Discovering the World of Yarn at the 2025 Swiss Yarn Festival

This spring, I had the pleasure of attending the 2025 Swiss Yarn Festival, held at the picturesque Riverside Hotel near Zurich. Founded in 2018, this annual event has quickly become a highlight in the European yarn and fiber arts scene. It brings together wool and yarn enthusiasts of all kinds—knitters, crocheters, weavers, spinners, embroiderers, and lace-makers—for a weekend of creativity, inspiration, and community.

I was drawn to the festival this year because a friend of mine was hosting a booth to showcase her beautiful, signature neon-colored yarns, which she dyes by hand. Watching her dedication to the craft and seeing her vibrant creations on display was truly heartwarming.

Beyond mental supporting her, the entire experience became a personal discovery. I found myself captivated by the rich textures, radiant colors, and the traditional handcraft tools used by artists and vendors. The festival was alive with passion: from people selling their patterns in books and brochures, to those simply sharing the joy of knitting and connecting with others over their craft.

I saw handloom mid-weave the first time, knitters showcased vivid striped design in progress. Surrounded by soft yarns and crochet tools, reflecting the quiet beauty of slow craftsmanship.

There are baskets and walls of sparkly yarns intertwined with sequins, glitters and playful, festive, and full of possibilities. Each spool seemed to tell a different creative story.

The festival also organized fashion show and catwalks, where makers took to the runway to present their latest pattern trends. The models wore hand-knit pieces with pride, bringing artistry to life in motion.

Several exhibitors asked me, “Are you a knitter?” Not yet, I answered. But I learned to admire the craft through my mother—an intuitive knitter with an effortless talent. Without using a single pattern book, she creates beautiful sweaters, socks, and hats from memory. Each piece she knits carries a warmth that reaches across generations. Now, my daughter wears her grandmother’s handmade gifts proudly to kindergarten, calling them “Grandma’s masterpieces.”

This experience reminded me that handmaking is more than just technique—it is a gentle, expressive language of love, patience, and creativity. I left the festival feeling deeply inspired by the vibrant community and the personal stories behind every yarn and stitch.

What a wonderful, soul-soothing celebration of craft and connection. I will definitely be back.