Yarndale Sock Line – the end of the Line

By now, you may well have read Lucy of Attic24’s blog post about how she has chosen to step down from her position on the Yarndale team, and you might be wondering what that means for the Yarndale Sock Line this year.

For the last 5 years, I have been in the fabulous position of being able to take up residence for the Yarndale weekend in the Knit n Natter lounge with my good friend Lucy, surrounded by hundreds of pairs of socks which have been sent from all over the world to be passed on to people who need them.

I have had a wonderful time chatting with people about socks, whether they are already on their feet or they are just about to start their sock knitting adventures, and it’s been fantastic to meet so many of you whom I might only speak to online through the blog, Instagram or Facebook.  I have thoroughly enjoyed being part of the whole Yarndale weekend, from setting up to clearing away before the auctions start again the morning after Yarndale finishes.

Most of all, it’s been absolutely amazing to be able to send all of the pairs of socks to organisations that work with people who have been thrilled to think that they can wear something that somebody they have never met has made for them.

Now, with Lucy no longer being involved in Yarndale, I have been free to make the choice to either apply as an exhibitor in my own right or to request consideration as a charity, but I didn’t want to do either.  Winwick Mum is not a shop with a range of products to sell nor a charity, and I do not want it to be.  More importantly, I don’t want take up a place that could be used by people who do have businesses or charities and need events like Yarndale to support them.

I have decided that 5 years is a good length of time for the Sock Line to run – and a good time for it to stop.  We’re not always very good at making the decisions to let things go, but I have done, and I feel that it’s the right one.  I am so very proud of the Yarndale Sock Line and the people it has helped – over the 5 years, 931 pairs of socks have been given away, which is truly amazing.  931 people have put socks on their feet that were knitted with love and given as a gift, and that is truly priceless.

Thank you so very much to everyone who has supported the Yarndale Sock Line – none of this would have been possible without you – and to everyone who has come to see me at Yarndale – you have been part of my incredible September weekends!  I’ll be leaving all of the blog posts and Pinterest boards up so that you can visit them if you would ever like to.

My thanks must also go to the Yarndale team (which includes Lucy as she has only just stepped down) for letting me fill the Knit n Natter lounge with socks, for buying me fish and chips on a Friday night and for letting me be part of something that I am sure is going to be a very special part of the yarn festival calendar for many years to come.

After tonight’s shocking news about the UK lockdown to try to reduce the spread of the coronavirus, it might seem as if events like this are out of reach for the foreseeable future, but it is my heartfelt wish that we are all able to return to our yarny gatherings well before Yarndale.

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8 Responses

  1. happy hooker says:

    So sorry to hear you're stepping down, but I quite understand and respect your decision. It must take a lot of time and energy to organise something like this, and sometimes you just have to put yourself and family first. I doubt whether this year's Yarndale will be able to go ahead anyway. I think we'll (hopefully) just be coming out of it, and things starting slowly to get back to normality. Thanks for giving us all the opportunity to be part of it. Take care, keep safe. xx

  2. Christina says:

    It is great that you were able to donate so many socks, what an achievement. I look forward to reading about new adventures that you may have planned. Take care x

  3. Susan Rayner says:

    Totally understand the reasons for not continuing the Yarndale sock line – but so sad – it was a lovely thing to do and you have made so many people happy! We have all enjoyed the excitement of seeing just how many socks are produced every year and the lovely display of them all at Yarndale itself. It is a privilige to have been part of this inspired effort!! Thank you so much for all the hard work on your part, Lucy's and youngest daughter too!

  4. michelle says:

    it has been a great venture for all involved thanks to everyone

  5. Lesley Leighton says:

    Sad to hear you are stepping down, although I never made it to Yarndale, I always read your blog with interest, and also Lucy's Attic24, but of course in these uncertain times, we all have to be mindful of what is happening in the world, and look out for our loved ones. I shall continue to read both blogs and enjoy the journey with you both. Stay Safe xxx

  6. Julie says:

    I know how hard it is to make these decisions, DH and I stepped down from the organising committee of our Horticultural and Craft Show after 10 years. You've done a amazing job during your 5 years and i wishing you well in you new ventures to come.

  7. sustainablemum says:

    What an amazing achievement over five years, I am sure that it will be the right decision tinged with sadness.

  8. Geeha says:

    Thank you for all you have done. The sock line inspired me to start knitting socks, I have decided to knit 2 pairs anyway and donate them to a local charity. If this lockdown continues I may knit more… I have realised in life we need to move on and grow and sometimes things we have started go on independently as do our children when they fly the nest.

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