Lots of woolly goodness!

Finally I have managed to get my act together to have camera, camera cable and computer in one place at one time so that I can share with you the loveliness that is my new Harris Tweed hoard. I ordered and received this ages ago but have not been able to blog about it until now. I decided to replenish my stock as it was getting rather low and also I know that I have 2 months unemployment coming up - lots of time to make, make, make for the Autumn/Xmas Craft Fairs. I also have a few dates booked for the Wee Green Market in Killearn over the summer (5th July/6th Sept for anyone reading this who might be in the vicinity around that time)
I have plenty of plain colours and so went for a few patterns to mix with them.......

and bright colours.....

Some of the Tweeds might seem a bit loud when seen in a large quantity but all my products are smallish so it won't be so 'in your face' and I will also be mixing them with plains. I can't wait!
I also previously blogged about New Lanark Mill and all the yarn I bought....

so here it is! My own personal yarn mountain!

Isn't it gorgeous! To get sample cards/order wool go to here.
To celebrate my return to regular blogging and impending creative freedom I am going to have a wee competition. To take part all you have to do is guess how many balls of yarn I bought during my yarn frenzy at New Lanark. You cannot see all the balls in the photo as it is piled up but it gives you a rough starting point!
Please leave your guess and a suggestion of what you would like to see made out of Harris Tweed (this part is optional but I am looking for some ideas so would appreciate some help!) in the comments by midnight GMT on Friday 13th June. The closest guess will receive a Wee Hottie made out of a Tweed of their choice from the new Tweed selection and second closest will get a Scottie made out of one of the new Tweeds as chosen by them. In the event that two or more people guess correctly I will draw names out of a hat to decide as this seems the fairest way to do it.
Wishing you all Good Luck!

Comments

[Margaret Law]

My guess is 40 balls, they all look gorgeous!!! Have you ever made those stuffed toy balls for children, they would look so gorgeous in different shades of tartan, they are made up of petal like shapes all sewn together. I have to say though that your scottie dogs are probably the cutest thing I have ever seen in tartan! Take care. Margaret L.

[Frogdancer]

How about something like a teddy bear? Tourists would love them. (Speaking as an Australian. Something portable, light and Scottish would be a very cute memento. Though I think that your scottie dogs are probably the best idea for this niche market. Is there any other typically Scottish animal/bird/thing? MacBeth's dagger????)
My guess is 26 balls.

[ness]

I'd guess 42 balls and what about napkin holders to use up your scraps?

ness

[Pauline]

I'll say 36 balls. All the tweed looks wonderfully warm especially since it snowed over the weekend and I've come into school this morning to find NO HEATING!!!

[kathy]

I was going guess 2 of the numbers that have already been guessed! So, I'll pick the number in between 41!

I have to agree with everyone about the Scottie dogs.

[monica]

so much goodness!!

can't wait to see what you'll make...

[tracy]

mmmm - lovely yarn :)
i guess 33 balls were purchased - you lucky thing!
how about covering photo albums so folk can pop in their Scottish holiday pictures in a truly Scottish album?
... i know not many of us print pictures now - but i still do!
t x

[ginny]

i was going for 40 too but as it's taken i will guess 39 balls. As for the gorgeous tweeds i think a small cushion size scottie would be lovely... or a patchwork shoulder bag.

[Gigibird]

29.

A Scottie cushion would be LOVELY as long as you gave them velvet collars with a bell.

What about a coffee pot cosy? You already do tea cosies don't you?

How about covered coat hangers with a little lavender filled Scottie dog? I think it would make a change form the girlie ones and they would look great hanging on my coat rack:):):)

[Susan]

I'm going for 28... Personally I think a laptop bag made from tweed would be a great thing. With a pouch to fit laptop and pocket for pens and the rest would be for notepads etc. Also what about xmas decorations, stuffed? Stars? Have you done this already?

[crazyjane]

I going for 34 balls.
what about a tweed hare, or a bunny? or a thistle? it's lovely fabric anyway.beautiful colours

[Jacqui]

I'm guessing 30 balls and thats a fair bit to add to your stash! Lanark wool is lovely to knit with.

I love the tweed fabrics and if I could request something to be made by you it would be a shoulder bag or small tote bag, a simple shape, made in tweed and a scottie sewn on the front. :)

[Mari]

36. But you can always order some more.

I love hot water bottles, and I think it's fun to change the covers; so, I suggest you sew some coverings for those.

How about a pocket-style small bag, with a long string so that you can carry it over the shoulder or tie into your waist? A pocket for the keys and for the plastic bag when you go for a walk with a dog. People in the cities usually pick the poo to a plastic bag, you know :) or at least they should... That pocket/bag could be appliqued with a dog silhouette, too?

[Diana]

Lovely colours! I'm a late entrant here, been away and just catching up! I'd guess 45 balls. It's such lovely yarn. And what to make with all that tweed....mmm...I like the idea of a patchwork bag, as mentioned by Ginny. Or knitting bags, to sell? And small things - needle books?

[Becky]

Very disappointed to have missed the competition as I love the hotties :0) LOVE the tweed colours - just perfect.

Things to make.....all of the above. To go with tea cosies and cafetiere cosies have you thought about egg cosies? I'm a sucker for detail so loved the idea of little lavender scottie coat hangers etc. Also a bit of a button fan.....bone, wood, shell all v. nice with tweed I think.