PGH Knit & Crochet Festival

I got back yesterday from the Pittsburgh Knit & Crochet Festival.  The event was held in Sheridan Hotel in Mars, PA March 15-17.  There were classes for both knitters and crocheters.  There was a market area as well.

I was attending the market on Saturday and had a crochet class on Sunday morning, so I was spending the night at another local hotel.  Sorry but $120.00 a night for a hotel room is a little too much for one person.

I arrived on Saturday at about noon.  There was not a parking place to be had.  There was a shuttle bus but nothing indicating where it was going.  I later found out that it shuttled back and forth from         Wal-mart.    That’s nice, if you know where the local Wal-mart is located.

After driving around for awhile, I finally parked in the church next door’s parking lot.  I went inside.  I was excited when I saw a poster advertising that Author, Knitter, and Crocheter, Debbie Mcomber was going to be attending the festival. For a split second I thought, gee, I would have brought a book for her to sign. However I then noticed that nowhere did the poster state what time and where she would be.  I thought what was the point of letting people know Debbie Mcomber was going to be there if you don’t know where and when?

I proceeded to registration where of course there was a line.  I did not ask about Debbie Mcomber as the line behind me was getting longer.  I received my credentials and headed to the market.   There were so many people I was actually surprised that someone was not watching how many people were allowed in.  I visited a few booths.  In one booth the owner recycled knitting needles and crochet hooks into jewelry.  I bought 2 shawl pins and a crochet hook necklace.  I was there a grand total of 45 minutes, before it just got to crowded and I left.  If this was how the weekend was going to go I was going to be very disappointed.  If you would have asked me if I would be back I would have said NO.

I returned Sunday morning for a scheduled class by Robyn Chachula.  It was called Unusual Stitches.  I can now do extended and linked stitches.  I was shown how to make broom stick lace and the Solomon’s knot.  Neither of which I could do before.   I also learned how to read a chart!  This class actually made my weekend.

During our break I decided to run into the market.  Robyn had copies of her book Simply Crochet at her booth and I wanted a copy.   The market place was practically empty!  I walked around a bit and bought a few more things. Sorry to say that they had run out of copies of her book.

If it had not been for Sunday I would not have wanted to return.  Next year I will check classes and may return on Friday or Sunday.