Craft Focus - Apr/May (Issue 66)

Running over three days in February, this year’s CHSI Stitches attracted more than 200 exhibitors, with thousands of buyers coming to place orders, network and develop their knowledge and business skills. New initiatives for 2018 included a brand-new Presentation Theatre, catwalk and an updated media hub. A major new industry study, The Craft Report, was revealed to visitors at three keynotes in the show’s Presentation Theatre. Speakers included magazine editors and trend leaders, who joined experts on GDPR and social media to deliver valuable insights to visitors and exhibitors. A range of eye- catching performances took place on the show’s catwalk too, with stunning creations from Vlieseline, Rico Design, Gutermann, Lion Brand, Madeira and McCall Pattern Company. “The show has been a resounding success and we’re delighted with the feedback from both exhibitors and retailers,” says Dominic Fleming, show organiser. “We wanted to make some key changes this year and take the first steps towards the revamp we are working on. To see it brought to life and to hear the response from visitors has confirmed we are going in the right direction. Reports from exhibitors indicate that orders have been very strong, with new leads generated from a range of key buyers.” Exhibitor feedback Many of the industry’s major brands were at the show, with strong sales and quality leads reported among both large companies and smaller start-ups. “We produce all of our own recycled yarn and it has been so well received at the show,” says Geesje Mosies from Hoooked. “The real winner for us was our amigurumi crochet kits, which are again made up of recycled yarns and a sustainable bamboo hook. We had an offer for the full set and took so many orders.” Michael Armstrong, managing director at Rico Design, adds, “It was an excellent show. We presented our spring/summer collection for hand knitting as well as our new fabrics. Our latest stationery themes, ‘wonderland’ and ‘hygge’, also went down really well.” The Craft Report One of the big stories at this year’s event shopping the trends A fresh new look and plenty of inspiration made this year’s show an unmissable event for craft buyers 32 craftfocus