Yesterday Amanda, Lily and I had a fabulous time at the Iknit Day, housed in the beautiful Royal Horticultural Halls in Westminster. There were yarn and craft stalls, charity knitting events, workshops, talks, and the chance to spot many wonderful knitted shawls, cardigans, jumpers and socks. It was fun spotting some people who I recognised from their blogs – I wish I’d had the chance to say hello to all of them!
As we ate our lunch we watched the gorgeous fashion show for Jane Waller’s soon-to-be-republished book A Stitch in Time, which features beautiful patterns from the 1920s, ’30s and ’40s. There were so many that I would love to make! Details included gathered yokes, tucked waists, puffed sleeves, interesting stitch patterns, velvet bows, ruffled necklines satin shoulder straps … I could go on forever about them, but instead here are a few images:
My main purchase of the day was membership of the 2008 Socktopus Club – I’ve been waiting a few months for membership to open, and I was excited to get on the list! Socks will undoubtedly be featuring here over the next few months…
The only actual yarn I bought was some incredibly lovely pure English cashmere from Devon Fine Fibres. I’ve said I will make my mother a beret for Christmas, and I thought this yarn, and the pattern that came with it, would be perfect for her.
The highlight of the day, of course, was seeing the Yarn Harlot speak. She is even funnier in person than she is on her blog; her deadpan presentation and comic timing were flawless. But I was kind of expecting that. What I wasn’t expecting was how thought-provoking and interesting some of her talk was. A good chunk of her hour-long speech was spent discussing neurological studies of trauma victim and Buddhist monks, outlining different brainwave-states and how they relate to alzheimers and brain health, and weaving all this information to the act of knitting.
It felt good to sit in a room with around 500 other knitters, maybe half of whom were knitting, listening to so many reasons why our hobby is not only great but good for us too!
It sounds like a wonderful day. I wish I could have been there. I look forward seeing your mum’s beret.
The YH was in Los Angeles last year. I was so lucky to get to introduce her to the group! She was a sell-out, smash hit! I’m so glad she travels all over the world. Even though her books are great, she really is a must-see in person. Sounds like you had a grand day!
Looks like a fabulous day! I recognise that sweater in front of you too…lol.
I love the colours of the yarn you bought. Look forward to seeing your beret
i love that beret, and can’t wait to see it knit up. iknit looks like it was a lot of fun, and it’s relly interesting to hear the the yh was so topical.
Yum, cashmere!
I saw her in Atlanta this Spring. Hilarious. It was great to be in a room with so many knitters. None of my friends knit, so I couldn’t even share the jokes with anyone! š
I have photos of her event in Atlanta if you care to see them:
http://yogaluca.blogspot.com/search?q=mcphee
And I love the retro knitting, I’ll have my eye out for that book. Thanks for sharing.
She was briliant wasn’t she :o)
What a great day out!! Spectacular. I love your great centre of hall view!!
Sounds like a great day, so sad I couldn’t go.
The fashion show looked good, I am looking forward to seein gthe stitch In Time book.
I had to order the Stitch in Time book on the spot – wasn’t the catwalk show gorgeous?
My only disappointment was that I couldn’t find any pale grey 4ply to continue with my Fair Isle Beret. I had to do some online shopping when I got home.
I recognised you too, but I think we were going in opposite directions at the time, and in all the excitement I didn’t find you again to say hello. You looked really chic, by the way!
I spoke to a lady at the Devon Fine Fibres stall, and apparently the cashmere sold like hot cakes – I restrained myself and only bought a bag of roving from them.
(Also, I think I was only a few rows in front of you at the Yarn Harlot’s talk – I can see the back of my sister’s head in your photo! She’s on the right of the lady in the lovely aqua/turquoise ‘Cardigan for Arwen’.)
Looks like a ton of fun. I am super jealous.
It looks amazing! Honestly felt a wee bit jealous too… and wish I could have gone too.
The wool you bought looks soft and beautiful, am looking forward to seeing it knit up
What is the socktopus club? (sorry might be a stupid question- we dont here of things like that here :))
SO JEALOUS!! Both of seeing the YH and also the iKnit day – how fantastic! I love the yarn for the beret for your mum, how luxurious for her. And I have the original Stitch in Time book, I didn’t know it was being republished! Are they updating it much or just a straight reprinting? Love the vintage patterns!
Great report of the day. Glad you enjoyed yourself! Had to reply to Rose Red: the reprint of A Stitch in Time is almost a new book! It’s been rewritten and all the patterns have been re-knit and photographed (beautifully) for the new edition. Some of the old patterns didn’t make the reprint (bathing cossies for one) but there are some new ones too (I think over 100 patterns!). I think it’s going to be a must-have book. I’ve seen some of the preview pics and it just looks gorgeous.
I am SO jealous. When I was living in London, I was getting IKnit’s emails… and I was choked when I realized that I would be back at school in Canada for IKnit London Day!
However, I can be positive — so I’m glad to hear you had lots of fun!!
Dear Princess Pea (and all you knitters out there),
It’s so great that the new Stitch in Time is making such a stir. (All credit to Susan Crawford for the design – all the pics are hers, too – and to her husband, Gavin, for the printing).
Until my Knitting Fashions of the 1940s came out in 2006 I hadn’t done a knitting book for decades. The big difference is the net. Enthusiastic bloggers like you can get the word rushing round the world at the click of a mouse. xxxx Jane
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