Monday 31 August 2015

Sponsors: Botanical Knits, Amy Herzog, Blue Moon Fiber Arts, Brooklyn Tweed, + Ginger Twist Studio

We are so excited about our retreat! And we’re so overwhelmed by the generosity of the fibre community. We’ve received so many door prizes and items for our goodie bags. From skeins of yarn to knitting patterns to project bags and much much more, our attendees are going to receive some FAN-FREAKING-TASTIC goodies!

We wanted to highlight each of our sponsors and encourage you to visit them. Let them know you heard about them from us! We aim to enable!


Alana Dakos/Botanical Knits



Amy Herzog



Blue Moon Fiber Arts



Brooklyn Tweed



Ginger Twist Studio


Thank you so much to our sponsors. We appreciate your generosity and support!

Make sure you sign up for our email newsletter for news about the retreat. Newsletter subscribers will get early access to signing up for the class spots we open to the general public. So go sign up for the newsletter now.




And if you haven’t signed up to attend the retreat yet, go do that now! We still have some spaces available.

Come back next week to hear about more of our sponsors. Until then, Happy Knitting!

Monday 24 August 2015

Vendor: Ginger Twist Studio

We are so excited about our Vendor Market! We have some truly amazing vendors who will be selling their wares on Saturday, 31-October-2015.

The Vendor Market will be open in the morning to retreat attendees only.

BUT! Even if you’re unable to attend the entire Geeky Puffin Knit Palooza retreat, you can still shop at the Vendor Market from 1pm to 3pm. The cost for entry is £3 or 1 knit or crocheted item which we’ll donate to charity.

The Vendor Market will be held at The Gillis Centre, 100 Strathearn Rd, Edinburgh EH9, UK.

We wanted to highlight each of our Vendors so you can start planning for everything you want to purchase. We aim to enable!



Ginger Twist Studio is the local yarn shop and yarn dyeing business of Jessica James. Jess has dyed two exclusive colourways of yarn that each retreat attendee gets to choose from. We'll also be visiting Jess' shop as part of the retreat yarn crawl! We picked a few of Jess' products that look interesting to us! How about you?

Swell Ewe Sock: Liquid Sunshine
This pop of yellow catches our eye every time we go into Jess' shop. One of these days we're going to buy it and knit something amazing with it!

Sheepish Sock: Je Suis Prest
C.C. likes to claim responsibility for this colourway of yarn. She asked Jess to dye something inspired by the Outlander book series and tv series and this is what Jess did. It's been a huge seller for Jess and we just LOVE it!

Handspun Bulky BFL Silk Cashmere
Who doesn't like to knit with handspun yarn! This BFL/silk/cashmere blend is just begging to be cast on.

Keep up with Jess online on Ravelry | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook



That's it for this week's vendor. Come back next week to hear about our first batch of retreat sponsors.

Make sure you sign up for our email newsletter for news about the retreat. Newsletter subscribers will get early access to signing up for the class spots we open to the general public. So go sign up for the newsletter now.




Images are copyright by Woolrush + Ginger Twist Studio

Monday 17 August 2015

Vendors: Rainbow Heirloom, Tin Can Knits, + JavaPurl Designs

We are so excited about our Vendor Market! We have some truly amazing vendors who will be selling their wares on Saturday, 31-October-2015.

The Vendor Market will be open in the morning to retreat attendees only.

BUT! Even if you’re unable to attend the entire Geeky Puffin Knit Palooza retreat, you can still shop at the Vendor Market from 1pm to 3pm. The cost for entry is £3 or 1 knit or crocheted item which we’ll donate to charity.

The Vendor Market will be held at The Gillis Centre, 100 Strathearn Rd, Edinburgh EH9, UK.

We wanted to highlight each of our Vendors so you can start planning for everything you want to purchase. We aim to enable!



Rainbow Heirloom is the yarn dyeing business of Emily.
We took a look through Emily's shop and these products look interesting to us! How about you?


We had to pick yarns in our 3 favourite colours. Emily's yarn bases are so scrumptious. Definitely check all of these (and the others we didn't have space to mention) in her shop.

Twinkle Light
Twinkle Light is a light-fingering weight yarn that is 50% merino and 50% silk.

Sweater
Sweater is a worsted weight yarn that is 100% merino.

Lush Light
Lush Light is a fingering weight yarn that is 70% alpaca, 20% silk, and 10% cashmere.

Keep up with Emily on Ravelry | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook


Tin Can Knits is the pattern designing duo of Emily and Alexa.
We took a look through Emily and Alexa's designs and picked a few that look interesting to us! How about you?


Fly Away
Fly Away is an adorable blanket that can be modified in so many different ways by changing the layout of the squares. It's on C.C. + Damaris' to knit for a friend list.

Wenlock
Wenlock is a stunning pullover sweater that uses a small amount of contrast colour to create the jaw-dropping collar and yoke detail. It's definitely on our list to knit!

Rosewater
Rosewater is a lovely lacework hat. C.C. can confirm that it's a wonderful knit and it's even better with a pom pom on top!

