Let’s Knit! Award Winners Announced

This month sees retailers, manufacturers, and even bloggers involved in the UK's hand knitting industry honoured for their contribution to the hobby by Let's Knit! Awards 2008. The winners, who will collect their awards at the Let's Knit! stand at Alexandra Palace's Knitting & Stitching Show, have been nominated and voted for by an army of increasingly dedicated knitters keen to identify their favourites.

"We are so excited to be presenting our very first annual awards at the show and are really grateful to everyone who voted,” says editor Sarah Neal. “We were extremely keen to demonstrate just how vibrant and various this industry is, and the list of winners certainly reflects that. Moreover, the enthusiastic response we’ve received certainly proves Let's Knit! readers to be a discerning bunch who know what they like and are keen to shout about it!"

Sarah and her team will be further promoting the cause of hand knitting at the Let's Knit! Cafe. The magazine has worked with The UK Handknitting Association to bring 'extreme knitter' Rachel John, author Claire Crompton and 'domiKNITrix' Jennifer Stafford to the cafe to inspire beginners and veterans alike. Speed knitter and Guinness World Record holder Miriam Tegels will also be competing with French champion Marie-Alice Morisset for the crown of speediest stitcher.

The Let's Knit! Awards will be presented throughout the three-day event at stand number D17. The winners are:

Favourite knitting designer: Debbie Bliss

Best local yarn store: Loop, London

Best chain store: John Lewis

Best mail order service/online store: Get Knitted

Best knit blog: Stephanie Pearl-McPhee, the Yarn Harlot

Best ready-to-use knit kits: Rowan

Best knitting needle range: Brittany Birch

Best accessories range: Clover

Best pattern house: Rowan

Favourite show or event: Knitting & Stitching Show – Alexandra Palace

Best sock yarn brand: Regia

Best baby yarn brand: Debbie Bliss

Best novelty yarn brand: Sirdar

Best budget yarn brand: Sirdar

Best luxury yarn brand: Rowan

Favourite overall yarn brand: Rowan

Editor's choice award: I Knit London, for services to knitting!

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