The Ann Arbor Fiber Arts Expo (AAFAX) takes place at the Downtown Library on Sunday, February 12 from 10am to 5pm.
This fiber-filled day will have a full slate of hands-on programs and a lobby full of local vendors. You can learn about knitting, crocheting, weaving, spinning, and so much more, and if you want to take a light break, drop into a pom pom session or make a friendship bracelet!
Vendors will be on hand selling accessories, patterns, books, dyes, fibers of all sorts, and of course yarn —SO MUCH BEAUTIFUL YARN!
If you have any questions, please contact aafax@aadl.org.
AAFAX Complete Schedule
Download and print a copy of the complete schedule here
Vendors and Demos
1st Floor Lobby, 11:00am-5pm
Stop by to chat with and buy specialty supplies from our fiber arts vendors! Demos will take place throughout the day.
Bargello Basics
Downtown Library: 4th Floor Meeting Room 10:00-11:00 am
Come make a small wall hanging with this colorful needlecraft method.
What is Yarnitecture with Jillian Moreno
Downtown Library: 4th Floor Meeting Room 12-1:00 pm
In this talk, Jillian Moreno will outline the ideas in her best-selling book “Yarnitecture: A Knitter’s Guide to Spinning: Building Exactly the Yarn You Want” exploring fiber choice, preparation, draft, ply, and color and how each element affects your finished yarn.
Jillian Moreno is the author of the best-selling book Yarnitecture: A Knitter’s Guide to Spinning: Building Exactly the Yarn You Want.
Sushi Pom Poms!
Downtown Library: Multi-Purpose Room 12-1:00 pm
Come learn how to hand-make pom poms that look like cute and scrumptious sushi! • Grade 3–Adult
Jellyfish Friendship Bracelets
Downtown Library: Multi-Purpose Room 1:15-2:15 pm
Come learn a delightfully simple way to create friendship bracelets using the kumihimo method! These colorful accessories are easy to whip up for you and a friend. • Grade K–Adult
Learn Basic Crochet with Beth Battey
Downtown Library: Secret Lab 1:15-2:15 pm
With crochet instructor Beth Battey, learn to crochet a chain, and single crochet stitch. Make a quick crocheted bookmark. Additional stitches will be taught upon request.
Drop-in and Spin with Jillian Moreno
Downtown Library: 4th Floor Meeting Room 1:15-2:15 pm
Want to try spinning your own yarn? Ann Arbor's own Spin Doctor Jillian Moreno will help you get started and answer any spinning questions you have.
More Pom Poms
Downtown Library: Multi-Purpose Room 2:30-3:30 pm
They're fluffy, they're floofy, they're foofy. Hooray for pom poms! If you missed Sushi Pom Poms, or just need to make MORE pom poms, join us for this afternoon session! • Grade 3–Adult
Author Talk with Drew Hill
Downtown Library: 4th Floor Meeting Room 2:30-3:30 pm
Local artist and crochet wizard Drew Hill talks about his maker journey and will discuss his book, Crochet Magical Creatures.
Learn to Cast On and Knit with Beth Battey
Downtown Library: Secret Lab 2:30-3:30 pm
With knitting instructor Beth Battey, using the knitted cast on, learn to cast on stitches and the basic knit stitch. We will make a small knitted bookmark.
Knitting Nancies (French Knitting)
Downtown Library: Multi-Purpose Room 3:45-4:45 pm
Make a simple handheld loom with a technique that's over 400 years old. We will build a knitting nancy out of a craft roll. Then pick your colors and start knitting! All materials provided. • Grade K–Adult
Knitting: Fearless Cabling with Carol Ullman
Downtown Library: Secret Lab 3:45-4:45 pm
Knitting instructor Carol Ullman will teach you how to get started with knitting cables. Participants should know how to cast-on, knit, and purl to join this class. Everyone will leave with a knitted swatch.
Geometric Weaving on a Little Loom
Downtown Library: 4th Floor Meeting Room 3:45-4:45 pm
Learn the basics of tapestry weaving on a little loom. We provide the loom, the warp, and the weft, and some basic tools, you provide the inspiration!
AAFAX Vendors
Ann Arbor Fiberarts Guild
Blue Bird Makery
Caylen Cole-Hazel
Common Strings
Drewbie's Zoo
Future Yarns
Gate House Fiber Arts
Giedra Bowser
Happy Little Whales
Knotting Along Macrame
Magnolia Mercantile
Spun
Sumayya Atmeh
Taneko Says Hello
Valdelia Maker
WildEdgeFelt
WoollyMammothDesign
Woven Art
The Woven Good