Spring is in the Air

Twice a year we attend a trade show referred to by most in the trade as “TNNA.” This wholesale show is the place your LYS goes to check out new yarns, patterns, products, books, and fashion trends in knitwear for the spring and summer 2009 collections.

We have a two-page feature, beginning on page 20, covering some of the new items announced at the show that you will soon be seeing in your local shop. Just to let everyone know, business trips are not quite as glamorous as you might think. We work hard to cover the enormous trade show in the convention center, making sure we say hello to old friends as well as see what is new. Yes, the trip is all business but there are parts of the work that are a lot of fun.

The kick-off event to every TNNA Show (in January and in June) is a knitwear fashion show, presented by the members of the Yarn Group. Barry Klein, of Trendsetter Yarns, heads up the all-volunteer committee from the yarn, publishing, design, and notions companies that comprise the Yarn Group.

This year I volunteered to work backstage, assisting in whatever capacity was needed by the crew. A dresser was assigned to each model. There is a “last look over” person to align the shoulder seams, cuff the sleeves a bit more, make sure the garment isn’t inside out, and remind the model to breathe and smile. The stage director is in charge of launching the next model group. While I missed sitting in the audience and watching each piece come down the runway under the bright lights, it was so interesting and fun to see each garment up close and personal, as I was put in charge of “last look” for all the models (even that cute guy modeling the men’s garments!) before they headed to the pre-runway staging area. There are so many remarkably talented designers bringing their knitwear interpretation of fashion to the marketplace. This is a very exciting time in the industry, and you will be seeing these garments in the collections of yarn manufacturers beginning this spring.

Nancy Bush, well-known author and teacher, has recently written a book entitled Knitted Lace of Estonia (Interweave, 2008). Not only have we reviewed the book in this issue, but Michael del Vecchio brings us a great piece about Nancy, beginning on page 14. Nancy has made a tremendous contribution to the knitting community by keeping the tradition of knitting from European cultures alive and well today. Her updated designs are not to be missed, and her books are an excellent addition to your library.

To help you with your Mother’s Day gift list, we present eight great ideas to consider, beginning on page 30. The Yarn Salon features new fibers that you will see from select manufacturers in your LYS this spring, and Margaret Radcliffe offers a workshop teaching you how to put your garment pieces together without threading a yarn needle!

Enjoy this issue and the new beginnings that springtime brings —