I Knit London Weekender 2010 - Review

KNIT expo @ I Knit London 2010

Heavy bags laden with hand-dyed yarn, wooden hand-carved knitting needles, 1,000s of postcards and designs.

Packed tube train ride did not dampen our spirits. Arrived to see burly men (some handsome, some not so handsome) lifting huge exhibition stands into the Royal Horticultural Halls in Victoria. We sat and waited for the ‘booths’ to be set up. Cuddled various sellers (new and old friends). Set up tables; yarn in large bags, needles (from the 3.25mm to huge 30mm +), spinning wheels, banners, books and plastic blown up tulips (which decorated the Dutch Knitters’ section). Gerard Allt (co-founder of I Knit); dashing about relaxed and smiling.

Danced a dance with Eirwin Godfrey of Knit Witches (beautiful yarns) – huge kiss to her for the kind use of her step-ladder. Draped with muslin , displaying our needles.

And watched fashion shows. Fluorescent pink scarf with large flower. Belinda's. There were others; cables, laces and shawls, scarves knitted; traditional cardigans designs with coloured yolks and thick Aran. And another fashion show: Knitted Textiles graduate showcase; knitting with plastic (wild), cassette tape, huge bobbles in ‘London bus red’, blacks, greys - swathes of knitted fabric.

Not forgetting to mention the traders who are the back-bone of the knitting textile industry; the spinners, businesses, designers, dyers – who were there is force. Their knowledge of the yarn industry and yarn is immense: the mills, the weight, the warp, the weft.

Discussion on the future of knitting; own personal knitting trajectory, development of the industry, what it means, fantasy yarns. Filmed the proceedings and answers - people looked into a knitted chicken. Where do you see the future of knitting? – in a strong northern brogue: “we have to learn the kids”.
 
Sung Knit the Knits and Purl the purls as they appear… knit one, purl one, two times, repeat from star to star. Around the catwalk people chatted, knitted, showed their new work, yarn, purchases; lots of OOooooooooo-s and Ahhhhh-s were audible above the hum.

Packed yarns and paraphernalia away. Kissed the juicy cheeks of the traders. Hugged Gerard and waved goodbye to the yarn makers and dyers, the suppliers and knitting souls. Paddington Station - with lighter bags - home - Devon.

Thank you
Belinda