“Unravel”, the UK festival of knitting, is returning to Surrey for a weekend-long festival for the ninth year running next week. Taking over the town of Farnham, the craft organisation Farnham Maltings has put together a festival filled with over eighty exhibitors, along with a rich variety of talks and workshops surrounding contemporary textile crafts. As the deadline for applications comes closer (it’s the 12th of February—so take note), we’ve put together a few highlights to look forward to for any makers who might be thinking about taking part. You can expect talks scheduled throughout the day on a mix of topics surrounding textiles including a discussion on ethics and sustainability in making by Woolly Wormhead, where she talks about her time spent in the Italian scrap village of Mutonia. Kate Jenkins also reflects on a life in stitches, and Pom Pom podcasters Lydia Gluck and Sophie Scott will be broadcasting live from the festival, speaking with designers John Arbon and Nancy Marchant. Some promising exhibitors at the festival also include the makers behind Spin City’s rainbow-dyed natural fibres, the animal wall sculptures by Sincerely Louise and the Welsh mule yarns of Cambrian Wool. We also love “fauxidermy” experts Fudge and Mabel, who will be selling their handmade, miniature needle felted sculptures on the day. With workshops available for crocheting baskets, freestyle crochet and a "Knit a Chunky Shawl" workshop with Renée Callahan (otherwise known as East London Knit), this is set to be a jam-packed event tailored exclusively to Britain’s most curious craftspeople. With Unravel's "Knit Aviary" project too, visitors are invited to knit a bird of choice to contribute to the event in support the work of homeless charity "Step by Step". With this much going on, it's sure to be a busy day for festival-goers. If you're interested in taking part or book tickets, just follow the links below. http://craft.farnhammaltings.com/portfolio/unravel-festival-knitting/ https://farnhammaltings.com/events/category/festival/ www.spincityshop.com www.sincerelylouise.co.uk www.fudgeandmabel.co.uk www.cambrianwool.co.uk www.eastlondonknit.co.uk