After an ever-growing interest in fiber-arts and yarn crafts during 2011, the coming year has just as much excitement to offer, if not more. Mark your calendars for the following knitting and fiber-art events, happening both nationally and in the Chicago area; this is just a sampling of events, as more events will be announced througout the year:
Sheep in the City Getaway (February 24-26): Held in Oak Creek, Wisconsin, this event is a three-day "knit-in" for classes, charity-knits, and hand-spun and hand-dyed fiber arts. The event is sponsored by Jan Massie and the Just 4 Ewe Fiber Studio in Oak Creek. Events include a Cake of Yarn Walk, a Fiber Challenge (this year's contest theme is Milwaukee Fish Fry), and a hand-dyed skein contest, all held in the Comfort Suites Oak Creek. More information, including registration and room rates, can be found at the event's website.
16th Annual Stephenson County Fiber Art Fair (April 14, 2012): This annual event is dedicated to hometown spinners, weavers, soapmakers, and fiber artists who gather to share their wares and knowledge for a day in Cedarville, Illinois. Coordinator Suzy Beggin raises sheep herself to produce wool for others. More information on the day-long event can be found on the event website.
World-Wide Knit In Public Day (June 9-17): An event designed to raise awareness and spark more interest in the craft of knitting, local events are held at yarn shops throughout the greater Chicago area. Held in mid-June, this is a week-long event which gives businesses flexibility in how they want to host their Day, or series of Days. Check back at the WWKIP website for details on yarn shops and businesses in your area hosting events.
Midwest Fiber and Folk Art Fair (June 22-24): This annual event not only has a huge following in Grayslake, where the event is located, but coordinator Carol Cassidy-Fayer also alerts the faithful to several DIIP (Do It In Public) events leading up to the big Fair in order to advertise the event and the art of fiber-craft all year. For the sixth year, the Fair will be offering both supplies and wearable finished objects, in addition to shopping and the chance to pet an alpaca. The event website offers directions, previous sponsors, and details regarding registration and admission.
Stitches Midwest (August 9-12): A four-day convention consisting of commercial and independent vendors, classes, summits, and discussions, Stitches is one of the largest fiber events held in the country. The convention is held in several cities throughout the year, so be sure to reference the Knitting Universe website for travel, lodging, class schedule, and vendor information for here or any other Stitches event. Stitches Midwest is held in Schaumburg, at the Renaissance Schaumburg Hotel and Convention Center.
Chicago Yarn Crawl (August 4-11): In 2011, there were 27 local yarn shops stretching from Zion to Shorewood participating in the Yarn Crawl. Participants typically can get a free pattern just for visiting each store, and prizes are available for people who visit all stores in the Crawl, one store in each region, and a minimum number of stores. The event itself is free, however a Yarn Crawl passport is required for participation; passports can be picked up at participating local yarn shops the week before the event. More information on the event website will be offered as the event details are finalized.
YarnCon 2012 (dates to be announced): This not-to-be-missed annual event, founded to Chicagoans would have public-transportation access to a fantastic hand-dyed and hand-spun yarn convention, has not announced its date or location yet. Previously, this event has occurred in early autumn. Stay tuned to the YarnCon website for more information.
New York State Sheep and Wool Festival (October 20-21): Held at the Duchess County Fairgrounds in Rhinebeck, New York, this annual field-trip event is popular for knitters, spinners, hand-dyers, and designers alike who enjoy the entire process of wool becoming yarn. The festival is actually for sheep as livestock, and not just as a vehicle for making pretty knitted objects, and unique features include the Fleece to Shawl competition and a drop-spindle contest. More details, available on the event website, will be updated as the event approaches.
Subscribe to the Chicago Knitting Examiner page for more updates throughout 2012.
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