a festival of yarn
information pack
Fri 14–Sun 16 February 2025
general information
the festival, location & our venue
about unravel... a festival of yarn
unravel is a three-day yarn event held at Farnham Maltings, a charitable arts organisation.
At the heart of unravel is a carefully curated marketplace which takes over the whole building and features a mix of the best indie yarn dyers, local yarn producers and makers from around the UK and beyond. The festival also includes a talk series from yarn industry experts as well as workshops in a variety of techniques so visitors can learn something new and expand their skills.
The unravel audience is predominantly an intermediate to experienced knitter/crocheter/maker aged 30+.
A number of sponsorship opportunities for unravel are also available. Please email us if you are interested in more details.
the venue
Farnham Maltings is an arts and cultural community centre in the heart of Farnham in southwest Surrey. Our historic, 18th century listed building hosts theatre productions, live music, comedy, film, workshops, craft festivals, artist studios and more. From parent and baby classes to students from the University for the Creative Arts to our U3A sessions, the Maltings is a vibrant space enjoyed by all ages within our community.
the location
From its roots as a medieval market town, Farnham has a long history of supporting craft and makers. In 2020, Farnham was awarded World Craft Town status by the World Craft Council in recognition of the town’s ongoing celebration and promotion of craft. In addition to the Maltings, craft is proudly on display in Farnham at the New Ashgate Gallery, the Craft Study Centre and UCA Farnham.
Farnham Maltings is a short two-minute walk from the town centre with plenty of public car parks and the rail station only five minutes away. Trains run between Farnham and London Waterloo on a regular service, taking only an hour.
what to expect
• a lively atmosphere filled with yarn lovers who plan their visit as a day out with friends
• a diverse workshop and talk programme, plus a variety of social events to take part in
exhibition information
selection criteria & how to apply
what we are looking for
We are looking for applications from a wide variety of makers including new and established yarn companies, indie dyers, fibre craft makers such as weaving and spinning, and haberdashers. Our marketplace aims to be an inviting, inclusive and welcoming space for beginner and intermediate knitters, crocheters and fibre lovers. Each application must be supported by images of the maker’s work to reflect the products that will be sold.
unravel is a curated show and applications are not on a first-come first-served basis. Our selection committee is made up of diverse members from within the yarn and knitting community ensuring a high standard of exhibitors and that a varied range of products are showcased.
The panel refer to the following criteria when selecting exhibitors for unravel:
selection criteria
• The exhibitor’s products fit with our unravel ethos; contemporary craft with a modern design aesthetic. The work must be designed / made by the exhibitor.
• The exhibitor’s work fits in with the range of disciplines and our aim to diversify the yarn crafts available at unravel.
• The quality of the finished product is in line with the standard of makers at the festival and its showcasing of the best of UK makers and designers.
• The exhibitor demonstrates an overall cohesiveness and consistency to their work.
• If an application includes more than one range of products, the panel reserves the right to specify that only a particular range is to be sold at the festival.
• Exhibitors who have joined us previously for festivals such as thread or unravel... autumn should include details of new items for sale since participating in past festivals.
• Applications must include clear photographic representations of exhibitor’s products.
stand sizes & prices
There is no shell scheme at Farnham Maltings. We can provide tables, chairs and electricity at no extra charge.
Please be aware that sizes of the pitches are approximate. Due to the quirky nature of the Maltings building, pitches may vary in shape while still having the square footage of a single or double pitch.
• Single Pitch (approx 2m x 1.5m) £275 + VAT*
• Double Pitch (approx 4m x 2m) £450 + VAT*
• Triple Pitch (approx. 6m x 1.5m limited availability) £650 + VAT*
• Emerging Maker Pitch (single pitches only) £210 + VAT*
To qualify for the emerging maker pitch you must have graduated or have set up your creative business within the last two years. Evidence of this will be required if you are offered and accept a place.
your exhibitor fee includes:
Digital: Listing on the website, as well as inclusion in the digital and printed catalogue available to download for all visitors. Both listings include a description of work, image and website details.
Stand: Table, chair, electricity and wifi use as required.
We regret that free parking for exhibitors is not included in the stand price.
*Please note that VAT is applied at the UK standard rate at the point of invoice.
Online: Applications should be made via the online form from the farnhammaltings.com website.
Email /post: We encourage all applications to be made online. However, if you do require a copy to be sent via email or post please contact: madeleine.harding@farnhammaltings.com
get applying!
Applications close Mon 05 August 2024 and applicants will be contacted with regards to the status of their application by Mon 02 September 2024.
contact us for exhibitor queries:
Madeleine Harding, Event Coordinator madeleine.harding@farnhammaltings.com
Farnham Maltings farnhammaltings.com
Farnham Maltings, Bridge Square, Farnham, Surrey, GU9 7QR
comments from previous exhibitors
“Thank you for the efforts of the staff. It was a well organised professional event. Staff were incredibly helpful and it was a lovely event.”
“The feedback from our regular customers was very positive with a few of them commenting on the quality of the vendors and easy to navigate stand layout in the rooms. Overall we thought it was a huge success and will definitely be applying for next year.”
“It was the best show I’ve had so far, both in terms of profit and general ambience and interaction with organisers.”
Proud supporter of
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