Community

This month

Festivals, guild days and online gatherings. Dates can change, so check with the organizer before you travel.

• 3 Nov 2026 to 26 Jan 2027HGA Textiles & Tea (weekly, online)Free · OnlineA free one-hour conversation with a fiber artist, every Tuesday at 4 pm ET. Nov 3 Dance Doyle · Nov 10 Kristin Kelly Colombano · Nov 17 Scott Norris · Nov 24 Wendy Morris.
• 4 to 8 Nov 2026Handweavers Guild of Boulder Fiber Art Show & SaleBoulder County Fairgrounds, Longmont, ColoradoGuild members' handwoven and handspun work for sale. Wed to Sat 10 to 6 (Thu to 8), Sun 10 to 3.
• 7 to 8 Nov 2026Fiber Festival of New EnglandMallary Complex, Eastern States Exposition, 1305 Memorial Ave, West Springfield, MA · $10 per day, under 13 free150+ New England vendors and 20+ workshops including spinning and felting. Sat 9 to 5, Sun 9 to 3.
• 12 to 15 Nov 2026Knit + Stitch Northern IrelandEikon Exhibition Centre, Lisburn, Northern Ireland · TicketedTextile craft show: suppliers, workshops, demonstrations.
• 18 Nov 2026Portable Fibers Live! (Philadelphia Guild of Hand Weavers)Guild House, 3705 Main Street, Manayunk, Philadelphia, PADrop-in 1 to 3 pm: bring any fiber project, beginners welcome, no agenda.
• 19 to 22 Nov 2026Knit + Stitch HarrogateHarrogate Convention Centre, Kings Road, Harrogate HG1 5LA, UK · Ticketed150+ suppliers, workshops and demonstrations (formerly The Knitting & Stitching Show).

Projects to try

• Spin your first skein. How to start spinning yarn
• Weave your first scarf. How to start weaving
• Card your first batt. How to card wool with a drum carder

And from makers on YouTube, one each for spinning, weaving and fiber prep, new every month.

• ▶5:57Making batts for felting using the Ashford Blending Board and luxurious fibres, video, 6 min
  • Blending Board
  • Fiber Prep
  • Ashford Wheels and Looms

  20 Jun 2016 · 54,231 views

  Fiber prep

Makers to follow

Teachers, shops and makers sharing their craft. Pick one and settle in.

Spinning

• JillianEve (Evie Schwartz)YouTubeVideos on Scotch tension, choosing a wheel, blending boards and the history of Ashford wheels.
• Wool n' Spinning (Rachel Smith)YouTube and podcastA spinning podcast and YouTube channel from Rachel Smith.
• SweetGeorgia (Felicia Lo)Yarn companyA yarn company with the "Taking Back Friday" fiber arts vlog and free make-alongs anyone can join.
• Rehash FiberYouTubeVideos on specific wheels and looms, including the Ashford rigid heddle, Joy 2 and e-Spinner 3.
• The Long Thread PodcastPodcastA fiber arts podcast hosted by Anne Merrow and Linda Ligon.
• Ashford Wheels and LoomsManufacturerThe manufacturer's own videos, including assembly, for when a new Ashford arrives.
• A Bit TwistedYouTubeVideos of Ashford Traditional and Elizabeth spinning wheels.

Weaving

• Kelly Casanova Weaving LessonsYouTubeRigid heddle and table loom videos, including what to consider when buying a table loom.
• Weave (Gist Yarn)PodcastA weaving podcast from Gist Yarn, a yarn shop.
• Jane Stafford School of WeavingSubscriptionWeaving lessons by subscription, from Jane Stafford.
• Michelle, Threefold DesignsYouTubeStart-to-finish scarf weaving and studio vlogs on an Ashford Jack Loom.

Fiber prep

• Camaj Fiber ArtsShopDrum carder comparisons and setup videos from a fiber shop.

Find a guild

A guild is where spinners and weavers meet in person. Ask whether a member can show you a wheel or loom before you buy.

• Handweavers Guild of America directorySearch by state to find guilds in the US.
• Association of Guilds of Weavers, Spinners and DyersThe UK's umbrella body, with member guilds by region.
• Ravelry groupsSearch your region plus "spinning" or "weaving". A free Ravelry account is all you need.