~ Warning – there will be yarn name dropping in this post ~
If you follow this blog you will be aware of my undisguised devotion to Debbie Bliss and indeed the Bliss family. Literally some of the kindest, generous and funniest people you can meet. Over the years my devotion has grown and have had fab opportunities to collaborate, learn from and just generally giggle with Team Bliss.
Last weekend I had the awesome opportunity to join Debbie, Nell and Theresa (Conway Bliss) on an exciting trip to Alexandra Palace for the astounding Knitting and Stitching Show. Wow, Ally Pally is an amazing venue and the show is packed full of exhibitors. I didn’t see all I could have seen. But I did pop by the fabulous Stylecraft and Yarn Stories stand. I saw some of my favourite people there including Annabelle from Stylecraft and Juliet Bernard on the Yarn Stories stall. Like so many visitors I loved the Toft Alpaca stand and I bought a lovely alpaca pom-pom for Little B.
I also popped in to see my good friends at Black Sheep Wool and witnessed the astounding sight of the yarn dive. I have never seen this before – but basically you can pick up so many bargains from this stall. Now I have a few rock-n’roll friends and they do like to partake in the odd bit of crowd surfing – but this my friends in ‘Yarn-surfing’ you can’t get more rock-n’knit than that. I also got to see my Garden Route Blanket on display and it make me smile to think how many miles this blanket has travelled. Throughout South Africa and so many places in England. It has a life of its own.
One of my main reasons for visiting London was to celebrate with Debbie her award for Best Designer in the British Knitting Awards. We had lots of fun meeting local yarn store owners, their passion is infectious. I was delighted that our Yarn Day Event this year at Black Sheep Wools won the award for best Yarn Day.
I also met some lovely people from West Yorkshire Spinners. What a wonderful company and they have an exciting new vision for their brand. I am going to have to investigate their yarn more! You have to look at the new designs by Emma Knitted – really scrumptious.
On the Friday I got to meet knitting royalty like Nicky Epstein the the super elegant Erika Knight. Basically I acted in a very un-cool gushing manner, ‘Oooo, wow, I have admired your work for so many years……..’ In the end I returned home, happy, tired and inspired. I was reminded again of the generosity and enthusiasm of the yarn community and once again so glad that this is my passion too.
Emma i doubt you will remember me but I loved meeting you and Debbie, you were both so charming, I was overcome at meeting such ‘Yarn royalty’ in the flesh (so to speak)
bestest
d x
I do remember you very well and in fact I still have your card in my bag – so I need to pop by your blog. It was so nice to meet fellow crocheters – thank you so much for popping by the blog.
Loved the show at Ally Pally this year, I visited with friends and increased my wool stash at the black sheep stand , learnt new technique s and came home inspired
So glad you had a fab time – I loved it but wished I had spent more time going around the stalls – there was so much good shopping to be had