Today was our big day out at the Handwerkbeurs in Zwolle.  Actually I started preparing yesterday when I made banana bread and then date nut whiskey cake.  I made them as train treats since we decided to all go together on the train from Amsterdam.

We met at the central station at 8:50 this morning.  I barely made it since I had to come from Haarlem and miscalculated a bit when the train ran on Saturdays.  Whew!  Just in time!  We ate cake, and Malia’s cookies.

And we talked and knit.  The train conductors thought we were very interesting.

  

There were 12 of us in all on this little adventure!  Gezellig hoor!

Once we got there it was impossible to all stay together, but that was ok.  It wasn’t big enough to get lost in and we had the Dutch Knitter’s table to meet up at periodically.  Last year I went to this thing by myself and was pretty disappointed.  I had no high expectations this time and was actually pleasantly surprised.  There was more knitting stuff and there were a few really unique booths with stuff you don’t find just anywhere.

There’s still a lot of kitsch and way too much quilting, but overall, it’s much better than previous years.  If this is an indication of how it will continue, then I’ll probably go again next year.  To be honest the BEST thing about today was the wonderful group of friends who went along.

Marjan, aka Yarnissima, was there giving workshops all day.  She was so busy!  I picked up my two orders from her and chatted for just a minute.  I bet she was exhausted at the end of the day.  Lovely red shawl Marjan!

Carla and Hilly had set up the Dutch Knitter’s table where we scored chairs now and then and took time out to hang out and knit.  

  

Malia and Dagmar were on the lookout for cool ideas and products to add to their store.  

I think a lot of us scored some really nice stuff today.  I’m REALLY REALLY excited about what I bought but I’m not going to tell until next weekend when I will have photos to go along with my excited words.  OK, just one little hint – a lot of it came from Japan and only 1 tiny thing is Noro.  That’s ALL I will say now.

I know of one really happy girl who can’t wait to try some new things….

I can’t wait to see what she does with it!