5 Things I Can’t Wait to Do at Interweave Yarn Fest

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I can’t believe that Interweave Yarn Fest 2022 is only a few months away! After two years off, words cannot describe how ready I am to get back to my favorite yarn and fiber festival . . . but I’ll give it a shot.

I’m lucky enough to live in beautiful Loveland, Colorado, where the festival is held, and I’ll be there all day, every day of the festival as Interweave’s social media manager. Here are a few of the fun, fiber-y activities that I’ll be up to when Yarn Fest starts on April 20, 2022.

1. Learn New Skills and Level Up in the Yarn Fest Workshops

There’s so much to learn at Interweave Yarn Fest, and I can’t believe some of the instructors we have this year. Some are returning instructors, some are brand new, and all are absolutely excellent. Whether you’d like to choose just one three-hour workshop or fill your days with a series of six-hour intensives, I hope you’ll learn something new along with me.

Here are a few of the workshops I’m most excited about:

• Boob Camp: Hands on Bust Darts for Every Body with Kim McBrien Evans
• Visible and Invisible Mending with Amy Schnell
• Roosimine Knitting Techniques with Lily Chin
• Intro to Tablet Weaving with Sara Bixler
• Versatile Beginnings: Cast-Ons for Various Needs with Harry Wells
• Amigurumi from Nature with Kati Brown
• Embroidery on Knitted Fabric with Kira Dulaney
• Tunisian Stitch Sampler with Linda Dean
• The Fundamentals of Orenburg Knitted Lace with Galina Khmeleva

All of these workshops have at least a few spaces left! There are also awesome workshops on double-knitting with Alasdair Post-Quinn, handspinning workshops with instructors like Theresa Drouin-Guerette, shaft-loom workshops with Susan Helmken and others, and so many more knitting, crochet, needle felting, and embellishment workshops.

2. Admire Incredible Makes at the Friday Night Fashion Show

The Fashion Show event is one of the hidden gems of Yarn Fest. When I first attended, I was super intimidated to go, picturing myself walking my latest shawl down a runway to echoing silence. Nothing could be further from the reality of the event. The Yarn Fest Fashion Show is cozy, intimate, encouraging, and fun. Everyone there is eager to share, you’ll see projects of all levels and complexities, and you’ll have an absolute blast.

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There will be coffee, tea, hors d’oeuvres, and a cash bar for you to enjoy, as well as a chance to win an amazing prize from our exhibitors. Step into the spotlight with me and showcase your hard work! You’ll also get the chance to see sample handknits from Interweave Knits in person, which is such a cool experience.

3. Shop for Just the Right Yarn at the Marketplace

Shopping for yarn is a big part of my Interweave Yarn Fest experience. Since I attend multiple days, I like to try and “sit on my hands” for the first day (unless I see something I think will sell out!) and go home with a list and pictures of my favorite yarns. I’ll then stay up way too late looking through my Ravelry queue to try and justify buying it all. Then it’s time to shop!

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Be sure to take your time with the vendors and chat—you can learn so much and get so many ideas by talking to the people who make such beautiful yarns. And if you absolutely love something, let them know! If you think you eat, sleep, and breathe yarn, wait until you meet our passionate vendors. You’ll also be able to see demonstrations at the Spotlight Pavilion while you shop.

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Don’t forget to get your yarn purchases wound for free at The Stitchin’ Den! My advice is to not wait until the end of the day—stop by throughout the day and chat with the wonderful folks winding yarn.

4. Shop for NOT Yarn at the Marketplace

There’s so much more than yarn to explore in the marketplace! You’ll find spinning fiber, beautiful notions, and so much more! This year, I’m looking for a yarn bowl that I can treasure for years to come. You can also find tools like spindles, looms, shuttles, handcards, and more if you’d like to expand your family of fiber tools or start something new.

If you can find room in your budget for the weekend, you can also get a lot of your gift shopping for the whole year done in a few days. Just wait until you see some of the T-shirts, enamel pins, and art that our vendors will be bringing to the table.

5. Meet New Friends and See Old Ones

Although the festival is based in Colorado, people really do come from all over to attend the festival. It’s so fun to see some of the same faces year after year and connect about new yarns, new projects, new skills, and new friends.

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My tip if you want to make new friends? Wear something handmade. Someone will almost certainly ask you about it, and then you’re well on your way. And ask questions yourself! After all, the person on the elevator with you might be one of your favorite designers. (This happened to me—I found myself in an elevator with Sarah Soloman in 2019 and had to contain my gushing.)

Writing this has gotten me so excited for the festival! It’s going to be hard to wait the last few months. I hope I’ll see you there. If you’ve attended in the past or are attending Yarn Fest 2022 for the first time this year, let me know in the comments what you’re most excited about!

Yours, In Stitches,
Andrea Lotz, Interweave Social Media Manager

Thank You to Our Event Sponsors!

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