Letter to my cousin

I made some project bags and some kit bags to sell at Unwind. I then figure I can use the proceeds to buy things. It is a fun game.

 There were 3 different fabrics used on the Box Bags

 And then I used this fabric "Frida's Garden" in 2 colour ways for the Kit Bags.

 Some of the photos aren't great quality but you get the idea.

We had 120 people at Unwind this year - slowly it grows.
I did 2 classes - the first was Double Knitting - which creates a great double-sided fabric. It is slow to work so I wouldn't do a lot of it - but I am planning a specific project.

 The second class was a demonstration of dyeing using plant/natural dyes. Some gorgeous colours.

 We also have a Swap Shop where you can bring along yarns you don;t want and swap for something else. Here is my haul!

 I bought these great tags...

 And now for the yarn. Most of my buys have specific projects in mind. The Silver Lining is made from a mix of fleeces from outlying places - this one is Stewart Island and Arapawa Island(in the Marlborough Sounds) and is destined for a sweater. The Zealana Air is a lace-weight - 25g of 40% cashmere, 40% possum and 20% silk!!! I think that will be some fingerless mitts - I have a pattern that thinks it can be achieved with just 25g. The cheerful red is a 50/50 silk/merino that is to be a stripe in a sweater with the main colour being dark blue.

 I bought the 2 blues from Vintage Purls - this is also where I work! I am thinking of combining with the natural colour and maybe another and using them for a design.

 The yarns above are from Outlaw Yarns - a sport-weight that is 45%Polwarth, 45% Alpaca and 10% possum. We don't get a lot of sport weight yarns made in NZ and these were lovely colours. I have had a pattern for mitts, that need a lot of colours of sport-weight yarn, for years so pleased to be able to make them now.

There was a special deal on Zauberball - so I bought 3 - the turquoise one will be a gift and the other 2 I will use for my Double Knitting project.

And, finally, we had a group photo of a recent KAL. A group of us had been making Enchanted Mesa; a Stephen West pattern. It is a pretty wacky pattern but fun. Well some didn't think so - ask Alaine. She made the one on Fiona (next to me) but then gave it to her so she wouldn't have to see it again!!!!!