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Wednesday 8 October 2014

The Alexandra Palace Knitting and Stitching Fair ...

Calling all crafty types!

It's on: the Ally Pally Knitting and Stitching Fair is in full swing from now until Sunday 12th October.


And it's bigger and better than ever before.


I headed up that way this morning, and had a ball.


There was a real creative buzz in the air; everyone was incredibly friendly. Conversations were being struck up between complete strangers all over the place. People seemed to feel a connection through their common enthusiasm for what was on display, which melted our normal British reserve.


Are you a knitter or a stitcher, people I'd never met before kept asking me as we queued for coffee, for the bus, to buy tickets to get in. There was a great atmosphere.


There were luxurious yarns galore. I especially enjoyed seeing some of the fabulous things that had been made up. It's a great place to come for ideas, and to support some of the smaller artisan producers who don't have a large presence in the craft stores.



There was something there for everyone. I've tended to focus more on the woolly stalls, because that's what I'm most interested in myself. 


But, ignoring my own bias, there was loads of stuff for patchworkers, and dressmakers, and beaders, and fabric printers, and embroidery enthusiasts.


In the galleries there were some knock-out displays by the bright young designers of tomorrow. I'm sure  Emi would have found it difficult to not touch this lovely bear if he'd been with me. Isn't he a handsome, cuddly chap?


It was great to see so many textile design students, with so much talent, being given a showcase for their work. I chatted with several, charming young designers who were fizzing with enthusiasm for their craft and who were delighted to discuss how they'd made the items on display. Good luck to all of them.


This exhibition is the biggest that they hold in the UK. If you'd like to go along, they're open every day from now until (and including Sunday 12th October). You can find their website here: 


There are lots of things that have been specially priced for the fair, so with very little effort you should be able to bag a bargain or two to boot. It was interesting watching the folk struggling home to the tube station afterwards. I think we were all laden down with purchases and additions to our various stashes. 



The nearest underground station is Wood Green on the Piccadilly Line, and they operate an efficient free shuttle bus from the station that will take you all the way to the doors of Alexandra Palace. And once inside there are loads of places for coffee/ lunch/ a quick snifter. 

Enjoy!

Bonny x




6 comments:

  1. Very cool - I'd love to be there ...

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    1. Hope you make it to see the fair for yourself, Katrin. It's really good. All the best and thanks for stopping by, Bonny

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  2. Such a cool fair! I must admit I would have found it difficult to not touch that lovely bear! ;) I have a soft spot for bears. :) Happy Friday ahead.

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    1. Yes, it was a very cool fair with a very handsome bear. I have a soft spot for them too. All the best and thanks for stopping by, Bonny

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  3. How I would have loved to visit there. Thanks for the vicarious outing.
    Did you splurge?

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    1. Thank you. Glad you enjoyed it.You bet I splurged. There were all kinds of special offers on gorgeous things, not that I needed a whole lot of coaxing, but when they were also giving me knock-down discounts ... well it would have been rude not to. So I bought enough yarn to keep me going until the springtime. I'm just finishing a sparkly evening wrap made up from my purchases: just in time for the Christmas parties. All the best and thanks for stopping by, Bonny

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