Helloooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!! First off, before I launch into tales of the Big City and all sorts of exciting awardy type things, I'd like to say a massive big squishy thank you for all your Birthday wishes after my last post - {{ t h a n k ~y o u }} so much, you really are a beautifully kind bunch.
So yeah....last Thursday it was indeed my birthday and instead of staying put at home and lolling about doing Birthday-ish things, I hopped on a train and journeyed three hours south to London. I wasn't alone (although I do rather enjoy traveling solo), as I had my friend Emma with me who is part of the Yarndale team. We arrived in London at lunch time, meeting up with the lovely Christine (Winwick Mum), and another fab friend Fiona who owns the most gorgeous yarn shop in Harrogate (Yarn Etc). Are you beginning to realise that there is a very definite yarn connection going on??
Our destination was the historic Alexandra Palace which sits high on a hill to the north of the City. It is such a beautiful and very grand building and I wish I had taken more photographs to share with you. But really I was waaaaay too excited to do much with my camera as we were visiting the famous Knitting and Stitching Show.
It was so much fun for me to be there as a foot-loose-and-fancy-free visitor, with no hidden agenda and nothing to do except ooh and ahh and take it all in. It was really lovely to see so many people we knew and to have time to chat and catch up (the Stylecraft stand looked exceptionally inspiring, you can see a video of it here). The event feels so very different to Yarndale (there is carpet!) and it's all very sleek and rather well pulled together, but I somehow felt it didn't have nearly as much friendly character.
I did very badly on the photo front, I'm so sorry! Truthfully, we arrived quite late in the afternoon and I spent most of my time chatting and not really pointing my camera about the place. Ho-hum......I can show you a photo of one of my favourite exhibitors though......
This gorgeous collection of handmade yarny goodness is the work of Prilly Lewis - this is the first time I've seen her work and I completely fell in love with it. Prilly uses British lambswool, combining knitting and crochet which is then felted to create a stunning range of accessories. You can see lots more of her work on Instagram. I especially loved the mittens - the bobbly crochet parts were soooooo tactile!
You may have guessed from the title of this post (which is pretty non-cryptic) that we weren't just gadding about at Ally Pally chatting and stroking all manner of yarny things. We were there in fact for a very good reason as we'd been invited to attend the award ceremony for the annual British Knitting and Crochet Awards. You might remember I wrote about the awards last year? It's a wonderful feeling to attend something that feels really rather grand and so far removed from one's every day life. Again, I wish I had taken photos to show you - the room is quite posh (think high ceilings, huge windows, painted murals, round tables set with white cloths, waiters circulating with trays of fizz), and the atmosphere is buzzing! The best thing about the award ceremony is getting to mingle (and by mingle, I mean chat and lark about) with so many other talented, dedicated yarny folk. My friends from Wool Warehouse and Stylecraft were there, as well as lots of other bloggers, designers, yarn shop owners and yarn makers from right across the industry.
The voting for these awards is a big affair and is all down to the support of the general knitty/hooky public. This year the votes were opened out Worldwide for the first time, with around 15,000 votes in total, which was a fantastic result. Let’s Knit editor, Sarah Neal, said “These awards are an opportunity for the nation’s knitters and crocheters to honour their favourite brands, and they’ve done so in their thousands. That’s such a fantastic accolade for all the winners and runners-up and true recognition for all their hard work.”
So I wonder if some of you may have voted back in the summer? I'd like to say a massive big THANK YOU to everyone who took the time to vote for me, I appreciate it so very much.
I am really chuffed to tell you that I won first place in three categories (Favourite Crochet Blog, Favourite Crochet Designer and Best Ready-to-Make kits), came 2nd place in a fourth category (Best Website for my shop with WoolWarehouse), and Yarndale also won first place for Best Knitting Event......................................................................w o w!
Gosh, I confess I may have conducted a little bit of private happy dancing when those results came in just before Yarndale. As an added surprise, I also got presented with a bottle of champagne for being one of four nominees to win three 1st place awards, it was almost too much to take in. I had pink cheeks! I did air-kisses with Stuart Hillard who was the guest speaker and presenter!! Ahh.....such a whirl of over excitement and feel good :)
You can see the results of all the categories by clicking here >> 2017 Award results.
With the award ceremony being in the evening, it wasn't possible for me to travel to London and back in a day. Such a shame that I had no other choice but to camp out with Christine in a rather swish hotel for the night....oh, the sacrifice....and on my birthday too.....
The hotel staff treated me rather nicely mind you, and totally surprised me with this scrummy chocolate cake complete with birthday candle, how lovely was that? I can confirm that chocolate cake does indeed taste rather yummy washed down with a chilled glass of Sauvignon Blanc.
