A festival celebrating traditional Scottish knitting, craft and heritage will return to the East Neuk of Fife this autumn.

Following its successful launch last year, East Neuk Knits 2026 will showcase this vibrant crafting community and the historic links between knitting and the fishing heritage of this corner of Fife.

Visitors will be able to learn a new skill, shop for yarn and handmade Christmas gifts from talented makers, eat great cake and even snuggle an alpaca or cashmere goat.

The team behind the event includes Di Gilpin, designer and judge on Channel 4’s hit Game of Wool and fellow judge Sheila Greenwell, plus researcher and designer Alison Mayne and Susan Anderson, publisher of the Journal of Scottish Yarns.

Di Gilpin and Sheila Greenwell of the East Neuk Knits team

placeholder image — Di Gilpin and Sheila Greenwell of the East Neuk Knits team

Building on the success of last year’s festival, the programme has been expanded to run over three days, featuring more workshops, more vendors and a brand new fashion show for the Friday evening.

Taking place in St Monans Auld Kirk, the fashion show will see East Neuk locals taking to the catwalk to showcase knits from Rebecca Clow and Susan Crawford’s new books, including an exclusive sweater design which has been a viral hit on social media - the Linton Jumper designed by Carol Richardson will be launched at the festival.

The Bowhouse hub will house a vendor marketplace, pop-up talks, mini exhibitions and lots of fabulous food options to keep everyone happy, including the acclaimed Baern Cafe’s full menu, with all seating indoors this year to help keep everyone cosy.

The Scottish Women’s Institute will host a special event with book signings from Rebecca Clow and Susan Crawford and the incredible Silverburn Flax Mill will bring a mini mill to the hub to showcase one of Scotland’s most innovative and burgeoning heritage industries.

A programme of workshops and talks will cater for all levels from beginner to advanced, covering everything from Fair Isle and Gansey knitting to crewelwork embroidery, intarsia and crochet, with talks from notable knitters and designers. The youngest yarn fans are included too, with children’s introduction to knitting sessions running at Kellie Castle once again.

Alison Mayne of Knitrospective said: “We’re absolutely delighted to be bringing East Neuk Knits back for its second year.

“We welcomed over 1600 guests last year and loved being able to share this very special part of Scotland and our craft heritage with so many. This year is set to be even bigger and better - we’ve listened to the feedback, added more of what people loved and planned the schedule over three days this time.

“There’s something for everyone, whether you want to sharpen your skills in a workshop, browse beautiful yarns from our fabulous vendors or do a spot of Christmas shopping from our specially-selected traders.

“It’s a great way to bring some colour and joy to a November weekend and a wonderful way to support farmers, makers and local industries while learning from experts”

The event will once again raise funds for both Scottish charity CHAS, which provides care for children who may die young, and their families, and also for the St Monans Auld Kirk Enterprise.

The event will run from November 26-28. Tickets are available now for individual workshops and for general access to the full event.

For more details or to book tickets head to eastneukknit.com.