Did you know there’s a DFW Fiber Festival? There’s also a North Texas Yarn Crawl. Boom! Never say you can’t learn something new! Okay, maybe you already knew — but we sure didn’t! Actually, we found out while visiting a local yarn store, and now we’re super excited. If you’re a serial hobbyist in DFW, this post is for you!
Here’s What’s Up Dallas!
Table of Contents:
- Our Experience
- DFW Yarn Community
- How Yarn is Made
- Fiberlady Interview with Fiberman
- Our Recommendations
- Conclusion
Our Experience
For Lexi’s birthday, we kicked off our own yarn crawl adventure at ‘Fiberlady’, where Michele and David welcomed us with open arms and introduced us to the thriving DFW yarn community. We learned so much about different types of yarn and even got a sneak peek at some behind-the-scenes processes. After taking our time to browse and soak it all in, we eventually made our way to ‘Knit Dallas’— a shop that immediately became one of Lexi’s favorite spots. With so many gorgeous yarns and such a cozy atmosphere, it was impossible not to be swept up in its charm!
KNIT DALLAS PHOTO COLLAGE
We wrapped up our crawl at ‘On the Lamb,’ where I (Autumn) fell in love with the most stunning brown yarn. Hello, new spring scarf! Throughout the whole experience, we couldn’t get over how welcoming and passionate the community was. And did you know a lot of these shops host free knit and crochet nights? We had no idea, but now we’re in love!
DFW Yarn Community
The DFW yarn community is vibrant (literally and figuratively), inclusive, and growing every year. Whether you’re a beginner picking up your knitting needles for the first time or an advanced fiber artist seeking high-quality, unique yarns, there’s a place for you here. The community thrives on in-person meetups, knit and crochet nights, and special events that bring together people who love fiber arts. So, if you’re looking for a new hobby and a soft landing, read on!
PHOTOS FROM ON THE LAMB
What is the DFW Fiber Festival?
Okay, learning about DFW Fiber Fest is what truly got us excited! This Dallas Fiber Festival is the ultimate event for fiber artists in North Texas. Held annually, the festival brings together vendors, teachers, and enthusiasts from all over. You can shop for unique yarns, attend workshops taught by experts, and meet fellow fiber lovers. Whether you’re interested in knitting, crocheting, spinning, or weaving, this Fiber Festival has something for you.
But wait, there’s more!
While visiting ‘On the Lamb’ in Grapevine, we met Jennifer, who was working on the most stunning crocheted cardigan. (If we hadn’t been so awestruck, we would’ve taken a picture — clearly, Jen is an expert!) Not only did she entertain all our questions about her gorgeous work, but she also told us all about Fiber Fest. Turns out, she’s one of the people who run it. Can you spell serendipity?
The BIGGEST thing we learned is that Fiber Fest offers FREE knitting and crochet classes. In other words, if you don’t know anything about yarn arts, it doesn’t matter. You can show up at Fiber Fest and sign up for a FREE (we love that word) class. Amazing, right? Add it to the list of free things to do in DFW! And while you’re at it, add this fiber festival to your calendar too!
Fiber Festival FAQ
When and where is the Dallas Fiber Festival?
The 2025 Dallas Fiber Festival will be held from September 19th to 21st at the Irving Convention Center. Be sure to visit the official website for more details!
Do I need a ticket?
General admission is free, but certain workshops and special events may require a paid ticket. Also, parking is $5 per day, which is pretty dang affordable!
What kind of vendors can I expect?
Expect a wide variety of vendors, from hand-dyed yarns and custom knitting needles to project bags and spinning fibers. It’s truly a fiber artist’s paradise, with endless opportunities to explore, shop, and be inspired!
What is the North Texas Yarn Crawl?
Okay, so here’s the second thing that got us really excited: The North Texas Yarn Crawl!
The North Texas Yarn Crawl is a self-paced tour of yarn stores throughout the region. Over several days, fiber enthusiasts visit different shops, collecting stamps for a chance to win prizes. It’s a fantastic way to discover new local yarn stores, meet fellow crafters, and stock up on incredible fibers. This will be our first crawl, and we’re so excited!
ON THE LAMB PHOTO COLLAGE
Other Ways to Build Community!
