Bendigo Show for Newbies: Part 2

Last week I wrote Bendigo Show for Newbies: Part 1 where I introduced the show covering the basics and what you will find. This week I will be covering off a few more areas:​

• What to take

• My tips

• Also check out....

These are mostly my own opinions from what I have come to learn from the show. I hope they help you out too! What to take Each year I pack the same things with me, it has become part of my "stash" in the sense that I keep it all together, and grab them as I pack my bags, so I don't forget anything.

1. Ravelry name badge - It is so much fun seeing all of flashes of badges as you walk past the crowds of people. It is even more fun when you recognise someones username and try not to get too excited and scare them when you exclaim "OH!!!! You're (insert username here)!! I'm Whirlsie, I have seen your posts/spoken to you on (insert board name here)!!" You feel a little stalkerish, but it is so nice putting a face to the name! I always jump a little when someone recognises me but it's great when we can stop and have a chat. The name badge promotes a sense of community and it's an excellent conversation tool. You can buy them on Ravelry here, but you cannot sell them. Some stalls at the show will have badges there for people who purchase something from them (I don't think it's a rule, but it is polite), so if you would like one, keep an eye out at the stalls!

2. Carry Bags - bring along your reuseable bags to store your newly aquired stash and tools! I have about 4 that I bring along. These are usually lightweight cloth bags that I can wear across my body. Personally, I like having my hands free to squish the yarn, plus then I don't need to worry about accidentally putting one down and leaving it behind. One of my bags always gets attention at the show, it's a pink and black one with sparkles. My friend Carrie got it from Bali. She has a matching purple one and my friend Kai has a matching green one.

3. Cash - It's always a great idea to have some cash on you. Some stalls don't have EFTPOS facilities (although most do) and one year the ATM wasn't working. AT ALL! It's always good to have a back up.

4. Knitting/crocheting/spindle/craft - there is usually a spot in the bottom sheds for a sit and a natter where you can have a bit of a knit or spin etc

5. Warm clothes - or at least ones that you can easily layer. I have only been for one really warm day (last years), the others have been cold, or windy or had some rain. The weather is usually reasonable for most of the day, but just be ready to pop on a jumper or jacket if needed.

6. Boots - wear boots! Trust me. You will appreciate them! If the weather turns and it starts raining, it means you won't have to worry about cold, wet toes. Combine them with your knitted socks and you will be in heaven!!

7. Handmade warmies - speaking of knitted socks, don't forget to wear your favourite handmade item(s). Jumpers, shawls, mitts, etc. You will have a lot of other knitters stopping to admire your work and ask you for the pattern. One year my Cables and Garter Cardi had me stopped on 3 separate occasions! Last year I wore my Taliesin Jumper before the pattern had been released! I also wore my Handspun Scarf which I couldn't wait to show Charly from Ixchel Yarns and Fibres.

My tips Other than the above "what to take" list, these are some other tips that I hope might help you out.

1. Know what you like - this sounds simple, but it really does help to sit down and figure out what you like! It took me 2 shows to realise that I personally don't like varigated yarn. It looks so stunning in the skein, and I. Just. Had. To. Have. IT!!!! But when I knitted it up, I just didn't like the pooling. You might not like a particular ply of yarn, you might only like a certain kind of stitch marker (I am fussy about my stitch markers). If you need to, write down a list, it will help when all of the excitement hits you at the colourful stalls!

2. Have a "buddy" - further to tip #1, tell a friend. Have a buddy there. If you know you have too much purple in your stash, tell your buddy so they can stop you. I have even 'trained' Mr Whirlsie to know what varigated yarn is so that he usually stops me by saying "Now, I am supposed to ask you 'What will you make with it?'" It's the only time he questions my buying hehe!

3. Consider shipping - if you are buying equipment at the show (such as spinning wheels), keep in mind that while you pay for it there, it may need to be ordered and shipped in. If you already know what you are after, you might be able to get in touch with the store beforehand and ask them to bring it with them. This may not always be possible. Some stalls will have some stock in, others may only have the demo stock so that you can try them out before hand.

4. Prepaid postage bags - some people who are flying in, take the prepaid postage bags with them. This way they won't be able to go over their baggage limit, and their stash will arrive at their house in good time (usually).

5. Collect business cards - stall holders will usually have their business cards on the table. If you see something in their shop that catches your eye, take a card. If you can, write what you liked on the back of it. There are times, usually 6 months later, that I need something (like a shawl pin) and I cannot remember the name of the stall that had the cool item that I now want. Last year I wanted a shawl pin and I couldn't remember who had the style I liked. Luckily I had grabbed a business card from Wool n' Wire from the show in 2013, so I was able to jump onto their Etsy store.

Keep a look out for yarn bombing around the town!

Also check out... Bendigo Woollen Mills The wool mill is an excellent place to visit! The front room has all of the "usual" stock that is on the shade card and limited release yarns. it is a glorious rainbow of colour!

However... the back room is what you really want to check out. There are all kinds of goodies ready to be snaffled! These are yarns that you cannot buy online or over the phone. They are limited to the back room. They might be yarns that were made for a large order and there was extra left over or they might be smaller balls of the usual stock at a lower price. Sometimes there may even be seconds, where the stock just wasn't quite up to scratch. Over the show weekend, BWM usually have extended business hours, so make sure you check out their website beforehand. You can also read a little more about BWM in this news article.

Bendigo Woollen Mills Back Room (part of) Taken from Bendigo Woollen Mills Facebook page

The Muster The Muster started back in 2012 as a collaboration between Nanny's Spin on Things (Janet Knoop) and Ewe Give Me the Knits (Mandie Chandler). They became known as Nanny & Ewe and they had a few fibre events in Victoria. I have been told the Muster is going ahead this year, although I have struggled to find additional information. This is a spin off of the Sheep and Wool Show where stall holders also sell their wares. There is a large area in the center to have a sit and knit/spin/crochet/craft. There is usually coffee and tea on the go as well. The Muster has been growing each year with more stallholders and it's a great way to see even more fluff! Dinners There are usually a few dinners on in Bendigo, usually organised over Ravelry or facebook. I am not active in many groups on Ravelry, so I couldn't tell you which ones are on this year.

However, I have been considering organising a Whirlsie's Designs dinner! It would be great to meet you guys! I am unsure of a venue or specific date at this stage. It would depend on what suits the majority of people and the number who would like to attend. It would be totally casual. Let me know if you are interested!

Don't forget, I have made a map to show where these sites are in relation to each other. Click on the map icon below to see it.

If you are planning on attending the show, I hope you have a fantastic time and I hope the information I have given helps you out! I hope to see you there!! I'll be writing more about the show beforehand I am sure, hopefully with some updated information on anything else exciting that is happening, but if there is anything you would like me to write about, please let me know!