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Find a show near youUpcoming craft shows around the UK.18-20 September The Stitch & Creative Crafts Show SurreyVisit www.sccshows.co.uk or call 01822 614671 for more details.

24-27 September Creative Stitches & Hobbycrafts ExeterVisit www.ichf.co.uk or call 01425 277988 for more information.

1-3 October Creative Stitches & Hobbycrafts CardiffVisit www.ichf.co.uk or call 01425 277988 for more information.

8-11 October The Knitting and Stitching Show LondonVisit www.twistedthread.com or call 020 8692 2299 for details.

22-25 October Crafts for Christmas & Hobbycrafts GlasgowVisit www.ichf.co.uk or call 01425 277988 for more information.

29 Oct – 1 Nov The Knitting and Stitching Show DublinVisit www.twistedthread.com or call 020 8692 2299 for details.

5-8 November Hobbycrafts & Crafts for Christmas BirminghamVisit www.ichf.co.uk or call 01425 277988 for more information.

19-22 November The Knitting and Stitching Show HarrogateVisit www.twistedthread.com or call 020 8692 2299 for details.

27-29 November Creative Crafts & Gifts for Christmas EdinburghVisit www.sccshows.co.uk or call 01822 614671 for more details.

With so much to see and do in only a few hours, crafters often leave shows

feeling they missed something – here’s how to make the most of your day.

show!Go to a

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Visit www.myfavouritemagazines.co.uk/X414 or ✆ 0844 848 2852 (lines open 8am-9.30pm weekdays, 8am-4pm Saturdays)

If you’re thinking about buying a big ticket item like a sewing machine, a spinning wheel

or a really nice knitting bag, then you’ll want to see it in person – and try before you buy.

A show is a great place to compare products, and most vendors will be happy to talk you through the features of their products or let you have a go yourself.

Veryimportantknitterarea

22 SimplyKnitting October 2009

Veryimportantknitterarea

Workshops are a great way to learn or improve a skill.

Foldaway Trolley Bag, £9.97, Lakeland ref 22218

Visit our stand at Ally Pally to see some of our knits!

The doors are about to open, and while the great hall is quiet, there’s an atmosphere of anticipation. The

stallholders cast a critical eye over their stalls, finish their coffee and tidy away a few loose skeins: the knitters are coming!

As the range of knitting and craft shows has expanded over the last few years, and the shows themselves have grown to include more stands, more yarns and more workshops, the question every knitter asks is: which shows are you going to?

Shows come in all shapes and sizes, from a cluster of stands at a local smallholders’ meet or guild open day to massive events with hundreds of stalls representing dozens of different crafts.

It’s an amazing opportunity to examine yarn, needles and notions in person, as well as meet up with fellow crafters, learn a new skill or develop an established one – and even do a bit of shopping. Here are our tips for a smooth, successful day out.

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Meet the Simply Knitting team!

I’m LOOkING fOrwarD tO GatHErING yarN aND INSpIratIONAs a designer, I always look out for inspiration, and seeing what other people have created is hugely inspiring. I love seeing the new design students’ shows and the latest works from more established artists. Different things catch your eye – it might be the colour in an embroidery piece or the texture in a painting! Top Tip Wear comfy shoes – there’s a lot to see!Kirstie McLeod, Technical Editor

Very few people have as much money (or time!) to spend on their hobbies as

they’d like, so set a budget and make a list of the projects you’d

most like to knit, along with the materials you need to buy.

Make sure you have a few options available; if you definitely want to knit yourself

a cardigan, but have three patterns using different yarns to

choose from, you’ll be in a good position to stick to your budget.

If you’re planning to buy yarn to knit as gifts, you may want a separate list (and a separate budget) for your presents.

Take a few minutes to read through the guide and highlight any stalls, demonstrations or book signings you really don’t want to miss.

Both stall holders and special exhibitors bring their best work to the shows, giving you the

opportunity to see amazing fibre arts of all descriptions.

