There’s more to knitting than wooly jumpers, as NEC visitors are finding out.

Around 30,000 attendees are expected at the three crafting and sewing shows currently running at the NEC.

Alongside 200 exhibitors, the shows are hosting a range of workshops, make and takes and demonstrations, offering a chance to learn new skills along with a little light shopping.  Thursday’s opening saw the NEC halls veritably buzzing with attendees, mostly laden with bags and trollies packed with new purchases.

The show has attracted national and international names, with crafting supremo Stephanie Weightman’s workshops much in demand. The catwalk fashion shows created a real sense of occasion and the chance to see what can be achieved with skill and imagination.

For those of you thinking that crafting might be a bit tame, take a look at Larry, once of Alice Wolfe’s beautiful Samazama birds. He and his companion landed at the Guild of Machine Knitters to attract many admiring glances. Made of knitted and beaded materials, Larry is based on a wire armature, and illustrates vividly that knitting has moved way beyond woolly jumpers.

Sewing for Pleasure, Fashion Embroidery and Stitch and Hobbycrafts (one price for all three shows) runs at the NEC 22-25 March 2012.