Or at least it was at the weekend. The Knitting and Stitching Show came to Alexandra Palace, bringing with it all kinds of yarny goodness as well as knitters and stitchers from all over Britain. Including my mum, who came to stay with me over the weekend so we could share the experience. This was our first ever KSS so we were understandably excited. We'd been forewarned about a possible lack of decent food and water, so we prepared ourselves with a trip to Starbucks for breakfast and to M&S for fruit and water. Good thing we did, because the food situation was indeed dire, especially so us as we're both vegetarian.
Apart from that, though, the show was grand. Three huge rooms of stitching heaven. It got pretty packed at times, making it hard to see what was on the stalls, but as the day wore on there seemed to be less people. Now, this show isn't just for knitters. So there are lots of stalls that didn't interest me - beads, sewing machines, bags, card making etc etc. But that didn't detract from the fact that there was loads of us knitters. Books, accessories, lights, yarns, pretty little notions that you don't actually need but really want. It kept us busy for four hours and we didn't even manage to see it all.
I had gone with the aim of subscribing to as many magazines as I could find (I really wanted those show offers!) and finding a decent merino to make a jumper for the bf (and risk the dreaded jumper curse). I found three magazines, subscribed to them all and got some great freebies. But I can't say as I was too impressed by the people on the stand. I actually had to ask what the offers were! And at one stand the woman I spoke to couldn't help me and directed me to another woman who was inundated with people. Which begs the question why was the first woman even there? The other two stands weren't much better, with people more interested in talking to each other than possible subscribers.
Now I work in publishing and I've worked at these sort of shows before and I know it can tiring. But we were under strict instructions to sell as many subs or issues as possible. We were to approach anyone on the stand (or even near the stand) and talk them through the offer. Not one person did that on any of the magazine stands I approached. And I actively wanted to take out a subscription! Anyone who was wavering would simply have walked away. Is that really the way to market your mag? Let's Knit, Knitting and Simply Knitting - I mean you!
As for the merino, there wasn't enough of anything to buy it there, but I did get a shade card from Biggan Design so bf can choose his own colours. My mum's aims were black 2-ply cashmere and buttons. Mission accomplished on both counts.
We also got some fantastic self-patterning yarn made from bamboo and nylon - a great find for both of us because we can't wear wool and it's really quite hard to find sock yarn that doesn't have wool in it. And I got something secret for a certain birthday monkey who shall remain nameless. I've got pics of my haul but I won't be uploading them till the pressie has made its way to its new owner.
We might not have managed to see all the stalls, but we did find time to indulge in some champers! Rowan had put on a champagne bar for its 30th anniversary and of course we had join the party. Especially when we saw the fancy glasses: tall black flutes that looked as glamorous as glamour can be.
And after a hard day's shopping, it was home for curry and to play with our purchases. And to watch Equilibrium on TV.
