YarnCon: Chicago’s indie fiber festival sparks craft creativity

CHICAGO (WGN) — If knitting, crocheting and weaving are your thing, this indie fiber festival was a one-stop shop to spark craft creativity for hobbyists in the Chicago area.

Sixty vendors packed the Plumbers’ Union Hall in the West Loop for the yearly rendition of YarnCon this weekend.

“We started the show in 2007 hoping to find other like-minded folks who just wanted to see good yarn and yarn that you don’t see in all the shops,” said Sara Ware, Co-Founder of YarnCon. “But it has grown and we have connected with knitting guilds.”

Vendors at the event hail from states all around the Midwest and offer knitters, weavers and crocheters a wide variety of materials, tips and tricks to take their craft to a new level.

“They’re going to find hand-dyed yarn and they get to meet the people who do it,” said Natalia Uribe-Wilson, Co-Founder of YarnCon. “So, if you’re buying hand-dyed yarn, you’re meeting the dyers. If you’re getting wool from the alpaca or sheep, you’re meeting the people raising the animals.”

Jasmyn Thomas was one of those craft enthusiasts who went to YarnCon Sunday. She picked up crocheting two-and-a-half years ago and now creates her own scarves, sweaters and blankets.

“It’s a great place to come. Everybody is friendly and happy to teach you and it’s really more accessible than people realize,” Thomas said. “With the help of like YouTube and also a local yarn store, Miss Purl Chicago on the South Side, she has classes that have really helped.”

Along with creating thoughtful, unique gifts, Thomas said crocheting also helps bring her peace of mind.

“I use it a lot to calm my anxiety so, if there is any trouble on my mind, I just pick up a project and calm down and relax,” Thomas said.

YarnCon 2026 is scheduled to take place April 11-12 next year.