Yum yum, lovely lunch...

Yesterday I enjoyed a fabulous afternoon at Search Press Author’s Summer Lunch Party.  As well as a lot of SP authors there were also the whole SP team, book sellers, magazines, bloggers... a great mix which made for some very interesting conversations.

I had the good fortune to meet some other authors and hear all about how they started writing books and what they do.  One lady was approached by Etsy convo which led to a very successful book.  

As well as packing the warehouse with 150 people it was also covered in nearly two miles of knitted bunting made by Woman’s Weekly readers.  The bunting was on display yesterday for readers of the magazine to see and it looks like the two mile bunting has created a new world record.

Martin de la Bedoyere, the MD of Search Press explained that there were over 900,000 books in the warehouse (all covered in knitted bunting of course) and after a good poke around Ruth (Rock & Purl) and I found one of mine, Knitted Cats & Kittens.  

I had a lovely chat with Arne and Carlos and here is Mary, SP’s Publicity Manager extroadinare with the knitty duo.  They have a new book in the pipeline which sounds very exciting!

I also met Mr X Stitch, Jamie Chalmers, who was charming and also hails from good old Milton Keynes, what an interesting man to talk to, if I hadn’t had to rush off to relieve my good friend Vicky of three of my children I could have stayed and chatted...

We had a lovely lunch and there was a plentiful supply of drinkies, but a:  I was driving and b:  if I drink at lunch time I fall asleep, therefore orange juice for me!

I’m back at Search Press next week for a marketing meeting for my next book, ‘Merry Christmas Sweaters’, who knows what plans are afoot, how exciting!

Bring on Christmas, lol

Knitlag

I am in recovery.

I have had an amazing weekend at TNNA in Columbus with Unicorn Publishing promoting ‘Knitted Cats & Kittens’.  TNNA stands for The Needle Arts Trade Show and is a showcase for the latest needlearts industry trends, ideas and products.  Friday is set up day and at 5pm there is a huge Sample Sale.  I arrived at 8pm... grrrr...

However my lovely friends at Millamia, Helena and Max, made sure that I didn’t miss out and here is my haul...  two hanks of the fabulous Lorna’s Lace's ‘Haymarket.  A beautiful Blue Faced Leicester wool in gorgeous colours with a lovely cowl pattern.  Also a lovely shawl pattern from Julep B with a supersoft ball of Silky Alpaca Lace from Classic Elite Yarns.  While I was chatting to people on the stands I also managed to bag a ‘left over’ kit from the fantastic Swans Island for the Olivia Cowl using two hanks of thier gorgeous Ecowash DK yarn... all Beautiful!

I have to say I was nervous about flying 4,000 miles (two flights) on my own but I did end up where I was supposed to be... and with my luggage.  After I arrived at the hotel I went to the bar and ordered a G&T and sandwich with chips... first difference between the UK and US... chips are crisps.  It was a very odd feeling to be sitting there looking at the street below realising how far from home I was and although it was 9pm in Columbus that is 2am in the UK.

The show itself was FANTASTIC!  I was based on the Unicorn stand but every so often went on a wander round to see all the beautiful yarns, patterns, bags... and more.  As well as all the knitty goodies on show the show was full of Knitterati - the celebrities of the knitting world.  Just one stroll down an aisle found Martin Storey, Ericka Knight, Nicky Epstein, Brenda Dayne (Cast On podcast), Carol Feller and Stephen West.  No photos to prove that I’m afraid, I was too starstuck!

It was lovely to see some familiar faces there, including Helena and Max from Millamia showcasing their lovely yarns, including some new shades which is really exciting.  Erika Knight was also there with new shades to add to her gorgeous yarn range so hopefully you will see all of this in the shop shortly.

On Sunday I had a book signing.  Everyone was really lovely and gave me fantastic feedback about the book.  A lot of store owners already had the book in their shop and Unicorn made sure I had time to talk of everyone so I found out alot about US Yarn Stores and their customers.  The names of the stores were really imaginative, Knitsch has to be my favourite.

The best thing about the show was how insiring everything was, everyone you spoke to said the same thing, I came away buzzing about new ideas and now all I have to do is find the time to do them!

Happy Knitties 

Time for a change...

Seven years ago I had this crazy idea to open a Wool Shop.  Less than two months later The Knitting Hut was open for business...

Amazingly, that was over seven years ago now and although it feels like a short time, so much has happened.  I have had another child (who is now five), started exhibiting at the Knitting and Stitching Show, made some fabulous friends who share the same interest as me and last but not least been given the fantastic opportunity of writing books which has opened a whole new set of windows...

So now I have had the crazy idea to re-design the shop and change my range of stock and it does feel like a new start.

So... the sale is in full swing to create the space we need.  Anyone who has visited the shop will understand our space issue as the shop is tiny...  I am starting to order new stock and shop fittings which is great fun, I love shopping...

I now can't wait to get started and over the next couple of weeks I will share some of the fantastic things I have found for the shop.  This has to be my favourite, I was so excited when I found this and I was going to keep it a secret but I can't!  I think she needs a name...  You can find her here

All I searched for was 'Wooden Book Shelf'... I think this was mean't to be and I can't wait for her to arrive...

Eclectic Shopping

I just had to share my 'haul' from Unravel yesterday.  This is the third year I have been and if it's a show you haven't visited before you should really try and get there next year.  I love all the hand dyed yarn on offer and there is always something a bit different and loads of inspiration...

This is my haul... including the shelves!  My first frantic push and shove through the crowds was to see Jenny Barnett's fabulous felting kits.  After dithering over robins and chickens I settled on fox and hare kits.  Spurred on by this new potential pastime I spent a tiny £3 on a bag of Angora rabbit fluff to make some little bunnies (because of course, now I have grand plans).  With my kits safely stowed I was free to wonder and spot things...

Of course I was NOT going to buy any 4-ply yarn as I have HUGE quantities of this.  Mainly because I always have this 'it's only one ball' philosophy, but when you have done this a few times, at a few shows (and online), it seems to turn into over thirty balls.  So, that is why you will see a hank of Jillybeans shetland/gotland 4 ply...  I just couldn't leave it behind because of the fabulous colours.  Of course, I have no idea what I will make with it... or when!  I'll just add it to the pile.

I also found a short pair of 4mm Art Viva needles which are beautiful and just the right length for me.  As I am mainly using 4mm needles at the moment for my current book I know these will get a lot of use.  I also found a beautiful shawl pin (on top of the rabbit fluff) which I am going to use as a 'stuffing' pusher... into small knitted legs/arms etc...

Now onto the gorgeous Chunky Purl Alpaca...  This is a new yarn which we can stock in the shop and I bought it to make something that inspired me at the show, more on this in the future (if it works)...  It is a gorgeous yarn and I started swatching as soon as I got home...

Finally.  The Shelves!  I love them and spotted them on a Vintage stall.  They weren't actually for sale but the lady said I could have them for £15.  Total Bargain!  So I am sitting working today looking at my lovely purchases and thinking what a great day out I had with my lovely friends.