Monday 18 July 2011

K is for... Knit Nation (of course!)

Yep, Knit Nation was on Saturday *grins* I hadn't been last year (having never picked up knitting needles or even considered such a thing) so I was pretty excited to go this time. I did try to take lots of pictures, but I got there first thing and it was pretty busy, so most of them came out like this:


I'm not very socially outgoing with people I don't know, so I wasn't very good at asking for photos, even though I'm sure no one would have minded. But I did get a few (blurry) shots as I was walking around.

A somewhat depleted selection of Wollmeise on the Loop stand. I met the lady responsible for Wollmeise outside just before the marketplace opened, she was lovely and was very flattered when I said I was looking forward to getting my hands on some of her yarn *smiles*


The Habu stand. I'd heard of Habu before and been intrigued, they make yarns combined with all sorts of strange things, including paper and steel... I loved the way the yarns were packaged, on cones or these little parcel-like bundles, and it was cool to see what it was like once knit. Not my cup of tea, but really interesting nonetheless.


A hanging display at the Juno Fibre Arts stand. The lady there was so nice, and very admiring of my Clapotis *grins* Incidentally, that wrap is really very warm - I was melting in the marketplace!


So, that brings us to the end of my usable pictures of the show... I know, I'm rubbish! But, I have got nice pictures of what I bought, which hopefully makes up for it *laughs*

I took a set amount of money and planned to only spend that. Amazingly, I did. I spent exactly what was in my purse and no more. Very proud ;) I also told myself that I did not need to buy skein after skein of sock yarn. As you saw from my post on Thursday, I already have plenty that I am excited about using, and I tend to get a little stressed if I have too much waiting for me! I wanted to have a look at some yarns that I have been coveting for ages, to see if they are as nice in the flesh as I was hoping, so I have a long list of things that I do want to buy once I have used some of what I already have.

So, I bought 1 skein of sock yarn that's intended for a shawl and not socks... Wollmeise ;)


I had to buy some, just to see what all the fuss is about. I was slightly wincing at the £20 price tag (hence why it definitely won't become socks!) but actually the skein is 150g rather than 100g, so it's better value than I first thought.

My second purchase of the day was a Blocking Kit from Brownberry Yarns. Perhaps buying it so early in the day was a mistake, I was lugging the tube around for the entire time, but never mind! I've wanted one for a while and it was a good price, so I'm happy.


After going to the Loop stand for the Wollmeise first, and passing the blocking kits and having to immediately get one, I decided to have a wander and look at lots of things before deciding what to buy.

I got this adorable "emergency yarn" keyring from Old Maiden Aunt. And fell in love with their beautiful colourways. It took a lot of willpower not to spend all my money on their sock yarn *laughs*


At The Bothered Owl, I purchased these cool stitch markers...


The Great British Yarns stand had lots of Knit Picks, which I'd seen were on their website. I've heard a lot of good things about Knit Picks, especially for such a reasonably priced brand, so I had a lot of fun squishing all the skeins *grins* Sharon, the lovely lady on the stall let me play with their sample book to see all the swatches, and I came away with this lace weight alpaca. I love the colour, and it is so, so soft. I resisted the sock yarn, but have made a mental note to get some in future. I'm a sucker for really soft yarns ;) I also picked up a skein of undyed sock yarn (I know, I know, but I promised the boyfriend he could have a go at kool aid dyeing!)


I popped upstairs to the salon to have a look at all of Ysolda's samples and had to buy Whimsical Little Knits 2 and get it signed. I didn't take Little Red with me for signing, as I really didn't want to have to lug it around all day!

At the Nimu Yarns stand I bought this beautiful shawl pin. I love it, it's so very me *grins*


This brought me to within £20 of my self-imposed spending limit when I spotted a bargain bin back at the Brownberry Yarns stand. As soon as I put my hand in, I was overwhelmed with soft squishiness. So I bought 6 skeins of this beautiful baby llama yarn. I love alpaca, so I figure llama makes perfect sense ;)


The skeins are quite short, so I shall have to plan what to make carefully. I love the colour. In fact, I was very drawn to a lot of the grey yarns I saw (especially on the Old Maiden Aunt stand). I steered well clear of everything orange, no matter how much it called to me!

So, that was Knit Nation for me. I had a really good time, and could have spent many, many times the amount of money I had set myself. Looking forward to next year already *laughs*

15 comments:

  1. I wish I could have gone. Looks like you had an awesome day, and have made some very wise purchases. I especially like the colour of your Knit Picks alpaca, and that shawl pin is gorgeous!

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  2. So glad you enjoyed your day. You were very disciplined, unlike me on my first trip last year when I went completely mad. I was much more controlled this time. Hope the blocking kit works well. They always look fiendishly complicated.

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  3. Wow, awesome loot. I love the lego head stitch markers. Brilliant. I'm glad it was fun!

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  4. Sounds like you had a ball! I know what you mean about carrying things around!! I've learned that the hard way too at events like Stitches and Maryland Sheep & Wool!! Enjoy your purchases!!

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  5. Lovely purchases! And also you reminded me that I was supposed to get a blocking kit but forgot LOL

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  6. Wow, you did really well. I love that shawl pin, it's gorgeous. Thanks for virtually toting me along to Knit Nation... next year, hopefully, I'll be there in person!

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  7. What fun. I wish I could have gone. I don't know if I would have had such strong will power though. I would have easily spent my text book money there in like ten minutes. I love the stitch markers, my boyfriend would like them too. He loves legos.

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  8. So jealous! I love the shawl pin and the llama yarn. You're the second blogger to blog about the nice selection of grey yarns at Knit Nation.

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  9. Oh it looks like it was wonderful!!! I would have been so overwhelmed I wouldn't have even remembered to take pictures. The stitch marker on the far right (with glasses and a beard) look an awful lot like my husband.

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  10. I'll take all pictures, blurry or not! Not being able to attend, it's lovely to read posts like yours where I can see all the fun going on and get a feel for the atmosphere. Looks and sounds like you had a fantastic time! Wonderful purchases too, can't wait to see what all the yarn becomes.

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  11. Must get one of those blocking kits. I didn't know Brownberry had some (lucky I've got some birthday money left!). Sounds like you had a great day, thanks for sharing :)

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  12. I think you need to do a whole post on your adventure with the blocking kit! I'm intrigued...

    –Cassandra

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  13. that's awesome! all your purchases are lovely. I'm a little jealous about the blocking kit though =)

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  14. I have never to been to one of those events. I didn't know what Knit Nation was and just had to google it.
    I have reservations to go to the Sheep and Wool festival in Rhinebeck NY on Oct. 15 & 16 of this year. If it's anything like the way you described Knit Nation, it looks like I am in for a treat and should start saving my pennies now!

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  15. Very nice, looks like an awesome time. And you used your money wisely, very nice stuff!

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