For those who have visited this year’s Ally Pally, have you started casting on for the season? Last week as the knitters’ long-waited Knitting & Stitching Show in London. It’s been the 5th year for me and every year is different.

I think this year was not one of the best. Last year had more going on. There were however, quite a few new discoveries and I want to talk about it today

The first thing I have learnt was never to buy anything that you can buy elsewhere at the show. For example, I bought OttLite lamp so that I can see better when I knit at night. I knew I could buy the same thing on Amazon but didn’t check the price. I later checked at home and the price on amazon was £50 cheaper. I think I got conned. I will never do that again.

Now the rest is all good news: Our favourite of the day was Sit Kneel Chairs. This is a small family-run company and make kneel chairs for back and better posture. Everything is hand-made using sustainable Ash wood and you can choose the fabric. It’s fo comfortable.

Sit Kneel Chairs

We have also seen a new stall. It’s called merchant & Mills. They sell sewing notions and pattern-making stuff. It’s stylish and I liked it.

Merchant & Mills

Of course, The Knitter magazine / Simply Knitting stall. Many people subscribed on the day and it was fantastic because I do think subscription is worth it.

Lots of people subscribed on the day.

Many also brought knitted squares for Refugee charity knitting project

How fabulous are they?

It was great to see Fyberspates too. Their yarn is gorgeous. Mary got a skein

Fyberspates sparkly yarn. I so want to knit something with it.

And Jamieson’s of Shetland. There were loads of people around the area which is good too.

New shade cards are coming out next month for Heather and Marl.

It was also nice to see a Japanese knitting & crochet notion brand called Tulip. They were doing some demonstration on crochet on a jumbo knitting needle.

Crochet and knitting notion brand Tulip from Japan.

Lots of new publications but one which drew my attention was the “Stitch London” book. I thought it was really lovely. Also IKnit London was there. They had a book there which I was really interested in, but we just didn’t have time!!!!

Some more photos of the day

Colourful roving for felters.

Jumbo knit - a couple of stalls were there. This one had circular needles!

Super cute crochet plush. Amazing that someone can actually think of a pattern for these amazing creatures.

Also soap making was new this year. I would love to try it.

Lots of knitting stuff going on at the moment. Make sure you keep you hands moving!