KNITTED TEXTILE STUDENT AWARDS

SPONSORED by the British Hand Knitting Confederation and GMC publishing

The very first exhibition showcasing the Knitted Textile Student Awards was staged at The Knitting and Stitching Shows at Alexandra Palace and The Int. Halls, Harrogate in autumn 03.

Last year the 1st prize of £1,000 went to Vanessa Standen from Buckingham and Chilterns University College.  Her college also won £1,000 worth of beautiful yarns donated by BHKC member companies.	The 2nd prize went to Julie Sissons who won £500 and 3rd prize to Charlie Pigg who won £250, both students from the University of Brighton.

Contestants from colleges throughout the country vie for this prestigious new award, sponsored by the BHKC and GMC’s new publication, Knitting and supported by Creative Exhibitions.

The standard and variety or student’s entries is testimony to the fact that knitting and crochet are versatile and exciting crafts, totally in tune with the 21st century.

From wall hangings and furniture to garments and accessories, the award is judged by eminent figures from the world of knitted textiles including Sandy Black, Erika Knight, Sasha Kagan, Debbie Bliss, Christine Richardson, Kate Buller, Martin Storey and Jane Bolsover.

The response of visitors to the Knitted Textile Gallery was fantastic, attracting young students and their tutors as well as yarn craft enthusiasts from all over the country.  Comments such as “at last a proper showcase for knitting” and “I never knew knitted textiles could be like this” were heard throughout all 4 days of the show.  Visitors were intrigued by the variety of techniques incorporated in the work as well as the diversity and originality of the exhibits. Sandy Black, author of Knitwear in Fashion and senior tutor at the London College of Fashion, was chief designer of the showcase last Autumn and, along with some of the winning students, was on hand to answer a myriad of questions relating to construction and techniques employed.  There is no doubt that a lot of inspiration will have stemmed from this source, putting this award firmly on the map for all university colleges specialising in Knitted Textiles.

All visitors to the gallery were given the opportunity to vote for their favourite exhibit and after the Harrogate show, the winning student won £100 and one lucky voter won £100 worth of craft books from GMC publishing.  This additional attraction ensured real participation from the visitors and many deep discussions ensued!

Be sure to visit this year’s Knitted Textile Showcase in the Textile Gallery at the Knitting and Stitching shows; Alexandra Palace 7 – 10 October and Harrogate 25 – 28 October for what promises to be another fantastic collection of the best knitted textile innovations.

Whilst at the Alexandra Palace show, don’t forget to visit the Relax and Knit stand and the major contest for the WORLD’S FASTEST KNITTER title!!

See Relax and Knit and Fastest Knitter sections for more information onthese 2 events.

For more information and images please contact;

 Christine Kingdom PR

Tel; 0118 973 6796 Email; chris@thekingdoms.co.uk