First Person
Making It: The Things We Do for Yarn
Two weeks ago, I wasn’t planning on going to Nash Yarn Fest. I had accepted my fate and had every intention of sitting this one out, watching from the sidelines as everyone else posted their beautiful finds and festival memories.
But the closer it got to the weekend, my fear of missing out set in. I can’t remember which post sent me over the edge but I knew resistance was futile.
The festival ran from Friday, March 14 through Saturday, March 15. I had work on that Friday. One innocent google search later, I found a flight that left early Saturday morning. Before I knew what was happening, I had booked the ticket, packed my bag (with extra space for yarn, obviously), and arranged doggy daycare for Shelly.
Saturday morning, my alarm went off at 3:30. By 5, I was at the airport, half-asleep but fully committed to the adventure.
I hadn’t flown Spirit Airlines since college, and I braced myself for the experience. As we were taking off I heard someone say “Oh look, the hydraulics are working…,” which was a little alarming because is that not a normal occurrence? But the pilot cracked dad jokes over the speaker, and the crew even did a raffle at the end of the flight. It was the most cheerful early morning flight I’ve ever been on.
As soon as I landed, I had one mission before heading to the festival: donuts. I made a beeline for Five Daughters Bakery, a spot I’d heard endless praise for. It was pouring rain, but that didn’t stop me from indulging in the most decadent maple donut of my life.
Sitting in the corner of a packed bakery, surrounded by the hum of early morning Nashville, I had that moment of I really just did this. I really just flew three hours for a day trip to buy yarn and sugar.
The rain showed no signs of letting up, so scratched my original plan of going to an estate sale that I had found the day before. Which is probably for the best—going to a strange man’s house for vintage jewelry by myself may not have been wise. I could practically hear the audience watching my Dateline episode screaming at their TVs.
Instead, I took a quick detour to Broadway Street to take in the neon lights before heading to the main event: Nash Yarn Fest.
The moment I stepped inside, I was met with the buzz of knitters and crocheters, the soft hum of conversations about fiber, and the sheer joy of being surrounded by people who just get it.
Within seconds of walking in the door, I ran into my fiber friend Corinna, who knew I was doing this yarn marathon and had packed snacks for me—an act of kindness that set the tone for the day.
And then, somehow, I ended up walking in the fashion show (insert a side eye to Kay and Ann lol).
The MDK community is something special. As I stepped onto the runway, I expected my usual stage-fright nerves to kick in, but instead, I was met with a sea of smiling faces and an audience cheering for the joy of yarn.
After the show, I finally had the chance to explore the festival floor and began touching every skein of yarn I could get my hands on. I chatted with makers. The rain never let up, but no one seemed to mind.
This was our little fiber bubble, where we could geek out over gauge and gush over colorways without a second thought.
The afterparty at Modern Daily Knitting’s headquarters was the perfect way to wind down. Their space is stunning, an inspiring blend of warmth and creativity.
With a glass of wine in one hand, a cookie in the other and surrounded by fellow makers, I reflected on the day. I was starting to get a little sleepy but I was so soul-filled that I didn’t even mind.
A delay pushed my departure back, but in a twist of travel fate, that meant I had just enough time to grab Hattie B’s hot chicken before heading to my gate. A small but satisfying victory.
By the time my head hit my pillow at home, I had been awake (minus a few naps) for nearly 24 hours.
In the moments before my eyes closed, I thought about how easy it would have been to sit this one out because I was alone. It would have been easy to stay home, to let the logistics of a last-minute trip feel too overwhelming.
But instead, I jumped. I took the trip. I walked the runway. I embraced the chaos. I realized that I wasn’t alone at all. And in return, I got a day filled with memories I’ll cherish forever.
The things we do for yarn, indeed.
Want a little more procrastination? The MDK homepage is a total rabbit hole.
Come Shop With Us
Oh my. I love everything about this. The storytelling, the photos, THE THING YOU DID!!!! Thank you for sharing it with us. It was soul filling for me to imagine embarking on such a spontaneous journey.
What a wonderful happening and so proud of you that you took that leap and went. I did the same with Sock Summit in Oregon as my first away-from-home event and never regretted it. (although I did do a little more planning as I took my husband). There is nothing in this world like the yarn community. Safe travels in the future and knit on …..
This was WONDERFUL!!! Thank you!! You are very inspiring!!!
So, so jealous! As I was walking out the door, my husband said, “Let’s take another look at the weather.” I was driving to Nashville from Memphis and severe storms, including tornadoes, were forecast for the day all along I-40. What you allude to as “rain” was actually terrific thunderstorms! I feel like I made the right decision for safety, but oh my, I feel like I missed out! But as we gardeners say, there’s always next year!
I love an impromptu trip (not to mention a maple donut). Well Done You!
I enjoyed going with you on your journey to Nashville and back in one day! You are beautiful and I hope you got some amazing yarn!
Glad your last minute travel all worked and you had such a memorable day.
For me the stars aligned when I had finished planning our trip from Tassie over to Canada in May last year to catch up with friends in Toronto and for my partner to meet up with family near the Ontario / Quebec border. To my delight I then discovered that KnitCity Toronto was taking place at just the right time so I got to have one of the most enjoyable evenings and days of my life!
