On 2nd December 2016, at the Wool Tribe Christmas party organised by Edinburgh Yarn Festival , I launched my Heritage Orchard design. It was inspired by my friend, Fu’s orchard of heritage and modern varieties of British apple, plum and pear trees that she planted over the winter of 2011/12 in East Lothian just outside Edinburgh. Fu, known as @bearford on social media, is one of my closest and best friends. We’ve weaved our way through life since meeting as students in 1983. She was studying art and me earth science. How strange that she should now be an organic farmer and I’m a textile designer!

Last autumn, with EYF2019 approaching, Sylvie Jerez of Phileas Yarns asked me if I’d like to collaborate on a new Edinburgh-inspired yarn colour scheme as a one-off for my bags for EYF in March. I’ve been using Sylvie’s amazing Rambler yarn for my bags since I first met her at EYF2017, firstly for my Bandit Brioche and more recently Scots Pine designs. The Rambler yarn colours are inspired by Sylvie’s fascinating trips abroad.

“Yes!” I responded immediately and instantly thought of this design. To date, I have used only three colour combinations of Jamieson’s of Shetland stunning wools for the Heritage Orchard design: Cardinal red for the plum trees; Moss green for the apples; and Yellow Ochre for the pears. I sent Sylvie a photo that I took in September of Fu standing in her orchard in the sunshine; her happy place! Sylvie then brilliantly transposed the colours in the photo into a fruit tree-inspired yarn calling it, Fu’s Orchard! I then took a quick trip up to Scottish Linen in Kirkcaldy to purchase a complimentary fabric to make the handles and lining.

As an exclusive one-off for EYF, I’ll be making a limited number of bags using this beautiful new yarn and bringing them along to the Corn Exchange in March. Pick one whilst you can!

[Please note that Sylvie will not be selling this yarn to purchase at EYF. Thank you.]

In Scotland, a first-footer is the first person who crosses your threshold in the New Year. They are supposed to bring good luck. So, here is a photo of my first-footer, a Scots Pine design shopper-style bag that was the prize in my #yarnlarder Instagram competition. Hopefully, it will bring good fortune to the winner, Amelia Hodsdon, known as @woollenwords on social media!

I’ve now started preparing for the Edinburgh Yarn Festival which takes place from 20th-24th March. I hope to update my EStore afterwards, possibly in April.

Thereafter, I’m applying to attend the Perth Festival of Yarn which is held in September; and hopefully I’ll be at GLOW at the Dovecot Tapestry Studios in December again.

Hope you’re having a good start to 2019. If you have any questions about Woolly Originals or my project bags, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

EStore update tonight! Last one before April 2019, as I’ll be prepping for Edinburgh Yarn Festival from next week onwards!

Woolly Originals is delighted to be attending the Edinburgh Yarn Festival again! This will be my third year at what I like to consider is my local festival; I live in Edinburgh, just 10 minutes away from the Corn Exchange!

I’ll be bringing a range of my Woolly project bags, including those in the photos above. There’ll be the new Mediums with their swivel D-ring detachable handle. There’ll be a range of the new “Scott Monument with Birds” design. There’ll be Lava Landscape bags in abundance.

There will also be a bag design that I’ve been working on since July! I’m so excited by this new design, and I’m very grateful for the assistance I’ve received from the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh.

Finally, and most importantly, Jo (@angeloftheforth) will also be coming along. I couldn’t manage without her!

So, hopefully we’ll see you in March. Please pop by our stand. Show us what you’re wearing; what you’re planning to knit or crochet; and what you’ve bought. We love talking about all things woolly!

The Scott Monument in Edinburgh was constructed in 1844 as a tribute to Sir Walter Scott, the famed poet, writer, historian and lawyer. Reaching more than sixty-one metres above Princes Street, this distinctive landmark sits between the Balmoral Hotel, Jenners department store and the Royal Scottish Academy.

When visiting the recently opened V&A Museum in Dundee, I came across a model of the Monument in the Scottish Design Gallery.

I instantly knew that such an iconic piece of Edinburgh architecture needed its own design using an iconic Edinburgh yarn, namely Ginger Twist Studio‘s Sheepish Sock yarn in Hocus Pocus.

The result is a new bag design called Scott Monument as shown below. The design interprets the outline of the memorial with a flock of circling birds. The base fabric is machine knit using Jamieson’s of Shetland Spindrift wool with the monument itself knit in the GTS yarn. Fabrics from Scottish Linen have been used to line the bags and make the handles.

These bags will be for sale at the GLOW Scottish Design Fair at the Dovecot Tapestry Studios, Infirmary Street, Edinburgh on Saturday 8th December.

Next on the calendar is the GLOW Scottish Design Fair at the Dovecot Studios on Infirmary Street, Edinburgh on Saturday 8th December. I just love this place, and I’m so excited to be taking part.

Besides bringing my new Medium bags with detachable handles, there’ll be a new design too.

See you there!

THANK YOU! A huge shout out to: the organisers of Yarnporium, Alison and Rachel of Yarn in the City; their floor manager, Sara; and all the amazing volunteers! You were fantastic!

A second huge THANK YOU to everyone who stopped at our stand to chat, showed us their woollies or bought a bag or badge. It was so lovely to meet you all.

Finally, to angeloftheforth who helps me prepare, run and recover from events! Love you, Jo! X

PS my goodies I purchased this weekend!