We recently traveled to sunny Anaheim, California to attend the 2014 Winter Craft and Hobby Association Trade Show. This annual show gives us a sneak peek at all of the hot new trends in the crafting world. We were not only lucky enough to play with all of the new craft supplies that will be hitting stores this year, but we also ran into some crafty celebrities that you may recognize — scroll down to find out who! 🙂
We, of course, bee-lined to all of the yarn booths to check out what’s in store for us knitters and crocheters. A few of the major trends that we couldn’t help but notice are oversized wearables, bright colors, and pompoms. So sit down, relax, and read all about our favorite new yarn trends below.
Red Heart Yarns:
Red Heart’s big reveal this year was reflective yarn. In normal lighting, it looks just like your average acrylic yarn, but believe it or not, it actually reflects light because of reflective thread that’s been added to the yarn. This unique component helps in nighttime visibility, and would be handy when working up accessories such as headbands, scarves, and dog apparel.
Lucky for us, this awesome feature also shows up exceptionally well in flash photography! The images on the left are in normal lighting (without a flash); the images on the right were taken with a flash. You can really get a good look at the reflective feature!
Lion Brand Yarns:
Our friends at Lion Brand are calling 2014 “the year of you.” Their big focus this year will be personalization of patterns such as their zodiac scarf collection, crocheted afghans to match your own personal home decor style, afghans for every season, and personalized baby blankets using their adorable little Bonbons to embroider homemade crochet afghans.
We were also lucky enough to get a seat at the Lion Brand fashion show, The 7 Wonders of the Yarn World. This lively fashion show featured the latest knit and crochet patterns from Lion Brand, all of which will be available for free on Lion Brand’s website by March 1, 2014. The seven wonders included Cables, Stripes & Chevrons, Lace, Embellishment, Texture, and Granny Squares. Some themes that were impossible to ignore this year were over-sized (comfy!) garments, bright colors, and playful pompoms. Check out some pictures from the show below!
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 It was also a pleasure to meet some of the talented crochet bloggers that AllFreeCrochet works with on a regular basis. We were able to spend some time with Michael Sellick of The Crochet Crowd, Mary Kathryn Vaughn of Crochet Chiq, Jaime Maraia of Crochet Dynamite, and last but certainly not least, Vanna White from Lion Brand Yarns. These talented bloggers and companies were able to mingle and network together, as well, at Prime Publishing’s second annual Blogger Networking Event.
Of course, a trip to Anaheim just wouldn’t be complete without a trip to Disneyland! We were lucky enough to sneak in a bit of “playtime” while we were at CHA, and look who we ran into!
What new yarn product or trend are you most excited to try? Leave a comment and let us know!
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The reflective yarn!!! Since we are out a lot in the winter, and live in the midwest, I can’t wait to use this yarn!!!
Happy to see oversize garments again. I am 81 years old and plus size. Oversize is most comfortable , easy on and easy to go. Thank you.
I can’t wait to try the reflective yarns. So cool!
Kepppi for my keppi and reflective so people will see me better!!!
The reflective yarns are amazing! As soon as they are available, I am knitting my dogs some sweaters with it. I am also a Bonbon addict. I can make quick projects without having to make a huge yarn investment.
I think I’d like to try the reflective yarn. This sounds like a very useful yarn for those who workout at night, or even those who have to travel by bike or foot during the night shift. I like that you mentioned dogs because our little guy is hard to see at night so having a reflective sweater will add to keeping him safe on his nightly walks.
Can’t wait to try the reflective yarn! !!!
The new reflective yarn looks and sound very interesting. I will be trying it soon.
The new reflective yarn from Red Heart –my daughters own greyhounds that need sweaters when it is chilly.
the reflective yarn sound great, I just hope it is not as expensive as the stuff I saw sold in one craft catalogue that I get. If it is the same – or nearly the same – it will be out of my budget range.
Must get me some of that reflective yarn…kids will love wearing my hats and wrist warmers…plus it would be fun to see Keppi in reflective yarn. Looks like another shopping trip to Joanns is in the near future.
Need to get reflective yarn. We ride motorcycles and would be great for hats. I want to make a fog coat for my boxer as well. It look awesome!
I would love to try the new reflective yarn. Sounds fun.
The reflective yarn looks like so much fun!
I am most excited about the reflective yarn. I enjoy walking my dog at night and it would be great to make some items to wear which will make us safer as we cross the streets.
I can’t wait to try the reflective yarn. I walk my dogs at night & this would be so helpful for people driving to be able to see me & them better! Would have to make them some cute puppy scarfs!
Cannot wait to get the reflective yarn. My husband walks the dog early in the morning and at night. I want to make my husband a hat and scarf so he will be visible and warm and going to try to make a dog coat also. I think this is a great idea! Would be a great gift also for joggers.
All of it sounds exciting, the oversized patterns is a plus especially since not everyone is a size 5! The reflective yarn really sounds unique and very helpful for many reasons especially if a child is out at night or even adults out biking, exercising or other activities! I can’t wait! I wish I could someday go to a yarn and hobby craft show in California sometime! Sounded so exciting!
I can’t wait to make a dog coat with the reflective yarn!
Hi all Ilove the look of the Sashay but can’t afford it plus the metallic’s look so pretty I loomknit plus have Fibromyalgia so I generally get the cheaper yarn since I’m unable to work and hubbys retired but enjoy the yarn I can use very much
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