The 20th anniversary Wonderwool Wales show will have exhibitors from Portugal and Netherlands for the first time.
The event is due to be held at the Royal Welsh Showground, Llanelwedd in Mid Wales, on April 25 and 26.
Last year, Kimberly Perkins from Cat Mountain Fibre Arts, Colorado, who produces hand dyed, multi-textured, yarn bundles and knitting and crochet patterns, became the first exhibitor to travel from America.
This year’s international exhibitors include Marisa Arosa from Abenaia, based in Marvão, Portugal. Her yarn is woollen spun, with no superwash, bleach or siliconed based softeners.
From the Netherlands, Stephen and Penelope, a high-end yarn boutique located in Amsterdam, will be showcasing its exclusive house brand yarn, West wool, in six bases and 100 stunning colours, together with leather bags by Re:Designed.
“We are delighted that the reputation of Wonderwool Wales is spreading around the world and especially pleased to welcome the new exhibitors from Portugal and the Netherlands to our 20th anniversary show,” said show director Chrissie Menzies.
More than 220 exhibitors, including around 30 new ones, have booked their stands at the show, tickets for which cost £16 a day or £30 for the weekend.
The award-winning event attracts around 6,000 visitors and exhibitors from across the UK and worldwide. Sheep Walk fashion shows, demonstrations and have-a-go sessions hosted by some of the exhibitors are regular features.
Wonderwool Wales covers everything from start to end of the creative process. Exhibits of sheep, raw and hand dyed fibres, yarn for knitting and crochet, embellishments, equipment, dyes and books can be found alongside examples of finished textile art, craft, clothing and home furnishings.
Calico Dress Cymru, a Welsh community textile project led by textile artist, Menna Buss, will be one of the star attractions this year. Commissioned by the Museum of Wales and celebrating Welsh identity, heritage and creativity through embroidery, the project will occupy a large exhibition space.
The Calico Dress is the first ‘daughter dress’ of the internationally-renowned Red Dress, a 14-year collaborative embroidery project by artist Kirstie Macleod with contributions from almost 400 countries worldwide.
A collaborative community project in Wales, people stitch personal stories and Welsh cultural symbols onto a large calico dress, creating a collective artwork representing Wales' past, present and future through hand embroidery.
Tickets for Wonderwool Wales and for its Woolschools – craft workshops which this year include willow weaving – can be booked at www.wonderwoolwales.co.uk
