TNNA: The National NeedleArts Association Conference Summer 2016

Wow! What a day! For the first time in years I caught the Metro Red Line this past Saturday to travel downtown to Washington, D.C. to the 2016 TNNA Summer conference. What a blessing to have this so close to my home this year. I had an amazing time greeting old friends and making some new ones. There were hundreds of vendors and beautiful yarn as far as the eye could see! It felt like being a child unrestrained in a toy store with a mile long candy counter. I want to show you some of the highlights...

These have got to be the most beautiful swifts I have ever seen!  They would look beautiful in any room in the house! The photo below shows the company that makes these beauties...

There were many inspirational knit designs...

 

You'll be seeing one my new designs using Malabrigo's yarn in the fall in Celtic Cabled Crochet! Lovely, kettle-dyed fiber...

One more view of this eye candy... 

I added a couple of these cute tape measures to my collection. Seems I like to wear them out!

I had the BEST time talking to these wonderful ladies! Be looking for a new crochet design using South African Yarns in the near future.

One thing that drew me to their display was they were one of the few companies to feature crochet!

These ladies traveled from the UK, represting the Toft Yarn Company and Kerry Lord's crocheted animal kits that are so adorable! (Remember the book Edward's Menagerie?)

I LOVED this flamingo buddy! Pink flamingos are the symbol of my hometown of Hialeah, Florida!

Watermelon anyone? The hand dyed yarn from Apple Tree Knits looks yummy!

Here's what the yarn looks like before being crocheted or knitted...

One more wonderful use for Mason jars...

I'll be working with a hank of this lady's "Bliss" (80% Superwash Merino, 10% Cashmere, 10% Nylon) yarn, hand-dyed in Sommerville, South Carolina very soon!

I learned so much attending this trade conference, but the best part is meeting the sweet folks who work in the fiber industry. I always come away inspired and almost wishing I had four more hands for all the ideas knocking around in my head!