Why We Love Fibre Festivals!
Have you ever been to a fibre festival? If you have, you already know the magic. The craft. The people. The feeling of belonging. Whether you come for the shopping, the learning, or simply the atmosphere, there is something truly special about these gatherings.
Fibre festivals bring together a vibrant mix of workshops, demonstrations, lectures, markets, and spontaneous moments that connect us with our craft and each other. While not every event offers everything, most have more than enough to inspire. Here are some of the things we love most, and why you might want to seek one out, whether it’s local or across the world.
Shopping, Glorious Shopping
Let’s be honest, shopping is a huge draw. From hand-dyed yarns to painted fibres, raw fleece to project bags, fibre festivals are a treasure trove of beautiful things. Whether it’s indie dyers bringing their newest colourways or a rare fleece you’ve never seen in person, these events are full of unique finds.
At smaller festivals, you’ll often discover local makers with regionally sourced fibres, handmade tools, or small-batch yarns. Larger festivals tend to draw vendors from across the country and sometimes even internationally, offering a rare chance to pick up items you can’t usually access. If you’ve had your eye on something but weren’t sure about it, this is the perfect chance to see it, and maybe try it, before you buy.
We always recommend checking the vendor list ahead of time. If there’s something you’ve been wanting to test in person (like a spindle, loom, or wheel), reach out to the vendor and ask if they’re bringing it. Many are happy to accommodate if they know in advance.
Learning Opportunities: Workshops, Lectures, and Demonstrations
Fibre festivals are also packed with learning. Even the smallest events often have passionate instructors offering workshops on spinning, dyeing, knitting, weaving, felting, and more. Some festivals fly in instructors from around the world, people who are true masters of their craft.
Popular workshops, especially those led by well-known designers or educators, can sell out quickly. If you’re eyeing a large festival or hoping to learn from a big-name instructor, sign up for their newsletters or follow them on social media so you don’t miss registration dates.
And if you miss out? You can still learn. Many festivals have demonstration areas, both scheduled and informal. You might stumble upon sheep shearing, a drop spindle demo, or a weaving tutorial at a vendor booth. At some events, like the New York State Sheep & Wool Festival (also known as Rhinebeck), you’ll even find delightful surprises like the Leaping Llamas. There’s always something new to discover.
Around-Town Events
Larger festivals often inspire events in the days before and after the main weekend. Local yarn shops, community centres, and even indie dyers or podcasters might host pop-ups or mini gatherings nearby. Sometimes, there’s a whole separate evening marketplace the night before the festival opens.
These “around-town” events are part of the fun. They give you more time to explore, connect, and start in on the excitement. Again, it’s helpful to subscribe to newsletters or check social media to hear where your favourite makers or instructors might be setting up.
Podcasters, Makers, and Special Guests
If you follow fibre podcasts, blogs, or YouTube channels, chances are you’ll spot familiar faces at a festival. Some podcasters host meetups, others hang out at vendor booths, and many are just there to enjoy the experience like the rest of us.
You may even catch a book signing or run into an instructor whose workshop you couldn’t get into. These moments are what make festivals feel so personal and full of joy; you never know who you’ll meet.
Animals and the Local Community
While big festivals have their charm, smaller ones often have a special connection to the local fibre community. You might meet the farmers who raise the angora rabbits, see the alpacas that produce beautiful fibre, or watch sheep that are being gently sheared.
These festivals help support small farms and give you a chance to learn more about the animals behind the fibre. They’re slower-paced, more intimate, and perfect for deepening your connection to the process.
That Deep Sense of Belonging
Fibre festivals are a space where you can talk to strangers about your latest spinning project or knitwear obsession, and they get it. There’s an instant sense of kinship. You find yourself chatting with someone in line or sharing favourite tools and patterns like old friends.
Some of our most treasured fibre friendships have started this way. And it’s always incredible to finally meet someone in person that you’ve only known online.
A Gentle Word of Warning
A few reminders to keep in mind:
Shopping: It’s easy to get carried away. Set a budget if that helps, or go in with a general plan of what you’re looking for. That said, part of the fun is finding the unexpected.
Overwhelm is real: Larger festivals can be a lot. Look for a floor map or schedule ahead of time so you don’t miss anything important to you.
Take breaks: Fibre festivals can be exhausting, not just from the walking, but from the excitement and stimulation. Many refer to it as a hangover. It’s that post-event crash when all the adrenaline fades. Make sure you rest, eat, and soak in the experience. You don’t have to do it all. Just enjoy what you can.
Knit City: A Canadian Fibre Celebration
Knit City, created by Amanda Milne and Fiona McLean, has become a cornerstone of the Canadian fibre scene. It’s grown from a single Vancouver event into a multi-city celebration. Knit City, with two events a year, now alternates between Vancouver and Calgary in the autumn and between Montreal and Toronto in the spring.
If you’re curious to learn more, just this past August, Felicia interviewed Amanda and Fiona on the SweetGeorgia Show podcast; hear about their growth in the community in the last decade! We also have an episode of the SweetGeorgia Show podcast back in September 2015. Although it is a few years old, it is still a great episode to listen to!
Knit City Vancouver & SweetGeorgia
We believe fibre festivals are more than just a place to shop for yarn or fibre. They are a chance to learn, connect, and grow within this vibrant, creative community. That’s why every year, we host a special Maker’s Lounge to bring people together in real life, surrounded by colour, craft, and creativity.
Join us at Knit City Vancouver, where you can meet some of our incredible instructors, see live demonstrations, and spend time with others who love making as much as you do. These moments mean so much to us, and we’d love to share them with you. Come squish the wool, share your stories, and create something special with us!
If you can’t make it to Knit City, join our online community!
- At the School of SweetGeorgia, we’ve built a vibrant and welcoming community of fibre-loving makers, passionate instructors, and dedicated staff. Whether you’re looking for guidance on a new technique or just need a little creative encouragement, we’re here to support you every step of the way.
- Not yet a member of the School? We invite you to come and see what it is all about! Use the code: EXPLORETHESCHOOL to save 15% on an All-Access monthly membership!
- We welcome you to join us in our SweetGeorgia Community. This is where we share projects that inspire, have fibre-filled conversations, host make-alongs, and participate in a variety of virtual meetings! We discuss all things knitting, crocheting, spinning, weaving, machine knitting, and more!
- Want to stay in the loop? Subscribe to our newsletter! It’s a simple way to stay updated on what’s new at SweetGeorgia and the School of SweetGeorgia, catch up on the latest articles, watch new SweetGeorgia YouTube videos, and be a part of our community without any pressure to post.
We value your presence, no matter how you choose to connect with us!
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