I love knitting events - seeing friends and meeting new people, milling about all that amazing yarn! It’s spectacular. But I’m more of an at-home type of person, so if I’m not careful, events can completely overwhelm and exhaust me. I’ve been a knitting professional for ten years though, so I have some strategies that help me make the most of events and have the most fun possible. I hope they’re helpful to you too!

Me with Catherine of Gauge Dye Works at Knit City, 2018

Naptime. I get serious FOMO at events and I want to be around my people at every moment. But in order to be present with them and keep going, I really need at least an hour during the middle of the day to just be quiet. If at all possible, give yourself some completely alone time every day when you don’t have to interact with anyone. Tell your companions that you need this ahead of time so they won’t be surprised when you slip out.
Don’t forget to eat, drink, and sit down. You’d think that meeting one’s basic needs would be a thing grownups would do with ease. But I get really, really into the yarn and talking with people and just forget. So first, carry a water bottle with you at all times and remind yourself to hydrate. Second (and this may seem a bit extreme, but…) set a timer for about an hour before you need to eat. When it goes off, you’ll have time to plan your next meal, whether it’s finding a restaurant or stopping by a food truck, before your brain becomes so starved you’re not longer able to make decisions. And third, set the intention of sitting down to knit for a few minutes at least every few hours. If I’m not alert, I can wander the marketplace in circles for hours, worried that I’ve missed something, until I nearly collapse from exhaustion. Give yourself time to rest.
Make plans ahead of time and don’t be afraid to invite yourself. Planning some meals with friends ahead of time can be a great way to avoid stress while you’re traveling. And if you don’t have plans, ask the folks you’re with if they have room for one more. They may have a reservation and not be able to accommodate another person, but chances are, they’d love to have you along and/or were hoping you’d ask because you’re so cool, but were too shy to be the one to say so.
Ask vendors, “What’s special about this,” or “What excites you about this?” This is particularly fun when they’re the ones who have made what they’re selling. It’s really enlightening and I love hearing the passion in makers’ voices.
Wear your fanciest knits and compliment others. (But be sure to ask before touching.) No one, not even your wonderfully supportive non-knitting partner, can appreciate your knits like other knitters. So wear what you’re most excited about or most proud of and brag about your incredible knitting skills. And loudly loving other knitters’ work is a great way to make new friends and make folks feel amazing. You may have heard of the “knitter’s handshake” - basically just rubbing a stranger’s sleeve because you just have to touch that yarn! I adore that knitters are so tactile, but not everyone wants to be touched by a stranger, so be sure to ask before touching or hugging. And remember that in every situation, asking to touch or straight-up touching someone’s hair is off-limits. Just don’t do it.

I hope you have a really great time at your fall knitting events! If you see me, please come up and say hello! I always love meeting knitters.

Five Tips for Fall Knitting Events

You Might Also Like