The Knitting and Stitching Show

Last week was the first edition of the Knitting and Stitching Show of 2014, in Olympia, London. It was my first ever visit to such an event, and I have to say I was not disappointed! For anyone who's into crafts, this is definitely the place to go. There was so much! Miles and miles of fabric, yarn, thread, ribbons, mountains of quilts, beads, buttons, and things I didn't even know the name of! Oh, the buzz, the textures, the colours! It was absolutely massive, with numerous stalls and workshops and so many people. I went with a good friend of mine who's into loom-knitting and jewellery-making, and we spent a good four hours wandering around the place, in total awe, just like kids in a candy shop.

I mean, look at all this!

So, did I buy anything?

Well...

Of course I did!

I bought a shawl pin... I had desperately been looking for one since buying a drapy cardigan in Poland last year.

How lovely is it? I love its retro style and the subtle changing colours. If the nice weather remains, I may have to wait until next winter to use it, but at least I have it now. I just have to remember where I put it until then. :D

And I bought...

Yarn, of course. There was no way I could have come back without yarn from a knitting show, right? Even though I've just come back from Iceland with a suitcase full of it. So let's have a closer look, shall we?

Introducing Sirdar Snuggly Snowflake Chunky in turquoise and bright pink, and Sirdar Snuggly Snowdrops Chunky in white. Aren't they gorgeously fluffy? I have a vision of brightly coloured amigurumi sheep like these by Tejiendo Peru.

Next, a yarn that I actually know, for having bought it in a different colourway:

It's an acrylic cheapy but I quite like the interlocking of the two chunky bits of yarn. Not sure what I will make with this one, but who ever said I bought yarn with a specific project in mind?

Moving on... Here's another purchase:

This colourful beauty is German, by the brand Austermann, and is made in Turkey. If you're a regular reader of the blog, you will surely have noticed by now that I have a strong penchant for variegated yarns. Of course, I love the way they look in the shop and they're always the first items I go to. Then, I love the random effect they produce when working with them. It's a surprise with every stitch. And finally, there's the end product, a clash of colours that I usually can't stop drinking the sight of. Anyway, back to this particular one. It reminds me of the - also German - Lang Mille Colori line, of which I bought six skeins in France over Christmas. But unlike Mille Colori, which is a blend of virgin wool and acrylic, this Austermann yarn is 100% virgin wool, and so is perfect for felting. This makes me want to try felting, actually, as I have yet to experiment with the technique.

Ok, moving on again... to the undeniable star of my shopping spree at the show...

Isn't this an amazing bit of yarny gorgeousness? Love, love, looooove the soothing shades and the subtle changing of colours. Oh yes, this is definitely a favourite of mine. It heads from Chile, is hand-dyed, and is made of 70% wool, 20% Mohair, and 10% silk. That would explain the hefty price tag, which I shall not reveal. ;)

Go on, have another peek.

Aaaaah, bliss! I can't wait to start working with it. Which doesn't mean I actually know what I'll be making, no surprise there, eh? We'll see :)

And that's the lot. Everything I bought at the Knitting and Stitching Show in London. Quite a lot, but not nearly as much as how much I brought back from Iceland, so it's not too bad, is it? Is it? Which reminds me, there is something I very nearly bought at the show, only to decide against it at the last minute:

A giant crochet hook! Imagine the size of a granny square made with this beast! Maybe next time... :)

Thanks for reading! xoxo