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Fasten Off & Celebrate! Join Yumi Yarns for FOYAL 2026
77 independent designers, six weeks of making together, and a whole lot of yarn-filled fun!
There’s something wonderful about this time of year in the knitting and crochet community. The days grow shorter, our favorite cozy projects find their way back into our hands, and there’s an unmistakable excitement about everything we hope to make before the year comes to a close.
And this year, there’s another reason to celebrate!
Yumi Yarns is participating in the 2026 Fasten Off Yarnalong (FOYAL), November 20 through December 31!
I’m especially excited to be joining 76 other independent designers for this celebration of creativity, connection, and the joy of making things together.
Whether you’re hoping to finish a project that’s been patiently waiting in your basket, discover a new favorite designer, or simply spend a little more time connecting with fellow makers, I’d love for you to join us.
What Is the Fasten Off Yarnalong?
The Fasten Off Yarnalong is an annual online knitting and crochet event celebrating independent designers and the makers who bring their patterns to life.
This year’s event features 77 participating independent designers, each bringing their own creative perspective, techniques, and designs to the celebration.
From November 20 through December 31, knitters and crocheters can work on qualifying projects, share their progress, discover new patterns, participate in community activities, and enjoy a little friendly encouragement along the way.
There will be games, giveaways, prizes, and opportunities to connect with designers and other makers.
And one of my favorite parts? It’s an opportunity to celebrate the people behind the patterns.
Independent designers pour so much of themselves into their work. Every pattern begins with an idea, grows through countless decisions and experiments, and eventually finds its way into the hands of someone who makes it their own.
Events like FOYAL bring those stories together and remind us just how much creativity exists within our community.
How Can You Participate?
One of the loveliest things about FOYAL is that you don’t need to be an experienced knitter or crocheter, have a perfectly organized project basket, or commit to making something enormous.
You just need a qualifying project and a little enthusiasm!
To participate, make a project using a paid-for knitting or crochet pattern from one of the 77 participating designers.
You can:
Start something new. Cast on or begin crocheting a qualifying project during the event.
Pick up an existing project. New for 2026, qualifying projects started after 9 PM Eastern on November 21, 2025, can be continued during this year’s yarnalong.
Make more than one project. There’s no need to limit yourself to a single design if inspiration strikes!
Your pattern doesn’t have to be purchased specifically for FOYAL, either. Perhaps you already have a pattern waiting in your library, received one as a gift, or accessed one through a paid membership or publication.
As long as it’s normally a paid pattern from a participating designer and your project meets the event’s timing requirements, it can qualify.
The yarnalong begins at 9 PM Eastern on November 20, 2026, and continues through December 31, 2026.
Yumi Yarns Is Joining the Celebration!
I’m delighted to be bringing Yumi Yarns designs to this year’s event!
Throughout FOYAL, I’ll be highlighting a collection of 12 featured patterns, including cozy accessories, textured shawls, socks, and projects for both knitters and crocheters.
Some may be familiar favorites, while others might be designs you haven’t encountered before.
Here’s a little peek at the collection I’ll be celebrating:
For the sock knitters: Snapdragons Socks, Basic Toe-Up Socks, and Adventure Anklets.
For lovers of shawls, scarves, and wraps: Clematis Scarf, Andromeda’s Wings, Garden of Minis Shawl, Magic Fringe Poncho, Snow Spell Scarf, and Brain Space Shawl.
For those looking for something a little different: Springtime Wings, Gaugetastic Vest, and Soiree Cowl.
I’ll be sharing project inspiration, design details, and closer looks at these patterns throughout the event.
Of course, you’re welcome to explore beyond these featured designs, too! FOYAL is a wonderful excuse to revisit a pattern that’s been sitting in your library or discover something new.
A Little Something Special: 25% Off Yumi Yarns Patterns
To celebrate FOYAL, I’ll be offering 25% off eligible Yumi Yarns patterns and ebooks during the event’s special discount period.
Discount dates: November 20–December 3, 2026
Discount code: FO2026
You’ll be able to use the code on my website and Ravelry during the promotional period.
This is my only planned pattern sale of the year, and I’m looking forward to sharing it as part of this community-wide celebration of independent design.
Whether you’ve been eyeing a particular pattern or have a few designs saved for later, this will be a lovely opportunity to add something to your making plans.
Games, Giveaways, and a Community of Makers
FOYAL isn’t just about the projects we finish. It’s also about the people we meet and the encouragement we share along the way.
The organizers have planned community chats, games, giveaways, and opportunities to learn more about participating designers.
I’ll also be contributing five virtual Yumi Yarns pattern prizes to the event!
And I’m looking forward to spending some time in the FOYAL community, seeing what everyone is working on, and cheering on fellow makers.
If you’d like a sneak peek before the event begins, the organizers have already started introducing participating designers through their Bluesky list, Discord community, and a preview feature on the event website.
Once FOYAL officially begins, you’ll also be able to explore the participating designers and search their patterns through the event website.
Let’s Finish the Year Making Together
As the year winds down, I love the idea of setting aside a little time to enjoy the simple pleasure of making.
Maybe that means finally finishing the shawl you’ve been working on for months. Maybe it’s casting on a cozy pair of socks, trying a new crochet technique, or discovering a designer whose work speaks to you.
Or maybe it’s simply finding a few quiet moments with your yarn while knowing that somewhere else, another maker is doing the very same thing.
That’s the kind of connection I love about our creative community.
Over the coming weeks, I’ll be sharing more about the Yumi Yarns designs participating in FOYAL, along with project inspiration and updates from the celebration.
I hope you’ll join us!
Mark your calendar for November 20–December 31, gather your favorite yarn, and get ready to fasten off and celebrate!
I’d love to hear from you: Are you hoping to finish some works in progress during FOYAL, or are you already dreaming about a brand-new cast-on?
Happy making,
Shaina 🤎
Yumi Yarns — Beautiful Yarns and What They Become
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