MOW Makes 2025
One of the things we love most about a yarn festival is the inspiration we get from seeing everyone else’s creations and our Mill Open Weekend is no exception… except that we’re often too awe-struck to remember to take photos or write down any information! With our in-person MOW all done for this year and the woolly haze just beginning to clear a little, we’ve done our best to recap just some of the beautiful work we saw on display… and cor blimey, there were some corkers to share!
On the left we have Ramona wearing her fabulous ‘Secret Garden’ sweater by Elenor Mortensen (Ravelry) in handspun Appledore Hoary Morning, Slack Ma Girdle and Payhembury. We love how the subtle colour variation in Slack Ma Girdle works so well as the background colour. Amazing work!
We also loved Alison H’s ‘Nordic Bloom Vest’ by Caitlin Hunter (Ravelry – Laine Nordic Knits), knitted up in Yarnadelic Worsted colour ways Black Gold of the Sun and Sunflowers in my Garden. Very Scandi chic and a perfect layering option for an overcast summer weekend.
We’re really grateful to Kayla, pictured on the right, for knitting one of our samples for the upcoming Annual (issue five) and the Simple Sweater sample for last year’s MOW specials, so we were delighted to be able to say thanks in person at the MOW, where she was wearing this wonderful ‘Ironwork Tee’ by Dianna Walla (Ravelry) in Knit by Numbers 4ply (KBN45) with Devon Naturals as the contrast colour. This has such a great mid-century vibe about it… this one’s heading straight to our queue!
There were lots of fun stripe variations on display at the MOW. Liner, on the left, sported her gorgeous ‘Ravello’ by Isabell Kraemer (Ravelry – LoveCrafts) in Appledore DK Pig Snout, Quench and Yeovil Sour. This is such a great patten for experimenting with colour combinations or using up larger leftovers from other project — a brilliant wardrobe staple.
Suzy P, pictured in the centre, got a sneaky peek at an upcoming design because she helped us with test-knitting for The Annual (issue five) and wore her completed project to come and see us in South Molton. She used Exmoor Sock in Mizzle, Aggy, Oddmedod and Bulderin’ Clouds for this fabulous wrap full of texture. You’ll hear much more about this and the other Annual designs for issue five in the coming months. Thanks for helping us test it, Suzy!
Our brilliant knitting tutor, Amanda Jones inspired us to get some colourwork on the needles with this version of her own design, the ‘Martindale’ colourwork vest (Ravelry – A Yarn Story), using Mizzle, Hurdy, Mackerel Sky, Oddmedodd and Dimity. A great vest to mix and match with your summer wardrobe favourites.
If you’re a fan of texture (arent’ we all?), our lovely customers have got you covered for inspiration.
Mary L had us all ooh-ing and aah-ing at her stunning, super cosy, cardi — the ‘Colleen’ by Marie Wallin (Ravelry), knitted in Marie’s British Breeds yarn which we spin here at the Mill. We particularly love the cabled lattice texture and back panel. A glorious design to add a pop of colour to any outfit.
Meanwhile, Verity, pictured right, whose sister was one of our guest vendors, Eleanor Jane Studio, was rocking this fabulous PetiteKnit ‘Storm’ sweater (Ravelry – PetiteKnit’s Website) – in Yarnadelic Dark Star, the special colour way designed by Aleks Byrd for last year’s MOW specials. The Storm Sweater is typically seen in lighter colours, but we think the complex dark brown makes it even more wearable and still allows the texture to shine through. This is definitely heading straight to our ‘must knit’ list.
A couple more cardigans to offer some inspiration: Sue, on the left, made this wonderful drop-shoulder cardigan, the ‘Sukie’ by Emma Vining (Ravelry – ‘The Knitter’ Issue 123) in a combination of pink Knit by Numbers 4ply shades. A really fun, playful knit, skilfully executed and making great use of Knit by Numbers’ shades.
Jenny, centre, went all out on the colourwork, knitting the ‘Honeysuckle’ by Marie Wallin in Marie’s British Breeds (Ravelry). The gorgeous, muted colour palette makes it a timeless piece with some stunning details like the two-tone ribbing. A truly impressive knit, Jenny, great work!
A show sample that always gets a lot of love is the ‘Achillea’ T-shirt, designed by our own Helena Timms (Ravelry). You can see it on the left of the photo below in Appledore Lace Pig Snout with Quench and Judy H (above, right) stopped by to show us her own version in Appledore Lace colourways Quench and contrasting Spicy Pippin that really makes the lace panels pop. On an unpredictable summer’s day, the lace provides a nice bit of ventilation while still keeping you cosy! Beautifully done!
Another sample knitter we were thrilled to see at the MOW was Denise who kindly made The Strata Sweater by Hannah Singleton (Ravelry) for us. It shows off some of the colours of our MOW special range, Mineralogy: Moss Agate, Malachite Magic, and Azurite Adventure. Thanks Denise!
Also pictured is Sonja in her ‘Saltings Sweater’ by Sarah Solomon (Ravelry) in the Mineralogy shade Carnelian. If you’re thinking of a Strata or Saltings Sweater of your own, we’ll have kits available from 5th July 2025.
We saw a lot of incredible handspun over the weekend, including this little collection by Gail K who’s been keeping herself busy whipping up some undyed, Devonia in Sandbar and trying out some of our new Seafarer range in Lyngbakr, middle, and Murex, right. We’re so excited to see what this stunning set of yarns becomes!
Remember Suzy P with her Annual sample above? She was inspired to try her hand at embroidery with Appledore Lace after seeing an article in The Annual, (issue four) and it turned out so beautifully! Well done Suzy!
Let us know what you’re adding to your queue and don’t forget to tag us on Ravelry, Instagram or Facebook, or email [email protected] — it warms our woolly hearts to see your work!