Convention 2024 will be held from 6 to 8 September 2024, with the Annual General Meeting on 7 September.
This member-only event is now fully booked. We maintain a waiting list in case someone who has booked tells us they will not be able to attend – if you book now you will be added to that list.
Our venue for 2024 is High Leigh Conference Centre, Lord Street, Hoddeston, Hertfordshire EN11 8SG.
Save the date and join us for a weekend of keynote talks, workshops and sociable crafting. This exclusive weekend is available to Guild members only.
Updated: 02 April 2024.
The Location
The Convention is being held at High Leigh Conference Centre, Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire, EN1 8SG. This is part of the same group as The Hayes (where we held Convention last year) so the standard will be similar.
Full directions are available on their website: https://www.cct.org.uk/high-leigh/how-to-find-us. You can also download travel directions here.
Cost of attending
If you are delivering a workshop, you are entitled to a £25 discount. Please deduct £25 when making your payment.
Fully residential – Friday 4pm till Sunday 4pm | £ 325 |
Day delegate – Saturday only | £ 75 |
Day delegate – Sunday only | £ 75 |
Day delegate – Saturday and Sunday | £ 140 |
Note: All of the venues in this group charge per person, not per room. This means we do not offer a discount for sharing. If you prefer to share, that can be arranged – but the cost remains the same.
Day delegate places are subject to availability. The venue has a maximum capacity and must be able to accommodate them. We will check as soon as you enquire.
High Leigh is not open on a Sunday night, but there are plenty of hotels nearby and close to the major stations.
If you want to arrive on the Thursday, you may be able to book for a room, dinner on Thursday, plus breakfast and lunch on Friday, at £115 per person. This is subject to availability.
Booking your place
The best way to book your place is to complete the online booking form (see button below). After you submit the form we will contact you to confirm details and to arrange for payment.
You can choose:
- to pay a deposit (£50 to secure your place, as places are limited) and pay the balance by 30 June, or
- to pay the full amount on booking. (If you are booking after 30 June, you must pay the full amount on booking.)
Only current members can book a place at Convention. Press a button to be able to book. The buttons open pages in a new tab (so that you can easily return to this page and refresh it).
We have to pay for the places we’ve confirmed whether they are taken or not, so we cannot offer refunds. Unless someone else takes your place, we can only refund within the first 14 days of booking. After that, you are liable for the full cost of your place. (We will run a waiting list.) We suggest you take holiday insurance to cover the cost of having to cancel.
Outline Programme
Although we will do our best not to change the programme, sometimes we have to for a variety of reasons. We will inform you if a workshop you are allocated has to change. You may download a copy of the programme.
Friday 6th September
Start | End | Event |
---|---|---|
4pm | Ongoing | Registration |
5pm | 5:30pm | Welcome and introductions |
6pm | 7pm | Dinner |
7:30pm | 8:30pm | Keynote: Vikki Haffenden |
Saturday 7th September
Start | End | Event |
---|---|---|
8am | 9am | Breakfast |
9:30am | 10:30am | Keynote: Sue Maton |
10:30am | 11am | Break |
11am | 1pm | Annual General Meeting |
1pm | 2pm | Lunch |
2pm | 4:30pm | Workshops (including half hour break) |
4:30pm | 6pm | Yarn Amnesty open Any fringe events Socialising. |
6pm | 7pm | Dinner |
7:30pm | 8:30pm | Keynote: Lily Kate France |
8:30pm | Craft and chat in bar and lounges |
Sunday 8th September
Start | End | Event |
---|---|---|
8am | 9am | Breakfast |
9:30am | Clear rooms and check out | |
9:30 am | 10:30am | Show and Tell |
10:30am | 11am | Break |
11am | 1pm | Workshops |
1pm | 2pm | Lunch |
2pm | 2:30pm | Closing remarks and raffle |
2:30pm | 4pm | Socialising (refreshments available |
4pm | Deadline for leaving |
Programme
Although we will do our best not to change the programme, sometimes we have to for a variety of reasons. We will inform you if a workshop you are allocated has to change.
