I Knit - UK

Don't hold your breath but my passport, (with it's shiny new visa in place), is due to arrive today, meaning that I will be snuggled up in my bed in the barn tomorrow night.

Before the sun had risen, I set off for the Big Smoke last Friday. I arrived at the US Embassy at 8.55am for an appointment time of 9am. Being my 5th visit to this particular embassy, I was well aware of the drill. Wrapped up against the chilly wind, I stood in a long queue for over an hour before going through security and into the building. *Luckily, I didn't have long to wait until being told my visa had been approved and I was outside again by 10.35am and on my way to meet up with blogless Johanna at John Lewis.

Johanna was in London to visit her fella so it was fabulous to have a friend to spend the day with. As my brain was as scrambled as a good breakfast, I gave her the title of scout leader and followed her around on a hike around the nation's capital. My camera was in my overnight bag in Left Luggage, so this portion of the post will be left pictureless until scout leader can send me copies of her photos.

Our route included Brick Lane, a stop at Prick Your Finger - lovely little shop full of quirky bits and bobs. I came away with a couple of souvineers:






Some chunky handspun and a very Heather-like needle case.

We stopped for bagels and eccles cake somewhere in a church yard? (Johanna, you're going to have to help me out and fill in all the missing bits - scrambled brains, remember?)

Got to see the Gherkin in all it's glory. Then onto the Tower of London, across Tower Bridge, along the River Thames, past The Globe, The Tate Modern and taking in the sight of St Paul's and The Eye.

We stopped to rest our achey feet at a cafe near Waterloo Bridge. It was then that I remembered that I had left my bag at Left Luggage in St Pancras station - meaning an hours round trip to pick it up - D'oh!

I spent the evening in the home the incredibly generous yogicknitter. I also want to express thanks to the other kind people who offered me a place to rest my weary head, you are all wonderfully lovely :o)

Early on Saturday morning, my host, ork and I excitidly set off for the UK Knitting event of the year!!



Where I bagged this:






From this lovely person, (Jon?) from Easy Knits.


They had gingerbread knitters - heheheee!







After completing a couple of circuits of the stalls, (where such wonders as floppy knitted sheep could be found)








my new friends and I settled down in the smaller room for a bit of charity knitting:
Red squares for the Children's Society - Big Stitch:


























And Origins Ginger Knits Campaign for Shelter:










Also back there were stalls for St. John's Ambulance - Big Tea Cozy (get your free pattern here)

Missability:



and SnB London's knitted patchwork map of our homeland:










I spotted Practical Polly wearing her Wonder Woman sweater - isn't it fab?!

















There was a catwalk show for some of the designs featured in Deb's new book
The models were excellent, some shy, some immaginative and all very brave for getting up there in front of hundreds of hungry knitters!!
Thanks to Craig for making my Cable Guy look so good :o)









I love the design of this illusion scarf, modelled to show it's full effect here:


















This model cracked me up as he wobbled down the catwalk after taking a swig from his beer cushion!!












And look how shy Debbie looks as she takes her round of applause, next to the very handsome Gerard:


















Sorry my photos aren't very good, but you get the general idea....

It was a bonus to bump into people I had only spoken to in cyber space; The lovely Rain who always manages to make me smile. (Sorry I interrupted you - I'm good at butting in!!) It was also good to meet Alex - I hope the second glove is coming along well :o) - And sorry for talking nonsense - I was completely exhausted!!!! So exhausted in fact that I had to leave rather prematurely, otherwise I may have curled up atop a pile of yarn and slept the day away!!

Fun was had by all and I hope that it will become an annual event :o)

I leave with a shot of the Knit a River. Pretty awesome!!










See you stateside ;o)







ETA: Photos from Johanna - Thanks darling :o)
















































*On a previous visit I was kept waiting for over 5hrs!!!