The TNNA

Christina (0f Classic Cable Knits) and I headed to Columbus, OH on Saturday to attend one day of the TNNA trade show (The National Needle Arts Association). We had the most amazing time, I'm still thinking about it!

We started the day at Ysolda's booth. Ysolda is a favorite of ours and has been for several years. She is a young designer from Edinburgh and we love her work! She has a new book due out in August and much to our surprise she was giving away advance copies!!! I quickly got in line and was able to get my own signed copy! Thanks Ysolda!!!!

Christina and I met lots of really nice people throughout the day. Hmmmm......I think it must be something about knitters. Here we are talking to Jaala, editor of KnitCircus, and online knitting magazine. If you knit, and you don't know about KnitCircus, be sure to check it out! I've signed up to make sure I get their newsletter and reminders about issue publication.

Meeting people that I know only through reading blogs was a highlight of the day. Susan B. Anderson's blog was probably the very first knitting blog I began to read 3 1/2 years ago. Susan has several books published and many, many online patterns. I love her blog and have knitted a number of her toys and countless sweet pea hats. Susan is the nicest person and it was a treat to meet her!

Half way through the day we stopped for lunch and went across the street to Columbus' indoor market. What fun!

We settled on Greek food for lunch, reminiscent of our travels together. Don't you love Christina's beautiful scarf (her own design)!! Oh yes, and that is a Reincarnation she is wearing. I took about 30 flowers to give away at the TNNA and let people know that they are available for wholesale orders. Thanks to my brother-in-law and Michael, I now have a website devoted just to the felted flowers. You can check it out here.

Another blog that Christina and I absolutely love is Attic 24. She is an amazing crocheter and some months ago posted about her Japanese flower shawl she made. We spotted Ginger of Yarn Lady and her Japanese flower shawl at the TNNA and of course had to talk to her. She's a fan of Attic 24 just like we are. My own version of the shawl is in progress and it was so fun to meet someone else who made one!

We stopped by the Alpaca with a Twist booth, a yarn company right in our own city. I had done some knitting for them during the month of May and it was fun to see my work decorating their booth (I did the green and white squares on the small pillow).

Here is Christina posing with one of her designs at the Alpaca with a Twist booth.

We also got to meet the author of the adorable books Phoebe's Sweater and Freddie's Blanket: two books for children that have knitting incorporated into the story and include knitting patterns at the back of the book. Joanna Johnson and her husband Eric write and illustrate these books and it was delightful to be able to chat with Joanna. If you haven't read the books, you really must try to find them!

Perhaps the biggest highlight of all was to meet and chat with Debbie Bliss and her daughter. I've known the name "Debbie Bliss" for so many years, long before I ever took up knitting myself. She is an amazing designer and everything she creates is beautiful and appealing. Not only does she publish pattern books, but also a knitting magazine. We both felt honored that Debbie took time to speak with us and we both were impressed with her gentle, genuine personality.

It was also fun to try out the Yarn Bar at the Berroco Yarn booth! The kids were happy that we even got to take sample yarn home with us!

As you can see, it was a wonderful day, mostly because of all the people we met! We can't wait for next year!!!