The Stash Cupboard Hobart - Yarn Tour Part III

Seriously, the name says it all!

Eermahguurd!

(And PS check out that gorgeous original pressed tin ceiling of the street awning!)

We hit the Stash Cupboard in Hobart with full force. Thank you ladies for staying open and looking after such a crazy-for-yarn hoard.

I know y'all probably got a big ole yarn shop where you come from but we were just a pack of silly giggly campers when we walked in. I really thought I was prepared mentally with my projects and what yarn I was looking for but I was truly overwhelmed and just like a hunting hound dog I had to circle that whole place twice giving it a good sniff before I could settle in for some specific choices. Apparently I wasn't the only one. "Overwhelmed" was a phrase repeated by many describing their first foray into the shop.

Yarn was set out in fibre types and the white fixturing made the colours pop! Plenty of knitted display garments and quirky, energetic displays.

There is a space for social knitting and also a computer so you can look up Ravelry and even a print to print your patterns! They regularly have guest designers and knitting classes too.

Over by the door next to the register is a big yarn winder set up so you can convert your hanks/skeins easily to ball before you go home.

Seriously, yum,yum,yum. Oh and the pattern book range. 

I had just enough time for a comfort stop and a sandwich before it was back on the bus.

Thank you to Penni from the Stash Cupboard for our extra give aways and lucky dip fun.

It was here that we left our box of donated knits for the Women's Shelter too. 

The Stash Cupboard is right in the middle of Hobart at 159 Liverpool St and they have a great facebook page too.

It's 2pm and time to get back on that bus.....

Wool Centre at Ross- Yarn Tour Part II

Our first stop was historic Ross on the Midlands Hwy about an hour south of Launceston. Ross remains mostly untouched and unchanged visually from it's convict times and is so steeped in Tasmanian history that I'll revisit that subject another time but for now we'll visit the wool centre.

By the way, I think Ross has THE cleanest and most pleasant public toilets in the whole of Tasmania and makes an ideal stop for morning tea. It was an idyllic mild winters day, crystal blue skies, no wind and warm sun shining down. We set up a quick tea and coffee station on a nearby bench and served ANZAC biscuits and an Apple Spice Cake.

Directly across the road is the wool centre, perfect!

It is a retail showcase for woollen garments and knitting accessories but it is also houses a fabulous "museum" and historical display of the sheep industry in Tasmania.

You could spend at least an hour looking at the displays alone but unfortunately we only have half an hour and it's back on the bus so I arranged for a talk to the ladies about 

White Gum Wool

You can read the full story here about the ethically raised sheep in the Tasmanian midlands and you can also watch a story clip here from a Landline special here.

I contacted Nan Bray, the owner of the sheep farm, to see if she would speak to us at the centre but unfortunately she was right in the middle of shearing but we had a lovely lady from the centre give us a brief insight into the difference of White Gum Wool. Many of the techniques employed on the farm are in direct contrast to most properties and I would imagine there a few hairy-eared farmers having a bit of a scoff but I think Nan is a real hero. One of the really interesting things she does is manage pasture for greater diversity of food selection and she allows the lambs to self wean and stay within their family groups for five years. Her philosophy is that though genetics are certainly important, just as, or if not more importantly, is the way in which sheep are raised. You get back what you put in. Do watch the video link, it's a great story.

The ladies had a great time and most bought something from the White Gum Wool range. I bought a ball of the sock wool to try and look forward to working with it. They will become a pair of socks for Craig.

Don't you just love these needles? These are from Art Viva and are Tasmanian made, you may recall from a recent post that I tried these out at the Campbell Town show this year and bought a couple of pairs. I really like the point and angle on them. Here is the link for Art Viva if you would like to see more.

That's it, time's up!

Back on the bus for a bit more mystery knitting and on to our next stop in Hobart!

........

70's and 80's Fabric Week in the Shop

Summer fun with this one and it is ideal for a maxi-dress. 

I'll bet there are some out there who remember these prints.

Cool and fluid but definitely NOT in a corner!

The 70's/80's collection is available in the shop now.

Click on the shop tab above (below the banner)

Postage is calculated for Australia only but if you are overseas and would like a postal quote simply email me or request below in the comments.

You just don't see fabrics like this any more. 

They will give a genuine look to your retro pattern for sure.

Vintage Fabric Sell Off

I have to face facts. 

I am NOT going to get around to all my projects in this lifetime.

I am going to reduce my fabric stash for starters.

Today I have uploaded some 1950s and 1960s fabric to the shop. Click on the shop tag at the top of the page under the banner heading and it will take you there.

The bark cloth type fabric at the top with the red lanterns is priced per metre but the others are all for the piece. 

Gorgeous Jackie Kennedy style suiting.

See here for inspiration

Soft wool to match

You just don't see this quality anymore. This woven linen/cotton has the most divine fall and drape. You know the sort? It just wants to fall and ripple off the table at every chance.

I know there are a lot of sewing girls out there who would really do these fabrics justice. 

Available for a limited time only in the shop for a week.

New Soaps Inspired by The Middle East

The shop has been updated with new soaps

(Check the "Jubilee Jumble" button just under the header at the top of the page)

They are a range inspired by The exotic Middle East; floral waters, hot days, the Grand Bizarre in Istanbul and Tea in the Medina. 

The first bar (seen above) is "Orange Blossom" a very subtle scent of orange blossom like on summer twilights when the fragrance is elusive and drifting. The colour comes from dried Calendula petals also good for skin healing. 

Moroccan Mint is enlivening and fresh and well suited for morning showers or to energise after a weary day. It is naturally coloured by crushed Moroccan mint leaves and scented with pure essential oil of Peppermint.

Lastly, "Divine Dervish" is a fresh woody scented soap with the citrus smell of lemongrass and the note of cedar it also contains finely ground corn meal for gentle natural exfoliation.

All the soaps are made from hand rendered tallow for the ultimate in emollient goodness that leaves the skin so soft and smooth and olive oil for luxuriant lather.

As always, due to the way the postage is calculated for multiple purchases, I will simply refund excess postal charges. If you have any queries you can also contact me via email (see profile)

Store Updated With Seeds

The soap has all sold out and another batch a little way off so I have updated the shop

"Jubilee Jumble" button at the top

with saved seeds.

Some are ready for sowing now in the Southern Hemisphere and others are right for the Northern Hemisphere.

As promised I have Rat Tail Radish seeds available and they ready to be sown in Spring.

Coriander seed is available now and contrary to popular belief this is best sown now and up until early winter, particularly in Tasmania where it bolts to seed in Spring. It is such a welcome hit of fragrant lush green in the dreary depths of winter.

As is the cross bred green leaf that we grow through the winter yummy in stir-frys but also great as salad. You can eat the stems, leaves and flowers. 

Also available for those in the Northern Hemisphere for Spring/Summer planting are the giant sunflowers.

One hundred percent of the cost for these goes to helping fight against Youth Suicide and Depression.

Read about the cause here.

Please don't forget to calculate you postage. If you are unsure, email me and I can send you a complete remittance.