The Knitting and Stitching Show at Ally Pally

The Knitting and Stitching Show is the highlight of my year. If you haven’t heard of it before it’s the textile event of the year, featuring hundreds of exhibitors, galleries from leading artists and groups, plus hundreds of workshops. I’ve gone every year since I heard about it but last year was really strict with myself and only bought items I actually needed or would make. This worked pretty well and I made everything I bought except one (due to an elusive Moda quilt pack).

This year I was lucky enough to go with a friend and we took our boys – brave or foolish? Well, we got there as the doors opened so we were able to have a good look round the marketplace relatively easily with our buggies before it got too busy. Ally Pally is such a fab venue and it was great to see it buzzing with activity.

I was good and stuck to my idea of only buying items I had a use for. I bought the most beautiful fabric from the eternal maker. It’s called london scene by etsuko furuya and I’m making a crawling blanket for the Second Baby. It should be a simple project and I hope to show you the results soon!

I bravely bought a 3D cross stitch gingerbread house kit from The Nutmeg Company. Finished houses were displayed on branches in a pot and looked great.

I also stocked up on red and white beads for an exciting Christmas felt project to adorn our staircase – I can’t wait to get started!

There was so much more I could have bought but I was trying to be realistic about what I can fit in over the next few weeks (as well as finishing all my half done projects!).