Why the knitting trade show us important

Last week Ginni and Mary and I went to HH Americas, a trade show and convention previously held exclusively in Europe. We used to go to TNNA every year, but even before Covid, that event started to unravel a bit. So it has been almost 5 years since an event like this, and we were pretty excited to attend. 

What makes it so awesome? Well, a lot of things. First, as I’ve said over and over since Covid, I don’t think any of us will ever again take for granted the ability and the importance of gathering in person. It’s the difference between ordering yarn online and shopping at the local LYS. There’s nothing like seeing our vendors face-to-face. We get a chance to look at and touch the new yarns, see the sample garments designed specifically for those yarns, and meet the designers behind those garments. We see vendors we’ve been doing businesses with for years and reconnect with these trusted partners. We’re the first to see the newest and best they have to offer. 

On the show floor we’re in discovery mode. What are these beautiful yarns we’ve never seen before?  What is their story? Are they a fit for Crazy for Ewe? In deciding, we always think about you. Are these yarns you would like? Would the color palette appeal? etc. It’s exciting when we can find something new and fabulous to bring you—something we love that we would never have found had we not wandered by. 

Then there’s the networking part. Meeting the other yarn store owners, independent designers, and other industry professionals who are all as obsessed with yarn as I am. We learn from one another—compare notes and collaborate. It’s the very best thing of all. Good local yarn stores are not in competition with one another. We are pulling together to create the best possible community for our individual stores, for each other collectively, and for you, the reason for it all. 

I’m excited to share all of this and more with you over the coming months. We have so many wonderful surprises for you!