4 Reasons You Should Visit a Fiber Festival

Visiting a fiber festival is a must-do for any fiber artist. They’re packed full of yarn and notions as far as the eye can see, delicious foods, and captivating demonstrations. If you haven’t been to one yet, it’s time for a road trip!

What is a Fiber Festival?

Simply put, a fiber festival is a gathering of people who care about fiber with the intention of celebrating it! Shepherds, spinners, dyers, weavers, needle felters, knitters, and crocheters are just some of the people who are enthusiastic about natural fibers and its uses.

At a fiber festival, you’ll definitely find vendors selling wool and yarn, but that’s not all! Some of my favorite goods to find at fiber festivals are hand-crafted drop spindles, knitting needles, crochet hooks, and spinning wheels. They are works of art in their own right!

Food vendors and entertainment are also common at fiber festivals. Most that I have attended also have a children’s area of some kind that includes activities, crafts, coloring pages, and a friendly sheep or two. Many festivals have sheepdog demonstrations, fiber animals on display, and sometimes a fleece judging. Larger festivals may have book signings, too!

Reasons to Visit a Fiber Festival

Fiber festivals are typically regional events and are usually held in spring or fall. You’ll probably need to plan a bit to find one and drive a bit to get there, but it will definitely be worth it! Here’s why.

1. You’ll meet new people.

The best thing about fiber festivals is meeting others who share your passion. While you’re there, you can be sure that you have something in common with 9 out of every 10 people!

I’ve also had great chats with vendors, listening to the stories of how they learned to knit, why they dye yarn, and how far they traveled to get to the festival.

a large truck full of yarn sets up shop at the Shenandoah Valley Fiber Festival

2. It’s an excuse to wear that handmade sweater.

Knitters and crocheters love wearing their own handmade garments at fiber festivals. It’s part of the fun! You’ll have a chance to show off the sweater you just finished in a crowd that will truly appreciate what went into it.

Odds are, you’ll see someone else wearing their version of the same sweater or hat you’re wearing. Whenever a pattern really takes off, I notice it on several folks at festivals!

the Ruritan barn is full of yarn vendors at the Shenandoah Valley Fiber Festival

3. You could learn something new!

Most fiber festivals have a robust offering of classes and workshops. They may focus on a specific stitch, walk you through the completion of a specific item, or focus on a technique. These classes aren’t limited to knitting and crochet, either! You can find workshops on needle felting, basket weaving, macrame, carding, weaving, dyeing, and even nalbinding!

You may even be so bewitched by the sheepdog demonstrations that you decide it’s time for your own flock of sheep. (I haven’t taken an alpaca home from a fiber festival yet, but never say never!)

a lamb munches on grass outside the Montpelier Fiber Festival and Sheepdog Trials

4. You’ll find yarn for your next project.

Isn’t the yarn the reason to attend a fiber festival anyway?

At my first fiber festival, I was in awe. I’d never seen yarn like this in person. Most vendors who are selling yarn at fiber festivals are independent dyers. They play with color in unique ways, producing small batches of magical skeins. When you’re surrounded by it, you don’t just find yarn for your next project… you find it for your next ten projects!

Just be sure to have a budget in mind before you go.