Red Alder Registration is Now Open
As you may recall, my business partner Karen and I became the organizers of the Red Alder Fiber Arts Fest this year. That means we’ve been hard at work behind the scenes to plan something wonderful for you … and now registration is open!
We’ve assembled the largest cohort of instructors the event has ever had, added new crafts, and selected a wonderful mix of old and new vendors for the marketplace.
What’s New
We’re thrilled to be welcoming teachers like Lily Chin, Kim McBrien Evans, Romi Hill, and Kate Atherley for the first time, along with a full slate of our favorite returning instructors. We’ve scheduled classes in new crafts like Nålbinding, wet and dry felting, and slow stitching, increased our crochet offerings, and brought back favorites like dyeing. You can take a deep dive into expanding your understanding of complex techniques like multi-color double knitting or complex lace and cable fixes, or try your hand at something totally new with introductions to spindle spinning, needle weaving on knits, and threaded inlay. Get a little better at spinning on your wheel or working ladderback jacquard, explore double heddle rigid-heddle weaving, push yourself into the next steps in Portugese knitting or working brioche.
And at the end of the day, join in the fun with our evening events. This year we’ll be holding Team Trivia on Friday night, and brand new Welcome Wednesday and Sunday Sendoff gatherings. Come to the Saturday night Banquet to hear Kate Atherley expound on the connection between sock knitting and historical human innovation, or check out our new Sunday Seminar, where Kim McBrien Evans and Britt Garber will de-mystify the behaviors of hand-dyed yarn in both knit and crochet.
What’s the Same
What we haven’t changed is that it’s an amazing gathering of fiber artists, instructors, artisans, and friends from near and far. We’re holding it at the stunning Hotel Murano in downtown Tacoma, WA, where it’s been for many years. The dates are the same — Thursday through Sunday of Presidents’ Day Weekend (February 12-15, 2026). And it’s still a choose-your-own-adventure type of event: Come for all four days, stop by for just an afternoon, or come early and stay on later. Take a few classes or many. Join the evening events or get an early night. It’s up to you!
There will still be plenty of spaces to enjoy crafting time with other attendees in all of our public spaces. The Marketplace remains free and open to the public. Most of our evening events are free of charge, as well. And the Hotel Murano has honored the same discounted price as last year, $165/nt.
I’m looking forward to seeing so many friends again, and maybe meeting some of you in person for the very first time. If you’re attending and you’re a follower here or a former student, please introduce yourself! I love seeing how all of our various threads interconnect.
All the details, classes, registration, etc. are on the Red Alder website.
