Thousands expected for RDS ‘Knitting and Stitching Show’ in November
• Upcycling Academy and Craft Guerrillas confirmed for Europe’s biggest knitting and textiles showcase
TEXTILES and knitting enthusiasts are preparing to have their needles drawn and to spin countless yarns as the countdown begins to the eagerly awaited 2011 ‘Knitting & Stitching Show’ in Dublin’s RDS.
The four day show, which last year drew over 23,000 visitors, runs from November 10th to 13th and the 2011 programme is bursting with exciting new elements with lots for textile enthusiasts of all ages and skills levels.
In these times of austerity knitting and stitching have become chic, soothing and cool, helped in no small way by celebrity enthusiasts such as Madonna, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Julia Roberts and Russell Crowe. Their passion for the odd bit of plain and purl has boosted visitor numbers to knitting and stitching and craft shows throughout the globe.
This year’s show will attract 130 exhibitors who will showcase everything for the textile enthusiast from the professional, the passionate or simply the beginner who wants to get started. The latest innovations in knitting and stitching supplies, from specialist equipment, craft kits of all levels, yarns, threads, along with, felt making, quilting, jewellery making, card making and much more. There will be over 100 workshops covering many subjects.
Once again Innocent Drinks will partner the Knitting and Stitching Show and lead with the Big Knit Campaign for Age Action Ireland when they plan to achieve last year’s results when a whopping 80,000 little hats were knit by generous people all over Ireland, raising €20,000 and much needed awareness for Age Action Ireland. With such a harsh winter last year, the funds were put to great use to ensure that older people in Ireland stayed well and warm. For every woolly hat wearing smoothie sold, innocent will give 25 cent to Age Action Ireland which will go towards the “Stay well, stay warm” campaign for winter 2011.
“Ireland has a wealth of craft and designer talent and the growing interest in knitting and stitching is evident every year,” says Andrew Salmon of the Knitting and Stitching Show. “There is always huge excitement at the show with buyers travelling from all four corners of the country to see the latest techniques in knitting and stitching , test drive the latest sewing or knitting machine and buy their craft kits and supplies.”
“There’s somewhat of a revolutionary return to creative crafts,” he added “this year we’ve introduced lots of new workshops for adults and schools to capture and nurture the growing interest in creative crafts for future generations”.
The Knitting and Stitching show is the definitive event for anyone with a love or an interest in knitting, stitching and creative crafts. It will run from 10th to the 13th November 2011.
For further information and advance visitor bookings, log on to www.twistedthread.com
