Loom Knitters Circle Magazine

What place on earth can hold and attract more than 50,000 fiber enthusiasts? The Great Big Mall of America and the biggest event of the season, the Knit Out of 2008! The event gathered more than 50,000 fiber enthusiasts under one roof all of them there to see the latest offerings from fiber companies and publishers. Big names such as Lion Brand, Clover, Bernat, Storey Publishing, St. Martin’s Press, Interweave Press were in attendance and giving some freebies away to the public.

[We were dropped off here by the hotel shuttle, it is the main entrance to the MOA]

The freebies were one of the main attractions at the event. People stood in lines for hours to get the freebies that ranged from yarn, totes, to needles and in the last hours of the second day even books from the publishers. Personally, I gave away 100 little Keepsake looms along with over 200 pattern sheets during the loom knitting demos. The enthusiasm and the excitement from the fiber community was electrifying!

[Picture caption: long line waiting for freebies at one of the booths]

Tangibles were not the only thing free at the event, non-tangibles such as one-on-one mentoring for both knitting and crocheting took place. I saw first hand, people carrying their knitting with them to simply ask an expert how to fix the oops in their knitting. Hundreds gathered around demonstration tables to learn tips and techniques from famous knitters and crocheters. Among the famous knitters sharing their expertise were Nicki Epstein, Brett Bara, Debbie Macomber, Annie Modesitt and many, many others; all of them willing to share their love for the craft with the world.

[Picture caption: Authors at the rotunda talking about their books. Vickie Howell was the hostess and we answered questions about our books. I was sitting next to Kristin Nicholas and Annie Modesitt. Lucky me to be among such fabulous knitters!]

While at the event, I also had the chance to share our craft to fiber enthusiasts. I held four demonstrations, all of which were packed with viewers waiting to learn to knit without needles. The audience was varied from children to older adults, avid knitters and crocheters were in attendance eager to see what I had created with the plastic circle looms. Many of them had only seen bulky hats knitted with them and some of them admitted that at first glance the “hat” appearance did not exactly move them to buy the item, however, this view completely changed after the demonstrations. You see, I went well armed to the event. I took with me lots of socks, sweaters, scarves, and even some baby items all of which were completed on a knitting loom. As soon as the audience saw the items it was as if a door had been opened to an unknown paradise. The warmth reception to the demos was contagious and each of the 30 minute segments flew by! Each time, I had a few people stay after the demos just to talk to me and find out even more about the knitting looms. Overall, it was a wonderful experience to share my love of loom knitting with others and to let them know that knitting on a loom is no different than knitting with needles, it achieves the same purpose, a viable means to express our creativity, it is simply done with a different tool.

[Picture caption: My lovely audience. I felt so happy to have had interested parties at my table. Some of them were already savvy about loom knitting and others this was the first time that they ever heard of it. You see the lovely lady with the clipboard and name tag, she was one of the aides at the event. After seeing my demo she purchased Loom Knitter Primer and was so enthusiastic about learning to loom. She even asked me to sign her book! I felt so happy to have shared a bit of looming with all of them!)

Besides demos, I also spent a few minutes signing books at the author's forum where I got to meet a few lovely loom knitting ladies: Debra, Concetta, Karen Mentzer, Carrie Putzier (founder of the Knifty Knitter Yahoo group), and Anne Bipes and many others. I had the chance to talk to Carrie and Anne for a few minutes and it was so great to finally meet them in person. I have known Carrie for about six years now from just interacting online and it was fascinating to finally meet her and give her a hug.

[Picture caption: At St. Martin's booth, my publisher, they treated Sam and I so well! They gave me a few of their latest knitting books as a little present. Watch for future book reviews on my blog]

Not everything was work, we also got to play! Afterall, we were at the biggest mall in America. I did a little shopping, not much, just stuff for the children and I got to eat out all weekend. We went to Bubba Gump for two meals. The food at this place was sensational, we fell in love with the Shakin' Shrimp appetizer, yummm! Overall, my experience at the KnitOut was a blast! I was in great company all the time! Fiber enthusiasts surrounded me for 48hours straight! Great times! Can't wait for the next one. Thanks for sticking with me through the adventure.

About Author:

Isela is the author of Loom Knitting Primer: a beginner's guide to loom knitting. She resides in Cache Valley with her husband Sam and their two children Bryant and Nyah. During the warm months, Isela loves to take her Ruby Comp out for rides around Cache Valley. In her downtime, Isela knits and looms while she chases the kids around the house.

Pictures: Courtesy of St. Martin's Griffin

Picture of Carrie, Anne and me: Courtesy of Anne Bipes

Contact Isela