Happy New Year, fiber lovers! January marks the start of a fresh festival season, and while the calendar is lighter than spring or fall, several excellent events kick off the year. From the sunshine of Florida's Sunkissed Fiber Festival to the glamour of Vogue Knitting Live in New York City, January 2027 offers compelling reasons to start the year with yarn in hand.
Many January events haven't announced their 2027 dates yet as of this writing. We've included confirmed events and strong projections based on established patterns. Check back for updates as organizers publish their 2027 schedules.
Key takeaways
- Vogue Knitting Live NYC is the year's first major fiber event (dates TBA, typically late January)
- Sunkissed Fiber Festival in Florida offers warm-weather fiber shopping January 23-24
- Delmarva Wool and Fiber Expo typically falls on Martin Luther King Jr. weekend
- Maryland Sheep and Wool Winterfest offers virtual classes accessible from anywhere
- Most 2027 dates will be confirmed in late 2026—sign up for event newsletters now
January 2027 festivals and events
Lancaster Winter Knitter's Retreat - early January (projected)
Location: Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Website: lancasteryarnshop.com
This intimate retreat, typically held the second weekend of January, is limited to just 30 attendees—making it one of the most exclusive fiber events of the year. Hosted by Lancaster Yarn Shop, the retreat includes workshops with featured instructors, a gourmet dinner, gift bags with custom-dyed yarn, and cozy fireside knitting sessions at the Lancaster Marriott.
With only 30 spots, this sells out fast once announced. Watch Lancaster Yarn Shop's website and social media for registration announcements. The intimate format means personalized attention and genuine connections with fellow fiber lovers.
Delmarva Wool and Fiber Expo - mid-January (projected)
Location: Roland E. Powell Convention Center, Ocean City, Maryland
Website: woolandfiber.com
Admission: $4/day
Typically held on Martin Luther King Jr. weekend, the Delmarva Wool and Fiber Expo is a remarkably affordable way to start your festival year. At just four dollars admission, it's one of the best values in the fiber world. The Ocean City Convention Center hosts vendors, classes, and demonstrations covering spinning, weaving, felting, and more.
Ocean City in January is a different experience from summer—quiet beaches, off-season hotel rates, and no crowds. It's a surprisingly pleasant winter getaway destination, especially if you combine the expo with a relaxing beach weekend.
Waltham Abbey Wool Show - mid-January (projected)
Location: Delta Marriott Hotel, Waltham Abbey, Essex, England
Website: walthamabbeywoolshow.co.uk
One of the UK's earliest fiber events of the year, the Waltham Abbey Wool Show is a single-day event featuring hand-dyed yarns, handmade wool and felt items, knitting and crochet kits, and demonstrations. It's a cozy way to kick off the British fiber festival season, conveniently located near the M25 for easy access from across southeast England.
Sunkissed Fiber Festival - January 23-24
Location: Greater Hillsborough County Fairgrounds, Dover, Florida
Website: sunkissedfiberfestival.com
Admission: $5/day or $7 weekend pass (cash only at door)
While most of the country shivers through January, Florida offers sunshine and fiber. The Sunkissed Fiber Festival brings 37+ vendors to the Tampa area for a two-day event featuring yarn, fiber, tools, and accessories. The first 100 attendees each day receive a free tote bag.
This growing festival is a genuine bright spot in the thin January calendar. The affordable admission, warm weather, and enthusiastic vendor lineup make it worth a trip—especially if you're a snowbird or looking for an excuse to escape winter. Bring a folding chair for the open stitching area and settle in for some sunshine knitting between vendor visits.
Maryland Sheep and Wool Winterfest - late January (projected, virtual)
Location: Online
Website: sheepandwool.org
The organization behind the legendary Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival hosts this virtual winter edition with online classes and seminars. Topics cover the full range of fiber arts—felting, spinning, fiber prep, weaving, crochet, knitting, and shepherd-focused seminars.
Virtual events are accessible to anyone with an internet connection, making this an excellent option if you can't travel in January. Class fees are modest, and you can participate from the comfort of your sofa with your knitting in hand.
Vogue Knitting Live NYC - late January (projected)
Location: New York Marriott Marquis, New York City
Website: vogueknittinglive.com
The biggest consumer knitting event in the United States typically takes place in late January at the Marriott Marquis in Times Square. Vogue Knitting Live NYC features a massive marketplace with 100+ vendors, celebrity designer workshops, a fashion show, technique classes, and social events that draw thousands of knitters from across the country.
This is where the knitting industry launches trends for the year. Major yarn companies debut new lines, designers showcase upcoming patterns, and the marketplace concentration is unmatched. Marketplace-only passes are available if you just want to shop, or invest in workshop passes for intensive instruction from world-class teachers.
NYC in January is cold but vibrant, and the Marriott Marquis location puts you in the heart of Times Square. Combine your visit with trips to NYC's excellent yarn shops for the ultimate fiber weekend. If you're looking to expand your skills, check our guide to yarn substitution before shopping at the massive marketplace.
FIBRuary Festival and Yarn Crawl - late January start (projected)
Location: Hamilton County, Indiana (festival) + Central Indiana yarn shops (crawl)
Website: fibruaryindiana.com
Starting in late January and running through mid-February, FIBRuary kicks off with a vendor festival then transitions into a multi-week yarn crawl through Central Indiana shops. The passport-and-stamp format rewards shop visits with raffle entries. It's a creative way to fight the winter blues with fiber shopping.
Looking ahead: early February 2027
Several major events fall in early February, just past the January boundary:
- Red Alder Fiber Arts Fest (February 11-14, Tacoma, WA) - The successor to the beloved Madrona Fiber Arts Retreat, confirmed at Hotel Murano. Registration opens November 15, 2026.
- Unravel Festival (February TBA, Farnham, Surrey, UK) - One of the UK's premier yarn festivals at Farnham Maltings.
New year, new projects
January is the perfect time to set your fiber intentions for the year:
Plan your festival calendar
Map out which festivals you want to attend in 2027. The big ones—Rhinebeck, Maryland Sheep and Wool, Shetland Wool Week—require advance planning for accommodation and workshop registration. Starting early means better options and less stress.
Organize your stash
Before buying new yarn at January events, take inventory of what you have. You might rediscover forgotten treasures that inspire new projects. Understanding what's in your stash also helps you shop more intentionally at festivals. For help choosing projects, see our guide on choosing the right yarn for any project.
Learn something new
January's quieter schedule gives you time to explore new techniques before the busy festival season. Try different yarn constructions, experiment with unfamiliar fiber types, or tackle a technique you've been avoiding. The skills you build now will make your 2027 festival experience richer.
Frequently asked questions
When will 2027 festival dates be announced?
Most festivals announce dates 3-6 months in advance. For January 2027 events, watch for announcements in fall 2026. Sign up for newsletters from events you're interested in—that's the fastest way to get date and registration announcements.
Is Vogue Knitting Live worth attending?
If you love knitting, yes. The marketplace alone justifies the trip—the concentration of vendors is unmatched outside of Rhinebeck. The workshops feature world-class instructors, and the community atmosphere of thousands of knitters gathered in one place is energizing. If budget is a concern, marketplace-only passes are the most affordable option.
What happened to Stitches West?
Stitches West (run by XRX/Knitting Universe) has permanently closed following the company's bankruptcy. It will not return. However, Red Alder Fiber Arts Fest in Tacoma (February) has emerged as a Pacific Northwest alternative, and Vogue Knitting Live NYC serves a similar large-scale marketplace and workshop role.