And here’s the third thing that got us really excited! (If you can’t tell by now, we’re easily excitable. 😂) Even beyond the fiber festival and yarn crawl, there are so many other ways to get involved in the DFW yarn scene. Check out local yarn shops for free knit and crochet nights. Every single shop we visited had at least one or two yarn nights per week, not to mention one-off workshops and other events! So yeah, you’re definitely going to want to check out your local store’s calendar.
You can also join Facebook groups and Ravelry forums, or chat with people at fiber events. But our big recommendation is to just go to your local yarn store and knit. We were pleasantly surprised to find all these yarn stores operating like a third space! People were sitting on couches or at tables and just knitting and crocheting. It was lovely! So, even if you can’t attend one of the knit and crochet nights, you can still find community. And trust us, this community is super welcoming, and there’s always something new to learn!
How Yarn is Made
Fiberlady in Lewisville, Texas taught us so much about yarn. It was amazing!
Yarn is made by spinning fibers — such as wool, cotton, or synthetic materials — into long, continuous strands. The process begins with cleaning and carding (brushing) raw fibers to align them. The fibers are then twisted together using a spinning wheel or industrial machine to create strength and elasticity.
In the following video, David tells us about the process of spinning fibers into yarn:
Depending on the desired thickness, multiple strands may be plied together. The final yarn can be dyed, treated, or textured before being wound into skeins, balls, or cones for use in knitting, crocheting, or weaving. Yarn can be made from both plant and animal fibers, each with its own unique properties.
- Plant-based yarns, such as cotton, linen, and bamboo, come from natural cellulose fibers. Plant yarns are typically lightweight, breathable, and absorbent, making them ideal for warm-weather garments and home textiles. They also tend to have less elasticity compared to animal fibers.
- Animal-based yarns, such as wool, alpaca, and silk, are made from protein fibers sourced from animals. These yarns are often warm, soft, and naturally elastic, making them great for insulating clothing. Some animal fibers, like silk, are smooth and lustrous, while others, like wool, provide warmth and texture.
Both types of yarn go through a spinning process to create strands that can be woven, knitted, or crocheted into fabric.
Fiberlady Interview with Fiberman
Q. Can you tell me the story behind Fiberlady?
David:
Well, it started with my wife, Michele, aka Fiberlady. It also started with a drop spindle, a spinning wheel, fiber, wool and bamboo. As a child, she did knit and crochet, but then she started spinning. Once she got into the fiber, we bought a bunch of fiber to start selling on Etsy, eBay, and online. And then, little by little, we met people that owned the machinery we needed, and that’s how it happened. We opened in 2006.
Q. What do you love most about knitting, crocheting, and the overall DFW yarn community?
David:
Oh, just the people. You know, I want people to come in here and sit down and hang out, like you guys did the first time you came. And then I love to see what you guys make. There was this one lady — We had show and tell, and she brought in something she wove. Even though it wasn’t our yarn, it was awesome. I was like, this is cool! That’s what we love. Or when we make some yarn, and then you go home and make something with it. That’s really cool.
Q. How would you describe the knitting and crochet scene in DFW? Are there any groups, meetups, or traditions that make it special?
David:
There are meetups all over town. Like there’s a group of retired ladies that meet at the Thrive building in Flower Mound. Yeah, every Thursday. I know that at Grapevine in the town meeting area, they have a group. And I think at Barnes and Nobles in Flower Mound, they used to always have a meeting. You know, Barnes and Nobles is now in Highland Village. I forget the entire list, but there’re groups all over. You just got to find them.
And then there’s also two crochet guilds, and there’s three knitting guilds. And with most crafts, everybody wants to help. They want to, you know, keep the crafts going, because crochet and knitting, it’s getting younger. More young people are doing it.
Q. What do you think makes knitting, crocheting, weaving, etc. such a rewarding hobby? What are some benefits people might not realize?
David:
It stimulates creativity. That’s one thing. And I think it also keeps your mind active. Because you have to use some math, you know, especially with weaving and the spinners. If you’ve ever watched anybody at a spinning wheel with their hands, it’s like they get in a groove. They get into a zen type zone, find a rhythm and it’s just relaxing. And I know of one customer where she had a stroke, and she said that crocheting was realigning her mind with her hands and improving her coordination. Yeah. And she wanted hot pink yarn, so I dyed some hot pink yarn for her.
