This was to be Nicolette’s long awaited first trip to the Edinburgh Yarn Festival.
My name is Neil and, as Nicolette’s husband, I can remember her talking about going to the Edinburgh Yarn Festival since it first opened four years ago.
In fact we had been looking forward to going to Edinburgh for many months. I think it was last summer that we decided we would definitely visit the Edinburgh Yarn Festival (EYF) this year. All set, then. We bought our tickets for EYF, booked our flights and accommodation in early January. Time booked off work and notified everyone who needed to know that we would be away for a few days in March. We were delighted – especially Nicolette. Our one holiday trip for 2017 – non negotiable – no one or nothing could dent our resolve.
Except for unforeseen complications. In the early evening of 3 February, Nicolette came into the snug, where I was working and said that she had pains in her chest. I knew from the look on her face that this was not a minor condition and so it proved to be. I’ll not go into too much detail here, but suffice it to say the medical staff were excellent and Nicolette is recovering gradually. So, with Nicolette in hospital awaiting treatment there was to be no festival for us. But, then she said, I can’t go, but why don’t you go without me? I’ll be able to look after myself by then and you can buy me some beautiful yarn and take some nice photos so that I can get a flavour of the festival.
So that is what I did. After I was happy that Nicolette was on the mend, I made my way from Belfast to Edinburgh. After receiving so many knitted garments (mainly hats and socks) from Nicolette it was time for me to give something back, I reasoned. This post and the two that follow are my impressions of the people and the sights of EYF 2017 from the perspective of a knitter’s non-knitting husband!
This post about the Edinburgh Yarn Festival 2017 was written by Neil and posted by Nicolette.
Welcome back Nicolette. I have missed you.
Thank you Tracy. I’m so lucky to have had so much help. Going to finish writing the posts I’d planned for January!
Good morning Nicolette from a very cold Isle of Man..I am sorry to hear your ill and am sending you a huge hug. Its my day off today as I work at our Hospice here on the Islamd so I am sitting up in bed tackling a blanket using my odds and ends off sock yarn having a chill out knit, my dog Roxy is keeping me company. Its lovely your husband has shared his holiday news with us and has got you some yummy wool. I hope you get better soon and look forward seeing your amazing creations. Have a good day hugs barbs
Thank you Barbara. Hopefully you’ve had some sunny weather now. I’ve recovered well from my heart attack. I’m now taking the Cardiac Rehab course which is great although exhausting!
How is your blanket progressing? It is a great way of using up the leftover sock yarn. I made a cushion for my mother-in-law for Christmas using mitred squares. Had intended on knitting two but didn’t get the second one finished. Hopefully I’ll have it finished for her birthday in August.
It is so nice having Roxy for company while you’re knitting. Bene is often beside me on the sofa while I’m knitting. What breed of dog is Roxy? My brother had a german shepherd called Roxy that he adored!
Neil had a lot of fun in Edinburgh and visiting the EYF. He said everyone was so friendly, chatty and helpful. He must have enjoyed it because he went on both days! Still thinking about what to make with the lovely hand dyed yarn he brought me home. Need the right project. Possibly a shawl. Happy Blanket knitting, Nicolette
Hello its wonderful news your on the road to recovery, my blanket is slowly growing but I am busy with a few work commitments at the moments. Roxy is a poddle mixed with shui she is a little bit giddy like her owner. I have received some lovely wool off you in the post. Take care hugs barbs
Thank you so much Barbs. Look forward to seeing a photo of your blanket. They are so beautiful. Roxy sounds like a lot of fun to live with! Happy knitting, Nicolette
So glad you are better, I became used to checking in on you and your projects and noticed you were absent. My diabetes has been bugging me lately and it’s a bother to have to eat properly instead of knit! Take care.
Hi Kathy, thank you for your kind message. Hope your diabetes is improving. My diabetes is partly why I’ve had a heart attack at 51! It is always worth putting your health first. I’ve learned that the painful way. Gosh, knitting is wonderfully relaxing. I found it difficult not being able to knit for over 3 weeks and I had to gradually build up to being able to knit 4 rounds of a sock leg in a day. Wishing you well with your diabetes, it is difficult having a long term condition to contend with and I know it can be frustrating at times. Happy knitting, Nicolette
I have been checking your site regularly for updates so was great to finally see one. So glad you are finally on your way up and pray that your healing will continue.
I love your knitting patterns –especially the socks and also the beautiful photographs. Visited Ireland on a CIE escorted tour at end of April / early May about 4-5 years ago and went to many of the places you travel to and show on your blog. May have to come again — unfortunately was not back into knitting at that time so I did not buy any yarn. Had a great time though!
Thank you Diana. It sounds like you had a wonderful visit. Ireland, North and South, is beautiful. Wonderful places to walk and visit. Particularly nice in the sunshine but mostly, we’re happy to have cloudy! We get a lot of rain which is why it is so green.
I’m feeling a lot better. Going to Cardiac Rehab and walking Bene every day. I’m so lucky to still be here. Couldn’t have had better care from the hospital staff. It is amazing what they can do! Happy knitting, Nicolette
hi, nicolette –
i’ve got your socks on my to-knit list, and am just dropping by to say i hope you’re progressing well. how nice of mr ks to go to edinburgh so that you could still “go.” keep getting better!
jane
Hi Jane, Thank you so much. Mr Knitting Squirrel had waaaay to much fun in Edinburgh choosing hand dyed yarn for me! Hopefully, I’ll get to visit it soon although a visit to Yarndale is also on my wish list. Happy knitting, Nicolette
Oh I am so glad to hear you are on the mend Nicolette. Your Mr. Knitting Squirrel is quite brave to adventure to EYF on his own!!! We hope to go sometime too, all the way from Canada back to my birthplace. Meanwhile, we shall wait with patience for the right time, and enjoy all the wonderful pictures and stories. Take care and rest well; and am praying for a speedy recovery for you.
Elaine
Hi Elaine, I thought Neil was brave going to the EYF too! He enjoyed it a lot more than he was expecting to. Said everyone was really friendly and helpful, both visitors and stall holders. He also loved seeing Edinburgh again. He’d been there before but it was a long time ago. I’m a lot better now and enjoying thinking about what to knit with the gorgeous yarn Neil bought for me. Many thanks for your kind prayers, Nicolette
I am so glad to hear that Nicolette is on the mend! My thoughts and prayers were with you both every day. I really enjoy the blog and seeing your trip pictures and the lovely knitting! I think it is great that Mr. Knitting Squirrel got to go to the festival! Next year let’s hope both of you will go!
Thank you Kate, that is so kind of you. I am gradually feeling better and have a check up at the end of this week at the hospital before I start on 8 weeks of cardiac rehabilitation physio. Neil enjoyed going to the Edinburgh Yarn Festival and meeting so many other knitters. I think he found it surprisingly fascinating to find so many other people who are as addicted to yarn and knitting as I am. Best wishes, Nicolette
Wishing you a speedy recovery Nicolette! I am just commencing your mitred square pattern.
I hope you enjoy knitting the mitred square pattern. Are you going to knit a blanket or a smaller project? Many thanks for your kind thoughts. I’m recovering well. Nicolette