I knit Fandango 2015

I am recently in London, but I already had many surprises. The latest was last friday when I discovered the English yarns world in a fair entirely dedicated to small-medium local producers and a few from other countries of northern Europe.
In the exploration between skeins and balls of yarns in I Knit Fandango I was not alone, with me there was Kate, the superspecial girl of Magliuomini* group.
*This is an Italian group of men that knit/crochet/spin/and so on.

The event was held in one of the bright rooms of the Royal Horticultural Halls, just what you can see on the homepage of their website … I was too obsessed with yarns and details to photograph the whole hall.

The first stand for me and Kate was the one of the designer Max Alexander – Max’s World. We’ve all seen at least once time her knitted octopus who masterfully manages three balls of wool among the tentacles (here you can see and buy the pattern).
I was completely enraptured by her moths collection knitted with Shetland wool.

I left a piece of heart between the skeins of Triskelion Yarn & Fibers. The photos will never do justice to the soft shades of these yarns. From beige through shades of nougat, lots of blue and my beloved mustard yellow in the front row screaming my name.

To be honest, in that room all the stuff shouted my name. In fact I have taken some sadness thinking that I would not have been able to take home more than a few skeins. These are the only times when I feel the need of a platinum card ;)
Luckily Kate brought me back to reality and we continued our tour with squeals of delight at the sight of anything new.

We did a quick tour across Scandinavia with Midwinter Yarns, many rustic yarns. Simply wonderful.

Then he headed to the east, completely seduced by the charm of Namolio linen. We both took home a little of this yarn with incredible colors that we do not yet know how to use, but we very much need.

A trip from Wollmeise could not miss. There were so many colors to look and touch that only a straitjacket and an empty stomach were able to unhook me from the shelves.

Our tour took us back in England, one step away from Scotland, between
yarns. A whole family runs a farm with a little boutique full of yarns entirely produced from them sheeps and angora goats. They also organize courses and are very close to the wild beaches. (Dear Santa, I know it’s early, but I would urge the booking of an weekend with the goats. Thank you. Lots of love, Ilaria)

Every yarn addicted has also a small collection of buttons. Thank to Textile Garden I started my collection in this foreign land. I took some coconut buttons carved and colored with houndstooth pattern that fill my eyes of little stars.

Then we got to the torture instruments area… no… they are circular needle (by Ingrid Wagner) and giant crochet hooks (by Rachel John).

It could not miss a look at the PomPom magazines that for a paper fetishist like me are already beautiful to the touch, the cover is matte and softly velvety (there listening to some lunatic for paper that can understand me?)

Finally (so to speak) … amigurumi! These are all taken from the book Edward’s Menagerie by Kerry Lord and made with TOFT alpaca yarn, the kit with bag fabric is really delicious!

Yet another piece of heart is finished between the EasyKnits yarns. These guys design their products at 100%, from packaging to dyeing. What I would give for a ride in their headquarters!

I’ve already said I was crazy among the many shades and types of yarn?
The fair did not have a very high number of stands, but these are only a part of my photos and then a very small part of what could be seen… for another taste, more photos and the point of views of Kate, there is a blog post on Magliuomini.
One thing is certain, yarn isn’t never enough (and I’m not alone!).