Archive for Downsizer For an ethical approach to consumption
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gil
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Woolfest 2011 (Cumbria)One for the northerners.
Just a quick and late reminder that Woolfest 2011 is on tomorrow in Cumbria, just outside Cockermouth.
10am - 5pm £6 entry + £2 programme (I did without - the aisles are labelled as to which stall is where; and there's a Woolclip stall with a map of the whole show).
Review : Gil does Woolfest on the cheap[skate]
I went today, for the first time. Am not sure that I would want to go both days, though various people said 'you'll need two days to see everything'. I felt as though I'd seen quite enough in half a day.
Some rare bred sheep and lambs (cute), plus alpacas and angora rabbits; some whole fleeces; lots of undyed fleece / tops/ etc of all kinds of breeds.
A lot of dyed fleece/tops/locks, in colours ranging from garish to subtle. Some lovely colours. But why is the hand-dyed often in such tiny bags ? Even 100g won;t make much other than a beanie hat or a small scarf, and 25g is just ridiculous. And no way of matching bags to add up to a sensible weight.
Anyway, I managed to keep my 'novice spinner's' hands in my pockets. I have fleece here, both coloured natural and clown-barf.
The yarns : mostly jaw-droppingly expensive, especially the handspun. Some of it (to my taste) quite nasty both in colour and texture. A few stalls with cheaper acrylics.
Coned 100% wool aran-weight at £35/1kg cone. A bargain ?
The Texere stall was good/varied/interesting, and they had bargain bins.
The bargain bins everywhere were emptying fast.
Nice button stall, aisle C or D - vintage buttons, including mother of pearl.
Wingham Wool Works is not the cheapest place to buy wool dyes  . Check the other dye stalls !
*Free* fibrecraft-related postcards on the Guild of Spinners Weavers and Dyers stall - pics of pretty colours and interesting textures.
There's a folk band playing. Cafe prices looked reasonable.
Horrendous queues for ladies toilets. Don't leave it till you're desperate. Or cut out the wait and use the gents if you dare.
I found what I went for : some wool dye; machine-washable yarn in a very specific colour that will make socks and a shawl. And a couple of odds and ends.
On the way home, I stopped off at a more local supplier, and bought about 3kg of good quality 100% wool tweed aranweight for £20 in total. Nice colours. That's what I call a bargain.
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cassy
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Well, that makes me feel relieved that once again I wanted to go, but didn't make it!
It all sounds rather dear and I was already concerned that it would be too much temptation.
Thanks for review Gil. 
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