ADRIAN — The Michigan Amigurumi Festival will return in April and May, offering fiber arts enthusiasts an opportunity to develop their skills, connect with fellow crafters, and celebrate the art of amigurumi — the Japanese-inspired craft of crocheting and knitting small, stuffed yarn creatures.
Now in its second year, the festival is a collaborative effort between three independent yarn shops: Knit Picky & Hooked in Monroe, Plum Tree Yarn Shop in Milan, and Tink & The Frog in Adrian. The event includes six weeks of hands-on workshops, demonstrations, and special events, followed by a public showcase of amigurumi creations and a community voting period.
A growing festival with expanded learning opportunities
Building on the success of last year’s festival, the 2025 Michigan Amigurumi Festival has expanded to provide a longer learning period, with workshops running from April 1 to May 17.
These workshops cater to a range of skill levels, from beginners to more advanced fiber artists, and include techniques such as Jogless Color Changes, Knitting iCords, and the creation of specific amigurumi projects like Make a Bee and Cute Bread Amigurumi.
Workshops are hosted across all three participating yarn shops, encouraging attendees to visit multiple locations and engage with different fiber arts communities. Additional events, including live demonstrations and opportunities to explore new materials and techniques, will also be available throughout the festival.
Community engagement and Amigurumi Showcase
One of the key features of the festival is the Amigurumi Showcase, where participants display their finished creations at any of the three host shops from May 20 to May 31. Community members are invited to visit the stores and vote for their favorite amigurumi projects. The top-voted piece at each shop will receive a prize, and everyone who participates in the voting process will be entered into a prize drawing.
The role of independent yarn shops in fiber arts education
The Michigan Amigurumi Festival highlights the role that local yarn shops play in preserving and advancing fiber arts traditions.
Through workshops, social events, and ongoing support for knitters and crocheters, these businesses serve as hubs for education and community-building. By working together, the three participating shops aim to create a welcoming environment for crafters of all experience levels to learn, share, and grow.
For more information about the Michigan Amigurumi Festival, including a schedule of workshops and events, visit michiganamigurumi.com or follow the festival’s updates on Facebook and Instagram.
