YARNDALE, an award-winning festival celebrating yarn in all its forms, will be held in Skipton next weekend.

Held over two days at Skipton Auction Mart, Yarndale brings together over 200 exhibitors keen to share their passion for all things woolly.

Yarndale will be held from 10am to 5.30pm on Saturday, September 29, and from 10am to 4.30pm on Saturday, September 30.

A festival spokesman said: "During the weekend, the auction mart is transformed into an exciting and inspirational paradise for yarn lovers."

Artisan makers, designers, yarn producers and independent yarn retailers will be selling a selection of yarn, materials, haberdashery, books, kits and hand crafted goods.

There will also be a full programme of textile workshops led by local artists, along with skill demonstrations and creative exhibitions.

The spokesman said: "The aim of Yarndale is to celebrate the wealth of talent that exists within the wool community. Knitting, crochet, weaving, spinning, dyeing and felting skills are shared and celebrated, providing the visiting public with an inspirational weekend full of colour, texture and creativity.

"The festival is designed to encourage the sharing of skills and inspire visitors to get creative with yarn. Every aspect of the yarn journey will be represented, from the woolly animals themselves, through the various stages of production to the beautiful finished products.

"Yarndale has become well known for its exuberant creative displays. Visitors can walk under a whole ceiling decked out with over a kilometre of colourful woolly bunting, or gaze at a stunning wall decorated with more than one thousand crocheted mandalas.

"This year the creative display will also be raising money and awareness for Bentham-based charity Pioneer Projects, who run creative arts sessions in the Craven district for people living with dementia.

The spokesman added: "Now in its sixth year, Yarndale has firmly established itself as a must-visit event for yarn enthusiasts. Organised by five local residents with a passion for yarn and the textile heritage of Skipton and the Yorkshire Dales, the festival has become known for its sociable and friendly atmosphere.

"During the weekend more than 8,000 visitors are expected to flock to the town from all over the UK as well as abroad, making it a great success for both exhibitors and visitors alike."

Tickets, which include a brochure, are available to buy in advance online at yarndale.co.uk/buy-tickets/ or on the door.