I took my parents to Antrim Castle Gardens this afternoon. I'd been there on Sunday, and was hoping that all the vibrantly fabulous yarn-bombing would still be there- it was! The Whiter Shade of Pale roses were still heady with scent. The mood of the whole courtyard was still full of fun and tactile joy. Mum loved it.
The reason I'd been there on Sunday was because the facilitator of my crochet group had long ago suggested to our local council that Northern Ireland could really be doing with its own yarn festival. Thinking Yarndale and Woolfest. And lo, it was so! Spinning Yarns- spinning the wool and yarning it!
This is apparently Paula McIntyre, our local celebrity chef... More well known to me were lots and lots of local women who are wonderful craft gurus. In one of the marquees were free craft sessions. Sheep badges, rag rugs, woven pictures, all being made and smiled over and lovingly carried away for two solid days last weekend.
Now, I must confess that all this alone may not have taken me to the castle for a whole Sunday afternoon. I was there, with all my other crochet chums, in our specially made by Chloe t-shirts, to display what we feel is a perfectly stunning piece of folk art! The council had asked us to make the borough in crochet. We did our best! If you know the area at all you'll maybe spot some local attractions- Lorna, a spinner at the festival, is also a National Trust tour guide at Patterson's Spade Mill and I had the onerous task of representing that in crochet, if you can find it....
Finally, spot too the quite amazing Sammy who made it all happen in very, very practical ways. MK- here's a big dose of Northern Ireland accent just for you x
That was fun! Thanks for the fun video. One girl's accent (when she said "flowers) reminded me of the little girl in the movie, "The Secret o Roan Inish." Have you watched that? Well, your Yarn Fest sounds just fabulous; I wish I could come too!!
The borough in crochet is completely charming! Folk art, too!
I would love to have been there just to be with alpacas at a castle - that seems a crazy juxtaposition. :-) Did you get to pet them? They aren't as mean as llamas, are they?
I LOVE yarnbombing! The pom-poms are FUNKY!!! This sounds a wonderful place to visit. I LOVE a Northern-island accent! When my friends Drew and Kathy (Clugston of Radio 4!) say the word Beethoven, it always makes me giggle! Every time we play a piece by him, Drew always asks me to do my impression of him- "Beeee-it-Hohven!"
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Ooooh! I want to go to the Antrim Gardens!!
That was fun! Thanks for the fun video. One girl's accent (when she said "flowers) reminded me of the little girl in the movie, "The Secret o Roan Inish." Have you watched that? Well, your Yarn Fest sounds just fabulous; I wish I could come too!!
Sounds like lots of fun was had! Is there anything you can't crochet? :)
The borough in crochet is completely charming! Folk art, too!
I would love to have been there just to be with alpacas at a castle - that seems a crazy juxtaposition. :-) Did you get to pet them? They aren't as mean as llamas, are they?
Wow! I love the pom poms on sticks! Must do that!
I LOVE yarnbombing! The pom-poms are FUNKY!!! This sounds a wonderful place to visit. I LOVE a Northern-island accent! When my friends Drew and Kathy (Clugston of Radio 4!) say the word Beethoven, it always makes me giggle! Every time we play a piece by him, Drew always asks me to do my impression of him- "Beeee-it-Hohven!"
Ireland, not island!
It all looks super fun. I want to do some crafting today but I can't decide what I want to do...so I'll probably end up doing nothing!! Typical!!
Fat Dormouse xx
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