Stylecraft Purl Party
This year is Stylecraft's 30th birthday and, as one of the UK’s leading yarn companies, that certainly needs celebrating. Lucy and I were lucky enough to attend their ‘Purl Party’ held at their mill in the historic town of Slaithwaite in Yorkshire.
Fabulous birthday cakes
An introduction to the day from Annabelle
The party started at 11am on a bright and breezy Sunday. There were 60 guests, 30 retailers and 30 crochet fans who had responded to their email invite earlier in the year. The Stylecraft team had worked hard to turn part of the warehouse into a fab party venue. The room we were in was huge with the most fabulous parquet wooden floor. Around the edge were tables stacked with inspiration; mannequins dressed in the latest Stylecraft garments, blankets, toys, and beautiful accessories. It looked stunning.
Jane Crowfoot's designs
Emma Varnam's designs
Guess which Special DK shade is missing wall
It’s always a pleasure to catch up with the Stylecraft Team. We are lucky that we talk a lot and they have become friends as well as business associates. I met up with Joanne who my family have known for years, even attending her wedding way back. It was like a family party. We spent time with Lucy – Attic 24, Jane Crowfoot, Emma Varnam and Juliet Bernard, and made new friends like Phil from Twisted Thread and lots of other lovely yarn shop owners. The chat and tea and coffee flowed until it was time to take our seats for the games to begin.
Phil from Twisted Thread
New season garments from Stylecraft
Special DK Bingo
The first game was Special DK bingo. Lucy & Emma were our bingo hosts and what a team they made. If Emma ever wants to change career she would make a fabulous bingo caller! I was sitting next to Jane Crowfoot, one of the World’s best crochet designers. However Jane has a weakness – she’s rubbish at Bingo. I must admit I wasn’t much better.
Juliet Bernard's workshop
Attic 24's workshop
After the games we enjoyed a great buffet lunch and then settled down to a two hour workshop. The workshops were taught by the Stylecraft Blogstars; Helen Shrimpton, Phil Saul, Jane, Emma & Lucy taught different techniques for knitting & crochet. I was with Jane Crowfoot and she taught ‘Crocheting with Beads’. This is a workshop which Jane teaches at our Craft Barn once or twice a year and it’s always a sell out. It’s easy to see why. She’s a fab teacher and I learnt lots of hints and tips. I didn’t find it easy. It’s quite fiddly when you first start and I made a few silly mistakes. All of which could have been avoided if I’d read my pattern properly! The two hours flew by and before I knew it it was time to go home and with a great goody bag too!
Lucy's knitting and birthday cupcake
Beaded Crochet Flower
I spent the evening after the party sitting in the garden finishing my beaded flower. It’s not perfect but I love it. I then spent Monday night making another one in different colours to use as a coaster and I feel more will be made!
Thanks to everyone at Stylecraft and their wider team for a wonderful day. We are in the process of planning our own birthday party for Stylecraft later this year, so watch this space!
