The Knitting & Stitching Show is one of the most colourful and beautiful events of the year – I dipped into its hues and textures at Alexander Palace today. With around three hundred exhibitors and some wonderful workshops, there is so much inspiration to be had here. You can catch The Knitting and Stitching Show tomorrow (Sunday 9 October) at Alexandra Palace, 24-27 November at Harrogate International Centre and 20-23 October at Simmonscourt, RDS, in Dubln. My purchases were fairly modest: I came away with a new skill to master in the form of a ‘Make Your Own Needle Felt Dog’ kit from www.feltcreative.co.uk, and and an early Christmas stocking filler buy: some alapaca ‘Posh Socks’ from ukalpaca.com. But I was lusting after many more exhibits. Here are just six of the most gorgeous things I saw today…
Autumn Seedheads by Jean Littlejohn, a beautiful embroidered picture that made me want to buy thread, lots of it. This was featured in the book Stitchscapes by Jean Littlejohn and Jan Beaney…
A lush rail of felt coats by Te Su. Oh those colours…
A stunning wall artwork entitled Mass Hysteria: free motion embroidered birds by Leisa Rich.
Enormous crochet hooks, wonderfully big and beautiful buttons that made you want to create a garment to fit them and giant Macro knitting needles that came up to my shoulder height. Apparently, you lay them across your lap and jumpers knit up oh-so-fast…
This chap from Game of Thrones was made using metal threadwork beading, applique and quilting. He was commissioned by the HBO Home Entertainment TV Network and made by The Embroiderers’ Guild, the Royal School of Needlework, Hand & Lock and Fine Cell Work and took 5000 hours to produce, with 140 people involved in the process. He appears on the Series 5 DVD and Blue Ray boxed set, and in real life he is big!
My final shout out goes to Di Gilpin.Here she is with a cable collar and weaved cable back on just one of her fabulous jumper creations…
Get along to the show and find your own favourites – you’ll probably find you have quite a few!