I Knit Fandango: show preview

I’ve been thinking about this week as a short week because on Friday I’m not going to be slaving away over knitting and swatches (yeah, my life is hard, I know!). I’ll still be working, although it’s really hard to think of it as work when it means I get to spend the day drooling over all kinds of wonderful yarns!

What’s happening on Friday then? Well, this Friday and Saturday (15-16 May) is the I Knit Fandango – a two day yarn and fibre marketplace happening at London’s Royal Horticultural Halls in Westminster. It’s been put on by Gerard (owner of Waterloo yarn shop I Knit) and he’s brought together a variety of over 30 vendors from in and around London and the UK (and Germany too!) for what looks to be quite the yarn frenzy!

I plan on attending on the Friday (if you’re going too and see me there, do say hello!) and I’ve had to make a list of who I’m most looking forward to seeing so that I can stay focused on the day.

Yarns and yarnies

I’m still finishing off a couple of designs for the book so am hoping to polish those off by finding a few yarns at the Fandango. Easy Knits is from London and has some new graduated colour cakes that look interesting. The new Zip super chunky singles yarn looks pretty lush too, as does its little brother Zip Light.

Kettle Yarn Co. Islington in summer brights

Speaking of lush, Linda from Kettle Yarn Co. is launching the DK version of her popular Islington base of 55% superwash BFL wool and 45% silk. Some of her amazingly bright new colours for spring and summer have been tempting me in my Instagram feed! I’m also eager to create some combos from the saturated jewel tones of Triskelion Yarn again and see what beauties Lioness Arts is bringing. It’s rare I see these yarns anywhere other than online so it will be fab to see them in person.

I’m also expecting that there will quite the frenzy around the Wollmeise stand. Yes, you read that right. Wollmeise is coming over from Germany for this show. This is quite a coup as Knit Berlin is happening this weekend too! If I can even get close to the stand to see what they have, I’ll see if I can snap some pics!

Spinning fibre

My journey with turning fluff into something that can be knit (just about) with continues!

The limited edition Tour de Fleece colourways from Porpoise Fur

There aren’t a lot of fibre vendors to see as the Fandango looks to be mostly focused on yarn but Spin City will be there with her colourful, blended batts. The Fandango will also be a chance for me to see Porpoise Fur fibre for the first time and I can’t wait. Rachel of Porpoise Fur has been inspired to dye up some limited edition colourways for the upcoming Tour de Fleece this July. Not sure yet if I’ll be up to participating or in the throes of finishing up the book (hmmm, maybe the spinning would help me relax?). In any case, the Ile de France base sounds really tempting too.

This tea towel by Tilly Flop Designs is the story of my life!

Other bits and bobs

And since I’m not really supposed to be buying more yarn, it means I’ll have to keep my eye out for non-yarn-y things. Knit Run Dig will have a variety of their cute project bags and Namolio always has delicious lavender sachets and ribbons and oddments of all kinds. Tilly Flop will have her cards at the Fandango, as well as her hilarious tea towels. And I might just have to check out what jewelery Yellow Bear Wares has on offer.

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All in all, it looks to be a fabulous show! If you see me there on Friday, please do say hi and flash your stash for me!