Serendipity and wool

For several years, now, I have been a Twitterer.  Twitter seems to be one of those 'Marmite' things - you love it or hate it. Clearly, I love it! I have learnt so much by following people who are experts in things I know nothing about, and by following people with common interests, I have made friends all over the world, whom I am unlikely ever to meet, but who have enriched my life immeasurably.

I would like to tell you about one of the ripples that has spread from my involvement with Twitter.  Some months ago, I started following @SockYarnShop, whose 'real' name is Pip.  I'm not a great maker of socks, though I'm quite capable of it when appropriate, but I read through her tweets, and thought she sounded like an interesting person, from whom I could learn more about modern yarns, for instance.  We exchanged a fair amount of friendly nonsense online, as one does, and a month or so ago, she posted pictures of a new yarn available in her online shop.

It was a luscious, multi coloured yarn, spun from high quality wool, and was, therefore, way beyond my budget!  However, I loved it, and said so, adding that I wished I was rich enough to buy some!  Bless her, Pip sent me a ball as a gift, just for fun, in a glorious, carnival rainbow of colours.

Obviously, I had to return her generosity in some way, so I used some of the wool to make her a little bear, called 'Pip', of course! Having posted him off to his new home in Wales, I posted pictures of him on Twitter & Facebook - I now have more requests for a similar bear than I can handle!  There is one on the needles for one of my granddaughters (Christmas sorted!) and there will be enough wool left for one more - which will go on sale in @By_Local, since I can't pick from any of those asking for one - first come, first served!

If you would like to know more about By Local, which is a community gallery in Cheltenham founded & run by Rosie Lomberg (brilliant artist) and Keziah Kurg (makes inspired bead jewellery & stuff) go to http://www.by-local.co.uk/