The East Anglia Yarn Festival

The East Anglia Yarn Festival has been going now for two years. I attended both years.

It’s always nice to attend a yarn event to meet people who share your interests and speak to makers and yarn producers, share ideas etc.

Last Year’s Show

EAYF bag and purchases from the first year, 2022 — A little haul from last year, 2022

Last year I bought a sweater’s quantity of mohair from Elizabeth Pawle and an accent skein from The Fibre Fox and 5 mini merino sock skeins. The latter I used for socks that were gifted for Christmas presents.

Sample of yarn hanks from my 2022 haul — Mohair by Elizabeth Pawle, sweet marshmallow mohair by The Fibre Fix and mini sock skeins that did not have the maker’s details so sorry.

What I made with my 2022 Festival haul

With the mohair I made this cardigan

The Novice cardigan knitted from Elizabeth Pawle mohair in 2022 — Mohair cardigan with Elizabeth Pawle mohair silk held double, Pattern: The Novice Cardigan by Petite Knit

Gift socks on sock blockers — I made gift socks using the mini skeins (on the right)

Diversion and Inclusion

While last year I enjoyed the festival for what it was, I was a disappointed to see a lack of diversity in the crowd and vendors. After experiencing the same limiting and lack of representation in the industry in general, I wrote this article for Roots & Stitches to attempt to raise awareness to the invisibility people of colour face in fiber arts.

I am happy to report, however that this year saw an increase in BIPOC (Black and Indigenous People of Colour) as vendors in this year’s event.

Diversity in Attendance

Bipoc in fiber – A directory that highlights Black and Indigenous people of colour in the industry

Jeanette Sloan Designs – Textile and knitwear designer as well as the creator of BIPOC in Fiber.

Soft Accent Designs – Handmade bags and pouches

Weku Yarn – A family business of hand-dyed yarns in colour ways based on their Ghanaian roots.

Injabulo – Beautiful fairtrade baskets handmade in Africa. (I already own one of these baskets but gutted I missed out on purchasing another!)

Yarn Tings – Colourful hand dyed luxury yarns.

And I think there were a couple of others (apologies to any I missed). I believe it’s important to highlight these makers and vendors because in the past they would not have been included in the bill at such an event so it is important to highlight this and good on you, EAYF for doing better this year in terms of diversity and inclusion.

This year’s haul

I was very restrained this year. I would have liked to have stocked up on some local hand dyed yarn but they mostly out of my budget this year so I had to shop strategically. Therefore, I spotted some khaki green Lettlopi because I love the affordability of 100% durable wool by Istex.

In addition, Lettlopi has proven difficult to acquire for the past year or so when I saw a few skeins, I snapped them up for my stash because Lopi is a great workhorse for accessories like hats and gloves for winter.

And I purchased 1 single skein of mohair by The Fibre Fox that I will probably use held with the Lettlopi for a 1×1 ribbed cowl and fingerless gloves set which I know will get worn to death.

Spinning

I got to try spinning some yarn as well. Spoiler: It’s hard. To be honest, it takes me a few goes…ok, 10, to get the hang of anything remotely dexterous.

But in all, a good day out.