Keep up with Emily and Alexa online on Ravelry | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook



JavaPurl Designs is the knitting pattern designing business of one of our retreat co-hosts, C.C. Almon. C.C. has designed a special sock pattern to go with one of two exclusive colourways that each retreat attendee gets to choose from. Damaris and Sam really love the patterns below. How about you?


The Lady of Lallybroch Socks
This pattern was inspired by the Outlander book series and tv series. The entire first book (and parts of the others) is set in Scotland, so C.C. designed this sock pattern using a Celtic knot cable with the folded cuff being similar to the top of the socks (kilt hose) that are worn with kilts.

Socks for Ten
C.C. has MANY, MANY, MANY Doctor Who inspired sock patterns. This pattern is inspired by the Tenth Doctor.

Round, Round, Get Around Shawl
This shawl uses a slipped stitch pattern to make round chains. The shawl can be knit in either DK weight yarn or 4-ply/fingering weight yarn.

Keep up with C.C. online on Ravelry | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook



That's it for this week's vendors. Come back next week to hear about our last 2 vendors.

Make sure you sign up for our email newsletter for news about the retreat. Newsletter subscribers will get early access to signing up for the class spots we open to the general public. So go sign up for the newsletter now.




Images are copyright by Rainbow Heirloom, Tin Can Knits, and JavaPurl Designs

Tuesday 11 August 2015

Kirsten Loves Puffins

One of our amazing teachers, Kirsten Bedigan (she'll be teaching Drop Spindling for Beginners and Introduction to Fair Isle for us at the retreat) has released an adorable knitting pattern that is PERFECT for the retreat.





There is something very endearing about Puffins, especially baby Puffins, or Pufflings as they are known. This knitted Puffin is worked in separate sections, either flat, in the round or by picking up stitches. The separate sections (body, head, feet/legs, wings, patches and beak) are all sewn together afterwards.

Beak has colour work, but can be knitted in one colour.

All instructions (including the colour work section) are written, with a supplementary chart for the beak if preferred.

Purchase Kirsten's Puffling pattern here: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/puffling


AND!!!! Stayed tuned for a couple other puffin inspired patterns which will be debuted at the retreat! Are you excited? We sure are!

We're thrilled that Kirsten is one of our teachers and that she'll be having a booth at the Vendor Market as well. If you haven't signed up for the retreat yet, go sign up here now! Happy Knitting!

Images are copyright by Kirsten Bedigan

Monday 10 August 2015

Vendors: Spin Pretty, Suffolk Socks, + KnitRunDig

We are so excited about our Vendor Market! We have some truly amazing vendors who will be selling their wares on Saturday, 31-October-2015.

The Vendor Market will be open in the morning to retreat attendees only.

BUT! Even if you’re unable to attend the entire Geeky Puffin Knit Palooza retreat, you can still shop at the Vendor Market from 1pm to 3pm. The cost for entry is £3 or 1 knit or crocheted item which we’ll donate to charity.

The Vendor Market will be held at The Gillis Centre, 100 Strathearn Rd, Edinburgh EH9, UK.

We wanted to highlight each of our Vendors so you can start planning for everything you want to purchase. We aim to enable!



SpinPretty is the fibre dying business of Catriona (she also does stitch markers).
We took a look through Catriona's shop and these products look interesting to us! How about you?

BFL/Silk Spinning Fiber 'Flirt' 100g
How could we not pick this fibre when it has our favourite colours in it! Gorgeous!

Dyed Separated Teeswater Locks 'Flames' 25g
These locks are jaw-dropping stunning! Amazing!

Luxury Sterling Silver, Amethyst and Rock Crystal Stitch Markers (Medium)
Damaris fell in love with these purple stitch markers. The perfect size for many different knitting projects.

Keep up with Catriona online on Ravelry | Instagram



Suffolk Socks is the online yarn shop of Julie.
We took a look through Julie's shop and these products look interesting to us! How about you?

Stitch Markers - Pack of 5
How unique are these stitch markers! They instantly caught our eye!

Pink Buttons Project Bag
How could C.C. not choose this adorable pink project bag! It's so beautiful!

Winter Sun Self-Striping Yarn
Again something that harkens to the theme colours of the retreat. And who doesn't love self-striping yarn!

Keep up with Julie online on Ravelry | Instagram | Facebook



KnitRunDig is the project bag shop of one of the retreat co-hosts, Sam Boggia. Sam is making the goodie bags for retreat attendees, but who doesn't need more project bags? Admittedly, C.C. and Damaris may be a bit biased since about 90% of our project bags are from Sam's shop.
We took a look through Sam's shop and these look interesting to us! How about you?

Large sweater-sized drawstring bag with internal pocket blooms and polka dots
This large drawstring bag is perfect for larger projects like sweaters. Keep all your yarn for the project in one place so you don't have to hunt for it later.

Small drawstring project bag foxes
The small drawstring bag is great for socks, shawls, baby knits, etc. And who doesn't love foxes!

