h+h cologne 2025
Every year, retailers, manufacturers and designers flock to h+h cologne, the international trade fair for handicrafts and hobbies. Sounds like a paradise of wool, needles and creative ideas? It is - at least, if you manage not to get lost between the stands or drop everything because of all the fluff.
But unlike a normal creative fair, this event is not open to the public. This means: No rummage sale chaos, no yarn battles, but a professional industry gathering. It's all about discovering new trends, testing yarns, networking and - if all goes well - perhaps even landing some exciting collaborations.
For me as a designer, the fair is an absolute highlight every year. I'm not only hunting for the latest yarn treasures, but also on a mission to expand my network - and perhaps take the first step towards exclusive design cooperations.
Sounds ambitious? Definitely! I'll tell you now whether I succeeded. So, grab a cup of tea (or a notebook for your next yarn wishes) and come along on my journey through h+h cologne 2025!
Knitpro, Punching & Favorite People
One of my first stops at the fair was the KnitPro stand, and what can I say? It was almost like a class reunion - only with better needles and fewer embarrassing school stories. I met some nice people I'd met last year, including the General Manager for Marketing.
The atmosphere there? Warm, funny and full of enthusiasm for handicrafts. Here, people don't just talk shop about needles and yarns, but also laugh, experiment and chat. And that's exactly what networking is all about!
Special highlight: This year I tried my hand at punching - a technique I only knew from afar. And what can I say? It was incredibly fun! It feels a bit like embroidery for impatient people - just "punch" away, and boom, a cool pattern emerges. Will this be my next big hobby? We'll see! But in any case, it's a technique I can recommend.
Yarns I would have loved to take home immediately
Of course, I wasn't just at the fair to chat - I was also on the hunt for the most beautiful yarns. And believe me, it was a tough test of my self-control! All these dreamlike qualities, the bright colors, the fluffy strands that literally begged me: "Take me with you!" - I really had to pull myself together not to fall into a yarn frenzy. Fortunately, you can't take anything with you directly from the fair.
Here are some of my absolute highlights:
BC Yarn – Sustainable, high-quality and simply beautiful. I love the naturalness of the yarns! There are many GOTS-certified fibers here, perfect for anyone who values not only appearance but also environmental awareness when knitting. My favorite: the Organic Shetland yarn, which I have already used for several projects.
ITO – Minimalistic, delicate and Japanese-inspired – these yarns are the epitome of elegance. I was particularly taken with the delicate mohair and silk blends. As light as a cloud, as elegant as a Chanel silk scarf.
Symfonie Yarns - Sometimes you come across a yarn and immediately know: This is going to be something! That's exactly how I felt about Symfonie Yarns. I already had the pleasure of knitting the Kodawari shawl with this yarn, and all I can say is: absolute recommendation!
The quality? Soft, tactile and wonderful to work with. It has just the right elasticity to snuggle nicely without losing its shape. When knitting, it glides smoothly over the needles - a real feel-good yarn!
At the fair there were some exciting new products, including new neon colors that definitely catch the eye. Bright colors in combination with the high-quality yarn structure are an interesting option for anyone who likes to set accents. Whether as a highlight in a simple design or as a bold statement: there are no limits to creativity here!
I'm excited to see how these colors can be used in future projects and which combinations harmonize particularly well. I already have a few ideas in mind!
Lang Yarns & Katia – Two manufacturers that continually impress me with their versatility. There's something for everyone here – from rustic to elegant, from brightly colored to natural. There's something for everyone.
Isager – When it comes to Nordic elegance, Isager is always at the forefront. These yarns are not only a dream visually, but also feel incredibly elegant. One of my testers loves the yarns and has already knitted some of my shawls with them, including the Kogarashi.
"Knitting & Crocheting Needles – What's new, or: Do I need this?"
