| What this event is: As veterans of our previous crank-ins will tell you, this event is set up to be a positive, learning environment. It is a place to learn and share techniques, from beginner to advanced. You will meet helpful, friendly people here who will be more than happy to help newer knitters. If you are hesitant to come solo, cast all your doubts aside! This is an opportunity to make new friends and renew old acquaintances.
What this event is not: This event is NOT a high pressure (or any pressure for that matter) sales pitch for our machine. You don't have to own one of our machines to attend. There will be many different machines here, both antique and modern. It's always interesting to see the many different machines and table set ups!
In the upcoming weeks, more detailed information will be made available (demonstration list, etc.)
IMPORTANT ITEMS TO REMEMBER:
Lunch meals are not provided. There are many nice restaurants located near the Convention Center and we encourage attendees to patronize these businesses! There will be a 2 hour (11am - 1pm) lunch break. We will not schedule any demonstrations during this time period, so don't worry about missing anything!
All participants need to have the Convention Center cleared out on Saturday (May 3rd) evening / night, as that is the end of our contract. We cannot be responsible for any items left in the Convention Center after the doors close on Saturday night.
EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION: Participants who register before April 7th, 2025 will receive a free Erlbacher 2025 Crank-In T-shirt!
VENUE INFORMATION:
Our venue again this year is the fabulous Drury Convention Center. The Convention Center is on a bottom, single level; which makes unloading and loading a breeze. The Convention Center is located at 3351 Percy Drive, near the intersection of Interstate 55 and William Street. Our crank-in veterans will remember this is in the same proximity as the Pear Tree Inn and several eating establishments. If you decide to stay at the Convention Center, they have reserved a block of very nice rooms for us at a reduced rate. Included in this reduced room rate are: complimentary hot breakfast (Belgian waffles, scrambled eggs, sausage, fresh fruit, oatmeal, biscuits and gravy, KELSO+BROS® coffee and more) from 6am to 9:30am weekdays and 7am to 10am on weekends. Also included in the price of your room is an evening complimentary drink and snack station from 5:30pm to 7pm. This station features a rotating menu of hot food, beer, wine, mixed drinks and soft drinks. There is also a very nice restaurant (The Southerner) located at the venue.
Should you decide to stay there, reservations can be made two ways; first, online at http://www.druryhotels.com, then enter group number 10067259. Reservations may also be made by calling 1-800-325-0720 and refer to the same group number, 10067259. Don't forget, if you are a Drury Rewards Member, you can use your points (maybe for a free night!). IMPORTANT: If you plan on staying at the Drury Convention Center, reservations must be made on or before midnight on Friday, March 28th, 2025, which is the cutoff date.
There are several other hotels, inns, campgrounds and AirBnb's located in the area as well.
REGISTRATION FEE: Your $65.00 registration fee covers your admission to the event, all classes and demonstrations. Participants who purchase their registration before April 7th, 2025, will be receiving a 2025 Erlbacher Crank-In t-shirt! (See registration form for sizing)
EVENT SCHEDULE:
WEDNESDAY, April 30th, 2025: WELCOME / CRANK-IN SET UP 1pm – 8pm
Set up for crank-in participants and vendors will start at 1pm. Although Erlbacher staff will be present prior to that time, we ask that participants wait until 1pm to enter. This will allow us time to set up our store and workshop. After 1pm, we can be more readily available to assist you with anything you might need for your setup. We look forward to meeting and greeting you!
The Convention Center has stipulations on bringing food and drinks into the venue. In order to meet these conditions, this precludes us from having a "service table" (snack table) as we have had in the past. We do not believe this includes individuals who bring their own drinks (such as a travel mug with coffee, etc.) into the venue. Registered hotel guests can take advantage of the Drury Kickback area (located near the main lobby) after 5:30pm.
THURSDAY, May 1st, 2025: CRANK-IN DAY ONE 8am – 10pm
Late arrivals can set up at this time. There will be a classroom located adjacent to the Main Event floor that will be opened at 8am for setup. The Beginners Class will begin at 9am and will conclude around 11am. BYOM (Bring Your Own Machine) to this class. If you don't own a machine, we have a couple of loaners that will be available. There will be a longer lunch break, so please take the opportunity to explore our town and its many nice restaurants! The Ribbing demonstration (do not bring a knitting machine) will be in the same classroom from 2pm – 4pm. Both of our instructors are extremely knowledgeable and you are sure to learn a lot from these classes. This year, we will have a "Show and Tell" table set up, so if you have a unique project feel free to display and show it off! The Crank-In will now be in full swing on the Main Event floor!
FRIDAY, May 2nd, 2025: CRANK-IN DAY TWO 8am – 10pm
At 8am, the Crank-In will start! Starting at 9am (with a lunchtime break from 11am to 1pm) there will be demonstrations at the top of the hour and a shuttle for tours of Erlbacher Gear (Home of The Erlbacher Knitting Machine) will leave the Convention Center around the bottom of the hour. Shop tours will only be conducted on Friday, when the shop is in operation. The demonstrations will be in the classroom and the tour shuttle will load and depart from the nearby Convention Center doors. A list of the demonstrations will be posted on the Main Event floor to help you plan your time accordingly. For your convenience, announcements will be made via PA to notify attendees when the demonstrations are starting and the tours are loading.
SATURDAY, May 3rd, 2025: CRANK-IN DAY THREE 8am – 10pm or so*
More cranking and more demonstrations! Enjoy the day cranking, visiting, learning and shopping! This is also the saddest day of the Crank-In. Everyone says their goodbyes until next year!
*The Convention Center must be vacated on Saturday, per our rental agreement with Drury.
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