The day after the awards, Christine and I weren't due to leave the Big City until 1 pm. So after much laughing and chatting and a lovely breakfast, we decided to set out on foot and explore a little. Our hotel was a stones throw from Kings Cross St Pancras train station, so we decided to walk along the Regents Canal a little way to visit Camden Lock and market.
I'd last been to Camden market in my early twenties so only had vague memories of it, but I remembered it being quirky and pretty atomospheric.
I know it shouldn't, but central London always surprises me with how very, very, very busy it is at all times of the day and night. It's a loud cacophony of sights and sounds, with so many crowds of people, and endless streams of traffic. All. the. time. It's relentless, and it kind of takes it out of you after a bit.
But there is no denying the energy that buzzes around these streets.....
.....it's vibrant and youthful and really unlike anything I've ever seen anywhere else.
It is uniquely London.
Christine and I wandered about the market for a while, then found a lovely little coffee shack that made me the best latte - gosh I do so appreciate a great morning coffee, such a pleasure. We lingered by the side of the canal with our hot milky drinks, watching the comings and goings of people and boats before setting out on the return walk back.
It was interesting walking along the canal side...
...it felt kind of familiar and yet different all at once. The narrow boats looked pretty much the same as the ones I'm used to seeing here on the Leeds-Liverpool canal in Yorkshire, but the very urban surroundings made it feel very different.
I do like the energy that buzzes in the air when you visit a large city, there is always such a huge amount of visual stimulation to absorb. But I don't quite have the stamina for city life any more, and find myself searching almost subconciously for a bit of visual peace and quiet. My eyes and brain need green space now to feel at ease, and that's pretty hard to find in the midst of the city.
I spent exactly twenty four hours in London, and although I had a really fabulous time I was also very much looking forward to coming home again. Incidentally, I really do love the ceiling at Kings Cross train station, it's mesmerising to look at as you stand and wait for departure.
Train travel has it's pleasures too, and I enjoyed whizzing along the tracks with my hook and cool shades of yarn. This is something I'm working on as part of the Stylecraft Blog Tour this year, well it's happening now actually. The tour started yesterday and there are sixteen days of fabulous and inspiring designs, free patterns and giveaways for you to enjoy. Day one began yesterday with Emma Varnham, and today was the turn of Polly Plum - do go and pay them a visit, and you'll find out from Polly where to go on Wednesday. It'll be my turn at the start of next week (Monday I think it is, I'm a bit disorganised, no surprises there then).
Righty-o.....my bed is calling and I fear I've been waffling. Thank you for visiting with me, for reading my witterings and for casting your votes and for your lovely encouraging words always.
I so appreciate you all.
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Oh, Lucy! Your blogs really do make my day! I am only a part-time crocheter and knitter these days but I am a quilter and a lacemaker. However, your blogs and love of colour and yarn make me want to find the time to start crocheting again. Keep up your lovely blogs. Congratulations on your awards. You deserve them.
Posted by: Mary Donaldson | October 25, 2017 at 11:29 AM
Congratulations you really do deserve all those awards, belated Happy Birthday too! Sarah x
Posted by: Sarah | October 22, 2017 at 09:56 PM
Bravo, Lucy! Everything you create makes so many people happy that you more than deserve such accolades! I am so pleased for your friend Fiona too whose shop is only 2mn up the road from me: I love going there and always leave with my heart flapping with joy! As I was looking at your photos, I couldn't help but think how incredible life is sometimes... I also took the train from Kings Cross last Friday (2 hours later) after a week spent in France on a school trip and just like you, marvelled at the ceiling with the kids as we were waiting for the platform to be announced! Later on, on the train journey, I spotted Alexandra Palace which I had never seen before and asked what was that beautiful building ... small world! Wishing you and your family a lovely half term break full off the joys of autumn!
Posted by: Nathalie | October 21, 2017 at 10:17 AM
I'm so glad you came to Ally Pally, Lucy. I was at the Knitting and Stitching show on Thursday morning and came back on Friday as there was so much to see. I live a few minutes' walk from Alexandra Palace (which I adore) and always appreciate the gentle invasion of knitters, crocheters and crafting folk to my neighbourhood once a year. And of course huge congratulations on your awards - I am so pleased. I am very belatedly making the Moorland blanket (on stripe 65) and am loving it.
Posted by: Susie Holden | October 20, 2017 at 08:34 AM
Well done!! so well deserved too:) I also like crocheting on the train, I'm sure it makes it go faster!!
Posted by: Crafty Cath | October 19, 2017 at 08:20 PM
Thanks for the big smoke post! I love London and am very glad you had fun and won! Looking forward to your stop on the tour.
