It’s officially fibre event season and it feels as if there’s a new must attend event almost each month. Today we’re sharing some of our favourite lessons from The Fibre Co. team who are seasoned knitting event pros. Splurging, choice paralysis and coming home just 1 skein short of the sweater quantity we set out to buy? We’ve done it all. Let us guide you through some of our collective wisdom about making the best of any fibre event.
The Great Overwhelm
Thousands of yarn craft fans have descended into the same venue. It’s busy, adrenaline is high and there’s yarn, everywhere. One of our team members likened this to being stuck in a spin dryer with yarn and people all crammed in too. Fibre events are glorious but it can all get a bit much.
Solution: If you want to go all out on the zen shopper front, why not plan ahead? Most fibre events provide pre-show information from where the toilets are, to where to buy some bottled water (this is survival after all). Check on the map where you’re favourite vendors are going to be and plan in lunch. Really. No one ever made good purchasing decisions when their stomach was screaming for replenishment. Pace yourself.
So Much Yarn, So Little Time
This is the one which causes even the most seasoned event attendee to fall down hard and land in 8 single skeins that they randomly bought because they were pretty.
Solution: First of all, take a breath. Most of this yarn is available online and a fibre event is about having fun with fellow fibre fans and having a squish of yarns you might not normally get to see up close. Get to know fibres, vendors and colours up close and personal. Enjoy the booth set ups and effort each seller has made to lay things out for you to see. Also, don’t be afraid to circle round a little before committing to a purchase.
One tip almost all of our team share is planning ahead by looking at your queue. What shawls, sweaters or socks have you been wanting to make? What yardage do you need? Is there a special yarn you’ve been wanting to try for a long time and need to reserve a little cash for? Some of the team update their Ravelry queue with notes of yardage, while some of us simply use the notes feature on their phone. Don’t be afraid to wait and get just the right thing later in the year. These vendors need your support all year round to keep their businesses going!
Avoid ‘FOMO’
Fear of missing out seems to drive a lot of impulse buys that could later end in regret. If you’re sat at home feeling sad you didn’t attend and are living vicariously through your Instagram, it might be time to switch off. Get back into bed with your favourite wip, or maybe even cast on something new! Why not arrange a local knit in at your favourite LYS? Oh and dare we say it but now might be a good time to revisit your stash. That way, when you do get to attend a show later in the year, you’re less likely to buy in a wild frenzy and instead have a clear idea of what gaps there are to fill in your current handmade wardrobe and stash.
Oh and our biggest tip? A portable phone charger!