Hello fellow fibre enthusiasts and welcome to Perth Festival of Yarn 2019!
We return to the Dewars Centre, home to our Big Yarn Party for our fourth annual celebration and we are beyond excited to host the very best independent yarn businesses from across the UK, EU and for the first time, USA.
We’re proud to offer a class programme that includes internationally esteemed tutors Francoise Danoy, Andre de Castro, Julie Dubreux, Steve Malcolm, Karie Westermann, Beverley Dott, Lindsay Roberts, and Jeanette Sloan. You are sure to find new skills to add to support you on your future textile journeys. Our 2019 Keynote Lecture, BIPOC and the need for representation in the Knitting Community, will be delivered by Jeanette Sloan, founder of Bipoc in Fiber. Much lauded in the Industry Jeanette is consulted by many of the best hand knitting brands in both the UK and EU, and her designs are commissioned in several UK knitting magazines including The Knitter, and Knitting Magazine where she is a regular contributor responsible for the ‘Ask Jeanette’ letters page, Yarn Reviews and A-Z of Techniques.
Take time to explore The Knitter Lounge where you will be able to meet your favourite podcasters and bloggers, participate in meet-ups, and get snapping infront of our pop-up photo booth. The Knitter’s editorial team can be found in our Vendors’ Gallery Marketplace where they will be happy to chat with you about their quality magazine and admire garments from past issues that they will have on display. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed when the yarn fumes hit, so make sure you relax and recharge in our large break-out crafting café on the second floor. We will have a Coffee Station and additional seating within our Vendors’ Gallery Marketplace too.
We have 2 official social events this year; Gin Flight Friday at The Green Room and our Saturday Night Social at The Station Hotel. Both of these events are ticketed and available from our website.
Don’t forget your commemorative Perth Festival of Yarn 2019 merchandise. We will have a limited number of our enamel pins, tote bags in collaboration with Soraya Garcia, as well as wooden stitch marker sets and needle gauges in partnership with SunnySide Handmade to purchase from our merchandise stand over the weekend. If you have pre-ordered merchandise then please remember to bring your receipt for collection.
The Team is truly humbled by your continued love and support for us. It’s an honour to be able create this celebration for us to share each year. We wish you all an amazing Perth Festival of Yarn and can’t wait to see your new aquistions and projects on social media. Use #perthyarnfest19 so we don’t miss it.
Eva and the Perth Festival of Yarn Team.
Yarn Fest Survival 101
Everyone loves a yarn festival but it’s extremely easy to feel overwhelmed by the riot of colours and smells once you step into our Vendors’ Gallery. Here are our tips and tricks for having the best possible experience you can at Perth Festival of Yarn.
Check out the vendors before you go
Pop over onto www.thescottishyarnfestival.com and have a look at our vendor profiles. Each vendor was invited to send us their personal story and favourite product photos. You can also look at the daily updates we make on Facebook and Instagram and you’ll find even more inspiration if you search #perthyarnfest19 and #peopleofperthyarnfest19.
Print off the floor-plan and dust off your highlighter
Once you’ve decided who you must see, find out where they are on our floor-plan and highlight their table so you won’t miss them on the day. Click here to download a copy of the floorplan to your phone!
Bring cold, hard cash
We have a lot of very small indie dyers who simply cannot afford to absord the costs of PayPal, debit and credit card charges. For those who will be able to take online payments please be aware that there will be a heavy demand on the public Wi-Fi so you may have to patiently wait for a connection and also be at the mercy of the internet gods. Cash never lets you down. Small change is always appreciated. If you run out of the hard stuff then the nearest ATMs are located at Aldi – directly opposite the Dewars Centre – and Morrisons on the Caledonian Road, PH1 5XD, which is a 5 minute stroll away.
Pattern Planning
We all know there are some skeins that you just have to re-home the moment you lock eyes on them. The flip-side to that is seeing a sweater-quantity that charms its way into your heart but you have no idea of what pattern you’ll make with it. We’ve witnessed many a frantic attempt to connect to the already stretched Wi-Fi in a desperate bid to find that perfect pattern on Ravelry. Pick out those perfect patterns and note down the meterage and yarn weights before you go. Download the picture of the design to help you visualise it in your choice of yarn at the Festival. Don’t forget to check out our #designersofperthyarnfest19 as well – many of which have generously made coupon codes available in their Ravelry shops ahead of the Festival. You’ll find the full list and links to their shops in our Ravelry group as well as on our social media pages.
Eat. (And drink too.)
It’s so easy to get caught up in all the action that before you know it you’re feeling a bit light-headed (and not from the yarn-fumes this time.) We have a large break-out crafting café in our venue and a second coffee bar which will also serve cold food. The café serves vegetatian, vegan and gluten free options, but staff will be happy to discuss allergens in more detail if required.
