I'm back in the UK after trotting on 3 continents in 15 days and boy oh boy is it great to be home, especially to be home during the annual Ally Pally Show. It's a nice show this year. Not much in the spinning side this year but nonetheless very creative and the best bit, wasn't just to buy everything that you want, but to see old friends and to make new ones.
First, there was Magknits and Hip Knits. Kerrie was there and ever so welcoming. The cashmere and silk were very inviting and some of the colours were sold out by the end of the day, so if you see something that you like grab it fast, these knitting types have no mercy... and if you see a good looking, older gentlemen (that Kerrie calls Dad, don't forget to ask him what size needles he would recommend for the cashmere or the best kind of cast-on to use for socks . Honest, he lives to answer knitting questions.)
While investigating, the Hip Knits silks, Rowanette Wendy and Seth, just happened to arrive.
Shilasdair Yarns offer a uniquely soft yarn in a variety of colours. Ready-made samples for kits were also on hand.
Touch Yarns from New Zealand offered a uniquely soft yarn, in variegated and solids. Lots of little kits too...
I pratically had to fight off ar New Zealander to get my hands on some of those kits.
Wensleydale Longwool Sheep shop had wensleydale yarns, patterns and kits. This yarn has an incredible sheen to it.
Woldcraft Woollens from North Yorkshire was also there. Unfortunately, they don't have a web site, but lots of lovely things to see and buy.
I caught up with Amelia and Mary over at the Get Knitted stand.
At the Silkwoods stand, there was lovely handpainted yarns. Les also had wooden crochet hooks, knitting needles and knittting frames. Nic was also there with her lovely scarf kits.
Here's a close-up of the yarn. Pretty yummy.
Meanwhile, over at the Debbie Bliss stand, Debbie and Kristine were deep in thought, while Cindy is hard at work in the background.
Over at Rowan, Dodie was tidying up the stand... with the ready-made garments.
Whoever knitted this deserves to be shot at dawn. What gives to ruin a 4 ply sweater with heavy, wooden toggles?
For those of you where organics matters, this place is right up your alley. Garthenor Organic Pure Wool had lots of Traditional and Rare Breeds of Certified Organic British sheep. The yarns were not dyed and felt a little rough to my hands, but if you're a strong supporter of organics, then this is something that you would want to support.
At the Sasha Kagan stand, there were kits and ready-mades on offer. Sasha was there herself, helping someone determine the size that she wanted for a kit.
Elle Yarns was one of the primary sponsors. They are a South Africa yarn company, and had a fashion show, highlighting some of their designs.
Whilst most of us, shopped to our heart's content, Yvonne was hard at work in the Knit & Relax stand.
See anything familiar here?
We bumped into Tracy at the UK Alpaca stand, um, making a purchase. I can honestly say that I recognised Tracy by her face not her bum.
I love this photo... a brunette, blonde and red head... you think the Charlie's Angels of the knitting world?
The top of Ally Pally. Pretty, don't you think?
Web of Wool was on hand, and how could anyone resist just a few balls of sock yarn?
Somehow, Get Knitted Sue, agreed to allow us to open up the box of Koigu and inspect it's content. No one knew what was in it...... but look at Amelia.. it's like a child on Christmas morning
Look at that koigu, does't it just make you want to dive right in.
Amelia with all the Get Knitted Koigu that were allowed to inspect.
We made Rowanette Carol from Get Knitted pose with all that koigu.
At the end of the day, we were all exhausted but estatic with our purchases.
It took a lot longer to put together this post than I thought it would. I promise to check and correct all the links tomorrow and re-read it for grammar and typos too. I just wanted to put this out tonight so those of you planning to go the show tomorrow or over the weeknd, can see what they can expect.
Have a look at some of the links that I have included as I'm sure those with blogs will no doubt have different/better photos. Have fun shopping, seeing friends and especially if you are by yourself and see someone that you think that you recognise, stop and say hello... no one can ever have too many friends... if that's not a proverb, it ought to be one... and do go a bit wild... Ally Pally is buit once a year.
Posted by atu at October 13, 2005 11:29 PMYou probably know this already but a new yarn shop called Loop has just opened in Islington at 41 Cross Street which runs between Upper St and Essex Rd. Have not visited yet but hope to do so soon.
Posted by: Carole at October 18, 2005 05:50 PMSo there's drool running into my keyboard and it's now shorting out, can I send you the bill? :-)
Thanks for all the great pictures, I'm truly jealous!
Posted by: Rebekah at October 17, 2005 09:07 PMGreat pics! Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Jill at October 17, 2005 02:29 AMLovely post Polly! I was too crazed to take photos, but you did great...
Posted by: jess at October 16, 2005 06:19 PMLooks fab, hope the one in Harrogate is as much fun, thinking of taking a day off an' going there.
Posted by: ra at October 16, 2005 04:17 PMLooks fab, hope the one in Harrogate is as much fun, thinking of taking a day off an' going there.
