The Knitting and Stitching Show Harrogate

The Knitting & Stitching Show, the UK’s biggest textile art, craft and design event, comes to the Harrogate Convention Centre from 16th – 19th November 2023, and tickets are on sale now.

The spectacular event is a dream day out for crafters and makers, with creative inspiration at every turn. The show’s Learning Curve programme (ticketed) offers hundreds of hands-on workshops for enthusiasts looking to sharpen their stitch skills. Seasonal makes include needle felt reindeer and mice, winter-themed Dorset buttons, overlocker gift bags, beaded decorations, and knitted and stitched baubles. Whether you’re a complete beginner or an expert, top tutors will be sharing their knowledge, offering classes in every textile craft imaginable. Want to make your own stylish, sustainable wardrobe? The Dressmaking Studio, sponsored by Brother, offers dedicated dressmaking classes ranging from the basics to couture finishes. The Baby Lock Overlocker Studio is the perfect place to learn how to use an overlocker to sew, trim and neaten seams all in one go.

At the show’s Creative Living Theatre, well-known knit and stitch personalities will be hosting free daily demonstrations, with Christmas needle felting, hand-stitched English paper piecing, Bargello basics, and upcycling waste clothing just some of the sessions on offer. Names include Angela Daymond, Wendy Dolan, Mark Francis, Debbie Harris, Jen Hogg, Moni Omotoso, Nerrisa Pratt and Steffi Stern, and there will even be a catwalk or two.

The Knitting & Stitching Show is a showcase for new work by leading textile artists and groups, and this year’s Textile Galleries are sure to delight visitors, with exhibitions by Jan Beaney and Jean Littlejohn, Ailish Henderson, Mandy Pattullo, Batool Showghi, and more. Plus, the winner and shortlisted entries for The Fine Art Textiles Award 2023, and winning entries from The Festival of Quilts 20th Anniversary Quilt Competition.

The iconic embroidery company, Hand & Lock, will be celebrating their prestigious 2023 Prize for Embroidery with an exhibition of finalists and winners. With 250 years of history, Hand & Lock are the UK’s oldest embroidery house, providing embellishment and embroidery services to royalty, fashion designers, the Armed Forces, Savile Row and private clients. The Hand & Lock Prize for Embroidery was established nearly 25 years ago to promote and preserve the art of embroidery and textiles as a historic craft and a contemporary art, and to celebrate excellence in the craftsmanship of embroidery. Hand & Lock will be discussing their bespoke work for The King’s Coronation at The Knitting & Stitching Show’s Creative Living Theatre at 3pm on Thursday 16th and Saturday 18th November, sharing unique designs from their archive and selling a range of embroidery products.

Perfectly timed for Christmas craft shopping, The Knitting & Stitching Show Harrogate features hundreds of retailers selling fabric and patterns, yarn and thread, sewing machines and equipment, accessories, crafts kits and gifts, from well-known global brands to small artisan companies. In The Yarn Village, hand-picked, small-scale specialist retailers will be offering a selection of unique, high quality yarn and accessories, not found on the high street.

A day out at The Knitting & Stitching Show Harrogate wouldn’t be complete without meeting friends old and new, so why not catch up over a bite to eat at one of the venue’s food or coffee outlets, have a picnic in one of the seating areas, enjoy a glass of fizz at the Prosecco Bar, or enjoy one of Harrogate’s many excellent cafés, bars or restaurants, including the famous Betty’s Café Tea Rooms.

Tickets for The Knitting & Stitching Show, Harrogate are available at www.theknittingandstitchingshow.com/harrogate/ with tiered pricing options. Ticket purchases are advisable in advance but are also available on the door. Tier 1 tickets (limited availability) cost £17.50 per adult, concessions £16.00, children aged 5 – 19 £8.50, under 5s free. Transaction fees apply. Prices increase in Tier 2 so early booking is recommended to avoid disappointment.