Posted by: Star | October 19, 2017 at 05:50 PM
Congratulations! You're definitely my favorite crochet blog from all the way over the pond. :-)
I'm also curious about the giant flowery cushion thing that's flirting with your camera in a few places here and there lately. I don't associate you with variegated yarn, and I'm dying to see what the thing looks like when it's finished since me and variegated yarn? We're like THIS.
Congratulations again. Much deserved!
Posted by: Janis | October 19, 2017 at 05:43 PM
Congratulations! Very much deserved award!
Posted by: Ginney | October 19, 2017 at 05:21 PM
Congratulations on your awards! As for Camden Market, it is definitely overwhelming. I was there this summer and loved it (great food/quirky stalls) but it is better in small doses!
Posted by: Robin | October 19, 2017 at 05:08 PM
Belated birthday wishes and huge congratulations on all your awards, Lucy! very much deserved ..and loved seeing all your London photos and words! you seem to have a great time...
Continued success!
Nora xx
Posted by: NORA McGRANN | October 19, 2017 at 12:50 PM
Many congrats on scooping your awards - very well deserved .
A belated happy bday - but what a nice way to spend it !!?
I don't enjoy the big cities at all , and like you , would gravitate toward the lesser populated spots . the canal must have been like home from home !!:)
Love your new Autumn leaves btw ! x
Posted by: ali dufty | October 19, 2017 at 12:40 PM
You deserve it, well done. Next time you need peace and quite in London, go to a museum. Not the big once but a smaller one. Tea and cookies or cake too in a museum cafes. I understand that it made your head buzzing. I'm born next to the sea, studied and lived in capital cities and went to the countryside because of the children. Coming to London this year was lovely or my own Amsterdam but my feeling home starts when I cross the big rivers again to my lovely little village.
Posted by: Tinke | October 19, 2017 at 11:24 AM
very well done. glad you enjoyed your time away
Posted by: brendaintheboro | October 19, 2017 at 08:23 AM
What wonderful news! So deserved! Congratulations!
Posted by: KP | October 19, 2017 at 04:45 AM
Congratulations! Honors that are well deserved for sure!
Posted by: Lynne Carothers | October 19, 2017 at 03:33 AM
Well you have certainly wet my appetite to return to the UK and see and experience Camden. Your photos are awesome thank you for sharing your experience.
I will have to find a home and pet sit in that area now for 2019!
Going to the US again but for only 9 months this time to see all the owners I now call family. Not only will I sit for them but I will also be staying as a guest before between and after their vacations. First stop Independence Missouri in early January 2018.
Again thank you. Cheers 🇦🇺👏🏻😉👌🏻💖😀
Posted by: Francien Daniels-Webb | October 19, 2017 at 01:50 AM
Congratulations Lucy, Attic24, and Yarndale! You have followed your bliss and showed such grace and kindness to your readers from the beginning. Thank you for what you give to your readers such as myself .
Posted by: Kim | October 18, 2017 at 10:23 PM
Hi Lucy well done on all the awards ! your blog and creative skills are worthy of them always enjoy reading your posts lots love Jenny from Cornwall xx
Posted by: Jenny | October 18, 2017 at 09:54 PM
CONGRATULATION !!! You're my favorite too ! You give me sun in my life and colors in my heart. Thank you sooooo much to be what you are. (and sorry for my english !)
Posted by: L'Empreinte de l'Ange | October 18, 2017 at 07:49 PM
Congratulations Lucy and belated birthday wishes. I love Alexandra Palace and usually visit at least 3 times a year.
Pleased you had tine to see some other sights.
Hugs
Hazel c uk
Posted by: Hazel c uk | October 18, 2017 at 06:50 PM
There is so much in the way of green space in London. You can always find an oasis and they tend to be full on with trees and flowers and plants. I now live in the country and the thing I most miss is the trees and wildlife. Sounds silly but it's true as lots of the countryside is pretty open and empty. The gardens and parks are prettier by far as well. Don't miss the hustle and bustle and the thieves on mopeds though.
Posted by: lizzie | October 18, 2017 at 06:27 PM
Congratulations, and happy belated birthday!
Posted by: Thistle | October 18, 2017 at 06:10 PM
Congratulations on your awards, very well deserved.
Posted by: Ruth Thorne | October 18, 2017 at 06:02 PM
Felicidades Lucy
Posted by: Geovanna Conejo | October 18, 2017 at 05:58 PM
CONGRATULATIONS!!!!
You really deserve these awards! I used to think of crochet as very dull and old-fashioned but you inspired me to learn and try to make my own blankets! I have just finished one for my husband and he LOVES it! (So does our kitty!!) He even enjoyed the whole process of seeing it grow.
I have four other friends who have also developed a blanket addiction - because of your blog, and my sister has started to crochet some bunting!
You really have have a major impact!
Congratulations again, and happy birthday for last week!
Posted by: Debbie, Essex | October 18, 2017 at 05:47 PM