It’s a great way to get inspiration for future projects, from colour choices to themes to techniques. Remember, though, if you see something you love, it’s polite to ask before taking a picture!

Many stallholders offer discounts at shows, and you’ll save on postage by buying in person, so it can be quite tempting. If you know your bargains it should be easy to see if a show special is a deal you want to take advantage of.

With more and more shopping being done online, it’s great to see the people who sell or

make the yarn we use and love in person. If you’re visiting a stall and have bought from the shop before or love their hand-dyed yarn, say so! It will mean a great deal to a small business to know their customers are happy.

Pause for a second before you snap up that gorgeous yarn and ask yourself three simple questions:

Will I knit this soon?Am I buying enough for the

sort of project I want to make?Is this a unique opportunity?

If the answer is ‘yes!’ to all three questions, you’ve got a hit on your hands. If it’s ‘no’ to one or more, you might want to take a moment to have a look round other stands and come back with a clear idea of the alternatives in mind. Taking a workshop with an expert is a great way

to learn a new technique or try a new craft… but it’s not the only way!

The fibre crafts are very visual, and it’s really inspiring to watch someone show off their art. Stalls run by local guilds and larger companies are a good place to start when looking for demonstrations and the enthusiasts running them will often be happy to chat.

Try a new craft – you can buy the tools to start spinning with a drop spindle, cross stitching or making cards for less than a tenner. Pick a quiet moment to ask any questions you have. Many vendors are crafters in their own right and will be happy to tell you why they chose to stock that product.

Are you running low on sock yarn… or could you outfit an army? Do you always buy teal but never wear it? Need just one ball of red DK before you can start that toy pattern – or have five you don’t know what to do with?

Knowing what’s in your stash will help you fill the gaps in your collection, and avoid buying duplicates. Remember: it’s not a bargain if you never use it!

There’s nothing more disappointing than struggling home on the train with an awkward bag of a beautiful and unusual yarn only to discover your local yarn shop is selling it cheaper.

Before heading off to a show, explore what’s available to you locally and online, so that you’ll be able to spot a must-buy when you see one!

Classes and talks can fill up very quickly, so book early to avoid disappointment.

Going to a show with a friend is great. You can share your excitement about your hobby, congratulate each other on top finds and you know there’ll be someone willing to watch your bags when you nip to the loo. However, if you’ve got different interests, you may find yourself missing out on stalls you really want to examine more closely. Make a deal before you get there to spend some time apart, whether it’s just shopping different stalls in the same row or splitting up for a couple of hours.

Before you go

When you geT There

Plan your shopping

Get a show guide

Spot special deals

Try something new

Say ‘you’re great!’

Test drive a big item

Stop, think, buy

Check out the artworks

Know thy stash

Know your bargains

Book a workshop

Take a friend

Plan to splurgeA day at a show should be enjoyable, so make sure you’ve got room in your budget to buy a nice lunch, an irresistible skein of yarn, or at least a cup of tea and a piece of cake.

I’m LOOkING fOrwarD tO LEarNING SOmEtHING NEwI’ve learnt a lot at shows. I’ve started to knit continental (Olympia), cross stitch (last year’s Ally Pally show), drop spindle (Woolfest) and had my first go on a wheel (Wonderwool) – and I haven’t even gone to any workshops! Top Tip Take cash – when you run out, you’ll know you’ve hit the end of your budget. Elizabeth Bagwell, Reviews Editor

I’m LOOkING fOrwarD tO DISCOVErING NEw taLENtI love seeing the new designers and talented artists exhibiting at shows. We’re off to the Knitting & Stitching show, and it’s going to be great. There are so many talented people out there!Top Tip Get there early and visit your favourite stands first, while the venue is still quite quiet.Debora Bradley, Editor

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Spinning at Woolfest –a fab time to learn.

The Crochet Coral Reef was on show at Ally Pally last year.