New shops, new yarns

Finding and exploring new ( to me) Wool shops, fairs and festivals, is an enjoyable way to spend time. My partner in this activity for the last five or so years, has been my lovely friend Jac. Husbands, boyfriends, etc., don't understand at all. Jac, though , is off to (work) pastures new. So, a last treat before she shook the West Country mud from her shoes. Last thursday, we went to 'The Wool Merchant', in Tiverton.
A light, bright shop full of truly beautiful yarns, all tastefully displayed. It already seems so established, that it is difficult to remember that it only opened last year. After nearly an hour of 'ooh'-ing, and choosing, and changing minds, we left. Both clutching bags of goodies.

I have been reading about Mary Jane Mucklestone's book ' 200 Fair Isle Designs' in all sorts of places. Kate Davies (http://textisles.com/ ) has been enthusing on her blog, and 'Knitting Daily' is obviously enchanted with it. There, at ' The Wool Merchant ', was a copy. Not just another knitting pattern book, but the said 200 designs, and how to fit them onto garment patterns that you choose. Inspired! There is also lots of practical advice, and colour theory, specific to Fair Isle knitting. That copy came home with me...Love it!

The recommended yarn for M.J.M.'s designs is Jamiesons' Spindrift. It is a proper Shetland yarn. ' The Wool Merchant ' have about sixty of the nintey shades available, all arranged in baskets, tempting as newly baked buns. Four balls, one each of Mooskit (fawn), Mogit ( dark fawn/light brown), Spagnum (olive-y green) and Cyclamen, joined the book in the bag.

Jac bought eight ( different shades) of the same yarn, along with seven balls of Rowan Fine Tweed. The Rowan is the required yarn for 'Peerie Flooers', a hat pattern by Kate Davies (see above) which Jac is going to make. So, home to drink Tea, and stroke yarn.

Tristan and Isolde has always been one of my favourite legends. I have many versions in books of folk tales. One book is purely about the Tristan and Isolde stories, telling ten different versions.

There is only one version of the tale which has been made into a decent film, though. That was on T.V. on Saturday afternoon. The ending is slightly different to my favourite version, but acceptable. The problem with it is the casting. Isolde ( played by Sophie Myles) is good. Lord Marke ( The sublime Rufus Sewell ) is beyond excellent. BUT...would any girl really choose James Franco over the vastly superior, incomparable, Mr Sewell??

Ah, well. A good film to knit through. ( The knitting was a simple Friendship shawl. Plain enough to glance at every second row.)