Please see below for comments from our volunteers:

Had a wonderful time at Olympia. Between the four of us present we were able to sort out my mistake in my knitting, teach a young girl and boy to knit who went off proudly with their knitting kits and lots of pleasant conversation with very nice people. Thanks for the opportunity and please keep us on your list - we are keen!

Can I just say what a wonderful time I had at Olympia on Saturday teaching and helping people with their knitting questions. Amongst the many people that came to the Knit & Relax area was  a Portugese girl who had as much English as I had Portugese I managed to teach her  to knit she went away with a big beaming smile on her face. Everyone was so nice and appreciative of what they had learnt.
It was very much worth my time and effort and I had a lovely day. I look foward to helping at Alexandra Palace in October 2007.

Had a great time on Saturday teaching people to knit at Olympia. Greatest Achievement teaching a young portugese girl to knit. No English No Portugese but we managed. She has gone home chanting Through, Round, Out. and can't wait to show off to her grandmother, who had tried to teach her before, without success. Looking forward to Ally Pally on October.

Just wanted to say thanks for the opportunity to help out on the stand at the NEC on Friday. I met some really nice people and got a great kick from teaching. I also learned a couple of new techniques and enjoyed having the chance to knit with lots of different types of yarns.

Volunteering was very good fun, and I'd certainly do it again

I had a lovely time teaching at the show and it was a little like a holiday for me.  It was thrilling to have a child come back to find me because I taught her knit last year so that she could learn purl. I loved seeing trails of children round the table  in various stages of skill each helping the one in the next seat down (as it were). I do hope that I can help at other London shows

It was a pleasure to see so many teenagers taking an interest

It was my pleasure to help out and I will definitely be volunteering again at some point. I met some great people and really
enjoyed showing people how to knit.

Thank you so much! - I really enjoyed taking part. I'd certainly be happy to volunteer again, if I'm available!


 I absolutely loved Saturday. It was a tiring and busy day but I taught 4 young girls to knit so I was really pleased. I met some fantastic people who were all as enthusiastic as me! I didn't get a chance to look round as it was so busy so I can't wait for the next show. Thanks so much for giving me the opportunity and hopefully I can help out again soon.

What a fantastic time we've at the show this year. Lots more stands selling different types yarn. Lovely group of volunteers, and, of course the visitors. It was lovley being near the Rowan/Sistands, which were outstanding in presentation. There was some beautiful work displayed by Textile Students. So, all in all, an excellent weekend!

I really enjoyed my helping role, although I think I learned more than I taught. I did show somebody how to cast on with her thumb and she was very excited about it. I also met some interesting people and was shown how to finger knit! I will think about volunteering again

At Glasgow's SECC, we had a steady stream of people wanting to learn - crochet was as popular as knitting. People who had learnt on my visits in March and October brought items in to show me what they had achieved. People wanted to learn new techniques, mainly cast on, cables and simple lace projects. There was a lot of interest shown in other ways of using yarn such as Sirdar Loopa and the Navaho weaving sticks.
Finger knitting still a great success at drawing in the crowds and I managed to show our Tunisian crochet expert how to do finger Tunisian Crochet.

Many thanks for inviting us! We had a great time! - kids included! Finger knitting was very popular again. Heather was a great support!

I've been meaning to drop you a line about what a great day we had with Yvonne on the stand, in Birmingham. She was such a fantastic organiser - told us what to do, how to do it, and she was so warm and welcoming. My friend Cynthia is now a recruit for life! She'll do every show she can and we're already looking forward to the next one in September. We taught two people from the BBC how to knit and gave them a pack to carry on with on the way home. We also had 5 young girls all knitting away and loving it. Thanks for everything!

Just to say how much I enjoyed being a volunteer at the Relax and Knit event at the NEC on Friday. It was great fun, I was amazed at the number of 17 year olds who wanted to do some knitting.
I would love to help at more of these events so could you please send me dates for 2007 shows that would be great. Thanks, Debra

Comments from UNRAVEL:

"A really enjoyable day. As someone who has not knitted since being a child I would have liked some more beginners information." Cordelia Mott

“Amazing day – lots of encouragement for everyone. Very inspiring.” Anne Maycock

“It was absolutely brilliant, I had so much fun.  I’ve been putting off knitting for years and coming to the event has given me the confidence to do lots of creative and wonderful things with knitting that I didn’t think possible before.  The atmosphere was great with the amazing live music in the background and everyone was so friendly and eager to help. It’s been such a wonderful experience”

“Fabulous event – really enjoyed it, especially Shane’s web and the knitted cave.  Plenty to see and do but not so much that it’s unmanageable.”

“A fantastic day, so relaxing and I bought so much wool.  Lovely to see so many people there.”  Sally McClymont

“A unique event – very sociable community atmosphere.  Covered interests of all ages and both sexes!  Larger free knitting area next time if possible.”  Nicola Diggins

“Knitting will never be the same again!  It’s akin to what Darwin did for evolution!!! Why didn’t you invite Madonna?”

“A lovely, friendly way to learn about knitting and see the beautiful pieces that have been made – it’s started up one new knitter!”

Unravel has been a fantastic success.  It’s created a relaxed, community atmosphere with everyone being able to take part in learning about the knitting process and to see the lovely materials to knit with and it’s very ‘cool’ for the younger set.  It’s a very relaxing hobby.”