx Susan

    http://daydreamincolour.blogspot.com.au/

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  7. Hurray, you're back! And with such treats. I love Donna Wilson. There's an owl cushion of hers that wants to come home with me every time I visit John Lewis. Henry is just lovely. Definitely worth the splash. And love what you're doing with that fre form knitting business. C.x

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  8. Your cushion is looking great, looking forward to seeing it finished.

    Happy Knitting
    Fleur xx

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  9. The footstall, Henry, looks nice and comfortable and the start of your cushion looks really nice.

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  10. What an amazing exhibition, such wonderful things! I love the subtle colours of your Fair Isle knitting, and Henry is beautiful.

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  11. Wow, fantastic! I can see why you fell for Henry. I want a few of those gorgeous trees, myself. :)

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  12. Great post Andrea.
    Love Henry!
    Chris

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  13. I love fair isle but I'm not brave enough to try it (yet). It looks fab, can't wait to see the end result!

    I particularly love that monkey hanging out in the tree - so understated, yet so full of character!

    xx

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  14. Great blog, I really enjoyed reading it especially featuring the icelandic patterns and fair isle knitting youre doing.
    Kate at creativeworld blogpsot

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  15. Wow, those woolly things are amazing! Love the new footstool and the spirit in which it was made, and am impressed with your freestyle fairisle - the colours and patterns are gorgeous!
    Looks a great place to visit with plenty of interest for all, thanks for sharing Andrea!

    Gill xx

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Thank you so much for taking the time to comment here - I love to read what you have to say! x