Knitfest – The Festival for Yarn Lovers Returns for a Second Edition

Knitfest was launched in 2025 by its two founders, Emelie Ottosson and Rebecca Nappo. On 7 and 8 November 2026, StageOne will become a vibrant meeting place for the modern fibre arts community, with around 60 exhibitors from Switzerland and abroad, 32 workshops, international guests, talks and panel discussions, meet & greets, and the Designer Gallery.

Knitfest welcomes around 2,500 knitting enthusiasts. With the customised, multilingual ticketing solution, they can purchase their admission tickets quickly and easily. In a second step, visitors can then book a variety of knitting workshops on the days their admission ticket is valid.

In this interview, the two founders talk about how knitfest came to be, their vision, and their personal connection to knitting. 

How did the idea for knitfest come about? 

Emelie O.: Pretty classically, actually: in a brainstorming session with lots of Post-its, ideas, and the wish to create an event we'd love to attend ourselves. It quickly became clear that it should be a place where, of course, there are beautiful yarns and products to discover. But not only that: it was important to us that people could truly come together, learn from one another, get inspired, and spend time together. 

What makes knitfest special for you? 

Rebecca N.: The community, without a doubt. Knitting and crochet bring together people who might otherwise never have met. Age, background, or experience level suddenly don't matter much. You sit side by side with your knitting in your lap and start chatting. That's exactly what we want to make room for with knitfest. 

What is your personal connection to knitting?

Emelie O.: Handicrafts have been part of my life for as long as I can remember. I'm originally from Sweden but grew up in Germany, and I learned to knit and sew from my mother. For me, the most wonderful thing about knitting is that you never stop learning. There's always a new technique, a new idea, or someone you can learn something from.

Rebecca N.: My love of knitting is closely tied to my family. My great-grandmother in England taught me to knit when I was a little girl, and those memories stay with me to this day. For me, knitting is much more than a hobby. It's a creative retreat, but at the same time it's something that connects me with other people. That very combination of creativity and community is also a big part of knitfest.

What are your hopes for the future of knitfest? 

Rebecca N.: That knitfest remains a place where people feel welcome. We want to bring international designers, exciting brands, and fresh ideas to Zurich, while also showcasing the incredibly active local community. Because for us, every stitch tells a story. And the most beautiful stories are the ones we create together.

The TICKETINO team wishes Emelie and Rebecca a successful knitfest 2026, and all participants lots of fun knitting and crocheting!

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