Is Bigger Better?

Kellie and I recently returned from Atlanta where we both were teaching at the first Stitches South knitting convention. As a first time event, it was very well attended. However, we have gotten used to the large number of knitters that attend the Stitches events and so by comparison, this event seemed a little small. But bigger is not always better! Here are a couple of my observations why sometimes a slightly smaller event might be better:

• Classes will generally have fewer students resulting in more personalized attention
• The market is less crowded making it easier to see what is available in EVERY booth
• Less folks at the big events thus increasing your chances at winning one of the door prizes

Even so, there are advantages to the larger events as well:

• The class list is significantly larger so there is a higher probability you can find the topic that you want at a time that is convenient
• More vendors in the market result in a wider variety of choice including vendors that may travel from some distance
  
• With more attendees walking around, the variety of garments (being worn) increases dramatically making every day a kind of a fashion show

So is bigger better? I think they all have pluses and minuses. And for me, I like being at all of them whether I am there as a teacher or as an attendee. If you have not ever attended a knitting convention or fiber festival, you should try it out. The season is upon us and I expect you will find it to be an experience you will want to repeat!