An Evening with Debbie Bliss

Last night I met knitting royalty!  I was lucky enough to get a ticket for the Debbie Bliss event at The Black Sheep Craft Barn in Culcheth and it turned out to be a fabulous evening.  

Being rather excited, we did arrive early, but this gave us chance to browse the yarn and to check out the beautiful fabrics in the new Fabric Room. 

The evening began with a goody bag from designer yarns, a glass of bubbly (I couldn't refuse) and canapes (or butties and sausage rolls for those of us slightly more common) before being whisked off to the workshop room for a Q and A with the lady herself - Debbie Bliss.

It was really interesting listening to Debbie talk about her career as a knitwear designer and work in producing her line of yarns, what inspires her to design as well as tales of projects that haven't quite gone to plan!  We managed to have a little chat with her (and a piccie) afterwards. 

From left to right:  Fiona, Me, Debbie Bliss, Joanne

During our chat about knitting and my crocheting, she started to talk about her friend who had come with her who was a crocheter and had just started to write a column in Simply Crochet magazine.  At the mention of the name Emma I knew who it was and I was whisked away by Debbie to meet her! It was the wonderful crochet designer Emma Varnam. I have to say that I was a little starstruck about meeting her as I adore her patterns and have made a few of them myself - the Indian Summer Shrug being the first crocheted item of clothing I ever made!  If you aren't familiar with Emma's work then check out her blog.  She regularly has patterns published in Inside Crochet and has written a new How to Crochet Book.  We had a really good talk about crochet, even though I couldn't remember anything I did, she admired my shawl, and photographed it,and she even took my business card (squeal)! 

Emma Varnam and Me

I am truly inspired now to really knuckle down and write up some of the patterns I've designed and get them out there into the crochet world - as I've been threatening for quite some time now.

Well done to The Black Sheep Craft Barn for hosting such a great event .  When is the next one?!