Welcome Retailers
The First UK Hand Knitting Association Trade Show
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The Knit Show will take place 19-20 June 2010 at Cedar Court Hotel, Bradford
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Cedar Court Hotel,
Bradford |
The hotel has 14 conference and banqueting suites |
Leisure Faciilities |
En Suite Room |
Click here to request full details of the show (open to trade only)
New For Retailers
There is now a newsletter available to Retailers, in it you will receive information about current UKHKA initiatives, news, views and advice. We also invite you to have your shop featured on our new Retailer's Shop page. Here you can display up to 4 images of the inside and outside of your shop, give background details, directions to and contact details as well as a link to your website.
Click here to request information about appearing on our Retailer's Page.
Click here to visit Retailer's Shop page
About the UK Hand Knitting Association
The UK Hand Knitting Association (UKHKA) was formed in 1991(previously known as The British Hand Knitting Confederation). The UKHKA has charitable status and supports a variety of initiatives that reflect our current aims which are to encourage, motivate and showcase all aspects of yarn crafts. Our website has grown to be the hub of every aspect of knitting and crochet in the UK and is constantly updated with news of What’s On as well providing a network of useful and relevant links and venue details for all our current activities.
Our Aims
The UKHKA is focused on raising the profile of the craft, securing a new era of knitting and crochet enthusiasts with skills to pass on to future generations. Aspiring to portray knitting and crochet as fun, sociable, therapeutic, didactic and totally relevant and all-inclusive, the UKHKA is ensuring that this important part of our heritage continues. By working tirelessly behind the scenes we have achieved one of our ultimate goals – knitting is ‘on trend’ and enjoying a renaissance. Its appeal is widespread and there is an ever-increasing band of newcomers to the craft, many joining the growing number of knitting clubs across the UK.
Current Initiatives
The UKHKA website is a great resource providing a network of links and information and more details on everything mentioned in this letter. The website is the core of information on knitting in the UK today and we hold the largest number of knitting groups and knitting artists listings. The numerous topics we cover and our ever-increasing directory of knitting events on the ‘What's On’ page is giving us the reputation of being the yellow pages for yarn crafts in the UK. If there is anything that relates to knitting and yarn crafts we want to cover it. Please keep us posted if there is an angle that we have missed out - we want to know about it!
Learn To Knit
The UKHKA hold 'Learn to Knit' stands at the major UK stitching and craft shows where you can have your first introduction to knitting/crochet or get technical advice on a one-to-one basis from our volunteers. A full list of venues and other details can be found on the website. We like to encourage local retailers and knitting groups to join us on the stand at these shows so that they can ensure that local visitors are fully aware of what is on offer for knitters in the area. Get in touch if you would like to know more.
Knitting in Schools
The UKHKA have supported a considerable number of new after-school knitting clubs over the last few years and the number is continuously growing across the UK. We have gathered a lot of useful feedback as a result which has enabled us to move on a pace with the project, culminating in a teacher’s seminar held in London at The Knitting + Stitching Show in Autumn 08. This provided the opportunity to provide teachers and assistants with helpful guidance and innovative ideas to encourage and inspire children learning to knit. The leading professionals who presented the seminar received an enthusiastic response from specialist teachers who then went out well equipped to introduce yarn crafts into the classroom. The UKHKA also exhibited at the Design and Technology Show at the NEC in 2008 and again received a very positive response from both teachers and student teachers who were keen to learn the basic skills to pass on to children. With the support of the Crafts Council and the British Wool Marketing Board, attendees at both events were given a set of teaching aids to get them started. We are now working towards getting knitting into an ever increasing number of schools and together with the Crafts Council have put together a full resource kit. The latest initiative, named 'The Viral Project', is spreading fast!
Knitted Textile Awards
Our Knitted Textile Awards for students and new graduates attracts record numbers of applicants each year and we continue to support our finalists throughout their careers. The Awards culminate in an exhibition showcasing the innovative, design-led talent coming out of UK universities and inspiring the next generation of knitted textile students.
Community Knitting Project
Following the huge success of the life-size Knitted Garden and The Great British PicKnit,we have recently launched our latest community project 'Above and Below the Waves' designed by Alison Murray of 'The World's Largest Knitted Christmas Tree' and 'Knitted Gingerbread House' fame. This enables knitters everywhere to get involved and knit something great or small towards this ambitious installation that will go on tour as it develops and when it is finally completed.
The Future
The UKHKA and everyone involved in the industry cannot afford to be complacent and for this reason we seek to enlist your help in our quest to maintain the meteoric interest in knitting. We offer free advice, guidance and support for all those who run wool shops in the UK. The UKHKA can also help to promote your knitting events and together we can increase awareness of all UK knitting activities through media coverage and on www.ukhandknitting.com
Next Step For Retailers
There is now a newsletter available to Retailers, in it you will receive information about current UKHKA initiatives, news, views and advice. We also invite you to have your shop featured on our new Retailer's Shop page. Here you can display up to 4 images of the inside and outside of your shop, give background details, directions to and contact details as well as a link to your website.
Click here to sign up to Retailer's Newsletter
Click here to receive more information about appearing on our Retailer's Page.
Click here to visit Retailer's Shop page
© ukhandknitting.com 2005