Walk into Sweet Threads Yarn & Fibre in downtown Squamish and you might leave with yarn, a new skill, or the name of someone you’d like to knit with next week. Owner Lauren Greenlaw knows that a yarn shop can be a place to ask questions and find your people as much as it is a place to find supplies. She’s the sort of person whose passion for what she does is contagious.

Sweet Threads gives Sea to Sky makers a place to explore yarn, fibre, embroidery and sashiko close to home. Lauren and her team have also made a point of introducing customers to Canadian yarns and designers, pairing yarns from across the country with patterns by Canadian makers. Classes, knit nights and gatherings give people a chance to try something new or settle in with a familiar project. The shop’s Queer Knit Night makes that invitation especially clear: there is room to show up and make alongside others.

We’re thrilled that Sweet Threads is XOXO Fibre’s main event sponsor. Lauren understands the work it takes to create a space where people feel welcome, curious and connected; she does it in Squamish all year long. Her generous support helps us bring makers, crafters and fibre lovers together in North Vancouver for a day of learning, conversation and the happy possibility of going home with more project ideas than anyone planned.

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The West Coast Knitters’ Guild began in 1991 with a knit night at a Richmond yarn shop. Diane Debray and Nancy Vivien invited customers and friends to bring their projects, share ideas and get to know one another. More than three decades later, that invitation still shapes the guild: knitters and crocheters of different ages and skill levels come together to learn, show what they’re making and enjoy time with people who understand the joy of a finished row. West Coast Knitters' Guild

The guild is kept going by volunteers who organize meetings, speakers and workshops. Members also make and gather things for others, from handmade winter accessories to yarn donations for community groups. There is care in that work, and in the simple act of helping someone through a tricky stitch. West Coast Knitters' Guild

That’s why it means so much to have the West Coast Knitters’ Guild sponsor our Crafters Lounge. It’s a place to sit down with your project, make room for a conversation and perhaps leave knowing someone new. We’re grateful to the guild for helping create that space at XOXO Fibre—and for reminding us that making together has always been the best part.

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Nine Ten Publications is the independent Vancouver press run by Kim Werker, making books for people who want to understand more about the things they love to make. Its Canadian authors explore wool, yarn, mending, colour, knitting math and the many stories held within textiles. Kim’s work begins with curiosity and gives readers a way to follow it further.

At XOXO Fibre, Nine Ten has sponsored Vancouver Fibreshed and our community art project. Both invite people to take part in a bigger fibre story. Vancouver Fibreshed helps us look at where textiles come from and the people, land and skills involved in making them. The community art project gives festival visitors a chance to make something together.

We’re grateful to Kim and Nine Ten for supporting these two ways of connecting: learning more about our materials and making alongside one another. It’s a lovely extension of what their books do so well—opening a subject up and inviting more people into the conversation.

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Urban Yarns has been part of Vancouver’s knitting and crochet community since 2004. In its Point Grey shop, a question about one skein can turn into a conversation about colour, technique or an entirely new project. Lindsay and her team shares that knowledge through classes for beginners and experienced makers alike, helping people feel at home with whatever they’re learning next.

Urban Yarns has also been part of XOXO Fibre since day one. They believed in this little festival when it was still a new idea, and their continued support has meant so much as our community has grown. This year, they have sponsored Woolwerx and contributed in kind, helping us make space for an organization whose work connects fibre with employment and opportunity.

A local yarn shop does more than put materials into makers’ hands. It gives people somewhere to ask, learn and share the excitement of making something themselves. We’re deeply grateful to the Urban Yarns team for recognizing that same possibility in XOXO from the very beginning—and for continuing to help us build it together.

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Olive and Bean Photography is run by Sarah and Olivia, longtime friends with a shared love for adventure and storytelling. Based in North Vancouver, they specialize in photographing weddings, elopements, couples, families, and events across the stunning west coast of BC. Whether local or on the road, Sarah and Olivia are passionate about creating a safe, welcoming space for everyone. Known for capturing those heartfelt, in-between moments, they bring their playful energy to every shoot, ensuring genuine laughter and beautiful memories. Wherever your love story takes you, they’ll be there to document it with care and creativity.

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The Pipe Shop Venue, nestled in North Vancouver’s Shipyards District, offers a beautiful blend of history and charm, making it the perfect space for gatherings that celebrate community and connection. Once a bustling shipbuilding facility, this heritage venue now serves as a versatile canvas for events of all kinds, from weddings to vibrant community celebrations like XOXO Fibre. With its soaring ceilings, exposed wooden beams, and sweeping waterfront views, The Pipe Shop provides a warm, welcoming atmosphere where stories unfold and memories are made. It’s a place where history meets heart, creating the perfect backdrop for moments that bring people together.

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Mikaela Johnson is a Vancouver graphic designer whose work brings care and clarity to how ideas are seen. She has worked across branding, campaigns and digital design, bringing together creativity and an eye for the details that make people stop and look. We’re grateful to have a fellow creative helping XOXO Fibre share its story with the community.

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