Can you South Wales Knitters help....

[Earthymama]

I used to knit when my children were little though my daughter reckons they'd out grown everything I produced it took me so long.
I'd like to start again with something quick and easy, maybe a hat or bag, or a cushion.
Where would you recommend I go to buy my wool, needles etc?
I saw a fantastic stall when I was at a Michealmas fair in London the other weekend but couldn't carry any more shopping! They had HUGE needles and had made a banner of carrier bags; I'd quite like something funky but easy.
Any ideas?

I'm not in South Wales...but I buy quite a lot mail order because I don't live near a decent knitting shop either .
Kangaroo in Lewes are good for list-price yarns, good needles etc, also carry Rowan etc pattern books, and Texere in Bradford are brilliant for non-famous-label bargains. Their King Cole Anti-Tickle Merino is a joy to knit with and costs a fraction of similar good quality DK wool in the shops.
The John Lewis in Cardiff might have enough to get you started!

There is a great knitting stall in Swansea market

And you can get a super pattern to knit your own totes from cut up plastic bags from another thread here, will go off and find it hopefully then link...

I just posted in arts and crafts

eek
wonder if ill be banished from the clique now?

i have a pattern for some funky dolls called Knitted Babes..

Thank you for your replies. Well, Bundle, that sounds like fun!!

When I've sorted out the garden, I'll go to Cardiff and have an explore. Then I'll have an idea of what things are like when I look on net.
I'm just in the mood for some evenings in front of the fire with something to do instead of eating chocs.

Out of interest, do you watch TV while you knit? I prefer the radio or audio CDs, or some music. I lose my womanly ability to multi-task when it comes to counting stitches!!

there is NO john lewis in Cardiff

not any more

ok, your absolute best bet IMO is yarns n' yarns in penarth. can direct you if you want.

I MN while knitting

where are you, btw? There are several knitting groups in cardiff/penarth, sadly I cannot get to them b/c of kids but...soon...sooon...

oh btw-texere is also fab and they will do you a brochure full of samples for about £10, which, IMO, is worth it. So I really must buy one one of these days...

or mrs macs in swansea, wrth cwrs.

boris say more of this stall

(god am so pathetically excited at seeing South Wales and knitting in the same title)

Just to say hi (and give FJ a little excitement to start the day ).

I haven't had time to get to Cardiff but managed to get some cotton and make a hat for next addition to family, from Debbie Bliss, really simple to get me back into the knitting mood.

The market in Newport doesn't sell any of the really funky wool, though Hobbycraft had amazing stuff. I'm going to treat myself to some if I get any money at Christmas. I'm a bit reluctant to buy from large outlet, would like to support a small shop. As I'm going to Bath and Glastonbury before Christmas I hope there'll be some interesting craft shops. Have you any recommendations for 'stunning but easy' for me to make and wear? (Am bit of boho-style person)

Perhaps can knit my own yoghurt while in Glasto

Are there any Knitting groups around here?

yes, earthy

If you want to support your lys, yarns n yarns in penarth is a great bet, lovely lovely owners who offer you tea and also, discounted yarn at times, though usually novelty stuff. they do quite a lot of debbie bliss.

there's a cardiff stitch n bitch, its a yahoo group? Post if you can't find it and I'll push you in the right direction.

oh, you know of knitty and crafster, yes?

Dont know about the stall, I know its by the one that sells lovely egg mayo sandwiches

is that any help?

I don't know of any yarn shops in Bath and Glastonbury (though I haven't looked recently) but the fabulous GetKnitted have a warehouse near Bristol that has open days every month, so that might be worth considering... They are opening a real shop in Bristol before too long, too.

interesting....

for inspiration you might want to try the creative stitches show at the cia in cardiff this weekend (fri-sun). there was naff all in the way of knitting supplies last year (acres of cardmaking tat if that floats your boat) but maybe it'll be more knittish this year cos they've got a life sized knitted garden

oooh

how extrememly interesting!

went 2 years ago (with fillyboy in the sling...jaysus!) and was all cardmaking. And not nice cardmaking. And rather a lot of cross stitch.

And bizarely no freebies at all. I mean wtf is that about?

Thanks, can't make CIA, I'm afraid but will definately look at Penarth outlet.

I'm going to look up 'recycled carrier bag' bag patterns as I thought this would make nice prezzies if filled with some eco-friendly goodies in light of the campaign to use less carrier bags.