Knitting & Stitching Show - Ally Pally

I am off to the show this week, and for a change I am going on the first day, Thursday.

I have always gone on the Sunday in the past, so I thought it'd make a change to see what it's like on 'opening day'. My guess is that it could be manic from the perspective of stallholders, but quieter from the perspective of the public as it's a work day. But I could be very wrong......

I'm booked onto just one workshop this year through the Learning Curve:

URSULA SCHMIDT TROSCHKE PRESENTS - Marbling Made Easy
A practical lesson to show you how easy it is to marble on cotton.

I quite fancied this other course, but was late booking it up, and it was full.

DI GILPIN PRESENTS - Freeform Design in Knitting
Explore freeform knitting, a style Di has developed over the last few years. Working in single colour, with texture and form we will explore ideas in an ‘organic’ way. Needs knowledge of different stitches including cabling. Bring photo of a natural form eg tree bark, rock, water.

In the past I've done Indigo Dyeing, Slashing with Grids and Beads, and some of the quick knitting workshops. They've all been really enjoyable, so if you've never done one - perhaps next year - have a go.

I'll be leaving the Island at silly o'clock on Thursday morning, so here's hoping I can kip on the coach both ways. I'm aiming to get the show polished off in good time, and then head to Oxford Street later to check out all of the book shops, John Lewis and Liberty. I'm sure with 11 hours in London I'll just about manage it.