On 12th October team DB, Kit, Nell and I, went to the Knitting and Stitching Show at Alexandra Palace and met up with old friends Louisa Harding, Erika Knight and Sara Mulvey from Black Sheep Wools.

Louisa Harding with Black Sheep Wool’s Sara Mulvey.

Then we went to the Lets Knit British Knitting and Crochet Awards where we were delighted to pick up 1^st prize for Favourite Knitwear Designer (my favourite award too!), Best Baby Yarn and runner up in Best Luxury Yarns.

The next day was an early start for Kit and I as we made our bleary eyed way to Euston at 4.30 am to get the train to Wrexham where we were visiting Sewing Machines Direct. It is always exciting to get the opportunity to not only talk about the new collections and how they are put together, but to give knitters the opportunity to try garments on too.

From my new booklet IRIS

Pattern No: PB001

Pattern No: DB147

It is always a huge leap of faith when a knitter embarks on a project, yarn bought, time put aside to knit and all without knowing whether it will have the right fit. This is why trunk shows are so useful. We met some fantastic knitters who were so enthusiastic about the new yarns, it is so rewarding to see the reaction to them for the first time. Thank you everyone , customers and staff, for such a warm welcome.

Lovely Q&A with Karen before the presentation.

Karen, Debbie, Gareth, Russell and Lisette at Sewing Machines Direct, Wrexham 2017.

Afterwards, Gareth, Sales Director at Designer Yarns,  whisked us away to our next stop, Love Stitch, in Heswall.

Love Stitch, Heswall 2017

Another great store with another enthusiastic crowd.  Love Stitch is  a pretty, cottage style shop in Heswall, Merseyside.

Debbie with Sue of Love Stitch, Heswall 2017