Small zipped wedge bag 80's hearts
The wedge style of bag is our favourite as it gives you a nice handle to carry it by. Sam has several different sizes of wedge bags to choose from.

Keep up with Sam online on Ravelry | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook



That's it for this week's vendors. Come back next week to hear about 3 more vendors.

Make sure you sign up for our email newsletter for news about the retreat. Newsletter subscribers will get early access to signing up for the class spots we open to the general public. So go sign up for the newsletter now.




Images are copyright by Spin Pretty, Suffolk Socks, and KnitRunDig

Tuesday 4 August 2015

Classes With Katherine

One of our amazing teachers, Katherine Lymer (she'll be teaching Beginner Magic Loop and Sock Heels Master Class for us at the retreat) talked about the Layer It On KAL for retreat attendees and teachers as well as a sneak peek of info about her classes in her most recent blog post.




What's next? Well, I should probably start eating some of the food I've grown – rather than staring at it helplessly, which is my current approach. And I should also do something about the weeds, at least some of them: "Natural" is all very well, but we're sporting the Amazonian look and this really isn't compatible with collecting eggs from free-range hens (or, indeed, monitoring their numbers). Knitting wise, once the lace scarf is finished, that's all my work knitting complete for workshops up until the end of October – when I'll be teaching at The Geeky Puffin Knit Palooza and Crafts for Christmas at Glasgow SECC. The latter doesn't need any formal prep as the brilliant people at Women's Weekly will be providing the patterns and handouts. The former requires a brand new design for a brand new class (exciting!) and even though my second workshop is familiar ground (sock heels), I'll want to revamp it especially for the occasion.

Read Katherine's entire post here: http://www.knittingwithkatherine.com/1/post/2015/08/deanfoot-in-july.html


We're thrilled that Katherine is one of our teachers and that she is so excited about teaching for us. If you haven't signed up for the retreat yet, go sign up here now! Happy Knitting!

Monday 3 August 2015

Vendors: Aphaia, Pandia's Jewels, + Treddling Woman

We are so excited about our Vendor Market! We have some truly amazing vendors who will be selling their wares on Saturday, 31-October-2015.

The Vendor Market will be open in the morning to retreat attendees only.

BUT! Even if you’re unable to attend the entire Geeky Puffin Knit Palooza retreat, you can still shop at the Vendor Market from 1pm to 3pm. The cost for entry is £3 or 1 knit or crocheted item which we’ll donate to charity.

The Vendor Market will be held at The Gillis Centre, 100 Strathearn Rd, Edinburgh EH9, UK.

We wanted to highlight each of our Vendors so you can start planning for everything you want to purchase. We aim to enable!



Aphaia is the gorgeous knitting designs of Kirsten Bedigan. Kirsten is one of our teachers (she's teaching Drop Spindling for Beginners and Introduction to Fair Isle). She'll have a booth in the Vendor Market selling her knitting patterns as well as some other fun things.
We took a look through Kirsten's designs and these look interesting to us! How about you?

Tesserae
We saw this shawl in progress and it’s even more stunning in person!

Planetarium Wrist Warmers
Damaris is obsessed with the stars and space so these definitely fit the bill!

Flexure Mittens
These gorgeous top down fingerless mitts are on C.C.'s to knit for this autumn list!

Keep up with Kirsten online on Ravelry | Twitter | Instagram


Pandia's Jewels is the fantabulous yarn company of Julia Wardell. Julia is coming across the Pond to join us for the retreat and Vendor Market. We've seen some of the amazing things she's bringing and you won't want to miss her booth.
We took a look through Julia's shop and these look interesting to us! How about you?

It's a Machine that Goes Ding!
Did somebody say Doctor Who? Julia is a whiz at dyeing up the perfect combinations of Doctor Who inspired yarns!

Data
Star Trek is a fun obsession for all 3 of us, so how could we not choose one of Julia’s many Star Trek yarns to feature!

Neon Punk - Color Me Happy Kit
Julia’s Color Me Happy Kits are the perfect combination for her new pattern Elemental Shawl. It’s in C.C.'s queue to knit!

Keep up with Julia online on Ravelry | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook



Treddling Woman is the wonderful bag shop of Fiona. She's got some unique designs that she'll be bringing to the Vendor Market.
We took a look through Fiona's shop and these look interesting to us! How about you?
Fabric project bag
Love that it’s a project bag with a long strap, perfect for walking around a fibre festival and knitting at the same time!

Spotted fabric messenger bag
The spotted fabric got our attention. Love how roomy this bag is!

Fold over flap bag
Love this unique design. And the tree fabric is so autumnal, one of our favourite times of the year!

Keep up with Fiona online on Ravelry


That's it for this week's vendors. Come back next week to hear about 3 more vendors.

Make sure you sign up for our email newsletter for news about the retreat. Newsletter subscribers will get early access to signing up for the class spots we open to the general public. So go sign up for the newsletter now.




Images are copyright by Kirsten Bedigan, Pandia's Jewels, and Treddling Woman