Is there a yarn festival near you? A Calendar of UK Yarn Events
I love yarn. Feeling it, squishing it and smelling it.
Last year I went to Yarndale for the first time. I absolutely loved it. All that yarn goodness in one place. Plus all the hooks, needles and crafty accessories to perv over. Just last week I went to Fibre East for the first time which was less full-on than Yarndale but had several marques full of beautiful yarn from indie dyers, producers and spinners. Plus I got to see a sheep being sheared -with old skool shears, AND met an angora bunny!
Yarn festivals like this are a great opportunity to learn about where your materials come from. Whether that is understanding the spinning process or learning about the different types of fibres produced by different breeds, it’s a great opportunity to learn and meet the people who make it all possible!
Sadly, I keep finding out about yarn and crochet related shows by someone posting about them on instagram whilst they’re there, far too late for me to go along, which my bank manager probably appreciates!
However, in order to reduce my fomo, I thought I would put together a calendar of UK & Ireland Yarn and crochet events so I, and you, never miss one by accident again. I would love be able to do this for the US too but I would not know where to start! During my research, I found that lots of yarn guilds and craft council have lists of local events so that’s a great place to start if you’re looking for something in your area.
I have researched this as best as I can but if you know of an event I’ve missed, please let me know and I’ll include it on the list!
The events are listed by month rather than specific date as this will change year on year, but I have linked to the event websites so you can find out the next date!
I hope you find something new and something close to you here – happy yarn squidging!
Big Love
Dx
UK Yarn Festivals and Shows
January
Waltham Abbey Wool Show (WAWS) – Essex
February
The Stitch Festival (formerly the SpringKnitting & Stitching Show) – London
(Traditionally runs over last weekend of feb / first weekend of march)
Unravel – Nr Reading (Maltings Craft)
March
Edingburgh Yarn Festival – Edinburgh
April
Spring into wool – Leeds
Wonderwool – Powys Wales
May
Handmade Fair – Midlands (Ragley Hall)
Wool @ J13 – Staffordshire
June
Leeds Wool Festival -Leeds
Woollinn- Dublin
The Handmade Fair – Bristol (Bowood House)
Woolfest – Cumbria
July
Yarningham – Birmingham
Fibre East – Bedforshire
August
Yarnfolk Festival of Wool – Northern Ireland
The British Wool Show – York
September
The Handmade Fair- London (Hampton Court)
Yarndale – Skipton, Yorkshire
Perth Yarn Festival -Perth, Scotland
Cornish Knit Festival – Penzance
Southern Wool Show – Newbury
October
Knitting & Stitching Show – Autumn (London)
Kendal Wool Gathering – Kendal, Lake District
Bakewell Wool Gathering – Peak District
Loch Ness Knit Fest – Loch Ness Scotland
November
Yarnporium – London
The Knitting and Stitching Show – Dublin
The Knitting and Stitching Show – Harrogate
Stitchfest – Totnes, Devon
Nottingham Yarn Expo – Nottingham
Festiwool – Hitchin
December
Is reserved for making your festive yarny creations only!!!
Please note that events showing on this list are not necessarily endorsements as I have only personally attended some of them!
There are huge numbers of yarny related shows in the UK, some focused on more niche areas – here I have tried to include shows I think you as a crocheter, knitter or general yarn lover would enjoy rather than agricultural or wholesale events.
If there is a show you would like to see added, or you find a broken link, please email me hello@doradoes.co.uk
