BONUS long-weekend post: TNNA 2017 @ Columbus

What’s it like to attend a fiber-industry trade show? When you’ve worked in the industry for (gulp) 15 years (!), you know so many people and, hopefully, you like them. If they like you, too, then it’s like a big working party. Tons of hugging and smiling and catching up on the news. And the work part? We get to see all the new products from yarn manufacturers and indie dyers, designers and makers of all types. It’s a pretty great industry to work in.

Jillian comes with me whenever she can, but as her and her daughter’s joint birthday weekend coincides with TNNA almost every year, sometimes I have to do it on my own. This year was one of those years. She’s trained me well…here’s just a little of what I saw! (Regarding my excitement at non-wool yarns, some of you may know I’m allergic to wool, so I can’t help but get excited when I see great stuff that’s not woolly.) 

Cool robot buttons from Skacel

 

PEOPLE. This is ZAUBERBALL COTTON. I almost yelled out loud when I saw it! From Skacel. Please buy tons of it so they keep it in the lineup!

 

El Linio, also from Skacel. MORE LINEN! Yay!

 

The Manos del Uruguay booth is never a disappointment.

 

Trailhead Yarns. Prettttty. And vegan, even!

 

A new loom from Schacht

 

Ahh, Binkwaffle, how we love you.

 

New Binkwaffle zippy pouches with wrist strap!

 

Minute Weaver™ tiny loom from purl&loop

 

More Minute Weavers™ in different gauges

 

Trendsetter’s Transitions Yarn with its handy dispenser bag

 

Meet Kate, the guru behind Dragonfly Fibers, and wearer of an awesome linen apron!

 

Anywhere balm from Love+Leche

 

Hey, It’s Liz Gipson, wearing her Hands-Free Cowl pattern from the Deep Fall 2016 issue of Knitty!

 

I imagined Jillian would go nuts for this gorgeous new extra-speckled tweed – Croft – from West Yorkshire Spinners

 

Our friends at Space Cadet now offer size-flexible ombre bundles – a very cool idea! Details here.

 

Meet Stephanie, the genius behind Space Cadet!

 

I found out about Pawley Studios mugs through Stephanie at Space Cadet. I met Amanda Pawley this year, and got to see her fabulous offerings. Keep an eye out for a Pawley/Knitty collaboration later this year!

 

I loved Jen Giuntoli’s very cool cowl and had to stop her to tell her so. You can find the pattern here. (If she hadn’t published it already, I would have begged to publish it in Knitty! ) Click to embiggen and see the beautiful bead details!

 

Meet Katy Westcott, the woman behind Katrinkles — cool laser-cut bamboo and wooden accessories.
Beautiful yarns from Ancient Arts

 

The women behind Spincycle Yarns work with a monther/daughter-run mill in Washington state, and produce yarns that look like their original handspun offerings, but are repeatable. That’s so cool.

 

The Sweet Georgia booth is always a visual delight. Look at ALL THAT COLO(U)R!

 

Shibui has some of the most beautiful branding and packaging in the industry, and their yarns? Delicious.

 

Yummy fiber-themed pottery from JamPDX

 

The Freia Fibers booth was extra-stunning this year…look at this beautiful creation!

 

Oh, and their yarn is freaking gorgeous, too.

 

We love the wares offered by Hiya Hiya/Nirvana. This sheep shawl pin is the size of your palm! Awesome!

 

I hope you’ve enjoyed my little tour. There is more at TNNA than I could possibly share with you, but this gives you a taste of why fiber-industry people are so eager to attend this show every year. Great people, fabulous products, and lots of interesting conversation, and collaborations planned for the future. As for that last bit, you’ll just have to wait and see what comes of my conversations in June as we move into our 15th Anniversary Year this September!

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6 thoughts on “BONUS long-weekend post: TNNA 2017 @ Columbus

  1. Alia

    Sorry, I know this isn’t the right place for this comment, but I wasn’t sure how else to bring it to someone’s attention. The comments for Jillian’s Nirvana Needles Giveaway post are closed, even though it says we have until midnight on Friday to comment and enter the giveaway. I just wanted to let you know so that people have a chance to comment and enter! Thanks very much.

    1. Ellen Robinson

      I am also seeing the comments for the Nirvana Needles post closed to new comments and it’s just 7/5 in the afternoon.

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