Many stitchers are self-taught, meaning that they learned their skills on their own. After all, there are a ton of online resources to feed stitcher’s curiosity! One of the drawbacks, though, is knowing where to find reliable information. Below is a list of local and online stitching organizations that support our favorite crafts through education and networking. Both types are usually nonprofits that offer education but local resources are also a way to strengthen your relationships in the stitching community. We've also created a handy list of Texas fiber events. (Yarnivore supports many of the organizations below but is not affiliated with any of them.)

Local:

• Crochet Guild of America (CGOA) is a national organization that promotes crochet through educational programs and other events. The San Antonio Chapter, Alamo Rows, meets monthly. The national CGOA offers basic education for right- and left-handed crocheters, online classes, and two Masters Programs: Fundamentals of Crochet and Advanced Stitches & Techniques. Annual membership: $40 for individuals
• Fiber Artists of San Antonio (FASA) promotes fiber art with exhibitions and educational events. They host workshops and monthly gatherings, including expert guest speakers, fellowship and more. Annual membership: $45
• San Antonio Handweavers Guild (SAHG) supports a variety of weaving, spinning and other fiber arts at workshops and monthly meetings with guest speakers. Annual membership: $40
• San Antonio Needlework Guild, the local chapter for the Embroidery Guild of America meets monthly. The national organization also offers distance learning and a Master Craftsman Program. National annual membership: $55. Local chapter annual membership: $71.
• UTSA School of Arts has several Community Art - Adult classes on fibers and weaving. Class fees vary.

Online:

• American Needlepoint Guild (ANG) offers online workshops and several Master programs, including Needle Artist and Needlepointer. Unfortunately, there's no local chapter in San Antonio. Annual Membership: $60
• Craft Yarn Council (CYC): This organization is made up of yarn companies, tool manufacturers and publishers in the yarn world. Their website has tons of free information. Need to convert needle and hook sizes from metric to US? Need to figure out what size yarn you need to get gauge? Check out the Standards section of their website. The CYC also offers a Certified Instructors Program (CIP).
• The Knitting Guild Association (TKGA): There doesn’t appear to be a local chapter for this global organization, but the TKGA has meetups at major yarn events and online programs for members. They also offer various distance learning classes for fundamentals and the Master Hand Knitting Program (certification) in three levels. Annual membership: $35
• The National Academy of Needlearts (NAN) is a national organization devoted to embroidery arts. They have a variety of educational resources as well as a certification program. Annual membership: $40

Festivals, Retreats and So On, listed by occurrence:
(all dates shown were obtained from event websites on 12/30/2024; please confirm details with event organizers)

• Yellow Rose on the Coast (February 7-8, 2025, Port Aransas)

• Creative Arts Retreat 2025 (formerly the Fiber Arts Retreat) at UBarU (February 14-17, 2025, Gillespie County)

• Texas Wool Week (March 3-9, 2025, Bandera)

• East Texas Fiber Festival (March 28-29; Canton/SE of DFW)

• Yellow Rose Fiber Fiesta (April 25-26, 2025, Seguin)

• North Texas Yarn Crawl (April 25 - May4/2025, DFW Area)
• Fiber Forum Retreat 2025: New Ways with Metal Threads (April 27 - May 3, 2025, Houston)

• Houston Fiber Fest (June 27-29, 2025; Houston)

• Texas Yarn Trail (no 2025 dates published yet but generally in August; Houston area)

• DFW Fiber Fest (September 19-21, 2025, Irving)

• Yarnivore participates in The Best Little Yarn Crawl in Texas (early-mid October)

• Texas Fleece & Fiber Festival (October 24-26, 2025, Kerrville).

• You may also find yarn and makers at local farmer’s markets. For example, Zorn Junction shows at the Old Gruene Market Days, held the 3rd full weekend of each month February through November and the 1st weekend of December from 10am-5pm.

• Spare Parts - Spare Parts operates the Center for Creative Reuse, San Antonio's first Art Supply Thrift Store. Since opening in late 2020 The Center has diverted over 80,000 pounds of creative supplies and materials from the landfill. 
• Threads of Love - Threads of Love San Antonio is a non-profit, 501(c) organization dedicated to the production and distribution of clothing and care items to premature babies (living and deceased) serviced by local San Antonio hospitals, crisis pregnancy care centers and Any Baby Can.