Spreading the Crochet Love!

Today I have been spreading the crochet love at the Creative Stitches and Hobbycrafts Show at Event City in Manchester.  I was one of a number of volunteers teaching people how to crochet and knit on the Craft Club stand and encouraging them to add a link to, what will hopefully, be a record breaking chain!  (Find out more about that here!)

I've had a fabulous day and met some amazing people.  I've taught a few people how to crochet, helped some out with crocheting in the round and turning chains and generally chatted to people about knitting, crochet, sewing and craft in general.  I really enjoyed passing on my skills to other people and have now been inspired to get my crochet workshops up and running and, hopefully, set up my own Craft Club for children in my local area.

Knitting and Crochet on the Craft Club Stand

Whilst at the show, I had a bit of time to look around.  I took in a fashion show, showcasing designs by students from Liverpool, some gorgeous knitwear and rather fabulous hats.  I admired costumes from Jane Austen adaptations and some amazing quilts. 

However, the most impressive exhibition for me was the knitted aquarium.  It is truly amazing and if you get chance, you must see it (the pictures below really don't do it justice!)  It has been knitted and crocheted by volunteers and then put together to create a scene.  The outside is the beach, cliffs and seaside complete with a pirate, fisherman, puffins, sandcastle and Punch and Judy.  Then you walk inside to an underwater, with special effect lighting, to see fish, jelly fish, sharks and other underwater creatures.  Every time you look at it you see something different and I could have spent hours looking at every little part.  Best of all, it is all in aid of the RNLI and is raising money for them.




The Beach

No trip to a craft show would be complete with a bit of a spend.  I treated Mr Bunny to a goldfish keyring from the RNLI stall at the knitted aquarium and myself to 2 skeins of alpaca/blue faced leicester DK yarn and a beautiful wooden heart shaped shawl pin from Ruth and Belinda, and an embroidered tree patch made by women in Afghanistan. 

My purchases

It has been a long day but I have enjoyed myself so much.  I can't wait to volunteer at the next show!

Until next time.

Sarah x