The Kingston Lacy estate has a large kitchen garden which used to grow the produce to feed the residents of the house. It’s still used to grow various fruits and vegetables which is available for visitors to purchase. These bright and cheerful marigolds are grown alongside the pumpkins and squashes to naturally deter pests. They add a gorgeous lively colour to the garden too.
Tulips are one of my favourite flowers, and I found these during the initial walk around Kingston Lacy that inspired the Advent calendar. They were part of a display just to the side of the house by the formal lawns that changes throughout the year. The pinks and yellows are cheerful and happy, and while the Bluefaced Leicester yarn displays a more accurate portrayal of the colour of the tulips, I still think the darker and more vibrant colour that… Read More »Kingston Lacy Advent Day 1 (1): Spring Tulips
It’s nearly time to begin opening the Kingston Lacy Gardens Yarn Advent Calendars. Here’s a brief introduction to the estate, which you’ll learn more about over the next 24 days. (Note: If you have a 12 day calendar, look out for your days in brackets in the title). The inspiration for this year’s Advent calendar came to me while walking through the gardens of my local National Trust property, Kingston Lacy. Usually during spring, Christmas is far from people’s minds,… Read More »Kingston Lacy Gardens Yarn Advent Calendar – Introduction
I met Kate Harvie, a knitting designer, while running #WoolHour over on Twitter (yes, I still refuse to call it X!). Kate was inspired by my Leaf Litter colourway on the DK 40% Bluefaced Leicester, 40% Shetland, 20% Alpaca base and says: “When I first saw this beautiful autumnal yarn I imagined a tank top with large, soft cables. Here it is. The cables remind me of the bread plaits we used to make for Harvest Festival when I was… Read More »Kate Harvie’s Harvest Festival Vest
Featured Project Friday is back! Every second and fourth Friday of the month I’ll be featuring a project made with Bluebell Yarns. If you’d like to show off something you’ve made, please send me an email, I’d love to hear from you. Today’s featured project is this wonderful pullover by Malinda Law. She used Falkland Corriedale Advent mini-skeins combined with some undyed yarn. In Malinda’s own words: “Pattern from Paton and Baldwin’s 189 ‘Three Men’s Pullovers’ sold for 3d, designed… Read More »Featured Project Friday – Malinda Law’s Pullover
You may remember that last year I was looking at changing the way I run Bluebell Yarns a little. I did a bit of a trial run with my Autumn Leaves collection, and now I’m ready to put the plan into action. What’s Changing? I will have a core range of colourways available on all my yarn bases. These will sometimes be dyed to order, although I aim to keep the most popular colours in stock as much as possible.… Read More »Putting Plans Into Action
Happy New Year! Looking back at 2023 I can’t believe how quickly 2023 sped by. I filled it with all sorts of yarn and non-yarn related things. I exhibited at multiple yarn shows, ran yarn clubs, released some fun new yarn and began to change how Bluebell Yarns works to make it work better for me. I also joined a local concert band and did lots of events with them, continued conducting a small community orchestra, and even did some… Read More »Looking back and looking forward
Durdle Door Durdle Door is perhaps one of the most famous landmarks in Dorset. It is a natural limestone arch near Lulworth. It is privately owned but open to the public. During summer holidays the area is exceedingly popular. To reach the beach there is a 15 minute walk down a steep path, followed by 143 steps down onto the beach. Caves can be seen, but due to cliff falls being common in the area it is unadvisable to enter… Read More »December Calendar Day 24 (12 Day: 11): Inspiration & Reveal
Bridport Bridport is a market town in the west of Dorset. West Bay, a small fishing harbour also known as Bridport Harbour, lies within the town’s boundary. During the reign of King Alfred, Bridport became one of the four most important settlements in Dorset. Unlike many of the old Dorset towns it didn’t increase much in popularity during the 19th century. Its popularity has grown in recent years. It is now known for its art, culture and media as well… Read More »December Calendar Day 23: Inspiration & Reveal
Lulworth Cove Lulworth Cove is a World Heritage Site that attracts approximately 500,000 visitors every year. It is close to Durdle Door and is part of the Jurassic Coast. The cove has a pebble beach and clear blue waters, with a surrounding of beautiful countryside which makes it so popular. Due to its popularity, Lulworth Cove has had wooden steps and fences added to try to limit the damage to the landscape. There is a path across Hambury Tout to… Read More »December Calendar Day 22 (12 Day: 12): Inspiration & Reveal