The last two years have been…something, haven’t they? We can’t wait to see you all in actual, physical person again, but the current Covid variant situation makes it plain that it’s not quite time to gather in large numbers indoors. We hate postponing the reunion, and we hope you agree that the health and well-being of our yarny community is worth waiting a little longer for.

That said, we’re not done with 2022 just yet! We’re hosting our first-ever YarnCon Symposium the weekend of April 2-3 in a virtual format. Outstanding fiber experts from all over the country will teach live via Zoom, and we’re proud to announce the inaugural YarnCon Diversity & Inclusion panel discussion.

So, please keep an eye on this website, and our Facebook and Instagram pages for more updates. In the meantime, please stay safe. Get vaccinated and wear your masks, the sooner we can get the spread under control, the sooner we can get together and squish the yarn in person.

Thanks for checking in on us. It’s been a *hand waves* while. We have had some website difficulties, but we are back up, and slowly getting things back as they should be.

I am sure you are wondering about YarnCon 2022. We are figuring it out, and we thank you for sticking with us, and being patient. Everything is hard to predict right now, kind of like April weather in Chicago, you know?

As soon as we have some news, we will share it here, FB, and IG. Thanks!

–Natalia

Sometimes in life, you try for something big and it works. Sometimes, you fail.

Team YarnCon decided to host a virtual event this year, since it is not yet possible to gather in person. We contracted with a company that hosts virtual and hybrid conferences, and we had such high hopes for a virtual show! Unfortunately, the promises made by the company we were working with have fallen far short, and we have come to the agonizing conclusion that going forward with the virtual event they could host for us would be worse for our vendors and marketplace attendees than canceling. Please believe us when we say this was not what we wanted to do, and we are heartbroken that we can’t provide the experience we’d hoped for.

HOWEVER: We don’t give up that easily, friends! We are going to work with our vendors to feature them on the YarnCon Facebook page and livestream vendor chat sessions on April 10. We still plan to offer the classes that are already open for registration, and by taking control of the reins, we think we can offer a great virtual class experience via Zoom. We will refund all General Admission registration fees over the next few days, as well as all fees that vendors have paid.

Plus, we want to do something fun to mark YarnCon weekend. After classes wrap up on Saturday evening, we’re hosting a virtual Stitch Night over Zoom, and we will be giving away prizes in order to show our appreciation for everyone sticking with us through all the upheavals the last year has thrown our way. We love our fiber community, and we will continue to do our best to support you, just as you have always supported us. 

Thank you for hanging in there! 

We are very excited to announce that registration for Virtual YarnCon 2021 is now open!
Sign up now to experience YarnCon virtually! At virtual YarnCon you can visit with your favorite vendors, and find new ones to love. And we have workshops to help build your skillset, and inspire you with new ideas for the new yarn and fiber you’ve been looking forward to. It’s YarnCon from the comfort of your own home!

Register now!

Dear Friends of YarnCon,

Your health and safety are our top priority, and we want to update you on the most current recommendations of local, state, and federal health authorities regarding health risks associated with Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Based on what we’ve seen in affected countries, COVID-19 can cause mild to severe respiratory illness. The virus appears to be transmitted through person-to-person contact and health authorities expect more cases may occur in Chicago and the United States. Practicing basic hygiene such as washing your hands regularly with soap is the best way to stop the transmission of the virus. 

In order to keep everyone involved with YarnCon safe, we are sharing the guidelines from the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH). The Plumbers Union Hall is also sharing the same information, and is staying in touch with us as well as we monitor this situation.

 If you’re sick, stay home.

• Anyone who has traveled to a location with widespread community transmission of COVID-19 should stay home for 14 days after their return date. ​
  • Search COVID-19 risk assessment by country at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers
  • For more information, please see this fact sheet from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: “What to do if you are sick” (Spanish) (Simplified Chinese).

Practice good hygiene.

• Washing your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds is best, especially if they are visibly dirty. An alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol is a suitable alternative.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick. 
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash and wash your hands.

As testing of COVID-19 becomes more widely available, we may begin to see new cases in the coming days and weeks. CPDH along with state and federal authorities may issue new guidance, and we will keep you updated on changes and its impact on YarnCon.

Finally, COVID-19 does not distinguish between race, nationality, or geographic borders.  Stigma and discrimination against the afflicted discourages early reporting of symptoms and further perpetuates community spread. 

For the most reliable information, please visit www.chicago.gov/coronavirus or www.cdc.gov/coronavirus. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the CDPH Coronavirus hotline at 312-746-4835 or email coronavirus@chicago.gov  

We will post updates as the show approaches, and if any of the CDPH recommendations change.