A wee escape into the Highlands for some knitting
If you’re reading this post, there’s a good chance you have at least one crafty friend group; whether yours meets up for felting, crocheting, summoning the Gods of Wool under the full moon (wait, that last one might be just me…) or a bit of everything, it’s good to get together with like-minded people and share an activity in joyful companionship.
This past weekend, I met up with 3 friends for some light travelling and knitting. We rented an AirBnB in the Highlands and departed on Thursday for 3 days of crafting and castle-visiting fun.
Our first stop was Glamis Castle. This is a castle dating back to 1372, with rather lovely gardens. Sadly we’re not allowed to take pictures inside due to it still being the Earl of Strathmore and Kinghorne’s residence, so I shall only be able to regale you a few whimsical images of the outdoors.
First, witches!
I was mesmerised by these sculptures, the weathering and liveliness of the faces, the texture… Surely this could inspire a felted artwork?
I’m terrible at taking photos of the “big picture” but love details. Here are a couple.
The following day we went to Crathes Castle, this one in the capable hands of the National Trust for Scotland. Again, marvellous gardens, and this time I was allowed to photograph the inside, but if you know me, you won’t be surprised I forgot to… apart from one little detail that I’ll show below.
I think my captions really er, capture my thoughts on these images (hover with your mouse to read them!), but I do need to point out my outrage when I saw that the spinning wheel was facing the wrong side. WHY do I see this all the time in exhibits? Yes, I had to tell the people responsible. Yes, if I lived near I’d go back in a few week’s time and check up on the status of this scandalous situation. Yes, I am aware most people wouldn’t care.
Finally, you’ll be delighted to know I do have knitting photos to share!
I went to the Highlands full of hope and with a sense of endless time, and of course was perfectly convinced I’d knit and finish all three of the projects I took with me. The truth is, I hyper fixated on just one and that’s what I have to show you.
Meet Mason Bear.
This is an adorable knitted bear pattern that I’ve made a few times already, and until recently never kept one. That’s been corrected, but this guy was meant for a friend who is going through some challenges and I thought could use a pick-me-up.
Although the pattern is meant to be knit flat, a few simple adjustments make it perfect for knitting in the round, and this means you can purl a lot less and stuff him as you go along. Very convenient, if slightly menacing-sounding.
Now renamed Timothy, this bear took a brave bus ride during the busy Edinburgh Fringe Festival, and is now living his best life in a place where he will be loved.
Tell me about your retreats! How many have you taken part in? Are they “official” or are they just with friends?
6 thoughts on “A wee escape into the Highlands for some knitting”
WOW Leanor, Macbeth’s 3 witches and their cauldron are something else. Definitely something to needle felt. Now you’ve got me hovering over another rabbit hole. There are several written descriptions of figures in literature that I’ve always wanted to try to produce, and you’ve gone and given me 3 more! Thanks, I think 😱
Timothy bear is gorgeous. I’m sure he’ll cheer up your friend and give her lots of cuddles.
My retreats? Nothing official these days, but I would seriously like to have one north of the border if only to get away from this awful heat. 🥵
Ann
You’re welcome for the added work! 😂 Those witches are fabulous though, aren’t they?
I forgot to say I’ve bartered with one of my retreat friends, I’ll be knitting her a bear in exchange for a shop sample! She’ll be knitting something out of my own hand dyed yarns so I can have it in festivals.
I’m so sorry you’re having trouble with heat. It’s been fairly mild over here (I’m wearing a light cardi as I write this!) and I’m very grateful, I didn’t escape the Portuguese summers to have them catch up to me in the UK!
Wishing you cooler days filled with marvellous felting 💙
Looks like a marvelous getaway 😄 The witches are really cool and I love the surface texture. Thanks for the garden pics, I haven’t been to a good garden lately. I always end up taking detail photos too.
Timothy is adorable and I am sure he will be loved.
My group has a retreat every year and it is coming up this weekend. We will be experimenting with cyanotypes and paper making. Upcoming blog post material! I’m really looking forward to the creative time away.
I’m glad the witches are being well received! I love them 😀
I took a ridiculous amount of pictures, but I’m hoping they’ll be good yarn colourway inspiration.
Ooh, this is what I’m talking about, a “proper” retreat, with advanced plans and things to do. I’m just lucky my friends are organised peeps who will do those things for me, otherwise I think we’d end up sleeping in the car in the middle of nowhere and no food… also, of course I’d have forgotten my knitting.
Love the witches! Very clever work. Glamis Castle is beautiful inside (looked at website). Wouldn’t want the winter leccie bill though.
Your little piccies are wonderful and the colour of that dahlia would be beautiful in yarn.
What a good idea to knit Mason Bear in the round so that you can stuff him as you go. It must make his inwards better.
He must have been glad to be on the top of the bus instead of down amongst the throng of Fringers.
Looks like you had a good time!
Aren’t the witches the best thing ever? I’d have brought them home if I could 😀 And yes, that castle is lovely – I’ll say electricity bill is paid using our punter tickets, they’re not cheap! I will say this of them though, their restaurant was lovely and the food was plentiful.
A lot of people were surprised how heavy the bear turned out to be, they expected him to be very light. I stuffed him with fabric scraps that I cut really small, so I could stuff plenty in. Makes him better to cuddle with and a lot more stable (plus, no poly stuffing, yay!)
I did indeed have a good time! 😀