Workshops are categorised by their craft, talks are of general interest.
Keynote speakers
Our speakers have generously offered their time and expertise. We intend to record these sessions for those members who are unable to attend in person. All the talks are of interest regardless of the crafts you practise.
Friday
Friday 6 September 4:00 pm and ongoing
Registration
Sign in and collect your room keys from the High Leigh reception desk.
Your badge will give you access to your bedroom and to the Convention buildings. Please return it at the end of your visit.
Then visit the Convention reception team in the reception area to receive your delegate badge.
If you arrive after this registration period, please collect your key and ask the High Leigh Reception Team to direct you to the main meeting room and register for Convention there.
Friday 6 September 5:00 pm – 5:30 pm
Welcome
Dianne Chan (Chair of the Knitting & Crochet Guild) will open Convention, welcome delegates, and give general information about Convention.
Friday 6 September 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Dinner
We have reserved tables in the dining room.
You are welcome to sit at any of our reserved tables. We realise that it can be daunting to join what appears to be an established group, so at least one table will be designated as “I want to meet other people.” Please do not join this table as a group – though we really hope that you will feel part of a group by the time you leave it.
Friday 6 September 7:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Keynote
Vikki Haffenden – ‘The Fashionable Craft: A fresh Look at Machine Knitting’
Craft: General
Experience: All
Summary: Vikki Haffenden, the author of ‘Single and Double Bed Machine Knitting; the Designer’s Guide’ and ‘Translating Between Hand and Machine Knitting’ will talk about her books are contributing to the new wave of interest in machine knitting. She will discuss the historical and contemporary contexts of machine knitting and explore some of the misconceptions held about this fascinating and often neglected creative field. …
Friday 6 September 8:30pm – late
Craft and chat
Pick up your project and make your way to the bar or a lounge to chat and craft with other delegates.
Saturday
Saturday 7 September 8:00 am – 9:00 am
Breakfast
We have reserved tables in the dining room.
You are welcome to sit at any of our reserved tables. We realise that it can be daunting to join what appears to be an established group, so at least one table will be designated as “I want to meet other people.” Please do not join this table as a group – though we really hope that you will feel part of a group by the time you leave it.
Saturday 7 September 9:30 am – 10:30 am
Keynote
Sue Maton – ‘Crochet, Craft & Community’
Craft: General
Experience: All abilities
Summary: Using examples of her designs, and course members’ work, Sue will explain her design process, what inspires and drives her, and how she sees her work developing in the future …
Saturday 7 September 10:30 am – 11:00 am
Break
Enjoy a hot drink and snacks.
Saturday 7 September 11:00 am – 1:00 pm
Annual General Meeting
All delegates to Convention are registered to attend the Annual General Meeting (AGM).
Members who are unable to attend the AGM in person will be able to register to attend by video conference. Members will be told how to do this in the formal notification of the AGM.
Saturday 7 September 1:00 – 2:00 pm
Lunch
We have reserved tables in the dining room.
You are welcome to sit at any of our reserved tables. We realise that it can be daunting to join what appears to be an established group, so at least one table will be designated as “I want to meet other people.” Please do not join this table as a group – though we really hope that you will feel part of a group by the time you leave it.
