How to get the most out of a yarn show (without feeling overwhelmed) January 21 2026, 0 Comments

I have been to a lot of yarn shows, both as a visitor and as a vendor, and I know that as well as being fun and inspiring - and a great way to see yarn in person before buying -  they can also be big, busy, loud and overwhelming. You enter the venue and you are surrounded by people and stands, colour and noise. You walk round and look at the different stands, some are too busy so you think you will come back later then forget to and when you buy yarn you choose based on what catches your eye.

True story, before I started dyeing I'd buy yarn like this at shows, after the time I came home to add a beautiful skein of teal and purple variegated yarn to my stash and found the two previous beautiful skeins of teal and purple variegated yarns from different dyers already in there, I decided I needed to have more of a plan.

You can't use three almost identical palette skeins together - they are similar but not the same - so they just sit there together but alone.

When you get home you wonder why you picked up that particular skein or wished you had bought more. You are not alone feeling like this, but its easy to tackle the show in a slightly more organised fashion without spoiling the fun and excitement.

Before you leave home

Before you even get to the show, you need to do some preparation. This doesn't mean you can't buy that beautiful skein that catches your eye, but it means you have a plan of what you might do with it.

Start by downloading the floorplan or show guide for the show. Look for vendors you would particularly like to see. Note down where they are so you don't miss them. This is especially useful in venues with multiple rooms. I'm sure I'm not the only person who has come home from a show and realised they missed a whole section of the building.

Next you want to think about what projects you are planning or items you would like to make soon. If you would like a new sweater for next winter have a look for a pattern or possible patterns and see the yarn requirements. If you have a short list of 3, note them all down, you don't have to choose now! If you know you want to knit someone a one skein gift think about what colours they might like.

Your Ravelry wish list is one place you can compile this info, but I'd also note it down in a notebook or document saved locally on your phone - lots of yarn shows can have very poor Wi-Fi.

Don't panic! You aren't necessarily going to get yarn for all these projects, but do highlight the ones you have to get like the gifts if you don't want to be ordering on line after the show instead.

If you prefer to buy your patterns at the show too, make a list of what you are looking for so you can look for patterns.

Write a list of any needles, notions or other items you want to look for as well. Or note the needle size for each project, so you know that if you pick that project you also need to pick up needles.

Look at this planning as a fun activity, not a chore, even if you don't end up making those exact projects. If you have a fixed budget consider taking it in cash so you can see how much you have spent.

When to go?

If you are particularly noise sensitive or prefer less crowds plan to visit at a quieter time. Lots of shows now offer quiet hours which are great, or afternoons, particularly sunday, are generally quieter. Also lunchtime can be quieter if people have gone to eat so plan to eat early or late if you want to take advantage of this time. 

Avoiding overwhelm at the show!

Ok, so you are at the show, have found some yarn you like, now you can look at your project list and see if it would work for any of your possible projects. Ask the stand holder if you can, I know I'm always really happy to help plan a project. If you want to note it down and see what else there is that's fine. I thoroughly recommend doing one circuit of all the stands if possible before coming back to buy your choices. Don't worry about chatting to the stand holders then going to think about it. We are totally used to it and really don't mind. Do make a note of the stand location so you can find it again, its very easy to forget exactly which stand you saw something on I find. Also note down any stands you want to come back to because they are too busy so you don't forget to return.

When you are happy you have found the right yarn for your project enjoy your purchase knowing you have chosen carefully and with intention.

But I love this one!

But what about that yarn that caught your eye but didn't fit a project you had in mind? Don't discount it, but this is where knowing what's in your stash helps. Remember I said I have 3 very similar colour skeins from different dyers? That was because I didn't remember I already had a teal and purple 4ply skein at home. If I had remembered that I may not have bought all of them.

If you are still considering it there are a few other things you can do. Ask the dyer if its repeatable or not. If it is, you could note the colourway and order later once you've decided what to make and how much yarn you need. If not, you might miss out if you don't get it when you see it (sorry!) so bare that in mind.

If you decide to go for it give some thought to what you might make with it in a general way - socks or gloves in 4ply, one skein is enough. A shawl, depends how big you like your shawl but a small one will be 1 skein, a larger one might be 2 or three but you can always add another colour if there's only one left.

One tip I heard was to compile a list of projects you find that only use 1 skein so you have a ready supply of ideas for that skein that stole your heart!

After the show

When you get home, after taking any photos you might want to share (don't forget to tag the dyers, we love seeing what people have bought) put the yarn with the pattern you bought it for so you don't forget later. This means your stash will hold projects ready to go rather than skeins with forgotten pattern intentions!

Freebie from me

I have created a Yarn Show Planning Sheet, which you can download for free to help you with your pre show planning. If you want to see which shows Skein Queen will be at in the near future you can look here.

I hope this helps you enjoy your next yarn show more and choose yarn with intention so you are thrilled with your purchases when you get home.