Cloakroom
Our cloakroom is bring run by the PKAVS Minority Communities Hub, who give tailored support to people from minority backgrounds, particularly Eastern European, South Asian and Chinese. Established in 2010, it is the lead organisation supporting the expanding migrant population in Perth and Kinross, helping hundreds of people to access local services and play an active role in their community.
Quiet Room – Kinnoull
We have a quiet room available to those (and their companions) who have conditions which cause them to experience overwhelm in environments such as our festival. If you need this facility please look at the signage for the Kinnoull Room or ask one of our volunteers or a member of the Live Active Leisure staff.
The Knitter Lounge
The Knitter Lounge is an area available to all attending the Festival and is situated on the first floor, next to the cafe, overlooking our inspiring Vendors’ Gallery.
The Knitter Lounge Programme: Meet Ups and Photo Calls – Saturday
12pm – Ama Sweater
12:30pm – Podcasters
1:30pm – Shawl For An Art Lover
2:15pm – BIPOC in Fibre
3pm – Whakairo Cowl
The Knitter Lounge Programme: Meet Ups and Photo Calls – Sunday
11:30am – Grianaig Creations and FibrePunk Neck Blanket MAL
12pm – Ama Sweater
1pm – BIPOC in Fibre
2pm – Podcasters
The Knitter is the premier magazine for confident knitters who are looking for beautiful, original patterns from the world’s best designers. Each issue of this collectable magazine has more than 12 gorgeous, inspiring patterns which are aimed at expert knitters and those looking to stretch and improve their skills. The designs are supplemented by informative, in-depth articles from experts around the globe and advice on new yarns and products that are available to enhance their knitting hobby. Every month, The Knitter also delivers expert, in-depth Masterclass features which are aimed at learning new techniques and help readers to become more confident, proficient knitters. With its focus on high-quality designs and best-in-class photography, The Knitter is a hugely respected magazine within the knitting community and a must-read for all confident and creative knitters.
Other stuff that’s good to know
Finding us!
Perth Festival of Yarn takes place at the Dewars Centre, Glover Street, PH2 0TH. When entering Perth please follow any signs marked Leisure Pool or Ice Rink as these will take you to the Dewars Cente. Car-parking There are 200 car-parking spaces available at the Dewars Centre. We are working hard to secure overflow car-parking nearby, please watch our social media pages for updates. Council owned car-parks are free on Sundays. The nearest to the venue are found at the AK Bell Library (York Place), Milne Street, Thimblerow and West Mill Street. There are spaces for 100 cars at Perth Train Station. This is a privately owned car-park.
A Park & Ride facility for 400 vehicles is available at the Broxden roundabout (operational on Saturday only). This is situated at the junction of the M90/A9 bypass with the A9 Stirling Road. A second Park & Ride operates from a car park adjacent to the A94 at the north end of Scone. Kinross Park & Ride at Junction 6 on the M90 allows motorists to link with coach services to Perth and Edinburgh.
If you’re travelling by train then please leave from the car-park in the centre of the station instead of out the front entrance. This route will lead you to the Glasgow Road and to the Dewars Centre in 5 minutes.
Perth is easy to access from both Glasgow and Edinburgh International Airports. From Glasgow, take the airport shuttle bus service to Glasgow Queen Street Station. There are regular direct trains to Perth throughout the day. From Edinburgh, take the tram to Edinburgh Gateway, then transfer to the train station on the upper level. There are regular direct trains to Perth throughout the day.
When in Perth…..
Perth is a culturally vibrant place with many attractions. We’ve put together a list of other events and our favourite places to see while you’re here. Check out the Perth City Centre website https://www.perthcity.co.uk/ and Small City, Big Personality https://www.smallcitybigpersonality.co.uk/ before you arrive for inspiration.
Perth and Kinross Heritage Trust Doors Open Days: http://www.pkht.org.uk/get-involved/doorsopen-days/
The Great Perthshire Picnic: https://greatperthshirepicnic.uk/
Perth City Kayak Tour: https://www.willowgateactivitycentre.co.uk/events/perth-city-kayak-tour8th-september/? fbclid=IwAR2lAGNrZuh7omeeX_P31r0Hsmwy754a0MBdZig5aPJVmCZ8JrqHXT_WCJ0
The Fergusson Gallery http://www.culturepk.org.uk/museums-and-galleries/the-fergusson-gallery/
Perth Museum and Art Gallery: Jacobite Clan Exhibition https://www.culturepk.org.uk/whatsonsearch-results/?event=exhibitions-and-displays
Perthshire Open Studios: 7 – 15 September https://www.perthshireopenstudios.com/