All Eyes On Scotland For Edinburgh Yarn Festival

Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th March sees Scotland's capital host the popular Edinburgh Yarn Festival at the Edinburgh Corn Exchange for the third time. Each year EYF grows in size and popularity and in 2016 there's a heck of a lot going on to pack into just two days.

Image courtesy of Edinburgh Yarn Festival

On-the-door ticket prices are £12 for one day or £18 for a weekend pass. Most classes have sold out, but the EYF website has a page listing the few that have places left. At the time of writing this post there are still tickets available to hear Susan Crawford's talk about her forthcoming Vintage Shetland Project book. Classes cost extra above the main admission ticket price.

If you don't get a chance to take a class there's still lots to see and do. For a quick rest head to the Blacker Yarn's Podcast Lounge hosted by Louise Scollay of KnitBritish. The Market Place is where retailers large and indie will by vying to tempt you to buy. With names such as Little Grey Sheep, Kate Davies Designs, Baa Ram Ewe, Old Maiden Aunt and Jamieson's of Shetland exhibiting, it won't be too difficult to spend your money. Plus Rachel Atkinson is launching her own yarn, Daughter of a Shepherd, exclusively at EYF.

Take cash with you because not every vendor will have credit card facilities available and the fees the companies charge eat into their profits. Read more top tips on Karie Westermann's blog post guide to surviving EYF.

Scotland has a firm place on the woolly map this year. Shetland Wool Week has announced that this year's patron is to be Ella Gordon, Shetland born, bred and designer-trained. Gordon was elected unanimously by the festival's committee.

Ella Gordon photo courtesy of Jeni Read

At EYF Gordon will reveal the hat pattern she has designed for this year's Shetland Wool Week. With Donna Smith's 2015's Baa-ble hat pattern having proved a big hit, Gordon has a lot to live up to!

Meanwhile over in Inverness plans for the inaugural Loch Ness Knit Festival, due to take place between 29th September and 2nd October, are gathering pace. I love the idea of taking a boat trip looking for Nessie between classes and yarn shopping.

Sadly, living in the English midlands, all three festivals are too far for me to go for a day trip. Maybe next year I can plan a Scottish holiday around them.