Not much room to take home yarn, but lots of notions, wonderful people and a lucky door prize. Fingers crossed I can make it to Nashville…….
What a great story. I remember doing something like that years ago. It was so exhilarating. Every now and then you gotta just jump. (As long as it’s safe!)Love the wittily hemmed jean knee holes!
Glad I got to meet you as we were waiting to be models. Wasn’t it a great event!
Yes, we cheered for yarn, and we also cheered for you and the other yarn-clad models who represented our community of yarn lovers so well! An amazing event in every way, thank you for this moment to relive the joy!!
what is the pattern name for the short sleeve stranded sweater in the first photo???
I LOVE it!
I found it: Art Nouveau Sweater
by Elenor Mortensen
What a lighthearted, happy adventure! And despite what sounds like horrific weather, everyone seems happy, exuberant even. The very first picture, the one that came with my email… I want to know about these lovely patterns please: short sleeves, colour patterns, each very different from the other. Does anyone know these?
Every photo has a smile that shows how much you are enjoying this trip. Yay you! Thank you for sharing your joy.
Such a delightful read! And I have really enjoyed your previous articles for MDK! Your energy and happiness just shine through. Thank you.
Amazing! I love everything about this: the flight, the doughnuts and the YARN! So happy we don’t have to read about you on Dateline!
Congratulations! I love the spirit of adventure. Thank you for sharing your love for finery goodness.
Congratulations! I love the spirit of adventure. Thank you for sharing your love fibery goodness. Edit to fibery!
Finery works too for Samantha, queen of the bedazzler!
Wishing I had been able to attend. Loved your story! Thanks for sharing!
This was so fun to read! I am so impressed that you did this! I love the photos and the recounting of all the fun you had. Thanks for sharing.
What a wonderful account of a great day. Extra impressed with MDK that weather didn’t seem to impact the event. I really hope I can go next year!
There’s no such thing as bad weather, just bad buildings….or something like that! We were so grateful for the building’s generous roofed walkways. In better weather, we would have spread out to the courtyard in a joyful way. Next year!
Thank you for the beautiful reminder that we should all jump for Joy (and yarn)!
Solo travel can be wonderfully awesome. And you’re never alone in a group of fellow fiberphiles.
That said, a one-day trek such as you made is beyond my level of ambition. I tip my hat, my needles, and all my row counters to you! I’m retired, so “I have to work” is blessedly no longer in my lexicon.
I was also accepting my fate as missing out, then the family event that conflicted was changed at the last minute. Now I wish I had blown some miles and gone! Good for you. Next year!!
This was such a fun read! The plane, the donuts, the yarn, the dateline comment… You have inspired me to come next year.
Your post was the first thing I read this morning and talk about setting a tone for the day! What a wonder of infectious writing. So grateful to have read it. Your spirit is an inspiration. I think of all the memorable experiences we miss in life because we don’t give them a go like you did the Nash Yarn Fest. P.S. I love your humor 🙂
Such an enjoyable post! I have also taken day trips across our state to buy sugar and yarn – favorite bakeries seem to go hand in hand with favorite yarn shops! Congrats on everything working out so well for your trip to NYF.
so happy I was able to help fuel your day and give you a big hug!!!
I love that you did that. There are many times I decide not to do a thing because I’m wary of going alone, so this is an inspiration for me. Thanks!
This made my day!! You provided enough details to give me a glimpse of the fun. Glad you took us along!!
Ah youth! I salute your adventurous spirit! Maybe next year I will take your lead and jump on A plane too!
What a great adventure! I too came alone to NYF, and was immediately greeted by familiar faces from Shakerag retreats and friendly strangers. I came back home with memories and souvenirs of a wonderful weekend spent with my people. Thank you Ann and Kay!
Great to meet you! I admire your willing-to-jump-on-a-last-minute-plane-for-yarn-and-sugar-ness.
What a great day !!! I love this recap and the memories will last a lifetime!
What about the sweater worn by the woman on Samantha’s right in the top picture- chartreuse top few inches and subdued color work below? I see a label but can’t quite make it out. If there’s a pattern for it I’d like to know. It’s also the kind of mid pattern change up I think a confident knitter would invent.. she said longingly..
I think this is the pattern you are referring to
https://ravel.me/framed-11
Framed by Andrea Mowry
Thank you!
What a cool thing to do! Sounds like it was an awesome day. Kudos for making that leap.
Great story Samantha! I’m glad you made it!
I wish I’d gone…I was afraid I’d be alone.
I’m inspired!
Great story…glad you found your peeps!
Thank you for sharing your experience. A great reminder of how wonderful it can be to take a spur-of-the-moment chance on experiencing something joyful (and with knitters!)
So glad you went—it looks like you had a great time, Samantha.
Thank you for sharing your joy.
Absolutely delightful!
I love this! “The seer hoy of being around period who just get it.” this is it in a nutshell. Bliss!
Yay, you!!! Well done!
Now you’re making me jealous I didn’t push the button on a flight from the UK…
Totally loved this!
Not alone!
Good for you for saying “Why not?” Life is too short……
Wow, all in one day. That is spontaneous!
You go, girl! I like your style!
I have made over 15,000 hats for children and cancer patients all givin away free since 2011 and still making.
Top that?
This was so uplifting! It made my Sunday morning.