Evolution (the 'Unravel 2013' post)

It is said that what we see in others is a reflection of ourselves. Sitting in the Unravel lobby with a friend who, after learning to knit and crochet since her first visit to Unravel last year, was buying up half of the stock, I will admit to an inward chuckle. You see, if I'd had a more extensive budget I'd have done exactly that a year ago. It got me thinking about my own evolution over the last two years of knitting and blogging-about-knitting (it happens to be my 2nd blogiversary today) and wondering whether I am following a common evolutionary cycle for a knitter/blogger at an annual knitting festival. Let me explain...
Evolution of a knitting-blogger (at Unravel)

My first visit (2011) -  OVERWHELM
Experience: knitting for approx. one month and hadn't started blogging yet
Internal dialogue: WOW! So many pretty yarns. What's the difference? What would I use them for? What could I make with them? How much would I need? Aaaaarghhhh - I don't know where to start. I must learn to crochet. What's the difference between 4ply and sock...? 
Purchases: a few skeins and some buttons (not even pictured on my (FIRST) blog post!) 

Second visit (2012) - SHOPPING & SAYING HELLO
Experience: knitting and blogging for 1 year  and 6 months of crochet 
Internal dialogue: I need one of those, and one of those and one of those, oh and some yarn for my queued patterns and this, and this... and then I can meet up with some bloggy friends.
Purchases: several skeins of yarn (some of which are still "stashed", more buttons and various other miscellany (blogged here)

Third visit (2013) - MEETING UP WITH FRIENDS... & SOME YARN
Experience: knitting and blogging for 2 years and 18 months of crochet
Internal dialogue: I just love meeting up with my friends - and I can't believe I've known some of them for 2 years but we only just met! Oh, nice yarn... but I already have some like that in my stash, hmm this one is pretty - I'll see if there is anything else I'd prefer after we've had a coffee and a chat. Oh look, there's an Instagrammer I recognise - squee!
Purchases: a few skeins and a few notions which I suppose you will want to see*

It wasn't really about the yarn this year at all, although there was plenty of that. I had a great time time meeting up with friends old and new and enjoying the atmosphere. Here are a few of my pictures - you can find more on Facebook and Instagram
Unravel 2013
1 & 3 - Yarn-bombing around Farnham Maltings. 2 - Tink, Danielle, Nat, Gilly and me
4 - Ruth of Rock + Purl. 5 - sheep! 6 - Suzie Jonhson of the Wool Sanctuary
7 - Juno Fibre Arts - possibly the smooshiest stall of all.
8 - Danielle and Ashley of A Stash Addict Yarn9 - Chiaogoo Twists at Tall Yarns 'n Tales

The festival seemed bigger than last year - I'm sure there were more exhibitors  which was great except that we didn't get to see the Best in Show exhibition (this had apparently been relocated across the courtyard to another building). It also seemed that there was less in the way of yarny decoration which was a shame as that's usually a highlight for me, but in honesty I was so busy chatting that I may have just missed it. I feel very lucky that this event is only an hour away from home, but it would be worth a longer trip. I'm thinking Unravel 2014 may involve staying over and making a weekend of it (with some of the further-afield friends perhaps?) and probably going to some classes/talks. That seems like the next logical step in my evolution. 

What do you think? Can you relate to this or does your own evolution look completely different?
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*The purchases: 
Unravel 2013
Top to bottom/ L to R: A Stash Addict Red Sparkle 4 ply Merino/Silk 
A Stash Addict Dark Arts Ice Queen - Superwash BFL/Nylon
Clover darning needles, mini gauge and Herdy sheep charm
Hello Kitty wooden buttons (from A Stash Addict) 
Not visible: Levante by Rock & Purl and Unravel tote bag 

10 comments

  1. I love your evolution of a knitter - blogger. I really wanted to get to unravel this year but..... maybe next?

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    1. It's certainly worth it - a really good day out! :)

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  2. Looks like you had a wonderful time this year. I think your analysis of the evolution process is probably quite accurate.

    I've yet to go to a big show. I never seem to get around to it. Probably due to a shortage of funds ;)

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    1. You know, I really didn't spend very much at all this year - next year I might save my Christmas money though - I fell in love with a sheepskin on my way out and really wanted it, but didn't have the funds. Maybe that'll be top of my list next year - I have a feeling it would be amazing on the back of my chair in the Cwtch :D

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  3. I love that doodle! So true! Although last year I think I combined stages 1 & 2 together for my first visit.

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  4. I think you are bang on in your musings. Each time I go to a show I buy less stuff. I only tend to by one of a kind things that I haven't seen elsewhere or something specific that I set out to buy, like buttons for a project or a new project bag and such like. I am jealous of all the people you got to meet, it seems like the blogging circles I move in go to Unravel and NOT the Harrogate Show bah! I'd love to have met everyone.

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    Replies
    1. Maybe we could arrange something for Harrogate this year? I could do with a Northerly break in November!

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  5. It's funny how even as adults we still are evolving. What a fun time at Unravel you had.

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  6. Why have I never heard of Unravel before?? Looks great, hopefully i'll get there next year!

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