Saturday 7 September 2:00 pm – 4:30 pm
Workshops (including time for refreshment break)
Hand Knitting
Casting on – let me count the ways with Rachel Lemon
Craft: Hand Knitting
Experience: Beginner / Intermediate / Advanced
Summary: You don’t have to cast on or off in the same manner for every item you knit – how stretchy do you want your rib? Fancy knitting toe-up socks? We’ll cover ribs, crochet and casting-on in two directions at once. I’ll have samples so you can choose which to try …
Let’s learn intarsia together with Steve Foreman
Craft: Hand Knitting
Experience: Confident Beginner / Intermediate / Advanced
Summary: After this workshop you will be able to use a chart, plan your intarsia project, and knit motifs using intarsia when knitting flat. If you are experienced in knitting in the round and knitting flat intarsia there may be time for you to learn intarsia in the round …
Making and using T-shirt yarn with Clare Griffel
Craft: Hand Knitting, Crochet
Experience: Basic
Summary: Learn the best way to make old T-shirts into yarn, and make a start on knitting or crocheting an item using the yarn …
Machine Knitting
HP is SO saucy with Vikki Haffenden
Craft: Machine Knitting
Experience: Intermediate / Advanced
Summary: A practical, inspiring workshop exploring the potential of holding position for short rows, 2D and 3D surface pattern and shaping. The technique is possible on all single bed machines that have holding position (HP), including the simple, plastic-bed models such as the Silver Reed KL150 and Brother KX390/395 …
Crochet
Making and using T-shirt yarn with Clare Griffel
Craft: Hand Knitting, Crochet
Experience: Basic
Summary: Learn the best way to make old T-shirts into yarn, and make a start on knitting or crocheting an item using the yarn …
Mastering Texture and Dimension in Crochet: A Hands-on Demonstration of Back/Front Post Techniques, Cables, Ribs, and Edgings with Amanda Hutcherson
Craft: Crochet
Experience: Intermediate
Summary: An immersive workshop designed to elevate your crochet projects from simple to spectacular by adding texture, depth, and intricate details …
Tunisian crochet – it’s in the (little) bag with Pam Mitchell
Craft: Crochet, Machine Knitting, General
Experience: Confident Beginner / Intermediate
Summary: Learn Tunisian Crochet …
General interest
Begin to spin using a drop spindle with Lynda Fiendly
Craft: General
Experience: Beginner
Summary: An introduction to using a top whorl drip spindle …
Saturday 7 September 4:30 pm – 6:00 pm
Self-guided activities
It is “Delegates’ choice” as to which events take place in this slot and which you attend! The bar, lounges and garden will be available for socialising. In addition there will be:
- Yarn Amnesty. Bring your unwanted yarn, tools and books so that others can benefit from your donation and contribute funds to the Guild. We are only able to accept cash.
- Fringe events. Anyone can set up a fringe event – just tell the Convention organisers at the start of the day so we can let people know what you are planning. They are opportunities to get together to talk about a particular activity. As an example, Branch Coordinators at Convention will have a get-together.
Saturday 7 September 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Dinner
We have reserved tables in the dining room.
You are welcome to sit at any of our reserved tables. We realise that it can be daunting to join what appears to be an established group, so at least one table will be designated as “I want to meet other people.” Please do not join this table as a group – though we really hope that you will feel part of a group by the time you leave it.
Saturday 7 September 7:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Keynote
Lily Kate France – ‘Knitting & STEM & Social Media’
Craft: General
Experience: All abilities
Summary: Lily will discuss the considerable overlap on the science / creativity Venn diagram and how it impacts her work …
Saturday 7 September 8:30pm – late
Craft and chat
Pick up your project and make your way to one of the bars and lounges to chat and craft with other delegates.
Sunday
Sunday 8 September 8:00 am – 9:00 am
Breakfast
We have reserved tables in the dining room.
You are welcome to sit at any of our reserved tables. We realise that it can be daunting to join what appears to be an established group, so at least one table will be designated as “I want to meet other people.” Please do not join this table as a group – though we really hope that you will feel part of a group by the time you leave it.
Sunday 7 September 9:30 am
Please vacate your room and check out by 9:30 am.
There will be space for you to leave your bags in the main meeting room until 4:00 pm..
Sunday 8 September 9:30 am – 10:30 am
Keynote
Show & Tell
Craft: Hand Knitting, Crochet, Machine Knitting
Experience: Beginner / Intermediate / Advanced
Summary: Our popular Show & Tell returns to give you another chance to show off your creations to other crafters …
Sunday 8 September 10:30 am – 11:00 am
Break
Enjoy a hot drink and snacks.
