My husband is planning to attend a conference in Manchester, England, this fall and I plan to tag along. We’ll arrive a few days early and will explore northern England and Scotland, then I’ll check out Manchester while he’s involved with his conference September 2 – 5. Please let me know if you know of any yarn stores or sites that I shouldn’t miss while I’m there.
If you live in the area, maybe we could meet for a cup of tea or a pint of ale?
Sadly nowhere near me (London). My dad came from Hartlepool (Northern England) but it is a long time since I was that way. Enjoy your stay & I envy you a tour of Scotland.
I was in Newcastle last year (visiting family) and I think a visit to the Knit Studio, which has a great rangle of UK yarns and is housed in a 13th Century abbey would be my choice. See website here:
http://www.theknitstudio.co.uk/
If you’ll be in Edinburgh, you really really need to check out a tour with the Hairy Coo. If you are lucky enough to have Russell as your guide/driver, don’t let a little rain deter you. He doesn’t say “If it were clear we could see…” He continues “but if we go around this way it’s quite pretty too and there’s a good chance we can get a good look from over here.” He knows and loves his country and shares his passion and knowledge freely. (I’m sure that anyone from Hairy Coo will be wonderful. My daughter and I just had a super superb time on Russell’s bus on a rainy Fall day.) Don’t be swayed by the fancier tour provider–we tried that one another day and the passion and torrents of information were not there.
How I wish I could pop by from Dublin and hang out with you! Have a pint for me!
The Knitting and Stitching Show at the Alexandria Palace isheld on October 12 and 13th. Also in London is the Royal School of Embroidery and the Royal School of Needlework.