Posted by: ra at October 16, 2005 04:16 PMBrilliant post, Polly, and lots of photos, I have yet to see a bad photo of Amelia, she comes out radiant every time. Even when she doesn't have a box of Koigu to herself.....
Posted by: Jill at October 15, 2005 06:08 PMyes, thanks for sharing - must go next year...!
IDA
Such a great tour, Polly. For those of us with no chance of AllyPally, it's huge fun to see what's up. Thanks thanks thanks for such a heroic post.
I love all of your pictures. It is great. My daughter and I recognized the owner from Knit Happens with Debbie Bliss. That store is down by my Mother's house in Virginia. I may just have to throw the kids in the car and head down there for a Debbie Bliss fix.
Posted by: Diane at October 15, 2005 02:45 AMPolly, I'm exhausted! It sounds like it is overwhelming and fun. You make it seem like a neighborhood of knitbloggers!
And with that, must get ready for a soggy day at Rhinebeck tomorrow! xoxo Kay
Posted by: Kay at October 15, 2005 01:22 AMThanks for all the wonderful photos, Polly, it makes me feel as if I had been there too. I must make it one of these days, your photos and descriptions of Ally Pally make it a must see place.
Posted by: Louise at October 14, 2005 10:32 PMIt's the last time I go without a plan; I've missed about half of the stands you mention!
Dawn:)
Posted by: dawn at October 14, 2005 09:17 PMI am SO envious! It's obvious that I need to plan our trips to England for mid-October of any year!!
Posted by: Jane at October 14, 2005 05:58 PMFantastic, all the fun, wool, lovely persons. THanks for sharing (though I wish I could have been there too)
Posted by: Karin at October 14, 2005 01:39 PMi am so envious at the moment i feel sick!
great haul by all you lassies.
Posted by: jacqueline at October 14, 2005 12:34 PMExcellent entry, Polly. Thanks so much! I saw those Elle girls down here in Cornwall last week - didn't they do a good job? I've got my ticket for Ally Pally for tomorrow - so exciting, I may not sleep tonight....
Posted by: Anita at October 14, 2005 12:12 PMWow - that must've taken hours! Thanks for all the pics and a number of droolsome links :-) One day I'll get to one of these sorts of things someplace outside of Oz.
Posted by: Lynne S of Oz at October 14, 2005 11:33 AMWow! Thanks for such a wonderful recap -- great for those of us far away who are envying you lot!
Posted by: Wendy at October 14, 2005 11:13 AMPolly, thanks for such a wonderful review, it all looks so exciting! I wonder if there be anything left to buy for those of us going on Sunday .......
Posted by: Judith R at October 14, 2005 09:59 AMWell done Polly - lots more photos and links than I'm going to manage. It was lots of fun - bring on 2006!
Posted by: Mary at October 14, 2005 09:58 AMThanks Polly - almost (but not quite) like actually being there! One day .....
Posted by: Lesley at October 14, 2005 09:54 AMPolly, thank you so much for this brilliant review of the Ally Pally show. I can't go this year but certainly will go to the next show, and your photos along with the commentary did convince me I had to...
Posted by: francoise at October 14, 2005 09:04 AMThanks for all the photos!
I'm going to the show on Sunday - so I hope there will be plenty left for me to feel, oggle at and probably buy!
Posted by: Gill at October 14, 2005 09:00 AMI'm with Amelia there, Cameron Diaz eat your heart out!
Posted by: Tracy at October 14, 2005 08:51 AMWow! What a feast for the eyes Polly!
Posted by: Kathleen at October 14, 2005 07:47 AMIt was fun indeed. And I love the idea of being a Charlie's Angel! :) A.x
Posted by: Amelia at October 14, 2005 07:20 AMThanks Polly that was great, now all I have to do is start planning next years trip........
Posted by: yvette at October 14, 2005 06:35 AMYou managed to sneak up and get a shot of me working - not fair when the rest of the Rowanettes look so glam!
Posted by: Yvonne at October 14, 2005 05:46 AMHi Polly! Thanks for taking the time to post all these fantastic photos. I had a great time just looking at the multi-colored yarn stands. I also could feel all the enjoyment and excitment in this show. ;)
Posted by: mimi at October 14, 2005 05:09 AMLooks like you're having a wonderful time. Ally Pally looks superb and exhausting...
Posted by: eyeleen at October 14, 2005 04:28 AMMakes me tired just reading about it.
Posted by: Colleen at October 14, 2005 02:54 AMYou are a real gem to put all of these photos, links and comments together. It looks like a wonderful show. If only I lived on the other side of the pond :) Thanks again.
Tanya
Posted by: Tanya at October 14, 2005 02:44 AMPolly, that was the best vicarious knitting pleasure I have ever had. That sounds vaguely obscene!
Posted by: Linda at October 14, 2005 01:52 AMOh Polly this is fab. Thank you so much for all the photo's. I almost feel like I was there too. One year hopefully ....
Posted by: Carol at October 14, 2005 12:55 AM