Are You Ready for a Yarn Crawl Adventure?

Yarn crawl experiences have re-energized the LYS (Local Yarn Shop) in the US.  Regional yarn-related small businesses have banded together to promote yarn crafting. They issue passports for a small fee and provide a yarn crawl passport stamp when a patron shops during the designated days of the crawl.

Yarn crawl adventures are like a mini-trade show at your own pace. These events are so much fun and are a wonderful way to see the latest products available for the industry. Along the way, you will meet amazing designers and other crafting geniuses while sharing in a few fun-filled days.

Dates: Whenever

Skill level: All skill levels welcome. Must be able to navigate in yarn shops and have excellent wallet-opening reflexes.

Location: Wherever

2023 Dates and Events

Yellow Rose on the Coast is scheduled for January 27-28, 2023, in Port Aransas, Texas.

The Rose City Yarn Crawl will be from February 23-26, 2023. This much-anticipated event is also known as the Unravel Portland crawl.  (Portland, Oregon)

Middle Tennessee Fiber Festival in Dickson, TN is scheduled for March 24-25, 2023

WNC Yarn Crawl – Local yarn stores in the WNC/Asheville area host an annual Yarn Crawl in May of each year and usually the weekend before Mother’s Day. This year’s will be May 9-13, 2023.

Stitches at Home, with educational sessions online. How cool is that? All the great content from the comfort of our homes. 2023 Stitches At Home event dates are January 13-15, 2023; February 11, 12, 18, 19, 2023; March 31-April 2, 2023, May 6, 7, 12, 13, 2023; June 9-11, 2023; and September 8-10, 2023.

The Orange Blossom Yarn Crawl is a whirlwind event for central Florida fiber arts enthusiasts. Watch for more details about the 2023 event.

Crawl any time you want along the Hudson Valley Yarn Trail.

The James River Yarn Crawl is featuring a CAL with beautiful colorways that you’ll find when visiting the five shops between Richmond and Virginia Beach  VA. May 12-20, 2023

Puget Sound LYS Tour began in 2006 and has expanded with additional dates and shops. With more than 20 participating shops, this is a sure winner! May 17th – 21, 2023

The East TN Yarn Crawl is generally held the first two weeks in June. 

Houston Fiber Fest is CONFIRMED for June 23-25, 2023. This is a juried event and purposefully selects vendors with high quality products. Vendors are industry-specific and you’ll find only the best yarn, fiber, and fiber arts products when you visit the vendor pavillion.

Yarn Along The Rockies is a 9-day yarn crawl including a Passport Tour of 20 vibrant yarn shops in Colorado.  2023 dates pending.

Bring your spurs and come on over for the  North Texas Yarn Crawl – April 21 – April 30, 2023, in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex (Texas).

Estes Park Wool Market – Plan ahead for the upcoming event ~ June 10-11, 2023 ~ Read more about our visit to this beautiful location, near the Rocky Mountains National Park.

Fabulous northern Colorado and southern Wyoming yarn stores have teamed up to offer the annual Hot August Knits Yarn Crawl!  July 29 – August 12, 2023

The Yarn Discovery Tour is a new addition to our Crochet Getaway directory! This fun tour is in Northeast Ohio ~ September 5 – 24, 2023.

The Long Island Yarn Crawl is a yearly event for visiting the Long Island yarn shops. Dates have not been scheduled for 2023.

Charm City Yarn Crawl (Baltimore). This event has been postponed until further notice.

Pacific Northwest Yarn Crawl – The crawl is happening May 4 – 7, 2023. Enjoy this fun event in spring.

DFW Fiber Fest – On the schedule! Plans underway for September 14th -17th, 2023

Vermont Sheep and Wool Festival – September 30 – October 1, 2023 at the fairgrounds in Tunbridge, Vermont.

Hill Country Yarn Crawl – Explore historic Texas – 2023 dates and website access are pending. While crawling, visit the Alamo, learn about Texas history, and see the unexpected hilly terrain deep in the heart of Texas.

November is a perfect time for a fall festival at an alpaca farm! A Stroka Gene Us near Laurel, Mississippi has its annual farm festival and vendor event each year on the weekend before Thanksgiving.  Read all about my visit to this farm tour.

Stitches SoCal 2023 – Pasadena, California ~ November 9 – 12, 2023

Rhine River Crochet Cruise – Experience a magical holiday season with CrochetCrowd.com on the Rhine River. From November 30 to December 7th, 2023, get together for a journey down the Rhine, starting in Basel, Switzerland, and ending up in Amsterdam. On board AMAwaterways Siena River Ship. Tours, meals, and accommodations are included.

2024

Jessy at Brighter Things Planning is offering a textile tour of Scotland. October 12, 2024.

Tips for Crawlers and Participating Yarn Crawl Shops:

Travel Tip: Call ahead to the shops to ask if there are any featured speakers or demos during the dates of the crawl if this information is not already provided with your passport package.

Budget Tip:  Yes, I understand, yarn crawls and crochet retreats are not always budget-friendly!  Keep your stash in check by setting a budget for the trip or each day’s adventures. Choose yarns with a project in mind so that you purchase in the correct quantities. Take your patterns with you or purchase patterns in the shops (along with the recommended yarns).

Budget Tip 2: For Yarn Crawls in the United States, use the GasBuddy app to find locations and prices for gasoline during your driving trips.  It’s my go-to app when I’m on the road.  App users can also update the pricing real-time to help other travelers.

Shop Owners and Event Planner’s Marketing Tip: Use your large Facebook banner as advertising real estate for your yarn crawl dates and include a link to your event webpage. Be sure to update the dates when the current event closes out.

Is there a yarn crawl in your area? Tell me all about it in the form below.

Other blog posts you may enjoy…