Now that I’m living in central Victoria, Bendigo is just down the road. The Australian Sheep & Wool Show is on this weekend, so today we made a day of it. Here’s my haul:
We wandered through the woolcraft halls admiring some incredibly fine handiwork and extraordinary techniques. Predictably, there was a full range of styles and objects, some hideous and some just stunning.
After watching the sheep dog trials for a bit (amazing what those dogs can do), we found ourselves in a wood turning display. Not sure why that’s in with everything else, but I bought this beautiful little bowl, just because.
Later, this made more sense: it’s a nosterpinne. You use it to wind yarn into neat, centre-pull balls. Since I often need to do that on the fly, I reckon it was worth the $18 I paid.
We ran into an old school friend at the fashion parade; his two gorgeous little girls were in it (as the only two child models). I bought a lot of bargain-priced merino yarn, some 10 ply in soft grey:
And a rosy pink 8 ply:
One woman was selling vintage pattern books for $2 each, so I bought this one.
Here’s the page that sold it to me:
Imagine that lace pattern in a garment! I can’t wait to figure out how to do that.
And, for good measure, I bought a contemporary crochet book I’ve been resisting buying for ages.
Speaking of crochet, I found these lovely crochet beads.
Tired, hungry and having spent more than we probably should have, my friend and I agreed it had been a satisfyingly fun day.
Great stash – well done!
Thanks for coming with me!
Great purchases….did you know that yarn you bought was previously known as Pear Tree yarns, founded by a very lovely lady and renowned for its buttery softness…good stuff.
It was a great show!
Alex
Thanks Alex, no I didn’t know that. It certainly is beautifully buttery soft. I’d have bought lots more if I’d had unlimited funds. I’m now busy planning something gorgeous to make with it. (A spot of quick Internet research tells me that Pear Tree yarns are currently unavailable while they relocate to a larger facility. Planned reopening is winter 2013 …)
desperate to locate more of these georgous yarns from the pear tree yarns. Can anyone help? I’m in melbourne, I returned home from the show with my suitcase loaded and still need more in the blue/greens and mauves. It is devine to knit. regards annie
I agree, that yarn is gorgeous. I’m thinking that the lady who was selling the yarn at the Bendigo Wool show may have been Sue, formerly of Pear Tree Yarns. She now runs Echidna Handmade, in Torquay. Here are her contact details:
Phone: +61 (0) 407 856 411
Fax: +61 3 52614493
Email: info@echidnahandmade.com
Shop 1A/7 Gilbert Street
Torquay Victoria 3228 Australia
Monday – Saturday 10am – 5pm