Q. If someone is new to knitting or crocheting, where’s the best place to start? Any local resources, shops, or events that can help?
David:
Yeah. We have classes. All the yarn stores have classes, you know. Obviously, online you can find classes everywhere. And I swear, TikTok has brought up every kid to be a crocheter. So, I mean it must be hot on TikTok. Also Fiber Fest. That’s where you gotta go this year.
Q. How do you see knitting and crocheting bringing people together?
David:
Hmm, that’s a good one. They’re both a talking craft, I think. You know, it’s communal, because we can go out to dinner right now, and you can be sitting over there crocheting, you can be knitting. And yeah. I can do the same thing. It’s a very community-based activity. And then, like, you make things for people, too. At home, you keep your complicated things there so that nobody’s bothering you and you’re not losing count. But the simple stuff is for socializing. Or you can bring something along to say, I’m having trouble at this step, and then someone can help you.
And you meet a lot of people. You know, we have three ladies in Coppell — they’re younger moms, and their kids all met. They’re in the same class, and it turns out they were all knitters, and now they’re three best friends.
David:
Q. How does Fiberlady help create an inclusive and welcoming space for all fiber artists?
David:
Well, I guess I don’t think of it as, you know, inclusivity. We treat everybody the same. We want people in the building. It’s like, I don’t think of you as customers, I think of you as guests in my house. Does that make sense? And I’ve learned over the years, people come in every shape and size. So, I don’t, I don’t even think about it. That’s what you want, I guess, in society. You don’t want to think of it. You want it to just be there.
Everybody’s cool, you know? You just want to treat everybody well. And there’s something neat about everyone, if you can get it out of them. Maybe they don’t know they’re a killer crocheter or a knitter. Maybe this could be their happy place.
Q. What’s your vision for the future of Fiberlady and the knitting and crochet community in DFW?
David:
For us, we just want to, again, build this. We have a five-year lease, and we have one year down and four to go. We want to build a Lewisville community and hand it over to the next generation. You know, find the young kids. It’s cool to have a getaway. You gotta have a hobby. And for this hobby, if you want to do a $5 project, do a $5 project. If you want to do a $100 project, do a $100. It doesn’t matter what you want to do. That’s what I like.
Our Recommendations
Each yarn store in DFW has its own unique vibe and specialties. Here’s where we’d recommend going, based on the kind of fiber artist you are:
- Fiberlady – Best for plant-based and bamboo yarn lovers and those interested in learning about fiber processing.
- Address: 982 N Garden Ridge Blvd #140, Lewisville, TX 75077
- Website/ Classes: https://store.fiberlady.com/collections/classes
- 2025 Hours:
- Mon: Closed
- Tues: 10am-8pm
- Wed-Fri: 9am-5pm
- Sat: 9am-4pm
- Sun: Closed
- Knit Dallas – Perfect for those who love luxurious, high-end yarns and a boutique shopping experience.
- Address: 6434 E Mockingbird Ln STE 105, Dallas, TX 75214
- Website/ Classes: https://knitdallas.com/pages/classes
- 2025 Hours:
- Mon: Closed
- T, Th, Sat: 10:30am-6pm
- Wed: 10:30am-8pm
- Fri: 10:30am-4pm
- Sun: 12pm-6pm
- On the Lamb – Great for unique, hand-dyed, small-batch skeins and a variety of artisanal yarns.
- Address: 260 N Main St, Grapevine, TX 76051
- Website/ Classes: https://onthelambyarnshoppe.com/classes-events/
- 2025 Hours:
- Mon: 10-4pm
- Tues-Wed: 10am-5pm
- Thurs: 11-8pm
- Fri-Sat: 10-6pm
- Sun: 12pm-4pm
- Other Yarn Stores – More to explore during the North Texas Yarn Crawl!
Conclusion
Whether you’re a longtime knitter, crocheter, or just fiber-curious, we hope this post helps you discover the amazing DFW yarn community. Happy crafting! And as always, if you’re interested in learning about more things to do in Dallas and DFW, subscribe to our newsletter! And if you like free things to do in DFW, check out our post on this amazing drive-to Lavender Farm!