Sunday 8 September 11:00 am – 1:00pm
Workshops (with refreshment break)
Hand Knitting
Craft and Chat with Marjorie Needham
Craft: Hand knitting, Crochet
Experience: All levels
Summary: Marjorie is leading Craft and Chat for anyone wanting a relaxed session
with their WIPs or an opportunity to learn how to knit a mitred
square …
Knitting to Amuse Others with Judy Jones
Craft: Hand Knitting, Crochet
Experience: Beginner
Summary: The workshop will cover Finger knitting, Arm knitting, Sociable Knitting and Crochet. This is aimed to help members who are Knitting in Public to engage with the visitors and encourage participation and learn a new skill …
Knitweave with Lynda Fiendly
Craft: Hand Knitting
Experience: Beginner
Summary: You will learn what knitweave is and how to apply it to a project …
Machine Knitting
Knitweave with Heather Hofmeyr and Pat Banyard-Smith
Craft: Machine Knitting
Experience: Basic to Intermediate
Summary: You will have a chance to view the various base and weaving yarns available, learn about the advantages and disadvantages of knitweave, and see by means of garments, swatches, etc. what the possibilities are. You will then knit a cowl or small bag trying out various yarns and patterns …
Crochet
Broomstick Crochet with Lindy Zubairy
Craft: Crochet
Experience: Intermediate
Summary: Broomstick Crochet is a fun way to extend your crochet range while creating a beautiful, lacy effect that may be incorporated in multiple projects and designs …
Craft and Chat with Marjorie Needham
Craft: Hand knitting, Crochet
Experience: All levels
Summary: Marjorie is leading Craft and Chat for anyone wanting a relaxed session
with their WIPs or an opportunity to learn how to knit a mitred
square …
Knitting to Amuse Others with Judy Jones
Craft: Hand Knitting, Crochet
Experience: Beginner
Summary: The workshop will cover Finger knitting, Arm knitting, Sociable Knitting and Crochet. This is aimed to help members who are Knitting in Public to engage with the visitors and encourage participation and learn a new skill …
Learn lacis crochet with Helen Jordan
Craft: Crochet
Experience: Confident beginner / Intermediate
Summary: Learn how to use lacis crochet to create open fabric …
General Interest
Have a go at being a designer with Angharad Thomas
Craft: Hand Knitting, Crochet, Machine Knitting
Experience: Beginner / Intermediate / Advanced
Summary: This workshop will be a fun, hands on introduction to designing your own textiles – these might be garments, blankets, or any knitted or crocheted item. You will need a picture, or pictures, for your inspiration, some plain paper, coloured pencils if you have them, and any bits or scraps of yarn you may have. You will use the time to think about what you want to make, how you would make it, colours, who it for … and so on. …
Wear your Dorset button inspired brooch or hang your hanging with pride with Janet Collins
Craft: General
Experience: All abilities
Summary: In this workshop you will learn the 5 simple steps needed to make your own Dorset Button inspired broach. …
Sunday 8 September 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Lunch
We have reserved tables in the dining room.
You are welcome to sit at any of our reserved tables. We realise that it can be daunting to join what appears to be an established group, so at least one table will be designated as “I want to meet other people.” Please do not join this table as a group – though we really hope that you will feel part of a group by the time you leave it.
Sunday 8 September 2:00 pm – 2:30 pm
Raffle draw and closing remarks
Stay for the big reveal – who has won a prize in our raffle?
Dianne Chan will close Convention.
We would like to thank the following for their kind donation of raffle prizes.
Sunday 8 September 2:30 pm – 4:00 pm
Craft and chat
Pick up your project and make your way to one of the bars and lounges to chat and craft with other delegates.
Sunday 7 September 4:00 pm
We have to leave High Leigh by 4:00 pm.
We look forward to seeing you again in 2025!