The Knitting and Stitching Show 2017 is on this weekend (until Sunday 15th October) and it is so much fun. Having spent a day immersed in creativity and inspiration, it’s hard to pick the top ten highlights, but I’ve had a go at doing just that. And so, in no particular order, here they are…

Gorgeous pompom rug by Multipom, who sell pompom kits that can make up to 20 pompoms in one go (presumably, you have to be in the room at the time).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A fantastically realistic embroidered beetroot (apologies for the glass glare) courtesy of the Royal School of Needlework

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A wild 3D ram’s head, brought to you by Quillting Antics.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Buttons that look almost good enough to eat – they are the work of hours of wool felting by hand and foot on the part of Sophie’s Wild Woollens.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My personal favourite – a chance to add your name, in embroidery, to the Campaign for Creativity in Schools (craft doesn’t seem to be all that high on the agenda of the national curriculum, and this petition is working to make it so).

 

A lifesize needlefelt hen (you know you want one) made by the geniuses at The Makerss, who are holding a workshop to make a large felted animal in the New Year.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Delicious felt squares in watermelon shades, by 21st Century Yarns.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

More needlefelting by one of the leading names in the field (pun intented), Fi Oberon – see her giving an introduction to the craft here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The best faux flowers I’ve seen to date – big South African beaded ones made by street sellers in Johannesburg and sold in the UK by Best of African Design.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And finally, a fantastically detailed and nostalgic ‘book cover’ by Sara Rickard, created for the Embroiderer’s Guild Exhibition.

 

 

Get down to The Knitting and Stitching Show at London’s Alexander Palace if you can – there are some great bargains to be had and it’s amazing to have experts right there to answer your questions. There must be more inspiration per square metre here than just about anywhere else I can think of. Till next year, when I hope to have completed my needle felt dachshund, my crochet cushion cover, my knitted socks and a jumper made with bargain wool from the show.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save