This past weekend, I had the absolute joy of attending Vogue Knitting LIVE (VKL), one of my favorite winter traditions.
There’s something magical about seeing the fiber arts community come together to celebrate all things yarn, creativity, and connection. From catching up with old friends to debuting my designs, it was a weekend to remember—and I’m so excited to share all the details with you!
Friday Night Lights (and Games!)
The weekend kicked off with a bang as I made my way to VKL’s first day and then joined the GoSadi Game Night & cocktail hour. It was so comforting to see familiar faces like Natalie of Detroit Knots (who finally launched her YouTube channel—go Natalie!), Brittany Garber of Knot Bad Britt, Jessie Rayot of Jessie at Home, Katie Liza of Knit Life Oils, and Toni of TLYarn Crafts.
Crowds at events like this can sometimes feel overwhelming, but finding a table full of friendly faces felt like a warm hug. Plus, hearing about everyone’s upcoming projects and plans for the year left me feeling energized and inspired.
Saturday: Patterns, Panels & a Touch of Broadway
Saturday was a big day for me—three of my patterns hit the main stage during the GoSadi Runway Show!
- Emily in Paris Scarfs (knit & crochet), both made with Lion Brand Yarn’s Hue + Me.
- The Saddle Bag, crafted with Lion Brand Yarn’s Haute Stitches Faux Leather Yarn.
- Plus, my Checkered Scarf Pattern (made with Modern Daily Knitting’s Atlas Yarn) was on display in the GoSadi Designer Showcase.
I also had the chance to reconnect with my Rhinebeck housemates and pals, Diane and Carine, during the fashion show. Plus, I found myself sitting amidst my old Lion Brand Yarn crew, who became my unofficial cheering section. Then, after the show, I discovered that my best friend Erin had snuck in to snap a few secret pictures and stage-mom me. As someone who’s naturally shy about celebrating my work, it was so heartwarming to have so many people cheering for me as each design hit the runway.
After the show, I ventured downtown to A Time to Remember in the West Village, chatting Broadway gossip with Carine and Diane as the rain dropped down the sides of the Uber. Despite the rain and my initial hesitation, this show was amazing. The intimate setting allowed for meaningful conversations with vendors, but the highlight of my evening was meeting designer Dee Hardwicke at the Laine Publishing booth.
Dee’s passion for knitting and design is infectious. As we spoke I found my own passion for design reigniting like a stove flame that I hadn’t realized was dimming. Then she said the magic words “Would you like to see my sketchbook?” “Absolutely I would,” I said as I tried not to drool.
Dee pulled out her watercolor-filled sketchbook, showing me the origins of her stunning designs featured in Cultivate: Knitting the Beauty of Nature. Watching her sketches come to life and leap off of the page and on the hangers next to us was pure magic. I’ll treasure that conversation (and my signed copy of Cultivate) forever.
Sunday: Panels & Cheesecake
Sunday was all about community as I donned my Yes & Social marketing hat to host the Meet GoSadi Designers Community Panel. It was such an inspiring experience to connect with designers and attendees.
Before heading home, I made my traditional pit stop at Junior’s Cheesecake for a slice of cherry cheesecake, which I ate for dinner. There’s no better way to end a VKL weekend than on a sugary high!
Binding Off
This year’s VKL felt slightly smaller than previous years, but the wider aisle layout made it much more enjoyable to navigate. There were fewer sardine-can moments than I’ve experienced in the past. I think a big part of that is based on the work of the Diversity Advisory Council.
Speaking of, I had the pleasure of bumping into Natalie Warner (@natalieinstitches), whose work on size inclusivity and awareness in the knitting community is nothing short of incredible. You should check her out if you haven’t already.
A special shoutout to Geraldine of The Wandering Flock, I had the opportunity to grab some worsted yarn from her on the way home. Geraldine continues to amaze me with her eye for color and it has been so incredible to watch her grow her business over the years.
And finally, while my dog Shelly might not have been thrilled about me being gone for four days, a snowy Monday morning frolic was enough to earn her forgiveness. I think we’re back on good terms.
Stay Tuned for More!
If you didn’t make it to VKL this year, don’t worry—I’m working on a full recap video for my YouTube channel! Make sure to subscribe so you don’t miss it.
Until then, I’ll be cozying up with my new yarn finds, sketching new ideas, and dreaming about next year’s VKL. Here’s to another weekend of creativity, connection, and, of course, cheesecake!
What was your favorite part of VKL if you attended? If not, what’s your favorite fiber event of the year? Let me know in the comments below!
Leave a Reply