Vogue Knitting LIVE! NYC 2013 Recap Part 1: The Marketplace

I am back from a 3-day whirlwind of fun and fiber from the Marriot Marquis in Times Square, which hosted the third Vogue Knitting LIVE! in New York City. This year marked a change in venue, which was one of the common topics of conversation: everyone that I spoke with who was at VKL 2012 in New York commented how the new venue was so much better. 

As I was riding up the escalator towards the Marketplace preview Friday night,
I couldn't contain my excitement and anticipation.

The change in venue helped for two important reasons, the first being the lighting. Last year, I struggled to take decent photos (albeit with a point and shoot that did have manual features; this year I am with a DSLR and external flash, which I am still learning to use, but was great to play with and experiment this weekend). 

As such, the lighting in the Marriot Marquis was brighter and helped contribute to a general sense of elation and excitement. While speaking with Della of DellaQ about how this year compared to last year, she stated that there was a better vibe and sense of excitement this year. 

DellaQ's newest Interchangeable Needle Case set -
the slots are labeled for easy reference and use.

The second reason is even though the Marketplace was on two floors this year, the vendors did not disappoint. The marketplace was bigger and provided more variety for the discerning fiber artists and aficionados, with vendors offering the latest knitting and crochet tools to the newest needle organizers, project bags and fiber blends. 

Moreover, the Marketplace had a sense of order and theme: while on the 6th floor there were major yarn companies and yarn shops, the 5th floor was a showcase for the newest, best and brightest (in terms of color) indie dyers; several of my favorites included The Plucky Knitter, Jill Draper Makes Stuff and Dragonfly Fibers. 

The fun and friendly dyers behind The Plucky Knitter. 

This cowl is definitely going in my queue. 

For this solids loving girl, The Plucky Knitter was one of the many happy places in the Marketplace. 

Jill Draper showcasing her newest
forthcoming design.

Amazing handdyed yarns from Jill Draper Makes Stuff. 

Three years later, and my Traveling Woman made in their Djinni Sock still looks brand new. 

Dragonfly Fibers Djinni Sock in Winter Woods. This will be the first skein
I will break my Cold Sheep vow with for sure! 

Latest publications from Cooperative Press. 

On the 5th Floor, I had a lot of fun popping in and watching the book signings at the Knitty City booth, catching up with Tabbethia Long Island Livestock Company, trying out the FixIt! stitch tool, talking about the new luxury yarns (Quiviut blends!!!) over at Bijou Basin Ranch and checking out the new iPad case from Yarn Pop. For those who have the Mini, Lori did mention that they are working on one for the future. I'm excited because the current iPad case is not just an iPad case, but is also a needle case, perfect for traveling! Can't wait to get my hands on one when they do come out with it. 

Pearl Chin, left and Nicki Epstein at one of the many book signings in the Knitty City Booth. 

The amazing all natural Shepheress body care line at LI Livestock. Their booth is my happy place. 

Tabbethia's Wedding Shawl knit out of LI Livestock Company Yarn. 

Demonstrating how the Fix-A-Stitch works. 

Arctic Dream Quiviut/Cashmere/Silk yarn from Bijou Basin Ranch. 

Adorable and useful project bags and tablet cases from YarnPop. 

In addition, Vogue Knitting LIVE! had more to offer than just a marketplace and classes; when I saw that the Relaxation lounge offered (free!) hand massages, I knew I couldn't pass it up. Working and racing to finish the Larch Cardigan (as part of #larchcardiganwatch2013) was unsuccessful, but reminded me that I needed to take break since my RSI flared up. There was also seated yoga in a quieter section of the hotel away from the marketplace on the floors where classes were held, giving attendees a space to relax and get away from the marketplace. 

The hand massage was just the thing I needed. 

Other features of the Marketplace included the requisite yarn tasting section where you could try out new yarns such as Zealana Air and test drive Knitter's Pride needles, and the art gallery featuring knitted food and the adorable mochis from Mochimochiland. Fashion shows from designers and companies such as Nicki Epstein and Koigu showcased their designs and there were free talks and demos such as how to wash your finished objects with Soak. 

Yarn tasting - not only can you try the yarn, but also check out
the Knitter's Pride Needles, too. I did get myself a set of size 4 DPNs.
The gorgeous yarn bowl is from The Knitting Dude. 

The softest yarn, ever. And it keeps you very warm - more so than cashmere alone. 

Tiny Project Big Heart - knit socks for Premies out of Zealana Air. 

Mochimochimochimochimochimochi, by Anna Hrachovec

Soak wash, yarn AND nail polish? Match made in heaven for me. 

Finally, if you were interested in learning how to knit or crochet, there was the Bernat Beginner Lounge with Vickie Howell, where she taught enthusiastic future fiber artists the basic tools they needed to get started and join in on the fun. 

Learn how to knit or crochet! Next year I will definitely learn to crochet here. 

Squishy yarn at the Bernat Beginner Lounge. 

At the Bernat Beginner's Lounge. 

And the whole Marketplace was fun. While I walked away with no yarn (I am cold sheeping this year), I did get some goodies which I will share in a future post - what can a knitter get if there is no yarn or fiber buying? Trust me, there is alot. 

The Marketplace was where you could meet with your favorite designer and get his or her latest book signed, and learn about the latest and the best yarns tools and accessories. It proved that it was more than a place to shop, but to learn, experiment, socialize and create. 

Stay tuned; the second part of my Vogue Knitting LIVE! Recap will premiere on Tuesday and there will be a podcast recap and special edition of In the Conductor's Booth by the end of this week. Who do you think I interviewed this year? Check out last year's Vogue Knitting LIVE! interviewee, Clara Parkes, here. 

If you attended Vogue Knitting LIVE! what was your experience like? Share your experiences (and swag!) in the comments below. 

See you next year!