Knitting kNirvana

Or… how I went to Ally Pally and nearly lost my mind.

Regular readers will know that some time ago I took up knitting.

I’m not that good at it – but I really like it.

So – a friend told me about this Knitting and Stitching Show at Alexandra Palace.

I must go, she said. It is the home of all things knitting… sewing and quilting as well – but it was the knitting that mattered to me.

So I went.

It was my first visit to Ally Pally – what a fabulous building – with a great history.

I shall be back at another time when I can give the building it’s due respect… That just wasn’t possible on this trip, because once I got inside – there was nothing but the wool…

There were a few brave men there - but not many — There were a few brave men there – but not many

Acres of it…

Rainbows of it…

There was too much to select just one... — There was too much to select just one…

Crying credits cards of it. (Despite the fabulous half price show specials).

That's me in the striped top - just getting started — That’s me in the pink striped top – just getting started

I dived right in – although not as literally as some.

This was at 11 am - too early in the day for him to be napping — This was at 11 am – too early in the day for him to be napping

I’m still learning this knitting thing – who knew you could knit a hedgehog…

I never knew hedgehogs came in orange and blue

Or a car…

How many hours did it take to knit this?

Or that you could make a portrait with a sewing machine.

Puts a whole new spin on 'portraits — Puts a whole new spin on ‘portraits

I had a wonderful time – and yes I bought wool. Only four projects worth of it – plus a couple of patterns, and some yarn I needed to finish something already underway.

My shiny pink RNA conference bag proved as good at holding wool as it was at holding books

Here’s a confession – I took three carry bags – and needed all of them to bring my haul home. Next year, I may need to take four.