Find Your Flock!
Keeley Richardson
Founder and Chief Fiber officer
Everyone across the region and further afield is talking about Flock Fiber Festival, and with just ten days to go until it begins, here at The Woolpack excitement is growing. Read on for all the details, plus The Woolpack guide to getting the most from your day, or weekend at a yarn festival.
Flock Fiber Festival is in its second year, and following the hugely successful inaugural event at Magnusson Park in it will be taking over Seattle Convention Center, Summit Building, from Friday 9th to Sunday 11th August 2024.
Classes will run from Friday through Sunday, and good news, according to the Flock website, there are still a few spaces available in some of the classes. It’s the perfect opportunity to improve your fiber skills, make new friends, meet and learn from world class designers.
The vendor Marketplace is open on Saturday and Sunday, with a special two hour mandatory masked timeslot from 10am to 12pm on Saturday. It will feature over 100 vendors from across the PNW, USA and the globe. So many opportunities to expand your fiber horizons!
Photo credit: Grey Drizzle Fibers, Serial Knitters
It is definitely time for yarn enthusiasts to get excited and get planning. So to make sure you get the most from your visit, here’s your list of Woolpack suggestions to make the most of this exciting weekend and any other yarn festival that’s on your calendar:
- Book Your Ticket in Advance – who wants to waste time standing in line when you could be squishing yarn?
- Plan ahead – check out the list of vendors on the Flock Festival website, so you don’t miss anyone. It’s also a good idea to make a list of your “must see vendors”, so you are not overwhelmed with the huge choice on the day.
- Sign up for a class. It’s always wonderful to have the opportunity to meet designers, learn from their expertise and have fun with other fiber fans.
- If you are there to shop, sometimes it helps to have a couple of projects from your “to make” list in mind. In that way you know exactly what you are looking to bring home.
- Look out for specially dyed festival color ways. Many yarn producers and dyers will bring unique yarns that they have created especially for a festival. It can be fun to collect these skeins!
- Expand your fiber knowledge – it’s always fun to see old favorites, but fiber festivals are the perfect time to make new discoveries and find new favorites. Be sure to check out vendors that you have not seen before.
- Go with friends – it can be more fun to have a shared experience. You are sure to see things differently, have fun discovering new finds together, then reviewing and reminiscing at your next fiber gathering.
- Take a small project with you – ideal for when you need to grab a coffee, sit down, and take a well earned break from all of the excitement.
- On a practical note, don’t forget your comfy shoes and a bottle of water to keep hydrated. After all, yarn shopping can be hard work!
- Enjoy every minute. We are lucky to have this wonderful fiber festival on our doorstep – see you there!