At h+h cologne, there wasn't just wool to touch, but also the latest knitting and crochet needles to admire. Of course, I immediately tested everything I could get my hands on. So, what did the manufacturers come up with this time? Revolution or just prettier packaging?
Addi – The snakes are loose! 🐍
The Addi stand was one of my first stops – not only because I had an appointment with Sylvie Rasch there, but also because I tested the new Addi CraSySnake needles. They will be available in May, but I tell you: they already feel pretty good.
Why the name? Because they are shaped like a snake. I had known for some time that there would be new needles, and I had been racking my brain whether they would really be that comfortable. But what can I say... the first test was very comfortable for my arthritic fingers. I will definitely take a closer look at them again, but my first impression: I want them.
Chiaogoo – Smart savings with new adapters
Chiaogoo is known for its high-quality needles – but also for prices that sometimes make your gauge swatch slip. All the better that this time they came up with a really clever solution: adapters for circular knitting needles.
But briefly to the background: Since last year, Chiaogoo has offered cables with an integrated swivel joint. This means that the cable can rotate freely 360 degrees while knitting. A brilliant feature, especially for those who like to work with interchangeable needle tips.The problem? Many of us still have the old cables that naturally don't have this feature. And if you want to use the new swivel system, you'd actually have to buy all new cables – and that can get expensive.
But now Chiaogoo is coming up with a solution that I'm really celebrating: From the end of the year, there will be an adapter that you simply screw between the cable and the needle. And this adapter then precisely mimics this rotating movement!
This means: You only have to buy the adapter and can continue to use your old cables. Saves money, is sustainable, and my inner penny-pincher claps their hands with joy.
But that's not all: Chiaogoo will also be launching square needle tips at the end of the year! Yes, you heard that right. Square. Anyone who has knitted with square needles knows that they are more comfortable to hold for some hands and often result in a more even stitch pattern. I am definitely excited to see how Chiaogoo's version performs in practice.
Tulip – More color, but otherwise? 🤷♀️
Tulip made me smile a little. Big news? The crochet hooks are now available in purple!
Yup. The hook is the same, only the handle is now fancier. I mean, it's pretty - but anyone who was hoping for a real innovation will probably have to wait another year.And the others?
Lykke, Clover, KnitPro, Prym and Lantern Moon had some minor updates – new accessories like stitch markers etc.
What I particularly liked: The openness of the manufacturers. Instead of desperately selling small changes as "great innovations," they simply said honestly: "Our needles are good, we're sticking with them – and we're working on meaningful improvements for the future."
And honestly? Sometimes that's exactly what we need. Reliable, high-quality tools we can count on – whether knitting or crocheting.
After the fair – What now?
The h+h cologne was like a giant buffet for knitting and crochet enthusiasts: new yarns, needles, and techniques everywhere, just waiting to be tried out! Now that the hustle and bustle of the fair is over, we move on to the most exciting part: What do I do with all these impressions?
I'm planning and testing new yarns and needles!
I discovered some really exciting yarns – from luxurious natural fibers to bold color explosions. Now the question is: which ones will end up on my needles? Because there's only one way to find out if a yarn really lives up to its promises: you have to knit or crochet with it!
I'm looking forward to testing the new qualities, seeing how they drape, how they feel, and whether they have what it takes to become my future favorite yarns.
Design ideas are flowing
Of course, the fair also gave me fresh ideas. Shapes, patterns, new combinations – my fingers are itching to fill my sketchbooks and design new knitting and crochet projects. Will it be a special shawl, socks, or something completely new? Let's wait and see!
A book? Future plans, but...
an idea that has been lurking in the back of my mind for a while: my own book with patterns. Everything is still open – what topic, what projects – but one thing is certain: the idea is there! Who knows, maybe the h+h cologne was just the spark that got the ball rolling.
The weekend once again showed me how versatile and creative our knitting and crochet world is. Now I look forward to putting these inspirations into practice in my projects – and of course, sharing them with you!
Until the next tea chat,
Your Bianca
