Have you ever been to the Knitting and Stitching Show? If not, you’re missing a treat, and if you get the chance give it a try.
The Knitting and Stitching is held every year, and I’ve been going to the Harrogate one for nearly 30 years. I’m not sure what year it started. The show is also held in London and Dublin.
Back in the 90’s I used to organise coach trips and it was always a very popular show. It’s even bigger nowadays. Once upon a time I was an avid cross stitcher so would stock up at the show, obviously the internet wasn’t as popular back then. The show had lots of knitting and some cross stitch as cross stitch was just starting to get popular. Gradually the knitting declined and the stitching took over. Now crochet and knitting is more popular again, and patchwork has come a long way since then too. So now the show is a great mix of all crafts, for all abilities. Card making had made it’s way into the show but that is now disappearing from the show with card makers now having a lot of paper specific shows.
I always visited the show on a Saturday as I worked in the week, and the show was always really, really busy on a Saturday. A couple of years ago I was able to go on the Sunday for a change, and it was a little quieter, but then I’m told that a lot of the bargains have gone by the Sunday. To be honest I think it would be better to go for at least two days as it’s a bit overwhelming with lots of choice.
This year I went in with a VIP ticket and on a Thursday. Although it was busy, in my opinion I did think it was not quite as busy as Saturdays. And on Thursday it was open until 8pm, so plenty of time to peruse. I was hoping it would quieten down after 3.30-4.00 pm when people have left for their coaches, and it did.
With a VIP ticket you get priority admission, so no queueing (and it was raining on the day I went) so I didn’t get wet. You have your own VIP lounge, where there were two white leather seats and several white tables and chairs, and a place to purchase a drink and a snack (think fruit, biscuits or cake) without queuing. And the VIP lounge is manned and you can leave your coat and bags there. I did sit in the VIP lounge 3 times, the last time I was on my own in there as it was later on when I guess a lot of people had already left.
Then there’s a free gift, which I’ve pictured here. With the book and the show guide there was a choice of Madeira thread or a 10g ball of cotton yarn. Later on I noticed there was a third choice of a pack with two rolls of ribbon and 4 cards of buttons in it, and I could have swapped but I was happy with my Madeira thread. I had thought that there were VIP toilets too but sadly there wasn’t so be prepared to join a queue.
This year there was a new addition to the show – a Mindfulness Hangout. I didn’t have time to sit there, but maybe next year I’ll go for two days and make use of it.
The show has lots to see apart from the shop and guild stands, there are several exhibitions by various artists and graduate students. And of course the Festival of Quilts Winners Gallery.
I love to admire textile work and I wouldn’t have been disappointed if I’d only gone to see that. I didn’t take lots of photographs as there’s always so many people in the way, but the series of 15 portraits by Jenni Dutton was particularly moving.
As I said there is so much to see.
And it you want to see and do, there’s over 200 classes to choose from, and they are very reasonably priced.
Altogether there are 5 halls to look around, so don’t forget to wear your comfy shoes.
Lovely. I think I will go VIP next time as I struggle to find somewhere to relax. and by the end of the day with heavy bags it gets harder. I too loved Jenni Dutton’s work, it was so moving and to think it was done by hand on netting.
will see you there Denise. Yes, it was done by hand.