Vogue Knitting LIVE Recap!

Chicago - November 2013

Content from Chicago 2013


The Palmer House Hilton Hotel was a flurry of yarn, fiber, notions, books, and more the first weekend of November for the second annual Vogue Knitting LIVE Chicago. Classes included everything from beginner techniques to advanced concepts, taught by the knitterati from near and far. Our two floors of Marketplace were literally bursting with shopping and activities—there were ongoing demonstrations plus the yarn tasting lounge, Eucalan gift-wrapping table, Fitting Station, and more.

Friday night’s cocktail reception was a blast for all who came, from the teachers to the attendees—a few teachers got up on stage to ask trivia questions of the audience. At Saturday’s Gala Dinner, famed knitting designer Alice Starmore traveled from the Shetland Islands to show attendees a sneak peek of her new book, Tudor Roses, including the story of how the book came to be and the history of the garments. The pieces that walked the runway that night were breathtaking examples of her command of color and design. Plus thirteen lucky winners in the audience got to take home their own copy of Tudor Roses—they are the first to own a copy besides Alice herself!

All weekend long there were amazing knits around every corner—even on the floor, if you saw the yarnbomb that the Bombshells of Cincinnati made for us. Those sitting in the seats at the fashion shows had as much to show off as the models on the runway! Attendees were in for a treat when The Fiber Factor had a runway show and they announced the four finalists afterwards. Later on the fashion show stage Mary Taylor, who knit every garment in Nicky Epstein’s Knitting on Top of the World, auctioned her garments (and some of Nicky’s) to raise money for Gilda Cares Twin Cities. In the end, more than $3,000 was raised!

We also made our television debut, when two different local news stations covered the event! Doreen Connors, Vogue Knitting's Director of Advertising Sales, went to Good Day Chicago on Fox to tell them all about the event and show off how varied yarn can be and highlight all the classes we have to offer. On Sunday she, along with knitterati Carla Scott, Gudrun Johnston, Josh Bennett, and Cirilia Rose, talked up the benefits of knitting and all that Vogue Knitting LIVE has to offer on NBC Chicago Weekend. Watch the videos here and here.

Vendors in the Marketplace showed off not just amazing yarn, notions, and supplies, but also their own knitted samples. Tucked in corners of the Marketplace on Sunday were little knitted zombies and ghosts from Mochimochi Land—those who found them could exchange them for a copy of Anna Hrachovec’s books. Our Artists’ Gallery showcased craft elevated to art, while Bernat’s Yarnspiration Lounge with Vickie Howell was busy creating new knitters and crocheters all weekend long. And Nicky Epstein showed off adorable knits and crocheted items for dolls, all from her most recent books.

We were sad for the weekend to end, but we are looking forward to our next event: Vogue Knitting LIVE New York, January 17–19, 2014! Hope to see you then!