Last weekend we finally found time for a little outing to Hebden Bridge to take the hexie quilt to The Quilt Cabin to be long arm quilted. It’s my first time using a professional long arm quilter so I’ll report back on that in due course. It was also our first visit to Hebden Bridge.
I wasn’t prepared for just how pretty HB is. It’s a enchanting former mill town full of independent shops, quirky cafes and restaurants, and charming little streets. A river runs through the centre of the town and as the day was overcast but dry we spent a happy few hours wandering in and out of the shops and taking a hearty and warming lunch at The Blitz 1940’s themed tea room. Hubby had oxtail stew, I had a steak pie…both were delicious. The meal was rounded off with a bowl of jam roly-poly and two spoons. Heavenly on a chill October afternoon. And the staff are simply delightful.
Image courtesy of Feathegills Emporium, Hebden Bridge
On our meanderings we stumbled across Ribbon Circus yarn and sewing shop. Whilst I chatted happily with the owner and some of the other knitterly customers, Hubby prowled the shop with a sharp eye and the next thing I knew four new lots of sock yarn were being rung up on the till. The man is a demon!
This is what we came home with:
Sirdar Heart & Sole in “Happy Camper”
This is a new yarn for me so I’m quite intrigued to give it a go and see how it wears. One of the other customers at Ribbon Circus was knitting another colourway of this and it stripes up beautifully. If she hadn’t got the sock out we’d have escaped without these two purchases. Damn you, lovely knitting lady!
Sirdar Heart & Sole in “Find Your Sea Legs”
Juniper Moon Farm Herriot Fine in “Lakeville”
Another new to me yarn and the one I’m most looking forward to knitting. Whisper soft alpaca with the gentlest of halos and 25% polyamide for strength. Saturated, heathered colours. What’s not to love? I think these will be a joy to knit as well as wear!
Juniper Moon Farm Herriot Fine in “Deep Plum Passion”
With such an overabundance of lovely sock yarn, not to mention projects for Button and Me, I’m really rather pleased that I’m already on the second of the Tannat socks.
Oh you lucky, lucky lady – a wonderful day out, fabulous yarns and long arm quilting! I have you to blame for getting me hooked on hand quilting (am just coming to the end of my third huge quilt in 15 months and about to move onto some socks!) but I think the long arm quilting looks so good. Have been a bit put off by the expense – will have to check your people out.
I know…I’m truly, truly blessed! We had such a lovely day.
I’ve always wondered about long arm quilting and this hexie quilt has been lying around for so long now I just want it done and dusted. Elaine at the Quilt Cabin has been lovely to deal with so far so I’m hopeful of a good result.
I don’t think it will be cheap but most of the fabric was gifted to me so I’m justifying it to myself that way! 😉
I’ll be interested to hear about your long arm quilting adventure too, I’d love to have a quilt done one day. lots of lovely yarn there
The quilt is ready to collect…I’m hoping to get it next weekend so I’ll have more news then.
The yarn should keep me out of trouble for a bit! 😉