Announcing: the Nash Yarn Fest Hootenanny!

Dear everybody,

Nash Yarn Fest is eight weeks away—it will be here before we know it! Springtime in Nashville and a big-hearted gathering of knitters and makers from all over the world are exactly what we need right now.

We’re thrilled to announce a new NYF tradition: the Hootenanny, on Friday, April 17, from 6-8:30 p.m.

After the marketplace floor closes on Friday, we’ll open up the space next door for a party for the ages. Of course, you can expect a relaxed, convivial time with snacks and bevs in the company of your fellow knitters and crocheters and many of the wonderful fiber artisans who are vending with us this year. And there’s more! We’ve booked a lineup that is guaranteed to get you laughing, dancing, and singing along like crazy.

If you’ve been thinking about joining us for the Hootenanny, it’s time to get those tickets. We’re over halfway to capacity, and we don’t want anyone to miss out on the fun.

Without further ado, here’s the bill:

Missy Raines, Bluegrass Goddess

After her joymaking sets on the main stage at last year’s Nash Yarn Fest, Grammy-nominated bluegrass bass player Missy Raines told us she loved playing for knitters—and the crowd loved her right back. There is absolute truth to the rumor that we tried to book Missy for 2026 as she and her bandmates were packing up last year. We’re thrilled that in 2026, Missy Raines and Friends will return as the musical stars of the Hootenanny.

In 1998, Missy became the first woman to win International Bluegrass Music Association’s Bass Player of the Year award, and she’s won that title another nine times since, as well as IBMA awards for collaborative projects with a wide range of her bluegrass peers and a Grammy nomination for her album Royal Traveller.

For a taste of the goodness ahead, here’s a Missy Raines video sampler.

Erin Jackson, Comedian

Laughter is the best medicine, and comedian Erin Jackson regularly has us in stitches on Instagram.

Erin is a fixture in New York’s top comedy clubs and made her Netflix debut on Season 2 of Tiffany Haddish Presents: They Ready. As a television writer, Erin worked on the hit Netflix show, The Upshaws, and appeared on Hulu’s Life and Beth, Late Night with Seth Meyers, CONAN, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, This Week at the Comedy Cellar and Last Comic Standing. Erin’s comedy album, Grudgery, debuted at No. 1 on the iTunes comedy charts.

Welcome, Erin—brace yourself for the powerful love of knitters!

Natasha Neely and Line Dancing

It’s the most fun you can have with your boots on, and knitters know that a good teacher can make all the difference. It’s no different with line dancing! We went in search of the best, and found Nashville’s own Natasha Neely.

Boots? Recommended but not required.

Fringe? Heck yeah!

But in truth, all you need is attitude. This is going to be an epic night.

Get Your Hootenanny On

We’d love to have you Hootenanny with us. Here’s the link to get those tickets. And yes, MDK Society members save 10% when you use your member coupon code.

Love,

Ann and Kay